Shows
GYDA - Grow Your Digital AgencyTransforming Profitability Through a Culture of Productivity with Amanda SokellThe podcast is a conversation between Amanda and Robert Craven discussing Amanda's new book "Unblock" about productivity in organizations.Amanda Sokell is a process and productivity expert who helps companies thrive. She’s also a popular speaker, author, entrepreneur, creative, polymath and educationalist; lover of learning, chocolate, dancing and difference.In a 25-year career spanning public relations, software development, coaching, mentoring and training, Amanda has helped transform the productivity culture of organizations from global pharmaceuticals to family-run microbusinesses. Amanda and Robert discussed:Book BackgroundAmanda wrote the...
2025-08-0451 minGYDA - Grow Your Digital AgencyTransforming Profitability Through a Culture of Productivity with Amanda SokellLink to the book review.The podcast is a conversation between Amanda and Robert Craven discussing Amanda's new book "Unblock" about productivity in organisations.Amanda Sokell is a process and productivity expert who helps companies thrive. She’s also a popular speaker, author, entrepreneur, creative, polymath and educationalist; lover of learning, chocolate, dancing and difference.In a 25-year career spanning public relations, software development, coaching, mentoring and training, Amanda has helped transform the productivity culture of organizations from global pharmaceuticals to family-run microbusinesses.Amanda and Robert dis...
2025-07-2951 min
School Behaviour Secrets with Simon Currigan and Emma ShackletonEssentials: Understanding the Significance of "Masking" Behaviour in Classroom SettingsMany kids with autism become experts at "masking" their true feelings and needs. This can be helpful in the short term, but over time, it can leave them feeling drained and exhausted.So, if you're ready to find out more about supporting children with masking behaviours, then join us for the latest School Behaviour Secrets podcast.Important links:Click here to hear all of episode 87Amanda Sokell's website Navigating Neurodiversity.Get our FREE SEND Behaviour Handbook: https://beaconschoolsupport.co.uk/send-handbookDownload other FREE behaviour...
2024-06-1911 min
The SENDcastEmpathy? What We Need Is Compassion with Amanda SokellEmpathy is the ability to put yourself in somebody else's shoes and to understand how they might be feeling in a situation. It's a personal connection that you need to have experienced to have empathy, which makes empathy flawed. In today's podcast, Amanda Sokell joins Dale to discuss 'Empathy? What we need is compassion'. Amanda created a model that for any child, and in particular a child with SEND, to be successful they need 3 key factors to be in place: Empathy – from others and for themselves Expertise – from those supporting them and about themselves (age appropriate) Envi...
2023-09-2159 minThe SENDcastEHCNA with Amanda SokellLocal Authorities are seeing unprecedented demand for Education Health & Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) and as a result are struggling to keep up. The situation is further complicated by many parents requesting EHCPs, but not receiving them due to refusals from authorities, leaving schools caught in the crossfire. As a result, there is widespread confusion among schools and parents about this area. Amanda Sokell, Advocate and Neurodiversity Trainer, joins Dale for her first episode to discuss the 'EHCNA'. In many cases an EHCNA is triggered as a placement has broken down. However, with the right support and accommodations...
2023-07-2053 minSchool Behaviour Secrets with Simon Currigan and Emma ShackletonWhat "Masking" Behaviour Means - And Why It Matters In The ClassroomSome children change their behaviour and 'mask' their true needs all day long at school. Over time, this can be exhausting and may even lead to burnout!In this School Behaviour Secrets podcast, we interview parent and educator advisor Amanda Sokell. Together, we discuss what masking looks like in young people and why listening to children's behaviour (not just their words) is vital when trying to support their emotional wellbeing.Important links:Amanda Sokell's website Navigating Neurodiversity.Positive Discipline for Children with Special Needs
2022-11-2827 min
SENlightenedEp15 Using neuroscience as a tool in teacher trainingDr Elaine Harper applied her speciality in psychology to education to help students struggling emotionally by integrating education and mental health. She instructs educators and parents on how neuroscience – that is, how the brain works – can impact the day-to-day of students.
Dr. Harper wears many hats: she is the former educational services director for Positive Education Program in Cleveland, Ohio; she is the founder of Trauma Sensitive Teaching Network; and she has her own practice, Elaine Harper Consulting LLC.
Dr Eliane Harperhttps://elaineharper.com/
Amanda Sokellhttps://navigatingneurodiversity.life/Se...
2022-08-0436 min
SENlightenedEp14 Understanding of the brain helps young people succeedThirty years ago, Marcey Aronson and Debbie Leonard started working together at a school helping children with a range of very challenging behavioural issues, mostly stemming from trauma. They developed a ground-breaking social-emotional and academic program – the results of which were remarkable. Attendance increased, test scores rose, and suspension rates fell. Through their research, they concluded how emotions impacted the brain. It led to their BrainZones initiative, an app which empowers teachers with SEL strategies in the classroom.
BrainZoneshttps://brainzones.org/
Amanda Sokellhttps://navigatingneurodiversity.life/See omnystudio.com/listener fo...
2022-07-0139 min
SENlightenedEp13 A community supporting those with different needsWhen Liz Soper was aware that her child wasn’t reaching particular milestones and may be autistic or have ADHD, it wasn’t well received by the establishment. Liz faced barriers of not being believed. She started a community group which helped bring together families from all backgrounds and needs. It stems from her belief that people understand what’s needed in their own community better than anyone else.
A Seat at The Table: https://aseatatthetable.org.uk/Email Liz: aseatatt@gmail.com
Amanda Sokellhttps://navigatingneurodiversity.life/See omnystudio.com/listen...
2022-06-1017 min
SENlightenedEp12 If you have the right mindset, you’re halfway thereTina Andrews has two adoptive daughters, the youngest of whom has a range of difficulties. It started Tina on a journey of a mum advocating and searching for the right help for her child. Tina has drawn on her a background as a life coach to recognise how essential mindset is while she confronts the bureaucratic obstacles in her way to find help for daughter. She provides a checklist of advice for others who might be struggling themselves while finding the right path for their own child or children with special needs.
Amanda Sokellhttps://navigatingneurodiversity...
2022-05-1331 min
SENlightenedEp11 A mother’s experience of Pathological Demand AvoidanceEliza Fricker is an illustrator, author and mother. She's the author of 'The Family Experience of PDA: An Illustrated Guide to Pathological Demand Avoidance', published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers, which helps parents as they support and encourage their children who may have features of PDA. Eliza also writes and illustrates a blog, 'Missing The Mark', a deeply personal and all-too-human exploration of a mother's journey navigating the education system and everyday life with a child who can't go to school.
Eliza Fricker’s blog:https://missingthemark.blog/
Eliza Fricker’s Twitter:https://twitter.com...
2022-04-0832 min
SENlightenedEp10 The gift of being twice-exceptionalEmily Kircher-Morris is a clinical mental health counsellor specializing in neurodivergent, gifted, and twice-exceptional learners. She is the host of The Neurodiversity Podcast which explores the development of gifted and neurodivergent individuals through their lifespan and is the author of the book “Raising Twice-Exceptional Children: A Handbook for Parents of Neurodivergent Gifted Kids” She is the parent to three neurodivergent children.
The Neurodiversity Podcasthttps://neurodiversitypodcast.com/
Amanda Sokellhttps://community.amandasokell.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2022-03-1840 min
SENlightenedEp9 Neuroscience and its impact on students’ growth, learning and developmentDr Elaine Harper applied her speciality in psychology to education to help students struggling emotionally, by integrating education and mental health. She instructs educators and parents on how neuroscience – that is, how the brain works – can impact the day-to-day of students.
Dr. Harper wears many hats: she is the former educational services director for Positive Education Program in Cleveland, Ohio; she is the founder of Trauma Sensitive Teaching Network; and she has her own practice, Elaine Harper Consulting LLC.
Dr Eliane Harperhttps://elaineharper.com/
Amanda Sokellhttps://community.amandasokell.com/
2022-03-0441 min
SENlightenedEp8 Championing diversity in the workplaceCallum McKirdy was diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD in his 40s. Imagine that! He had spent much of his life knowing something was not quite right with his ability to read, think and remember. It hadn’t stopped him from pursuing a successful career in HR, but a chance diagnosis allowed him the opportunity to change the way he thought about himself and help other organisations embrace diversity in their workplaces.
Callum McKirdyhttps://callummckirdy.com/
Amanda Sokellhttps://community.amandasokell.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2022-02-0339 min
SENlightenedEp7 Transforming the experience of students, teachers and parentsJethro Jones advocates making a real difference to the lives of students. As a principal of schools in Alaska, Jethro championed the use of FaceTime or Skype to connect students moving from other US cities. For his leadership, Jethro was awarded Digital Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals in 2017. He is author of the book, ‘School X: How principals can design a transformative school experience for students, teachers, parents, and themselves’. Jethro discusses with host, Amanda Sokell, the importance of valuing all children that are in school.
Amanda Sokell
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2021-12-3035 min
SENlightenedEp6 A school leading the way in its approach to educationRochester Independent College is not your typical mainstream school. The average class size is eight, students don’t have to wear a uniform, and they call their teachers by their first names. It also caters for a number of children with educational needs that haven’t been met in other mainstream schools. Assistant Principal and College SENCo Leighton Bright explains to host Amanda Sokell the school’s values of personalised teaching, and the importance of building trust between the teachers, the students and the parents.
Amanda Sokellhttps://community.amandasokell.com/See omnystudio.com/listen...
2021-12-1029 min
SENlightenedEp5 Don’t stop asking questionsClare Norman was unaware her son’s physical development wasn’t progressing as it should have been until she returned home to the UK from Spain. It wasn’t until Santi was 18 months old that a paediatrician discovered his developmental issues. So began Clare’s path to finding the right help and the right school for Santi. She tells host Amanda Sokell that she learnt to never stop asking questions, which led to her getting the right answers to help her son.
Amanda Sokellhttps://community.amandasokell.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati
2021-11-2639 min
SENlightenedEp4 A journey to find the right schoolWhen Hazel Shaw’s daughter, Skye, was diagnosed with learning difficulties, it was important to find the right school with the right support. Although Skye had attended a secondary school which was empathetic and understanding, it didn’t quite have the aid she needed. It led Hazel to apply for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), a long and arduous process, but a blessing in the end. Hazel shares with host Amanda Sokell about the lessons she learnt, and what she would have done differently if she could go back in time.
Amanda Sokellhttps://comm...
2021-11-1224 min
SENlightenedEp3 An educator’s educatorCatherine O’Farrell’s journey began as a primary school teacher in Ireland with multiple classes of up to 36 children. It fascinated her how diverse the needs of children could be. This led her to embark on a Bachelor of Science in Psychology to learn more about the psychology of children.
Today, Catherine is Group Head of Student Services at Bloom Education in the UAE. She talks to host Amanda Sokell about education systems in different parts of the world and how they affect parents and teachers of children with complex needs.
Amanda Sokell
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2021-10-2927 min
SENlightenedEp2 A mother’s anxiety for her son’s educationIt wasn’t until Louise Dawson’s eldest child, Dylan, was in around Year 3 or 4 that it became obvious to her he had learning difficulties. Prior to that, she and his teachers had noticed some delay with Dylan, and they weren’t particularly concerned.
Louise recalls the anxiety and mother’s guilt at the time, and her struggle to find the right education and support. It’s a fascinating story and there are lessons for other parents who may have children with special educational needs.
Amanda Sokell
https://community.amandasokell.com/See omnyst...
2021-10-1535 min
SENlightenedEp1 A journey of support and acceptanceFor a long time, Esther didn’t realise her son George was struggling. At home, he was a very happy little boy, very social and with many friends. But when George started pre-school, he refused to engage; instead, he curled up on the floor to sleep.
At first, it didn’t occur to Esther that there was anything wrong. Perhaps, she thought, it was the school. But a defining moment marked a realisation for Esther that something was not right. It led her on a journey of finding the right channels of support and acceptance.
2021-10-0136 min
SENlightenedA new podcast series for SEN carersWelcome to SENlightened, a podcast made for those playing a supportive role in the life of a child. Whether you’re the committed carer, the eager educator, or the alert individual who wants to make a difference in a child’s life, you have come to the right place to go from doubtful to enlightened.
Hosted by leading special educational needs mentor, Amanda Sokell. SENlightened encourages enlightenment with a difference because every SEN journey deserves to have its own success story.
Amanda Sokellhttps://community.amandasokell.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...
2021-09-2301 min