Best Stuart McLean Podcasts (2024)

1
Bill Bailey, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Amanda Owen, Katherine Priddy & Richard Walters, Maya Sondhi, Stuart Maconie 34:40

11d ago34:40

34:40

Stuart is joined in the Loose Ends Salford Studio by comedian, musican, actor and Strictly winner Bill Bailey. His new book is 'My Animals, and Other Animals: A memoir of sorts'. It's the story of his life through the creatures who have meant something to him, and a celebration of how animals bring us joy. The Yorkshire Shepherdess, Amanda Owen, ta…

1
John Bishop; Lucy Shepherd; Adrian Chiles; Grace Campbell; Stuart Maconie; Ron Sexsmith; Seckou Keita 38:03

29m ago38:03

38:03

The comedian and actor John Bishop is about to head off on a tour celebrating 25 years in stand up - a quarter century since he took to the stage on a whim and ended up one of the UK's favourite stars. The explorer Lucy Shepherd is more likely to be found fighting off venomous spiders than hecklers. For her latest TV series she's embarked on a neve…

1
Remembrance – Zaidie’s story 52:44

1h ago52:44

52:44

“I will never forget that day.” We have something very special for you this week. From one of the most-requested Vinyl Cafe episodes, this is Stuart’s re-telling of the life story of holocaust survivor (and my husband’s Zaidie) David Kilberg. This episode features music by the Manitoba band Finjan, from the album “Dancing on Water”. Hosted on Acast…

1
Vikki Conley and Mira Robertson

2h ago

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'Little Puggle's Christmas' is a beautiful Christmas book by Vikki Conley with an Australian setting.The 70's were a time of social revolution and one of the epicentres of the ferment was London where Grace has travelled. Her meeting with Marigold is pivotal to her journey of self discovery which is all revealed in Mira Robertson's novel, 'Grace an…

1
Lyn McLean: Health Risks of EMF and Wi-Fi Radiation 57:55

33m ago57:55

57:55

In this eye-opening episode of the Unstress Health Podcast, Dr. Ron Ehrlich engages with Lyn McLean, a leading expert on electromagnetic pollution. They explore the often-overlooked effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in our modern lives, from common household appliances to the wireless devices we rely on, like smartphones and smart home techn…

1
Michael Palin, Jessica Raine, Susan Wokoma, The WAEVE, Ashley Henry 35:19

38m ago35:19

35:19

Monty Python star and king of the travel documentary Michael Palin has just published the fourth volume of his best-selling diaries. In 'There and Back' he covers the years 1999-2009. He joins Clive to talk about how the 21st Century has treated him. The actor and Call The Midwife star Jessica Raine is soon to return to our screens in the second se…

1
Home - Rendi & Fire at the Old Town Hall 46:59

14m ago46:59

46:59

“How can you deny an old man his dying wish?” This week’s episode is all about the powerful pull of home. We start with a story about Dave’s neighbours Eugene and Maria and their longing for their hometown of Rendi. And in our second story, an event in Dave’s Big Narrows brings back a cascade of memories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for …

1
Rosalie Ham and Yannick Thoraval

12d ago

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Rosalie Ham completes her trilogy of The Dressmaker with ‘Molly’, the mother who challenged society’s norms in wanting changes, fairness for women in the work place and sensible underwear. A humorous and well-crafted story which explains how her daughter, Tilly Dunnage, grew up in Dungatar.Yannick Thoraval’s book ‘The Marriage Gap’ challenges the c…

1
Prof Avni Sali: Attitude matters, an Integrative Approach 47:48

10d ago47:48

47:48

In this episode of the Unstress Podcast, Dr. Ron Ehrlich talks with Professor Avni Sali, a leading figure in integrative medicine and founding director of the National Institute of Integrative Medicine. Prof. Sali shares insights from his 50 years in healthcare, exploring the difference between traditional cancer treatments and integrative approach…

1
Harriet Walter, John Douglas Thompson, Robert Popper, Jessica Hepburn, Emily Burns, Wes Finch 35:25

14d ago35:25

35:25

Loose Ends is at the Stratford-upon-Avon Literary Festival and Stuart Maconie is joined by Harriet Walter, who has played many roles at the RSC in Stratford and has just published 'She Speaks!', a book imagining what Shakespeare's women might have said if they'd been given half a chance. John Douglas Thompson is one of America's finest classical ac…

1
Myths and Magic – The Mermaid and Other Mysteries & Hello, Monster 54:33

5d ago54:33

54:33

“It was one of those moments that make you wonder if your life is cursed.” In this week’s episode, two stories of a mystical flavour, with mysterious encounters for both Stephanie and Dave. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Stuart Wilson and Gabriel Bergmoser

19d ago

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As ‘The 113th Assistant Librarian’ Oliver’s life now has seven cats, hundreds of deadly books and he has to learn how to stop people dying in the library. Stuart Wilson has written a magical tome for parents to enjoy reading to their primary aged kids and remember books can be dangerous! After reading Gabriel Bermoser's novel, The Hitchhiker, you w…

1
Western Complicity and the Human Cost of the Arms Trade in Gaza 49:30

7d ago49:30

49:30

It has now been over a year since Israel embarked on its genocidal campaign in Gaza. In that time, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been killed or injured. Furnishing Israel with more than just diplomatic cover, Western governments have kept up a steady supply of military aid and equipment, actively enabling the wholesale slaughter of Pal…

1
Dr Laureen Lawlor-Smith on Reversing Type 2 Diabetes 46:13

9d ago46:13

46:13

In this episode of Unstress with Dr Ron Ehrlich, Dr. Ron speaks with Dr Laureen Lawlor-Smith, a veteran GP who transitioned from conventional medicine to using low-carb and ketogenic diets to treat chronic illnesses. After struggling with her own health and witnessing the limits of traditional treatments, Dr Lawlor-Smith discovered the power of nut…

1
In Over Your Head - Dave and the Cell Phone & Dave Goes Babysitting 49:43

12d ago49:43

49:43

“How was Dave supposed to know the Madden kids were all lactose intolerant.” Today on the pod, two stories where Dave bites off more than he can chew. In the first he babysits a cell phone that is left in the store; in the second he attempts to babysit some neighbourhood kids, with hilarious consequences. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for …

1
Dasha Ross and Tigest Girma

16d ago

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Managing a boutique hotel overlooking a surf beach in Sri Lanka sounds like paradise. Dasha Ross writes about the joy and disasters of trying to do this with her husband John Pinder in ‘Big Trouble Coming’. Tigest Girma creates a world where mortals and vampires coexist in 'Immortal Dark' where betrayal, violence and romance are intertwined and lif…

1
Dr James Muecke: The Future of Diabetes Treatment 1:03:51

17d ago1:03:51

1:03:51

In this episode, Dr Ron Ehrlich speaks with Dr James Muecke, Australian of the Year 2020, about his mission to reverse type 2 diabetes through diet and lifestyle changes. Dr. Mueke shares insights from his work with Defeat Diabetes and the recent partnership with Diabetes Australia, promoting a low-carb, healthy-fat approach. They discuss how addre…

1
Pam Ayres, Dawn O'Porter, Dee C Lee, Poppy O'Toole, Ahir Shah, Clive Anderson 36:10

23d ago36:10

36:10

The poet Pam Ayres, author of Oh, I wish I'd looked after Me Teeth - which was voted one of the UK's top ten comic verses - joins Clive to discuss almost half a century of writing and a new volume of her collected works - Doggedly Onwards. Dawn O'Porter was once the journalist behind documentaries on topics from extreme dieting to poligamy and even…

1
The Arthurs 31:46

19d ago31:46

31:46

Our Thanksgiving tradition: The Arthur Awards! Two more of our favourite Vinyl Cafe Arthur Awards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Lynette Clarke and Sophie Green

20d ago

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Lynette Clarke has written about strangers in London sharing rooms with no personal space. Some will find work, fall in love and forge friendships but one will be driven to violence in ‘The Rat Cage’. Finding time to be yourself given the travails of life besetting you is at the core of Sophie Green's novel, 'Art Hour at the Duchess Hotel'.…

1
Resisting Cop Cities and the Militarization of Policing 56:40

21d ago56:40

56:40

What happens when the police become an army? Since 1997, the US Department of Defense has transferred more than $7.2bn in military equipment to law enforcement agencies. This militarization has, unsurprisingly, been shown to unjustly impact on Black communities and is associated with increased killings by police. The Police Public Safety Training C…

1
Dr Peter Brukner: A Game Changer for Diabetes Care 1:00:51

25d ago1:00:51

1:00:51

In this insightful episode, Dr Peter Brukner, renowned sports medicine expert and founder of Defeat Diabetes, joins us to discuss a revolutionary approach to tackling type 2 diabetes. Dr Brukner shares how a low carb, healthy fat diet is transforming diabetes care and reversing what was once considered a chronic and progressive disease. Drawing fro…

1
Tim Smit, Patrick Gale, Tom Allan, Anna Keirle, Angeline Morrison 33:53

1M ago33:53

33:53

Stuart Maconie presents Loose Ends from the North Cornwall Book Festival in St Endellion. He is joined by Patrick Gale, Tom Allan, Anna Keirle and Tim Smit, and there's music from the multi-instrumentalist Angeline Morrison. Patrick Gale is the author of the Emmy award-winning BBC drama Man in an Orange Shirt and novels including A Place Called Win…

1
Listen Carefully - Music Lessons & Rock of Ages 33:21

26d ago33:21

33:21

“The day Annie began violin lessons was the most exciting day of her life." This week’s episode is all about music. It was such an integral part of both the radio show and the touring show. We have two music stories for you today. The first story is about the trials and tribulations of music lessons. In the second, a departed friend is celebrated i…

1
Matthew Hooper and Deborah Callaghan

28d ago

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Guilt, hope and recrimination are at play in Matthew Hooper's debut novel, A Cold Season.The Little Clothes by Deborah Callaghan is about grabbing onto life and claiming your place in it.areBy Matthew Hooper with David McLean and Deborah Callaghan with Lisa Moule

1
Beverley Holt: Reiki, Breathwork, and Balance 49:05

1M ago49:05

49:05

In this episode of Unstress, Dr Ron Ehrlich chats with Beverley Holt, a Reiki master and holistic health expert, about energy healing, breathwork, and regenerative farming. Beverley shares her journey from nursing to alternative healing, exploring the connection between physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Discover how practices like Reiki an…

1
Nihal Arthanayke, Henry Normal, Donna Ashworth, Lisa Goodwin-Allen, Mike Harding, The Lovely Eggs 34:49

1M ago34:49

34:49

Nihal Arthanayake presents Loose Ends from the third annual Morecambe Poetry Festival. He's joined by Henry Normal. Henry is a writer, poet, TV and film producer who has been involved with many of our most loved comedies, such as The Mrs Merton Show, The Royal Family, Gavin and Stacey and Alan Partridge. He's a prolific poet, and his latest collect…

1
Gone to the Dogs - Le Morte D’Arthur 35:48

1M ago35:48

35:48

“He was a great dog.” Today on the podcast, two stories about dogs – one of my favourite subjects! The first is about Dave’s two dogs: Scout and, of course, Arthur. The second is a listener story about a remarkably faithful friend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Casey Nott and Jessie Tu

1M ago

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Casey Nott has written a novel about motherhood, identity and loss in ‘Forgotten’.Fay works as a translator but it is her choice of lover and employer that lead to betrayal, ambition and questioning what love means in Jessie Tu’s ‘The Honeyeater’.By Casey Nott with Lisa Moule and Jessie Tu with Jan Goldsmith

1
Stuart Andrews: Farming that Restores the Planet 1:20:54

1M ago1:20:54

1:20:54

In this episode, Stuart Andrews, a leading voice in sustainable agriculture, shares insights into natural sequence farming—a revolutionary approach to landscape restoration. Learn how this innovative farming method, pioneered by his father Peter Andrews, revitalizes degraded land, supports biodiversity, and promotes sustainable food production. Stu…

1
Russell Watson, Jackie Kay, Deborah McAndrew and Adam Kay join Nihal with music from The Lemon Twigs 0:28

1M ago0:28

0:28

The tenor Russell Watson's remarkable career took him from playing from working mens clubs in Salford to performing at the Vatican. But his life hasn't been completely charmed - he discusses the brain tumour that threatened his life as well as his voice and how he found his way back to centre stage. Jackie Kay is one of the UK's most lauded poets w…

1
Beyond the Ballot Box: On the Far Right with Mike Wendling 53:01

1M ago53:01

53:01

This is episode 1 of ‘Beyond the Ballot Box' - our new mini-series exploring some of the major political currents in US politics. With the presidential election just around the corner, American politics is increasingly a focus of international attention as well. Electoralism, reproductive justice, the climate crisis, Palestine, a resurgent far righ…

1
Change - Stephanie Goes to University & Carl’s Retirement 47:52

2M ago47:52

47:52

“Carl didn’t want to retire.” Today on the podcast, two stories about embracing change. Dave’s neighbour Carl Lowbeer (and his wife Gerda) get to grips with a major change in their lives: retirement! And Stephanie starts her new life at university. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Amanda Willimott and Keshe Chow

1M ago

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Amanda Willimott has written an historical thriller, based on an actual trial of a werewolf. ‘Winter of the Wolf' is also about the power of law and religion for educated men while many women had no voice at all for fear of being charged with witchcraft.Keshe Chow takes us back to imperial China and the notion that behind every mirror lies an alter…

1
Michael Mobbs: Sustainable Living in the City 54:08

2M ago54:08

54:08

Dr Ron Ehrlich sits down with Michael Mobbs, a pioneer in urban sustainability who has been walking the talk for over 30 years. Michael shares his inspiring journey from environmental law to transforming his Sydney home into a fully sustainable, off-grid living space. They discuss the evolution of the environmental movement, the challenges and succ…

1
Richard Armitage, Rianne Downey, Chris Brookmyre, Dr Marisa Haetzman, Suzy Aspley, Chloe Matharu 35:58

2M ago35:58

35:58

From Bloody Scotland Crime Writing Festival in Stirling. Richard Armitage’s CV is already packed with roles, including a string of stellar acting credits in the likes of The Hobbit, North and South, Robin Hood, and Spooks. Now he’s added author to the list with his debut novel Geneva. Ambrose Parry is not one writer but two – it's the penname of in…

1
The Congregation of Adults - Sam’s Predictions 36:27

2M ago36:27

36:27

“I made predictions. They are all coming true.” This week, we’re talking about kids and independence. In our story, Sam gets guidance from an unexpected source: a fortune teller named Madame Nina. And we have a very special script: about trust, and hope, and goodness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Jamaana Abdu and Stephen Downes

2M ago

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Displacement can be the shift in location from a country, a city or a family. All of these aspects come to life when Aliya and her daughter choose to move to rural New South Wales in Jumaana Abdu’s debut novel ‘Translations’.The pieces of our lives, the influences and experiences, are like a mosaic joining together to make a whole that may be stran…

1
Dr Sarah Myhill: Turtles all the Way Down 1:03:47

2M ago1:03:47

1:03:47

In this compelling episode, Dr Ron Ehrlich welcomes back Dr Sarah Myhill, a renowned physician and naturopath with over 40 years of clinical experience. Together, they dive deep into the contentious vaccine debate, discussing the science behind vaccines, the myths surrounding their safety and effectiveness, and the broader implications for public h…

1
Sir Ian Rankin, Michelle McManus, Kim Carnie, Shane Todd, Len Pennie, Luke La Volpe 36:13

2M ago36:13

36:13

Sir Ian Rankin’s much-loved detective Rebus has had a big year, with a fresh BBC TV adaptation in the summer, and now a return to the stage. Clive Anderson hears about new play Rebus: A Game Called Malice which was written by Sir Ian and Simon Reade, it's touring the UK. Michelle McManus chats to poet and women’s rights advocate Len Pennie who rose…

1
Dave Goes Back to School - Dave Gives a Speech & Planet Boy 54:33

2M ago54:33

54:33

“He came downstairs in a Grateful Dead t-shirt and a pair of bell bottoms.” Welcome back for Season 4 of Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe! This week, two stories about school: Dave gets nervous about presenting to a class at university; while Sam and Murphy go to their first school dance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Mark Mupotsa-Russell and Raeden Richardson

2M ago

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Household debt takes on a new meaning when you are a former assassin seeking retribution for the death of a child while, at the same time, trying to manage your domestic life. Mark Mupotsa-Russell explores these dilemmas in his novel, ‘The Hitwoman's Guide to Reducing Household Debt’.Melbourne is the city. It and the characters who just want to be …

1
Sophie Matthiesson and Finegan Kruckemeyer

2M ago

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'Together We Fall Apart' is Sophie Matthiesson's novel about running away and coming home against a backdrop of addiction.'The End and Everything Before It' is Finegan Kruckemeyer's first novel where the tale twists upon itself highlighting the development of a town over the course of time where legend and life are intertwined.…

1
Patrick Holford: Patrick Holford: Food for the Brain 1:17:45

2M ago1:17:45

1:17:45

Nutrition expert Patrick Holford joins Dr Ron Ehrlich to delve into the critical role nutrition plays in brain health. This episode unpacks the impact of dietary choices on neurodegenerative diseases and mental health, emphasising the power of B-vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and lifestyle medicine in combating conditions like ADHD, autism, dementi…

1
Elaine C Smith, Nathan Carter, Christopher Macarthur-Boyd, Becky Sikasa, Claire Love Wilson 36:38

2M ago36:38

36:38

Elaine C. Smith has delighted audiences for decades, including work on TV shows like BBC Scotland’s Two Doors Down. In her latest project she joins the touring cast of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and takes on a character that used to terrify her - The Childcatcher. Claire Love Wilson is a Scottish-Canadian theatre-maker, actor, and singer-songwriter wh…

1
Season 4 – Starting September 6th 0:55

2M ago0:55

0:55

We’re so excited to be back next week with Season 04 of Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe. Join us for hilarious Vinyl Cafe stories and inspiring scripts by Stuart McLean. Here's a sneak peek... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Dr Torkil Faero: The Pulse Cure 1:14:33

2M ago1:14:33

1:14:33

Join Dr Ron Ehrlich as he dives into an engaging conversation with Dr Torkil Faero, a renowned general practitioner and expert in heart rate variability (HRV). In this episode, Dr Faero shares his profound insights on how understanding HRV can revolutionise personal health monitoring and stress management. Discover the vital role of the vagus nerve…

1
Su Pollard, Michelle McManus, Camille O'Sullivan, Chris Grace, Catherine Cohen, Sinéad Gleeson 35:11

2M ago35:11

35:11

Actress and singer Su Pollard’s new tour Still Fully Charged celebrates her 50 years in showbiz – she catches up with Michelle McManus about what keeps her hooked, and being beaten by a dog in a talent competition. Clive Anderson chats to comedian and actor Chris Grace. He’s returned to Edinburgh after his sold-out 2023 run, this time with a packed…

1
Amy Doak and Courtney Collins

3M ago

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A small town but with a dark history and when an old woman tells a secret from the past, there is a mystery to unravel and a crime to solve in Amy Doak’s YA novel ‘Eleanor Jones Can’t Keep a Secret’.Courtney Collins explores the universal connection between women that transcends time, cultures and countries in her novel, 'Bird'.…

1
The Department: How a Violent Government Bureaucracy Killed Hundreds and Hid the Evidence 50:39

2M ago50:39

50:39

In the early 2010s, reports began to emerge of deaths linked to a government department. Suicide notes, coroners' reports, and research by disabled activists pointed to failings within the Department for Work and Pensions – the DWP – the government body responsible for the disability benefits system. As years passed, and austerity tightened its gri…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Stuart McLean Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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