David Cameron

Send us Fan Mail This is our most botanical episode yet. Prepare to get a little plant nerdy. Professor's Hill Reserve, in North Warrandyte within Nillumbik Shire, might only cover five hectares, but it contains one of Melbourne's richest and most significant patches of native bushland. In this episode, I walk with botanist David Cameron, whose work has shaped the way Victoria understands and protects its native flora. Over five decades, David has surveyed vegetation across the state, helped develop the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas, assessed threatened plant species, and become one of Victoria's...

This podcast was an absolute pleasure for me. I have long been committed to outdoor learning and chaired the Outdoor Connections Advisory Group for Scottish Government, so to combine that with addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences was an irresistible opportunity for me. Conor McNamara, Conor.mcnamara@oytscotland.org.uk, does exactly that through his work with the Ocean Youth Trust. You can get a real insight into the Trust's activity through this marvellous video https://oytscotland.org.uk/young-people-from-g15-youth-project-share-their-story-through-film-after-cashback-voyage and get more information on their website - Home - OYT Scotland Co...

This episode takes us back into the territory of community activism and empowerment and that is something that is at the heart of this series. Terry McTernan has a great story to tell about Ferguslie Park and the people who live there. Often highlighted, Ferguslie had become a byword for the extent and impact of deprivation. Sadly, it had often appeared to be a graveyard for efforts at regeneration and recovery. Terry tells a very different story a community that helped itself. One which made impressive progress when the people who lived there were empowered and encouraged. He echoes much of the work and thinking of Rebecca Solnit in her books, especially "A Paradise Built in Hell" and "The Beginning Comes After the End" and these are just some of the references made in this wide ranging conversation about how we really need to address industrial decline, unemployment, poverty and all the impacts of adversity, including adverse childhood experiences. It is fulll of ideas and passion and is a genuinely encouraging and uplifting conversation

It is wonderful to come back to the film "Love and Trouble" which we first discussed in episode 4 of series 1 of this podcast when we spoke to Christo Hird from Dartmouth Films. I now get the chance to talk about not with Kenny and Kerry who are the subjects of the film. I really admire both of them for the way that they have addressed the challenges and issues that they have faced and for the courage and openness that they have shown in allowing the film maker, Amy Hardie into their lives. Amy is a talented and sensitive person and her qualities, combined with the willingness of Kenny and Kerry to share their lives, have created a remarkable film. Showings of the film can be organised through the Scottish ACEs Action Community. If you would like to host a screening for your community or organisation, get in touch with Suzanne Zeedyk -suzanne@suzannezeedyk.com. She will tell you how Scotland’s ACEs Action Community can help you. There are screenings scheduled for for the School of Health and Wellbeing at Glasgow University on the 11th May - https://www.gla.ac.uk/events/listings/index.html/event/14695 Glasgow Clyde College on 19th May - jroden@glasgowclyde.ac.uk Dundee College on 20th May https://dvva.scot/news/love-and-trouble-screening-and-qa-with-da-college-20th-may/ Keep an eye on the Scotland's ACEs Action Community Facebook page for details of all screenings.

I am absolutely delighted to be able to release this podcast with Laurie Ellis. It is our first episode dealing with all of the issues, which we have dealt with in other episodes, in the world off sport, Laurie makes clear how important it is that everyone dealing with young people, whatever the context, needs to understand them and respond to their characteristics, experiences and needs. He talks brilliantly about how football academies have to develop players who are ready to move into the first team at their club, but to do more than that, They need to make sure that there are no barriers to their progress from developmental issues or trauma that are not addressed through understanding and the building of relationships. He also recognises the need for coaches to help in the overall development of the young people in the academies. I love his comment about producing "warriors" ready to give their all for their team, but also to be "warriors with compassion". He makes the case that, while coaches have a clear responsibility to their clubs, they have an essential responsibility to the young people who are ion their care. It is an encouraging account of how the culture of, at least some, of football academies has changed and how aware Laurie and other coaches are of the complex world that young people are being prepared for. In Laurie's case, this awareness has led him to seek more learning and information and to engage with the Scottish ACEs Action Community. This is a programme which should engage sports fans, parents and anyone interested in the development of Scotland young people.

We are back with a bang! Season 2 of Taking Action kicks off with the indefatigable Melanie Stuart, FE lecturer, activist and more. The list of links and references set out below will give you a flavour of the range of this conversation. Mel is open, honest and brave and shares her own personal development in these notes and on the show, but, above all she gets stuff done which is what taking Action is all about. It's one for anyone interested in FE, culture change and courage Relax Kids This is where the journey began for me, learning about ACEs and how the brain works. As part of Relax Kids training in Scotland, we met Jane Evans, whose work had a significant impact. Link to Jane Evans work which I use in lessons with students https://youtu.be/qKlzd-H2X9w?si=CBbVRsbjXhw8-dbz Website: https://relaxkids.com/ Hand in Hand Parenting Wanting to know more I then discovered Hand in Hand Parenting. The connection-based approach resonated deeply, and The Secret Garden in Fife became my youngest daughter’s nursery because they embedded this relational, connection-first philosophy. Website: https://www.handinhandparenting.org/ An anecdote of mine https://www.handinhandparenting.org/2018/10/how-to-talk-to-teenager The Secret Garden Outdoor Nursery: Training in the Hand in Hand Approach - Secret Garden Outdoor Nursery Mel's business Facebook page, a combination of mindfulness and connection based parenting work: https://www.facebook.com/MindfulConnectionsWithMelanie Listening Partnerships (Hand in Hand Parenting) Listening Partnerships have been central to my own growth and embodiment of trauma‑informed practice. Overview: https://www.handinhandparenting.org/2016/08/listen-launch-post-what-is-a-listening-partnership/ Dundee and Angus ACEs Hub (Now Aces Action Community) The hub began in 2018 after an Upstart launch event at Dundee University, watching the Resilience documentary at the DCA, and meeting others committed to change. Website: https://dundeeangusacehub.wixsite.com/dundeeangusaceshub Facebook: Dundee & Angus ACEs Action Community | Facebook ACE-Aware Nation Conference – 2018 Conference Mindfulness Action Research (CAIRN Article) Enhancing Student Wellbeing: The Impact of Mindfulness Exercises on Subject Based Anxiety in Further Education https://www.cdn.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Enhancing-Student-Wellbeing.pdf EIS FELA (Further Education Lecturers’ Association) The union representing FE lecturers across Scotland, including the Dundee branch. Main site: https://www.eis.org.uk/FELA/FELA-Home FE Matters Campaign / Dundee Branch Context For updates on FE campaigning activity, industrial action, and ongoing sector concerns, see Fighting for the Future of Further Education on Facebook. Fighting for the future of Further Education | Facebook Hear2Connect (Community Connection Work) Hear2Connect supports connection-based community work. Private Facebook: hear2connect community | Facebook Private LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/16096108/ Scotland ACEs Action Community A national community sharing learning and supporting trauma‑informed action across Scotland. ACEs & Trauma Scotland Forum | Facebook ACESAction Community Scotland Forum | Groups | LinkedIn Carnoustie High - Crew What Crew is EL Education - Building the Culture and Structure of Crew And here is the link to join our screening for those who wish to sign up for the Dundee & Angus College screening of- Love and Trouble - a documentary exploring how trauma lives inside relationships – https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=mQQF_bgn1EKWzZGmwHUsn3ZbWeBjwIRDtBGMEzy1gf1URUtPVlZBODZCWkxOUjRBQlhVVk

Welcome to the final podcast of series 1 of Taking Action. I will now be 'taking stock" and "taking a break" instead. the podcast will definitely be back, maybe with a renewed focus, format and frequency. Please look out for a return in mid-February. In the meantime, please check out previous episodes on Buzzsprout, Apple and Spotify. I had no doubt about how I wanted to finish off this first season and that was with a look back at this year, both through the podcast and the wider set of actions to mark the 20 year anniversary of Scotland's ACEs Journey. I also wanted this too be a forward looking episode and I think we have achieved both goals. This is a relaxed and wide ranging conversation which rounds off the series as I would want it to. It is filled with hope. If you wan t know more about what has been happening in Scotland over the last 20 years, here are some useful links For the graphic film telling the story of Scotland’s ACES Journey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hik0_sfbF6I For the booklet telling the story of Scotland’s ACEs Journey: https://connectedbaby.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ACEs-Journey-book-screen-190625.pdf For an even deeper dive into Scotland’s ACEs Journey: https://connectedbaby.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ACEs-Journey-info-June-25-2025.pdf For the 2023 paper by Zeedyk & Partridge tracing the ACEs history: https://connectedbaby.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ACEs-Journey-Article-.pdf For a video of the Gala Day held in June 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbP5ZbyMCBE We will also be releasing a graphic image showing the range of people involved in the podcast. It is a powerful illustration of the diversity of sectors, organisations and individuals who are working to make Scotland a more just, compassionate and equitable country . Look out for that on Linkedin, Bluesky and X

This is an episode which I have been longing to record. John Carnochan and Karyn McCluskey are, for me, towering figures in Scotland's ACEs movement. They were founding members of the groundbreaking Violence Reduction Unit established within the Strathclyde Police Force ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violence_Reduction_Unit ). They would both give credit to others for the building of that unit and they do that on the podcast, but they were instrumental in its success. Both are charismatic, clear-sighted, pragmatic and principled. They helped to change the culture of policing in, what was then, Strathclyde Region and influenced change far beyond that. They tackled what was then an appalling climate of violence in Scotland and had the courage to turn their backs on the standard remedy of more police, harsher punishments and a massive increase in the prison population. They recognised that "prevention" and "deterrence" were not synonyms and were prepared to tackle the causes of crime. They saw the importance of improving public services, memorably calling for more health visitors rather than more police officers. They listened to victims and to perpetrators and drew widely on data and research and they had an impact. They are both wonderful communicators with the ability to generate stunning phrases and aphorisms at the drop of a proverbial hat. They understood, and understand, the power of stories and used that relentlessly to engage, motivate and inspire others. Above all they brought, and bring, an intense humanity to all that they do. They are as far from the caricature of "bleeding-heart liberals" or "woke warriors" as it possible to be, but they are unafraid to argue with John Major's assertion that we need to"condemn a little more and understand a little less". They are clear that, regardless of how we deal with crime and criminals, we will change little without understanding, curiosity and a willingness to learn. Remarkably, they not only manage to illustrate all of these points in this episode, they also help us to reflect on the ACEs movement more generally and the lessons that we need to learn. It is an episode worth learning from For anyone interested in finding out more about the VRU, here are a number of links https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/feb/25/scottish-violence-reduction-unit-radical-change https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhFDsONaA5Y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjvqUWl4lkA

This episode really moves us into the final phase of this series of "Taking Action" - (look out for an announcement about future plans soon). We are going to be "looking in" with Warren Larkin to see how Scotland looks from an external perspective. We are then going to look back with John Carnochan and Karyn McCluskey, before we look forward with the return of Suzanne Zeedyk Warren Larkin is remarkable. As I describe him in the programme, he is a Renaissance Man of the ACEs movement. You will get details on him from his website https://warrenlarkinassociates.co.uk/ and it is impressive His own education story is fascinating = https://warrenlarkinassociates.co.uk/2018/01/08/about-warren-larkin/ During Covid, Warren headed up a Resilience Task Force to try to mitigate long-term impacts. Here is a link to one of those videos in 2020: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzYr39Cwobg He is particularly well known for his work promoting Routine Enquiry about Adversity in Childhood - the REACh model. He talks about this in his podcast. https://warrenlarkinassociates.co.uk/portfolio-items/routine-enquiry-about-adversity-in-childhood-reach-programme/ Here is the work he is doing to build trauma-sensitive schools now: https://warrenlarkinassociates.co.uk/portfolio-items/trauma-sensitive-schools/ He is a lead partner in a project working in schools to help them develop an understanding of trauma informed practice. Again, he talks about this in his podcast. https://schoolsweek.co.uk/home-office-and-yef-fund-5-8m-trauma-informed-practice-research/ That pedigree and his wide experience make him a perfect guest to offer an external perspective on the ACEs movement in Scotland. He delivers that with passion, humour, insight and depth. I know I always say this, but I always mean it, this episode is worth your time!

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, clearly, been hugely influential in the efforts to make sure that the Scottish public is a familiar as possible with the science of ACEs. The idea for this "Taking Action” series stemmed from Suzanne's vision for a year of celebration to mark the 20 years of Scotland's ACE's journey. Many of the guests have come from connections that shehas fostered. For all of these reasons it seems wonderfully appropriate to mark the last of our 2025 episodes with her thoughts. It is also appropriate that this is the first of two episodes that we will record with Suzanne. We plan to take a break over Christmas and New Year and return on the 9th of January when we will feature Warren Larkin, Professor, Consultant, Speaker, Trainer, Psychologist and more, giving us reflections our achievements in Scotland from an external perspective. This will be our “looking in" episode. We will then follow that with the redoubtable Karyn McCluskey and John Carnochan (the "redoubtable" applies to both of them!!!) talking about the original establishment of the Violence Reduction Unit in 2005, which kick started the efforts being marked in this year of celebration. It will be our "looking back" episode. After that we will conclude the series with Suzanne and I jointly "looking forward”. In the meantime, please enjoy this episode which reviews the series so far, exploring Suzanne's background and current work, which stands alongside what she has done in the 15 years she has been working with the public. Here are lots of links to explore if you want to contact Suzanne or find out more and follow up some of the aspects of our discussion. Suzanne’s website: www.suzannezeedyk.com connected baby website: www.connectedbaby.net Article written by Suzanne (2023) on the history of the ACEs Movement in Scotland: https://connectedbaby.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ACEs-Journey-Article-.pdf Graphic booklet on Scotland’s ACEs Journey, created by connected baby: https://connectedbaby.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ACEs-Journey-book-screen-190625.pdf Article by Suzanne (2022) on disseminating science to the public, in which she takes about the power of stories: https://mindinmind.org.uk/thought-pieces/science-of-attachment/ Discussion with Piers Cross and Suzanne Zeedyk (2020) on boarding school trauma: https://www.piers-cross.com/aem-podcast-36-suzanne-zeedyk-ph-d-aem-36-suzanne-zeedyk-developmental-psychologist-attachment-theory-aces-trauma-boarding-school Substack articles on Fierce Curiosity: https://suzannezeedyk.substack.com/ Feedback video on Daring Ventures Programme in Fife: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kw9GLoV3Sz0 What Then Must We Do by Tolstoy: https://philoonbooks.wordpress.com/2015/04/05/what-then-must-we-do-by-leo-tolstoy/