Have you ever found yourself wondering, Why do I keep reacting like this? Why does this situation keep repeating itself?
In this episode of The School of Wellbeing, I’m joined by educator, speaker, and author Lael Stone to explore the emotional imprints we carry from childhood and how they continue to shape the way we think, feel, and respond as adults.
Lael’s new book, Own Your Story: Understanding Your Past to Create Your Future, invites us to get curious about the stories we’ve absorbed over time about trust, self-care, anger and success, and to consider whether those stories are helping or holding us back.
Together, we talk about the power of reflection, the role of curiosity in healing, and how we can begin to change the patterns that no longer serve us.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Imprints are beliefs formed in childhood that still influence us today.
- Curiosity about our triggers is a powerful first step to healing.
- Self-care is often shaped by what we saw growing up.
- Anger is not something to fear, it’s a signal that boundaries matter.
- We can change our story and model emotional maturity for the next generation
Who is Lael Stone?
Lael Stone is an Australian educator, TEDx speaker, and parenting expert with more than twenty years of experience supporting families, young people, and school communities in building emotional awareness and resilience.
Lael is also the co-creator of Woodline Primary School in regional Victoria, a school dedicated to emotional wellbeing and connection.
Why does this conversation matter?
In schools, we often focus on what we do, lesson plans, leadership meetings, programs, and outcomes. But underneath it all is who we are and the stories we carry. This episode offers a chance to pause, and invites us to consider:
- Why we react the way we do in high-pressure moments.
- How our beliefs around self-care, anger, and success were formed.
- What it looks like to own our story and show up with greater awareness.
- How understanding our emotional imprints helps us lead, teach, and relate with more compassion.
For educators and school leaders, this work is both personal and professional in nature. When we understand ourselves more deeply, we create space to support others more effectively and build healthier school cultures.
You can quote us on that…
““You don’t have to carry that same imprint forward. You get to change it for future generations.””
Lael Stone
“Just because that’s the way it’s always been done doesn’t mean that it actually works.”
Lael Stone
Contact
Lael Stone – Instagram | Website | LinkedIn
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Hi, I'm Meg!
B.Phys Ed, M. Ed (Student Wellbeing), CIPP
I’m a teacher with experience working in primary and secondary schools across Australia, and a specialist in the field of wellbeing education and coaching. I founded Open Mind Education in 2013 with a vision of sharing practical, enriching wellbeing education with staff, parents, and broader school communities.
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