Able to Care

Fostering Growth: Mindset Shifts That Change Lives

In this powerful and deeply moving episode of the Able to Care Podcast, host Andy Baker speaks with Ousha Demello—a bestselling author, international speaker, and experienced foster carer. Together, they explore how fostering, trauma, and mindset intersect to shape the future of young people. Ousha shares her personal story of overcoming domestic abuse, the transformative impact of mindset, and practical strategies she uses daily to support self-worth, self-esteem, and growth in the children she fosters.
Whether you're a parent, caregiver, teacher, or someone passionate about resilience and transformation—this episode is packed with inspiration, honesty, and actionable ideas.
🎧 Why Listen to This Episode?
If you've ever wondered how to build resilience in children, support healing after trauma, or shift your own mindset during tough times, Ousha's journey offers hope and clarity. You’ll discover how connection before correction, nurturing over control, and modelling the right mindset can make all the difference.
💙 Sponsored by Carers Card UK
Are you caring for someone, paid or unpaid? You could be missing out on thousands of pounds in discounts.Carers Card UK offers:
ID card with emergency info access
Exclusive discounts on gyms, days out, electrical goods, and more
Access to a wellbeing hub, Carers Circle tool, and mobile app. All for less than the price of a box of chocolates per year.
🎟️ Order your card today
📚 Resources & Links Mentioned:
📖 Left in Peace Not Pieces by Ousha Demello – Amazon UK
📘 Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge by Andy Baker – Order here
🧠 Influence by Robert Cialdini – Find on Amazon
🧭 Learn about the GPS mindset tool (Gratitude, Perspective, Service) from previous episodes
💡 Three Key Messages:
Mindset is a superpower – It's not what happens to us, but how we process it that shapes our story.
Connection before correction – Trust, love, and shared experiences are the foundations of positive change in children.
Language shapes reality – The words we use with others (and ourselves) can either build self-esteem or break it down.
⏱️ Chapter Timestamps:
00:01:56 – Meet Ousha: From educator to foster carer
00:03:07 – Fostering, mindset & the invisible traumas children carry
00:06:03 – Domestic abuse and the mindset shift that changed everything
00:12:13 – Discovering purpose through mentorship & authorship
00:18:00 – Helping children reframe negative self-talk
00:24:03 – Language tips for caregivers: “I’m finding it difficult” vs “I can’t”
00:28:00 – Daily practices that reinforce growth mindset at home
00:32:00 – Cooking, play, and the power of everyday connection
00:36:00 – Why “because” changes everything – language that builds cooperation
00:42:00 – Self-care through communication & support systems
🔗 Stay Connected:
Follow Andy and the Able to Care Podcast:
💬 Instagram: @AbleTraining
💼 LinkedIn: Able Training
📲TikTok: @AbleToCarePodcast
📺 YouTube: Able to Care
🌍Website: AbleHub.uk
📲 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who believes in the power of care, connection, and growth.

Regression Is a Message: What’s the Child Really Telling You?

In this episode of the Able to Care Podcast, host Andy Baker reframes a common concern faced by parents, teachers, and carers: regression. Whether you’re supporting a child, an adult with learning disabilities, or someone living with dementia, it can be heartbreaking and frustrating to watch progress unravel.
But what if that step back is actually a call for connection—not control? Andy explains the psychology behind regression and why understanding it as a signal of distress can lead to more compassionate, effective support.
💡 Sponsor Message: Carers Card UK
This episode is proudly sponsored by Carers Card UK – the UK’s #1 carers card offering support, recognition, and thousands of pounds worth of discounts for paid and unpaid carers.
✅ Save on gym memberships, clothing, glasses, days out and more✅ Access the Carers Circle, wellbeing hub, and community app✅ Carry a carer ID card with pride and purpose
👉  🎟️ Order your card today
📚 Resources & Mentions
🧠 Targeting the Positive by Andy Baker – Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge
🎓 Over 45 certified courses & exclusive content – Join AbleHub.uk
🛠️ Want behaviour support training for your team? –  Visit Able Training 
💬 3 Key Messages:
Regression is not rebellion. It's a safety signal, often triggered by overwhelm, trauma, or change.
All behaviour is communication. Ask what’s changed, rather than punish what you see.
Connection is the cure. A trusting relationship rebuilds confidence, regulation, and growth.
⏳ Timestamps – Episode Chapters:[00:00] – “He was doing so well…”: Recognising regression[00:46] – Sponsor Message: Carers Card UK[01:54] – Welcome & What Regression Really Means[03:33] – Real-World Example: Charlie and Alex[04:46] – Early Years, Learning Disability & Dementia Contexts[05:52] – The Brain Forest Analogy[07:42] – Behaviour as Communication: Ask what’s changed[08:47] – Why “You’re too old for this” harms, not helps[09:39] – Building Emotional Safety: Regression needs support[10:40] – Stability, Routines, and Rebuilding Trust[11:07] – Think Like They’re 3: Emotional age vs chronological age[12:27] – Suppression vs Self-Management[12:37] – Final Thoughts: Trust over punishment
🎧 Why Listen to This Episode?If you’ve ever felt confused or frustrated when someone suddenly “slips backwards,” this episode will change your perspective. Learn why regression is rarely about manipulation and often about safety—and discover practical ways to support growth through compassion. Perfect for carers, educators, and parents who want to understand behaviour deeply and respond with empathy.
📲 Connect with Us!
Instagram: @AbleTrainingLinkedIn: Able TrainingTikTok: @AbleToCarePodcastWebsite: AbleHub.uk
🎙️ Subscribe, Share & Review!If this episode helped reframe your view on regression, please share it with a colleague or fellow caregiver. Your reviews and shares help us reach more people who care.

Dignity in Personal Care: Small Acts, Big Impact

In this powerful episode of the Able to Care Podcast, host Andy Baker is joined by care professional Nadine Sutton to explore one of the most personal, sensitive, and often overlooked areas of support: personal care and dignity. Together, they reflect on real-life experiences, the emotional weight of providing personal care, and what true dignity looks like in practice.
From missed moments of empathy to heartwarming stories of connection, this episode is a must-listen for anyone supporting others—whether you’re a parent, teacher, paid or unpaid carer.
💙 Sponsored by Carers Card UK
Are you caring for someone, paid or unpaid? You could be missing out on thousands of pounds in discounts.Carers Card UK offers:
ID card with emergency info access
Exclusive discounts on gyms, days out, electrical goods, and more
Access to a wellbeing hub, Carers Circle tool, and mobile app All for less than the price of a box of chocolates per year.
🎟️ Order your card today
🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned
The Able Hub: www.ablehub.uk – Free 14-day trial for carers and educators
Andy Baker’s Book: Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge
 
💬 Key Messages:1️⃣ Dignity means inclusion. Personal care isn’t just a task—it’s a moment of connection. Include the person at every step.2️⃣ Culture matters. Care culture during the day and night must be consistent to protect dignity at all times.3️⃣ Speak up and educate. Poor practice is often about a lack of training, not bad intent. Education is key.
⏳ Timestamps / Episode Chapters:[00:00] – Real-world reflections: the emotional weight of personal care[01:48] – 💡 Sponsor Message: Carers Card UK[02:16] – Why dignity matters in personal care[05:59] – Language, inclusion, and treating people with humanity[09:13] – Care practice gone wrong: real stories of undignified moments[13:28] – Promoting dignity: small actions that make a big difference[17:10] – Engaging and empowering those receiving care[21:12] – The power of culture in care settings[24:56] – Final story: how one carer made someone feel truly human again[26:48] – Why every carer needs training, support, and understanding
🎧 Why Listen to This Episode?Whether you're a professional carer, family caregiver, teacher supporting SEND pupils, or someone trying to do better for a loved one—this episode provides raw, relatable insight into how personal care should be delivered.You’ll walk away with stories that stick and tools to elevate the way you care.
🔗 Connect with Us
📲 Instagram: @AbleTraining📲 LinkedIn: Able Training📲 TikTok: @AbleToCarePodcast🌐 Website: AbleHub.uk

It’s Not Them, It’s You: The Secret to Calmer Parenting and Teaching

Have you ever overreacted to someone’s behaviour—and later realised it wasn’t really about them at all? In this powerful solo episode of the Able to Care Podcast, host Andy Baker introduces The 90% Rule: the idea that most of our emotional reactions are shaped by our own wiring, history, and unmet needs. Drawing from psychology, trauma theory, and real-life care scenarios, Andy explores how self-awareness is the key to better relationships, improved emotional regulation, and compassionate caregiving.
Whether you're supporting children, older adults, or navigating life as a parent, teacher, or carer—this episode gives you the tools to pause, reflect, and respond with insight instead of instinct.
🎯 Sponsored By: Carers Card UK
We’re proud to be sponsored by Carers Card UK. Whether you’re a paid or unpaid carer, you could be missing out on thousands in discounts on everyday essentials—from gyms to groceries. For less than the cost of a box of chocolates per year, access:
An emergency ID card
A wellbeing hub
The Carers Circle support tool
Exclusive discounts on leisure, clothing, glasses and more
✅ Claim your Carers Card today
🔗 Resources Mentioned
Book: Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
CBT ABC Model by Albert Ellis
Polyvagal Theory by Dr. Stephen Porges
Andy’s Book: Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge
Carers Card UK: https://carerscarduk.co.uk/promo-code/abletocare
🔑 Three Key Messages
90% of our emotional reactions are internal. Understanding our own history and beliefs helps reduce conflict and escalation in caregiving.
Emotional regulation is teachable. Techniques like pausing, breathing, and trigger journaling can help shift from reaction to reflection.
It’s not weakness—it’s wisdom. Recognising your own triggers allows you to model emotional intelligence for those you care for.
⏱️ Episode Chapters
00:00 – What is the 90% Rule?
02:00 – The science behind unconscious reactions
04:00 – CBT’s ABC Model explained
05:00 – Polyvagal theory & stress responses
06:00 – Real-life examples from care, teaching, and parenting
08:00 – Why pausing beats reacting
10:00 – Practical tools for reflection and self-regulation
12:00 – Modelling emotional intelligence & setting boundaries
13:00 – Reflective prompts for your own 90%
🎧 Why Listen?
If you’ve ever snapped, felt ashamed of your reactions, or wished you could better manage your emotions around those you support—this episode is for you. Andy offers down-to-earth guidance rooted in lived experience, behaviour theory, and practical psychology. Ideal for carers, educators, parents, and frontline workers who want to care with more awareness and less burnout.
🔗 Follow and Connect
Instagram: @AbleTraining
TikTok: @AbleToCare
LinkedIn: Andy Baker
Website: Able-Training

Trauma in School and at Home: What Every Teacher and Parent Should Know

In this powerful episode of the Able to Care Podcast, host Andy Baker is joined by childhood trauma expert Shahana Knight, founder of TPC Therapy and the visionary behind the Therapeutic Schools approach. Together, they unpack how childhood trauma affects learning, behaviour, and wellbeing—and why traditional classroom models often fall short.
Shahana shares her deeply personal story, how her father’s struggles with trauma inspired her work, and the evidence-backed changes schools can make to create therapeutic environments. From the power of play to the impact of overstimulation and digital overload, this episode is full of insights for educators, parents, and caregivers.
💙 Sponsored by Carers Card UK
Are you caring for someone, paid or unpaid? You could be missing out on thousands of pounds in discounts. Carers Card UK offers:
ID card with emergency info access
Exclusive discounts on gyms, days out, electrical goods, and more
Access to a wellbeing hub, Carers Circle tool, and mobile app All for less than the price of a box of chocolates per year. 🎟️ Order your card today
🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned
TPC Therapy Website: www.tpctherapy.co.uk
Shahana Knight’s Book: Therapeutic Teaching
Therapeutic Classroom Tour (YouTube): Watch Here
The Able Hub: www.ablehub.uk – Free 14-day trial for carers and educators
Andy Baker’s Book: Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge
🧠 Three Key Messages
Trauma Lives in the Body and the Classroom: Children with trauma often enter school in survival mode—traditional models miss this completely.
Environment Shapes Regulation: A therapeutic classroom isn't just pretty—it's scientifically designed to calm stress and promote emotional safety.
Adults Must Heal Too: You can't be truly trauma-informed without recognising and managing your own emotional triggers.
⏱️ Chapter Timestamps
00:00 – Intro & Sponsor: Carers Card UK 02:00 – Meet Shahana Knight 04:00 – The Origin of Therapeutic Classrooms 09:00 – Trauma's Impact on Learning & Self-Regulation 15:00 – Tech Overload: Why Kids Are Always in Fight or Flight 21:00 – Parenting in Survival Mode 28:00 – Signs of Trauma in Schoolchildren 35:00 – What a Therapeutic Classroom Looks Like 45:00 – Autonomy, Motivation & Emotional Literacy 55:00 – The Role of Educators Beyond Academics 01:00:00 – What’s Next for TPC Therapy
🎯 Why Listen to This Episode?
Whether you’re a teacher, caregiver, parent, or school leader, this conversation is a masterclass in trauma-informed practice. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by a child’s behaviour and didn’t know where to start—this episode is for you. Learn how to see beyond the behaviour and create environments that heal, not harm.

Shame Doesn’t Teach: A Better Way for Parents, Teachers & Carers

In this powerful solo episode of the Able to Care Podcast, host Andy Baker explores why shame—while still commonly used to manage behaviour in homes, classrooms, and care settings—often does more harm than good. From outdated scripts to emotional reactions, we dive into how shame suppresses learning, damages trust, and diminishes self-esteem in children and adults alike.
Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or carer, this episode offers practical insights on how to shift away from shame-based responses and towards compassionate, constructive behaviour support.
💡 Sponsor: Carers Card UK
This episode is proudly sponsored by Carers Card UK, the UK’s number one carers card offering discounts, support, and community for paid and unpaid carers.
✨ For less than the price of a box of chocolates a year, members get:✅ Discounts on gyms, days out, clothes, glasses & more✅ A wellbeing hub and the Carers Circle app✅ An ID card that unlocks emergency info and shows you care
👉 Get your Carers Card here:🔗 https://www.carerscarduk.co.uk/promocode/abletocare
🛠️ Resources Mentioned
📖 Targeting the Positive: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Supporting Challenging Behaviours by Andy Baker🔗 Buy the book
🎓 Need training for your team on trauma-informed practice and behaviour management?🔗 Able Training
🔑 Key Messages
Shame doesn’t teach — it suppresses: Labelling children or adults as “naughty” or “bad” can damage their self-esteem and block emotional growth.
Short-term compliance isn’t long-term learning: Shame may stop behaviour in the moment, but it doesn’t foster understanding, empathy, or reflection.
Teach through connection, not condemnation: Use natural consequences, curiosity, and reflection to guide behaviour positively and sustainably.
⏳ Timestamps (Chapters)
00:00 – Why calling a child “naughty” can be harmful01:11 – 🎧 Sponsor: Carers Card UK02:18 – The psychology of shame and learned helplessness03:48 – Real-world examples: classrooms, care homes, and parenting05:03 – The long-term damage of shame on self-esteem06:22 – Shame breeds secrecy, not growth07:02 – Shame breaks trust and emotional connection07:45 – Why shame persists and how it's emotionally reactive08:35 – Instant compliance vs. authentic behaviour change09:36 – Fight, flight, freeze: How shame becomes an emotional weapon10:40 – How to replace shame with restorative practice and empathy11:52 – Use natural consequences, not humiliation12:56 – Respond with curiosity, not condemnation13:50 – Repair and reflect after behaviour, not reprimand14:46 – The myth of “not enough discipline” and the call for connection15:40 – What kind of society are we really building with shame?
🎧 Why Listen to This Episode?
This episode is a must-listen for:✔ Parents navigating challenging behaviour✔ Teachers balancing emotional needs and discipline in the classroom✔ Carers supporting individuals with emotional or behavioural distress
You’ll walk away with practical ways to support behaviour through empathy, growth mindset, and restorative connection—instead of outdated shame-based tools.
🔗 Connect with Us
📲 Instagram: @AbleTraining📲 LinkedIn: Able Training📲 TikTok: @AbleToCarePodcast🌐 Website: AbleHub.uk
🎧 If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, share it with someone who needs to hear it, and leave a review. Let’s create a world where behaviour is understood—not shamed.

Understanding Dementia: Real Support, Real Stories, Real Change

In this second episode of the our third season, host Andy Baker is joined by Jill Quinn MBE, founder and CEO of Dementia Forward, a Yorkshire-based charity that has grown from a small, passionate team into a nationally recognised organisation supporting nearly 5,000 families affected by dementia.
Together, Andy and Jill explore how grassroots action, community values, and wraparound support are shaping a new standard for dementia care—and how Able Training and Dementia Forward are partnering to raise awareness and push for meaningful change.
👥 In this episode, we discuss:
Jill’s journey from retail manager to founder of an award-winning dementia charity
The realities of starting small but thinking big—and why local impact matters
The stigma and misconceptions around dementia, especially in younger people
Why early support and education can change the entire trajectory of a diagnosis
The importance of personalised care, meaningful activities, and ongoing emotional support
The story behind the You & Me Campaign and the growing movement for Young Onset Dementia
Details of the National Young Onset Dementia Conference at Elland Road Stadium
How volunteers, carers, and teachers all play a vital role in supporting those with dementia
Why Jill believes the charity sector needs more confidence, collaboration, and creativity
The launch of Hat Day during Dementia Action Week—and how you can get involved
💡 Key Takeaways:
✅ Awareness is prevention. Families that connect with support earlier are less likely to experience crisis—and more likely to thrive.
✅ Young onset dementia is often overlooked. A lack of national data, strategy, and targeted care leaves many families unsupported. Jill shares how Dementia Forward is leading the charge to change this.
✅ Local support, national model. Dementia Forward’s wraparound service—from diagnosis to end of life—offers a powerful example of how community-first care can scale.
✅ You don’t need to be a national organisation to make national impact. Jill’s message to small charities is simple: keep going, keep sharing, and don’t underestimate the power of what you’re doing.
✅ Partnership is powerful. The new collaboration between Able Training and Dementia Forward aims to increase access to training, raise awareness, and create a stronger network of support for families, professionals, and volunteers alike.
📌 Featured Initiatives:
🎩 Hat Day – “Don’t Keep Dementia Under Your Hat”Taking place during Dementia Action Week in May, Hat Day is a fun, visual campaign encouraging people to wear hats, start conversations, and raise both awareness and funds for dementia support. Schools, surgeries, and communities are already signing up—why not join in?
🎶 The You & Me CampaignLaunched with the help of Jonathan Beardsworth, a former music exec diagnosed with young onset dementia, this campaign includes an original track, a growing awareness movement, and an annual national Young Onset Dementia Conference—taking place this year at Elland Road with support from Care England.
🏫 Centre of Excellence for Young Onset DementiaDementia Forward’s newest project aims to bring together training, research, and lived experience to create a national model of support. In partnership with Leeds Beckett University and Able Training, the centre will serve as a hub for innovation, learning, and influence.
🔗 Links & Resources:
🧠 Dementia Forward Website: https://www.dementiaforward.org.uk
☎️ Dementia Forward Helpline: 03300 578592
📘 Andy’s Book: Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge
🧰 Able Training Courses: click here
💬 Join the Conversation
Whether you’re a carer, teacher, parent, or just someone who wants to better understand dementia—you’re part of this movement. Share your thoughts, wear a hat, start a conversation, and help us make care better for everyone.
📲 Follow, subscribe, and leave a review to help more people discover the podcast.🔁 Share this episode with a friend, colleague, or loved one—it might be the conversation that changes everything.
🎧 Able to Care Podcast – Season 3 is here, and we’re just getting started.

Feeling Numb? It Might Be Compassion Fatigue

In this powerful solo episode, host Andy Baker tackles an experience so many carers, parents, teachers and support workers know too well—but often don’t have a name for: compassion fatigue.
You may have heard of burnout. But what happens when it’s not the workload, it’s the emotional toll? When your ability to care feels like it’s vanishing—even though you haven’t stopped caring?
Andy breaks down:
What compassion fatigue is (and how it differs from burnout)
The emotional warning signs to look out for in yourself or others
Why those in caring, teaching, and parenting roles are particularly vulnerable
What to do when your emotional tank is empty
You’ll hear practical strategies for recovery, from 2-minute decompression techniques to setting boundaries and building trusted support systems. This episode isn’t just for professionals—it’s for anyone who gives so much of themselves that they sometimes forget to take care of themselves.
Key Topics Covered:
Understanding compassion fatigue vs burnout
Emotional numbness, disconnection, and overreaction
Vulnerable roles: carers, parents, teachers, and helpers
Warning signs to watch for in yourself and others
Simple daily rituals to protect your emotional health
How to reclaim your energy, empathy, and hope
Quote of the Episode:"You’re not broken. You’re overwhelmed. It’s your brain saying, ‘I need a minute.’" – Andy Baker
🎧 Listen if you’re:
A parent feeling guilty for snapping
A teacher wondering why you’re emotionally flat
A carer supporting others but running on empty
Someone who feels like they’ve lost their spark
Wanting to understand how to support someone else who’s struggling
🔗 Useful Links:
Carers Card UK: carerscarduk.co.uk/promo-code/abletocare
Find more resources at www.andybaker.xyz
💬 Join the Conversation:Have you experienced compassion fatigue? What helps you recharge? Drop Andy a message or share your thoughts using #AbleToCarePodcast.
📲 Subscribe to the Able to Care Podcast on your favourite platform and don’t forget to leave a review if this episode resonated with you.
Stay strong. You matter too.— Andy

How Cognitive Assessments Help Children Thrive: A Guide for Parents, Teachers and Carers

In this powerful season opener, Andy Baker speaks with Dr. Daniel Weisberg to uncover the value of cognitive assessments in understanding and supporting children. Daniel shares real-world insights from his work at CAYP Psychology, a national psychological service supporting children, young people, and families.
This episode is a must-listen for parents, carers, and educators who want to better understand behaviour, unmet needs, and how early assessment can open doors—not just to diagnoses, but to tailored support, greater self-awareness, and better outcomes.
📣 Proudly sponsored by Carers Card UK – the UK’s #1 carers card offering wellbeing tools, ID, and discounts for just a few pounds a year.
🕒 Timestamps / Chapters
[00:00] Introduction: Why cognitive assessments matter
[02:08] Sponsor Message – Carers Card UK
[03:35] Meet Dr. Daniel Weisberg and CAYP Psychology
06:30 What is a cognitive assessment?
08:45 The 4 pillars of assessment explained
13:00 When assessments are needed (and when they’re not)
15:40 ADHD, masking, and school stress
18:15 Abstract vs concrete thinking & academic challenges
21:00 Understanding emotional dysregulation in children
24:20 How assessments support EHCP applications
27:05 Advice for teachers working with dysregulated pupils
30:00 Coregulation and the myth of “calm down”
32:45 Tools that help: mood thermometers, 5-point scales
35:20 Finding credible professionals & avoiding bad online advice
38:10 Final thoughts: early support vs wait-and-see
40:00 Where to find more from Daniel and CAYP Psychology
🧠 Key Messages:
✅ Cognitive assessments are not just about diagnosis—they offer clarity, confidence, and tailored strategies for home and school.✅ Understanding a child’s thinking style helps teachers and parents respond with empathy, not frustration.✅ Early support beats reactive systems. Don’t wait for crisis—seek insight sooner.
🔗 Useful Links:
🧠 CAYP Psychology – National psychological support for children and young people
🛍️ Carers Card UK – Support, ID, discounts, and wellbeing for carers
📘 Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge – Buy Andy’s book
🧰 AbleHub.uk – Resources and training for caregivers, educators, and parents
📣 Enjoying the Podcast?
If this episode helped you, please share it with another teacher, parent, or carer.🎧 Subscribe on your favourite app💬 Leave a review to help others find us📲 Message Andy on Instagram or LinkedIn to share your reflections!
Together, we can build a world where children are understood—and those who care for them are supported.

The Science of Negativity Bias: Practical Tools for Caregivers, Teachers, and Parents

🎙️ In this solo episode of the Able to Care Podcast, host Andy Baker dives into the topic of negative thinking — why our brains are wired to focus on threats, criticism, and worst-case scenarios, and how we can train ourselves to see the positive.
We all know the feeling: ten compliments in a day, and we still can't stop thinking about that one bit of criticism. But it's not a flaw — it's evolution. Andy explores the science behind our negativity bias, its impact on self-esteem, caregiving, relationships, and behaviour management, and most importantly, how to shift it.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or caregiver, this episode is a practical guide to rewiring your mindset, boosting your confidence, and supporting others more effectively.
💡 Sponsor Message:This episode is proudly sponsored by Carers Card UK – the UK’s number one carers card offering discounts, support, and recognition for those who dedicate their lives to caring for others.
Carers Card UK provides:
Discounts on gyms, days out, tech, clothing, glasses, and more
Access to a wellbeing hub and Carers Circle app
A trusted ID card that lets others know you care – while helping you care for yourself
All for less than the price of a box of chocolates per year.👉 Visit carerscarduk.co.uk/promo-code/abletocare to get yours today!
🧠 Key Topics Covered in This Episode:
🧬 Why Our Brains Are Wired to Spot the NegativeUnderstand the evolutionary roots of negativity bias — and why it made sense when survival meant avoiding lions, not emails.
🪞 How Negativity Shapes Self-EsteemWhy we're so quick to spot our flaws, and how perfectionism and self-criticism hold us back.
💬 Impact on Relationships and CommunicationHow constant criticism – of ourselves or others – can weaken connections and reduce motivation.
🔁 Reframing and RealignmentPowerful strategies for shifting perspective, using praise, noticing the good, and creating behavioural change.
📝 Practical Mindset ToolsFrom gratitude journaling to the “3 wins a day” rule – tools to train your brain to focus on what’s going right.
🧒 Supportive Feedback in Care and EducationWhy spotting and naming the positives in others builds trust, resilience, and behavioural change.
💬 Key Takeaways:
✅ Negativity isn’t weakness — it’s wiring. But it can be challenged.✅ The stories we tell ourselves about failure shape how we show up for others.✅ You can’t catch someone doing it right if you don’t know what “right” looks like.✅ Ending your day with 3 wins rewires your brain for balance, not blind optimism.✅ Praise changes behaviour more than punishment ever will.
📚 Further Resources:
Targeting the Positive – Andy’s book on understanding and managing behaviour
Able Hub – Courses and resources for carers, educators and parents: ablehub.uk
⏳ Timestamps:
[00:00] – Why criticism sticks more than praise[01:49] – Sponsor: Carers Card UK[02:15] – What is negativity bias and why do we have it?[04:31] – How it impacts relationships and how we see ourselves[07:08] – How criticism affects your mindset and behaviour[08:12] – The power of journaling and celebrating your wins[09:00] – Using positive reinforcement to drive behavioural change[10:34] – Don’t assume intent – a better way to understand difficult behaviour[11:20] – Labeling, stereotypes and catching people doing it right[12:14] – Reframing challenging moments as growth opportunities[14:57] – Three wins a day – a mindset shift for carers, parents and professionals[17:06] – Why optimism helps us live longer[17:28] – Acceptance and Commitment Therapy – the “blue sky” above the storm[17:47] – Final thoughts and a challenge for you
📲 Connect with Us!🔗 Instagram: @AbleToCarePodcast🔗 LinkedIn: @AbleTraining🔗 TikTok: @AbleToCare🔗 Website: AbleHub.uk
🎧 Subscribe & Share!If this episode helped you see things a little differently, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.Let’s build a community where we challenge the bias and catch the good – in ourselves and each other.