egg talks to

So delighted to welcome my pal Danni back to the podcast. I was looking for some light-hearted Glasgow banter, something that could cheer us all up, and Danni delivered just that. Talking with honesty about body image, an update on her journey to single motherhood, she shared a very humorous excerpt from her 21 year old diary - as did I! Turns out we were both anxious, just about different things, it was very amusing and a great reminder of how far we've come (well more Danni than me to be fair). I'm delighted that Danni's great work on body positivity continues and that her new podcast Chachi Chats is now live. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as we did!

@chachipowerproject.

Chachi Chats; https://open.spotify.com/show/0K1PSmPC1e6R2MnU3ENzdB

Delighted to catch up for a chat with Zara - having met her last year we've kept in touch and I've been in awe discovering just the range and breadth of this girls talent. A Glasgow girl who studied Business initially, Zara puts the "multi" into "multi-hyphen" and over the years has been a presenter at STV, a producer on Loose Women, been shortlisted as a New Voice Talent on BBC Radio London, produced and presented the podcast series Ask for More (where we first met) and has recently produced an incredible documentary Seven Women, highlighting the work they are doing to empower women in Nepal.

We caught up over Zoom, and live-streamed the recording to the EGG Facebook group - me in North Berwick and Zara in Streatham! We discussed lots; the influence of our Dads on our early careers, the beauty of having a multi-hyphen career, as well as just a few of Zara's exciting new projects - she really is one to watch.

@tvzaraj

https://www.zarajanjua.com

I have wanted for a while now, to cover the subject of Co-ercive Control and was really grateful when the wonderful Irina McLean came forward, saying she was willing to share her experience, as well as the work she subsequently did for Women's Aid.

In this episode we discuss the different ways a relationship can be coercive, the best way to support someone going through it and the support that's available to you to help you get out. We recognise how frightening being in an unsafe household during lockdown will be.

Scotland’s domestic abuse and forced marriage helpline provides a lot of information on DA, you can contact them via phone or webchat 24/7. There's an option to escape the website safely without leaving tracks:

https://sdafmh.org.uk/

Scottish women’s rights centre offers a lot of expertise support, their helpline number is -
08088 010 789. Please note the helplines are open as usual.

Legal information:
Monday, 2 - 5 pm
Tuesday, 6 - 8 pm
Wednesday, 11 am - 2 pm
Friday, 10 am - 1 pm

Advocacy support:
Tuesday, 11 am - 2 pm

Sexual harassment:
Thursday, 5 - 8 pm

They also offer special advice on current COVID 19 situation - https://www.scottishwomensrightscentre.org.uk/blogs/covid-19coronavirus-info/

Local Women’s Aid Groups:
West Lothian - https://www.wlwa.org.uk/
Edinburgh - http://www.womensaideml.org/
Midlothian and East Lothian - https://edinwomensaid.co.uk/

I was delighted to record this conversation with Val Sampson, who's a sex and relationship counsellor based in Edinburgh. We talked about sex (obviously!), why men want it more than women right now, and Val gave some great tips on how we can ensure lockdown has a positive impact on our relationships (I was scribbling notes furiously).

www.valsampson.co.uk

Alison Williams is a Senior Research Nurse in emergency medicine at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, currently covering COVID-19 positive wards.

I chatted with Alison about her incredible Rainbow Box initiative, the challenges of front-line working and home schooling! Neither of us is doing any.

If you'd like to support Alison's incredible fundraiser, supporting patients in hospital, please head to @Rainbowboxes on Facebook.

Debbie Mooney is the Head of Fundraising in Scotland for Marie Curie and I caught up with her a few days ago to get a better insight into how Charities are being affected by COVID-19 and importantly what we can do to help.

Debbie really was inspirational, remaining upbeat and positive at what can only be a hugely stressful time.

If you can, please donate: https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/who/what-we-do/marie-curie-scotland

If you aren't in a position to do that, please support them on Social:
@mariecuriescotland

To take part in the Be Kind Virtual run head to: https://www.breakingstrain.co.uk/be-kind-virtual/

So much has changed over the last few weeks, unsure what to say or do for the best, I’ve spent the last couple of weeks trying to get my head together, to stay present and to try formulate the best plan, one that will keep us informed, help those who need it, and most of all, remain positive.

We’ll be coming to you regularly, from my dining room, with a huge array of guests. We’ll be sharing happy news too, as often as we can, please send any Good EGG nominations or Good News stories to me at [email protected]

This episode is me and my Wing Man, and show producer, Keith from The WEL Podcast Studio catching up, being a little reflective and discussing all the ways we’ll keep this show positive and good.

I hope you enjoy!

Jo Stewart is the Co-Founder of Stewart Brewing, Edinburgh's original craft beer brewery, I was delighted to catch up with her at The Edinburgh Grand earlier in the year.
I've been pals with Jo for a while now but never knew the story behind the business, one she set up with her husband in 2004. Stewart Brewing is in strong growth, trading internationally and enjoying strong relationships with some of the big retail players. I was keen to hear more about the backstory, building a business, brand and team, how you separate life and business when working with your husband, and the challenge Jo has faced working in a male dominated industry - as well as their very recent journey to Gin! Tune in to hear more about the newest member of the Stewart family, The Collector Gin - more strong branding and clever innovation, can't wait it a try (thanks Jo!)
https://www.stewartbrewing.co.uk/
@stewartbrewing

This episode is kindly sponsored by Breaking Strain Events - a Scottish adventure company helping you explore the world outside your comfort zone, they offer Arctic Treks to Finland, climbs up Kilimanjaro, adventures in the French Alps as well as bespoke challenges for Corporates and Charities. They host Edinburgh 24, a 24 hour loop race of Arthur's Seat as well as Scotland's largest trail race Run the Blades. Lee Peyton, Director of Breaking Strain, is also my husband, another job he does very well!
https://www.breakingstrain.co.uk/
@breakingstrainevents

Mollie Hughes is the youngest person to climb both sides of Mount Everest and in January this year, became the youngest woman to ski solo to the South Pole. So when it comes to determination, mental and physical strength, preparation and mindset, not many know it better. Certainly not many at this age. What do you say to yourself when all alone, in Antartica, and battling through 8 days of white outs? Listen to find out, it may not be what you think....

@molliejhughes

Thanks to Mollie's agent Speaker Buzz for arranging @speakerbuzz

This episode is kindly sponsored by Coulters, an award winning Edinburgh Estate Agents who offer unrivalled expertise and local knowledge to achieve market beating results. If you have an EGG card and sell your home with Coulters, you'll benefit not only from this excellent service, you'll also receive £200 of John Lewis vouchers!
https://www.coultersproperty.co.uk/

In 2012 Darina and her husband Kristian set up their business Ooni by launching the world’s first portable pellet fired pizza oven. Little did they know back then that not only were they creating a completely new category, but that Ooni would become one of the fastest growing companies in the UK, and currently, Scotland’s fastest growing. The Ooni family now have over 50 employees, and a with a new office in America just opened as well as one in Germany, this growth is only set to continue.

I really loved my conversation with Darina, ambitious and focussed with strong values and work ethic, she recognised the importance of a strong culture within an organisation, sustainability and kindness. I hope you enjoy listening as much as I did.

https://uk.ooni.com

This podcast is very kindly sponsored by Border Biscuits. Border Biscuits have been crafting beautifully crafted biscuits since 1984 and are Scotland’s favourite special treat (mine too!). From a tiny factory in Lanark to producing over 300,000 packets a week, this company have certainly evolved. And so have their biscuits! Their famously fiery chocolate ginger biscuits are now available in convenient bars. Perfect for on the go, in your lunchbox or as treat after a long day, you can pick up their new Dark Chocolate Ginger Bars from your local Sainsbury’s! Thank you Border. https://www.borderbiscuits.co.uk