Care Visions Talks

Care Visions

Care Visions Talks Care Visions Talks is a podcast series that brings together voices from across care, education, health and community support to explore what it really means to care — and to be cared for. The series includes two strands: Care Visions Family Talk has two hosts: Dr Linda de Caestecker and Lucy Johnston. Dr Linda de Caestecker, former Director of Public Health and experienced paediatrician, leads warm, accessible conversations designed for parents, carers and families. Her episodes cover topics such as childhood trauma, fostering, resilience, separation and mental health, with expert guests offering practical guidance and compassionate insight. Lucy Johnston is an award-winning journalist and broadcaster with a long-standing commitment to social affairs, health, and children’s welfare. In her episodes, she shares powerful stories about young people in care and explores the systems that shape their lives. With a background in investigative reporting, Lucy began her career at The Big Issue before moving to The Observer and later The Sunday Express, where she is Health and Social Affairs Editor. Her work has exposed neglect in care homes, failures in mental health services, and injustices faced by vulnerable children and families. Care Visions Professional Talk is hosted by Humphrey Hawksley, award-winning author, broadcaster and former BBC foreign correspondent. These in-depth episodes are created for those working in or studying social care, health, education and related fields. Guests include thought leaders, researchers and practitioners discussing the emotional realities, challenges and evolving practices in work with children, young people and families. Whether you're a parent, a professional, or someone passionate about care and community, Care Visions Talks offers space to listen, reflect and learn.

  1. Lost Boys: Why The Manosphere Is Seducing A Generation with Mark Brooks OBE

    OCT 31

    Lost Boys: Why The Manosphere Is Seducing A Generation with Mark Brooks OBE

    Why are so many boys feeling angry, numb, lonely or adrift — and who’s rushing in to offer them answers? In this conversation, Lucy Johnston speaks with Mark Brooks OBE, chair of the Mankind Initiative and a leading voice on men’s wellbeing and healthy masculinity. Together they explore why some boys and young men are getting pulled towards misogynistic online influencers, and what parents, carers, schools and communities can actually do about it. We talk about: The “manosphere”: why some content hooks boys in, and why most boys don’t actually believe the worst of itLoneliness, shame and quiet sedation — boys disappearing into their bedrooms instead of acting outPornography, gambling and algorithms that keep pushing harmful contentSuicide risk in boys and young men, and why so many reach crisis before anyone realisesThe impact of school, role models and male identity (including why boys often feel judged before they’ve done anything wrong)How to talk to a teenage boy you’re worried about, without pushing him further awayWhy “toxic masculinity” is not helping, and what boys actually need instead: possibilities, pathways and people on their sideHow dads, foster carers and male carers can change a boy’s life simply by being present, hopeful and consistentKey message from Mark Brooks: if we don’t listen to boys, someone else will — and that “someone else” is already online, waiting. About our guest Mark Brooks OBE is chair of the Mankind Initiative and a long-standing campaigner on men’s mental health, inclusion and safety. He works nationally on issues including male suicide, domestic abuse, healthy masculinity and support for boys. About Family Talks Family Talks is a Care Visions series about what really helps children and young people to thrive. We speak honestly with people working on the front line of care, mental health, education and community. If you’re worried about a boy in your care Stay close, stay curious, not accusatoryKeep reminding him you’re on his sideHelp him get offline and back into real-world connection: sport, outdoors, purpose, belonging If you believe someone is at immediate risk of harm, seek urgent professional support.

    44 min
  2. Why Kids Are Struggling: A Wake-Up Call for Modern Childhood with Sue Palmer

    OCT 17

    Why Kids Are Struggling: A Wake-Up Call for Modern Childhood with Sue Palmer

    Modern childhood is facing an unprecedented crisis — rising screen time, falling literacy, and overstimulated young minds. In this Family Talk Live event, Sue Palmer, author of Toxic Childhood and Upstart, joined Dr Linda de Caestecker to unpack what’s really going on for children today — and how we can bring back calm, play, and connection. Sue shared insights from decades of research into early development, explaining how rapid cultural and technological change has reshaped childhood. She traced the roots of problems such as anxiety, distraction, and poor self-regulation back to a “perfect storm” of technology, consumerism, and loss of community wisdom. Together, Sue and Linda explored: Why early childhood (ages 3–7) is the critical window for social, emotional, and physical developmentHow overstimulation and early academic pressure create a widening developmental — not just attainment — gapThe essential role of play and love in fostering resilience, empathy, and confidenceHow parents and carers can “build their village” and balance technology use at homePractical ideas for reclaiming childhood joy in a modern worldSue also spoke about her work with Upstart Scotland, advocating for a play-based “kindergarten stage” up to age seven, inspired by Nordic models of education. Her message was clear: to support children’s wellbeing, society must prioritise development over data — and rediscover the simple power of love and play.

    51 min
  3. Care Visions Family Talk - No Child Left Behind: Protecting Young People from County Lines and School Exclusion with Baroness Anne Longfield

    SEP 25

    Care Visions Family Talk - No Child Left Behind: Protecting Young People from County Lines and School Exclusion with Baroness Anne Longfield

    Every year, thousands of children across the UK are groomed into county lines gangs, while growing numbers of school exclusions leave vulnerable teenagers without the structure and support they need. In this episode of Care Visions Family Talk, host Lucy Johnston speaks with Baroness Anne Longfield, Chair of the Commission on Young Lives and former Children’s Commissioner for England. Together, they explore why children in care and those excluded from school are at greater risk of exploitation — and what carers, foster carers and parents can do to keep them safe. Baroness Longfield shares practical advice on: Spotting the warning signs of groomingUnderstanding why exclusions can be a tipping pointWhat urgent reforms are needed to protect vulnerable teenagersReal stories of carers who acted — and changed a child’s futureIf you’re a foster carer, parent, kinship carer or professional working with young people, this is a must-listen conversation on how we can all play a part in safeguarding children. 🔔 Subscribe to Care Visions Family Talk for more discussions with leading voices in children’s welfare. About the Host Lucy Johnston is an award-winning journalist and broadcaster with a long-standing commitment to social affairs, health, and children’s welfare. She is currently Health and Social Affairs Editor at The Sunday Express. About the Guest Baroness Anne Longfield is Executive Chair and Founder of the Centre for Young Lives, and former Children’s Commissioner for England. She is a passionate advocate for children, with four decades of experience shaping policy to protect the most vulnerable.

    1h 3m

About

Care Visions Talks Care Visions Talks is a podcast series that brings together voices from across care, education, health and community support to explore what it really means to care — and to be cared for. The series includes two strands: Care Visions Family Talk has two hosts: Dr Linda de Caestecker and Lucy Johnston. Dr Linda de Caestecker, former Director of Public Health and experienced paediatrician, leads warm, accessible conversations designed for parents, carers and families. Her episodes cover topics such as childhood trauma, fostering, resilience, separation and mental health, with expert guests offering practical guidance and compassionate insight. Lucy Johnston is an award-winning journalist and broadcaster with a long-standing commitment to social affairs, health, and children’s welfare. In her episodes, she shares powerful stories about young people in care and explores the systems that shape their lives. With a background in investigative reporting, Lucy began her career at The Big Issue before moving to The Observer and later The Sunday Express, where she is Health and Social Affairs Editor. Her work has exposed neglect in care homes, failures in mental health services, and injustices faced by vulnerable children and families. Care Visions Professional Talk is hosted by Humphrey Hawksley, award-winning author, broadcaster and former BBC foreign correspondent. These in-depth episodes are created for those working in or studying social care, health, education and related fields. Guests include thought leaders, researchers and practitioners discussing the emotional realities, challenges and evolving practices in work with children, young people and families. Whether you're a parent, a professional, or someone passionate about care and community, Care Visions Talks offers space to listen, reflect and learn.