The BBC Academy Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Vicarious trauma in journalism and the media Oct 05, 2023

Show notes

This podcast tackles sensitive and distressing subject matter, including discussion about extremist groups, suicide bombings, chemical attacks and trauma.

You don't have to directly visit a traumatic scene to be affected by it. Vicarious trauma affects those viewing or hearing disturbing material or hearing second-hand the testimonies of those directly affected by a traumatic incident.

In this podcast the BBC's Chief Medical Officer Dr Clare Fernandes speaks to journalist Abdirahim Saeed, who works for the BBC Monitoring Team which monitors and verifies social media to pull into the BBC's reporting.

You'll learn: • what vicarious trauma is • where it can affect colleagues in the BBC, including the types of roles and subject matter • how to safeguard your health, including limiting exposure to trauma and coping mechanisms • how to support and protect your colleagues • where to turn to for help

Abdirahim talks about what he's seen when covering extremist incidents, including ISIS and Al Qaida attacks and the war in Syria, how it's affected him and how he limits the effects of vicarious trauma on his mental health.

This episode is part of a series focussing on wellbeing and mental health. Further episodes can be found by searching for the BBC Academy podcast on BBC Sounds.

A transcript of this podcast is available on the episode's programme page.

Although aimed primarily at BBC staff, the advice is useful for all those working in journalism, current affairs or other parts of the media industry who may come into contact with victims of trauma or view upsetting material.

Help and support If you've been affected by what you've heard in this podcast, please search for support on the BBC Action Line website. You may also wish to contact NHS services, such as your GP.

BBC Staff can talk to their team leader, contact a peer supporter or call the Employee Assistance Programme - details are on Gateway.

Useful resources can be found on the BBC Headroom website and, for BBC staff, by searching 'wellbeing' on Gateway.

Credits The podcast was presented by Dr Clare Fernandes and produced by Kasel Kundola.

Production support was from Helena Lyons.

Exec producers for the BBC Academy were Ben Toone, Zoey Glasgow and Kirstie Andrews.

Peer support: Opening up about mental health Oct 04, 2023

Show notes

When our mental health is fragile at work it can often be difficult to know who to talk to, where to get help or just find someone to listen without judgement.

It can be helpful to talk to someone who understands the pressures of the work environment but isn't necessarily a close friend or team member. At the BBC, this role is fulfilled by members of the Peer Support Network.

In this podcast the BBC's Chief Medical Officer Dr Clare Fernandes talks to peer supporter and South-East Today Presenter Natalie Graham.

You'll learn about: - how peer supporters can support mental health difficulties, including anxiety, depression, stress or crisis situations in work - what a BBC peer supporter is - and what they're not - other support available at the BBC, including the Employee Assistance programme

A transcript is available on the programme page for this podcast.

This episode is part of the BBC Academy series on wellbeing and mental health in the workplace.

Though this podcast is aimed at BBC staff, you might find some of the content helpful if you work, or would like to work, elsewhere in the broadcast media industry.

Help and support BBC Staff can find out more about peer support by searching for 'peer support' on Gateway.

You can find further mental health and wellbeing resources by searching for BBC Headroom and listening to further episodes in this series on the BBC Academy podcast feed on BBC Sounds.

If you're outside of the BBC and need immediate help please contact the BBC Action Line or Samaritans. Staff can contact the Employee Assistance Programme by searching for it on Gateway.

Credits The podcast was presented by Dr Clare Fernandes and produced by Kasel Kundola.

Production support was from Helena Lyons. Exec producers for the BBC Academy were Ben Toone, Zoey Glasgow and Kirstie Andrews.

The menopause: How you can support colleagues Oct 03, 2023

Show notes

How comfortable are you talking about the menopause at work?

Given that 70% of those going through menopausal changes are employed and one in ten of those under 45 have symptoms, chances are a colleague or a member of your team may be experiencing it right now.

In this episode, part of the Academy series on wellbeing and mental health in the workplace, the BBC’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Clare Fernandes speaks to content producer and BBC menopause champion Justine Bateson.

Justine talks about her experiences of perimenopause, how it affected her physical and mental health and about the support she received working at the BBC.

In this podcast you’ll learn: • insights into the menopause, including common symptoms and how it can affect your mental health • how to get support for yourself, a colleague or a member of your team • the importance of sensitive line management • the types of support available at the BBC, including Support at Work and the Women at the BBC staff network

This episode is aimed primarily at BBC staff, especially team leaders, but is beneficial for all.

You can find more on the topic of mental health and wellbeing by searching for this series on the BBC Academy podcast feed on BBC Sounds.

Help and support BBC Staff can find further help and advice by searching ‘menopause’ on Gateway.

All listeners can find support on the NHS website.

There’s more content on wellbeing and mental health on BBC Headroom, as well as other podcasts in this series..

A transcript is available on the programme page for this podcast.

Credits The podcast was presented by Dr Clare Fernandes and produced by Kasel Kundola.

Production support was from Helena Lyons. Exec producers for the BBC Academy were Ben Toone, Zoey Glasgow and Kirstie Andrews.

Minipods – Interviewing episode six: Audience Sep 01, 2023

Show notes

Never forget your audience is there. On occasion you can use them to your advantage to challenge the position of an interviewee. In this minipod, BBC TV and Radio Presenter and Academy Interviewing coach, Julian Worricker explains how the audience can be your invisible fan club. This is the sixth in a series of minipods on Interviewing where Julian shares his expertise to take your interviewing skills to the next level.

Dur 17’06”

Minipods – Interviewing episode five: Layers Sep 01, 2023

Show notes

Forensic listening allows you to respond to your interviewees’ questions and delve deeper into the story, peeling back the layers of an argument as you do so. In this Minipod, BBC TV and Radio Presenter and Academy Interviewing coach, Julian Worricker, gives the low-down on digging into the detail. This is the fifth in a series of Minipods on Interviewing where Julian shares his expertise to take your interviewing skills to the next level.

Dur 13’10”

Minipods – Interviewing episode four: Answers Sep 01, 2023

Show notes

If you’ve done your research the chances are that you’ll already have a rough idea of what your interviewee is going to say. In this minipod, BBC TV and Radio Presenter and Academy Interviewing coach, Julian Worricker shares his tips on how to prepare for what your interviewee might say. This is the fourth in a series of minipods on Interviewing where Julian shares his expertise to take your interviewing skills to the next level.

Dur 11’45”

Minipods – Interviewing episode three: Questions Sep 01, 2023

Show notes

A confident interviewer needn’t ask long questions. Be curious and wear your knowledge lightly. In this minipod BBC TV and Radio Presenter and Academy Interviewing coach, Julian Worricker, talks about how to frame your questions and to know when to hold back. This is the third in a series of minipods on Interviewing where Julian shares his expertise to take your interviewing skills to the next level.

Dur 13’05”

Minipods – Interviewing episode two: Listening Sep 01, 2023

Show notes

Pay attention! Listening really carefully to your interviewee can give you the clues you need to unlock whole new areas for discussion. BBC TV and Radio Presenter and Academy Interviewing coach, Julian Worricker shows how really paying attention can pay off. This is the second in a series of minipods on Interviewing where Julian shares his expertise to take your interviewing skills to the next level.

Dur 11’38”

Minipods – Interviewing episode one: Focus Sep 01, 2023

Show notes

Want to be a more confident interviewer and get the best from your interviewees? BBC TV and Radio Presenter and Academy Interviewing coach, Julian Worricker shows how focusing on what you want from an interview can make all the difference. This is the first in a series of minipods on Interviewing where Julian shares his expertise to take your interviewing skills to the next level.

Dur 9’21”

Minipods - Audio storytelling episode five: Writing Aug 08, 2023

Show notes

Good writing connects you to your listeners, grabs their attention and makes them remember your story.

BBC Academy trainer, Sam Upton, shares some tips to take your writing to the next level.

This is the fourth in a series of minipods on audio storytelling, where Sam shares some insider tricks and tips that'll help enhance your podcast, montage or radio package.

Dur 8’40” Produced and presented by Sam Upton.

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