Blethered

I’m joined by Dionne Basra and we’re talking about Alexander Pacteau, who was sentenced to life in prison at the High Court in Glasgow in 2015, for the murder of Karen Buckley, an Irish nursing student who was residing in the city.

Dionne describes the timeline of events and we give our thoughts as the case unfolds throughout the episode, including our opinion on why people are so fascinated by crimes and police investigations like these.

Topics and cases of this nature are obviously highly sensitive in a multitude of ways, especially when its been so recent. We intend absolutely no disrespect to the memory of the victim, or the victim’s family and we have tried our best to be as respectful and sensitive to their feelings, as possible.

Dionne's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP1dbasFfQg95_rjpQm-sPw

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01

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Simon McLean is a former undercover police officer who worked with the Serious Crime Squad in Glasgow, where he pursued drug dealers, gangsters, terrorists, murderers and paedophiles. 

Simon’s recently released The Ten Percent, a tell-all book that gives you a very rare insight into that world and details what The Ten Percent of police officers are willing to do to make sure those people they’re fighting against, are brought down.

We talk about Simon’s view on drug decriminalisation and why we need to take a different approach to Scotland’s drugs-problem, you’ll hear about his early days as a police officer in Campbelltown where he became pals with The Beatles’ Paul McCartney, and Simon gives a rundown on the raid that saw then-gangster Paul Ferris arrested on the quiet Scottish island-town of Rothesay.

Order 'The Ten Percent' here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ten-Percent-Simon-McLean/dp/1901514439

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Contact: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01

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Drug-law reform campaigner Peter Krykant talks about his own experience as a serious drug user before eventually going into recovery and turning his life around,

We discuss the reasons that people start taking drugs in the first place and we take a detailed look at Scotland’s shocking drug-death record in recent years,

Peter also explains why he set up a drug-consumption room programme in Glasgow and how it can benefit society as a whole, by helping people into different forms of recovery, removing individuals from the cycle of offending and imprisonment, and freeing up taxpayers money that would otherwise be spent on policing and prosecution.

Support Blethered on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/join/Blethered

Contact: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01

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Founded by Paul Pettigrew in the wake of his own gambling addiction that saw him attempt to take his own life, GamTalk provides education on gambling addiction, and support to those affected by it.

We discuss how Paul started gambling and the impact it had on his life and relationships, Paul explains his lowest point of an attempted suicide and how he then started to take decisive action to turn things around, and we talk about GamTalk and the aims of the project, including advice on how to regain control when gambling starts to take over your life.

GamTalk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gamtalk.paul

GamTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gamtalk_uk/

Gamblers Anonymous: https://gascotland.org/

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Contact: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01

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I’m joined by Matt Dean, Senior Casting Producer on MTV Catfish UK.

Catfishing is the modern phenomenon of internet predators that fabricate online identities in order to trick people into emotional or romantic relationships, over a long period of time. Matt and I discuss Catfishing, the sharp rise in cases during lockdown and I explain how I established the name, address and location of a man in Kilmarnock who was using my photos while contacting children and young women.

Matt also talks about other shows he's worked on and how vital aftercare is for all those who appear on reality TV, plus the long-lasting impact that social media abuse can have.

Support Blethered on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/join/Blethered

Contact: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01

MTV Casting Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScNXC9q2uMiJsPlBoWy8HOGi-DhW7UIcJ70-PoKWwj5x-f7GQ/viewform

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We discuss Lindsay’s career in the radio industry and her time at TalkSport and we talk about the difficulties faced by women working in media, specifically sport media - including social media abuse in general. 

Lindsay also lifts the lid on her time spent working as a stripper, delving into some of the darker aspects of the industry and we take a look at the stigmas and attitudes that surround sites like Only Fans and AdmireMe. You'll hear about Scottish footballers she met on the scene, the realities of the industry for some, and more.

Support Blethered on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/join/Blethered

Contact: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01

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We talk about Connie’s career as a presenter, journalist and behavioural coach, starting out as a woman in an entirely male-dominated industry, and Connie explains how meditation and mindfulness can improve daily life. 

As always, there’s plenty more conversation in there.

Support Blethered on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/join/Blethered

Contact: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01

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I sit down with my Grandpa and talk to him about his life and experiences, and about our relationship and memories together.

It was a great laugh and a real privilege to be able to do it.

Support Blethered on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/join/Blethered

Contact: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01

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I'm joined by Gurpreet, the brother of Jagtar Singh Johal, who was abducted on the streets of India in 2017 and subsequently accused of seven murders by the Indian authorities. The accusation is completely unfounded and without evidence, with no charges ever made, and no trial ever held. 

He’s now been detained and routinely tortured for well over 1,000 days.

The case is a troubling one and Gurpreet outlines the level of torture his brother has experienced, the anguish he and his family have faced throughout the ordeal and the ways in which we can help ensure that Jagtar is brought home safely, and that his physical and mental torture is put to an end.

Gurpreet's Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/GSJohal85/status/1280617769093017601

Petition: https://www.change.org/p/join-the-fight-to-free-jaggi-calling-uk-prime-minister-boris-johnson-and-uk-parliament-to-provide-greater-protection-for-bame-lives-and-human-rights?recruiter=943874852&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_abi&recruited_by_id=e7f2afd0-4b96-11e9-b286-5d5ba5f10ce0

News Updates: https://www.sikhpa.com/freejagginow/

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Un episodio en español, hablando con mi amigo Pablo.

Pablo es de Argentina y ha vivido en Barcelona, ​​Francia, Italia e Irlanda. Hablamos de la vida con Covid, sobre viviendo en países diferentes y más.

An episode of Blethered in Spanish, with my friend Pablo. Pablo is from Argentina and has lived in Barcelona, France, Italy and Ireland. We speak about life with Covid, living in different countries, and more.

Support Blethered on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/join/Blethered

Contact: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01

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