Podclass - Podcast for Teachers and Educators

• #63 - The One About Saying Yes and No

  Hosts: Skye Hughes and Amanda Marshall Special Guest: Bonnie Ryanro Length: Full episode Listen via: www.ylaaus.com/podclass🧭 Intro SummaryIn this episode of Podclass, we welcome back Bonnie Ryanro to explore one of the most powerful tools for both young people and the adults who support them – the ability to say yes and no with clarity, confidence and care.From protecting your energy to stepping outside your comfort zone, this episode is packed with personal stories, practical insights and grounded strategies for helping young people (and ourselves) make values-aligned decisions. The team unpacks how yes can stretch us into new growth, and how no can be an act of self-respect – and why both matter more than ever in youth work and education.✨ Episode Breakdown🧠 The Yes Society and the Pushback Generation“I love the power of no for protecting your energy and maintaining quality – and the power of yes for stretching, even if you don’t feel ready.” – Bonnie The team reflects on how young people today are reclaiming their right to say no – and why that matters. But they also highlight the risk of people-pleasing, especially in school cultures where saying yes is often praised.🔐 Saying No with Confidence“It’s a no in service of showing up better for others.” Bonnie shares how learning to say no allowed her to maintain her wellbeing and show up more fully for her work with young people. The group unpacks how to recognise when a yes is coming at the cost of your energy or integrity.🚪 The Room of Unlocked Doors“Every door in that room was unlocked – all I had to do was say yes.” Bonnie describes a moment that changed her career, where a single yes opened up opportunities she never expected. The hosts explore how mentors can help young people recognise and step into these moments.🧭 Modelling Decision-Making for Young People“There’s so much power in not expecting an answer on the spot.” – Skye Educators and youth workers are encouraged to give young people space to reflect, make decisions, and even change their minds. The team explores how to model values-aligned decisions and support autonomy through language, timing and storytelling.🧰 Practical Strategies for EducatorsDon’t Expect Instant Answers When offering opportunities, give students time to consider. Say, “Think it over and come back to me tomorrow,” to reduce pressure and model healthy boundaries.Model Your Own Process Share why you said yes or no to something. This builds transparency and normalises thoughtful decision-making.Encourage Values-Aligned Choices Help young people identify what matters most to them. Ask, “Does this choice align with your values?” to promote self-awareness and authenticity.Normalise Changing Your Mind Make it okay to shift from yes to no, or vice versa, without shame. Reassure young people that growing means learning from reflection.Unpack the Why Behind No When you have to say no to a student, explain your rationale. This supports autonomy and builds trust – especially in hierarchical spaces.🎓 Final ThoughtsSaying yes or no isn’t just about making a choice. It’s about who you are becoming. When we support young people to reflect on what they value, hold their boundaries, and take brave leaps when ready, we help them grow into empowered, self-aware humans.Whether you’re making your own tough decision or supporting someone else’s, remember: clarity and compassion can live side by side.🔗 Links and MoreListen to more episodes: www.ylaaus.com/podclassFollow us on Instagram: @podclass.aus Connect with YEP: https://youthengagementproject.com Learn more from YLAA: www.ylaaus.com

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• #62 - The One About Connection Through Story

  Hosts: Amanda Marshall and Skye Hughes Special Guest: Bonnie Ryanro Length: Full episode Listen via: www.ylaaus.com/podclass🌟 Intro SummaryThis week on Podclass, we’re joined by youth leadership powerhouse Bonnie Ryanro for a rich and energising conversation about storytelling and why it’s so much more than just entertainment. From memory to empathy, classroom culture to connection, storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have in youth work and education.With warmth, laughter and honest reflection, Amanda, Skye and Bonnie explore how educators and facilitators can integrate meaningful, authentic stories into everyday practice – and why doing so builds lasting relationships and opens powerful learning opportunities.💬 Episode Breakdown🎤 Storytelling Builds Connection“There’s no one you can’t love if you know their story.” – Amanda Bonnie shares how storytelling shifted for her when she moved from acting into facilitation. No longer playing a role, she now tells stories as her true self – and that authenticity builds instant connection and trust with young people.🧠 Why Stories Stick“A person is 22 times more likely to remember information when it’s told as a story.” The hosts unpack how storytelling engages multiple parts of the brain, supporting deeper learning, emotional connection, and long-term memory. It’s not about information overload – it’s about inviting students to feel the learning.🌍 Empathy Over Assumptions“We are wired to make assumptions – until we hear the story.” Amanda reflects on a powerful moment from a trip to Myanmar where knowing someone’s story instantly shattered a judgement she didn’t even realise she had made. The team discusses how stories can dismantle bias and build compassion.🧰 Practical Strategies for EducatorsCreate a Story Bank Like Bonnie, start a document of personal stories you can draw on. Funny, awkward or meaningful – anything that helps students feel seen and engaged.Play with Delivery Use sensory language, tone of voice, body movement and playfulness to bring your stories to life. It’s not about being a performer – it’s about making it real.Invite Stories from Students Ask questions that open space for young people to share their own stories. This builds classroom trust and gives every student a voice.Use Stories as Teaching Tools Instead of just data or slides, find a story – historical, cultural or personal – that brings your content to life. Then let students continue the story or reflect on their own connections.Notice and Practise Start paying attention to the stories that move you – whether from friends, books, or media – and practise retelling them in your own voice.🎓 Final ThoughtsStorytelling is not just a nice-to-have in education – it’s a tool for empathy, memory, connection and healing. Whether you’re a teacher, coach, facilitator or parent, learning to tell stories (and invite them from others) can transform the way you connect with young people.And remember: you don’t need to be a performer to be a storyteller. You just need to be human.🔗 Links and MoreListen to more episodes: www.ylaaus.com/podclass Follow us on Instagram: @podclass.aus Connect with YEP: https://youthengagementproject.com Learn more from YLAA: www.ylaaus.com

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• #62 - The One About Connection Through Story

  Hosts: Amanda Marshall and Skye Hughes Special Guest: Bonnie Ryanro Length: Full episode Listen via: www.ylaaus.com/podclass🌟 Intro SummaryThis week on Podclass, we’re joined by youth leadership powerhouse Bonnie Ryanro for a rich and energising conversation about storytelling and why it’s so much more than just entertainment. From memory to empathy, classroom culture to connection, storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have in youth work and education.With warmth, laughter and honest reflection, Amanda, Skye and Bonnie explore how educators and facilitators can integrate meaningful, authentic stories into everyday practice – and why doing so builds lasting relationships and opens powerful learning opportunities.💬 Episode Breakdown🎤 Storytelling Builds Connection“There’s no one you can’t love if you know their story.” – Amanda Bonnie shares how storytelling shifted for her when she moved from acting into facilitation. No longer playing a role, she now tells stories as her true self – and that authenticity builds instant connection and trust with young people.🧠 Why Stories Stick“A person is 22 times more likely to remember information when it’s told as a story.” The hosts unpack how storytelling engages multiple parts of the brain, supporting deeper learning, emotional connection, and long-term memory. It’s not about information overload – it’s about inviting students to feel the learning.🌍 Empathy Over Assumptions“We are wired to make assumptions – until we hear the story.” Amanda reflects on a powerful moment from a trip to Myanmar where knowing someone’s story instantly shattered a judgement she didn’t even realise she had made. The team discusses how stories can dismantle bias and build compassion.🧰 Practical Strategies for EducatorsCreate a Story Bank Like Bonnie, start a document of personal stories you can draw on. Funny, awkward or meaningful – anything that helps students feel seen and engaged.Play with Delivery Use sensory language, tone of voice, body movement and playfulness to bring your stories to life. It’s not about being a performer – it’s about making it real.Invite Stories from Students Ask questions that open space for young people to share their own stories. This builds classroom trust and gives every student a voice.Use Stories as Teaching Tools Instead of just data or slides, find a story – historical, cultural or personal – that brings your content to life. Then let students continue the story or reflect on their own connections.Notice and Practise Start paying attention to the stories that move you – whether from friends, books, or media – and practise retelling them in your own voice.🎓 Final ThoughtsStorytelling is not just a nice-to-have in education – it’s a tool for empathy, memory, connection and healing. Whether you’re a teacher, coach, facilitator or parent, learning to tell stories (and invite them from others) can transform the way you connect with young people.And remember: you don’t need to be a performer to be a storyteller. You just need to be human.🔗 Links and MoreListen to more episodes: www.ylaaus.com/podclass Follow us on Instagram: @podclass.aus Connect with YEP: https://youthengagementproject.com Learn more from YLAA: www.ylaaus.com

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• #61 - The One About The Mentor Mindset

  Hosts: Amanda Marshall, Skye Hughes, and Will Masara Length: Full episode Listen via: www.ylaaus.com/podclass🌱 Intro SummaryIn this energising episode of Podclass, the team dives deep into one of the most practical and transformative conversations yet – how to adopt a mentor mindset. Whether you're a teacher, coach, parent or youth worker, understanding how to hold high expectations while offering high support is the key to building trust, resilience and autonomy in young people.With warmth, humour and personal reflections, Amanda, Skye and Will unpack three core mindsets adults often default to – the Enforcer, the Protector, and the ideal: the Mentor. You'll laugh, nod in recognition, and walk away with a renewed perspective on what it means to walk with young people, not ahead or behind them.🔍 Episode Breakdown🛑 The Enforcer: High Expectations, Low Support“My job is to teach the maths. If you don't get it, that’s your problem.” – Skye Enforcer mindsets prioritise discipline and standards, but often at the cost of wellbeing and autonomy. The team reflects on how this style can disconnect adults from the emotional realities of young people, even if it comes from a place of care.🛡️ The Protector: High Support, Low Expectations“Let me do it for you, darling.” – Amanda While well-intentioned, protectors often remove challenge and risk in an effort to make life easier for young people. The hosts explore how this mindset can stifle resilience and prevent young people from building confidence in their own capabilities.🤝 The Mentor Mindset: High Expectations, High Support“It’s not about walking in front or behind – it’s walking beside.” – Skye This is the sweet spot. Mentors offer guidance without rescuing, set boundaries without controlling, and always hold the young person as capable. When educators and adults embody this stance, it fosters autonomy, trust and real learning.🧰 Practical Strategies for EducatorsVisualise Your Stance Reflect on where you typically “stand” with students. Are you ahead, behind, or beside them? Shift your stance with intentionality.Balance the Equation Combine warmth with challenge. Check in emotionally and hold the line on expectations. For example, greet a student with care before gently reminding them of the uniform policy.Name the Mindsets Use the Enforcer–Protector–Mentor model in staff conversations. It gives teams a shared language to reflect and grow together.Hold Space for Struggle Resist the urge to fix everything. Ask questions, offer prompts, and trust in the young person’s ability to problem-solve.🎓 Final ThoughtsThe mentor mindset is not a middle ground. It is a powerful and intentional stance that says: I see your potential, and I’m here to walk with you. When educators embrace this approach, we create relational trust – the foundation of growth, learning and genuine connection.Let’s grow more mentors.🔗 Links and MoreListen to more episodes: www.ylaaus.com/podclass Follow us on Instagram: @podclass.aus Connect with YEP: https://youthengagementproject.com Learn more from YLAA: www.ylaaus.com

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• #60 - The One About The Amygdala

  Hosted by Will Masara, Skye Hughes and Amanda MarshallWelcome back to Podclass! In Episode 60, we’re diving deep into the almond-shaped part of the brain that controls far more than we often realise – the amygdala.From teenage decision-making to adult tantrums over shoelaces, this conversation explores how our emotional brain shapes the way we react, relate and respond – especially in schools. Packed with practical takeaways, episode 60 is essential listening for anyone supporting young people to feel safe, seen and understood.🧠 Segment 1: What is the Amygdala?“Can you believe something so small could create whole-body responses in a millisecond?” – AmandaThe amygdala sits in the limbic system, acting as our internal alarm bell. It’s wired to scan for threats and rewards – reacting before we even realise it. But that speed comes at a cost: it’s not always accurate.The team share personal stories and relatable metaphors to help educators understand why students may appear irrational, distracted or overly reactive – and why that doesn’t mean they’re being “difficult.”💥 Segment 2: Young People, Perceived Risk and Emotional Hypersensitivity“Teenagers aren’t irrational. Their motivational priorities are just different.” – SkyeIn this powerful discussion, the hosts break down the emotional hypersensitivity of adolescence. Teens are biologically wired to seek connection, approval and belonging – and when these feel threatened, the amygdala fires.The team challenge deficit-based thinking around “undeveloped” brains and instead invite listeners to consider what young people are motivated by, and how educators can respond with empathy and grace.🧭 Segment 3: Practical Tools for De-escalation and Feedback“Sometimes all we need is 30 seconds for the prefrontal cortex to catch up.” – WillFrom box breathing to wise feedback, the hosts explore tools that can help both young people and adults stay calm, connected and clear-headed – even when emotions run high.Amanda highlights how tone and body language can trigger a student’s sense of threat, while Skye offers a simple, research-backed structure for delivering feedback in ways that soothe, not stress, the amygdala.✏️ Practical Strategies for Educators- Give grace: Assume that students’ emotional responses may be amygdala-driven, not intentional misbehaviour.- Use “wise feedback”: Frame feedback with belief in the student’s capability to meet expectations.- Monitor your tone: Delivery matters as much as content. Harsh tone can trigger fight-or-flight.- Pause before reacting: Let your prefrontal cortex weigh in before responding emotionally.- Teach co-regulation: Help young people understand their own brains so they can self-regulate over time.❤️ Final ThoughtUnderstanding the amygdala isn’t just brain science – it’s relational practice. When we recognise the role of perceived threat in student behaviour, we create safer, more emotionally intelligent learning environments.🎧 Listen now at ylaaus.com/podclass 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @podclass.aus 🌱 Learn more about YEP & YLAA: youthengagementproject.com | ylaaus.com

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