Chalk and Coffee
Welcome to Chalk and Coffee, the podcast for teachers, early career educators, and parents who are passionate about creating a thriving environment for children. Join host Shana Roberts—an experienced educator, parent, and author—as she explores the vital roles of teachers and parents in shaping young lives. Through insightful interviews with professionals, parents, and authors, you’ll gain valuable perspectives, effective teaching strategies, and innovative approaches to support children through life’s challenges. This podcast also features regular episodes tailored specifically for early career teachers. Shana is deeply passionate about supporting new educators as they navigate the early stages of their teaching journey. These episodes offer practical advice, real-world insights, and encouragement to help you thrive in the classroom. Whether you’re an experienced teacher looking for fresh inspiration, a parent seeking guidance, or an early career educator eager for support, Chalk and Coffee provides the tools and connections to empower you. Join us today—your next cup of inspiration is just a listen away!
Episodes
I’m joined by Bec Walraven to talk about her writing journey and life inspirations behind them.
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I’m joined by Kurtis Hewson from Jigsaw Learning to talk about creating strong, supportive teams around children.
Such a powerful conversation for teachers, leaders, and parents.
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Please find all the information below to stay in the loop and join the Nurture Connect Play Community!
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In this week’s Chalk and Coffee, I’m joined by Nimisha Kantharia, a surgeon and mindfulness teacher.
We dive deep into emotional intelligence, being mindful, mindfulness, and how mindfulness can help parents model emotional regulation for their children, rather than relying on words alone.
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In this heartfelt episode of Chalk and Coffee, I’m joined by Leisa Fail, author of the beautifully illustrated children’s book Stormy Normy.
Leisa shares how her deep love of horses inspired her creative journey and how Stormy Normy was born from a desire to help children understand and express big feelings in safe, supported ways.
We chat about the power of storytelling in emotional development, and how characters can ...
On this episode of Chalk and Coffee, I sit down with Atara Parkinson, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional, to explore the deep connections between emotional wellbeing, physical health, and healing.
With over 14 years of experience supporting women through trauma, postpartum recovery, and holistic mental health, Atara shares her journey from traditional therapy to a more int...
This week, I’m joined by Sabrina Trobak, a former teacher turned counsellor and author of NOT GOOD ENOUGH: Understanding Your Core Belief and Anxiety.
We dive into how our unspoken inner narratives, especially the belief that we’re not good enough, affect everything from our mental health to our relationships with students, children, and even ourselves.
Purchase a copy of her book on Amazon Australia, Amazon USA o...
This week on Chalk and Coffee, I chat with Irene Becker — founder of 99aupairs, a game-changing platform helping families find flexible in-home care for children.
We dive into how 99aupairs started, challenges faced by working parents, and how thoughtful care solutions can bring more balance, confidence, and peace of mind.
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This week on Chalk and Coffee, I chat with Daisy Jo Bear — author of a magical picture book where a scrappy green fairy helps clean up the environment, rescues a dog, and maybe even mend a broken heart.
We explore how her story came to life, how books can open conversations about grief, friendship, and care for the planet — and why a little fairy mischief might be just what we all need.
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This week on Chalk and Coffee, I sit down with the amazing Kylee Leota — educator, facilitator, and founder of Elements 4 Success.
Kylee brings a wealth of knowledge from her time in education leadership and now works across sectors to support sustainable behaviour change, confidence building, and purposeful living.
We talk about what it takes to create change — not just in schools, but in people’s lives — a...
In this episode, I chat with Cath McPhillips — a brilliant educator who’s experienced it all: classroom teaching, support roles, and working across both public and private sectors.
Cath opens up about the challenges and joys of each teaching environment, how she’s stayed grounded through the shifts, and what matters most when building connection and impact in any role.
Whether you’re teaching in a school, ...
I continue my chat with Charlotte Sharp—a highly qualified counsellor, coach, clinical supervisor, and trainer with a wealth of experience working with adults and teens who have experienced trauma and are neurodivergent.
Charlotte is passionate about supporting individuals on their healing journey and equipping caregivers with the skills they need to provide trauma-informed care. She also works closely with residential childr...
In this episode of Chalk and Coffee, I’m joined by Charlotte Sharp—a highly qualified counsellor, coach, clinical supervisor, and trainer with a wealth of experience working with adults and teens who have experienced trauma and are neurodivergent.
Charlotte is passionate about supporting individuals on their healing journey and equipping caregivers with the skills they need to provide trauma-informed care. She also work...
In this episode of Chalk and Coffee, I sit down with Kathy Imabayashi, a retired Canadian international educator who has spent decades working as a classroom teacher and school leader in Japan, Lebanon, Thailand, Georgia, and Qatar. Kathy’s passion has always been focused on children, their parents, and educators, and she brings a wealth of experience and insight to our conversation.
Now based in Japan, Kathy is the founder o...
This week, I’m joined by the insightful Edwina Cottino, an Early Childhood educator. Her teaching journey has taken her from Dubai to Perth, blending her background in Applied Psychology and Education with a passion for inquiry-based learning.
With over a decade in the Pre-Primary classroom, Edwina has seen firsthand how kids thrive when they explore their interests. Inspired by mentors like Dr. Claire Warden and Kath Murdoch...
In this episode of Chalk and Coffee, I chat with Alpesh Palmar, author of Growing the Money Tree for Kids—an innovative book that introduces children to the value of money and the basics of investing.
Aplesh shares his inspiration behind writing the book and how it equips young readers with essential money management skills, from saving and budgeting to simple investments. With interactive stories and fun activities, the book...
In this episode of Chalk and Coffee, I’m joined by author Amy Harvey, who shares her journey behind the creation of her beautiful book Fishing with Grandad. Amy takes us through her writing journey, the inspiration for this touching story about the bond between grandparents and grandchildren, and how it connects with young readers.
We discuss the power of storytelling, the importance of family connections in children’s...
In this episode of Chalk and Coffee, I sit down with Sarah Adams, a Montessori teacher and professional organiser, to discuss how families can create calm, functional, and child-friendly spaces using the Montessori approach. Sarah shares her expert tips on fostering independence at home, setting up organised play and learning areas, and simplifying the home environment to support a child’s natural development.
...In this episode, I'm thrilled to share the audio from a special interview with award-winning Australian author Michelle Worthington, who turns the spotlight on me! In our conversation, Michelle explores my creative journey as an author, educator, and parent, delving into the inspiration behind my books and how storytelling connects with my passion for supporting children and families.
The episode also includes an audiobook reading...
In this episode, I'm joined by Reesa Morala, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over a decade of experience supporting parents and families. Reesa's journey began by working with adolescents and their families, as well as educating school staff on how to create environments where children can thrive. Her passion lies in equipping parents with the tools they need to nurture their relationships, foster emotional well-being...
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