Issues in Black & White: Recent Episodes
Lara + Lesley.Speaks
Two English teachers explore the big issues of the day. The education sector affects us all in one way or another; join Lara and Lesley.Speaks as they give their voices to a broad range of ideas and opinions in the education sector and beyond.
This week, Lara and Lesley welcome Joy to discuss teaching and leading with zeal, passion, enthusiasm...whatever you want to call it!
Youthfulness - the quality of being similar to or typical of young people. This week, Lesley and Lara discuss what it means to 'stay young' and whether youthfulness always equals naivety.
Womanhood - the qualities considered to be natural to or characteristic of a woman. This week, Lara and Lesley discuss what womanhood means to each of them and why it is such an important quality in the workplace.
Vision - the ability to think about and plan the future with imagination and wisdom. This week, Lesley and Lara discuss the real meaning of vision - not the corporate buzz word version - and try to get to the bottom of how and why vision is so important in our personal and professional lives.
Unity - the state of being joined together or in agreement. This week, Lara and Lesley explore why we're better together.
This week, Lara and Lesley welcome Jo to discuss training and coaching and how to support teachers on their leadership journey.
Spontaneity - the quality of being natural rather than planned in advance. Lara and Lesley discuss the benefits of being a bit spontaneous...despite not being particularly spontaneous themselves!
Reliability - the quality of being trustworthy or of performing well. This week, Lesley and Lara discuss whether reliability really is an important quality and why.
Questioning - to feel or express curiosity; raise objections to. Lelsey and Lara discuss the importance of questioning assumptions and questioning the world around us.
Pride - your own feelings of self worth; a sense of satisfaction. Lara and Lesley discuss all that we have to be proud for and why it's so important to take ownership of being proud of yourself. A fitting episode as we reflect back on what 2020 brought us.
This week Lara and Lesley welcome Annalisa to discuss collaboration and why it is more important than ever.
Openness - acceptance or receptiveness to change or new ideas. This week, Lesley and Lara discuss the benefits of being open, especially in the workplace.
This week, Lara and Lesley are joined by experienced school leader, Briony, for an inspiring discussion about all things leadership.
Negativity - the expression of criticism or pessimism about something. Lara and Lesley discuss the drawbacks of negativity in the workplace...and the surprising joy in allowing yourself just a little dose of the stuff every now and then.
Money - a current medium of exchange in coins or banknotes; payment for work. This week, Lesley and Lara discuss the importance of money and why we are so reticent to talk about it in casual conversation.
Listening - to take notice of and act on what someone says; respond to advice or a request. This week, Lara and Lesley discuss the importance of listening and how it differs to hearing...
This week, Lesley and Lara are joined by special guest Maggie to discuss ambition in all of its varying forms.
Knowledge - facts, information and skills acquired through experience and education. Lara and Lesley discuss whether or not we value knowledge, and the role it has to play in education and teaching. NOTE: Lara meant 'quantitative easing' not 'qualitative easing', and, yes, the explanation of it was rudimentary at best. We won't go into the irony of that...
Joy - a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. Lesley and Lara discuss what brings them joy and how to find joy in your work.
Independence - free from outside control; not subject to another's authority. Lara and Lesley discuss the virtues and drawbacks of independence in the workplace and in our personal lives.
This week, Lesley and Lara are joined by special guest Chris to discuss keeping well and happy in the workplace - and what companies and schools can do to support their staff.
Humility - the quality of not being proud of not thinking that you are better than other people. Lesley and Lara discuss the importance of humility in the workplace, especially in schools and in leadership.
Growth - the process of developing in ability, skill, value or mindset over time. Lara and Lesley discuss personal and professional growth... and the growth of the podcast.
This week Lara and Lesley welcome special guest Eddy to discuss resolving conflicts in the workplace.
Friendship - noun - a state of mutual trust and support between two people who know each well and like each other a lot. Recorded on International Friendship Day, Lesley and Lara discuss what makes a good friend and delve into their own friendships.
Equality - noun - the right of different groups of people to have a similar position and receive the same treatment. Lesley and Lara discuss the shortcomings of equality...
Discipline - noun - the practise of training oneself or others to obey rules or a code of behaviour. Lara and Lesley discuss how to teach discipline (to others and to ourselves) and how to stay disciplined.
Community - noun - the condition of sharing or having certain attitudes and interests in common.
Lara and Lesley discuss the importance of community and the impact that different communities can have.
Boldness - noun - a brave and confident way of behaving that shows no fear.
Lara and Lesley talk about being bold, both professionally and personally.
Altruism - noun - willingness to do things that bring advantage to others, even if it results in disadvantage for yourself.
We discuss what altruism really is and the role it has to play in the modern world.