Care Visions Talks
Care Visions Talks
Care Visions Talks is a podcast series that brings together voices from across care, education, health and community support to explore what it really means to care — and to be cared for.
The series includes two strands:
Care Visions Family Talk has two hosts: Dr Linda de Caestecker and Lucy Johnston.
Dr Linda de Caestecker, former Director of Public Health and experienced paediatrician, leads warm, accessible conversations designed for parents, carers and families. Her episodes cover topics such as childhood trauma, fostering, resilience, separation and mental health, with expert guests offering practical guidance and compassionate insight.
Lucy Johnston is an award-winning journalist and broadcaster with a long-standing commitment to social affairs, health, and children’s welfare. In her episodes, she shares powerful stories about young people in care and explores the systems that shape their lives. With a background in investigative reporting, Lucy began her career at The Big Issue before moving to The Observer and later The Sunday Express, where she is Health and Social Affairs Editor. Her work has exposed neglect in care homes, failures in mental health services, and injustices faced by vulnerable children and families.
Care Visions Professional Talk is hosted by Humphrey Hawksley, award-winning author, broadcaster and former BBC foreign correspondent. These in-depth episodes are created for those working in or studying social care, health, education and related fields. Guests include thought leaders, researchers and practitioners discussing the emotional realities, challenges and evolving practices in work with children, young people and families.
Whether you're a parent, a professional, or someone passionate about care and community, Care Visions Talks offers space to listen, reflect and learn.
Care Visions Talks
Why Kids Are Struggling: A Wake-Up Call for Modern Childhood with Sue Palmer
Modern childhood is facing an unprecedented crisis — rising screen time, falling literacy, and overstimulated young minds. In this Family Talk Live event, Sue Palmer, author of Toxic Childhood and Upstart, joined Dr Linda de Caestecker to unpack what’s really going on for children today — and how we can bring back calm, play, and connection.
Sue shared insights from decades of research into early development, explaining how rapid cultural and technological change has reshaped childhood. She traced the roots of problems such as anxiety, distraction, and poor self-regulation back to a “perfect storm” of technology, consumerism, and loss of community wisdom.
Together, Sue and Linda explored:
- Why early childhood (ages 3–7) is the critical window for social, emotional, and physical development
- How overstimulation and early academic pressure create a widening developmental — not just attainment — gap
- The essential role of play and love in fostering resilience, empathy, and confidence
- How parents and carers can “build their village” and balance technology use at home
- Practical ideas for reclaiming childhood joy in a modern world
Sue also spoke about her work with Upstart Scotland, advocating for a play-based “kindergarten stage” up to age seven, inspired by Nordic models of education. Her message was clear: to support children’s wellbeing, society must prioritise development over data — and rediscover the simple power of love and play.