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The Tattooed Teacher

by Phil Murdoch

The Tattooed Teacher Podcast is a conversation‑based podcast exploring the person behind the educator. Hosted by a teacher who knows there’s more to life than the classroom, each episode goes beneath the surface on identity, purpose, creativity, educator wellbeing, burnout, growth, and what it really means to show up as yourself in education. You’ll hear honest conversations with teachers and inspiring guests from around the world—sharing real stories and lived experiences that challenge the traditional image of what an educator “should” be.

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Episodes

  1. Change the Barriers, Not the Child - Autism, Inclusion and What Schools Need to Know with Dr Louise White

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Dr Louise White, Postdoctoral Research Fellow and consulting researcher, about what it really means to include autistic students in our schools and why the research keeps pointing back to the same thing: belonging, flexibility, and...

  2. Character Education and Human Formation: What Every School Needs to Know with Dr. Hugh Chilton

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Dr Hugh Chilton, Head of Teaching and Learning at Wycliffe Christian School, co-founder and Associate Director of the Sydney Character Initiative, and co-chair of Research Invested Schools, about what it really means to form human…

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  3. From Classroom to Content Creator: Joy, Authenticity and What It Really Takes with Josiah Hein

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with my good mate Josiah Hein, teacher, content creator, TikTok sensation, and the man behind “Jesus loves you baby”, about what it looks like to build an authentic life in public without losing who you actually are. And yes, this is episode...

  4. Let Teachers Teach: Why Voice, Time, and Trust Are Disappearing from Education with Brad Gaynor

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Brad Gaynor, an educator, author, executive leadership coach, and current PhD candidate who's spent over three decades in Australian schools, from the classroom to the principal's office. We explore: Why the negative narrative around...

  5. Neurodiversity, AI and Authentic Learning with Pip Cleaves

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Pip Cleaves, Systems and Practice designer, CEO and founder of her own company, and content specialist for Canva. Pip shares her journey through education, her innovative teaching methods, and her insights on integrating AI and...

  6. What 20 Years of EdTech Research Actually Tells Us About Teaching with Dr Damian Bebell

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Dr Damian Bebell, Assistant Research Professor at Boston College’s Lynch School of Education and a Senior Research Associate at the Center for the Study of Testing, Evaluation, and Educational Policy, about what twenty years of...

  7. A Human-Centred Approach to AI and Design Thinking in Education with Rashan Senanayake

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Rashan Senanayake, founder of Inspired Education, lecturer and author, about two of the most important conversations happening in education right now: how design thinking actually works in a school context, and what AI should and...

  8. The Human-Centered Approach to School Leadership with Aimee Presnall

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher podcast I chat with Aimee Presnall, founder of Well-Nest and host of the Reflections of School Leaders podcast. Aimee shares her journey from classroom teacher to education leader, emphasizing the importance of human-centered leadership, mental health, and...

  9. How to Write and Publish an Education Book with Alicia Cohen, Amba Press

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Alicia Cohen, Managing Director and Founder of Amba Press, about what it actually takes to turn an educator's ideas into a published book and why she believes every teacher has a story worth putting out into the world. Alicia has spent…

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  10. Why the Trades Have Never Been More Exciting for Women in Australia with Tenille Reilly

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Tenille Reilly, Women in Trades Manager at Busy At Work and member of the National Association of Women in Construction Australia, about what it really takes to get women into trades and keep them there long enough to build something...

  11. Character Before Curriculum - What Boys Need Most From School with Richard Bishop

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Richard Bishop, Director of Alumni and Community Relations at Trinity Grammar School, to unpack his journey from corporate accountant to one of the most committed figures in boys education I know. Richard shares how a conversation in...

  12. Why most Professional Development doesn't change anything with Glenn Solomons

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Glenn Solomons, founder of Cheeky Learning and education consultant, about his journey from architecture student to classroom teacher, and eventually to one of the most interesting questions in professional learning: what actually…

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  13. What No One Tells You Before Starting University with Selena Dhondea-Tenakov

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Selena Dhondea-Tenakov, Coordinator of Uni Prep Schools at Edith Cowan University and Sessional Academic in initial teacher education, about what it really takes to bridge the gap between high school and university for the students the...

  14. Is Education Keeping Up With Gaming Culture? with Vindhya Barwal

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Vindhya Barwa, Head of Reputation & Influence at Colony Group and Sessional Academic at UQ teaching Gaming Cultures, about what happens when marketing, storytelling, and education merge and why the games your students are playing are…

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  15. Teaching Is a Performance and AI Doesn't Know the Script with Holly Wedd

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Holly Wedd, Head Teacher of Mathematics in Coffs Harbour, to unpack how she's gone from never wanting to set foot in a school again to becoming the 2026 Premier's Teaching Scholarship recipient, a 2025 Schools Plus Teaching Fellow, and...

  16. Teaching, Leadership & AI: What actually matters in schools with Jon Burnett

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Jon Burnett Head of Teaching and Learning Systems and Improvement, to unpack his journey from music graduate to educational leader. Jon shares how stepping into the unknown and often the deep end shaped his career, and why saying “yes”…

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  17. From Kansas to Korea: The Accidental Global Educator with Nick Steffen

    On this episode of The Tattoo Teacher Podcast, I chat with Nick Steffen — EdTech innovator, design teacher, tech coach, stand-up comedian, and one of the most adventurous educators you'll ever meet. Born and raised in Kansas, Nick has built maker programmes from scratch in China, trained…

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  18. From Disengaged to Employed: How BUSY Schools Work for Young People with Paul Miles

    On this the 60th episode of The Tattoo Teacher Podcast, I chat with Paul Miles, CEO of The BUSY Group, about the gap between traditional education and real-world outcomes and what can be done to help close it. Paul shares how BUSY schools support disengaged students through the mix of education,...

  19. Teaching & TEDx: Building Community, Sharing Ideas, Staying Curious with Will Berry

    On this episode of The Tattoo Teacher Podcast, Will Berry shares his journey into education and what’s helped himstay in the profession. Along the way, Will shares what keeps early‑career teachers in the profession, the importance of school culture, and why simply checking in can make a…

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  20. How Digital Pedagogy Transforms Education: Insights from Matt Jensen

    On this episode of The Tattoo Teacher Podcast, I chat with Matt Jensen. He shares practical insights from his work in digital pedagogy and coaching, focusing on how technology can support—not replace—great teaching. The conversation also dives into AI in education—including the risks of automated...

  21. Re‑Imagining School Without Walls: Virtual Learning Community & the Future of Education with Danni Foster Brown

    On this episode of The Tattoo Teacher Podcast, I chat with Danni Foster Brown, an experienced educator, educational leader, and Head of the Virtual Learning Community on the Gold Coast who is redefining what school can look like. Together, we explore educational technology, AI, transdisciplinary...

  22. AI, Design Thinking & Student Agency with Ryan Noonan

    On this episode of The Tattoo Teacher Podcast I chat with Ryan Noonan, Leader of Digital Technology and Innovation at Chevalier College (NSW), to explore what meaningful innovation in schools looks like. Ryan’s journey starts in a low-SES community where education wasn’t seen as the obvious path,...

  23. Transdisciplinary Learning, Innovation & the Future of Education with Chris Barnes

    On this episode of The Tattoo Teacher Podcast, I catch up with longtime colleague and global education leader Chris Barnes, currently Director of Curriculum and Assessment at The Franklin School (New Jersey, USA). Chris shares his journey from Australian independent schools and the International...

  24. Why Service and Kindness Matter More Than Ever in Teaching with Doug Broadbent

    In this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I sit down with Doug Broadbent to explore how service and kindness shape teacher identity, classroom culture, and meaningful education. In this engaging conversation Doug shares his 25-year journey in education, exploring the importance of love for...

  25. Why Creativity Matters in Education with Kerry Brown

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I sit down with Kerry Brown, a leading advocate for creativity in education. Kerry shares her journey into teaching, the growing administrative load many teachers face, and why protecting teacher wellbeing is essential to keeping the joy in the…

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  26. From Engineering to Teaching: Why Michael Russo Chose Education

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I’m joined by Michael Russo — an MTeach pre-service teacher and Biomedical Engineering PhD candidate — as he shares his journey from engineering into education. We unpack what it takes to build a safe learning environment where students feel...

  27. Empowering Education: Safer, Student‑Centred Learning with Rachel Ballantyne

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Rachel Ballantyne, educator and founder of Edify & Empower Tutoring. Rachel shares her journey into education, her passion for safeguarding students, and why innovation in learning matters now more than ever. We explore the challenges...

  28. Industrial Designer to D&T Teacher - Career Change with Andrew Nicholls

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Andrew Nicholls, a design and technology teacher and PhD candidate. Andrew shares his journey from industrial designer to teacher, the challenges faced in education, the importance of technology in learning, and the need for effective...

  29. Empowering Students Through Digital Innovation with Colleen O’Rourke

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Colleen O'Rourke, a passionate educator and digital innovation leader. Colleen shares her journey into education, inspired by a teacher who recognized her potential and introduced her to technology at a young age. She emphasizes the...

  30. Bridging Technology and Education with Emil Zankov

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Emil Zankov, a digital technologies teacher from South Australia. Emil shares his journey in education, his passion for barbecuing, and how he integrates technology and robotics into his teaching. He emphasizes the importance of…

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  31. Unveiling Modern Slavery: The Freedom Hub's Mission with Sally Irwin

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with I Sally Irwin, the founder of the Freedom Hub, a registered charity organization dedicated to helping survivors of modern-day slavery in Australia. Sally shares her personaljourney that led her to establish the Freedom Hub, the…

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  32. Exploring Human-Centered Design in Education with Sophie Fenton

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Dr. Sophie Fenton discusses her journey from education to consultancy, emphasizing the importance of human-centered design in both learning and working environments.She highlights the need for philosophical inquiry in education, the…

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  33. The evolving landscape of education with Dan Bowen

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Dan Bowen, an educator and AI strategist at Microsoft. We discuss the evolving landscape of education, the value of teachers, and the role of AI in enhancing teaching andlearning. Dan shares his journey in education, the importance of...

  34. Unlocking Change in Education with Shane Leaning

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Shane Leaning, an educator, organisational coach and author. We discuss the importance of autonomy, trust, and psychological safety in schools. Our conversation covers the challenges educators face, including external pressuresand the...

  35. The Human Connection in the Age of AI with Steve Diasio

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Steve Diasio, founder of the School of Creativity and Innovation. We discuss the importance of creativity and innovation in education, the role of human elements inlearning, and the challenges faced by traditional education systems.…

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  36. Fostering Curiosity in Education with Matt Pitman

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Matt Pittman about the importance of connection, curiosity, and resilience in education. We discuss the differences between studying and learning, the challenges faced bynew teachers, and the need for a supportive school community. Matt...

  37. Navigating the Future of Education with Vince Wall

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with Vince Wall, a history teacher and PhD candidate, about his passion for education and the evolving role of teachers in the age of AI. We discuss the importance of making a difference in students' lives, the need for inquiry-based…

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  38. Healthy Eating for Cognitive Success with Nicole Barber

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with dietitian Nicole Barber about the critical role of nutrition in cognitive performance and overall health. We discuss the importance of balanced diets, the impact of food choices on brain function, and practical strategies for healthy...

  39. Empowering Students Through Mindset and Movement with Lauren Munday

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat withLauren Munday, an educator and mindset coach, who shares her insights on the importance of physical and mental health in education. We discuss the challenges students face in the classroom, the significance of fostering resilience and...

  40. Education and Industry - Bridging the Gap with Mark Yeates

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat withMark Yeates. We discuss the evolving landscape of education, emphasizing the importance of integrating industry knowledge into the classroom. We explore thesignificance of learning from mistakes, the challenges of educational technology,...

  41. Design for Social Impact: Crafted Liberation with Nila Rezaei

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I talk withNila Rezaei, an industrial designer and educator, who shares her journey from Iran to Australia and her work in design. We discuss her project 'Crafted Liberation', which responds to social issues, particularly the plight of women in…

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  42. Teacher to Full‑Time Artist: Larissa Warren on Making the Leap

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat with artist and educator Larissa Warren. We discuss her journey from being a teacher to becoming a full-time artist, her passion for ceramics, and the importance of community in art. Larissa shares her experiences in education, the…

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  43. Leighann Nes Wilson - Empowering Future Teachers through Design Thinking

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I speak Leighann Nes Wilson, a design educator and PhD candidate, discussing her journey in design education, the importance of creativity in teaching, and the impact of design thinking on students. Leighann shares her experiences in integrating...

  44. Student Organisation & Time Management Skills: Helping Kids Build Independence with Amanda Lecaude

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I speak with Amanda Lecaude, an organisational specialist who focuses on teaching students essential skills for managing their time and tasks effectively. Amanda shares her journey into this field, emphasizing the importance of instilling...

  45. Teacher Wellbeing: Finding Fulfillment in Teaching with Sam Woods

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I speakwith Sam Woods, the principal of Australian Christian College in Banalla, Victoria. Sam shares his journey from aspiring musician to accidental educator, discussing the importance of creativity in teaching, redefining success for students…

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  46. Investing in Education and Conservation with Rob Keanalley

    On this episode of The Tattooed Teacher Podcast, I chat withRob Keanalley about the metaverse, marine conservation, and the role of technology in education. Rob discusses his company, Salty Sharks, which aims to change the narrative around sharks and promote marine species conservation through...

  47. Educational Leadership: The Joys and Challenges of Leading a School with Daniel Brown

    In this episode of the Tattoo Teacher Podcast I speak with Daniel Brown, the principal of Emmanuel College. Dan shares his personal journey into education, driven by a desire to impact students' lives positively. He discusses the unique character of Emmanuel College, the challenges and joys of...

  48. The Importance of Creative Subjects in Education: Why the Arts Belong in School with Andres Trujillo

    In this episode of the Tattoo Teacher podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Andres, an educator and student advocate, about his journey into teaching, the importance of mental health in education, and the need for creative subjects in schools. We discuss the challenges teachers face in...

  49. Inspiring Innovation: The Importance of Design in Education with Stephen Anderson

    In this episode of the Tattoo Teacher podcast, I had the pleasure of talking Stephen Anderson. We discuss our journey as design teachers, emphasizing the importance of creativity, learning from mistakes, and the role of design in education. We share about the significance of allowing students to...

  50. Life Design in Schools: Building Student Purpose, Agency & Wellbeing with Kirstene Ciappara

    In this episode of the Tattoo Teacher podcast, I had the pleasure of talking with Kirstene Ciappara. Kirstene shares her journey from being a traditional teacher to embracing entrepreneurship and life design in education. We discuss the importance of authenticity in teaching, the evolving…

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

The Tattooed Teacher Podcast is a conversation‑based podcast exploring the person behind the educator. Hosted by a teacher who knows there’s more to life than the classroom, each episode goes beneath the surface on identity, purpose, creativity, educator wellbeing, burnout, growth, and what it really means to show up as yourself in education. You’ll hear honest conversations with teachers and inspiring guests from around the world—sharing real stories and lived experiences that challenge the traditional image of what an educator “should” be.

HOSTED BY

Phil Murdoch

CATEGORIES

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Tattooed Teacher have?

The Tattooed Teacher currently has 76 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is The Tattooed Teacher about?

The Tattooed Teacher Podcast is a conversation‑based podcast exploring the person behind the educator. Hosted by a teacher who knows there’s more to life than the classroom, each episode goes beneath the surface on identity, purpose, creativity, educator wellbeing, burnout, growth, and what it...

How often does The Tattooed Teacher release new episodes?

The Tattooed Teacher has 76 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to The Tattooed Teacher?

You can listen to The Tattooed Teacher on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts The Tattooed Teacher?

The Tattooed Teacher is created and hosted by Phil Murdoch.
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