Wag Tales Megan Corcoran

Linda Rowley is a positive psychology interventionist, workplace wellbeing facilitator and coach, She is known for facilitating environments of trust and collaboration (even amongst groups with diverse perspectives) where individuals can codesign and commit to shared wellbeing goals. Linda has a reputation for communicating complex information in easily digestible and actionable ways, and this podcast episode is no exception.

In this episode, Linda and Megan discuss the topics of social anxiety and ambiguous loss. They explore how experiences of social anxiety in children and young people may be resulting in attendance and engagement challenges. Linda shares strategies teachers, parents and other supportive adults can use to support a child through these experiences, including exposure therapy, removing blame and judgment, and providing predictability. They discuss how COVID19 impacted us socially and how this could be impacting children and young people.

Linda unpacks the definition of ambiguous loss, which is an experience of loss that is not associated with a death. It can be a loss of emotional connection when a person's physical presence remains, or when that emotional connection remains but a physical connection is lost. Often, there isn't a sense of closure, and Linda shares how we can implement rituals and wellbeing practices to support ourselves through these experiences.

You can connect with Linda Rowley on Linked In.

Host: Megan Corcoran, Wagtail Institute, https://wagtailinstitute.com/
Wagtail Institute empowers schools and complex settings to become trauma-informed wellbeing communities of practice where everyone can thrive. We work alongside leaders, educators, and practitioners to respond to wellbeing challenges, enhance trauma-informed practice, and navigate pathways to healing. If you would like to work with Megan, head to our website or send an email: megan@megancorcoran.com.au
Wagtail Institute on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wagtail.institute/
The episode is brought to you by our sponsor, Teachers' Well. You can learn more about their work or purchase a compass journal here: https://www.teacherswell.com/

Music by Kabbilistic Village https://kabbalisticvillage.com/

Adela Holmes is a passionate advocate for children and young people in the child protection system, having 51 years of experience in the field (so far). Adela has worked with some of the most vulnerable young people in Victoria, centring her work on those residing in out-of-home care. She wrote the Berry Street submission for Take-two (a therapeutic outreach service) and the model for Hustrbridge Farm (the Victorian government's flagship model of therapeutic residential care) and was the founding manager of both.
In this episode, Adela shares how she started in youth work, reading Summerhill by A.S Neill and feeling deeply inspired to one day work with young people. Adela studied an Associate Diploma in Social Welfare and then began working as a case planner in Child Protection. She explains the approach in her early career was around “good relationships” and” responding to children's emotions”, yet there was a lack of evidence or scientific understanding of what really worked. Adela's passion for seeing better outcomes for young people saw her take on big projects and managerial roles and staying in the field all these years.
Megan and Adela discuss how trauma-informed practice is effective when applied properly, yet can be misunderstood or lost in some systems. They talk about the importance of long-term relationships with those who have experienced complex trauma and ways in which the workforce needs to be trained and supported to ensure longevity is possible.
Connect with Adela on Linked In.
Adela mentions the book, The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog by Bruce Perry and Maia Szalavitz
Adela speaks about visiting Mulberry Bush School in the UK watching the documentary Hold me tight, let me go.
Host: Megan Corcoran, Wagtail Institute, https://wagtailinstitute.com/
Wagtail Institute empowers schools and complex settings to become trauma-informed wellbeing communities of practice where everyone can thrive. We work alongside leaders, educators, and practitioners to respond to wellbeing challenges, enhance trauma-informed practice, and navigate pathways to healing. If you would like to work with Megan, head to our website or send an email: megan@megancorcoran.com.au
Wagtail Institute on instagram
The episode is brought to you by our sponsor, Teachers' Well. You can learn more about their work or purchase a compass journal here: https://www.teacherswell.com/
Music by Kabbilistic Village https://kabbalisticvillage.com/

Content warning: In this episode, we discuss experiences of mental illness, post-traumatic stress disorder and high-risk pregnancy. If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek professional support. If you are in Australia you can call LifeLine 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636.
Diana Nicholls is a mother to twins, author of 30 Weeks 1 Day: A memoir of strength, survival and mental health, a personal trainer, mental health coach, and a long-distance runner. Diana is passionate about supporting others with their physical and mental health through her business, DNPT after navigating her challenges. 7 years ago, Diana fell pregnant with identical twins and had to navigate the unimaginable stress of a high-risk pregnancy, with the twins developing twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTSS). This meant Diana was on strict bed rest, underwent surgeries while pregnant, and gave birth to the twins at 30 weeks and 1 day. The twins ' survival was touch-and-go throughout the pregnancy and the months following, and Diana had to find a way to navigate this reality.
In this episode, Diana openly shares her mental health journey, navigating each day of the high-risk pregnancy and the months that followed. Diana developed post-traumatic stress disorder after spending so many months in survival mode. She openly shares the challenges and the strategies she used to make her way into recovery and health. Diana's story helps normalise the human experience of trauma and how the body and brain protect us through unimaginable experiences. Diana highlights the importance of community and consistency when we are overcoming traumatic events and provides real tips we can put into practice.
Megan first came across Diana in 2023, when a mutual friend was engaging in a running fundraiser alongside Diana. Diana was running 7 marathons in 7 days to raise money for Mercy Perinatal here in Melbourne.You can see more about Diana's fundraising in an interview with the Today Show here.
You can find Diana's book here: https://www.amazon.com.au/30-Weeks-Day-strength-survival/dp/1648714625#:~:text=30%20Weeks%201%20Day%20is,has%20nothing%20left%20to%20give.
Diana's business DNPT is on instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/dnpt_coaching/
Host: Megan Corcoran, Wagtail Institute, https://wagtailinstitute.com/
Wagtail Institute empowers schools and complex settings to become trauma-informed wellbeing communities of practice where everyone can thrive. We work alongside leaders, educators, and practitioners to respond to wellbeing challenges, enhance trauma-informed practice, and navigate pathways to healing. If you would like to work with Megan, head to our website or send an email: megan@megancorcoran.com.au
Wagtail Institute on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wagtail.institute/
The episode is brought to you by our sponsor, Teachers' Well. You can learn more about their work or purchase a compass journal here: https://www.teacherswell.com/
Music by Kabbilistic Village https://kabbalisticvillage.com/

Jack Greig is a teacher, facilitator, and a Doctor of Education candidate at the University of Melbourne. He has worked in urban and remote communities, advocating for wellbeing and equity across school systems, and culturally responsive teaching in collaboration with First Nations and superdiverse school communities. Jack co-founded Teachers' Well, a community of practice for teachers leading wellbeing initiatives, and was a senior teacher on Yolŋu country in Northeast Arnhem Land, NT. Jack and Megan met a few years ago, their paths often crossed through mutual connections and a shared purpose before they decided to explore ways of connecting and working together.
In this episode, Jack and Megan discuss their understanding of trauma-informed systems-aware wellbeing practices, reflecting on their shared experiences and practices. Jack and Megan (with their colleague Paul Tupou-Vea) co-founded Teachers' Well as a community to support teachers to become "Wellbeing Education Leaders and Learners" (WELL). Members of the Teachers' Well community are supported in developing facilitation, leadership and wellbeing skills they can practice with their school communities.
Jack and Megan speak honestly about some of the challenges that emerged when co-creating a community of practice, along with the benefits of experiencing co-regulation, receiving support from peers, and feeling empowered to take courageous action. They take listeners around the Teachers' Well Compass, discussing the founding values of Purpose, Curiosity, Compassion and Courage.
This episode is not just for those working in education settings, but beneficial to anyone focused on human-centred work, trauma-informed wellbeing practices or those looking to develop their community of practice.
Jack mentions the following books:
Equity-Centered Trauma-Informed Education by Alex Shevrin Venet - https://www.routledge.com/Equity-Centered-Trauma-Informed-Education/Venet/p/book/9781032597133
Dialogue: The Art of Thinking Together by William Isaacs - https://www.amazon.com/Dialogue-Thinking-Together-William-Isaacs/dp/0385479999
The Compassionate Systems Framework - https://systemsawareness.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Intro-CompassionateSystemsFramework-March-2019.pdf
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt - https://www.amazon.com.au/Anxious-Generation-Rewiring-Childhood-Epidemic-ebook/dp/B0CGWS3JQ6
Host: Megan Corcoran, Wagtail Institute, https://wagtailinstitute.com/
Wagtail Institute empowers schools and complex settings to become trauma-informed wellbeing communities of practice where everyone can thrive. We work alongside leaders, educators, and practitioners to respond to wellbeing challenges, enhance trauma-informed practice, and navigate pathways to healing. If you would like to work with Megan, head to our website or send an email: megan@megancorcoran.com.au
Wagtail Institute on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wagtail.institute/
The episode is brought to you by our sponsor, Teachers' Well. You can learn more about their work or purchase a compass journal here: https://www.teacherswell.com/
Music by Kabbilistic Village https://kabbalisticvillage.com/

Ben Sacco is the Managing Director of Education Economy, working alongside schools and organisations to amplify their connection to purpose and passion. He has over 20 years of experience in education and business management, bringing a unique perspective to some of the challenges emerging in the education sector. Ben and Megan met a couple of years ago, connecting over their shared vision of seeing better wellbeing for everyone in schools.
In this episode, Ben and Megan discuss the conditions needed to improve the wellbeing of education professionals and enhance the outcomes for children and young people. They don't shy away from some controversial ideas, like taking time to consider each individual's role in creating better conditions within the profession and the impact of poor change management practices. Both Ben and Megan welcome questions and further discussion that may emerge from listening to this episode.
You can find Ben Sacco's work with Education Economy here.
The Trauma-aware Education Conference will be held in Brisbane from October 31 to November 2. Early bird tickets are available until August 23.
Host: Megan Corcoran, Wagtail Institute, https://wagtailinstitute.com/
Wagtail Institute empowers schools and complex settings to become trauma-informed wellbeing communities of practice where everyone can thrive. We work alongside leaders, educators, and practitioners to respond to wellbeing challenges, enhance trauma-informed practice, and navigate pathways to healing. If you would like to work with Megan, head to our website or send an email: megan@megancorcoran.com.au
Wagtail Institute on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wagtail.institute/
The episode is brought to you by our sponsor, Teachers' Well. You can learn more about their work or purchase a compass journal here: https://www.teacherswell.com/
Music by Kabbilistic Village https://kabbalisticvillage.com/

Rebecca Harris is the author of Safe to Learn: Embedding Trauma-Informed Student Wellbeing Practices. She also works as a counsellor and consultant. Rebecca has held various wellbeing roles in schools and is deeply passionate about supporting teachers to better understand the stress and needs of students (and themselves) to improve outcomes. Rebecca and Megan had not met before the day of recording; however, they discovered they view the world and education in very similar ways, both focusing on preventing and recovering from the impact of stress and adversity in schools.
In this episode, Rebecca and Megan dive right into discussing the education system, sharing reflections from their experiences in schools and insights gained from their consulting work. Rebecca shares her vision of an ideal school where all students are included and appropriately supported. Both Rebecca and Megan acknowledge the incredibly innovative people working in schools, despite the challenges and limitations of the system itself.
You can find Rebecca Harris's book, Safe to Learn, along with her counselling and consulting services here: Embedding Wellbeing. Rebecca's Instagram handle is: @embedding_wellbeing.
Rebecca is speaking at Glenroy Library on supporting young people with anxiety. Free tickets can be found here: Eventbrite.
Host: Megan Corcoran, Wagtail Institute, Wagtail Institute. The Wagtail Institute empowers schools and complex settings to become trauma-informed wellbeing communities of practice where everyone can thrive. We work alongside leaders, educators, and practitioners to respond to wellbeing challenges, enhance trauma-informed practice, and navigate pathways to healing. If you would like to work with Megan, head to our website or send an email to megan@megancorcoran.com.au.
Wagtail Institute on Instagram: Wagtail Institute.
This episode is brought to you by our sponsor, Teachers' Well. You can learn more about their work or purchase a compass journal here: Teachers' Well.
Music by Kabbalistic Village: Kabbalistic Village.