Resilient Kid: Therapy and tips for raising strong kids and teens

This season, we’re exploring one powerful question:
Who made a difference in your life?
In this heartfelt episode, Ashley sits down with Sarah Hughes, co-organiser of Womanifest, mum of four, and business owner, to explore the impact of one person who changed everything for her.
From self-doubt and feeling stuck… to building a business, stepping into leadership, and helping run a transformational festival for women and teen girls—Sarah shares the story of how one person’s belief helped her begin to believe in herself.
This conversation is a powerful reminder that it’s not always the big moments that shape us…
it’s the people who see us, support us, and stay.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode
The one person who made a life-changing difference for Sarah
How belief from others can unlock confidence within us
The impact of having someone who doesn’t let you give up on yourself
Overcoming self-doubt, fear, and feeling “not good enough”
The ripple effect of growth—how it influences the next generation
Why you might already be that person for someone else
Key Takeaway
It doesn’t take perfection or having all the answers to change someone’s life.
Sometimes it’s simply:
Showing up
Listening
Holding space
Believing in someone… before they believe in themselves
About Sara Hughes
Sara is a mum of four, business owner, and co-organiser of Womanifest—a powerful festival designed to inspire, educate, and empower women and teen girls.
She also runs the Teen Tent at Womanifest, creating a safe, inspiring space where young people can explore confidence, identity, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.
Join Us at Womanifest
Ashley and The Resilient Kid team will be hosting the Teen Tent at Womanifest—a space dedicated to supporting teen girls with:
Confidence-building
Understanding emotions
Healthy relationships
Anxiety support
Creative workshops and connection
Come and experience it for yourself
Meet the team
See the impact up close
A Final Thought
As you listen, you might find yourself thinking about your person…
Or maybe realising something even more powerful:
You might be that person for someone else.
And that’s where change begins.
One moment.
One conversation.
One person.
Time Stamps:
00:00 One Person Who Changed You
00:36 Meet Sarah Hughes
01:14 What One Manifest Is
04:19 Teen Tent Highlights
07:05 Who Made The Difference
07:56 How Sarah Met Lisa
10:57 First One Manifest Experience
12:18 Rock Bottom To Breakthrough
16:23 Launching The Crystal Business
18:23 Taking Over The Teen Area
20:43 Belief That Builds Resilience
25:27 Passing Confidence To Caden
30:10 Thank You Lisa
30:49 Final Reflection And Invitation
Find all the resources in our Listeners Lounge:
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Sara Hughes
Website: www.womanifest.co.uk
Instagram: @the_crystal_fairy_godmother
Facebook Group: View Facebook Group

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This month on The Resilient Kid Podcast, we’re exploring a powerful theme: one person who made a difference in your life.
In this episode, Ashley is joined by friend of the show, Sarah Vogel, for a thoughtful and heartfelt conversation about the person who changed the direction of Sarah’s life — a colleague and dear friend, Dr Elaine Swan.
What started as one simple comment in a London department store in the late 1980s became the first domino in a chain of events that shaped Sarah’s future. From seeing herself differently, to going to university as a mature student, to building a life and career that has impacted so many others, Sarah reflects on the incredible ripple effect of being truly seen by someone.
In this episode, we cover:
The person who made a lasting difference in Sarah’s life
How one comment planted the seed for university and a completely different future
Why being seen by another person can change how we see ourselves
The ripple effect of confidence and encouragement
How Sarah now helps others see strengths they may not yet recognise in themselves
Why young people need real-life opportunities to build confidence
The importance of conversations, risk-taking, and resilience in growing up
How small moments of belief can create lifelong impact
About Sarah Vogel
Sarah Vogel is a coach, facilitator, mediator, and leadership expert who helps people and organisations have better, braver, and more effective conversations. Through her work with PDA, she supports leaders to build confidence, influence, accountability, and stronger relationships at work.
Sarah is also passionate about helping young people develop confidence, communication skills, and resilience early in life — so they can step into the world feeling more grounded, capable, and connected.
A note for parents and professionals
This episode is a reminder that you may never fully know the impact you are having on a child or young person.
A conversation.
A vote of confidence.
A moment of encouragement.
A belief they borrow before they can find their own.
It all matters.
And often, the things that feel small to us are the very things they remember for years to come.
Connect and share
If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who has made a difference in your life — or with someone who may need the reminder that their presence matters more than they know.
And as you listen, maybe ask yourself:
Who was that one person for you?
And perhaps even more importantly…
Who might you be that person for now?
Teen Event Mention
Teen tickets are now on sale for Womanifest, where Ashley and Sarah will be hosting dedicated teen sessions focused on confidence, body positivity, resilience, relationships, and emotional wellbeing. - https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Crewe/Delamere-Events-Ltd/Womanifest-2026/41123458/
It will be a space for teens to feel supported, inspired, and equipped with tools they can take into everyday life.
We are building a community of people who want to be that person for more children, in more places. So if something in this episode has resonated with you, and you have ever felt that pull to make a difference not only in your own family but in your wider community too, that is exactly why we created our franchise - https://www.theresilientacademy.co.uk/franchise 
Links
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Website: https://www.theresilientacademy.co.uk

Mother’s Day can look like breakfast in bed, family roasts, and a full, noisy house…
But for many, it’s also a day that brings mixed emotions — grief, distance, complicated relationships, or quiet reflection.
In this episode, I share a personal story about my mum — not for the everyday things we often associate with motherhood, but for something deeper.
Her courage.
At just 22, she emigrated to South Africa on a one-way ticket, building a life from scratch. But when her marriage broke down, she made a decision that would shape everything that came after…
She came home.
As a single mum.
To a small town.
To judgement.
To starting again.
And it got me thinking…
It only takes one person.
One person to make a different choice.
One person to choose happiness over what looks easier.
One person to change the direction of a child’s life.
In this episode, we explore:
Why Mother’s Day can feel joyful and heavy
The unseen courage behind parenting decisions
How one brave choice can shape generations
Reflecting on “what if?” — and how different life could have been
The idea that we can be that one person for our children
This is a gentle, honest episode — whether you’re celebrating, grieving, or somewhere in between.
A gentle reminder
If Mother’s Day feels hard for you, you’re not alone.
Your experience is valid — whether it’s shaped by loss, distance, or a relationship that isn’t what you hoped it would be.
And if today brings gratitude, love, and connection — hold onto that too.
There’s space for all of it.
Want to be that one person for more children?
If this episode resonated with you and you feel called to support children in building confidence, emotional resilience, and stronger futures…
You can find out more about becoming part of The Resilient Kid community here:
👉 https://www.theresilientkid.co.uk/franchise
Our franchise opportunity is designed for people who want to make a real difference — working with children, families, and schools to create lasting change.
Because it really does only take one person… to change everything.
📩 Stay connected
Follow along for more parenting insights and support
Share this episode with someone who might need to hear it today
Join our community for practical tools and real conversations
Time Stamps:
00:00 Mothers Day Morning
00:40 Family Feast Reflections
01:36 It Only Takes One
02:02 Leap to South Africa
03:09 Building a New Life
04:54 Coming Home Alone
05:21 Small Town Judgment
07:11 Debt and Starting Over
08:24 Raised by Community
10:58 One Choice Changed Everything
11:29 Quiet Bravery of Moms
12:26 Your One Person Story
13:14 Series Mission and Invitation
14:17 Final Thanks and Call
Find all the resources in our Listeners Lounge:
https://www.theresilientacademy.co.uk/lounge
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Useful Links
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Website: https://www.theresilientacademy.co.uk

With Ruby O’Brien
In this episode of The Resilient Kid Podcast, Ashley speaks with an inspiring young leader, Ruby O'Brien and winner of the Womanifest Future Voice Award.
Ruby perfectly represents the heart of this podcast series, Only Takes One Person — because behind her journey is a youth worker who asked two powerful words that changed everything:
“Why not?”
As a young carer growing up in Knowsley, Ruby carried significant responsibility at home and struggled to trust people after a difficult experience in her family. But when a youth worker named Jack encouraged her to step into a youth group and later apply for Youth Parliament, Ruby began to realise something powerful:
Her voice mattered.
Today, Ruby has spent two years representing young people in her role as Youth MP, including speaking in the House of Commons and championing issues that matter to young people, including mental health, education, and community empowerment.
In this conversation, Ruby shares how one person believing in her helped her find the confidence to step forward — and how she now hopes to be that person for other young people.
She also talks about her latest campaign to raise £20,000 for an accessible lift at the Epstein Theatre in Liverpool, after witnessing wheelchair users unable to access the stage at a youth event.
For Ruby, the message is simple:
Accessibility is a right, not an option.
This episode is a powerful reminder that when young people feel heard, supported, and believed in, incredible things can happen.
And sometimes… it only takes one person.
In this episode
Ruby’s journey to becoming Knowsley’s Youth MP

How a youth worker helped her believe in herself

The experience of growing up as a young carer

Finding confidence and using your voice

Ruby’s campaign for accessibility at the Epstein Theatre

Why young people must be heard in decision-making

Ruby’s message to young people
“If you’ve got a dream, go for it. If you fail, that’s not failure — it means you tried.”
A reflection for listeners
Who was the person who believed in you?
The teacher, youth worker, coach, parent, or mentor who saw something in you before you saw it yourself.
Because resilience isn’t built alone.
And sometimes… it only takes one person.
Time Stamps:
00:00 One Person Matters
01:03 Meet Ruby OBrien
02:30 Youth Parliament Mission
04:38 Finding Her Voice
05:38 Jack The Turning Point
08:16 From Fear To Leadership
13:09 Confidence And Purpose
15:37 Accessibility Lift Campaign
20:10 How Adults Can Help
23:50 Whats Next For Ruby
28:31 Gratitude And Closing
Find all the resources in our Listeners Lounge:
https://www.theresilientacademy.co.uk/lounge
Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/Mfoof6Spxck
Spotify Link:
Ruby's Links
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ruby_knowsleymyp
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruby-o-brien-22a157335
Campaign Link- https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ruby-obrien-1
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Website: https://www.theresilientacademy.co.uk

We often hear the phrase “It takes a village to raise a child.” And while community matters, research consistently shows something powerful: the single greatest protective factor in a child’s life is one stable, supportive adult.
One person who believes in them.
One person who advocates for them.
One person who stays steady when life feels uncertain.
This episode launches a brand-new series on The Resilient Kid Podcast called Only Takes One Person.
Fresh off the stage after winning the Heart of the Community Award, Ashley reflects on the power of advocacy, connection, and the ripple effect one person can have on a life.
In this opening episode, Ashley shares a deeply personal story about her Auntie Vera (Vee) — the woman who stepped in and advocated for her when she was just 21 years old.
After finishing her psychology degree, Ashley had applied for a counselling course, only to be told she was too young to be accepted. While Ashley was travelling in South America, her Auntie Vee received the call from the course professor.
Rather than accepting the decision quietly, Vee stood up for her niece.
She explained the experiences Ashley had already navigated in life — growing up in a multi-generational family, supporting grandparents, and witnessing her father’s mental health struggles — and why those experiences had shaped her desire to help others.
That moment of advocacy changed everything.
Ashley became the youngest person ever accepted onto the course, beginning a journey that has now spanned 30 years of supporting children, families and schools.
But this episode isn’t just about one phone call.
It’s about the profound impact one person can have on a young life.
Whether that person is a parent, teacher, mentor, coach or relative — a single relationship can change a child’s sense of safety, belief, and possibility.
Through The Resilient Kid programme, Ashley and her team hope to be that person for many of the children and families they support.
Because sometimes, the biggest changes begin with the smallest moments of belief.
In this episode, we explore:
Why one supportive adult is the strongest protective factor for children
A personal story about advocacy and opportunity
How belief from others shapes confidence and resilience
Why the work of supporting children is often about showing up consistently
The ripple effect one person can create across a lifetime
A reflection for listeners
Who was the person who believed in you?
A parent, teacher, coach, mentor, grandparent or friend who saw something in you before you fully saw it yourself?
We would love to hear your story.
Because resilience isn’t built in isolation.
It’s built in connection.
And sometimes… it only takes one person.
Coming up next
In the next episode of the series, Ashley will be joined by a special guest who will share the story of their one person and the impact that relationship had on their life.
Time Stamps:
00:00 One Person Matters
01:00 Series Kickoff
01:13 Heart of Community Night
02:34 Why This Series Exists
03:29 Auntie V Advocates
06:22 Bread as Currency
08:28 Coaches and Teachers
10:16 Advocacy in Schools
12:36 Parents Need Allies
14:17 Your Person Reflection
15:44 Closing and Call In
Find all the resources in our Listeners Lounge:
https://www.theresilientacademy.co.uk/lounge
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