Seasonal Discussions

In this episode (sponsored by KLT Networking), Chris sits down with Amanda and Bob Law from Amanda Law Mortgages to explore the journey behind the business and the family that powers it. Amanda shares how she built her career in finance and took the leap to launch her own mortgage business, while Bob reflects on his career in the oil and gas sector before making the decision to join the company fu...

Aberdeen is home to an incredible range of musicians and artists, but many never get the exposure they deserve. Glen Gauld, founder of North City Signal, explains how his platform is helping shine a spotlight on local talent, capture live performances, and build a stronger creative community in the North East of Scotland. We discuss: • Glen's background and journey into music production through NE...

In this episode, I sit down with Lesley-Ann, better known as TokOfTheDeen, to discuss how she has built a thriving online community in just 14 months. What started as a way of exercising creative expression through creating content has grown into something much bigger. Lesley-Ann shares how she uses her platform to champion independent businesses, highlight hidden gems across Aberdeen, and create...

When Chloe Watson was invited to give a TEDx talk, she didn't feel ready. Today, Chloe is a content creator, sustainable fashion advocate, and TEDx Aberdeen speaker whose talk, Confessions of a Fast Fashion Addict, challenged the way we think about clothing consumption and fast fashion. In this episode, Chloe shares the reality behind stepping onto the TEDx stage, the self-doubt she faced beforeha...

In this episode, I sit down with Kirsty Clements and Laura Harrington, Festival Directors of the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention (NAFCo), as we explore one of the most significant traditional music events coming to Aberdeen this year. We discuss the origins of NAFCo, what makes the convention unique, and why its return to the Granite City is such an important moment for the North East of Scotland...

In this episode, I sit down with Drew Markou from Vanilla Ink The Smiddy for a wide-ranging conversation about creativity, craftsmanship, and community in the north east of Scotland. We explore the history of silversmithing and metalwork in Banff, how traditional skills are being preserved and reimagined for a modern audience, and the role organisations like Vanilla Ink The Smiddy play in supporti...

This week, Chris is joined by George Brown, founder of Forma Designs Collective in Aberdeen. We discuss how Forma evolved from a university project into a growing business, the realities of building a creative company from home, and how production has gradually taken over every spare bit of space, including industrial machines running almost constantly from a spare room/workshop. George also talks...

How do you go from starting out in body piercing to building your own respected studio in Aberdeen? In this weeks episode of Seasonal Discussions, Nathan from Utopia Body Arts shares his full story, from discovering body piercing as a career, to opening his own business, moving to Scotland, and becoming part of Aberdeen’s creative community. We also dive into: • Entrepreneurship and taking risks •...

In this episode, Chris sits down with Julie and Nicola from KIN, Aberdeen’s newest creative charity, to find out how it all got started. We talk about how the two first met, with Nicola teaching at university and Julie joining as one of her mature students, and how that relationship eventually grew into a shared vision for supporting Aberdeen’s creative community. We also dive into: • The inspirat...

In this episode, Chris sits down with Katie Watson, Relationship Manager at the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, UK Rising Star award winner, and board member of Aberdeen Young Professionals. Still in her early 20s, Katie has quickly become one of the most recognisable and fast-rising names in the Aberdeen business community. But her journey didn’t happen by accident. We dive into how...

Gary works a full-time 9–5… but built this on the side. From printing onto skateboards to creating an Aberdeen-based clothing brand, this is how Doric Studios started. In this episode, we talk about how it all began, learning screen printing from scratch, and what it’s really like running your own business alongside a full time job. Whether you’re thinking about starting something yourself or just...

What does it REALLY take to plan a golf trip to Scotland? In this episode, Chris sits down with David Harris, founder of Bonnie Wee Golf, to break down the reality behind golf tourism in Scotland, from how far in advance you need to book (it’s longer than you think) to what actually goes into planning a world-class golf experience. With over 20 years in the industry and recent recognition as Golf...

This week on Seasonal Discussions, things get…a little unhinged (in the best way). I’m joined by Mark Thouless from Flux, a brand agency that doesn’t just talk about making brands happen, they actually give a sh*t about doing it properly. But don’t expect a neat, buttoned-up branding masterclass…that’s not how this conversation goes. Instead, we get into the real stuff: Why branding so often misse...

What happens when a family business faces loss and has to find a way forward? In this episode, Chris sits down with Rachael Wright and Tanya MacDonald from Securastore in Aberdeen to talk about legacy, leadership, and stepping into new roles after the passing of Tanya’s brother & Rachael's husband, David. We cover: • Taking over a family business and what that really means • Navigating grief w...

This weeks Seasonal Discussions is sponsored by Stellar Blue Accounting Services. https://www.stellar-blue.co.uk https://www.linkedin.com/company/stellar-blue-accounting-services/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576312027266 In this episode, Chris sits down with Jill Butler-Rennie to explore her journey from marine biology into the world of event hosting. Jill shares how she transitioned...

In this weeks episode, Chris sits down with Ruby & Sara Smith from Stellar Blue Accounting to talk about her children’s book "Ruby the Loveable Labrador", the story behind it, and how it’s helping raise funds for a charity in Aberdeen. Purchase YOUR copy of Ruby The Loveable Labrador: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ruby-Loveable-Labrador-Sara-Smith/dp/1837093164 Follow Stellar Blue Accounting: https...

In this episode, independent Aberdonian filmmaker Ross Milne returns to the podcast to talk about the upcoming release of his film Oldburgh, its success on the film festival circuit, and the early stages of his next project, Loch Hands. We also discuss what really goes on behind the scenes of low-budget filmmaking, from working with a small crew to the challenges and rewards of bringing an indepen...

In this weeks episode of Seasonal Discussions, Chris is joined by Iska Walter, founder and creative mind behind Iska Birnie Photography. Iska takes us on a journey through her initial forays into photography as a childhood hobby and how that developed into a fully fledged brand photography business. Throughout it all, her love of animals (especially horses) has never waivered, bringing her horse S...

In this episode, Chris sits down with Beth Wallace, a radio presenter, DJ, and event organiser based in Aberdeen, for a relaxed and honest conversation about her journey into broadcasting. Beth shares how she transitioned from working in mental health into radio, and how that decision led to opportunities across multiple stations including Mearns FM, Original 106, and even appearances on BBC Radio...

This year, five ordinary men are taking on one of the toughest endurance challenges on the planet: The World’s Toughest Row, a 3,000-mile journey across the Atlantic Ocean. No support boats. No shortcuts. Just relentless waves, brutal sleep deprivation, and weeks in the middle of the open ocean. But this isn’t just about endurance. They’re rowing for something bigger than themselves. In this episo...

What does it really take to go from competitive powerlifting and strongman to becoming a successful strength coach and personal trainer? In this episode, Chris is joined by Bret Gillies, founder of Infinite Power Coaching, to break down his journey through strongman competitions, powerlifting platforms, and into coaching athletes across multiple sports, plus his mission to get the next generation...

Life Between Scripts is a laid-back conversation with Chris Watt, an independent screenwriter from Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. We talk about his journey into writing, working outside the traditional industry, and the realities of balancing creativity with everyday life. An honest chat about finding your own path, staying motivated, and making space for stories in between everything else.

Erin Walker, founder of Pink Sphynx Media, shares the real story behind starting her own production company in Aberdeen, from creative risk to building a sustainable future for the industry. In this conversation, we explore entrepreneurship, identity, and what the creative sector needs to move forward in Scotland. See more from Pink Sphynx Media: https://pinksphynxmedia.co.uk https://www.instagram...

We have had an incredible 2025 and it's all thanks to you Aberdeen. The engagement from the business and creative communities in the city has been fantastic and we will be continuing that into 2026 and beyond. We want to share as many of Aberdeen's stories as possible and it is a challenge we are 100% ready for. Thank you Aberdeen, let's keep it growing! Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://...

Discover the story behind the Academy of Expressive Arts (AEA) in Aberdeen as I sit down with founder Shanna Logan for an in-depth and inspiring conversation. In this episode, Shanna shares her journey from studying performing arts in Aberdeen to advancing her education in London, and how those experiences led to the creation of AEA. Keep up to date with AEA by following them online: https://acade...