Between Two Psychs with Dr Adam McCartney and Mike Lane

Dr Adam McCartney and Mike Lane
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  • EDUCATION FOR KIDS
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In this podcast Adam and Mike address all your education questions. They show the power of thinking psychologically can have on resolving everyday issues within education, learning and in raising happy children.

  1. Ep. 12 - Strong Relationships Create Real Change

    2D AGO

    Ep. 12 - Strong Relationships Create Real Change

    In this episode, we sit down with teaching SENCO Tom Hodgson to explore why relationships sit at the heart of successful inclusion and how emotionally attuned practice can completely change a child’s journey in school. Drawing on real classroom experience, we reflect on the emotional demands of supporting children with complex needs and why connection must come before correction. Through a powerful case study, we unpack how one pupil moved from the brink of permanent exclusion to full integration through co-regulation, consistency and a strong team around the child. Together, we discuss why meaningful relationships, emotional literacy and shared staff values are essential for long-term change in schools. In This Episode, We Discuss Why relationships must come before behaviour strategiesHow co-regulation helps prevent escalationA real case study from exclusion risk to full inclusionThe power of empathy, curiosity, and emotional attunementBuilding emotional literacy and helping children name feelingsWhy consistency across adults changes outcomesSupporting staff while working with complex pupilsHow everyday interactions become meaningful interventions Why This Episode Matters This conversation invites educators to rethink behaviour through the lens of connection and safety. When children feel understood and supported by consistent adults, meaningful progress becomes possible both emotionally and academically. It also highlights the emotional load educators carry and why reflective practice, shared training and strong professional relationships are essential for sustainable, inclusive education. Connect with Mike Lane Website: https://www.ridgewaypsychology.co.uk/LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/michael-lane-4304a3123 Connect with Me Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dradammcartney/Website: https://www.dradammccartney.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.AdamMcCartney

    43 min
  2. Ep. 11 - The Power of Early Years Connection

    FEB 10

    Ep. 11 - The Power of Early Years Connection

    In this episode of Between Two Psychs, we explore the realities of early years provision and the incredible work practitioners do despite increasing demands and limited resources. Drawing on experiences from educational psychology and early settings, we reflect on the pressures staff face and the psychological foundations that help young children feel safe, connected and ready to learn. A central theme is “reach before you teach” the idea that relationships, emotional safety, and connection sit at the heart of effective early years practice. We discuss how behaviour often communicates underlying needs such as anxiety, sensory differences or communication challenges, and why play remains essential for cognitive, social and emotional development. Alongside these reflections, we share practical strategies that support engagement and independence, including paired reading, attention buckets, visual timetables and pictorial communication systems. In this episode, we discuss: The challenges and strengths within the early years sectorWhy relationships and emotional safety underpin learningUnderstanding behaviour through function and developmental needsThe importance of play in cognitive and social growthPractical strategies to support attention, communication and routineHow predictability and co-regulation help children engage and learnWhy This Episode Matters Early years practice lays the foundation for lifelong learning. This episode highlights that meaningful progress starts with connection, regulation and realistic expectations for both children and the adults supporting them. When children feel safe and understood, learning becomes possible and when practitioners feel supported, they are better able to meet the complex needs within modern early years settings. Connect with Mike Lane Website: https://www.ridgewaypsychology.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/michael-lane-4304a3123 Connect with Me Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dradammcartney/ Website: https://www.dradammccartney.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.AdamMcCartney

    28 min
  3. Ep. 10 - The Learning that Comes Before the Lesson

    FEB 3

    Ep. 10 - The Learning that Comes Before the Lesson

    In this episode of Between Two Psychs, we explore a question many educators quietly wrestle with: why do some children still struggle to engage, even when lessons are well planned, differentiated, and thoughtfully delivered? Drawing on classroom observations, psychological research, and real conversations with teachers, we unpack what it really means to be ready to learn. We look beyond lesson plans and curriculum demands to the emotional, physiological and relational factors that shape how children show up in classrooms and how teachers are supported (or stretched) in holding all of this at once. We reflect on the impact of stress, cognitive overload, post-pandemic baselines and rising expectations and why learning can’t be separated from nervous-system state, safety and trust. At the heart of the conversation is a simple but powerful idea: learning sits on top of regulation, belonging and relationships. In this episode, we discuss: Why strong lesson planning isn’t always enough to secure engagementHow stress shifts the brain from learning to survivalThe impact of post-pandemic stress on children’s readiness to learnDopamine, overstimulation and the learning brainBruce Perry’s work and why emotional state drives cognitive accessPolyvagal theory and the nervous system’s constant search for safetyWhy This Episode Matters This episode invites us to rethink what “preparedness for learning” really means. It reminds us that learning is not just a cognitive task it is a relational, emotional and physiological process. When children feel safe, regulated and understood, they are far more able to tolerate challenge, uncertainty and moments of struggle. And when teachers are supported psychologically as well as professionally they are better able to hold the complex demands of modern classrooms. Preparedness for learning doesn’t start with the lesson.It starts with relationships, regulation and realistic expectations for children and for the adults who teach them. Connect with Mike Lane Website: https://www.ridgewaypsychology.co.uk/LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/michael-lane-4304a3123 Connect with Me Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dradammcartney/Website: https://www.dradammccartney.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.AdamMcCartney

    27 min
  4. Ep. 9 - Is Key Stage Three the Problem?

    JAN 27

    Ep. 9 - Is Key Stage Three the Problem?

    The transition into Key Stage 3 is often described as a fresh start but for many young people, it’s where things quietly begin to unravel. In this episode of Between Two Psychs, we explore why the move from primary to secondary school can be such a vulnerable point, particularly for students who sit on the margins. We unpack the steady rise in exclusions between Years 7 and 9 and ask a deeper question: what does this transition feel like psychologically for children and what are schools unintentionally missing? We talk about the shift from one secure relationship to many, from nurture to independence and from feeling known to feeling lost in a much bigger system. Along the way, we explore concepts like learned helplessness, acceptance, autonomy and happiness and why behaviour is often a signal of unmet needs rather than defiance. This is a conversation about connection, belonging and helping young people develop a sense of direction inside a system that can feel overwhelming. In this episode, we discuss: Why exclusions rise so sharply during Key Stage 3The psychological impact of moving from one key adult to manyHow independence, when introduced too quickly, can increase distressLearned helplessness and its link to disengagement and EBSAWhy “promoting happiness” may be more useful than “reducing exclusions”The role of acceptance, shared identity and belonging in student wellbeingWhy some students thrive in transition while others struggleStarting transition work earlier, including the role of Year 5Evidence based supports like Friends for Life and Coping CatUsing thoughts feelings behaviour models to support reflection and goal-settingCommunity-focused goals versus purely academic targetsHow small-group and coaching conversations can prevent exclusionWhy teacher reflection, supervision and support matter just as much as student interventionWhy This Episode Matters Key Stage 3 is often the most overlooked phase in education but it’s where identity, belonging and disengagement begin to crystallise. This episode invites educators, leaders, and psychologists to look beyond behaviour and systems and instead focus on acceptance, connection and purpose. When young people can see where they fit, feel supported rather than dropped, and are helped to develop their own internal goals, school becomes something they can stay connected to not something they need to escape from. Because behaviour is rarely about refusal.More often, it’s about not feeling seen, safe or accepted. Connect with Mike Lane Website: https://www.ridgewaypsychology.co.uk/LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/michael-lane-4304a3123 Connect with Me Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dradammcartney/Website: https://www.dradammccartney.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.AdamMcCartney

    29 min
  5. Ep. 8 - Is Supervision the Cure to Burnout?

    JAN 20

    Ep. 8 - Is Supervision the Cure to Burnout?

    In this episode, we sit down with Gillian Airey Goodwin to explore what burnout really looks like in education and why understanding our own psychology may be key to keeping educators in the profession. Drawing on Gillian’s Master’s research in mental health and wellbeing, alongside more than 30 years of experience in education, we reflect on the emotional demands teachers face, the role of emotional intelligence, and why coping alone is no longer enough. We explore how resentment, pressure and constant accountability can slowly erode wellbeing even in highly skilled, experienced professionals. Together, we discuss why structured reflection, psychological safety and meaningful supervision may be essential for educators to thrive, not just survive. In this episode, we discuss: What burnout looks like beyond exhaustionThe role of emotional intelligence in managing pressureWhy emotionally intelligent teachers still leave the professionInternal vs external support models in schoolsTrust, judgment and fear of being seen as “not coping”Why relationships with pupils keep educators goingWhy This Episode Matters This episode invites us to rethink how we support educators. When teachers understand their own psychology, feel safe to reflect, and are genuinely listened to, wellbeing improves and so does the experience of children in the classroom. Educator wellbeing isn’t a “nice to have”. It’s fundamental to ethical decision-making, positive relationships and sustainable education systems. Connect with Gillian Airey Goodwin (Guest) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillian-airey-goodwin-b9b401239/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gillianaireygoodwin?igsh=ZGsxd3NzMXh3MHN1 Connect with Mike Lane Website: https://www.ridgewaypsychology.co.uk/LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/michael-lane-4304a3123 Connect with Adam McCartney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dradammcartney/Website: https://www.dradammccartney.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.AdamMcCartne

    31 min
  6. Ep- 7 Beyond Behaviour: The Conversations That Change Everything

    JAN 6

    Ep- 7 Beyond Behaviour: The Conversations That Change Everything

    In this episode, we explore why behaviour systems work for many students but not for those who sit outside the middle of the bell curve and what changes when we genuinely listen to a child’s story. We look at how timing, nervous-system regulation, curiosity, and relational repair help us move from confrontation to connection. We also reflect on the post-COVID social gap, why some young people struggle to engage with traditional approaches, and how simple relational moments greetings, attunement, and authenticity create safety in small but powerful ways. In this episode, we discuss: Why some students don’t respond to standard behaviour approaches How dysregulation and shutdown affect when (and how) we talk “Connection before correction” as a foundation for repair A clear structure for restorative conversations Using thoughts–feelings–behaviour models to guide reflection The role of affirmation versus confrontation Practical tools: emotion coaching, comic strips, draw-and-talk, gaming-based dialogue How curiosity lowers threat and builds trust Why playfulness and authenticity matter in relational moments Why This Episode Matters This episode invites us to rethink behaviour support through a relational lens. When we create space for young people to tell their story, conflict becomes a chance to understand, repair, and strengthen trust. Instead of focusing on control or consequences, we focus on connection, timing, and insight, because real change happens when students feel safe, heard, and valued. When we honour a child’s story, we open the door to growth, for them and for us. Connect with Mike Lane Website: https://www.ridgewaypsychology.co.uk/LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/michael-lane-4304a3123 Connect with Me Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dradammcartney/Website: https://www.dradammccartney.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.AdamMcCartney

    28 min
  7. EP- 6 Bonding & Attunement: The Art of Teaching

    12/30/2025

    EP- 6 Bonding & Attunement: The Art of Teaching

    In this episode of Between Two Psychs, we explore one of the most essential aspects of classroom life: Bonding and Attunement. We look at why relationships come before learning, how children “borrow” our nervous systems, and the practical ways we can help students move from emotional overwhelm into the calm, thinking brain. Drawing on attachment theory, polyvagal theory, developmental psychology, and real school examples, we break down what bonding and attunement look like in practice and why they matter now more than ever. What We Cover 1. Why Relationships Matter How we, as teachers and adults, often become key attachment figures Why secure relationships help children feel safe enough to learn Why relational practice is vital in today’s education landscape 2. Brains & Learning A clear explanation of polyvagal theory How the emotional and thinking brain interact What the amygdala, insula, and cingulate do during stress Why many children sit in emotional mode longer than we think 3. Attunement Skills How to see behaviour as communication How to tune into the message behind behaviour Why naming emotions builds trust and internal templates Why curiosity strengthens connection 4. Building Bonds How bonding differs from attunement Why we work with “connection before correction” How low-demand, shared moments help students trust us Why shared experiences strengthen classroom relationships Key Ideas We Discuss Attachment theory Polyvagal theory Co-regulation & self-regulation PACE model Transference & counter-transference Carl Rogers’ relational principles Mirroring, matching & pacing Motivational Interviewing (OARS) Why This Episode Matters Learning can only happen when children feel safe, calm, connected, and understood.  When we prioritise relationships, we make learning possible.This episode shows why relational practice isn’t optional, it’s foundational. Connect with Mike Lane Website: https://www.ridgewaypsychology.co.uk/LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/michael-lane-4304a3123 Connect with MeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dradammcartney/Website: https://www.dradammccartney.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.AdamMcCartney

    30 min
  8. Ep. 5 - Celebrating Difference: How Identity Shapes Inclusion in Schools

    12/16/2025

    Ep. 5 - Celebrating Difference: How Identity Shapes Inclusion in Schools

    In this episode of Between Two Psychs, Adam McCartney and Mike Lane explore one of the most fundamental yet often overlooked aspects of school life: Individual Differences. From personality traits and identity development to group dynamics, belonging and routine, they unpack how children understand themselves, how they fit into a group, and how teachers shape that journey every single day. Drawing on psychological frameworks including the Big Five personality model, Self-Determination Theory, Tajfel’s social identity research, Bandura’s social learning theory, Bruner’s narrative identity, and early years work by Rogers and Dan Siegel, Adam and Mike show how inclusion is built in the subtle everyday moments: acceptance, modelling, routine, and relationships. This episode moves beyond labels or “learning styles” and examines the deeper question behind them: How do we create classrooms where every child feels seen, valued and able to be themselves without losing the cohesion that helps groups thrive? Through real school casework, practical examples, and warm reflection, they explore the challenges teachers face in balancing thirty personalities, diverse needs, and a curriculum and the surprising power of shared experiences, role play, collaborative tasks, and even simple rituals to build identity and belonging.In this episode, we discuss: ✨ Why “individual differences” are really about identity, personality, and development✨ How the Big Five traits show up in everyday classroom behaviours✨ Why unconditional positive regard helps children feel safe, grounded, and ready to learn✨ How threat, trust and emotional safety connect to identity formation✨ What in-group/out-group dynamics look like in real classrooms✨ How social challenges escalate and how relational approaches reduce conflict✨ Why modelling is powerful: identity through Bandura’s social learning theory✨ The role of play, role-play and shared roles (builder/leader/worker) in forming identity✨ How collaborative and multimodal teaching supports mixed personalities✨ The impact of narrative: why what children say about themselves matters✨ Why routine isn’t only about predictability it’s about shared experience✨ How routine and rhythm build group identity and belonging Practical strategies for teachers: Using group work intentionallyRestorative conversationsCircles of FriendsGuided role playIdentity-safe classroom routinesThis episode invites educators to reflect on: How do we cultivate classrooms where differences aren’t just accommodated they’re celebrated?Where every child feels part of something bigger, yet confidently themselves? Because when children experience belonging, safety, acceptance and clarity, their identity can flourish and so can their learning. Connect with Mike Lane Website: https://www.ridgewaypsychology.co.uk/LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/michael-lane-4304a3123 Connect with Me Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dradammcartney/Website: https://www.dradammccartney.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.AdamMcCartney

    32 min
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In this podcast Adam and Mike address all your education questions. They show the power of thinking psychologically can have on resolving everyday issues within education, learning and in raising happy children.

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