Mindful Learning Podcast

  • Five Things English Teachers Can Teach Us About Reading, Writing, and Living

    I recorded this episode of the Mindful Learning Podcast with Anthony Cockerill, director of the National Association for the Teaching of English (NATE), because I believe English teachers have so much to teach us beyond the classroom. Our conversation was a chance to explore what reading, writing, and language mean for all of us as human beings, not just for students in schools. Anthony spoke passionately about the life-changing power of reading for pleasure, the way writing can help us respond to and reflect on life, and the importance of valuing every community’s language. He reminded me that stories shape who we are and that teaching thrives best in community, not in isolation. These are not just classroom lessons — they are life lessons. I wanted to share this podcast because, at a time when education is often framed in narrow, utilitarian terms, we need to remember the broader value of English. Reading, writing, and language are not luxuries; they are ways of being human, of building empathy, resilience, and imagination. Listen to the full conversation and read the blog here: 👉 https://www.francisgilbert.co.uk/2025/09/five-things-english-teachers-can-teach-us-about-reading-writing-and-living/

  • The Mindful Learning Podcast: 7 Things You Should Know About Therapy

    If you’re reading this on Instagram, please paste the link into your browser to access the full article. In the latest Mindful Learning Podcast I spoke with therapist Bradley Riddell about what therapy is really like. We explored why therapy is never one-size-fits-all, why humour and trust matter, and how clients often already carry the resources they need. As Bradley told me: “Being in the room, you’re already leading the client to a collaborative venture… If you don’t respect the sanctity of the person sitting in the chair with you, you’ve no business being in the therapist’s chair.” Read the blog “7 Things You Should Know About Therapy” for the full write-up, including Bradley’s insights and references to leading thinkers like Janina Fisher, Carl Rogers, and Aaron Beck.

  • Seven Things Every Parent Should Know About Teachers and Their Children’s Learning

    As a teacher, parent, and author of The Mindful English Teacher, I have seen first-hand how much pressure modern education places on families, and how little space there often is for listening, creativity, and emotional understanding. I created this podcast and companion blog to open up a more compassionate conversation between parents and teachers. Speaking with Yundie Fei, a brilliant former student of mine and now an educator working closely with Chinese families, helped me reflect on how deeply similar our experiences are across cultures. We both see the anxiety, the over-scheduling, and the miscommunication; and we both believe things can change. This is for any parent who has ever worried their child is “falling behind,” questioned a teacher’s methods, or wondered how best to support learning at home. I hope it brings reassurance, insight, and perhaps even a sense of relief: you are not alone, and there is a gentler, more mindful way forward.

  • Five Ways Arts Practice Can Facilitate Social Change

    🎙️ I wrote this blog and recorded this Mindful Learning Podcast episode because I believe the arts are a powerful, often overlooked force for real social change. In conversation with Dr Miranda Matthews, we explore how creative practice can help us respond to the climate crisis, amplify marginalised voices, and transform education from the ground up. We talk about art as participation, not performance; about murals in schools and selkie suits in seal sanctuaries; and about how storytelling and small actions ripple outwards. 🖼️ This one’s for teachers, artists, students—and anyone wondering how creativity can make a difference. 👉 Read the blog and listen to the podcast: https://www.francisgilbert.co.uk/2025/07/five-ways-arts-practice-can-facilitate-social-change If you’re reading this on Instagram, please paste the link into your browser to access the full article and audio. #MindfulLearningPodcast #ArtsForChange #CreativeEducation #FrancisGilbert #MirandaMatthews #EcologiesInPractice #Goldsmiths #ArtsAndLearning #ClimateJustice #CriticalPedagogy #StoryOfChange

  • What’s the Best Education for Your Child?

    I recently recorded a very special episode of the Mindful Learning Podcast with my son, Theo. We went on a long car journey and ended up reflecting deeply on his education—from private prep school to state primary, local comprehensive to sixth form college, and beyond. He’s now a singer-songwriter and on the Civil Service Fast Stream. We talked honestly about bullying, creativity, great teachers, and why change can be a good thing. I also wrote an accompanying article exploring six key lessons I’ve learned as a parent navigating the education system. It’s one of the most personal things I’ve done—both as a father and as an educator. If you’re wondering what the “best” education really looks like, I hope it offers some helpful insights.

  • Five Ways to Help Teenagers Love English and Learn to Grow as People

    ✨ How Can We Help Teenagers Love English? Too often, English is taught as a subject to pass—not a space to grow. But what if we reimagined it as a place for empathy, identity, and critical reflection? 📚 In my latest blog and Mindful Learning Podcast, I share 5 creative, inclusive strategies that help teenagers engage deeply with English through: ✔️ Reflective writing ✔️ Drama and performance ✔️ Racial and linguistic justice ✔️ Funds of knowledge pedagogy ✔️ Real-world empathy-building tasks These ideas are drawn from my chapter in Secondary English for Generation Alpha (Routledge, 2025), edited by the brilliant Lorna Smith—and my decades of teaching, writing, and listening to students. 🎧 If you’re a teacher, trainee, or parent looking to humanise your English classroom, this episode is packed with actionable inspiration. 🙏 With gratitude to Dr Maggie Pitfield (Goldsmiths) for her invaluable support and insight. 👉 Read the blog | Listen to the podcast | Share if this resonates #MindfulLearning #EnglishEducation #GenerationAlpha #LinguisticJustice #RacialLiteracy #DramaInEducation #CreativeWriting #TeacherLife #FrancisGilbert #InclusiveTeaching #Goldsmiths

  • Five Key Things I Learned About Mental Health First Aid

    🧠 Just Completed Mental Health First Aid Training—Here’s What I Learned This week I completed the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course at Goldsmiths, led by the amazing Alicia Nagar (MHFA England). It was one of the most powerful, practical training experiences I’ve had in years. 💬 In just two days, I learned how to: Support people experiencing anxiety, depression, self-harm, psychosis, or trauma Respond with compassion, clarity, and boundaries Use the ALGEE framework to offer non-intrusive, trauma-aware help Understand how inequality impacts mental health Care for my own wellbeing as a supporter In my latest blog, I share 5 key takeaways from the course—plus why I think every educator and leader should consider MHFA training. ✨ I’ve trained in mindfulness and therapy before—but this offered something unique: A grounded, structured, deeply humane approach to supporting others in distress. 🙏 Huge thanks to Alicia and the team at Goldsmiths for making it possible. 👉 Read the blog for practical tools, reflections, and links to MHFA resources. #MentalHealthFirstAid #MHFA #WellbeingInEducation #TraumaInformedTeaching #MentalHealthAwareness #FrancisGilbert #Goldsmiths #MindfulLearning #TeacherWellbeing #ALGEE