The Futures Project Podcast

Our guest this episode is Professor John Gallacher, professor of cognitive health at Oxford University and Director of BrainWaves, the UK's largest cohort study focused specifically on adolescent mental health.

What makes this research remarkable isn't just its scale (30,000 16-year-olds, expanding to 50,000+ by 2026), but its fundamental approach: shifting from clinical intervention to population-level wellbeing.

Key themes we explore:

• Why BrainWaves focuses specifically on 16-year-olds and the vision for this lifetime study
• The surprising parallel impact of social media use on both boys and girls
• How the decisions we make in adolescence have lifetime consequences for our health and wealth futures
• The straightforward equation: help everyone feel a bit better, and you reduce the proportion who need specialist help
• Why presenting young people with evidence empowers them to make good choices
• How BrainWaves is developing educational resources and teacher training
• The multi-agency collaboration model that makes research at this scale possible
• An important reminder: the vast majority of young people are not suffering from dire mental health issues

John's belief that young people are agents, not passive victims, runs throughout our conversation. When given evidence rather than lectures, they make good choices.

His advice for anyone worrying about the future? Love yourself.

Find out more: brainwaveshub.org

For more information about working with Cathy, visit cathywalkerconsulting.uk.

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This time we're delighted to welcome Ishaaq Shafi, CEO and founder of ChatUniversity, who's using TikTok to revolutionise how young people approach university applications and super-curriculars.

We talked about how he's making higher education access more democratic, what admissions tutors are actually looking for (spoiler: it's not always what you think), and why the traditional application process is crying out for disruption.

Ishaaq shares the reality of navigating competitive applications processes, levelling the playing field, and how ChatUniversity is equipping students with genuine skills and confidence that can make a huge difference.

Whether you're a prospective undergrduate navigating UCAS, an educator supporting young people through applications, parenting a teen who's starting to think about their future, or just interested in how the next generation is building the tools they need to navigate a rapidly changing world - this episode's for you.

It's a conversation about access, equity, and what happens when someone decides the system needs shaking up - and then actually does something about it!

To find out more about Chat University visit https://chatuniversity.co.uk/

Ishaaq is also on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chatuniversity

And as ever, if you'd like to learn more about Cathy's work, you can reach her here or visit cathywalkerconsulting.uk.

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This episode, Cathy chats to Abigail Foster, Chartered Accountant and founder of Elent Finance, who's on a mission to demystify money for the next generation.

Having worked with the Bank of England, HMRC, and Downing Street, plus global giants like Google and Goldman Sachs, Abigail brings serious credentials to her passion for financial education.

In this episode, we explore what financial literacy really means for young people growing up in an uncertain economic landscape. Abigail shares insights from her new book "The Money Manual" and discusses why she believes we're failing our children when it comes to money education. From tax codes to first-time buying, ISAs to pensions, we cover the practical knowledge that should be taught in schools but isn't.

We also look ahead: How will AI and technology reshape personal finance? What financial challenges will define the next generation? And if Abigail could redesign the UK's financial system from scratch, what would she change?

Expect real talk about money anxiety, practical takeaways for parents and educators, and a reassuring take on helping people of all ages build financial confidence for whatever future awaits them.

You can follow Abi on instagram here on LinkedIn here and you can buy her book, The Money Manual, here.

And for more information about Cathy or The Futures Project Podcast, click here

And, as ever, thank you for listening! If you have enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe and share 🙏✨

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This Results Day Special episode comes to you mid-August, just as young people across the UK are preparing to open those all-important A-level and GCSE results envelopes.

Drawing on 25 years of supporting thousands of students and families through exam seasons, Cathy offers essential perspective and reassurance: whatever happens on results day, these outcomes are far from the be-all and end-all of any young person's future.

This episode explores:

• why exam results don't define who you are or who you'll become
• the transferable skills that matter most in the 21st century workplace
• the fruit tree analogy - why not everyone ripens at the same time
• how to reframe disappointment and find different paths to success
• why the cyclical nature of life means there are always new opportunities ahead
• 
  

The episode features a special retrospective of wisdom from previous Futures Project guests, including:

• Jas Schembri-Stothart (co-founder of Luna) on building supportive networks
• Dr Deborah Woodman & Dr Mike Farquhar on managing overwhelm and recognising your worth
• Even Briar (singer, actor, content creator) on staying present
• Dr Fran Harris (founder of 4GOOD) on maintaining optimism about the future
• Dr Cathy Rogers (TV presenter, academic and author of Future Vision) on the bright future young people can create
• Genelle Aldred (journalist, host and founder of Repeat That Again Please podcast & author of "Communicate for Change") on the power of community
• Louis Hatchwell (Beast On A Bike) on focusing on the present
• Laura Jane Silverman (Head of LSE Generate) on channelling worry into positive action

For more information about Cathy's work in education, futures and coaching, visit cathywalkerconsulting.uk

Follow Cathy on Instagram @educathy

And if you've enjoyed this episode, please like, share and subscribe to help us reach more people who might benefit from these conversations.

Sponsor Message:

This episode is brought to you by Eximus Education, an award-winning UK social enterprise on a mission to make high-impact tutoring affordable, accessible, and reliable for everyone – not just those who can afford it. At Eximus Education, they believe exam confidence starts long before results day. It's built through personalised, expert-led tutoring that helps pupils master their subjects and believe in their abilities. Whether you're preparing for GCSEs, A-levels, or simply looking to boost confidence, Eximus's highly selective tutors work one-to-one and in small groups to unlock potential – backed by a 97% customer satisfaction rating.

Visit EximusEducation.com to book your free 30-minute trial lesson.

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Summer stretching ahead and not sure what to do with it? This special retrospective episode brings together wisdom from every Futures Project Podcast guest - all answering the question 'what would you tell your teenage self?'

Whether you've just finished exams, you're thinking about Results Day, you're simply in that weird liminal space that summer creates - or you're a parent, carer or teacher with young people needing some guidance - this episode is for you. Perfect for walks, workouts, bus rides, or lazy afternoons when you need a gentle reminder that your future isn't something that just happens to you.

Packed with uplifting advice from incredible guests, this episode reminds you that you're actively creating your future, even when - especially when - it doesn't feel like it. Our futures are ever-changing and it's never too late to influence them ourselves.

If you know a young person who might benefit from this, please share it with them. Sometimes we all need reminding that we're more in control than we think.

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A warm welcome to this fortnight’s guest: Dr Tara Porter is a highly respected clinical psychologist who has been working with young people and their families for over 25 years, both in the NHS and in private practice. 

Tara is also a well-known voice on adolescent mental health, thanks to her widely shared writing, including her bestselling debut book You Don’t Understand Me, which we met to discuss back in 2022. 

She’s back with another brilliant new book, Good Enough: A Framework for Modern Parenting, described by Gabby Logan ‘a really useful guide - one of those books everyone should have on their shelf’. It’s a refreshingly honest and compassionate guide for parents navigating the emotional ups and downs of raising children in an increasingly complex world.

This episode explores

• the myths of perfect parenting
• what ‘good enough parenting’ looks like in practice
• how to encourage and nurture healthy relationships with our children
• current trends in child and adolescent mental health
• how avoid the parent guilt
• why it’s good for our kids to see us as imperfect parents
• how to support our kids’ autonomy and emotional wellbeing — all while preserving our own
• 
  

You can buy Dr Porter’s book Good Enough: A Framework for Modern Parenting here: https://lnk.to/GoodEnough

She’s on instagram here: @drtaraporterpsychologist

And you can visit her web page here: https://www.taraporterpsychologist.com/

And for more information about Cathy or The Futures Project Podcast, click here

Thank you for listening! As ever, if you have enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe and share 🙏✨

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Louis Hatchwell is an athlete, elite cyclist, coach, creator and influencer from London. As his alter-ego, Beast On A Bike, he has over 180k followers on TikTok and 80k + on insta. A former British World Cup ski racer, he joins us today to tell us about the turn of events that led him away from a top performing career on the Team GB Olympic ski team, to becoming a top cyclist and influencer who is sponsored by the likes of Giant. and Fulcrum. We cover what goes on behind the scenes of social media, the demands of elite sports training, the benefits of social media for young people, and how extreme sports can be a great way to boost mental health.

You can follow Louis on instagram here and on tiktok here.

For more information about working with Cathy, you can visit her website here and find out more about The Futures Project Podcast here.

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In this episode of The Futures Project Podcast, we’re joined by the brilliant Dr Fran Harris — sustainability advocate, researcher, and founder of 4GOOD, a social enterprise dedicated to building communities for positive change. With a background spanning planetary and public health, Fran has advised organisations, published widely, and spoken at major events about how we can live and work more sustainably in an increasingly uncertain world.

This is a conversation for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by the climate crisis or unsure whether their individual actions really make a difference. Fran brings clarity, hope, and a refreshingly practical take on sustainability — from the everyday habits that truly matter, to the systems-level innovations that are reshaping how we live and do business.

We explore big questions:

– What role should individuals play versus communities or governments?

– Can businesses really balance purpose with profit?

– How do we stay optimistic without being naive?

With warmth, insight, and deep expertise, Fran shows us that sustainability doesn't depend on perfection but participation. And that in the face of global challenges, there is still time, opportunity, and hope.

Here are some links to the work Fran does:

• 4GOOD on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weare4good/
• Fran on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fran-harris-phd-4good/
• Resources to help move your money to ethical and green banks: https://makemymoneymatter.co.uk/
• Kris De Meyer's Ted talk on polarisation: https://www.ted.com/talks/dr_kris_de_meyer_the_genie_of_polarisation_how_can_we_get_it_back_in_the_bottle

And as ever, if you have enjoyed this episode please do like, subscribe and share with your friends. 

For more information, you can visit thefuturesproject.uk and cathywalkerconsulting.uk.

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This fortnight's guest is Laura Jane Silverman. LJ is Head of LSE Generate, the London School of Economics’ award-winning Entrepreneurship Hub that she set up in 2018 to support the School’s students and alumni to develop entrepreneurial skills as they build businesses and innovate in the UK and around the world. To date, Generate has supported over 20,000 LSE entrepreneurs as they validate, build and scale their businesses, innovating, in line with the LSE motto, ‘for the betterment of society.’

In this episode, we cover

• what it means to be a mission-driven entrepreneur
• what makes LSE stand out as the UK's most entrepreneurial university
• entrepreneurs to watch

We also talk about the brilliant LSE Generate Schools Programme which has reached over 12000 students in 100+ schools across the globe, empowering young people with the transferable skills and entrepreneurial mindset to be able to thrive in a fast-evolving future.

To sign up to LSE Generate's Innovation Bootcamps for 16-19 year olds this summer, click here or for more information, you can get in touch with the team at LSE Generate.

And you can check out more of LSE Generate's work here.

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This episode we welcome Hugh Viney, CEO and founder of Minerva Virtual Academy. We caught up the start of the year to have a brilliant conversation about how Minerva is offering parents and young people an alternative approach to the mainstream education system. We cover mental health, tech, alternative provision, the future of education, and how you create communities online when you have 1000 students on roll. 

You can find out more about Minerva Virtual Academy and contact Hugh on these links: 

www.linkedin.com/in/hugh-viney | www.instagram.com/hughviney | www.tiktok.com/@hughviney

And as ever, thank you for listening to The Futures Project, your support means the world. We’re listened to in over 25 countries around the globe. For more information, you can visit thefuturesproject.uk. 

And if you you have enjoyed this episode please remember to like and subscribe so you don’t miss out on future conversations, as well as sharing with your friends. We are so grateful for your support ❤️

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