Wag Tales
Episodes
#61: Dr Kate Renshaw, play at the heart of childhood
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Kate Renshaw is a play therapist, educator, and researcher whose work centres on the role of play in children’s emotional development, learning, ...
#60: Jesse Diggins and Nathan Castle, Psychs in Schools and supporting young people well
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jesse Diggins and Nathan Castle are psychologists and co-founders of Psychs in Schools, an initiative working alongside schools to strengthen mental h...
#59: Danielle Murphy, foster care: hearts in transition
08 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Danielle Murphy is a foster carer, writer, and advocate who has spent the past six years walking alongside children and young people in care. Through ...
#58: Dr Nathan MacArthur, naming the grief we don’t talk about
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Nathan MacArthur is a grief counsellor, researcher, and the founder of Sydney Grief Counselling. His work centres on helping people navigate the ma...
#57: Aaron Stark, I was almost a school shooter
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Content warning: This episode includes discussion of childhood violence, self-harm, and suicidal ideation, which may be distressing for some listeners...
#56: Benjamin Perks, Trauma Proof: healing, attachment, and the science of prevention
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Benjamin Perks is a global child-rights advocate, educator, and author of Trauma Proof. Working for the UN in New York, he campaigns on human rights a...
#55: Liam Casson, movement, connection, and using technology for good
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Liam Casson is an educator turned wellbeing leader whose work spans schools, sport, and the corporate world. A former Director of Wellbeing in educati...
#54: Danielle Mifsud, healing and thriving together at the Humans of Purpose Academy
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Danielle Mifsud is the Academy Director at Humans of Purpose Academy, a social impact organisation supporting women and non-binary people with lived e...
#53: Emma Gentle, how emotional intelligence transforms classrooms and families
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Emma Gentle is an educator, parent, and advocate for reshaping schools through trauma-informed and emotionally intelligent practices. Drawing on her o...
#52: Matt Pitman, the connection conundrum in schools
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Pitman is an educator, author, and advocate for rethinking how we build connection in schools. His latest book, The Connection Conundrum, explore...
#51: Luke Anderson, building pathways beyond prison with Fair Threads
03 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Luke Anderson is the founder of Fair Threads, a social enterprise dedicated to supporting families of incarcerated individuals and creating pathways f...
#50: Dr Corey Keyes, languishing, flourishing, and the 'Earth Angels' who help us heal
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Corey Keyes is a sociologist and psychologist best known for developing the dual continuum model of mental health and for coining the term languish...
#49: Ahmed Sulaiman, Tabbouleh: A bridge to Palestine through food and language
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ahmed Sulaiman is a language teacher, entrepreneur, and one of the kindest, most generous people I know. We first met nine years ago when I moved to N...
#48: Jaime de Loma-Osorio Ricon, radical inclusion and reimagining school engagement
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jaime de Loma-Osorio Ricon is a long-time advocate for equity and inclusion in education and community work. As Deputy CEO of Banksia Gardens Communit...
#47: Dr Kerry Hinsby, creating a human-centred culture of staff wellbeing
12 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Kerry Hinsby is a clinical psychologist with a background in forensic mental health and the clinical lead of the West Yorkshire Staff Mental Health...
#46: Dr Michelle McQuaid, unlearning the "good girl" rules and creating cultures of wellbeing
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Michelle McQuaid is an author, workplace wellbeing strategist, and founder of The Good Girl Changemakers. With a PhD in Appreciative Inquiry and ye...
#45: Margaret Thorsborne, conflict is inevitable but repair is optional - exploring restorative practices
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Margaret Thorsborne is a leading figure in restorative practices, dedicated to transforming the way communities address conflict and harm. As the Mana...
#44: Richard Rose, the power of life story work in healing childhood trauma
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Richard Rose is a leading expert in therapeutic life story work, a consultant, trainer, author, and international speaker dedicated to improving the l...
#43: Bea Palya, unlocking authenticity and healing through singing and voice work
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bea Palya is an acclaimed singer, songwriter, entertainer, amateur actor, business manager, trainer, writer, mother and woman. Bea bundles all of her ...
#42: Ashton Kline, the impact of domestic homicide and breaking the cycle of violence
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Content Warning:This episode discusses domestic homicide, family violence, and trauma, which may be distressing for some listeners. Support services a...
#41: Gloria Masters, a survivor's mission to keep kids safe
23 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Content Warning:This episode includes discussion of child sexual abuse, trafficking, and trauma, which may be distressing for some listeners. Please t...
#40: Dr Jeremy Goldberg, making kindness cool and compassion commonplace
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Jeremy Goldberg is a Dad, partner, writer, speaker, and creator of Long Distance Love Bombs, a platform dedicated to making kindness cool and buil...
#39: Dr Lori Desautels, reshaping education through neuroscience, relational connection, and compassionate teaching
05 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Lori Desautels is an author, educator, and pioneer in the field of applied educational neuroscience. She focuses on bringing a neurobiological unde...
#38: Mike Niconchuk, exploring safety amidst trauma, conflict, displacement, and radicalisation
07 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mike Niconchuk is a trauma specialist and thought leader focused on understanding trauma in contexts of conflict, displacement, and radicalisation. Hi...
#37: Zinny Hunt, amplifying young people’s voices in schools, youth settings, and out-of-home care
28 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Zinny Hunt is our youngest guest on Wag Tales to date. At 17, Zinny works as a Student Voice Support Officer and Youth Advocate, bringing a fresh pers...
#35: Dr Donna Lyon, Left Write Hook
09 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Content warning: In this episode, we discuss the themes of sexual abuse and childhood trauma. If you or someone you know is/are struggling, please see...
#34: Linda Rowley, social anxiety and ambiguous loss
26 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Linda Rowley is a positive psychology interventionist, workplace wellbeing facilitator and coach, She is known for facilitating environments of trust ...
#33: Adela Holmes, supporting traumatised children and young people for 51 years (so far)
08 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
#32: Diana Nicholls, 30 weeks 1 day - a twin mother's mental health journey
25 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Content warning: In this episode, we discuss experiences of mental illness, post-traumatic stress disorder and high-risk pregnancy. If you or someone ...
#31: Jack Greig, what is trauma-informed systems-aware wellbeing?
11 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jack Greig is a teacher, facilitator, and a Doctor of Education candidate at the University of Melbourne. He has worked in urban and remote communitie...
#30: Ben Sacco, working together to create better conditions in the education sector
02 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ben Sacco is the Managing Director of Education Economy, working alongside schools and organisations to amplify their connection to purpose and passio...
#29: Rebecca Harris, Safe to learn and safe to teach
16 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rebecca Harris is the author of Safe to Learn: Embedding Trauma-Informed Student Wellbeing Practices. She also works as a counsellor and consultant. R...
#28: Jen Willis, life lessons from climbing Mount Everest with MS (and the metaphorical mountains that followed)
21 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jen Willis is a mother, an educator, speaker, coach, and high altitude mountaineer with Multiple sclerosis (MS), who climbed Mount Everest in 2023. Je...
#27: Belinda Jankowiak, creating regulating learning environments for students and teachers
14 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Belinda Jankowiak is an Occupational Therapist (OT), zealous child advocate, and founder of Project Classroom, where she supports educators to create ...
#26: Liam Wood, trauma-informed leadership and coaching in schools
12 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Liam Wood is a parent, teacher, school leader, and Director at Cor Effect. Liam's career in education began as he was working in education support whi...
#25: Martin Bisp, transforming lives with boxing therapy at Empire Fighting Chance
26 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Martin Bisp is the co-founder of Empire Fighting Chance, a boxing gym in the UK that provides Boxing Therapy to vulnerable young people. In 1972, Empi...
#24: David Cerrone, healing through humour
03 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
David Cerrone is a comedian, clown, actor, teacher, humanitarian, art therapist, and author who travelled the world to understand laughter. In 2016, D...
#23: In conversation with Graeme Baird, responding to the Senate Inquiry on disruptive behaviour in Australian schools
21 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Graeme Baird and Megan Corcoran come together to discuss the Senate Inquiry on disruptive behaviour in Australian schools. Both Graem...
#22: Marissa Williamson Pohlman, from life in foster care to qualifying for the Olympics and making history in the ring.
14 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Marissa (Riss) Williamson Pohlman is a proud Ngarrindjeri woman, who was raised on Wadawurrung Country in Victoria and very recently became the first ...
#21: The Palestinian tour guide, love and laughter on the "wrong side of the wall"
21 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of the Wag Tales is a special edition to shed light on life in Palestine. In this episode, Megan is joined by one of her favourite people...
#20: Shane Kelton, breaking taboos and talking about suicide
10 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Content warning: In this episode we discuss the topic of suicide and mental illness. If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek professiona...
#19: Yahya, stories (and optimism) from Palestine
28 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of the Wag Tales is a special edition, unlike other episodes you may have previously heard. In this episode, Megan is joined by her good ...
#18: Dr Peggy Kern, experiencing the complexity of wellbeing
28 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Peggy Kern is a Professor at the Centre for Wellbeing Science at Melbourne University, with a BA in Psychology, and a Masters and PhD in social/per...
#17: Kristy Elliott, restorative pathways to wellbeing
20 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Kristy Elliott is a consultant leading the way in restorative practices in schools through her work with Restorative Pathways. Kristy is a wife, a par...
#16: Marie McLeod, "How to Thrive" in times of struggle
27 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Marie McLeod is Founder of ThriveAbility and How to Thrive program, Creator of the BEACON framework™️, Mental health specialist, Keynote Speak...
#15: Matthew Hartnett, wellbeing in the AFL and the importance of connection
19 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matthew Hartnett is an AFL Talent League Wellbeing Coordinator and a long-term teacher, with a passion for supporting those he interacts with to devel...
#14: Penny Netherwood, Compassionate Leeds, a trauma-informed city
27 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Penny Netherwood joins us on the podcast all the way from Leeds in the UK. Leeds is currently working towards becoming a trauma-informed city, known a...
#13: Mat Rad, mental health, movement and healthy masculinity
19 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Mat Rad is “two feet and heartbeat”, using boxing as a vehicle to support mental health. Mat is a boxing coach and advocate for healthy ma...
#12: Dr Tom Brunzell, trauma-informed practice meets positive education
05 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Tom Brunzell is the Director of Education at Berry Street and Honourary Fellow at the University of Melbourne Graduate School of Education. He has ...
#11: Michael Stainlay, all young people deserve an advocate
01 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Michael Stainlay is a Transitions Advocate and Team Leader within a youth justice custodial setting. Michael has been a youth worker in alternative ed...
#10: Megan Corcoran, Willie Wagtails and the right to a magical childhood
06 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Megan Corcoran is the Director of the Wagtail Institute (www.wagtailinstitute.com) and the host of the Wag Tales Podcast. The Wagtail Insitute provide...
#9: Tim Warwick, enabling agency for education equity
27 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tim Warwick is the founder of the Education Equity Alliance (https://www.educationequityalliance.com.au/), former teacher, school leader, and educatio...
#8: Motley, healing through hip hop
13 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
(Joe) Motley is a hip hop artist, workshop facilitator, parent and lifelong learner. Motley has been providing hip hop workshops to schools and young ...
#7: Kit Wisdom, humanising health care and learning environments
11 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Kit Wisdom from Wise (https://www.wisephysiotherapy.com.au/) is a physiotherapist training in hakomi mindful somatic psychotherapy. Kit is committed t...
#5: Perri Broadbent-Hogan, finding joy in trauma-informed education
22 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Perri Broadbent-Hogan is the Co-Principal at MacKillop Education in Geelong, working alongside young people who have experienced trauma and are engagi...
#4: Graeme Baird, the importance of mentors
10 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Graeme Baird is psychologist who has dedicated his career to supporting vulnerable and traumatised people through both private practice and through wo...
#3: Roz Rimes, animal assisted wellbeing
23 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Roz Rimes is the Founder of the social enterprise, Live With Zest (www.livewithzest.com.au). She is a wellbeing educator, speaker and coach, working a...
#2: Shayne Hood, wounds and wisdom
11 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Shayne Hood is the Director of Wounds and Wisdom (https://www.woundsandwisdom.life/). He is a lived experience practitioner and consultant in the yout...
#1: Ronen Shoshan, the transformative power of music therapy
03 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ronen Shoshan is the Director of the Mind Tune Institute (www.mindtuneinstitute.com.au). He is a counsellor, music therapist, student of psychology, f...