Episodes

  • Why Frankie Comes to School - Laurelle Fry on Dogs in Schools, Belonging & What Helps Kids Feel Safe Enough to Learn

    Why Frankie Comes to School - Laurelle Fry on Dogs in Schools, Belonging & What Helps Kids Feel Safe Enough to Learn
    Jun 15 2026
    About This EpisodeI have a friend whose teenage daughter has a support dog. I've watched that dog quietly and consistently support a young person navigating a world that wasn't always built for her. And I'll be honest, I've probably rolled my eyes at the idea before. But then I saw it. And I thought, who's the one who should be rolling their eyes now?That's really where this conversation begins, not with a research paper, but with a moment of honesty. And it's the perfect introduction to Laurelle Fry, who doesn't talk about dogs in schools the way you'd expect.No grand claims. Just real stories - a boy who spent an entire school break playing with Frankie because he couldn't find his way into a friendship group. A child who jumped onto his chair in fear the first time Frankie walked in, and now runs over to say hello.Laurelle is Head of Pre-Prep and Junior Prep at Western Province Prep School in Cape Town, and she's been bringing her rescue dog Frankie to school for years. But this conversation is really about what schools are for. Culture, belonging, regulation, and why the thing that helps a child feel safe enough to learn sometimes has four legs and a wagging tail.She has a phrase she keeps coming back to, "home away from home." After this conversation, I couldn't stop thinking about what it actually takes to build.In This Episode We Talk AboutHow "Frankie Fridays" started and what happened on the Fridays when Frankie didn't show up.The difference between a therapy dog and a dog who just shows up and makes things better.Why the best learning doesn't happen in the quietest classroom.The moment a child's shoulders drop, and what that actually means for their ability to learn.How dogs help neurodiverse children regulate in ways that are hard to engineer any other way.What happened when Frankie crashed a formal chapel assembly (and why nobody flinched).The practical stuff nobody talks about - allergies, bathroom duties, what to do if a dog nips.The quiet boy, his Border Terrier puppy, and the small moment in morning drop-off that meant everything.Why choosing a school is really about choosing a community, and what that has to do with dogs.Laurelle's honest advice for any school or teacher thinking about introducing a dog into their environment.A Moment That Stuck With Me"As soon as he's happy, then he wants to be at school. When he wants to be at school, he wants to learn. When he wants to learn, he feels confident because he's succeeding and things are happening. So it's got this snowball effect that just happens." - Laurelle FryMentioned in This EpisodeWestern Province Prep School - the Cape Town school where Laurelle is Head of Pre-Prep and Junior Prep, and where both Frankie and Apalefi have the run of the place. A school building something real around culture and belonging.Bishop's - where Laurelle taught for 13 years and where Frankie Fridays first began.The SPCA - where Frankie came from. Her previous owner was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and chose to rehome her while she was still young enough to be adopted. Worth knowing, because it shapes who she is.Reading aloud research - the science behind children reading aloud to dogs: fluency increases, and the mechanics of reading come more easily. It's the reason Apalefi came to school in the first place. Georgette, the head of learning support, brought her in so boys could read to her instead of a teddy bear.About Laurelle FryLaurelle Fry comes from a family of educators, which probably explains why she talks about school the way she does, not as a place where curriculum gets delivered, but as a living community that children either feel part of or don't.She spent 13 years at Bishop's before moving to Western Province Prep, where she's now Head of Pre-Prep and Junior Prep. She's spent most of her career in boys' education, and she brings to it an instinct for what children actually need, not just academically, but as small humans trying to find their feet in a big world. She talks about creating a "home away from home." You can tell she means it.She is also, it must be said, completely besotted with Frankie. I follow her on Instagram, and I can confirm there is photographic evidence of Frankie being pushed in a pram. There was a very good reason. Torn ligaments. The boys loved pushing her around. Of course they did.Connect With Laurelle FryLinkedIn: Laurelle FryConnect With Jude & Future Smart Parent🌐 www.tomorrowtodayglobal.com/schools📸 Instagram: @judefoulston💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/judefoulstonSome conversations make you want to be a little more patient, a little more present. This is one of those. Know a parent or teacher who'd appreciate it? Send it their way.
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    43 mins
  • Let's Meet Under the Tree - Tebogo Maneli on Indigenous Knowledge, Brave Conversations & What Our Kids Actually Need

    Let's Meet Under the Tree - Tebogo Maneli on Indigenous Knowledge, Brave Conversations & What Our Kids Actually Need
    Jun 1 2026
    About This EpisodeI'll be honest - I found today's guest because of a conference theme. And I know that sounds like a strange place to start, but when the theme is "Let's Meet Under the Tree," you just have to stop, don't you?That's what happened when I came across the Embrace Symposium, happening at St Benedict's College in Johannesburg this month. And it led me straight to Tebogo Maneli - history teacher, DEIBS practitioner, and great podcast guest :)This conversation goes deep... into Indigenous Knowledge Systems, what representation actually feels like (versus just understanding it intellectually), why language is one of the most powerful tools of connection we're currently underusing, and what it really means to raise children who know who they are.In This Episode We Talk AboutWhat Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) actually means - and why every single person in the room carries oneThe "Meet Under the Tree" metaphor, and why Tebogo thinks it might not just be a metaphorWhy she prefers the word educationalist over transformation practitioner - and how language shapes whether people open up or shut downThe difference between representation and transformation, and why Tebogo believes in one far more than the otherWhat happened when Jude worked alongside a woman in leadership for the first time - and the moment she felt what representation means, not just understood itWhy white teachers aren't being replaced, they're being invited into a bigger conversationThe real reason African languages aren't being taken by white students in South African schools (hint: it's systemic, not about difficulty)Why parents and teachers are partners in this ecosystem - and how a single positive message home can shift everythingA Moment That Stuck With Me"We don't know what we do not know. And this is where I think the tree metaphor lives - you didn't even know you were wounded before, right? Through experiencing her as a system, using her indigenous knowledge, you were changed. You were healed in a way that maybe you might not have been before." - Tebogo ManeliMentioned in This EpisodeThe Embrace Symposium 2026 Let's Meet Under the Tree: Using Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Pedagogy as Pathways to Social Healing in Education 📅 4–5 June 2026 📍 St Benedict's College, JohannesburgThis is not a sit-and-listen kind of event. It's practical, it's dialogic, and it's designed so that every delegate leaves with tools they can actually take back to their school community. If this conversation moved something in you, that's probably your sign to look it up.🔗 St Benedict's College - Embrace SymposiumAbout Tebogo ManeliTebogo Maneli is an Upper School History teacher at Lebone II College of the Royal Bafokeng, based in Phukeng village, North West. With over 15 years of experience in education across South Africa and Mauritius, Tebogo holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of the Witwatersrand and is currently completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Inclusive Education through UNISA.In 2023, her passion for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in schools was formalised at St Stithians Girls' College, where she became a DEIBS practitioner and went on to convene the DEIBS Cluster in Gauteng - bringing together transformation practitioners from private schools across the province. She has facilitated Teachers' Roundtables for the Apartheid Museum, presented on Girls' Education at St Mary's DSG, and spoken on innovative AI teaching strategies at the 2023 History National User Group Conference.Tebogo describes herself not as a transformation practitioner, but as an educationalist - and once you hear this conversation, you'll understand exactly why that distinction matters.Connect With TebogoLinkedIn: Tebogo ManeliConnect With Jude & Future Smart Parent🌐 www.tomorrowtodayglobal.com/schools📸 Instagram: @judefoulston💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/judefoulstonIf this episode resonated with you, please share it with another parent or educator who needs to hear it. And if you haven't subscribed yet - now's a good time. We've got a lot more conversations like this one coming.
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    55 mins
  • Empower Your Teaching with AI with Graeme Codrington - brought to you by Future Smart Teacher

    Empower Your Teaching with AI with Graeme Codrington - brought to you by Future Smart Teacher
    Nov 1 2024

    In today’s episode, we dive into the exciting world of AI in education with global futurist Graeme Codrington and the team at Future Smart Teacher. Graeme shares valuable insights on how AI tools, particularly ChatGPT, can serve as powerful assistants in teaching, helping educators enhance their workflow, engage students in new ways, and save valuable time—all while preparing for a tech-driven future.

    Key Takeaways:

    • AI as an Assistant, Not a Replacement: Learn why AI tools like ChatGPT are best used to support teachers rather than replace them, and how to integrate these tools thoughtfully.
    • Navigating AI’s Limitations: Graeme provides practical tips for recognising where AI is most effective in the classroom, and where human insight remains crucial.
    • 21st-Century Skills: Discover ways to equip students with essential skills for the future while empowering yourself to adapt to new technologies.

    Why You Should Listen: If you're an educator looking to harness the benefits of AI in a balanced, practical way, this episode will equip you with actionable insights to navigate this ever-evolving landscape confidently.

    Resources Mentioned:

    • Future Smart Teacher Academy: A membership platform for educators that provides tutorials, weekly Q&A sessions, expert insights, and community support—all to help teachers integrate AI and 21st-century skills into their classrooms effectively.

    Join Future Smart Teacher Academy and Get:

    • Weekly tutorials and strategies to use AI in your classroom
    • Practical tools for incorporating 21st-century skills into your lessons
    • Access to a supportive community and subject-matter experts

    For just R135 ($7.99) per teacher or R980 ($55) per month for schools, Future Smart Teacher Academy provides a resourceful platform where educators can grow professionally, reduce administrative tasks, and maintain a dynamic, future-ready learning environment.

    Connect with Us:

    • Website: futuresmartteacher.com
    • Email: Jude@tomorrowtodayglobal.com

    Tune in, empower your teaching, and join us on this journey into the future of education.
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Harmonising Life: The Potential Role of Music Therapy in 21st-Century Parenting

    Harmonising Life: The Potential Role of Music Therapy in 21st-Century Parenting
    Sep 11 2024

    Episode Summary:

    In this episode, Jude chats with music therapist Graeme Sacks about what music therapy is, how it encourages growth, self-expression and healing through music and how this might impact parents and their kids today!

    Graeme challenges the notion that music should be something we add competition to, especially because of how that pressure can often lead children away from music and singing. Instead he says, we should be encouraging children and teens to be making music and singing regardless of how “good” or “bad” they are, because of the joy that music brings and the way that we can process our emotions through music in so many ways.

    “Where communication is physically or psychologically disrupted, where words are not available, or distrusted, or too personal, music can help… Musical meetings can be life-changing.” - Gary Ansdell - music therapist and researcher

    If you’re interested in learning more about what music or other arts-based therapy is all about and how it can be transformational for our kids visit www.sanata.org (South African National Arts Therapies Association).

    Connect with Graeme:
    Website: Graeme Sacks Music Therapy
    Social Media: Facebook

    Thank you so much for listening! This episode is brought to you by Future Smart Parent Club. Please like and subscribe to our community. If you enjoyed the podcast, consider leaving a review and sharing the episode with your network.

    Join the Future Smart Parent Community:
    Instagram | Newsletter signup | Facebook Group
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    31 mins
  • The Village Approach to Imperfect Parenting: A Conversation with Vanessa Raphaely

    The Village Approach to Imperfect Parenting: A Conversation with Vanessa Raphaely
    Aug 28 2024

    Episode Summary:

    In this episode of the Future Smart Parent Podcast, Jude chats to Vanessa Raphaely, co-author of "We Were Perfect Parents Until We Had Children" and founder of The Village, a community of diverse, imperfect parents in South Africa.

    Vanessa and Jude talk about the principles of The Village - community support, kindness, respect and constructiveness and chat about the ways in which parents from diverse backgrounds can come together to support each other in raising the next generation to be engaged, kind, courageous citizens. It’s a practical and relatable conversation, especially if you’re a parent trying to raise your family in your own perfectly imperfect way in our chaotic world. None of us are perfect, but when we show up and support each other, we also gift our children with support, optimism and resilience.

    Connect with Vanessa and The Village:

    Join The Village on Facebook
    Follow The Village on Instagram
    Sign up to receive their newsletter here

    Buy a copy of “We Were Perfect Parents Until We Had Children” now:

    • At Exclusive Books
    • On Takealot

    Thank you so much for listening! This episode is sponsored by Future Smart Parent Club. We’d love to invite you to our community. If you enjoyed the podcast, consider leaving a review and sharing the episode with your network. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss any future episodes.

    Join the Future Smart Parent Community:
    Instagram | Newsletter signup | Facebook Group

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    41 mins
  • Self Care Strategies for Overwhelmed Moms with Dr. Michael Mol

    Self Care Strategies for Overwhelmed Moms with Dr. Michael Mol
    Aug 1 2024

    In this episode Jude chats with Dr. Michael Mol about the invisible labour that oftens lands on the shoulders of moms. The fact that women are typically taking on more of the labour of childcare, organising the home and housekeeping, often in addition to their ‘actual’ jobs is a sad reality.

    The burnout that so many moms experience should not be the norm. And so in this conversation Michael and Jude talk about practical things, backed by science, that we can do to care for ourselves.

    There really are four simple pillars that ground this approach to self-care: eat, sleep, move and connect. Listen to the full episode to hear more detail about all of these areas for self-care.

    And then you have to find your WHY? What is going to compel you to care for yourself?

    Connect with Guest:

    • Website: www.drmichaelmol.com
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram
    • Facebook


    This episode is brought to you by Future Smart Parent Club.

    Please like and subscribe to our community. If you enjoyed the podcast, consider leaving a review and sharing the episode with your network.

    Join the Future Smart Parent Community here.
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    41 mins
  • Mindfulness for Parents: How to stay sane in an insane world

    Mindfulness for Parents: How to stay sane in an insane world
    Jul 9 2024

    Helen Nicholson is the Founder and CEO of The Networking Company. She specialises in speaking and teaching people to develop powerful personal brands and networks all over the world. Her work in Mindful Resilience has helped thousands of individuals overcome burnout. She has also written a best selling book “Mindfulness: How to Stay Sane in an Insane World”.

    In this episode, Helen and Jude discuss what mindfulness is and how parents can practice mindfulness in their every day lives. It’s not about waking up at 4am and meditating - it starts with becoming more present, more aware.

    Helen shares some practical tips and tricks that she uses in her own life, which have helped her on her parenting journey.

    Connect with Helen:
    Website: helen-nicholson.com
    Email: helen@tnco.co.za
    Social Media: @networkwithhelen

    Thank you so much for listening!

    This episode was brought to you by/sponsored by Future Smart Teacher - a monthly membership that empowers educators with cutting-edge AI tools, tutorials, resources and a growing community that will revolutionize the way educators can teach, plan, and manage their classrooms.

    For more information, visit www.futuresmartteacher.com

    Please like and subscribe to our community. If you enjoyed the podcast, consider leaving a review and sharing the episode with your network.

    Join the Future Smart Parent Community:
    Instagram | Newsletter signup | Facebook Group
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    39 mins
  • Nurture ADHD with Tarryn

    Nurture ADHD with Tarryn
    Jun 13 2024

    In this episode of the Future Smart Parent podcast, Jude chats with Tarryn who is the creator of a life-changing ADHD system designed for overwhelmed and frustrated parents who want smoother days, less chaos and to see their ADHD kids thrive.

    Tarryn is an Occupational Therapist and a mom to a daughter with ADHD so is able to help through both her professional and personal experiences. This was a very insightful conversation!

    Resources mentioned:
    The Anxious Generation book by Jonathan Haidt.

    Connect with Tarryn:
    Website: Nurture ADHD
    Email: tarryn@nurtureadhd.com
    Instagram: nurtureadhd

    Get your free ADHD Routine Checklist here.

    Read more about Quiet the Chaos program here.

    Thank you so much for listening!

    This episode was brought to you by the Future Smart Parent Club.

    Get the Tools & Insights you need to Equip your Kids and Teens with the Essential Skills they need to Thrive both Now and in their Futures.

    Join our community and get 21st Century Expert Parenting Advice, Practical tools to keep your kids Safer and Saner Online, Insights on the Future of Work, and Resources to help your kids & teens Develop 21st Century Skills & Community Support for just $7 (R135) a month.

    For more information visit www.futuresmartparent.com/join-the-club.

    Please like and subscribe to our community, and if you enjoyed the podcast, please consider leaving a review and sharing the episode with your network… because it takes a village.

    Join the Future Smart Parent Community:
    Instagram | Newsletter sign up | Facebook | Join the Future Smart Parent Club
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    36 mins