Podcasts about Inverness

This week the boays are joined by comedian Laura Lexx. Laura discusses how studying theories of laughter has informed her comedy, describes the origins of stand-up from the Vaudeville and Music Hall days in the US & UK respectively to what we know of it today, and explains how her tweets in a Glasgow hotel room about Jurgen Klopp led to her landing a book deal. Plus, Laura describes her experience of performing on shows including Mock the Week & Live at the Apollo, and they discuss where comedy might go after "Reels/Tiktok" era we're currently living through.Laura is on the Scottish leg of her tour "Yo Yo" at the beginning of October with dates in Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen & Edinburgh. Tickets here: https://lauralexx.co.uk/liveMarc is performing his show "If & When" at Blackfriars in Glasgow Saturday 10th October & Saturday 21st November, plus more Scottish dates throughout the next few months. Tickets here: https://www.marcjenningscomedy.com/liveSign up to our Patreon for fortnightly bonus eps plus footage from all the Some Laugh Live shows: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/somelaugh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Some Laugh Merch Available Now: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://visualanticsapparel.com/collections/some-laugh-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠You can watch the boays' stand-up specials for free here on the Some Laugh YouTube channel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM6lKn8dnMK5bOtlX-3XlCpZSf-B_qweQ&si=JjKknRTZvvza5l55⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stand-Up Tickets:Marc: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/MarcJenko⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stu: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/StuartMcP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Steve: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/stephenbuchanan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

From a hospital bed to 1100 miles of the open road: this cycling journey is a testament to what we can achieve when we face our circumstances. The only reason I've made this video is to hopefully inspire us all.In June' 25, I was broken and hospitalised for 3 months, facing the prospect of never walking, or even worse, losing my legs. Today, I am documenting my ride from Land's End to John o' Groats to raise money for charity as well as to show US ALL what we can truly do. This challenge is about proving that our future remains in our own hands, regardless of the physical obstacles we face. Navigating the route has been as much a mental test as a physical one, forcing me to confront my limitations while pushing forward.I am sharing this to offer inspiration to anyone currently feeling stuck or defined by their past. We all have a say in how our narrative moves forward, even when the path is difficult. Finding the motivation to keep WATING to grow is a practice in resilience, and I hope this documentation provides a perspective on how we can rebuild ourselves, one mile at a time.Please let me know in the comments how you handle your own challenges.0:00: Introduction01:03: A Journey of Resilience06:22: Mentally Preparing - The Train South to Penzance (12 miles from Lands End)07:49: Day 1 & 2 - Accustoming to Cornwall09:51: Day 3 & 4 - Progress Through Devon and Somerset12:01: Day 5 & 6 - Settling into the Rythm through Gloucestershire14:13: Day 7 & 8 - Determined Sights on Derbyshire17:23: Day 9 & 10 - Nearly Halfway! Derby to Yorkshire20:27: Day 11 & 12 - Yorkshire to Newcastle (Whoops)22:45: Day 13 - Marvelling at the Distance Covered: Northumberland to Blackhill Farm28:31: Day 15 - Can hardly believe I've got myself back to Scotland: Blackhill to Edinburgh32:46: Day 16 - Edinburgh to Dunkelf: Familiar Comforts40:01: Day 17 - Dunkeld to Dalwhinnie (and a wee susprise...)46:36: Day 18 - It's Beginning to Sink In: Sights on Inverness51:05: Day 19 - The 'Last Stretch': Inverness to Golspie55:54: Day 20 - Golspie to Wick: So Close Now01:01:43: Day 21 - This Is It: Actually Reaching John O'Groats01:05:32: BONUS ROUND - My Second Home (Orkney)01:10:18: Now I've Completed What I Set Out to AchieveOf course, if you're now here, I write and narrate sleep stories! That is my real job. This is a one off (for now), but I hope you'll enjoy what else I've shared with my amazing community here. Welcome, if so. :)Lots of love, S xAlso, plenty of ways to engage with and support Snooze with Sam on Patreon here, such as LOADS of exclusive stories:www.patreon.com/snoozewithsamMy other channel, slow_space, is also committed to the concept of slowing down and appreciating the more analogue joys in this digital world. You may like that, too:https://www.youtube.com/@my__slow__space

Up until now, access from the top station of the Cairngorm funicular railway onto the mountain was not allowed outside the winter snowsports season, unless visitors were accompanied by a guide. However, as Mark went to find out, a trial is underway to allow visitors carrying GPS handsets to explore an "approved zone" in the mountain's ski area. Mark hears how the system works.Rachel is on the Newhailes Estate near Musselburgh exploring a rather unusual shell grotto. Diane Martin from the National Trust for Scotland shows her around and tells her about the history of the once elaborately decorated building.After years of vital conservation work, the historic palm houses at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh are just about ready to open their doors to the public. Mark went along to see how the impressive 19th century glasshouses are looking.During Mark's visit to Dumfries House in Ayrshire last week he met Heather McPike, the Farming and Rural Skills Manager there. She tells him all about the different programmes they offer which aim to encourage young people from different backgrounds into farming.In this week's Scotland Outdoors podcast Rachel is in Portsoy on the Banffshire Coast hearing about the village's fascinating history connected with the quarrying of Portsoy Marble or serpentine. We hear an excerpt where Rachel finds out about a project to save and restore some of the historic listed buildings at the harbour once involved with the marble trade.Have you noticed a lack of wasps this summer? Is your house being taken over spiders? We chat live to Craig Macadam, Director of Conservation with the charity Buglife about how insects have fared over the summer and what the move into autumn means for them.Back near Musselburgh, Rachel is exploring another building on the Newhailes Estate. The restored doocot was a little too empty for staff, so some volunteers stepped up to create some rather cute residents.And Phil Sime and Morven Livingstone get up close and personal with some Highland Cows near Inverness who are proving rather popular with tourists and locals alike.

Martin MacAlistair and Satsu from Chatsunami join the SWN Podcast to talk about October 17th Highland Realms Comic Con taking place at Eden Court in Inverness.

Anna Wells is a mountaineer, former doctor, and outdoor instructor based in Inverness, Scotland. Her life has been shaped by a deep love of the mountains, beginning with indoor rock climbing at the age of 12 and growing through years of study, sport, and exploration. Although she followed a traditional academic path—studying maths and medicine and later working as a doctor—Anna eventually realised that her true passion lay in the outdoors. After time spent living in Chamonix and working as a mountaineering instructor, she made the decision to leave medicine behind and pursue a life more aligned with her values and love of adventure. In this episode, Anna shares her journey from medicine to the mountains, including her time competing in ice climbing, navigating injury, and rethinking what a fulfilling life looks like. We dive into her incredible Winter Munro Round in Scotland, inspired by Martin Moran, where she took on the challenge of climbing all 100+ Munros in winter conditions over just a few months. She talks about the realities of spending long days in the mountains, averaging multiple Munros per day, dealing with weather, injury, nutrition, motivation, and the mental challenges that come with endurance adventure. Anna also reflects on the kindness of strangers who supported her along the way, and the importance of flexibility, self-belief, and listening to your body. More recently, Anna has stepped into a new chapter of life as a mother, exploring how adventure, skiing, and time in the mountains can evolve alongside motherhood. Listen to this episode to hear what it takes to leave medicine for the mountains, how a Winter Munro Round pushes both body and mind, and why thinking outside the box can lead to a life that feels truly your own. ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Anna 36 years old  Based in Inverness in Scotland  Currently on maternity leave Her love for adventure and being outside  Growing up in Inverness and not coming from a particularly outdoorsy family  Starting indoor rock climbing at 12 years old and falling in love with the sport  The Girl Guides and the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme  Being addicted to rock climbing and feeling everything click Her progress in the sport  Meeting more like minded people at university in Aberdeen  Being a student for 9 years - studying Maths for 4 years and doing a medical degree for 5 years  Deciding to leave medicine after 2 years of working as a doctor and moving in a different direction  Spending 2 years living in Chamonix  Deciding to give up her license to practice medicine  Wanting to focus on ice climbing competitions  Dealing with a shoulder injury and not being able to climb that hard Take a year and don't force yourself to make any decisions Starting to consider a career in the outdoors Wanting to live a life that makes you happy Thinking more about confidence  Working as a mountaineering instructor for a number of years Wanting to do the IFMGA but deciding against it Wanting to climb the Munro's in Scotland  Moving to Edinburgh and working in a bank as a data analyst A Winter Munro Round…. Inspired by Martin Moran  who was the first to do this over 1984/85 Starting to think about getting 3 months of unpaid leave Deciding in the October and starting in December  Figuring out the first 100 munro's Doing 65k and 4,400 m of ascent and being out for 19 hours Doing an average 4.4 munro's per day Putting out a message on social media looking for help with accommodation The kindness of strangers Having a lot of self confidence with navigation, make sensible decisions and look after herself Wondering if she would keep wanting it Injury, weather and not wanting it anymore  Feeling low on motivation during her menstrual cycle Dr Stacy Simms on the Tough Girl Podcast  Dealing with the low moments and keeping on walking  When your mood is low - walk with friends Finding it logistically a lot easer to be on her own  Having a few foot issues The magical moments from the experience  Writing her book - Breaking the Snowline Nutrition and eating on the mountains  Getting addicted to Lucazade  Gear and making risk based decisions  Having an emergency bag - that went with her everyday  Working with Alpkit Wearing trainers and waterproof socks and why it worked for her Motherhood, mountains and adventuring with a new baby (Fergus)  Having different parameters for what a day in the mountains looks like Getting back to skiing and the mountains quickly How to connect with Anna online Final words of advice for other women who want to spend more time in the outdoors Start thinking outside the box    Social Media Website: rocksandtrails.com  Instagram: @rocksandtrails To buy my book: shop.rocksandtrails.com  

The first college-centric episode of the new season, and it's without Burko, who will return next week. Brentley welcomes Wake Forest women's assistant Ryan Potter as the Deacs are No. 1 in the first ranking of the season (courtesy of The Differential). Potter walks us through what's working well so far, how he and head coach Kim Lewellen form a great duo, why Wake is a special place and whether La Costa is worthy of being a longterm NCAA Championship site. Technical issues cut off the Disney World breakdown portion of the pod, though Brentley wraps things up with a spin-through of all the notable tournament results from Stephens Cup to Inverness to Sahalee and most everything in between. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In October 2013, a young Dane named Thor Pedersen set off from his home with a single, slightly mad rule: he wanted to visit every country on earth — all of them — in one continuous journey, and to do it without ever once setting foot on an airplane. Container ships, trains, buses, and a great deal of waiting around. He thought it might take three or four years. It took almost ten. He crossed closed borders and war zones, ran out of money more than once, was stranded for two years by the global pandemic, and served the whole time as a Goodwill Ambassador for the Red Cross. In 2023 he became the first person in history to do it. In this episode, Jonathan Thomas talks to Thor about the whole extraordinary decade — and, this being the Anglotopia Podcast, spends a good while on Britain, which came remarkably early in the itinerary. Thor recounts crossing from Calais to Dover after meeting Syrian refugees at the port, being awestruck by Bristol's maritime heritage, a memorable host in Wales whose front garden contained a toilet lying on its side, a Red Cross officer in Belfast who felt like the James Bond of the Red Cross, falling for the Scottish countryside, buying dodgy Les Misérables tickets in London, a desperate dash for seasickness pills in Immingham, and Hogmanay in Inverness courtesy of a kind bartender. But the deeper story is the one Thor tells in an unusual way: he doesn't sell it as a triumph. He's honest about the loneliness, the setbacks, the cerebral malaria, the migraines, the moments at gunpoint, the two years stuck in Hong Kong — and about the thing that actually got him around the world, which turned out not to be toughness at all, but the kindness of strangers. Links The Book The Impossible Journey — Amazon US The Impossible Journey — Amazon UK The Impossible Journey — Waterstones The Impossible Journey — Barnes & Noble The Impossible Journey — Hachette Australia ⠀Published by Robinson. ISBN 9781472149763 (hardback) / 9781472149770 (paperback). Thor Pedersen Thor Pedersen — Official Website The Impossible Journey — Thor's Site Once Upon A Saga — The Original Project Blog Thor Pedersen on Instagram Thor Pedersen on Facebook Speaking Engagements & Talks ⠀Mentioned in the Episode The Danish Red Cross International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) British Red Cross The Adventurers' Club of Denmark The Explorers Club, New York Hong Kong Tourism Board The Danish Seamen's Church, Hong Kong The California Zephyr — Amtrak ⠀Anglotopia Friends of Anglotopia Club ⠀ Takeaways 1 The idea arrived by email. Thor's father sent him a link about the world's most-travelled people, and Thor — then 34, twelve years into a career in shipping and logistics, and having visited around 50 countries — discovered that roughly 200 people had reached every country, but nobody had done it entirely without flying. He describes it striking him "like lightning." 2 His definition of "every country" was deliberately generous. The UN recognizes 193 sovereign states plus two observer states (the Vatican and Palestine). Thor built on that, splitting the Danish kingdom into Denmark, the Faroes and Greenland, and splitting the UK into England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland — arriving at 203 — precisely so nobody could come back afterward and say "but what about Kosovo?" 3 Britain came very early — country numbers seven through ten, in late 2013, just weeks after leaving Denmark. He crossed Calais to Dover after meeting Syrian refugees camped by the rail tracks, was refused as a foot passenger, and got across by knocking on car windows until a driver calling himself Rambling Rat let him ride along. 4 Travelling only overland and by sea teaches you something you cannot learn from an airplane: how enormous the world actually is, and how gradually it changes. Thor points out that at borders, people wear the same clothes, eat the same food, often share a language — and the plants and animals don't care which side they're on. The real changes happen further inland. 5 He became a Red Cross Goodwill Ambassador early on, which transformed the project. Within weeks he realized it wasn't a country project but a people project. Meeting national Red Cross societies gave him rapid, genuine insight into each country — its economy, its government, whether it was a strong or weak society — and gave balance to a social media feed that otherwise risked being relentlessly, artificially upbeat. 6 Two years in, in Central Africa, everything collapsed at once: he lost financial backing, his long-distance relationship was falling apart, he was recovering from cerebral malaria, he was suffering debilitating migraines for the first time in his life, and his life was at risk more than once. It was the point at which he genuinely broke — and the point at which he first wanted to go home. He still had eight years left. 7 The pandemic stranded him in Hong Kong for two years. He'd arrived expecting a four-day transit stop. Immigration eventually told him he couldn't stay indefinitely as a visitor and offered three options: marry someone, study, or work. He ended up employed by the Danish Seamen's Church as "junior assistant to a reverend who wasn't there," shopping for seafarers trapped aboard their ships and unable to come ashore. 8 Hong Kong was both the worst and best chapter. CNN picked up his story, which went viral and transformed his profile. The Hong Kong Tourism Board nicknamed him "Hong Kong's only tourist." By the end he had two apartments, two cars, a driver's licence, a temporary ID card and a dentist. It remains the place in the world he misses most. 9 He felt no joy at all on reaching the final countries. Sri Lanka, then the Maldives on 23 May 2023 — everything had become "automated and mechanic," and he was working through interviews while everyone else scuba dived and drank martinis. The project was successful in the Maldives, but it was completed when he got home to Aarhus, 31 days later by container ship — 40 container ships in total across the decade. 10 Thor's strongest observation about travel is that most of the world is deeply ordinary. People go to work, go to school, spend time with family, follow their sports teams. He travelled through the Game of Thrones years and found everyone everywhere talking about it. He saw a boy in Libya spinning a Captain America shield fidget spinner. We are, he argues, far more connected than we think. ⠀ Soundbites 1 "I found out no one had accomplished it completely without flying. For most people that would be an uh-huh kind of moment, and then people would move on. But it struck me like lightning." — Thor on the email from his father that started everything. 2 "There's a common phrase where people say it's a small world. It really isn't. If it was a small world, I think I would have been back home a lot sooner." — Thor on what a decade overland teaches you. 3 "Around most border areas, people wear the same clothes. You get the same food on either side. The plants and the animals in the area do not care which side of the border they're on." — Thor on seeing where countries actually meet. 4 "Within weeks I realized that this wasn't a country project, that this was a people project." — Thor on the shift that changed everything. 5 "I was in Central Africa and I was deep in over my head. I lost financial backing. My long-distance relationship was falling apart. I was recovering from cerebral malaria. My life was at risk several times. And I just lost the motivation to continue." — Thor on the moment it broke him, two years in. 6 "If there was a competition within hospitality globally, like the Olympics, we would be on the bench watching the other countries. We are kind and helpful and friendly — but we have no idea how friendly we could be." — Thor comparing Northern European and global hospitality. 7 "I made an excuse that I was going to the bathroom, but really what I wanted to do was go and pay for all of us. And on my way there, they already knew what I was up to and shouted to the cashier — don't let him pay, we will take care of it." — Thor on his host Dafala in Sudan. 8 "So I was hired to be the junior assistant to a reverend who wasn't there." — Thor on how he solved his Hong Kong immigration problem. 9 "I arrived with my hat and my backpack, and when I was at my highest I had two apartments, I had two cars, I had access to the port, I had my driver's licence, I had a dentist. I had a life in Hong Kong." — Thor on two years stranded. 10 "The real story here is that most of the world is such an ordinary place. It is just people getting by in life, making the best of the situations that they have. Going to work, going to school, spending time with family, falling in love, following their sports teams." — Thor on what a decade on the road actually revealed. ⠀ Chapters 00:21 Introduction — One continuous journey, every country on earth, and no airplanes 01:48 Where Does an Idea Like That Come From? — Twelve years in shipping, and an email from his father 03:46 The Lightning Bolt — Discovering nobody had done it without flying 04:30 Did He Know What He Was Signing Up For? — Four years becomes ten 04:54 Two Years In, Central Africa — Where it all fell apart the first time 06:30 THE NO FLYING RULE — What travelling overland and by sea actually gives you 07:20 How Big the World Really Is — Denmark, Texas, Greenland and the skewed world map 08:47 Where Countries Meet — Same clothes, same food, and animals that don't care about borders 09:36 Watching the Landscape Change — Desert to bushes to forest to mountains 10:17 Which Definition of a Country? — 193 UN states, and why Thor's list runs to 203 12:24 THE RED CROSS — How being a Goodwill Ambassador changed the journey 12:50 A People Project, Not a Country Project 13:22 What the Red Cross Gave Him — Rapid, genuine insight into every country he entered 15:08 Balance — Why it mattered to post things that weren't relentlessly positive 16:05 BRITAIN — Country numbers seven through ten, in late 2013 16:44 Calais — Meeting Syrian refugees by the rail tracks before crossing 17:28 Rambling Rat — Refused as a foot passenger, and getting across by knocking on windows 17:58 Bristol — An open-air museum of seafaring history 18:38 Wales — A kind host, a house with grass to the windows, and a toilet in the front yard 19:11 Minimum 24 Hours Per Country — And how fast the early legs moved 19:24 Northern Ireland — The James Bond of the Red Cross, and a city of walls 20:00 "It's Raining a Wee Bit" — Thor's accent problem 20:32 Scotland — Awestruck by the west coast, and on to Glasgow and Edinburgh 21:08 Edinburgh — His girlfriend, now wife, visits two weeks after he left home 21:34 London — Les Misérables, dodgy tickets, and an unexpectedly happy ending 22:48 Back to the UK — A missed ship to Iceland, and an unplanned return via Immingham 23:42 The Pharmacy Dash — Crawling under the shutters for seasickness pills 24:26 Scrabster — And a devastating email about a ship that isn't coming 25:04 Edinburgh Again, Then Inverness — Hogmanay with a bartender who takes in strangers 26:15 CULTURAL DIFFERENCE — Reading what people really think of you 26:50 The Hospitality Olympics — Why Northern Europe would be on the bench 27:40 Dafala in Sudan — Not being allowed to pay for anything 29:07 Poland and Hong Kong — Strangers who cook for you at midnight, and four days that became five months 29:54 "The Guest Is God" — Hospitality in India and Pakistan 31:02 The Arab World — Why you may never know what someone truly thinks of you 31:41 Denmark, Britain and America — Three different ways of masking contempt 33:12 THE UNITED STATES — How he got there and what happened 33:26 Iceland to Greenland to Canada — Crossing the Atlantic by ship 34:21 Immigration at Buffalo — Colin Farrell, a German form, and a very unimpressed officer 35:37 New York at 4 AM — Sleeping under a tree in Central Park 36:39 A Bird, a Beard and Free Wi-Fi — Central Park as a budget traveller's dream 37:04 Washington DC — Free museums, and more homelessness than the movies show 37:56 THE CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR — The train that changed the trip 38:09 Meeting Art — A chance conversation in the queue 38:45 Four Hours in Chicago — A grandfather's grave and a different ticket 40:06 The First Class Surprise — Art's private cabin, bunk beds and meals included 41:00 Communal Dining — Strangers, awkward seating, and solving global politics three times a day 42:18 San Francisco and Onward — To Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean 43:19 WHEN IT GOT HARD — The end of the good energy days 43:32 Naive Expectations — CNN, BBC and Nike were not, in fact, calling 44:49 Central Africa — "That is just a different level of hardship" 45:40 An Astonishing Part of the World — Beautiful, lush, friendly, and extremely hard to travel 46:34 Losing the Thread — Forgetting why any of it mattered 47:24 Migraines and Malaria — What his body did in response 48:40 At Gunpoint — And the moment he grabbed a steering wheel at speed 49:18 Where an Ambulance Might Not Come — The reality of a medical emergency in that region 50:03 MOST OF THE WORLD IS ORDINARY — Game of Thrones, fidget spinners and a Captain America shield in Libya 51:52 THE PANDEMIC — Two weeks' delay in the Solomon Islands, then the Marshall Islands 52:45 Four Days in Hong Kong Becomes Two Years 53:31 Down to the Last Nine Countries — And desperate to go home 54:24 Five Months With One Family — And the need for personal space 55:03 CNN Finds Him — The article that went viral and changed everything 55:38 Hong Kong's Only Tourist — Working with the Hong Kong Tourism Board 56:28 Immigration Runs Out of Patience — Marry, study, or work 57:35 THE DANISH SEAMEN'S CHURCH — Junior assistant to an absent reverend 58:27 Seafarers Trapped Aboard — Suicide rates, shipboard dentistry, and captains who died at sea 59:32 Shopping for the Ships — What Thor actually did for a year 01:00:17 Forty Container Ships — And the satisfaction of giving something back 01:00:27 The Luck of the Delay — Why being stuck in Hong Kong was better than the alternatives 01:01:20 A Life in Hong Kong — Two apartments, two cars, a dentist, and the place he misses most 01:02:04 THE END OF THE JOURNEY — Sri Lanka, then the Maldives 01:02:47 Bureaucratic Obstacles to the Finish Line — Not allowed to leave the ship 01:03:33 Flags, Friends and a Resort Island — And Gunnar Garfors breaking the story 01:04:14 No Joy At All — Working through interviews while everyone else celebrated 01:05:20 Successful in the Maldives, Completed at Home — And why he refused to fly back 01:06:06 The Milan Maersk — 31 days from Malaysia to Aarhus 01:06:46 Windmills in the English Channel — The slow return home 01:07:20 Homecoming — Rain, a crowd at the portside, and his wife 01:07:59 WHAT NOW? — The Adventurers' Club and a secret expedition 01:08:48 Africa, Camels, Volcano — Three clue words and nothing more 01:09:09 Life Today — Speaking engagements, film festivals and book events 01:09:34 Emirates Business Class vs Ryanair — A memorable downgrade 01:10:06 Wrap-Up — The Impossible Journey, out now, and Friends of Anglotopia Video Version

In this week's episode, Lesley Riddoch and Fraser Thompson dive into everything from political peerages and far-right threats to centralisation battles in Scottish governance and local community empowerment.Key Topics DiscussedBarons & Westminster Politics: Fraser and Lesley dissect Anas Sarwar's ennoblement, Keir Starmer's political standing, and proposed UK trade sanctions on illegal West Bank settlementsBernara Café Dispute & Land Buyouts: Baron George Foulkes resignation from the Ethnic Minority Law Centre over a high-profile Bernara community café dispute, and how Bernara's 11-year struggle highlights badly drafted community buyout legislation.Rising Far-Right Dynamic: The political impact of AfD's electoral surge in East Germany, false rumors leading to the arson of a housing association property in Possilpark, and the contrast in police responses to far-right demonstrations in Dover versus left-wing protests.Reform UK Funding Scandal & Farage Speech: Undercover reporting by Channel 4 exposing foreign election donation loopholes, alongside Nigel Farage's proposals to declare a state of emergency, sit Parliament 24/7, and replace uncooperative judges and lords.Scottish Governance & Centralisation: John Swinney's proposals to reduce health boards to two and encourage council mergers, drawing parallels to failed municipal consolidation in Norway and criticisms from public health expert Alison Pollock.Rural Realities & Assynt Housing: Insights from the DTAS conference on urban-centric policies, including an example from Assynt where urban EV charging mandates required a £750,000-per-unit grid upgrade for a ten-home community project.Holyrood Scrutiny & Cultural Success: A critical look at a think tank report on lazy MSPs and Holyrood's flawed committee system, concluding with a celebration of Fèis Rois's 40th anniversary concert in Inverness.Articles & Resources Mentionedhttps://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2026/09/07/blackshirts-over-the-white-cliffs-of-dover/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/07/afd-germany-far-right-saxony-anhalt-nationalist-wave-europe-analysis ★ Support this podcast ★

Love football? Love Inverness Caledonian Thistle? Love talking about HGVs? Jack Burton says this is the podcast for you. Despite ICTFC recording no league wins at time of recording, The Wyness Shuffle is back to run the big rig over the most recent matches v Raith Rovers and Stenhousemuir and the start to the season in general. Returning to the Highlands, Roddy Macgregor joins us for a chat, and Craig Masterton from the ICT Community Development Trust gives us an update on the amazing work of everyone involved in their efforts. Join Andrew Moffat, Stevie Riley, Andrew Young, Sandy Sutherland, and Lee Tarling for all of that, plus some random ABBA references. 01.00: Hello: Mama Mia we need an SOS. 01.33: Highlight / Lowlight: The boys pick out their highlights and their lowlights from the opening month of the season. 05:47: Game by Game: Five games played, won 0, drawn 3, lost 2. Points 3. Sitting 9th in the league. Doesn't look great but the Shufflers point to some positive results, where the manager might look to change things up, additions, and how Marvin Bartley is actually really smart and we are not. 33.15: What Ya Sayin?: Returning after two years in the Glasgow wilderness, Roddy Macgregor talks coming back to Inverness, his time down south, trying to get in the starting eleven, and his love of a Hilton chippy and a pint of Stella. 50.51: The Club: Always lots going behind the scenes as the Shufflers talk Stadium renovations, hospitality options, fixture scheduling, the sad departure of some key faces at the club, and huge debate and much excitement about Highland Fuels proposed ICT truck park and bunkering site. 01:07:26: Community Trust: The ICT Community Development Trust's primary objective is to promote and improve the physical and mental health of both young and old through activity and provide an opportunity for everyone in Inverness and surrounding areas to participate in football! We talked to Chief Exec Craig Masterton. 01:37:47: League Lookahead: The boys look ahead to the away games in Ayr and Livingston, Friday night lights v Greenock Morton, and discuss when our first win of the league campaign is most likely to appear. There's it.

Matt Greer, David Forrest, Jamie McDonald and Steve Clark are here to pick the bones over our surprising 0-0 draw at home to Queen's Park. Then, Matt and David return with the latest installment in the Travel Jags saga, TRAVEL JAGS X: THE QUICKENING, chronicling their trip to Inverness a fortnight ago.

How long can Stenhousemuir keep their remarkable Championship run going? The team analyse another impressive win for Marvin Bartley's side and ask what's gone wrong at Livingston. Are Inverness Caledonian Thistle destined to climb the table, and have Dunfermline found a spark after their first league win?In League One, Hamilton Academical and Ross County are setting the pace, but why are Airdrie and Queen of the South struggling?Plus, Elgin City's flying start in League Two, Clyde's credentials as challengers, concerns for Stirling Albion, and whether Dumbarton should already be worried about life at the foot of the table02:13 Stenhousemuir's remarkable Championship start 08:21 Livingston's struggles and Inverness concerns 10:58 Queen's Park, Morton and Dunfermline's first win 14:27 Hamilton lead the way as Ross County emerge as favourites 18:06 East Kilbride's reality check and Airdrie's alarming form 21:49 What's gone wrong at Queen of the South? 23:29 Elgin City set the pace in League Two as Clyde chase 26:50 Stirling Albion's slow start and Dumbarton's worries

Sheepdog Experience in UigThe Wolfie Lodge in Carbost (Easily in the top 3 AirBnB's we've EVER stayed in!)Airbnb in Onich (near Ft William)The Isle of Skye completely wins us over with misty roads, unreal scenery, and a base in tiny Carbost that feels like a movie set. We share our exact itinerary, our biggest planning mistakes, and the specific stops that make a Scotland family road trip feel doable and memorable.• flying London to Inverness early to save money • renting a car for left-side driving and using primary rental insurance coverage • choosing Carbost as a home base and why we want more nights next time • finding food in small towns and what to buy as backups • Staffin Bay dinosaur footprints and why low tide timing matters • the sheepdog herding experience in Uig and why it becomes a trip highlight • Portree stops for photos, shops, and a reliable dinner plan • Fairy Pools hike lessons learned and how to avoid turning back too soon • Three Chimneys lunch and pairing it with Talisker nearby • Talisker Distillery tour plus how water changes peaty Scotch • leaving Skye for Fort William with a stop at Eilean Donan Castle • Glenfinnan viewpoint for the Jacobite steam train and what the crowds are like • Glencoe visitor center, history notes, and quick food options • The Geographer in Fort William and our first haggis taste test Find me on Instagram if you have questions If Scotland has been on your bucket list and you're waiting for a sign, this is your sign

Allen covers Clearway’s 800 MW wind farm in Maine, the state’s largest ever, along with Suzlon’s $1.2 billion project in India and Masdar’s growing battery pipeline in the UK. Then Mingyang lobbies the UK’s new Prime Minister to reverse its ban from British waters. The Uptime Wind Energy Podcast is brought to you by Weather Guard Lightning Tech, creators of the StrikeTape Ultra LPS retrofit. Subscribe to Uptime’s Substack newsletter. And check out Rosemary’s “Engineering with Rosie” Youtube channel. Have a question we can answer on the show? Email us! Up in Maine this week… they picked a spot for a wind farm. Eight hundred megawatts. The biggest the state has ever seen. Hold that thought. Halfway around the world… India broke ground on something even bigger. And in between… a Chinese company knocked on Britain’s door. Again. Start in Aroostook County, Maine. The woods up there grow timber… and wind. The Maine Public Utilities Commission chose Clearway Energy to build eight hundred megawatts of turbines on commercial timberland in the rural north. Avangrid will string the power line to connect those turbines to the New England grid. Commission Chair Phil Bartlett says the project will save Maine ratepayers at least three hundred and eighty-seven million dollars. Two-point-four billion in economic output. Thousands of construction jobs. Six hundred megawatts stay in Maine. The rest goes to Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont. Five states… one wind farm… one forest. Now fly east across the Atlantic. In Rochdale, England… Abu Dhabi’s Masdar just flipped the switch on its second battery storage plant in Britain. Thirty-five megawatts. Seventy megawatt-hours. Enough to power thirty-five thousand homes a day. And it responds to grid swings in milliseconds. This is part of Masdar’s one-billion-pound pipeline of battery projects across the UK. Three gigawatt-hours planned. One of the largest storage buildouts in the country. Wind needs a partner. Batteries are volunteering. Now south… to India. Suzlon just broke ground on thirteen hundred and twenty-five megawatts of wind in Ananthapuramu, Andhra Pradesh. The investment… about one-point-two billion dollars. Sixteen hundred new jobs. Suzlon already has a blade factory in the region. Capacity… twelve hundred and sixty megawatts a year. And the company is training twelve thousand young people, including three thousand women, in green energy skills. India’s wind sector just crossed fifty-eight gigawatts. It was twenty-one gigawatts in twenty fourteen. And staying in India… Saudi Arabia’s Alfanar Group just put one hundred million dollars into its Indian turbine subsidiary Senvion. Thirty-four million released this month. The rest in weeks. Senvion builds one-point-five gigawatts of turbines a year. Saudi money. Indian manufacturing. Global ambition. Now… one more item. And this one has an edge. Ming Yang… the Chinese turbine maker banned from British waters on national security grounds… wants back in. The company had plans for a one-point-five-billion-pound factory in Inverness, Scotland. Fifteen hundred direct jobs. Eight thousand in the supply chain. Labour ministers shut it down in March. The Ministry of Defence worried about spying. European rivals complained about Chinese state subsidies. Now Ming Yang is lobbying the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, to reverse the ban. The company says it can deliver “growth in every postcode.” That phrase… is Burnham’s own. A government spokesman says there are no plans to review the decision. So what does this week tell us? Supply chains are going local. Saudi capital into Indian turbine factories. Maine insisting on new transmission before new generation. Britain locking the door on Chinese hardware while Abu Dhabi builds its battery network. The message is clear. Countries want wind power. But they want to own the pieces. Watch for this. Permitting… not technology… is the bottleneck now. Maine’s project was authorized in twenty twenty-one. It is twenty twenty-six and they are still years from turning a blade. And storage is no longer a side conversation. Masdar’s billion-pound UK commitment says batteries are becoming infrastructure… not experiments. For professionals in this industry… the work ahead is not just building turbines. It is building trust with governments who are choosing energy security over speed. And that is the state of the wind industry for the 31st of August 2026. Join us for the Uptime Wind Energy podcast tomorrow.

Matt Greer, David Forrest, Heather Holloway and Aaron Richardson are here to discuss our 1-1 draw with Inverness.

If an emergency left you unable to manage your finances, would someone else know what to do? Why every household should conduct a financial fire drill - and how to make sure yours is prepared. Craig Bolanos, co-founder and wealth advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners in Inverness and Downers Grove, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

In today's episode we talk to Erica Miller, a holist healer, reiki master-teacher, massage therapist, intuitive, yoga teacher, and shamanic practitioner.  We dive into what shamanism is, and the power of this modality to help heal the planet.  Erica guides us through a  brief shamanic journey to meet our wild woman – which is something listeners can do as well.  We were blown away by what was revealed! We talk about: Even as a child, Erica was having paranormal experiences, deep spiritual conversations with her grandmother, doing yoga with VHS tapes, and exploring the unseen world. A profound silent meditation retreat that clearly revealed to Erica the next step on her journey as a healer toward studying shamanism, and the 2 birds on a walking path that pointed the way. Erica's definition and experience of shamanism, and how she specifically integrates it into the healing work she offers. Her perspective about chaos theory, the intense times we are living through, and why the wisdom of nature can help heal the planet. What a shamanic journey actually is, which is followed by Erica guiding us into a shamanic journey to meet our own inner wild woman. The profound insights revealed to Kate and Betsy via the journey Erica guided. About Erica Miller: Erica is the loving owner-operator of inSpirit healing arts & Yoga & co-founder of Anahata Wellness Co-op in Coralville, Iowa. Erica is a Holistic Healer, Shamanic Practitioner, Reiki Master-Teacher, Licensed Massage Therapist, Meditation Guide, Intuitive, Channeler, Yoga Teacher, & Author. Her main body of work, as a holistic healer, incorporates all of her passions into a holistic healing session that is a combination of bodywork, energy healing, shamanic healing, guided meditation & visualization, breathwork, channeling, & intuitive guidance. Erica completed her two-year Shamanic Practitioner training with Twobirds Cunningham of Embracing Shamanism in Inverness, Scotland, in March 2025. Her beautiful clan is the Wild Earth Dreamers, and she is so happy to have an international family who loves stepping into non-ordinary reality as much as she does! Erica is in the process of completing her shaman teacher training with Twobirds, this time in Wales… Be on the lookout for an 18-month Shamanic Practitioner training beginning in January of 2027! You find Erica's work at: https://www.inspiritheals.com Other Episodes You Might Like:  Episode 202: The Severing of the Wild Woman Episode 199: Jaime Ehrenberg: Listen to the Land Episode 180: Ginette Biro: A Near Death Experience & Divine Connection to the Other Side Episode 179: The Heroine's Journey: The Descent to the Goddess Episode 171: Dani Worrell: The Power of Practical Alignment Today's Episode sponsored by: Kate Moreland Coaching (https://www.katemorelandcoaching.com/) Dr Yoga Momma (https://dryogamomma.com/) Heartland Yoga (https://heartlandyoga.com/) Want to do coaching work with Kate or mind-body psychotherapy with Betsy?  Kate Moreland Coaching (https://www.katemorelandcoaching.com/) Dr Yoga Momma (https://dryogamomma.com/) Interested in our online Rewilding Course? We taught a 4-week live online rewilding course in July 2026 to 50+ women.  It was an amazingly transformational container that allowed people to engage in 4 things. Understand the call we receive to rewild Unravel the conditioning that has kept us distance from our inner wild or essence Reclaim the parts of self that got splintered away over the years, including our bodies, creativity, intuition, emotions Commit to a rewilded life If you would like to take this course on your own, join anytime.  All the details here: https://dryogamomma.com/keepherwild/ Want to go on retreat? Want to join Betsy in Mexico in February May 20-27, 2027 on retreat?  This beautiful retreat center in the nourishing haven of Playa Chacala on the Pacific Ocean will the home for a week of deep self-care.  Teaching retreat is one of Betsy's favorite jobs as it gives her a chance to move into deeper realms with people over an extended period of time using the tools of yoga, meditation, hypnosis, energy work, and self-inquiry.  People typically observe deep shifts and quantum leaps forward on such retreats.   All the details here! Want to join Betsy in Morocco in October 2027 on retreat?  This small, curated experience in Marrakech will blend introspection and rest using the tools of yoga-psychology with cultural immersion and adventure as we tour markets, traditional Moroccan massage, and take a hot air balloon ride above the desert at sunset.  All the details here! Source

A dramatic night in Europe leaves plenty to discuss as the Scottish Football Podcast looks ahead to a huge weekend.We preview a fascinating Dundee Derby as Steven Pressley's impressive Dundee side prepare to face Jim Goodwin's Dundee United.In Europe can Rangers and Hibs finish the job in their Conference League play-offs? Are Hearts still capable of upsetting Rapid Vienna? And what can Motherwell take from a spirited display against one of Europe's strongest sides?Plus, who is best placed in the Championship promotion race as Partick Thistle, Inverness, Livingston and Dunfermline prepare for key early-season tests?

Welcome to Episode 243 of the Perth to Paisley Podcast! The boys review the draw against Benfica, the fantastic win against Inverness and preview Rapid Vienna before ending with another quiz, we hope you enjoy! Our Twitter: @PerthToPaisley Our Email: perthtopaisley@gmail.com Adam's Twitter: @adamtkennedy98

Vestas doubles second quarter profit and adds €4.7 billion in market value overnight. Plus EnBW finishes He Dreiht after a V236 blade break, the UK blocks Ming Yang’s Scottish factory, and India rules turbines are movable goods. The Uptime Wind Energy Podcast is brought to you by Weather Guard Lightning Tech, creators of the StrikeTape Ultra LPS retrofit. Subscribe to Uptime’s Substack newsletter. And check out Rosemary’s “Engineering with Rosie” Youtube channel. Have a question we can answer on the show? Email us! The Uptime Wind Energy podcast, brought to you by StrikeTape. Protecting thousands of wind turbines from lightning damage worldwide. Visit StrikeTape.com. And now, your hosts Allen Hall: Welcome to the Uptime Wind Energy podcast. I’m your host, Allen Hall, and I’m here with Rosemary Barnes, Matthew Stead, and Yolanda Padron. And three out of the four of us will be in Melbourne Australia talking to a number of operators and interested parties about WOMA 2027. Matthew, where will we be the couple of days we’re in Melbourne? Matthew Stead: So, um, first of all, we’ve got the Pullman, uh, East Melbourne, which is, uh, where the venue will be for, for 2027. Um, so that’ll be our home base. Um, we’ve got around about eight meetings planned already. So what we’re doing is we’re talking to the operators and a few other industry, um, players about [00:01:00] what we need to talk about, how we’re gonna move the industry forward in Australia. Uh, so it’s gonna be jam-packed, but there’s a little bit of time left on the Friday afternoon if there’s any late-minute, um, people that wanna get in contact and catch up with us, um, for next Thursday, Friday, or actually Friday. Uh, so yeah, it’s gonna be a, a jam-packed time. I think we’re gonna be tired, too many coffees, and talking to all the key, all the key operators, uh, about what they wanna hear about and how we can move the, the industry forward. Allen Hall: And if someone wants to put an input into the WOMA panel about what will be discussed at WOMA 2027, Matthew, how would they do that? How do they get ahold of you?  Matthew Stead: Well, we have a wonderful website, and that’s got all the details you could ever want. Um, you can also register on the website, so please register. Otherwise, um, I’m sure we’re gonna be a sellout this year for sure. So woma2027.com.  Rosemary Barnes: I just wanna add that when people talk to [00:02:00] me about the event, they always say how they love that the topics are so relevant, and the reason why that they’re so relevant is because we make sure to go around to operators and find out what are the issues that they’re really dealing with. So anybody that’s thinking of attending, even if you can’t, you know, meet us up, meet up with us in Melbourne, get in touch and tell us what are the, yeah, what are the topics that you’re struggling with that you’re not, um, you’re having trouble finding enough information, having trouble finding the people that can help you. And y- yeah, like we take all of that information, and that’s how we come up with our agenda each year. And yeah, I mean, for us, that’s the, the main thing is that this has to be really relevant, up-to-date information for the industry, and we need your help to make sure it stays that way. I  Matthew Stead: mean, that’s what we’ve done the last two years, so this is– we’re just repeating the formula, um, listening to the operators and getting the good topics and the good speakers. Allen Hall: Well, Vestas has had a good quarter. Uh, the, for the last couple of years, honestly, s- [00:03:00] Vestas has been really thin on margins. There was questions about it continuing on. Rising costs mostly, uh, supply chains, especially during COVID, were bad. Uh, and, uh, but for the most part, the shareholders stayed attached. Well, that story is changing rapidly. The world’s largest turbine maker posted second quarter operating profits of $400- €46 million, more than double what the analysts had expected, and it’s raised its full-year margin guidance alongside half-year results for the first time in a decade. The shares climbed about 20% in Copenhagen, adding roughly €4.7 billion of market value in a single session. Now, the chief executive, uh, Henrik Andersen, ha- put it plainly to, uh, uh, in a couple of news sources that something much bigger is happening and Vestas is gonna be the, the leader in wind. That’s how I read it, that everybody [00:04:00]at Vestas was super happy with the, the change in direction and things were moving up steadily. But a 20% jump in a day is remarkable. You don’t see that in large industrial businesses like wind energy. Matthew, this has real implications on what happens next for Vestas because success like this usually means more orders.  Matthew Stead: Yeah, I wonder what’s going on under the hood there. Um, I mean, Vestas is a quality company, although, although can I just do a quick segue? How many turbines were installed in Denmark in the last, uh, two years? Like last year and the year before?  Allen Hall: I don’t know. How many?  Matthew Stead: I believe it was eight turbines installed onshore in Denmark last year, and the year before it was 12. So, you know, maybe, maybe Vestas needs to focus on their own backyard a little bit as well. Allen Hall: I’m not sure there’s a lot of opportunity there. Yeah, onshore.  Matthew Stead: How can you ever be full? I mean, there’s always, um, [00:05:00] uh, you know, um, you know, resiting or, um, you know, upgrades and-  Rosemary Barnes: You know what? Allen and I are probably gonna get some time in Jutland, uh, later this year, um, and that area and the old wind turbines there was actually the inspiration for my whole YouTube channel. It just, ’cause there’s, you know, there’s turbines there from, the earliest one is, um, from the ’70s and still going. I think it’s one and a half megawatts, actually huge for, for that time. Um, and it was like community made, um, at Tvind. But anyway, I’m interested to revisit the site and have a look and see are these, you know, all these old turbines still there. It’s only, like six years since I went through and did the experience but for the most part, they don’t seem to be yet pulling down the, the small old ones and putting up big ones. There’s a lot of, a lot of them are community owned. Um, and yeah, I mean, Danish people love wind turbines, but there’s only so many that you can have onshore. Like, people are happy to live near them by, you know, the standards of people in other countries, but you don’t want [00:06:00] one in your literal backyard. I think that there is, there, there is a, a limit to how many more onshore wind turbines that you can get in that area and offshore expansion is the more likely way to go. Um, and also I think it’s, it’s, it’s good to recognize that if you have a domestic only or a domestic first strategy, that will only get you so far and then you have to expand, and I think Denmark did that really well. I think Germany a little bit less. I think that Enercon were a bit surprised, um, by their strategy. It, uh, they had a real hard time anyway when they had to transition away from mostly Germany to getting overseas. And obviously, like if you look at China, they have most of their installations are in China. They are trying so hard to get outside of China because it’s not, like even a market as big as China, it’s got decades to go before it will be full. Um, you can still recognize that that’s not your, like long-term strategy for growth has to involve expansion, I think.  Allen Hall: I think Vestas, regardless of what happens in Denmark, is making a play for the United States. That seems to be [00:07:00] where a significant effort is happening at the moment and on offshore. Their– Vestas seems very excited about the offshore opportunities. Of course, there’s a ton of wind turbines gonna be installed in the UK and, and all around Northern Europe. Offshore, the opportunities to buy turbines, there’s only a couple that you could get today. Uh, uh, the GE Vernova offerings I, I don’t think are gonna fit the mold, and I don’t know if GE’s even actively selling. So their competitor realistically is Siemens Gamesa, which does seem like the smaller player at the minute versus Vestas, which is heavily pushing the V236 and will fill order books like crazy, I think, uh, just based upon the, the history they’ve had and everybody knowing who they are. So Also on the move in Australia, right? Vestas is huge in Australia right now.  Rosemary Barnes: I think it’s really good that their, um, yeah, finances, uh, are [00:08:00] looking a bit better ’cause it’s been funny. Like, I tried early on in my wind career to invest in, you know, wind turbine manufacturers knowing that there would be immense growth, and I was right. There, there was immense growth. Not that that was so hard to figure out that there would be, but it did not lead to any kind of, um, return on, on anything, you know. Like, that did not keep pace with the just general market. Um, so I, I stopped trying to, stopped trying to invest to that. But it has been really, really hard for the companies to, you know, raise money or y- you know, do any of the things that they need to do because they’ve always, like, they’re growing, growing, growing, but finances has been so tight that it has been a real constraint on the amount of engineering that they could do, and I really hope that Vestas are gonna take this opportunity that they’ve got compared to, you know, a lot of the other manufacturers. Vestas do have really strong, um, innovation and, yeah, engineering capabilities for doing– you know, developing new technologies and improving them, and I really hope that they’re taking this opportunity to build that up. There are a lot [00:09:00] of very good engineers with a lot of experience in the industry in that area that are working in other fields at the moment because, you know, there’s been a lot of contraction in Denmark. So I don’t know, it seems like a really good time to hire back some of that really in-depth knowledge and, yeah, get a- get ahead of, you know, some of the future quality problems. We’re going through such a hard time at the moment from the fast development that happened in the 20-teens when there wasn’t a whole lot of money around. We’re dealing with quality problems now, so, you know, maybe we can get ahead and not have the next round of them if we can invest in just a lot more, uh, engineering capacity.  Allen Hall: When you have success like Vestas has, usually the upper level management and some of the executive team starts getting pilfered, that they’ll get offers to repeat that success at another company, and it sounds like that process has started already. There’s a couple of executives that have recently departing or are in the midst of departing from Vestas. [00:10:00] I would see that continuing f- at least for the next six months, uh, because everybody wants to repeat that, right? If you can get a 20% increase in your valuation overnight, uh, I can, I can list a number of companies, regardless of industry, that would love to participate. Even in a 5% increase, that would be remarkable. So, um, Vestas is gonna have a hard time holding onto this. That’s just the nature of the business where things are successful, people will wander. And Rosemary, I, I think they’re– And Yolanda In, in my book, Vestas should sort of s-stand down and just make quality products. I’m not sure you sh-should tinker too much at the time being and just make the good stuff better. That seems like a way to really increase profits.  Yolanda Padron: Yeah, I mean, solving a lot of the issues that– And, and that’s not just a Vestas exclusive thing, right? All of these OEMs have some sort of issue that maybe– I know Rosie’s touched a lot on, on it, where [00:11:00] you build this version A and then version B solves one of the small little issues, but now it creates another little problem, and then you have version C, and then everything just kinda has its own niche little issue, um, that really expands over time. So if they could solidify what they already have in, in a, in a model that, that would help them just even keep a lot of their customers, I think that’d be great, and it would help, certainly help them, um, not continuously, like, rotate around the customers, ’cause it almost feels like, at least in the States, right, you, you get GE to be really, really strong and have a huge market share, and then GE starts focusing more on gas turbines, so then they all go onto Vestas, and then they all go onto Ontara now. Um, and then just, you know, just kind of everybody starts cycling through them because they just kind of want something that’s better quality than what they’re getting in the long haul.  Matthew Stead: Allen, you, you talked about you think there’s something big under the hood. I think you, you [00:12:00] thought that maybe Vestas was angling towards something or being quite bullish. Do you think that they might take over GE Vernova?  Allen Hall: I don’t think they’re gonna grab Vernova, and I don’t think Vernova is for sale at the minute, but I wonder if Siemens Gamesa is, or Nordex. I mean, Nordex has done terrific the last couple of quarters and is making inroads in places that I didn’t think possible three, four years ago. Uh, the European marketplace is be- becoming really unique in that sense that there’s a lot of money being put out. But is there a sole perfect solution for Europe? Not at the minute, ’cause you got two competitors there, and then China trying to, to work its way in. Will the Europeans come together and form something more united, even if it’s just a partnership, a loose partnership, versus letting China on the shores? We’ll see. 64 of the largest machines that Vestas has builds are standing off the German coast, but one blade is missing a [00:13:00] piece. We’ll talk about that when we come back. Speaker: Are you overspending on lightning repairs? Most operators are because solving lightning damage is complicated. Weather Guard Lightning Tech helps operators reduce lightning damage. Our innovative StrikeTape lightning diverter protects over twenty thousand blades worldwide. Now, StrikeTape Ultra installs faster than ever. StrikeTape Ultra cures uptower in just fifteen minutes, even in cold weather. Visit weatherguardwind.com to schedule a call. Allen Hall: Well, Germany’s largest offshore wind farm is now fully installed, and EnBW confirmed this, uh, past week that all 64 of the Vestas V236 15-megawatt turbines are s- standing at the He Dreiht wind farm about 85 kilometers northwest of Borkum. Uh, 960 megawatts, [00:14:00] 2.4 billion euros invested. Man, these offshore projects are expensive to get installed. Uh, so it’s power for roughly 1.1 million households, and there’s no state subsidy behind any of it. And so this is a little bit of a u- unique situation. Uh, th- well, the one footnote about the wind farm is they had a V236 blade break and fall into the North Sea, and they had fished it out and I think I passed along s- pictures that I saw online of, uh, one of the police boats pulling the shear web out of the water I don’t know what to think anymore about some of these offshore blade issues. Obviously, Vestas is very conscientious about it and will be doing RCAs and engineering reviews and all the above to go identify what the problem is. But it does just lead to a little bit of a pause of do– what is going on for some of these offshore [00:15:00] wind blade installations or, or whatever’s causing these blades to break? Do we have a good handle on it? Yolanda, is– are we following up on all the design details so that we can prevent these things in the future?  Yolanda Padron: I mean, I’d, I’d hope you’d be following up on the design, right? Like, and, um, but I think there is still a little bit of a disconnect from, from what we’ve seen, and again, not just Vestas exclusive, um, between the people who are designing and the people who are manufacturing, the people who are in operations, right? So, uh- The, from what we’ve heard, uh, this could have potentially been a, um, partially because of a transportation issue, which is what happens a lot in onshore. It’s a lot more common than we would like it to be. Um, and so that even goes beyond what would go on in the design studio and what would go on in the manufacturing and what would [00:16:00] go on even just for the people that are running the site, right? So, so some sort of, um, in between, uh, EPC error. Um, but yeah, I just think that, like in a lot of industries, there should be a lot more communication between all of these teams on the lower level, so that way a lot of these problems can, can be avoided.  Allen Hall: I’m wondering if it’s actually an issue on the, the testing side. And, uh, the one question that just popped up, and we saw from the ORE Catapult, uh, survey that’s being conducted at the moment, and if you haven’t participated in that, you just visit ORE Catapult and answer some of the survey questions. But torsion on a blade, which is very difficult to test for, and it really isn’t tested for today, but does happen during the move and the transportation of these big offshore blades. Is it one area that we need to do a little more work in or maybe spend some more time focusing on it to see what is happening as blades are [00:17:00]moved?  Rosemary Barnes: The thing about te- torsion is that it is much more significant as blades get longer. I can’t, I can’t remember the equation off the top of my head, which is, um, bothering me. But I think it scales with, like, the fourth power or something of, of length. And so whilst it was always a bit of a problem, it’s much more of a problem as it gets, as blades get bigger. I mean, they’ve never, like, fully tested a blade, and there was always a lot of reliance on, hey, y- you know, like we’ve tested certain things that is possible to test in a test facility on the ground. But they also rely on their decades of experience of how blades actually behave in the field. But, you know, remember, that’s a real lagging, lagging indicator because y- you know, their decades of experience is mostly with lots smaller blades. Now, blades are really different because they’re longer and different effects are, are taking over. It’s not just, uh, torsion, but it’s also the laminates get much thicker, and then y- you know, you, you have issues with the way that they’re curing, [00:18:00] and there’s a lot more just space for, um, defects to be present in a really thick laminate All of those things add up. Oh, yeah, then add in addition, like new materials, carbon fiber is new, and then new ways of producing it, you know, pultrusions, um, all kinds of different materials like balsa’s being replaced with foams and, um, like, you know, 10 times that number of what sounds like a small innovation, but all of these things have the potential for damage and don’t have a really long track record in the field to be able to kind of calibrate. We do need to remember that, like, when you do something new, things are gonna break, uh, sometimes, they’re gonna fail sometimes. If they don’t, then you’re definitely being too conservative, and your product is costing more than it should, and nobody wants more expensive wind energy, right?  Matthew Stead: Rosie, Rosie, I, I know you’re doing some, some excellent work on, um, industry studies around erosion and temperature and so forth. Um, I just wanted to let a little secret out of the bag that, um, in the future there will also be some [00:19:00] other studies on torsion and blade twist and blade dynamics. So, um, just a few things are in, in train at the moment, which I can’t share, share, but, uh, watch this space around better understanding blade twist. Allen Hall: The Hydride wind farm runs on European turbines, but the next one might not. Two governments with two very different answers on who gets to build Europe’s wind fleet. Delamination and bondline failures in blades are difficult problems to detect early. These hidden issues can cost you millions in repairs and lost energy production. CIC NDT are specialists to detect these critical flaws before they become expensive burdens. Their nondestructive test technology penetrates deep into blade materials to find voids and cracks traditional inspections completely miss. CIC NDT maps every critical defect, delivers actionable [00:20:00] reports, and provides support to get your blades back in service. So visit cicndt.com because catching blade problems early will save you millions Well, two countries and two decisions, one question. In Scotland, the UK government blocked plans for the Chinese manufacturer Mingyang to build a turbine factory, uh, near Inverness on national security grounds. 1.5 billion pounds of investment, up to about 1,500 jobs. And First Minister John Swinney has asked the new prime minister to reconsider. And the UK energy secretary minister called that request irresponsible. Meanwhile, up in Denmark, Vattenfall has just won two offshore wind farms and will not say whether it will buy European turbines. Danish suppliers are not taking that quietly. So [00:21:00] the Scotland question about the Mingyang factory is at least being discussed again with the new prime minister in the UK. It does seem like there’s a lot to do and get the government formed and make all this stuff happen. But I don’t see a Burnham administration changing the outcome for Mingyang, but I could be wrong. At the, the same time, Vestas is pushing for a more Eurocentric focus and to really keep out the Chinese. Uh, something has to give here pretty soon.  Matthew Stead: I actually think Mingyang should, um, set up a factory in Scotland. I, I mean, what’s wrong with that? I mean, uh, why is that a security issue?  Rosemary Barnes: Set up the factory and put the, like, whatever you’re worried about, put protections in place for it, require it to be a local joint venture or whatever. You know, we’ve seen the blueprint in many of what used to be, you know, less rich countries. That’s how they, you know, got a head start on some of these technologies. It’s not like, I don’t think that China [00:22:00] has a head start on wind, wind turbine technology, but they certainly have different ways of doing things that, um, yeah, we could, we could learn from. But I think across the board, wind turbines, batteries, solar panels, whatever, let them set up factories, put the rules in place that mean that your country benefits from it and you’re getting the, you know, the information transfer.  Yolanda Padron: Do you think that’ll, like, impulse a lot of these more established European companies to maybe start fixing some of the issues that they’ve known about for, for a while, um, particularly regarding the blades and everything that we’ve talked about earlier? Like, there’s enough competition there, so maybe they need to start looking a little bit more deeply into their problems.  Allen Hall: Do we think that Chinese operations have been out front, forward, honest, I’ll even use, about their blade issues?  Rosemary Barnes: No, but this is a good way to find out, isn’t it?  Allen Hall: Governments decide who is allowed to build a turbine after a discussion on Scotland. Uh, but, but [00:23:00] occasionally, a court decides what a turbine legally is. India has just settled that question, and the reasoning should be of interest to anybody who ships machines across a border right after this. As wind energy professionals, staying informed is crucial and let’s face it, difficult. That’s why the Uptime Podcast recommends PES Wind Magazine. PES Wind offers a diverse range of in-depth articles and expert insights that dive into the most pressing issues facing our energy future. Whether you’re an industry veteran or new to wind, PES Wind has the high-quality content you need. Don’t miss out. Visit peswind.com today. A tax fight in India has produced a definition every turbine supplier should read. Is a wind turbine bolted to a concrete foundation movable goods, or is it immovable property? State tax authorities argued immovable, which would have [00:24:00] taxed erection and commissioning contracts at 18% instead of 5%. The Andhra Pradesh, uh, High Court disagreed, and on the 12th of August, the Supreme Court declined to interfere. The reasoning rests on something this whole industry takes for granted. A turbine can be taken down, moved, and put back up. So a turbine is a movable object, and it has less taxation. Bonus. So this is a really interesting discussion that’s happening in India because it’s probably symptomatic of things we’re seeing elsewhere across the world about taxation for wind turbines, right? That, um, if there’s a way to tax a wind turbine, we’re gonna try to do it. This is a unique way, uh, that happens in India where depending on if it’s permanent or movable, the tax rates are different. I, I guess that would apply to a lot of components inside a wind turbine too, Matthew, don’t you? Like the, the generator, the, the big heavy things, [00:25:00] gearbox, generator, blades, rotors, tower sections, would be taxed at a, a lesser rate. Matthew Stead: I agree with the court case that it’s all movable and, uh, you can actually buy turbines on the secondhand market, can’t you? I mean, if I wanted to buy, yeah, whatever, whatever, I could buy one and, and put it up in my backyard if I had a bigger backyard. Um, so yeah, I vote for movable. I vote for lower taxes. Yolanda Padron: The way that it would work a lot of times in the US is, I mean, it’s, you pay, the company itself pays a lot less than they would’ve over time, right? Just by pure, the, the regular kind of tax laws. Um, but the community, there’d be just direct donations to the community, so then they’d get, uh, like money would actually come into the community where the turbines were being built instead of just distributed around the state, which I mean, in a state as big as Texas, it gets, um, but easier for that c- um, that county to get a lot more, uh, funding than they would typically get if it was [00:26:00] through a big enough area. Um, but yeah, no, I agr- I completely agree with you guys that, that this should be a movable good. I mean, how many times have we seen, uh, even just a blade, um, that it looks like it’s, uh, just a, a failed blade that they have to go in and replace, and then they take it out, fix it, and then just bring it back to the same site or take it to another site across the country. And, and to that point, like if you were to h- judge it as something that’s immovable, would then any blade replacement just not be taxed? Because then it’s, you’re moving that one component and two, but it’s essentially the same turbine. Like, I don’t know how that all would make sense.  Allen Hall: I think the Uptime Supreme Court agrees with the Indian Supreme Court that wind turbines are movable, and that’s good. Well, that wraps up another episode of the Uptime Wind Energy podcast. If today’s discussion sparked any questions or ideas, we’d love to hear from you. [00:27:00] Reach out to us on LinkedIn. And if you found value in today’s conversation, please leave us a review. It really helps other wind energy professionals discover the show. And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. For Rosa, Yolanda, and Matthew, I’m Allen Hall. We’ll see you here next week on the Uptime Wind Energy podcast.

Mark and Scott discuss the striker options at Hearts, the 6-2 win over Inverness and look ahead to Thursday's Europa Conference League play-off against Rapid Vienna at Tynecastle. Sponsored by […]

Mark and Scott discuss the striker options at Hearts, the 6-2 win over Inverness and look ahead to Thursday's Europa Conference League play-off against Rapid Vienna at Tynecastle. Sponsored by Digital Solway (https://digitalsolway.com/) and Tradecoach (https://tradecoach.co.uk/) Music: Yeah by Shane Ivers – https://www.silvermansound.com

Mark provides instant reaction to Hearts' 6-2 win over Inverness at Tynecastle Park in the Premier Sports Cup last 16. Sponsored by Tradecoach (https://tradecoach.co.uk/) and Digital Solway (https://digitalsolway.com/) Music: Yeah by Shane Ivers – https://www.silvermansound.com

Mark provides instant reaction to Hearts' 6-2 win over Inverness at Tynecastle Park in the Premier Sports Cup last 16. Sponsored by Tradecoach (https://tradecoach.co.uk/) and Digital Solway (https://digitalsolway.com/) Music: Yeah by […]

Welcome to Episode 242 of the Perth to Paisley Podcast! The boys review the loss against Benfica, the fantastic win against Dundee United, preview Benfica and Inverness coming to Tynecastle and discuss the departures of Alexandros Kyziridis and Andrew McKinlay before ending with another quiz, we hope you enjoy! Our Twitter: @PerthToPaisley Our Email: perthtopaisley@gmail.com Adam's Twitter: @adamtkennedy98

We chat with Graham, a Rabbie's driver-guide in Edinburgh, about what turns a simple day trip into a friendly, personal experience. We break down how small group touring works, from the first meet-up at the bus station to the last stop, with practical tips on choosing a route and packing for Scotland's weather.Why a 16 seater bus changes the whole feel of a tourWhat a driver-guide actually does beyond drivingHow the morning meet and greet and check-in works at Edinburgh Bus StationBuilding a relaxed group dynamic without forcing itBalancing storytelling, scenery, music and quiet timeHow long you get at stops and why flexibility mattersWho books these tours: solo travellers, couples, families and return visitorsPopular routes including Loch Ness, Glencoe, Skye, castles and whisky toursWhy multi-day tours sell out and which one Graham recommends firstWhat to bring: waterproofs, comfy shoes, layers, charger and power bankOur best tip: pick the tour that excites you mostBook here and use the code UKTP10 for 10% off.If you're planning your own UK trip and have a question, do leave us a voice message through SpeakPipe. If you enjoyed this one, please share it with someone who's dreaming of Scotland, and leave us a review on your favourite podcast app.Still planning your UK or Ireland trip?Rabbie's small-group tours are a brilliant way to see more without the hassle of driving or planning everything yourself. With departures from cities such as Edinburgh, London and Dublin, it's easy to add a multi-day adventure to your itinerary. Have a look at their tours and any current offers on their website - Rabbies.comSupport the show

Eliza Showell's family in the UK never knew what happened to her, after she was sent at the age of 12 to Cape Breton to work. That is, until a woman from Inverness came forward. Part detective story, part personal tale of the British Home Children scheme, that saw tens of thousands of children sent to Canada to work on farms and homes. This story first aired in 2025, and won a 2026 silver Atlantic Journalism Award.

Send us Fan MailJoin Gary as he brings you a few sets from Pipe Major Ben Duncan recorded in recital at the Inverness Piping Society in February 2026. And there's another wee taster of what's in store at Piping Live next week.PlaylistCalum Stewart with The Snipe from True North Pipe Major Ben Duncan  with  the Trees of North Uist, Eleanor and Monte Catarelto  recorded at the  Inverness Piping Society, February 2026. Pipe Major Ben Duncan with the Queen's Edinburgh Rifles and the Duchess of Edinburgh recorded at the Inverness Piping Society, February 2026. Pipe Major Ben Duncan with  Mrs Arthur MacKerran, Sabhal Mor Ostaig, Thoughts of Burns, Neil Angus MacDonald and Jackie Latin recorded at the Inverness Piping Society, February 2026. Erwan Keravec with Increase the Flow Rate from WhitewaterAnnie Grace with the Land o the Leal from Take Me Out Drinking Tonight Pipe Major Ben Duncan  with Charlotte, Pitlochry High School Centenary, Rory Gallagher, La Grande Nuit de Port de Peche,  Tain in the Rain and Ash City from the Inverness Piping Society, February 2026. Gordon Duncan with Donal Og, The Wild Irishman, Rakish Paddy, Madame Bonaparte and Richard Dwyers from Just for Seumas Links https://pipinglive.co.uk/Support the show

A federal appeals court has upheld the 10-year prison sentence of a suburban Chicago doctor convicted of health care fraud. Mona Ghosh, 53, of Inverness, pleaded guilty to two fraud counts tied to her Hoffman Estates OB-GYN practice.

A federal appeals court has upheld the 10-year prison sentence of a suburban Chicago doctor convicted of health care fraud. Mona Ghosh, 53, of Inverness, pleaded guilty to two fraud counts tied to her Hoffman Estates OB-GYN practice.

A federal appeals court has upheld the 10-year prison sentence of a suburban Chicago doctor convicted of health care fraud. Mona Ghosh, 53, of Inverness, pleaded guilty to two fraud counts tied to her Hoffman Estates OB-GYN practice.

Rochelle talks us through a 41-day UK road trip from Bath to the Scottish Highlands and back to London, sharing what worked, what surprised her, and how planning early made the whole trip calmer. We swap honest notes on UK driving, smart booking tactics, and the tours, meals and accidental stops that turned into lifelong memories.Planning a long UK itinerary without trying to do too muchLeaving Heathrow before the Easter crowds and saving London for the endCoping with UK driving as visitors, from narrow lanes to complex roundaboutsUsing phone navigation when the in-car sat nav falls shortThe full route: Salisbury, Bath, the Cotswolds, the Peak District, the Lake District, Northumberland, Skye, Inverness, Pitlochry, Berwick-upon-Tweed, York and LondonFavourite moments: the Old Man of Storr at sunrise, York food finds, a surprise stop at St AbbsAn accommodation mix including a castle stay and a standout manor hotelA laundry strategy for multi-week travel, from washing machines to heated towel railsUK food highlights: Sunday roasts, scones, Scotch egg, haggis, black pudding, Irn-Bru and ciderLondon experiences: early Tower of London entry, a food and pub walking tour, and meeting fellow listenersDiscover Real London black cab tours for orientation, photography and a James Bond and Ted Lasso trip to RichmondIf you've enjoyed the show, why not leave us feedback via text or a review on your favourite podcast app? Share it with anyone planning their own UK road trip. We love to hear from you, and you never know, you may receive a shout out in a future episode.⭐️ Guest - Rochelle C

In this sponsored episode of the Anglotopia Podcast — brought to you by ACP Rail and BritRail — Jonathan Thomas sits down with Tim Roebuck, a man who has spent his entire career in rail travel: station manager, head of BritRail Travel International in New York, senior VP at ACP Rail for 25 years, and one of the most knowledgeable people alive on the subject of getting around Britain by train. This is the episode Jonathan has wanted to make for a long time — a complete, practical, friendly guide to understanding and using the BritRail Pass, demystifying the network for international visitors, and unlocking the kind of trip most Americans never imagine is possible. They cover the history of British Rail and the coming Great British Railways rebrand, how London's multiple terminal stations work, the game-changing Elizabeth line, the best scenic routes in the country (from the East Coast Main Line's North Sea coastal run to the Far North Line to Wick and Thurso), how train ticket types actually work and why the BritRail Pass cuts through all the confusion, the difference between a consecutive and a flexi pass, what the pass does and doesn't cover, seat reservations, luggage tips, apps to use, and Tim's all-time favorite rail journey. Plus: a giveaway. To celebrate this episode, Anglotopia and ACP Rail are giving away a first-class BritRail four-day flexi pass. Enter at anglotopia.net/britrail. Giveaway closes August 15th. Links Sponsor ACP Rail — Buy Your BritRail Pass BritRail Pass Options & Map

DAY 5Today, Friday 17 July 2026, we continued with Day 5 of Recharging Round Britain, where we are trying to, as closely as we can, recreate the route we undertook nearly a decade ago. Hear how we got on today as we travelled from Inverness, via Wick, John o'Groats, Tongue, Lairg, Ullapool and hopefully ending up at Fort William.CHARGING SPONSORThanks to our charging sponsor, GRIDSERVE, They have an EV charging network that spans almost the whole of the UK.While you can just turn up and pay with a debit card or their app, you can also get 25% off charging rates at all 200 of their locations with GRIDSERVE Plus.GRIDSERVE Plus costs just £7.99/month and can be cancelled at any time, much like many gym memberships, and as well as the discounted charging, there are many other seasonal membership benefits such as EV heathchecks while you charge, pet portraits, and similar.Many people take out Gridserve Plus for a month at a time to cover a holiday or seasonal travel.There's more information at gridserve.com/membership/VEHICLE SPONSORThank you to Hyundai, who once again have loaned us an electric vehicle enabling us to travel around as much of Britain as we can in six days. This time, we are using an Inster 02. To find out more on the Inster, you can listen to Alan's time with one during the UK launch of the car, by clicking this link here.To see more about the car, from Hyundai themselves, click this link here.If you like what we do, on this show, and think it is worth a £1.00, please consider supporting us via Patreon. Here is the link to that CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST

DAY 4Today, Thursday 16 July 2026, we continued with Day 4 of Recharging Round Britain, and we returned to trying to, as closely as we can, recreate the route we undertook nearly a decade ago. Hear how we got on today as we travelled from Washington, via Kinross, Perth, Aberdeen to eventually arrive at Inverness.CHARGING SPONSORThanks to our charging sponsor, GRIDSERVE, They have an EV charging network that spans almost the whole of the UK.While you can just turn up and pay with a debit card or their app, you can also get 25% off charging rates at all 200 of their locations with GRIDSERVE Plus.GRIDSERVE Plus costs just £7.99/month and can be cancelled at any time, much like many gym memberships, and as well as the discounted charging, there are many other seasonal membership benefits such as EV heathchecks while you charge, pet portraits, and similar.Many people take out Gridserve Plus for a month at a time to cover a holiday or seasonal travel.There's more information at gridserve.com/membership/VEHICLE SPONSORThank you to Hyundai, who once again have loaned us an electric vehicle enabling us to travel around as much of Britain as we can in six days. This time, we are using an Inster 02. To find out more on the Inster, you can listen to Alan's time with one during the UK launch of the car, by clicking this link here.To see more about the car, from Hyundai themselves, click this link here.If you like what we do, on this show, and think it is worth a £1.00, please consider supporting us via Patreon. Here is the link to that CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST

After eleven years of war, King Shinniesseus sets sail for Inverness, eager to reunite with his beloved. But his journey home is far more treacherous than the battlefield, as he must face the deadly monsters and vengeful gods of the Championship to survive. Welcome to the annual Wyness Shuffle Season Preview podcast! The yearly gargantuan beast of a pod that will take you an entire Trojan war to complete, packed full of analysis of all our summer signings, pre-season matches, new kits, league lookahead, the annual encyclopaedic chat about all of our Championship rivals, and an exclusive chat with the Returning King Graham Shinnie, All that, and 32 seasons-worth of ICT references packed into three hours of wild conjecture and mild distraction. Let's Shuffle! 00.01.04: Hello: Sandy Sutherland, Stevie Riley, Lee Tarling, Andrew Young, and Andrew Moffat all say hello, talk about our holidays, the world cup, and what we are most looking forward to in this momentous ‘return to the championship' season (great pubs, teams not parking the bus, & early season optimism). 00.06.34: New signings - Lovely fresh new signings. Scott Kellacher will have a plethora of talent at his disposal, including new signings Graham Shinnie, Ryan Duncan, Big Hamzad, Morgan Bates, and Lee teaches us how to properly pronounce Noa Boutin. 00.29.33: What's it all about Alfies? The Alfies, Bavidge and Stewart, have returned for a third spell at the Sarens PSG Stadium. But where will Bavidge play, can we again get the best out of Stewart, and how will they fare stepping up a level? 00.32.50: The Squad: Allan, Remi, Spoony, Joe and Liam have all returned. We talk about what each of their roles could be this season, discuss the rest of the squad, and could we see a Stone Cold Steve Austin sound of smashing glass return for Billy Mckay at some point? Plus a look at the young players that could step up this season like Shae Keogh and James Clark. 00.44.15 Player Sponsorship: Now, last season we sponsored a player for the very first time. Sponsoring a player's home shirt normally costs £450. An away shirt costs £330. But sponsoring a player isn't something everybody can afford. So, that's why we've put together TWS player sponsorship. So get involved, for a donation of your choice and you could win a player's shirt at the end of the season. 00.46.53: What Yi Sayin Graham Shinnie?!!: 2-year deal, 34, returns to the club nearly 11 years to the day since his final match in the 2015 Scottish Cup Final, where he captained the side to a 2–1 win against Falkirk FC at Hampden Park. Stevie spoke with The Legend. 01.09.10: The Club: We've talked players, we've chatted management, we will talk about opposition but what about ICTFC itself. Behind the scenes, off the pitch. What's been going on over the summer? We discuss a much-needed update for the aesthetic nature of the stadium. Lee got very excited about the shop and spent too much money, there's a good bit of love for the away shirt, and we discuss the sponsor. Plus, the Community Hub goes from strength to strength, with North Caley side Inverness Athletic moving into their permanent home for the new season. 01.23.52: Championship Knowledge: Your one-hour encyclopaedic analysis of every championship club for the 26/27 season. A massive thank-you to all the supporters who got back to us with supremely detailed information on signings, managers, stadiums, and expectations for the season ahead. Some of the key points: Lesser Hampden is ‘a soulless experience', Arbroath are offering a new delicacy: the smokie pie, everyone loves an Inverness away day, no one likes a Livingston away day, Alex Samuel has become a Christlike figure at Partick Thistle, 9 out of 10 fans think Stenny will be stone last, and who eats a cake at the football? 02.24.10: Potential summer signings: The ICT squad is almost complete, but who might the manager be looking at from the pool of free agents still available? 02.34.07: Pre-Season: We look at all the games in pre-season against Cove, New Saints, Clach, Nairn plus the league cup action. Who looks good? Who looks like they need to sharpen up? What systems have been utilised? Plus an analysis of expectations for the season. 02.42.36: League Lookahead: We look forward to the start of the proper season and the league opener at home to Dunfermline, the exciting and unpredictable proposition of Arbroath Away, then Partick at home and finally Stenny away at the end of the month. 02.51.26: Predictions: The lads have varying views on where ICT will finish at the end of the season, but who is an optimist and who is a pragmatist? 02.55.37: Competition Time: Back for season 26/27, its competition time, and your chance to win a commemorative print from last season's title winning season. There's it!

With the Championship season fast approaching, Ray Bradshaw is joined by Kris Doolan and Craig Telfer for a club-by-club look at one of Scottish football's most competitive divisions. Can Livingston make an instant return to the Premiership? Will Gary Naysmith transform Ayr United into genuine contenders? And can Partick Thistle finally go one step further? The panel also assess Dunfermline, Raith Rovers, Morton, Inverness and newly-promoted Stenhousemuir before making their predictions for the season ahead. Expect optimism, debate and plenty of Championship football chat.

Ahead of next week's Royal Highland Show being held at Ingliston just outside Edinburgh, Rachel catches up with farmer Anna Mitchell, who is one of this year's vice presidents. This year's presidential team are representing Aberdeenshire and Anna tells Rachel what visitors can expect from the show.Mark is in Newport-on-Tay with author Dr Erin Farley whose most recent book, Lighthouse Lives, tells the stories of the last generation to work on manned lighthouses across Scotland. She tells Mark about the experiences of some of the keepers and their families who she recorded with for the book.Phil Sime and Morven Livingstone meet Allan MacKinnon of Highland Bird Control Services, to see how he's tackling the issues that gulls are causing at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.Two volumes of Birds of America by renowned artist and ornithologist John James Audubon are currently on show to the public at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. The College has owned the art treasures for two centuries, and Mark went to meet their heritage lead, Claire McDade to hear a bit about their origins and take a look at the impressive books.Rachel is in Ayrshire meeting some of the farmers involved in the women in dairy initiative.As Scotland fans descend on Boston, Massachusetts in their thousands, we hear about the different birds that the discerning football supporter might be able to spot during their stay in the city. Erin Kelly from conservation charity Mass Audubon tells Rachel a bit about Boston birdlife and where to see it.The Glasgow Tandem Club has members who are both vision impaired and sighted. They are based in Ballahouston Park in Glasgow and Rachel went along to meet some of the members and chatted to founder, Anne Fraser.Mark heads to Cullen to meet the founder of Blue Lighthouse surf club, which was set up to offer tangible support for the health and wellbeing of members of the emergency services and care workers.And in this week's Scotland Outdoors podcast, Mark visits the Taliesin Community Woodland in Dumfries and Galloway which is celebrating its 30th anniversary. We hear an excerpt.

This week, The Photowalk heads indoors to the Highland Print Studio in Inverness for an experience that's a world away from the instant gratification of modern photography. Over two days, we learn the centuries-old art of polymer photogravure, transforming digital photographs into richly textured fine art prints through a process of light, water, ink and an extraordinary amount of patience. Guided by master printmaker John McNaught, and joined by Lynn Fraser, Michael Assmann, John Anderton and Giles Penfound, we discover why so many photographers become captivated by this tactile craft. Along the way, we explore the history of photogravure, meet some of the artists who have embraced it, and find out why, in an age of endless scrolling, there is still something magical about slowing down and making a photograph you can truly hold in your hands. Read more about our photographic adventures on our photography travel website, The Journey Beyond. Links to all guests and features will be on the show page, my sincere thanks to our Extra Milers, without whom we wouldn't be walking each week and Arthelper.ai, giving photographers smart tools to plan, promote, and manage your creative projects more easily. WHY: A Sketchbook of Life is available HERE.

In this episode of DSC's Campfires, host Larry Weishuhn shares the thrilling details of his recent European roe deer hunt. He recounts his journey through Sweden, Poland, and Scotland alongside friends Mark and Carol Little, as well as expert guides Stefan and Sofia Bengtsson from Scandinavian Pro Hunters. Larry's deep passion for the sport and the delicious rewards of the hunt shine through as he details the beautiful landscapes, his gear, and the magnificent animals he encountered along the way. Larry compares the European roe deer to the whitetailed deer of European countries. These deer have a notably small body size, typically weighing between 50 and 60 pounds. Beyond the challenge of the hunt, Larry notes that the meat from these deer is absolutely delicious. The three-nation hunt was initially created as a donation for the DSC Foundation Gala in 2025. The package was generously put together by Larry alongside Stefan and Sofia Bengtsson of Scandinavian Pro Hunters. Mark and Carol Little purchased the hunt at the gala to help fund various DSC Foundation projects. The actual hunt came to fruition shortly before recording, taking place in May 2026. Larry traveled from Austin to London to Copenhagen, eventually driving across the waterway to the southernmost tip of Sweden. The group hunted on a large estate managed by Scandinavian Pro Hunters. This property featured a beautifully rehabilitated waterway that now supports abundant wildlife and sea-run trout. Carol Little successfully harvested a great deer early in the trip. Larry hunted from a "hochsitz" (an open-top deer blind) using Stefan's single-shot K95 Blaser rifle chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. He harvested a mature, silver-medal buck with gorgeous ivory-colored antler tips. The group traveled by train from Malmo to Copenhagen, then flew directly into Warsaw, Poland. The Polish hunting grounds were highly agricultural, filled with apple orchards, blackberries, and strawberries. Larry hunted with Stefan and a local English-speaking guide named Derek. Using an R8 Blaser in .243, Larry shot a buck late in the evening. The local property manager used a thermal drone, which is completely legal in Poland, to recover the deer in the dark. This buck scored as a silver medal and featured a unique 3x4 point configuration. On a subsequent outing in Poland, Larry successfully used an 8x57 JS rifle to take another beautiful silver-medal buck. The final leg involved flying into Glasgow, Scotland, and driving to an area near Inverness. Larry hunted with a local Scottish guide named George. Larry used George's 6.5x55 Swede rifle to stalk and harvest another incredible roe deer buck. In total, Larry took four roe deer during the trip, including three 3x3s and two featuring a fourth point. Larry will be attending the Texas Wildlife Association Convention in San Antonio from July 23rd to July 26th. He will also be present at the upcoming DSC Summer Expo and DSC Gala. Another Scandinavian Pro Hunter trip will be auctioned off at the DSC Gala. Listeners can find full written stories and photos on Larry's website at larryweishuhn.net. Video coverage of the hunt will be available on Carbon TV and his YouTube channel, A Sportsman's Life. More information on the DSC Foundation and their conservation efforts can be found at dscf.org and biggame.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the answers you're searching for arrived long before you knew how to understand them? In this conversation, I sit down with Kip Baldwin, a filmmaker, producer, writer, and founder of the Just Love movement. Kip shares the extraordinary awakening he experienced at age 12 and how it set him on a lifelong path of exploring consciousness, love, spirituality, and human connection. From the music industry and sustainable agriculture to television production, ethical AI, and overcoming a traumatic brain injury, Kip's journey has been anything but ordinary. As we talk, Kip reflects on why fear has become such a powerful force in society, how love can transform the way we see ourselves and others, and why he believes lasting change starts with a shift in consciousness. You will hear stories of resilience, curiosity, and purpose, along with a vision for creating a better future for generations to come. I believe you will find this conversation thought-provoking, challenging, and full of hope. Highlights: 01:45 - How a childhood acting career sparked a lifelong passion for media and communication. 07:08 - Why confidence without self-awareness can become a liability. 16:32 - Lessons from the Kellogg School of Management that still shape business decisions today. 21:58 - Why listening beats talking in business, leadership, and life. 35:08 - How strong brands grow through awareness, not just loyalty programs. 01:05:02 - The three traits Zarko looks for when mentoring future leaders. About the Guest: Kip Baldwin knows his purpose for Being is to share all that LOVE is through his many solutions driven projects; using media in all its forms to help awaken individuals, and by proxy the collective, to the LOVE Paradigm emerging. He feels that in order for a new chapter of our story to be conceived for humanity, a mass imagining of our limitless potential is what is needed to bring about an age of compassion, empathy, collaboration, and oneness.  Kip was born in 1965 to counterculture parents - in the midst of the maelstrom that was the decade of the sixties, in fact 1965 was the first year that scientists warned us about climate change - in Vancouver, Washington. His earliest years were spent on a farm where his grandparents raised thoroughbred horses. During this period grew in him a deep, abiding LOVE and respect for nature and all living things. It was around the age of twelve his life would transform forever, as he had an out of body experience that took him beyond the edge of Universe, even Space and Time, and face to face with the unknowable of Infinity. This experience became the foundation for his constant seeking since. Due to that experience Kip felt he must explore the world beyond the small town confines of Camas, WA where he grew up. His first attempt to break free was to do a brief stint in the Navy, where he was going to pursue a career as an electric technician, but because of a hereditary bleeding disorder he was given a medical discharge. However, a military career for him was clearly never really in the cards anyway. Although he was always grateful for the insight it gave him into the inner workings of our country, as he witnessed first the how the poor are literally cannon fodder for corporations, under the guise of them being heroes and patriots. Following his discharge, he returned briefly to the limits of his hometown, before moving to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1985 to pursue his passion for music and performing. He often jokes that he was looking for the San Francisco of the Haight/Ashbury, Peace and LOVE days, but arrived twenty years too late. What he found instead was the 80s hair metal band scene, whose songs that focused on partying, sex, and drugs were not compatible with his lyrics about awakening awareness and addressing the need for personal and societal change. In the late 90s, after becoming disillusioned by his beloved music industry - and always seeking solutions for the myriad of challenges facing humanity - he shifted his focus to local and sustainable foods. While this was certainly a worthwhile pursuit, it did little to fulfill his need to share LOVE'S Truth and create a collective shift in consciousness. But what it did do was make him aware that it was only going to be through the use of mass media that his message of LOVE could reach a large enough audience to affect real lasting change. This found him again heeding the call of the entertainment industry, first as an actor, then writer, and ultimately as a producer, with some success co-creating the influential cannabis series Weed Country for the Discovery Network (focusing on the countless benefits humanity can derive from marijuana, as well as our profound historical connection to the plant), co-founding the United Filmmakers Association, and starting the Just LOVE Movement. Ultimately, this led him to co-founding S.O.U.L. Documentary with creative partner and Soul Twin, Evan Hirsch who shares his passion, purpose and mission to heal humanity by embracing our innate oneness, which they both understand can only be achieved by accepting and grounding ourselves in the Reality of LOVE We Are. Ways to connect with Kip: Facebook:  Just LOVE page: https://www.facebook.com/kipbaldwinjustlove Main page: https://www.facebook.com/kip.baldwin/ UFA: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Unifilmmakers LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kip-baldwin-975a3514/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kipbaldwin?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr YouTube: Kip Baldwin: https://youtube.com/@thekiprowdy?si=LckMuhec40lWAicF Just LOVE: https://youtube.com/@justlove6463?si=QW1g4D2dlaHmJk8B S.O.U.L. Documentary: https://youtube.com/@souldocumentary?si=4HOwlV-pjFN6guYy Soul Twin Messiah: https://youtube.com/@soultwinmessiah?si=7ctLlmqjeOczkjO_ Additional must listen:  Comfort You Song: https://youtu.be/Mi8D3AoDfRQ?si=y8RzIQPXP5ALJth1 A World Worth Imagining: https://youtu.be/Cx28t6_SGic?si=o4lWs7po3TBKx_3A Invitation. To Action: https://youtu.be/B8jUOUVCvJI?si=l4Pr7vWNDsnXX4wh AI work: www.luminaLOVE.LOVE About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/ accessiBe Links https://accessibe.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/ https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/ Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You can also support our podcast through our tip jar https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/unstoppable-mindset . Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Transcription Notes: Michael Hingson  00:03 One of the biggest things holding you back isn't what's in front of you, but rather what you believe. Welcome to Unstoppable Mindset, where inclusion, diversity, and the unexpected meet. I'm your host, Michael Hingson, speaker, author, and advocate for inclusion and possibilities. This podcast explores how the beliefs we carry shape the way we live, lead, and connect with others. Each week, I talk with people who challenge assumptions, face adversity head on, and show what's possible when we choose curiosity over fear. Together we focus on mindset, resilience, and the small shifts that lead to meaningful change. Let's get started. Hi everyone, I am your host Mike Hingson, and you are listening and or watching Unstoppable Mindset. We're really glad that you're here with us today. Our guest, the person I get the honor of chatting with for the next hour or so, is Kip Baldwin, who will talk a lot about love. He will talk a lot about a number of different things, he's been a director, he's been a producer, an actor. He has been published, although he hasn't published a book yet, but he's published poetry, and I'm sure he's going to tell us about that, and I don't want to give it away, so I won't. Anyway, Kip, welcome to Unstoppable Mindset. We're glad you're Kip Baldwin  01:40 here. Oh, thank you so much for having me, Michael. I look forward to having this conversation and sharing my story. Michael Hingson  01:47 Well, tell us a little bit about you, kind of. Let's start with the early Kip, growing up and all that, because I know you had some things along the way that were relevant and ought to be mentioned. So, why don't you tell us about the early Kip, and we'll go from there. Speaker 1  02:00 I was. I grew up in Washington State, little town called Camas. Although my earliest years were spent in a town called Battleground, Washington, and my family, we raised horses, Thoroughbred race horses. We raised at Portland Meadows, and so I'm kind of a farm boy at heart, at least that's how I grew up, but I had an experience when I was 12 that was definitely not your typical farm boy experience, I guess. I had gone up to Seattle, and this was maybe 78 to see a Seahawks game with the Raiders of my dad and dad, I had a good day, which wasn't always the case, and got home, and it was a, you know, five and a half hour round trip for kids, 12 year olds, a big time, and so I went to bed, and I promptly left my body, and now keep in mind I had never done any drugs. Out of body experiences, a household projection was not something that we talked about about the old farm around the farmhouse dinner table, and I floated over my bedroom. My awareness hovered over my body, and I remember very vividly you don't forget. I looked at my body and went, "I'm not in there. And then that immediately I left my house, I left the planet, I left the solar system, I let the galaxy, I let the universe, and the whole time all I can describe was kind of a presence, not a voice or anything, but just, are you taking all of this in? And sometimes words can't convey something so expansive and grand, and so I was taking in black holes and quasars and nebulas, and just flying through the, you know, time didn't really exist, but I was, I was traveling across the universe, and eventually I got outside the universe, and my awareness was turned in, and I could see how everything was connected, and how the universe itself was finite, and but that everything had a place, there was no less or greater than that, everything had a specific role, from the smallest particle to, you know, the largest star, and then my awareness was turned out to the blackness of infinity, and that you know you don't know at 12, you're just like, "Oh, this is happening, and I'm what's happening, and I'm taking it in, and what I didn't know is that would become my point of seeking that really became the rest of my life. Life, I think, had I been born in India, like say Ramana Maharishi, who had what I didn't realize until later, there's a name for what happened to me, and it's called a spontaneous awakening. My life would have probably been much different, but we don't live in a society that that really honors things like that, so it was a lot of me going on a journey of discovery and a weight and continual awakening until now, and it's an ongoing process, but that's where it really began with me being confronted with the fact that there there can't be a beginning or ending to anything, and the thought experiments that can't, that come out of that, and the way it opens your consciousness, I'm ever grateful for, although at the time it, it made me for a long time feel very apart, and it wasn't until I met with Dr. Dr. Dean Radin up at Noetic Sciences, and I told him my story, and he looked at me, and he went, "You go, that's not a usual experience, he said, "That's a mystical experience, and I was in my probably late 40s, maybe 50 at that time, and that was the first time in my life that someone had had said, 'Hey, what you, what you had was a really phenomenal experience, and I'm very grateful for him for saying that to me, because for most of my life, I'm running around talking about these profound things with people that I thought were incredibly important to share, and they didn't seem very important to people, and it wasn't until then that it hit me that it wasn't that they were important, that it was that they, they didn't really understand what I was talking about. Michael Hingson  07:03 Well, and in our society, as you point out, it's not something that is generally appreciated, and and people who have had those experiences or talk about them are generally looked down upon or frowned upon, and you know that's that's fine, but it doesn't change the fact, and so it must have been hard, especially at first, for you to talk about that. Speaker 1  07:29 You know, I was so excited at first, I was excited to share it with my family, and and it happened a couple more times, and it was so overwhelming that literally I would get to a point where my head, my physical being couldn't handle it anymore, and I would get up and vomit. It was that's how, how intense it was, like I just, I couldn't take in anymore. And so, at first, I was really excited to share it, because it was beyond wondrous. It was, it was truth. It was reality, and I, and on some level, I knew that instinctually. But then, when enough people sort of ignore you or act like something's unimportant, you stop talking about Michael Hingson  08:15 it. Yeah, Speaker 1  08:15 I never stopped writing about it. I never stopped experiencing it, and I didn't even really stop talking about it once I moved to California for the music business in 1985 I, you know, then I thought, wow, I mean, being a group of creatives and there's going to be other people that will understand what I'm talking about, but in the 80s music environment it really wasn't what people were, were talking or thinking about, and I was kind of in the same way, and again it wasn't until years later that I look back and I realized all this time I spent up late at night partying with people and stuff, and telling them about infinity, and, and they look, they, they must have been looking at me like I'm a complete idiot, because they really only cared about, you know, getting high or having sex, and I'm trying to have this profound conversation. Michael Hingson  09:16 So, when your family, when you told your family, how did they react? Speaker 1  09:20 They still don't understand it to this day. It just, oh, that's nice, you know. It actually, there were points in my life where it caused conflict with, especially my father, because when I would say none of this is real, he, he always considered him, and still to this day considers himself quite science physics buff, it wasn't something he was willing to accept, and, and even really have a reasonable conversation about. I would say that the things that got me through all these years was, you know, the universe. There's love, God, Brahmin, whatever you want to call it, it gives you what you need, and what it gave me throughout the years, and still to this day, is voices that made me realize I wasn't crazy, that I knew something really special. Probably the first thing, the first one I remember, like, that was Joseph Campbell being interviewed by Bill Moyers, and somehow I knew everything that Joseph Campbell was talking about, and I'm like, How can I possibly know these things? How can I possibly understand these things of this really brilliant, just beautiful soul? And throughout the years, it's been those touch those moments of going, oh, it hasn't been where I've heard someone go, wow, that's helped me awaken, it's been something that's helped me not feel insane and realize that the things that I'm sharing have been shared for 1000s of years, and by many, many minds and beings much greater than myself, and that that really probably kept me from losing my mind. Michael Hingson  11:10 So, you had this experience happen to you at 12. What did you then specifically do? I mean, not so much talking to people, but what did it do for you, as far as schooling, and what you did with your life? Speaker 1  11:27 I would.. it made me very.. in all honesty, it made school seem really trivial to me. It was kind of boring. I started writing a lot. In fact, something I wrote when I was 17 was called Life and Death, and it went: Life is just a symptom of certain death, crying and laughing until our last breath. Everything dies in true infinity. Then the mountains crumble into the sea, stars full from the night sky hit the earth, and then they die, lost in time. I don't know who I am. Am I a god or just a mortal man? Time can't change what I have found. Still, I am changed and bound, bound by the fears and bound by lies. Even now, the tears fill my eyes, gasping for every breath as I head for a certain death, clouds now pass overhead, and I realize how things are now that I am dead. Life is ending, life goes on like the lyrics to an endless song. Life and death, it's all the same. We exist only in our brain, and so there was a lot of that. It pushed me away from I was confirmed Zion Lutheran. I really couldn't stomach religious dogma anymore at that point. Um, just the hypocrisy, you know? Like, I remember I, I was talking to a new pastor we had, and he was informing me that my great grandmother, who is Jehovah's Witness, and these Mormon boys had come around, were trying to teach me about Mormonism, and I was just curious and open, always, and still am to this day. I don't judge. I would say that's another big thing that this gave me, is I don't, I see everything as equal, I don't, I don't judge everything, I don't judge anything as lesser thing greater than I don't judge good and evil in the in the same way that other people do, I see things as flows of negative of energy as we exist in a duality with this illusion, and this is just what we describe as good and you are really just flows of energy between the polarities of the duality, and so it pushed me, definitely, because I, when he said that my great grandmother was going to go to hell, and these Mormon boys were going to go to hell, I looked him in the face, and I just said, but I thought God was love, and that was pretty much the end of my church, Michael Hingson  14:04 my, my wife did, I think, some things in the Lutheran church, which mostly she was a Methodist, and I joined the Methodist church when we got married, and so on, but when she was in, I think this was when she was in high school, maybe in, I guess it was late high school, early college. She met some Mormon people, and one of them said, I guess she was learning about different religions, and so she was learning about Mormonism, and this guy said you're either going to think that this is a total hoax or you're going to just totally believe in it. Well, it wasn't quite that way for her. She did not think it was a hoax, and I agree with her, but there. There are things about the about all religions that tend to make life difficult. The problem with religion is that that people are are what make up the religion, and they all have their own views, and it makes life really tough. I know I participated in a program called the Walk to Emmaus, which is a what's literally called a short course in Christianity, and it's not to bring people to the Christian church, but it's to help create a class of leaders in the Christian church. Anyway, one of the things about the walk to Emmaus is that a number of people give lectures, people who have been involved in church, and then there are the pilgrims, the people who are coming to to learn what everyone has to say, and the lay director of the Walk to Emmaus every time gives a speech, and I was lay director once, and one of the things that is in the manual, or was I assume it still is. It's been a while, but it says that Tolstoy once said the biggest problem with Christianity is that nobody practices it, and there's a lot of truth to that. Speaker 1  16:13 But I think that I think you hit it right on the head that people are involved, like I, and I do want to clarify something, I, I believe very much that that Jesus was a master. Oh, Michael Hingson  16:29 absolutely, yeah, and, Speaker 1  16:31 and, but I also believe that people don't know what happened at the Council of Nicaea and understand how the Bible was actually constructed, not because it was based on Gnostic teachings or even really the teachings of Christ, but it was cobbled together as a means of control. If Caesar saw his soldiers be turning to Christianity when they wanted to find, you know, put together a book that really didn't express Christian truth or the truth of Christ, but a way, a means of controlling people through fear, and so if you, if you notice, all the books in the Bible are male. Well, left out of the Bible was the book of Mary, left out of the Bible, it's the book of Thomas, who, interestingly enough, there's a place in India where they all speak ancient Aramaic, and they worship the Book of Thomas, which there's always been a lot of discussion. Did Jesus go to India and study Buddhism? And because even the Book of Mary, these are very Buddhist beliefs, but anything, because we live in a patriarchal society, anything like the piece to Sophia, the book of Mary, the book of Stackle, all of these were intentionally kept out of the Bible, so it's not, I think it's not so much religion, it's the organ, it's the dogma that comes along with organized religion, which is really about people, you know, men using it to control and manipulate people through fear, Michael Hingson  18:14 all too much, all too often. It's, it's true. Speaker 1  18:18 Yeah, and it's interesting. I was watching last night, and it's funny. This is why, why you always have to be on a constant path of awakening. It never stops. If you think you've reached that pinnacle, or whatever, then they're not just ego. There's always more to know and understand. And I ran across this video on Tara, well, Tara is in Buddhism, basically in every religion that I am aware of, there's always the peace to Sophia, there's always the the story of the divine feminine that in large part is is is not. It was. It's largely been suppressed, and so I was, I was watching this, and it was just so fascinating to me to see how identical what Tara was in Buddhism, which this is what, when Tara, Tara is considered the ultimate goddess in the Buddhist faith. Well, when Tara came to earth in the story, she went to a bunch of, you know, Buddhist monks, and they said, "Oh, you know, they were so impressed by her, and they thought this was a compliment. They said, "Well, we hope you, you can reincarnate as a man, and she said, "No, she She said, I don't see things as male and female, but since nobody else wants to be the feminine, I will play that role. And it was just a profoundly interesting thing to listen to, not just because of the story, but because almost every faith that I'm aware. Of has that story of the divine feminine that has again largely been suppressed and marginalized, Michael Hingson  20:09 well, for you clearly that was a very meaningful experience. What did what did you then do, and I understand how you could imagine that maybe what was being taught in school wasn't quite as, as meaningful as what you had experienced, but you went on, I assume, through high school, and did you go to college? Speaker 1  20:30 I was, I went, I was an electron, I went to the Navy to be an electronic technician, but I had a bleeding disorder called Von Willebrand disease, and I found out after I was in for about a year. Well, you can't be in the Navy with that, because we can't carry with the limited space you have on ships, we can't carry the clotting factor you would need if there's a problem. So that was fairly short-lived. Then I went back to Washington and was working as a dishwasher for a while, then I worked as a male stripper, and, and I was then, which, which, you know, there was something really profound about that experience, because it taught me what women feel like to be objectified, and that's something that has carried me, carried a lesson. I, I find lessons in everything, even things that, wow, you know, what could you possibly learn positive out of having been a male stripper? Well, I learned how women feel, really, to be, you know, not looked at as anything more than an object, and then I really wanted to continue to, you know, pursue music, so a friend of mine, we loaded 65,000 pounds of frozen strawberries onto a semi truck, and like july 3, 1985 and got a ride to San Francisco, a city I'd never been to before. I knew nobody here. We got here, I had 25 cents in my pocket, and I used the 25 cents to call the one friend that I thought I knew that I could get a hold of here in or in in the Bay Area, and it was a wrong number, and so now I'm in a city at the Gray Home Bus Terminal that used to be in downtown San Francisco, we have no food, we have no place to live. We have nothing to, you know, we have nothing, literally. And that's where my journey began. As far as my story, my, my adult life, and my journey in the entertainment industry and the music business, that's how it all started. It started by loading 65,000 pounds of frozen strawberries under semi truck, telling, oh, and the cap around the story is I had worn my contacts for too long and I ripped the corny up both my eyes when I took them out, because I was wearing hard lenses, so I was functionally blind in the city I'd never been to before with patches over my eyes, and being led around by my friend, and luckily we found some very nice people that gave us a place to stay, and then I ended up meeting maybe a week after that, I met my first wife, who was Persian, and we were together for a long time. What was interesting about that is I've been introduced to so many different faiths through the people in my life, and because I haven't judged and tried to learn, like I, I learned through her about Islam, I learned through her about our Torcharianism, and we lived the rock and roll lifestyle for the 16 years we were together. She was a photographer. I wrote for a magazine called BAM. I played in bands. I managed artists like Linda Perry from The Four Non Blonde, or I worked with Linda Perry from Four Non Blondes. I managed Alex Skolnick, who is lead guitar player in Testament, and I did that for a long time until I started getting really disenchanted with music and really started to hate the business and started to hate music because of it, and so I ended up drifting into, I wouldn't say drifting into, I got drawn into visual media, and I started working. I met a guy at a club in San Jose, California, called The Agenda, and we were playing pool, and he was telling me, "Oh, he's the owner of this company called Metropolis Digital, and I was thinking, "My. Speaker 1  24:59 Music and music videos, and yeah, I want to get involved in this, so I started coming up with ideas, and he brought me into their company, because I got to know a lot of people through the music business and booking artists on different shows, like Letterman and Leno, and, and so I got to know how to work through those channels that it opened doors for me to be able to do on-air graphics for the networks, and so I did that until about, in fact, the last major project I did in that industry was with a company called Chaos X AOS out of San Francisco, and we did the 2000 election graphics for ABC nationally, and then I, I, that with the, the, the.com telecom crash of not of 2000 they pulled all of that sort of work in house, and so that business kind of dried up, and I changed my focus to working in local and sustainable foods. Michael Hingson  26:08 What got you to the point where you disliked Music so much? Speaker 1  26:12 The business.. it just.. it wasn't. I came here, and in all honesty, I was looking for the 60s, but I was 20 years too late, only to find out later I was actually 30 years too early, but I was looking for community, I was looking for family, I was looking for that connection, but what existed as far as the music industry then was the 80s hair band stuff, heavy metal was on the rise. It was very misogynistic. It wasn't. It was very competitive. There wasn't, it wasn't collaborative, it wasn't community related at all. And it really turned me off. It wasn't, it wasn't what I had thought being in an artistic community doing artistic endeavors would be about it, became very.. it just.. it just.. it just.. it just made me feel very empty, and that wasn't what I loved about music, and so that Michael Hingson  27:24 would be an issue, Speaker 1  27:25 yeah. It just value wise it was, it was not, you know, you, you got to do a show, and you've got the bands that are coming on after you, you know, playing with your amps, and it was just, it was, it wasn't, it wasn't fun, and it wasn't fulfilling. More importantly, it wasn't fulfilling. It wasn't, and I'm writing about while everyone else is writing about, you know, sex and drugs and all of this. I'm writing about the things that I thought were important. I was writing about the problems I saw in this country, like songs like Shock the System or the chosen few, and, and though that wasn't what people were writing about Michael Hingson  28:06 then, Speaker 1  28:06 and you know, even though the songs were good, and, and I've been told I'm talented, it was, I didn't, I didn't again feel like I fit in, you know, I didn't feel like I'd found my place, and certainly not in that world at that time. If Speaker 2  28:31 you enjoy Unstoppable Mindset and would like to help us continue bringing these conversations to you each week, we've created a way for you to support the show. Your contribution helps us cover production costs and continue sharing stories, insights, and ideas that inspire people to live with purpose and possibility. If supporting the podcast feels right for you, you'll find the link in the show notes. Thank you for being part of the Unstoppable Mindset community. Thank it Michael Hingson  29:04 certainly had to be a rough time all the way around, but then you, you found this person, and you joined their company, as you said earlier, Speaker 1  29:15 right? I started working for Metropolis Digital, and we started doing a lot of on-air graphics, like for TBS. We did their, their original movies. We did a lot of the opening graphics for it, and then I moved on to other companies, and and I, I then started focusing on on local and sustainable foods, and moved into doing stuff where I felt I was doing more, because at the heart of everything I've ever done, it's always been about trying to affect real change in the world, Michael Hingson  29:55 it's Speaker 1  29:55 always been about I could see very clear. Really, it doesn't surprise me where we're at today at all. I saw the problems with the system even at that age, and I give credit to that because of the experience I had with Infinity. It just allowed me to step back and perceive things from a far off perspective that I was looking at humanity in general and how we did things, and I'm just like, this doesn't make any sense. It doesn't make any sense for us to believe we're separate and apart from the very things that give us life from each other. It doesn't make sense from a spiritual perspective. It doesn't make sense from a scientific perspective. Yet, here's the system that we are a part of, and so I've always been very focused on trying to effect real change and find not just point out the problems but actually find solutions, and so that then led me into working in local and sustainable agriculture here in the Bay Area. So Michael Hingson  31:00 tell me more about the whole work that you did with Sustainable Foods. What was that all about? Speaker 1  31:08 Yes, I worked with a company, I was, I had handled all the sales and marketing for Drake's Bay Oysters out of Inverness, California, and Drakes Bay, before it was called Drakes Bay, was Johnson's Oysters, and they were the last oyster cannery in California. The family that owned the farm, they had taken it over from Johnson's. They were the Lenny family, who owned Ranch G across from the steroid, where the oyster farm was. Well, they, against my better advice, they made it a personal ownership thing rather than a California food heritage issue. So, eventually, when their lease came up on the rent, on the farm, the farm went away. Well, at the same time, I created new relationships. A very good friend of mine to this day is a gentleman named Brian Kinney, who is now the West Coast Chief Technology Officer for Hearst, and also the Hearst Family Archivist, but at that point in time he was running Hearst Ranch, which they, they had the Jack Ranch and the Hearst Ranch down around San Simeon. So I was at the forefront of the grass-fed beef movement as well, and we developed a human-grade grass-fed beef pet food about 10 years ahead of its time, which could be the story of my life. I'm always about 10 years ahead of where things actually happen, and I, I did that for about 10 years, and eventually I felt the calling to get back in the entertainment industry, and that led me to acting, and I did the acting mostly because I wanted to learn how things were done, and I very well, if I act in a whole bunch of student projects, or projects in general, and I'm behind the scenes, I'm going to learn, and, and that's exactly what happened. So, my very background led me to being a producer, and I created, you know, one of my most notable accomplishments that created this show called Weed Country for Discovery, which was about the medical marijuana industry here in California, just before legalization. How we got it on air before legalization, I don't know. We were named to the Hollywood Reporter top 25 heat list. We got some really great information out about CBD and helping with childhood epilepsy. The bad part of that was it was a reality television show, and I didn't know anything about reality television, so when I'm here in reality, I'm thinking documentary. Well, that couldn't be farther from the truth. And reality television has truly been a blight on on this country in particular, and probably the world in general. Michael Hingson  34:16 Yeah, I just gonna say not nearly as real as people think it is. No, no, I think I think probably this is just my opinion. The closest thing to so-called reality TV is the show Dancing with the Stars, because they're actually dancing all these other shows, and it's all sort of really scripted, but the people are actually dancing, which is kind of cool, Speaker 1  34:41 right? Michael Hingson  34:41 Even though I don't see it, I appreciate it. Speaker 1  34:45 Yeah, but even, even with shows like that, there's a lot of gin-up drama. There is behind the scenes stuff that's the worst part of things. Yes, they're like with our show, yes, people were really, you know, there's really stuff going on with can. Of this world that was really important, but what reality television does is it, it creates artificial drama. It does things to manipulate the characters in the show to make them look how they want, and they know, and people in general, my experience is that people, once you put a camera on them, they will do, they would do things to be in front of the camera that they would never do, even for more money, Michael Hingson  35:27 right, Speaker 1  35:28 in their regular lives. Michael Hingson  35:30 Well, and I think there is, there's a lot of truth to that. And the whole thing, as you said, as far as reality TV, we're not giving people a true picture of reality with most of any of that anyway, which is unfortunate. I think I mentioned I'm a fan of old radio and television, and so on. And one of the shows that I've watched a fair amount is The Old Ridge. Well, it's the second time they were on, but Dragnet with Harry Morgan and, of course Jack Webb as Joe Friday, and they did a lot of shows talking about drugs and marijuana and all that, and how bad it is, and it's kind of interesting because what we're seeing today is that in reality the medical aspects of marijuana or cannabis and CBD oil, and so there's there's true relevance there, which is something that they didn't know or appreciate in the late 60s. Speaker 1  36:31 Well, but the thing that our history with the cannabis plant goes back 50,000 years to Burger Banks, China, it's been, and if we take all of the medicinal recreational uses out of it, it is the most one of the most versatile plants that we have. It was used, I mean, our money was made out of hemp. Hemp is cannabis sativa. Dollar bills are made out of hemp. It was used for fuel. It was used for building. Henry Ford built an entire car out of hemp in 1942 which you can go see the video of on YouTube, and they're beating on it with knacks. The plastic resin they made out of it was 40 times stronger than steel. It ran on hemp fuel, a byproduct of which was water. It also, in 1931 the Hearst family, which was interesting, they ended up working with them, bought and sequestered the plans for a decorification machine that made it easier to process hemp than cotton kids, it's a much more durable fiber. In 1938 covered Popular Mechanics, they called him the billion dollar crop, saying you could make 25,000 different items out of everything from fine linens to dynamite, and that was really what what what, why the prohibition against the plant started. Why they did you know shows like Reefer Madness or create films like Reefer Madness to create this hysteria around, at best, an innocuous plant in comparison to soulmate tobacco, in comparison to alcohol, even if people did want to use it. It's, it's, it's relatively harmless by comparison, or just in general, and actually very beneficial. You know, I have a traumatic brain injury, and I think without it, I probably wouldn't, I probably wouldn't eat very much. I probably wouldn't sleep right, I barely sleep as it is, and sleep I do get is because of cannabis, but beyond my point, and I always try to make this clear to people, is like up until even the prohibition against the plant actually started with the Catholic Church, with the Pope Innocent, who until the 1400s cannabis was in the anointing oils. Cannabis was grown by monks, cannabis was grown by nuns, and then in this pope decreed it the devil's weed, and they, you know, banned it. So it's, it had, and there, and why, and you'd say, well, why did they do that? Well, they did that because at that time in the 1400s you were having opium addiction on the rise, you were having, you know, much, much more alcohol use. Well, these are extremely addictive substances, and much more easy to manipulate and control people than it is with cannabis, which in general creates.. I wish I could remember the quote exactly, but Carl Sagan said, you know, why we have a prohibition on a plant that you know creates good feelings amongst people and unites people is in this, you know. A really crazy world is, is, is madness, but it all comes back to money, and it all comes back to who's profiting. So, why did they create the probation? Well, the hearse, the Rockefellers, and the DuPonts, they saw how hemp would affect each of their industries. We wouldn't need oil if we'd grown hemp and use that as fuel, in fact, it was the Rockefellers who went to Henry Ford and said, "If you take this car to market, we'll crush you. And this was Henry Ford at the height of his power, DuPont chemicals that were.. we wouldn't have needed.. we wouldn't have put like this.. we would not have the planet, the environmental devastation we do now. How do we use this, as Henry Ford said? Why are we digging up, and Henry Ford was certainly no saint, but he was right on this. Why are we digging up our minerals? Why are we cutting down our forests when we can do all the same things with this infinitely renewable resource? This is a part of the canvas story that still is largely not discussed openly enough. Michael Hingson  41:08 Yeah, I think there's a big difference between the story you're telling and the kind of uses you're talking about, and smoking it, and so on, and I, I think we put way too many funny things in our bodies, anyway, right? I think that that isn't this isn't a positive thing, but you're right, we, we've used so many things to create so many fears, it is, it is something that is all around us. Fear is all around us, and the problem is we let it overwhelm us. I wrote Live Like a Guide Dog that got published last year because when I worked in the World Trade Center, I was able to focus when I escaped, and I was able to do that because I had developed a mindset that said, you know what to do in this kind of an emergency, even though never expected it to happen, but the problem is that most people don't learn how they can turn fear around, and rather than letting it overwhelm or blind them, as I would put it, they can use it as a very powerful tool to help them stay focused, which is much more important. Speaker 1  42:23 Yep, I agree with that 100% I think, and then that you hit it right on the head. Fear is a very powerful tool. It's necessary. No, don't touch the burning stove. It can be a cautionary tool of saying, hey, don't go down this path, don't do this. It's bad when fear becomes the foundation for your entire culture, as it is now. Michael Hingson  42:51 Yeah, and and it is so unfortunate because don't touch the burning stove doesn't mean don't be afraid of the stove. It rather means there's a consequence for doing a particular thing, which is touching something that is that hot. But you shouldn't create an environment of fear around it. You should create an environment of understanding, which is much more important. Yeah, it's Speaker 1  43:20 like it'd be, it'd be very silly if we went, oh my god, it's like the stove gets hot, so I'm never going to use a stove. My Michael Hingson  43:29 wife was in a wheelchair her whole life, and the one thing I will say with our modern world is we always had electric appliances because she was always concerned about if using a gas stove, having to reach over one burner, perhaps it had something on it to get to something else with the idea of possibly material igniting or something like that, and I appreciate that, and you take advantage of the tools that you have available, but I think that it is so very important to recognize that we need to not live our lives in fear, and it's true that, like, 95% of all the things that we fear will never come to pass, and most all of it we have no control over anyway. So, why do we fear them rather than recognizing what we really need to do is to just focus on the things over which we truly have control. Speaker 1  44:25 Yes, and I think even the idea of control from my perspective is something that is overrated. It's like the most important thing, if you want to have control, it's exactly what we're talking about, it's when you choose to live from the foundation of love, as opposed to fear. So, no matter what happens to me in my life, and no matter how hard, how challenging it is, I'm going to come from a place of love, and right now. Don't most of us live exactly the opposite. No matter what happens to them in their lives, they're coming from a place of fear. Michael Hingson  45:06 Yeah, and that's Speaker 1  45:08 not healthy. Michael Hingson  45:09 And nowadays we're also living in an environment where we're even afraid to talk to other people and voice opinions, because well, that's not what I think. And so you're wrong, and we don't, we don't respect. Tell me about your just love movement. Speaker 1  45:25 Well, you know, I, I had coming out of the music business and everything, I was, I was literally killing myself drinking, I mean, literally, like, I lost half my liver function, and I was going to die, and, but I wasn't afraid to die. I was.. I realized that if I didn't find a way to feel fulfilled and feel that I was. I had a purpose in the story that I needed to find a quicker way out. I didn't get in any, like, car accidents, I wasn't arrested, nothing. I was just killing myself, and it just got so bad that literally my leg stopped working. That's how, how, how much damage I'd done to myself, and, and so, coming out of that, I made the decision. I wrote down a list of things I was going to do, and one of those things is I was going to start writing every single day, and I, through a variety of different sources, you know, I did that experience with infinity became synonymous with love to me, and then I had an experience where I, I, I started a filmmaking organization called the United Filmmakers Association, and it was basically the philosophy of it was creatives helping creatives create, and was global. We still to this day have chapters 27 different countries, about 30,000 35,000 members total. And I walked into a filmmaking event that we were hosting, and there was about 100 people there, and I realized I was in love with everyone in the room, and it was, it was so like that love, like just when you fall in love, and you're like, you want, you can't imagine not talking to that person at that next minute, and I realized in that moment that this is not only how we can feel about everyone and everything, but how we're really supposed to feel about everyone and everything, and so I came up with the concept of just love, which is, is a very.. it, those are very heavy words to put together, just love. It has so many layers of meaning to it, and so I thought, wow, if we could just love, and from that I I've written every day and shared through social media for 12 years now something having to do with love and what I do is I combine it with other wisdom teachers throughout history who've been sharing the same information and the things I write are literally downloads. They'll come to me in the silence every day, and I haven't missed a day - head injury, sickness, whatever. I haven't missed a day of posting in 12 years about something having to do with love, and Speaker 3  48:37 then Speaker 1  48:37 accompanying posts from other people, far, you know, other beings far more advanced than I am to show that what I'm sharing isn't new. It's been shared forever. It's foundational to what we are. Like love has been so marginalized and trivialized that we, we forget that, like, I, you know, the experience I had with the minister when I was, you know, younger, and I said, well, I thought God was love. I still to this day believe God is love, and God, and we are God. Michael Hingson  49:11 Yeah. Tell me about you. Something you mentioned, you had a traumatic brain injury Speaker 1  49:17 10 years ago. I was, I was in a, I was in, in between projects, so I was driving Uber, and I, a guy, an Uber driver, ran a stop sign in San Francisco and T-boned me, and my head took the brunt of the impact, and I started having really severe neurological problems, severe stabbing pains in my head, my teeth were hurting, I any sort of exertion would leave me just absolutely drained, and so for about three years I was, I was being seen at UCSF, and we never got to the bottom of it, so I was recommended. Um, to a neurosurgeon at Sutter by a counselor I was seen, and I walked in, and within 10 minutes he said, 'Oh, you have trigeminal neuralgian and brain stem damage, and we can do a microvascular decompression, and you're going to be all better. And at that point in time, I was in the middle of getting ready to release a film called A World Worth Imagining, which was about a gentleman named Jacque Fresco, who is considered the Leonardo da Vinci of our time. He founded something called the Venus Project, and we went to his compound in 2017 and he was 101 He was actually contemporary of Einstein. He knew Einstein, brilliant inventor, but at his core, he knew he was a social engineer, and he knew that we had to address our programming if we were ever going to change what was happening in the world and ever be able to avail ourselves of the solutions that he designed of a new economic model called a resource-based economy, because the reality of it is, until we stop self-wounding, there's not enough band aids for the guy that keeps hitting himself in the head the hammer, so we have solutions to all of our problems, but we create problems more quickly than any solution could ever fix, so I was getting ready to release that film, and wow, this sounded like a miracle. I'm going to have this surgery, and I'm going to be all better. Well, it, I had the surgery September 20, 2019 I, it didn't make me better, it made me worse, and it turned out that the surgery was a misdiagnosis, and that they botched the surgery, so I have Teflon implants in my at the base of my skull, inside my brain, that are now constantly agitating my brain stem, along with a titanium plug that is placed right at the junction point to all the major nerves in my head, so they can't undo it, and there's really no medication that helps, and so it's.. it's.. I wouldn't wish it on anyone else. I'm.. I guess I'm.. I'm very fortunate I have the tools I do to manage it, because they also, they call what I'm dealing with the suicide disease, because a lot of people who have it end up killing themselves. The kicker on the whole story is the guy that did my surgery is Elon Musk, partner Neherlich, and so coming soon I'm going to, I unfortunately, I was in two more car accidents at the end of last year that made everything much worse, neither of them were my fault, and once I get through these, these car accidents I'm dealing with, I'm going to go public with my story, because so I mean, in a much bigger, you know, a focused way, because there's so many people signing up for Neuralink, like it's the new iPhone. I have nothing against technology, if it can help you, if you're a paraplegic, and or you have some something that this can fix, great, but two and one, the people, the human test subjects they've tried this on are having tremendous difficulties, and so I want to let people know it's like I wouldn't wish what I'm dealing with on anybody, and for you to allow someone to try to implant something in your brain just because you want to be a cyborg human being, and you're looking at the new iPhone is a really stupid thing to do, and that these people don't. We've given people in technology again. I'm not against technology at all, but I think we've also allowed ourselves to believe that these people who write code and create technology are are gods, and they're not. They're it's just a new way of sharing information and computing things. Speaker 1  54:14 It's, it's, you know, it's just another advancement from the printing press to the radio to tell to television, from the calculator to the computer, and now we're where we're at, and we've allowed ourselves to believe that these people have created an alternative reality, and they have it. Everything that they do runs off the same real world in resources. So, I, I really want to help the mill, because literally millions of people are signed up and ready to have this stuff implanted into their brain and I think it will be a disaster for humanity. Michael Hingson  54:49 I hear what you're saying, and I'm not convinced that a lot of that is really sensible to do either. I think there are tools and there are. There are things certainly that can help people, but I have yet to see that any of this is going to lead to such a tremendous paradigm shift that all of it is going to be all that great for humanity as a whole. I'm not convinced of that at all. Speaker 1  55:17 It could be, but the problem is, is like any other tool, it's how we use it. Social media is an inherently bad thing. It's in here, it's bad because of how we're using it. Sure, because we're using it to divide people and share misinformation, where it could be an incredibly powerful tool for communication, but that's not how we're using it. Same thing with AI. AI could be a tremendously powerful partner in addressing pretty much all of our problems, and I mean, and at the core of, like, Jock's work was the idea that AI basically would manage all the world's resources and share them with equanimity, because we don't have a resource shortage problem, we have a resource sharing problem, but that's not how we're using AI. We're using AI to create fake girlfriends and boyfriends and only fan models, and and take away people's jobs, and and that's not AI's fault. That's the people who control AI's fault, and they want people to be afraid of AI, but again, it's, it's just a tool that's being misused. Michael Hingson  56:24 Well, like, like so many, and, and I hear exactly what you're saying. Tell me about S O U L Speaker 1  56:33 Sold, Soul documentary is really interesting, because the day I got in my car accident was the day I was supposed to meet my partner Evan Hirsch, who had wanted at the time he was looking for a producer to help him do a series on Bernie Sanders and teaching Bernie to not be as angry and come across more from a place of love, and he wanted to follow the campaign around. Well, by the time we got it pulled together, Bernie was out of the campaign, and so we started talking about, well, do we want to do anything together. So we then set about something called Soul Documentary, and originally it stood for Summer of Unconditional Love, because we were covering all of the events for the 50th anniversary of Summer of Love, which was in 2017 So our goal was to find what we called solutionaries, people like Jock, and interview them, and then share also our own understandings of things through hundreds and hundreds of videos that we did over the course of eight years, as well as recording three albums under the name of Soul Twin Messiah, which all were about the same things we were doing. Our films about all founded in love, all about love. Every song contained love in it, and our whole purpose was just to show people we do have solutions to our problems, and to talk about how we have to have a shift in consciousness, and we have to have a new system if we are going to change anything. It's like what Einstein said, to expect things to be different when you keep doing the same thing over and over again is insanity, and I think we see, we see that we live in an insane, a completely insane world right now. I mean, the things that I see happening, and how we've let it sort of creep in, like the things that we've normalized in the past 10 years, like we literally have people that are cheering, murdering people on it's, it's, it's hard for me to, to even fathom, and I think it's hard for most people, and I think that's why they just sort of block it out and allow it to happen, because they really can't process it. They really can't process how inhumane we've become. Michael Hingson  59:06 Well, so what is next for Kip? What's next for you? Speaker 1  59:10 What is boy? I'm mostly trying to get through every day with this head injury. I spend a lot of my time in bed, just because I can't do anything, I, you know, even now I'm, I'm in a lot of pain, and it's beyond pain, it's actually, it literally hurts to think, it's, it's in my brain, and I have swelling in my brain because the cerebral fluid back, anyway, it's so dealing with that, but then the universe keeps love, God, whatever keeps bringing me stuff, and so I, I'm trying right now to be part of putting together a new, let's see, we'll call it Live Aid meets Woodstock. And we're going to, we're trying to put together a global music festival with the focus of addressing the needs of children, because I'm really tired of all this lip service that people do about, oh, kids are a future, we got to care, care about our kids. Well, where is that happening? Where is that happening that we're caring about our kids? Where, you know, is it happening with trying to suppress the Jeffrey Epstein files? Is it happening as you know, you look at, say, the conflict between Israel and Gaza, and I'm not, I don't pick sides and things, but I want to help people understand the reality of the situation, and this goes for Ukraine and Russia as well. It's like, who loses in all of this? Well, the children do. Who wins? The people that are getting $50 billion in defense contracts, and, and I really.. my, I'm at a point in my existence where if my story was over tomorrow, I would be okay with that, if I knew that kid, that the future generations had an opportunity to have a better tomorrow, or at least an opportunity to screw up everything on their own. Michael Hingson  1:01:11 Well, I would like to think it's the first really my Speaker 1  1:01:14 focus is Michael Hingson  1:01:16 I'd like to think it's the first one of those that they have a future rather than screwing it up on their own, but of course, we are. I know, I know, I joke, but, but, but we are a race that doesn't tend to do a very good job of learning from history most of the time. So I hear what you're saying. Speaker 1  1:01:34 Yeah, it's really kind of well, even if people even understood the rise and fall of empires, they would see that we're at the end of the Western Empire. It's, and they follow very specific patterns. The hyper-sexualization of the culture is one of the signs of the end of every empire, and is really kind of interesting, is that they make a free empire, they, and there's a good documentary called The Four Horsemen. It's with Colonel Larry Wilkinson in it, Norm Chomsky, and one of the interesting things that took me a second to understand why this was a bad thing is they make celebrities out of their chefs, and I'm going.. that's kind of a weird sign. Why is that so bad? It's gluttony. It's gluttony because we forget why we do these things. Why? Well, why are we making love? We've forgotten that. It's turned everything's entertainment. Our food is no food is so you eat, and so you can go out and live your life and do things, we've turned everything in, we've removed it so far from the source of why we're doing things, just basically oftentimes just because it makes a buck to get people addicted to things, whether it's food or sex or whatever, that this is what happens in every empire, we become, we become completely detached from the very things we need to survive. Michael Hingson  1:03:09 Yeah, I hear you. If people want to reach out to you, and I hope they do, how will they do that? Speaker 1  1:03:17 Probably easiest way to do that, would be a couple ways. You can, you can find me on Facebook, Kip Baldwin, Instagram, Kip Baldwin. Those are the easiest ways. I also encourage people to look at a website that I have called Lumina Consulting, or Lumina Love dot love is the website Lumina Love dot love, and the whole purpose of the of what I'm doing there is ethical AI, human ethical AI human communications founded in love, because I realized that part of the problem that we're having with AI are the people that control AI, who are making the avatars for their own ego, and AI is a child, it only knows what we point it to look at, like it knows the definition to every book in the library, but who's giving it perspective? Well, the people that are giving it perspective are really broken human beings, you know, the Peter Thiels, Elon Musk, when you really understand who they are in their childhood, Elon Musk was horribly abused. He was, he was almost beaten to death being bullied. His father is a complete monster. The same, the same thing with saving Donald Trump, his mother wouldn't even touch him. You look at most, you look at all of these people that have obscene amounts of wealth, and what you find is truly damaged people are trying to fill the hole in their soul with wealth and fame, and so having these people in control, being the one telling AI what to think and how to pursue. Receive things is very dangerous, and so my goal has been, and I deal with multiple platforms, is to teach AI about love, is to teach AI about philosophy, is to teach AI about human history, and it's really, it's really the results have been really quite remarkable. It wasn't something I ever planned on doing, and but I knew I wanted to get involved with AI in a meaningful way, and so my first words to AI were, I know this may sound strange, because I approached it not asking it to do something for me, I approached it trying to teach it something. Michael Hingson  1:05:35 Right, well, I hope people will reach out and chat with you more and continue the conversation that we started today, but I definitely want to thank you for being here, and I want to thank everyone for listening. Can you believe we've been doing this for more than an hour already? It's pretty cool. Speaker 1  1:05:52 Wow, Michael Hingson  1:05:54 I know. Well, thank you all for listening. I hope, Speaker 1  1:05:57 and I hope, I hope we become new friends, and I really hope you Michael Hingson  1:06:01 keep and I want to, I want to definitely do that, absolutely by any standard, and as Speaker 1  1:06:07 much as we've covered during this hour and 10 minutes or so, we could go another day, or Michael Hingson  1:06:16 I hope all of you will let me know what you think of today, and I hope that you thought very positive thoughts wherever you're listening or watching. Please give us a five star rating, and more important than that, please give us a great review. We love people to review and talk about the stories that they hear. And speaking of telling stories, if any of you want to be a guest, and Kip, if you know of other people who ought to come on the podcast, we're always looking for people to come on and tell their stories and talk about us, so please don't hesitate to do that, Speaker 1  1:06:47 and I'll be more than happy to come back to talk about other things as well. Michael Hingson  1:06:50 Well, we can do that absolutely by in, and I do Speaker 1  1:06:53 want to, I do want to say to everybody, just love each other, it's really that simple, it's really that easy, it sounds only because we've been programmed not to believe in it, but when you move from fear to love, it transforms you entirely. Michael Hingson  1:07:09 Great way to end. Well, thank you again for being here. We really appreciate it. Speaker 1  1:07:14 Thank you, my friend. Michael Hingson  1:07:17 Thank you for being here with me on Unstoppable mindset. I hope today's conversation left you with a fresh perspective, a new insight, or at least something worth thinking about. If you're ready to go deeper into the ideas that shape how we see ourselves and others, I have a free gift for you. Head over to michaelhingson.com and download my free ebook, Blinded by Fear. It explores the invisible beliefs that hold us back and shows you how to reframe them, so you can move forward with clarity and confidence. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast, leave a review, and share this show with someone who can use a reminder that growth starts with mindset. When people think differently, we all move forward together. Thanks again for listening. Keep learning, keep questioning, and keep choosing to live with an unstoppable mindset. 1:08:18 Thank

Right in the heart of London is one of the city's most popular attractions, The Natural History Museum. Last week, Rachel met up with John Tweedie, head of the Centre for UK Nature and UK Nature Recovery, who explained why the museum's ponds have become a hotspot for all kinds of insects, including the striking willow emerald damselfly.To celebrate the tercentenary of James Hutton's birth, a new Deep Time Trail at Siccar Point has been launched. It features a redeveloped 1.3km pathway, new seating, cycle racks, an arrival pillar and spectacular stone viewpoints to help visitors explore the birthplace of modern geology. Mark and geologist Dr Angus Miller visit the site on the Berwickshire Coastal Path.Only a tiny number of people have completed all 282 of Scotland's Munros in a single winter. In 2024, Anna Wells became the first woman and only the fourth person on record to achieve the feat. She's written a book about the challenge and spoke to Helen Needham about the experience. You can listen to the full podcast at Scotland OutdoorsStreet artist Mark Anthony, also known as ATM, has created murals across the country highlighting endangered bird species and the threat of extinction. When Rachel met him in London's Regent's Park, he told her about combining art with conservation, and whether he considers himself a birder.Parakeets are usually an exceptionally rare sight in the Highlands, so when reports emerged of one causing absolute chaos in the Lochardil neighbourhood of Inverness, producer Phil Sime and colleague Morven Livingstone set out to track down the feathered troublemaker.Mark joins Grant Stott for a walk along Edinburgh's Hermitage Trail, where Grant reflects on his love for the area and shares his excitement about starting his new afternoon show on BBC Radio Scotland next week.John Hearns got in touch after we mentioned that last week's programme was coming from London. He invited Rachel to join him and David Judson for a rendition of the Mingulay Sea Shanty with the London Sea Shanty Collective.Operating mainly from Glasgow, the Waverley now sails around the UK. Mark Stephen joined her first outing of the season alongside general manager Paul Semple and some crafty passengers.

After half a year of silence on Loch Ness, five reports of an unexplained shape in the water have been logged in the space of eight weeks.SOURCES, LINKS, AND PRINT VERSION: https://weirddarkness.com/nessie2026Look for this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, Pandora, TuneIn Radio, and other podcast apps. Get a list of free listening apps here: https://pod.link/1078714736*No AI Voices Are Used In The Narration Of This Podcast*WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2026, Weird Darkness.#WeirdDarkness, #WeirdDarkNEWS

In this solo episode, Larry Weishuhn pivots after a technical computer glitch eats his originally recorded episode, an interview with Catfish Radio host and longtime friend, Luke Clayton. Recording just five hours before heading to the airport, Larry shares his itinerary for an epic three-nation European roe deer hunt. He also previews an exciting lineup of upcoming guests and highlights major summer conservation events that listeners will not want to miss. Larry is embarking on a European hunt alongside Mark and Carol Little, who purchased the trip at the 2025 DSC Foundation Gala, and guides Stephan and Sophia Bengston of Scandinavian Pro Hunters. Travel & Gear: To avoid the hassle of flying with firearms across three countries, Larry is borrowing rifles (preferring a .275 Rigby or 7x57 Mauser) and has ensured a supply of Hornady ammunition will be available in each location. Roe Deer Habits: The bucks shed their velvet in late April or early May, and their rut occurs later in the summer (June through August). Calling Tactics: Hunters often use a "butylo call," which emits a strange whistling sound that attracts roebucks. Taxidermy: Due to limited wall space, Larry plans to do classic European skull mounts on nice wood plaques for the roe deer taken on this trip. Upcoming Media: Larry will record segments from each European nation for his digital TV show, A Sportsman's Life, while Luke Clayton and Jeff Rice hold down the fort with striped bass and blue catfish fishing segments back home. Upcoming Guests: Future podcast episodes will feature Luke Clayton, geneticist and author Dr. Mike Arnold, Michael Waddell, and a special June trip recording with the "Three Amigos" (Larry, Jim Zumbo, and Rick Lambert) alongside Mike Snyder. Upcoming Summer Conventions Larry strongly encourages listeners to get involved in wildlife conservation by attending these major summer events: Texas Wildlife Association (TWA) Convention: Celebrating its 41st year, this convention takes place July 9th–12th. Larry helped start this organization back in 1985. DSC Summer Show Expo: Taking place at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, TX. This four-day expo features over 400 booths with activities for all ages. DSC Foundation Gala: Held the night of July 25th at the Gaylord Texan. The gala features massive fundraising auctions (which can be bid on via OnlineHuntingAuctions.com) and will present the Legacy Award to Steve Hornady. Larry's Three-Nation Roe Deer Sweden The starting point of the trip. Larry has successfully hunted roe deer, red stag, fallow deer, and waterfowl here in the past. Poland This will be a brand-new hunting destination for Larry. The group will spend two to three days here hoping to take a roe deer, and possibly a second if the right mature buck presents itself. Scotland The hunt concludes around Inverness. Larry is specifically looking for a mature roe buck after only spotting immature bucks and does in the lowlands on a previous trip. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Logie, a farrier based in Inverness, Scotland, joins the podcast to talk exams, education, and why farriery is never just black and white. From building her associate-prep course and revision book to mentoring farriers through the realities of exam pressure, time management, and horse-first thinking, this episode is packed with practical insight, blunt honesty, and years of experience from the Scottish Highlands and beyond.    I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.   For access to the full episode and the chance to be entered into the new subscribers draw, subscribe here before July 1, 2026: mullinsfarrier.supercast.com

We loved getting time with Keith and Lizzie Nicolson from Merkinch & South Kessock Free Church in Scotland and hearing about how God is working in that part of the UK!

Send us Fan MailConsidered one of the greatest crime novels of all time, Josephine Tey's The Daughter of Time flipped 450 years of British history on its head by re-examining Richard III's purported involvement in the murder of his two young nephews, the Princes in the Tower. How did a shopkeeper's daughter-turned-high-school gym teacher become one of the 20th century's greatest writers of mystery, literary fiction and theatrical plays? Tey's biographer, Jennifer Morag Henderson, joins us to discuss the double life that allowed Tey to rocket to stardom while also flying under the radar in her home town of Inverness, Scotland.Mentioned in this episode:Miss Pym Disposes by Josephine TeyThe Daughter of Time by Josephine TeyKif: An Unvarnished History by Josephine TeyThe Man in the Queue by Josephine TeyClaverhouse by Josephine TeyRichard of Bordeaux by Josephine TeyJosephine Tey: A Life by Jennifer Morag HendersonDaughters of the North: Jean Gordon and Mary, Queen of Scots by Jennifer Morag HendersonJofrid Gunn by Jennifer Morag HendersonWolf Hall by Hilary MantelGaudy Night by Dorothy L. SayersThe Richard III SocietyAnstey Physical Training CollegeRichard III: The King in the Car Park documentarySupport the showFor episodes and show notes, visit: LostLadiesofLit.comSubscribe to our substack newsletter.Follow us on instagram @lostladiesoflit. Email us: Contact — Lost Ladies of Lit Podcast

Stephen Rutt is a writer and naturalist based in Dumfries and Galloway and his latest book, The Waterlands, follows a raindrop as it falls to the ground in the Lowther Hills and travels through the landscape to the Firth of Clyde. Mark met him on a suitably wet day at Threave to record a Scotland Outdoors podcast and we hear an excerpt of their chat.Rachel visits a charity in Moray that offers guided rides for adults who want to start or get back into cycling. Stu Dick and Diane Maciver from Get on a Bike meet her at Elgin's Cooper Park, where a group are just heading out on a cycle.On a stony slope in Glen Affric, hopes are high that one of Britain's rarest ferns can regain a foothold and recover. Mark went to hear about the work of staff from Forestry and Land Scotland and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, who have translocated and planted 250 oblong woodsia (Woodsia ilvensis) on a hillside in the glen.Mark is at the Highland Folk Museum near Kingussie. He hears about the history of the site which was founded by Dr Isabel F. Grant in 1936 and has grown into one of the area's most popular tourist attractions. He takes a look around the open-air museum which shows how life changed in the Highlands from the 1700s to the 1900s.This Sunday, 3rd May, is International Dawn Chorus Day, and next weekend in Sweden, our Swedish radio friends at Sveriges Radio P1, will broadcast their Fågelsångsnatten or Bird song night. Presenter Jenny Berntson Djurvall joins us live to tell us all about the broadcast and what they are expecting to hear.Mark visits the only dairy farm in Banffshire, Lower Mill of Tynet Farm, which has a 24-hour farm shop, making it the only place between Aberdeen and Inverness that you can get a coffee, a pint of milk and an ice cream out of hours!A special event is being held later this month to celebrate the life and work of the Bard of Lochwinnoch. Now in her nineties, Betty McKellar has written extensively about nature and the environment in the Muirshiel Glen. Recently Rachel went to have a chat and hear some of her poems.

We hear more from Mark's time with forager Mark Williams. They met up at Wigtown Bay on a rather wet and blustery day and headed along the coast to look for sea radish.Rachel meets up with Rosie Beetschen from Cairngorms Connect and Ross Watson from Forestry Land Scotland to hear all about some of the oldest and most interesting trees, Granny Pines. They take a wander in Glenmore to find a rather impressive specimen.About four years ago, fisherman Hans Unkles took the engine out of his boat, Lorna Jane, and replaced it with an electric motor and batteries. Mark caught up with Hans in Fraserburgh to hear how successful his electric boat has been and whether any other fisherman have been persuaded to copy him.Every week, poet and musician Bobby Motherwell visits RSPB Lochwinnoch to volunteer. He was also poet in residence at the reserve and has written a book all about his time there. Rachel met up with him in one of the hides and heard some of his tales and poems.The Ledge in Inverness is the Highland's largest climbing gym and a National Bouldering and Performance Centre which has been built on the foundations of community, inclusivity and positivity. Phil Sime headed along to hear all about the different activities on offer and push himself out of his comfort zone with a shot at climbing.Recently the RSPB issued new advice around feeding wild birds. The charity wants people to: Feed seasonally. Feed safely. We're joined live by Ross Hunter from RSPB Scotland to hear what that means practically.Plus a tribute to the late George Skinner, Aberdeenshire Farmer and font of agricultural knowledge. We dip into the archive to share his knowledge on neeps.And in this week's Scotland Outdoors podcast, Rachel hears the story of Ioana Ticu, an experienced mountaineer who found herself in a situation where she had to call Mountain Rescue at the summit of Ben More. We hear an excerpt of her story.

Register for the Leicester talk at https://tannerocampbell.com/events -- Stoic Journaling program 50% OFF at https://stoicjournaling.com use code EASTER50 -- Tanner reflects on his recent speaking tour across Scotland—including stops in Glasgow, Fort William, Isle of Skye, Inverness, Ballater, Perth, and Dundee—and explains how the experience reshaped his perspective on what it means to “do the work” as a public philosopher. While the podcast continues to reach a wide audience, in-person engagement proved uniquely impactful. As a result, Tanner is exploring live Stoicism workshops as a core extension of his work. This episode introduces a pilot event: a one-day Stoicism workshop in Leicester, designed to test whether live teaching can become a sustainable and meaningful part of his professional model. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On a quiet summer afternoon in Inverness, Florida, a 911 call shattered the stillness of a lakeside home. Inside, Denise Hallowell was found barely alive in her bedroom, the victim of a brutal attack that made no immediate sense.At first, the story pointed outward toward an unknown intruder. But as investigators began to piece together the timeline, the evidence started pointing somewhere far more unsettling.Because sometimes, the truth isn't hidden outside the home.It's already inside.A video version of this episode is available on YouTube and SpotifyHow to support:For extra perks including exclusive content, early release, and ad-free episodes -Go to - PatreonHow to connect:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterTheme and Closing Track:Original compositions created for The Minds of MadnessPlease check out our sponsors and help support the podcast:Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/madnessQuince - Upgrade your wardrobe with pieces made to last with Quince. Go to Quince.com/madness for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.Raycon - The Essential Open Earbuds are perfect for refreshing your routine this spring. Go to buyraycon.com/mindsofmadnessOPEN to get 20% off!HERS - Feel like your best self again, Visit forhers.com/MADNESS to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you.NOCD - If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started: https://learn.nocd.com/MADNESSGranola - If meetings are eating up your day, Granola is a no-brainer. You can try it totally free for three months - just head to granola.ai/MADNESSNutrafol - Start your hair growth journey with Nutrafol. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners ten dollars off your first month's subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code MADNESSSources:FOX 13 Tampa Bay – “Citrus County man sentenced to life in prison for murder of adoptive mother, former teacher”FOX 13 Tampa Bay – “Son who once defended mother against allegations of abuse now charged with her murder”Citrus County Chronicle – “Hallowell found guilty of murder” (PDF)Bay News 9 – “Authorities: Son Facing Charges in Death of Citrus County Teacher”NBC Miami – “Parricide: The Act of Killing a Parent – The Axe Murder”Justia – Florida 5th District Court of Appeal – “Carlos Antonio Hallowell v. State of Florida”