What does it really take to parent neurodivergent children in a system that isn't built for them? Daniel sits down with Andrea Reid, a mum of two, Toastmasters member and parent carer advocate, for an honest conversation about SEND, the fight for support, self-care and finding your people.

As a fellow member of their Toastmasters club, Daniel was so moved by Andrea's speech that he knew he had to have her on the show. Here she shares what it's like behind the scenes: the early signs, the battle to get support in school, the pressure on relationships, and why connection and letting go of expectations make such a difference.

If this one resonates, share it with a parent who needs to hear it, and like and subscribe for more conversations like this.

Andrea's links:

• Herts Parent Carer Involvement (where Andrea works): https://hertsparentcarers.org.uk
• SPACE Hertfordshire (the charity Andrea is running the London Marathon for): https://spaceherts.org.uk
• Sponsor Andrea's London Marathon run: https://www.justgiving.com/page/andrea-reid-1
• Follow Andrea on Instagram: @andreareid7712
• Hertfordshire Local Offer: https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/microsites/local-offer/the-hertfordshire-local-offer.aspx

Book mentioned: The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron

Takeaways:

• Navigating neurodivergence is challenging
• Advocacy is crucial for support
• Self-care is important
• Community support is invaluable

The conversation centres on Andrea Reid's experiences with neurodivergence in her family, particularly her daughters' special educational needs and the challenges faced by parents navigating the education system. Andrea shares her journey of understanding neurodivergence, the emotional toll it takes, and the importance of advocacy and support for families in similar situations. The conversation explores the experience of parenting children with special educational needs and disabilities, emphasising self-care, connection and community support. It highlights the emotional struggles parents face, the need for validation, and the significance of recognising both their own and their children's neurodivergent traits.

Chapters:

• 0:00 Introduction to Andrea
• 1:18 Understanding neurodivergence
• 4:36 The journey begins: early signs
• 8:21 The battle for support
• 12:36 Navigating the education system
• 16:44 The role of advocacy
• 19:59 Resources for parents
• 22:52 Community support and charities
• 24:28 Changing expectations in parenting
• 26:23 The impact of social media
• 28:10 Managing relationships
• 30:02 Finding acceptance
• 32:29 The pressure of academic success
• 34:22 Coping with overwhelm
• 36:07 The importance of self-care
• 41:02 Finding time for yourself
• 46:32 Navigating parenting challenges
• 52:33 Taking away the shame
• 56:25 Finding connection and community
• 1:01:04 Empowerment through knowledge
• 1:03:31 Redefining expectations and strengths
• 1:06:19 Creating supportive spaces for parents
• 1:10:39 The power of shared experiences
• 1:12:35 Final thoughts and encouragement

Music licensed through Soundstripe.

Code: SPHUL5PVPLGEV3DY

#MentalHealth #SEND #Neurodiversity #SENDParents #ParentingPodcast

Why is joy the secret to wellness? Daniel sits down with Hannah Lanel, nutritionist, entrepreneur and self-confessed closet poetry geek, for a warm, funny conversation about creativity, joy and finding your own way.

From sitting outside the headmistress's office at 11 to building communities, events and businesses, Hannah brings a rare energy that makes people feel seen, valued and a little bit better about themselves.

In this episode:

- Poetry as therapy, and how poems find you when you need them

- Creativity in business, and a fairground with a trapeze

- Why joy matters more than any plan

- Why there's no such thing as "good" and "bad" food

- Her advice to anyone starting out on their own

Poems mentioned in the episode:

Our Deepest Fear, Marianne Williamson

https://zenmoments.org/our-deepest-fear/

Wild Geese, Mary Oliver

https://allpoetry.com/poem/15374223-Wild-geese-by-Mary-J-Oliver

Follow Hannah on Instagram: @hannahlanel

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Hannah's journey

02:27 The power of poetry

08:27 Creativity in action

10:45 Navigating life's challenges

12:59 Returning to education

17:02 Building relationships through honesty

19:54 Finding joy in wellness

20:21 Goals and wellness

23:52 Redefining our relationship with food

27:31 Cooking as a creative outlet

28:29 The evolution of eating habits

29:54 Food, control and young people

30:50 The control factor

35:06 Lived experience

36:24 Empathy and understanding

38:16 Navigating ADHD

42:08 Boundaries and sensitivity

44:01 Wisdom for your younger self

45:57 Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs

47:58 Reflections on life and purpose

You don't have to have everything sorted out to have a positive impact on the people around you. Sometimes it's simply about how you make people feel.

If you enjoyed this one, like, subscribe and share it with a friend who'd love it.

#NoddingDog #Podcast #Wellness #Creativity #Nutrition

What are you putting off because you’re not sure you can do it?

My conversation with Johnny Jones left me with one wonderfully simple thought:

“Just have a go”

At 71, Johnny is still setting himself new challenges. He sees someone doing a handstand and thinks, I want to try that. A new yoga position? He’ll work at it. An injury means changing a tennis stroke he’s used for years? He’ll learn another one.

And this isn't something Johnny suddenly discovered in retirement. It's a thread that runs through his whole life, music, photography, starting a business, running marathons, sport and now travelling the world.

Following a health scare, Johnny made a decision: to make every day count and become the best version of himself he could be.

What I found particularly interesting was his relationship with being in the NOW.

When Johnny plays tennis, particularly when he's rallying, his mind and body become completely focused on that moment. There’s no shopping list, no jobs to do later, no noise — just the ball and the next shot for Johnny, that’s meditation.

And the same philosophy runs through his photography.

Johnny has spent a lifetime behind a camera, beginning with a Brownie camera as a child and later working at Vogue. Today, photography is no longer a business for him. He creates his own projects and self-publishes beautiful books simply to give them away and share what he sees.

Many of his photographs are taken on an iPhon, but that's the point, it's not simply about having an expensive camera. It's about seeing what belongs inside the frame, what is happening in this particular moment that might never happen again.

Johnny said something towards the end of our conversation that stayed with me:

“Just try and take a picture you think no one else has taken.”

Perhaps that applies to more than photography.

Try something you haven't tried before. Challenge yourself. Stay curious. Be present.

You don't have to know whether you'll succeed.

Just have a go.

You can find Johnny

You can find Johnnys photos on his instagram account @johnnyjonessJJ

Photographer he likes : https://www.vivianmaier.com/

🎙️ Johnny Jones on the Nodding Dog Podcast.

#NoddingDogPodcast #HaveAGo #JohnnyJones #Mindset #PowerOfNow #Photography #iPhonePhotography #StayCurious #PersonalGrowth #ActiveLife #Tennis #Padel #Mindfulness #Creativity #LifeLessons #Iphone