Alpha Bites

About Alpha Bites

Made by humans, backed by experts, and built with parents, AlphaBites explores the realities of raising children in a rapidly changing world. Join us as we challenge old assumptions and rewrite the narrative on parenting. Our community wanted more so we delved even deeper and created a community behind the pod. Join us at 'Is it Normal?' https://substack.com/@alphabites

Publisher

Kate Pattison and Lucy Sutton

Category

education · kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

20 May 2024

Latest episode

13 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

40 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   13 Jul 2026

   EP 14: The signs- Autism and ADHD

   Autism, ADHD and the Myths We Need to Retire, with Cathy Wassell This week we're joined by Cathy Wassell, founder and CEO of Autistic Girls Network and The Haven, and author of the best-selling book Nurturing Your Autistic Young Person. Cathy's own journey started when her daughter was diagnosed autistic at 13, during a mental health crisis, after years of nobody suggesting it. That experience led her to build one of the UK's leading communities supporting autistic girls and their families, and more recently, an online school for young people who've fallen out of mainstream education entirely. In this episode we talk about: Why girls are diagnosed on average six years later than boys, and what "internalising" vs "externalising" autism actually means Masking (and why it's rarely a conscious choice, especially in kids) How to spot the signs at home when your child holds it together all day at school Why autism and ADHD so often show up together, and what that "tug of war" in the brain can look like day to day The myth of autistic people lacking empathy, and why Cathy wants it retired for good. Why autonomy is one of the most important things you can offer a neurodivergent child, even when it's hard to hand over control What The Haven is doing differently for young people who've been out of school for months or years A few of Cathy's key lines: Masking is a survival technique, not a deliberate act Behaviour that looks "sudden" almost never is, you just didn't see the build-up If you accept your child's autonomy, you have to accept they get to say no sometimes too Some autistic people, especially autistic girls, have hyper-empathy, not none at all Resources mentioned: Autistic Girls Network's white paper, Autism, Girls and Keeping It All Inside (includes their symptom checklist) The Haven, Autistic Girls Network's online school Books recommended by Cathy's trustee Emily, and by Pete Wharmby Find Cathy and Autistic Girls Network: Website: autisticgirlsnetwork.org The Haven: thehavenonline.school Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn: Autistic Girls Network

2. 

   1 Jun 2026

   EP 13: Why your kids know less about money than they do about Roblox with Rebecca Congreve

   In this conversation, Kate and Lucy speak with Becky Congreve, a teacher, phase leader, and founder of Cash Academy — and someone who knows first-hand what happens when money is never talked about at home. Becky grew up in a household where money was firmly behind closed doors. The most she got was "we can't afford it" — no explanation, no conversation, just move on. It wasn't until she lost her mum at 16 that the full picture emerged: loans on top of loans, funding a lifestyle that looked fine from the outside. That moment became the catalyst for everything she does now. Because here's the thing — that silence didn't end with our parents' generation. In 2026, a third of parents still don't talk openly to their children about money. Not because they don't want to, but because it still feels uncomfortable, or they don't feel confident enough themselves. Sound familiar? Becky is on a mission to change that. The discussion digs into why financial literacy in schools barely scratches the surface — coins in maths, a bit of PSHE, and not much else — and why that gap matters more than ever in a world of tap-to-pay, Roblox dollars, and influencers being paid to flog products your kids are convinced they need. She challenges the idea that money is an adult topic, and makes a genuinely compelling case for weaving these conversations into everyday family life — the supermarket, the holiday budget, the moment your child asks for the third activity this term. Becky shares how her own seven-year-old has already saved £300 towards horse riding lessons, simply because she was given the knowledge and the agency to make that choice herself. No tears, no tantrums — just questions. That's what happens when you swap "we can't afford it" for "let me show you why." We also go inside the Cash Academy pop-up money town — a hands-on, immersive workshop that travels into schools and lets children act as taxpayers, government officials, and consumers. It links to maths, PSHE, and oracy without adding to teachers' plates, and every single school Becky has visited (bar two) has seen children put the NHS at the top of their government spending list. Make of that what you will. This episode is a call to be the generation that actually breaks the cycle — that raises children who are curious about money, not scared of it. It starts at home. It starts now. Everything that goes with this episode is on our Substack. Tips, prompts, the full community. Come find us 👇 AlphaBites Substack (https://substack.com/@alphabites)

3. 

   5 May 2026

   EP 12: Raising humans not egos !

   In this conversation, Kate and Lucy speak with Matt Bawler, an early years education specialist passionate about transforming how we support children's mental health and development from the very beginning. Drawing on his childhood in Kenya and his career in education, Matt explores how early experiences shape lifelong wellbeing, and why the foundational years are critical in building resilience, agency, and emotional literacy. The discussion challenges traditional education models that prioritise knowledge transmission over human development, and instead advocates for a shift toward nurturing confidence, self-esteem, and character. Matt shares practical insights on how storytelling, play, and safe risk-taking can help children thrive, and highlights the importance of collaboration between parents, educators, and children. Ultimately, this episode reframes resilience—not as toughness, but as the ability to seek support—and calls for a more proactive, preventative approach to mental health.

Who has been a guest on Alpha Bites

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Kirstie Beavan
• Leanna Barrett
• Dr Barton

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

10 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 58 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

75

Social presence

91

YouTube

0

Engagement

60

Contact Alpha Bites

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.