This episode delves into the importance and intricacies of creating a chronological list of events in a child's life. Michael emphasises the significance of a well-constructed chronology in providing a clear understanding of a family's history

Risky Business: Crossing Roads and Assessing Parental Risks

9 days ago 9m 19s

This episode delves into the concept of assessing and managing risks in various aspects of life, using the analogy of crossing a busy road without a pedestrian crossing. The episode highlights how individuals often underestimate risks due to fa

Giving Great Evidence

16 days ago 10m 50s

This episode delves into the challenges individuals face when giving evidence in court, particularly focusing on the daunting experience of being cross-examined. Michael talks about how to manage emotions, listen attentively, and respond effec

How to Answer Difficult Questions

Apr 24th, 2024 12m 51s

This episode provides valuable insights on how to effectively answer difficult questions, particularly in a court setting. Michael emphasises the importance of being in a balanced state of mind, actively listening to questions, and taking the t

Children Used As Weapons

Apr 17th, 2024 10m 14s

This episode delves into the impact of parents using their children as tools for control, punishment, and negotiation. The episode highlights how some parents, with unmet needs from their own upbringing, prioritise their own desires over their

Persuasion

Apr 3rd, 2024 10m 39s

This episode delves into the crucial skill of persuasion and its significance in various aspects of life, particularly in social work and legal settings. Michael emphasises the importance of building trust with clients by demonstrating competen

Attunement

Mar 27th, 2024 14m 31s

This episode talks about the crucial concept of being well-attuned to a child's emotional needs and feelings, emphasising the profound impact it has on their development. Through a detailed exploration of a case involving a young mother with a

Factors That Move the Needle

Mar 20th, 2024 9m 28s

In this episode, Michael explores the essential aspects of building positive relationships with families as a social worker. He stresses the importance of understanding the factors that can influence a family's perception of social workers and

One Case Can Take All Your Time

Mar 13th, 2024 12m 11s

Michael delves into the challenges faced by child social workers when dealing with highly demanding and emotionally consuming cases. The episode highlights the story of a 15-year-old boy named Craig, who had a traumatic upbringing and exhibited

Subject of a Complaint

Mar 6th, 2024 11m 55s

Join Michael as he delves into the challenges and risks faced by social workers working with children and vulnerable individuals. Through personal experiences, Michael highlights the potential consequences of complaints lodged against social wo

Violence - It's Just Part Of The Job

Feb 28th, 2024 13m 38s

Michael addresses the pervasive issue of physical violence, intimidation, and abuse faced by social care workers. Join Michael as he passionately advocates for the prioritisation of self-care among social workers, emphasising the need for prope

Why Self Care Is Key

Feb 21st, 2024 10m 43s

Join Michael in this episode as he talks about the realities and challenges of being a social worker. Michael emphasises the need for self-care as a means of coping with the demands of the job and talks about the skills you need to work on to h

The Clues We Miss

Feb 14th, 2024 13m 47s

Michael explores the challenges faced by professionals in identifying and addressing child abuse and neglect. Drawing from personal experiences as a children's guardian, Michael highlights cases where reports and referrals about children's welf

What We Really Need To Learn

Feb 7th, 2024 14m 8s

Following the death of Bronson Battersby in January of this year (2024) Michael talks about the lessons that we can all learn from this awful tragedy. He talks about the scrutiny social workers often come under in these cases and why we all hav

No Place To Hide

Jan 31st, 2024 9m 25s

Michael explores the intense and challenging experience of being a witness in a courtroom. The episode sets the stage for a high-pressure environment where there are no back doors or escape routes. The host emphasises the importance of facing t

History Repeats Itself

Jan 24th, 2024 8m 26s

Michael explores the phenomenon of events and experiences repeating across generations. The focus is on the unfortunate recurrence of tragedies and hardships, such as mental illness, sexual abuse, and domestic violence, within families. Drawing

Angles of Attack

Jan 17th, 2024 10m 49s

Michael reflects on his experiences giving evidence in court. He emphasises the importance of listening to the different angles from which barristers pose their questions to effectively address them as a witnesses. Michael shares examples of ho

Through A Child's Eyes

Jan 10th, 2024 10m 30s

Join Michael as he explores the importance of empathy and seeing things from the perspective of others. He emphasises how mastering this skill can greatly improve relationships and create harmony in the world. The episode delves into the signif

Our Worst Experiences

Dec 20th, 2023 10m 24s

Michael explores the concept of dealing with personal disasters and catastrophes. The episode begins by acknowledging the natural inclination to question why these bad things happen to us, but emphasises the importance of not remaining in a vic

Difficult Conversations

Dec 13th, 2023 11m 57s

In this episode, Michael reflects on the importance of addressing uncomfortable or challenging discussions. Inspired by a Simon Sinek interview, Michael talks about the need to express fears and anxieties about having these conversations with t

Cross-Examining the Unconventional: Challenging Testimony in the Courtroom

Dec 6th, 2023 12m 56s

Michael reflects on the concept of testimony and credibility in the context of a film called The Gift. The film explores the idea of extrasensory perception and the challenges of presenting such evidence in a court of law. Drawing parallels to

Make A Positive Difference

Nov 29th, 2023 11m 11s

Michael explores the motivation behind the work that people do, particularly in professions such as social work, teaching, and nursing. The episode acknowledges the desire to make a positive impact in the lives of clients and discusses the chal

What's In A Smile?

Nov 22nd, 2023 10m 57s

Michael explores the profound impact a smile can have on a newborn baby and throughout their life. The episode emphasises the importance of a parent's smile in conveying love, trust, and a sense of belonging to their child. It highlights how a

What Are You Trading Your Life For?

Nov 15th, 2023 10m 2s

In this episode titled "What are you trading your life for?" Michael shares a powerful encounter in an accident and emergency waiting room. A stressful and upsetting encounter prompts Michael to reflect on the importance of discovering one's pu

The Link Between Feelings and Productivity!

Nov 8th, 2023 11m 6s

This episode explores the importance of well-being and care for employees in various industries. Drawing from interviews with Ariana Huffington and Simon Sinek, Michael highlights the detrimental effects of neglecting the mental health and well