Blethered

Earlier this year, Sarah Rhind released her autobiography, ‘Scars Under the Jersey’, detailing a life filled with personal challenges, and some incredible personal achievements. We talk about being in the grips of a serious heroin addiction, and we get an insight into just how that can happen, the difficulty in overcoming it, and the wisdom accrued after leaving that in the past. Sarah also talks...

Try Coachly For Free Six years after his first appearance on Blethered, legendary Scottish songwriter Graham Lyle is back, fresh from being inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York alongside Taylor Swift, Alanis Morissette and Gene Simmons. We talk about that extraordinary night, recognition at home in Scotland, and his recent sit-down with myself and First Minister John Swinney at B...

The Lindsay Clancy case in America has been one of the most scrutinised, analysed and talked-about cases in a long time. Clancy is a Massachusetts mother who killed her three young children in 2023, in a case centred on whether she was criminally responsible or suffering from postpartum psychosis. Her trial very recently ended with a hung jury, meaning that a decision could not be reached. One of...

Try Coachly For Free Karen Koren founded the Gilded Balloon on Edinburgh's Cowgate in 1986. Her daughter Katy joined the business in 2014 and now runs it alongside her. In this episode, Karen and Katy join me to talk about building the venue from a single 150-seat theatre into one of the defining names of the Edinburgh Fringe, the comedians they helped launch, the fire that destroyed their origina...

Download Coachly on The App Store Filmmaker and Cosmic Cat Films founder Ged Fitzsimmons joins me for a wide-ranging conversation about filmmaking, creativity and finding your way into an industry that can be notoriously difficult to navigate. Ged talks about his unconventional route into film, building Cosmic Cat Films, and becoming an impact producer, using cinema as a vehicle for social change....

Coachly: Your Personal Trainer on the App Store If you grew up in the UK during the 2000s, you'll almost certainly know Jodie Marsh. Whether it was the tabloids, reality TV or front-page headlines, she became one of the country's most recognisable public figures. But how much of that was the real Jodie, and how much was a carefully crafted persona? We begin with her childhood and the severe bullyi...

Dennis Locorriere - 1949 / 2026 Dennis Locorriere has been the voice of Dr Hook for over 50 years, achieving number 1’s in 42 countries and countless gold and platinum records. We talk about Dennis’ early days in New Jersey and the formation of Dr Hook, and how Sylvia’s Mother put them on the map… plus the true story of the REAL Sylvia and her mother… We discuss Dr Hook’s stratospheric success and...

I was joined live on stage in Glasgow by Zack Polanski, Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, Holly Bruce MSP, and comedian Amanda Dwyer. Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I sit down wirth Gillian Mackay, as we look to a new era in Scottish politics. Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Billy Boyd was one half of Silibil n Brains, the Scottish duo behind one of the most notorious bluffs in music industry history. But according to him, the version you know isn’t quite the truth. Italian Language Exchange Laungh Night Party At Amore, Glasgow! contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is about how justice and humanity can intersect, and what happens when you treat people like they can still be more than the worst thing they’ve ever done. I’m viscerally aware of how serious crimes affect victims - I’ve felt that pain myself, but every conversation needs space for nuance. And in this episode, you’ll hear former Barlinnie prison officer Frank and I have a very detaile...

Angela Landers is a teacher of transcendental meditation at the TM Centre in Glasgow, recently displaced following the vape-shop fire on Union Street. In this conversation, we explore what transcendental meditation actually is, what it does to the mind and body, and why more people are turning inwards in a world that feels increasingly loud, constant, and overwhelming. We get into the crossover be...

Derek McEwan is preparing to take on the Marathon des Sables, a six-day, 250km ultra-marathon across the Sahara, where runners carry their own supplies and face extreme heat and cold. He’s doing it to raise money for the Catherine McEwan Foundation, set up in memory of his mum, who died aged 37 after living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease for 21 years. The charity supports people dealing with chro...

Ally Begg’s life has taken some extraordinary turns. From growing up in Aberdeen dreaming of playing for Aberdeen FC, to becoming a member of 90s boyband Bad Boys Inc , his journey then moved into the world of football broadcasting. From Manchester United's MUTV and Celtic TV to becoming the face of football across South East Asia, Ally built a global career in sports media. But a serious near-dea...

In this episode I’m joined by Stephen Wright and Edward Kelly , partners at KPW Investments , a Glasgow-based firm managing over £500 million in assets on behalf of clients. I’ve always been interested in impressive and inspiring people, and it’s hard not to be impressed by two relatively young professionals who’ve earned the trust and responsibility of managing that level of wealth for individual...

Brought to you by Sports Therapy Scotland Born in South Africa and living in Dubai, sports fanatic Tylan left behind a life on the corporate ladder and co-founded Dead Man’s Clique - a brand centred around adrenaline-based activities, combat sports, fitness, tattoos and a thriving social environment. As ‘Head of Danger’ at DMC - he threw himself into the deep end of absolutely everything, and life...

Michael McEwan is a journalist and broadcaster from Glasgow, with a unique perspective on the world. A former Blethered guest, Michael has cerebral palsy, but has never defined himself by that. After some chats back and forth, Michael expressed that he felt he was categorised in a certain way, and lamented what he felt was a lack of opportunity for him in professional terms. I had the idea to hand...

Craig first gained attention by walking from Hampden to Munich for Scotland’s Euros campaign. He’s now taking on a far bigger challenge, a 3,000-mile walk across the US, raising funds for SAMH ahead of the World Cup. We talk about how the idea came about, his affinity with the Germans, and just what he can expect as he undertakes this mammoth challenge. And, as always, loads more. Sports Therapy S...

Published ahead of the Netflix documentary on the Lucy Letby case, available to stream from February 4th. I'm joined by lawyer and registered midwife Jaimie McGready to discuss the trial and conviction of serial killer Lucy Letby. Letby was recently convicted of the murder of six newborn babies, and the attempted murder of seven more, in what was the longest murder trial in British legal history....

Billy Porter's name is synonymous with Glasgow in the 1980s and 90s, where he was a hugely popular comedian in the pubs, clubs and venues of Glasgow and the west of Scotland. Known for his quick thinking, sharp wit and on-the-edge humour, he was a cult favourite, and since his move to Tenerife in 2008, he’s been a must-see for any Scots travelling to the island on holiday.  Billy tells me abo...

Roz Foyer is the General Secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress and one of the most influential voices in the Scottish labour movement. With decades of experience representing workers across public and private sectors, she is a leading advocate on fair work, pay, equality, and employment rights.  In practical terms, she represents the collective voice of hundreds of thousands of work...

This is the story of two Scottish rappers who pretended to be American, signed to the biggest record label on earth, made a fortune, toured with Eminem and D12, appeared on MTV, recorded multiple albums, before eventually being rumbled.  I’m joined by Gavin Bain - one half of the now defunct rap duo Silibil N' Brains - who originated in the Scottish city of Dundee. After multiple rejections,...

Spanish language exchange at Ziques in Hyndland, Glasgow 6th January 2026 5-7pm & 7-9pm Unlimited pintxos! Enjoy a relaxed setting with native speakers and learners of all levels Open to all TICKETS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scotland heads into an election while housing, public services and the cost of living pile pressure onto people’s lives. In that climate, the Greens are trying to set out what they stand for – after time in government and time out of it – and explain the role they believe they can play in Scotland’s future. Against the rise of the far right across Europe and growing political frustration at home,...

Recorded live at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall for Aye Write 2025 book festival This episode digs into why so many young men are being drawn into the darker corners of the internet, and what’s actually happening inside those spaces. I sit down with journalist James Bloodworth and author Chris McQueer , whose new books approach the same world from different angles. One through investigation, the o...