The Mindfulness for Learning Podcast

Expert insights and real conversations on mindful learning, development and wellbeing.Hosted by Sophie Smith-Tong, founder of Mindfulness for Learning, this podcast brings together educators, parents, carers, and others passionate about supporting children and families. Through diverse voices and lived experiences, we explore mental health, mindfulness, and what it truly means to care, in and beyond the classroom.

The Mindfulness for Learning Podcast is a education podcast hosted by Mindfulness for learning, with 55 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.

Mindfulness for learning hosts The Mindfulness for Learning Podcast, a education show with 55 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  The Mindfulness for Learning Podcast

  47. Play is Learning. Ruth Lue-Quee.

  Jul 8, 20261h 2m

  In this episode, Sophie Smith-Tong sits down with Ruth Lue-Quee to explore why play is still so often viewed with suspicion, despite overwhelming evidence of its importance in children's development. Together, they discuss Ruth's Parliamentary Play Is Learning campaign and the work being done to put play at the heart of education policy. Ruth also shares her immediate thoughts on handwriting, home education, family time, formal testing, and the expectation that children spend so much of their day sitting at desks. This thought-provoking conversation challenges long-held assumptions about learning and makes the case for giving play the recognition it deserves. Discover Ruth Lue-Quee MMT Play - https://mmtplay.com/pages/continuous-provision-research Learn more about Mindfulness for learning and Sophie Smith-Tong Mindfulnessforlearning.com - https://www.mindfulnessforlearning.com/ TeacherAutonomy.com https://teacherautonomy.com/ This episode was edited by Ben Corbett.

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  The Mindfulness for Learning Podcast

  45. The Reality of Speech and Language Provision in Schools. Ruth Jones

  Jun 3, 202649 minS0

  <p>In this episode, Sophie is joined by speech and language therapist and author of Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice for Speech and Language Therapists, Ruth Jones, for a conversation about supporting communication and language development in schools today. </p><p><br></p><p>Sophie and Ruth discuss the value of in-house speech and language therapists, the challenges of working with overstretched staff, and the balance between professional expertise and the realities of classroom constraints. They also explore autonomy, collaboration, and consistency, and whether adapting support to context may be more effective than ideal but unsustainable approaches.</p><p><br></p><p>Discover...

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  The Mindfulness for Learning Podcast

  44. Unauthorised Absence: Can a Short Film Change the Law? Jo Clayton and Natalie Lauren

  Mar 6, 20261h 17mS0

  <p>In this episode, the podcast welcomes Jo Clayton and Natalie Lauren, the writer and producer behind the upcoming short film Unauthorised Absence. </p><p>"From lived experience to national action, Jo’s script inspires empathy & change for SEND children & families harmed by education policy"</p><p>In their first podcast interview, they discuss how the project first came to life, what initially drew them to the story, and why it felt like an important and urgent narrative to tell.</p><p>The conversation explores the journey of developing the film from its earliest idea to where it is now, in...

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  The Mindfulness for Learning Podcast

  43. The School Mental Health Toolkit - Andrew Cowley

  Feb 17, 20261h 5mS0

  <p>In this episode, Sophie is joined by Andrew Cowley for a timely and insightful discussion on schools, mobile phones, and mental health.</p><p>They explore the ongoing debate around mobile phone use in schools, including recent updates from the Education Secretary and Ofsted’s increasing focus on how schools manage phone policies. The conversation looks at what these expectations mean in practice, what is realistically achievable, and the key challenges schools are facing.</p><p>The episode also dives into the world of parent WhatsApp groups, examining the benefits, frustrations, and unexpected value they bring to school communities.</p>...

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  The Mindfulness for Learning Podcast

  42. Growing Strong Happy Families - Lulu Luckock

  Jan 13, 202654 minS0

  <p>Sophie is joined by someone whose work has shaped the emotional landscape of countless children, families, and educators. </p><p>Lulu Luckock is an education advisor and trainer specialising in Social and Emotional Learning in primary schools, and a counsellor supporting families, individuals, couples, parents, adolescents, and children. </p><p><br></p><p>With over 35 years of experience in primary education - and as a mother of three adult children - she brings a rare blend of personal insight, deep professional knowledge, and heartfelt compassion to everything she does. Eleven years ago, Lulu stepped beyond the classroom to focus...

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