SUMMARY

In this episode, we sit down with the wise and wonderful Dr. Laura Lockhart to talk about something every educator wrestles with—how we show up for ourselves and others when things get hard.

From the way we talk to ourselves, to understanding our triggers, to breathing through stressful moments, Dr. Lockhart brings so much heart and practical wisdom. We explore how self-awareness and self-compassion can shift everything—from how we manage conflict to how we connect with students (and ourselves).

She shares powerful takeaways from her journey and research, like why overusing your strengths can actually burn you out, how delaying your response can improve outcomes, and why relationships are the true heartbeat of education.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in fight-or-flight or been your own harshest critic (hi, educators 👋), this conversation will breathe life back into your day.

• Talk to yourself like you would to a friend—because self-compassion is key to your well-being.

• Breathe to remind your nervous system you're safe—it’s a powerful tool we often overlook.

• Know your triggers—you can’t manage what you don’t understand.

• Overusing your strengths leads to depletion—balance is essential.

• Strong relationships are the nucleus of proactive conflict management—connection comes first.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Self-Talk and Compassion
03:08 Introduction to Dr. Laura Lockhart
06:05 Dr. Lockhart's Educational Journey
09:06 The Importance of Relationships in Education
12:06 Proactive Conflict Management
14:54 Self-Awareness and Well-Being
17:55 Dissertation Insights on Conflict Management
20:47 Understanding Triggers and Hot Buttons
24:12 Constructive vs. Destructive Behaviors
27:11 Practical Tips for Self-Compassion
29:47 Mindfulness Techniques for Educators
47:55 The Power of Breath and Nervous System Regulation
51:03 Understanding Triggers and Responses
52:11 The Importance of Community in Learning
55:30 Navigating Struggles Together
57:02 Strategies for Self-Awareness and Conflict Resolution
01:01:30 The Role of Self-Compassion in Education
01:03:59 Reflections on Strengths and Depletion
01:08:59 The Centrality of Relationships
01:13:55 Delaying Responses and Mindful Interactions

************************************************************************************************

Oxygen for Educators is produced by Ripplemaker Project and proudly sponsored by Tacky Box.

Follow on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/oxygen-for-educators/id1775510846

Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2i21QueuqVqmEPmI7gzFfQ?si=1bef3354bff2402c

Follow on Audible: https://www.audible.co.uk/podcast/Oxygen-for-Educators/B0DKL68DLX?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp

Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEdbuPy-L7p4RZKZ_VWKCXwK_j8vbjZF2&si=7SHeSWZRllrseygs

Website: https://www.tackybox.com/podcast

Thank you to our sponsor, Tacky Box!

Website: https://tackybox.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tacky_box/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTackyBox/

X: https://x.com/thetackybox

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thetackybox/