Able to Care

Able Training Support Ltd
  • 0.0 (0)
  • MEDICINE

Join host Andy Baker (author, speaker and educator) for Able Training’s care-focused podcast Able to Care. For paid and unpaid caregivers, teachers and parents to better understand themselves and those they support. With twice-weekly episodes covering understanding people, promoting self-care and resilience, signposting support and services, strategies to reduce stress and distress, promoting good practice and ensuring positive outcomes for all. Includes special guest experts, caregivers and those with lived experience.

  1. 28/11/2025

    Preventative Wellbeing: The Six C’s That Help People Thrive

    In this powerful solo episode of Able to Care, Andy Baker – behaviour specialist, author, trainer and speaker – explores one of the most transformative frameworks in person-centred support: the Six C’s of Preventative Wellbeing. Too often, we fight fires instead of fireproofing. Whether you're a parent trying to reduce meltdowns, a carer supporting someone in distress, or a teacher dealing with disengagement, this episode reframes the problem: It’s not just about reacting to behaviour – it’s about creating environments where the behaviour doesn’t need to happen. Andy introduces the Six C’s – Comfort, Consistency, Connection, Choice, Competency, and Challenge – and explains how each one contributes to better outcomes for those we support, and for ourselves. Grounded in trauma-informed practice, psychological safety, and real-world experience, this model gives carers and professionals a clear, compassionate roadmap for prevention and wellbeing. 🤝 Sponsored by Carers Card UK We're proud to be sponsored by  Order your card today 📚 Resources Mentioned Targeting the Positive – Andy Baker’s book exploring proactive and person-centred behaviour support. Able Training – The Target System – Learn more about the framework featured in this episode. 🗝️ Three Key Messages Preventative wellbeing is proactive, not reactive. When we build safety, predictability, and purpose into environments, we reduce distress – and therefore, behaviour that challenges. The Six C’s aren’t just theory – they’re culture. Comfort, Consistency, Connection, Choice, Competency, and Challenge must be embedded into everyday life, not just stuck on a poster. You can’t thrive in fight-or-flight. Until people feel safe, they cannot learn, relate, or grow. Support must begin with emotional safety. ⏱️ Timestamps (Chapters) 00:00 – Why Firefighting Doesn’t Work 01:40 – The Six C’s Explained 02:53 – What is Preventative Wellbeing? 04:28 – Comfort: Psychological and Physical Safety 07:17 – Consistency: The Quiet Rhythm of Trust 09:49 – Connection: The Gateway to Regulation 11:11 – Choice: Autonomy and Dignity in Action 13:17 – Competency: Building Self-Esteem Through Mastery 15:11 – Challenge: Stretching Without Overwhelming 17:00 – How to Use the Six C’s in Practice 19:13 – From Compliance to Culture 19:50 – Final Thoughts and a Call to Reflect 🎧 Why Listen to This Episode? You’re a parent who wants less shouting and more connection You’re a teacher frustrated by behaviour but unsure what’s beneath it You’re a carer trying to create calm, not just contain chaos You’re a leader looking to reduce burnout and improve wellbeing This episode helps you see support differently – not as a response to behaviour, but as an opportunity to shape it before it ever appears. 🔗 Connect With Us 📲 Instagram: @AbleTraining 📲 LinkedIn: Able Training 📲 TikTok: @AbleToCarePodcast 🌐 Website: AbleHub.uk

    20 min

  2. 25/11/2025

    Transforming School Behaviour and Culture with Fiona Booth

    What happens when a headteacher leads not with policies, but with purpose? In this inspiring episode of the Able to Care podcast, behaviour specialist Andy Baker speaks with Fiona Booth, Headteacher at St Nicholas Church of England Primary Academy, a school recently featured by the BBC for its outstanding, relationship-driven approach to education. With 12 years in leadership, Fiona shares how she rebuilt a “dark” school culture into one where every child—and adult—feels safe, seen and supported. From tucking in shirts as a symbol of belonging to using data as a torch, not a hammer, Fiona’s message will resonate with caregivers, educators and parents navigating systems while trying to hold onto humanity. This is an essential listen for anyone who believes behaviour is communication, and that education—and care—must start with connection. 💙 Sponsored by: Carers Card UK This episode is proudly supported by Order your card today 🔗 Resources Mentioned: Fiona Booth – Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge by Andy Baker Able Training Podcast Hub 💡 Three Key Messages: Love is not soft—it’s structured. Compassion and boundaries are not opposites. They work best when they walk hand-in-hand. Real behaviour change comes from consistency and culture. Building trust, not fear, leads to safer, stronger systems—for children and adults alike. Every human being carries light. A school should be a lighthouse: guiding, warning, celebrating. When we see the light in others, they begin to see it in themselves. ⏱ Timestamps / Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction and Sponsor: Carers Card UK 01:40 – Meet Fiona Booth: Relationship-Centric Leadership 03:00 – What is a relationship-first school and why does it matter? 06:00 – Finding the untold stories behind behaviour 08:00 – How trauma-informed leadership reshapes whole school culture 11:00 – Building trust, not compliance, with staff and students 14:00 – Stories of real transformation: from despair to belonging 18:00 – The 'shine' philosophy and embracing every child’s light 22:00 – Rethinking data: Is it a hammer or a torch? 28:00 – Boundaries, belief and building expectations 34:00 – Being a lead learner: How Fiona models continual growth 39:00 – Music, movement and joy as staff wellbeing strategies 44:00 – What Ofsted and the DfE miss about real behaviour change 48:00 – Gratitude journals, emotional literacy and peer celebration 53:00 – Culture-shifting through connection, one moment at a time 56:00 – Final stories: Why this work really matters 01:05:00 – What drives Fiona on hard days 🎯 Why Listen to This Episode: Discover how to build compassion-led culture in any school or care setting Learn why vulnerability is a strength in leadership, not a weakness Explore how boundaries + empathy create safety Be inspired by real-life stories of hope, healing and transformation Gain tools to help you connect before you correct in behaviour support If you're a parent, teacher, caregiver—or anyone supporting people through challenges—this episode offers emotional insight and practical hope. 📲 Stay Connected: 🎧 Listen to all episodes: www.able-training.co.uk/podcast 📘 Andy’s Book – Targeting the Positive: Buy on Amazon 💳 Carers Card UK Offer:  🎟️ Order your card today 📱 Follow Able Training: 📲 Instagram: @AbleTraining 📲 LinkedIn: Able Training 📲 TikTok: @AbleToCarePodcast 🌐 Website: AbleHub.uk

    1h 10m

  3. 21/11/2025

    The Hidden Power of Language in Care, Teaching and Parenting

    Have you ever said, “Be quiet,” or “Stop crying,” and meant well — but noticed it shut things down rather than opened them up? In this solo episode of the Able to Care podcast, Andy Baker (behaviour specialist, trainer, author, and speaker) explores how everyday language used in care, education, and family life can either build trust or break it. Aimed at caregivers, educators, and parents, this thought-provoking episode shows how subtle shifts in language can transform your connection with the people you support — from young children to adults. This isn’t about being “soft.” It’s about being smart with your words. Learn how to move from control to connection, from correction to collaboration. 💙 Sponsored by: Carers Card UK The Able to Care podcast is proudly supported by  Order your card today 📚 Resources Mentioned: Andy’s book: Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge Podcast hub: www.able-training.co.uk/podcast 💡 Three Key Messages: The way we phrase things shapes behaviour and safety. Language can either escalate or regulate, build bridges or burn them. Small changes in words lead to big changes in connection. Replacing “stop crying” with “I’m here for you” invites trust and emotional safety. Words don’t just describe reality — they create it. From praising effort to setting boundaries with kindness, your language teaches people how safe they are and how capable they can become. ⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction: Why the words we use matter 00:43 – Sponsor: Carers Card UK 01:50 – Connection vs control: The impact of phrases like “Stop crying” 02:14 – How language reflects mindset and changes how others see themselves 03:12 – Language as emotional regulation and safety cue 04:44 – Trauma-informed language: Validating vs dismissing distress 05:49 – Replacing correction with collaboration 06:36 – Building a growth mindset with words 07:53 – Avoiding minimisation: Why “it’s not that hard” can harm 08:28 – Reframing “mess” and “behaviour” in play and exploration 09:38 – The principle of positive phrasing: Say what you want to see 10:19 – The TARGET model: How to reflect and shift language patterns 11:14 – Final thought: Every word is a seed — plant safety, not fear 🎯 Why Listen to This Episode: You’ll gain practical, everyday language swaps that calm instead of escalate You’ll reflect on your own communication habits and how they shape behaviour You’ll understand how trust and safety are built one phrase at a time You’ll be better equipped to help children or adults feel seen, heard and respected If you’re a parent, teacher, carer, or support worker, this episode will leave you thinking differently about what you say — and why it matters. 📲 Stay Connected: 📲 Instagram: @AbleTraining 📲 LinkedIn: Able Training 📲 TikTok: @AbleToCarePodcast 🌐 Website: AbleHub.uk

    11 min

  4. 18/11/2025

    Silence Your Inner Critic: Mindful Self-Compassion for Caregivers (with Kathryn Lovewell)

    In this episode of the Able to Care podcast, behaviour specialist Andy Baker is joined by Kathryn Lovewell, founder of Kind Mind Academy, award-winning speaker, and best-selling author of The Little Book of Self-Compassion, The Voices in My Head, and Every Teacher Matters. Together, they explore how self-compassion isn’t soft—it’s essential. Drawing on Kathryn’s experience working across schools, prisons, foster care, and families, they unpack the power of mindful self-compassion in daily life, especially for those in support roles. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or carer feeling stretched thin, this conversation offers something rare: permission to be kind to yourself—and practical steps to start today. 💙 Sponsored by: Carers Card UK We’re proudly supported by The Booster Way Community Kathryn on LinkedIn: Kathryn Lovewell Instagram: @theboosterway Kathryn’s books: The Voices in My Head The Little Book of Self-Compassion Every Teacher Matters Andy’s book: able-training.co.uk/podcast 💡 Three Key Messages: Self-compassion isn't self-indulgent—it's essential. For carers and educators, kindness to ourselves fuels how well we care for others. We pass on our inner dialogue. Children and young people absorb how we speak to ourselves as much as how we speak to them. Start small, stay consistent. Rewiring our inner voice takes time, but small acts of self-kindness each day create lasting change. ⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters: 00:00 – Intro: The power of how we speak to ourselves 01:42 – Sponsor: Carers Card UK 02:00 – Meet Kathryn Lovewell and her journey into self-compassion 05:00 – Understanding the inner critic and “Crusher” vs “Booster” 10:30 – Why self-compassion is so hard but so necessary 15:20 – How changing our inner voice transforms relationships 20:00 – Recognising signs of emotional depletion and burnout 28:00 – A guided Self-Compassion Break exercise 35:00 – The Booster Way: Building emotional language in families 42:00 – Creating a culture of compassion in schools and homes 47:00 – Modeling healthy self-talk for children 52:00 – Practical ways to calm and regulate during tough moments 56:00 – Busting the myth: Self-care isn’t selfish 59:00 – Final message: No one needs to suffer alone 🎯 Why Listen to This Episode: You’ll learn practical tools for calming the inner critic You’ll hear powerful real-life stories from education and parenting You’ll walk away with a new language to share compassion with your children and yourself You’ll discover why modeling emotional wellbeing is the most effective teaching tool of all This is an episode for anyone who’s ever said, “I just don’t have time for self-care.” You do—and Kathryn Lovewell shows you how to make it count. 📲 Stay Connected: The Able Hub: www.ablehub.uk  Andy Baker’s Book: Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge 📱 Follow Us: 📲 Instagram: @AbleTraining 📲 LinkedIn: Able Training 📲 TikTok: @AbleToCarePodcast 🌐 Website: AbleHub.uk

    1 hr

  5. 14/11/2025

    The Cost of Submissive Behaviour: When Quiet Isn’t Calm

    In today’s solo episode, behaviour specialist and author Andy Baker shines a light on one of the most overlooked behavioural patterns in care and education: submissive behaviour. When someone is compliant, quiet, or “no trouble at all,” we often assume they’re fine. But beneath the surface, they may be masking distress, emotionally shutting down, or building up stress that will eventually erupt elsewhere. This episode is essential listening for teachers, parents, and caregivers who want to truly understand the people they support—not just by what they do, but what they hide. Andy explores the cost of emotional suppression, the danger of unseen stress, and how to spot when “quiet” is actually a cry for help. If you support someone who’s “easy,” “shy,” or never says no—this episode could change everything. 💙 Sponsored by: Carers Card UK We’re proudly supported by carerscarduk.co.uk/promocode/abletocare 🔗 Resources Mentioned: Andy Baker’s Book – Targeting the Positive www.able-training.co.uk/podcast 💡 Three Key Messages: Quietness is not always calm—sometimes it’s a trauma response. People may mask distress by appearing agreeable, passive, or withdrawn. It’s not comfort—it’s survival. Submissive behaviour is costly—physically and emotionally. When emotions are repressed long-term, it can lead to chronic anxiety, burnout, and even trauma. Psychological safety allows people to show their true selves. Whether at home, school, or in care, we must create environments where people feel safe to say “no” and express emotion without fear of judgment. ⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction: The myth of the “quiet, good one” 02:05 – Sponsor: Carers Card UK 03:00 – Why compliant behaviour often masks distress 05:00 – What is masking, and why does it drain emotional energy? 06:00 – The physiology of freeze and submit 07:00 – The Coke bottle analogy: When pressure builds up 08:00 – Why meltdowns happen at home, not school 10:00 – How quietness can be a trauma response 11:00 – How disassociation shows up in care and education settings 12:00 – Spotting the signs: the cost of never saying “no” 14:00 – Why we must reframe “no” as a healthy boundary 15:00 – Masking exhaustion and emotional burnout 16:00 – A story of hidden pain in a school toilet 17:00 – Practical signs to look out for 18:00 – Supporting safe expression and psychological safety 20:00 – What schools and services can do better 22:00 – Self-erasure vs. authentic self-expression 24:00 – The final message: Notice, name, and nurture the quiet ones 🎯 Why Listen to This Episode: If you’ve ever worked with or raised someone who “never causes trouble,” this episode might completely shift your perspective. You’ll learn: Why submissive behaviour can be more dangerous than defiance How stress builds when there’s no outlet for emotion What to watch out for in “easy” children or quiet clients How to build safe, trusting environments where true feelings can be expressed This is a must-listen for teachers, parents, support workers, foster carers, and social care staff who want to offer truly person-centred care and connection—not just good behaviour on the surface. 📲 Connect with Able Training: 🎧 Listen to all episodes: www.able-training.co.uk/podcast 📘 Andy’s book: Instagram – @abletraining Facebook – Able Training LinkedIn – Andy Baker YouTube – Able Training

    19 min

  6. 11/11/2025

    Understanding Men, Women & Stress: John Gray on Relationships, Care, and Self-Care

    In this powerful and insightful episode, Andy Baker, behaviour specialist, author, and trainer, is joined by John Gray — the legendary author of Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus, one of the most influential relationship books of all time. Together, they unpack how gender, stress, hormones, and communication interact in modern relationships — especially for people who care for others every day. From understanding emotional needs and managing burnout to learning how men and women can better support one another, this episode offers life-changing insights for caregivers, teachers, and parents who want healthier relationships, stronger self-care, and deeper human connection. John shares tools from his upcoming book Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus – For Women Only: Be Happy With or Without a Man, exploring how finding balance, appreciation, and authenticity can transform both romantic and caregiving relationships. 💙 Sponsored by: Carers Card UK The Able to Care podcast is proudly sponsored by  Order your card today 🔗 Resources Mentioned: 🌐 John Gray’s Official Website – MarsVenus.com 📘 Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus – Amazon UK 📕 Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus: For Women Only – Be Happy With or Without a Man (New Release) 🎥 John Gray on YouTube 📱 Facebook: Mars.Venus.John.Gray 📸 Instagram: @johngraymarsvenus_official 🧘 Transcendental Meditation Foundation 📗 Andy’s book: Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge 💡 Three Key Messages: Men and women process stress differently — and that’s okay. Men thrive when solving problems; women thrive when feeling heard and supported. Recognising this difference builds connection, not conflict. Caregivers often give too much — without receiving enough. Dr. Gray explains how over-giving, especially for women, depletes emotional energy and hormones. Learning to receive love, rest, and help is vital self-care. Self-care isn’t selfish — it’s hormonal balance. Whether through meditation, social bonding, or quiet time, learning what restores your energy helps you care for others without burning out. ⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters: 00:00 – Sponsor: Carers Card UK 00:46 – Meet Dr. John Gray – author of Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus 02:00 – Why his work still resonates decades later 03:30 – Understanding gender differences in communication 05:00 – How hormones influence emotions and stress responses 09:00 – The importance of polarity and attraction in relationships 12:00 – Caregivers, codependency, and burnout 15:00 – How women can balance giving and receiving energy 20:00 – The power of asking for help effectively 25:00 – Self-care for caregivers: “You time,” “We time,” and “Me time” 31:00 – Meditation and journaling for emotional regulation 38:00 – Why men need challenge and women need connection 45:00 – How to truly listen — and when not to offer solutions 53:00 – The secret to being happy with or without a partner 58:00 – Finding purpose, spirituality, and meaning in service 01:00:00 – Dr. Gray’s parting message: “When you’re unhappy, you’re often looking in the wrong direction.” 🎯 Why Listen to This Episode: If you’re a parent, teacher, or carer, you’ve probably found yourself exhausted from giving to everyone else. This episode helps you: Understand why relationships feel harder when you’re under stress Reframe communication through empathy, hormones, and mindset Recognise when you’re giving too much — and how to restore balance Apply timeless Mars & Venus principles to modern caregiving and family life Dr. Gray’s advice bridges psychology, biology, and compassion, offering a roadmap to healthier connection — with others, and with yourself. 📲 Connect with Dr. John Gray: 🌐 Website: www.marsvenus.com 🎥 YouTube: John Gray – Mars Venus 📸 Instagram: @johngraymarsvenus_official 👍 Facebook: Mars.Venus.John.Gray 🕙 Watch Live: Facebook Live Show – Thursdays 10am PST 📲 Follow Able Training & Able to Care 🎧 Podcast Home: able-training.co.uk/podcast 🔗 LinkedIn: Able Training 📸 Instagram: @abletraining 🟦 Facebook: Able Training 🎥 YouTube: Able Training YouTube

    1h 4m

  7. 07/11/2025

    AI in Care and Education: Enhancing Humanity or Risking Connection?

    In this solo episode of the Able to Care podcast, Andy Baker—behaviour specialist, author, trainer, and speaker—explores a topic that’s becoming impossible to ignore: artificial intelligence in care and education. With AI tools appearing in classrooms, care homes, and behaviour support planning, Andy asks: 🧠 Is AI a threat or an opportunity? 💡 Can it support person-centred practice—or risk removing the person altogether? This thought-provoking episode explores how AI can: Free up carers, teachers, and support workers to focus on what really matters Improve inclusion by adapting communication and materials to individual needs Assist with planning, documentation, and accessibility — without replacing empathy or connection Whether you're a parent using tech at home, a teacher considering AI tools, or a care professional balancing paperwork with people work—this episode is for you. 💙 Sponsored by: Carers Card UK Proud to support unpaid and paid carers across the UK. ✅ Emergency ID card ✅ Discounts on essentials, days out, clothing & glasses ✅ Access to a wellbeing hub, Carers Circle & app-based support 🎁 All for less than the price of a box of chocolates a year. 👉 Able Training Courses www.able-training.co.uk/podcast 📘 Andy’s Book – Targeting the Positive: Instagram – @abletraining Facebook – Able Training LinkedIn – Andy Baker YouTube – Able Training

    18 min

  8. 04/11/2025

    Anxiety Isn’t Weakness – It’s Wisdom in Disguise

    In this powerful episode of the Able to Care podcast, Andy Baker speaks with Jennifer Roblin, anxiety specialist, therapist, and founder of Better Your Life. Together, they explore how anxiety impacts the lives of carers, teachers, and parents — not just as a condition, but as a learned, evolutionary response we can better understand, reframe, and manage. Drawing from lived experience, neuroscience, and tools like NLP, nervous system resets, and heart coherence, Jennifer shares practical tips, relatable insights, and hope for those feeling overwhelmed or burnt out. Whether you’re supporting someone with anxiety or experiencing it yourself, this episode offers a refreshing, honest, and empowering perspective. 🎧 Why Listen to This Episode? You’ll understand the difference between stress and anxiety — and when to seek help You’ll learn powerful nervous system hacks you can use in the moment You’ll realise you're not broken — and how to reclaim your power step-by-step You’ll gain a fresh outlook on self-care that’s realistic, personal, and actionable You’ll hear a deeply relatable story that proves: anxiety doesn’t define you 💡 Three Key Messages Anxiety is a survival tool, not a personal flaw – understanding its evolutionary purpose changes how we respond to it. Small changes create big shifts – journaling, breathing, and nervous system resets can retrain the brain over time. Burnout isn’t weakness — it’s a signal – recognising early signs and reconnecting with nature and rest can prevent collapse. ⏱ Timestamps / Chapters 00:01 – Introduction & Sponsor: Carers Card UK 00:42 – Meet Jennifer Roblin and her lived experience with anxiety 03:00 – Panic attacks at 11 and early childhood messages 06:00 – Shifting identity and finding confidence abroad 10:00 – Reframing anxiety: from stigma to superpower 13:00 – What anxiety actually is and how it works 17:00 – Signs you’re dealing with anxiety vs. everyday stress 21:00 – The link between procrastination, fear of failure, and tribal instincts 24:00 – Burnout in caregivers and professionals — how to spot it early 29:00 – Jennifer’s go-to anxiety tools: journaling, breathing, nervous system hacks 34:00 – Why “self-care” needs a rebrand and what it looks like in real life 41:00 – Signs of progress, even when you don’t notice it 46:00 – What Jennifer would say to her younger self 50:00 – The one thing you can do today to begin change 🤝 Sponsor: Carers Card UK This episode is proudly sponsored by www.betteryourlife.co.uk Instagram: @bylanxietymgmt LinkedIn: Jennifer Roblin Free Journaling Prompts for Anxiety – available on Jennifer’s website Nervous System Reset Programme: £299 (10% off for Able to Care listeners) 📲 Follow Able Training & Able to Care 🎧 Podcast Home: able-training.co.uk/podcast 🔗 LinkedIn: Able Training 📸 Instagram: @abletraining 🟦 Facebook: Able Training 🎥 YouTube: Able Training YouTube

    27 min
See All (100)

About

Join host Andy Baker (author, speaker and educator) for Able Training’s care-focused podcast Able to Care. For paid and unpaid caregivers, teachers and parents to better understand themselves and those they support. With twice-weekly episodes covering understanding people, promoting self-care and resilience, signposting support and services, strategies to reduce stress and distress, promoting good practice and ensuring positive outcomes for all. Includes special guest experts, caregivers and those with lived experience.

Information

  • Creator
    Able Training Support Ltd
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2022 Able Training Support Limited.
  • Show Website
    Able to Care