125/ RETHINKING COMMUNITIES WITH NATHAN ATKINSON
EPISODE 125
We kick off with tales of multiplying Australians and Christmas Day parkruns, trips to the football and a short-lived, pre-ban career as a TikTok influencer before delving into fighting for the underdog, the call of teaching, and how very few things in life are truly original. We get into how supporting a child, then a class and finally a community, all began with a bulk order of toasters. We use a trojan carrot to save the planet, use food to create connections and trick parents into learning by seeing people as a whole.
A former headteacher, named in the top 50 at the 2017 Global Teacher Awards, our guest this week co-founded the award-winning nonprofit, Rethink Food.
Driven by a deep sense of social responsibility, Nathan Atkinson embarked on a transformative journey to address a pressing issue: children arriving at school hungry. After speaking with one such child, he wrote the word ‘hunger’ on a piece of paper that remains framed in the organisation’s office today.
Recognising the critical link between education and food security, our guest co-founded Rethink Food with a bold mission to deliver 10 million hours of education in support of improved food security by 2030.
What began as a grassroots initiative in an area of high deprivation in Yorkshire has blossomed into a nationwide movement.
He has graced stages around the world, inspiring audiences with his compelling narrative of resilience, innovation, and social impact. His commitment to creating a brighter and more equitable future all cannot be understated so when the opportunity came to hear more about his journey we were keen to invite him on.
