Educationalist Alis Rocca looks back at 2 years of hosting Nip in the Bud’s Children’s Mental Health podcast and some of the key themes that keep coming up.
Producing and hosting the Nip in the Bud podcast for the past two years has been an incredibly rewarding journey. I’ve had the great fortune of meeting a wide variety of guests, all of whom have been so different in their backgrounds and expertise, yet share a profound dedication to one common goal: improving the well-being and mental health of children. It has been a true privilege to speak with specialists in various fields of mental health and neurodivergence, many with notable credentials and high regard. Just as valuable have been the conversations with parents and educators who work with children every day, sharing their true and authentic lived experiences, but who may have been overlooked for the incredible work that they do.
I have felt truly honoured to hear the stories of challenge, like my conversation of courage with Damien Lane, a father caring for his severely autistic son. Or hearing from educator Lauren Whittaker whose own experience of school was far from nurturing, but has used her negative experience to develop her into a champion for children in the work that she now does as an adult.
The emotional journeys, and the stories of hope and determination such as those shared by Professor Ougrin and Svetlana Sheck-Robinz who work with communities of refugees, paving the way for better lives and calmer minds were just that – emotional and eye opening. And speaking to those who are determined to effect positive change in their lifetime, such as Jessica Bondy who made us realise how vital the words we choose to use with our children are, and how damaging verbal abuse really is.
Each episode has offered a unique perspective, from the clinical insights of experts to the heartfelt narratives of those living these realities. It’s this combination of professional knowledge and personal stories that has made the podcast such a meaningful and impactful experience for me and, I hope, for our listeners.
I am deeply grateful to all our guests for generously contributing their time and stories to the podcast and I look forward to meeting so many more inspiring people in the coming months.
Alis Rocca
