The Link Podcast

AI for the Mind: Enhancing Executive Functioning with Craig Smith

On this episode: “AI for the Mind: Enhancing Executive Functioning with Craig Smith”   Executive function (EF) refers to a set of cognitive processes that enable individuals to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, manage time, regulate emotions, and adapt to changing situations. Although well reported that people who are neurodivergent experience issues with EF, they can also be experienced by neurotypicals. Depression, anxiety, perimenopause, life challenges (relationship issues, house move, death of a loved one) can all influence EF (Diamond, 2013).    We are very excited to bring you a special guest this month, Craig Smith. Craig is part of the Positive Partnerships foundation in Australia. Craig took to the TEDx stage in November 2024 to discuss all things Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Neurodivergence. Ben and Craig discuss the ways in which AI can be used, from having a daily ‘walk and talk’ with it, to rehearsing for performances or social interactions.    Ben and Craig then discuss the pitfalls of AI, and how students can avoid these, with helpful tips on its use. Craig mentions his 'Universal Sandpit', which was created to assist teachers with using AI to create inclusive teaching materials.    Web links from the show: (all correct at time of recording)   Executive Functions (Diamond, 2013) [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4084861/]   Definition of executive function and how it can affect neurodivergence and neurotypicals.  ChatGPT [https://chatgpt.com/]  The AI software mentioned and used by Craig.  The Universal Sandpit [https://theuniversalsandpit.org/] A sandpit that was created by Craig and mentioned in the podcast.  TEDx Talk [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCqCMUAmpuc&ab_channel=TEDxTalks]  Unlocking Potential: AI for Neurodiverse Minds | Craig Smith | TEDxCooks Hill  Virtual Speech [https://virtualspeech.com/]  The software used by Craig to practice speaking in front of an audience prior to his TEDx Talk.    Wellbeing/Mental Health Support Contacts:    If you are a student or staff member at the University of Staffordshire and have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, the University of Staffordshire are here to help… Contact Wellbeing Support on 01782 294976 or by emailing studentwellbeing@staffs.ac.uk.     For external listeners, mental health crisis lines and suicide prevention contacts can be found below. Please reach out if you feel you need to!     NHS Mental Health Services - https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/ [https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/%3C/b]   Mind Support and Services - https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/ [https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/%3C/b%3E%3Cbr]     Samaritans Contact - https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/ [https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/]     Upcoming Podcasts:  Death within other religions, human factors and ergonomics, and more service users sharing their unique experiences, using AI within education and more!   Previous Podcasts: Race, Transgender, Neurodiversity, Impacts of trauma, Mature student experiences, Transition from student to healthcare professional, specialised areas such as mental health and organ transplant teams, and a LIVE guided meditation.   Want to get involved?   Are you a student? Member of staff? A Healthcare worker?   Do you have a topic you would like to share?   Get in touch! Let’s Pod!     Contact The Link podcast team:   @TheLinkPodcast_ [https://x.com/TheLinkPodcast_] on X (formally Twitter)     Ben W-H - @benw_h [https://x.com/benw_h] on X       ben.woodrow-hirst@staffs.ac.uk     Kirsty Egan - @KirstyODP [https://x.com/KirstyODP] on X           kirsty.egan@student.staffs.ac.uk     Hosted by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst  Produced & Edited by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst & Kirsty Egan  Artwork: Ben Woodrow-Hirst  Intro & Outro: Rohanna Wholey  Theme Music: Gavin Samways

Service Users Mini-Series: Episode 5 – Homeward Bound: Creative Storytelling

Trigger Warning:  This discussion has mention of death, dying and end of life/palliative care. Please refrain from listening if you feel this could be traumatising at this time. There are links for internal (University) and external listeners, if you feel affected or have been affected by any details of this Podcast.    On this episode: “Service Users Mini-Series: Episode 5 – Homeward Bound: Creative Storytelling” We speak to Lesley Goodburn from the Service Users Group (SUC’s) but also works within the NHS for the National Experience Care Team for the last 16 years.  Lesley shares both her personal and professional experience around creative storytelling. Following the sudden loss of her husband Seth, there were feelings of a lack of compassion and decision making, which led to the creation of personal letters. These letters and stories were then made into a play, and then a film, known as Homeward Bound: Seth’s Story. Lesley aims to improve end of life care, emotional and psychological support, and increase awareness of Pancreatic cancer. Recently, these letters have been shared with universities to assist with fundamentals of compassion and quality of end-of-life care. We discuss the impact of creative stories, what forms that can come in and how patient experiences can improve NHS services. To date, Lesley has helped with the creation of four national policies for the NHS, as well as helping to share and develop others’ stories. We also touch on how the process of creative storytelling helped her own personal experiences, advocating for stories but also helping to deal with anger and loss.   November is Pancreatic Awareness month, and the 21st November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day. If you want to share any pictures that include the colour purple to share with Lesley, please email Kirsty.egan@student.staffs.ac.uk [https://student.staffs.ac.uk] and these will be passed over!     Web links from the show: Service User and Carer Team (SUC’s) [https://www.staffs.ac.uk/about/schools/health-education-policing-and-sciences/service-user-and-carer-team] The webpage for the SUC’s group, and how they work with universities and the future of the workforce to share personal experiences and improve services. Homeward Bound: Seth’s Story [https://www.hospiceuk.org/innovation-hub/courses-conferences/educational-plays/homeward-bound] Here you can watch the whole play that Lesley spoke about, as well as access resources. What is Pancreatic Cancer? [https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pancreatic-cancer/what-is-pancreatic-cancer/] If you want to find out more about Pancreatic cancer, or the common symptoms then please visit the link above. Sophie’s Legacy [https://www.sophieslegacy.co.uk/] Here you will find all the information about Sophie’s Legacy and the awareness that is being shared to improve NHS services. And if anybody is interested, it was Hazelnut souffle and cookies that her and Gordon Ramsay baked! Georgie Steele – And I’ll Blow Your House Down [https://www.georgiestory.com/] Here you will find the trailer for the show created by Georgie, opening up on life and experience with her two sons following their diagnosis of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The Grief Dialogues Stories – Elizabeth Coplan [https://www.griefdialogues.com/] Elizabeth Coplan from the United States and the different types of stories, art and creativity being shared through experiences of grief.  Storytelling – NHS 2015 [https://www.england.nhs.uk/improvement-hub/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2015/08/learning-handbook-story-telling.pdf]  A popular method of sharing knowledge with others to be passed on in a way that others can relate to. Widely used to convey personal matters and experiences and these stories can be presented in many ways – in person, video, audio, podcast, blog.  Exploring the Impact of Storytelling for Hospitalized Patients – Gurney et al., 2023 [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9957174/]  Storytelling is an intervention that has been used to help patients make sense of their illness experiences, and to share with others. Helps to ‘re-author’ their life stories to reflect a more capable, stronger self-identity.      Wellbeing/Mental Health Support Contacts:   If you are a student or staff member at the University of Staffordshire and have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, the University are here to help… Contact Wellbeing Support on 01782 294976 or by emailing studentwellbeing@staffs.ac.uk.   For external listeners, mental health crisis lines and suicide prevention contacts can be found below. Please reach out if you feel you need to!     NHS Mental Health Services - https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/ [https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/%3C/b]     Mind Support and Services - https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/ [https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/%3C/b%3E%3Cbr]     Samaritans Contact - https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/ [https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/]   Upcoming Podcasts:  Death within other religions, Human factors and ergonomics and how AI can be utilised within neurodivergence! br>    Previous Podcasts:   Race, Transgender, Neurodiversity, Impacts of trauma, Mature student experiences, Transition from student to healthcare professional, and also specialised areas such as mental health and organ transplant teams.  Want to get involved?   Are you a student? Member of staff? A Healthcare worker?   Do you have a topic you would like to share?   Get in touch! Let’s Pod!     Contact The Link podcast team:   @TheLinkPodcast_ [https://x.com/TheLinkPodcast_] on X (formally Twitter)     Ben W-H - @benw_h [https://x.com/benw_h] on X                       ben.woodrow-hirst@staffs.ac.uk     Kirsty Egan - @KirstyODP [https://x.com/KirstyODP] on X                           kirsty.egan@student.staffs.ac.uk [https://student.staffs.ac.uk]   Hosted by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst  Produced & Edited by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst & Kirsty Egan  Artwork: Shaun Kelly  Theme Music: Gavin Samways

Medical Mystery 3: Awake in the Dark

On this episode: “Medical Mystery 3: Awake in the Dark” This month we bring you a SPECIAL three part mini-series for Halloween!  In this episode of Awake in the Dark, we explore the haunting mystery of Encephalitis lethargica, a strange illness that swept across the globe in the early 20th century. Join us as we uncover the chilling accounts of those affected—individuals who slipped into an unsettling slumber, leaving their loved ones to grapple with the fear of losing them to an unknown fate. We delve into the groundbreaking work of early neurologists like Dr. Constantin von Economo, who documented the baffling symptoms of this enigmatic disorder. Through personal stories and scientific inquiry, we seek to understand how a once-mysterious illness still echoes in the shadows of medical history. Web links from the show: (all correct at time of recording) UCL: The mysterious disease that inspired Awakenings is finally starting to give up some clues [https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2024/oct/comment-mysterious-disease-inspired-awakenings-finally-starting-give-some-clues] Click here to learn more about Dr Oliver Sacks [https://www.oliversacks.com/] Wellbeing/Mental Health Support Contacts: If you are a student or staff member at the University of Staffordshire and have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, the University of Staffordshire are here to help… Contact Wellbeing Support on 01782 294976 or by emailing studentwellbeing@staffs.ac.uk. For external listeners, mental health crisis lines and suicide prevention contacts can be found below. Please reach out if you feel you need to! NHS Mental Health Services - https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/ [https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/%3C/b] Mind Support and Services - https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/ [https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/%3C/b%3E%3Cbr] Samaritans Contact - https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/ [https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/] Upcoming Podcasts: Death within other religions, human factors and ergonomics, and more service users sharing their unique experiences; Previous Podcasts: Race, Transgender, Neurodiversity, Impacts of trauma, Mature student experiences, Transition from student to healthcare professional, specialised areas such as mental health and organ transplant teams, and a LIVE guided meditation. Want to get involved? Are you a student? Member of staff? A Healthcare worker? Do you have a topic you would like to share? Get in touch! Let’s Pod! Contact The Link podcast team: @TheLinkPodcast_ [https://x.com/TheLinkPodcast_] on X (formally Twitter) Ben W-H - @benw_h [https://x.com/benw_h] on X                    ben.woodrow-hirst@staffs.ac.uk Kirsty Egan - @KirstyODP [https://x.com/KirstyODP] on X                        kirsty.egan@student.staffs.ac.uk [https://student.staffs.ac.uk] Hosted by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst Produced & Edited by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst & Kirsty Egan Artwork: Ben Woodrow-Hirst Intro & Outro: Rohanna Wholey Theme Music: Gavin Samways   Additional music: Syrinscape (https://app.syrinscape.com/)

Medical Mystery 2: Pixels and Panic: The Dark History of Pokemon

On this episode: “Medical Mystery 2: Pixels and Panic” This month we bring you a SPECIAL three part mini-series for Halloween!  Ben and Kirsty delve into medical mysteries, and in this second episode, they explore the ‘Pokémon Panic’. What happened in Japan in 1997 when a Pokémon episode that was aired seemed to caused seizures among their young viewers? Ben shares the story of Haruki, a young Pokémon fan that had an unusual reaction to a newly aired episode, followed by possible conclusions that could be made. What led to this panic, by a seemingly harmless TV show?  Web links from the show: (all correct at time of recording) Radford & Bartholomew (2001) [https://www.bioteach.ubc.ca/TeachingResources/GeneralScience/PokemonSeizures.pdf] – Pokémon Contagion: Photosensitive Epilepsy or Mass Psychogenic Illness? Centre for Inquiry (2022) [https://centerforinquiry.org/blog/revisiting-the-pokemon-panic-at-25/] – Revisiting the Pokémon Panic at 25     Wellbeing/Mental Health Support Contacts: If you are a student or staff member at the University of Staffordshire and have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, the University of Staffordshire are here to help… Contact Wellbeing Support on 01782 294976 or by emailing studentwellbeing@staffs.ac.uk. For external listeners, mental health crisis lines and suicide prevention contacts can be found below. Please reach out if you feel you need to! NHS Mental Health Services - https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/ [https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/%3C/b] Mind Support and Services - https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/ [https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/%3C/b%3E%3Cbr] Samaritans Contact - https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/ [https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/] Upcoming Podcasts: Death within other religions, human factors and ergonomics, and more service users sharing their unique experiences; Previous Podcasts: Race, Transgender, Neurodiversity, Impacts of trauma, Mature student experiences, Transition from student to healthcare professional, specialised areas such as mental health and organ transplant teams, and a LIVE guided meditation. Want to get involved? Are you a student? Member of staff? A Healthcare worker? Do you have a topic you would like to share? Get in touch! Let’s Pod! Contact The Link podcast team: @TheLinkPodcast_ [https://x.com/TheLinkPodcast_] on X (formally Twitter) Ben W-H - @benw_h [https://x.com/benw_h] on X                    ben.woodrow-hirst@staffs.ac.uk Kirsty Egan - @KirstyODP [https://x.com/KirstyODP] on X                        kirsty.egan@student.staffs.ac.uk [https://student.staffs.ac.uk] Hosted by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst Produced & Edited by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst & Kirsty Egan Artwork: Ben Woodrow-Hirst Intro & Outro: Rohanna Wholey Theme Music: Gavin Samways

Medical Mystery 1: The Dance of Death

On this episode: “Medical Mystery 1: The Dance of Death” This month we bring you a SPECIAL three part mini-series for Halloween!  Ben and Kirsty delve into medical mysteries, and in this first episode, they explore the ‘Dancing Plague’. What happened in Strasbourg in 1518 that caused many deaths to occur over 40 days? Ben shares this story, followed by possible theories that could be made. ' Will we ever know what caused the dance of death?   Look out for Medical Mystery 2, coming on Wednesday 30th! Web links from the show: (all correct at time of recording) BBC (2022) [https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20220512-the-people-who-danced-themselves-to-death] - The people who ‘danced themselves to death’ BPS (2009) [https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/dancing-plagues-and-mass-hysteria] - Dancing plagues and mass hysteria AHDB (2024) [https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/an-introduction-to-ergot-and-its-management-in-cereals] - An introduction to ergot and its management in cereals     Wellbeing/Mental Health Support Contacts: If you are a student or staff member at the University of Staffordshire and have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, the University of Staffordshire are here to help… Contact Wellbeing Support on 01782 294976 or by emailing studentwellbeing@staffs.ac.uk. For external listeners, mental health crisis lines and suicide prevention contacts can be found below. Please reach out if you feel you need to! NHS Mental Health Services - https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/ [https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/%3C/b] Mind Support and Services - https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/ [https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/%3C/b%3E%3Cbr] Samaritans Contact - https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/ [https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/] Upcoming Podcasts: Death within other religions, human factors and ergonomics, and more service users sharing their unique experiences; Previous Podcasts: Race, Transgender, Neurodiversity, Impacts of trauma, Mature student experiences, Transition from student to healthcare professional, specialised areas such as mental health and organ transplant teams, and a LIVE guided meditation. Want to get involved? Are you a student? Member of staff? A Healthcare worker? Do you have a topic you would like to share? Get in touch! Let’s Pod! Contact The Link podcast team: @TheLinkPodcast_ [https://x.com/TheLinkPodcast_] on X (formally Twitter) Ben W-H - @benw_h [https://x.com/benw_h] on X                    ben.woodrow-hirst@staffs.ac.uk Kirsty Egan - @KirstyODP [https://x.com/KirstyODP] on X                        kirsty.egan@student.staffs.ac.uk [https://student.staffs.ac.uk] Hosted by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst Produced & Edited by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst & Kirsty Egan Artwork: Ben Woodrow-Hirst Intro & Outro: Rohanna Wholey Theme Music: Gavin Samways