The Action Factory Podcast
Quit Your Diet is Michael Dawson’s new book, course, and core focus right now—and it’s not about food, it’s about freedom. This podcast is where those ideas come to life. Rooted in decades of work with real people, Quit Your Diet offers a new approach to change—one based on how the mind actually works, not willpower, rules, or restriction. Michael Dawson is a behavior specialist with a long track record of helping people shift deep-set patterns and create lasting transformation. Trained in Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Clinical Hypnotherapy, and NLP, he’s spent over 40 years on the front lines—from building groundbreaking youth projects to working one-to-one with clients stuck in difficult loops. This podcast is inspired by those conversations—by what people are really up against, and by what actually helps. Right now, we’re exploring the tools behind Quit Your Diet—why diets don’t work, how beliefs shape behavior, and what it really takes to break out of stuck patterns. If you’re ready to think differently, change your habits, or just want to understand the mind a little better, you’re in the right place.
Episodes

Monday Nov 20, 2023
Monday Nov 20, 2023
Welcome to another Action Factory Podcast with me, Michael Dawson.
Before we begin this episode, here's a quick reminder: Don't miss my 30-minute webinar 'The BIG 4 in Youth Work.' You'll also get two powerful tools and my popular 'Brief Therapy Toolkit' eBook—already a hit with nearly 40,000 youth workers. Click below to subscribe and watch!"
WATCH THE FREE WEBINAR
Now, let's get started...
Body Language, NLP and residential Youth Work.
I’m Michael Dawson, and welcome to another episode of the Action Factory podcast where we are deep into the free audio course, “Neurolinguistic Programming in Residential Youth Work”.
For ten weeks, we will be breaking down NLP tools and examining ways of incorporating them into your daily work. I call them 'commutable chunks' because each episode can be listened to on the bus and practiced at work. This week, we delve into the transformative world of youth work through the power of body language.
I'll discuss the SMILE Toolkit, which I developed as a body language hack. It's become my secret weapon in revolutionizing how I approach residential work, and I’m excited to share its potential with you. Youth work is no longer just about counseling and guidance. It's about truly understanding and connecting with the young individuals we work with. It's about decoding the unspoken, understanding their silent cries, their hidden joys, their unexpressed fears, and so much more.
This podcast is your guide to understanding neurolinguistic programming, a key tool in reshaping youth work. Join me as I dive into the world of non-verbal communication, uncovering how small shifts in body language can make a significant impact. We'll explore practical applications of the SMILE Toolkit in a residential setting, revealing how you can harness this potent tool to revolutionize your work with youth. I'll be sharing valuable insights and tips, and discussing real-life examples and cases.
Moreover, I'll be offering this free training to help you master the nuances of body language and neurolinguistic programming. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting in the youth work sector, this podcast will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to foster a deeper connection with the young people you work with and truly make a difference in their lives.
So, join me in the greatest job in the world, as we revolutionize youth work, one gesture at a time.
Don’t forget to hit that subscribe button to make sure you don’t miss out on any of our upcoming sessions. And remember, the supporting notes are just a click away, ready to enhance your learning experience.
Visit us at www.theactionfactory.com
Grab the FREE DIGITAL NOTES

Monday Nov 13, 2023
#132 P2 Free NLP Audio Course - How the 70s Revolutionized Therapy
Monday Nov 13, 2023
Monday Nov 13, 2023
Welcome to another Action Factory Podcast with me, Michael Dawson.
Before we begin this episode, here's a quick reminder: Don't miss my 30-minute webinar 'The BIG 4 in Youth Work.' You'll also get two powerful tools and my popular 'Brief Therapy Toolkit' eBook—already a hit with nearly 40,000 youth workers. Click below to subscribe and watch!"
WATCH THE FREE WEBINAR
Now, let's get started...
I'm Michael Dawson from the Action Factory, and I am delighted to welcome you to session two of our audio course, "NLP in Residential Youth Work." If you're just tuning in, don’t worry - you can always hop back to session one and catch up with us. These insightful weekly sessions are always completely free of charge and delivered in commuter-sized chunks. Listen on the bus and deliver at work.
This is your golden opportunity to delve into the world of NLP and unlock its incredible potential for residential youth workers like you.
Remember to head over to theactionfactory.com to snag your free download with access to our treasure trove of training courses. While you’re there, I invite you to learn about my mission - to convince you that your role as a residential youth worker is,
'The Greatest Job in the World.'
In today's session, we’ll be taking a journey back to the 70s - a fascinating era that laid the groundwork for the development of NLP. We’ll explore the inception of NLP and the profound impact it has had on the field of psychology and therapy. From the visionaries who pioneered this groundbreaking technique to the innovative ways it can be applied in youth work today, this session is packed with valuable insights and actionable takeaways.
So, let’s dive into the incredible world of NLP and uncover the secrets to becoming an even more effective and impactful residential youth worker. Don’t forget to hit that subscribe button to make sure you don’t miss out on any of our upcoming sessions. And remember, the supporting notes are just a click away, ready to enhance your learning experience. Let's get started!
Visit us at www.theactionfactory.com
Grab the FREE DIGITAL NOTES

Monday Nov 06, 2023
#131 P1 Free 10-part audio course, ”NLP in Residential Youth Work.”
Monday Nov 06, 2023
Monday Nov 06, 2023
Welcome to another Action Factory Podcast with me, Michael Dawson.
Before we begin this episode, here's a quick reminder: Don't miss my 30-minute webinar 'The BIG 4 in Youth Work.' You'll also get two powerful tools and my popular 'Brief Therapy Toolkit' eBook—already a hit with nearly 40,000 youth workers. Click below to subscribe and watch!"
WATCH THE FREE WEBINAR
Now, let's get started...
I'm Michael Dawson from the Action Factory, and I'm thrilled to kick off session one of our free 10-part audio course, "NLP in Residential Youth Work."
In this session, we're going to lay the groundwork for the transformative journey ahead. We'll delve into the fascinating origins of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) along with my rode colored memories of the 70's. We unpack the basic key ideas that form the foundation of this powerful tool. Consider this your roadmap as we prepare to dive deep into the rich landscape of NLP in the coming weeks.
And, as the course title suggests, every lesson will be crafted within the framework of residential youth work. We're not just learning about NLP in a vacuum - we're exploring how these tools and techniques can be applied directly to your day-to-day interactions and challenges as a residential youth worker. This is practical, actionable knowledge that you can start using immediately.
The best part? This entire course is completely free. We believe in the power of NLP and we want to make sure these tools are accessible to everyone.
You can download the notes for each session and get your hands on the free PDF that accompanies this podcast, ensuring you have all the resources you need to fully immerse yourself in the world of NLP.
So, without further ado, let's jump in and explore the fascinating world of NLP and unlock the potential it holds for transforming your approach to residential youth work.
Don't forget to hit that subscribe button to ensure you don't miss out on any of the upcoming lessons. Let's get started!
Visit us at www.theactionfactory.com
Get the session DOWNLOAD NOTES HERE

Monday Oct 30, 2023
#130 Walking on fire - All things residential youth work.
Monday Oct 30, 2023
Monday Oct 30, 2023
Welcome to another Action Factory Podcast with me, Michael Dawson.
Before we begin this episode, here's a quick reminder: Don't miss my 30-minute webinar 'The BIG 4 in Youth Work.' You'll also get two powerful tools and my popular 'Brief Therapy Toolkit' eBook—already a hit with nearly 40,000 youth workers. Click below to subscribe and watch!"
WATCH THE FREE WEBINAR
Now, let's get started...
Welcome to the Action Factor podcast, your go-to source for all things residential youth work. I'm Michael Dawson.
If you're passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of young people and navigating the intricate world of residential youth work, you've come to the right place.
In today's episode, we're diving into a journey that promises to make subscribing to this podcast an irresistible choice.
What sets our newer format apart?
Well, we're not just here to talk; we're here to empower. We're rolling out a series of free courses and an abundance of extras designed specifically for residential youth workers who aspire to be better at what they do.
Whether you're an experienced youth worker, just starting out, or someone with a curiosity about this vital field, stay tuned because we've got exciting content and a game-changing course on the horizon. So, let's address the questions you might have: Where have I been? Why should you care? And why is this all connected to subscribing? The answers lie ahead, and I promise you, it's a journey you won't want to miss. So, without further ado, let's get started.
Visit us at www.theactionfactory.com
Grab the free digital download here.
BIG Four Download

Wednesday Dec 21, 2022
#128 Pam Grout will believe me.
Wednesday Dec 21, 2022
Wednesday Dec 21, 2022
Welcome to another Action Factory Podcast with me, Michael Dawson.
Before we begin this episode, here's a quick reminder: Don't miss my 30-minute webinar 'The BIG 4 in Youth Work.' You'll also get two powerful tools and my popular 'Brief Therapy Toolkit' eBook—already a hit with nearly 40,000 youth workers. Click below to subscribe and watch!"
WATCH THE FREE WEBINAR
Now onwards we go..
"If you agree to become guest on my podcast then I can't promise you'll sell a million books."
The fact that I wrote these words in my email to Pam and she still agreed to talk to me only increased my admiration for her work. In fact if you are one of those closet woo woo people who believe in the law of manifestation then who better to come out to than Pam herself.
Pam has written 20 books and countless articles for publishing royalty including, Family Circle, CNN, Washington Post and many more.
Her book E-Squared (one of my favourites) topped the New York Times bestseller list and has been translated into 40 languages.
There's a video version of our brief chat on our YouTube channel or the podcast website under the video menu if your finding this elsewhere.
Visit us at www.theactionfactory.com
Grab the free digital download here.
BIG Four Download
I guess you're also wanting to find out more about Pam and her work. Click below to go to her website and check out the books and free fun things to add a smile to your day.
Pam Grout Books

The Solution Focused Toolkit
Michael is the developer of the solutions toolkit, a framework for working with young people in a care environment.
An approach that he believes should be the standard in the care industry.
- Top ten sales person by industry
- Author of 12 fat ladies
- Author of The Solution Focused Toolkit
- Founder member of the Family Intervention Team
- Managed North Manchesters Mental Health Project
Get the full audio course at www.theactionfactory.com
Subscribe to the podcast at www.theactionfactorypodcast.com