
47. Play is Learning. Ruth Lue-Quee.
In this episode, Sophie Smith-Tong sits down with Ruth Lue-Quee to explore why play is still so often viewed with suspicion, despite overwhelming evidence of its importance in children's development.T...
8 Jul 1h 1min

46. Unschooled: The story of a family that doesn’t fit in. Caro Giles
In this episode, Sophie speaks with author and former teacher Caro Giles about her book Unschooled and her family's journey through Emotional Based School Avoidance (EBSA). We explore the realities of...
17 Jun 1h 5min

44. Unauthorised Absence: Can a Short Film Change the Law? Jo Clayton and Natalie Lauren
In this episode, the podcast welcomes Jo Clayton and Natalie Lauren, the writer and producer behind the upcoming short film Unauthorised Absence. "From lived experience to national action, Jo’s script...
6 Mar 1h 16min

43. The School Mental Health Toolkit - Andrew Cowley
In this episode, Sophie is joined by Andrew Cowley for a timely and insightful discussion on schools, mobile phones, and mental health.They explore the ongoing debate around mobile phone use in school...
17 Feb 1h 4min

42. Growing Strong Happy Families - Lulu Luckock
Sophie is joined by someone whose work has shaped the emotional landscape of countless children, families, and educators. Lulu Luckock is an education advisor and trainer specialising in Social and Em...
13 Jan 53min

41. Think Equal, Empowering Change Through Education - Leslee Udwin
In this episode, Leslee shares with Sophie, her frustrations with slow-moving education reform, the lack of focus on children’s holistic and emotional development, and the undervaluing of the early ye...
3 Nov 20251h

AUTONOMY MINI-SERIES EPISODE 5/5. Greg Bottrill - Illuminating the Wonder Child
The final episode of our Autonomy Mini-Series! Sophie is joined by the incredible Greg Bottrill. This is a conversation that goes beyond the usual — they dive straight into the heart of educational ch...
1 Jul 202559min




















