Blethered

Tickets for Blethered Live at SWG3 with Aimen Dean - Tue 30 August:: https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/blethered-live-tickets/artist/5388843

Returning listeners will be well aware of Aimen from my two previous chats with him, on the subjects of his life and career. For those who aren’t, here’s a wee bit of background.

Often described as The West’s most significant and valued spy of the 21st century, Aimen worked undercover with MI6, deep within Al Qaeda, providing a constant stream of invaluable information to the British security services. Something that has irrefutably saved thousands of lives. 

On joining MI6, Aimen’s initial debriefs took place in safe houses all over Scotland, sparking an intense love affair with the country. A nation he calls his spiritual home.

After moving to Scotland in 2019, Aimen enrolled his young daughter with one of the country’s top private girls’ schools in Edinburgh. He thought his family were set for life, in the land he chose to call home.

But now, just two and a half years later, the family is set to leave Scotland completely, as things have gone drastically wrong. 

Aimen explains the series of events that have led to this decision to leave the country for good…

And he gives his reasons for speaking out, particularly for the protection of those who may be in a similar situation in future.

www.dontfretaboutdebt.net/blethered/

Contact: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01

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Ross Coutts is a man of many talents and one of his multiple roles is in local radio. We talk about his early days in hospital radio and how he seeks to give a platform to up and coming Scottish musicians.

You’ll even hear about an 11 year old Lewis Capaldi coming in and making an instant impression.

We chat about the highly regarded Gig in The Goil music festival, one that Ross played a fundamental role in bringing to life, with impressive headliners, such as Gerry Cinnamon & The Snuts…

And Ross gives some fascinating insight into the fabric of the West Lothian music scene, a relatively small place that seems to be a conveyor belt of the very best that Scotland has to offer.

And as always, there’s plenty more.

www.dontfretaboutdebt.net/blethered/

Contact: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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In this episode, we discuss Adverse Childhood Experiences - also known as ACEs - and how they can shape the rest of your life without you ever realising…

Holly talks about her brother and how losing his grandfather resulted in a catalogue of difficult experiences for him the family…

And we speak about the cycle of offending and prison, and how a different approach would help remove people from that chain.

And as always, there’s plenty more.

 www.dontfretaboutdebt.net/blethered/

Contact: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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26 year old Zoe recently received the news that she has ATM - also known as ‘the cancer gene’.

Zoe has made the difficult decision to have a double mastectomy, which is the medical term for the surgical removal of both .

We talk about how a litany of cancer diagnoses in Zoe’s family has shaped her understanding and perception of the illness…

Zoe explains her decision, the process of post-surgery reconstruction and the implications that may come her way…

And we discuss how to check your body for changes, and the need to see a doctor immediately, if you notice any. It may be embarrassing, but it could save your life.

And as always, there's plenty more.

www.dontfretaboutdebt.net/blethered/

Contact: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01

Zoe's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atmprevivor_of_cancer/

Charity support links

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/

https://brcachat.com/

https://breastcancernow.org/

https://www.maggies.org/

https://coppafeel.org/

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Michael grew up in Glasgow, with a passion for filmmaking from around 12 years old, which saw him study at The Royal Conservatoire, in Glasgow. 

Now a BAFTA winning and double BAFTA-nominated director, he’s worked with people like Richard Branson and F1 driver Lewis Hamilton, and with prestigious brands such as Johnnie Walker, Clinique and Nespresso.

We talk about Michael’s creative inspiration and what drives his commercial work and his award-winning short films…

Michael explains the dynamics of working in childrens' television and with people like Justin Bieber…

And we hear about the famous faces who behaved the worst on set.

www.dontfretaboutdebt.net/blethered/

Contact: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Gillian recently launched a private member’s Bill to implement buffer zones outside hospitals and clinics across Scotland, to protect women from harassment from anti-abortion protestors, as they seek to access health services. 

Gillian and I discuss the reasons for this proposal, and the legislative process required to establish it as law in Scotland…

We talk about the US Supreme Court overturning Roe v Wade and how to prevent going in a similar direction here in Scotland…

And Gillian talks about her experience as a young, female MSP and what it’s like behind closed doors in the Scottish Parliament…

And as always, there's plenty more.

 www.dontfretaboutdebt.net/blethered/

Contact: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Saoirse recently travelled to Istanbul in Turkey for breast augmentation surgery, but things didn’t go entirely to plan, resulting in a traumatic chain of events that saw her nearly lose a breast.

We talk about booking the surgery and travel on a whim, with little prior research…

Saoirse explains the surgery and aftercare process, including a litany of mistakes by the clinicians…

And we discuss the aftermath when she got back to Glasgow and had to go to hospital for emergency diagnosis and surgery.

And as always, there’s plenty more.

www.dontfretaboutdebt.net/blethered/

Contact: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Recorded in a cafe in the heart of Istanbul, Steve talks about starting out as a war-zone photo-journalist, before becoming a security adviser…

You’ll hear Steve talk about negotiating with ISIS for western hostages…

And he explains the realities of war and all that accompanies it…

And as always there more plenty more. 

www.dontfretaboutdebt.net/blethered/

Contact: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Radio Producer James talks about how a severe gambling addiction lead to losing enormous amounts of money, in secret.

James explains the stresses and pressures in detail, and how the disease impacted and infected every inch of his life. We talk about how his problem rapidly spiralled, the debt issues incurred as a result, and how suicide became the most viable option in his eyes.

It sounds horrendous, but don’t worry… we reach a bright light at the end of the tunnel. With the help of Gamblers Anonymous, James fought back and took control, turning things around.

www.dontfretaboutdebt.net/blethered/

Contact: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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We talk about Laura’s early life as Bishopbriggs’ answer to Shirley Temple before joining STV and eventually becoming the resident entertainment reporter...

Laura opens up about how she felt after her shock cancer diagnosis in 2019...

And we gossip about the famous faces she’s interviewed over the years.

And as always, there’s plenty more. 

www.dontfretaboutdebt.net/blethered/

Contact: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.