Why Do We Condition Children to Stop Thinking for Themselves? Mandy Inglis Contemplates.

The Teacher Who Tore Up the Rulebook — And Wrote a New One

Mandy Inglis spent 16 years shaping young minds in the classroom, but it turns out she was the one learning the biggest lesson of all: education isn’t just about facts, figures, and standardized tests — it’s about rediscovering who we are. In an electric conversation on Spiritual Conversations, the podcast produced by HolisticCircle and hosted by the always-insightful Philipp Kobald, Mandy unpacks why she left the safety of structured learning to dive headfirst into the unknown. And let’s be honest, this isn’t just another “follow your dreams” pep talk. This is about unlearning, reawakening, and rewriting the script on what it means to truly evolve.

The Power of Unlearning

If you thought education was about filling minds, Mandy has news for you. She argues that the real magic happens when we start emptying out what no longer serves us — especially the unconscious conditioning that has been programmed into us since childhood. As she explains, the classroom isn’t just about memorization; it’s about curiosity. But somewhere along the way, the natural spark of learning gets buried under expectations, fear, and a crushing need to “fit in.”

Enter Student of Life, The Journal — Mandy’s antidote to the structured limitations of traditional education. Her book isn’t just about writing things down; it’s a self-guided, 90-day journey designed to break through old patterns and rebuild from within. With journal prompts that force you to sit with yourself (no easy task in an age of distractions), she challenges readers to think, feel, and — most terrifyingly — listen to themselves.

Trauma, Trend or Truth?

Here’s the thing: everyone talks about trauma these days. But Philipp, ever the straight-shooter, raises an eyebrow at the way the term gets thrown around. Sure, hardships shape us, but are we turning the smallest struggles into deep psychological wounds just because it’s trendy? Mandy, having worked with children at the very start of their journeys, has seen firsthand what real trauma looks like — and what simply needs a little reframing.

The discussion takes a fascinating turn as they explore how children absorb information differently and why, despite all our modern advances, something crucial has been lost in the way we teach and nurture young minds. The rawness, the individuality, the unfiltered honesty — it all gets dulled down by societal expectations. Mandy’s mission? To bring that back. To remind people that we are still, at our core, those same curious kids, capable of wonder if only we’d let ourselves be.

The Problem With “Safe”

Let’s talk about the slow but steady transformation of childhood. Once upon a time, kids climbed trees, scraped knees, and learned lessons the hard way. Now? They’re bubble-wrapped into oblivion, unable to even walk across a low slackline without a full-body harness.

Philipp brings up a particularly tragic (yet darkly hilarious) example of modern overprotection — his daughter being strapped into safety gear for an activity that posed no real threat. Mandy, who has spent years in education, nods in agreement. The obsession with keeping kids “safe” has, ironically, left them unprepared for real challenges.

And it’s not just children — adults are suffering too. Mandy points out that the more we shield ourselves from discomfort, the less capable we become. Growth, whether in the mind or body, comes from tension, from challenge, from failing and learning. We aren’t meant to be numb, passive passengers in our own lives.

The Case for Curiosity (and Maybe a Little Chaos)

Mandy and Philipp land on a simple but powerful truth: spirituality, at its core, is really just curiosity. It’s the ability to look at life with fresh eyes, to ask questions without needing immediate answers, to find joy in the not-knowing. But how do we recapture that childlike wonder when life has beaten it out of us?

That’s exactly what Mandy’s work aims to help people do. Through structured journaling, mindfulness techniques, and exercises designed to strengthen the mind-body connection, Student of Life isn’t just a book — it’s an experience. And based on the easy flow between Mandy and Philipp throughout the episode, it’s clear they share a belief in deep, transformational learning — not the surface-level, self-help fluff that clogs social media feeds.

The Final Lesson: Take Up Space

If there’s one thing Mandy has had to learn the hard way, it’s how to be seen. A self-proclaimed introvert, she admits that stepping into the spotlight — especially with her own personal journey — was terrifying. But here she is, doing it anyway. Because real growth, real change, doesn’t happen in the shadows. It happens when we own our stories, speak them out loud, and allow ourselves to be fully present in them.

And that’s exactly what this episode is all about. Not just learning — but unlearning. Not just existing — but evolving. Not just watching life happen — but living it.

For the full conversation — complete with laughter, sharp insights, and a good dose of reality — watch the podcast on the @HolisticCircle YouTube channel. Trust me, this is one journey you’ll want to take.

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticCircle
By Philipp Kobald, 2025

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