In episode 157 of An Evolving Man, I speak with Kimberly Isherwood and Joan Ginsberg from Public Child Protection Wales.

Together we explore one of the most urgent and difficult issues in modern society: how we genuinely protect children from harm.

Kimberly and Joan share why Public Child Protection Wales was founded, what they see happening on the ground in education and safeguarding, and why they believe many current systems are not adequately protecting children.

We discuss grooming, institutional abuse, safeguarding blind spots, disclosure, adult responsibility, and the cultural reluctance to speak honestly about the realities children can face.

We also touch on boarding schools, neglect, attachment, and why child protection must begin with better informed adults, not simply new policies on paper.

This is a sobering but deeply important conversation for parents, teachers, safeguarding professionals, and anyone who cares about children’s wellbeing.

This episode reflects the views and concerns of the guests based on their research, experience and campaigning work.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction
01:18 Why Public Child Protection Wales was founded
06:14 Joan Ginsburg’s background in education
10:12 Concerns about current practice in schools
16:42 Why certain lesson content is being challenged
22:05 Grooming and how it works
27:18 Systems, institutions and blind spots
31:25 What safeguarding should look like
37:44 Why current training often falls short
44:12 Boarding schools and social services
50:08 Neglect, trauma and attachment
54:45 Why people hesitate to speak up
59:28 The need to normalise hard conversations
01:04:10 What must change
01:08:17 Where to support Public Child Protection Wales

Find out more

Public Child Protection Wales
publicchildprotectionwales.org

Piers Cross
piers-cross.com

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Piers is an author and a men's transformational coach and therapist who works mainly with trauma, boarding school issues, addictions and relationship problems.

He also runs online men's groups for ex-boarders, retreats and a podcast called An Evolving Man.

He is also the author of How to Survive and Thrive in Challenging Times. To purchase Piers first book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Survive-Thrive-Challenging-Times/dp/B088T5L251/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=piers+cross&qid=1609869608&sr=8-1

For more videos please visit: http://youtube.com/pierscross

For FB: https://www.facebook.com/pierscrosspublic

For Piers' website and a free training How To Find Peace In Everyday Life: https://www.piers-cross.com/community

Many blessings,

Piers Cross

http://piers-cross.com/

To buy tickets for the Glastonbury screening on 18th April 6.30-9pm or to share it: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/goodwillinactiontopreventsuicidecio/2140155

In this short video, I’m sharing some reflections and inviting you to a special screening of our documentary Boarding on Insanity on April 18th in Glastonbury.

This feels like a full-circle moment, as we return to the very retreat centre where part of the documentary was filmed.

This will be more than just a screening — it’s an opportunity to come together, reflect, and have an open conversation about boarding school, trauma, leadership, and the wider impact these experiences may have on society.

We’ll also explore questions such as:

• How does childhood trauma shape leadership?
• What is the true impact of boarding school on emotional development?
• Why is neglect often overlooked, despite its profound effects?
• Can healing happen more effectively in groups?

If you’re nearby or feel called to this conversation, I would love to see you there.

📍 Event Details

Date: April 18th
Location: Glastonbury
Doors open: 6:30pm
Screening starts: 7:00pm
Followed by: Group discussion and connection

Ticket link in description.

⏱️ Timestamps (6:40 total)

00:00 Introduction
00:35 Documentary screening announcement (April 18th, Glastonbury)
01:20 Returning to the retreat centre – full circle moment
02:10 What the evening will include (screening + discussion)
03:00 Boarding school, trauma and leadership reflections
04:10 Neglect and its impact on child development
05:10 The importance of group healing and connection
06:00 Upcoming podcast conversations and closing invitation

🔍 In this video, I explore:

• Boarding school trauma and its long-term impact
• The role of neglect in childhood development
• Leadership and unresolved trauma
• Why healing often happens in groups
• Creating spaces for open, honest conversation

🎧 Also coming up on the podcast

• Public Child Protection Wales
• Peter Sykes
• Helen Odell-Miller

🔗 Connect with me

Piers Cross
Founder, Compassionate Leaders Global
Leadership Coach | Speaker | Podcast Host

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Piers is an author and a men's transformational coach and therapist who works mainly with trauma, boarding school issues, addictions and relationship problems.

He also runs online men's groups for ex-boarders, retreats and a podcast called An Evolving Man.

He is also the author of How to Survive and Thrive in Challenging Times. To purchase Piers first book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Survive-Thrive-Challenging-Times/dp/B088T5L251/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=piers+cross&qid=1609869608&sr=8-1

For more videos please visit: http://youtube.com/pierscross

For FB: https://www.facebook.com/pierscrosspublic

For Piers' website and a free training How To Find Peace In Everyday Life: https://www.piers-cross.com/community

Many blessings,

Piers Cross

http://piers-cross.com/

In Episode 156 of An Evolving Man, I speak with Christopher J. Wesley — artist, speaker, and emotional leadership thinker — about trauma, identity, and emotional truth in a world shaped by pressure, performance, and algorithms.

Christopher shares his powerful journey from early childhood abuse to rebuilding his identity through grief, creativity, and self-awareness.

We explore how trauma shapes the way we see ourselves, why many leaders are disconnected from their emotional world, and how reconnecting with feeling can transform both life and leadership.

This episode also introduces Christopher’s FRAME Method — a practical approach to integrating emotion and logic in decision-making.

A deeply human conversation about healing, resilience, and what it means to live with authenticity.

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Piers is an author and a men's transformational coach and therapist who works mainly with trauma, boarding school issues, addictions and relationship problems.

He also runs online men's groups for ex-boarders, retreats and a podcast called An Evolving Man.

He is also the author of How to Survive and Thrive in Challenging Times. To purchase Piers first book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Survive-Thrive-Challenging-Times/dp/B088T5L251/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=piers+cross&qid=1609869608&sr=8-1

For more videos please visit: http://youtube.com/pierscross

For FB: https://www.facebook.com/pierscrosspublic

For Piers' website and a free training How To Find Peace In Everyday Life: https://www.piers-cross.com/community

Many blessings,

Piers Cross

http://piers-cross.com/