Interbeing

Epizode

• The Essence of Teamwork, with Nick Pope 15.01.2026 42min

  In this episode of the Interbeing podcast, Naomi and Kyra are joined by Nick Pope, a speaker, facilitator, and coach with extensive experience working with executive teams globally. Nick shares insights from his new book 'Are You a Team or a Meeting?' discussing themes of teamwork, prioritisation, and the significance of purpose in teams. He provides valuable advice on transforming meetings into effective teams, emphasising the importance of humanity, cultural diversity, and shared purpose. T...
• Exploring Interconnectedness: a mid-point pause 18.12.2025 15min

  At this mid-point in the season, we’re taking a short pause, and asking ourselves the question - What does it mean to be human? In this episode Naomi and Matt discuss the importance of understanding the human condition, the temporary nature of the term 'human,' and the ongoing quest for connection in an increasingly isolated world. They look back at some highlights of our conversations so far, and forward to more to come. The podcast will be back in January 2026. You can find us on Linked...
• Human Connection and Purpose in International Education, with Hayley Wilson 04.12.2025 40min

  In this episode of Interbeing we dive into a profound conversation with Hayley Wilson, Deputy Head of the Senior School at Kellett School in Hong Kong. We explore the role of coaching in fostering a sense of community and humanity within schools, emphasizing values of care, curiosity, and meaningful relationships. Hayley shares her personal and professional journey toward adopting a purpose-driven and coaching-focused ethos, highlighting the significant cultural shifts at Kellett School towar...
• Cultural Change through Coaching, with Chris Bromham 20.11.2025 36min

  In this episode Matt and Naomi discuss the profound impact of coaching on school culture with their guest, Chris Broman from ICS Madrid. They explore themes of interconnectedness, the transformative power of coaching, and the importance of maintaining humanity in education. Chris shares his experiences and insights from introducing coaching into his school, highlighting the challenges and successes of this journey. The conversation delves into the organic growth of coaching practices, the imp...
• Embracing Ubuntu in Coaching, with Nobantu Mpotulo 06.11.2025 41min

  In this episode we delve into the philosophy and practice of coaching, with Nobantu Mpotulo, a coach from Pretoria, South Africa, who introduces listeners to the concept of Ubuntu and the importance of seeing the interconnectedness in all human relationships. The conversation explores how embracing these principles can transform coaching practices and personal development, encouraging a collective approach to growth, presence, and empathy. The episode underscores the necessity of moving beyon...
• Exploring Coaching and Cultural Integration, with Mai Mahmoud 23.10.2025 43min

  In this episode, the conversation centers on coaching within educational environments, emphasizing how coaching techniques align with and support both personal growth and community development. Our guest, Mai Mahmoud, shares her journey from initial skepticism to embracing coaching as a way of life, deeply integrated with her Islamic faith. The discussion explores the impact of cultural and linguistic context on the adoption of coaching practices and highlights the importance of listening, em...
• Interconnectedness, AI and Coaching, with Rob Kemp 09.10.2025 44min

  Diving into the core of coaching, the episode explores its values and impact on individuals and organisations, particularly schools. Our guest, Rob Kemp, shares insights on measuring the impact of coaching, the role of authenticity, and the emerging relationship between AI and coaching. The conversation also touches on the readiness of organisations for coaching and the broader implications of these practices on human connectedness and organizational culture. 00:00 Welcome to Interbeing: A Ne...
• Making teaching a more family-friendly career for parents: Emma Sheppard of the MTPT Project 25.09.2025 45min

  In the fourth series of the MSB podcast, now rebranded as 'Interbeing', the focus returns to coaching and its values in supporting both self-reflection and cultivating generative relationships within educational environments. The term 'inter being,' coined by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, frames this season’s exploration of interconnectedness. Hosts Matt and Naomi introduce guest Emma Sheppard, a passionate advocate for family-friendly schools, to discuss the impact of coaching on persona...
• A Keynote Conversation: Fostering Brave Spaces and Curiosity with Claire Pedrick 11.09.2025 41min

  Welcome to the fourth series of the MSB podcast, now titled Interbeing. This season focuses on how coaching values can support school communities by encouraging inward reflection and outward, generative relationships. Inspired by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s concept of 'inter-being', this series explores the interconnectedness of all things. We engage in conversations with coaches and educators, dissecting where coaching succeeds and where it doesn't. This episode, a bonus beginning t...
• Pedagogy & Assessment Round Table 27.01.2025 39min

  Many teachers want to make changes, but feel confined by the requirements of curricula and assessment. In this episode, our round table guests discuss their goals for the future of assessment, and how you can effect change even within the current system. Tia Court-Smith (she/her) - A love of learning and facilitating learning for all ages brought me to teaching later than many. Recipient of the Ted Wragg Award during my PGCE I was trusted to lead a team in a wonderful school during my (then) ...
• Pedagogy & Assessment, with Angeline Aow 13.01.2025 34min

  What are the structures that restrict change in education? How do we ensure that our students leave our schools with qualifications that reflect the breadth of their knowledge and skill? Our guest in this episode, Angeline Aow, has a wealth of experience in rethinking pedagogy and curriculum. She challenges our assumptions about what assessment can do and how teachers can use their own critical thinking skills to deliver meaningful educational experiences. Angeline Aow is an internati...
• Ecological Domain Round Table 30.12.2024 34min

  Saving the planet can seem a daunting and overwhelming task, so how do we communicate the scale of the problem with hope and excitement in our schools? In this episode, we’re joined by three educators to discuss the domain of ecology and nature with a futures focus. Kenny Peavey, originally from Georgia, USA, has over 23 years of experience teaching across Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia. Currently, he teaches Science, Math, and Regeneration in a dynamic outdoor setting at Green ...
• The Ecological Domain, with Noan Fesnoux 16.12.2024 31min

  With the effects of climate change all around us, discussion of the future must involve ecological considerations, but our guest in this episode invites us to think beyond environmental concerns, and to treat education itself as ecology. In this discussion with Noan Fesnoux, we touch on reframing our expectations of consumption and our relationship with our environment, schools as metacognitive hubs, and the role international schools can play in leading change. Noan Fesnoux is currently Cr...
• Political Economy Round Table Discussion 02.12.2024 37min

  How can we work with our students to understand their political and cultural identities in a world of constant change? In this episode, we’re joined by three educators to discuss the domain of political economy, identity, privilege and culture with a futures focus. Loretta Smith is an educator with more than 20 years of experience in international schools. She grew up between cultures, moving several times during her childhood. She is also the mother of two multi-racial, Cross Culture Kids. H...
• The Domain of Political Economy, with Homa Tavanger 18.11.2024 35min

  Many international schools are working hard on confronting issues of inequality, justice and global politics. Involving the wider school community can be challenging without a guide or a framework to follow. Our guest in this episode, Homa Tavanger, poses some thoughtful questions to start the conversation. In this wide-ranging discussion, we talk about student activism in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, thinking about the future in a liminal age, and confronting colonial heritage.&nb...
• Technology Round Table Discussion 04.11.2024 35min

  How are the opportunities and challenges that come with the future of technology being felt in schools? This episode, we’re joined by three educators, Rachael Thrash, Yasmine Aslam-Hashmi and Rory Douglas, to discuss futures focussed technology in education. Rachael Thrash is the CEO and Co-Founder of Belong Hub, student leadership kits and services that guide adults and students to collaboratively create a belonging-centered school culture. Rachael is a school leader and master teacher...
• The Technological Domain, with Tricia Friedman 21.10.2024 35min

  For many, contemplation of the technological domain, the massive swift growth of generative AI, for example, comes with fear and trepidation. So we’re delighted to be joined today by Tricia Friedman, who brings calm, inspiration and fun to the challenge of imagining future technologies. In this conversation we talk about not just generative AI, but also cross species communication, mobile phone bans in schools, and how to involve everyone in the conversation about technological change. Tric...
• Exploring Futures-Focused Leadership for International Schools, with Patrick Alexander 07.10.2024 1h 5min

  For our introduction to season 3, we’re delighted to be joined by Patrick Alexander from Oxford Brookes University. Over the summer we’ve been working with Patrick to research and create a new collaborative paper, Futures-Focused Leadership for International Schools. We intend this to be a provocation to leaders, to think differently about the future of education and their role in the creation of this future. Today we’ll be talking through the key concepts and tools within the paper, and pos...
• S2Ep13: How We Can Help Students To Become Global Citizens with Dee Lanier 28.02.2024 35min

  Welcome to the Principled podcast. In this episode, Matt Hall and Naomi Ward of Making Stuff Better are joined by Dee Lanier, Lead Learning Designer at Lanier Learning and Education Coach for Samsung Education. Award winning TEDX speaker and author of Demarginalising Design, Dee Lanier is dedicated to co-designing equitable learning experiences for school leaders, staff, and students, and helping schools to implement technology in meaningful ways. They discuss design thinking as a mindset...
• S2Ep12: How To Just Be: Unfreezing Our Leadership Potential with Nicholas Janni 14.02.2024 34min

  Welcome to the Principled podcast. In this episode, Matt Hall and Naomi Ward of Making Stuff Better are joined by Nicholas Janni, renowned speaker, coach, and co-founder / programme director at Matrix Development. Nicholas is also the author of Business Book of the Year 2023 Leader as Healer, a new paradigm for 21st Century leadership - an unflinching call for leaders to leave the old paradigm and move towards a new mode of "leader as healers". They discuss the role of reverence, intui...