Dr Kathy Weston's Get a Grip! Parenting Podcast

We often assume that praise and positive feedback will inevitably boost motivation and performance. But the timing and interpretation of praise might matter more than we realise. Researcher of the Month, Professor Nils Jostmann, explores the psychology of coasting and discusses when positive feedback can inadvertently undermine motivation. Tune in to find out the surprising science behind positive...

Our Researcher of the Month, Dr Sophie King-Hill, Associate Professor in the School of Social Policy and Society, University of Birmingham, explores the complex realities facing boys and young men today, including identity, performative masculinity, mental health and online influences. As we explore some practical resources for teachers and parents, she talks about how social pressures can shape b...

Professor Maria Loades, clinical psychologist and researcher at the University of Bath, is working to transform how young people access mental health support. With many teens struggling to seek help and services stretched beyond capacity, her research explores new, scalable approaches that could complement existing routes to support. This includes innovative and short digital interventions that ca...

Professor Michael Pluess, a leading expert in environmental sensitivity, explores what it means to be highly sensitive and how this personality trait can impact children’s experiences at home and in school. Drawing on research, he highlights both the challenges and strengths associated with high sensitivity, and offers practical, evidence-based strategies to support children in ways that help them...

Our latest Researcher of the Month, Professor Joel Talcott, has worked with a team of researchers to develop a new universal screening tool for all five and six year olds in UK schools. It will launch in Autumn 2026. Based on classroom observation, the Universal Classroom screener will be delivered and managed by teachers. It assesses a small set of key cognitive skills that support current and fu...

Professor Barbara Sahakian CBE, a leading expert in neuropsychology and mental wellbeing, explores the powerful benefits of reading for pleasure. Drawing on her research with children and adolescents, she provides strong evidence that early reading positively shapes cognition, brain development and impacts mental health - all of which are foundations for lifelong learning and wellbeing.

Dr Charlotte Rothwell’s research explores the differences and similarities in how autistic and neurotypical children learn words. In this interview, she chats to us about her work, and explores practical tips that can help boost word learning and language skills for all children.

Daphne Ling, a PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia and our latest Researcher of the Month, studies how children with ADHD experience daily life and how medications affect attention and executive skills. Her recent qualitative research shows that children see ADHD as part of who they are, with both strengths and challenges, rather than something “good” or “bad”. By listening to chil...

Dr Kathy Weston speaks with Professor David Putwain, a leading educational psychologist, about the causes, impacts and practical strategies for managing test anxiety in students. Drawing on over 20 years of research, Professor Putwain explains how test anxiety can affect learners of all abilities, how perception rather than achievement drives stress, and how students respond differently to academi...

Fergus Hay, founder and CEO of The Hacking Games , chats to us about the hidden world of youth cybercrime, the opportunities of ethical hacking, and how to recognise and nurture digital talent. Fergus shares how his gamified platform identifies unconventional cyber skills in young people, particularly gamers and neurodiverse learners, and channels them into positive pathways in cybersecurity, defe...

In this interview, we explore Professor Andy Lane’s research on how combat sports like boxing, judo, karate and kickboxing can help young people develop emotional regulation, self-control and resilience, while reducing violent behaviour. Professor Lane explains his CALM model ( Cultivating Awareness, Learning and Mastery ), showing how structured, rule-governed training fosters emotional learning....

What does it really mean to feel that we matter? In this interview, leadership researcher Dr Zach Mercurio explores why feeling seen, heard and valued is central to wellbeing, resilience and performance. Drawing on research and real-world examples, Dr Mercurio shows how mattering is built through everyday interactions, explains why purpose grows from feeling significant to others, and discusses ho...

Professor Julia Davidson and Dr Ruby Farr chat to us about their new book, Pathways into and out of Youth Cybercrime, which is due for publication this month. Drawing on large-scale surveys, expert interviews and conversations with convicted cybercriminals, their research examines the human and technical drivers behind online offending, highlighting key risk factors. Surprisingly, almost 50% of th...

In this interview, we chat with Dr Anna Morrison CBE, founder and director of Amazing Apprenticeships. Anna is a leading voice in the education and skills sector, with over 25 years’ experience championing apprenticeships, widening opportunity and shaping vocational pathways for young people. Anna debunks numerous common misconceptions about apprenticeships, broadens our understanding of the diver...

How can schools and parents make menstrual education inclusive, open and stigma-free? In this interview, Dr Maria Tomlinson and community engagement specialist Mariam Pasha share insights from their collaboration with Irise International to create faith-informed menstrual health resources with Muslim communities. Together, they discuss why it’s vital to normalise conversations about menstruation,...

Join Dr Kathy Weston in an in-depth conversation with Melinda Tankard Reist, author, advocate and co-founder of Collective Shout, as they explore the impact of the sexualisation and objectification of women and girls in media, advertising and online platforms. Melinda shares her journey from journalist to activist, revealing how structural misogyny and the normalisation of pornography shape young...

Our latest Researcher of the Month, Professor Cara Swit, is a leading expert in early childhood social development, who has been exploring a question that often goes overlooked: what do children think about their parents’ device use? Her latest study gives six to nine-year-olds the chance to share their perspectives through drawings, role play and child-centred workshops. This interview delves int...

In this interview, we spoke to two titans of the business world, CEOs of major companies who are also parents juggling family life. How do they do it? What are their tips for busy parents? But also, what leadership tips might they have for education leaders or anyone supporting children and young people? Listen to their views on education, aspiration and raising children in a busy, complex world. 

How do young people really feel about smartphone bans in schools? We've chatted with Dr Megan Reynolds, postdoctoral researcher at the Anti-Bullying Centre, Dublin City University, whose recent study shines a spotlight on students’ voices in this high-profile debate. Moving beyond statistics, her qualitative research captures how pupils experience restrictions, what they believe works, and the...

How are children engaging with generative AI and what do they need to stay safe, informed and empowered? In this wide-ranging and thought-provoking conversation, Dr Nomisha Kurian, a leading researcher on AI and children's wellbeing, talks about the unique ways in which young people are using tools like ChatGPT, Alexa and AI-powered apps. Drawing on developmental psychology, ethics and real-world...

In this insightful conversation, Dr Christie speaks with Professor Maria Loades and PhD researcher Natalia Kika from the University of Bath about innovative, evidence-based ways to support adolescent mental health, both for teens and their parents. They explore the development of Unlock Wellbeing , a free website featuring quick single-session interventions designed to deliver positive, accessible...

Dr Weston talks with Dr Maame Afua Nikabs, linguist, author and advocate for justice, about the power of speaking up, and the practical steps we can all take to advance diversity, equity and inclusion. Drawing on her lived experience and her work supporting organisations through LingLab, Dr Nikabs explores how language, bias and silence can hold people back, and considers what it takes to dismantl...

Dr Weston speaks with Professor Steven Roberts and Dr Stephanie Wescott about their research into teachers’ experiences of sexism in Australian schools. They discuss how misogynistic influencers like Andrew Tate seem to be shaping the attitudes and behaviours of some boys (often from a young age) and explore the profound impact this is having on teachers, pupils and the wider school environment. D...

We're shining a spotlight on UCL PhD researcher Chiara Fehr, whose thought-provoking work explores the role of social media platforms like TikTok in shaping teenage girls' identities, values and experiences. Chiara shares insights from a group of teenage girls on everything from algorithmic bias to body image, consumer culture and the complexities of growing up online. In this fascinating intervie...

In this conversation with Dr Cassie Rhodes, Luisa Fassi, PhD researcher at the University of Cambridge and winner of the Psychology of Technology Dissertation Award, discusses her work exploring how teens with and without clinical-level mental health conditions engage with social media. Her findings highlight the complexity of online life for young people, particularly those experiencing internali...