Leading Virtual Teams with Dr Maren Deepwell

Tune in for this conversation about all things leadership in education, perfect for the start of the new term. I am joined by Special Guest Helen Tarokh, Executive Coach and Supervisor for Education Leaders. Helen and I dive into a range of topics, including values-aligned leadership, finding the right work/life harmony and making leadership practice sustainable in an era of AI and automation. Learn more about Helen's work:Helen's website https://www.mrstcoaching.com/ Connect on LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-tarokh-816558143Connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mrstcoaching/Curious to learn more?I’m Dr Maren Deepwell, award-winning, independent consultant and executive coach. Based in Cardiff, Wales, I work with innovative organisations, teams and individual leaders in education and the third sector.Get in touch https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/get-in-touch/ Coaching and Consultancy https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/Blog https://marendeepwell.com/Newsletter https://marendeepwell.com/category/newsletter/

And we're back! Returning from the summer break this episode is all about taking a little inspiration from the summer into the busy months ahead. Mentioned in this episode: DS106 Radio Summer Camp and Community https://marendeepwell.com/road-to-nowhere/Adventures in Analogue https://marendeepwell.com/adventures-in-analogue-ii/ Curious to learn more?I’m Dr Maren Deepwell, award-winning, independent consultant and executive coach. Based in Cardiff, Wales, I work with innovative organisations, teams and individual leaders in education and the third sector.Get in touch https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/get-in-touch/ Coaching and Consultancy https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/Blog https://marendeepwell.com/Newsletter https://marendeepwell.com/category/newsletter/

It's episode 150 and I am excited to share this milestone with you! A big thank you to all my listeners and special guests. Mentioned in this episode: OER26 Reflection blog post https://marendeepwell.com/oer26-the-future-is-open/My favourite interviews from the last season https://marendeepwell.com/podcast/Curious to learn more?I’m Dr Maren Deepwell, award-winning, independent consultant and executive coach. Based in Cardiff, Wales, I work with innovative organisations, teams and individual leaders in education and the third sector.Get in touch https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/get-in-touch/ Coaching and Consultancy https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/Blog https://marendeepwell.com/Newsletter https://marendeepwell.com/category/newsletter/

This a recording and audio resource for my session at the OER26 Conference in June 2026, Milton Keynes, UK. Walking the Walk of Open as Leadership PracticeMore info at https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1XQW0H_AdjwKXImVNkuuzSD262NnOba_qvu-hGPBMYWk/edit?usp=sharing Curious to learn more?I’m Dr Maren Deepwell, award-winning, independent consultant and executive coach. Based in Cardiff, Wales, I work with innovative organisations, teams and individual leaders in education and the third sector.Get in touch https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/get-in-touch/ Coaching and Consultancy https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/Blog https://marendeepwell.com/Newsletter https://marendeepwell.com/category/newsletter/

In this episode I talk about Digital Capabilities for Leading Virtual Teams and reflect on my third academic year teaching at the University of Oxford. Mentioned in this episode:From Elasticity to Inspiration with Special Guest: Blaine RoissetterCurious to learn more?I’m Dr Maren Deepwell, award-winning, independent consultant and executive coach. Based in Cardiff, Wales, I work with innovative organisations, teams and individual leaders in education and the third sector.Get in touch https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/get-in-touch/ Coaching and Consultancy https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/Blog https://marendeepwell.com/Newsletter https://marendeepwell.com/category/newsletter/

I really enjoyed recording this epsiode, freshly returned from conference travel, sharing tips on how to make your day, week or work trip, that little bit more enjoyable. Mentioned in this episode:Blog post about 1% more of... https://www.marendeepwellcoaching.com/blog/the-one-percentMy ILTA Conference blog post https://marendeepwell.com/?p=6018Curious to learn more?I’m Dr Maren Deepwell, award-winning, independent consultant and executive coach. Based in Cardiff, Wales, I work with innovative organisations, teams and individual leaders in education and the third sector.Get in touch https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/get-in-touch/ Coaching and Consultancy https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/Blog https://marendeepwell.com/Newsletter https://marendeepwell.com/category/newsletter/

Tune in and hear Jim Groom join me to look ahead to the 25th Annual Conference of the Irish Learning Technology Association in Dublin, June 3-4 2026.Mentioned in this episode:ILTA Conference https://ilta.ie/edtech-2026/Reclaim at ILTA Preview https://blog.reclaimhosting.com/reclaim-ilta-annual-conference-2026/Jim's blog https://bavatuesdays.com/Bava.studio https://bava.studio/Reclaim Case Studies https://blog.reclaimhosting.com/tag/case-study/Maren's ILTA Memories https://youtube.com/shorts/IkioyzkHjOQ?si=MCArEpb7bZE1_FkzOpenness Reimagined… from How to Who https://altc.alt.ac.uk/blog/2026/05/openness-reimagined-from-how-to-who/Curious to learn more?I’m Dr Maren Deepwell, award-winning, independent consultant and executive coach. Based in Cardiff, Wales, I work with innovative organisations, teams and individual leaders in education and the third sector.Get in touch https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/get-in-touch/ Coaching and Consultancy https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/Blog https://marendeepwell.com/Newsletter https://marendeepwell.com/category/newsletter/

Tune in as I share updates from my current projects and how I am tackling some long-standing issues with fresh energy. Mentioned in this epsiode:Newsletter is moving! Subscribe via LinkedIn Read via the blog (and subscribe via RSS)Follow me on Bluesky or Mastodon Helen Tarokh Coaching Supervision https://www.mrstcoaching.com/ Wales & Shropshire Coaching GroupCurious to learn more?I’m Dr Maren Deepwell, award-winning, independent consultant and executive coach. Based in Cardiff, Wales, I work with innovative organisations, teams and individual leaders in education and the third sector.Get in touch https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/get-in-touch/ Coaching and Consultancy https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/Blog https://marendeepwell.com/Newsletter https://marendeepwell.com/category/newsletter/

Big milestone goals can take years to achieve? So what happens when you do tick a big item off your list? What's next? Having recently completed the Vancouver Half Marathon, I share what it feels like to achieve this big goal, how things went on the day and how I feel now :) In this episode I also reflect more generally on achieving big milestones, celebrating those special moments and making time to reflect and regroup before moving on to the next thing. Curious to learn more?I’m Dr Maren Deepwell, award-winning, independent consultant and executive coach. Based in Cardiff, Wales, I work with innovative organisations, teams and individual leaders in education and the third sector.Get in touch https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/get-in-touch/ Coaching and Consultancy https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/Blog https://marendeepwell.com/Newsletter https://marendeepwell.com/category/newsletter/

On this episode I share practical tips for tapering AKA getting ready for a break or a holiday and fitting more rest into your day to day. Mentioned on this episode:Webinar with Lou Mycroft https://marendeepwell.com/?p=5959Practical strategies https://marendeepwell.com/?p=1590Curious to learn more?I’m Dr Maren Deepwell, award-winning, independent consultant and executive coach. Based in Cardiff, Wales, I work with innovative organisations, teams and individual leaders in education and the third sector.Get in touch https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/get-in-touch/ Coaching and Consultancy https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/Blog https://marendeepwell.com/Newsletter https://marendeepwell.com/category/newsletter/

In my last episode I shared strategies for journaling about professional practice. So once you get writing, or recording, or sketching, how do you know what to say? In this episode, we take a look at the power of finding just the right prompts. Curious to learn more?I’m Dr Maren Deepwell, award-winning, independent consultant and executive coach. Based in Cardiff, Wales, I work with innovative organisations, teams and individual leaders in education and the third sector.Get in touch https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/get-in-touch/ Coaching and Consultancy https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/Blog https://marendeepwell.com/Newsletter https://marendeepwell.com/category/newsletter/

A journal of professional practice can easily turn into a superpower at work. For over two decades, I have used different forms of professional journalling to create just those moments for myself, and so this podcast is an invitation to try out some new approaches to this fundamental practice.If you’re not a fan of writing, never fear, as I have included some approaches that use voice recording, conversational reflection and drawing, too .Curious to learn more?I’m Dr Maren Deepwell, award-winning, independent consultant and executive coach. Based in Cardiff, Wales, I work with innovative organisations, teams and individual leaders in education and the third sector.Get in touch https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/get-in-touch/ Coaching and Consultancy https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/Blog https://marendeepwell.com/Newsletter https://marendeepwell.com/category/newsletter/

It’s been a few years now since I started working in my own consultancy business full-time and being my own boss really suits me. On this episode I reflect on how life has stopped feeling unmoored in the way it did when my CEO days were fresh in my mind. Instead, life has taken on a new rhythm... . Mentioned in this episode:https://marendeepwell.com/?p=5939Curious to learn more?I’m Dr Maren Deepwell, award-winning, independent consultant and executive coach. Based in Cardiff, Wales, I work with innovative organisations, teams and individual leaders in education and the third sector.Get in touch https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/get-in-touch/ Coaching and Consultancy https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/Blog https://marendeepwell.com/Newsletter https://marendeepwell.com/category/newsletter/

Have you heard of Podcasthon? It’s the biggest charity Event in Podcasting world! An incredible and fast-growing non-profit initiative that unites thousands of podcasters globally. There's no money involved—it’s all about raising awareness for various charitable causes.I’ll be dedicating this episode of my podcast to support a charity and a cause that truly matters to me - mentoring emerging leaders with One Million Mentors. Curious to learn more?I’m Dr Maren Deepwell, award-winning, independent consultant and executive coach. Based in Cardiff, Wales, I work with innovative organisations, teams and individual leaders in education and the third sector.Get in touch https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/get-in-touch/ Coaching and Consultancy https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/Blog https://marendeepwell.com/Newsletter https://marendeepwell.com/category/newsletter/

It’s Open Education Week, from 2-6 March, celebrating all things open in Education AND it’s also International Women’s Day on 8 March. Perfect timing to celebrate all things (and people!) inspiring in open education and beyond - and for this very special episode we welcome a very special guest: Chahira Nouira . Tune in to share plenty of inspiration, hear Chahira's perspective on how things are changing in Open Education and the enduring importance of Open Education practice AND join in the fun as we share some of the projects and people that inspire us and bring a smile to our face. Meet my Special GuestEconomist by training, Chahira Nouira has been active in the field of EdTech for over 18 years. She is based in Germany and has worked for a few institutions like the University of Göttingen and the United Nations University (UNU). She is passionate about Education and has contributed to many European projects and initiatives related to Open Educational Resources and Practices. Her work is dedicated to helping learners to strengthen their digital competences and enhance collaborative teaching and learning, especially in international settings.Mentioned in this episodeChahira Nouira interviews Lilia Cheniti live from Hamburg! The game Chang(O)ER: Demystifying the Buzz around Innovation, Openness and Sustainability  https://youtu.be/9iPWjWmQBBc?si=IQUk_U7d_l-98rfPILTA Annual Conference https://ilta.ie/edtech-2026/Reclaim celebrates Wikipedia @ 25: Knowledge is Human https://archive.reclaim.tv/w/dfVdJXVUvKoPhBJjBketmHGuest Post: Conference Blogging in the Open https://blog.reclaimhosting.com/guest-post-conference-blogging-in-the-open/The DS106 Daily Create https://daily.ds106.us/Bryan Mathers Fabulous Remixer Machine https://remixer.visualthinkery.com/Higher Education for Good. Teaching and Learning Futures https://www.openbookpublishers.com/books/10.11647/obp.0363 Radio info https://marendeepwell.com/?p=5896 Curious to learn more?I’m Dr Maren Deepwell, award-winning, independent consultant and executive coach. Based in Cardiff, Wales, I work with innovative organisations, teams and individual leaders in education and the third sector.Get in touch https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/get-in-touch/ Coaching and Consultancy https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/Blog https://marendeepwell.com/Newsletter https://marendeepwell.com/category/newsletter/

In April I am joining forces with Lou Mycroft for an AmplifyFE webinar hosted by ALT (it’s free to attend, so register if you’d like to join us). The theme we have picked is rest & resilience, inspired by both Lou’s work on radical rest and my work relating to building healthy hybrid leadership capabilities for uncertain times. Although the work for the webinar has just gotten underway, I want to share one piece already: the mini retreat. In this episode for this post I share stories of some of the retreats I have organised for myself as well as some ideas and tips for creating your own.Mentioned in this episode: Episode blog post with resources https://www.marendeepwellcoaching.com/blog/miniretreat Webinar Registration link https://www.alt.ac.uk/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=1079Course Registration and further info https://www.marendeepwellcoaching.com/hybridhabitsCurious to learn more?I’m Dr Maren Deepwell, award-winning, independent consultant and executive coach. Based in Cardiff, Wales, I work with innovative organisations, teams and individual leaders in education and the third sector.Get in touch https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/get-in-touch/ Coaching and Consultancy https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/Blog https://marendeepwell.com/Newsletter https://marendeepwell.com/category/newsletter/

Tune in to find out how Pilot Irwin combines online engagement with playful approaches to create unique conference sessions and what we can learn from this for leadership in hybrid and fully remote teams. Pilot, an early-career edtech professional whom I met first working for Reclaim Hosting, brings a wealth of creativity, inspiration and impressive improv skills to the world of online conferences. Read Pilot's blog post to learn more https://pilotirwin.com/the-power-of-games-in-virtual-events/Mentioned in this episode:Reclaim Open Conference session: Let’s Play Brand Actualization: Selling Out the Open WebDS106 Radio Summer Camp session: "Long Time Listener, Last Time Caller" Brand ActualizationLong Time Listener Last Time Callerthe LTLLTC podcast episode from DS106 Summer CampConnect with Pilot on LinkedIn. Curious to learn more?I’m Dr Maren Deepwell, award-winning, independent consultant and executive coach. Based in Cardiff, Wales, I work with innovative organisations, teams and individual leaders in education and the third sector.Get in touch https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/get-in-touch/ Coaching and Consultancy https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/Blog https://marendeepwell.com/Newsletter https://marendeepwell.com/category/newsletter/

I'm thrilled to kick off this season of interviews with a fascinating conversation with Blaine Roissetter, from the University of Oxford. It's a valuable opportunity to hear about digital capabilities and digital leadership from the unique perspective of a very large, complex and federated institution and its people. From digital skills to digital leadership, remote working and effective digital governance in uncertain times, I loved hearing Blaine's perspective on what it takes to empower and support a large workforce at an institutional level during uncertain times and how we can think through rapid technological change. Mentioned in this episode:University of Oxford Digital SkillsConnect on LinkedInCurious to learn more?I’m Dr Maren Deepwell, award-winning, independent consultant and executive coach. Based in Cardiff, Wales, I work with innovative organisations, teams and individual leaders in education and the third sector.Get in touch https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/get-in-touch/ Coaching and Consultancy https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/Blog https://marendeepwell.com/Newsletter https://marendeepwell.com/category/newsletter/

January is usually a time for planning for the year ahead. Whether at work or at home, there’s a whole year of goals yet to achieve stretched out in front of us, and I find that can be a little bit overwhelming. Whilst I am a fan of planning ahead, with so much to do, and only a finite amount of time and energy to do it with, I find I need an antidote to the madness of January’s resolutions and good intentions. In short, I am looking for a source of fresh inspiration and motivation: a DONE List. In this episode I share how and why this is such a useful tool and how to get started. Also mentioned in this episode:What if you're already on top of things? by Oliver Burkeman Forget To-Do Lists. You Really Need a ‘Got Done’ List in WIREDCheck out the blog post for links and resources https://www.marendeepwellcoaching.com/blog/start-the-year-with-a-done-list Curious to learn more?I’m Dr Maren Deepwell, award-winning, independent consultant and executive coach. Based in Cardiff, Wales, I work with innovative organisations, teams and individual leaders in education and the third sector.Get in touch https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/get-in-touch/ Coaching and Consultancy https://marendeepwellcoaching.com/Blog https://marendeepwell.com/Newsletter https://marendeepwell.com/category/newsletter/

On this episode we welcome back a very special guest: Amanda Coolidge, Principal and Founder of Coolidge Collaborative, Inc. Amanda shares an update on her career transition and offers a rare insight into what it's really like to start your own business as we reflect on the year together.This is the kind of open leadership conversation I value the most and something that's rare for me to have nowadays, so I am delighted to have had an opportunity to record an end of year special and dive into what's in store for 2026. Enjoy! Find out more about Amanda's work: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandacoolidge/Website: https://www.coolidgecollaborativeinc.ca

It’s the season for office parties, and I am in a festive mood. In this holiday-themed post (and on the podcast, too), I want to share a few of the ways in which I reflect on, celebrate and end the year. If you are a fellow freelancer or small business owner, you might find inspiration for your own celebration here.Like you, I’ve been to a lot of office parties and work do’s, and most of them weren’t all that festive and bright, but some years it all came together and we had a lot of fun together. So in my “Office Party for One” I’ve tried to keep the best bits of what I enjoy and add my own twist of reflective spirit to come up with a end of year celebration that brings me joy and is highly practical, too.Party hat optional.

This month, as a little gift from me to you, you can join in with my leadership coaching subscription service, AKA Long Distance Leadership Postcards for free. I’ve made December free for all to access, and this month’s topic includes three free resources to explore.Whether your 2025 has been busy and productive, or brought unexpected challenges, whether you are getting ready to rest or just about to set out in a new direction, I have designed this month’s coaching moment by mail to offer new inspiration and encouragement by focusing on your creativity, develop leadership capability or clear the decks with increased productivity.Enjoy the listen and explore the free resources: https://www.marendeepwellcoaching.com/leadership-postcards/chooseyouradventure

On this episode we hear from a very special guest: Professor Helen O'Sullivan, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost at The University of Chester and from 2026  Chief Academic Officer at QA HE.  This is a precious opportunity to hear from an experienced senior leader about pioneering hybrid and remote working with different institutions, the central importance of building trust and how to effectively set boundaries to protect your work/life balance. This interview is going to feature in ⁠my upcoming book⁠. Get in touch with me if you'd like to join us for an episode and contribute to the book.My ⁠⁠blog⁠⁠, this ⁠⁠podcast⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠ are the best ways to connect and ⁠⁠get in touch⁠⁠ with me.

It's time to celebrate as the podcast turns 3 this month! I've recorded this special episode to say thank you to all of you, my listeners, and to share a few of my reflections about the show.If you have ideas for topics or special guests for 2026, I'd love to hear from you! Get in touch with me https://www.marendeepwellcoaching.com/contact .

Join me to celebrate a personal milestone as we kick of 3 year of my business venture, and also share a conference special for Reclaim Open, for which my contribution is all about Blogging as a Professional Superpower. Mentioned in this episode:Year 3. Boom. https://marendeepwell.com/?p=5727Blogging as a Professional Superpower https://marendeepwell.com/?p=5732Reclaim Open https://reclaimopen.com/Blog-a-thon https://blog.reclaimhosting.com/reclaim-open-blog-a-thon/Coaching & Consultancy https://www.marendeepwellcoaching.com/

This time of year always feels busy, with so much going on, and yet it’s also a season when there’s less daylight time, and colder months are starting here in the Northern Hemisphere. Whether at work, in leadership practice or in relation to personal goals I often have conversations with my coaching clients about wanting to accomplish more whilst feeling that there is less energy.What I find especially helpful at this time of year, however, is to focus more on what energy I have and how I want to spend it between now and the end of the year. This small shift in emphasis opens up a different reflective frame and in this episode I show you how to use a basic template of the resource to help do that. Check out the episode blog post for more information and resources https://marendeepwell.com/?p=5719Learn more about my coaching and leadership development at https://www.marendeepwellcoaching.com .

It's World Mental Health Day! In this episode I share some resources for mental health in the workplace. It's been a summer of personal milestones for me, and this week feels like starting a new chapter. There’ll also be some new developments on a professional front in the coming months, but more of that in a future post. For now, I’m focusing on getting my head back in the right mindset for work. As I’m also making the switch from late summer in Crete to autumn in Wales, I’m using the seasonal changeover as a way to help me gain focus. I find it really helps to change some things around to mark a new season or a new chapter, and in this post I share some examples of how I do that.

Over the summer I have updated my coaching course for leaders and managers, ready for the next academic year. I designed the course originally just over 18 months ago, and three cohorts later I have learnt a lot about what participants find most valuable. I’ve also had a lot of experiences working with coaching clients who are tasked with introducing AI in their teams, or supporting colleagues who are now using productivity suites such as MS Teams or Google Workspace with AI-powered tools, something I hadn’t specifically addressed when I designed the course.In this episode I share my thinking about how AI and hybrid working practices are shaping the way we lead, and give you a preview of updates to the course.

On this episode we hear from a very special guest: Amanda Coolidge, Principal and Founder of Coolidge Collaborative, Inc. . I am thrilled that Amanda joins me to talk about navigating career transitions that combine values with meeting the demands of establishing a new career chapter. We swap tales of the freedom that comes with no longer running an organization and becoming your own boss, open approaches to leadership and how to balance work with rest. Find out more about Amanda's work: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandacoolidge/Website: https://www.coolidgecollaborativeinc.ca/

Tune in for a deep conversation with Lou Mycroft, Changemaker Extraordinaire, and meander with us as we reflect on the future of work, empowering green change and agency. Sitting in the a garden green space, both metaphorically and literally, Lou shares how making (green) change is possible within large institutions, tapping into the powerful potentia of individuals and community networks. This conversation is a breath of fresh air and left me feeling thoroughly inspired. Mentioned in this episodeLearn more about Lou's workLou's Substack on Joyful PracticeRhizo14 and the work of Dave CormierEducational Leadership in Changemaking TimesAI-generated Hip Hop Poem for AmplifyFEThe Thinking Environment and the work of Nancy KleinRadical Rest and Rest is ResistanceMegan Reitz and John Higgins work on ’spaciousness’

Join me for the first episode with not one but two very special guests: Marcela Morales and Igor Lesko, Co-Directors of Open Education Global. This is a rare and inspiring opportunity to learn about a co-leadership model as we chat across continents about open leadership and how to build relationships, trust and collaboration with a team distributed across the world. Mentioned in this episode:Open Education Global https://www.oeglobal.org/ The people that make OE Global https://www.oeglobal.org/about-us/people-of-oeg/Open Education Week https://oeweek.oeglobal.org/Network of Open Organisations https://www.networkofopenorgs.org/OE Awards https://awards.oeglobal.org/ 

On this episode we hear from special guest Doug Belshaw, who brings a huge wealth of inspiration to the topics we discuss, from AI and digital literacies to strategic uses of ambiguity. Along the way, we talk about living like a hydra, the value of serendipity and ways of working in the open. Mentioned in this episode:Learn more about Doug Belshaw https://dougbelshaw.com/ Doug's doctoral research on digital literaciesHow co-operative principles shape our decision-making and collaboration at We Are Open Co-opDoug's involvement with Open Badges and Verifiable Credentials, and how open recognition can support virtual team cultureThe strategic uses of ambiguity — i.e. not everything needs to be pinned down straight away. Allowing some ambiguity in projects and discussions can spark creativity and encourage exploration.Doug uses the term serendipity surface to describe how we can make chance encounters and unexpected discoveries more likely, especially when working remotely.Living like a Hydra

As work on my book continues, I have started to write more and in this episode I share how I am approaching writing mission statement for the book. Mission Statement blog postMy ⁠⁠⁠⁠blog⁠⁠⁠⁠, this ⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ and free monthly ⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ are the best ways to connect and ⁠⁠⁠⁠get in touch⁠⁠⁠⁠ with me. Find out more about my work and get in touch via ⁠⁠⁠⁠my business site⁠⁠⁠⁠.

This year I got back into running, and regular readers will know that this comeback has been years in the making. I started blogging about it in 2022.. and in 2023. So I am pleased to report that I have finally managed to get there! From a personal perspective starting the day with a morning run is a joy for me, and the photo at the start of this post is a snap shot from earlier this morning, as I was jogging down the river near my house and passed my favourite river oak tree. It’s a majestic sight and today the water was clear and still, reflecting the beauty of this glorious sunny morning.So it’s a personal win, and it’s also professionally interesting because the coach in me is reflecting on what’s changed this time round? Why did I succeed this time when I have failed to do the same thing since 2021? Plenty of us struggle to stick to habits or achieve goals, and so I want to use my example to share some coaching tips that have helped me along the way.Read the episode blog post. My ⁠⁠⁠blog⁠⁠⁠, this ⁠⁠⁠podcast⁠⁠⁠ and free monthly ⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠ are the best ways to connect and ⁠⁠⁠get in touch⁠⁠⁠ with me. Find out more about my work and get in touch via ⁠⁠⁠my business site⁠⁠⁠.

On this episode we hear from a very special guest: Angela Gunder, Ph.D., CEO and Founder of Opened Culture. Our conversation goes to super interesting places as we touch on art, AI and Open Education. Tune in to hear more about Angela's journey as a teacher, leader, and collaborator par excellence as we explore what it takes to become architects of our own joy. Mentioned in this episode:Angela Gunder https://angelagunder.com/ Angelda Remixes https://angelaremixes.com/Opened Culture https://openedculture.com/The 100 Year Ed Tech Project https://100yearedtechproject.org/Confluence of Commands https://angelaremixes.com/2025/03/12/confluence-of-commands/ Color Bird Match-UpsAI Literacies Unlocked: Open Course on AI Literacies developed for UNESCO IITE that we launched on National AI Literacy DayAI Literacies and the Advancement of Opened Culture: Global Perspectives and Practices: MIT Open Learning article on AI literacies and open pedagogyHewlett Foundation Grant with Tennessee State University and MERLOT/SkillsCommons on Open Culture: Free webinar series and open playbooks

This is part 2 of 2 in which I share my strategies for reframing success in the context of my career and how I find and measure personal KPIs. A couple of things that have been percolating in my mind over the past couple of weeks have come together: the reflective post in which I shared a ⁠story of my career⁠ prompted me to think more about where I am heading and why; then I completed the ⁠review of my tech stack⁠ which made me focus on whether I have the right tools for the work I want to do and what that is… ; and thirdly I have been preparing for the next run of my ⁠hybrid working leadership course⁠ (incidentally, if you’d like to join us, ⁠register ⁠before 26 May), which includes a topic about how to find your own measures of success.My ⁠⁠⁠blog⁠⁠⁠, this ⁠⁠⁠podcast⁠⁠⁠ and free monthly ⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠ are the best ways to connect and ⁠⁠⁠get in touch⁠⁠⁠ with me. Find out more about my work and get in touch via ⁠⁠⁠my business site⁠⁠⁠.

A couple of things that have been percolating in my mind over the past couple of weeks have come together: the reflective post in which I shared a story of my career prompted me to think more about where I am heading and why; then I completed the review of my tech stack which made me focus on whether I have the right tools for the work I want to do and what that is… ; and thirdly I have been preparing for the next run of my hybrid working leadership course (incidentally, if you’d like to join us, register before 26 May), which includes a topic about how to find your own measures of success.This is part 1 of 2 in which I share my strategies for reframing success in the context of my career and how I find and measure personal KPIs. My ⁠⁠⁠blog⁠⁠⁠, this ⁠⁠⁠podcast⁠⁠⁠ and free monthly ⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠ are the best ways to connect and ⁠⁠⁠get in touch⁠⁠⁠ with me. Find out more about my work and get in touch via ⁠⁠⁠my business site⁠⁠⁠.

Explore my newest project: Long Distance Leadership Postcards. This innovative postcard-based approach to leadership coaching is something I created for my past self. When I was a CEO juggling competing priorities and responsibilities, things that put a spring in my step felt few and far between. I love the idea that I could have received a postcard each month from a trusted pen pal who really understood what I had to contend with. Each card would come complete with a little inspiration, a helpful strategy or a reminder to take a step back and get a fresh perspective. This is exactly what I hope this project will deliver for busy leaders facing the challenges of today. Mentioned in this episode:Long Distance Leadership PostcardsApril's topic: Walk'n'TalkMy ⁠⁠⁠blog⁠⁠⁠, this ⁠⁠⁠podcast⁠⁠⁠ and free monthly ⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠ are the best ways to connect and ⁠⁠⁠get in touch⁠⁠⁠ with me. Find out more about my work and get in touch via ⁠⁠⁠my business site⁠⁠⁠.

I started writing my new book nearly a year ago... so what's happened since? In this episode I share an update on how things are going, what I have done to get this project back on track and also strategies for holding myself accountable to get writing done. Mentioned in this episode:⁠National Digital Leadership Network⁠⁠My ReportThe Percolator ⁠- my space for brewing new ideas⁠Long Distance Leadership PostcardsMy ⁠⁠blog⁠⁠, this ⁠⁠podcast⁠⁠ and free monthly ⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠ are the best ways to connect and ⁠⁠get in touch⁠⁠ with me. Find out more about my work and get in touch via ⁠⁠my business site⁠⁠.

Join me for a wonderfully rich conversation with special guest Amanda Coolidge, Executive Director of BCcampus, as we talk at the intersection of Open Education, Instructional Design and Hybrid Working. Along the way, we chat about virtual farming in Stardew Valley, RV travels, art and leadership life. Mentioned in this episode:Amanda Coolidge OEG Voices Podcast Studio with Amanda Coolidge, Marcela Morales, and Maren DeepwellPositive PostcardsMy ⁠blog⁠, this ⁠podcast⁠ and free monthly ⁠newsletter⁠ are the best ways to connect and ⁠get in touch⁠ with me. Find out more about my work and get in touch via ⁠my business site⁠.

In this episode I share a preview of new research into hybrid working and the launch of my report Global Trends Towards Flexible, Hybrid Working and its Impact for Digital Leadership in Higher Education .Mentioned in this episode:N-TUTORRNational Digital Leadership NetworkMy ReportMy ⁠blog⁠, this ⁠podcast⁠ and free monthly ⁠newsletter⁠ are the best ways to connect and ⁠get in touch⁠ with me. Find out more about my work and get in touch via ⁠my business site⁠.

Blogging on the open web. It’s a habit worth keeping. So this special episode is all about blogging inspired by an event of the Blogging Community of Practice #blogging4life . Mentioned in this episode:Blogging Community of PracticeReady Writing BlogEdTechie BlogMaren's BlogBonnie Stewart's workJim Groom's BlogCommunity of Practice Blogging Mojo EventGetting your Blogging Mojo backMy ⁠blog⁠, this ⁠podcast⁠ and free monthly ⁠newsletter⁠ are the best ways to connect and ⁠get in touch⁠ with me. Find out more about my work and get in touch via ⁠my business site⁠.

In this episode I share a preview of a new space I have created to share work in progress, a new project in the making, i.e. Long Distance Leadership Postcards, and reflect on progress with re-inventing Mondays. Mentioned in this episodeThe Percolator - my space for brewing new ideasLong Distance Leadership PostcardsRe-inventing Mondays revisitedMy ⁠blog⁠, this ⁠podcast⁠ and free monthly ⁠newsletter⁠ are the best ways to connect and ⁠get in touch⁠ with me. Find out more about my work and get in touch via ⁠my business site⁠.

This year’s theme for International Women's Day is Accelerate Action, and I am offering three pro bono coaching packages to contribute something to this effort. So if you are looking to progress an action, take a decision or make change happen, then get in touch if you’d like to work with me. Mentioned in this episode:Open Education Week My FemEdTech Years My ⁠blog⁠, this ⁠podcast⁠ and free monthly ⁠newsletter⁠ are the best ways to connect and ⁠get in touch⁠ with me. Find out more about my work and get in touch via ⁠my business site⁠.

Check out the episode blog post https://marendeepwell.com/?p=5460 for all the links and more information. Mentioned in this episode: Critical CadenceReflective walkingKin Lane's post on seeing human beings as resourcesBryan Mather's permission slip My blog, this podcast and free monthly newsletter are the best ways to connect and get in touch with me. Find out more about my work and get in touch via my business site.

Welcome to this conference special of my talk atEducation after the algorithm: Co-designing critical and creative futures, 20-21 February 2025.In this recording I expand on strategies and practical ideas to use movement in contemplative pedagogies and outdoor learning, and to notice how the pace of thinking and doing changes in motion.You can find more information and the talk slideshttps://www.marendeepwellcoaching.com/critical-cadence

This week a cohort of 16 leaders and managers wraps up the current run of my ⁠Healthy Hybrid Habits course⁠. As this is the second time I have run this course in this format, I’d like to take this opportunity to reflect on and celebrate what’s been achieved.In this episode I reflect on the wider context of the course, the social and political context, Digital Productivity Double Speak and AI "Solutions" to Hybrid Working.Course homepage https://www.marendeepwellcoaching.com/hybridhabits24Episode blog post https://marendeepwell.com/?p=5429

Join me for a conversation with special guest Lucy Crompton-Reid for a deep dive into leading a successful distributed organisation. Lucy shares inspiring examples of putting wellbeing at the heart of hybrid working policies and we discuss how working with the open knowledge community has inspired how the organisation operates.As Chief Executive at Wikimedia UK Lucy led her organisation to successfully adopt hybrid working during the uncertainty of the pandemic and in this episode we explore how practice and policy has evolved since.  This interview is going to feature in ⁠my upcoming book⁠. Get in touch with me if you'd like to join us for an episode and contribute to the book.

... in which I share my (honeycomb of) strategies for making it through January, finding joy in small things and blogging as a leader. Mentioned in this episode: Education after the algorithm: Co-designing critical and creative futures Blogging Community of Practice AKA Bloggers Anonymous Healthy Hybrid Habits for Leaders and Managers

Since I first published this list of 25 obvious, yet effective, ways to improve your working environment, all the way back in 2022, it’s become one of the most read posts on my blog. Many of my coaching clients and course participants come back to this again and again, to find new ways to tweak their set up and improve their working environment. Given that we are once again in January, and given that this week I’d do just about anything to make work a little easier, I’ve gone back to review and update the list to include a few new things and approaches. There are a lot of things you can try to make your day a little more comfortable, calmer and more balanced. What will make a real difference to you depends on the way you work and your personal preferences. What makes this approach work (for me at least) is that the aim is to start thinking about making very small, incremental improvements, not big or radical changes that new year resolutions so often come with. I can always find ways to make myself 1% more comfortable, even on a bad day. And along the way, I gain a little more awareness and distance from being lost in digital productivity curves. You can access the full list on my blog. My ⁠blog⁠, this ⁠podcast⁠ and ⁠newsletter⁠ are the best ways to connect and ⁠get in touch⁠ with me.