Able to Care

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 Carers Card UK – the UK’s number one ID and discount card for unpaid and paid carers.
Started by two friends who knew carers deserved better, Carers Card UK gives you:
Discounts on everyday essentials, days out, gym memberships, and more
An official ID recognised by emergency services
A private wellbeing hub and Carers Circle app
All for less than the cost of a box of chocolates per year.
👉 Claim your Carers Card -  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
 

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 Carers Card UK – the UK’s No.1 ID and discount card for unpaid and paid carers.
With Carers Card UK, you’ll get:
A trusted carer ID card
Discounts on gyms, glasses, clothing, days out, and more
Access to a wellbeing hub, Carers Circle, and supportive app
🎁 Get your exclusive Able to Care offer:👉 🎟️ Order your card today
🔗 Resources Mentioned:
Fiona Booth – Email
BBC Feature on St Nicholas CE Primary Academy (Feb 2025) (link to be added)
Book: 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

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 Carers Card UK, the UK’s leading recognition and rewards platform for carers.
With Carers Card UK, you’ll get:
A trusted ID card for emergency reassurance
Discounts on gyms, shops, holidays, glasses, and more
Access to a Wellbeing Hub, Carers Circle tool, and supportive app community
🎁 All of this for less than the cost of a box of chocolates.👉 Claim your exclusive offer &  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

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 Carers Card UK, the UK's leading carers recognition and discount scheme.
For just a few pounds a year, carers get:
Trusted ID card for peace of mind
Discounts on gyms, clothing, glasses, and days out
Access to a wellbeing hub, Carers Circle tool, and community app
🎁 Get your exclusive Able to Care discount now:👉 carerscarduk.co.uk/promo-code/abletocare
🔗 Resources Mentioned:
Free community: 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: Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge
Podcast hub: 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

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 Carers Card UK – the UK’s No.1 carers discount and ID service.
For less than the price of a box of chocolates a year, you get:
A trusted carer ID card
Discounts on gyms, glasses, days out, clothing, and tech
Access to a wellbeing hub and carers’ community app
🎁 Claim your Able to Care exclusive offer:👉 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: Targeting the Positive: With Behaviours That Challenge💳 Carers Card UK Offer: carerscarduk.co.uk/promo-code/abletocare
📱 Follow Able Training:
Instagram – @abletraining
Facebook – Able Training
LinkedIn – Andy Baker
YouTube – Able Training

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 Carers Card UK — the UK’s number one card for carers.
🎁 For less than the price of a box of chocolates a year, you’ll get:
A carer ID card with emergency info
Discounts on groceries, gyms, days out, clothing & glasses
Access to a wellbeing hub, Carers Circle app & online support
👉  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

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.👉 Get your Carers Card here
🔗 Resources & Mentions:
Able Training Courses
Carers Card UK
Andy’s book: Targeting the Positive
AI tools used for learning, task breakdown, and accessibility
💡 Three Key Messages:
AI is a tool — not a replacement for care.Used well, it can free us to focus on relationships, not replace them.
Inclusion starts with understanding.AI can adapt content, language, and learning styles to meet people where they are—not where systems assume they should be.
The future of care isn’t less human—it’s more.With AI doing the admin, we can return to what really matters: connection, intuition, and compassion.
⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters:
00:00 – What happens when AI meets care and education?
01:31 – Sponsor: Carers Card UK
02:05 – The opportunity: freeing up time for connection
03:27 – Personal story: how AI could improve inclusive learning
05:00 – The anxiety of being “left behind” in learning
06:59 – The real impact on confidence and self-esteem
07:59 – AI and communication: reducing overwhelm
08:55 – Bias, objectivity, and smarter decisions with AI
10:18 – Real-world use: breaking down task lists for children
11:15 – Helping busy brains with structure
11:50 – Activity creation and idea generation using AI
12:36 – The danger: using AI to cut costs instead of improving care
13:46 – AI can’t empathise—but it can support empathy
14:36 – Children turning to AI for emotional support
15:00 – Guiding principles for responsible AI use
16:23 – Mental capacity, comprehension, and accessibility
17:41 – Final thoughts: AI doesn’t replace care—it should enable it
🎯 Why Listen to This Episode?
You’ll gain a balanced, human-centred view of AI’s role in care and education
You’ll hear practical ideas for using AI to support children, adults, and yourself
You’ll reflect on the risks and ethics of using AI without compassion
You’ll leave with tools, language, and hope for the future of truly person-centred practice
Whether you’re a carer, parent, teacher or just curious about the future of support — this episode will help you use AI as an ally, not a replacement.
📲 Stay Connected with Able Training
🎧 Podcast Library: www.able-training.co.uk/podcast📘 Andy’s Book – Targeting the Positive: Buy on Amazon💳 Carers Card UK: carerscarduk.co.uk/promo-code/abletocare
📱 Follow Us:
Instagram – @abletraining
Facebook – Able Training
LinkedIn – Andy Baker
YouTube – Able Training

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 Carers Card UK.For less than the price of a box of chocolates a year, Carers Card UK gives you:
An emergency ID card
Discounts on gyms, days out, clothing, glasses & more
A wellbeing hub, Carers Circle tool & app-based communityStart caring for yourself with the recognition you deserve.👉 Get your card here
🔗 Resources Mentioned
Jennifer’s website: 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

Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA): Why It’s Not Defiance, It’s Autonomy

In this solo episode of the Able to Care podcast, behaviour specialist, trainer, and author Andy Baker unpacks Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)—or as many now prefer to call it, a Persistent Drive for Autonomy.
If you’ve ever supported someone—child or adult—who seemed to resist even the simplest of requests, this episode will help you understand what’s really going on beneath the surface.
Andy explores:
What PDA is (and why language matters)
Why traditional behaviour strategies often make things worse
How to shift from confrontation to collaboration
Practical, compassionate strategies for reducing anxiety and increasing cooperation
This episode is a must-listen for parents, carers, teachers, and support staff seeking a more empathetic and effective approach to neurodivergent behaviour.
💙 Sponsored by Carers Card UK
Carers Card UK is proud to support unpaid and paid carers across the UK.
🎁 Use code ABLETOCARE to unlock:
Exclusive discounts on everyday essentials, gyms, clothing, and days out
A professional carer ID card with emergency information
Access to the Carers Circle app, wellbeing tools, and a national support network
👉 Order your Carers Card today
🔗 Resources & Mentions
Carers Card UK
Able Training Courses on PDA
Targeting the Positive – Book by Andy Baker
💡 3 Key Messages:
It's not refusal, it’s regulation.PDA is not about defiance—it’s about managing anxiety, safety, and control. Reframing it changes everything.
Demands can be invisible—and overwhelming.Everyday requests stack up quickly, and even praise or routine expectations can feel threatening to someone with a PDA profile.
Autonomy builds trust.When we shift from control to collaboration, we don’t lose authority—we gain connection, trust, and progress.
⏱️ Timestamps / Episode Chapters:
00:00 – Intro: Why simple requests can trigger distress
00:27 – Sponsor: Carers Card UK
02:05 – What is PDA or Persistent Drive for Autonomy?
03:06 – Why the language we use really matters
04:00 – Understanding the deep human need for control
05:32 – Traditional behaviour strategies often fail PDA profiles
06:25 – Signs and strategies of demand avoidance
07:37 – Fight or flight: when tactics fail and distress escalates
08:05 – Why rewards, praise, and even kindness can trigger
09:15 – The demand threshold: how many is too many?
10:06 – Why taking control away makes things worse
11:05 – Moving from command to collaboration
12:13 – Indirect language, curiosity, and offering choices
13:22 – Prioritising demands: What really matters today?
14:11 – Boundaries vs. power struggles
15:14 – Building trust through structure, not pressure
16:06 – Reflecting on our own behaviour and reducing demands
17:13 – Final message: They’re not resisting help—they’re resisting powerlessness
🎯 Why Listen to This Episode?
If you're supporting a child or adult who seems “oppositional,” “manipulative,” or “non-compliant,” this episode will shift your lens. It offers practical, trauma-informed tools to support those with PDA, helping you build trust, reduce anxiety, and promote emotional safety.
Perfect for:
Parents feeling stuck or blamed
Teachers who want alternatives to reward/punishment systems
Carers looking for tools to avoid daily conflict
Support workers seeking to understand behaviour at its root
📲 Stay Connected with Able Training:
🎧 More episodes: www.able-training.co.uk/podcast📘 Andy’s Book – Targeting the Positive: Buy on Amazon💳 Carers Card UK: carerscarduk.co.uk/promo-code/abletocare
📱 Follow Us on Social Media:
Instagram – @abletraininguk
Facebook – Able Training
LinkedIn – Andy Baker

She Built a Business to Beat Her Biggest Fear

In this deeply personal and powerful conversation, Andy Baker speaks to Sabina Thorpe—a mum, carer, business leader, and woman who grew up silenced by a stammer and the weight of cultural expectations.
Sabina opens up about her childhood experiences of bullying, being told to stay quiet, and feeling utterly alone. But she also shares how she turned those struggles into strength—first by learning to speak for herself, and then by building a call centre, multiple businesses, and eventually co-founding DeskVal, an AI-powered property valuation platform now disrupting the industry.
This isn’t just a story of business—it’s a story of identity, resilience, and the power of being seen and heard.
Whether you're caring for others, raising children, teaching young minds, or trying to reclaim your own voice, this episode will stay with you.
💙 Sponsored by:
Carers Card UK – Created by carers, for carers.
🎁 Use code ABLETOCARE to access:
Discounts on groceries, days out, clothing & more
A carer ID card with emergency info
Wellbeing tools, the Carers Circle app & online support
👉 Grab your Carers Card here 💳 Claim your Carers Card Discount: carerscarduk.co.uk/promo-code/abletocare
🔗 Resources & Links:
🌐 Sabina Thorpe on LinkedIn
🏡 DeskVal – AI Property Valuations
📲 Follow Sabina on Instagram
🎥 Interview: Sabina’s Journey to DeskVal
📰 Roma Finance launches DeskVal
📘 Targeting the Positive – Andy Baker
💡 Three Key Messages for Carers, Parents & Teachers:
You don’t have to be fluent to be powerful.Sabina shows that communication is more than words—it’s courage, intention, and showing up anyway.
Children need role models who are real.Whether you’re a parent, teacher or support worker, showing how you face your challenges helps children face theirs.
Your voice belongs in the room.Sabina didn’t wait for permission. She made space—and now helps others do the same.
⏱️ Chapter Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro: Why this conversation matters
00:48 – Sabina’s childhood with a stammer and cultural silence
05:00 – Being misunderstood and the toll on self-worth
08:30 – The moment she decided to stop hiding
13:00 – Building resilience by facing fears—starting a call centre!
20:00 – The tools that helped: Maguire Programme, mindset, havening
25:00 – From silence to success: business, finance and finding her voice
32:00 – How to support someone with a speech difference
38:00 – What having a stammer feels like
45:00 – Why kids (and parents) need emotional tools
50:00 – Sabina’s message to those who feel different
54:00 – Empowering the next generation through visibility & courage
58:00 – DeskVal: disrupting property and breaking barriers
01:00:00 – Final thoughts: your voice matters, now more than ever
🎯 Why Listen to This Episode?
If you support others—whether you're raising kids, caring for a loved one, teaching in a classroom, or managing emotional needs—this episode is a reminder that self-worth isn’t about perfection.
Sabina’s journey will help you:
Understand what it’s like to live with a stammer
Support children with communication differences more effectively
Reflect on your own self-talk and resilience
See how mindset shifts and support systems can rewrite anyone’s story
Her story is raw, real, and incredibly relevant for anyone who's ever felt on the outside looking in.
📲 Stay Connected:
🎧 More episodes: Able to Care Podcast📘 Read Andy’s Book: Targeting the Positive💳 Claim your Carers Card Discount: carerscarduk.co.uk/promo-code/abletocare
📱 Follow Us Online:
Instagram – @abletraininguk
LinkedIn – Andy Baker
Facebook – Able Training
Website - Able Training