The Pink Elephant

Jan 31 2025 14 ep. 71 mins 1
The Pink Elephant Podcast artwork

We need to talk about the elephant in the room.  A podcast about what's happening in Scotland that no one's talking about.  Children, childhood, culture, healthy communities.  Kate Deeming developed dance projects for kids globally in educational and community settings for 30 years before being cancelled by the dance sector for questioning the narrow social justice mantras that were being embedded across culture.  A long time advocate for children and childhood join Kate as she tries to make sense of the madness and give voice to the voiceless.  

  Society & Culture
RSS feed Share
Copy RSS


Subscribe on Podcast Addict


14. The Child Trap: ASN in Scottish Schools with Jules Sandilands

Jan 31 2025 41 mins  
Send us a textIn this podcast I speak to Jules Sandilands, education correspondent for the Scottish Union for Education . Jules has written three pieces for SUE related to the exponential increase of children being diagnosed with ‘Additional Support Needs’ in Scottish Schools. Sitting at 40.5% of children in Scottish schools, a rapid increase in the past ten years Jules wonders

13. Ewan Morrison: Writer & Cultural Commentator

Jan 22 2025 79 mins  
Send us a textWas delighted to sit down with the inimitable writer, essayist and cultural commentator Ewan Morrison back in December for a good old chat. Speaking to Ewan reminded me why I got caught up in the arts scene in Glasgow back in the early 2000s. The depth and breadth of his knowledge and critical thought cannot be underestimated -in particular now. We spoke on everything

12. Inspiration for 2025: Sister Fran Kane, SSJ "Silence is the Language of God"

Dec 31 2024 53 mins  
Send us a textAs we embark on a new year I feel blessed to have spent time with my cousin Fran Kane, a Sister of St. Joseph for the past 70 years. I hope this conversation will inspire you as you embark on a new year. Fran speaks of growing up in Philadelphia in the 1940s, a consummate tomboy who loved sport and would run away from the nuns who wanted her to settle down. Two early

11. Maggie Mellon Social Worker

Dec 15 2024 77 mins  
Send us a textMaggie Mellon social worker of 40+ years discusses the many failings of the Scottish Care System. From the perpetuation of abuse cycles to the trans-positive policy to the for-profit motives of the managers and owners our most vulnerable children are being failed.More Info on Maggie here:Maggie Mellon Website: https://maggiemellon.com/Parents Advocacy and Rights: http

10. Hot Mess: The Culture of Scottish Education, Carolyn Brown Educational Psychologist

Nov 24 2024 75 mins  
Send us a textIn today’s podcast I speak to Carolyn Brown, retired Educational Psychologist with over 40 years experience of working in the Scottish Education sector. Carolyn is also one of the founders and members of Scot Pag - Scottish Professionals Advising on gender - a multi agency group of professionals from health, social work and medicine addressing issues related to what

9. Surviving Education: with Teacher & Author James Ross

Nov 13 2024 86 mins  
Send us a textIn this episode I sit down with former teacher and author James Ross. I was inspired to contact James after reading his book "Must Try Harder" an account of his time at a secondary school teacher in the North East of England. With humour, insight and sensitivity James recounts his trials and tribulations navigating the evolving educational sphere and the challenges of

8. Teachers or Parents? In Conversation with Joanna Williams

Nov 10 2024 79 mins  
Send us a textJoanna Williams recently penned the report 'Teachers or Parents: Who is Responsible for Raising the Next Generation?" There has been a steady undermining of boundaries between home and school going back decades (or even centuries if you look to history of education and changing perceptions of parents & the family). As teachers are told they must include toothbrush

7. Scotland vs. New Zealand: Let Kids Be Kids Conversation with Penny Marie

Oct 30 2024 79 mins  
Send us a textToday’s podcast takes us to New Zealand where I had the opportunity to speak (virtually) with Penny Marie about her grassroots organisation ‘Let Kids be Kids’ . Let Kids be Kids is an initiative which empowers parents to ask questions and take action about what is happening in New Zealand schools and the wider culture. Penny and I compare notes as to the remarka

6. "Toxic Masculinity" in Conversation with Lottie Moore

Oct 25 2024 70 mins  
Send us a textToday we look at the new 'toxic masculinity' training being embedded into UK schools. Lottie Moore wrote the report 'Boys and Burden of Labels' for the Family Education Trust. In it she looks at the content of these lessons and asks, is this good for boys?Thanks for listening, if you think what I do is valuable please consider becoming a substack supporter for £4 per

5 Scottish Curriculum for Excellence with Julie Sandlilands

Oct 14 2024 64 mins  
Send us a textThe Scottish Curriculum for Excellence is 'neither a curriculum nor excellent'. In this podcast I sit down with Julie Sandilands teacher, education commentator & Scottish Union for Education Board Member to elucidate what children are and are not learning through this nebulous framework. We will be part of a panel at the Festival of Ideas in London for SUE to cons