The Convex Conversation

Coinneach Macleod, who comes from a small crofting settlement on the remote island of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, reveals how he’s unexpectedly become known to millions all over the world as The Hebridean Baker.

Coinneach’s unique blend of delicious recipes & fascinating stories from the Scottish Islands, music, stunning scenery, culinary secrets from his Aunt Bellag (93) & Gaelic in his one-minute baking films has attracted more than 17 million views on TikTok.

The fact the videos went viral have led to publication of a beautiful cookery book - featuring a “wee slice” of the Hebridean life Coinneach's so proud to share - numerous TV appearances & an upcoming book tour of America.

Actor Neil Morrissey was catapulted to fame in Men Behaving Badly & has been on our screens for the last four decades, in drama & comedy. 

The Good Karma Hospital star tells Helen about growing up in children's homes from the age of ten, being taken away from his parents, and how acting saved him. 

He also explains what it was like being a household name through the phone hacking years, talks about his pub, brewing his own Morrissey Blonde, new projects with broadcaster Sara Cox & Richard Osman & his love of relaxing in the middle of nowhere in France.

The Ukrainian refugee crisis is the fastest growing in Europe since the second world war & could last years, with more than 2 million people already abandoning their homes following Russia’s invasion.

Founder & CEO of Indigo Volunteers Holly Penalver talks about her charity’s role at the Ukranian borders, the extraordinary international response & the need for the UK to urgently issue more visas.

Holly and her teams work in the field in countries like Serbia, Bosnia & Greece long after the headlines are over, coordinating the grassroots refugee response and matching volunteers to organisations which provide vital support.

She says the current momentum for Ukraine is unlikely to be sustained therefore explains the need to pace ourselves for the mid- to long-term humanitarian crisis.

Broadcaster & editor-in-chief of The Frank Magazine Melanie Sykes speaks openly to Helen about her recent discovery she’s autistic & her new-found determination to speak out & help others.

Melanie has embraced her diagnosis at the age of 51 & says she’s looking at life through a different lens, unpicking and making sense of some of the past.

Melanie also talks passionately about the magazine she founded; her love of creating, interviewing, elevating & inspiring others, and a life-changing trip to India to connect with her family’s roots.  

As a young boy, Alessandro Savelli grew up in Genoa in Italy enjoying pasta made by his grandmother. When he wanted to start a brand from scratch, he came up with the idea for Pasta Evangelists, offering hand-made fresh pasta and the ingredients for delicious sauces delivered through the letterbox.

Alex and his partner Finn pitched on Dragons Den two years ago for £75,000 of investment but were turned down. They humbly listened to the Dragons’ advice but continued with their plans and sold a major stake in their company last year for £40 million.

Netflix say The Queen's Gambit has broken all records for the most watched limited series, with 62 million households gripped by their seven-part drama. But the story behind it is just as fascinating.

Co-creator & executive producer Allan Scott bought the rights to the Walter Tevis book in the eighties & tells Helen the trials & tribulations behind trying to get studios interested in the story of orphaned chess prodigy Beth Harmon. Chess being the blocker. 

Allan, who brought us iconic films like Don’t Look Now starring Donald Sutherland & Julie Christie and the musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, jokes he thought he was hallucinating when he watched the first episode air from his hospital bed!

Helen first met & interviewed fifth generation organic dairy farmer James Robinson at a BBC Countryfile Live event where he discussed the importance of food provenance, sustainability, bio-diversity & the challenges family farms face in Britain.

So, for this week’s podcast, she heads to the Cumbrian countryside to experience life at Strickley Farm, sample some raw milk & meet the bovine stars of his social media posts – a rare & beautiful ancient herd of pedigree Shorthorns.

As well-intentioned New Year’s resolutions fade & over-ambitious goals for a new body start to slip, wellness guru Rhian Stephenson explains the power of food and how to feel good & energised all year round.

Rhian is a nutritional therapist & naturopath who gave up her role as CEO of Psycle London to create her own wellness company, ARTAH out of her passion to help and inspire people to enjoy optimal health.

As a child Rhian suffered unexplained respiratory illnesses & skin conditions which were only resolved when, aged 17, a naturopath discovered she was allergic to a protein in milk.

British actor Peter Wight tells Helen about filming the upcoming BBC drama The Reckoning, based on the life of disgraced entertainer Jimmy Savile. He also chats about working with Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage on Cyrano which is out at cinemas now.

Peter, who has graced our screens & performed on stage for five decades, shares stories of working with legendary film director Mike Leigh; brushing shoulders with Hollywood’s Brad Pitt & Kiera Knightley & explains what drove him as a teenager to become one of Britain’s finest theatre actors.