In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on what it really looks like to burn down a business and rebuild it from the inside out.
After three years of working with teachers and leaders, running workshops, consulting, memberships, and courses, I realised something big — the life and business I had built no longer aligned with who I was becoming as a woman, a mother, and a leader.
This episode is a raw and honest reflection on alignment, motherhood, identity, and change. I share why I'm shifting direction, what's next for my brand, and how I'm learning to prioritise myself and my family without guilt.
If you've ever felt like you've outgrown what you built, or that your success started to feel misaligned — this one's for you.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
→ Why I decided to pause Lead with EQ and parts of my education work
→ How motherhood changed everything — my priorities, pace, and purpose
→ What alignment actually looks and feels like in real life (not just online)
→ The fears and discomfort that come with burning things down to rebuild
→ How I'm creating space for The Modern Day Mum and what's next
→ Why emotional intelligence and nervous system regulation still sit at the core of my work
→ What it means to choose yourself and how it transforms your family
If you're a mum, educator, or business owner who feels pulled to create a life that actually feels good — this episode will remind you that it's safe to change direction.
Change doesn't mean failure. It means growth, evolution, and choosing to live in alignment with your values and the season you're in.
Work With Me
I currently have two 1:1 coaching spaces open for the rest of the year.
These sessions are for modern-day mums who are ready to regulate, realign, and rebuild their lives and businesses with emotional intelligence and nervous system awareness.
Connect with Em
Website: www.emmagentle.com.au
Instagram: @em_gentle
LinkedIn: Emma Gentle
Are you an educator feeling burnt out, overwhelmed, or like you're surviving from one school holiday to the next? Wondering how to stay in this profession you love without sacrificing your wellbeing?
In this powerful and deeply personal episode, I share from the heart, recording with my newborn snuggled up on my chest, about why emotional intelligence and nervous system regulation are not "nice-to-haves"… but essential tools for educators and school leaders today.
We dive into the real root causes of burnout, why so many teachers feel like they're drowning, and how we can begin shifting school culture from the inside out, without adding more to your already overloaded plate. Whether you're a teacher, leader, or support staff, you'll walk away with clarity, validation, and real next steps.
What you'll hear in this episode:
→ Why regulation is the missing link in education reform
→ How stress and unresolved trauma show up in the classroom
→ What happens when your nervous system leads the way
→ Why inner work is non-negotiable for teachers and leaders
→ The real impact of emotionally intelligent educators on students
→ How to shift your classroom and your life—starting with you
If you're ready to create a ripple effect in your classroom, school and home, this episode is your starting point.
✨ Ready to do the work? Join The EMotionally Intelligent Educator and DM me "READY" on Instagram for $100 off.
Resources + Links Mentioned:
→DM me "ready" on Instagram for your discount code
→Learn more about The EMotionally Intelligent Educator
Connect with Em
Website: www.emmagentle.com.au
Instagram: @em_gentle
LinkedIn: Emma Gentle
In this episode, I'm breaking down how behaviour is actually a nervous system response, not a discipline issue.
You'll learn how to recognise what's going on underneath the behaviour so you can respond in a way that actually helps your students come back to a calm, connected, ready to learn state.
I'll also share the three nervous system states (based on polyvagal theory), what they look like in real classrooms, and why learning to regulate your own nervous system is one of the most powerful things you can do as an educator.
What you'll learn in this episode:
→ Why some kids "flip their lid" over tiny things like a pencil
→ What nervous system dysregulation looks like in your classroom
→ How shutdown, fight, flight and freeze actually show up in real students
→ Why regulation always comes before expectations
→ How your energy shapes the safety and behaviour in your room
→ The difference between being calm vs being regulated
→ How to support kids before they lose control
If you're struggling with constant behaviour issues and it feels like nothing is working, this episode will help you shift your lens and show you what to focus on first.
Free Training for Teachers
Feeling overwhelmed, burnt out or just not enjoying teaching the way you used to?
Download my free training: Teaching without the Overwhelm
It's short, practical and will help you feel more calm, confident and in control, without needing a perfect classroom.
Connect with Em
Website: www.emmagentle.com.au
Instagram: @em_gentle
LinkedIn: Emma Gentle
In this episode, Olivia from Mindful Hearts Wellbeing shares how you can bring mindfulness into your classroom in simple, realistic ways without it feeling like "one more thing" on your to-do list.
She'll walk you through what mindfulness actually is (in teacher language), how it helps both students and teachers, and a four-step method you can use to set the tone for a calm and connected classroom especially in the mornings when things feel rushed or unsettled.
You'll also hear a short guided grounding practice at the end of the episode, so you can experience how calming it feels for yourself.
What you'll learn in this episode:
Connect with Olivia
Instagram: @mindfulheartswellbeing
Free Resources for Teachers
Connect with Em
In this episode, I'm talking about how to support neurodivergent learners in your classroom without having to create a hundred individual plans.
Most classrooms aren't built with neurodivergence in mind.
And when kids can't meet the expectations, we often fall back on the same old behaviour labels of "lazy," "disruptive," "off task."
But what if it's not about the behaviour? What if it's about the environment?
This episode gives you practical, realistic whole class strategies that help students who find things like noise, transitions, verbal instructions or social stuff hard, especially kids who are autistic, ADHD, or have sensory differences.
What you'll learn in this episode:
It's about small, smart shifts that help all kids, not just neurodivergent ones to feel more calm, capable and connected.
Free Resources for Teachers
Connect with Em
Today, we're joined by Dr. Amie Fabry, an early childhood educator, academic, researcher, policy consultant, and Director of Early Childhood at The Learning Future. Amie's work focuses on building the confidence, knowledge, and skills of early childhood educators and leaders to create responsive and trusting cultures where both educators and children can thrive. She is also the author of Lead with Intention, the first leadership framework designed for early years education.
Leadership isn't about titles or power, it's about developing potential in others. In this episode, Amie shares how to cultivate a strong team culture, lead with self-awareness, and build trust so that educators feel confident, valued, and supported.
If today's conversation resonated with you, Amie offers several ways to support your leadership journey:
Lead with Intention Framework – A practical guide breaking down these ideas with actionable steps.
1:1 Coaching – Work with Amie to build clarity and confidence in your leadership.
Professional Learning Programs – Join a cohort of like-minded leaders for deeper growth.
Find all the details at The Learning Future.
Inspired by this episode? If you're ready to start developing your self awareness and leading with purpose, check out The EMotionally Intelligent Educator
Some student behaviours feel harder to handle than others. Some classroom management strategies don't sit right with you, even though they're supposed to "work." Ever wondered why?
Your mindset shapes everything about how you teach, how you see behaviour, how you respond to challenges, and even how you feel at the end of the day. But most of us have never stopped to think about where those beliefs come from.
In this episode, I'm talking about
→ Why certain behaviours get under your skin more than others
→ How your own school experience shapes the way you teach
→ How your subconscious beliefs might be keeping you stuck in outdated classroom management approaches
→ Simple shifts that can change the way you respond in the classroom
The way you see behaviour shapes how you deal with it. When you start noticing the beliefs behind your reactions, you can handle things with more confidence and less stress.
Shifting how you see student behaviour changes everything. When you move from control and compliance to curiosity and connection, your whole classroom dynamic shifts.
If you're ready to go further, The Emotionally Intelligent Educator gives you the tools to break old patterns and feel more in control. Find out more HERE
On the EMpowered Podcast Takeover Series, psychologist Jacquie Ward joins us to talk about something every teacher needs to know. How to support highly sensitive children in the classroom.
Some children feel things more deeply, notice the smallest details, and get overwhelmed more easily.
These students aren't being "too sensitive" or "overdramatic". They're wired this way. Up to 20% of kids are highly sensitive, and when we understand them, we can support them in ways that actually work.
Jacquie Ward is a Psychologist who works with Children, Adolescents & their Families.
It was a deep love of learning, combined with a fascination for developmental psychology and attachment theory that led Jacquie to pursue a career change after the birth of her first child.
She returned to University and almost 10 years, another two babies, and approximately 5,000 textbooks later, found herself immersed in her dream job. For Jacquie, working with children, teens and their families as they navigate challenges with mental health and wellbeing, is the ultimate privilege.
In this episode, Jacquie explains:
When you support highly sensitive children the right way, they feel safer, happier, and more able to learn. And let's be honest, it makes your job easier too.
Connect with Jacqui Ward
If this episode resonates, check out Jacquie's online course "Helping Your Highly Sensitive Child to Thrive" at www.jacquieward.com.au.
Connect with Em
If you've ever felt like something is missing in your school community, whether it's student engagement, teacher retention, or just a general sense of belonging, this episode is for you.
Guest host Matt Pittman is talking about one of the most overlooked solutions in education.
Instead of sticking with bandaid fixes for disengagement, behaviour, or burnout, Matt shares how prioritising connection can shift your entire school culture and actually make teaching feel good again.
Matt is the Head of Senior School at Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs, a Catholic secondary school in the western suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, and the author of The Connection Curriculum.
An experienced educational leader and a doctoral student researching connections across school communities, Matt's experience is varied, from the leadership of curriculum teams and programs to student wellbeing, student improvement and community engagement portfolios.
He has led Positive Education and student support programs and has a passion for working with students, parents, and staff to develop new understandings of the needs of young people in the 21st century.
What you'll get from this episode:
Teaching should feel good. Connection is how we get there.
A huge shoutout to Matt for taking over the podcast. If this episode resonated with you, make sure you hit follow or subscribe. We are just getting started.
Connect with Matt Pittman
Upcoming events Matt will be speaking at
Go to his website and social media for more information
Resources for you
Connect with Em
Behaviour is communication and children act out when their needs aren't met.
But what does that actually mean? And how do we meet their needs in the classroom in a way that helps them feel safe, connected, and engaged?
In this episode, I'm talking about what it really means to meet children's needs (beyond the buzzwords) so you can shift from reacting to behaviour to understanding what's underneath it.
If you've ever wondered why certain students seem to be in constant meltdown mode, why some avoid tasks or disrupt lessons, or why connection is such a big deal, this episode will give you a clear framework to start working with.
Here's what you'll learn:
Free Resources for Teachers
Resources Mentioned in the Episode
Connect with Em
Boundaries are often misunderstood, but when done right, they create safety, structure, and predictability. The key ingredients for a classroom where children feel secure and engaged.
If you've ever struggled with feeling like kids are walking all over you or wondered how to hold firm boundaries without resorting to control or punishment, this episode is for you.
This episode is part of the EMpowered Podcast Take Over Series, where incredible educators take the mic to share their expertise on creating conscious and connected classrooms.
Danica is an early childhood educator, university lecturer, practicum supervisor and mama of two. She is also the owner of Little Bloom, a platform that shares a multitude of information about child development, social-emotional learning and, most significantly, supporting children's behaviour and big feelings for early childhood professionals who support young children.
After working in the early childhood space for over 16 years, Danica has recognised a fundamental need for a shift in the way that we support children's behaviour - people are seeking help with how to effectively support young children's behaviour and emotional development but are unsure of where to find this information.
Through Little Bloom, Danica has made it her mission to bridge the divide between theory and practice by bringing evidence-informed information to early childhood educators by sharing personal anecdotes, camaraderie, current research and strategies.
Here's what you'll learn in this episode:
Want more support with boundaries? Danica is running a workshop in April on limits, boundaries, and consequences, helping you use each of them as a tool to support behaviour, not control it. You'll walk away with a whole toolkit of practical strategies and a clear plan to make boundaries work in your classroom or home. Find the links on her instagram below!
To keep in touch, you can find Danica here:
Instagram: @littlebloom.consultancy
Website – https://www.littlebloomconsultancy.com.au/
Email – hello@littlebloomconsultancy.com.au
Resources for you
Connect with Em
Trauma affects how children learn in the classroom. When children don't feel safe, they cannot access the part of the brain required for learning. If you've ever wondered why some students seem constantly dysregulated, reactive, or withdrawn, this episode will give you the missing piece.
What you'll learn in this episode:
Free Resources for Teachers
Resources Mentioned in the Episode
Want to learn how to implement trauma-informed practices step by step? Check out my Creating Conscious and Compassionate Classrooms bundle for practical strategies to support students holistically.
If you're ready to focus on your own regulation and stress management, my Signature Online Program 'The Emotionally Intelligent Educator' will teach you how to stay grounded, balanced, and responsive in the classroom. Check it out here
Connect with Em
Rewards and punishments might seem like an easy way to manage behaviour, but do they actually work?
In this episode of the Beyond Behaviours series, I'm talking about why extrinsic rewards and punitive consequences don't create long term behaviour change, and what to do instead.
If you've ever relied on sticker charts, prize boxes, or detentions but found they don't really shift behaviour, this episode will give you a new way to think about it.
What you'll learn in this episode:
Free Resources for Teachers
Resources Mentioned in the Episode
Need step-by-step guidance on replacing rewards and punishments with approaches that actually work? Check out my Creating Conscious and Compassionate Classrooms bundle. Only $47. It's packed with practical tools to help you build a connected, non-punitive classroom.
Connect with Em
In this episode, I'm focusing on how you can set up your classroom and learning environment for 2025. It's not about Pinterest-perfect displays but creating a purposeful, functional space where children feel emotionally, physically, and mentally safe.
If you've ever felt overwhelmed trying to balance aesthetics with practicality or you're unsure how your classroom setup impacts behaviour and learning, this episode is for you.
Here's what you'll learn:
Free Resources for Teachers
Resources Mentioned in the Episode
If you're ready to learn everything about creating a classroom that's trauma-informed, non-punitive, and built on connection, Check out my Creating Conscious and Compassionate Classrooms bundle. Only $47.
Connect with Em
Welcome to the first episode of the Beyond Behaviours series, where I'm sharing quick and actionable steps to help you create a conscious classroom that feels safe, structured, and supportive from day one.
This episode is all about routines and expectations—the essential building blocks for a classroom where children feel secure and ready to learn.
If you've ever struggled with behaviours spiralling out of control or felt like your classroom just wasn't flowing, this is where you need to start.
Here's what you'll take away from this episode:
Free Resources for Teachers
Resources Mentioned in the Episode
If you're ready to dig deeper into creating a classroom that's trauma-informed, non-punitive, and built on connection, Check out my Creating Conscious and Compassionate Classrooms bundle. It's packed with 10 guides (including one on routines and expectations) and bonus tools to help you implement strategies that actually work. Only $47.
See you next week for episode two, where we'll focus on setting up your classroom and learning environment.
Connect with Em
In this episode, you will learn how to set up your classroom this year to have a learning environment that's safe and nurturing, where students can thrive both academically and socially.
If you've ever wondered how to move away from punitive measures and into a more responsive, emotionally aware teaching approach, this episode is for you.
Here's what you'll learn:
Resources for you
🗓️ FREE Upcoming Workshops:
You must be registered to get access.
Connect with Em
In this episode, I dive into the self-doubt and comparison trap that many educators, both new and experienced, find themselves stuck in.
If you've ever wondered why your brain zeroes in on what you're lacking and why you keep comparing yourself to other teachers, this episode is here to help.
Here's what you'll learn:
FREE WORKSHOPS IN JANUARY!
I'm hosting two FREE live workshops to help you start 2025 on the right foot
Teaching Without the Overwhelm: How to Reduce Stress and Thrive in 2025
🗓️ January 20th, 2025 at 3 PM AEDT
A 60-minute workshop to help you go from reactive to regulated. Register here
Q&A for New Teachers: Everything You've Wanted to Ask
🗓️ January 17th, 2025
A chance for pre-service and graduate teachers to ask all the questions you've been too afraid to ask. Register here
I would LOVE to see you at BOTH of these workshops. You must be registered to get access.
Other links mentioned in the episode:
Connect with Em
In this episode, I'm reflecting on a massive 2024, both personally and professionally and sharing my intentions for 2025.
2024 was full of growth, messy moments, and beautiful lessons. I hope my reflections inspire you to take stock of your own year and step into 2025 with intention and purpose.
Here's what you'll hear:
FREE WORKSHOPS IN JANUARY!
I'm hosting two FREE live workshops to help you start 2025 on the right foot
Teaching Without the Overwhelm: How to Reduce Stress and Thrive in 2025
🗓️ January 20th, 2025 at 3 PM AEDT
A 60-minute workshop to help you go from reactive to regulated. Register here
Q&A for New Teachers: Everything You've Wanted to Ask
🗓️ January 17th, 2025
A chance for pre-service and graduate teachers to ask all the questions you've been too afraid to ask.
I would LOVE to see you at BOTH of these workshops. You must be registered to get access.
Connect with Em
Welcome back beautiful human!
In this episode, I'm sharing three simple habits that can truly improve your wellbeing over the holidays and into 2025. These strategies are designed to help you relax, recharge, and step into the new year with clarity, calm, and purpose.
Here's what you'll learn
These habits are more than just 'nice-to-haves.'
They are evidence-based practices that will help you reduce stress, build emotional resilience, and find more dare I say 'balance' in your personal and professional life.
These habits don't take much time but can make a huge difference in how you feel, both now and in the year ahead.
FREE WORKSHOPS IN JANUARY!
Before I head on maternity leave, I'm hosting two FREE live workshops to help you start 2025 on the right foot:
Teaching Without the Overwhelm: How to Reduce Stress and Thrive in 2025
🗓️ January 20th, 2025 at 3 PM AEDT
A 60-minute workshop to help you go from reactive to regulated. Register here
Q&A for New Teachers: Everything You've Wanted to Ask
🗓️ January 17th, 2025
A chance for pre-service and graduate teachers to ask all the questions you've been too afraid to ask.
I would LOVE to see you at BOTH of these workshops. You must be registered to get access.
Connect with Em
In this episode, I want to help you wrap up the school year with intention and positivity.
Whether 2024 has been your best year yet or one filled with challenges, this episode will guide you through reflecting, processing, and planning so you can head into the holidays rested and recharged.
Here's what you'll learn
The work you do matters deeply.
Taking the time to rest, reflect, and recharge isn't just for you, It's for the students you'll continue to show up for next year.
Give yourself the gift of joy, gratitude, and relaxation over the holidays, because you've earned it.
Resources for you
Connect with Em