Blethered

BGT 2011 winner Jai McDowall lifts the curtain on the inner-workings of Britain's Got Talent, dealing with Simon Cowell, his new role as a member of G4 and about some human insecurities, even after being established for so long.And as always, there's plenty more.Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.comInstagram: @seantmcdonaldTwitter: @seanmcdonald01

Abbie Draper tells me about her years-long ordeal at the hands of registered sex offender and convicted stalker, Adele Rennie.Rennie was jailed for the third time in September 2024, after a catalogue of serious repeated sexual and stalking crimes.Judge's Sentencing Statement - 13th September 2024Stalking HelplineContact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.comInstagram: @seantmcdonaldTwitter: @seanmcdonald01

I'm joined by radio newsreader Nicolle Cassels, who talks me through the now infamous 'Menendez Brothers' case, recently brought to the spotlight by a gripping Netflix documentary.We pore over the details of their murder trial, after admitting to killing their parents, and the key details that were ultimately dismissed in court...We reflect on societal changes and how if the trial took place today, they would be likely to have a different outcome... And we discuss the likelihood of their imminent release, after having served 30 years for a very complex and emotional crime.And as always, there's plenty more.Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.comInstagram: @seantmcdonaldTwitter: @seanmcdonald01

I'm joined by Nicole Tosh and we look back at the infamous story of 'The Peru Two', arrested in Lima as they attempted to smuggle cocaine from Peru to Spain.Plus:• Scottish man arrested in Colombia, attempting to smuggle 2kg of cocaine out of the country• English woman arrested in Chicago, attempting to smuggle 43kg of cocaine into the USA• The death penalty: Can it ever be justified?• Me against Pacha in court in BarcelonaAnd as always, there's loads more.Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.comInstagram: @seantmcdonaldTwitter: @seanmcdonald01

Blethered at the Ballot: Politics for those who don't do politics.In the wake of the sudden death of former First Minister Alex Salmond, we reflect on his political legacy, tributes from political adversaries and allies alike, and the future of the Scottish independence movement.Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.comInstagram: @seantmcdonaldTwitter: @seanmcdonald01

For those of you listening who are not from the UK, Lorraine Kelly is a Scottish broadcaster with over 40 years in television. Known for her warmth and wit, she's a regular face and voice on morning TV, covering everything from hard-hitting news to celebrity interviews.For the majority of you who are from the UK, she’s Lorraine.In this episode, Lorraine tells me about some of her biggest influences, including her grandmother who was partial to a tall-tale or two…She talks about being born to very young parents in a mixed Catholic-Protestant marriage, at a time when that really was a big deal…And there’s some very interesting chat about Lorraine’s career in television including covering Lockerbie and Dunblane, the exploits of legendary Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton and seeing David Bowie Live in Glasgow at the legendary Apollo.And as always, there’s plenty more. If you enjoy this episode, be a hero and share it somewhere. Love ye!Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.comInstagram: @seantmcdonaldTwitter: @seanmcdonald01

It’s no secret that more and more of us are struggling with money. The cost of things are constantly rising, but wages aren’t rising with them. So what happens...? We fall into debt. What follows debt is embarrassment, shame, worry, panic and stress.The first thing we do is completely dismantle the idea that debt, in any form, is anything to be embarrassed about. It just feels that way because although so many others are in the same boat, understandably, no one is ever going to talk about it. We then discuss the pragmatic approach and the government-protected options that are there, for everyone. You don’t need to keep having your bank account rinsed every month by things that you can’t afford. That’s where Trust Deed Scotland can help you, and you’ll hear all about it.If you take one thing away from this conversation, I hope it’s that your financial situation has absolutely no correlation to the value you hold as a person, and what you mean to other people. Look at it as a beauraucratic issue, and one that can be rectified at any point.See How Trust Deed Scotland Can Help Youhttps://www.trustdeedscotland.net/adtermshttps://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/money-troubles/dealing-with-debtThis Podcast is a paid for advert from Trust Deed Scotland, a trading name of Harper McDermott Limited. Any of the debt solutions that are spoken about today may not be suitable in all circumstances. Fees apply and your credit rating may be affected. More information on this can be found on Trust Deed Scotland’s homepage or by visiting www.TrustDeedScotland.net/adterms.Free debt counselling, debt adjusting and providing of credit information services is available to customers by contacting www.MoneyHelper.org.uk.

Graeme has accrued around half a million followers across all of his social media platforms, as a byproduct of documenting life with his mum, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, several years ago. Graeme explains the initial signs that they started to notice in his mum, and the timeline from diagnosis until now... You’ll hear about how he and his twin sister Kirstin assiduously and tenderly care for their beloved mum, an example of which you’ll hear me get a wee bit upset about… And we discuss the dark humour that acts as both a coping mechanism and a release valve. Even the worst things in life can sometimes still be funny.   Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seantmcdonald/