About
Pods Academy was set up with the aim of providing herbal medicine and educational courses for the general public, healthcare practitioners and clinical educators.
Practical Education for the
General Public and Healthcare Practitioners
The Story and Vision for Pods Academy
Pods Academy was created from a belief that education in healthcare and wellbeing should be more interactive, reflective, and connected. As modern healthcare and wellness systems continue to evolve, there is a growing need for learning that not only shares knowledge, but also supports communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and genuine human connection.
Originally founded with the aim of providing accessible herbal medicine education for both the general public and healthcare practitioners, Pods Academy has since expanded into a wider educational platform focused on integrative health, professional development, and reflective practice. Alongside herbal and wellness-based learning, the academy also provides clinical education courses and support for clinical educators working across healthcare and allied professions.
Pods Academy was developed to bridge the gap between traditional knowledge, modern practice, and the human side of care. Through self-directed courses, professional training, and practical learning resources, the academy aims to support healthier workplaces, stronger professional relationships, and more compassionate systems of care.
Grounded in the values of collaboration, holistic thinking, and lifelong learning, Pods Academy is designed to be accessible, practical, and deeply connected to both personal wellbeing and professional growth.
Meet The Team
Canda Diacono
Medical Herbalist and
Tutor at Heartwood
I’ve really enjoyed the Giving Effective Feedback course and feel I’ve come out with more self-awareness about how it impacts others and with more tools to improve my feedback to them.
Guy Waddell
Director of Studies
Heartwood Professional Herbal Medicine Course
"Giving Effective Feeback is just what I needed. It was a couple of hours very well spent, helping to lay solid foundations for improving feedback to students in both academic work and clinical training. I should also say that the assignments at the end of each lesson were great in guiding me to apply ideas in practical ways, and that the feedback on these assignments was excellent, of course! Thank you, Lara! A great testimonial can boost your brand’s image. Click to edit and add your own."
Leigh McMillan
"I have had the pleasure to train with Lara, both in person and online and both experiences have been extremely valuable. Laras kind and caring demeanor encourages the best out of her students. She provides plenty of working examples and always has a smile or anecdote that makes even the more complex ideas and theories easy to understand and in turn remember. "