Best Andrea Bridges Smith Podcasts (2024)

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170 Supporting Young People Into Work: Practical Tips with Mel Simmonds, from Hidden Gem Services 15:09

6d ago15:09

15:09

In this second part of a conversation with Mel Simmonds, from Hidden Gem Services, we focus on what we can do at home to help make the transition into paid work smoother for our young people. When they go into their first job, they will have lots of new information to take in and skills to learn. However, the transition will be made easier if we ha…

1
169 Supporting Employment: How Job Coaches Make The Difference with Mel Simmonds from Hidden Gem Services 18:02

2d ago18:02

18:02

In this episode with Mel Simmonds from Hidden Gem Services, we dive into the world of job coaching, outlining the importance of support, understanding, and adaptability in creating successful employment options for young people with additional needs. Mel discusses the challenges faced, including inconsistencies in job roles and management as well a…

1
168 From Fear to Trust: My Bumpy Journey with Debra Caldow 7:25

13d ago7:25

7:25

In this episode, I share my journey of navigating parental fears and learning to trust my daughter's abilities. Despite her successful year in her job, my unspoken concerns about her future surfaced, impacting her more than I realized. This episode reflects on how difficult it is not to let our fears limit our children’s potential. I also talk abou…

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167 Unlocking Potential: The Crucial Role of Families, Schools, and Job Coaches with Laura Davis from BASE 16:12

19d ago16:12

16:12

Every journey starts somewhere, and for most of us, it starts at home with those closest to us, encouraging us, and believing in us. In this week’s episode with Laura Davis from BASE we discuss the important role families play in shaping the future outcomes of children. We discuss the challenges of navigating the support available and the role of s…

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Season 2 Episode 25: Conventional rizz-dom! 18:45

23d ago18:45

18:45

The DNC is the place to be if you like a good time! Plus, what the Queen thought of Trump, and Nigel Farage delights Britain by exiting the country!By Fenix News Network

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166 Transforming Inclusive Employment: The Role of BASE In Changing Attitudes With Laura Davis 17:25

28d ago17:25

17:25

Collaboration can speed up change, but it requires coordination and management to make that happen. This week’s guest Laura Davis, Chief Executive of the British Association for Supported Employment (BASE) knows all about this. In this episode, she not only shares her personal journey but also discusses the pivotal role BASE plays in championing em…

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165 Building Employer Relationships That Benefit Everyone with Andrea Randall-Smith from Little Gate 13:50

1M ago13:50

13:50

Having more opportunities for paid work for young people with additional needs relies on finding more employers to offer those opportunities. In this episode Andrea Randall-Smith from Little Gate explains the strategies they use to manage the relationships with the employers they work with to ensure more of these opportunities become available. She…

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164 The Little Gate Story: Bridging Aspirations and Employment with Andrea Randall-Smith 19:27

1M ago19:27

19:27

When opportunities aren’t available, sometimes we need to create them. That is part of the reason that Little Gate came about. In this episode Andrea Randall-Smith, CEO of Little Gate, shares the history and ethos of the organization and how they work to change the future of the young people they serve by giving them to skills to move into paid wor…

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Season 2 Episode 22: The Flip-Flop Olympics! 25:06

2M ago25:06

25:06

Simone Biles has some stiff competition from JD Vance - who can flip-flop the best? Plus, Trump's meeting with Black journalists goes about as well as you'd expect!By Fenix News Network

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163 Planning A Better Future For Our Children with Debra Caldow 12:19

2M ago12:19

12:19

In this episode, I’m talking about the importance of structured planning for children with additional needs and having short, medium and long-term plans for various aspects of their life around daily living, purpose, relationships, and finance. This ensures not only continuous progress but is also better preparation for their futures. A good plan h…

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162 Everybody Needs Good Neighbors with Ann Wilkinson from WeBUILT 20:07

2M ago20:07

20:07

We all want good neighbors but of course what makes a good neighbor differs for everyone. In this second part of a conversation with Ann Wilkinson from WeBUILT we talk about how they have built a neighborhood where people look out for each other when they need to. Ann explains how the focus on choice, predictability and autonomy has helped to reduc…

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161 WeBUILT Unified Living: Crafting a Supportive Community with Ann Wilkinson 19:05

2M ago19:05

19:05

When we live in a place that we like everything else is made just that bit easier. But sometimes finding that place can seem an impossible task. In this episode I’m sharing one family’s journey to find that place for their son. My guest is Ann Wilkinson from WeBUILT who shares her story from exploring various options and realizing these didn't fit …

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Season 2 Episode 20: Someone old, someone new, someone crazy...and brain worms too! 35:44

3M ago35:44

35:44

Keir Starmer is in, but is Joe Biden on his way out? Grab some tequila and check out what's happening on both sides of the Atlantic as the leadership decks get reshuffled!By Fenix News Network

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160 Real Lives, Real Jobs: Self Employment with Sam Everard from SAMEE 12:18

3M ago12:18

12:18

Self-employment is viable option, but it becomes even more so when there is clear evidence of how well it can work. In this episode Sam Everard, founder and CEO of Samee Charity shares some examples of where young people with additional needs have created great businesses based not only on their skills but also on their passions and often, because …

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159 Enabling A Path To Self-Employment with Sam Everard from SAMEE 14:30

3M ago14:30

14:30

One way into paid employment is to work for yourself and that’s the focus of this episode with Sam Everard, founder and CEO of Samee Charity. She discusses the organization's mission to support young people with additional needs into becoming self-employed. Sam also discusses the barriers, how to address these, and what supporting someone into self…

1
158 From Daily Living to Personal Growth with Debra Caldow 7:59

3M ago7:59

7:59

In this solo episode, I discuss what independence really means for young people like my daughter. Is it just about having the skills to do more for herself or are there other things that she should have the opportunities to consider? I discuss this using Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory as a way to structure my thoughts on whether or not it's eno…

1
157 Raising Expectations: Lifelong Learning and Contribution with Lex Ali from Big Life Adventure 12:07

3M ago12:07

12:07

Learning new things, having new experiences and giving back to our community build self-confidence and self-esteem. However, to often people with additional needs aren’t given the opportunity to do any of these things. In this second part of my conversation with Lex Ali, from Big Life Adventure, we talk about the value in lifelong learning and the …

1
156 The Big Life Adventure with Lex Ali 17:01

3M ago17:01

17:01

For most people one of the great things about becoming an adult is getting to make their own life choices, dreaming about what they want to do, and making decisions about how their life will look now and in the future. But for many people with additional needs these opportunities aren’t easily available. In this episode my guest Lex Ali from Big Li…

1
Season 2 Episode 18: Photo Bum! 23:02

4M ago23:02

23:02

Sunak and Starmer tussle on the campaign trail, and Trump might get taken off of it! Plus, a masterclass in photobombing!By Fenix News Network

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155 Breaking Down The Barriers To Employment with Vinny De Falco from Think Forward 19:45

4M ago19:45

19:45

Breaking down the barriers to inclusive employment opportunities is proving to be a challenge. But progress is being made and what that looks like is one of the things I’m discussing in this week’s episode with my guest Vinny De Falco from Think Forward. We talk about the programs that Think Forward have previously run, what they learned from those…

1
Season 2 Episode 17: Foul play on the Cam-pain! 28:15

4M ago28:15

28:15

This week, Rishi Sunak loses the youth vote, Lara Trump hawks metal cards, and we anxiously await the verdict in the Trump trial!By Fenix News Network

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154 Navigating the Transition Pathway with Vinny De Falco from Think Forward 18:40

4M ago18:40

18:40

The transition from education to employment for young people with additional needs requires planning in order to be effective. In this episode with Vinny De Falco from Think Forward we talk about the importance of early transition planning and how a structured and supportive transition program with personalized coaching can help young people develo…

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Season 2 Episode 16: OH SNAP! 35:05

4M ago35:05

35:05

The UK is finally getting a general election, and it'll be done in a snap! Plus, Rudy Giuliani's been a busy boy, and we've learned some lessons about the Thames! Check out Matt's channel @theinterestingtimesuk for more from Britain!By Fenix News Network

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153 Great Expectations And Why They Matter with Debra Caldow 6:42

4M ago6:42

6:42

It's a solo episode this week and I'm talking about the role that expectations have in the way we support and inspire our young people to achieve all they are capable of. Our expectations of them guide their expectations of themselves and can also help them to ignore the low expectations of others.

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Season 2 Episode 15: If he's broke, don't fix it! 18:14

4M ago18:14

18:14

This week we go inside Michael Cohen's testimony in the Trump trial, discuss red lines on Rafah, and end things with a bit of hope! Do you remember hope? It's that feeling like good stuff might happen? We used to have it a long time ago? Anyone? Check out Matt's channel @theinterestingtimesuk for more from Britain!…

1
152 Why The Use Of Technology At Work Is About Mindset with Alex Barker from AbilityNet 12:25

4M ago12:25

12:25

The use of technology is embedded into our work lives and for people with additional needs it is often assistive technology that enables them to do their job. But often the right technology is not in place or provided by employers and that is one of the topics discussed in this episode of the podcast with my guest in this week’s episode Alex Barker…

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Season 2 Episode 14: International Relations! 50:35

5M ago50:35

50:35

We have a very special guest this week - Belfast's own Adam Byrne from @ShortBackAndWhatsHappening ! We chat about Brexit, by elections, and how to boot bad things from your mind with the help of some flesh-eating brain worms! Check out Matt's channel @theinterestingtimesuk for more from Britain!By Fenix News Network

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151 Why We Should Be Using The Assistive Technology In Our Pockets with Alex Barker from AbilityNet 13:38

5M ago13:38

13:38

When we think of assistive technology or any technology that can support our young people with additional needs to become more independent, we often start at the point of thinking it could be expensive or complicated to learn to use. But the reality is that today the first bit of assistive technology that our young people should access is their pho…

1
Season 2 Episode 13: Pulling the trigger! 31:49

5M ago31:49

31:49

First of all, let us very clearly state: WE ARE PRO-PUPPIES. Now that that's out of the way, election news from both sides of the pond, and we take a deep dive into campaign emails from the UK vs the US! They are...VERY DIFFERENT. For more, check us out on YouTube: Matt Johnston's The Interesting Times: https://www.youtube.com/@theinterestingtimesu…

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150 Why Community Gives Us More Than Just Friendship with Sarah Towler from CASPA 9:36

5M ago9:36

9:36

When we think of community, we first think about the friendship element of being around other people. But there is more to being part of a community than just that. When we become part of a community, we have the opportunity to learn from those around us. These are the other benefits of being in a community. And why this is such an important part o…

1
149 How Community Can Support And Educate with Sarah Towler from CASPA 11:55

5M ago11:55

11:55

Community is defined as people with common interests living in a particular area but in reality, it’s less about location and more about belonging, about connection and feeling part of something. In this episode, my guest is Sarah Towler and the organization we are talking about is CASPA which does all of these things and more. CASPA stands for Com…

1
Season 2 Episode 2: Make America grate again! 27:20

5M ago27:20

27:20

This week, Trump's in court, Liz is prattling on about the deep state, and Nigel and Suella get the boot in Brussels! What does the next election hold? We'll give you a hint! For more, check us out on YouTube: Matt Johnston's The Interesting Times: https://www.youtube.com/@theinterestingtimesuk Andrea Bridges-Smith's Fenix News Network: https://www…

1
148 Why Habits Are The Foundation Of Independence with Debra Caldow 15:58

5M ago15:58

15:58

Every day we all do the same things the same way because it’s these habits that make it easier to live our lives. Habits are just skills we have that we use over and over again and for my daughter with additional needs, all the skills she has built over time are now habits that allow her to live more independently. Those skills she has like cooking…

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147 Why Working With The Right Support Works with Adam and Deb 11:15

6M ago11:15

11:15

The barriers to employment for young people with additional needs are high but that doesn’t mean it’s not possible as this week’s episode shows. In part 2 of my conversation with Adam and Deb, Adam talks about his experience of work and why his current role is working for him. Adam believes it comes down to the right support at the right time and m…

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Season 2 Episode 10: Any thief is possible! 29:51

6M ago29:51

29:51

This week we feel cautiously optimistic, and then we ruin it by subjecting ourselves to auditory torture! For more, visit us on YouTube: @TheInterestingTimesUK @FenixNewsNetworkBy Fenix News Network

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146 Making Choices with Adam and Deb 10:26

6M ago10:26

10:26

Sharing our stories helps us realize we are not alone. Hearing someone else’s story can also be a great way to learn new ideas we can use in our own family’s lives. In this episode, I’m sharing the story of Adam and his family. My guests are Adam, and his mother Deb. Adam talks about moving schools from a mainstream school to a specialist school as…

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145 Why Risk Is Worth The Risk With Carol Smail from Gig Buddies Sydney 8:01

6M ago8:01

8:01

We should all have the right to choose how we live our lives, even if that means taking risks and making mistakes. But too often people with additional needs aren’t being given opportunities to take risks and to learn from their mistakes. My guest this week Carol Smail shares her experiences of the impact this lack of choice has, as well as what ca…

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Season 2 Episode 8: Morally (and otherwise) bankrupt! 21:28

6M ago21:28

21:28

Brother, can you spare a...lot? We explore how American healthcare can be performed with a few basic office supplies, and we settle the question of whether Kate Middleton is a cyborg working with Obama to destabilize the globe! (Spoiler alert: no! That was easy!) For more, check us out on YouTube: Matt Johnston's The Interesting Times: https://www.…

1
144 Why Gig Buddies Is Great with Carol Smail from Gig Buddies Sydney 14:11

6M ago14:11

14:11

Finding friends with common interests can be difficult for anyone and for young people with additional needs it is often more challenging because their social network is smaller. That is why projects like Gig Buddies are so important as my guest in this episode Carol Smail from Gig Buddies Sydney explains. Carol not only talks about the vision behi…

1
143 How can we change society’s expectations and accelerate inclusive employment opportunities? with Peter Bacon from Disability Employment Australia 11:33

7M ago11:33

11:33

Too often low expectations for people with additional needs have translated into fewer opportunities, particularly when it comes to paid employment. For change to happen, around work, more employers are needed which means employers will need to change their attitude toward employing people with a disability. But what is also necessary is a change i…

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142 Does Inclusive Employment Just Happen? with Peter Bacon from Disability Employment Australia 17:52

7M ago17:52

17:52

Inclusive employers change the future for our children, but there simply isn’t enough of them. In this episode with Peter Bacon, CEO of Disability Employment Australia, I’m discussing why this is the case, and what actions could be taken to get more employers to become inclusive employers. Is some form of legal framework necessary, as Peter suggest…

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Season 2 Episode 6: Trump & Truss trash the truth! 32:24

7M ago32:24

32:24

This week we take a fond look back at CPAC, a look ahead at our career prospects as House speaker, and sideways at Lee Anderson and some other politicians that have been behaving badly! For more, check us out on YouTube: Matt Johnston's The Interesting Times: https://www.youtube.com/@theinterestingtimesuk Andrea Bridges-Smith's Fenix News Network: …

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Season 2 Episode 5: Trump sells his sole! 26:10

7M ago26:10

26:10

On this week's episode, there's lots of news afoot! Trump's quaking in his boots over legal fees, but will he inspire other world leaders to try and fill his shoes? For more, check us out on YouTube: Matt Johnston's The Interesting Times: https://www.youtube.com/@theinterestingtimesuk Andrea Bridges-Smith's Fenix News Network: https://www.youtube.c…

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Season 2 Episode 4: Game of Prawns! 19:40

7M ago19:40

19:40

This week, we discuss all things Super Bowl! (And by that, we mean jigsaw puzzles!) Plus, revenge is a dish best served with a side of prawns! For more, check us out on YouTube: Matt Johnston's The Interesting Times: https://www.youtube.com/@theinterestingtimesuk Andrea Bridges-Smith's Fenix News Network: https://www.youtube.com/@fenixnewsnetwork…

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Season 2 Episode 3: Republican & Republican't 23:59

8M ago23:59

23:59

A few hundred years of Irish history in one minute, plus the Republicans Republican't! For more, check us out on YouTube: Matt Johnston's The Interesting Times: https://www.youtube.com/@theinterestingtimesuk Andrea Bridges-Smith's Fenix News Network: https://www.youtube.com/@fenixnewsnetworkBy Fenix News Network

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Season 2 Episode 2: Strive, Pray, Loathe 20:54

8M ago20:54

20:54

Immigration is front and center, but what about the Taylor Swift psyop? Plus, a complete breakdown in British-American relations with one cup of tea! For more, check us out on YouTube: Matt Johnston's The Interesting Times: https://www.youtube.com/@theinterestingtimesuk Andrea Bridges-Smith's Fenix News Network: https://www.youtube.com/@fenixnewsne…

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Season 2 Episode 1: The Facist and the Spurious! 14:16

8M ago14:16

14:16

Election updates from the US while a waterlogged UK prays for Rishi's ouster! Plus, a baby duck recipe to calm you right down! It's the season premiere - let's go! For more, check us out on YouTube: Matt Johnston's The Interesting Times: https://www.youtube.com/@theinterestingtimesuk Andrea Bridges-Smith's Fenix News Network: https://www.youtube.co…

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141 Financial Future Series - Using a Gradual Financial Independence Approach with Graham Caldow 13:14

8M ago13:14

13:14

In this final episode of this Finance Future series, I’m talking to Graham Caldow about the value of giving financial independence gradually and building financial skills over time. We discuss the things that have worked for our family including multiple accounts and tracking spending. Finance is just one part of our legacy to our daughter but in l…

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140 Financial Future Series - Why ABLE Accounts Help Create More Opportunities with Jill Cornfield 18:17

10M ago18:17

18:17

Planning for the future is difficult when restrictions exist around how much money you're allowed to save. In this episode with Jill Cornfield, I’m discussing how ABLE accounts can help mitigate this restriction and enable people to think longer-term and plan their financial future. ABLE National Resource Centre Follow us on Instagram/Facebook @exp…

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139 Financial Future Series - Building Good Money Habits with Karen Hassett from PATF 22:58

10M ago22:58

22:58

Managing our own money is challenging. The temptation to spend is never far away and we need tools and techniques that can help us make the right choices most of the time. In this second part of my conversation with Karen Hassett from PATF we are focusing on some ways to help our young people develop those money habits that will help them make bett…

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Andrea Bridges Smith Podcasts

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