Blethered

Dennis Locorriere - 1949 / 2026Dennis Locorriere has been the voice of Dr Hook for over 50 years, achieving number 1’s in 42 countries and countless gold and platinum records.We talk about Dennis’ early days in New Jersey and the formation of Dr Hook, and how Sylvia’s Mother put them on the map… plus the true story of the REAL Sylvia and her mother…We discuss Dr Hook’s stratospheric success and what’s kept their music in people’s hearts for over five decades…And there are incredible tales about Shel Silverstein, Billy Connolly, Elvis Costello and more, over an illustrious and phenomenal life and career, that’s still going strong.And as always, there’s plenty more.Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcdonald01Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I was joined live on stage in Glasgow by Zack Polanski, Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, Holly Bruce MSP, and comedian Amanda Dwyer.Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.com

I sit down wirth Gillian Mackay, as we look to a new era in Scottish politics.Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.com

Billy Boyd was one half of Silibil n Brains, the Scottish duo behind one of the most notorious bluffs in music industry history. But according to him, the version you know isn’t quite the truth.Italian Language Exchange Laungh Night Party At Amore, Glasgow!contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.com

This episode is about how justice and humanity can intersect, and what happens when you treat people like they can still be more than the worst thing they’ve ever done.I’m viscerally aware of how serious crimes affect victims - I’ve felt that pain myself, but every conversation needs space for nuance.And in this episode, you’ll hear former Barlinnie prison officer Frank and I have a very detailed one.We discuss his expansive work history and his view of life inside Barlinnie, how modern innovations in rule-breaking make it tough to stop drugs getting in, plus the blackmail methods used against guards…We take a look at the social factors behind crime and why so many end up in a cycle of prison, addiction, and reoffending…And we explore why, in some cases, investing in rehabilitation makes more sense than a never-ending, expensive spiral.And as always, there’s loads more.Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.com

Angela Landers is a teacher of transcendental meditation at the TM Centre in Glasgow, recently displaced following the vape-shop fire on Union Street.In this conversation, we explore what transcendental meditation actually is, what it does to the mind and body, and why more people are turning inwards in a world that feels increasingly loud, constant, and overwhelming.We get into the crossover between science and long-standing spiritual practices, how attention and awareness shape our experience, and whether looking inward offers something that modern life doesn’t.I’m not offering a neat solution, because there isn’t one. I’m just asking the right questions.If life feels like too much at times, and you find yourself constantly looking outward for something to settle that, this might shift your perspective.contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.com TM Glasgow

Derek McEwan is preparing to take on the Marathon des Sables, a six-day, 250km ultra-marathon across the Sahara, where runners carry their own supplies and face extreme heat and cold.He’s doing it to raise money for the Catherine McEwan Foundation, set up in memory of his mum, who died aged 37 after living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease for 21 years. The charity supports people dealing with chronic pain, fatigue, and the daily realities of IBD.To understand the challenge, I joined Derek in a 35°C heat chamber session with humidity and reduced oxygen. Even over an hour, the strain on breathing, heart rate, and effort levels was clear, offering a glimpse into both the race conditions and the ongoing reality for those living with IBD.contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.comCatherine McEwan Foundation

Ally Begg’s life has taken some extraordinary turns. From growing up in Aberdeen dreaming of playing for Aberdeen FC, to becoming a member of 90s boyband Bad Boys Inc, his journey then moved into the world of football broadcasting. From Manchester United's MUTV and Celtic TV to becoming the face of football across South East Asia, Ally built a global career in sports media. But a serious near-death experience later forced him to reassess everything. This is a story of reinvention, resilience and perspective – in true Blethered style.contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.com

In this episode I’m joined by Stephen Wright and Edward Kelly, partners at KPW Investments, a Glasgow-based firm managing over £500 million in assets on behalf of clients.I’ve always been interested in impressive and inspiring people, and it’s hard not to be impressed by two relatively young professionals who’ve earned the trust and responsibility of managing that level of wealth for individuals, families and businesses.This conversation was also a chance for me to stress-test some of my own beliefs and assumptions about the world of finance. Over the years on the podcast I’ve had many exploratory discussions about debt, personal finance and the financial pressures people face in everyday life, so I was curious to better understand the people working inside the system.What struck me immediately is that Stephen and Edward completely contradict the cliché image people often have of high-end finance. They’re personable, thoughtful and grounded, and clearly care about helping their clients make better long-term decisions with their money.At a time when there’s uncertainty across the board economically, becoming financially literate and learning from experts has never been more important.If you’d like to learn more about their work, you can visit kpwinvestments.co.uk or get in touch with the team at KPW Investments in Glasgow.contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.com