SUMMARY

Educators are carrying more than ever, and in the middle of all that noise, the inner critic often shouts the loudest. In this episode of the Radical Hope Series, Michelle Kinder offers practical, light-lift ways to quiet that critic and tune into a steadier guide, the inner mentor.

With relatable stories, examples pulled straight from the classroom, and strategies from Tara Mohr (Playing Big), Richard Schwartz (No Bad Parts), and Jay Early & Bonnie Weiss (Freedom from Your Inner Critic), Michelle shows how to:

• Spot and name the critic’s different disguises (from perfectionist to guilt tripper).

• Create distance and compassion instead of being overtaken by self-judgment.

• Call on the calm, grounded wisdom of your inner mentor, even in the middle of a busy school day.

This conversation is about moving from exhaustion to steadiness, from fear to freedom, and remembering that you already carry the wisdom you need. It’s not about silencing the critic, but choosing a truer voice so you can keep showing up, for yourself and for your students.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Understanding the Inner Critic and Inner Mentor
05:57 The Role of the Inner Mentor
10:45 Practicing Connection with the Inner Mentor
16:42 Types of Inner Critics

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Oxygen for Educators is proudly sponsored by Tacky Box.

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SUMMARY

In this episode of Oxygen for Educators, we sit down with Heather Junker to talk about what it really means to be a lifelong learner in education. Heather has spent years helping schools grow, but she’s the first to admit that none of us ever have it all figured out, and that’s okay.

The conversation touches on everything from the wild ride of technology in classrooms to the ups and downs of educator morale. Heather shares how important it is for teachers and leaders to feed their own learning, not just pour into students, and how simple things like teamwork, parent relationships, and community-building can shift the whole culture of a school.

This isn’t about shiny solutions or quick fixes, it’s about real people doing their best, learning as they go, and finding ways to support each other in an ever-changing landscape.

• Don’t forget to nurture your own growth. You can’t pour from an empty cup.

• Strong parent relationships are a game-changer for students.

• Technology can be both helpful and overwhelming. It’s all about balance.

• Morale matters, and it can shift with the season (or the paperwork pile).

• Professional development works best when it’s built with educators, not just for them.

• Community and teamwork make the hard stuff lighter.

CHAPTERS

00:00 The Lifelong Learner's Journey
04:13 Introducing Heather Junker
06:26 Heather's Unique Background and Experience
09:42 Passion for Professional Development
11:22 Creating Effective Learning Experiences
15:06 The Importance of Team Participation
19:50 Navigating Technology in Education
23:18 Building Relationships with Parents
28:21 Morale in Education
32:07 Advice for Educators Seeking Growth
38:41 Looking Ahead: The Future of Education

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Oxygen for Educators is proudly sponsored by Tacky Box.

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SUMMARY

Michelle Kinder unpacks what self-compassion really looks like in everyday life. She talks about both the tender, nurturing side we usually think of and the fierce, protective side that helps us set boundaries and stay grounded.

Using the idea of the “two arrows,” Michelle explains how self-compassion changes the way we handle challenges: the first arrow is the pain we can’t avoid, the second is the unnecessary suffering we create for ourselves.

With practical tools and real-life examples, she shows how being kinder to ourselves can ease anxiety, strengthen resilience, and even boost motivation, creating ripples that benefit both us and the people around us. She also points to go-to, real resources from some of the most credible voices in the field that you can start using today, and you’ll discover them all in the episode.

CHAPTERS

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Oxygen for Educators is proudly sponsored by Tacky Box.

Follow on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/oxygen-for-educators/id1775510846

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SUMMARY

This episode feels like sitting down for coffee with someone who’s walked the walk and really cares about people. Brenda Scott, now the Director of Cultural Intelligence for SMU Athletics, shares her story from being a first-generation college student to becoming a leader who helps others reach their full potential. She talks about why cultural intelligence matters, how truly seeing and understanding someone’s background can change everything, and why relationships are the heartbeat of student success.

Through personal stories and hard-earned wisdom, Brenda reminds us that educators can be real-life superheroes, creating safe spaces, celebrating milestones, and giving students the confidence to dream bigger. It’s an inspiring conversation that will leave you thinking about the small, intentional ways we can make others feel seen, supported, and capable of more than they imagined.

Brenda Scott is the author of All I Need Is My Tablet, a great story for children when it comes to technology and family. She is also the founder of BScott Visions, LLC, a company dedicated to helping people reach their full potential and improve their quality of life. Her work emphasizes building strong structures, safe, supportive environments where individuals can discover their strengths, develop skills, and prepare for the future.

You can connect with Brenda on LinkedIn or reach her by email at bscottvisions@gmail.com or brendas@smu.edu.

CHAPTERS

00:00 The Impact of Educators
03:01 Introducing Brenda Scott
06:08 Brenda's Journey and Mission
09:04 Cultural Intelligence in Education
11:47 Advice for Educators
14:54 Building Relationships in the Classroom
17:44 Understanding Different Backgrounds
20:55 Navigating Current Challenges
23:44 The Importance of Belonging
26:54 Personal Stories and Legacy
29:56 Real-Life Impact of Support
32:42 The Role of Educators
35:37 Cultural Language and Connection
38:42 The Power of Empathy
41:35 Magic Wand for Cultural Intelligence
44:36 The Role of Teachers as Superheroes
47:32 Final Thoughts and Reflections

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Oxygen for Educators is proudly sponsored by Tacky Box.

Follow on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/oxygen-for-educators/id1775510846

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SUMMARY

Ever feel like some days you're calm and grounded, and others you’re just… barely holding it together? In this episode of Radical Hope, Michelle Kinder unpacks neuroception, your nervous system’s built-in radar that constantly scans for danger or safety (without you even knowing it).

She explains how our state creates our story, when we’re stressed or shut down, we see the world differently than when we feel safe and connected.

“Sometimes long after the threat has passed, we’re still carrying the cat hair.”
Even subtle past experiences can shape how we show up today.

Michelle shares tools for tuning into your nervous system and stacking your day with moments that move you toward calm, connection, and purpose. It’s not about mastering your nervous system, it’s about being in relationship with it.

Short, powerful listen. Totally worth it.

CHAPTERS

SUMMARY

Get ready to meet a woman whose story will stay with you long after the episode ends. In this raw and transparent interview, Michelle Kinder sits down with Tausha Nickleberry—an educator, leader, and fierce believer in the transformative power of connection and hope. Tausha’s journey from a traumatic childhood marked by domestic violence and instability, through a life-altering teen pregnancy at 16, to becoming a passionate advocate for students and school communities, is nothing short of remarkable.

She shares how one caring adult—her high school’s teen pregnancy social worker—offered her not solutions, but something far more lasting: a safe space and unwavering belief. That quiet act of showing up sparked a ripple effect that changed Tausha’s trajectory and, years later, that of her son—now a teacher and coach himself. Her story is a testament to the unseen impact educators can have, even when they feel like they aren’t doing enough.

Michelle and co-host Chris Kent Phelps unpack the conversation with awe and admiration, calling Tausha’s life a “love letter to educators.” They explore the power of vulnerability, the quiet force of hope, and how deeply seeing another person can be the most radical, life-changing act.

This episode is more than inspiring—it’s a reminder that every moment of connection matters. Listen in and be reminded why the work you do has the power to transform lives.

CHAPTERS

00:00 The Power of Connection and Hope
05:53 Tasha's Journey: Overcoming Adversity
16:55 The Impact of Educators
21:48 The Ripple Effect of Hope
29:21 Seeing Potential in Others
38:59 The Importance of Understanding Behavior
47:34 Embracing Our Stories
54:11 The Role of Self-Care in Education

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Oxygen for Educators is produced by Ripplemaker Project and proudly sponsored by Tacky Box.

Follow on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/oxygen-for-educators/id1775510846

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Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEdbuPy-L7p4RZKZ_VWKCXwK_j8vbjZF2&si=7SHeSWZRllrseygs

Website: https://www.tackybox.com/podcast

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SUMMARY

Join host Michelle Kinder in this episode of Radical Hope as she explores the transformative practice of befriending your nervous system. Discover how understanding and nurturing your inner state can lead to steadiness, interrupt shame spirals, and reconnect you with your truest self. Drawing from the insights of polyvagal theory, Michelle shares practical ways to move from survival mode into a state of clarity, compassion, and connection. Tune in to learn how this daily practice can unlock your potential and help you deliver your unique gifts to the world.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• “Befriending your nervous system changes everything.”
• “You can’t give what you don’t have, and you don’t have what you’re disconnected from.”
• Burnout is not a personal failure—it's a sign that something deeper needs care.
• Rest, presence, and boundaries aren’t luxuries—they’re lifelines.

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Regulated Leadership and Nervous System Wisdom
03:18 – The Science of Safety and Belonging
07:12 – The Inner Work of Showing Up
11:44 – Recognizing Burnout and Shame
15:06 – You Don’t Have to Abandon Yourself
18:39 – Discomfort vs. Danger
22:03 – Practical Tools for Reconnection
26:55 – Slowing Down the Urgency
30:41 – Boundaries, Compassion, and Capacity
34:17 – Regulation as Contagious Leadership
38:26 – Final Reflections on Hope and Healing

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Oxygen for Educators is produced by Ripplemaker Project and proudly sponsored by Tacky Box.

Follow on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/oxygen-for-educators/id1775510846

Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2i21QueuqVqmEPmI7gzFfQ?si=1bef3354bff2402c

Follow on Audible: https://www.audible.co.uk/podcast/Oxygen-for-Educators/B0DKL68DLX?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp

Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEdbuPy-L7p4RZKZ_VWKCXwK_j8vbjZF2&si=7SHeSWZRllrseygs

Website: https://www.tackybox.com/podcast

Thank you to our sponsor, Tacky Box!

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