In this episode, Alex dives into the complex world of the teenage brain with guest Rachel Carey. Rachel, an expert in adolescent neurological development and founder of Eliza Education, challenges our common assumptions about teenage behaviour, questioning whether terms like "overreacting" or "irrational" prevent us from truly understanding our students and children. They discuss the science of adolescent brain development, why social acceptance is a biological imperative, how to build wellbeing programs that actually work, and the critical need for better teacher support in navigating the emotional landscape of the modern teenager.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The Primitive Brain Rules: The intense teenage need for social acceptance isn't a modern flaw; it's an evolutionary drive designed to ensure survival by finding a new group. Understanding this is key to decoding their behaviour.
• Social Pain is Real Pain: For an adolescent, the brain processes social rejection (like being embarrassed in class) in the same area as physical pain. This makes the classroom a potentially high-threat environment.
• They Aren't "Overreacting": The teenage brain's emotional centre (the limbic system) is highly active and often in control. This emotional intensity is a normal, necessary part of their rapid learning about the world.
• Feelings Must Be Felt: Constant distraction from devices can prevent teens from processing their emotions. This vital process is how they build self-awareness, which is the foundation of self-worth.
• Wellbeing is More Than a Lesson: Effective wellbeing programs must go beyond knowledge transfer and be built on the core pillars of Self-Worth, Happiness, and Resilience.
• Safety is Social, Not Just Physical: A teenager cannot access the learning part of their brain (the prefrontal cortex) if they don't feel socially safe and accepted in their environment.
• Teach the Person, Not Just the Subject: Secondary education often trains teachers to deliver subject content but fails to equip them with a deep understanding of the unique developmental stage of the person they are teaching.
• The "Teenage Tunnel" is Real: Adolescence is a temporary and transformative phase. The support and values instilled in a child will still be there when they emerge from the "tunnel" as a young adult.

BEST MOMENTS

• "They're not overreacting."
• "Social pain in an adolescent is processed by the same part of the brain as physical pain."
• "If I'm shown that it is worth taking time considering my thoughts and feelings, I will start to believe that my thoughts and feelings have worth."
• "I think [secondary teachers] should be taught to teach a person... And we're not, are we?"
• "You've got to really deeply believe you're worth looking after to make the right decisions."
• "I've heard it called the teenage tunnel. And they come out the other end into these wonderful people."

VALUABLE RESOURCESEliza Education Website: https://elizaeducation.com/Connect with Rachel Carey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-carey-462569140/

ABOUT THE GUESTRachel Carey: Rachel is an expert in adolescent neurological development, an educator, and the founder of Eliza Education, a platform dedicated to improving student wellbeing. With a unique background that includes training at the British Army's Sandhurst and a degree in biology, her work bridges the gap between neuroscience and practical application in schools. Rachel is passionate about helping teachers and parents understand the unique challenges and opportunities of the teenage brain, creating wellbeing programs and teaching strategies that foster resilience, self-worth, and genuine connection.

CONNECT & CONTACTInstagram: https://instagram.com/theinternationalclassroomLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandergray84/Website: https://www.theinternationalclassroom.com/

Is our traditional education system, with its focus on narrow subject specialisms, adequately preparing students for an increasingly complex and interconnected world? In this episode, Alex sits down with Carl Gombrich, a pioneering figure in interdisciplinary education and the Dean of the groundbreaking London Interdisciplinary School (LIS). Carl, whose own journey spans physics, philosophy, and professional opera, shares his insights on why a multifaceted approach to learning is no longer a luxury but a necessity. They discuss the limitations of siloed disciplines, how to cultivate true expertise for real-world problem-solving, the challenge of shifting established mindsets, and the crucial skills needed to navigate the "Terra Incognita" of our future in an age of AI. Discover why it's time to rethink education from the ground up.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The modern world's complexity demands interdisciplinary thinking, as single-subject approaches are too rigid.
• True expertise lies in understanding and solving real-world problems, not just mastering isolated academic disciplines.
• Students often need to "unlearn" the narrow focus of secondary education to embrace broader, connected learning at university.
• A significant majority of employers prioritize skills and adaptability over specific undergraduate degree titles.
• The future is an unknown territory ("Terra Incognita") where a diverse range of skills is essential for navigation and success.
• In the age of AI, teaching critical thinking, evidence evaluation, and understanding knowledge sources is paramount.
• A balanced understanding of both scientific/technical principles and human/social sciences is crucial for modern citizens.
• Actively seeking and making connections between different fields of knowledge is a vital habit for lifelong learning.
• Despite clear needs for change, traditional university structures often exhibit significant resistance to fundamental innovation.
• Focusing on external, real-world problems can be a powerful pathway for personal development and student well-being.

BEST MOMENTS

• "Single subjects are almost by definition, anti-complexity... that just doesn't fit anymore. It's simply too rigid."
• "The dominant metaphor of our age is the network... Our education is totally different... it is not a network."
• "Most graduate jobs now require you to be much more of an expert in a thing [rather than just an academic subject]."
• "86 to 90 percent of graduate employers don't care what undergraduate degree you've done."
• "The world we're moving into now is very much a terra incognita... What do you need... there? You're going to need a range of skills."
• "The fundamental thing education has to teach... is where knowledge comes from and why."

ABOUT THE GUESTCarl Gombrich: Carl is the founding Dean of the London Interdisciplinary School (LIS), the UK's first new higher education institution in around 50 years to have degree-awarding powers from inception. With a diverse academic background including degrees in physics and philosophy, and a former career as a professional opera singer, Carl is a passionate advocate for interdisciplinary learning. Before LIS, he established the pioneering Bachelor of Arts and Sciences (BASc) degree at University College London (UCL), the first of its kind in the UK. He is a leading voice on educational innovation and preparing students for the complexities of the 21st century.

CONNECT & CONTACTConnect with The International Classroom:Instagram: https://instagram.com/theinternationalclassroomLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandergray84/Website: https://www.ticproductions.com

Connect with Carl Gombrich & LIS:LIS Website: [suspicious link removed](You can also search for Carl Gombrich on LinkedIn and X, and the London Interdisciplinary School on Instagram and LinkedIn)

In this episode, Alex speaks with Rachael Wilding, the visionary founder of Edsidera, about transforming the concept of student awards from mere "extrinsic fluff" into meaningful journeys of skill development. They explore how Edsidera's bespoke extracurricular programs are empowering children with vital life skills, fostering entrepreneurship, promoting wellbeing, and instilling a love for learning that goes far beyond the classroom. Rachael also unveils the exciting "Sunshine Squad" initiative, a unique summer program designed to keep children engaged and supported without adding to school or parental burdens. This conversation delves into the practicalities of creating impactful, non-screen-based learning experiences, the importance of community, and why encouraging children to "always give something a try" is fundamental to their growth.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Awards Reimagined: Certificates and badges should be by-products of a rich learning journey focused on skill development, not the sole aim.
• Holistic Development: Edsidera champions a bespoke approach, embedding life skills, entrepreneurship, sustainability, global citizenship, and wellbeing into its awards.
• Offline Engagement in a Digital World: While evidence can be digital, the core learning activities and challenges are designed to be hands-on and screen-free.
• Embracing Failure: Creating a supportive environment where children feel safe to try new things and learn from failure is crucial for building resilience.
• Flexible Learning: Programs must offer flexibility to accommodate busy family lives, fostering genuine engagement rather than adding pressure.
• Impactful Summer Learning: The "Sunshine Squad" demonstrates how summer holidays can be an enriching period of fun, learning, and wellbeing support for children.
• Power of Collaboration: Genuine collaboration between schools, parents, and educational partners can create "sparkle dust" opportunities for children.
• People First, Always: Despite technological advancements like AI, maintaining a human-centric, people-first approach in education remains paramount.
• Kindness is Key: Cultivating a culture of kindness and making time for personal connections are simple yet powerful actions for everyone in the educational community.
• The Courage to Try: The most important lesson for children is to develop the courage to "always give something a try" and explore new possibilities.

BEST MOMENTS

• "The journey and the opportunity for children to develop skills...is far more the rich reward than a certificate at the end."
• "Although we are an EdTech digital company, our challenges, our tasks, none of them are screen-based."
• "It's about really encouraging children to try new things, to have a go, to know and embrace failure."
• "It is basically having a summer camp, a summer buddy in your back pocket for six weeks." (On the Sunshine Squad)
• "I think collaboration is the key...when it's genuine...you really can get that sparkle dust of an opportunity."
• "We are a people company and I think we always will be."
• "Kindness is absolutely free. It is the easiest quality to have."
• "Always give something a try. Don't be afraid not to have a try."

ABOUT THE GUEST

Rachael Wilding is the founder of Edsidera, an innovative organisation creating bespoke extracurricular awards and programs. With an extensive 27-year background in international education in the UAE, Rachael has served as a teacher, school leader, and principal. Passionate about fostering real-world skills, wellbeing, and a love for learning, she now channels her expertise into developing impactful educational experiences that go beyond traditional academics. Rachael is also a school governor and continues to contribute to strategic educational development, championing a "people-first" approach in all her endeavours.

CONNECT & CONTACT

Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/theinternationalclassroom⁠LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandergray84/⁠Website: ⁠https://www.ticproductions.com⁠