Stepping into [ed]Leadership

A podcast for leaders at every stage in their educational leadership journey. We explore the motivations and stories of how people entered into leadership, what their roles entail and their contributions to the current educational landscape. We shine a light on middle leadership and how this first step into formal leadership can be supported to grow our future generations of school leaders.

Stepping into [ed]Leadership is a education podcast hosted by Rachel McCall and Toni Maddock, with 39 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Rachel McCall and Toni Maddock hosts Stepping into [ed]Leadership, a education show with 39 episodes published.

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  Episode #11

  On the Gate - David Roberts - Stepping into [ed]Leadership

  Aug 16, 202657 minS3

  On the Gate In this episode, we sit down with David Roberts, Headmaster of Prince Alfred College in South Australia, to explore what it means to keep saying yes to opportunities while still learning and reflecting on your conduct as a leader. We unpack the visibility that comes with leadership, the reality that your actions and words are always being noticed, and the challenge of making decisions under pressure. We discuss why, if you are not consciously working on culture, it is probably moving backwards, and how intentional change management and clear communication help ensure everyone has a shared understanding. We dive into strategic leadership and governance as David reflects on understanding the financial situation of a school, the need to make a profit to fund growth, and the importance of asking your team “what do you think?” to broaden perspectives. We explore how to navigate power imbalances, find mentors who take responsibility for growing your knowledge, and balancing history and tradition with being forward-looking. Along the way, we discuss experiential learning models like Timbertop, the intensity of boarding as “pastoral care on steroids”, and the ongoing work of building belonging and the importance of shared language We also talk about the seasons of working life and finding a deliberate balance between future focus and being visible in the here and now. David shares how exercise makes him a better person, parent and partner, and how uncertainty can be a strength while overconfidence can trip you up. We consider the role of honest feedback and broadening experiences in sustaining growth, and why, even principals, are still learning. Credits: Podcast theme music composed by Julian Ferraretto Logo Design by Meredith Baker Photography by Carmen Roberts

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  Episode #10

  Setting People Up For Success - Amy Green - Stepping into [ed]Leadership

  Aug 2, 202659 minS3

  Amy Green - Setting People Up For Success In this episode, we explore teacher wellbeing with educator and wellbeing expert Amy Green, focusing on how schools can truly set people up for success. We discuss why wellbeing is not something to achieve or “tick off,” and the importance of moving beyond surface level self care. Amy challenges the tendency to treat wellbeing as a one-size-fits-all concept, instead highlighting the role of purpose, clarity, and meaningful work in supporting both staff and students. We explore how effective systems, structures, and expectations can reduce micro-stresses and create smoother, more sustainable workdays. Amy unpacks the impact of growth fatigue, the risks of reactive wellbeing initiatives, and the need to critically examine what has been added to teachers’ workloads over time. Together, we discuss rethinking the structure of the school year, clarifying the purpose of term time and breaks, and redefining leadership practices to include boundaries, deep work, and intentional availability. Drawing on insights from her new book, The Wellness Paradox, we discuss the tension between doing all the “right” things for wellbeing and still feeling unwell. Amy invites us to question long held assumptions about success, resilience, and what a “good” working life looks like, encouraging leaders to design cultures where wellbeing is embedded in everyday practice and aligned with the kind of impact they want to have. Credits: Podcast theme music composed by Julian Ferraretto Logo Design by Meredith Baker Photography by Carmen Roberts

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  Episode #9

  Hopeful Energy - Mark Staker - Stepping into [ed]Leadership

  Jul 19, 20261h 9mS3

  Hopeful Energy - Mark Staker In this episode, we speak with Mark Staker, Principal of Pembroke School in South Australia, about leading with hopeful energy and heart. Mark reflects on the exceptional privilege and weight of principalship, framing schools as institutions of hope where relationships and purpose sit at the centre of the work. We unpack how intentional reflection, strong communication, and a commitment to growth underpin strong leadership, alongside the importance of structured professional learning to building a pipeline of aspiring leaders. We also explore the importance of cultivating a thriving culture of teacher development, setting clear expectations for effective teaching, and having the courage to step beyond comfort in leadership. Mark speaks candidly about the tensions of the role, balancing strategic and operational demands while protecting wellbeing through boundaries, renewal, and purpose beyond school. This conversation is a powerful reminder that the work matters, and that leading with humility, authenticity, and heart is what sustains both people and schools. Credits: Podcast theme music composed by Julian Ferraretto Logo Design by Meredith Baker Photography by Carmen Roberts

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  Episode #8

  Supporting Character Energy - Amanda Katagiri - Stepping into [ed]Leadership

  May 24, 202658 minS3

  Supporting Character Energy In this episode of Stepping into [ed]Leadership, we welcome Amanda Katagiri, Director of Professional Practice at the Franklin School in New York. Amanda brings deep expertise in supporting teachers to thrive across a whole career, not just survive their first few years. In her current role, she leads professional learning, coaches teachers in pedagogy and practice, runs performance conversations, and thinks strategically about teaching and learning across the school. Her leadership style embodies true supporting character energy: walking alongside those she leads rather than managing from a distance. In our conversation, Amanda generously shares her approach to difficult conversations, offering practical strategies for creating safe spaces where teachers can grow. She explains how to clearly signpost where a conversation is going, name the hard thing directly, and use clarity, empathy, and structured processes to turn potentially challenging moments into opportunities for genuine development. Amanda’s commitment to consistent support and ongoing mentoring shines through as she describes how she builds a culture of continuous growth, where professional learning is teacher-led and not a one-off event, but an embedded process. We also explore the role of AI in education, and how we can support students to avoid cognitive atrophy, instead encouraging them to use it as a thought partner. Our conversation underscores the importance of carving out time for reflection, both for teachers and leaders, and how we can encourage leaders to remain curious about others’ feelings and perspectives. From systems thinking programs for students to intentional mentoring structures for staff, Amanda’s work at Franklin School reflects a holistic plan and vision for developing people, young and old, who are prepared to think critically, grow continuously, and lead with purpose. Her insights remind us that great leadership is always about creating the conditions for others to flourish. Credits: Podcast theme music composed by Julian Ferraretto Logo Design by Meredith Baker Photography by Carmen Roberts

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  Episode #7

  Spatial Literacy - Dr Anne Knock - Stepping into [ed]Leadership

  May 10, 20261h 2mS3

  Our conversation with Dr. Anne Knock dives straight into the messy, exciting work of redesigning schools for the future. Across the episode we unpack how leaders can think more like complexity strategists; reading the whole system rather than just reacting to individual problems, and how three levers; learner experience, professional culture and physical space, can work together rather than in silos. We talk about what it really looks like when teachers become designers of learning, not just deliverers of content, and how small changes to the environment or timetable can create huge shifts in student engagement. Anne shares stories from her international study tours, including impactful moments on trains and in corridors where educators debriefed what they had seen and began to reimagine what might be possible back in their own contexts. We reflect on the importance of going beyond visually pleasing spaces, to ask how the environment changes the conversations, relationships and learning in the room. Throughout the episode, Anne shares provocations about the future education workforce, the kinds of spaces that invite belonging, and the courage it takes to disrupt long held assumptions about how school should work. It is an invitation to look closely at the everyday spaces of classrooms, staffrooms and schools, and to consider what might be shifted or reimagined. Our discussion explores the value of experimenting with new approaches and asked how we might design environments where both students and adults genuinely want to be. Anne’s new book School by Design: A Field Guide to Transforming Learning, Culture and Space, is out now. Credits: Podcast theme music composed by Julian Ferraretto Logo Design by Meredith Baker Photography by Carmen Roberts

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