The Action Factory Podcast

Welcome to another Action Factory Podcast with me, Michael Dawson.

Before we begin this episode, here's a quick reminder: Don't miss my 30-minute webinar 'The BIG 4 in Youth Work.' You'll also get two powerful tools and my popular 'Brief Therapy Toolkit' eBook—already a hit with nearly 40,000 youth workers. Click below to subscribe and watch!"

 WATCH THE FREE WEBINAR

Now, let's get started...

In this thought-provoking episode, "A Day With Milton H Erickson - Lessons from the Master," I embark on a fascinating journey to explore the hypothetical yet illuminating scenario of having Milton H. Erickson himself as a staff member in our modern-day children's home.

Imagine the unparalleled insights we could gain by working a shift alongside the master of psychotherapy himself. This episode delves into the rich teachings and innovative approaches Erickson might bring to our team. With his unparalleled ability to connect and effect change, I'll dissect how Erickson's presence could revolutionize our practices, challenge our perspectives, and deepen our impact.

Join me as we step into a day with Erickson, drawing lessons from his wisdom and envisioning the profound influence such a figure could have in the realm of residential youth work today.

This episode is not just a tribute to Erickson's legacy but a practical guide inspired by his work, offering valuable insights for anyone dedicated to nurturing change and growth in the hearts and minds of the young individuals in their care.

Visit the website to join our community at www.theactionfactory.com , share ideas and strategies and access lots of free training.

Welcome to another Action Factory Podcast with me, Michael Dawson.

Before we begin this episode, here's a quick reminder: Don't miss my 30-minute webinar 'The BIG 4 in Youth Work.' You'll also get two powerful tools and my popular 'Brief Therapy Toolkit' eBook—already a hit with nearly 40,000 youth workers. Click below to subscribe and watch!"

 WATCH THE FREE WEBINAR

Now, let's get started...

In this episode titled "Milton H. Erickson - The Rockstar of Change," I dive deep into the extraordinary life and legacy of one of the most influential figures in psychotherapy. With a mix of admiration and healthy skepticism, I unravel the stories of a man whose methods and teachings continue to inspire and provoke thought long after his time.

Whether you're a novice to Erickson's work or a seasoned professional in psychotherapy, this episode offers a unique lens through which to explore his world. I'll briefly outline Erickson's remarkable journey, his pivotal role in the field, and his undying influence on therapeutic practices.

Moreover, I delve into six transformative lessons that residential youth workers—and indeed, anyone interested in effecting change—can draw from his approach. Join us as we navigate the legend, the skepticism, and the undeniable impact of Erickson's work, making this episode a must-listen for our students or anyone intrigued by the power of change and the stories of those who master it.

Visit the website to join our community at www.theactionfactory.com , share ideas and strategies and access lots of free training.

Welcome to another Action Factory Podcast with me, Michael Dawson.

Before we begin this episode, here's a quick reminder: Don't miss my 30-minute webinar 'The BIG 4 in Youth Work.' You'll also get two powerful tools and my popular 'Brief Therapy Toolkit' eBook—already a hit with nearly 40,000 youth workers. Click below to subscribe and watch!"

 WATCH THE FREE WEBINAR

Now, let's get started...

Youth Work Wellness: Self-Care Strategies for Professionals, delves into the heart of self-care, exploring not just the 'what' and 'how,' but the pivotal 'why' behind nurturing our own well-being in the demanding field of youth work.

Let's transform it from a buzzword into a concrete foundation upon which the resilience and effectiveness of youth professionals can be built and sustained.

Emotional fatigue, burnout, and the often overlooked vicarious trauma. We shine a light on the personal stories of resilience and recovery.

I'll talk about simple and actionable strategies and innovative approaches that integrate self-care into the very fabric of your daily routines, making well-being achievable for even the busiest professionals. From mindfulness techniques tailored for the youth work setting to creating a self-care plan that's as unique as your personal and professional journey, this episode is packed with practical insights.

We explore how organizations can foster a culture of wellness, supporting not just the youth they serve, but also the professionals who dedicate their lives to this vital work. The power of peer support, the importance of setting healthy boundaries, and strategies for advocating for a work environment that prioritizes mental health and wellness.

Tune in to transform your approach to self-care, elevate your professional practice, and rediscover the joy and passion that drew you to youth work. Because taking care of yourself isn't just an act of self-love—it's a professional necessity.

Visit the website to join our community at www.theactionfactory.com , share ideas and strategies and access lots of free training.

Welcome to another Action Factory Podcast with me, Michael Dawson.

Before we begin this episode, here's a quick reminder: Don't miss my 30-minute webinar 'The BIG 4 in Youth Work.' You'll also get two powerful tools and my popular 'Brief Therapy Toolkit' eBook—already a hit with nearly 40,000 youth workers. Click below to subscribe and watch!"

 WATCH THE FREE WEBINAR

If you're looking for the free NLP in residential youth work course, it will be back after the Christmas break, but in the meantime, I want to talk about a concept called the 'Curious Inquisitor.'

In this session, we will discuss a concept from the Solutions Toolkit training course called the 'Curious Inquisitor.' I place this concept at the center of everything we do in residential youth work training. As you know, the course adopts and adapts from the very best change therapy strategies ever created. One of those is, of course, Neurolinguistic Programming.

A central concept of NLP is

'The map is not the territory.' 

My interpretation of this idea shows that each of us keeps our own map of the world around us; in doing so, we do not navigate the real obstacles or advantages but only the ones we see, the ones on our map. 

This is why we often struggle to solve a problem for someone else when the solution seems glaringly obvious to us. 

So how can we get around this in residential youth work?

I love the idea of being the 'Curious Inquisitor.' That is, to be curious about how our clients see the world. Instead of trying to steer their bus, we might simply ask them about preferred directions we could take. This way, we ensure that we stay within their map and in doing so, find solutions that fit into their world. Anything that doesn't fit into their perception will ultimately be rejected or sabotaged.

Staying Curious and resisting the temptation to offer solutions of your own is a tough ask. The attached audio is from my full team training course for residential youth workers called 'The Solutions Toolkit.' There's a free version here.

Welcome to another Action Factory Podcast with me, Michael Dawson.

Before we begin this episode, here's a quick reminder: Don't miss my 30-minute webinar 'The BIG 4 in Youth Work.' You'll also get two powerful tools and my popular 'Brief Therapy Toolkit' eBook—already a hit with nearly 40,000 youth workers. Click below to subscribe and watch!"

 WATCH THE FREE WEBINAR

Now, let's get started...

Welcome to the Action Factor podcast, your go-to source for all things residential youth work. I'm Michael Dawson.

If you're passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of young people and navigating the intricate world of residential youth work, you've come to the right place.

In today's episode, we're diving into a journey that promises to make subscribing to this podcast an irresistible choice.

What sets our newer format apart?

Well, we're not just here to talk; we're here to empower. We're rolling out a series of free courses and an abundance of extras designed specifically for residential youth workers who aspire to be better at what they do.

Whether you're an experienced youth worker, just starting out, or someone with a curiosity about this vital field, stay tuned because we've got exciting content and a game-changing course on the horizon. So, let's address the questions you might have: Where have I been? Why should you care? And why is this all connected to subscribing? The answers lie ahead, and I promise you, it's a journey you won't want to miss. So, without further ado, let's get started.

Visit us at www.theactionfactory.com

Grab the free digital download here.

BIG Four Download

Welcome to another Action Factory Podcast with me, Michael Dawson.

Before we begin this episode, here's a quick reminder: Don't miss my 30-minute webinar 'The BIG 4 in Youth Work.' You'll also get two powerful tools and my popular 'Brief Therapy Toolkit' eBook—already a hit with nearly 40,000 youth workers. Click below to subscribe and watch!"

 WATCH THE FREE WEBINAR

Now onwards we go..

"If you agree to become guest on my podcast then I can't promise you'll sell a million books."

The fact that I wrote these words in my email to Pam and she still agreed to talk to me only increased my admiration for her work. In fact if you are one of those closet woo woo people who believe in the law of manifestation then who better to come out to than Pam herself.

Pam has written 20 books and countless articles for publishing royalty including, Family Circle, CNN, Washington Post and many more.

Her book E-Squared (one of my favourites) topped the New York Times bestseller list and has been translated into 40 languages.

There's a video version of our brief chat on our YouTube channel or the podcast website under the video menu if your finding this elsewhere.

Visit us at www.theactionfactory.com

Grab the free digital download here.

BIG Four Download

I guess you're also wanting to find out more about Pam and her work. Click below to go to her website and check out the books and free fun things to add a smile to your day.

Pam Grout Books

Welcome to another Action Factory Podcast with me, Michael Dawson.

Before we begin this episode, here's a quick reminder: Don't miss my 30-minute webinar 'The BIG 4 in Youth Work.' You'll also get two powerful tools and my popular 'Brief Therapy Toolkit' eBook—already a hit with nearly 40,000 youth workers. Click below to subscribe and watch!"

 WATCH THE FREE WEBINAR

We are all familiar with the Big Issue vendors on the streets of our cities.

I was privileged to talk to a few of them in Manchester UK. The Big Issue magazine is now worldwide and provides a legal income for the homeless as well as support to get them back off the streets.

In talking to these guys and doing the recordings there was a common thread through their stories. In the main they tended to be intelligent professional people, a soldier, an award winning chef and more. We spoke to lots more homeless people and the second noticeable thing tended to be life trauma of some kind, alcohol, divorce etc. The slippery slope isn't always as far away as we think.

Thanks to Leon, Mark, Christian and the others for their fascinating insight.

I don't think I ever passed a big issue vendor after doing this recording and maybe you won't either.

THE BIG ISSUE

Visit us at www.theactionfactory.com

Grab the free digital download here.

BIG Four Download

Welcome to another Action Factory Podcast with me, Michael Dawson.

Before we begin this episode, here's a quick reminder: Don't miss my 30-minute webinar 'The BIG 4 in Youth Work.' You'll also get two powerful tools and my popular 'Brief Therapy Toolkit' eBook—already a hit with nearly 40,000 youth workers. Click below to subscribe and watch!"

 WATCH THE FREE WEBINAR

Now, lets begin...

One of our favourite NLP mantras which in most cases is true.

"The problem you have now was once the solution to another problem."

A sure fire bit of wisdom and it was interesting to hear Rich Rolls mention this concept when he was being interviewed about his battle with alcohol.

I wanted to share my thoughts and encourage you to hear the interview with Rich.

I personally spoke with Rich and I'll be posting that soon. He is an ultra athlete, multiple 100 mile plus runs and triathlons. He was once named as one of the fittest humans on the planet.

In the meantime HERE'S THE VIDEO I'm referencing in this episode.

Visit us at www.theactionfactory.com

Grab the free digital download here.

BIG Four Download

Welcome to another Action Factory Podcast with me, Michael Dawson.

Before we begin this episode, here's a quick reminder: Don't miss my 30-minute webinar 'The BIG 4 in Youth Work.' You'll also get two powerful tools and my popular 'Brief Therapy Toolkit' eBook—already a hit with nearly 40,000 youth workers. Click below to subscribe and watch!"

 WATCH THE FREE WEBINAR

Now, lets begin...

Since I began people geeking I've been reading books, watching YouTube and listening to podcasts by the guru's, the masters of change. I recently became fascinated by that subliminal backlog of life advice that in most cases I'd never followed. That was when I realised that there was a bloody lot of it.

Start your day with this and never do that, adding it all together would mean a hundred things to do before breakfast!

In retrospect I actually DID try some of it ,and it's stuck with me to this day but in the main the gurus have only managed to garner knowing nods of approval from me.

Getting up at 4am might make you as strong as the Rock, or as good a writer as Stephen King or as smart as Elon Musk. An ice cold shower might make me as vibrant as Anthony Robbins but...

I realise now that caution is needed, after all when they ask me how I became a great writer it won't be getting up at 4am, it will be write in service stations and lunch breaks. (Thanks for that Michael.)

The advice of others doesn't always fit into our lives and in the main, the ones who really hold the secret to happiness are probably not too worried about telling us.

Most are too busy just being happy. The rest of the happy people are so happy they can't stop telling us, and what could be worse if your not?

Still I hope you like my subliminal check list for a successful life.

Visit us at www.theactionfactory.com

Grab the free digital download here.

BIG Four Download

Welcome to another Action Factory Podcast with me, Michael Dawson.

Before we begin this episode, here's a quick reminder: Don't miss my 30-minute webinar 'The BIG 4 in Youth Work.' You'll also get two powerful tools and my popular 'Brief Therapy Toolkit' eBook—already a hit with nearly 40,000 youth workers. Click below to subscribe and watch!"

 WATCH THE FREE WEBINAR

Now, lets begin...

Ray Edwards is getting himself ready to climb Kilimanjaro. At 19500 ft it's a challenge for any climber but Ray is a quadruple amputee. When we spoke he was able to describe the circumstances that brought him here and his dream of setting up a charity that could faithfully support other amputees.

That charity is Limbcare and was partially formed by Ray in June 2010. His book 'I'm still standing' is a bestseller as well as receiving an MBE for his work.

I spoke to on my FM radio show some years ago just before he attempted the climb of Kilimanjaro.

You can check his website to see how he went on with the climb.

In the meantime I'm really pleased to have found this recording and I certainly hope I can track Ray down and catch up soon.

Visit us at www.theactionfactory.com

Grab the free digital download here.

BIG Four Download