Resilient Kid: Therapy and tips for raising strong kids and teens

S11E1 - The Anxiety I Didn't Know I Was Giving You

I Think This Is Me. I Think I Gave This To Them.When your child is anxious — when the stomach aches appear on Monday mornings, when worries multiply overnight, when the school gate becomes a battleground — where do you look for the reason?Most of us look outward. School. Friends. Social media. The state of the world.But sometimes, and I say this with every ounce of compassion, anxiety can be closer to home than that.In this episode of The Resilient Kid Podcast, Ashley explores how anxiety can move through families without a word being spoken. Not through blame, but through co-regulation, modelling, and the emotional atmosphere children grow up in.If you have ever thought, "I think this is me. I think I gave this to them," this episode is for you.In This EpisodeWhy anxiety can feel contagious in familiesHow children pick up on a parent's emotional stateWhat research says about parental anxiety and childhood anxietyWhy over-reassurance can sometimes make anxiety worseThe power of doing your own emotional work as a parentPractical steps to support both yourself and your childTimestamps00:00 — Intro: Sometimes the thing making a child anxious is us02:00 — Claire and Ellie's Story, Part One — The "Oh" Moment07:00 — The Research: Co-regulation, Anxious Parenting and Intergenerational Transmission13:00 — Top Tips: What to Do When You Recognise Yourself in Your Child's Struggle16:00 — Claire and Ellie's Story, Part Two — She Actually Noticed20:00 — The Bigger Picture: You Are Not the Reason They Are Struggling — You Are the Reason They Will Be Okay22:00 — The Close24:00 — Outro and ResourcesFive Key TakeawaysGet curious, not guilty.Regulate yourself before trying to regulate your child.Swap excessive reassurance for validation and encouragement.Your own healing work benefits your child.Let your child see that adults can ask for help too.Research HighlightsThis episode explores the work of Allan Schore, Stephen Porges, Lynne Murray, Daniel Siegel, Mary Hartzell and Mark Wolynn, looking at co-regulation, attachment, parental anxiety and intergenerational patterns.Important NoteClaire and Ellie are fictionalised composite characters created to protect client confidentiality while reflecting the realities many families experience.Find the Full Show NotesFor the complete research references, recommended books, additional resources, links and extended notes, visit the Listeners' Lounge: https://www.theresilientacademy.co.uk/loungeIf This Episode ResonatedWe would love to hear from you.Please consider:Leaving a review to help more families find the show.Sharing this episode with a parent, teacher, therapist or youth worker.Passing it on to your team for discussion.Useful LinksListeners' Lounge: https://www.theresilientacademy.co.uk/loungeNewsletter Sign-up:https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/240667/93026367927485942/shareA Parent's Guide to Raising a Resilient Kid:https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1739302605Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/resilientkidukInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/theresilientkidLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/resilientkidPinterest:https://za.pinterest.com/resilientacademyYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@theresilientkid957Spotify Podcast:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ashley-costelloWebsite:https://www.theresilientacademy.co.ukTeachers' Guide Waitlist:ashley@theresilientkid.co.uk#TheResilientKid

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Building Wellbeing Communities for Kids & Families

2w ago00:48:51Tap to summarize

Ashley is joined by Neil Lewis (The Empathy Coach) and Becky Percival (Rebecca Percival Coaching), the co-founders of the Warrington Wellbeing Festival, for a conversation about community wellbeing, future-proofing our children, and creating spaces where families feel supported.Now in its fourth year, the festival has grown into a thriving community event, and this year The Resilient Kid team will be running both the Kids Tent and Teen Tent.In This Episode We CoverHow Neil and Becky created the festival and the values behind it.Why wellbeing should be accessible for everyone, including free entry for under 18s.The growth of the “Wellbeing Warriors” community.Stories of lives changed through connection and community.What families can expect on the day.Why children’s mental health is a community issue.The launch of the new Family Pot sessions.The Warrington Wellbeing Festival 2025 Details📅 Date: Saturday, 11th July 2025🕙 Time: 10am – 4pm📍 Venue: The Engine Rooms, Birchwood Park, WarringtonTickets: £15 pre-booked | £20 on the day👧 Under 18s: FREEWhat to Expect on the Day50+ wellbeing sessions, talks, and demonstrations.A marketplace featuring therapists and wellbeing practitioners.The Kids Tent and Teen Tent run by The Resilient Kid team.Family Pot sessions and family wellbeing activities.Food, drinks, and lakeside surroundings.Tip from Neil and Becky: Check the programme before you arrive — with so much on offer, planning helps.Follow the Warrington Wellbeing Festival📱 Instagram & Facebook: @WarringtonWellbeingFestival🌐 Website: Warrington Wellbeing FestivalMentioned in This EpisodeThe Family Pot — listen to the dedicated episode on how to run a Family Pot with your kids.The Brianna Ghey Legacy Project — briannagheylegacyproject.orgHappy Place Festival — mentioned as a comparison for festival value.Quote of the Episode“Resilience doesn’t build in isolation. It grows in community.” — AshleyA Note from AshleyThis episode genuinely moved me. What Neil and Becky have built isn’t just a festival — it’s a movement.We are so proud to be part of the Warrington Wellbeing Festival this year. Come and find us in the Kids Tent and Teen Tent.Timestamps00:00 Welcome and Guests01:07 Becca Introduction02:35 Neil Introduction04:01 Shared Values05:20 Festival Origin Story08:25 Early Growth and Venue12:00 Community and Access16:13 Festival Day Experience22:32 Kids and Teens Focus24:07 Why Youth Wellbeing Matters25:36 Why We Must Act25:58 Festival Moments That Matter27:11 Polly Finds Her Calling28:28 Lynn Stays All Day30:05 What Excites Us This Year33:01 Kids and Teens Tents35:29 Helping Kids Open Up37:27 Family Pot Sessions43:15 Accessible Tickets and Value45:39 Event Details and Thanks48:11 Resilience Through CommunityJoin the ConversationHas this episode brought something up for you? We would love to hear from you.YouTube Link: Spotify Link:#TheResilientKidIf This Episode ResonatedLeave a review: Leave a reviewShare this episode with someone who supports young people.Find All the Resources in Our Listeners’ Loungehttps://www.theresilientacademy.co.uk/loungeUseful LinksSign up to our newsletter: Newsletter sign-upGet A Parent’s Guide to Raising a Resilient Kid: Amazon linkFacebook: The Resilient Kid on FacebookInstagram: The Resilient Kid on InstagramLinkedIn: Ashley Costello on LinkedInYouTube: The Resilient Kid on YouTubeSpotify: The Resilient Kid Podcast on SpotifyWebsite: The Resilient AcademyTeachers’ Guide waitlist: ashley@theresilientkid.co.uk

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S10E10 - The Moment They Let Me In

3w ago00:31:45Tap to summarize

"Trust is not given. It is earned. Slowly, quietly, in the accumulation of ordinary moments."In all the years I’ve been doing this work — sitting with young people and their families, walking into schools, being in the rooms where the real conversations happen — one thing comes up more than any technique, model or framework.People heal when they feel safe enough to be honest.And they feel safe enough to be honest when someone has shown them, consistently and over time, that they are not going anywhere.This episode is about trust — what it actually takes to build it with a young person who has every reason not to give it.It is about Mia, a fifteen-year-old who had already been through four services in three years before she came to us. A school counsellor who left. A CAMHS referral that ended in discharge. A voluntary worker who lost funding. A social worker who changed three times in eighteen months.Four services. Three years. Not one consistent face.What that teaches a young person is not just that support disappears. It teaches them that trusting adults is dangerous.This episode explores what happened when we stopped trying to break through the wall and instead sat alongside it.IN THIS EPISODEWhy trust has to come before any real therapeutic work can happenWhat repeated breaks in support teach young peopleThe neuroscience behind safety, guardedness and connectionWhy side-by-side conversations often work better than face-to-face onesBrené Brown’s BRAVING framework and what it teaches us about rebuilding trustThe moment Mia finally asked the question she had really been asking all alongKEY THEMESTrust is built slowly: Not through grand gestures, but through ordinary moments repeated consistently over time.Safety comes before honesty: A nervous system that feels threatened cannot access vulnerability or reflection.Consistency matters: Sometimes the most therapeutic thing you can do is simply keep showing up.Walk and talk matters: Side-by-side conversations can feel safer and less exposing for guarded young people.Small moments count: A walk. A hot chocolate. Remembering details. Keeping promises. These things matter more than we think.FIVE WAYS TO BUILD TRUSTDon’t take the wall personallyMatch your energy to theirsDo things side by side, not always face to faceName the pattern without blameLet the small moments be enoughTHE BIG MESSAGEEvery young person who finally lets us in is doing something incredibly brave.Trust is not built in one dramatic moment. It is built slowly through consistency, honesty, repair and presence.Sometimes the walk with the hot chocolate looks like nothing.But it is everything.FIND ALL THE RESEARCH, RESOURCES & FURTHER READING IN OUR LISTENER’S LOUNGEhttps://www.theresilientacademy.co.uk/lounge IF THIS EPISODE RESONATEDPlease consider sharing it with a teacher, therapist, parent, youth worker or anyone supporting young people who have learned not to trust.And if you found it helpful, leaving a review helps more families and professionals find the show.A NOTE ON THE STORYMia is a fictionalised composite created to protect confidentiality while honouring the truth of the work. She represents many young people who have experienced breaks in support and learned to protect themselves accordingly.USEFUL LINKSNewsletter: Sign up hereBook — A Parent’s Guide To Raising A Resilient Kid: Amazon LinkWebsite: theresilientacademy.co.ukInstagram: @theresilientkidFacebook: The Resilient KidLinkedIn: LinkedInYouTube: YouTube ChannelSpotify: Spotify Podcast

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S10E9 - The Science of Small Things

May 1200:25:34Tap to summarize

"The small things are not the consolation prize when the big things aren't available. The small things are the thing."It's Mental Health Week, and this episode is not going to tell you to do more.It is not going to give you a seventeen-step programme or add to the already very long list of things you feel like you should be doing and aren't quite managing.Because the science does not point to more as the answer. It points to the breakfast table. The school gate hello. The named feeling. The repair after the hard moment. The predictable ritual before bed.It points to the small, repeated, ordinary interactions between a child and a trusted adult — the things so many parents, teachers and carers are already doing without realising they count.WHAT THIS EPISODE IS ABOUTOne in six children in England aged five to sixteen meets the criteria for a probable mental health condition, and CAMHS waiting lists in many areas continue to stretch far beyond what families need.In response, we often search for bigger solutions: more programmes, more training, more resources, more interventions. And while all of those things can have value, the research has been quietly pointing to something else for decades.The most powerful protective factors for children's mental health are often not clinical, expensive or complicated. They are the everyday moments of safety, warmth, consistency and connection.In this Mental Health Week special, I explore the science behind why those small things matter so much — and why parents and educators may already be doing far more than they know.IN THIS EPISODEWhy we have been looking in the wrong direction when it comes to children's mental healthWhat small moments of connection do inside a child's brain and bodyWhy trusted, consistent adults are such powerful protective factorsThe five small things parents can use every dayHow teachers can create safety and belonging in simple, practical waysTHE FIVE SMALL THINGSThe Twenty Second Hug: Physical warmth helps signal safety to the nervous system.The Transition Check-In: A warm hello at the school gate or when they come home can land deeply.The Named Feeling: Naming what a child feels helps them feel seen and understood.The Predictable Ritual: Bedtime, breakfast, songs, jokes and routines help children feel safe.The Repair: Children do not need perfect adults. They need adults who come back, say sorry and try again.FOR TEACHERSYour small things matter too.Use a child's name warmly.Notice the quiet ones.Regulate yourself first.Acknowledge the hard stuff without needing to fix it.Sometimes, “Looks like today is a tough one. I’ve got you,” is enough.THE BIG MESSAGEThe small things are not a backup plan when the big things are unavailable. The small things are the thing.The breakfast table matters. The school gate matters. The named feeling matters. The repair matters. The twenty-second hug matters.Every ordinary, unremarkable, quietly revolutionary bit of it matters.LISTEN AND FIND THE RESOURCESYou can find the full research references, further reading and supporting resources inside the Listener’s Lounge:https://www.theresilientacademy.co.uk/loungeIF THIS EPISODE RESONATEDPlease share it with a parent, teacher, colleague or anyone working with young people who needs reminding that what they are already doing matters.And if you found it useful, a review means the world. It helps more families and educators find the show.USEFUL LINKSSign up to our newsletter: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/240667/93026367927485942/shareGet “A Parent’s Guide To Raising A Resilient Kid”: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1739302605Website: https://www.theresilientacademy.co.ukFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/resilientkidukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theresilientkidLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/resilientkidYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theresilientkid957Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ashley-costello

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S10E8 - Someone Finally Stayed

May 700:24:23Tap to summarize

"No one's ever actually said that to me before."People heal when they feel safe enough to be honest. And they feel safe enough to be honest when someone has shown them — consistently, over time — that they are not going anywhere.At The Resilient Kid, everything we do comes back to two things: meeting young people where they are, and wrapping around them 360 degrees. Because a young person doesn’t exist in isolation. They exist in a family, in a school, and in a community.Today, I want to tell you what that looks like in practice. This is Ryan’s story.WHAT THIS EPISODE IS ABOUTRyan was fourteen when he came to us. Hood up, arms folded, absolutely certain this wasn’t going to work. His dad had left when he was seven — not with a dramatic moment, just a slow fade — and for seven years Ryan had been quietly carrying one question: what did I do wrong?His mum was loving, exhausted, and stuck in a cycle she hadn’t chosen. His school described him as fine. And fine, in our experience, is one of the most worrying words there is.This episode is about what happened when we met Ryan where he was, wrapped around his whole world — therapy room, family home, school corridor — and stayed.It’s about why healing never happens in isolation. It happens in relationship.KEY IDEAS IN THIS EPISODEThe relationship is the intervention — young people need to feel seen and safe before they can open up.Meet them where they are — not where we need them to be, or where the system expects them to be.Behaviour is communication — our job is to understand the need underneath it.The 360 Wrap matters — family, school, and professionals working together creates real change.Repair builds trust — staying through the difficult moments can be part of the healing.THE 360 WRAP IN PRACTICEIn Ryan’s story, the work wasn’t just happening in one session a week. It was happening through conversations with Mum, check-ins with school, and shared understanding between the adults around him.When the same language is spoken at home, in school, and in the therapy room, a young person begins to feel held. They begin to believe the adults around them are working together — and that they are not alone.A NOTE ON THE STORYRyan is a fictionalised composite, created to protect client confidentiality while honouring the truth of the work. He is not one specific young person — but he represents many real ones. Every detail has been changed. The emotional truth has not.TIME STAMPS00:00 — Intro: The heart of The Resilient Kid02:00 — Ryan’s Story, Part One07:00 — Why the relationship is the intervention12:00 — The 360 Wrap in practice15:00 — Ryan’s Story, Part Two19:00 — Youth mental health and the gap22:00 — For parents, teachers, and young people24:00 — OutroFIND THE RESOURCES IN OUR LISTENERS’ LOUNGEYou can find more information, links, research, and resources inside our Listeners’ Lounge:https://www.theresilientacademy.co.uk/loungeJOIN THE CONVERSATIONDid this episode resonate? Are you a parent in the cycle, a teacher with a Ryan in your class, or someone who was once that young person carrying something too heavy alone?Share your thoughts using #TheResilientKid #SomeoneFinallyStayedIF THIS EPISODE MOVED YOUPlease consider leaving a review, sharing the episode with a parent, teacher, or professional, or passing it on to anyone working with young people who needs to be reminded that the relationship is the intervention.USEFUL LINKSIf you'd like to know more about how we work with young people, families, and schools together — or if you have a young person in your life who needs support — we'd love to hear from you.Get “A Parent’s Guide To Raising A Resilient Kid”: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1739302605Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resilientkidukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theresilientkidLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/resilientkidYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theresilientkid957Website: https://www.theresilientacademy.co.uk

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S10E7 - The Place I Finally Fit

Apr 3000:26:28Tap to summarize

"You made this place look like somewhere worth being."Can I ask you something personal?When did you first feel like you truly belonged somewhere?Not tolerated. Not managed. Not just allowed to exist in the room. But wanted. Expected. Like the space would feel different if you weren’t there.For some of you, that feeling came early — a family dinner table, a school team, a bedroom that felt like the whole world.But for many, it didn’t.And when it did arrive, it often came from somewhere unexpected.Not a system. Not a programme.A person.One adult who decided — without being asked, without it being written into a job description, without any guarantee it would work — that this child was worth showing up for.This episode is about those people.The youth workers. The support workers. The ones sitting in community centres, church halls, and temporary spaces — who quietly change the direction of young lives.WHAT THIS EPISODE IS ABOUTKezia is thirteen.She has been to four schools in five years. She eats lunch in the library. She draws entire cities in the margins of her notebooks — detailed worlds she has been building quietly for two years — and she has never shown anyone.Then one Thursday afternoon, she ends up at a youth centre she doesn’t want to be in.A youth worker called Marcus asks her one question about her drawing.A question no one has ever asked before.This is the story of what happens next.And why one consistent, caring adult — in an underfunded room with a broken table tennis table — can change the trajectory of a child’s life.This episode is for anyone who has ever felt like they didn’t quite fit anywhere.And for every youth worker, support worker, and community professional who shows up anyway — week after week — even when no one seems to be watching.KEY IDEASBelonging uncertaintyFor children who’ve experienced instability or rejection, there’s often a quiet question running in the background: “Do I belong here?”That question takes up space, making it harder to connect and engage.Even small moments of genuine recognition can begin to settle that uncertainty.Fitting in vs belongingFitting in is becoming who you think you need to be to be accepted.Belonging is being accepted as you are.The power of one stable adultFor children experiencing instability, the most protective factor isn’t a programme — it’s one consistent adult who shows up.The youth work gapYouth services have been reduced, yet their impact remains profound.When young people lose access, they don’t just lose activities — they lose relationships, safety, and belonging.FIVE WAYS TO CREATE BELONGINGStart with their interests, not their historyReward presence, not disclosureBe consistentLet them contributeSay it out loud: “This place is better when you’re here.”LISTENERS LOUNGEFor all research, references, and deeper reading:👉 ⁠https://www.theresilientacademy.co.uk/lounge⁠USEFUL LINKSSign up to our newsletter:⁠https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/240667/93026367927485942/share⁠Get A Parent’s Guide To Raising A Resilient Kid:⁠https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1739302605⁠Facebook:⁠https://www.facebook.com/resilientkiduk⁠Instagram:⁠https://www.instagram.com/theresilientkid⁠LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/resilientkid⁠Pinterest:⁠https://za.pinterest.com/resilientacademy⁠YouTube:⁠https://www.youtube.com/@theresilientkid957⁠Spotify:⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ashley-costello⁠Website:⁠https://www.theresilientacademy.co.uk⁠Teacher guide waitlist:⁠ashley@theresilientkid.co.uk⁠A NOTE ON THE STORYKezia and Marcus are composite characters, built from real experiences and stories shared by young people and youth workers.If you see yourself in Kezia, that’s intentional.You were never too much.You just needed someone to notice your city.

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The Teacher Who Saw Me

Apr 2400:18:20Tap to summarize

What This Episode Is AboutHave you ever had a teacher who truly saw you — not your grades, not your reputation, not your behaviour record, but you?In this episode, we tell the story of Jamie — a child labelled, managed, and quietly written off — and the teacher who refused to go along with the script. Ms. Okafor didn't have a magic wand. She had something more powerful: curiosity, consistency, and the decision to make deposits when everyone else had been withdrawing.Along the way, we dig into the real science behind why one relationship can change the entire trajectory of a child's life — and we give you five practical tools to start building that kind of connection today.Whether you're a teacher, a parent, a youth worker, or someone who was once a Jamie yourself — this one's for you.Time Stamps:00:00 Remember That Teacher01:09 Meet Jamie03:09 Mrs Smith Sees Him04:34 Why Mattering Works08:14 Make Emotional Deposits10:34 A Turning Point Plan12:47 Labels And Expectations14:37 Message To Teachers16:30 Closing And Book WaitlistFind all the resources in our Listeners Lounge:https://www.theresilientacademy.co.uk/lounge Useful LinksSign up to our newsletter: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/240667/93026367927485942/shareGet “A Parent’s Guide To Raising A Resilient Kid”: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1739302605Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resilientkidukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theresilientkidLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/resilientkidPinterest: https://za.pinterest.com/resilientacademyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theresilientkid957Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ashley-costelloWebsite: https://www.theresilientacademy.co.ukIf you want to get on the waitlist for the Teachers guide book then please email - ashley@theresilientkid.co.uk

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S10E5 - The One that Believed First

Apr 1000:32:16Tap to summarize

This season, we’re exploring one powerful question:Who made a difference in your life?In this heartfelt episode, Ashley sits down with Sarah Hughes, co-organiser of Womanifest, mum of four, and business owner, to explore the impact of one person who changed everything for her.From self-doubt and feeling stuck… to building a business, stepping into leadership, and helping run a transformational festival for women and teen girls—Sarah shares the story of how one person’s belief helped her begin to believe in herself.This conversation is a powerful reminder that it’s not always the big moments that shape us…it’s the people who see us, support us, and stay.What You’ll Hear in This Episode The one person who made a life-changing difference for Sarah How belief from others can unlock confidence within us The impact of having someone who doesn’t let you give up on yourself Overcoming self-doubt, fear, and feeling “not good enough” The ripple effect of growth—how it influences the next generation Why you might already be that person for someone elseKey TakeawayIt doesn’t take perfection or having all the answers to change someone’s life.Sometimes it’s simply: Showing up Listening Holding space Believing in someone… before they believe in themselvesAbout Sara HughesSara is a mum of four, business owner, and co-organiser of Womanifest—a powerful festival designed to inspire, educate, and empower women and teen girls.She also runs the Teen Tent at Womanifest, creating a safe, inspiring space where young people can explore confidence, identity, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.Join Us at WomanifestAshley and The Resilient Kid team will be hosting the Teen Tent at Womanifest—a space dedicated to supporting teen girls with: Confidence-building Understanding emotions Healthy relationships Anxiety support Creative workshops and connectionCome and experience it for yourselfMeet the teamSee the impact up closeA Final ThoughtAs you listen, you might find yourself thinking about your person…Or maybe realising something even more powerful:You might be that person for someone else.And that’s where change begins.One moment.One conversation.One person.Time Stamps:00:00 One Person Who Changed You00:36 Meet Sarah Hughes01:14 What One Manifest Is04:19 Teen Tent Highlights07:05 Who Made The Difference07:56 How Sarah Met Lisa10:57 First One Manifest Experience12:18 Rock Bottom To Breakthrough16:23 Launching The Crystal Business18:23 Taking Over The Teen Area20:43 Belief That Builds Resilience25:27 Passing Confidence To Caden30:10 Thank You Lisa30:49 Final Reflection And InvitationFind all the resources in our Listeners Lounge:https://www.theresilientacademy.co.uk/loungeYoutube Link:Spotify Link:Sara Hughes Website: www.womanifest.co.uk Instagram: @the_crystal_fairy_godmother Facebook Group: View Facebook Group Useful Links Sign up to our newsletter: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/240667/93026367927485942/share Get “A Parent’s Guide To Raising A Resilient Kid”: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1739302605 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resilientkiduk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theresilientkid LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/resilientkid Pinterest: https://za.pinterest.com/resilientacademy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theresilientkid957 Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ashley-costello Website: https://www.theresilientacademy.co.uk

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The One Where I Felt Seen

Mar 2700:37:08Tap to summarize

This month on The Resilient Kid Podcast, we’re exploring a powerful theme: one person who made a difference in your life.In this episode, Ashley is joined by friend of the show, Sarah Vogel, for a thoughtful and heartfelt conversation about the person who changed the direction of Sarah’s life — a colleague and dear friend, Dr Elaine Swan.What started as one simple comment in a London department store in the late 1980s became the first domino in a chain of events that shaped Sarah’s future. From seeing herself differently, to going to university as a mature student, to building a life and career that has impacted so many others, Sarah reflects on the incredible ripple effect of being truly seen by someone.In this episode, we cover:The person who made a lasting difference in Sarah’s lifeHow one comment planted the seed for university and a completely different futureWhy being seen by another person can change how we see ourselvesThe ripple effect of confidence and encouragementHow Sarah now helps others see strengths they may not yet recognise in themselvesWhy young people need real-life opportunities to build confidenceThe importance of conversations, risk-taking, and resilience in growing upHow small moments of belief can create lifelong impactAbout Sarah VogelSarah Vogel is a coach, facilitator, mediator, and leadership expert who helps people and organisations have better, braver, and more effective conversations. Through her work with PDA, she supports leaders to build confidence, influence, accountability, and stronger relationships at work.Sarah is also passionate about helping young people develop confidence, communication skills, and resilience early in life — so they can step into the world feeling more grounded, capable, and connected.A note for parents and professionalsThis episode is a reminder that you may never fully know the impact you are having on a child or young person.A conversation.A vote of confidence.A moment of encouragement.A belief they borrow before they can find their own.It all matters.And often, the things that feel small to us are the very things they remember for years to come.Connect and shareIf this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who has made a difference in your life — or with someone who may need the reminder that their presence matters more than they know.And as you listen, maybe ask yourself:Who was that one person for you?And perhaps even more importantly…Who might you be that person for now?Teen Event MentionTeen tickets are now on sale for Womanifest, where Ashley and Sarah will be hosting dedicated teen sessions focused on confidence, body positivity, resilience, relationships, and emotional wellbeing. - https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Crewe/Delamere-Events-Ltd/Womanifest-2026/41123458/It will be a space for teens to feel supported, inspired, and equipped with tools they can take into everyday life.We are building a community of people who want to be that person for more children, in more places. So if something in this episode has resonated with you, and you have ever felt that pull to make a difference not only in your own family but in your wider community too, that is exactly why we created our franchise - https://www.theresilientacademy.co.uk/franchise LinksWebsite: www.contactpda.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ContactPDAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/contactpdaSign up to our newsletter: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/240667/93026367927485942/shareGet “A Parent’s Guide To Raising A Resilient Kid”: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1739302605Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resilientkidukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theresilientkidLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/resilientkidYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theresilientkid957Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ashley-costelloWebsite: https://www.theresilientacademy.co.uk

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The Mother's Day Edition

Mar 1900:14:32Tap to summarize

Mother’s Day can look like breakfast in bed, family roasts, and a full, noisy house…But for many, it’s also a day that brings mixed emotions — grief, distance, complicated relationships, or quiet reflection.In this episode, I share a personal story about my mum — not for the everyday things we often associate with motherhood, but for something deeper.Her courage.At just 22, she emigrated to South Africa on a one-way ticket, building a life from scratch. But when her marriage broke down, she made a decision that would shape everything that came after…She came home.As a single mum.To a small town.To judgement.To starting again.And it got me thinking…It only takes one person.One person to make a different choice.One person to choose happiness over what looks easier.One person to change the direction of a child’s life.In this episode, we explore:Why Mother’s Day can feel joyful and heavyThe unseen courage behind parenting decisionsHow one brave choice can shape generationsReflecting on “what if?” — and how different life could have beenThe idea that we can be that one person for our childrenThis is a gentle, honest episode — whether you’re celebrating, grieving, or somewhere in between.A gentle reminderIf Mother’s Day feels hard for you, you’re not alone.Your experience is valid — whether it’s shaped by loss, distance, or a relationship that isn’t what you hoped it would be.And if today brings gratitude, love, and connection — hold onto that too.There’s space for all of it.Want to be that one person for more children?If this episode resonated with you and you feel called to support children in building confidence, emotional resilience, and stronger futures…You can find out more about becoming part of The Resilient Kid community here:👉 https://www.theresilientkid.co.uk/franchiseOur franchise opportunity is designed for people who want to make a real difference — working with children, families, and schools to create lasting change.Because it really does only take one person… to change everything.📩 Stay connectedFollow along for more parenting insights and supportShare this episode with someone who might need to hear it todayJoin our community for practical tools and real conversationsTime Stamps:00:00 Mothers Day Morning00:40 Family Feast Reflections01:36 It Only Takes One02:02 Leap to South Africa03:09 Building a New Life04:54 Coming Home Alone05:21 Small Town Judgment07:11 Debt and Starting Over08:24 Raised by Community10:58 One Choice Changed Everything11:29 Quiet Bravery of Moms12:26 Your One Person Story13:14 Series Mission and Invitation14:17 Final Thanks and CallFind all the resources in our Listeners Lounge:https://www.theresilientacademy.co.uk/loungeYoutube Link: Spotify Link: Useful LinksSign up to our newsletter: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/240667/93026367927485942/shareGet “A Parent’s Guide To Raising A Resilient Kid”: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1739302605Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resilientkidukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theresilientkidLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/resilientkidPinterest: https://za.pinterest.com/resilientacademyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theresilientkid957Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ashley-costelloWebsite: https://www.theresilientacademy.co.uk

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Resilient Kid: Therapy and tips for raising strong kids and teens

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The Mother's Day Edition