More Than a Score: Redefining Success Beyond School

From School Struggles to CEO: Steve Younane on Strengths, Confidence and Leadership

More Than a Score — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 06:47:51 GMT

What if success has less to do with having a perfect plan and more to do with understanding your strengths?

In this episode of More Than a Score, we sit down with Steve Younane: a business leader, CEO, musician, father, and someone whose pathway from school to leadership was far from predictable.

Growing up as one of seven children in a family that deeply valued education, Steve felt the pressure that comes with looking up to high-achieving siblings and wondering whether you could ever measure up.

At school, he wasn't driven by academic excellence. He openly shares how he struggled to focus, often felt distracted, and saw studying primarily as a way to get a score that would help him move on to the next stage.

What he didn't realise at the time was that many of the strengths that would shape his future were already emerging.

Through music, sport, leadership opportunities, and building relationships, Steve was developing skills that couldn't always be measured by tests or report cards.
From forming a school band and leading teams to eventually leading major organisations and global brands, Steve's story is a powerful reminder that success rarely follows a straight line.

This conversation explores comparison, confidence, self-awareness, leadership, and the importance of recognising that people contribute in different ways.

For parents, it's a reminder that a child's future isn't determined by how motivated they are by school alone. For young people, it's reassurance that not having everything figured out doesn't mean you're falling behind.

And for anyone navigating uncertainty, Steve offers a thoughtful perspective on finding your strengths, backing yourself, and building a meaningful life and career.

What You'll Discover
• What it was like growing up as one of seven children in a high-achieving family
• Why Steve often felt distracted and disconnected from traditional study
• The pressure of comparing yourself to siblings and peers
• How music became one of the first places he discovered confidence and purpose
• Why leadership often appears before we recognise it ourselves
• The surprising lessons Steve learned from forming a band and leading teams
• How strengths developed outside the classroom shaped his future success
• The role self-awareness has played throughout his career and leadership journey
• Why different people bring different strengths to teams
• What Steve wishes young people understood about success and career pathways

Recorded at Sabre Sound Studio
A special thanks to the team at Sabre Sound Studio for hosting this conversation and providing a fantastic space for meaningful conversations like this one. If you're looking for a professional podcast, audio, or creative recording space, be sure to check them out.

More Than a Score: Redefining Success Beyond School is hosted by Laura Pitt and Dan Steele, a former teacher and award-winning school leader on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria. New episodes fortnightly. Subscribe to follow along.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

Backing Yourself Beats Following the Right Path: Athan Didaskalou, July Founder, on Success After School (Re-Release)

More Than a Score — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 07:26:57 GMT

What if the path you’re meant to take only becomes clear once you stop chasing the “right” one?

In this episode of More Than a Score, we sit down with Athan Didaskalou, founder of July, one of Australia’s most recognisable luggage brands, to explore how curiosity, courage, and hands on xperience can matter more than perfect results or the 'typical' path.

Athan shares honestly about his relationship with school, the uncertainty he felt early on, and the moments that helped him realise that success isn’t about following a script...it’s about backing yourself, learning fast, and staying open to opportunity.

This conversation is a powerful reminder for you listening that: • There is no single “right” pathway after school • Confidence often comes after action, not before • Skills can be built through experience, not just qualifications • Entrepreneurship and leadership are learned over time • One result never defines future potential In this episode, you’ll discover and learn: • How Athan navigated uncertainty after school • Why curiosity and experimentation matter more than early certainty • The risks and realities of starting something from scratch • What parents can do to support exploration without pressure • Why success looks different at different stages of life It is a brilliant and insightful ep, with a huge amount of generosity from Athan.

So, whether you’re a parent supporting a young person through big decisions, a student unsure right now, or someone rethinking their own direction, this episode offers perspectives that'll help.

Because school is only one chapter and success is built over time.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

When School Says Your Child Talks Too Much: Sarah Pound on Turning a Label Into a Career

More Than a Score — Sun, 31 May 2026 09:30:59 GMT

What if the qualities that make you different at school are actually the qualities that help you thrive later in life?

In this episode of More Than a Score, we sit down with Sarah Poun (known to many as Wholesome by Sarah), a nutritionist, author, entrepreneur, educator, mum of three...and someone whose journey is a powerful reminder that success doesn't always follow the path you expect.

Sarah's school experience was shaped by strong friendships, curiosity, and a love of connecting with people. While she achieved a score she was proud of, she was never the student who lived for study, exams, or academic recognition.

In fact, one of the most common comments on her report cards was simple: "Sarah talks too much."

Looking back, that trait wasn't a weakness at all. It became one of the foundations of a career built on communication, connection, storytelling, teaching, and creating a community around food, family, and wellbeing.

Throughout this conversation, Sarah reflects on the adults who believed in her, the moments she was told she couldn't do something, the confidence that comes from proving yourself wrong, and the many pivots that have shaped her career, from nutrition and teaching to publishing, content creation, and building Wholesome by Sarah.

This is a conversation about backing yourself, embracing change, and recognising that there is no single path to success. It's a reminder that we don't all learn, think, or shine in the same way, and reassurance that your future isn't limited by how neatly you fit into a classroom.

And, for anyone navigating change, Sarah's story is a powerful example of what can happen when you trust your strengths, even when they don't look conventional.

🎧 What You'll Discover In this episode:

• Why Sarah never worried too much about being the "perfect student"

• How being told she talked too much eventually became a professional strength

• The role friendships, connection, and community played during her school years

• What happened when she was told she wouldn't be able to manage a Year 12 subject early

• How proving people wrong became a powerful source of motivation

• Why different learners don't always thrive in traditional classroom environments

• The impact of supportive parents who encouraged effort without applying pressure

• Sarah's journey through multiple careers, pivots, and reinventions

• What building Wholesome by Sarah has taught her about backing herself

• Why success isn't about following the expected path

• A reassuring message for parents raising children with different strengths and personalities

• How to recognise and nurture qualities that may not always be rewarded at school

In the words of Sarah: it's a cracker of an episode!

Know someone with an interesting or unique pathway? Tell us about it via an email to morethanascorepod@gmail.com or DM on Insta at @morethanascorepod.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

You Don't Have to Get It Right the First Time: Stephanie Pahl on Sport, Change and Finding Your Path

More Than a Score — Mon, 25 May 2026 10:52:52 GMT

If your child does not love the classroom or does not have a clear plan, they are far more normal than they feel. This episode is for parents of a young person who shines outside school.

What if success is less about getting it right the first time and more about staying open to opportunity? Stephanie Pahl is an athlete, captain, coach, and fitness professional whose confidence and identity came through sport, teamwork, and belonging rather than academic accolades.

Since school, her path has wound through university course changes, coaching, high-performance sport, and the fitness industry. It is a conversation about accepting change, trying different things, and understanding that progress does not need to be perfectly planned.

For parents, it is a reminder that success is not one size fits all, and not loving school does not mean your child is behind.

What you’ll discover:

• When school doesn’t reflect your child’s strongest qualities

•How sport, teamwork and belonging build a young person’s identity

•Why not loving school doesn’t define your child’s future

•Changing university course and finding a new direction

•Building adaptability and resilience through change

•Shifting the measure of success from results to fulfilment

More Than a Score: Redefining Success Beyond School is hosted by Laura Pitt and Dan Steele, a former teacher and award-winning school leader based on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria. Each fortnight, we share honest stories about school, ATAR pressure, career pathways, parenting teenagers, and what success really means after school. New episodes fortnightly.

Like More Than a Score? Subscribe below to get our latest episodes and resources straight to your inbox.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

When Success Stops Feeling Like Success: Melissa Lozanovski, Founding Principal, on Ambition and Wellbeing

More Than a Score — Tue, 19 May 2026 10:53:10 GMT

If your child quietly compares themselves to high-achieving siblings or peers, this honest

conversation will help. Note: It briefly discusses suicide, so please choose what feels right for you.

What happens when the thing you worked so hard to achieve makes you question what success even means? Melissa Lozanovski is an educator, leader, former founding principal, and mum.

At school, she compared herself to academically high-achieving siblings and carried quiet pressure to measure up. She entered teaching young, led early, and built a new school from the ground up, while privately navigating grief, burnout, and a health scare that forced harder questions about what matters.

Her framework of becoming, belonging, and lifelong learning offers parents a hopeful way to think about success beyond grades, titles, and recognition, and why every child's path unfolds differently.

What you’ll discover In this episode:

•How comparison with siblings and peers shapes a child's confidence

•Why one adult believing in a young person changes everything

•The emotional weight that can sit behind outward success

•Protecting wellbeing while chasing achievement

•Why belonging and emotional safety matter for growth

•Thinking about success beyond grades and titles

Know someone with a unique story or path? Share it with us at morethanascorepod@gmail.com!

If this conversation brings anything up for you, support is available:

• Lifeline Australia (24/7): https://www.lifeline.org.au or 13 11 14

• Beyond Blue: https://www.beyondblue.org.au or 1300 22 46 36

• Kids Helpline (for people aged 5–25): https://kidshelpline.com.au or 1800 55 1800

More Than a Score: Redefining Success Beyond School is hosted by Laura Pitt and Dan Steele, a former teacher and award-winning school leader on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria. New episodes fortnightly. Subscribe to follow along.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

You Don't Need a Perfect Plan After School: Ben Amos, Teacher Turned Entrepreneur

More Than a Score — Mon, 11 May 2026 11:24:17 GMT

If you are watching your teenager leave school without a clear direction, this episode is

a reassurance that they are not behind. It is for any parent worried about the missing plan.

What if success was never about the perfect plan, but learning to adapt when the plan

changes?

Ben Amos is a teacher turned entrepreneur and digital storyteller who built his career

by staying curious and figuring things out as he went. The path he first wanted did not work out, teaching became the fallback, and that backup became the foundation of a career spanning education, entrepreneurship, and creativity.

Ben reframes failure as feedback, draws a line between passively hoping and actively creating opportunities, and shows why adaptability can matter more than certainty. If your child has not figured it all out yet, this will help you breathe.

🎧 What You’ll Discover In this episode:

•Why a school score doesn't define your child's future

•How a fallback plan can become a launching pad

•Helping teenagers handle real responsibility

•Why adaptability matters more than certainty after school

•Reframing failure as feedback, not a final verdict

•Supporting a child who has no clear plan yet

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

When School Labels Your Child "Lazy": Myfanwy Fitzpatrick on Undiagnosed Dyslexia and Dyspraxia

More Than a Score — Tue, 05 May 2026 06:08:43 GMT

If your child has ever been labelled at school, this episode is for you. Being called lazy was

never the real story. It is a reassurance for any parent advocating for a child who learns

differently.

Called lazy, placed on the lowest table, and told she would not succeed. The truth was very different. Myfanwy (Van) Fitzpatrick struggled at school not because she lacked ability, but because her dyslexia and dyspraxia went undiagnosed.

She absorbed those early labels into her identity for years. Then, despite being written off, she completed multiple university degrees, became a teacher and moved into counselling.

This is a conversation about how labels shape a child, the hidden impact of undiagnosed learning differences, and the critical role parents play in advocating when the system gets it wrong. Intelligence is not the grade you get.

What you'll discover:

•What to do when your child is called lazy at school

•Signs of undiagnosed dyslexia and dyspraxia in school

•How early labels shape a child's identity and confidence

•The turning point of finally being diagnosed and understood

•How to advocate for a child who learns differently

•Why intelligence is not the grade you get

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

What If You Leave School With No Plan? Jasper Nettlefold on Building Success Over Time

More Than a Score — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 05:51:21 GMT

If your teenager left school without a clear sense of what success looks like, they are more normal than they feel. This is for parents who want to support without forcing a path.

What does it look like to navigate school, life, and identity when the path is not clear? If your teenager left school without a clear sense of what success looks like for them, they are far more normal than they feel.

For Jasper Nettlefold, school often felt like a minefield, something to get through rather than connect with. He left without a clear plan and without a strong sense of what he wanted. If that sounds familiar, either for you or your child, this conversation will land.

What followed for Jasper was not a perfectly mapped journey. It was a series of experiences through sport, different jobs, travel, and relationships that gradually built his confidence, perspective, and sense of who he was.

Success, in his story, was not handed to him at the end of school. It was shaped slowly through the choices he made, the people he surrounded himself with, and his willingness to keep moving even when he was unsure where it was all heading.

We explore what it feels like when school does not quite fit, why not having a plan after school is far more common than most families assume, and how everyday jobs and experiences can quietly build identity and confidence. Jasper is open about the role of mentors and relationships, and about how comparison to others can hold a young person back from finding their own definition of success.

For parents, there is a clear and gentle message: you can support your child without forcing a path. For students and anyone who did not follow a straight line, this is reassurance that taking a different route does not mean falling behind. You do not need to have it all figured out. You just need to keep moving forward and trust that it will come together.

What you'll discover:

•When school doesn't fit and feels like something to get through

•Why having no plan after school is more common than you think

•How everyday jobs and experiences build confidence and identity

•The role of mentors and relationships in finding direction

•Supporting your child without forcing a path

•Why taking a different route is not falling behind

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

When School Doesn't Fit Your Child: Lael Stone on Courage, Connection and a Different Education (Re-Release)

More Than a Score — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 07:42:44 GMT

If you have ever worried that your child does not fit the traditional mould, this is a hopeful, practical listen for parents and educators alike.

What happens when school does not quite fit, but life beyond it opens something bigger? Lael Stone is a speaker, educator, author, and school founder who reflects on leaving school without being defined by her score, traveling overseas alone at seventeen, and starting businesses before she had it all figured out.

This is a conversation about what becomes possible when young people are given permission to explore, and adults choose connection over judgment. Lael offers practical insight on how young people actually ask for help, why vulnerability matters, and what it takes to become a safe adult in a young person's world.

•Why a school score never has to define your child

•Helping a young person who feels not smart at school

•Travel and real-world experience through a different education

•What stops teenagers from asking for help, and how to lower the barrier

•How to become a safe adult in a young person's world

•Building learning around connection and emotional safety

Know someone who'd be perfect for the pod? Get in touch with us at morethanascorepod@gmail.com.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

Sam Gawenda: Doing Hard Things Matters More Than School Results

More Than a Score — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:03:33 GMT

Hey, help shape the Podcast!

To keep improving the podcast, we’d love to know a little more about you. We’ve created a quick 2-question survey that takes about 10 seconds.

As a thank you, you’ll go into the draw to win a $100 prize from July, the incredible luggage company (drawn on April 30).

👉 Complete the survey: https://forms.gle/nK52PuGAdpQtBmjB9

What happens if you leave school early and don’t follow the “expected” path?

For Sam Gawenda, everything still worked out.

In this episode of More Than a Score, we sit down with Sam to explore what success looked like when he stepped off the traditional path.

From leaving school in Year 11 to becoming a bricklayer, moving into mortgage broking, building and selling a business, and now entering a new chapter, Sam’s pathway is a powerful reminder that success is rarely linear and is often unique to us.
But this conversation goes deeper than career pathways. It's about the mindset behind the choices, and how Sam chooses to show up and connect with people, his willingness to do hard things, even when fear is present, and the role of mentors, relationships, and environment in shaping who we become.

And the realisation that success isn’t something you achieve once—it’s something you redefine over time.

We also explore a powerful and often overlooked idea—rites of passage—and what’s missing for many young people today as they navigate the transition into adulthood and a career.

For parents, students, and anyone questioning whether they’re “on the right path,” this episode offers reassurance, perspective, and practical insight.
Because no single score or decision defines your future.

🎧 What You’ll Hear
• Why leaving school early didn’t limit Sam’s success—and what mattered more
• The non-linear journey from trade to building and selling a business
• Why doing hard, uncomfortable things is essential for growth
• The role of mentors, relationships, and environment in shaping identity
• How early experiences influence your mindset around money, freedom, and success
• What it really means to “have a crack” and back yourself
• Why modern life is missing meaningful rites of passage—and why that matters
• How to model courage, resilience, and growth as a parent
• The importance of focusing on vision over process

Know someone else with a unique or interesting path? Share it with us at morethanascorepod@gmail.com!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

Blaise Witnish: From School Scores to CEO—What Really Matters

More Than a Score — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 08:30:56 GMT

Hey, help Shape the Podcast!
To keep improving the podcast, we’d love to know a little more about you.

We’ve created a quick 2-question survey that takes about 10 seconds.

As a thank you, you’ll go into the draw to win a $100 prize (drawn on April 30).

👉 Complete the survey: https://forms.gle/nK52PuGAdpQtBmjB9

On with the show!
Blaise got an ATAR she was proud of...but that’s NOT what made her successful.

In this episode of More Than a Score, we sit down with Blaise Witnish, CEO, community builder, and leader of a global team, to explore what really shapes a meaningful life beyond school.

Blaise’s story challenges the idea that success is linear. From boarding in Year 12 after her family faced financial hardship, to discovering her strengths through drama and stand-up comedy, to building a 20-year career from the ground up, her journey is full of moments that shaped who she became.

But what stands out most isn’t the titles or achievements. It’s what she learned about people, strengths, resilience, and communication and connection in a world that’s rapidly changing.

This episode is a powerful reminder that while scores can open doors, they don’t define the life you build...and they’re only a small part of the bigger picture.

🎧 What You’ll Hear
• Blaise’s Year 12 story—and why her result surprised her
• The moment a teacher saw something in her others didn’t
• How hardship and change helped build real resilience
• Why understanding your child’s strengths is a game changer
• The “8:1 rule” and how it shapes confidence in young people
• Why communication and connection are future-proof skills
• What Blaise has learned from working with young people today
• A powerful reframe: why the score matters… but not for the reason you think

🔗 Explore Your Strengths (As Mentioned in This Episode)
If this episode sparked your thinking about strengths and self-awareness, here are a few great tools to explore:
• Gallup CliftonStrengths - a widely used tool that helps identify your top strengths and how to apply them in life and work.
• VIA Character Strengths Survey - free, research-based survey that highlights your core character strengths.
• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator - personality framework that helps you understand preferences in how you think, work, and relate to others.

These tools are discussed in the episode as potential helpful starting points for people, parents and educators to better understand themselves and each other.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

Hayden Bevis: You Don’t Need a Perfect Plan to Build a Great Career

More Than a Score — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 11:29:50 GMT

Hey, help Shape the Podcast!
To keep improving the podcast, we’d love to know a little more about you.

We’ve created a quick 2-question survey that takes about 10 seconds.

As a thank you, you’ll go into the draw to win a $100 prize (drawn on April 30).

👉 Complete the survey: https://forms.gle/nK52PuGAdpQtBmjB9

Bring on this episode with Hayden Bevis:
Not everyone leaves school with a clear plan.
And not everyone needs to.

In this episode of More Than a Score, we sit down with Hayden Bevis—founder of Poster Boy—to explore what it really looks like to build a career without a neat, linear pathway.

Hayden shares how he moved from school into a series of unexpected roles, including working as an optical mechanic, hosting trivia, experimenting with video and early YouTube, before eventually building a creative business grounded in storytelling and communication.

This conversation challenges a few big assumptions:
• You need to be “creative” to pursue creative work
• Careers should follow a straight line
• Success starts with certainty

Instead, Hayden offers a different perspective—one built on making things, learning through feedback, and backing your own curiosity.

We also explore why communication might be one of the most important skills for young people today, not just writing, but the ability to express ideas across different mediums, platforms, and contexts.

This episode is for:
• Parents supporting young people who don’t yet have a clear direction
• Students who feel unsure about their next step
• Anyone curious about how creative careers actually unfold

Because sometimes, the best pathway… is the one you build as you go.

Show Notes
Key Topics Covered:
• Hayden’s experience leaving school without a clear plan
• Navigating early jobs and unexpected opportunities
• Why creativity is something you do, not something you are
• Turning “making things for fun” into paid work
• Learning through feedback, rejection, and iteration
• The role of communication across different careers and industries
• Why schools may need to broaden how they teach communication
• Backing yourself instead of chasing external validation

🎧 Help Shape the Podcast 🎧
We’re all about helping parents and young people redefine success and see there’s more than one pathway.

To keep improving the podcast, we’d love to know a little more about you to make sure every episode is meaningful and relevant to you.

We’ve created a quick 2-question survey that takes about 10 seconds. As a thank you, you’ll go into the draw to win a $100 prize (drawn on April 30).

👉 Complete the survey: https://forms.gle/nK52PuGAdpQtBmjB9

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

Ellie Pascazio: You Don’t Have to Be Academic to Succeed

More Than a Score — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 07:33:23 GMT

Help Shape the Podcast:
To keep improving the podcast, we’d love to know a little more about you.

We’ve created a quick 2-question survey that takes about 10 seconds.

As a thank you, you’ll go into the draw to win a $100 prize (drawn on April 30).

👉 Complete the survey: https://forms.gle/nK52PuGAdpQtBmjB9

Okay, Here Are Our Show Notes:
What if being “not academic” was never the problem, just a sign your strengths were somewhere else?

In this episode of More Than a Score, we sit down with Ellie Pascazio: makeup artist, small business owner, and someone who has built a life around people, connection, and creating meaningful experiences - channeling one of her talents related to the "more social side" of school.

Ellie’s school experience wasn’t defined by grades or study. She didn’t love the academic side of school. As you'll hear, she found it hard. But she did love being around people, bringing energy into a room, and making others feel good.

And importantly… she never saw that as a weakness.

After school, Ellie followed that instinct. She stepped into beauty therapy, built her skills, and during COVID took a leap to start her own business from a small corner at home.

From there, it grew through word of mouth into a thriving career where she now works on weddings, events, and with clients who choose her not just for her work, but for how she makes them feel.

This episode is a great example of someone forging a pathway intentionally connected to values. Ellie shares how her family shaped her perspective, where kindness, being a good person, and living a balanced life mattered more than status or money.

She speaks openly about:
• Choosing flexibility and travel over chasing a traditional career path
• Living within her means and building financial discipline
• Creating a life that works for her, not what others expect
• And why making people feel good is her version of success

This is a powerful reminder that success isn’t one-size-fits-all.

What You’ll Discover In This Episode:
• What it really feels like to be “not academic” at school
• Why Ellie still found pride in simply finishing and getting a score
• The strengths that don’t always show up in classrooms
• How people skills can become your greatest asset
• Starting a business from scratch and growing through word of mouth
• Why flexibility, travel, and lifestyle matter more than titles
• The role of family values in shaping confidence and choices
• Why kindness is not weakness — it’s a strength
• How to build a life around what matters to you

You don’t have to be the smartest in the room to succeed. You just have to know what matters to you...and build from there.

🎧 Help Shape the Podcast 🎧
At More Than a Score, we’re all about helping parents and young people redefine success and see there’s more than one pathway.

To keep improving the podcast, we’d love to know a little more about you.

We’ve created a quick 2-question survey that takes about 10 seconds. As a thank you, you’ll go into the draw to win a $100 prize (drawn on April 30).

👉 Complete the survey: https://forms.gle/nK52PuGAdpQtBmjB9
Read less

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

Val Gnanakone: Success, Pressure and Becoming Yourself

More Than a Score — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 10:04:39 GMT

Help Shape the Podcast:
To keep improving the podcast, we’d love to know a little more about you.
We’ve created a quick 2-question survey that takes about 10 seconds.
As a thank you, you’ll go into the draw to win a $100 prize (drawn on April 30).

👉 Complete the survey: https://forms.gle/nK52PuGAdpQtBmjB9

Show Notes:
What if success was never just about getting through school, getting the degree, and starting work?

In this episode of More Than a Score, we sit down with Val Gnanakone to explore expectation, education and what success really means as life unfolds.

Val’s story begins with transition. Moving from Singapore to Australia as a young person, he quickly realised that school, culture and expectations looked very different here. At the same time, he was growing up in a family and culture where education wasn’t optional, it was essential. There was an expectation to work hard, get through, get the degree, and begin your career.

And in many ways, that’s exactly what he did.

But what makes Val’s story worth listening to is not just that he stayed the course. It’s that he has taken the time to reflect on what that path gave him, what it cost, and how his definition of success has evolved.

This conversation is thoughtful, grounded and especially valuable for listeners navigating pressure, identity and expectation. Val speaks honestly about discipline, family influence, doing what was expected, and what it has taken to arrive at a more different view of success... one shaped not just by achievement, but by contributing andbfeeling comfort in yourself.

If you’re a parent trying to help your child work hard without overwhelming them, this episode will share different perspective and insights.

If you’re someone wondering whether you need to have it all mapped out right now, this conversation will help you breathe a little easier.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode
• What it was like moving from Singapore into Australian schooling
• How culture and family shaped Val’s approach to education
• Why education felt essential, not optional
• The pressure and benefits of a disciplined, back-to-back pathway
• What Val now sees differently about success
• Why contribution and self-understanding matter more over time
• What parents can do to support without overloading
• Why every young person’s path unfolds differently

Because one score doesn't define us and one path doesn't have to define your whole life.

🎧 Help Shape the Podcast 🎧
At More Than a Score, we’re all about helping parents and young people redefine success and see there’s more than one pathway.

To keep improving the podcast, we’d love to know a little more about you.

We’ve created a quick 2-question survey that takes about 10 seconds. As a thank you, you’ll go into the draw to win a $100 prize (drawn on April 30).

👉 Complete the survey: https://forms.gle/nK52PuGAdpQtBmjB9

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

Claire Tonti: From Not Feeling"Smart Enough" to Being a Successful Artist & Podcast CEO

More Than a Score — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 06:00:00 GMT

Have you ever achieved something others celebrate… but still felt like you fell short?

In this episode of More Than a Score, we sit down with Claire Tonti - a former teacher, now musician, filmmaker, podcaster, CEO and deeply generous community builder — for an honest and heartfelt conversation about identity, pressure and redefining success.

Claire grew up in a bright, high-achieving family, quietly carrying the belief that she wasn’t “smart enough.” When she finished school with an ATAR of 89.95, it still felt like failure.

A guidance counsellor asked, “What happened?” — a question that lingered far longer than the number itself.

But Claire’s story didn’t follow a neat, linear path. She found herself through creativity, performance, teaching, storytelling and building communities both online and in real life. Along the way, she discovered something powerful:
Success is not a score.

If you’re a parent supporting a young person under pressure, a student feeling defined by numbers, or an adult still untangling self-worth from performance…this episode is for you.

What you’ll hear in this episode:
• Growing up with unspoken expectations in a high-achieving family
• Why an “excellent” ATAR still felt like failure
• The emotional weight of comparison and bullying in senior school
• Creativity as an outlet and lifeline
• The power of reinvention and non-linear pathways
• Why perfectionism disconnects us from who we really are
• Redefining success through connection, contribution and presence
• What parents can do to help kids feel enough beyond achievement

One score doesn’t define you, but one conversation can change how you see yourself.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

James Cameron: Why Changing Direction Could Be The Best Decision You Make

More Than a Score — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 05:56:45 GMT

This is a TITANIC episode. (See what we did there?).

Have you ever started down a path because it seemed like the “right” choice… only to realise it didn’t quite fit?

Maybe you chose certain subjects because they sounded impressive, began a university degree because it felt safe, or you’re quietly wondering whether your child’s current pathway actually suits who they are. (Or even your own!).

In this episode of More Than a Score, we sit down with James Cameron, a teacher, adventurer, mentor and outdoor education specialist who understands what it means to change direction.

James began university on one course and realised it wasn’t aligned. He made the decision to shift. Not because he couldn’t cope, but because he was paying attention to who he was becoming.

Now working within the education system as a teacher, James sees first-hand how quickly young people tie their identity to subjects, scores and labels. But he has also discovered something powerful: his greatest strengths were never just academic.

They were relational. Building trust, creating belonging, leading through outdoor education. Helping young people grow through challenge, not just content or "typical" learning.

This is a grounded and honest conversation about choosing growth over comfort, backing yourself when something doesn’t fit, and redefining success beyond a single decision.

If you are a parent navigating subject selection or university pressure with your young person, or questioning whether it is “too late” to change direction, this episode will make an impact and give you perspective.

And if you work in education, James offers insights from inside the system about what truly shapes confidence and capability that affect us long after we leave school.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode
• What it really feels like to change course at university
• Why changing direction is often growth, not failure
• How early labels shape our identity
• What school did well for James and what he needed more of
• How working inside schools reshapes our view of success
• Why relationship-building is a skill that outlasts any exam result
• The impact of outdoor education and adventures on resilience and confidence
• What he has had unlearn after school and university
• Ways you navigate uncertainty

Sometimes the most important step forward is having the courage to adjust course.

🔗 Discover more about Rise Outdoors here: https://riseoutdoors.com.au/

Check out James on Loz's previous podcast episode on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3aaJzeQdawQyZQ5KdWbUoC?si=ft0n-dFSQzecew_4dnch-A

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

Cade Witnish: From “Not Likely to Get In” to Co-Founding PlayHQ

More Than a Score — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 20:45:24 GMT

What happens when you're told university probably isn’t realistic for you?

Maybe it comes from a teacher, a report card, careers counsellor, or from someone who thinks they’re being helpful.

In this episode of More Than a Score, we sit down with Cade Witnish — co-founder of digital marketing agency Loud & Clear and sports technology platform PlayHQ — who heard exactly that just months before his final exams.

Growing up in regional New South Wales, Cade was labelled as someone with “potential” who didn’t quite apply himself. He was advised to consider alternative plans because he was not seen as likely to achieve the score required for university.

Then his ATAR surprised everyone.

But this conversation is not about proving people wrong. It is about something deeper. It is about how low expectations can shape who we think we are, the influence of a determined mum who believed finishing Year 12 and “getting a ticket” to opportunity mattered, and the teacher who saw something in Cade before he saw it in himself.

And it is about discovering that you are far more capable than any label placed on you.

Today, as a successful entrepreneur and business leader, Cade reflects on growing up first-generation tertiary educated, navigating comparison and self-doubt, and why growth is often uncomfortable but necessary.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode
• What to do if you or your child has ever been told university may not be realistic
• How to navigate the label “has potential but doesn’t apply themselves” without letting it define identity
• Why finishing Year 12 and “getting a ticket” can mean more than just a score
• What first-generation tertiary education looks like in real life
• How one teacher’s belief can shift a student’s entire trajectory
• Why exam pressure can sometimes reveal strengths you didn’t know you had
• The difference between surviving school and truly understanding how you grow
• How to help young people build resilience without comparison
• Why confidence rarely arrives all at once and often develops years later
• How choosing growth and challenge over comfort builds long-term success

This episode is a powerful reminder that potential is often misread in the moment, and that the trajectory of a life is rarely defined at 18.

One score does not define you, but one sentence of belief can change your whole trajectory.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

Sophie Perez: Following Your Thread, Creativity & Backing Yourself

More Than a Score — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 09:41:25 GMT

What if the thing you’ve always loved, that quiet, consistent thread running through your life is actually pointing you somewhere meaningful?

In this episode of More Than a Score, we sit down with Sophie Perez — fine artist, Royal College of Art graduate, former elite cyclist, studio founder, and mother of three, to explore what it really means to follow passion over prestige, and to keep redefine success - even if it different to what others may think.

Sophie’s pathway is anything but linear. From studying painting in London and couriering by bike, to racing at the Tour de France level, stepping away from art for a decade while raising her family, and then rebuilding her creative practice on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, her story is layered with courage, reinvention, and backing yourself.

This conversation offers reassurance for parents and young people alike: success doesn’t arrive all at once, and it rarely follows a straight line. Instead, it evolves and gets shaped by curiosity, community, discipline, and the willingness to begin again.

If you’re supporting a creative young person, navigating identity beyond school results, or questioning whether passion can truly become a pathway, this episode offers perspective and permission...because sometimes the bravest thing you can do is keep following the thread.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode
In this conversation, Sophie shares:
• Why art was never a backup plan — it was always the throughline
• What studying at the Royal College of Art taught her about identity and discipline
• The unexpected lessons from professional cycling and elite competition
• Why stepping away from your passion doesn’t mean it’s gone
• The power of community in building creative confidence
• How success shifts through motherhood and different life stages
• Why “don’t shut the door on yourself” matters more than chasing certainty
• Supporting young people who don’t fit into neat academic categories

Discover More About Sophie Perez and her art here 👇:
https://www.sophieperezartist.com/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

Tash Chapman: The Real Skills That Matter More Than School Results

More Than a Score — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 08:31:10 GMT

What if the most valuable skills young people need for life aren’t the ones measured by exams but the ones developed through experience, self-awareness, and learning to work with others?

In this episode of More Than a Score, we’re joined by Tash Chapman, whose journey from school into people-focused work in HR and leadership (and now her work with Nissi Wellness) offers a powerful perspective on what really helps people thrive over time.

Tash shares her experience of navigating school expectations, exploring different pathways, and eventually building a career centred on understanding people: how they think, make decisions, manage pressure, and grow.

Through her work in HR and leading teams of people, she’s seen firsthand that confidence, communication, adaptability, and emotional awareness often matter far more than a perfect academic record.

This conversation is especially valuable for parents supporting young people who may be questioning their direction, feeling unsure about what comes next, or worrying about “getting it wrong” — and for students who need reassurance that learning through lived experience is not a weakness, but a strength. (After all, success isn’t just about outcomes on a piece of paper...or digital PDF!).

It’s really about becoming self-aware, capable, and confident enough to navigate change, wherever the path leads.

In this episode, we explore:
• Tash’s experience of school and navigating expectations
• How exploring different pathways builds clarity over time
• What working in HR reveals about real-world success
• The skills employers and teams value most — beyond results
• Why self-awareness, communication, and adaptability matter
• How parents can support young people without over-directing
• Reframing uncertainty as part of growth, not failure

This episode is for:
• Parents of high school students navigating pressure and transition
• Young people unsure about their next steps
• Anyone questioning whether there’s “one right way” to succeed

You can learn more about Tash’s work and follow her pathway at Nissi Wellness on Instagram: @nissi_wellness

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

Dean Brady: When School Makes Space for Passion & Interests

More Than a Score — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 08:59:22 GMT

What happens when school works with a young person’s passion and interests instead of against it?

In this episode of More Than a Score, we sit down with Dean Brady, former Rip Curl professional surfer and founder of the Noosa Surfing Academy, to explore what’s possible when flexibility, trust, and belief are built into education.

Dean shares his experience of a school environment that recognised his commitment to surfing, supported alternative pathways, and allowed him to pursue elite sport without being boxed into a single definition of success.

From international competition and sponsorships, to career pivots, setbacks, and eventually building his own business, Dean’s story shows how discipline, resilience, and lived experience shape a meaningful life beyond results.

This conversation offers a powerful reframe for parents and young people navigating pressure, passion, and uncertainty, especially those wondering whether school can accommodate a learner with different interests or talents.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
• How school flexibility helped Dean thrive rather than disengage
• The realities of professional sport — beyond the highlight reel
• Why identity beyond results matters
• Learning discipline, resilience, and responsibility through lived experience
• Navigating setbacks, transitions, and career pivots
• Turning interests and a passion into purpose — and eventually, a business
• What parents and schools can do to better support young people with strong interests

If you're a parent supporting a child with clear interests or passions, a young person questioning whether there’s “only one way” to succeed, or an educator rethinking what meaningful support really looks like - this is for you.

Because when young people are trusted, supported, and allowed to grow, incredible things can happen.

Find out more about Noosa Surfing Academy at https://www.noosasurfingacademy.com/.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

Emily Rovere: Forging a Path When Your Score Doesn’t Match Who You Are

More Than a Score — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 00:23:48 GMT

What happens when the result staring back at you doesn’t reflect who you know you are?

In this episode of More Than a Score, we speak with Emily Rovere, an osteopath, business owner, mentor, and lifelong learner, about opening her results, feeling deeply confused and deflated...and slowly realising that the number in front of her wasn’t the full story.

Emily shares honestly about being a high-achiever who worked hard but didn’t yet know how she learned best, the pressure she carried as the “one who had to succeed,” and how missing the score she hoped for forced her to problem-solve, adapt, and ultimately discover a path that truly suited her.

This is a powerful conversation about:
• Identity vs results
• Learning how you learn
• Asking for help (and why that’s hard)
• Resilience built through discomfort
• Why progress matters more than perfection

For parents, this episode offers reassurance that:
• Struggle doesn’t mean failure
• Detours can lead to clarity
• Confidence is built through experience, not comparison

For young people, and those supporting them, it’s a reminder that feeling lost doesn’t mean you’re off track, it often means you’re learning something important.

Because one moment, one exam, or one score never defines the whole story.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

SPECIAL EP: Dan Steele - Learning, Failure and the Power of Relationships

More Than a Score — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 10:20:46 GMT

What happens when the person usually asking the questions becomes the one being interviewed?

In this special episode of More Than a Score, award-winning school leader, internationally accredited leadership coach, and co-host Dan Steele steps into the guest seat to reflect on his own school experience, the moments that shaped his pathway, and the beliefs that now guide his work with students, teachers, leaders, and families.

Dan shares why he was never overly defined by his final score, how early setbacks became unexpected springboards, and what decades in classrooms, teaching and leadership roles, and working in a remote community have taught him about learning, success, and possibility.

This episode is especially for parents who are worried about their child’s future, students navigating uncertainty, and educators supporting young people through high-pressure moments and times of change.

In this episode, you’ll hear:
• Why school is just the beginning — not the verdict
• How powerful adults, conversations, and belief can change a child’s trajectory
• What parents can model right now to build confidence, agency, and resilience
• Why effort, curiosity, and learning how to learn matter more than outcomes
• How to help young people “run their own game” — even when the path isn’t clear

If you’ve ever worried that a score, subject choice, or moment might define everything that comes next, this conversation offers clarity, reassurance, and a much wider lens.

Because education lasts a lifetime — and no one moment gets to decide it all.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

SPECIAL EP: Laura Pitt - What School Taught Me & What It Didn’t

More Than a Score — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 07:25:22 GMT

You’ve heard the conversations. Now it’s time to meet the people behind them.
In this special episode of More Than a Score, we flip the script and turn the mic toward Laura Pitt — co-host of the podcast — to explore her own journey through school, uncertainty, decision-making, and the moments that shaped how she now supports young people and families.

Laura shares openly about her experience of school, the expectations she carried, the choices she made along the way, and how her understanding of success has evolved over time.

It’s an honest reflection how life rarely follows a straight line — and why that’s not only okay, but often where growth begins.

This episode is especially for listeners who:
• Are supporting a child through school transitions
• Are worried about results or “getting it right”
• Want reassurance that there are many ways to live a fulfilling life
• Young people who need to hear that uncertainty is normal

What You’ll Hear in This Episode
• Laura’s experience of school and early decision-making
• How pressure and expectations can shape confidence
• Why success looks different at different stages of life
• The power of reflection, self-trust, and support
• What Laura wishes parents and students knew during school years
• Why More Than a Score exists — and who it’s really for

Because behind every pathway is a human story. And no one score ever tells the whole one.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

Athan Didaskalou: From School to Startup and Redefining Success

More Than a Score — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 10:56:35 GMT

What if the path you’re meant to take only becomes clear once you stop chasing the “right” one?

In this episode of More Than a Score, we sit down with Athan Didaskalou, founder of July, one of Australia’s most recognisable lifestyle brands, to explore how curiosity, courage, and lived experience can matter more than perfect results or linear pathways.

This conversation is a powerful reminder for parents and young people that:

• There is no single “right” pathway after school

• Confidence often comes after action, not before

• Skills can be built through experience, not just qualifications

• Entrepreneurship and leadership are learned over time

• One result never defines future potential

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How Athan navigated uncertainty after school

• Why curiosity and experimentation matter more than early certainty

• The risks and realities of starting something from scratch

• What parents can do to support exploration without pressure

• Why success looks different at different stages of life

Whether you’re a parent supporting a young person through big decisions, a student unsure of what comes next, or someone rethinking their own direction, this episode offers perspective, reassurance, and practical insight.

Because school is only one chapter, and success is built over time.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

Stacey Lapira: When Your Score Doesn't Go To Plan

More Than a Score — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 08:14:05 GMT

What do you do when the score you worked so hard for doesn’t turn out the way you hoped...and you feel completely devastated?

In this powerful and deeply honest episode of More Than a Score, we sit down with Stacey Lapira—former teacher, prison officer, and now fitness coach and gym owner—to explore what happens after disappointment, and how one moment doesn’t get to define the rest of your life.

Stacey openly shares her experience of missing the ATAR she expected, feeling embarrassed, withdrawing from friends, and questioning her own intelligence. But what follows is a remarkable story of courage, course-correction, and learning how to back yourself, even when the path ahead feels unclear.

Stacey’s journey, from criminal justice to working in maximum-security prisons, teaching, and eventually building a thriving fitness business, reminds us that growth often comes from trying, reflecting, and choosing the courage to begin again.

In this episode, we explore:
• What it’s really like to feel devastated by results and how to move forward anyway
• Why changing direction isn’t failure, but often the beginning of finding your fit
• The power of having one person who believes in you when you can’t yet believe in yourself
• Why success is built through lived experience, not linear pathways
• How parents can support young people by offering perspective, patience, and belief - not pressure

This episode is a must-listen for:
• Parents supporting a child after disappointing results
• Young people feeling unsure, stuck, or “behind”
• Anyone questioning whether they’ve taken the right path

Because one score, one decision, or one setback was never meant to define you.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

Stef Pedersen: Motivation, Opportunity & Finding Your Direction

More Than a Score — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 08:07:13 GMT

What if you (or someone you know) knows what they want to do but still feels unsure, overwhelmed, or afraid to make the wrong choice?

And what if the very thing that helps them thrive isn’t perfect grades, but internal motivation, curiosity, and the confidence to grab opportunities as they come?

In this episode, we sit down with Stef Pedersen, a specialist midwife and clinical educator, whose story is a blueprint for pursuing a passion while staying open to the twists and turns that shape a meaningful career.

Stef shares how she navigated Year 12, selected a brand-new and untested double degree, juggled early placements, created her own learning opportunities, and eventually built a deeply rewarding career in midwifery and education — all while navigating major life challenges and transitions along the way.

In this episode, you'll discover:
• Why passion and curiosity are stronger drivers than ATAR pressure
• How to keep options open without losing direction
• The power of work experience and seeking help early
• How parents can advocate respectfully and effectively for their child
• What real confidence looks like in Year 12 (and what it doesn’t)
• Navigating placements, setbacks, and tough environments
• Why calm, intentional choices matter more than perfect planning
• What young people need most when they’re navigating uncertainty

For any student (and their parent) who feel overwhelmed or unsure about their future, Stef’s honesty offers both clarity and comfort.l: you don’t need certainty to move forward , you just need a starting point, and the willingness to learn along the way.

After all, the future isn’t built on one score. It’s built on motivation, opportunity, self-belief, and the courage to take the next step.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

Tyson Day: Rethinking Success When Your ATAR Isn't What You Expected

More Than a Score — Sun, 30 Nov 2025 10:09:39 GMT

What happens when your ATAR comes in lower than you hoped — and your friends all seem miles ahead?
In this powerful and refreshingly honest conversation, careers coach and Arrive & Thrive co-founder Tyson Day joins us to unpack the truth behind “non-linear” pathways and why your teenager’s score does not define their future.

Tyson opens up about receiving 66.6, living with undiagnosed dyslexia, feeling crushed, and spending years unsure of who he was or what he wanted. But within the messy middle sits a remarkable story of hard work, curiosity, and backing yourself even when you’re not sure you’re ready.

In this episode, you'll discover:
• Why scores only capture one type of intelligence
• Why some teens freeze in “analysis paralysis”
• How parents can support their young person without taking over
• Why “be a fan, not a captain” changes everything
• How to help teens build courage, career confidence, and clarity
• The surprising value of “non-examples” and jobs you don’t like
• How to spot opportunities—even when you’re feeling lost
• The mindset that helped Tyson start a business and thrive

If your child is stressed, confused, or worried about results— or if you’re a parent wanting a clearer way to support them — this episode delivers real-world strategies you can use today.

Because no one score defines your child. What matters is what happens next.

Find out more about Arrive & Thrive:
• https://arrivethrive.com.au/
• Insta @arrive_thrive
• Career Conversation Dinner Menu - Little icebreaker they share with parents and students: https://arrivethrive.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Career-Conversation-Menu_v4_website.pdf

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

Gwen Gothard: Say Yes, Spot Opportunities, and Create Your Own Path

More Than a Score — Sun, 23 Nov 2025 22:20:09 GMT

What if school isn’t the peak of your story but just the starting point?

In this episode of More Than a Score, Gwen Gothard shares her remarkable journey from leaving school at 16 with dyslexia to building an inspiring life across fitness, high-performance nutrition, elite sport, product development, and now entrepreneurship.

Gwen’s story is a powerful reminder that success is rarely linear. She opens up about moving between school systems in the UK, discovering sport as a place where she felt capable and confident, and having a trailblazing mum who advocated fiercely for her learning needs. From studying business to saying yes to photography (which took her to Italy), to personal training, to becoming a performance nutritionist working with elite teams and Olympians, Gwen has built her path through curiosity, courage, and an unwavering instinct to take the next step, even when the way forward wasn’t obvious.

Today, she teaches nutrition, consults for elite athletes, and has just launched her own wellness business, Tranquileyes, making hand-crafted cooling eye pillows designed for recovery, calm, and rest.

This episode will resonate deeply with parents, young people, and anyone who has ever felt “not academic enough.” Gwen shows that capability looks different for everyone and that when you follow your interests, say yes to opportunities, and learn to back yourself, you can create a life far richer than any score could predict.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:
• Why school is important but never the end of the story.
• How Gwen’s dyslexia shaped her confidence and why advocacy matters.
• The four questions Gwen uses to spot opportunities and make bold decisions.
• Why “saying yes” can open doors you didn’t even know existed.
• How personal interests can turn into talent, unique skills and then opportunity.
• Practical nutrition advice for students during exams (breakfast, protein, stamina).
• Why goal-setting and intuition help young people move forward — even when unsure.
• How Gwen launched Tranquileyes by teaching herself to sew and following a spark of curiosity.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

Josh Kinder: Learning to Hold Things Loosely Through Change and Uncertainty

More Than a Score — Sun, 16 Nov 2025 06:00:00 GMT

What if success wasn’t about choosing one path but learning to grow through change and uncertainty?

In this episode of More Than a Score, Josh Kinder joins us to share how change, uncertainty, curiosity and courage have shaped his life - from moving schools and chasing surf breaks, to building a career that’s evolved from carpentry to leadership in construction and tech.

Josh opens up about the lessons that came from detours and setbacks, and how a simple mindset — “act as if” — helped him step into confidence, possibility, and growth at every stage. His story reminds us that education doesn’t stop at graduation, and that every chapter, even the uncertain ones, helps us discover who we are becoming.

This conversation is perfect for parents supporting young people through transitions, students figuring out what’s next, or anyone rethinking what success means. It’s grounded, honest, and full of reminders that success or real growth rarely happens in straight lines.

In This Episode You'll Learn:
• How to embrace uncertainty and change with confidence.
• Why it’s okay (and often right) to shift direction.
• The power of “acting as if” when stepping into something new.
• What real growth looks like beyond results or roles.
• How parents can model calm, curiosity, and courage during transitions.

Listen now and share it with someone who’s learning to hold things loosely.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

Kristy Kendall: Curiosity, Confidence, and Real Success

More Than a Score — Sun, 09 Nov 2025 10:56:43 GMT

What if the key to thriving in school — and in life — wasn’t about getting everything right, but about what you do next?

In this episode of More Than a Score, Kristy Kendall, Principal of Toorak College and education innovator, reflects on her journey from a curious student at Mount Eliza High to a nationally recognised school leader reshaping how we think about success, feedback, and learning.

Kristy shares how curiosity, courage, and connection shaped her path — from a 90.85 ATAR and a love of tests to discovering that true confidence comes from reflection, vulnerability, and relationships. She invites parents and educators to look beyond results and see education as a playground for growth and a place to try, fail, learn, and expand.

In this episode, you’ll discover:
• Why curiosity and confidence matter more than competition.
• How feedback can build trust, not fear — for students, teachers, and parents alike.
• Why creating safe spaces for vulnerability leads to authentic learning.
• How parents can help children explore, decide, and grow without comparison.
• Why real success isn’t measured by results, but by what we do next.

This conversation is for anyone who wants to raise, teach, or lead with authenticity, and to remember that learning is less about perfection, and more about progress.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

James Pattison: Learning, Risk, and the Power of Backing Yourself

More Than a Score — Sun, 02 Nov 2025 22:41:31 GMT

What happens when you leave a school you loved, only to realise the real learning starts after it’s over?

In this episode of More Than a Score, James Pattison — writer, broadcaster, creative, and founder of Miniature — shares his story of curiosity, confidence, and rediscovery. From the classroom to Radio National and beyond, James reveals how the experiences that shape us in school often teach us lessons we only understand years later.

He reflects on the sibling rivalries, the teachers who saw his potential, and the moments of courage that came from saying yes. From backpacking through Europe with barely enough money to leaving secure jobs to build his own creative business.

Through it all, James shows that success isn’t a score or a title, it’s found in backing yourself, being curious, and daring to take the next step, even when you’re unsure where it leads.

For parents or anyone going through change, this conversation is a reminder that growth doesn’t happen in straight lines. It’s built through trying, wandering, and daring to listen to that small voice that says: “You’re good at this. Give it a try.”

In this episode, you’ll discover:
* Why curiosity is a powerful compass for learning and life.
* The teachers, mentors, and moments that ignite lifelong passions.
* Why letting go of “the perfect plan” helps young people grow.
* How parents can build connection and confidence through simple daily conversations.

This episode is for parents, students, and lifelong learners who want to remember that the best lessons often come long after the exams are over.

🎧 Listen now — or share it with someone who’s still figuring out what’s next.

#MoreThanAScore #ParentingPodcast #EducationPodcast #Creativity #Confidence

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

Ellen Steele: How Small Acts & Advocacy Can Change Young People's Paths

More Than a Score — Sun, 26 Oct 2025 20:42:37 GMT

What if success in education wasn’t about grades or titles, but about joy, curiosity, and people who help us thrive?

In this episode of More Than a Score, Ellen Steele, a teacher and senior leader, shares her story of possibility, speaking up and advocacy, and finding purpose in learning. Ellen’s journey shows the power of small acts of belief that change everything.

From an Arts degree to teaching, Ellen spent years in the classroom before completing a Master’s of Learning Difficulties and moved into senior educational leadership. Along the way, her view of education has transformed, from a linear path to one that has many options, with no one path being "the right" one.

Ellen’s story offers practical inspiration for parents, educators, and students alike. She reminds us that speaking up and advocacy doesn’t have to be complicated, sometimes it’s about noticing, asking questions, and being present enough to help young people feel seen, capable, and supported.

You’ll discover:
• Why small acts can have lifelong impact.
• How joy and autonomy in learning build confidence and curiosity.
• Why success is often found in the process, not the outcome.
• How parents can speak up and advocate for their children.

Because education is more than a system. It’s a lifelong journey of connection, confidence, and possibility - with no one set path.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

Tom Pountney: Why the Best Lessons Aren’t on a Report Card

More Than a Score — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 01:31:00 GMT

What makes a great school experience? The marks you earn or the memories you make?

For Tom Pountney, it was the laughter, sport, and sense of community that made learning come alive. He loved school, the curiosity, the opportunities, and the teachers who treated students like adults ready to take on the world.

Leaving that environment, however, brought its own lessons. Tom admits he felt a little lost, missing the structure, connection, and culture that school provided. Over time, through travel, writing, and working for Boris Johnson (before becoming PM) he found his own rhythm and has built a life that blends creativity, family, and purpose.

In this episode, Tom reflects on how his perspective on success has evolved from chasing titles to creating opportunities that align with his values.

This conversation is for every parent wondering what really matters when choosing a school or supporting their child through those pivotal teenage years. Tom’s insights remind us that education isn’t just about grades, but about building confidence, community, and finding your place in the world.

You’ll discover:
• Why community and belonging shape learning as much as results.
•What parents can look for beyond marks and reputation when choosing a school.
• How travel, exploration, and reflection build independence and character.
• Why success is less about certainty and more about curiosity and connection.

Tom reminds us the best lessons aren’t found on a report card, they’re discovered along the way.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

Lael Stone: How Courage and Curiosity Can Set You (and Your Kids) Up for Success

More Than a Score — Sat, 11 Oct 2025 06:59:22 GMT

What happens when you stop waiting for permission and start backing yourself instead?

In this episode of More Than a Score, Lael Stone shares how leaving behind a school system that didn’t quite fit opened the door to a life of possibility. At just 17, she travelled overseas alone, launched her first business at 20, became a parent at 25, and went on to build a career as a parenting educator, speaker, author, and co-co-founder of Woodline Primary School.

Lael’s story is a reminder that qualifications don’t always come from classrooms — they can come from life experiences, curiosity, and the willingness to take a chance on yourself. She opens up about the power of trusting your instincts, embracing imperfection, and finding freedom in being “enough.”

This episode is for parents and young people who feel pressure to have everything figured out. Lael’s journey reminds us that courage, curiosity, and connection will take you further than perfection ever could.

You’ll discover:

• Why backing yourself can be a powerful qualification you can have.
• How courage and lived experience can open unexpected doors.
• Why being “enough” matters more than being perfect.
• How parents can model possibility, presence, and calm for their kids.

Because success isn’t about ticking boxes — it’s about backing yourself and creating a life that feels true to you.

Know someone else with a story that should be shared? Get in contact with us at morethanascorepod@gmail.com!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

Shayegan Abdollahbeigi: From School Challenges to Engineering & Entrepreneurship

More Than a Score — Sun, 05 Oct 2025 22:35:03 GMT

Shayegan Abdollahbeigi: From School Challenges to Engineering & Entrepreneurship

What do you do when life throws a curveball right before your final exams?

For Shayegan Abdollahbeigi, it was a severe illness in Year 12 that almost kept him from sitting his exams. With the encouragement of a teacher, he pushed through and discovered a principle that still guides him today: discipline equals freedom.

Growing up in Iran before moving to Australia gave Shayegan a unique lens on school. Far from being a place of limits, he saw school as a space for exploration academically, socially, and personally.

Since then, his journey has been one of breadth and curiosity: studying engineering at Monash University, launching a watchmaking company, interning in motorsport, and continuing to build new pathways as an engineer and entrepreneur.

In this conversation, Shayegan reflects on the mentors who believed in him, the values instilled by his immigrant parents, and how Zoroastrian philosophy—good thoughts, good words, good deeds—has shaped his evolving view of success.

This episode is for parents and students who feel pressure to get it “right” the first time. Shayaegan’s story is a reminder that being wrong, exploring widely, and building systems for growth are some of the most powerful lessons school can give.

You’ll discover:
• Why “discipline = freedom” became Shayaegan’s guiding principle.
• How exploration and breadth fuel long-term growth and opportunity.
• Why collaboration and character matter more than certainty or legacy.
• Practical advice for parents to foster curiosity, allow mistakes, and teach values that last.

Because true success isn’t about a score, it’s about systems, values, and the person you become along the way.

Know someone else with a story that should be shared? Get in contact with us at morethanascorepod@gmail.com!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

TJ Weistra: From Pro Athlete to CEO – Redefining Success Beyond Results

More Than a Score — Sun, 28 Sep 2025 22:19:59 GMT

What happens when your childhood dream of being a professional athlete ends—and you have to start again? For TJ Weistra, badminton was everything: first as a player at the highest level, then as a coach in Peru and New Zealand. Today, he’s the CEO of Badminton Australia, proving that success can take many forms.

From PE class and school support that allowed him to chase his sporting goals, to moving into sports management with a Graduate Diploma in HR and an MBA, TJ’s pathway has been anything but linear. He worked his way from athlete to coach to leader, showing how growth and resilience can shape new opportunities.

In this conversation, TJ reflects on how his definition of success has evolved—from focusing on “me, myself, and I” as an athlete, to helping others thrive, guiding organisations, and being present for his own children.

This episode is for parents and students feeling pressured to “have it all figured out” by their teenage years. TJ’s story is a reminder that pathways aren’t straight lines, and that success is about growth, values, and supporting those around you.

You’ll discover:
• How elite sport prepared TJ for leadership and life beyond the court.
• Why success shifts from personal wins to collective growth.
• The role of mentors and teachers in supporting unconventional pathways.
• Practical advice for parents: nurture, support, and remind your kids it’s okay not to have all the answers at 14.

Because success isn’t fixed. It grows and changes with you.

Know someone else with a story that should be shared? Get in contact with us at morethanascorepod@gmail.com!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

Jess Orr: Finding Balance Beyond Results & Being Open to Adventures

More Than a Score — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 21:49:05 GMT

What if your best school memories weren’t about results, but about connection, laughter, and a community that felt like home?

For Jess Orr, house singing days and a close-knit year level defined her final years of school more than any exam.

After school, Jess pursued an Arts Law degree, but had to pivot and move to a regional city to do so after missing out on her first options. This pivot led to unexpected experiences and adventures: living on residence (campus), studying overseas in The Hague, and travelling widely. During six years of study, she learned as much about life, freedom, and friendship as she did about the law. Jess's journey shows education is about far more than content—it’s about growth, adventure, and finding your voice.

In this conversation, Jess shares how her definition of success has shifted over time—from trying to do it all, to learning to set boundaries, say no, and focus on balance. Today, success for her is about prioritising her kids and family while still finding purpose in her work.

This episode is for parents who want to encourage their children to try different things, to be brave, and to celebrate difference. Jess’s story reminds us that the little lessons we teach—kindness, judgment, values—often lead to life’s biggest strengths.

You’ll discover:

• Why school community and connection matter as much as grades.
• How studying abroad and travel shaped Jess’s perspective.
• What balance looks like as a parent and professional.
• Practical advice for parents to advocate for and encourage their kids.

Because success is built on balance, connection, and the courage to be yourself - not a final score.

Know someone else with a story that should be shared? Get in contact with us at morethanascorepod@gmail.com!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

Thomas Pitt: Resilience & How Going Unscored Isn't The End

More Than a Score — Sun, 14 Sep 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Imagine being told at school you’re “going non-scored.” For many, that feels like a full stop. For Thomas Pitt, it became the spark for resilience that shaped every step of his journey.

From days working and grinding as a wool presser and manning the floor in a garden nursery to civil construction, Thomas worked his way up from being on the tools to leading a team—before backing himself to start Access Utility Engineering (AUE), the business he now runs today.

His story is living proof that school results do not define what’s possible.

In this conversation, Thomas speaks openly about the lessons he’s learned, the power of persistence, and the importance of choosing the right people to work with. He also reflects on how becoming a parent reshaped his understanding of success.

This is an episode for every parent worrying about their child’s pathway, and every student questioning their worth. Thomas’s story reminds us that success is not a score—it’s resilience, growth, and the life you choose to build.

You’ll discover:
• Why going non-scored doesn’t limit your future.
• How resilience and persistence create new opportunities.
• What a leader like Thomas looks or when building his team at AUE.
• Why success shifts from individual achievement to family, balance, and growth.

This episode is testament that life is about far more than a score.

Know someone else with a story that should be shared? Get in contact with us at morethanascorepod@gmail.com!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

Elleni Pearce: Doing What You Love and Creating Your Own Career Pathway

More Than a Score — Sun, 07 Sep 2025 22:01:00 GMT

What happens when you stop chasing results and start following what you truly love?

Elleni Pearce shows us that when you lean into your strengths and back yourself, the path ahead can unfold in unexpected and exciting ways.

What will you get from this episode?
• Why results don’t define us
• How to measure success through happiness, passion, and the people who surrounding us.
• Why letting young people follow their interests and dreams is the surest way for them to thrive.
• How playing to your strengths, backing yourself when others doubt you should come first.

Who is Elleni Pearce?
Director and Founder of LENZO, the creative events and activations agency known for its bold style and @partywithlenzo flair.

From being in trouble in school for questioning traditions and loving the social side of school, Elleni leant into this passion to build the company LENZO from the ground up: initially as an events marketplace and now as one of the most recognised creative and events agencies of its kind.

Ellen's school days were shaped by both champions and challengers.
. Her school experiences taught Elleni the power of knowing yourself, having supporters (and challengers!) and embracing different ways of learning and leading.

Know someone else with a story that should be shared? Get in contact with us at morethanascorepod@gmail.com!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com

Introducing More Than a Score

More Than a Score — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 09:38:01 GMT

What really defines success?

For too long, school results and test scores have been seen as the ultimate measure. But life after school tells a different story.

In our very first episode of More Than a Score, hosts Laura and Dan introduce the vision behind the podcast—why marks aren’t the whole picture, and why the real lessons are often found in resilience, relationships, and the pathways we take beyond school.

This episode sets the stage for the series. You’ll hear why we’re creating a space to share the stories of everyday people—leaders, parents, athletes, entrepreneurs, and creatives—reflecting on their school days, what shaped them, and how they define success today.

If you’re a parent, student, teacher, or simply someone who remembers the weight and pressure of school results, this podcast is for you.

We’ll remind you that success comes in many forms, that there is no one "right" pathway beyond school, and that it really is about far more than a score.

Show notes:
* Meet the hosts of More Than a Score, Laura and Dan: teachers, award-winning school leaders, and parents with 5 kids of our own between us.
*How each episode can help you with practical insights from real stories and experiences.
* Why we started this podcast: shifting the conversation beyond academic results.
* What you can expect in future episodes: real stories from diverse voices.
* A thank-you to our early listeners for joining us on this journey.

Do you know someone with a great story or a unique pathway in or beyond school? Reach out to us at morethanascorepod@gmail.com!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.muchmorethanascore.com