The Locked up Living Podcast: Surviving and thriving in prisons and other challenging environments

keywords

child abuse, whistleblower, child protection, exploitation, Voice for the Voiceless, systemic issues, care homes, ritual abuse, societal implications, justice

 takeaways

Jon Wedger is a retired police detective and whistleblower.

He specialized in child abuse investigations, focusing on children from care homes.

Jon's investigations revealed systemic issues in child protection.

He faced significant pushback from the police for his findings.

The care system often fails to protect vulnerable children from exploitation.

Jon founded Voice for the Voiceless to give a platform to abuse survivors.

He has encountered numerous cases of ritual abuse during his work.

Child abuse is a pervasive issue that transcends social classes.

Jon emphasizes the need for a dedicated focus on child protection in policing.

His personal journey has been marked by trauma and resilience.

 summary

In this conversation Naomi Murphy and David Jones meet Jon Wedger, a retired police detective and whistleblower. He shares his harrowing experiences investigating child abuse within the care system, the systemic failures in child protection, the challenges he faced as a whistleblower, and the formation of his campaign, Voice for the Voiceless. Jon highlights the prevalence of exploitation and ritual abuse, emphasizing the need for societal change and a dedicated focus on child protection. His personal journey is marked by trauma, resilience, and a commitment to giving a voice to the voiceless.

https://jonwedger.org/blogs/b/give-a-voice-to-the-voiceless

 sound bites

""I was told to shut up about my findings.""

""Child abuse is a rotting society.""

""Child abuse knows no boundaries.""

 

Chapters (Timings approx.)

00:00 The Voice for the Voiceless: Introduction to Jon Wedger

05:26 The System's Failures: Cover-Ups and Consequences

13:13 The Fight Against Institutional Abuse: A Personal Account

19:57 Voice for the Voiceless: Raising Awareness and Advocacy

27:18 The Intersection of Power, Abuse, and Society

36:26 The Disparity in Justice

47:14 The Impact of Advocacy on Identity

Summary

In this conversation Naomi Murphy and David Jones explore the nature of leadership, emotional intelligence, and the impact of childhood experiences on leadership styles. Piers Cross and Chris Braitch share insights on how leadership can be developed, the importance of compassion, and the societal implications of leadership behaviors. 

Here is a link to their upcoming online workshop,

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/leadership-under-pressure-how-you-can-manage-pressure-better-tickets-1982772564114?aff=oddtdtcreator

 
And to their website:
https://compassionateleadersglobal.com/
 
 keywords

Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, Compassionate Leadership, Childhood Trauma, Organizational Culture, Leadership Training, Management vs Leadership, Wounded Leaders, Societal Impact, Personal Development. 

 key  topics

Leadership development and the nature vs nurture debate

The impact of childhood trauma and adverse experiences on leadership styles

The importance of emotional intelligence and compassion in leadership

Differences between management and leadership

The societal and organizational implications of leadership behaviors

 sound bites

"Leaders aren't just born, they are made."

"Leadership is a teachable skill set."

"Business success depends on compassionate leadership."

Chapters

00:00 The Nature of Leadership: Born or Made?

04:45 Learning Leadership Through Osmosis

08:48 The Impact of Childhood on Leadership Styles

11:37 Distinguishing Leadership from Management

18:14 Institutional Experiences and Leadership Development

24:32 Consequences of Suppressing Emotions in Leadership

24:54 The Fall of a Leader: Personal Struggles and Realizations

27:04 The Command and Control Leadership Style: Pros and Cons

29:57 Compassion in Leadership: A Necessary Shift

32:26 Pressure Reveals True Leadership: The Impact of Stress

38:44 The Dark Side of Leadership: Accountability and Vulnerability

43:09 Creating Compassionate Leaders: A New Approach to Leadership Development

48:57 Ten second outro video.mp4

 

Chris Braitch has a mission to move himself and the world around him towards connection
and compassion. He works as an emotional health coach, leadership coach with
Compassionate Leaders Global, and as a founding director of Seen & Heard, a not-for-profit offering wellbeing support to past and present pupils of the private school system, many of whom have experienced institutional abuse and neglect. After two decades in sales,
marketing, and management for global consumer goods companies, Chris’s life was
upended by unresolved childhood trauma, the grief of losing his young son and mother, and
addiction, leading to a breakdown in 2021. Through coaching, men’s groups, Emotional
Freedom Technique, and a spiritual awakening, he rebuilt his life. Now addiction-free, he has
found his purpose, transformed his parenting, and is committed to serving others with  compassion and authenticity.

https://seenheard.org.uk/

"Piers Cross is an author, coach, and documentary producer specialising in boarding school trauma. He is also the founder of Compassionate Leaders Global, an organisation dedicated to developing emotionally intelligent, compassionate leaders for the future.

https://www.piers-cross.com/

 resources

Compassionate Leaders Global - https://compassionateleaders.global

Emma Seppälä - Stanford Professor on Stress and Leadership - https://www.stanford.edu

Doris Kearns Goodwin - Leadership and Emotional Intelligence - https://www.amazon.com

Steven Spielberg's Lincoln Movie - https://www.youtube.com

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk - https://www.amazon.com/The-Body-Keeps-Score-Psychiatry/dp/0143127748

In this episode David and Naomi meet with Lawrence Collins-Willis who shares his disturbing personal story of childhood abuse, recovery, and the ongoing journey to heal from trauma. His openness offers insight into the complex process of memory recovery and the importance of self-awareness, resilience, and professional support.

Key Topics

The impact of adopting children later in life and personal childhood histories

Recognizing triggers and embodying emotional regulation

The role of therapy, including EMDR and somatic approaches, in trauma recovery

Memory recovery: how traumatic memories emerge piecemeal and the disorientation involved

Physical manifestations of trauma: scars, surgeries, and bodily effects

The importance of self-compassion and patience during healing

Challenging stigma around male trauma and abuse

Supporting others who experience or process trauma

The importance of trauma-informed therapy and support options for men

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction to Lawrence’s story and its significance
02:01 - Pre-adoption life: grounding and functioning well
04:38 - Experiencing and recognizing emotional triggers during parenting
06:26 - Professional interventions and the importance of therapy
08:13 - The breakthrough moment in therapy and uncovering repressed memories
11:13 - The harsh reality of childhood abuse and the process of memory recovery
13:13 - The details of traumatic events, betrayal, and ongoing impact
16:25 - The body's physical response: scars, surgeries, and bodily trauma
19:44 - The emotional toll and identity shifts following trauma
22:56 - The importance of support systems and handling suicidal thoughts
28:38 - Disorientation of memory flashing back and sensory triggers
30:46 - The somatic effects of trauma on the body and physical health
33:08 - How trauma influences identity and self-image
36:49 - Managing triggers and feeling safer in everyday life
38:24 - The lasting impact of trauma and ongoing vulnerability
42:01 - The challenges of feeling safe and concerns about future behavior
43:33 - Addressing fears around abuse and the importance of trauma-informed support
45:43 - Navigating the landscape of mental health support and barriers to access
47:19 - The dark moments: suicidal ideation and seeking help
50:06 - Breaking down stigma and supporting men's mental health and trauma recovery
52:14 - Advice for survivors: emotions, anger, and self-kindness
54:37 - Contemporary trauma therapy approaches and their effectiveness
55:48 - Final reflections: acceptance and the ongoing journey of healing

Joining us today is Crispin Thorold - a British-Canadian international communications specialist and former BBC foreign correspondent who has spent the past 25 years specialising mainly on conflicts, post-conflict situations and crisis areas. He has worked in more than 40 countries, including six war zones and multiple post-conflict regions. As a BBC correspondent Crispin was based in Northern Ireland, India, Afghanistan and the Middle East. As a comms leader he has worked closely with survivors of terrorism, torture and war. Now retraining as a psychotherapist and psychologist, he plans to build on his previous experience, to work with men who have been affected by conflict. His interest areas include trauma and addictions.

 

keywords

journalism, crisis reporting, mental health, trauma, psychotherapy, conflict, emotional toll, news consumption, storytelling, human experience

 summary

Crispin Thorold, a former foreign correspondent now training as a psychotherapist, talks about his progress through crisis reporting, the emotional toll it takes, and the transition to understanding trauma from a psychological perspective. He discusses the challenges of reporting in conflict zones, the responsibility felt towards the affected populations, and the importance of mental health awareness in journalism. The conversation also touches on the impact of news consumption on society and the need for a more thoughtful approach to engaging with current events.

 takeaways

Crispin's journey into journalism was not planned but evolved from his interests.

His background in history and international relations shaped his career.

The emotional connection to the places and people he reported on was profound.

Journalists often feel a responsibility to tell the stories of those suffering.

The cycle of reporting can be mentally exhausting and challenging.

Crispin highlights the long-lasting mental scars from war reporting.

He emphasizes the importance of self-care for journalists.

Transitioning to psychotherapy has allowed him to explore trauma more deeply.

There is a growing awareness of mental health issues in journalism.

Crispin advocates for a more thoughtful approach to news consumption.

 

 sound bites

"You feel a real responsibility."

"The mental scars that it can leave on you."

"I think there's a lot more awareness now."

Chapters (timings approx.)

00:00 Introduction to Crispin Thorold's Journey

02:32 The Path to Foreign Correspondence

05:23 Understanding Conflict Through Personal History

08:03 The Responsibility of Reporting

11:25 Challenges in War Reporting

15:52 The Emotional Toll of Conflict Reporting

19:50 The Human Element in Journalism

23:59 Trauma and Dissociation in Journalists

25:28 Experiencing Trauma in War Zones

27:40 Coping Mechanisms and Personal Healing

30:23 Transitioning from Journalism to Advocacy

33:11 The Impact of Trauma on Journalistic Work

35:35 Organizational Support for Journalists

38:59 The Need for Accessible Mental Health Resources

40:51 Rethinking News Consumption

48:25 Concluding Thoughts on Trauma and Healing

49:16 Ten second outro video.

Summary

In this conversation, Kate Eves shares her extensive experience in researching and investigating deaths in custody, discussing the complexities and challenges faced by professionals in this field. She highlights the importance of understanding the human stories behind the statistics, the impact of media narratives on public perception, and the need for transparency and accountability in death investigations. The discussion also touches on the emotional toll of this work, the inquest process, and the lessons that can be learned from past investigations.

Keywords

death, custody, investigations, mental health, media narratives, transparency, accountability, inquests, criminal justice, coping mechanisms

Bio: Kate has over 25 years’ experience of conducting research, inspections and investigations within custodial environments, in the UK and the US. Kate has worked with HM Inspectorate of Prisons, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, the Forum for Preventing Deaths in Custody and HM Prison Service, where she led on the national strategy for reducing violence in custody. Kate has also worked with numerous prison and jail systems in the United States to improve detention conditions and increase accountability following deaths and serious violence. Kate recently chaired the UK government's first statutory inquiry into mistreatment in immigration detention, during which she found evidence of abuse contrary to international human rights legislation. She is a member of the Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody, a group of experts who advise the UK government on the prevention of deaths in all forms of state custody.

Takeaways

Kate Eves transitioned from law to criminology, focusing on the aftermath of criminal cases.

Investigating deaths in custody requires a balance of objectivity and empathy.

The emotional impact of reviewing traumatic cases can be significant for professionals.

Media narratives shape public understanding of policing-related deaths.

Transparency in death investigations is crucial for accountability.

Inquests serve as a fact-finding exercise but can be intimidating for families.

Blame and shame can complicate the inquest process.

Learning from past investigations is often hindered by systemic issues.

Coping mechanisms are essential for professionals in high-stress roles.

Death is the ultimate leveller, affecting everyone regardless of status.

 sound bites

"I think it is really easy to kind of forget that."

"The ultimate leveler, isn't it?"

"You just have to be very aware of it."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Kate Eves and Her Career

08:00 Exploring Policing Related Deaths

15:48 Investigating Deaths in Custody

20:45 Challenges in Death Investigation

23:57 The Inquest Process and Its Emotional Toll

26:42 Understanding Inquests and Their Challenges

30:18 The Role of Blame and Shame in Inquests

33:49 Learning from Inquests: Challenges and Opportunities

35:28 Confronting Death: Perspectives and Insights

40:40 Finding Hope in Difficult Work

45:26 Coping with Moral Injury in Challenging Environments