Little People, Big Lessons
Welcome to "Little People, Big Lessons", the podcast celebrating the extraordinary educators, mentors, founders, and advocates who dedicate their lives to empowering childhood cancer survivors and their families through the Back on Track Foundation.
These aren't just professionals, they're champions of hope, architects of resilience, and catalysts for transformation. Working alongside young cancer survivors and their families, they create pathways to healing, growth, and dreams rekindled. Their work is profound, their impact immeasurable, and their stories deserve to be heard.
Hosted by TV presenter and journalist Cassie Silver, Season 3 dives deep into the hearts and minds of the leaders who make recovery possible. Discover what drives them, the moments that changed everything, and the innovative approaches they bring to helping young people reclaim their futures. Each episode reveals the passion, creativity, and unwavering dedication required to walk alongside families through their most challenging journeys.
This season is proudly supported by Alike WA.
About the journey: Season 1, "Little People, Big C," introduced listeners to Australian families sharing their courageous battles with childhood cancer.
Season 2, "Little People, Big Dreams," followed survivors and their families as they navigated recovery and pursued their aspirations through the Back on Track program. Now, in Season 3, we honour the people who make it all possible.
Tune in to be inspired by the dedication and heart of those changing lives, one lesson at a time.
Little People, Big Lessons
#3 Connection Before Content with Stuart Shields
“Connection before content, every single time”, are words Stuart Shields lives by. Stuart spent over 20 years in classrooms before burning out completely. The system that measured success through test scores felt increasingly at odds with what students actually needed. Then came an unexpected invitation to work with kids affected by cancer, not as a tutor, but as something more. Stuart talks honestly about his journey from disillusionment to purpose, why he builds mock murder scenes to teach math, and what these incredible kids have taught him about what education should actually look like.