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People, we need more people to consider becoming Foster carers which is a paid profession! See if this is for you and if you can get involved.

Dive into the heart of foster care with Elle, the passionate founder of Eastern Fostering Services. Her journey from nurse to fostering advocate spans over three decades, rooted in a childhood where fostering was "in her blood" through her experience working with Barnardo's.

Elle reveals the stark reality facing the UK's care system today – a deficit of 6,000 foster families while placement requests have skyrocketed from 50 to several hundred weekly. This growing crisis highlights why independent fostering agencies emerged as essential partners to local authorities, offering specialized support that consistently earns "good" to "outstanding" Ofsted ratings.

The conversation takes us behind closed doors to understand the profound trauma many fostered children carry. From children who eat under tables rather than at them to those unable to use basic cutlery, these behaviors reflect deep wounds that require patience, understanding, and specialized support. As Elle poignantly explains, healing sometime requires double the time a child spent in trauma before meaningful progress emerges.

We explore the potential of preventative "edge of care" services that could support birth families before separation becomes necessary, addressing the intergenerational cycles of trauma that often lead children into care. Elle challenges listeners to consider how society might better address root causes rather than symptoms – both in foster care and broader social issues.

For anyone considering fostering, Elle offers candid insight: "It's probably the hardest thing you'll ever do, but also potentially the most rewarding". Success comes in "little wins" – those precious moments when a child begins to trust, to heal, to believe that not all adults are the same. The strength of community also shines through as we learn how foster families support each other, creating networks where both carers and children find understanding and belonging.

Thinking about fostering or simply want to understand this vital service better? This episode offers a compassionate, eye-opening look at the challenges and profound rewards of providing a safe haven for our most vulnerable children.

For those interested in what Palliative care looks like at home there is "The Last Kiss" (Not a Romance)
Available on Amazon now
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Kiss-Romance-Carers-Stories/dp/1919635289/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13D6YWONKR5YH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._59mNNFoc-rROuWZnAQfsG0l3iseuQuK_gx-VxO_fe6DLJR8M0Az039lJk_HxFcW2o2HMhIH3r3PuD7Dj-D6KTwIHDMl2Q51FGLK8UFYOBwbRmrLMbpYoqOL6I5ruLukF1vq7umXueIASDS2pO91JktkZriJDJzgLfPv1ft5UtkdQxs9isRDmzAYzc5MKKztINcNGBq-GRWKxgvc_OV5iKKvpw0I5d7ZQMWuvGZODlY.fqQgWV-yBiNB5186RxkkWvQYBoEsDbyq-Hai3rU1cwg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+last+kiss+not+a+romance&qid=1713902566&s=books&sprefix=The+Last+kiss+n%2Cstripbooks%2C107&sr=1-1

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The leadership landscape is changing, but not fast enough. Linda Fisk, founder of Leadership Global, pulls back the curtain on the persistent gender gap in corporate leadership during this revealing conversation about women's path to the C-suite.

Drawing from her extensive background as a Chief Marketing Officer for major media corporations like Discovery Channel and Scripps Networks before becoming CEO of multiple organisations, Linda shares startling statistics that paint a stark picture: despite making up 58% of the civil workforce, women hold only 23% of C-suite positions in America, with women of colour comprising a mere 4%. The bias runs deep—both male and female managers are twice as likely to hire men over women, yet when gender is removed from applications, women's hiring rates jump by 25-46%.

What makes this conversation particularly illuminating is Linda's exploration of how traditionally "feminine" leadership qualities are finally being recognised as valuable business assets. Research by the Hay Group confirms women outperform men in 11 of 12 key emotional intelligence competencies. These "soft skills"—authentic communication, team development, empathy, and humility—once dismissed as weaknesses, now represent the future of effective leadership.

The pandemic has only widened existing gaps, with women facing higher rates of layoffs and career stagnation. Through Leadership Global, Linda has created a 10,000-member community across six continents dedicated to ensuring women have equal access to funding, opportunities, and connections typically reserved for men. Her vision isn't about displacing men but creating space at the table for diverse leadership that combines both mind and heart to build lasting, positive impact.

Looking to support women leaders or become one? Connect with Linda on LinkedIn or visit LeadHership Global to learn how you can help break down barriers in your organisation.

For those interested in what Palliative care looks like at home there is "The Last Kiss" (Not a Romance)
Available on Amazon now
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Kiss-Romance-Carers-Stories/dp/1919635289/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13D6YWONKR5YH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._59mNNFoc-rROuWZnAQfsG0l3iseuQuK_gx-VxO_fe6DLJR8M0Az039lJk_HxFcW2o2HMhIH3r3PuD7Dj-D6KTwIHDMl2Q51FGLK8UFYOBwbRmrLMbpYoqOL6I5ruLukF1vq7umXueIASDS2pO91JktkZriJDJzgLfPv1ft5UtkdQxs9isRDmzAYzc5MKKztINcNGBq-GRWKxgvc_OV5iKKvpw0I5d7ZQMWuvGZODlY.fqQgWV-yBiNB5186RxkkWvQYBoEsDbyq-Hai3rU1cwg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+last+kiss+not+a+romance&qid=1713902566&s=books&sprefix=The+Last+kiss+n%2Cstripbooks%2C107&sr=1-1

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Death may be the ultimate truth serum, but most of us avoid discussing it until we absolutely must. In this deeply insightful conversation with professional fiduciary Sarah Eklein, we explore why end-of-life planning isn't just about legal documents—it's about creating what she beautifully calls "a legacy of love, not a mess."

Sarah draws from her unique experience working with clients in their final life chapters to illuminate the tremendous gift of proper planning. As someone who regularly serves as a conservator, trustee, executor, and healthcare decision maker, she witnesses firsthand the stark difference between families who prepare thoughtfully and those who don't. The statistics are sobering: only one in three Americans create an estate plan, leaving countless families to navigate complex decisions during already emotional times.

Our discussion ventures beyond conventional planning into fascinating territory—the emergence of "funerals" (celebrations of life held before death), the evolution of family structures that necessitates new support systems, and the delicate considerations surrounding assisted dying legislation. Throughout it all, Sarah emphasizes that while documents matter, the conversations that precede them matter even more.

What's particularly striking is how focusing on our mortality can actually enrich our living. As Sarah notes, confronting death forces us into the present moment, helping clarify what truly matters. Her approach blends practical expertise with profound compassion, reminding us that comprehensive planning isn't morbid—it's one of the most loving gifts we can offer those we care about.

Whether you're just beginning to consider your own wishes or helping a loved one navigate their final chapter, this conversation offers both the practical guidance and emotional wisdom to approach this universal journey with intention, clarity, and heart. Download Sarah's free Legacy of Love workbook from her website to start crafting your own meaningful plan today.

For those interested in what Palliative care looks like at home there is "The Last Kiss" (Not a Romance)
Available on Amazon now
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Kiss-Romance-Carers-Stories/dp/1919635289/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13D6YWONKR5YH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._59mNNFoc-rROuWZnAQfsG0l3iseuQuK_gx-VxO_fe6DLJR8M0Az039lJk_HxFcW2o2HMhIH3r3PuD7Dj-D6KTwIHDMl2Q51FGLK8UFYOBwbRmrLMbpYoqOL6I5ruLukF1vq7umXueIASDS2pO91JktkZriJDJzgLfPv1ft5UtkdQxs9isRDmzAYzc5MKKztINcNGBq-GRWKxgvc_OV5iKKvpw0I5d7ZQMWuvGZODlY.fqQgWV-yBiNB5186RxkkWvQYBoEsDbyq-Hai3rU1cwg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+last+kiss+not+a+romance&qid=1713902566&s=books&sprefix=The+Last+kiss+n%2Cstripbooks%2C107&sr=1-1