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Our Lives with Michelle McManus
Our Lives with Michelle McManus episodes
- Hearing in Colour, a Depressed Pig and a Man Who Collects Bricks
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra conductor Jessica Cottis believes that her ability to see sound as colour is akin to having a superpower. Jessica explains to Michelle why synaesthesia is such a gift when conducting an orchestra.
Jen Scott tells Michelle what it was like when her best friend became her sister and Michelle hears about Pippa the Pig who was so bereft at losing her companion that a desperate hunt was launched to find her a new friend.Mark Cranston admits that he doesn't always receive a positive reaction when he reveals he is a collector of bricks! However, he explains to Michelle why so much of Scotland's history is hidden in each block of clay.28 min - A Highland Dancer, Naturist Scots and an Emotional Reunion with an Elephant
Michelle McManus speaks to a Glasgow couple about the realities of being naturists in Scotland.
Third year dental student Ellis Hayes lifts the lid on the fiercely competitive world of Highland Dancing. She tells Michelle about the secret Highland Fling lessons she gives to her fellow students in the scrub room.Proving that an elephant never forgets, Peter Adamson talks about his emotional reunion with an elephant named Kirsty who recognised his voice after over 35 years apart.28 min - Dinosaurs, Doric Language and Nonagenarian Duguld.
Elsa explains how she became a dinosaur hunter, Dugald shares the secret of a long and happy life and Jackie teaches us Doric.
28 min - A Bicycle Repair Guy, a Career Change and the Lovers with a 26 Year Age Gap
Willy fixes bikes that ride the world. Lisa changed careers to follow her dream. Suzy & Christine spent their silver anniversary taking part in the first Inverness Pride March.
28 min - A Painless Woman, Trike Tours for the Elderly and Turning Baby Loss to Support
In a very moving story Michelle talks to Kimberley Shaw who has turned her grief at losing her stillborn daughter Sarah into a way of helping other parents who have lost a baby to miscarriage, stillbirth or neo-natal death. Kimberly set up a charity called Zaagi and, using the material from donated wedding dresses, she creates beautiful nestling blankets, wraps and blessing gowns so bereaved parents can wrap their tiny children.
We also hear from Ross Nixon who – when he’s not on shift as a Highland fireman – volunteers for Spokes for Folks, taking the elderly on tours of Inverness in a specially designed trike.Plus we’ve an astonishing story from Jo Cameron who doesn’t feel pain but didn’t realise she was special or different until recently when she needed a hip operation! She can even eat a Scotch Bonnet raw without feeling anything more than ‘a little bit of warmth’.28 min - Love on a Train, an Extraordinary Kidney Swap and an 82 year-old Flatmate
Michelle hears from Mandy whose kidney transplant was failing. We follow the journey of her husband Graham who donates a kidney– not to his wife, but to a complete stranger. And as Graham’s organ flies from Edinburgh for Belfast, Mandy is prepped for surgery to tie in with a matched kidney for her arriving from Belfast.
We hear how 68 year old widower Danny from Forres travels the length of America - and the fluke chance of him meeting the second love of his life – and now fiancé - aboard a US train.And we meet Dave the 26 year old Edinburgh student who, when looking for accommodation in the capital, finds himself tenant to an 82 year old ex ballet teacher, who insists on cooking his dinner every night.28 min - Wojtek the Soldier Bear, a Globe-trotting Diabetic Biker and Wartime Memories
Teddy bear fans will be blown away by the story Michelle hears on this episode of Our Lives. Aileen Orr collects teddy bears for children in need all over the world but the back story which led Aileen to sharing her life with thousands of teddies is nothing short of remarkable.
Michelle also hears from Maurice who wouldn't let his diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes stop him from completing his dream of travelling round the world on his motorbike.Plus we hear from 83 year old Meryn Pearce, a contributor to the Lothian Birth Cohort studies on cognitive ageing, who shares some of her earliest war time memories.28 min - A Park Runner, Family Bee-keeping and the Kindness of Strangers
Michelle hears from Jason, a man who's turned Park Run into a passion - so much so he's about to complete the full set, having taken part in every single Scottish Park Run going. And if Jason's enthusiasm doesn't get you grabbing your trainers and heading for the park this weekend, nothing will!
We’ll also be hearing a gorgeous wee tale from Cat and Yazzie - total strangers who were united through a simple act of kindness involving a big heart, an old pink bike and the Aviemore triathlon.Plus mother and son, Sarah and Martin, explain how they’ve got a shared love of bees! A hobby which has recently led to Martin becoming crowned a World Champ – Scotland’s got a bee World Champion, who knew?28 min - Photographing Grief, the Ukelele-loving Reverend and a Mermaid
Michelle hears from Lesley who lost her partner to suicide two years ago and how, with the help of her photography, she was able to express the grief she couldn’t put into words. Now Lesley has managed to find a way of not just surviving but thriving. This is a difficult story with an inspirational twist.
Forget Disney’s Ariel… Michelle meets Kate from the Isle of Lewis - whose all-weather-all–year-round-swimming has taken her dangerously close to the mouths of sharks.And performing pubs and clubs by night and the altar by day, Michelle hears from man of the cloth - the Rev Jim - on his stage act and how it links with his day job in the East end of Glasgow.28 min - A Drag Queen, a Graffiti Gran and the woman who talks to trees
Michelle McManus speaks to Stephen Murphy from Glasgow about his life as a drag queen and how ‘Barbra La Bush’ has helped bolster his confidence over the last 30 years. Also, 71 year old Graffiti Granny Maggie Wilcockson talks to Michelle about designing her own tag and how an art project helped her reconnect with her community in Aberdeen. And we hear from a woman who is convinced she can communicate with trees... and according to Holly Worton they even talk back to her!
28 min
About Our Lives with Michelle McManus
From the publisher's feed
Michelle McManus gathers together a whole host of stories which reflect contemporary Scotland. Upbeat, positive and inspirational, giving us energy to face the week ahead.
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