In this episode I'm joined by Dez Holmes, Director of Research in Practice for a conversation that went in more directions than either of us planned and was better for it. We talk about Dez's career and what's driven it, the role Research in Practice has played in social work over the years, what it actually means to be evidence informed in practice rather t ... Show More
Jun 28
Naming Social Workers in the Media and Taking Care of Yourself
In this episode I'm back after a quieter month, off Instagram, in therapy, having acupuncture, and thinking about a lot of things. This one covers the personal and the professional in equal measure.I'm talking about the naming of social workers in the media following the Preston ... Show More
33m 21s
May 6
From Youth Work to Safeguarding: Practice, Power and the So What Question, with Sean Monaghan from SaferNow
In this episode I'm joined by Sean Monaghan, founder of Safer Now, whose route into safeguarding practice started in a youth centre in North Birmingham and took him through community violence intervention, hospital-based trauma response, and a recurring question: so what? We talk ... Show More
1h 9m
May 2020
What's Essential: Essentialism with Greg McKeown
Hello, my name is Greg McKeown, and welcome to the Essentialism podcast! Ever since I made the mistake of leaving my hours old baby and my wife, Anna, in the hospital as I went to a non-essential client meeting, I've been on a mission: to get into conversations with the people I ... Show More
2m 48s
Sep 2025
How To Stay In Control! Even When Conversations Turn Emotional
When someone gets emotional in conversation, it can be tough to know how to respond. In this episode, I share how to keep your cool without shutting them down or losing yourself in the moment. You’ll learn how to recognize your own physical reactions, ground yourself with simple ... Show More
22m 18s
Oct 2025
Being Nice Won’t Save You in Difficult Conversations
Being nice won’t save you — especially in conflict. Too often, we think if we’re agreeable enough, people will treat us better or listen more. But that’s not how it works. In this episode, I talk about why “nice” people often get steamrolled in difficult conversations, the differ ... Show More
21m 18s