Taking Action

This episode is with the remarkable Juliet Robertson. It focusses on her collection of poetry, Blood Lines, which deals with the trauma of living with a diagnosis of terminal cancer. The book is astonishing. The poems are in different styles. Some are deeply moving, some are upbeat and funny. All of them offer insights into what it is like to live with the pressing certainty that life is limited....

Siobhan is doing something remarkable. She combines all that she knows about the science of connection and trauma and brings that to life through the creative arts. Siobhan is part of Anam Alba - https://anam-alba.com - an organisation with a marvellous heading on their website                                       Creativity forges Connection.                                      Connection inspi...

I have been looking forward to this conversation since I started recording the Taking Action series. Iain Smith has done a massive amount to try to ensure that the justice system in Scotland recognises, and takes account of, the impact of trauma on people's lives. It is challenging work as Iain is so aware of the need to support the victims of crime as well as taking account of the circumstan...

It was a privilege to record this conversation with Sarah Lathan. Her book, Creating a Trauma Informed Classroom is outstanding.  It offers excellent support and advice for educators in any context. It is based on Sarah's experience, deep knowledge and understanding and it also offers a superb summary of the research, and the other texts, which inform the book. By my reckoning, it distils alm...

This episode explores the impact of boarding schools on those who attend them. It is an important issue not only because to the damaging effect that it can have on individuals, but also because a significant number of ex-boarders attain significant  power and influence. It could be argued that the trauma that they have suffered has a far wider impact  Morag Edwards is an ideal person to discuss al...

This episode celebrates two remarkable people. Jordan and Sean prove that we can overcome trauma and addiction. They are testimony to the possibility of recovery and much more. Their film "Junkie" premieres on August 4th and 5th, details below. `It has been described as providing "a raw look at the world of drug addiction, taking us on a deep dive into the politics that frame the de...

This is another remarkable episode. Emily Laranja is part of the staff at Lynburn Primary School in Dunfermline. She leads on their nurture provision and it is a model of good practice. She talks about that and also about the school's involvement in Daring Ventures which Emily says is the most effective, long-lasting, and transformative, professional development that she has ever been involve...

Christo Hird is remarkable. A founder of Dartmouth Films, Christo continues to release and support films which make a difference. In a world where cinema is dominated by sequels, prequels and remakes desperately pandering to what filmmakers and distributors think the public want, Dartmouth believe in better. Christo and his colleagues are committed to films that can lead change and galvanise audie...

Jackie Galbraith is the Principal of West Lothian College and much more. She describes herself as having "a lifetime commitment to social justice and providing opportunities for all - regardless of age, gender, race, ability, background or any other characteristic", and that comes across throughout this episode. There is so much going at West Lothian College that translates this ambition...

Suzanne Scott is an inspiration. She is a wonderful example of someone who heard about and learned about the impact of trauma and the science  of connection and asked the question "What can I do now that I know this?" In a sense, she is at the heart of the whole idea of these podcasts. It is not enough to know, we need to think about what we do and what she has done is hugely impressive....

Jenn Knussen is a hugely influential figure in Scottish education. As headteacher in Pitteuchar East Primary School in Glenrothes, she established a remarkable culture along with her colleagues and the school community that really supported all the children in her school. In this first episode of "Taking Action" she tells the Real David Cameron what she did, how she did it and what impac...