Alone Together - A Coronavirus Podcast

The Covid-19 pandemic has seen a shift in communication moving online with technology playing a big role in staying connected with one another.

And in this episode, the Alone Together team looks at its role during the lockdown - for good and for bad.

Will Guyatt, LBC's tech correspondent, chats to Morven McIntyre about the latest tech trends - and what's here to stay after the pandemic.

Psychotherapist and counsellor Maya Tomse discusses the impact of technology on our mental health, especially during the lockdown. She also talks about 'phone phobia', and how to overcome it.

And in the first of our 'Local Heroes' segment, Matt Millard speaks to Karen Creavin, chief executive of the Active Wellbeing Society, about their #BrumTogether campaign.

Alone Together is a Laudable production from the newsrooms of the Manchester Evening News, the Edinburgh Evening News, and Birmingham Live. It is presented by Morven McIntyre, Matt Millard and Dan McLaughlin, and it is edited by Matt Millard.

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The Alone Together podcast is back for a second series, and in this bumper opening episode, Matt Millard and Dan McLaughlin explore the world of dating and relationships during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Rachael Lloyd, relationship expert at eHarmony, chats to Dan about how the lockdown has affected the way we date - and why you should keep persevering to find love through online dating.

Relate's Dee Holmes discusses the findings of the 'Relationships in Lockdown' report – published by the counselling service and eHarmony – as well as offering tips for couples and those in 'turbo-relationships'.

Alone Together's Morven McIntyre also speaks to Natasha Frew about her experience of moving in with her boyfriend's family during lockdown.

Alone Together is a Laudable production from the newsrooms of the Manchester Evening News, the Edinburgh Evening News, and Birmingham Live. It is presented by Morven McIntyre, Matt Millard and Dan McLaughlin, and it is edited by Matt Millard.

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In this new series of Alone Together, hosts Morven McIntyre, Dan McLaughlin and Matt Millard will be following the Coronavirus story closely, as we learn to adapt to a ‘new normal’ and slowly come out of the lockdown we’ve been in for these past few months.

As businesses reopen their doors for the first time, schools welcome back our children and we return to the workplace, what will our new post-lockdown lives look like? Join us in this new series of Alone Together, to find out just that.

Do you know of a local hero? Someone going above and beyond to help during the pandemic?
Or do you have some great advice or guidance that you think our listeners should hear?
Or are there any businesses or organisations that you think deserve recognition? Then get in touch with us on Twitter where we are @LaudablePods or on Instagram where we are @Laudable_Podcasts. We’d love to hear from you!

Alone Together is a Laudable production, recorded from our homes in isolation, brought to you by the newsrooms of The Manchester Evening News, The Edinburgh Evening News and Birmingham Live.

Stay safe, stay positive, stay informed and stay tuned. Alone Together series two - Coming Soon.

Alone Together is hosted and written by Morven McIntyre, Dan McLaughlin and Matt Millard.
Produced and edited by Matt Millard.

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As the coronavirus restrictions start to ease, more people are returning to work - but for many, going back to the office can be a daunting prospect.

The latest episode of Alone Together - A Coronavirus Podcast looks ahead to life after lockdown, and how we can stay protected in the workplace.

Alone Together’s Dan McLaughlin speaks to Professor Martie van Tongeren from the University of Manchester about the importance of occupational health and how employers should “redesign their work” to protect workers.

This episode also marks the end of the first series, bringing together Laudable podcast producers Matt Millard, Morven McIntyre and Dan.

Matt, Morven, and Dan look back at the amazing people who have been doing their bits to keep their local communities going. They also thank the experts who have shared tips on how to get on with our everyday lives in lockdown.

Alone Together will return for a second series after a short break, centred around on how we are adapting to a new way of life and how this time period will have long term impacts on society.

Presented by Dan McLaughlin, Matt Millard, and Morven McIntyre, and edited by Matt Millard.

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The coronavirus has caused disruption in many parts of our lives and sleep is no exception.

Many of us are now struggling to fall asleep, have disrupted sleeping patterns or have experienced lucid dreaming.

On this week’s episode, we discuss the topic of sleep - and how we can improve it.

Dan McLaughlin speaks to Professor Mark Blagrove from Swansea University’s Sleep Laboratory about why we may be experiencing vivid dreams in the lockdown. He discusses his research into dreaming, and explains why sharing is caring.

And Morven McIntyre chats to Dr Megan Crawford from the Sleep Research Unit at the University of Strathclyde about her research in insomnia - and tips on how to tackle it.

Alone Together is presented by Dan McLaughlin, Morven McIntyre and Matt Millard. Edited by Matt Millard.

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The lockdown is a difficult time for us all, but it is particularly tough for the vulnerable in our communities.

The latest episode of Alone Together - A Coronavirus Podcast looks at the organisations that are helping those who require extra support in isolation.

Age Concern, a Lancashire-based charity that specialises in dementia services, is “going above and beyond” to look after the elderly in the lockdown.

Alone Together’s Matt Millard speaks to Abby Waylett from the charity about the help they provide - whether that’s free shopping services, food parcels, or simply offering a friendly voice at the end of the phone.

Miranda Wardley, a support worker from Hillcrest Futures in Scotland, also discusses their important work to help people with physical and learning disabilities, as well as those who experience the hardships of homelessness and addiction.

She tells Morven McIntyre, that the community has offered “amazing” and “endless support”. Miranda also praises the “extremely understanding” medical professionals and “unreal” food banks.

Alone Together is a Laudable production. Hosted by Dan McLaughlin, Morven McIntyre & Matt Millard.
Edited by Matt Millard.

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In the latest episode of Alone Together - A Coronavirus Podcast, you’ll hear about how religious communities are staying connected during lockdown, through embracing technology.

Join Laudable podcast producers Matt Millard and Morven McIntyre as they learn more about both the practising of Christain and Muslim faiths during the lockdown and how they’ve adapted now that they can no longer visit their place of worship.

Alone Together’s Dan McLaughlin, speaks to Reverend Andy Salmon from Salford who is creatively keeping his church connected digitally via Zoom.

And you’ll learn how the holiest month of the Muslim calendar, Ramadan, has been adapted during lockdown through the use of technology. Practising Muslim, Tanzeer Rahaman from Bolton shares his experience of fasting and reaching out to others and how technology plays a role in this.

Alone Together is hosted by Morven McIntyre, Dan McLaughlin & Matt Millard.
Edited by Matt Millard.

If you have any comments or questions for Alone Together: a Coronavirus Podcast email [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected]

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This week's episode is about how we are adapting to what is now known as the 'new normal.'

More specifically, we take a look at the local businesses who thought fast, adapted quickly to our current situation and are now thriving as a result, whilst also providing vital services to the public and helping those in their local communities.

Alone Together's, Matt Millard speaks to James from Wild Bx who adapted his business quickly and efficiently when lockdown restrictions were put in place, introducing local fruit and veg markets to the online marketplace in order to bring fresh local fruit and veg to the doorsteps of many across the West Midlands.

Also, Morven McIntyre, finds out how a gin distillery, Oro Distilling Co. in Dalton Dumfriesshire is now making a World Health Organisation accredited hand gel for both key workers and the public. Ray Clynick, co-founder and head distiller at Origin Gin speaks about what motivated them to make the hand sanitizer.

Alone Together is a Laudable Production, presented by Morven McIntyre, Dan McLaughlin & Matt Millard.

Edited by Matt Millard.

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Other than leaving home for food, medicine, exercise or in some cases, work, we are largely stuck indoors during this lockdown.

This latest episode of Alone Together - A Coronavirus Podcast offers advice on how to fill that extra time spent at home with your families.

For those experimenting in the kitchen, Morven McIntyre speaks to Edinburgh-based chef Barry Bryson about resourceful ways to shop for food – and how to rustle up a dish using staple cupboard supplies.

The lockdown also allows time for parents to bond with their children. Hazel Reynolds, founder of Gamely Games, suggests fun and creative ways to keep kids entertained away from their iPads and games consoles.

Alone Together is presented by Dan McLaughlin, Morven McIntyre & Matt Millard.
Edited by Matt Millard

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This episode is dedicated to pet owners' during the lockdown

Alone Together’s, Dan McLaughlin and Matt Millard discuss missing companionship from furry friends during the lockdown.

Dog trainer and dog behavior specialist, Trish Mahon speaks to Matt providing tips on topics from dog stress and anxiety to the best ways to train and socialise a puppy during a lockdown.

Alone Together’s, Morven McIntyre speaks to vet of 30 years, Charles Williams who specialises in small animals. Charles provides regulation information from the British Vet Association on key areas including routine buying a new pet, vaccinations and emergencies.

If you have any comments or questions for Alone Together: a Coronavirus Podcast email [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected]

Alone Together is a Laudable Production, presented by Matt Millard, Dan McLaughlin and Morven McIntyre and edited by Matt Millard.

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