In this weeks episode of Seasonal Discussions, Chris is joined by Iska Walter, founder and creative mind behind Iska Birnie Photography.

Iska takes us on a journey through her initial forays into photography as a childhood hobby and how that developed into a fully fledged brand photography business.

Throughout it all, her love of animals (especially horses) has never waivered, bringing her horse Sam with her across borders for nearly 2 decades.

Keep up to date with Iska:

https://www.iskabirniephotography.co.uk

https://www.linkedin.com/in/iska-birnie/

https://www.facebook.com/iskabirniephotography

https://www.instagram.com/iskabirniephotography/

In this episode, Chris sits down with Beth Wallace, a radio presenter, DJ, and event organiser based in Aberdeen, for a relaxed and honest conversation about her journey into broadcasting. Beth shares how she transitioned from working in mental health into radio, and how that decision led to opportunities across multiple stations including Mearns FM, Original 106, and even appearances on BBC Radio 1.

We talk about the reality of building confidence behind the mic, finding your place in the industry, and learning to back yourself. We also discuss her role hosting The Big Scottish Football Show, launching her own event brand Just Beth Presents, and what’s next, including her upcoming appearance at Granite City Festival.

This is a calm, open conversation about creativity, career changes, and the person behind the microphone.

Follow Beth online:

https://www.instagram.com/justbeth_

https://soundcloud.com/beth-wallace-12

https://www.tiktok.com/@justbeth___

https://www.instagram.com/justbethpresents/

Listen to Beth on the airwaves!

https://www.instagram.com/bigfootballscot/

https://www.mearnsfm.org.uk

This year, five ordinary men are taking on one of the toughest endurance challenges on the planet: The World’s Toughest Row, a 3,000-mile journey across the Atlantic Ocean.

No support boats. No shortcuts. Just relentless waves, brutal sleep deprivation, and weeks in the middle of the open ocean. But this isn’t just about endurance.

They’re rowing for something bigger than themselves. In this episode, we sit down with Will and Stu of Team Remiges V to talk about why they signed up for a challenge that will push them to their physical and mental limits, and the three charities they’re determined to support along the way.

We talk about:

What it really takes to prepare for 40+ days at sea

The mental battles no one sees

The reality of rowing in two-hour shifts around the clock

Why their cause makes the suffering worth it

This is a conversation about pain, purpose, teamwork, and what happens when ordinary people decide to do something extraordinary.

If their story moves you, you can support their mission and the charities they’re rowing for via the links below: https://www.remigesv.com

www.linkedin.com/company/team-remiges-v/

https://x.com/remigesV

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560145704795

What does it really take to go from competitive powerlifting and strongman to becoming a successful strength coach and personal trainer? In this episode, Chris is joined by Bret Gillies, founder of Infinite Power Coaching, to break down his journey through strongman competitions, powerlifting platforms, and into coaching athletes across multiple sports, plus his mission to get the next generation stronger through the Fit Future project.

We talk about:

Getting started in powerlifting and strongman

Lessons learned from competing at a high level

The realities of becoming a personal trainer

Coaching athletes from different sports

Building strength that actually transfers to performance

Why kids need strength training and community sport now more than ever

This is a relaxed, honest conversation about strength training, mindset, coaching philosophy, and building something bigger than yourself in the fitness industry.

Life Between Scripts is a laid-back conversation with Chris Watt, an independent screenwriter from Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. We talk about his journey into writing, working outside the traditional industry, and the realities of balancing creativity with everyday life. An honest chat about finding your own path, staying motivated, and making space for stories in between everything else.

Erin Walker, founder of Pink Sphynx Media, shares the real story behind starting her own production company in Aberdeen, from creative risk to building a sustainable future for the industry. In this conversation, we explore entrepreneurship, identity, and what the creative sector needs to move forward in Scotland.

See more from Pink Sphynx Media:

https://pinksphynxmedia.co.uk

https://www.instagram.com/pinksphynxmedia/

https://www.facebook.com/pinksphynxmedia

www.linkedin.com/company/pink-sphynx-media/

https://www.youtube.com/@UCDztvttGalqQ7UBqBCpSq5g

Suggest a future guest here:

Email - [email protected]

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/szn-media-ltd/

We have had an incredible 2025 and it's all thanks to you Aberdeen. The engagement from the business and creative communities in the city has been fantastic and we will be continuing that into 2026 and beyond. We want to share as many of Aberdeen's stories as possible and it is a challenge we are 100% ready for.

Thank you Aberdeen, let's keep it growing!

Watch the full episode on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/pjbRljyrSfY

Suggest a future guest here:

Email - [email protected]

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/szn-media-ltd/

Discover the story behind the Academy of Expressive Arts (AEA) in Aberdeen as I sit down with founder Shanna Logan for an in-depth and inspiring conversation. In this episode, Shanna shares her journey from studying performing arts in Aberdeen to advancing her education in London, and how those experiences led to the creation of AEA.

Keep up to date with AEA by following them online:

https://academyofexpressivearts.com

https://www.instagram.com/academyofexpressivearts

https://www.tiktok.com/@academyofexpressivearts

https://www.facebook.com/academyofexpressivearts/

Watch the full video on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/dxxSBoMoH8c

Suggest a future guest here:

Email - [email protected]

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/szn-media-ltd/

In this episode, I sit down with Andrew Smith from KLT Networking in Aberdeen to talk about how he got started in business, his passion for golf, and his love for Scottish courses. We also dive into the importance of networking that’s focused on people, building real, genuine connections rather than surface-level interactions.

This conversation explores Andrew’s personal journey, what motivates him, and why meaningful relationships matter so much in both business and life.

Find out more about KLT Networking:

https://kltnetworking.com

https://www.instagram.com/kltnetworkingaberdeen/

Follow Andrew on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewabn/

Watch the full episode on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/yfWYMySHti4

Suggest a future guest:

Email - [email protected]

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/szn-media-ltd/

Chris sat down with fashion designer Tince Benmouhoub for the latest interview on Seasonal Discussions. They discussed how she got started in dressmaking learning sewing and other skills from her grandmother, through to her time working in alterations in Aberdeen and now running her own online business.

Check out Tince here:

https://tincce.shop

https://www.instagram.com/tince.fashion

https://www.youtube.com/@UCO9KE-UStrz6jBE2ZFXYYUQ

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088500596619

Follow Tince on LinkedIn:

www.linkedin.com/in/tince-benmouhoub

Watch the full episode on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/lH86m5Rzt4E

Suggest a future guest here:

Email - [email protected]

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/szn-media-ltd/