I know that people can listen to this podcast anytime, but it is being posted as the Christmas edition for 2025 and it is, appropriately, a cracker!!Suzanne Zeedyk has been mentioned in a number of the earlier episodes and has, clear...

I have been keen to record another episode of this series which focussed on Further Education to follow up the wonderful episode with Jackie Galbraith from West Lothian College. Kirsten Harrold is a worthy successor. Kirsten is a br...

This episode marks our quarter century. It also marks a bit of a departure in that it is a discussion with Louise Marryat and reflecting on her 2019 research into ACEs in Scotland. It is about a different sort of taking action, but we wanted to...

This is a really important podcast for me. I realised that we had recorded 23 episodes and not included anyone from a black or minority ethnic community. That led me to reflect on how little engagement there has been between these communities a...

I am delighted to be releasing this episode of Taking Action for a number of reasons.First, and most importantly, it features two really committed and passionate people in Gwenne and Jennie, who have an excellent project to talk about.

Angus Bell's story is remarkable. His experience of attending a well known boarding school in Scotland is utterly horrific, but Angus has certainly taken action. He took legal action against the school that he attended and won a significant set...

Upstart Scotland - https://upstart.scot/ - is a remarkable organisation. Here's the link to a very old video by way of introduction https://www....

I am really proud that we have reached 20 episodes of this podcast and am very pleased that it is an interview with Jennie Seed, Deputy Headteacher at Carnoustie High School. Jennie is a classic example of someone meeting Jaz Ampaw Farr's chall...

I am always amazed at how many people are doing things to try to make Scotland a more caring, compassionate and just nation and the different ways that they find to do that. My guest on this episode is a classic example of this. I w...

I am aware that the episodes of Taking Action are getting longer and this is one of the episodes that justifies that. Apart from the fact that Fiona Duncan, who led the  Review leading to The Promise  and is the Independent Strategic ...

I hope this is as much of a treat for you to listen to as it was for me to record. As is very apparent in the episode, I am a huge fan of Blue Rose Code and of Ross Wilson's work, but the interview is much more than a piece of self-indulgence.&...

I am delighted by this episode for all sorts of reasons. Ciara Burke is a joy to talk with. She is effervescent, full of enthusiasm and generosity. I felt energised simply by hearing her. She also has a great story to tell. What Mid...

This is another instance where the quality of the recording does not match up to the quality of the content. Thomas Seisay is a wonderful example to all of us. He and his husband adopted two children who had both been in the care sy...

I hope that the title for this episode got your attention. It was difficult to know what to call it, but it was delight to be part of it! Essentially, it is me trying to interview Angela Gardner from St John the Baptist Primary School in Fauldh...

Following on from the inspirational conversation with Danny Gemmell, here is another wonderful example of individual and community activism. Sandra Sutton is a force of nature. She is full of drive and energy and she has devoted that to the for...

One of the great things about doing this podcast is getting to meet someone every week who is doing something remarkable to implement what they know about the impact of trauma and the healing power of relationships. It gives me hope art a time ...

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. S...

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 m...

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 traum...

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 ...

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 sig...

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....

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 involveme...

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...

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 ...