The Futures Project Podcast

The future’s not what it used to be. Welcome to The Futures Project Podcast. Join educator, futurist, writer, researcher and mum Cathy Walker as she invites guests to explore the world that awaits our young people. Cathy has over 25 years’ of educational experience working with, and for the benefit of, young people and their families, listening actively, extracting learnings, identifying trends, validating experiences… and transforming this important information into programmes that enlighten, empower and enhance. in each episode she welcomes expert guests from the worlds of education, sustainability, business, celebrity, media, and more. She explores what the future really looks like—for the next generation and for the rest of us. Expect real talk, fresh insight, and a reassuring take on the fast-changing world our young people are making their way in. Because they are, after all, the ultimate futures project. <p style

The Futures Project Podcast is a education podcast hosted by Cathy Walker, with 18 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Cathy Walker hosts The Futures Project Podcast, a education show with 18 episodes published.

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  Episode #3

  Tracking 50,000 Teenagers: What We're Learning About Adolescent Mental Health

  Nov 3, 202536 minS2

  <p>Our guest this episode is Professor John Gallacher, professor of cognitive health at Oxford University and Director of BrainWaves, the UK's largest cohort study focused specifically on adolescent mental health.</p><br><p>What makes this research remarkable isn't just its scale (30,000 16-year-olds, expanding to 50,000+ by 2026), but its fundamental approach: shifting from clinical intervention to population-level wellbeing.</p><br><p>Key themes we explore:</p>Why BrainWaves focuses specifically on 16-year-olds and the vision for this lifetime studyThe surprising parallel impact of social media use on both boys and girlsHow the decisions we make in adolescence have lifetime consequences...

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  Episode #2

  Applying to University : What Admissions Actually Look For (And How to Tailor Your Application)

  Oct 8, 202533 minS2

  <p>This time we're delighted to welcome Ishaaq Shafi, CEO and founder of ChatUniversity, who's using TikTok to revolutionise how young people approach university applications and super-curriculars.</p><br><p>We talked about how he's making higher education access more democratic, what admissions tutors are actually looking for (spoiler: it's not always what you think), and why the traditional application process is crying out for disruption.</p><br><p>Ishaaq shares the reality of navigating competitive applications processes, levelling the playing field, and how ChatUniversity is equipping students with genuine skills and confidence that can make a huge difference.</p><...

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  Episode #1

  Money, Mindset and Financial Education

  Sep 2, 202536 minS2

  <p>This episode, Cathy chats to Abigail Foster, Chartered Accountant and founder of Elent Finance, who's on a mission to demystify money for the next generation. </p><br><p>Having worked with the Bank of England, HMRC, and Downing Street, plus global giants like Google and Goldman Sachs, Abigail brings serious credentials to her passion for financial education.</p><br><p>In this episode, we explore what financial literacy really means for young people growing up in an uncertain economic landscape. Abigail shares insights from her new book "The Money Manual" and discusses why she believes we're failing our children...

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  Episode #15

  Feeling worried about the future?

  Aug 10, 202519 minS1

  <p>This Results Day Special episode comes to you mid-August, just as young people across the UK are preparing to open those all-important A-level and GCSE results envelopes.</p><br><p>Drawing on 25 years of supporting thousands of students and families through exam seasons, Cathy offers essential perspective and reassurance: whatever happens on results day, these outcomes are far from the be-all and end-all of any young person's future.</p><br><p>This episode explores:</p>why exam results don't define who you are or who you'll becomethe transferable skills that matter most in the 21st century workplacethe fruit tree...

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  Episode #14

  What Advice Would You Give Your Teenage Self?

  Jul 4, 202524 minS1

  <p>Summer stretching ahead and not sure what to do with it? This special retrospective episode brings together wisdom from every Futures Project Podcast guest - all answering the question 'what would you tell your teenage self?'</p><br><p>Whether you've just finished exams, you're thinking about Results Day, you're simply in that weird liminal space that summer creates - or you're a parent, carer or teacher with young people needing some guidance - this episode is for you. Perfect for walks, workouts, bus rides, or lazy afternoons when you need a gentle reminder that your future isn't...

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