Blethered

Blethered at the Ballot is a political podcast that pulls no punches, brings a laugh or two, and cuts straight through to the important matters without getting caught up in political jargon and meaningless soundbites.  The General Election is fast approaching and before we collectively decide who to put in power, we deserve to know the thoughts of those who currently have it, those who want i...

TICKETS: https://www.seetickets.com/event/blethered-with-sean-mcdonald/august-house/2926744 Blethered will be LIVE at August House in Glasgow city centre on Thursday 18th April with legendary broadcaster, journalist and entertainer Tam Cowan for a night of conversation, previously unheard stories from a long career in media, and basically just a right good laugh. This will be Blethered in its orig...

Phil and Martin Compston are back on the BBC with Martin Compston’s Norwegian Fling, their second series together, where they travel across Norway and experience some of what the country has to offer. In this episode, you’ll hear Phil talk to me about how going to Gaelic school set him on an interesting and unique career path... I find out how an innocuous conversation led to the commissioning of...

Greg is the General Manager of Dundee Football Club and CEO of the Dundee FC Community Trust, and has played his own key role in the resurgence of Dundee Football Club. That resurgence has manifested itself in both sporting progression, with the side producing a very impressive and - not to be disrespectful - but generally unexpected showing in this season’s Scottish Premiership. In this episode,...

Back in 2021, I put together three separate interviews, where I aimed to find out more about what it’s really like to live with HIV, and about the groundbreaking new treatment that Scotland is the first country in the world to offer.  Those guests are two men, Brian and David, who have been living with the virus for quite some time, and from Dr Nneka Nikwolo.  They each give me a persona...

Rhianna is a successful business owner with all the outward signs of success, but her journey there wasn’t a simple one. We talk about her upbringing in the town of Kilmarnock, and the issues of deprivation, addiction and community that exist in the area she comes from… Rhianna opens up in great detail about how she found herself homeless with two children and debt collectors close behind, before...

Ardgowan Hospice is a place of care for people living in Inverclyde who have been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, such as cancer, heart failure, lung disease, kidney failure or neurological conditions. They provide not only physical and medical support, but also important practical, emotional and social support to patients, and their families and carers. You'll hear from Ardgowan amba...

Capital FM DJ Meg recently moved from Glasgow to London, and we speak about the step up in her career and how she’s adjusted to being part of one of the biggest networks in UK radio…  Meg talks about the loss of her beloved dad, Michael, and how she channelled that emotion and energy into her podcast, McHugh Corner, which tackles hard-hitting subjects head-on…  And we chat about London L...

Back in December 2021, I sat down with Filmmaker and Director Stewart Kyasimire who talked to me about moving to Glasgow from Kenya at a young age... We discuss his BAFTA nominated documentary 'Black & Scottish', encountering racism, and the steely guidance of his Mum... And as, always, loads more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marie is the Founder and CEO of LS Productions, a company that was born around a kitchen table in 2006, and has now been featured in the Sunday Times 100 Fastest Growing Companies. You’ll hear Marie talk about how a chance meeting with her now-husband John planted the seed for what would go on to become LS Productions… She lays out the progression from a small business fighting for clients, to wor...

Originally from Leicester in England, fully adopted Scot Jess quickly became well known as a result her very popular Instagram account ‘Just Jess Food’ . What started as an enjoyable wee side-hustle sharing food recipes, rapidly culminated in her leaving a full-time job in fashion to become a content creator, podcaster, traveller and - in her own words - romanticiser of life. You’ll hear Jess expl...

Last year, I had the privilege of a long conversation with 95-year-old Tom McGoran, and hearing his crystal clear memories of life from the 1930's onwards.  You’ll hear Tom telling me about growing up in Glasgow in the 1930’s, the notorious Razor Gangs of the city, and what he and his pals got up to... We talk about the realities of World War Two and some fantastic insights into what life was like...

Danny Turner is the owner of Soul Suites in East Kilbride, a wellbeing facility that offers cold water immersion and infrared saunas. We discuss the self-appointed experts who lecture you on how cold water will solve every problem in your life... Danny explains the benefits of contrast therapy for body and mind, how it makes you feel, and why it makes you feel that way... And Danny talks to me abo...

Just a few years ago, Elspeth was in the grips of a severe eating disorder and at the worst point, was very realistically, not far off from death. Elspeth looks back on some key periods in her life, situations and events that compounded and led to a detrimental relationship with food, and how she was initially blind to the reality of it. You’ll hear about the layers of denial and deception to make...

* Classic Episode - Originally Released in March 2019 * Martin Melly joins me to talk about his battle with depression. We discuss his experience in detail, the things he felt and how the light started to emerge at the end of the tunnel. This was a candid and raw account of a very difficult time, but with a happy ending and an inspirational outlook. There are stories, examples and pieces of advice...

I'm joined by married couple - and business owners - Dr Conor and Adam Morgan. We talk about what inspired them to set up such a specific and unique company, and I hear about their early lives and how their paths led them to each other. Adam worried about coming out as , and losing his children The chaos of the pandemic being the foundation for their new business venture Why they pour so much of t...

Davinia Taylor tells me about her acting and TV career after starting out in Hollyoaks in the 90's… We talk about alcoholism, addiction and changing direction in life… And Davinia explains how she went from permanent party girl, to health and fitness fanatic, which has culminated in two Sunday Times Number 1 best-selling books. Davinia's Books www.dontfretaboutdebt.net/blethered/ Contact: seanmcd...

Danni talks to me about her life growing up in Scotland before ending up in London for work, She tells me about the horror incident after being hit by a stolen moped in London… And We talk TV, big breaks, A Place In The Sun and aspirations for the future. And as always, there’s plenty more. www.dontfretaboutdebt.net/blethered/ Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/s...

Eamonn Holmes has been on TV screens for over 40 years, and holds the distinction of being the world’s longest serving breakfast television anchor in the world. We talk about growing up during the Troubles in Northern Ireland... Eamonn tells me about his diverse and extensive career in media... And you’ll hear about some big names who became big pals, including the incomparable Sir Alex Ferguson,...

Jennie’s mum Margaret was diagnosed with cancer in 2006, and her first thought was to organise charity nights to raise money for others. Margaret sadly passed away two years later, but Jennie and her family have carried on those fundraising efforts right through to 2023. We talk about those fund-raising activities, including walking 80 miles in just three days in May of this year… Jennie tells me...

Glaswegian Poppy went on a gap year to Thailand when she was 17, and didn’t get on her return flight, instead choosing to set up home in Thailand, where she lived for six years, teaching English and working as a diving instructor.  A chance meeting with a foreign stranger then led to her moving to Copenhagen to be with him, but things didn’t go to plan. We talk about moving to Thailand, the excite...

Gabrielle started her podcast ‘Gift of the Gab’ in January this year, and has recently left her job in retail to pursue a career in broadcasting.  We talk about taking that plunge in spite of the usual fears and worries… Gabrielle tells me about her slightly unusual family background and how it’s shaped her personality...  And we talk about losing a parent, sexual assault and being a 12-year-old a...

Yvie is an opera singer and vocal coach to the stars, working with A List names in music, from Sam Smith to Lewis Capaldi.  Yvie tells me about her own journey as a performer, and the challenges of work and being a mother…  You’ll hear about how a chance conversation with Louis Walsh led to her becoming the resident vocal coach on Simon Cowell’s X Factor…  And we chat about Yvie’s new series ‘Scot...

95-year-old Tom recently held an exhibition of his incredible oil paintings, depicting 1930’s Glasgow, at the Forge, in Glasgow’s East End.  I was immediately captivated by the detail and quality of the paintings, and Tom’s reasoning for holding the exhibition in the first place: to leave his own legacy for those coming behind him.  You’ll hear Tom telling me about growing up in Glasgow in the 193...

Stephen recently participated in a gruelling three-day trek in the Arctic Circle with 15 other volunteers, in aid of the Celtic Foundation charity. Stephen tells me about the challenge, with the team facing temperatures of minus 25 degrees, while walking 30 km in one day and pulling their equipment… You’l hear about Stephen becoming separated from the group and panic starting to set in… And we tal...