Yamina Bibi is an award-winning former Acting Deputy Headteacher and English Teacher from London. She is currently Education Project Specialist at Chiltern Learning Trust and The Chartered College of Teaching, and a freelance consultant and coach. Alongside this work, Yamina is co-founder of South Asian Educators’ Network, a Diverse Educator Associate and a #WomenEd Network Leader. Yamina is the author of The Little Guide for Teachers: Thriving in Your First Years of Teaching.

In this episode, Yamina discusses her book, The Little Guide for Teachers: Thriving in Your First Years of Teaching, and how she was inspired to write it… overcoming her inner critic… the importance of trying to be a positive voice, a positive role model to young people, and the lasting effect that our conversations with them might have… gratitude for fellow teachers, mentors, and coaches who supported and encouraged her early in her career… the reminder that we do not need to prove ourselves to anyone… #WomenEd, a global, grassroots organization, founded in England, that supports women in education, at whatever stage they are in their career or in their leadership journey, encouraging them to be 10% Braver!… her role as a #WomenEd Network Leader in London… how much she loves coaching others… the significance of her decision to leave full-time senior leadership in school to work as a consultant… urging us to invest in ourselves and in our mental health… figuring out what work-life harmony is for her… and the advice to “Surround yourself with people who will say your name in a room full of opportunities, but who will also challenge you, who will also guide you, who will also advocate for you.”

Erin Elise Eriksson is a globally minded leader, lifelong learner, and Chief Operating Officer of Hedgehog Dryer. She works at the intersection of business, philanthropy, and innovation while raising five young kids and navigating life across continents. A self-proclaimed recovering perfectionist and people pleaser, she brings honesty and humor to the messy reality of trying to do it all. Her story is about leadership, resilience, and redefining what balance and impact look like for modern women.

In this episode, Erin discusses the background and launch of a family business, Hedgehog Dryer with her husband, Bjørn Holte… the product line, a series of award-winning, high-power dryers that dry boots, shoes, gloves, outdoor gear, and sports gear…. the company’s launch in Scandinavia and expansion into the U.S., Canada, and Europe… the people on their team… as a mom of five children, balancing personal and professional responsibilities and priorities… saying “no” to perfectionism… her evolving definition of balance in different stages of life… the importance of alone time and of listening to your intuition… how having a friend as an accountability partner has helped her honor her boundaries… the responsibility leaders have to be aware of existing power structures and privileges, and to ensure that people have the space to voice their opinions… and that, “There are extraordinary women and girls out there, and the support that we can give one another is invaluable. We are not alone, even though sometimes we feel like life is overwhelming, but the support that we can give each other as friends, as acquaintances in the community, as mentors, as colleagues, is all really, really important and can help people not feel so alone.”

Dr. Kesiwe Phuthi holds a doctorate of literature and philosophy and is Head Of School at Masiyephambili College. She is a seasoned teacher, lecturer, sociologist, health communicator, examiner, and school administrator with over 30 years of experience at various levels within the Education sector. Dr. Phuthi is a qualitative researcher at Doctorate level in Health Studies focusing on Public Health, in particular HIV and AIDS, and related Social and Behavioural Sciences. She is passionate about the African Girl Child, gender and development. And she has traveled across the globe, both professionally and personally.

In this episode, Dr. Phuthi discusses her own experiences as a girl living with her grandparents in a remote rural area of Zimbabwe while her mother worked in town as a house maid… having to leave the rural school to join her mother but being unable to enroll in school there… having a job cleaning and washing for a nurse… at 15, deciding to look for a school to attend and finding one where the headmaster chose to place her in an advanced class… attending secondary school and then a teacher's college… going to teach in a rural area and discovering that “there were thousands and thousands of girls who are exactly in my own position” because they did not have the opportunity to attend school... advancing to learn at the University of Zimbabwe… pursuing advanced degrees at the University of South Africa where she obtained her Masters and Doctorate and was a part-time lecturer at Solusi University and the National University of Science and Technology for 2 years respectively. She held different national professional position in curriculum development and National Chief Examiner for several years. She acted Deputy Head for a couple years at Masiyephambili College. She is now Head of that School.

Dr. Phuti also discusses her adaptability… the importance of education and financial independence for women and girls, and her commitment to advancing their rights… owning and running a farm… praise for her liberal husband, a university professor… and her closing words of encouragement—“Let's be open-minded. The world is full of possibilities. Opportunities are there for us girls. Let's grab them.”