The Braw and The Brave

In this episode, host Lisa Kennedy chats with renowned actor, director, writer and producer Eilidh Loan.

Graduating from Guildford School of Acting Eilidh has pursued her passion for storytelling through various avenues, including her play Moorcroft, inspired by the stories of her dad’s youth, for which she was nominated for Best Writer at the Stage Debut Awards and two CATS Awards in 2022.

Writing, directing and starring in her debut short film Soul which was selected by Screen Scotland and BFI Short Sharps programme, she continues to take inspiration from her upbringing, her hometown and the real life characters, with her most recent play starring Scottish legend of stage and screen, Elaine C Smith playing her Gran.

Ever dedicated to connecting people and their stories, Eilidh’s quest to know more and communicate what it means to be a human is evident in her passion and humility.

At the time of filming Eilidh was starring in Antigone at Glasgow’s Tron Theatre in collaboration with Groupwork.

Tickets available here:

https://www.tron.co.uk/shows/antigone/

Eilidh’s Instagram https://instagram.com/eilidhloan?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Episode filmed and produced by Up Next Studios

https://www.upnextstudios.co.uk

This episode suppietrf by Mère & Muse- a female-founded luxury lingerie and self-care brand, created by mum of two, Gemma, while on maternity leave and navigating postnatal depression. What began in her bedroom as a way of helping women reconnect with themselves has grown into a UK-wide community centred around celebrating womanhood at every stage.

Each Mère & Muse box combines luxury lingerie with full-sized self-care treats and little indulgent extras, delivered straight to your door. Boxes can be purchased as a one-off treat or through a monthly subscription, making them perfect for gifting or simply doing something lovely for yourself.

The brand started with just 50 boxes a month, which sold out, increased to 100 and sold out again, and is now at 150 boxes a month being sent to women across the UK.

Alongside the signature boxes, Mère & Muse creates bespoke gift boxes for brides and bridesmaids, mums-to-be, birthdays and special occasions, as well as dedicated postpartum recovery boxes designed with new mums in mind.

At its heart, Mère & Muse is about reminding women that they deserve to feel seen, celebrated and cared for , whether they’re becoming a mum, getting married, going through a new chapter or simply being themselves. Luxury, self-care and a little reminder that you matter too. 🤍

🌟

The Braw and the Brave listeners can also get 10% off at Mère & Muse using code BRAVE10.

Mère and Muse lingerie on Instagram & Facebook:

Mère and Muse lingerie

TikTok:

mere.and.muse

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Lisa welcomes award winning Scottish/Egyptian instrumentalists and composers The Ayoub Sisters, Sarah and Laura to Up Next Studios to talk about their amazing career to date. From composing symphonies to travelling the world, the sisters have pursued their passion for classical music, with their creativity and dedication to their craft seeing their debut album premier at No.1 in the Official Classical Charts. With their unique chemistry on and off stage, the sisters are recognised internationally for uniting different musical genres through their distinctive compositional style and continue to soar as independent artists, seeking the joy of sharing their music with a global audience!

Check out The Ayoub Sisters

https://www.theayoubsisters.com

https://www.instagram.com/theayoubsisters?igsh=MXR4aXB2ODVwaWtheQ==

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Makeup Designer Nicole Tulloch and Costume Designer Carole Millar, both HOD’s on Richard Gadd’s HALF MAN, join me in the studio!

Experts on their fields, both Nicole and Carole have had hugely successful careers to date working in film and TV with their passion and dedication to detail evident in their most recent collaboration.

Filmed and Produced by Up Next Studios

Follow Up Next Studios

https://www.instagram.com/upnextstudios_?igsh=MXQ5bjE2aW5ienJkbQ==

Follow Nicole

https://www.instagram.com/nicoletulloch_mua?igsh=MXJ3cHlyN3h5b3V2ZA==

Follow Carole

https://www.instagram.com/costumedbycarolekay?igsh=MXYzN3Z3YTlkdjhpaQ==

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This week I speak with Paralympic Nordic skier Scott Meenagh. With unwavering dedication, from his time as a young lad on the rugby pitch to fulfilling his dream in becoming a Paratrooper, plan b has never been an option for Scott.

Facing what most would deem the unimaginable, Scott armed with his military training and innate positive attitude to life, has smashed several goals in his sporting career and also within his personal life. From the Invictus Games to the Paralympics. his story is incredibly inspiring. Scott is someone who puts humility and authenticity paired with his appetite for life at the centre of eveything he does.

Follow Scott on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/smeenagh89?igsh=MXI2OGFkemRtaHRqcQ==

Follow The Braw and The Brave

Website: https://www.thebrawandthebrave.com/

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebrawandthebravepodcast/

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I welcome author, keynote speaker and Director of Tree of Knowledge, Gavin Oattes to Up Next Studios! A former primary teacher, Gavin was drawn to the spotlight from a young age travelling the globe performing in comedy sketch groups Gav and Rolls and latterly, The Colour Ham. But it was his passion for combining positivity, play and education that sparked an interest in motivational speaking. Starting his journey with Tree of Knowledge, from Ted Talks to delivering inspirational training programmes for schools and businesses, he has also gone on to write a number of books with an emphasis on creativity, innovation and inspiration being our greatest assets in life- our superpowers!

Gavin’s website

https://www.gavinoattes.com/

Gavin’s latest book, Confidently Lost

https://linktr.ee/ConfidentlyLostBook

This episode is supported by:

GO KIDS PERFORMING ARTS

Discover GKPA Go Kids Performing Arts

Based in Wishaw, GKPA Go Kids Performing Arts is a vibrant performing arts school offering drama, musical theatre, singing, and piano lessons for students of all ages.

At GKPA, young performers are given incredible opportunities both on and off the stage. As a group, students have marched in New York’s famous Tartan Day Parade, performed at the Orlando Shakespeare Company, appeared in London’s West End, and most recently performed their own original musical “A New Chapter” in Manchester.

All GKPA teachers are experienced industry professionals, bringing first hand knowledge of the performing arts alongside professional qualifications and a passion for teaching. Their aim is to inspire the next generation of performers while giving students real insight into the industry.

GKPA is also an accredited Qualifications Scotland centre, giving students the opportunity to gain recognised qualifications and take performing arts exams as they progress in their training.

More than just a theatre school, GKPA is a safe, encouraging, and creative space where students can build confidence, develop their talents, make lasting friendships, and truly feel part of something special.

Whether it’s musical theatre classes, singing lessons, drama training, or piano tuition, GKPA helps every student learn, grow, and shine.

To find out more, visit gkpa.uk.

THE OTHER KINGS

A brand new creative space and studio theatre has arrived in the heart of Wishaw Town Centre.

The Other Kings has been created as a home for creativity, performance, and community. Following the closure of the local theatre space, the team behind The Other Kings wanted to ensure that the arts in Wishaw would continue to thrive. Their vision is simple. To create a welcoming venue where local artists, performers, and creative groups can come together and make amazing things happen.

The space is designed for live shows, concerts, theatre, workshops, and special events, offering an intimate and exciting environment for performers and audiences alike.

Whether you are an artist looking for a stage, a group planning a performance, or someone organising a special event, The Other Kings is now available to hire.

This is more than just a venue. It is a new creative home for Wishaw.

Follow along and be part of the journey as The Other Kings opens its doors and the next chapter of local theatre.

Check out theotherkings.com

Follow The Braw and The Brave

Website: https://www.thebrawandthebrave.com/

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This week I welcomed actor, musician, director and educator George Ure to the BrawBrave Clan! Treading the boards from an early age, George’s first professional job straight out of training was playing Boq in Wicked on the West End! Teaching at the prestigious URDANG Academy in London for a number of years, George returned to the West End stage more recently starting as Midge Ure in Just For One Day: The Live Aid Musical! An incredibly talented creative on and off stage, George is hugely passionate about the world of the arts and sharing his knowledge and experiences with others to support and inspire!

This episode is supports by:

This episode is supported by:

1. Scottish Vocal Coach.

Angela’s Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/scottish_vocal_coach?igsh=ZXp2azczcG13YTFk

Contact Angela: ‪+44 7849 012649‬

2. SODA (Studio One Dramatic Arts)

Website link: https://studio1drama.org

Socials: @studio1_drama

“If you’re looking for a place where creativity, confidence, and community come together — you’ve just found it.

At SODA (Studio One Dramatic Arts), we offer fun, inclusive drama and musical theatre training for kids. More than a performing arts school, SODA is a space where young people are encouraged to express themselves, build confidence, and feel supported every step of the way.

Perfection isn’t our goal — joy is. We believe in trying new things, making lasting friendships, and helping every student discover what makes them shine.”

Follow The Braw and The Brave

Website: https://www.thebrawandthebrave.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBrawandTheBrave

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebrawandthebravepodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBrawandTheBrave

This week I welcomed comedian Bash The Entertainer into the BrawBrave Clan! With an online fan base now in the millions, Bash has carved out an incredible career to date, working with an array of high profile brands globally, with his content going viral on the daily! Also a recording artist and presenter, from streaming to press junkets, reaction videos to stand up, Bash shares his wit and creativity sparking joy globally!

Follow Bash The Entertainer

TikTok

https://www.tiktok.com/@bashtheentertainer?_r=1&_t=ZN-93E6VB5ZpRe

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/bashtheentertainer?igsh=MThtdHFsYzQ2dGkybQ==

This episode is supported by Scottish Vocal Coach.

Angela’s Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/scottish_vocal_coach?igsh=ZXp2azczcG13YTFk

Follow The Braw and The Brave

Website: https://www.thebrawandthebrave.com/

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebrawandthebravepodcast/

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I welcomed Cat Harvey and Ewen Cameron to tell us all about the exciting new radio station STV Radio launching in January 2026! A great catch up with these seasoned professionals and much loved duo who are gearing up for more of their fun-filled airwaves antics to kickstart your day!

STV Radio launches at 8am on Tuesday 6 January and is available on DAB, online, STV Player and your smart speaker - just ask it to "Play STV Radio".

Find out more

https://player.stv.tv/stv-radio

This episode is supported by Scottish Vocal Coach.

Angela’s Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/scottish_vocal_coach?igsh=ZXp2azczcG13YTFk

Follow The Braw and The Brave

Website: https://www.thebrawandthebrave.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBrawandTheBrave

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebrawandthebravepodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBrawandTheBrave

This week I welcome singer Jai McDowall to the BrawBrave Clan!

Growing up in Ayrshire, gigging with his dad and entering signing competitions, Jai knew he wanted to pursue a career in a music from a young age.

Winning the fifth season of Britain’s Got Talent in 2011, he signed with Syco Music and released his debut album ‘Believe’.

From touring the world as a solo artist and also with the four-piece British operatic vocal troupe G4 to

sharing the stage with West End legends such as Rachel Tucker and Hannah Waddington, Jai has carved out a hugely successful career and 14 years on, this humble, hard working continues to share his incredible talent with audiences all over the world.

Follow Jai on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/jai_mcdowall?igsh=YzBxYzJjZm5qZThp

This episode is supported by Scottish Vocal Coach.

Angela’s Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/scottish_vocal_coach?igsh=ZXp2azczcG13YTFk

Follow The Braw and The Brave

Website: https://www.thebrawandthebrave.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBrawandTheBrave

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebrawandthebrave

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebrawandthebravepodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBrawandTheBrave

This week I have a right guid blether with poet, radio presenter and champion of the Scots Leid, Len Pennie. A self-confessed ‘warrior poet held together wae spite and duct tape’, Len’s passion for her native language inspired her to start sharing her ‘Scots Word of The Day’ videos on line during the pandemic, as well as her incredible poetry. Honest and open about her mental health struggles and her experience of domestic abuse, Len hopes to help others feel less alone through her words and her efforts to build a community on and offline. Celebrating Scots as a legitimate and braw form of communication, despite some l backlash and online trolling, Len is ever determined to continue to share her creativity and love for Scots, drawing on personal experience to write her braw and brave ‘poyums’.

Helpful links

Women’s Aid

https://womensaid.org.uk

Action Against Stalking

https://www.actionagainststalking.org

Moira Anderson Foundation

https://moiraanderson.org

NHS Mental Health services:

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/

Len‘s books:

https://canongate.co.uk/contributors/19572-len-pennie/

Len on TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@miss_punnypennie?_r=1&_t=ZN-91s79nWw0so

Len on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/misspunnypennie?igsh=MWt2aDVyYjNkdjFyZg==

Len Pennie & Paul Leonard-Morgan: Delusions

28th January 2026 @ Celtic Connections

https://www.celticconnections.com/event/1/len-pennie-paul-leonard-morgan-delusions/

Follow The Braw and The Brave

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebrawandthebravepodcast/

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