Academic Coaching for Parents with Dr Anna York-Weaving

Episódios

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  #53 - How to Outsmart Anxiety with Lily Felton 15.09.2026 51min

  Is anxiety always bad, and can we learn to outsmart it?Anxiety is a normal part of life, but for some young people it can become difficult to understand and manage, particularly when it begins to affect learning, sleep or everyday routines.In this episode, I am joined by Lily Felton, a trainee clinical psychologist at King’s College London and the author of Outsmart Anxiety: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Empowering Your Mind, published by Routledge.Drawing on psychological research and practical strategies, Lily’s work focuses on helping young people better understand anxiety and develop tools for managing it.Together, we explore what anxiety is, what may drive it and how it can shape learning and everyday life. We also discuss the role of hormones, sleep, diet and screen use, as well as practical strategies young people can use to respond to anxious thoughts and feelings.🎙️ In this episode, we discuss:✅ What anxiety is and how it differs from worry and stress✅ What happens in the brain and body during anxiety and some of the factors that can influence it✅ How anxiety can affect learning and how parents might recognise some of its less obvious signs✅ The relationship between anxiety, sleep, diet, screen use and everyday habits✅ Practical strategies that can help young people manage anxious thoughts and feelings✅ Practical ways parents can support a young person experiencing anxietyWhether you are a parent trying to better understand anxiety, a student wanting to make sense of your own experiences or an educator supporting young people, this episode offers an accessible and practical look at anxiety and the strategies that may help.Disclaimer: This episode is for general educational purposes and is not intended as medical or psychological advice. If you have specific concerns about your child’s mental health or wellbeing, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.🔗 Links & ResourcesLinkedin Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-felton-9308b6198/📚 Outsmart Anxiety: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Empowering Your Mind by Lily Feltonhttps://www.routledge.com/Outsmart-Anxiety-A-Practical-Guide-to-Understanding-and-Empowering-Your-Mind/Felton/p/book/9781041135036📩 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with another parent, student or educator and don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations on academic success and student wellbeing.👉 Interested in personalised academic coaching with me? Book a free 30-minute consultation via my website: https://www.york-weaving-education.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  #52 - How to Start the New School Year Right: 6 Essential Habits Every Student Needs 26.08.2026 21min

  Have you ever started a new school year determined that this one will be more organised, only to find that within a few weeks homework, deadlines and schoolwork are already starting to pile up?The beginning of a new academic year provides an important opportunity to establish routines and systems that can make learning easier to manage throughout the year.🎙️ In this episode, I discuss:✅ How to establish a realistic routine for the new academic year✅ Why setting clear expectations around homework, devices and responsibilities can help create consistency✅ How to create a reliable system for managing deadlines, tasks and school commitments✅ The importance of making revision notes as you go throughout the academic year✅ Why addressing gaps in understanding early can help prevent students from falling behind✅ Why consistent study habits throughout the year are more effective than last-minute revisionThe beginning of the school year is an opportunity to create strong foundations before workloads increase and exams begin to feel closer. Small systems put in place now can help students become more organised, more independent and better prepared for the year ahead.🔗 Links & Resources📩 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with another parent or educator, and don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations on academic success and student wellbeing.👉 Interested in personalised academic coaching? My Academic Coaching Programme is designed to help students become more confident and independent learners by developing the strategies, routines and skills they need to approach their studies more effectively. Book a free 30-minute consultation via my website:https://www.york-weaving-education.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  #51 - The Teenage Brain: What Every Parent Needs to Know with Dr John Coleman 19.08.2026 1h

  Have you ever wondered why your teenager can seem mature and thoughtful one moment, and impulsive, emotional or resistant the next?Understanding what is happening in the developing teenage brain can help us make sense of some of the changes we see during adolescence and, importantly, shape how we support young people through them.In this episode, I am joined by Dr John Coleman OBE, a leading psychologist specialising in adolescence whose work has helped shape our understanding of this stage of life. Dr Coleman has spent decades researching and working in adolescent development across psychology, education and policy, translating research into practical insights for parents, educators and professionals.Drawing on his latest book, The Psychology of the Teenage Brain, published by Routledge, we explore what happens to the brain during adolescence and what these developmental changes can mean for behaviour, learning and everyday family life.🎙️ In this episode, we discuss:✅ How the brain develops and reorganises during adolescence✅ Why teenagers can be particularly sensitive to rewards, novelty and new experiences✅ The role of hormones and dopamine during the teenage years✅ What executive function is, why it is still developing and how parents can support it✅ Why sleep patterns shift during adolescence and how this can affect everyday life✅ How social relationships, parenting and digital environments can shape the adolescent experienceWhether you are raising a teenager, teaching adolescents or simply want to better understand the developing teenage brain, this episode offers an evidence-informed perspective on what is happening beneath the behaviour and how we can better support young people through this important stage of development.🔗 Links & Resources📚 The Psychology of the Teenage Brain by Dr John Coleman OBE, published by Routledge https://www.routledge.com/The-Psychology-of-the-Teenage-Brain/Coleman/p/book/9781032363950Dr John Coleman https://www.jcoleman.co.uk/📩 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with another parent or educator, and don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations on academic success and student wellbeing.👉 Interested in personalised academic coaching with me? Book a free 30-minute consultation via my website:https://www.york-weaving-education.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  #50 - How to Build Academic Confidence: The Science of Self-Efficacy 11.08.2026 16min

  Have you ever heard your child say “I can’t do this” before they have even really tried?A student’s belief in their own ability can influence how they approach challenge, how much effort they invest and how long they persist when learning becomes difficult.In this episode, I explore the psychology of self-efficacy: our belief in our ability to succeed at a specific task. Drawing on the work of Professor Albert Bandura and research in educational psychology, I discuss the main sources of self-efficacy, its relationship with academic confidence and motivation and how parents can use this understanding to support the way their child approaches learning, challenge and setbacks.🎙️ In this episode, you’ll learn:✅ What self-efficacy is and why it matters for students✅ How mastery experiences can build a student’s belief in their own ability✅ Why seeing other people improve can influence self-efficacy✅ How feedback from parents, teachers and others can shape academic confidence✅ How stress, tiredness and emotional state can influence what students believe they are capable of✅ Why statements such as “I’m just not good at this” can become powerful beliefs about academic ability✅ Why self-belief needs to be combined with effective study skills, strategy and consistent action🔗 Links & Resources📩 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with another parent or educator, and don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations on learning, academic success and student wellbeing.🎓 I’ll soon be launching my new Academic Coaching Programme, designed to help teenagers become more confident, independent and effective learners by teaching them how to study efficiently, manage their time and develop an academic system that actually works for them.👉 If you would like to join the waitlist or reserve a place for your child, book a free 30-minute consultation via my website: https://www.york-weaving-education.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  #49 - How Slowing Down Can Deepen Your Child’s Learning 20.07.2026 13min

  Have you ever wondered when your child actually has time to think deeply, apply their knowledge and reflect on how it all fits together?Because deeper learning does not necessarily come from completing more tasks, but from having the time and space to analyse ideas, make connections and learn from mistakes.Children often move from lesson to lesson, activity to activity and task to task, with very little time left simply to pause and think. In this episode, I explore how constant busyness may contribute to shallow learning and why reflection is such an important part of developing a deeper understanding of academic subjects.🎙️ In this episode, I discuss:✅ How constant busyness may affect the depth of children’s learning✅ Why rushing through academic tasks can encourage students to look for shortcuts rather than understanding✅ How self-explanation can help students connect new information with their existing knowledge✅ Why making a mistake does not automatically result in learning✅ Practical questions children can use to reflect after lessons and study sessions✅ Three ways parents can create more time and space for reflectionWhether your child is preparing for exams, completing homework or simply trying to understand their subjects more effectively, this episode will help you encourage a more reflective, thoughtful and independent approach to learning.🔗 Stay Connected📩 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with another parent or educator, and don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations on academic success and student wellbeing.👉 Interested in personalised academic coaching? Book a free 30-minute consultation via my website:https://www.york-weaving-education.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  #48 - Mindfulness for Children: Practical Ways to Reduce Stress and Improve Focus with Dr Mark Pearson 13.07.2026 46min

  Have you ever wondered what mindfulness really means, and whether it could help your child feel calmer, cope with stress and improve their focus?In this episode, I am joined by Dr Mark Pearson, author, educator and counsellor with more than 35 years of experience in expressive therapies. Together, we explore what mindfulness really is, why it has become increasingly important for children growing up in today's world and how parents can introduce simple, practical mindfulness activities into everyday family life.Drawing on his latest book, Mindfulness and Relaxation Activities for All Ages, Mark explains why mindfulness is about much more than sitting quietly. We discuss how movement, creativity and guided relaxation can help children manage stress, develop self-awareness and build lifelong wellbeing.🎙️ In this episode, we discuss:✅ What mindfulness really is and why it matters for children✅ How stress and overstimulation can affect children's wellbeing, focus and learning✅ Why mindfulness looks different for every child✅ Simple mindfulness and relaxation activities parents can introduce at home✅ How creativity, movement and guided relaxation can help children develop resilience and emotional wellbeingWhether you're supporting a child who struggles to switch off, finds it difficult to manage stress or you simply want to help your family build healthier everyday habits, this episode offers practical, evidence-informed strategies that you can begin using straight away.🔗 Links & Resources📖 Mindfulness and Relaxation Activities for All Ages by Dr Mark Pearson https://www.routledge.com/Mindfulness-and-Relaxation-Activities-for-All-Ages-Over-Sixty-Fun-and-Engaging-Evidence-based-Visualisations-Meditations-and-Self-awareness-Games/Pearson/p/book/9781041204381LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-pearson-8a08921b/https://expressivetherapies.au/index.php📩 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with another parent or educator, and don't forget to subscribe for more conversations on academic success and student wellbeing.👉 Interested in personalised academic coaching? Book a free 30-minute consultation via my website: https://www.york-weaving-education.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  #47 - The Psychology of Eating: How Children Develop Their Relationship with Food with Professor Jane Ogden 12.06.2026 39min

  Have you ever wondered why your child’s eating habits can feel so difficult to manage, even when you know what healthy eating should look like?In this week's episode, I am joined by Professor Jane Ogden, Professor of Health Psychology at University of Surrey, whose work has shaped how we understand the psychological and behavioural factors behind how and why we eat.Professor Ogden has published over 280 research papers and authored a number of books, including several focused specifically on eating behaviour. Alongside her research, she has taught topics related to eating behaviour to students across psychology, medicine, nutrition and related fields for over three decades.Professor Ogden has recently published her latest book How to Eat Well at Every Age, published by Routledge, and in this episode we explore some of the key ideas from the book together with insights from her wider research.🎙️ In this episode, we discuss:✅ What eating well means and why eating is shaped by more than nutrition✅ Why children develop different eating habits and how these patterns form early✅ What it means to be a “good food parent”✅ The difference between overt and covert control and what the research tells us✅ Why rewards and modelling can have a lasting impact on eating behaviour✅ How body image and modern environments may influence children’s relationship with foodWhether you are navigating fussy eating, thinking about how habits form or simply looking to better understand your child’s relationship with food, this episode offers practical and research informed insights for parents.🔗 Links & ResourcesProfessor Jane Ogden https://www.surrey.ac.uk/people/jane-ogdenLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-ogden-3328504b/📘 “How to Eat Well at Every Age” by Prof Jane Ogdenhttps://www.routledge.com/How-to-Eat-Well-at-Every-Age/Ogden/p/book/9781032987255?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23526953194&gbraid=0AAAAACWuhHW1ASIMzbfGL4HhazxWgkClq&gclid=CjwKCAjwuanRBhBSEiwAY5y6V_UNudSoMnTKXo0J-g3p-vGEOKz99RCYUJ2cz027C_4ETNHRGXv_mBoCyBcQAvD_BwE📩 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with another parent and do not forget to subscribe for more conversations on academic success and student wellbeing.👉 Interested in personalised academic coaching? Book a free 30 minute consultation via my website:https://www.york-weaving-education.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  #46 - Understanding Disconnection in Children and How Parents Can Help with Amber Chandler 02.06.2026 56min

  Have you ever looked at your child and felt that something has shifted in their motivation, their focus or even their engagement?In this episode of Academic Coaching for Parents, I am joined by Amber Chandler, an award-winning educator, author and speaker from New York, with over 20 years of classroom experience.Amber has recently published her book “Reclaiming Connection”, published by Routledge, and in today's episode we discuss the key ideas explored in the book.Over the past few years, many parents and educators have reflected on whether something has shifted in children and students. In her work, Amber explores questions around motivation, loneliness, screen use and a growing sense of disconnection both at school and at home.In this conversation, we explore how connection shapes learning, wellbeing and development, and what parents can do to help rebuild stronger relationships and communities around their children.🎙️ In this episode, we discuss:✅ How students have changed since the COVID-19 pandemic and what educators are noticing in classrooms✅ Why loneliness, isolation and disconnection may be influencing motivation and engagement✅ The role technology, social media and screen time may play in shaping children’s relationships and attention✅ How schools and families can work together to better support children✅ Practical ideas including family meetings and creating opportunities for meaningful connection at home✅ Why helping children develop belonging, resilience and community may matter more than everWhether you are a parent, educator or simply interested in how children learn and thrive in today’s world, this episode offers practical insights and thoughtful reflection on how we can begin rebuilding connection in children’s lives.🔗 Links & Resources📘 “Reclaiming Connection” by Amber Chandlerhttps://www.routledge.com/Reclaiming-Connection-How-Schools-and-Families-Can-Nurture-Belonging-in-a-Scared-New-World/Chandler/p/book/9781041114338LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/msamberchandler/📩 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with another parent or educator, and don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations on academic success and student wellbeing.👉 Interested in personalised academic coaching with me? Book a free 30 minute consultation via my website: https://www.york-weaving-education.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  #45 - Struggling to Support Your Child During Exams? A Practical Guide to Revision Season 13.05.2026 15min

  Have you ever felt unsure how to support your child during exam revision season, despite wanting to help them succeed?Because more often than not, the challenge is not your child’s ability, but the lack of a clear system for how to revise effectively.Revision season can be a stressful time not just for students, but for parents too. It can feel like you are constantly trying to motivate, guide and support, without always knowing what actually works. In this episode, I walk you through practical strategies to help your child approach revision with more structure, focus and confidence.🎙️ In this episode, I discuss:✅ Why studying is a skill that needs to be taught, not something students automatically know how to do✅ How to create a realistic and effective daily revision structure using focused study blocks✅ Why routine, rest and sleep are important for memory, focus and performance✅ How to build a clear revision plan to reduce stress and avoid decision fatigue✅ Practical ways to support your child with phone use and minimise distractions during revisionWhether your child is preparing for GCSEs, A Levels or internal mock exams, this episode will give you the tools to support them more effectively during one of the most demanding periods of the academic year.🔗 Links & Resources📩 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with another parent or educator, and don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations on academic success and student wellbeing.👉 Interested in personalised academic coaching? Book a free 30-minute consultation via my website:https://www.york-weaving-education.co.uk/👉 Looking for more structured support during revision season?Explore my Exam Revision Accelerator designed to help students build focus, structure and effective revision habits:https://www.york-weaving-education.co.uk/exam-revision-accelerator Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  #44 - How to Teach Critical Thinking to Teenagers in a World of Social Media & Misinformation with Dr Maree Davies 07.05.2026 56min

  Have you ever asked yourself, in a world shaped by social media, algorithms and constant information, how do we know if our children have the skills to think critically, recognise misinformation and think for themselves?In this episode, I am joined by Dr Maree Davies, a researcher and senior lecturer based at the University of Auckland, whose work focuses on critical thinking and how young people engage with information in an increasingly complex digital world.Her research explores how students develop the ability to question, evaluate and form reasoned judgements, particularly in the context of modern challenges such as social media, algorithms and misinformation. She is especially interested in how these skills can be taught explicitly, rather than assumed within education.Dr Davies is also the author of Teaching Critical Thinking to Teenagers, published by Routledge, a book that offers a structured and practical approach to developing critical thinking skills in young people. She introduces the Street Smarts model, designed to help students navigate information, think independently and engage more thoughtfully with the world around them.In this conversation, we explore what critical thinking really involves, why it has become such an essential skill today, and how parents and educators can support young people in developing it.🎙️ In this episode, we discuss:✅ What critical thinking actually means✅ Why teenagers can be vulnerable to fake news and misinformation✅ How social media algorithms influence thinking and decision-making✅ What is happening in the adolescent brain during this key stage of development✅ How to recognise cognitive bias and flawed thinking patterns✅ Practical ways to help your child think independently and form their own views✅ How the Street Smarts model can be applied at home and in educationWhether your child is navigating social media, forming opinions or learning how to think more independently, this episode will give you the tools to better understand and support their thinking in a complex digital world.🔗 Links & ResourcesResearch & University Profile - https://profiles.auckland.ac.nz/mj-davieshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/maree-davies-22a39411/Teaching Critical Thinking to Teenagers Bookhttps://www.routledge.com/Teaching-Critical-Thinking-to-Teenagers-How-Kids-Can-Be-Street-Smart-about-AI-Algorithms-Fake-News-and-Social-Media/Davies/p/book/9781032944906📩 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with another parent or educator interested in learning, productivity and sustainable success.👉 Interested in personalised academic coaching? Book a free 30 minute consultation with me via my website:https://www.york-weaving-education.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  #43 - GCSE & A-Level Exam Stress: Is Your Child Revising Properly? 25.03.2026 10min

  Have you found yourself wondering whether your child is actually revising properly for their GCSEs or A-Levels?In the final weeks before exams, many students are sitting at their desks, but without a clear plan, effective study strategies or a structured approach to revision. And as a parent, that uncertainty can feel incredibly stressful.In this episode, I unpack why this stage often feels overwhelming, not because students aren’t capable, but because they haven’t been shown how to revise effectively.I also explain what tends to go wrong in the final weeks before exams, what effective revision actually involves, and how you can start to recognise whether your child is on the right track.Most importantly, this episode will help you understand what your child really needs at this stage, and why having the right structure and guidance in place can make such a significant difference.🎙️ In this episode, you’ll learn:✅ Why “just revising more” is often not enough✅ What many students get wrong in the final weeks before exams✅ What effective revision actually involves (based on cognitive science)✅ How to recognise whether your child is on the right track✅ Why this stage often creates stress and uncertainty for parentsIf your child feels lost, unstructured or unsure where to start with revision, this episode will help you make sense of what’s happening and what matters most right now.There is still time to make a difference, but it starts with understanding what to focus on.🔗 Links & Resources👉 Learn more about the 6-week Exam Accelerator Programme:https://www.york-weaving-education.co.uk/exam-revision-accelerator📅 Book a free 30-minute consultation to discuss how I can support your child:https://www.york-weaving-education.co.uk/📩 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with another parent or educator, and don’t forget to subscribe for more evidence-based insights on academic success and student wellbeing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  #42 - Why Working Less Makes You More Productive with Alex Soojung-Kim Pang 13.03.2026 1h 18min

  In a culture that celebrates busyness and long working hours, rest is often treated as something we earn after productivity.But what if that idea is completely wrong?In this episode of Academic Coaching for Parents, I am joined by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang, founder of 4 Day Week Studio and a globally recognised expert on the future of work. Alex has worked with companies, nonprofits and governments around the world to rethink how productivity and work culture should function.He is the author of several influential books including Rest, Shorter, Work Less Do More: Designing the 4 Day Week and The Distraction Addiction. His work explores how individuals and organisations can better integrate rest, creativity and focus into modern working life.His research challenges the deeply embedded belief that working longer hours leads to better results. Instead, it shows that many highly creative and productive individuals rarely worked more than four focused hours per day and built their lives around deliberate rest, recovery and deep focus.In this conversation we explore how rest supports creativity, learning and sustained performance and why working less can sometimes help us achieve more.🎙️ In this episode, we discuss:✅ Why many high performers rarely work more than four hours of deep work per day✅ What deliberate rest really means and why it is essential for productivity✅ Why rest is often misunderstood as laziness in achievement focused cultures✅ The role of walking, sleep and deep play in creativity and problem solving✅ Why morning routines and focused work rhythms matter more than long working hours✅ How modern work culture may be undermining productivity rather than improving itThis episode is about how all of us work, learn and live in a world that constantly demands more productivity.If you have ever felt the pressure to work longer, push harder or do more, this conversation may completely change how you think about success.🔗 Links & ResourcesWhere to find Alex🌐 4 Day Week Studiohttps://www.4dayweek.studio✉️ Newsletter: Rest, Work and the Good Lifehttps://askpang.substack.com📚 Alex’s books and writinghttps://pangwrites.com💼 LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/askpang/Recommended reading📖 Rest - Why You Get More Done When You Work Less📖 Shorter - Work Better, Smarter and Less📰 “Rest Takes Hard Work” - Time Magazinehttps://time.com/6566763/rest-takes-hard-work-essay/🧠 “How to Rest Well” - Psychehttps://psyche.co/guides/how-to-rest-well-and-enjoy-a-more-creative-sustainable-life💡 “Why We Need to Consider Switching to a 4 Day Workweek Now” - TED Ideashttps://ideas.ted.com/case-for-4-day-workweek/📩 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with another parent or educator interested in learning, productivity and sustainable success.👉 Interested in personalised academic coaching? Book a free 30 minute consultation with me via my website:https://www.york-weaving-education.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  #41 - Is My Child Lazy? Why Students Avoid Work and What Actually Helps 06.03.2026 12min

  Have you ever looked at your child, perfectly capable, intelligent and full of potential, and wondered why they delay starting their work?Many parents describe this behaviour as laziness. But more often than not, something else is driving that behaviour.In this episode, I unpack what is really going on when students procrastinate or struggle to begin their work. Drawing on neuroscience, psychology and learning science, we explore why simply telling a child to try harder rarely works and what actually helps.You will learn why starting a task is often the hardest step, how executive function and planning skills affect a student’s ability to organise their work and why factors such as cognitive overload and mental fatigue can create behaviours that look like low effort from the outside.🎙️ In this episode, you’ll learn:✅ Why the word “lazy” is rarely an accurate explanation for academic procrastination✅ How executive function and planning skills influence a child’s ability to start and organise work✅ Why motivation often follows action and not the other way around✅ What activation energy means in behavioural science and how reducing it helps students begin tasks✅ How cognitive load and overwhelm can cause students to avoid work altogether✅ Why avoidance can sometimes be a protective response rather than a lack of effortWhether your child struggles to start homework, delays revision or often feels overwhelmed by schoolwork, this episode will help you understand the science behind those behaviours and what parents can do to support stronger focus, motivation and study habits.🔗 Links & Resources📩 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with another parent who might benefit from it and don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations on academic success and student wellbeing.👉 Interested in personalised academic coaching? Book a free 30-minute consultation via my website:https://www.york-weaving-education.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  #40 - The Incredible Teenage Brain Explained: How Conversations, Boundaries and Brain Development Shape Adolescence with Dr Bettina Hohnen 04.02.2026 44min

  Have you ever felt confused or overwhelmed by your teenager’s behaviour and emotional reactions?In this episode of Academic Coaching for Parents, I am joined by Dr Bettina Hohnen, Clinical Psychologist and Lecturer at University College London, to explore what is really happening inside the teenage brain, and how understanding brain development can transform the way parents communicate, set boundaries and support learning during adolescence.Adolescence is a period of profound neurological change. Emotions feel stronger, behaviour can seem unpredictable and motivation often fluctuates. Drawing on neuroscience, clinical experience and her work on The Incredible Teenage Brain, Dr Hohnen explains why the teenage brain is often described as being “under reconstruction” and how this perspective helps parents respond with empathy rather than frustration.We discuss how conversations can become one of the most powerful tools parents have to support emotional regulation, resilience and wellbeing, alongside the role of boundaries, daily habits, sleep and routine in shaping attention, memory and mood. We also explore how understanding the developing brain can help parents better support neurodiverse children.🎙️ In this episode, you’ll learn:✅ What is happening in the teenage brain during adolescence✅ Why emotions, behaviour and decision-making can feel so intense✅ How brain development influences motivation and learning✅ How to set boundaries that support safety, trust and independence✅ Practical strategies to support emotional regulation and resilienceThis episode is for parents who want to move beyond power struggles and towards connection, confidence and evidence-based support, while protecting both learning and wellbeing.Dr Bettina Hohnen:https://drbettinahohnen.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/bettina-hohnen-412776194/?originalSubdomain=ukBooks - The Incredible Teenage Brain & How to Have Incredible Conversations with Your Child📩 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with another parent or educator, and don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations on academic success and student wellbeing.👉 Interested in personalised academic coaching? Book a free 30-minute consultation via my website: https://www.york-weaving-education.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  #39 - My Child Did Badly in Mocks - What Should I Do Next? 02.02.2026 13min

  Mock exam results can be unsettling, especially when they are lower than expected. Many parents feel pressure to act quickly, often assuming that more teaching or tutoring is the answer.I take a step back and look at what disappointing mock results actually tell us. I then outline practical ways parents can respond to support early progress.Rather than reacting with panic, we explore how mock results can be used as valuable feedback, highlighting what isn’t working yet and where change will have the greatest impact.Drawing on my academic coaching work and research-informed practice, I walk through my five-pillar framework for diagnosing underperformance and transforming how students learn and perform in exams.🎙️ In this episode, you will learn:✅ How to use disappointing mock results as a diagnostic tool✅ Why learning methods, not just effort, affect exam performance✅ How poor time management and unrealistic revision plan undermine progress✅ Why focus, environment and screen time matter more than many parents realise✅ How motivation is linked to long-term vision, not pressure or “trying harder”This episode is designed to help parents respond calmly, logically and effectively, using mock results as an opportunity to strengthen learning systems well before the final exams.🔗 Links & Resources📩 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with another parent navigating mock season, and don’t forget to subscribe for more evidence-informed conversations on academic success and student wellbeing.👉 Interested in personalised academic coaching? Book a free 30-minute consultation via my website to discuss what might be holding your child back and how to address it: https://www.york-weaving-education.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  #38 - Creating Your Dream Life: Resilience, Reinvention and Purpose with Kristina Karlsson 21.01.2026 1h 13min

  In this episode of Academic Coaching for Parents, I am joined by Kristina Karlsson, founder of the global stationery brand Kikki. K, bestselling author and creator of the Your Dream Life Starts Here coaching programme.Kristina’s journey is extraordinary. From a single 3am list that sparked a global brand, to navigating the loss of Kikki. K and stepping into a completely new chapter of her life, her story offers powerful lessons on resilience, intention and purposeful living.🎧 In this conversation, we explore:✅ How Kristina’s 3am list shaped the direction of her life and career✅ The habits and mindset behind building Kikki K✅ What losing a business taught her about resilience and growth✅ How to rethink failure as a foundation for progress✅ The power of dreaming as a practice for life direction and purpose✅ How reflection and small intentional actions turn dreams into reality✅ How Your Dream Life Starts Here supports people through change and uncertaintyWhether you are a parent supporting your child, a student facing uncertainty, or someone navigating a period of change, this episode offers reassurance that you don’t need everything figured out. Creating a dream life isn’t about overnight transformation, it’s about clarity, reflection and taking small steps forward, wherever you are.🎧 If you’ve ever asked yourself “what’s next?” - this episode is for you.🔗 Links & ResourcesYour Dream Life Starts Here Coaching Programme https://www.yourdreamlifestartshere.com/Your Dream Life Starts Here Book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Your-Dream-Life-Starts-Here/dp/064831720XDream Life https://www.thedreamlifestore.com/LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-karlsson/?originalSubdomain=auInstagram https://www.instagram.com/kristinadreamlife/?hl=en 📩 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with another parent or educator, and don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations on learning, motivation and student wellbeing.👉 Interested in personalised academic coaching? Book a free 30-minute consultation via my website: https://www.york-weaving-education.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  #37 - If Your Child Is Struggling at School, Listen to This First 14.01.2026 16min

  Have you ever looked at your child’s academic struggles and felt an urgent need to explain why?Because one of the most consistent patterns I see in my academic coaching work is this: when students struggle, parents understandably rush to explanations, before checking whether the foundations for learning are actually in place.In this episode, I introduce a foundations-first approach to academic success and start with the most practical, and most overlooked, skill of all, which is planning.Planning isn’t about being organised or controlling your child’s time. It’s about reducing cognitive overload, creating structure and giving students a system they can fall back on when learning feels overwhelming.🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn:✅ Why academic struggles are often a systems problem, not an ability problem✅ Why planning is cognitive scaffolding - not just organisation✅ What I see again and again when students don’t have a planning system✅ How lack of planning can look like poor focus, low motivation or overwhelm✅ A simple, realistic planning framework you can start using immediately:yearly overviewsideal weekly structurestask lists and time allocationvisual clarity and weekly resetsAt the beginning of the year, if you’re looking to improve and accelerate your child’s learning and success, this is the place to start.🔗 Links & Resources📩 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with another parent or educator, and don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations on learning, motivation and student wellbeing.👉 Interested in personalised academic coaching? Book a free 30-minute consultation via my website: https://www.york-weaving-education.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  # 36 - How Brain Oscillations Shape Attention, Learning and Reading With Professor Ole Jensen 19.12.2025 31min

  How do the brain’s natural rhythms shape attention, memory and learning?In this episode of Academic Coaching for Parents, I am joined by Professor Ole Jensen, Professor of Translational Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Oxford, to explore how brain oscillations - rhythmic patterns of neural activity - underpin attention, learning and reading. We discuss how these brain rhythms help to coordinate attention, what happens when these processes become disrupted and how this research can help parents and educators better understand attention difficulties, learning challenges and differences in how children engage with learning.🎙️ In this episode, we discuss:✅ How brain oscillations contribute to attention, memory and information processing✅ How oscillatory activity supports reading and visual exploration✅ How brain oscillations change across development and differ between children and adults✅ What research shows about disrupted modulation of brain oscillations in ADHD✅ How theories of neural communication explain coordinated brain function during learningWhether you are curious about how learning works in the brain or interested in evidence-based perspectives on education, this episode offers a research-informed exploration of the neuroscience behind learning.Professor Ole Jensen: https://www.psy.ox.ac.uk/people/ole-jensenhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ole-jensen-53b69014/📩 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with another parent or educator, and don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations on academic success and student wellbeing.👉 Interested in personalised academic coaching? Book a free 30-minute consultation via my website: https://www.york-weaving-education.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  #35 - The Power of Dialogue: How Conversation Shapes Children’s Learning with Prof Andrew Tolmie 08.11.2025 54min

  Have you ever wondered why some of your child’s biggest learning moments happen in conversation - when they are explaining an idea, asking questions or debating something with friends?In this episode, I am joined by Professor Andrew Tolmie, Chair of Psychology and Human Development at UCL’s Institute of Education and Deputy Director of the UCL–Birkbeck Centre for Educational Neuroscience.Professor Tolmie is a developmental psychologist whose research explores how children’s thinking and reasoning develop through social interaction - how attention, dialogue and collaboration shape learning.Together, we unpack what it really means to learn together: how talk and shared attention support understanding, why some children benefit more from group learning than others and how teachers and parents can help children think more deeply and independently.🎙️ In this episode, you will learn: ✅ What shared attention means and why it’s a foundation for effective learning and focus✅ How productive dialogue helps children reason, reflect and build deeper understanding✅ Why social interaction and peer collaboration are essential for developing thinking and problem-solving skills✅ What research reveals about spaced learning, reflection and avoiding cognitive overload✅ Practical ways to nurture focus, curiosity and meaningful discussion at home and in the classroomWhether your child is in primary or secondary school, this conversation offers research-based insights into how attention, dialogue and shared learning experiences shape understanding.🔗 Links & ResourcesProf Andrew Tolmie https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/48122-andrew-tolmiehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-tolmie-1ab21522/?originalSubdomain=ukhttp://www.educationalneuroscience.org.uk/about-us/cen-research-group-2/prof-andrew-tolmie/ 📩 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with another parent or educator, and don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations on learning, motivation and student wellbeing.👉 Interested in personalised academic coaching? Book a free 30-minute consultation via my website: https://www.york-weaving-education.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  #34 - How to Create Your Child’s Ideal Week: Routines That Boost Learning, Reduce Stress and Build Balance 03.10.2025 12min

  Is your child drifting through the school week - rushing homework at the last minute, staying up too late and never quite finding balance?In this episode of Academic Coaching for Parents, I share how to design your child’s ideal week: a simple, flexible framework that helps them know what to do and more importantly when. Not a rigid timetable, but a rhythm that reduces stress, supports focus and builds healthy habits for the school year ahead.🎧 In this episode, you’ll discover:✅ Why predictable routines help children feel secure and reduce procrastination✅ How to structure after-school time: breaks, homework, dinner and evening wind-downs✅ The surprising link between family mealtimes, connection and academic outcomes✅ Why phones should be set aside in the evening to protect rest and focus✅ A simple starting point: protecting one anchor routine (like homework start time or bedtime) before building the restWhether your child is just settling into secondary school or preparing for exams, this episode will give you practical strategies to bring structure, balance and calm into the week.🔗 Links & Resources📩 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with another parent or educator and subscribe for more practical strategies.👉 Book a free 30-minute consultation to explore how academic coaching can transform your child’s learning: https://www.york-weaving-education.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.