Blethered

*****ORIGINALLY RELEASED AUGUST 2019*****Capital FM Producer James tells me about his life and how gambling addiction took a severe grip on him.He explains the stresses and pressures in detail, and how the disease impacted and infected every inch of his life. We talk about the spiralling problem, the debt issues incurred as a result, and how suicide became the most viable option in his eyes.As with every episode of Blethered, we reach the light at the end of the tunnel. With the help of Gamblers Anonymous, James fought back and took control and has turned things around.This is an honest, raw, dark and inspiring account of the affliction - and we even laughed the whole way through the conversation - even when it got really dark. James doesn't hold back and this can stand as an example to anyone else suffering in a similar situation.Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01Money Advice Groupshttps://www.moneyadvicescotland.org.uk/https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/enGamblers Anonymoushttps://gascotland.org/https://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/Samaritanshttps://www.samaritans.org/?nation=scotlandhttps://www.samaritans.org See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 James unravelled in great detail in one of his previous stand up shows.You’ll hear James talk about comedy and what makes things funny, regardless of how dark the subject matter is…We talk about his genuinely fascinating career path and how it’s led him to where he is today, with a good few funny stories for good measure…And James talks me through what he describes as a breakdown, and the clarity of vision and purpose that followed as a result.Edinburgh Fringe Show TicketsHealth Booster Salt CavesContact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.comInstagram: @seantmcdonaldTwitter: @seanmcdonald01

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, private schools and how difficult it can be to be in creative industries when you don’t have some for of wealthy benefactor.Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.comInstagram: @seantmcdonaldTwitter: @seanmcdonald01Tickets to The Fringe show

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 many returning listeners will be well acquainted with. Tommy has featured on Blethered five times, offering his expert insight and human approach to one of society’s biggest killers: financial debt. You can go back and listen to our previous conversations where we dismantle the notion that debt is anything to be embarrassed about, while Tommy offers advice and solutions on government-backed and protected initiatives that can help you gain control of any spiralling financial issues. In this conversation, we continue the discussion and Dismantling of the shame and embarrassment attached to debt…We talk about the stark reality that suicides will be linked to financial pressure, and that everything in life can be fixed, while expanding on the Government-protected schemes that exist to help you…And we hear a bit about what Tommy would like to see from an incoming government order to help people feeling the strain If you take only one thing away from this episode, I hope that it’s these four words: Everything Can Be Fixed. It does not matter what it is. So talk to someone, and let’s fix it. While Tommy is a trusted expert who offers terrific advice and invaluable professional help, this episode is not an advertisement for the company Tommy works for, or any other company. As stated in the conversation, there are many different options out there for you, including free advice from impartial charity stepchange.org and mygov.scot/support.Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.comInstagram: @seantmcdonaldTwitter: @seanmcdonald01

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 scrutinising glare of the public - between Labour and Conservative politicians, SNP and DUP politicians, and me and someone who served in Margaret Thatcher’s cabinet! Paul speaks openly about his hopes for cooperation between Labour in Westminster and SNP in Holyrood...We discuss how unlocking the value of Celtic & Rangers could benefit Glasgow & Scotland’s economy...And we reflect on the incoming Labour government, and what we hope that’ll bring to people’s lives.If you’re listening prior to entering the polling both on the 4th of July, the gravy train is getting ready to depart Downing Street, and it won’t be stopping back any time soon.This government’s political malevolence and sociopathic, cruel and corrupt nature is matched only by the jaw-dropping ineptitude of those who functioned within it, including the conveyor belt of Prime Ministers that were essentially elected via undemocratic process.Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.comInstagram: @seantmcdonaldTwitter: @seanmcdonald01

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 something that only happens thousands of miles away, this is the reality for many people who fall victim to ‘sextortion’ and blackmail by catfish accounts, and it’s happening where you live.These twisted predators use fake identities to build trust and manipulate their victims, leading to devastating consequences, both emotionally and financially.In this episode I’m joined by Debbie MacPhee whose teenage son was targeted, even without engaging with anyone, and we’re shining a light on the tactics and methods used by these criminals. You’ll hear a number of stories about people who were targeted, with some horrifying outcomes, and steps you can take to ensure that you and your loved ones can stay safe in an online setting that’s becoming increasingly dangerous.Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.comInstagram: @seantmcdonaldTwitter: @seanmcdonald01

Aimen Dean was an Al-Qaeda bombmaker who had sworn an oath of allegiance to Osama Bin Laden. He eventually defected to work for the British Security Services as a spy for seven and a half years, before his cover was blown by ex-US Vice President Cheney. We talk about his motivations for taking up arms, the part that radicalisation played, becoming disillusioned with the cause, and his time with MI5 and MI6. Aimen's Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nine-Lives-Time-Inside-al-Qaeda/dp/1786073285 Support Blethered on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/join/Blethered Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 to receive friend requests from an attractive young woman named Hayley McKay.She says she’s a model and the niece of Rangers legend Ally McCoist. She says she met them in a club, or they’d chatted while drunk, but nobody can recall meeting her. All of a sudden, Hayley is everywhere. In the papers as a Miss Scotland finalist, flirting online with Celtic & Rangers players and even tagged in Jamie Vardy’s Twitter bio as his girlfriend. Before you know it, she’s writing blogs about having life saving surgery, prompting other women to confide in her with their own stories.Eventually her hoax unravels when a woman in Wales discovers that her pictures are being used in a twisted scam. The Scottish Sun run an article on it, only for it to mysteriously disappear.So, was this a harmless fantasist, or a dangerous criminal?Let’s find out.Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.comInstagram: @seantmcdonaldTwitter: @seanmcdonald01

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 me tell the story of how I crossed paths online with Hayley, what went on in her imaginary world, and how it all began to unravel.Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.comInstagram: @seantmcdonaldTwitter: @seanmcdonald01