Episodes

  • Polly Talks Birth Parents Perspectives with Mandy

    Polly Talks Birth Parents Perspectives with Mandy
    Jan 22 2026
    In this episode of Polly Talks, Polly is joined by Mandy, who worked within the Scottish Adoption and Fostering team as part of the Bluebird Project—an initiative supporting families with children in adoption, permanent fostering, or kinship care. Mandy reflects on her role as a Support Worker and the meaningful ways she walked alongside families throughout their journeys.

    She also speaks candidly about her own powerful experience as a birth parent who lost permanent care of a child, and how that deeply personal journey helped to shape the empathy and understanding she brought to her work.

    This conversation is a moving and honest exploration of the complex, lifelong paths that many birth parents navigate. We are extremely grateful to Mandy for sharing her story, and we hope it brings insight, comfort, and connection to those who listen.
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    56 mins
  • Polly Talks Adoption and Fostering: Your Voice, Your Story with Chris from the Scottish Book Trust

    Polly Talks Adoption and Fostering: Your Voice, Your Story with Chris from the Scottish Book Trust
    Nov 1 2025
    🎙 Polly Talks Adoption and Fostering — Episode: Your Voice, Your Story with Chris Leslie

    This episode, Polly sits down with Chris Leslie from the Scottish Book Trust, the manager leading the inspiring Your Voice, Your Story programme. Together, they explore how storytelling can empower care-experienced young people and birth parents to share their journeys in their own words and in their own unique way.

    Chris talks about his work with our young people’s groups and the Bluebird Project, a creative space for birth parents, helping them find confidence and connection through the power of story.

    It’s a powerful, moving, and uplifting conversation about creativity, identity, and the healing strength of being heard.

    Tune in for an episode full of insight, empathy, and inspiration.
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    37 mins
  • Polly Talks Foster Carer Relationships with Adopter Darren

    Polly Talks Foster Carer Relationships with Adopter Darren
    May 23 2025
    In this heartfelt episode for Foster Care Fortnight, Polly speaks with Darren, an adoptive dad, about the meaningful relationship he's built with his son's former foster carer. Darren reflects on the trust, respect, and mutual support that have helped create a sense of continuity for his son.

    It’s a powerful conversation about bridging families, honouring the past, and the shared commitment to a child’s wellbeing.
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    15 mins
  • Polly Talks Foster Carer Relationships with Foster Carer Sarah

    Polly Talks Foster Carer Relationships with Foster Carer Sarah
    May 19 2025
    In this companion episode for Foster Care Fortnight, Polly speaks with Sarah, the foster carer who cared for Louisa’s child before they were adopted. Together, they explore the emotional journey of fostering, the complexities of letting go, and the enduring connection that can remain between foster carers and adoptive families.

    Sarah reflects on the transition from foster care to adoption and shares what it has meant to stay a part of the child’s life. It’s an honest, moving conversation about love, loss, and the lasting bonds that care can build.

    If you are interested in becoming a Foster Carer, give us a call on 0131 553 5060 or visit scottishadoption.org/fostering
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    26 mins
  • Polly Talks Foster Carer Relationships with Adopter Louisa

    Polly Talks Foster Carer Relationships with Adopter Louisa
    May 15 2025
    In this special episode for Foster Care Fortnight, Polly sits down with Louisa, an adoptive mum, to talk about the powerful and often overlooked relationship between adoptive families and foster carers.

    Louisa shares her heartfelt experience of maintaining a bond with her child’s former foster carer, highlighting the vital role they continue to play in their child’s life. It's a conversation about connection, continuity, and the lifelong impact of care.
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    20 mins
  • Polly Talks Foster Carer relationships with adoptees Jamie and Holly

    Polly Talks Foster Carer relationships with adoptees Jamie and Holly
    May 12 2025
    Special Foster Care Fortnight Episode – Polly Talks Fostering and Adoption x WTAF

    In this powerful crossover episode, Polly is joined by Jamie and Holly from the We Talk Adoption and Fostering (WTAF) podcast. Together, they share heartfelt reflections on their experiences growing up in foster care, the challenges they faced, and the deep, lasting bonds they’ve formed with their foster carers. Honest, emotional, and full of insight, this special Foster Care Fortnight conversation highlights why relationships and understanding truly matter in the care system.

    Tune in for a moving and meaningful episode that celebrates resilience and connection.
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    19 mins
  • Polly Talks Adoption and Fostering with author Nell Carpenter

    Polly Talks Adoption and Fostering with author Nell Carpenter
    Mar 4 2025
    Polly Talks Adoption and Fostering – Featuring Nell Carpenter


    In this episode of Polly Talks Adoption and Fostering, Polly sits down with Nell Carpenter, author of Someday This Could Be Ordinary: Our Adoption Journey. Nell shares her raw and honest experience of adopting two children—an eight-year-old and a three-year-old—each with their own histories of trauma and resilience. She opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of forming a new family, the challenges of attachment, and the life-changing impact of adoption.

    This is a must-listen for anyone considering adoption or simply wanting to understand its reality—the highs, the lows, and the moments of pure magic.📖

    Grab a copy of Someday This Could Be Ordinary on Amazon: https://amzn.eu/d/8xLSOJk

    Tune in for an inspiring, heartfelt conversation! 🎧💛
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    35 mins
  • Polly Talks Adoption and Fostering: Eating behaviours with Dr Sarah Snuggs

    Polly Talks Adoption and Fostering: Eating behaviours with Dr Sarah Snuggs
    Dec 16 2024
    In this episode, Dr. Polly Cowan talks with Dr. Sarah Suggs from Reading University about eating behaviours in care experienced children. Dr. Suggs shares her expertise on how early trauma, disrupted attachments, and experiences in care can deeply influence children’s relationship with food. This episode offers valuable insights into how we can better understand and support these children, particularly at a time when food and family dynamics are so prominent. This conversation is especially important for those who work with vulnerable children, caregivers, and anyone who has experince of past trauma or eating struggles.


    We hope this episode provides some helpful insight into how we can create nurturing, trauma-informed spaces.

    #PollyTalks #EatingBehaviours #CareExperiencedChildren #ChildDevelopment #TraumaInformedCare #Christmas #EatingDisorders #EmotionalWellbeing #FoodSecurity #Podcast #DrSarahSuggs #DrPollyCowan #HolidaySeason #SupportingChildren
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    30 mins