Blethered

How Aimen Dean went from al-Qaeda member to undercover MI6 operative — his full account of recruitment, betrayal and escape.

Aimen tells a never-before-told story about his haunting interaction with the lead-hijacker of the September 11th attacks in New York City...

We hear about Aimen's decision to join MI6 as an undercover spy, and the extensive debriefing process in Scotland...

Aimen discusses his progression into mainstream media such as Newsnight and the Conflicted podcast...

And Aimen reflects on the issue of 'returning jihadists', and the controversial case of Shamima Begum.

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First published in January 2024, but it’s worth a share for those who may benefit from it.

I speak to men's sobriety coach Liam about the relationship that society - especially in Scotland - has with drinking… 

We reflect on our own personal dynamic with booze and the heavy effects of drinking too much, too frequently...

And we get into some uncomfortable territory about the darker overhang and aftermath of binge drinking.

What you’re about to listen to is a genuine conversation about alcohol, and how we feel about it. We’re not trying to talk you, or ourselves, into anything. We’re just talking, and you’re invited to listen in. And we’re glad that you are.

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https://www.instagram.com/liamconlan_sp/

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Part 1 of Blethered Live at SWG3 in Glasgow, with former MI6 Spy Aimen Dean.

Aimen talks about his early life in Saudi Arabia and how religious clerics shaped his young mindset...

His decision to go and fight in Bosnia at 16 years old, in defence of Bosnian Muslims, and the horrors that he saw...

And about when his path first crossed with Osama bin Laden.

And as always, there's plenty more.

Contact: seanmcdonald,[email protected]

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The pervasive, mendacious and downright malevolent diatribe directed towards immigrants in the UK – or those wrongly categorised as such – irrespective of their social, economic or citizenship status, is at what feels like an all time high. 

So who better to hear from than someone who’s experiencing this continuing embarrassment to Britain. Step forward, Aarti Joshi. 

Aarti is a good friend of mine and was previously a guest on Blethered back in 2021, where we discussed what it’s like to be a Scottish-indian woman in a so-called man’s world.

Aarti is a strong-willed, intelligent, Scottish woman who is fiercely proud of her heritage, and so she should be. I knew she’d give me a no-holds barred account of what life has been like lately. 

The trigger point for this sit-down was the sudden appearance of flags hung from lampposts, all over North Glasgow, where I’m from. This was irrefutably and undeniably an attempt to intimidate those deemed to be nonindigenous from Scotland and the UK in general, and it succeeded in its attempt to instil fear in those it was aimed at.

In the face of bullies, and especially in that vein, neutrally is not an option. It’s silent support of the systematic bullying and scapegoating of people who do not deserve it. I’m not standing by and watching it happen without doing something, and neither should you.

To claim you’re apolitical, in the face of grotesque unfairness and injustice, is an intrinsically political choice.

Don’t sit this one out. Believe it or not, after such a morally indignant monologue from me, this chat is genuinely full of laughs. It’s two pals chatting about the state of the world as we see it, and we’ve pulled up a seat for you, as well.

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We all know someone who brags about never stopping, but what looks like productivity is often burnout – and it quietly erodes health, relationships, and enjoyment of life.

Dr Aisan joins me to explain what burnout really is, how to recognise it before it takes hold, and why recovery starts with reframing rest as strength, rather than weakness. We discuss practical steps for spotting the signs, breaking the cycle, and building a healthier, more sustainable way of living.

While burnout has a devastating personal impact, it also carries a wider cost for businesses and the economy – draining creativity, productivity, and staff wellbeing. Understanding and addressing it benefits us all.

Dr Aisan's Instagram

Watch on YouTube

contact: seanmcdonald,[email protected]

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In this follow up episode, I chat with expert pharmacist Sehar Shahid about the recent UK price increase of weight-loss drug Mounjaro, the consequences of turning to the black market, and how she aims to help people in the way that's best for them, and not solely for business profit.

Price increases will see a spike in counterfeit medicine, meaning a spike in people suffering adverse side affects, ranging from serious health issues to fatalities.

Complete your personal weight-loss consultation with 24 Hr Pharmacy

24 Hr Pharmacy on Instagram

contact: [email protected]

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Sally is an SNP candidate for the upcoming Scottish Elections in May next year, for Edinburgh Southern, and is currently Head of Office for SNP MP Graham Leadbitter.

In this episode we get into the detail of why Sally has decided to put herself in the firing line of frontline politics, and the volatile nature of the political landscape in general…

We get into her credentials as a party staff member and all that she’s achieved and been recognised for, as it’s quite the list… plus an insight into working in the heart of The House of Commons…

A major talking point is the irrefutably sharp rise in violence against women, and the change Sally would like to influence if elected to Holyrood…

And I ask some uncomfortable questions (if you’re part of the SNP). Did the tide carry all boats in their 2015 General Election domination? Is nineteen years too long for one party to remain in control?

And as always, there’s plenty more.

Contact: [email protected]

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Lee’s star in the world of comedy is rapidly rising and has been for quite a while. If you haven’t seen him on stage, then you’re very likely to have seen one of his many viral videos, online. To quote the man himself: Only Slags Use Plastic Bags.

In this episode we talk about Lee’s early days growing up in Grimsby, before going to university in Manchester. He explains his first steps in comedy and how that very quickly turned in to a full time career...

We discuss comedy as an art-form – including how it’s almost always meticulous preparation masquerading as complete spontaneity…

And we look at his work behind the scenes, warming up crowds on shows like Loose Women, Strictly Come Dancing and Big Brother – and how that teaches control, discipline and trust in the moment.

Plus: touring with some of the biggest names in the UK, including Judi Love and Jason Manford… his own foray into podcasting, and why giving him any form of power will very quickly corrupt him.

Lee performs regularly all around the UK, so be sure to check his social media to find out where he’ll be, you’ll be glad you did.

Lee's Instagram

Hot World Cuisine on Instagram

www.hotworldcuisine.co.uk

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Paddy’s sold out the SSE Arena in Belfast multiple times, and he’s back again in October to the same level of demand. The SSE’s about the same capacity as the Hydro in Glasgow – so that’s a good gauge of where he’s at.

He’s got that acerbic wit and ruthless humour that’s typical of Belfast, and just as common in Glasgow – something we get into in detail.

Paddy talks about growing up in the middle of an active civil-war zone, and the blunt, brutal reality of it…

You’ll hear his take on how we can keep moving forward sociopolitically on both sides of the Irish Sea – and why he doesn’t want a United Ireland if it means steamrolling the other side of the divide…

And he explains how a brutal point in his life became the exact catalyst for getting into comedy – and taking the scene by storm.

This was recorded backstage before Paddy’s gig at Grace’s Irish Centre in Glasgow, with Pierce Higgins supporting him, so there’s a bit of background noise – but nothing you can’t handle.

Most of the noise is actually the crowd laughing at Pierce’s set – another solid sign of a comedian you should catch when you can — and I was delighted when he sat down for a quick chat as well.

Pierce talks about getting into comedy and sharpening his craft – writing, refining, and learning to thrive in dynamic and sometimes hostile environments…

He tells me about touring with the legendary Gary Faulds – another top-class comic straight out of Glasgow…

And why he explains why he’s staying in the comedy game, no matter where life takes him.

Paddy's Instagram

Pierce's Instagram

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Alfie’s Edinburgh Fringe Show ‘Dropped’ intimately tells his very personal tale of being picked up by Chelsea Football Club’s prestigious academy, before being unceremoniously discarded after a routine medical uncovered a congenital heart defect. After then moving on to North West London side Barnet, he remarkably found himself in and around the first team at only 15 years old, and at one point playing in midfield with Champions League Winner Edgar Davids. 

Politics, personal dynamics and luck then begin to play their part, and suddenly the door is closed, and like thousands before and after him, Alfie finds himself on the periphery of a world that had once promised him so much.

The show is on at the Edinburgh Fringe this year, and will be live at Easter Road Stadium from the second to the tenth of August - and this conversation is your own personal, intimate preview.

We talk about what it was like to train with Frank Lampard, Jose Mourinho and John Terry, and where some of his former teammates are now…, plus a funny and fascinating insight into the enigmatic Davids was like as a manager…

Alfie talks about the crisis of identity and feelings of suicidal ideation when the world seemed to be closing in, an experience I’ve had myself, and sadly one that former Manchester City player Jeremy Wisten followed through on in 2020…

And you’ll hear about the darker sides of football, predatory coaches being one of them; An intensely uncomfortable truth that Alfie handles with admirable strength and exemplary poise. 

Contact: [email protected]

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