Best Bespoken Media Podcasts (2024)

1
ICYMI: 50 voices from the Highland Show (1 of 2) 46:22

7h ago46:22

46:22

With the kids back at school, we (and you?) are back into a podcast listening routine. So we thought we'd re-share these packed and fun-filled episodes recorded at the 2024 Royal Highland Show Anna and producer Dave set themselves a challenge: to record 50 stories from the Show, as part of RHASS's 240 Years of Stories project. This is the first of …

1
Julie Audette, Senior Director of Destination Marketing for AMAALA, on rebranding Saudi Arabia as a vacation paradise 44:38

1h ago44:38

44:38

Welcome to season two of Blue Sky Thinking, in association with Red Sea Global. Julie Audette shares the secrets to great destination marketing strategy; how to create a buzz through engaging media content; and the realities of hosting press trips to a country that only opened up to international tourism a few years ago. Listen to this episode to g…

1
Zainab Hamidaddin, Executive Director of Employee Engagement and HR Business Partners for Red Sea Global, on travelling as a woman in Saudi Arabia 16:48

1d ago16:48

16:48

Welcome to season two of Blue Sky Thinking, in association with Red Sea Global. Zainab Hamidaddin speaks about how gender equality has changed in Saudi Arabia over recent years, as well as what it's like to explore the country as a solo female traveler, and why the burgeoning local tourism sector offers unique opportunities for women. Listen to thi…

1
Rosanna Chopra, Executive Director – Destination Development for Red Sea Global, on designing the world’s most accessible tourism destination 38:49

9d ago38:49

38:49

Welcome to season two of Blue Sky Thinking, in association with Red Sea Global. The mother of a disabled child, Rosanna Chopra knows first-hand the value of a happy family vacation, which is why she is determined to help Red Sea Global create the world’s most accessible tourism destination. Even though 1.3 billion people (or one in six of us) globa…

1
Prof. Carlos Duarte, Ibn Sina Distinguished Professor of Marine Science at KAUST and Advisory Board Member at Red Sea Global 33:50

26d ago33:50

33:50

Welcome to season two of Blue Sky Thinking, in association with Red Sea Global. One of the world’s top climate scientists, Dr Carlos Duarte is drawing on his 40 years of experience as a marine ecologist and scientific diver to guide Red Sea Global in building resorts that function harmoniously with the sea. In this episode we hear how the company i…

1
Raed Albasseet, Group Chief Environment and Sustainability Officer for Red Sea Global, on creating a net-zero-carbon destination 36:26

23d ago36:26

36:26

Welcome to season two of Blue Sky Thinking, in association with Red Sea Global. Raed Albasseet is a key driving force behind Red Sea Global’s desire to create a new tourism paradigm, one that is built on the principle of harmonising high-end tourism with environmental care and the inclusion of local Saudis. In this season two episode we learn how t…

1
RHASS 240 years of stories: 50 voices from the Highland Show (2 of 2) 51:52

26d ago51:52

51:52

Part 2 of Anna and producer Dave's challenge to record 50 stories from the 2024 Royal Highland Show. This is part of RHASS's 240 Years of Stories initiative. This is the second of two episodes (because we couldn't make all 50 stories fit into just one!) Huge thanks to Bespoken Media's Katie Revell, who took on the mammoth task of editing these stor…

1
RHASS 240 years of stories: 50 voices from the Highland Show (1 of 2) 45:43

1M ago45:43

45:43

Anna and producer Dave have set themselves a challenge: to record 50 stories from the 2024 Royal Highland Show, as part of RHASS's 240 Years of Stories project. This is the first of two episodes (because we couldn't make all 50 stories fit into just one!) Huge thanks to Bespoken Media's Katie Revell, who took on the mammoth task of editing these st…

1
John Pagano, Group Chief Executive Officer for Red Sea Global, on Saudi’s vision for the future of luxury tourism 45:06

30d ago45:06

45:06

Welcome to season two of Blue Sky Thinking, in association with Red Sea Global. Since 2018, John Pagano has led Red Sea Global’s growth from the ground up, with the aim of creating high-end regenerative tourism destinations that will help diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy away from oil. In this episode we hear why the country has decided to open up …

1
RHASS 240 years of stories: Catriona and Russell Brown 31:20

2M ago31:20

31:20

Meet Russell and Catriona Brown, a brother and sister from Bonnington Farm near Peebles, in our latest OnRECORD partnership with RHASS's 240 Years of Stories. 21-year-old Russell and Catriona, 25, share stories of working together alongside their parents on the family farm. 240 Years of Stories aims to highlight and explore people's tales from livi…

1
RHASS 240 years of stories: Connecting producers and consumers live at the Highland Show 42:52

2M ago42:52

42:52

Three stories of food and farm businesses about how they connect with consumers - our latest partnership with RHASS's 240 Years of Stories. Recorded live in the 2024 Royal Highland Show 'Food for Thought' cookery theatre, Anna hears from: Jock Gibson of Macbeth's butchers and Edinvale Farm in Forres Jo McNicol from North Berwick's Drift cliff edge …

1
Scottish Eatwell Guide, and eating well for menopause 41:37

2M ago41:37

41:37

Meet the nutritionist team behind the first ever Scottish Eatwell Guide. The guide is designed to reflect how foods grown and produced in Scotland fit into a healthy balanced diet. It is co-produced by Scottish Regional Food Tourism Ambassador Dr Laura Wyness and Suzanne Fletcher of community nutrition social enterprise Nutrition Scotland. Laura ha…

1
Crafty Maltsters and the need for "Scottish Farming PLC" 30:38

3M ago30:38

30:38

What is needed to keep Scottish farming competitive, and who should lead on that work? Alison Milne co-owns Crafty Maltsters, a barley malting plant on her family's farm in Fife. This episode starts as a chat with Alison about her work, and ends with this big question, that faces the whole industry and sector. Mentioned in this episode: Meet OnFARM…

1
Rebecca Smith, author of Rural: the lives of the working class countryside 36:22

3M ago36:22

36:22

Falkirk-based Rebecca Smith's first book is called Rural: The Lives of the Working-Class Countryside. As a forester's daughter, Rebecca grew up in tied housing on a Lake District estate, then became a journalist, broadcaster and author. Rural is an often personal, always unflinching, exploration of life in today's UK countryside. Mentioned in this …

1
Barley: Scotland's most valuable crop - with SEFARI's Rowett and James Hutton Institutes 37:54

3M ago37:54

37:54

Barley is by far Scotland's most important crop, and the world's fourth most important cereal crop. Anna hears about Dundee's new International Barley Hub, a centre for research excellence within the James Hutton Institute. We also meet Alison Milne who grows and malts barley at Crafty Maltsters in Auchtermuchty, and Professor Wendy Russell at the …

1
Farming and AMR (anti-microbial resistance) - with SEFARI's Moredun and Rowett Institutes 36:42

3M ago36:42

36:42

AMR - anti-microbial resistance - is the name for the growing number of infections that are becoming difficult or impossible to treat with antibiotics. It affects livestock, wildlife, and humans alike. It's a global concern - considered by the World Health Organization and others to be among the world's top public health threats. In this episode, A…

1
Scottish soft fruit health benefits - with SEFARI and the James Hutton and Rowett Institutes 40:15

4M ago40:15

40:15

We all know Scottish soft fruits are good for us - but in this OnFARM, experts explain exactly how and why Scottish berries have such brilliant health benefits - including some we are still learning about. From potential to combat diabetes and dementia, to helping with obesity, researchers from the Rowett and James Hutton Institutes share some very…

1
Should you be farming hemp? - with SEFARI and the Rowett Institute 42:37

4M ago42:37

42:37

Barley, wheat, oilseed rape... Should hemp be considered alongside these as viable crops for Scottish growers? Researchers at the University of Aberdeen's Rowett Institute are championing hemp as a healthy and sustainable food crop. It's a rich source of protein, dietary fibre, and other healthy fats and minerals. So, should hemp be your next diver…

1
Willie Logan: OnRECORD and RHASS 240 years of stories 52:19

4M ago52:19

52:19

Since we first aired this wonderful interview with Willie Logan from East Lothian, the 91-year old East Lothian farmer has been adopted as a 'poster boy' for RHASS's new 240 Years of Stories campaign. 240 Years of Stories aims to highlight and explore people's tales from living and working in the agricultural community. We will be working with RHAS…

1
Monty's brain tumour: a health update 41:39

5M ago41:39

41:39

Seven months after suffering a seizure, and being diagnosed with brain cancer, Monty and his wife Moira chat with Anna and producer Dave about how things have been. This episode has heaps of gratitude for helpful and supportive people, from Monty's friends, family and neighbours, to the wonderful rural charity RSABI - and even OnFARM's sponsors Sco…

1
'The Black Farmer' Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones MBE (thanks to FAS Agri Culture) 38:39

5M ago38:39

38:39

Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones MBE, aka The Black Farmer, describes his difficult start to life in the UK, before starting work for the BBC and discovering a passion for food. He left TV to start a food and drink marketing company, which gave him the opportunity to realise his dream of owning a farm. 'The Black Farmer' is now a successful brand selling sau…

1
Jim Smith farm tour (2 of 2, repeat) 30:10

6M ago30:10

30:10

Farmer Jim, AKA Jim Smith the Stand-up Farmer, welcomes Anna back to his home in the Perthshire hills. In this second part of their chat, recorded back in 2020, there's talk of Jim's ambitions in both farming and comedy. (Hands up who wants to see Jim on 'Live At The Apollo'?!) There is decent footballing promise shown by Floss the dog, advice from…

1
Jim Smith farm tour (1 of 2, repeat) 31:04

6M ago31:04

31:04

Jim Smith's comedy career has come on in leaps and bounds since Anna first spoke to him in the springtime of 2020. He is also a staunch supporter of Scottish farming charities particularly the RSABI's #keeptalking campaign. He says farming will always be his number one passion. When Anna went to visit him at his Perthshire farm, they talked about h…

1
"Extreme" fly-tipping: legal advice from Gillespie Macandrew 35:35

6M ago35:35

35:35

Fly-tipping is something all too many farmers and landowners will be aware of. If "extreme" fly-tipping is new to you, we're talking about bigger things being dumped, like caravans or vehicles. Anna is joined by Elaine Kennedy-Walton and Conner McConnell from our wonderful sponsors, Gillespie MacAndrew to offer information and advice. Mentioned in …

1
A view from Argentina (thanks to FAS Stock Talk) 41:39

6M ago41:39

41:39

Thanks to the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) for sharing this Stock Talk episode on farming in Argentina. Argentinian farmer Allan Cameron talks with presenter Robert Ramsay about cropping and beef production, as well as the importance of soil health, and the need for increased production. The episode is produced by Kirsten Blackwood. FAS have kindly …

1
Andrew Arbuckle: champion pole vaulter (repeat) 31:48

7M ago31:48

31:48

After lots of lovely feedback on last week's episode with 91-year-old East Lothian farmer Willie Logan, and the launch of OnRECORD to capture memories of Scottish agriculture, we are re-sharing this chat from our archive. Andrew Arbuckle is a well kent name in Scottish farming. The former Scotsman and Dundee Courier farming editor, ex MSP, author a…

1
OnRECORD: Willie Logan on 91 years (and counting) of farming life 55:48

7M ago55:48

55:48

Willie Logan from East Lothian shares memories of farming, horses and families, from his 91 years (so far!) living and working in Scottish agriculture. This conversation between Willie and Anna marks the launch of our exciting new OnRECORD project. With OnRECORD, you can book the OnFARM team to record and preserve precious voices and stories, that …

1
Introducing OnRECORD: preserving precious memories 6:45

7M ago6:45

6:45

Introducing OnFARM's exciting new sister project - OnRECORD. Thanks to OnRECORD, you can book the OnFARM team to record and preserve precious voices and stories, that you can keep forever, with professionally captured and edited audio recordings. Perhaps you'd like us to record the memories and stories of one of your family members, a long serving …

1
Farming Funny podcast: Nick and Jim swap notes with OnFARM 37:21

7M ago37:21

37:21

Nick Thomson and James Fairlie from the 'Farming Funny' podcast join Anna for a good blether about life, farming, and podcasting - and why James always has something, in every episode, to get angry about. Find Nick, Jim and Sandy on Farming Funny in podcast players here. Huge thanks to rural business specialists Bell Ingram for sponsoring this epis…

1
RSABI's Carol McLaren speaks to OnFARM 30:22

7M ago30:22

30:22

Carol McLaren chats with Anna about her time so far as CEO of Scottish farming support charity RSABI. There is some discussion of mental ill health - including feeling suicidal - in this episode. Find RSABI online at www.rsabi.org.uk or call them on 0808 1234 555. We are grateful to Scottish law firm Gillespie Macandrew for their support of this ep…

1
Farmstrong, a Nuffield Scholarship, and Moray farming: Jock Gibson 36:30

8M ago36:30

36:30

Jock Wilson is a busy guy! In this episode, producer Dave visits Jock to learn about the various projects and enterprises he's involved in - from beef and sheep farming at Edinvale Farm in Moray, to running Macbeth's butcher and game dealer. Jock is also leading on introducing wellbeing and resilience initiative FarmStrong in Scotland, and is about…

1
OnFARM: Four more years... 15:57

9M ago15:57

15:57

This short episode reflects on 4 years (so far) of the OnFARM podcast - and looks at ways businesses and organisations can come on board to sponsor or partner with OnFARM, to keep the podcast going into the future. We produce episodes in partnership with RHASS, the Moredun Research Institute, law firm Gillespie Macandrew, rural business specialists…

1
Emma Kenny 54:52

9M ago54:52

54:52

Emma Kenny is a renowned psychotherapist and broadcaster appearing on This Morning. In this last episode, she speaks with Pamela about her relationship with her father, his mental health struggles, and coping with his loss. If you would like to support children and young people living with parental mental illness, please donate to Our Time here: ht…

1
Farmer-led charity Pickups For Peace (updated episode) 42:45

9M ago42:45

42:45

Farmer-led charity Pickups For Peace collect farm trucks and 4x4 vehicles, pack them with aid, supplies, and equipment, and then drive them in convoy to Ukraine. The trucks are left to help in the war effort - moving people, recovering casualties, or transporting supplies. In this episode, Monty speaks with one of the founders of Pickups for Peace,…

1
Rachel Bruno-Hardy 50:55

9M ago50:55

50:55

Rachel Bruno-Hardy is a pre and postnatal physical trainer and daughter of British boxing legend Frank Bruno. In this episode, she discusses growing up during her father's boxing career and his struggle with bipolar disorder. If you would like to support children and young people living with parental mental illness, please donate to Our Time here: …

1
"No fungi, no us": mycologist Neville Kilkenny 34:32

9M ago34:32

34:32

A teaspoon of healthy soil can contain over 3 miles of fungus - if stretched out end-to-end. That's just one of the fascinating fungi facts shared in this episode - as Anna goes foraging with East Lothian mycologist Neville Kilkenny. Neville offers guided forays, talks and events, and teaches identification workshops at Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Ga…

1
Tom Ward 54:02

9M ago54:02

54:02

Tom Ward is a stand-up comedian, voice over artist, and host of the ‘Bad Boys Done Good’ podcast. He talks to Pamela about his father’s mental health issues, and how they affected his family growing up. If you would like to support children and young people living with parental mental illness, please donate to Our Time here: https://www.justgiving.…

1
Anna and Dave interviewed by the Radio Academy podcast 24:20

9M ago24:20

24:20

Behind the scenes insight, as Anna and producer Dave chat with Hayley Hayes, host of the Radio Academy podcast, about the making on OnFARM. The Radio Academy is the UK radio and audio industry charity. They promote excellence in UK radio and audio (so it is only natural they would want to speak to the makers of the very excellent OnFARM!). Truth be…

1
Jon Rees 49:42

9M ago49:42

49:42

Jon Rees is a street photographer and artist who runs therapeutic photography workshops. He speaks with Pamela about his father having bipolar disorder, and his mum's interlinked mental health struggles. If you would like to support children and young people living with parental mental illness, please donate to Our Time here: https://www.justgiving…

1
Monty's health: an update from the team 6:29

10M ago6:29

6:29

You may have noticed that Monty's voice has been absent from recent episodes of OnFARM. Unfortunately, this is because he has been receiving medical treatment for a brain tumour. He begins a six-week course of intensive chemo and radiotherapy today (mid-November 2023), so it's a good time to give our first official update on Monty's health. Mention…

1
The Great Glen Cattle Ranch at Spean Bridge 40:20

10M ago40:20

40:20

Elspeth and Paolo Berardelli farm the Great Glen Cattle Ranch at Spean Bridge. They have a wide spread of enterprises on the farm, ranging from sheep and cattle, to deer stalking, and renewable energy. They also are custodians of an important site of special scientific interest of species-rich Nardis grassland at Glencoe. Elspeth has also recently …

1
Lord James Bethell 44:57

10M ago44:57

44:57

James Nicholas Bethell, Baron Bethell, is a British hereditary peer and Conservative politician in the House of Lords, who is also a former Health Minister. He talks with Pamela about his mother, who struggled with postnatal depression. If you would like to support children and young people living with parental mental illness, please donate to Our …

1
Cairngorm Alpacas at Lochbuie Croft 33:28

10M ago33:28

33:28

Despite being a fourth-generation crofter, Robert Mackenzie has been on a steep learning curve since he took over Lochbuie Croft in Newtonmore five years ago. He and his partner Jenni MacDonell have not been shy of a challenge - inviting BBC Scotland's 'This Farming Life' to film their life and work, and starting alpaca trekking alongside the beef …

1
Alyx Steele 54:59

10M ago54:59

54:59

Alyx Steele is an outstanding dancer and choreographer, who has worked on live shows with the likes of Sugababes, Coldplay, Jesse J, and many others. In this episode, Alyx talks to Pamela about her mother’s blindness and mental health decline. If you would like to support children and young people living with parental mental illness, please donate …

1
Eagle predation: are 'guardian dogs' an answer? 30:50

10M ago30:50

30:50

As eagle numbers grow in parts of Scotland, so do farmers' concerns over livestock predation. At Rothiemurchus falconry outside Aviemore, Jonny Ames believes he might have an answer. He is training two Italian Maremma 'guardian dogs' - called Luigi and Peaches - to live 24/7 in fields with livestock, to guard sheep from birds-of-prey. He is looking…

1
Cyrus Pattinson 42:52

10M ago42:52

42:52

Cyrus Ramone Pattinson is a rising star in the world of professional boxing. In this episode, Cyrus tells Pamela about his experiences growing up in an unstable living condition, and with a mother who has a mental illness. If you would like to support children and young people living with parental mental illness, please donate to Our Time here: htt…

1
8. Zina Bencheikh, managing director EMEA for Intrepid Travel, on travel as a force for good 59:09

10M ago59:09

59:09

A former finance specialist turned advocate for women's rights, Zina discusses Intrepid Travel's journey to becoming a world-leading sustainable tour company; why it's imperative to support Indigenous communities; and her vision for creating a global tour guide school. intrepidtravel.com Listen to this episode to get a 50% discount code for Globetr…

1
7. Peer Bueller, chief financial officer for Kayak, on why you should never 'fake it til you make it' 1:06:55

10M ago1:06:55

1:06:55

A self-effacing, mountain climbing, business guru, Peer shares why it's ok to be an introvert (even as a public speaker); how it's possible to have fun and make money at the same time; and the role of artificial intelligence in travel planning of tomorrow. kayak.co.uk Listen to this episode to get a 50% discount code for Globetrender's VOLT newslet…

1
4. Portia Hart, owner of Blue Apple Beach, on taking the Côte d'Azur to Colombia 1:22:31

10M ago1:22:31

1:22:31

An entrepreneurial expat from the UK, Portia discusses trading her life in the super yacht industry for building an eco hotel and beach club on an island off the coast of Cartagena; how to turn used beer bottles into a tool for social uplift; and why she doesn't want to create a franchise (and what she wants to do instead). blueapplebeach.com Liste…

1
3. Bill Bensley, founder and creative director of Bensley, on designing hotels that save the world 1:00:39

10M ago1:00:39

1:00:39

A radical architect, artist, landscape and interior designer, Bill speaks about building his "most ambitious" (and yet to open) project in the Republic of the Congo; his experience of being a married gay man in Thailand; his vision for building a "human zoo" in China; and employing former poachers to protect the rainforest that surrounds his luxury…

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