Best Pgce Podcasts (2025)

1
Closing the Disadvantage Gap in Schools with Finola Wilson 1:08:49

1d ago1:08:49

1:08:49

When we heard that Finola Wilson from our friends at Impact Wales had published a book, our first reaction (after congratulations!) was to realise how ridiculously long it’s been since we last spoke to our fellow Welsh education podcasters. Long-time listeners will know that we visited their HQ in Caerphilly (and Tom has particularly fond memories …

1
Supercharge Your Cardio 24:44

5d ago24:44

24:44

🏃‍♂️ Want to live longer, feel better and smash your fitness goals? In this episode, Jon breaks down exactly how to take your cardio training to the next level — whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve your VO₂ max, endurance, and overall performance. Based on a recent cardiovascular workshop, this one covers everything from heart ra…

1
Part Two: From Martial Arts to Muscle, the training approach of Dan Mack 24:38

12d ago24:38

24:38

🥋 What does martial arts have to do with skipping your kids to school? In this episode, we reconnect with Dan Mack — a father, martial artist, and personal trainer who’s transformed his life through fitness. From losing six stone to qualifying as a PT and now taking on a Level 4 in Strength & Conditioning, Dan shares how martial arts builds deep co…

1
Participatory Research with Student Teachers and their Mentors 59:06

15d ago59:06

59:06

It's something of a tradition to haul Emma in for a doctoral progress check, and today she's digging into her chosen research approach: participatory research. If you listened to Emma's last episode, you'll remember that she examined her own research worldview and values, and concluded that she couldn't find out what she needs to know without makin…

1
Part One: How Dan Mack Turned His Life Around With Fitness 20:04

19d ago20:04

20:04

From 17 Stone to Fitness Entrepreneur: Dan Mack's Transformation Story 🔥 Losing 6 stone was just the beginning for Dan Mack. Now he's created a fitness business helping busy parents transform their lives. Dan's story proves you don't need crazy fad diets or hours in the gym to make incredible changes. As a working parent who transformed his body wh…

1
Longevity, Breathwork & The Blueprint for Staying Strong at 70 23:23

26d ago23:23

23:23

From blood sugar to breathwork at 66. In this episode, Jon’s back with Ray Conway — a PT with 25+ years in the game and still in serious shape. They cover everything from glucose control and coaching results, to dodgy diet decisions, nervous system resets and what it really takes to keep training for life. 💡 If you’re working with older clients, ad…

1
Primary Teachers and Physical Literacy with Dr Fiona Heath-Diffey 59:40

29d ago59:40

59:40

We welcome Dr Fiona Heath-Diffey to the studio today to talk us through her doctoral research into the experiences of primary student teachers getting to grips with the idea of teaching PE. Fiona has previously joined us to talk about physical literacy - the idea that PE lessons should give pupils a lifelong healthy relationship with exercise and t…

1
From Crisis to Comeback — The Story of Ray Conway 18:43

1M ago18:43

18:43

#TheStormFitnessAcademyPodcast #ComebackStory #PTInspiration #RayConway #Resilience #MindsetMatters #FitnessOver60 #InjuryRecovery #PTLife #Longevity #ColdExposure #Breathwork #CoachingWisdom #PersonalTrainerLife #RealWorldResults #TrainForLife From paralysis scare to peak condition at 66. In this episode, Jon sits down with legendary PT Ray Conway…

1
Never Do This as an Outdoor PT: Client-Killing Mistakes to Avoid 14:03

1M ago14:03

14:03

No plan? No progress. This episode dives into the big mistakes that can quietly kill your outdoor PT business — from freestyling sessions to ignoring progression, and everything in between. 💡 Whether you’re just getting started or already coaching in the wild, this one’s all about making your sessions professional, progressive and properly effectiv…

1
Easter Special 2025! 56:26

1M ago56:26

56:26

For teachers it's the Easter break, and so we like to bring you another of our selections of the interesting, humorous and strange things we have been reading or otherwise consuming lately. This time around, Tom's taking a look at what it's like to be a 'progressive activist', while also musing on the power of the legally-enforced lunch break. Mean…

1
How to Set Up and Run a Successful Outdoor PT Business 18:33

2M ago18:33

18:33

No mirrors, no machines, no problem. If you’ve ever thought about taking your sessions outside, this one’s for you. From insurance and kit to pricing, safety and dealing with sideways rain — this episode gives you the full lowdown on running proper sessions in the real world. 💡 Whether you’re thinking about starting something new or want to sharpen…

1
How to Coach Outdoors with Minimal Kit (And Still Get Amazing Results) 20:07

2M ago20:07

20:07

No gym? No problem. In this episode, we’re talking about how to run proper training sessions outdoors with barely any kit. Whether you’re a PT looking to take your clients outside, or just keen to mix things up — here’s how to coach smarter with what you’ve got. 💡 From session structure and kit essentials, to why logging progress matters — we’re co…

1
Making Student Teacher Observations Purposeful 55:30

2M ago55:30

55:30

Back in our non-camera-enabled studio, we've got some thoughts for you today about how observation can be made more purposeful. Often found as an initial activity at the start of student teacher placements, it can sometimes be a missed opportunity if student teachers simply stand at the back and try to make sense of what's going on in a busy classr…

1
Never Do This If You Want More PT Clients (The #1 Sales Mistake) 18:29

2M ago18:29

18:29

Still selling PT sessions? That might be the reason you’re not getting clients. In this episode, we dig into the biggest mistake personal trainers make when trying to grow — and what to do instead. If you want to coach smarter, get better results for your clients, and actually build a business that works long-term… this one’s for you. 💡 From pricin…

1
The 3 Biggest Training Mistakes That Are Holding You (and Your Clients) Back 19:54

2M ago19:54

19:54

Are you (or your clients) making one of these common training mistakes? It could be the reason you’re not seeing results. In this episode, we break down the 3 biggest mistakes most people make with their training—and how to fix them. If you’re working toward becoming a PT or looking to coach more effectively, this one’s essential listening. 💡 From …

1
Teacher Recruitment and Retention with Professor David Egan 1:01:29

2M ago1:01:29

1:01:29

Back in our normal studio, we welcome Professor David Egan back to the podcast. David was last with us taking about the poverty gap in education, and today he’s here to tell us about a report he’s written into the recruitment and retention of secondary school teachers. The report ranges widely around lots of important questions about what is shapin…

1
How To Make £50k+ (Even In Your First Year) 14:06

2M ago14:06

14:06

💰 Want to hit £50K+ as a personal trainer? It’s not just about training—it’s about building a business. Too many PTs struggle because they wait for clients to come to them. In this episode, we break down the key strategies to attract clients, price your services right, and create a fitness business that actually thrives. 🚀 Whether you’re just start…

1
Five Biggest Fears Holding You Back (And How To Overcome Them) 14:12

3M ago14:12

14:12

🔥 Thinking about becoming a PT but feeling held back by fear? You’re not alone. Most trainers feel excited about the idea of working in fitness, but doubts creep in—“What if I fail?” “What if I can’t get clients?” “Am I good enough?” In this episode, we break down the five biggest fears stopping you from reaching your full potential and show you ho…

1
Teaching and Learning Shakespeare through Theatre Based Practice: A Book Review 1:01:37

3M ago1:01:37

1:01:37

We're in the 'other' studio today which, to our delight, is not bristling with cameras! Apologies to the very small club of people who watch our episodes on YouTube. Emma was recently asked to review a book for the National Drama subject association: Teaching and Learning Shakespeare through Theatre Based Practice. Today we bring you an extended ch…

1
How to Train Your Client Like an Athlete (Even if They're Not One) 16:26

3M ago16:26

16:26

Most personal trainers focus on just getting clients "fit"—but what if you could take their results to the next level by training them like an athlete?In this episode, we break down the key principles of Strength & Conditioning that can help ANY client—whether they’re an everyday gym-goer or a competitive athlete.…

1
How to Become a Personal Trainer in 2025: Step-by-Step Guide 14:41

3M ago14:41

14:41

Are you passionate about fitness and ready to turn it into a rewarding career? In this video, we’ll walk you through exactly how to become a personal trainer in 2025 – from getting qualified to landing your first clients and building a thriving fitness business. Whether you want to work in a gym, online, or as a self-employed coach, this guide cove…

1
Mentoring with Sian Wickersham 55:50

3M ago55:50

55:50

We make no apology for having based several of our episodes around the person that many student teachers report is the single most important person in their teacher education journey: the mentor. They're the school-based colleague who looks after the student teacher on placement, gives them advice, feedback and support, and assesses their teaching.…

1
The Best Way to Lose Fat Without Losing Muscle 22:41

3M ago22:41

22:41

Losing fat without sacrificing muscle—it's what every client wants, but few get right. As fitness professionals, it's our job to help clients achieve this goal effectively while also applying these methods to our own training. In this episode, we dive into the science-backed strategies that ensure muscle retention during fat loss, covering everythi…

1
A Whole-School Behaviour Policy with Kelly Bubbins from Willows High School in Cardiff 51:38

4M ago51:38

51:38

Today we welcome Kelly Bubbins from Willows High School in Cardiff. Willows is located in a part of Cardiff that's not without its challenges, and as Kelly tells us, assumptions about what that means for the aspirations pupils can have for themselves were a big problem for the school. This translated into poor behaviour and low aspiration, and the …

1
The First Step to a Successful Fitness Business (Most People Get This Wrong!) 10:53

4M ago10:53

10:53

If I were starting my fitness business today, the first thing I’d do isn’t what most people think. It’s not setting up a website, designing a logo, or even creating a workout plan. It all starts with your audience. Who can you help? How can you help them? These are the questions that separate thriving fitness businesses from those that struggle. In…

1
Transitions between schools as an early-career teacher 1:11:54

4M ago1:11:54

1:11:54

Today we're all on our own without a guest, because we're presenting original Cardiff Met research! But our colleague Sioned Dafydd is with us in spirit as she was a key member of the three-person research team that carried out this work. Today we're looking at what happens when student teachers change from one school placement to another, and when…

1
Calling all secondary school teachers in Wales... 1:11

4M ago1:11

1:11

We interrupt our normal service with a callout to all our listeners who are secondary school teachers in Wales! Dear teacher, Cardiff Met is working with Canterbury Christ Church University on a research project to explore teacher-teacher dialogue around Curriculum for Wales. As a first stage of the project, we're releasing a survey aimed at second…

1
How to Move Better, Feel Stronger, and Crush Pain with Yanushka Bagiolo 47:37

4M ago47:37

47:37

I sit down with Yanushka Bagiolo, one of our incredible graduates from the Level 2 Gym Instruction and Level 3 Personal Training qualifications. Known as 'Nush,' Yanushka is now a highly skilled movement coach, helping both the general population and athletes optimise their movement. We dive into how Nush supports clients in reducing pain, improvin…

1
School Uniform with Dr Rachel Shanks 44:54

5M ago44:54

44:54

In a very impressive move to win 'most dedicated podcast guest', today we welcome Dr Rachel Shanks from the University of Aberdeen to our studio in person! For obvious reasons, our original request to Rachel involved a down-the-line interview, but we were very happy indeed to be able to instead welcome her to Cardiff after an epic train journey fro…

1
Christmas Special 2024! 1:26:46

5M ago1:26:46

1:26:46

It’s that festive time of year again, and hopefully anyone involved in the world of education is relaxing after a very long Autumn term. We’re back with our usual Christmas offering - though we’re out of our normal studio as our friends in the Sport Broadcast and Media programmes are having a busy last week of term up on the second floor. In a part…

1
Teacher Education with Professor Trevor Mutton 53:37

6M ago53:37

53:37

One of the perks of hosting the podcast is that we get to invite people who’ve influenced us to come on as guests, and in our world of teacher education, there are few people who’ve had more influence on us than Professor Trevor Mutton from the University of Oxford. Co-author of a huge number of articles and books that have shaped our thinking abou…

1
Creating a Safe Space for Educators with Clinical Supervision with Dr Louise Allen-Walker and Dan Williams 59:51

6M ago59:51

59:51

Teaching people to be teachers can feel like a bit of a head-spinner - it can get meta quite quickly! But teacher educators (in school or in university) are also part of a wider group of slightly unusual people who teach people to become public-service professionals like social workers, youth workers or police officers. In all of these cases, these…

1
Using AI Responsibly with Mark Lester 55:23

7M ago55:23

55:23

It's time for another 'delve' (!) into the world of AI, and how large language models have found their way into the world of education. Following our episode last year with Karl Jones, today we welcome Mark Lester from the library service into the studio. Mark's been keeping an eye on all things AI for a number of years now, and has some interestin…