Imagining Otherwise: Climate stories for an unwritten future

Guests: Aanchal Thapa, Edie Bound and Tirion BrownIn this episode, Dami is joined by Tirion, Aanchal and Edie – three alumni of the London Wildlife Trust’s Keeping It Wild traineeship. Together they explore what it means for young people to build a genuine connection with nature and how that connection can inspire meaningful climate action.Through stories of folklore walks, outdoor learning and rediscovering awe in the everyday, they reflect on how climate change education can go beyond science lessons to include culture, creativity and care for place. The conversation highlights why balancing knowledge with emotional connection is key to helping young people face the climate crisis with hope rather than fear and how teachers can nurture that balance both inside and outside the classroom.

This episode focuses on the what and how of climate change education.Featuring Jenn Plews OBE, CEO of Northern Star Academies Trust, and Professor Jonathan Sharples, Professorial Research Fellow at the Education Endowment Foundation, the discussion explores why embedding climate change education into school life is not a one-off event but a long-term, strategic endeavour.Jenn and Jonathan reflect on what it takes to create a culture where high-quality climate change education can thrive. Drawing on evidence from the Education Endowment Foundation’s A School’s Guide to Implementation, they discuss why culture, leadership, and carefully planned implementation are critical to making climate change education meaningful and lasting. The conversation highlights the need for strategic investment, long-term thinking, and robust monitoring and evaluation to ensure that learning about climate change becomes part of a school’s purpose not a passing initiative.

Guests: Mary Myatt and Hywel Roberts (Curriculum leaders and education experts)Summary: What does it mean to teach with purpose in the face of climate change? In this episode, Mary Myatt and Hywel Roberts reflect on how knowledge, ethics, and moral purpose shape climate change education. They explore how curriculum plays a vital role in making climate change education meaningful - embedding it across subjects rather than treating it as an add-on. Through rich storytelling and thoughtful insights, they discuss how curriculum design can foster deeper thinking, inspire action, and help children and young people make sense of the climate crisis.Episode details00:00 Introduction 00:39 What is the use of education?05:56 Robust Curriculum: Bridging Theory and Practice10:43 The Should, Could, and Must of Curriculum15:26 Teacher Presence and Ethical Decision-Making21:05 Navigating Climate Change Education25:44 Balancing Urgency and Depth in Teaching Climate Change Education33:31 Personal Narratives in Science Education35:17 The Role of Compassionate Teaching37:43 Understanding Thresholds in Education38:40 Permission and Leadership in Climate Change Education44:41 Imagining a World Without Climate Change

Guests: Robert Robertson (Tide Lines), and Jamie Elliott (Tate Modern, and the Gathering Ground exhibition).
How do place and belonging shape the way we understand climate change? In this episode, musician Robert Robertson shares how his art is inspired by the landscapes and communities of Scotland, capturing the emotional ties we hold to place. Alongside insights from artist and educator Jamie Elliott from the Tate Modern’s Gathering Ground exhibition, the conversation explores how art can express local identities, evoke shared memories, and reimagine our relationship with the changing environment—and what this might mean for education.

In this exclusive preview, Robert Robertson reflects on the powerful influence that living in Glasgow has had on the development of Tide Lines — both as a band and as individuals.He shares how the city’s vibrant culture, rich musical heritage, and contrasting natural and urban landscapes have shaped his songwriting and sense of place.  

Jamie Elliott explores the Tate Modern's groundbreaking Gathering Ground Exhibition and the professional learning available for teachers through their teacher study days.

In this exclusive preview, Robert Robertson from Tide Lines takes us on a journey through untouched landscapes, reflecting on the legacy of art and his vision for recovery in a world grappling with environmental crises. Get ready for an inspiring exploration of hope and nature’s resilience.