The One Where I Felt Seen

This month on The Resilient Kid Podcast, we’re exploring a powerful theme: one person who made a difference in your life.

In this episode, Ashley is joined by friend of the show, Sarah Vogel, for a thoughtful and heartfelt conversation about the person who changed the direction of Sarah’s life — a colleague and dear friend, Dr Elaine Swan.

What started as one simple comment in a London department store in the late 1980s became the first domino in a chain of events that shaped Sarah’s future. From seeing herself differently, to going to university as a mature student, to building a life and career that has impacted so many others, Sarah reflects on the incredible ripple effect of being truly seen by someone.

Together, Ashley and Sarah talk about confidence, education, risk, resilience, and why one conversation really can change the trajectory of a life.

This episode is a beautiful reminder that sometimes it only takes one adult, one moment, or one belief in someone to make all the difference.

In this episode, we cover:

• The person who made a lasting difference in Sarah’s life
• How one comment planted the seed for university and a completely different future
• Why being seen by another person can change how we see ourselves
• The ripple effect of confidence and encouragement
• How Sarah now helps others see strengths they may not yet recognise in themselves
• Why young people need real-life opportunities to build confidence
• The importance of conversations, risk-taking, and resilience in growing up
• How small moments of belief can create lifelong impact

Key reflections from this conversation:

• Children and young people often rise — or shrink — to the expectations placed around them
• One conversation can become the start of something much bigger
• Confidence is often built in everyday moments, not grand gestures
• Supportive adults do not need to be perfect to make a difference — they just need to show up
• Helping someone feel seen, capable, and valued can stay with them for life

About Sarah Vogel

Sarah Vogel is a coach, facilitator, mediator, and leadership expert who helps people and organisations have better, braver, and more effective conversations. Through her work with PDA, she supports leaders to build confidence, influence, accountability, and stronger relationships at work.

Sarah is also passionate about helping young people develop confidence, communication skills, and resilience early in life — so they can step into the world feeling more grounded, capable, and connected.

Mentioned in this episode:

• PDA and the work Sarah and David do around leadership, coaching, mediation, and communication
• Sarah’s growing work in schools around confidence and transition
• The importance of helping young people build interpersonal and life skills
• Womanifest teen tickets now on sale

A note for parents and professionals

This episode is a reminder that you may never fully know the impact you are having on a child or young person.

A conversation.
A vote of confidence.
A moment of encouragement.
A belief they borrow before they can find their own.

It all matters.

And often, the things that feel small to us are the very things they remember for years to come.

Connect and share

If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who has made a difference in your life — or with someone who may need the reminder that their presence matters more than they know.

And as you listen, maybe ask yourself:

Who was that one person for you?
And perhaps even more importantly…
Who might you be that person for now?

Teen Event Mention

Teen tickets are now on sale for Womanifest, where Ashley and Sarah will be hosting dedicated teen sessions focused on confidence, body positivity, resilience, relationships, and emotional wellbeing. - https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Crewe/Delamere-Events-Ltd/Womanifest-2026/41123458/

It will be a space for teens to feel supported, inspired, and equipped with tools they can take into everyday life.

We are building a community of people who want to be that person for more children, in more places. So if something in this episode has resonated with you, and you have ever felt that pull to make a difference not only in your own family but in your wider community too, that is exactly why we created our franchise - https://theresilienthub.co.uk/trh-franchise 

Time Stamps:

00:00 One Person Matters
01:14 Meet Sarah Vogel
01:44 Elaine Swan Story
04:36 University Domino Effect
07:50 Coaching Confidence Ripples
12:50 What PDA Actually Does
16:52 Confidence Gaps Today
17:58 Saturday Jobs And Skills
24:39 Let Kids Take Risks
28:29 Thanking Elaine Today
34:14 Wrap Up And Event Plug
36:16 Final Reflection And Franchise

Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/na4FG7_n3Cw 

Spotify Link: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/ashley-costello/episodes/The-One-Where-I-Felt-Seen-e3h2905 

Guest Links

Website: www.contactpda.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ContactPDA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contactpda
Email: sarah@contactpda.com

Find out more & Links:

• An Educator's Guide to Raising Resilient Learners (Waitlist): https://theresilienthub.co.uk/educators-guide-waitlist

• The Resilient School training and consultancy: https://theresilientschool.co.uk/trs-services

• A Parents' Guide to Raising a Resilient Kid: https://amzn.eu/d/0196zmiI

• Newsletter sign-up: https://theresilienthub.co.uk/newsletter-signup

• Main website: https://theresilienthub.co.uk/

Follow us on Social Media:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resilientkiduk

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theresilientkid

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/resilientkid

• Email: ashley@theresilientkid.co.uk

The Resilient Kid Podcast is produced by Chantelle Venter at maddatu.com on behalf of The Resilient People, trading as The Resilient Kid, The Resilient Teen and The Resilient School.