The Pit Pony Podcast - Life After Teaching
Sharon Cawley and Sarah Dunwood talk to former teachers about exiting from the classroom and thriving.
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Episodes
58 episodes
058 - Pit Pony Giselle Wild - Classroom to Safeguarding Young Lives
After 17 years in the classroom, Giselle Wild left teaching at Christmas 2024. In this episode, she reflects on a career built on creativity, care and connection - and the unraveling that began after the traumatic birth of her son.From a...
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Season 1
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Episode 58
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1:13:45
057 - Pit Pony Emma Harper - Classroom to CEO / Marketing Mentor - Part 2
Emma Harper Part 2: Finding Freedom After the FallIn the second half of Emma Harper’s story, we follow her journey out of the classroom for good. After a final crisis point left her broken and exhausted, Emma made the decision to ...
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Season 1
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Episode 57
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46:16
056 - Pit Pony Emma Harper - Classroom to CEO / Marketing Mentor - Part 1
Emma Harper Part 1: From Promise to Breaking PointEmma Harper was a dedicated secondary maths teacher from 2011 to 2023. In this episode, she shares the first half of her powerful story, covering three very different schools, earl...
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Season 1
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Episode 56
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42:40
055 - Pit Pony Jeanette Thompson-Wessen - Classroom to ADHD Nutritionist - Part 2
In Part 2 of our conversation with Jeannette Thompson-Wessen, the story turns even darker. After being shouted at while pregnant, ignored during risk assessments, and breaking down in front of students, Jeannette was left utterly br...
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Season 1
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Episode 55
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59:17
054 - Pit Pony Jeanette Thompson-Wessen - Classroom to ADHD Nutritionist - Part 1
In this powerful first part of our conversation with Jeannette Thompson-Wessen, we hear how a passionate, dedicated food technology teacher went from being earmarked for leadership to being bullied, ignored and broken. After returning from mate...
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Season 1
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Episode 54
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45:44
053 - Pit Pony David Myers - Classroom to Student Support Officer at Durham University - Part 2
In Part 2 of our conversation with David Myers, we pick up at the point he finally walks away from teaching - and follow what happens next.From exploring tutoring, supply w...
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Season 1
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Episode 53
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56:01
052 - Pit Pony David Myers - Classroom to Student Support Officer at Durham University - Part 1
Former maths teacher David Myers joins us for a gripping two-part conversation about his journey in and out of the classroom - and everything in between.In this first episo...
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Season 1
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Episode 52
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1:08:10
051 - Sliding Doors Stories - Part 8
In todays bonus episode of The Pit Pony Podcast, we bring you another trio of powerful Sliding Doors moments – those life-defining experiences shared by our guests since leaving the classroom.🎙️ Rachael Daniel reflects on...
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Season 1
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Episode 51
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7:54
050 - What do I do if I think I'm being bullied
In this vital episode of The Pit Pony Podcast, Sharon and Sarah discuss one of the most common - and distressing - questions that surfaces in the Life After Teaching community: What do I do if I think I’m being bullied?Drawing o...
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Season 1
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Episode 50
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50:40
049 - Sliding Doors Stories - Part 7
In this special Sliding Doors bonus episode, we bring you three more powerful and deeply personal reflections from teachers who’ve exited the classroom and discovered unexpected joy, freedom, and purpose on the other side.🎙 Hollie Jon...
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Season 1
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Episode 49
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9:52
048 - Know Your Rights
This week’s Pit Pony Podcast is a bit different - it’s just Sharon and Sarah, no guest, but lots of honesty, insight and real talk.We’re kicking off a three-part mini-series by tackling one of the biggest foundations of protecting yourse...
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Season 1
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Episode 48
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49:36
047 - Sliding Doors Stories - Part 6
In this sixth edition of our beloved Sliding Doors Stories, we bring you three powerful moments from guests who, after leaving the classroom, found clarity, connection and joy in unexpected places.✨ Katie Stone shares how her relationshi...
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Season 1
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Episode 47
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9:52
046 - Sliding Doors - Sharon’s Story
In this special episode of The Pit Pony Podcast, we’re turning the spotlight inward. For the first time, co-host Sharon Cawley shares her own powerful and deeply personal sliding doors story.More than just about leaving teaching...
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Season 1
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Episode 46
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33:44
045 - Pit Pony Ilana King - Classroom to Educational Consultant
In this episode, we’re joined by the unstoppable Ilana King - educational consultant, entrance exam specialist, home educator, and all-round powerhouse.Ilana’s journey is far from typical. After just two years in the classroom, she knew ...
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Season 1
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Episode 45
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1:09:40
044 - Pit Pony Pete Scholes - Classroom to Driving Instructor & Author
This week, we’re joined by the brilliant and unassuming Peter Scholes – a man who gave 21 years to the classroom before stepping away when shifting leadership turned a once-thriving school culture into something unrecognisable.In this he...
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Season 1
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Episode 44
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43:57
043 - Pit Pony Rob Newlands - Classroom to Financial Planner - Part 2
In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Rob Newlands takes us through the devastating fallout of his time in headship - and the turning point that changed everything.After months of isolation, impossible expectations, and systemic failu...
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Season 1
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Episode 43
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1:29:35
042 - Pit Pony Rob Newlands - Classroom to Financial Planner - Part 1
In the first of this two-part special, we meet Rob Newlands, a former headteacher who climbed the leadership ladder quickly - only to face a stark and painful reality at the top.At just 30 years old, Rob stepped into a headship in Cornwa...
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Season 1
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Episode 42
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51:54
041 - Pit Pony Kitty White - Classroom to Holiday Cottages Business Manager
Loving the Pit Pony Podcast?Buy Us a Coffee ☕️Kitty White never imagined she’d leave teaching - she was in it for life. But after years of battling anxiety, ...
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Season 1
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Episode 41
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55:49
040 - Pit Pony Rachael Daniel - Classroom to Development Officer
What happens when a dedicated teacher realises that the career she once loved is no longer the right fit? In this episode, we sit down with Rachael Daniel, who made the bold decision to step away from teaching and carve out a new path.
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Season 1
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Episode 40
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1:10:51
039 - Pit Pony Grant Decker - Classroom to Record Store Owner
This week on The Pit Pony Podcast, we sit down with the incredible Grant Decker – a former teacher whose love for music led him to open his own record shop. After years in the classroom, supporting students with complex needs, Grant re...
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Season 1
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Episode 39
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1:10:40
038 - Pit Pony Paul Lennon - Classroom to NHS Health Adviser
In this episode of the Pit Pony Podcast, we sit down with Paul Lennon, a former teacher with 28 years of experience in secondary schools across the UK and around the world. Paul started his career as a PE teacher, eventually worki...
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Season 1
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Episode 38
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1:25:29
037 - Pit Pony Hollie Jones - Classroom to Neurodivergent Educator - Part 2
In this second part to Hollie Jones’ story, we dive deeper into her legal battle for workplace justice, the emotional toll of discrimination, and the life-changing shift that followed.After an appalling "well-being" call that questioned ...
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Season 1
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Episode 37
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1:34:22
036 - Pit Pony Hollie Jones - Classroom to Neurodivergent Educator - Part 1
In this powerful two-part episode, we sit down with Hollie Jones, a former teacher turned neurodiversity practitioner, whose journey out of the classroom is one of resilience, advocacy, and hard-won justice.Hollie always believed ...
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Season 1
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Episode 36
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1:03:33
035 - Pit Pony Ruth O'Neill - Classroom to SEND Consultant and Tutor
In today's episode of The Pit Pony Podcast, we sit down with Ruth O’Neill, an educator who spent over 20 years in the classroom before stepping into a new role as a SEND consultant and English tutor. Ruth’s journey took her from teachi...
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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1:02:46
034 - Pit Pony Sarah Cowen - Classroom to Head of Domestic Abuse Services
This week’s episode is a powerful one. We sit down with Sarah Cowen, a former drama teacher who never planned to teach—until she fell in love with the profession. But after 18 years, she faced the realisation that her boundaries, well-being, an...
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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1:11:03