More Than a Score

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 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.

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

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

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