What if schools prepared young people not just to pass exams, but to live fulfilled, resilient, and happy lives?

In this inspiring conversation, I sit down with Max Marshall, a former teacher who left the classroom after 10 years to disrupt an outdated education system. Max now champions a vision for schools that prioritise emotional intelligence, resilience, and self-confidence over rote learning.

Together, we explore how redefining success for children could transform not just education, but the future mental health of our society. From Habits for Happiness to emotional tolerance, Max shares practical ideas for parents, teachers, and leaders and why teaching children to manage their emotions could ultimately save lives.

This is one of the most important and game-changing conversations I’ve had on the podcast to date.

00:00 Introduction – Fixing what schools miss

02:30 Max defines success: from popularity to fulfilment

07:00 The danger of external validation & social media

10:20 Teaching intrinsic success to children

15:00 Rethinking competition, failure & resilience

23:00 Why schools must change: outdated curriculum

27:30 The problem with SATs and measuring success

32:40 Emotional intelligence vs academic intelligence

40:00 What children really need to thrive in life

47:30 Pushback from schools & systemic barriers

55:00 Habits for Happiness – practical daily routines

1:05:00 Preparing children for secondary school & life

1:20:00 Choosing who you want to become

1:40:00 What success looks like for the next generation

1:52:00 Closing reflections & the Different Hats card

🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:

👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast

🔗 Connect with Max Marshall

Website: https://lifeeducationcoaching.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeeducationwithmax/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-marshall-life-education/

Follow Max here 👉 https://linktr.ee/maxmarshall.life.education

💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health.

SPONSORED BY:

Search Seven: www.searchseven.co.uk

Nostos Hove: www.nostos-hove.co.uk

Rivervale: www.rivervale.co.uk

Plus X https://www.plusxinnovation.com/

PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions: https://h2productions.co.uk/

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