*This week, Lee and Adam are joined by Zoe Kalar, founder of We Are 8, for a fascinating conversation about the future of social media and why she believes the internet can be redesigned to put people before profit. Zoe explains the vision behind the platform, why she spent a decade building it, and how its unique model aims to inspire people to spend less time scrolling and more time living.* *The discussion explores the darker side of today's social media platforms*, from addictive algorithms and online abuse to sextortion, mental health and the impact endless scrolling is having on children and young people. Zoe shares why she believes many of the problems we see online today were avoidable and explains how We Are 8 has been designed with safety at its core through its AI Shield technology. *Lee and Zoe also discuss the economics of social media*, questioning why billions of pounds generated through advertising end up in the hands of a small number of tech companies rather than being shared with the people who create the value. Zoe explains We Are 8's unique revenue sharing model, where users can earn money by engaging with advertising, while also supporting charities and community projects. *Teachers are a major focus of the conversation*, with Zoe outlining plans for a dedicated Teachers Fund, creator opportunities for educators and why she believes teachers deserve far greater recognition for the role they play in society. The pair discuss the constant negativity teachers face online and how healthier algorithms could help amplify positive voices instead of outrage and division. *The interview also tackles anonymity, AI moderation and the future of online conversations.* Zoe explains how We Are 8 aims to encourage honest discussion without tolerating abuse, why accountability matters online and how AI can be used to create safer digital spaces without removing genuine debate. *Finally, Zoe shares her vision for the future of social media*, discussing whether bans for young people are the answer, how governments could better regulate online platforms, and why she believes technology should inspire connection, creativity and community rather than division. She also explains how listeners can get involved with We Are 8 and help shape a more positive online future. 📬 Want your story or question featured on the pod? Submit it here: 👉 forms.gle/sWCUVURZjtn6GeN16 Here’s where you can catch the show 👇 🎭 October 2026 25th October - Norwich, Epic Studios 🏰 26th October - London, Soho Walthamstow 🎤 27th October - Tunbridge Wells, Assembly Hall Theatre 🌳 28th October - Eastbourne, Devonshire Park 🌊 29th October - Colchester, Charter Hall 🏺 30th October - Southampton, O2 Guildhall ⚓ 31st October - High Wycombe, Swan 🎶 🎭 February 2027 14th February - Blackpool, Grand Theatre 🎡 15th February - Carlisle, The Sands Centre 🏞️ 16th February - Chester, Storyhouse 🐎 17th February - Crewe, Lyceum Theatre 🚂 18th February - Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall 🏹 19th February - Stoke, Victoria Hall 🏺 20th February - Stockton, Globe Theatre 🌐 🎟️ Tickets at 2mrpspodcast.com/live See you on the road again soon 👏🎤 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

*This week, Lee is joined by Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union, for a wide ranging and honest conversation about the biggest challenges facing education today.* They discuss why every teacher and support staff member should be in a union, the benefits that go far beyond workplace protection, and Daniel shares his own journey from primary teacher and PRU maths teacher to leading Europe's largest education union. *The conversation tackles the growing funding crisis in schools*, with Daniel explaining why partially funded pay rises are leaving schools facing impossible choices. They debate teacher and support staff pay, redundancies, falling pupil numbers, class sizes and why investment in education should be viewed as an investment in the country's future rather than a cost. *Lee and Daniel also take a deep dive into Ofsted*, discussing why so many teachers have lost confidence in the inspection system. They explore the impact inspections have on workload, wellbeing and school culture, why reform has failed to win over the profession and what a more supportive accountability system could look like. *The pair reflect on the first year of the Labour government*, discussing Bridget Phillipson's time as Education Secretary, whether teachers have seen the change they hoped for, and why there remains a growing disconnect between government messaging and the reality experienced by staff working in schools every day. *Behaviour, SEND and teacher workload are all firmly under the spotlight.* Lee and Daniel share their views on the causes of worsening behaviour, the impact of social media, unmet needs, SEND funding, curriculum pressures and why improving teacher retention starts with making the profession manageable again. *Finally, Daniel outlines his vision for the future of education*, including smaller class sizes, better funding, greater professional autonomy, more creativity in the curriculum and a profession that once again feels valued. He also explains why union reps remain at the heart of improving schools and encourages more teachers and support staff to get involved in shaping the future of education. 📬 Want your story or question featured on the pod? Submit it here: 👉 forms.gle/sWCUVURZjtn6GeN16 Here’s where you can catch the show 👇 🎭 October 2026 25th October - Norwich, Epic Studios 🏰 26th October - London, Soho Walthamstow 🎤 27th October - Tunbridge Wells, Assembly Hall Theatre 🌳 28th October - Eastbourne, Devonshire Park 🌊 29th October - Colchester, Charter Hall 🏺 30th October - Southampton, O2 Guildhall ⚓ 31st October - High Wycombe, Swan 🎶 🎭 February 2027 14th February - Blackpool, Grand Theatre 🎡 15th February - Carlisle, The Sands Centre 🏞️ 16th February - Chester, Storyhouse 🐎 17th February - Crewe, Lyceum Theatre 🚂 18th February - Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall 🏹 19th February - Stoke, Victoria Hall 🏺 20th February - Stockton, Globe Theatre 🌐 🎟️ Tickets at 2mrpspodcast.com/live See you on the road again soon 👏🎤 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, the lads wrap up the final full episode of the school year by reflecting on another academic year in education, thanking listeners for their support and debating the annual calls to shorten the six week summer holidays. They discuss why children and staff desperately need the break, the pressures on working parents and why better holiday provision, rather than less time off, is the real answer. There's a passionate discussion about Ofsted after schools are still being inspected during the final week of term. Lee shares his frustrations with the inspection system, why he believes it continues to drive teachers out of the profession and explains why meaningful reform will only happen if the culture around inspection changes completely. The conversation also turns to politics following Bridget Phillipson's departure as Education Secretary. Lee reflects on interviewing her at the Department for Education, responds to criticism he received online and explains the balancing act between holding decision makers to account while still being able to keep teachers' voices in the room. The lads can't avoid reliving England's heartbreaking World Cup exit either. They analyse where it all went wrong against Argentina, question Thomas Tuchel's tactics, reflect on the emotional rollercoaster of tournament football and discuss the darker side of the game, including the rise in domestic abuse following England defeats. Away from football, Lee shares some proud family news after attending his children's end of year awards, including one of the triplets being appointed Head Girl. The blind ranking also returns for one last time this season, with the pair deciding the perfect ways for teachers to spend their summer holidays. Finally, the listener stories provide the perfect end to another school year. There are hilarious tales of bizarre hospital visits, unforgettable end of year gifts, awkward staff celebrations and chaotic nights out featuring everything from giant bags of Hula Hoops and Yorkshire puddings to skinny dipping, karaoke disasters, nightclub encounters with parents and enough staff party confessions to remind everyone why schools are never short of unbelievable stories. ​ 📬 Want your story or question featured on the pod? Submit it here: 👉 forms.gle/sWCUVURZjtn6GeN16 Here’s where you can catch the show 👇 🎭 October 2026 25th October - Norwich, Epic Studios 🏰 26th October - London, Soho Walthamstow 🎤 27th October - Tunbridge Wells, Assembly Hall Theatre 🌳 28th October - Eastbourne, Devonshire Park 🌊 29th October - Colchester, Charter Hall 🏺 30th October - Southampton, O2 Guildhall ⚓ 31st October - High Wycombe, Swan 🎶 🎭 February 2027 14th February - Blackpool, Grand Theatre 🎡 15th February - Carlisle, The Sands Centre 🏞️ 16th February - Chester, Storyhouse 🐎 17th February - Crewe, Lyceum Theatre 🚂 18th February - Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall 🏹 19th February - Stoke, Victoria Hall 🏺 20th February - Stockton, Globe Theatre 🌐 🎟️ Tickets at 2mrpspodcast.com/live See you on the road again soon 👏🎤 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

n this special episode, Mr P sits down with the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson. A few weeks ago I asked you one simple question: if you could ask the Education Secretary anything, what would it be? Over 1000 of you replied. Teachers, TAs, SENCOs, SEND parents, school leaders, the response was overwhelming. So I took your most liked questions directly to Bridget Phillipson. From the vital role of support staff to the ongoing SEND crisis and the recent SATs marking debacle, we tried to cover as many topics in the short time available and reflect on the two years she’s been in the role. Here’s where you can catch the show 👇 🎭 October 2026 25th October - Norwich, Epic Studios 🏰 26th October - London, Soho Walthamstow 🎤 27th October - Tunbridge Wells, Assembly Hall Theatre 🌳 28th October - Eastbourne, Devonshire Park 🌊 29th October - Colchester, Charter Hall 🏺 30th October - Southampton, O2 Guildhall ⚓ 31st October - High Wycombe, Swan 🎶 🎭 February 2027 14th February - Blackpool, Grand Theatre 🎡 15th February - Carlisle, The Sands Centre 🏞️ 16th February - Chester, Storyhouse 🐎 17th February - Crewe, Lyceum Theatre 🚂 18th February - Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall 🏹 19th February - Stoke, Victoria Hall 🏺 20th February - Stockton, Globe Theatre 🌐 🎟️ Tickets at 2mrpspodcast.com/live See you on the road again soon 👏🎤 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, the lads are counting down the final days until the summer holidays, with another hot week in school and England's World Cup semi final dominating absolutely everything. Adam admits the tournament has been the perfect distraction from a difficult few months at home, while both share their hopes, nerves and excitement ahead of England's biggest match in years. The conversation also turns to Jude Bellingham, with Lee sharing a message from one of Jude's former primary school teachers that perfectly sums up why he's become such a respected figure on and off the pitch. There's plenty of light hearted discussion too, including a thread celebrating the tiny everyday moments that somehow make life better. The blind ranking returns with a debate over the best ways to celebrate the end of the school year. From quiz nights and bottomless brunches to Jacob's Tables, themed evenings and simply heading to the pub after school, the lads reveal how they'd rank the perfect staff celebration. As always, the listener stories don't disappoint. There are tales of disastrous staff parties, drunken mishaps, medieval tunnels, embarrassing job interviews, parents' evening confessions that leave teachers speechless, and enough awkward school moments to make every listener grateful they weren't involved. Finally, the episode finishes with another collection of wonderfully ridiculous anonymous confessions. From Ofsted style bedroom performance reviews and bizarre acts of revenge over school attendance rewards, to fake DVDs being exposed by the police during a classroom visit, it's another reminder that teachers really do experience situations you simply couldn't make up. ​📬 Want your story or question featured on the pod? Submit it here: 👉 forms.gle/sWCUVURZjtn6GeN16 Here’s where you can catch the show 👇 🎭 October 2026 25th October - Norwich, Epic Studios 🏰 26th October - London, Soho Walthamstow 🎤 27th October - Tunbridge Wells, Assembly Hall Theatre 🌳 28th October - Eastbourne, Devonshire Park 🌊 29th October - Colchester, Charter Hall 🏺 30th October - Southampton, O2 Guildhall ⚓ 31st October - High Wycombe, Swan 🎶 🎭 February 2027 14th February - Blackpool, Grand Theatre 🎡 15th February - Carlisle, The Sands Centre 🏞️ 16th February - Chester, Storyhouse 🐎 17th February - Crewe, Lyceum Theatre 🚂 18th February - Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall 🏹 19th February - Stoke, Victoria Hall 🏺 20th February - Stockton, Globe Theatre 🌐 🎟️ Tickets at 2mrpspodcast.com/live See you on the road again soon 👏🎤 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, the lads return still battling the heat as another sweltering week hits schools across the country. The episode features a fascinating behind the scenes look at Lee's visit to the Department for Education, where he took four pupils to Westminster and the DfE for a day they'll never forget. From private tours of the Houses of Parliament to interviewing the Education Secretary and seeing the famous red ministerial box up close, it's a brilliant reminder of what young people can achieve when given incredible opportunities. Lee reflects on just how proud he was of the children and why experiences like these restore your faith in education. There's also discussion around a new national survey highlighting how much the public values teachers, why appreciation means more than expensive gifts and how a simple thank you can make all the difference as another busy school year draws to a close. Football fans are in for a treat too, as the lads relive England's dramatic victory and discuss why this squad feels different. They celebrate the resilience, passion and togetherness shown by the team before taking on a brand new blind ranking challenge, deciding which England legends would make the best pupils in the classroom. Elsewhere, the thread of the week looks back at things that happened in schools years ago that simply wouldn't be allowed today. From blackboard dusters flying across classrooms and teachers publicly humiliating pupils, to smoking demonstrations, terrifying swimming lessons and some truly unbelievable stories from the 1980s and 1990s, it's equal parts hilarious and horrifying. Finally, the Sports Day stories continue with another collection of wonderfully chaotic tales. Expect over competitive parents, broken bones, collapsing gazebos, wardrobe malfunctions, beer hidden in backpacks, bribery attempts, cocaine discoveries, parents arriving in full athletics gear and enough sporting disasters to make any PE coordinator question why they ever agreed to organise Sports Day in the first place. 📬 Want your story or question featured on the pod? Submit it here: 👉 forms.gle/sWCUVURZjtn6GeN16 Here’s where you can catch the show 👇 🎭 October 2026 25th October - Norwich, Epic Studios 🏰 26th October - London, Soho Walthamstow 🎤 27th October - Tunbridge Wells, Assembly Hall Theatre 🌳 28th October - Eastbourne, Devonshire Park 🌊 29th October - Colchester, Charter Hall 🏺 30th October - Southampton, O2 Guildhall ⚓ 31st October - High Wycombe, Swan 🎶 🎭 February 2027 14th February - Blackpool, Grand Theatre 🎡 15th February - Carlisle, The Sands Centre 🏞️ 16th February - Chester, Storyhouse 🐎 17th February - Crewe, Lyceum Theatre 🚂 18th February - Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall 🏹 19th February - Stoke, Victoria Hall 🏺 20th February - Stockton, Globe Theatre 🌐 🎟️ Tickets at 2mrpspodcast.com/live See you on the road again soon 👏🎤 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, the lads look back on one of the hottest teaching weeks in recent memory and the media backlash that followed as schools across the country battled impossible classroom temperatures. Lee shares his frustration with the criticism aimed at teachers, discusses why schools are constantly expected to solve society's problems and explains why the real conversation should be about supporting working families rather than blaming schools. There's also plenty of discussion about misinformation online, viral parenting influencers, social media outrage and why so many education stories are designed to stir up anger rather than reflect the reality of life in schools. Elsewhere, Adam suffers another brutal celebrity lookalike comparison, while Lee receives perhaps the greatest introduction of his career at a teacher conference. The conversation also revisits one of their old classroom resources, leading to one of the funniest pupil comments they've heard in years. The blind ranking returns with a trip through television's most famous fictional teachers, sparking plenty of debate over who deserves top spot and who would be an absolute nightmare to work alongside. As always, the listener stories are packed with glorious second hand embarrassment. Expect accidental public humiliation, unfortunate misunderstandings, awkward supermarket moments, train disasters, unfortunate autocorrects and enough cringe to leave you hiding behind your hands. Back in school, the lads also share some unforgettable sex education moments, featuring innocent misconceptions, brilliantly timed pupil comments and the sort of questions no teacher is ever truly prepared to answer. Finally, sports day season is in full swing, bringing with it some of the funniest parent stories imaginable. From over competitive dads, ambitious mums, broken bones and prosthetic legs, to drunken spectators, police call outs and enough sporting chaos to convince anyone that parents' races might not be worth the risk after all. ​📬 Want your story or question featured on the pod? Submit it here: 👉 forms.gle/sWCUVURZjtn6GeN16 Here’s where you can catch the show 👇 🎭 October 2026 25th October - Norwich, Epic Studios 🏰 26th October - London, Soho Walthamstow 🎤 27th October - Tunbridge Wells, Assembly Hall Theatre 🌳 28th October - Eastbourne, Devonshire Park 🌊 29th October - Colchester, Charter Hall 🏺 30th October - Southampton, O2 Guildhall ⚓ 31st October - High Wycombe, Swan 🎶 🎭 February 2027 14th February - Blackpool, Grand Theatre 🎡 15th February - Carlisle, The Sands Centre 🏞️ 16th February - Chester, Storyhouse 🐎 17th February - Crewe, Lyceum Theatre 🚂 18th February - Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall 🏹 19th February - Stoke, Victoria Hall 🏺 20th February - Stockton, Globe Theatre 🌐 🎟️ Tickets at 2mrpspodcast.com/live See you on the road again soon 👏🎤 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

LO: To wonder how anyone is supposed to teach in this weather! This week, the lads are recording in the middle of a sweltering heatwave and wondering how on earth anyone is expected to teach thirty children in classrooms that feel more like greenhouses. With temperatures soaring, an England World Cup campaign underway and the ever-present threat of an Ofsted call, it's a survival guide for teachers trying to make it to the end of term with their sanity intact. The conversation then takes an unexpected turn into politics as Lee shares his frustrations about the current state of government, leadership and public discourse. It's a passionate discussion about patience, accountability, social media, the pressures facing modern politicians and why meaningful change often feels impossible in a world that demands instant results. Elsewhere, Mr P reports back from seeing Take That live, prompting a nostalgic trip through the glory days of boy bands. Naturally, this leads to a blind ranking packed with questionable decisions, strong opinions and the sort of debate that could end friendships. There's also a discussion about one school's decision to remove teachers' desks and chairs entirely, sparking a wider conversation about trust, workload, classroom expectations and some of the stranger leadership decisions schools make in the name of improving teaching. As always, the listener stories steal the show. Expect tales of public embarrassment, disastrous train journeys, awkward encounters with strangers, unfortunate wardrobe malfunctions and enough second-hand cringe to make you hide behind a cushion. Back in school, there are plenty more classic pupil moments too, including accidental oversharing, spectacular misunderstandings, brutally honest children and the sort of comments that leave teachers desperately trying not to laugh. The episode finishes with a look at the strange habits that instantly give away anyone over thirty, from keeping boxes for everything and printing photos, to making phone calls, using proper punctuation and committing the ultimate Gen Z crime: sitting quietly with your own thoughts. ​📬 Want your story or question featured on the pod? Submit it here: 👉 forms.gle/sWCUVURZjtn6GeN16 Here’s where you can catch the show 👇 🎭 October 2026 25th October - Norwich, Epic Studios 🏰 26th October - London, Soho Walthamstow 🎤 27th October - Tunbridge Wells, Assembly Hall Theatre 🌳 28th October - Eastbourne, Devonshire Park 🌊 29th October - Colchester, Charter Hall 🏺 30th October - Southampton, O2 Guildhall ⚓ 31st October - High Wycombe, Swan 🎶 🎭 February 2027 14th February - Blackpool, Grand Theatre 🎡 15th February - Carlisle, The Sands Centre 🏞️ 16th February - Chester, Storyhouse 🐎 17th February - Crewe, Lyceum Theatre 🚂 18th February - Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall 🏹 19th February - Stoke, Victoria Hall 🏺 20th February - Stockton, Globe Theatre 🌐 🎟️ Tickets at 2mrpspodcast.com/live See you on the road again soon 👏🎤 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, the lads are back with a big chat about the proposed under-16 social media ban and whether it actually solves the problem or just shifts it somewhere else. Lee and Adam talk through phones, attention spans, online safety, loneliness, youth clubs, boredom and why children need better alternatives than just being told to “go outside” like it’s 1998 and Snake on a Nokia is the height of entertainment. There’s also a look at the wider impact of social media on schools, from behaviour and friendships to the way trends, language and online drama somehow always end up landing in classrooms by 9:05am. As always, it becomes less “education policy discussion” and more “how are schools expected to fix absolutely everything?” The episode then takes a very strange turn with a bizarre education story involving hypnosis in a school, because apparently the job description wasn’t already weird enough. There’s also a blind ranking of end-of-year traditions, with the usual mix of strong opinions, questionable logic and Adam trying to keep some sort of order. Finally, the listener stories bring the usual chaos. Expect tales of pupil madness, staff exhaustion, end-of-term survival mode and the sort of classroom moments that make you laugh, wince and immediately think: “That’s going straight on CPOMS.” ​📬 Want your story or question featured on the pod? Submit it here: 👉 forms.gle/sWCUVURZjtn6GeN16 Here’s where you can catch the show 👇 🎭 October 2026 25th October - Norwich, Epic Studios 🏰 26th October - London, Soho Walthamstow 🎤 27th October - Tunbridge Wells, Assembly Hall Theatre 🌳 28th October - Eastbourne, Devonshire Park 🌊 29th October - Colchester, Charter Hall 🏺 30th October - Southampton, O2 Guildhall ⚓ 31st October - High Wycombe, Swan 🎶 🎭 February 2027 14th February - Blackpool, Grand Theatre 🎡 15th February - Carlisle, The Sands Centre 🏞️ 16th February - Chester, Storyhouse 🐎 17th February - Crewe, Lyceum Theatre 🚂 18th February - Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall 🏹 19th February - Stoke, Victoria Hall 🏺 20th February - Stockton, Globe Theatre 🌐 🎟️ Tickets at 2mrpspodcast.com/live See you on the road again soon 👏🎤 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, the lads are back after half term and counting down the final few weeks until the summer holidays. Adam opens up about leaving his latest role and finding himself in that strange in-between stage of weighing up new opportunities, signing up for supply work and figuring out what comes next. Two new features this week. First - THE BIG QUESTION from a listener focuses around the Department for Education's controversial collaboration with Gemma Collins. Lee shares his experiences of working with the DfE, meeting Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and explains the challenge of trying to represent teachers' concerns while still maintaining access to decision makers. The conversation dives into SEND reforms, teacher workload, government communication and why so many teachers and parents felt frustrated by the timing of the campaign. The there's IN THIS WEEK'S NEWS... There's also a look at two bizarre education news stories making headlines. One involves a teacher who called in sick before being spotted on a stag do in Portugal, while the other features a headteacher accused of some very questionable spending decisions involving school funds, cruises and karaoke machines. Elsewhere, there's a discussion about the latest playground obsession with Michael Jackson, memories of legendary school productions, and whether social media trends are any stranger than the things pupils were obsessed with in the 1990s. The blind ranking returns with a fiercely contested list of classic school dinner desserts. Expect strong opinions on Arctic Roll, Cornflake Tart, Sprinkle Cake, Jelly and Ice Cream, Rice Pudding and the iconic Chocolate Cake with Pink Custard. Some of the rankings may cause outrage. Finally, the listener stories are back and they might be some of the funniest yet. From children calling teachers "King of Crying", to pupils wiping tables with ham, swinging dead moles around the playground and attempting prison-style escapes via manholes, it's another reminder that no workplace produces stories quite like schools. 📬 Want your story or question featured on the pod? Submit it here: 👉 forms.gle/sWCUVURZjtn6GeN16 Here’s where you can catch the show 👇 🎭 October 2026 25th October - Norwich, Epic Studios 🏰 26th October - London, Soho Walthamstow 🎤 27th October - Tunbridge Wells, Assembly Hall Theatre 🌳 28th October - Eastbourne, Devonshire Park 🌊 29th October - Colchester, Charter Hall 🏺 30th October - Southampton, O2 Guildhall ⚓ 31st October - High Wycombe, Swan 🎶 🎭 February 2027 14th February - Blackpool, Grand Theatre 🎡 15th February - Carlisle, The Sands Centre 🏞️ 16th February - Chester, Storyhouse 🐎 17th February - Crewe, Lyceum Theatre 🚂 18th February - Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall 🏹 19th February - Stoke, Victoria Hall 🏺 20th February - Stockton, Globe Theatre 🌐 🎟️ Tickets at 2mrpspodcast.com/live See you on the road again soon 👏🎤 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices