Male Identity in a Changing World | Dr Andrew G. Thomas | Care Visions Professional Talk
20/02/2026 | 58 mins.
In this episode of Care Visions Talks: Professional Talk, host Humphrey Hawksley is joined by Dr Andrew G. Thomas, PhD for a thoughtful conversation exploring male identity in a rapidly changing social world. Together, they examine how masculinity is evolving, the pressures facing boys and men today, and what this means for families, care systems, education and professional practice.
In this conversation, we explore: • How male identity is shaped by culture and expectation • The challenges facing boys and young men • Masculinity, mental health and emotional expression • Relationships, belonging and purpose • The role of care systems and professionals • Supporting healthier male development
This episode offers valuable insight for parents, carers, educators and professionals supporting boys and young men in today’s society.
Care Visions Talks is a UK podcast sharing conversations on parenting, fostering, care experience and supporting families. Explore all episodes and resources: https://carevisionsfostering.co.uk/care-visions-family-talk
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Fostering Reform in the UK with Children’s Minister Josh MacAlister | Care Visions Family Talk
06/02/2026 | 34 mins.
In this episode of Care Visions Talks: Family Talk, host Lucy Johnston is joined by Children’s Minister Josh MacAlister OBE MP for a timely and in-depth conversation on fostering reform in the UK. Drawing on his leadership of the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, the Minister outlines a vision to transform a system he believes has become too focused on process rather than people. From the urgent need to recruit 10,000 new foster carers, to removing unnecessary barriers preventing families from stepping forward, this discussion explores what meaningful reform could look like — and why change is needed now. In this episode, we discuss: • The foster carer shortage in the UK • Plans to recruit 10,000 new foster carers • Barriers facing prospective fostering families • Approval processes and bureaucratic challenges • Children being placed far from home • Stability, belonging and community connections • Investment and future reform plans If you care about the future of fostering, children’s social care, and creating stable, loving homes, this is an essential conversation. Care Visions Talks is a UK podcast sharing conversations on parenting, fostering, care experience and supporting families. Explore all episodes and resources: https://carevisionsfostering.co.uk/care-visions-family-talk
Listen and follow: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/care-visions-talks/id1819875561
Join our mailing list for new episodes, events and updates: https://carevisionsfostering.co.uk/care-visions-family-talk
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What Are We Really Trying to Fix in Care? | Social Pedagogy with Claire Cameron
30/01/2026 | 49 mins.
In this episode of Care Visions Talks: Professional Talk, host Humphrey Hawksley is joined by Professor Claire Cameron, the UK’s first Professor of Social Pedagogy, for a reflective and practice-focused conversation about care, relationships and professional culture.
Drawing on a career spanning residential care, frontline social work, research and policy, Claire explores how care systems function — and where they risk losing their relational core.
In this conversation, we explore: • What social pedagogy is and why it matters • The role of relationships in care practice • Moving beyond compliance and procedures • Ethics, dignity and everyday care • Lessons for social workers and practitioners • Leadership and organisational culture • Supporting children and families relationally
Claire reflects on how care has evolved over time, where systems risk becoming overly procedural, and how social pedagogy offers a hopeful and practical framework for the future of care.
This episode is particularly relevant for professionals working in: • Social work • Fostering • Residential care • Education • Youth work • Children’s services • Policy and leadership Care Visions Talks is a UK podcast sharing conversations on parenting, fostering, care experience and supporting families. Explore all episodes and resources: https://carevisionsfostering.co.uk/care-visions-family-talk
Listen and follow: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/care-visions-talks/id1819875561
Join our mailing list for new episodes, events and updates: https://carevisionsfostering.co.uk/care-visions-family-talk
Subscribe to stay connected with Care Visions Talks.
Care Visions Familly Talk: Your Brain On Porn with Mary Sharpe
16/01/2026 | 53 mins.
In this episode of Care Visions Family Talk, host Lucy Johnston is joined by Mary Sharpe, Chief Executive of The Reward Foundation, for an open and informative conversation about the impact of online pornography on young people’s brains, wellbeing, relationships, and development. Together they explore why children are being exposed at increasingly young ages, how the adolescent brain responds to highly stimulating online content, and what families, carers, and professionals can do to support young people with understanding rather than fear or judgement. The discussion draws on neuroscience, health research, and real-world experience, offering reassurance and practical insight for anyone navigating this sensitive topic. This episode is not about blame. It’s about awareness, compassion, and helping young people grow up informed, safe, and supported in a digital world. 🎧 Available now as part of Care Visions Talks on all major podcast platforms. Resources & Links Mentioned The Reward Foundation https://rewardfoundation.org
Your Brain on Porn https://www.yourbrainonporn.com
Reward Foundation – Parent’s Guide https://rewardfoundation.org/parents-guide/
Reward Foundation – Healthcare Professionals Course https://rewardfoundation.org/healthcare-professionals/
Reward Foundation – Schools & Lesson Plans https://rewardfoundation.org/schools/
Naked Truth Project https://nakedtruthproject.com
NoFap https://www.nofap.com
Stop It Now! https://www.stopitnow.org
World Health Organization – ICD-11 https://www.who.int/standards/classifications/classification-of-diseases Care Visions Talks is a UK podcast sharing conversations on parenting, fostering, care experience and supporting families. Explore all episodes and resources: https://carevisionsfostering.co.uk/care-visions-family-talk
Listen and follow: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/care-visions-talks/id1819875561
Join our mailing list for new episodes, events and updates: https://carevisionsfostering.co.uk/care-visions-family-talk
Subscribe to stay connected with Care Visions Talks.
Helping Young People Navigate Pornography, Misogyny & the Manosphere with Gael Cochrane | Care Visions Family Talk
08/12/2025 | 1h 5 mins.
In this episode of Family Talk, Linda de Caestecker speaks with Gael Cochrane, Learning, Development and Innovation Lead at Community Justice Scotland, about how pornography and the online manosphere are shaping young people’s attitudes, relationships and wellbeing. They explore early exposure to online pornography, the influence of misogynistic online communities and figures such as Andrew Tate, and the normalisation of violent sexual content in teenage relationships. The discussion focuses on what parents, carers and grandparents can do in response. From setting boundaries around devices and using parental controls to having open conversations about consent, respect and healthy relationships, this episode offers practical guidance for adults supporting children in a digital world. A frank but hopeful conversation about raising young people in an online culture shaped by pornography, social media and shifting ideas about masculinity. Care Visions Talks is a UK podcast sharing conversations on parenting, fostering, care experience and supporting families. Explore all episodes and resources: https://carevisionsfostering.co.uk/care-visions-family-talk
Listen and follow: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/care-visions-talks/id1819875561
Care Visions TalksCare 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.
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