The ScotsCare podcast - with Marcus Railton

Ross King is one of Scotland’s best loved broadcasters, who is well known to many of us as the Los Angeles Showbiz Correspondent for ITV’s Good Morning Britain and Lorraine or even from the most recent season of Strictly Come Dancing.He comes from Glasgow, and cut his teeth on hospital radio, then onto London and the stage. He’s now been in LA for 25 years, presenting and interviewing A list Hollywood starts like Al Pacino.Ross chats to Marcus about his journey and ambition, and how when he came to London he realised the work ScotsCare does is so important to so many that have no one to rely on in a big city.

Alistair Heather is a Scottish historian, writer, and broadcaster known for his passionate work promoting Scots language, history and culture. He’s a regular voice on radio and podcasts, often exploring identity, heritage, and social justice. Historic Ally's evident passion for his subject has made him a hit on social media, where he's pulled in millions of viewers to his quick sketches about interesting historic Scottish facts.Marcus and Alistair chat about how his social media success grew and blossomed, the darker parts of history, Scottish culture, background and identity, as well as a subject close to Alistair's heart - Scots language. Learn how it is a Germanic language, just like English and how pride and practice in the language and culture are in a healthy and growing place at the moment in Scotland. Many Scots question their place and identity in the world, and Alistair brings an honest positive viewpoint on what it is to be a Scot.

Lawson Muncaster is the co-founder of City A.M., joins us to share his remarkable journey—from a dyslexic student to leading London’s daily business newspaper. He opens up about discovering his dyslexia at 30, how it shaped his communication and leadership style, and why relationships are at the heart of business. Lawson reflects on the impact of Covid and reinventing the paper’s digital presence, and why print still matters. With stories of resilience, reinvention, and the buzz of London life, this episode explores leadership, print and online media, and the future of news through Lawson’s lens.

Denise Mina's debut novel Garnethill was a bestseller and won the Crime Writers’ Association John Creasey Award for best debut. It was followed by Exile and Resolution, completing a trilogy of novels featuring Maureen O’Donnell, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. In this episode topics range from women in literature, success, empathy, image, social media and the effects of AI to come.

John Gordon Sinclair is a Glaswegian actor, best known for playing Gregory in the 1981 cult classic film Gregory's Girl. Aside from films, he's been in many TV shows and plays like Death in Paradise and An Actor's Life for Me. Acting wasn't his destiny, he just as easily could have ended up as an electrician, training as he was when he first entered the theatre.Marcus and John talk about 'home', roots, family, education, the creative process, social anxiety and lucky breaks, and also acting with Brad Pitt in World War Z.

Literary legend Sir Alexander McCall Smith joins the ScotsCare podcast to kick off series 3, with topics ranging from Scotland, community, positivity and negativity, advice, curiosity and writing, as well as the odd mention of ScotsCare!

Jill Douglas is a journalist and sports presenter from the Borders, where she grew up in a small community on the family farm. How did she get from there to being one of the first female presenters on typically male dominated sports such as rugby union? Marcus chats about how she was set on becoming a journalist, what makes a good interview, as well as her great late friend Doddie Weir and the impact of M.N.D. She is the CEO of My Name is Doddie, the charity set up in his name that has had great success in channelling funding into research for the disease. Jill also talks about what it's like to interview sports stars that also happen to be friends or even a husband!

Chris Carse Wilson is an author and lifelong runner who uses exercise and nature to manage his mental health. Chris was diagnosed as autistic at the age of 40 and is a passionate advocate for mental health awareness. He wrote his well received debut novel Fray in 15 minutes stints on his commute to work at the V&A Dundee, where he was part of the team that created the new museum. He didn't even tell his wife or family that he was writing a book! He chats to Marcus about how running helps him with his mental health, autism, writing, the endorsement of Alan Cumming and much more.