Talk Media

Stuart and Eamonn will be back in your pod feeds on Wednesday 18th August with a brand new series of Talk Media. As ever, they'll be joined by weekly guest commentators from the worlds of journalism, entertainment and politics.  Over the next few months, they're going to be answering your questions about the media, the podcast and other topical subjects. Be inventive, creative and serious. Go to t...

Stuart and Eamonn discuss their press conference experiences and talk about how these staged events work (originally published on Patreon in July 2020). For more information about the podcast, go to: www.thebiglight.com/talkmedia

Stuart and Eamonn discuss the positive and negative impacts of technology on a variety of media projects (originally released on Patreon in April 2020). Series 3 starts on Wednesday 18th August. For more information about the podcast, go to: www.thebiglight.com/talkmedia

Stuart and Eamonn discuss the art of the interview (originally published on Patreon in September 2020). Series 3 starts on Wednesday 18th August. For more information about the podcast, visit: www.thebiglight.com/talkmedia 

Stuart and Eamonn discuss ideas for projects that were eventually developed and produced by somebody else (originally published on Patreon in October 2020). Series 3 starts on Wednesday 18th August. For more information about the podcast, go to: www.thebiglight.com/talkmedia

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by broadcaster Afua Adom. This week - the fallout from the EURO 2020 final, Willie Rennie’s legacy as leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats and space tourism. At the end of the show, Stuart, Eamonn and Afua share their media recommendations. Note: We’re taking a 4-week summer break. In the meantime, we’ll be releasing previously recorded bonus episodes on the main f...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by Dorothy Byrne - former Channel 4 Head of News and Current Affairs. This week - holding power to account, the privatisation of Channel 4, COVID unlocking in Scotland and media salaries. At the end of the show, the trio go on to share their media recommendations. RECOMMENDATIONS: Stuart: ‘Repentance’ - book by by Eloísa Díaz -www.goodreads.com/book/show/56149991-repen...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by returning guest commentator, Shona Craven. This week - reactions to Matt Hancock’s resignation as Health Secretary, a new report on Islamophobia in Scotland and the traumatic life of Britney Spears. Vote for Talk Media in this year’s Listeners’ Choice Award (Great British Podcasts): www.britishpodcastawards.com/vote RECOMMENDATIONS: Stuart: ‘Changes: An Oral History...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by former BBC Scotland Special/Science Correspondent, Kenneth Macdonald! This week - reactions to Scottish football fans in London, Brian Wilson’s article in The Stornoway Gazette about Highlands & Islands broadcasting and GB News Fails. Brian Wilson’s article: www.stornowaygazette.co.uk/business/please-bbc-give-us-back-a-decent-radio-highland-like-it-used-to-be-327137...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by journalist, author and peace ambassador, Tasnim Nazeer. This week - COVID unlocking in Scotland and England, the launch of GB News, Scotland’s Euro coverage and Indiana Jones in the UK. At the end of the show, Stuart, Eamonn and Tasnim share their personal media recommendations. Tasnim’s campaign for diversity: www.tasnimnazeer.com/my-campaign-for-diversity-gets-res...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by writer and broadcaster, Paddy Duffy. This week a major internet outage on Tuesday 8 June, has the Trump bubble burst?, Scotland in the Euros and issues related to the G7 summit. At the end of the episode, the trio share their personal media recommendations. RECOMMENDATIONS: Stuart: ‘The Criminals Thought the Devices Were Secure. But the Seller Was the F.B.I.’ - New...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined again by theatre critic and political journalist, Joyce McMillan. This week – SNP and Greens discuss a cooperation deal, Paul Dacre rejected as Ofcom chair, Arlene Foster awarded £125k damages in libel case and Naomi Osaka withdraws from French Open. At the end of the episode, Stuart, Eamonn and Joyce share their personal media recommendations. RECOMMENDATIONS: Stuart:...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by journalist and broadcaster, Lesley Riddoch. This week - reactions to Dominic Cummings’ evidence to MPs, the fallout from the Dyson Report, immigration policy in Scotland and the hijacking of a Ryanair flight. At the end of the episode, Stuart, Eamonn and Lesley go on to share their personal media recommendations. Bonus episodes are available via Patreon - join the T...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined again by writer and broadcaster, Steve Richards! This week - Rangers FC fans in Glasgow, Martin Bashir and Panorama, Labour’s fly-on-the-wall documentary and the Israel/Palestine conflict. At the end of the episode, Stuart, Eamonn and Steve share their personal media recommendations. RECOMMENDATIONS: Stuart: [Recommended to Stuart by @couldasaid on Twitter] ‘Collective...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined again by writer and journalist, Angela Haggerty! This week - the Holyrood election results, the sentencing of Craig Murray and ongoing issues related to COVID coverage in Scotland, England and India. At the end of the episode, Stuart, Eamonn and Angela share their personal media recommendations. RECOMMENDATIONS: Stuart: ‘Mandy Harris Williams Is Challenging You To #Bro...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by returning guest commentator, Andrea Baker! This week - The New Yorker’s piece on Nicola Sturgeon and her ‘quest for Scottish Independence’, a recent social media boycott demanding action against racist abuse and criticism of Andrew Marr’s Prince Philip comments. At the end of the show, the trio share their personal media recommendations.  The New Yorker piece, ‘Nico...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined again by author, A.L. Kennedy. This week - controversy surrounding Boris Johnson’s No. 10 refurbishment and reported remarks about lockdown, the Scotland/England border and a new report on the BBC’s economic contribution to the UK economy. At the end of the show, Stuart, Eamonn and Alison share their personal media recommendations. A.L. Kennedy’s new paperback, We Are...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by Allan Rennie - former newspaper editor and honorary Professor of Media Studies at the University of Stirling. This week - Holyrood election and indyref2 coverage, the trial of Derek Chauvin in the USA, media reactions to the Super League and Channel 4 v the Conservative Party. At the end of the discussion, Stuart, Eamonn and Allan share their media recommendations....

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by former BBC Scotland journalist and broadcaster, Isabel Fraser! This week - media coverage of Prince Philip’s death, David Cameron and the lobbying scandal and issues related to the upcoming Holyrood election. At the end of the show, Stuart, Eamonn and Isabel go on to share their personal media recommendations. Stuart: ‘How To Get Away With Murder’ - series on Netfli...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by former MP and author, Stephen Gethins. This week - debates surrounding digital vaccine passports in Scotland, the Alba Party’s media conference, coverage of Northern Ireland and the recasting of the Biden family. At the end of the episode, Stuart, Eamonn and Stephen share their media recommendations. Stephen’s book, Nation to Nation: www.luath.co.uk/product/nation-t...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by journalist, Shona Craven. This week - reactions to the launch of Alba Party and the Holyrood leaders’ debate on Tuesday evening, the purdah period and Jennifer Arcuri’s claims of an affair with Boris Johnson. At the end of the show, Stuart, Eamonn and Shona share their media recommendations. RECOMMENDATIONS: Stuart: 'Word Up!' podcast on BBC Sounds - www.bbc.co.uk/s...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined by journalist and Times Radio presenter, Calum Macdonald. This week - reactions to the publication of the Holyrood reports, news that the BBC is moving key departments and staff away from London and the slow death of the newsroom. At the end of the episode, Stuart, Eamonn and Calum share their personal media recommendations. RECOMMENDATIONS: Stuart: ‘Revealed: the trut...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined again by mezzo-soprano, Andrea Baker. This week - policing and the media, reports that The Daily Telegraph plans to link journalists’ pay with article popularity and Julie Burchill’s apology to Ash Sarkar. At the end of the show, Stuart, Eamonn and Andrea go on to share their personal media recommendations. Listen to Scotland's Street Orchestra: www.thebiglight.com/sco...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined again by Joyce McMillan (theatre critic and political journalist). This week - media reactions to Harry and Meghan's Oprah interview, controversy surrounding celebrations by Rangers FC fans and reforms to defamation law in Scotland. At the end of the episode, Stuart, Eamonn and Joyce go on to share their personal media recommendations. RECOMMENDATIONS: Stuart: 'The Ali...

Stuart and Eamonn are joined again by writer and performer, A.L. Kennedy. This week - media apologies, the election of Anas Sarwar as Scottish Labour leader and the return of BBC3 as a broadcast channel. At the end of the show, Stuart, Eamonn and Alison share their personal media recommendations. RECOMMENDATIONS: Stuart: 'The time is right to cancel Dr. Seuss’s racist books' - Washington Post arti...