In this powerful and deeply personal episode of The Serene Pod, we sit down with trailblazing CEO Emily Aklan, a woman redefining leadership. Emily shares her journey, speaking candidly about the realities of being a woman at the helm in an industry often resistant to change. With warmth and authenticity, she opens up about her experiences of grief and personal loss, and how those moments of deep pain shaped her approach to business resilience, and purpose. We discuss the importance of compassionate leadership, building inclusive workplaces, the power of using your voice. Whether you're navigating your own challenges or simply seeking inspiration, Emily's story is a reminder that adversity can build the strongest foundations of all. A must-listen for anyone interested in leadership, mental wellbeing, women in business, or turning pain into power.

Every day, Child Transport Officers carry more than just responsibility — they carry lives, stories, and trust. Serene Pod takes you behind the scenes of one of the most critical and least understood roles in child welfare and safety. From early morning pickups to late-night drop-offs, Rachel, a dedicated Child Transport Officer, shares real experiences from the road — the challenges, quiet victories, emotional moments, and hard decisions that come with ensuring vulnerable children are safely transported with dignity and care.

In this inspiring episode of The Serene Podcast, we sit down with Tom who we supported as a young person in care - now a young adult with a powerful voice, lived experience and wisdom to share.

Tom reflects on his personal journey through the care system, the challenges he faced and the support that helped shape his path.

This episode is a testament to the strength found in vulnerability and the transformative impact of compassionate support.

In this episode, we reflect on our experiences working directly with young people, the challenges, the breakthroughs, and the powerful moments that have shaped our approach. Whether in schools, youth justice, or creative projects, every interaction has taught us something new about communication, trust, and what young people really need from the adults around them. We share insights, unexpected lessons, and practical tips for anyone looking to better support and engage with youth today.

🎙️ Welcome to the first episode of Serene Pod!

Hosted by Selin, Head of Wellbeing at Serenity Welfare and a registered Dramatherapist working with vulnerable young people in care and the youth justice system — alongside Mark, mentor, music producer, former Serenity team member, and now full-time content creator.

In this episode, Selin and Mark dive into open, honest, and thought-provoking conversations about the realities of working with vulnerable children and young people. They share insights from their own journeys, the challenges faced in frontline work, and why wellbeing — for both staff and young people — really matters. Expect stories, laughs, hard truths, and hopeful moments from two people who’ve seen the system from the inside.