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Dr Kathy Weston's Get a Grip! Parenting Podcast

Dr Kathy Weston's Get a Grip! Parenting Podcast

By Dr Kathy Weston

This podcast series helps parents get a grip on some of the most important questions in parenting today. Tune in to hear interviews with the biggest influencers and most eminent researchers working in the areas of mental health, wellbeing, psychology and education.
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Episode 46 - Dr Weston Talks with Dr Jeffrey DeMarco: Parenting in the Digital Age, Radicalisation and Sexual Exploitation

Dr Kathy Weston's Get a Grip! Parenting PodcastNov 26, 2020

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55:05
Researcher of the Month: Dr Mariya Stoilova Explains the Efficacy of Parental Controls

Researcher of the Month: Dr Mariya Stoilova Explains the Efficacy of Parental Controls

Researcher of the Month, Dr Mariya Stoilova, joins Dr Cassie Rhodes to talk about the efficacy of parental control tools, why families use them and whether they achieve what they claim to. This interview is packed with practical tips and food for thought for parents with children of all ages.

Mar 13, 202435:43
Episode 156 - Dr Weston Talks with Charles Fadel: Education for the Age of AI

Episode 156 - Dr Weston Talks with Charles Fadel: Education for the Age of AI

Charles Fadel, founder and chairman of the Center for Curriculum Redesign, and global education thought leader, chats with Dr Weston about his new book: 'Education for the Age of AI: Why, What and How should students learn for the age of Artificial Intelligence?'. Charles talks us through the positive role that AI can play in education and the holistic changes that are needed in the system over the coming years.

Mar 04, 202450:03
Researcher of the Month: Dr Francesca Solmi Discusses the Links Between High BMI, Body Dissatisfaction and Depression in Children and Young People

Researcher of the Month: Dr Francesca Solmi Discusses the Links Between High BMI, Body Dissatisfaction and Depression in Children and Young People

Researcher of the month, Dr Francesca Solmi, discusses her new paper, which looks at the links between high BMI, body dissatisfaction and depression in children. Whilst she talks through some concerning findings, the interview is ultimately one of hope, providing numerous things that we can do to help children and young people have better body image and, hopefully, better mental health.

Feb 09, 202426:16
Episode 154 - Dr Weston Talks with Professor Michael Thomas and Dr Simon Green: How the Brain Works

Episode 154 - Dr Weston Talks with Professor Michael Thomas and Dr Simon Green: How the Brain Works

In this interview, we hear from Professor Michael Thomas and Dr Simon Green, who have just published a fascinating book called '⁠How the Brain Works: What Psychology Students Need to Know⁠'. Written in a playful style and illustrated throughout, it is designed to support students as they embark on the beginning of their psychology degree, but we think that it is extremely accessible and highly recommend it for everyone! In this enlightening conversation, Dr Weston finds out how our understanding of brain science can be practically applied in our everyday parenting.

Feb 02, 202452:05
Researcher of the Month: Professor Amelia Lake Discusses the Harms Associated with Energy Drinks

Researcher of the Month: Professor Amelia Lake Discusses the Harms Associated with Energy Drinks

One of our researchers of the month, Professor Amelia Lake, talks to Dr Cassie Rhodes about her newly published study, co-authored with Dr Shelina Visram and other members of the FUSE team. It outlines numerous risks associated with children and young people's consumption of energy drinks, including an increased incidence of mental health problems. Professor Lake talks us through the evidence, outlines her hopes for policy change and provides some useful practical suggestions for parents and schools.

Jan 16, 202433:33
Researcher of the Month: Anda Solea Discusses Misogynistic Content on TikTok - Mainstreaming the Blackpill

Researcher of the Month: Anda Solea Discusses Misogynistic Content on TikTok - Mainstreaming the Blackpill

Our Researcher of the Month, PhD student Anda Solea, talks to us about her new paper, ‘Mainstreaming the Blackpill: Understanding the Incel Community on TikTok’. She discusses how misogynistic incel ideology is proliferating on mainstream social media platforms through the use of covert messaging and pseudoscience, and considers what parents and teachers might be able to do to counter these messages and encourage young people to think critically about the things that they see online.

Dec 11, 202301:01:49
Episode 151 - Dr Weston Talks with Paola Falcoski: Understanding ARFID

Episode 151 - Dr Weston Talks with Paola Falcoski: Understanding ARFID

In this interview, Advanced Specialist Eating Disorder Dietitian, Paola Falcoski, helps us get to grips with ARFID; an eating disorder where individuals have a very restricted diet, but are not motivated by body image concerns. We learn about the characteristics of ARFID, the diagnosis process and numerous strategies that can help to expose children and young people to new foods. Paola also fills us in on some excellent free resources that will benefit young people, parents and school staff.

Dec 07, 202338:46
Episode 150 - Dr Christie Talks with Dr Carolyn Dunford and Dr Mellissa Prunty: Developmental Coordination Disorder

Episode 150 - Dr Christie Talks with Dr Carolyn Dunford and Dr Mellissa Prunty: Developmental Coordination Disorder

In this interview, we learn all about developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and get some top tips from two experts in the field. We also hear about an exciting research project, which schools might be interested in joining!

Nov 30, 202342:45
Episode 149 - Dr Christie Talks with Dr Lisa Sugiura: Talking to Young People about Online Misogynistic Groups

Episode 149 - Dr Christie Talks with Dr Lisa Sugiura: Talking to Young People about Online Misogynistic Groups

Cybercrime expert, Dr Lisa Sugiura explains what the 'manosphere' is and explores the harms of online misogyny and how it might impact on young people. This interview is packed with tips about how to talk to young people about these issues, encouraging cognitive flexibility and critical consumption of what see and read online.

Nov 28, 202301:05:52
Episode 148 - Dr Weston Talks with Professor Peter Smith and Dr Jennifer St.George: What are the Benefits of Rough and Tumble Play?

Episode 148 - Dr Weston Talks with Professor Peter Smith and Dr Jennifer St.George: What are the Benefits of Rough and Tumble Play?

In this interview, Professor Peter Smith and Dr Jennifer St.George talk to us about their fascinating work on rough and tumble play. What is it? How does it differ from play fighting? And how should we respond to this kind of play, both at home and at school?

Nov 27, 202335:30
Researcher of the Month: Gemma Goldenberg Discusses the Impact of Outdoor Learning

Researcher of the Month: Gemma Goldenberg Discusses the Impact of Outdoor Learning

Our Researcher of the Month, PhD student, Gemma Goldenberg, tells us about her exciting research into the impact of learning outdoors on young children. Tune in for some fascinating findings about how simply being outdoors for a few minutes has a significant positive impact on children's physiological stress levels.

Nov 20, 202325:53
Episode 146 - Dr Hope Christie Talks with Guests About Father Mental Health

Episode 146 - Dr Hope Christie Talks with Guests About Father Mental Health

In this episode, Dr Hope Christie speaks with three guests Scott Mair (Fathers Network Scotland), Kieran Anders (Dad Matters) and Professor Anna Tarrant (University of Lincoln), about the importance of father mental health, father inclusive practices and the role of fathers within a family unit.

Oct 27, 202301:02:43
Episode 145 - Dr Christie Talks with Professor Anna Tarrant: The Importance of Grandparents

Episode 145 - Dr Christie Talks with Professor Anna Tarrant: The Importance of Grandparents

In this episode, Professor Anna Tarrant talks with us about the importance and value of grandparents and other kinship carers. Find out about the role grandparents can play in a child's life and the benefits to a child's development of having extended family.

Oct 24, 202355:36
Episode 144 - Dr Christie Talks with Monique Thoonsen: Sensory Processing in the Classroom

Episode 144 - Dr Christie Talks with Monique Thoonsen: Sensory Processing in the Classroom

Monique Thoonsen, author of 'Sensory Processing in the Classroom' and 'Making Sense of Your Senses' talks to us about what sensory processing is, why it's so important and how we can best support children who struggle with processing sensory input.

Oct 20, 202356:44
Researcher of the Month: Camille Mori Discusses Problematic Sexual Behaviours in Children and Teens

Researcher of the Month: Camille Mori Discusses Problematic Sexual Behaviours in Children and Teens

Researcher of the Month, Camille Mori discusses her new paper, which examines the links between exposure to explicit sexual content and problematic sexual behaviours in children and teens. She talks us through the differences between normal and problematic sexual behaviours in children of different ages and outlines what we know about its relationship to exposure to sexual content, both online and in the home. Any interested parent or educator should listen for tips on how to open up conversations about sex and relationships generally and best practice on how to respond effectively if your child is either exhibiting problematic behaviours, or has been impacted by the behaviours of someone else.

Oct 16, 202328:31
Episode 142 - Dr Christie Talks with Miranda Eadonable: Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

Episode 142 - Dr Christie Talks with Miranda Eadonable: Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

PhD student and educational psychologist, Miranda Eadonable talks about how foetal alcohol spectrum disorder can impact on children's learning and behaviour. She tells us about her research, explores how teachers can best support children and young people with FASD and points listeners to numerous useful resources.

Oct 09, 202354:15
Episode 141 - Dr Hope Christie Talks with Dr Kerry Montgomery: Supporting Young People with Alopecia

Episode 141 - Dr Hope Christie Talks with Dr Kerry Montgomery: Supporting Young People with Alopecia

In this episode, we learn more about alopecia and how best to support children and young people affected by the condition.

Sep 18, 202349:19
Episode 140: Dr Kathy Weston Talks with Becky Vieira: Enough About the Baby - Surviving the First Year of Motherhood

Episode 140: Dr Kathy Weston Talks with Becky Vieira: Enough About the Baby - Surviving the First Year of Motherhood

Dr Weston is joined by Becky Vieira, author of 'Enough About the Baby' and the woman behind popular Instagram account, #wittyotter. They chat about the first year of motherhood and all of its challenges and frustrations. Becky's book doesn't shy away from all those common taboos, from managing nosey in-laws and an anxious partner to surviving the first postpartum poo and when to seek out treatment for depression! Tune in for plenty of advice and tips.

Sep 05, 202341:13
Researcher of the Month: Anya Heneghan Discusses the Experiences of Young People Who Have a Sibling with an Eating Disorder

Researcher of the Month: Anya Heneghan Discusses the Experiences of Young People Who Have a Sibling with an Eating Disorder

Researcher of the Month, Anya Heneghan talks to us about her work which examines the experiences of siblings when they have a brother or sister with an eating disorder. She talks us through what the existing research shows about how consuming eating disorders can be for siblings and provides numerous tips to help parents support all of their children throughout this very challenging situation.

Aug 04, 202335:53
Researcher of the Month: Professor Claudia Bernard Discusses Affluent Neglect

Researcher of the Month: Professor Claudia Bernard Discusses Affluent Neglect

Researcher of the month, Professor Claudia Bernard discusses her recent paper which explores the experiences and perspectives of designated safeguarding leads in fee-paying schools to understand how they engage affluent parents when there are safeguarding and child protection concerns.

Jul 18, 202331:02
Episode 137 - Dr Hope Christie Talks with Professor Johan Korhonen: Maths Anxiety and Math Performance

Episode 137 - Dr Hope Christie Talks with Professor Johan Korhonen: Maths Anxiety and Math Performance

In this interview, Professor Johan Korhonen talks with us about math anxiety and its role on math performance. Find out about why math anxiety may develop in children, what are the early signs of math anxiety, and how it may impact future educational aspirations. Professor Korhonen provides a number of insights into strategies both parents and teachers can implement immediately at home and at school to ease math anxiety in children.

Jun 23, 202337:36
Researcher of the Month: Professor Beatriz Ilari Discusses the Impact of Music on Young People's Development

Researcher of the Month: Professor Beatriz Ilari Discusses the Impact of Music on Young People's Development

Researcher of the month, Professor Beatriz Ilari chats to us about how music has a wide-ranging impact on young people's social and emotional development. We might assume that being 'musical' means playing an instrument, but Professor Ilari stresses the importance of everyday musical experiences and simply of listening to and engaging with our favourite bands or songs. In this interview, we find out more about her fascinating work.

Jun 18, 202301:01:44
Episode 135 - Dr Christie Talks With Professor Courtenay Norbury: Understanding Developmental Language Disorder

Episode 135 - Dr Christie Talks With Professor Courtenay Norbury: Understanding Developmental Language Disorder

In this interview, Professor Courtenay Norbury talks with us about developmental language disorder (DLD), which she describes as a 'chronically understudied' topic. Find out about early signs and what impact it might have on children and young people's development. Professor Norbury provides numerous practical strategies for both parents to use at home and teachers to try in the classroom to help children with DLD have as good outcomes as possible.

May 23, 202354:60
Episode 134 - Dr Christie Talks with Dr Erika Galea: Cultivating Children's Emotional Regulation Skills

Episode 134 - Dr Christie Talks with Dr Erika Galea: Cultivating Children's Emotional Regulation Skills

Did you know that the ability to regulate our emotions well is connected to better mental health and wellbeing, academic achievement and stronger and more long lasting personal relationships? In this interview, Dr Erika Galea talks us through the most effective strategies for building the vital skill of emotional regulation which can be used in both the classroom and at home with children and young people of all ages.

May 22, 202350:45
Episode 133 - Dr Christie Talks with Dr Marina Bazhydai: Probing the Space of the Possible - Children's Curiosity, Wonder and Creativity

Episode 133 - Dr Christie Talks with Dr Marina Bazhydai: Probing the Space of the Possible - Children's Curiosity, Wonder and Creativity

In this interview, we talk with Dr Marina Bazhydai, Director of the Active Learning Lab (ALL) at Lancaster University, about nurturing children's sense of curiosity, wonder and creativity. We learn about her innovative and fascinating work which investigates active exploration and curiosity in very young children, find out more about the links between creativity and emotional literacy and discover how she is seeking to pinpoint the elusive concept of wonder. This is a great listen if you are keen to learn how to cultivate curiosity and innovative thinking in your child (or the children in your care).

May 21, 202350:54
Episode 132 - Dr Christie Talks with Dr Emma Ross from The Well HQ: Talking More Openly About Female Bodies, Women's Health and Helping Girls Thrive in Sport and Movement

Episode 132 - Dr Christie Talks with Dr Emma Ross from The Well HQ: Talking More Openly About Female Bodies, Women's Health and Helping Girls Thrive in Sport and Movement

Dr Emma Ross, former Head of Physiology at the English Institute of Sport and founder of The Well HQ, talks to us about her new book and all things related to women, girls and sport. We learn about the need to change the language often used to talk to girls about their bodies and give them the confidence to advocate for themselves, how to fuel girls' bodies adequately to provide them with the energy they need, the importance of well-fitting, comfortable sports bras and kit, the importance of menstrual cycle tracking and how to keep girls up girls' interest and enjoyment in sport. This wide ranging, practical interview is a must listen for anyone who supports women and girls and anyone who wants to know more about women's health, fitness and movement.

Apr 26, 202301:19:25
Episode 131 - Dr Christie Talks with Maggie Johnson: Understanding Selective Mutism (Part Two)

Episode 131 - Dr Christie Talks with Maggie Johnson: Understanding Selective Mutism (Part Two)

Maggie Johnson is a speech and language therapist specialising in childhood communication disorders and selective mutism, and the associated impact on families, schools and young people. She talks to us about her fantastic new book, 'The Selective Mutism Workbook for Parents and Professionals', which includes numerous activities and strategies organised around the daily routines of school and family life. This interview is longer than most and is packed with information and tips, so for ease of listening, we've broken it into two parts. This is part two. Enjoy!

Apr 20, 202344:48
Episode 131 - Dr Christie Talks with Maggie Johnson: Understanding Selective Mutism (Part One)

Episode 131 - Dr Christie Talks with Maggie Johnson: Understanding Selective Mutism (Part One)

Maggie Johnson is a speech and language therapist specialising in childhood communication disorders and selective mutism, and the associated impact on families, schools and young people. She talks to us about her fantastic new book, 'The Selective Mutism Workbook for Parents and Professionals', which includes numerous activities and strategies organised around the daily routines of school and family life. This interview is longer than most and is packed with information and tips, so for ease of listening, we've broken it into two parts. This is part one. Enjoy!

Apr 20, 202346:46
Researcher of the Month: Tanya Manchanda Discusses the Role of Friendship Interventions on the Mental Health Outcomes of Adolescents

Researcher of the Month: Tanya Manchanda Discusses the Role of Friendship Interventions on the Mental Health Outcomes of Adolescents

Our Researcher of the Month, Tanya Manchanda, has recently published a review which assesses existing friendship interventions and their impacts on the mental health outcomes of adolescents aged 12–24 years. In this interview, Tanya considers what we know about these interventions, for both the teen who is trained and their friends and reveals that surprisingly few interventions which utilise authentic social groups have been studied, despite their potential for strong results. She talks us through some of the interventions that do exist and outlines key things that schools might like to consider when developing and implementing friendship interventions designed to improve teens' mental health.


Apr 17, 202337:10
Episode 129 - Dr Weston Talks with Dr Danielle Paddock: 'Feel Cute, Might Delete Later' - Teens and Appearance-based Interactions on Social Media

Episode 129 - Dr Weston Talks with Dr Danielle Paddock: 'Feel Cute, Might Delete Later' - Teens and Appearance-based Interactions on Social Media

In this interview, we talk to cyberpsychologist Dr Danielle Paddock about her fascinating examination of how teens converse with each other about appearance on social media. We know that appearance-related concerns are very high among teens in the UK. We also know that visual social media platform design encourages both image creation/sharing and interactions about these images. Dr Paddock chats about key themes that have emerged in her work, fruitful ways to talk to teens about this issue, and the positive impact of a brief school-based intervention about appearance-based interactions on young people's body image.

Mar 21, 202333:06
Episode 128 - Dr Weston Talks with Professor Jessie Ricketts: Love to Read - Reading Development and Motivation

Episode 128 - Dr Weston Talks with Professor Jessie Ricketts: Love to Read - Reading Development and Motivation

In this interview, Professor Jessie Ricketts talks to us about her research into reading and language development in both teens and younger children. We explore early reading development, how reading ability continues to evolve into adolescence and discuss evidence-based ways to boost young people's motivation to read. Professor Ricketts also provides information on useful tools that can be used in the classroom.

Mar 18, 202351:37
Researcher of the Month: Professor Shana Carpenter Discusses the Science of Effective Learning

Researcher of the Month: Professor Shana Carpenter Discusses the Science of Effective Learning

Our Researcher of the Month, Professor Shana Carpenter, talks to English teacher and examiner, Patrick Cragg about the science behind two effective learning strategies: spacing and retrieval. She outlines how and why these simple practices can benefit learning and explores why so few students actually use them. Listen for top tips on how to integrate these strategies into the classroom or at home.

Mar 16, 202348:37
Episode 126 - Dr Weston Talks with Professor Suzanne Graham: Foreign Language Teaching and Cultivating Motivation in Language Learning

Episode 126 - Dr Weston Talks with Professor Suzanne Graham: Foreign Language Teaching and Cultivating Motivation in Language Learning

In this interview, Suzanne Graham, Professor of Language and Education at the University of Reading, chats to us about the potential benefits of learning foreign languages. She discusses the links between language learning and creativity, talks us through her research into learning foreign languages in both primary and secondary settings and considers how we can motivate young people to engage with and enjoy the challenge. Professor Graham provides information about several fantastic resources for teachers, including free lesson plans and assessment tools.  

Mar 10, 202332:04
Episode 125 - Dr Weston Talks with Dr Verity Jones: Climate Change Education and Fast Fashion

Episode 125 - Dr Weston Talks with Dr Verity Jones: Climate Change Education and Fast Fashion

Have you ever considered the impact of the climate crisis on young people or really asked how they feel about the constant barrage of bad news that faces them? In this interview, Dr Weston chats with Dr Verity Jones about sustainable futures and education. They talk through optimal ways to discuss climate change with children and young people and outline the things that young people would find helpful. They also discuss the global impact of fast fashion and how our intimate relationship with clothes can be a great way to open up conversations about sustainability. Dr Jones references a vast number of fantastic resources which teaching staff and parents will find useful.

Mar 02, 202340:28
Episode 124 - Dr Weston Talks with Dr Amy Harrison: Supporting a Friend with an Eating Disorder

Episode 124 - Dr Weston Talks with Dr Amy Harrison: Supporting a Friend with an Eating Disorder

In this interview, clinical psychologist and eating disorder expert, Dr Amy Harrison, talks to us about optimal ways to support a friend who has an eating disorder. She discusses her innovative research into the impact of eating disorders on social functioning and gives us some actionable tips that might be helpful in maintaining and strengthening friendships. She also guides us through some topics of conversation to avoid or reframe.

Feb 11, 202339:58
Researcher of the Month: Is Heavy Gaming Detrimental to Young People's Mental Health and Wellbeing? Dr Simona Skripkauskaite Fills Us In

Researcher of the Month: Is Heavy Gaming Detrimental to Young People's Mental Health and Wellbeing? Dr Simona Skripkauskaite Fills Us In

Should we worry if our teens spend hours a day gaming? New research shows that for the majority of teens, heavy gaming is not detrimental to their wellbeing and might even have a positive relationship with it. However, it also shows that there are a small number of teens for whom heavy gaming is associated with poor wellbeing. Dr Simona Skripkauskaite, our Researcher of the Month for February 2023, chats to us about her new study and what these findings mean for parents.

Feb 09, 202328:45
Episode 122 - Dr Kathy Weston Talks with Dr Leor Zmigrod: Ideological Thinking and Radicalisation in Teens

Episode 122 - Dr Kathy Weston Talks with Dr Leor Zmigrod: Ideological Thinking and Radicalisation in Teens

In this episode, Dr Weston talks with Dr Leor Zmigrod about the psychology of ideological extremism. It's a fascinating discussion which outlines cognitive characteristics that might act as vulnerability factors for radicalisation and ideologically-motivated behaviour in young people, before addressing what strategies  might help to protect young people from this kind of rigid, and potentially dangerous, thinking.

Feb 02, 202334:53
Researcher of the Month: Dr Cele Richardson Discusses the Impact of Parental Warmth on Teens' Sleep

Researcher of the Month: Dr Cele Richardson Discusses the Impact of Parental Warmth on Teens' Sleep

Researcher of the month, Dr Cele Richardson, discusses her 2022 study, which shows that when parents have a warmer relationship with their teens, teens tend to have better sleep hygiene practices, sleep for longer at night and feel less sleepy during the day. Lack of sleep can have a significant impact on the mental health and wellbeing of many teenagers. As parents, we are ideally placed to help them form good and healthy habits. Learn more about the impact we can have in this fascinating interview.

Jan 14, 202328:57
Episode 120 - Emotional Literacy at Christmas
Dec 14, 202222:22
Researcher of the Month: Dr Susie Bower-Brown Discusses the School Experiences of Gender Diverse Teens

Researcher of the Month: Dr Susie Bower-Brown Discusses the School Experiences of Gender Diverse Teens

In this podcast, Dr Weston talks with Dr Susie Bower-Brown about the experiences of binary-trans, non-binary and gender questioning young people in UK schools. Her research uncovers various ways in which teens who identify in this way often feel invisible or discriminated against. Listen for her thoughts on how schools can best support these young people and improve their mental health outcomes.

Dec 14, 202224:51
Episode 118 - Dr Weston Talks with Professor James O'Higgins Norman: Tackling Bullying

Episode 118 - Dr Weston Talks with Professor James O'Higgins Norman: Tackling Bullying

In this interview, Dr Weston talks to Professor James O'Higgins Norman about bullying. Professor O'Higgins Norman is the UNESCO Chair on Tackling Bullying in Schools and Cyberspace at Dublin City University, where he is Director of the fantastic National Anti-Bullying Research and Resource Centre. We chat about what bullying looks like in 2022, how schools can best tackle it and the importance of reducing bystander behaviours. Professor O'Higgins Norman also lets us know about some innovative games and websites that can be used by parents, teachers and young people. A must listen for both parents and anyone who works in a school.

Nov 21, 202237:14
Episode 117 - Dr Weston Talks with Professor Marc Brackett about Emotional Intelligence: Permission to Feel

Episode 117 - Dr Weston Talks with Professor Marc Brackett about Emotional Intelligence: Permission to Feel

Professor Brackett outlines how, far from being a weakness, emotions - and our ability to feel, understand, and use them - are vital to achieving success. He describes his effective, evidence-based approach to emotional intelligence, known as RULER, which is used in thousands of schools worldwide.

Nov 15, 202244:18
Episode 116 - Dr Weston Talks with Ella Podmore MBE: Inspiring Young Engineers

Episode 116 - Dr Weston Talks with Ella Podmore MBE: Inspiring Young Engineers

In this interview, Dr Weston chats with Ella Podmore about her role as senior materials engineer at McLaren Automotive. Ella answers questions from children and young people, talking inspiringly about setting goals and how to work towards achieving them. Passionate about inspiring other girls into STEM industries, Ella also highlights some campaigns and organisations working in this field.

Nov 02, 202231:43
Episode 115 - Dr Weston Talks with Caoimhe Dempsey: Becoming a School Parent

Episode 115 - Dr Weston Talks with Caoimhe Dempsey: Becoming a School Parent

In this interview, Dr Weston talks with PhD student, Caoimhe Dempsey about her research into how parents feel when their children first start school. We know a lot about how to make children 'school-ready' in terms of their learning, but what about how parental attitudes and emotions impact their transition? Do parents tend to feel positively about school starting? How does it impact on their life? Tune in to find out!

Oct 22, 202231:46
Episode 114 - Dr Weston Talks with Rugby Star and PE Teacher Sonia (Sonic) Green

Episode 114 - Dr Weston Talks with Rugby Star and PE Teacher Sonia (Sonic) Green

In this interview, Dr Weston chats to England and Saracens rugby player, Sonia Green, otherwise known as Sonic. They discuss how to encourage sporting participation, how to balance academic pressures with sporting aspirations and the best way to deal with inevitable injuries. A must listen for all parents of young athletes and their children.

Oct 19, 202234:15
Episode 113 - Dr Weston Talks with Professor Mina Fazel: Supporting Refugee Children

Episode 113 - Dr Weston Talks with Professor Mina Fazel: Supporting Refugee Children

In this interview, Professor Mina Fazel talks to Dr Weston about supporting displaced children once they are in a place of refuge. Listen now to find out about the crucial importance of a sense of belonging and how the outcomes of these children are dramatically improved if they are able to form natural social connections. Teachers and school staff can learn some top tips on supporting the mental health of refugee (and in fact all) children in the classroom. Professor Fazel also points us in the direction of some helpful further resources. 

Oct 17, 202242:12
Researcher of the Month: Professor David Putwain - Is Warning Students of the Consequences of Exam Failure an Effective Strategy?

Researcher of the Month: Professor David Putwain - Is Warning Students of the Consequences of Exam Failure an Effective Strategy?

Researcher of the month, Professor David Putwain, discusses his recent paper which focuses on whether warning GCSE students of the consequences of failure (otherwise known as a 'fear appeal') is a motivating strategy in terms of their levels of engagement and achievement. He outlines the reasons why teachers use fear appeals, how this kind of approach can have very different outcomes depending on the way that individual students evaluate the message, and what this means for classroom practice. He also provides us with some great tips and tools that teachers can use to take a temperature check of their students' levels of test anxiety.

Oct 09, 202234:53
Episode 111 - Dr Weston Talks with Professor Deirdre Butler and Dr Paula Lehane: Using Minecraft in Schools

Episode 111 - Dr Weston Talks with Professor Deirdre Butler and Dr Paula Lehane: Using Minecraft in Schools

In this podcast interview, Dr Weston talks with Professor Deirdre Butler and Dr Paula Lehane about how Minecraft: Education Edition is being used in classrooms. They discuss the great potential of so called 'sandbox' games in children's learning, outline current gaps in the research evidence and provide useful tips for any teachers wanting to make the most of game-based learning.

Oct 06, 202228:52
Researcher of the Month: Dr Éadaoin Slattery - Do Sustained Attention Training Interventions Really Work?

Researcher of the Month: Dr Éadaoin Slattery - Do Sustained Attention Training Interventions Really Work?

Researcher of the Month, Dr Éadaoin Slattery, discusses her recent paper, which systematically reviews the evidence around popular sustained attention training interventions, which are widely used in schools. She talks us through what sustained attention is, why it is important and whether or not widely used interventions are likely to have a significant impact. We've probably all heard of brain training, but here Dr Slattery also talks us through some other kinds of interventions, which potentially show more promise.

Sep 14, 202227:02
 Episode 109 - Dr Weston Talks with Justin Bowen: Supporting Bereaved Children at School - a Father's Experience

Episode 109 - Dr Weston Talks with Justin Bowen: Supporting Bereaved Children at School - a Father's Experience

In this interview, Dr Weston talks with Justin Bowen about his own family's experience of loss and what prompted him to write support books for parents, schools and children experiencing bereavement. They discuss how schools can best support children who have lost a loved one (and how settings can access Justin's fantastic and practical book, 'Be The Rainbow') and dwell on Justin's personal insights into things that helped him and his family manage through this deeply challenging time. Justin's story is an inspiring and empowering message of hope and optimism, and will help schools to see what an important role they can play in helping to heal children who have experienced the death of someone close to them.

Sep 13, 202233:44