

Blethered
Sean McDonald
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 16, 2022 • 51min
Detective Superintendent Fil Capaldi
Fil is part of the Specialist Crime Division of Police Scotland, focusing on Rape, Human Trafficking & prostitution, with decades of experience across the board.Fil talks about human trafficking and forced prostitution in Scotland, how it’s happening across the country and the steps Police Scotland take to stop it at its root… There’s some tales of policing on the streets of Glasgow, including a machete-swinging individual on one side, and an irate Glaswegian woman on the other… And we chat about Police Scotland’s Don’t Be That Guy ad campaign. You can find more information on the campaign at www.that-guy.co.uk. Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 9, 2022 • 1h 24min
Ian Brown, Victoria Beckham & Me // with Gordon Duncan
Gordon is responsible for the music PR of James Bay, Tom Walker, Lewis Capaldi, Luke La Volpe, Joesef, Dylan John Thomas, Bow Anderson, Tamzene and many, many more. Drawing on decades of experience, Gordon explains just how music PR works, and about the many cogs in the machine of big musicians. There are stories about Lemmy from Motorhead’s answer machine, Ian Brown from the Stone Roses in the supermarket, and Victoria Beckham in Glasgow. You’ll also hear about Gordon’s experience of being in Sri Lanka at the time of the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004, and the charity efforts that led to him introducing Paul Weller on stage for a fundraiser. www.dontfretaboutdebt.net/blethered/Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 31, 2022 • 21min
Don’t Drown In Debt
I’m joined by someone who listened to my first interview with Senior Debt Adviser, Tommy Gallacher.In February 2021, Tommy and I discussed the social stigma around debt, and the stresses that come with carrying that weight.Tommy explained the solutions available, and steps to stop you paying more than you can afford, each month. We also discussed the reasons people fall into debt in the first place, including payday loans and schemes like Klarna.That conversation struck a chord with so many people who have since followed Tommy’s advice and taken back control of their situation. One of those is today’s guest. Circumstances dictated that although he had a well-paying job, he was JUST about keeping his head above water financially, each month. After getting in touch to find out the steps and protections available to him, the weight of the world is off his shoulders and he’s firmly back in control. https://twitter.com/tommygallacherwww.dontfretaboutdebt.net/blethered/Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 16, 2022 • 1h 22min
Live at SWG3 - Aimen Dean on 9/11, Spying for MI6 & Returning Jihadists (Part 2)
Part 2 of Blethered Live at SWG3 in Glasgow, with former MI6 Spy Aimen Dean.Aimen tells a never-before-told story about his haunting interaction with the lead-hijacker of the September 11th attacks in New York City...We hear about Aimen's decision to join MI6 as an undercover spy, and the extensive debriefing process in Scotland...Aimen discusses his progression into mainstream media such as Newsnight and the Conflicted podcast, and how it came about...And Aimen reflects on the issue of returning jihadists, and the controversial case of Shamima Begum.And as always, there's loads more.www.dontfretaboutdebt.net/blethered/Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 13, 2022 • 1h 4min
Live at SWG3 - Aimen Dean on Al-Qaeda, Osama bin Laden & MI6 (Part 1)
Part 1 of Blethered Live at SWG3 in Glasgow, with former MI6 Spy Aimen Dean.Aimen talks about his early life in Saudi Arabia and how religious clerics shaped his young mindset...His decision to go and fight in Bosnia at 16 years old, in defence of Bosnian Muslims, and the horrors that he saw...And about when his path first crossed with Osama bin Laden.And as always, there's plenty more.www.dontfretaboutdebt.net/blethered/Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 29, 2022 • 1h 14min
Brandon Lee: The 32 Year Old Schoolboy // with Filmmaker Jono McLeod
Filmmaker Jono McLeod has worked in a variety of roles both in front of, and behind the camera, for some of the biggest networks in Britain.His most recent project is a spectacular documentary called My Old School.My Old School reveals the truth behind one of the most incredible stories of the past 30 years, in which a 32 year old man tricked his way into a school in the suburbs of Glasgow, posing as a 16 year old pupil.Featuring interviews with his old classmates and teachers, it’s a hilarious, thought provoking, engaging, unique and immensely entertaining docu-film, and it’s in cinemas now.We discuss the intricacies of the story, and Jono’s personal memories of what happened…Jono talks about his own school experience as a teenager trying to remain under the radar, and how that influenced his telling of the story…And we talk about Jono’s career in general, plus his award winning short film 'Being Stavros'.And as always, there’s plenty more.www.dontfretaboutdebt.net/blethered/Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 22, 2022 • 25sec
Live at SWG3 with Aimen Dean
Blethered Live at SWG3 GlasgowIn Conversation With Former MI6 Spy Aimen DeanTue 30 AugustTickets: https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/blethered-live-tickets/artist/5388843 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 21, 2022 • 1h 27min
Aimen Dean, 21st Century’s Most Valued Spy On Why He’s Leaving Scotland
Tickets for Blethered Live at SWG3 with Aimen Dean - Tue 30 August:: https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/blethered-live-tickets/artist/5388843Returning listeners will be well aware of Aimen from my two previous chats with him, on the subjects of his life and career. For those who aren’t, here’s a wee bit of background.Often described as The West’s most significant and valued spy of the 21st century, Aimen worked undercover with MI6, deep within Al Qaeda, providing a constant stream of invaluable information to the British security services. Something that has irrefutably saved thousands of lives. On joining MI6, Aimen’s initial debriefs took place in safe houses all over Scotland, sparking an intense love affair with the country. A nation he calls his spiritual home.After moving to Scotland in 2019, Aimen enrolled his young daughter with one of the country’s top private girls’ schools in Edinburgh. He thought his family were set for life, in the land he chose to call home.But now, just two and a half years later, the family is set to leave Scotland completely, as things have gone drastically wrong. Aimen explains the series of events that have led to this decision to leave the country for good…And he gives his reasons for speaking out, particularly for the protection of those who may be in a similar situation in future.www.dontfretaboutdebt.net/blethered/Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 3, 2022 • 1h 13min
Shining A Light On Scottish Talent // with Ross Coutts
Ross Coutts is a man of many talents and one of his multiple roles is in local radio. We talk about his early days in hospital radio and how he seeks to give a platform to up and coming Scottish musicians.You’ll even hear about an 11 year old Lewis Capaldi coming in and making an instant impression.We chat about the highly regarded Gig in The Goil music festival, one that Ross played a fundamental role in bringing to life, with impressive headliners, such as Gerry Cinnamon & The Snuts…And Ross gives some fascinating insight into the fabric of the West Lothian music scene, a relatively small place that seems to be a conveyor belt of the very best that Scotland has to offer.And as always, there’s plenty more. www.dontfretaboutdebt.net/blethered/Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 29, 2022 • 1h 27min
Breaking The Cycle Of Offending & Imprisonment // with Holly McDonald
In this episode, we discuss Adverse Childhood Experiences - also known as ACEs - and how they can shape the rest of your life without you ever realising…Holly talks about her brother and how losing his grandfather resulted in a catalogue of difficult experiences for him the family…And we speak about the cycle of offending and prison, and how a different approach would help remove people from that chain.And as always, there’s plenty more. www.dontfretaboutdebt.net/blethered/Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


