Blethered

Labour Councillor Audrey Dempsey has been accused of racism and suspended this week, after she proposed to ask a question at the council about 'racist attacks on white children in schools'.

In this exclusive interview, Audrey announces her resignation from the Labour Party.

And:

• Her explanation of why she was asking the question
• 'Liking' tweets from far-right party
• Future in politic
• + More

Senior Producer: Lucy Jo...

Blethered at the Ballot is a political podcast that pulls no punches, brings a laugh or two, and cuts straight through to the important matters without getting caught up in political jargon and meaningless soundbites. 

The General Election is fast approaching and before we collectively decide who to put in power, we deserve to know the thoughts of those who currently have it, those who want it, and those who are near it.

TICKETS: https://www.seetickets.com/event/blethered-with-sean-mcdonald/august-house/2926744

Blethered will be LIVE at August House in Glasgow city centre on Thursday 18th April with legendary broadcaster, journalist and entertainer Tam Cowan for a night of conversation, previously unheard stories from a long career in media, and basically just a right good laugh.

This will be Blethered in its original style, with strictly not...

Phil and Martin Compston are back on the BBC with Martin Compston’s Norwegian Fling, their second series together, where they travel across Norway and experience some of what the country has to offer.

In this episode, you’ll hear Phil talk to me about how going to Gaelic school set him on an interesting and unique career path...

I find out how an innocuous conversation led to the commissioning of the programme, and what the e...

Greg is the General Manager of Dundee Football Club and CEO of the Dundee FC Community Trust, and has played his own key role in the resurgence of Dundee Football Club. That resurgence has manifested itself in both sporting progression, with the side producing a very impressive and - not to be disrespectful - but generally unexpected showing in this season’s Scottish Premiership.

In this episode, you’ll hear Greg talk me through...

Back in 2021, I put together three separate interviews, where I aimed to find out more about what it’s really like to live with HIV, and about the groundbreaking new treatment that Scotland is the first country in the world to offer. 

Those guests are two men, Brian and David, who have been living with the virus for quite some time, and from Dr Nneka Nikwolo. 

They each give me a personalised account of their lives,...

Rhianna is a successful business owner with all the outward signs of success, but her journey there wasn’t a simple one.

We talk about her upbringing in the town of Kilmarnock, and the issues of deprivation, addiction and community that exist in the area she comes from…

Rhianna opens up in great detail about how she found herself homeless with two children and debt collectors close behind, before taking a serious risk in orde...

Ardgowan Hospice is a place of care for people living in Inverclyde who have been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, such as cancer, heart failure, lung disease, kidney failure or neurological conditions.

They provide not only physical and medical support, but also important practical, emotional and social support to patients, and their families and carers.

You'll hear from Ardgowan ambassador and Greenock native Ma...

Capital FM DJ Meg recently moved from Glasgow to London, and we speak about the step up in her career and how she’s adjusted to being part of one of the biggest networks in UK radio… 

Meg talks about the loss of her beloved dad, Michael, and how she channelled that emotion and energy into her podcast, McHugh Corner, which tackles hard-hitting subjects head-on… 

And we chat about London Life and bumping into Will Fer...

Marie is the Founder and CEO of LS Productions, a company that was born around a kitchen table in 2006, and has now been featured in the Sunday Times 100 Fastest Growing Companies.

You’ll hear Marie talk about how a chance meeting with her now-husband John planted the seed for what would go on to become LS Productions…

She lays out the progression from a small business fighting for clients, to working with global brands and i...

Kirsty is a young mother of one who has recently written, and is about to publish, ‘Love Made Me Silent,’ a book that details her experience of domestic abuse and coercive control. With a desire to put herself forward as both a cautionary tale AND an example of how things can absolutely change for the better, Kirsty’s recollections will help her achieve both of those things.

You’ll hear Kirsty explain how life quickly went from ...

Originally from Leicester in England, fully adopted Scot Jess quickly became well known as a result her very popular Instagram account ‘Just Jess Food’ .

What started as an enjoyable wee side-hustle sharing food recipes, rapidly culminated in her leaving a full-time job in fashion to become a content creator, podcaster, traveller and - in her own words - romanticiser of life.

You’ll hear Jess explain how a Saturday job in her...

I speak to men's sobriety coach Liam about the relationship that society - especially in Scotland - has with drinking… 

We reflect on our own personal dynamic with booze and the heavy effects of drinking too much, too frequently...

And we get into some uncomfortable territory about the darker overhang and aftermath of binge drinking.

What you’re about to listen to is a genuine conversation about alcohol, and how we fe...

Last year, I had the privilege of a long conversation with 95-year-old Tom McGoran, and hearing his crystal clear memories of life from the 1930's onwards. 

You’ll hear Tom telling me about growing up in Glasgow in the 1930’s, the notorious Razor Gangs of the city, and what he and his pals got up to...

We talk about the realities of World War Two and some fantastic insights into what life was like… 

And we go over some of the funny an...

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 te...

Danny Turner is the owner of Soul Suites in East Kilbride, a wellbeing facility that offers cold water immersion and infrared saunas.

We discuss the self-appointed experts who lecture you on how cold water will solve every problem in your life...

Danny explains the benefits of contrast therapy for body and mind, how it makes you feel, and why it makes you feel that way...

And Danny talks to me about how his personal challe...

Just a few years ago, Elspeth was in the grips of a severe eating disorder and at the worst point, was very realistically, not far off from death.

Elspeth looks back on some key periods in her life, situations and events that compounded and led to a detrimental relationship with food, and how she was initially blind to the reality of it.

You’ll hear about the layers of denial and deception to make sure she could carry on inte...

I'm joined by lawyer and registered midwife Jaimie McGready to discuss the trial and conviction of serial killer Lucy Letby.

Letby was recently convicted of the murder of six newborn babies, and the attempted murder of seven more, in what was the longest murder trial in British legal history.

We reflect on the evidence that led to her conviction and receipt of a full life order, meaning she’ll die behind bars.

Jaimie and I...