In this episode of Parent Teacher Interview, I sit down with Emma from Preparing Minds to explore what really sits underneath student learning.

Emma is a former science teacher who now works with students and families to build stronger study habits, confidence, and independence. Her work focuses on helping young people understand why they think and act the way they do—and how small shifts in mindset can make a big difference.

We cover learners from later primary through to high school and university, with a strong focus on values, self-belief, and becoming more self-directed.

🔑 Key Topics We Discuss

• Emma’s journey from science teacher to working with students and families through Preparing Minds
• Why values are such a powerful tool in shaping decision-making
• How low self-belief shows up in students (and what to do about it)
• The real reasons students avoid homework and challenging tasks
• Helping students become more independent, self-directed learners
• The impact of distractions and how to build better focus
• Supporting students through transitions (primary → high school → beyond)
• The importance of relationships, both in classrooms and at home

💡 Key Takeaways

• Asking “why?” is often the most powerful starting point for understanding behaviour
• Avoidance is often linked to discomfort, not ability
• Building self-belief takes time, reflection, and the right support
• Students benefit from having clear values to guide their decisions
• Independence isn’t automatic—it needs to be modelled and developed over time

📚 Resources & Mentions

• Indistractable by Nir Eyal (book on focus and managing distraction)

🔗 Connect with Emma & Preparing Minds

• Website: Preparing Minds: https://preparingminds.com.au/
• Instagram: preparing_minds

In this episode, we sit down with Chloe Watts, founder of Blueberry Co, to explore her journey from landscape architect to creative entrepreneur. It’s a conversation about family, creativity, and why embracing imperfection can be one of the most powerful things we model for our kids.

✏️ What we cover:- Chloe’s transition from landscape architecture to starting Blueberry Co, inspired by her experience as a new mum- How the business evolved organically from baby memory books into mindfulness journals, creative resources, and the screen-free drawing game Droar!- The role of creativity in building confidence and why removing the fear of “doing it wrong” matters for both kids and adults- How creative practices can support mental health and emotional regulation- The development of Droar! — from a family idea to a fully realised product- Navigating screen time, social media, and AI while still prioritising creativity and critical thinking

- Blueberry Co’s core values — family first, celebrate the mess, and create with purpose — and how they shape everything Chloe creates

- Practical insights for parents looking to encourage creativity without adding pressure or perfectionism- What’s next for Blueberry Co, including new products, collaborations, and expansion ideas

🔗 Resources & Links:Blueberry Co Website: https://www.blueberryco.com.auBlueberry Co Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blueberrycobaby

Droar! Drawing Game: Available via Blueberry CoTen Hundred (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/@TenHundredJazza (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/@Jazza

📲 Connect with Chloe:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blueberrycobaby

In this episode of Parent Teacher Interview, Josh speaks with Ryan from theINmag — a magazine created by kids, for kids.

Ryan and his partner Tam, both primary school teachers, created theINmag to provide a genuine platform for children’s creativity and voice. Each issue brings together stories, artwork, ideas and projects submitted by kids from across Australia.

Josh and Ryan discuss how the magazine came to life, what it takes to curate hundreds of submissions into a printed publication, and why having a real audience for their work can be such a powerful experience for children.

Episode Links

theINmagWebsite: https://www.theinmag.com.au/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theinmag/

Resources Mentioned

Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics – Peter Liljedahl
https://www.angusrobertson.com.au/books/building-thinking-classrooms-in-mathematics-grades-k-12-peter-liljedahl/p/9781544374833

Nerdy Birdy – Aaron Reynolds
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781626725706/nerdybirdy

Little Picasso’s Art Studio
https://littlepicassos.com.au/

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