Episódios
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I’m on the road but Blethered keeps moving, just like the studio for this interview with Labour MSP and former MP, Paul Sweeney. We sat down to discuss the outgoing Conservative government on the final journey of the last ever old subway train on the Glasgow subway, after 44 years of service.
A very fitting environment, given that both of the aforementioned are not fit for purpose, completely ragged and everyone wants to see the back of them.
We talk about unlikely political friendships away from the scrutinising glare of the public - between Labour and Conservative politicians, SNP and DUP politicians, and me and someone who served in Margaret Thatcher’s cabinet!
Paul speaks openly about his hopes for cooperation between Labour in Westminster and SNP in Holyrood...
We discuss how unlocking the value of Celtic & Rangers could benefit Glasgow & Scotland’s economy...
And we reflect on the incoming Labour government, and what we hope that’ll bring to people’s lives.
If you’re listening prior to entering the polling both on the 4th of July, the gravy train is getting ready to depart Downing Street, and it won’t be stopping back any time soon.
This government’s political malevolence and sociopathic, cruel and corrupt nature is matched only by the jaw-dropping ineptitude of those who functioned within it, including the conveyor belt of Prime Ministers that were essentially elected via undemocratic process.
Contact: [email protected]
Instagram: @seantmcdonald
Twitter: @seanmcdonald01
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Imagine this: You're scrolling through Instagram, TikTok or even Facebook, and suddenly you get a message from someone who seems genuinely interested in you.
The conversation quickly turns flirtatious, and before you know it, you've shared personal photos and information. And then, the unthinkable happens. The person on the other end reveals their true intentions, and threaten to send it on to your friends and family unless you pay up, or do something equally distressing.
This isn't an urban myth or something that only happens thousands of miles away, this is the reality for many people who fall victim to ‘sextortion’ and blackmail by catfish accounts, and it’s happening where you live.
These twisted predators use fake identities to build trust and manipulate their victims, leading to devastating consequences, both emotionally and financially.
In this episode I’m joined by Debbie MacPhee whose teenage son was targeted, even without engaging with anyone, and we’re shining a light on the tactics and methods used by these criminals. You’ll hear a number of stories about people who were targeted, with some horrifying outcomes, and steps you can take to ensure that you and your loved ones can stay safe in an online setting that’s becoming increasingly dangerous.
Contact: [email protected]
Instagram: @seantmcdonald
Twitter: @seanmcdonald01
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Aimen Dean was an Al-Qaeda bombmaker who had sworn an oath of allegiance to Osama Bin Laden. He eventually defected to work for the British Security Services as a spy for seven and a half years, before his cover was blown by ex-US Vice President Cheney.
We talk about his motivations for taking up arms, the part that radicalisation played, becoming disillusioned with the cause, and his time with MI5 and MI6.
Aimen's Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nine-Lives-Time-Inside-al-Qaeda/dp/1786073285
Support Blethered on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/join/Blethered
Contact: [email protected]
Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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It’s 2011. Novak Djokovic wins his first Wimbledon title, Rangers make it three league win in a row, while Celtic win another Scottish Cup in the rain against Motherwell. Osama bin Laden is killed, Adele tops the charts, and there’s earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan.
The News of the World closes its doors for good, England burns after riots break out across the nation and the Iraq War finally comes to an end.
But the explosiveness is only just about to begin.
Young men across the city of Glasgow start to receive friend requests from an attractive young woman named Hayley McKay.
She says she’s a model and the niece of Rangers legend Ally McCoist. She says she met them in a club, or they’d chatted while drunk, but nobody can recall meeting her.
All of a sudden, Hayley is everywhere. In the papers as a Miss Scotland finalist, flirting online with Celtic & Rangers players and even tagged in Jamie Vardy’s Twitter bio as his girlfriend.
Before you know it, she’s writing blogs about having life saving surgery, prompting other women to confide in her with their own stories.
Eventually her hoax unravels when a woman in Wales discovers that her pictures are being used in a twisted scam. The Scottish Sun run an article on it, only for it to mysteriously disappear.
So, was this a harmless fantasist, or a dangerous criminal?
Let’s find out.
Contact: [email protected]
Instagram: @seantmcdonald
Twitter: @seanmcdonald01
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Here’s an introduction to Hayley, if you’re not familiar with her, as she has quite the profile.
• Model
• Miss Scotland Finalist
• Niece of Rangers legend Ally McCoist
• Love interest of various Scottish Premier League Footballers
• One time Girlfriend of Leicester City and England footballer Jamie Vardy
• Friend of the rich and famous
Oh, and one more detail. She never existed.
I’m joined by Gabrielle Livingstone as we dig into the bizarre and unbelievable existence of the girl that never was. You’ll hear me tell the story of how I crossed paths online with Hayley, what went on in her imaginary world, and how it all began to unravel.
Contact: [email protected]
Instagram: @seantmcdonald
Twitter: @seanmcdonald01
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Romana recently shared a very thoughtful and introspective Instagram post about a suicide attempt in April last year. I found it to be very profound, so I asked her if she fancied sitting down and having a chat with me.
‘Have you ever thought about killing yourself?’ might seem like a really shocking and insensitive question to ask out loud, let alone have as the title for an episode of a podcast. It could quite reasonably be interpreted as an unsuitably nonchalant and flippant way to ask something so serious.
And to be fair, when considered out of context, it’s probably all of the above.
I find that lighthearted conversations are a very good way of getting really heavy things out in the open, and it’s sometimes the only way to cut through them.
These types of conversations on podcasts can very quickly become overkill. Over-done, over-cooked, under achieving, but every now and then, it’s a conversation worth having, and worth sharing.
Everyone, no matter how successful, rich, loved, famous, has absolutely lost themselves at least once in their lives.
Money worries, identity worries, job worries, worries about the future, sadness about the past, panic about your career progression or where your life should or shouldn’t be. Families falling apart, friends drifting away.
It gets to us all and it’s very easy to then think you’re the only one, and Jesus does that make it feel a hundred times lonelier. Well, you’re not the only one, and when you realise that, it somehow makes it that bit more manageable.
We don’t have the answers, if we did, we wouldn’t be having this conversation in the first place. But not every question has a definitive answer, and not every issue has an exact solution. But just talking about them can answer some of it, and solve part of it. And sometimes that’s enough.
If you can laugh the whole way through, like we did, then that’s even better.
If you’re just here for the patter, then I hope you enjoy it. If you’re here because you’re looking for a lifeline, then I hope this provides it. Stay tuned to the end for some perfect insight into why we should always hold on for tomorrow.
If you enjoy this episode, share it somewhere. You never know who it might reach.
Love ye.
Contact: [email protected]
Instagram: @seantmcdonald
Twitter: @seanmcdonald01
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Kate Berry and Jenny Storey co-own two businesses in one. The first is Urban Retreat, a hair and beauty salon that puts a strong emphasis on community, care and impeccable professional standards.
The second, is The Academy. They provide Scotland’s first private traineeship, in direct partnership with the most prestigious spa resorts all over Scotland. Whether it’s someone just starting out in life, or a person who wants to take themselves in a different direction, they provide a clear pathway for those who want to empower themselves with an education that opens doors in exciting places.
In this episode, you’ll hear about Kate’s time spent working alongside former Rangers Football Club owner David Holmes, forging a very robust and invaluable business experience, and where that then coincided with Jenny’s years at the coalface of the beauty business…
They explain how they educate and empower people to change the direction of their lives, through training, employment, mentorship and friendship, and why it matters so much to them…
And Jenny lifts the lid on the industry, from funny mishaps, to the darker and more dangerous downsides that she’s experienced.
Urban Retreat
The Academy
Contact: [email protected]
Instagram: @seantmcdonald
Twitter: @seanmcdonald01
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Labour Councillor Audrey Dempsey has been accused of racism and suspended this week, after she proposed to ask a question at the council about 'racist attacks on white children in schools'.
In this exclusive interview, Audrey announces her resignation from the Labour Party.
And:
Her explanation of why she was asking the question'Liking' tweets from far-right partyFuture in politic+ MoreSenior Producer: Lucy Johnston
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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 it, and those who are near it.
Dr Sandesh Gulhane has been a Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP for Glasgow since 2021, he’s Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, and he’s a practising NHS GP. He holds the distinction of being the first Hindu and first man of Indian descent to be elected to the Scottish Parliament.
Now campaigning to be elected to Westminster as an MP, Sandesh has been been chosen as the Conservative candidate for East Renfrewshire – a seat currently held by the SNP’s Kirsten Oswald.
This is our conversation about the friendliness of Glaswegians, how he ended up in Scottish politics, my questions and observations about the Conservatives record after fourteen years in government, Douglas Ross’ leadership, and his hopes for the election.
Senior Producer: Lucy Johnston
Contact: [email protected]
Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01
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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 original style, with strictly nothing off-limits and a chance to hear the stories that are a wee bit too hot for the radio. Tam’s first episode a couple of years back is by far one of the most popular episodes out of nearly 200, and a Live audience setting is where he’s at his best.
You’ll hear a clip from the last time we sat down in the studio, with Tam telling me the story of when Frank McAvennie didn’t realise his microphone was still recording, as he took a phone call in a BBC studio…
Tickets are only £10 so get yours now and come and join us for a good laugh and a great way to kick off the weekend early.
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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 the programme, and what the experience was like…
And Phil talks about working alongside Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond in the run up to the 2014 independence referendum, starting his own thriving PR company, and a bizarre period where he coached Vladimir Romanov. That’s Vladimir Romanov, the enigmatic and volatile former owner of Hearts football club, as he competed in the Lithuanian version of Strictly Come Dancing. Stay tuned for a genuinely world exclusive revelation on that one...
And as always, there's plenty more.
Contact: [email protected]
Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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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, you’ll hear Greg talk me through his varied but valuable experience in education and work, moulding him into what I think is the perfect incumbent for the position that he holds within Dundee Football Club…
We take a look at the remarkable Golden Era for the club in the 1960’s, followed by the chaotic excitement and eventual downfall of the early 2000’s…
And we talk about the phenomenal job done by Dundee boss Tony Docherty in his first season, why referees are a vital component… and you might hear a wee something about an exciting development that’ll take Dundee into the next decade on a particularly strong footing.
Contact: [email protected]
Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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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 personalised account of their lives, the realities of living with HIV and the challenges they've faced.
Contact: [email protected]
Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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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 taking a serious risk in order to improve her financial situation…
You’ll hear all about her plans to revolutionise the aesthetics industry and how she intends to help other people into the world of business who’d ordinarily be locked out
And most of all, you’ll hear the type of story that I love best. Someone you might not know, but will relate to in so many ways. Hers is a multi-layered journey, with challenges, setbacks, risks and victories and one that’ll leave you feeling inspired.
Once you’ve listened, go and check out Clinic 22 on Instagram & Facebook and see for yourself what they have on offer. All new customers will receive 10% off their first treatment with the code Blethered10.
Clinic 22
Contact: [email protected]
Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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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 ambassador and Greenock native Martin Compston, as he gives you an idea of just what the place means to the people of Inverclyde and even further beyond.
You’ll also hear a wee bit about Ardgowan CEO Graham and the hospice itself, as we take a look at some of the misconceptions that surround hospices in general...
We discuss what Ardgowan means to those who have relied on it, and the everyday heroes that ensure it keeps delivering to people in need…
And we talk about life, death, grief and the things that are forever left unsaid.
Contact: [email protected]
Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01
https://ardgowanhospice.org.uk/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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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 Life and bumping into Will Ferrell in the office. As you do…
Contact: [email protected]
Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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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.
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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 working with global brands and individuals such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Styles and Ed Sheeran…
And there’s some food for thought in how we measure motivation, success and self-belief.
Contact: [email protected]
Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Kirsty is a young mother of one who has recently written, and is about to publish, ‘Love Made Me Silent,’ a book that details her experience of domestic abuse and coercive control. With a desire to put herself forward as both a cautionary tale AND an example of how things can absolutely change for the better, Kirsty’s recollections will help her achieve both of those things.
You’ll hear Kirsty explain how life quickly went from idyllic and everything she’d ever wanted, to being on the receiving end of psychological abuse to very genuine threats to her life…
We discuss various forms of coercive control, now fully prosecutable under Scots Law as per the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act as of 1st April 2019…
And Kirsty talks through how writing her book has served as the ultimate form of therapy and processing of what she experienced.
According to ons.gov.uk, 2.2 million people were victims of recorded domestic abuse or violence from their partner. That doesn’t account for a huge amount that goes unreported.
1 in 5 people will experience domestic abuse of some sort. If it hasn’t happened to you, it’s happened to someone that you know. If you or anyone else has been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode, there are various helplines available for you.
Contact: [email protected]
Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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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 explain how a Saturday job in her mum’s cafe at just 13 years old went on to become one of the most significant and determining experiences of her life, laying the groundwork for an invaluable ability to engage with people…
Jess talks me through a burgeoning career in fashion, with frequent travels all over the globe, including Bangladesh on her own at the age of 22…
And you’l find out how the town of Motherwell - somewhere Jess had never heard of - led to a new life in Scotland, and a complete shift in direction to where she is today.
So mon' join us to find out why Jess and her podcast co-host Zoe have an episode called ‘I Want To Lick Your Fartbox’. I’m sure there’s a perfectly normal explanation for it.
Enjoy!
Contact: [email protected]
Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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