In 1997, broadcaster Bernie Quayle went to Miami and recorded a number of wonderful conversations with fellow Manxies Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb - and their Mum, Barbara. We thought these recordings were lost, after Bernie's website went offline not long after he died in 2021. However, his sister Pauline - my mum! - recently found the mp3 copies on a CD and agreed to let me share them on this podcast. 

This first instalment is the family chatting together, remembering their childhood here on the Isle of Man, singing together, giggling like kids and showing a side of themselves they rarely revealed. And as a bonus for Mother's Day, there is an exclusive additional conversation between Bernie and Barbara, where she talks about meeting her husband Hugh, moving to the Isle of Man and what her 'little devils' were really like. 

In coming weeks, we will also share the separate, individual conversations Bernie had with each of the brothers, who would of course go on to become some of the greatest recording artists of all time - The Bee Gees.   

Lucky Number 7 as a VERY special episode of ProfIsles is coming this week - interviews that once were lost, now are found. Any idea who these people could be?? Stay tuned for the big reveal...

Guest no.6, Julia Ashby Smyth, is so much more than Just An Artist; she spends a great deal of her worldly life immersed in nature, but also flitting in and around the spaces of the inbetween. You will know her work from the extravagantly decorated bottles of Fynoderee gin, rum and vodka, perhaps also from various Manx books such as the 2013 publication of Sophia Morrison's Manx Fairy Tales and, very likely, from curating the Hodgson Loom Gallery in Laxey. 

We talk about myths and moggies, tribal culture and time travel, superstitions and seeing magic, something called the susserous and dreamweaving and Blue Peter Makes... amongst many other marvellous things. 

This is full of wonder and fizzing with What If?s. And if, after listening, you find yourself drawn you into Julia's world as intensely as it did me, go see her latest exhibition 'Rare Sightings and Urban Faeries' at the Manx Museum* which transports you to her otherworlds - or 'Jubiverse' as she calls it.

*Rare Sightings is open until February 23rd 2025. But if you can't make it, or you'd like to relive it, you'll find a series of photos and videos on our social media channel. 

Jamie Lewis and Drew Fleming are the two impressive young entrepreneurs behind the Extra Fancy brand and multi award winning Kiki's Lounge. They talk to us about friendship, fatherhood, the industry they love and global domination - with a healthy dose of chat about steam trains and Spice Girl fandom for good measure. 

It will make you feel proud of the Island and hopeful for our future, which is surely somewhat safer in the hands of enthusiastic, driven and creative souls like this pair.

Enjoy. And if you do enjoy it, please share it around. It’s what your Nan would have wanted.

*WARNING - there are some swears. 

Best selling author C.M Ewan (aka Chris) made time just before Christmas to sit down for a good old chinwag, talking about how much he loves the Island and how much it inspired - and features in - a number of his best selling thrillers, utilising our dark and our tempestuous weather, mysterious and varied locations and unique traditions. 

An exclusive treat!

Come with us on a personal tour of the Fynoderee Distillery with co-Founder Tiffany Kerruish, as she introduces us to Odin's ravens, tells tales of Viking mythology, distillery Disruptors, cocktails served on the Rock (Conister) and much more.

Find photos of the tour to accompany this chat over on our Facebook and Instagram pages. You hear our full conversation with Tiffany in Episode 3 of ProfIsles, which is live now here on Buzzsprout, via Spotify or Amazon Music.

With family roots on the Isle of Man that can be traced back centuries, local couple Paul and Tiffany Kerruish founded The Fynoderee Distillery in 2017.

Their passion for distilling premium Manx spirits took them from humble beginnings - in a shed at the back of their home - to a much-loved drinks brand, now renowned for their award-winning Manx Gins, Rum and Vodka.

Located in Ramsey, their name and visual identity is inspired by Folklore and steeped in Heritage.

Tiffany took some time out to chat with us just before Christmas about everything from foraging to Christmas traditions; the joys of a Manx music pub session to the highs, lows and lockdowns of building a business with longevity; there’s talk of beasts and pirates and taking risks with rum – all this and so much more, wonderfully fuelled by a cheeky Fyn and tonic, of course.

Meet ‘The Watchmaker’.

In our second episode, we speak with Roger W Smith OBE, hearing the remarkable story of his rise from Watchmaker’s Apprentice to the top of the industry, running his own workshop of apprentices and forming the Alliance of British Watchmakers; we remember his extraordinary mentor, the great George Daniels, who also lived and worked in the North of the Island; we meet some of Roger’s apprentices and get an exclusive insight into some of the cutting edge machinery they use to create their masterpieces; talk about how they find it to be living on and working from such a small landmass and Roger reveals the latest poignant project he has been tasked with, honouring his mentor and friend.

You'll find photos and videos of the workshop tour on our socials: Facebook

Welcome to ProfIsles! 

In this first episode, I have a lovely long chat with the effervescent singer songwriter and proud Manxie Christine Collister, who returned to live on her Island home during lockdown. 

Far from just being about music, the conversation is about growth, creative development, courage and loss; it's about sisterhood and The Sea; but more than that, it's about Christine's intrinsic attachment and connection to her Island home, its fascinating folklore and its always alluring land and seascapes.

Having spent decades prior to lockdown travelling the world as an internationally respected performer - both in her own right but also alongside a host of critically acclaimed musical pals - being back here during such a strange time presented a number of challenges for her: the restrictions of being Island-bound, a sudden impact on her performing career but also, a very personal family challenge, as she watched her Mother succumb to the onset of dementia.  

However, this time - and this Island - also presented brand new life changing opportunities for Christine, connections and creative inspirations which have led to the creation and release of her extraordinary new artistic endeavour 'Children of the Sea'.

Find out more about the project and Christine's UK / AUS tour at Christinecollister.com