Christo Hird is remarkable. A founder of Dartmouth Films, Christo continues to release and support films which make a difference. In a world where cinema is dominated by sequels, prequels and remakes desperately pandering to what filmmakers and distributors think the public want, Dartmouth believe in better. Christo and his colleagues are committed to films that can lead change and galvanise audiences into action. They take risks, but sometimes the risks really pay off and they get the audiences that they hope for and the sorts of actions that they seek. Dartmouth were the distributors for "Resilience : The Biology of Stress & the Science of Hope", the film which, in many ways, kicked off Scotland's ACEs movement. They are currently distributing a wonderful new film called "Love and Trouble" - think "Richard Curtis meets gritty reality". It is a love story where hope and commitment,  honesty and openness save a marriage. It carries powerful messages about the power of therapy and what happens when we are prepared to confront our trauma and deal with it. All the dates for upcoming screenings are shown below. Please check out the Dartmouth Films website for full details. 

We all know the impact of "Adolescence" and "Mr Bates vs the Post Office", but these are rare examples of mainstream television and major streaming platforms making films that might have an impact on policy, provision, legal decision-making and decisions about resources. Dartmouth distributes and supports these sorts of films all the time. We need films that can help make the world a better, fairer place, Dartmouth provide them. Please listen
THU 10 JULY HOME Manchester
SAT 12 JULY Glasgow Film Theatre

SAT 12 JULY Hebden Bridge Picture House

SUN 13 July Glasgow Film Theatre

SUN 13 JULY Eden Court, Inverness

MON 14 JULY Glasgow Film Theatre

MON 14 JULY Eden Court, Inverness

TUE 15 JULY Glasgow Film Theatre

WED 16 JULY Glasgow Film Theatre

THU 17 JULY Filmhouse, Edinburgh

FRI 18 JULY Filmhouse, Edinburgh

SAT 19 JULY Filmhouse, Edinburgh

WED 23 JULY MacRobert Arts Centre, Stirling

THU 31 JULY Finsbury Park Picturehouse, London

Jackie Galbraith is the Principal of West Lothian College and much more. She describes herself as having "a lifetime commitment to social justice and providing opportunities for all - regardless of age, gender, race, ability, background or any other characteristic", and that comes across throughout this episode. There is so much going at West Lothian College that translates this ambition into reality that we should all learn from it. 

As well as discussing West Lothian specifically, we also talk about the often under-recognised contribution of Further Education more generally and the key role that it plays in giving people of all ages the opportunities that they need to achieve their ambitions.

This is a wonderful case study of leadership, team-building and what can happen when you have clarity of ambition. relentless focus and a practical understanding of the actions that will benefit all students and their communities

Suzanne Scott is an inspiration. She is a wonderful example of someone who heard about and learned about the impact of trauma and the science  of connection and asked the question "What can I do now that I know this?" In a sense, she is at the heart of the whole idea of these podcasts. It is not enough to know, we need to think about what we do and what she has done is hugely impressive. She has set up Trauma-Informed Parents and offers information, support and training to other parents. She speaks wonderfully about her experience and leaves you with a sense that you too can make a difference

Jenn Knussen is a hugely influential figure in Scottish education. As headteacher in Pitteuchar East Primary School in Glenrothes, she established a remarkable culture along with her colleagues and the school community that really supported all the children in her school. In this first episode of "Taking Action" she tells the Real David Cameron what she did, how she did it and what impact her action has had