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PODCAST

Blethered

Glasgow & Barcelona based podcast, hosted by Sean McDonald. Sean interviews people from various segments of society, discussing serious topics with Scottish humour. From life stories, to social commentary and discussion on current topics, modern culture and more. Contact at seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

society & culture documentary

All Episodes

40:49

'A Bulgarian Stranger Was Catfished With My Photos'...

Blethered ·

2024/08/08

Donna was at work in Glasgow one summer’s day in 2014, when she decided to look at her ‘Message Requests’ folder on Facebook. What happened next sent her in to a wee bit of a spiral.She had a long, long list of messages from a man in Bulgaria, explaining that he had been deceived into sending cash and expensive gifts to a Bulgarian woman, who had been using Donna’s photos.Heartbroken and distraught, his romantic dreams had collapsed when he realised he had been Catfished.This was a lot for Donna to

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1:49:12

'Not Indian Enough To Get Away With Doing The Voice'...

Blethered ·

2024/07/31

James - by his own definition - is a journeyman. He’s been a DJ, a TV producer, a TV presenter, a footballer in the Philippines, a double glazing salesman and now - one of Scotlands best stand up comedians.Born in Glasgow to an Indian mother and Glaswegian father, he had a unique and distinct perspective on life from the very outset. You’ll hear about his upbringing, his younger sister Lauren and older brother Alexander. Alexander has complex additional needs and requires 24 hour care - something

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51:15

Catfish Politicians, Private Schools & Orange Walks...

Blethered ·

2024/07/23

Kim is hilarious, intelligent and thoughtful, and I really like her. I think you will too, which is why her debut Edinburgh Fringe show ‘Might as Well’ is well worth going to see. She’s likeable, observant, and funny. Which you’ll hear throughout this chat.We talk about how the UK began to suspect that Reform were fielding Catfish candidates, people that didn’t even exist…Kim tells me about how she decided to just go for it in comedy, after amassing a huge online following…And we chat orange walks,

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57:08

The Gravy Train Departs Downing Street // with Paul...

Blethered ·

2024/07/01

I’m on the road but Blethered keeps moving, just like the studio for this interview with Labour MSP and former MP, Paul Sweeney. We sat down to discuss the outgoing Conservative government on the final journey of the last ever old subway train on the Glasgow subway, after 44 years of service.A very fitting environment, given that both of the aforementioned are not fit for purpose, completely ragged and everyone wants to see the back of them.We talk about unlikely political friendships away from the

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53:21

Catfishing: Sextortion, Blackmail & Suicide

Blethered ·

2024/06/27

Imagine this: You're scrolling through Instagram, TikTok or even Facebook, and suddenly you get a message from someone who seems genuinely interested in you.The conversation quickly turns flirtatious, and before you know it, you've shared personal photos and information. And then, the unthinkable happens. The person on the other end reveals their true intentions, and threaten to send it on to your friends and family unless you pay up, or do something equally distressing.This isn't an urban myth or

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1:04:37

Money Worries Can Kill, But EVERYTHING Can Be Fixed...

Blethered ·

2024/06/12

Living standards are through the floor, while living costs are through the roof. 14 years of a Conservative government have culminated in record numbers of people living in poverty - and a now gargantuan disparity between those who are rich and those who aren’t.However, no one is immune from debt, and certainly not from the shame, embarrassment, stigma and difficulty that accompanies it.Joining me on Blethered at the Ballot to talk through those issues is senior debt adviser Tommy Gallacher, a name

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53:16

The Catfish WAG: Hayley McKay

Blethered ·

2024/05/15

It’s 2011. Novak Djokovic wins his first Wimbledon title, Rangers make it three league win in a row, while Celtic win another Scottish Cup in the rain against Motherwell. Osama bin Laden is killed, Adele tops the charts, and there’s earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan.The News of the World closes its doors for good, England burns after riots break out across the nation and the Iraq War finally comes to an end.But the explosiveness is only just about to begin.Young men across the city of Glasgow start

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1:07:12

Have You Ever Thought About Killing Yourself? // with...

Blethered ·

2024/05/09

Romana recently shared a very thoughtful and introspective Instagram post about a suicide attempt in April last year. I found it to be very profound, so I asked her if she fancied sitting down and having a chat with me.‘Have you ever thought about killing yourself?’ might seem like a really shocking and insensitive question to ask out loud, let alone have as the title for an episode of a podcast. It could quite reasonably be interpreted as an unsuitably nonchalant and flippant way to ask something

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56:03

'Your Vibe Attracts Your Tribe' // with Kate Berry &...

Blethered ·

2024/05/08

Kate Berry and Jenny Storey co-own two businesses in one. The first is Urban Retreat, a hair and beauty salon that puts a strong emphasis on community, care and impeccable professional standards.The second, is The Academy. They provide Scotland’s first private traineeship, in direct partnership with the most prestigious spa resorts all over Scotland. Whether it’s someone just starting out in life, or a person who wants to take themselves in a different direction, they provide a clear pathway for

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1:07:59

The Story of Hayley McKay - The Original Catfish

Blethered ·

2024/04/15

Here’s an introduction to Hayley, if you’re not familiar with her, as she has quite the profile.• Model• Miss Scotland Finalist• Niece of Rangers legend Ally McCoist• Love interest of various Scottish Premier League Footballers• One time Girlfriend of Leicester City and England footballer Jamie Vardy• Friend of the rich and famousOh, and one more detail. She never existed.I’m joined by Gabrielle Livingstone as we dig into the bizarre and unbelievable existence of the girl that never was. You’ll hear

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28:21

Labour Councillor Audrey Dempsey Resigns Amidst...

Blethered ·

2024/04/12

Labour Councillor Audrey Dempsey has been accused of racism and suspended this week, after she proposed to ask a question at the council about 'racist attacks on white children in schools'.In this exclusive interview, Audrey announces her resignation from the Labour Party. And: Her explanation of why she was asking the question'Liking' tweets from far-right partyFuture in politics+ More Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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57:55

Conservative MSP Dr Sandesh Gulhane // Blethered at...

Blethered ·

2024/04/02

Blethered at the Ballot is a political podcast that pulls no punches, brings a laugh or two, and cuts straight through to the important matters without getting caught up in political jargon and meaningless soundbites.The General Election is fast approaching and before we collectively decide who to put in power, we deserve to know the thoughts of those who currently have it, those who want it, and those who are near it.Dr Sandesh Gulhane has been a Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP for Glasgow

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3:40

Blethered LIVE with Tam Cowan

Blethered ·

2024/03/21

TICKETS: https://www.seetickets.com/event/blethered-with-sean-mcdonald/august-house/2926744Blethered will be LIVE at August House in Glasgow city centre on Thursday 18th April with legendary broadcaster, journalist and entertainer Tam Cowan for a night of conversation, previously unheard stories from a long career in media, and basically just a right good laugh.This will be Blethered in its original style, with strictly nothing off-limits and a chance to hear the stories that are a wee bit too hot

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1:12:13

Sturgeon, Salmond & Vladimir Romanov // with Phil...

Blethered ·

2024/03/13

Phil and Martin Compston are back on the BBC with Martin Compston’s Norwegian Fling, their second series together, where they travel across Norway and experience some of what the country has to offer.In this episode, you’ll hear Phil talk to me about how going to Gaelic school set him on an interesting and unique career path...I find out how an innocuous conversation led to the commissioning of the programme, and what the experience was like…And Phil talks about working alongside Nicola Sturgeon and

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1:24:23

Dundee FC General Manager Greg Fenton

Blethered ·

2024/03/01

Greg is the General Manager of Dundee Football Club and CEO of the Dundee FC Community Trust, and has played his own key role in the resurgence of Dundee Football Club. That resurgence has manifested itself in both sporting progression, with the side producing a very impressive and - not to be disrespectful - but generally unexpected showing in this season’s Scottish Premiership.In this episode, you’ll hear Greg talk me through his varied but valuable experience in education and work, moulding him

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1:15:47

Spotlight: Living With HIV

Blethered ·

2024/02/23

Back in 2021, I put together three separate interviews, where I aimed to find out more about what it’s really like to live with HIV, and about the groundbreaking new treatment that Scotland is the first country in the world to offer.Those guests are two men, Brian and David, who have been living with the virus for quite some time, and from Dr Nneka Nikwolo.They each give me a personalised account of their lives, the realities of living with HIV and the challenges they've faced.Contact:

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1:55:23

‘I Couldn’t Afford My Kids’ School Uniforms’ // with...

Blethered ·

2024/02/20

Rhianna is a successful business owner with all the outward signs of success, but her journey there wasn’t a simple one.We talk about her upbringing in the town of Kilmarnock, and the issues of deprivation, addiction and community that exist in the area she comes from…Rhianna opens up in great detail about how she found herself homeless with two children and debt collectors close behind, before taking a serious risk in order to improve her financial situation…You’ll hear all about her plans to

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1:27:21

Life, Death And What's Left Unsaid // with Ardgowan...

Blethered ·

2024/02/14

Ardgowan Hospiceis a place of care for people living in Inverclyde who have been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, such as cancer, heart failure, lung disease, kidney failure or neurological conditions.They provide not only physical and medical support, but also important practical, emotional and social support to patients, and their families and carers.You'll hear from Ardgowan ambassador and Greenock native Martin Compston, as he gives you an idea of just what the place means to the people

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53:32

Capital FM DJ Meg McHugh

Blethered ·

2024/02/06

Capital FM DJ Meg recently moved from Glasgow to London, and we speak about the step up in her career and how she’s adjusted to being part of one of the biggest networks in UK radio…Meg talks about the loss of her beloved dad, Michael, and how she channelled that emotion and energy into her podcast, McHugh Corner, which tackles hard-hitting subjects head-on…And we chat about London Life and bumping into Will Ferrell in the office. As you do…Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.comTwitter:

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57:39

Black & Scottish // with Filmmaker Stewart Kyasimire

Blethered ·

2024/02/02

Back in December 2021, I sat down with Filmmaker and Director Stewart Kyasimire who talked to me about moving to Glasgow from Kenya at a young age...We discuss his BAFTA nominated documentary 'Black & Scottish', encountering racism, and the steely guidance of his Mum...And as, always, loads more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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246 results

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