Welcome back to Energetic Radio! In Episode 367, hosts Dale Sidebottom and Paul Campbell return to the bunker after a busy stretch and bring heartfelt stories, practical insights, and a burst of encouragement for anyone looking to add more joy and fulfilment to their life.

In This Episode:

• Book Impact: Dale and Paul celebrate the incredible reach of their books, "365 Days of Play" and "The Playful Astronauts," sharing touching stories from families, schools, and individuals of all ages whose lives have been enriched by playful routines.
• The Power of Starting: Hear candid reflections on why launching new projects is daunting, but so worth it. The hosts encourage listeners to chase what excites them, highlighting that intrinsic motivation always beats external rewards.
• New Experiences Abroad & At Home: Dale recounts his trip to the U.S. as a keynote speaker, overcoming nerves and jet lag to experience a genuine connection with peers he'd only met online. Meanwhile, Paul shares travel tips for families and the power of collective adventure, plus a story about his first-ever snorkelling trip (at age 40!) that turned into a lifelong memory with his son.
• Facing What You Avoid: The duo reflects on a powerful quote, "What you avoid controls you", and unpacks the challenge and relief of confronting what scares us, whether it's getting out of bed, starting something new, or pushing through internal pressure as they launch their new executive leadership program.
• Intentional Connection: Paul and Dale get honest about the challenges and joys of parenting, from late-night Lego building to lovingly reframing frustrating bedtime routines. A touching perspective shared from an older father reminds us not to take precious moments with little ones for granted.
• Actionable Takeaways:
  • Lean into discomfort and try the things you've been avoiding; they might bring the most growth and pride.
  • Nurture connections, whether with family or friends, through intentional effort, even when life gets busy.
  • Remember: you control the meaning you give to life's challenges; adjust your mindset to find the joy in the challenging moments.

In Episode 366 of the Energetic Radio Podcast, hosts Dale Sidebottom and Paul Campbell welcome Craig Randall, a global educator, consultant, and pizza enthusiast, to the show. Craig has served as a teacher and principal around the world, in Asia, the Middle East, South America, and beyond, bringing unique cultural and leadership insights to the field of education.

The conversation kicks off with Craig sharing his signature pizza recipe (think Mediterranean flavours on a pesto base!) before diving deep into a topic central to his professional mission: building trust in schools and beyond.

Craig unpacks the philosophy behind his work, “Trust-Based Observations,” a groundbreaking system designed to shift teacher observations and feedback from deficit-based to strengths-based, ultimately fostering an environment where trust and genuine growth flourish. He highlights practical strategies for building trust, such as focusing on strengths, asking meaningful questions, conducting observations in a teacher’s own classroom, and delaying feedback until a trusting relationship is built.

Key topics and takeaways include:

The Power of Trust: Why trust is hard to build and easy to lose; essential habits for leaders and coaches.
Trust-Based Observations in Action: How unannounced, strengths-based observations, combined with reflective conversations, lower vulnerability and inspire risk-taking and innovation among teachers.
Transferable Wisdom: How the same principles can transform parenting, sports coaching, and business relationships anywhere trust and growth are essential.
Lessons from Global Education: Craig’s reflections on teaching and leading in international schools, the impact of cultural context, and why global experiences shaped him and his family.
Personal Insights: Craig’s own relationship with trust, how he’s built it, where he’s been burnt, and why empathy and forgiveness matter.
Advice for Educators: Why leading with kindness, building relationships, and prioritising play aren’t just nice; they’re necessary for learning and innovation.

From inspiring metaphors (think “trust marbles in a jar”) to transformative, practical steps, this episode is packed with insights for educators, coaches, parents, and leaders at every level.

Resources & Links:

Find Craig Randall and learn more about Trust-Based Observations at trustbase.com

This week's episode of Energetic Radio is a special celebration of milestones, meaningful moments, and making a difference. Hosts Dale Sidebottom and Paul Campbell are positively buzzing as they mark a serendipitous alignment: the release of their new book "365 Days of Play" and the show's 365th episode, pure fate!

Dale and Paul reflect on the book launch, gratitude for their community, and the power of giving back, highlighted by an inspiring event they recently hosted for Muscular Dystrophy Australia. Listen in as they unpack not only the joy that comes from helping others, but also the personal and professional transformation that comes from chasing your dreams, nerves, and all.

Paul takes a heartfelt moment to shout out friends, family, and colleagues who have bravely leapt toward their goals, while Dale shares honest reflections on the highs and lows of solo hustling and the joy of sharing life's big wins with others.

The episode is packed with practical wisdom, too: From simple tools to lift your mood (think: workouts, little acts of kindness, and the magic of music), to a game-changing insight about building trust that will instantly improve your coaching, parenting, or leadership skills.

Plus, get a sneak peek of next week's transformative interview and collect a few new conversation starters along the way! Whether you need inspiration, reflection, or a reminder that chasing your dreams is always worth it, this episode delivers with warmth, humour, and plenty of heart.