Welcome to “Un-seen Legacies Of Childhood”, a new podcast making serious noise about the importance of self-esteem, and our environment, particularly in the younger years. Hosted by Sonia Seekunto, the 6-part series chews the fat on everything that contributes to self-esteem and our choices later in life, exploring the pain of feeling unseen, ignored and what that does to your sense of self. How our self-esteem moulds our choices, how it shapes our lives and why it’s so damn important! Each episode explores a different piece of the puzzle, from the role of schools on a child’s sense of identity, their sense of their own capacity, to shining a light on those from very different and sometimes challenging backgrounds.

What if your darkest childhood memories could be the key to unlocking your greatest potential? Join us as we sit down with Sandra Stein, MBACP registered humanistic gestalt integrative therapist, who takes us on an emotional journey from her tumultuous beginnings in Brazil to becoming a beacon of hope in the UK. Sandra candidly shares her early experiences with neglect, abuse, and the foster care system, revealing how these adversities shaped her passion for helping others. Her story is a testament to the power of therapy, even in the face of deep-rooted skepticism and cultural stigmas.

In this heartfelt episode, Sandra discuss how unstable childhood environments can leave lasting wounds, impacting self-esteem, and mental health well into adulthood. We hear the significant role of school experiences and how they can influence identity formation. We explore the serious consequences of low self-worth, including perfectionism, body dysmorphia, and conditions like addiction and eating disorders. The discussion extends to the modern pressures of social media on teenagers, revealing how these challenges often resurface in adulthood through codependency and trauma bonding.

We also examine the various coping mechanisms people develop in response to childhood trauma, such as the fight, flight, freeze, and fawn responses. Sandra provides invaluable insights into healing from inter-generational trauma and the importance of self-regulation, underscoring the need for self-acceptance and kindness. The episode concludes with advice on how to nurture self-belief and find supportive communities to foster a more compassionate future for the next generation..

There's a moment in everyone's life when the world feels like it's collapsing under the weight of our mistakes. For Chris Baker, that moment stretched into years of battling the repercussions of a childhood riddled with trauma and a descent into a life of crime. This episode hears how he broke the cycle of trauma to embraces the power of second chances.

Chris speaks with unwavering honesty about his transformation from a troubled youth to an advocate for change, sharing his deeply personal experiences that underscore the profound impact of mentorship, creative expression, and redemption.

Against a backdrop of hardship, Chris reveals the life-changing consequences of his father's imprisonment and the subsequent spiral that saw him himself entangled with the law. He recounts how engaging with rehabilitation organisations carved a path towards self-improvement and how his work in disability awareness and offender support shines a beacon of hope for others. From the depths of a tragic accident that forever altered his world, Chris emerged with a newfound purpose, channeling his experiences into empowering others.

Chris's story is a testament to human resilience. But it isn’t just about overcoming adversity, it’s about harnessing life's challenges to fuel a passion for making a difference. With the optimism of someone who has seen the darkest nights and now working tirelessly so others might find their own dawn. Chris Baker's journey is a powerful reminder that transformation is within reach, and that each one of us holds the potential for remarkable change.

Episode signposting:

https://www.instagram.com/chris__baker__/

https://koestlerarts.org.uk/

https://www.apfoundation.org.uk/

https://www.forwardtrust.org.uk/support-type/mental-health-support/

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/publications/looking-after-your-mental-health-prison-guide-male-prisoners

https://prisonreformtrust.org.uk/adviceguide/who-can-help/

https://www.childline.org.uk/

https://www.mind.org.uk/

Every chord carries a story, and no one knows this better than Dylan Holloway, known as musician Dylan And The Moon. This intimate episode peels back the layers of Dylan's profound journey as a trans musician, from the early dissonance of gender incongruence and the eventual symphony of self-acceptance. Dylan's candid narrative echoes the struggles and victories often left unsung, painting a vivid picture of an adolescence spent in the shadows until the spotlight of truth finally illuminated his path.

Music as a universal solace, becomes the backdrop for a conversation about the often unspoken tribulations of youth. Dylan reveals that songwriting became his sanctuary, trusting his melodies as confidants for his inner thoughts. For anyone who has ever found safety in the rebellious twang of a guitar string, Dylan’s story will not doubt resonate with their own experience.

Winning BBC Project Icon in 2023, Dylan highlights the importance of LGBTQ+ education and advocacy, using his voice for good working with schools in the UK and Europe, providing the role model figure to teens he wished he had in his own school days. The episode concludes with a discussion about how his transition was marked by a poignant and completely unique duet between his past and present selves, standing as a tribute to the ongoing journey towards confidence and acceptance, and the universal search for authenticity, all through the powerful lens of music and identity.

Dylan's story is not just a personal triumph but is an anthem for those seeking harmony within.

For more information about Dylan visit - https://www.instagram.com/dylanandthemoon/

Episode signposting -

https://www.mind.org.uk/for-young-people/how-to-get-help-and-support/useful-contacts/

https://www.beaumontsociety.org.uk/teenagers.html

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/lgbtqia-mental-health/useful-contacts/

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/sex-relationships/gender-identity/

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-a-z-mental-health-guide/gender-identity/

For many, childhood memories are a tapestry of innocent joy and self discovery, but for Sophie Andrews the threads are much darker. With a past scarred by the abuse from her adoptive father, Sophie, now the Chief Executive of Noah's Ark Children's Hospice and the author of "Scarred," shares her harrowing journey from a cherished daughter to a survivor of profound betrayal. This poignant episode reveals the complexities of her early life, the descent into a world of abuse, and the resulting emotional turmoil that fundamentally reshaped her understanding of trust and family.

We hear how the shadows of Sophie's past loomed large, the Samaritans emerged as a beacon of hope, offering an empathetic ear when it seemed like the rest of the world wasn’t listening. Her testament to the life-saving power of this support network is a reminder of the crucial role such organisations play in society. The discussion doesn't just recount the darkest moments of struggling with self-harm, it also paints a vivid picture of the resilience and courage it takes to reach out, to speak up, and to begin the process of healing.

From the emotional landscape of adoptive family dynamics, the reconnection with her birth mother, and the formidable challenge of rebuilding life after psychiatric hospitalisation; Sophie's journey of healing is both unique and ongoing, and celebrates that survival is an act of defiance against the darkness of her past. This episode explores human’s capacity to endure and transform, and it doesn't shy away from discussing the nuanced approaches needed to support survivors of abuse and trauma.

Episode signposting -

https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=onebox&utm_content=box2

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/crisis-services/getting-help-in-a-crisis/

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/my-feelings/self-harm/#Gethelpnow

As a child, the echo of air raid sirens and the uncertainty of tomorrow were constants for Hasan Rrahmani. Now a digital content creator for Amnesty International, this episode bravely recounts the chilling experiences of his youth during the Kosovo war and his subsequent journey as a refugee to the UK. Throughout the conversation, we explore the deep scars left by conflict on the youngest, their families fractured in the face of war's relentless advance.

Life in a refugee camp and the struggle for identity in a new country are realities Hasan knows all too well. His vivid memories paint a picture of the warmth and generosity he encountered, from the sanctuary of a Macedonian mosque to the kindness of strangers in Britain. But the road to integration is fraught with challenges - learning a new language, navigating cultural nuances, and battling the lingering effects of trauma. His story, while unique, echoes the experiences of many who seek refuge and the complex emotions that accompany rebuilding one's life from the ground up.

This episode doesn't just recount the past; it also sheds light on the importance of empathy and understanding in the present. Hasan’s journey from surviving war to advocating for human rights is a poignant reminder of the collective responsibility we share in humanising the refugee experience. Through Hasan, we're reminded to look beyond fear and stereotype, to see the individual stories and the enduring strength that lie within the hearts of those who have endured the unimaginable. 

Episode signposting -

https://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk

https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-help/get-help-as-a-refugee

https://care4calais.org

In the first episode of Un-seen Legacies Of Childhood, educational and child psychologist Dr Abigail Miranda from Anna Freud discusses the importance of support in the early years for creating happy and healthy adults. She emphasises the role of love and emotional support in parenting and highlights the need for accessible information and support networks for parents.

Dr. Miranda also addresses the impact of socioeconomic status on child development and the challenges faced by children in primary school. She highlights the importance of early intervention and support, particularly in light of the rising levels of need and the impact of the pandemic, advocating for coordinated and joined-up services and the involvement of families in shaping services through participation. 



This episode also explores various aspects of childhood and mental health. It covers topics such as the voice of the infant, mental health in infants and young children, adolescence and mental health, the impact of social media on mental health, building self-esteem in adolescents, supporting children of war, supporting adults who care for children, the government's role in supporting children, and the future of support for parents.

For more information about Anna Frued -



https://www.annafreud.org

https://www.annafreud.org/services/services-for-professionals/who-we-are-services

Episode signposting -

https://www.samaritans.org

https://www.mind.org.uk

https://www.thebraincharity.org.uk

https://www.betterhelp.com

Chapters -

(0:00:06) - Supporting Early Childhood Development

(0:15:43) - Childhood Attachments and Support Needs

(0:22:04) - Challenges in Supporting Children's Development

(0:33:50) - Supporting Mental Health in Adolescents

(0:43:53) - Supporting Children in War

(0:52:51) - Supporting Parents for Child Wellbeing