The Link Podcast

On this episode: “AI for the Mind: Enhancing Executive Functioning with Craig Smith”   Executive function (EF) refers to a set of cognitive processes that enable individuals to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, manage time, regulate emotions, and adapt to changing situations. Although well reported that people who are neurodivergent experience issues with EF, they can also be experienc...

Trigger Warning:  This discussion has mention of death, dying and end of life/palliative care. Please refrain from listening if you feel this could be traumatising at this time. There are links for internal (University) and external listeners, if you feel affected or have been affected by any details of this Podcast.    On this episode: “Service Users Mini-Series: Episode 5 – Homeward Bound: Creat...

On this episode: “Medical Mystery 3: Awake in the Dark” This month we bring you a SPECIAL three part mini-series for Halloween!  In this episode of Awake in the Dark, we explore the haunting mystery of Encephalitis lethargica, a strange illness that swept across the globe in the early 20th century. Join us as we uncover the chilling accounts of those affected—individuals who slipped into an unsett...

On this episode: “Medical Mystery 2: Pixels and Panic” This month we bring you a SPECIAL three part mini-series for Halloween!  Ben and Kirsty delve into medical mysteries, and in this second episode, they explore the ‘Pokémon Panic’. What happened in Japan in 1997 when a Pokémon episode that was aired seemed to caused seizures among their young viewers? Ben shares the story of Haruki, a young Pok...

On this episode: “Medical Mystery 1: The Dance of Death” This month we bring you a SPECIAL three part mini-series for Halloween!  Ben and Kirsty delve into medical mysteries, and in this first episode, they explore the ‘Dancing Plague’. What happened in Strasbourg in 1518 that caused many deaths to occur over 40 days? Ben shares this story, followed by possible theories that could be made. ' Will...

On this episode: “Guided Meditation Special: Part Three – Reflections from the Podcast Team" SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE! https://forms.office.com/e/vRH3s8QJ8g Ben and Kirsty are re-joined by Carole Chance from the Service Users Group (SUC’s) for a very special podcast! Carole has an interest in spirituality, crystals and gives us an amazing experience of guided meditation! In this special three-part po...

On this episode: “Guided Meditation Special: Part Two – LIVE Guided Meditation" Ben and Kirsty are re-joined by Carole Chance from the Service Users Group (SUC’s) for a very special podcast! Carole has an interest in spirituality, crystals and gives us an amazing experience of guided meditation! In this special three-part podcast, we start by exploring what guided meditation is and how Carole came...

On this episode: “Guided Meditation Special: Part One – What is guided meditation?” Ben and Kirsty are re-joined by Carole Chance from the Service Users Group (SUC’s) for a very special podcast! Carole has an interest in spirituality, crystals and gives us an amazing experience of guided meditation! In this special three-part podcast, we start by exploring what guided meditation is and how Carole...

We speak to Carole Chance who has been a member of the Service Users Group (SUC’s) for over seven years and started out by interviewing candidates for the University. Carole speaks about the co-morbidities she has including Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Acromegaly. She explains that a diagnosis can be a ‘key’ rather than a label and open doors to support and new experiences.    Carole and I discuss...

Trigger Warning:  This is a discussion about trauma, death, dying, and resuscitation attempts regarding children/babies. Please refrain from listening if you feel this could be traumatising at this time. There are links for internal (University) and external listeners, if you feel affected or have been affected by any details of this Podcast.  On this episode: Student Focus: Impacts of parents pre...

On this episode: We speak to Ravinder Kaur, who is the head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) at Staffordshire University. Ravinder shares her knowledge and experience of being a Sikh, along with the rituals, celebrations and the considerations of how to care for patients from a Sikh faith. We learn just how important the Sikh rituals are, and the importance of the five K’s, which baptise...

On this episode: Living with Cerebral Palsy We speak to Charlotte Evans, who is part of the Service Users Group (SUC’s) on her experiences with living with Cerebral Palsy. Charlotte shares her key challenges, strengths and aims to provide education about Cerebral Palsy. Charlotte bravely shares some of the negative experiences she has had, but says how these shape how education and awareness are a...

Episode Description:    Trigger Warning   This is a passionate and frank discussion about depression, suicide detail, substance overdose and trauma. Please refrain from listening if you feel this could be traumatising at this time. There are links for internal (University) and external listeners, if you feel affected or have been affected by any details of this Podcast.   On this episode: "A Journ...

Episode Description:  On this episode: Insights and experiences of being transgender We speak to Fee Wood who shares her lived experience of being a transgender person, discussing the issues faced and how healthcare professionals can support transgender people better in healthcare settings. Fee is part of the Service Users Group, who use lived experience to help students and practitioners to under...

Episode Description:  On this episode: Christianity  We speak to Mick Williams, who has been the chaplain for Staffordshire University for 14 years.  Mick shares his experience of what Christianity is, what it means to be a believer, and what death looks like in Christianity.  Mick has spent time with student groups to help empower and break down barriers with religious terminology.   We explore h...

Back for a January Pod! and a year of exciting and interesting podcasts to come! On this episode: Student to qualified…Dealing with Transitional Shock We speak to Kirsty who qualified as an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) last year. Kirsty shares her experience during the transition from student to qualified practitioner, and the little discussed phenomena of transitional shock, defined as...

On this episode: Mental Health Nursing: A Student’s Perspective. We speak to Michelle Storey who is a third year Mental Health Nurse Student. Michelle explains the complex role of a mental health nurse, talks us through several placement areas that she has or will cover as well as some of her most challenging and most rewarding care experiences. Finally, Michelle tells us some interesting details...

On this episode: Celebrating ADHD Awareness Month, Episode 3! I speak to Bridie Benson (2nd Year paramedic student) and the wonderful Anthony Hadley (Voice Coordinator/students Union) about everything ADHD, with a focus on the lived experience, and from Bridie’s and Anthonys experiences as members of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer (LGBTQ+) community. "Attention deficit hyperactivity di...

On this episode: Celebrating ADHD Awareness Month, episode 2! I speak to Mel Heaton (2nd Year Operating Department Practice student) about everything ADHD. Female misdiagnosis, her most impactful University strategies and her experiences with having an ADHD lecturer. "Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects people's behaviour. People with ADHD can seem restless,...

On this episode: Celebrating ADHD Awareness Month, episode 1! I speak to Ryan Baddeley (Student Inclusion Advisor) Rachel Stuart (Student Inclusion Assistant) and Mel Heaton (2nd Year Operating Department Practice student) about everything ADHD "Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects people's behaviour. People with ADHD can seem restless, may have trouble conce...

On this episode: Talking simulation with the experts, a definitive student must listen! "Are you a 'Sage on the Stage'. or a 'Guide on the Side'?" I speak to two of my favourite people; Amanda Wilford (Senior Lecturer in Simulation & Patient Safety) and Jo Natalello (Lecturer in Simulation & Patient Safety). Having myself, a long history with simulation practice in clinical areas, and a pa...

On this episode: Dr Sarah Edwards ‘Engaging in Unexpected Communications’. We speak to Dr Sarah Edwards who is a Senior Registrar, working within Emergency Medicine. Sadly, due to the nature of Sarah’s work, she is no stranger to communicating with patients, service users and their relatives/guardians/partners about a very challenging prognosis, or diagnosis. Following an upsetting family event wh...

On this episode, Rewards and Challenges: Working Within an Organ Transplant Team: We speak to ex-Staffordshire University student Rob Edge. Rob trained in Operating Department Practice (ODP) qualifying in 2021. Rob now works as an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) with the National Organ Retrieval Service.. Rob found himself with a life changing opportunity to join National Organ Retrieval S...

So, why are we talking about Dungeons & Dragons on our podcast? On this episode, we talk about the many real life-skills, wellbeing, team-building and social benefits of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) and Table Top Role Playing Games (TTRPG) With colleagues from the University of Staffordshire:  (See some helpful links at the bottom of the show notes). Professor Esther Maccallum-Stewart (Sch...

On this episode, Greg Page. Sam has moved back home to the beautiful pastures of Australia, but we are collaborating The Link Podcast with Sam’s new University in Australia in this great sharing of experiences internationally! Sam O’Brien talks to fellow Australian, and iconic children’s music band The Wiggles. Greg Page is an Australian singer. Musician and actor. He is best known for being a fou...