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Blethered

Sean McDonald
Blethered
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  • Part 2: From al-Qaeda to MI6 — Aimen Dean LIVE
    How Aimen Dean went from al-Qaeda member to undercover MI6 operative — his full account of recruitment, betrayal and escape. Aimen tells a never-before-told story about his haunting interaction with the lead-hijacker of the September 11th attacks in New York City...We hear about Aimen's decision to join MI6 as an undercover spy, and the extensive debriefing process in Scotland...Aimen discusses his progression into mainstream media such as Newsnight and the Conflicted podcast...And Aimen reflects on the issue of 'returning jihadists', and the controversial case of Shamima Begum.Contact: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  • Harsh Reality: Let's Talk About Alcohol // with Liam Conlan
    First published in January 2024, but it’s worth a share for those who may benefit from it.I speak to men's sobriety coach Liam about the relationship that society - especially in Scotland - has with drinking… We reflect on our own personal dynamic with booze and the heavy effects of drinking too much, too frequently...And we get into some uncomfortable territory about the darker overhang and aftermath of binge drinking.What you’re about to listen to is a genuine conversation about alcohol, and how we feel about it. We’re not trying to talk you, or ourselves, into anything. We’re just talking, and you’re invited to listen in. And we’re glad that you are.Contact: [email protected]://www.instagram.com/liamconlan_sp/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  • 'My Time With al-Qaeda, MI6 & Osama bin Laden' // Former MI6 Spy Aimen Dean (LIVE) - Part 1
    Part 1 of Blethered Live at SWG3 in Glasgow, with former MI6 Spy Aimen Dean.Aimen talks about his early life in Saudi Arabia and how religious clerics shaped his young mindset...His decision to go and fight in Bosnia at 16 years old, in defence of Bosnian Muslims, and the horrors that he saw...And about when his path first crossed with Osama bin Laden.And as always, there's plenty more. Contact: seanmcdonald,[email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  • Why Are There Flags Hanging From Lampposts? // with Aarti Joshi
    The pervasive, mendacious and downright malevolent diatribe directed towards immigrants in the UK – or those wrongly categorised as such – irrespective of their social, economic or citizenship status, is at what feels like an all time high. So who better to hear from than someone who’s experiencing this continuing embarrassment to Britain. Step forward, Aarti Joshi. Aarti is a good friend of mine and was previously a guest on Blethered back in 2021, where we discussed what it’s like to be a Scottish-indian woman in a so-called man’s world. Aarti is a strong-willed, intelligent, Scottish woman who is fiercely proud of her heritage, and so she should be. I knew she’d give me a no-holds barred account of what life has been like lately. The trigger point for this sit-down was the sudden appearance of flags hung from lampposts, all over North Glasgow, where I’m from. This was irrefutably and undeniably an attempt to intimidate those deemed to be nonindigenous from Scotland and the UK in general, and it succeeded in its attempt to instil fear in those it was aimed at.In the face of bullies, and especially in that vein, neutrally is not an option. It’s silent support of the systematic bullying and scapegoating of people who do not deserve it. I’m not standing by and watching it happen without doing something, and neither should you.To claim you’re apolitical, in the face of grotesque unfairness and injustice, is an intrinsically political choice. Don’t sit this one out. Believe it or not, after such a morally indignant monologue from me, this chat is genuinely full of laughs. It’s two pals chatting about the state of the world as we see it, and we’ve pulled up a seat for you, as well.contact: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  • Burnout: Your Body Keeps The Score // with Dr Aisan Ghaemian
    We all know someone who brags about never stopping, but what looks like productivity is often burnout – and it quietly erodes health, relationships, and enjoyment of life.Dr Aisan joins me to explain what burnout really is, how to recognise it before it takes hold, and why recovery starts with reframing rest as strength, rather than weakness. We discuss practical steps for spotting the signs, breaking the cycle, and building a healthier, more sustainable way of living.While burnout has a devastating personal impact, it also carries a wider cost for businesses and the economy – draining creativity, productivity, and staff wellbeing. Understanding and addressing it benefits us all.Dr Aisan's InstagramWatch on YouTubecontact: seanmcdonald,[email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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About Blethered

Glasgow & Barcelona based podcast, hosted by Sean McDonald. Sean interviews people from various segments of society, discussing serious topics with Scottish humour. From life stories, to social commentary and discussion on current topics, modern culture and more. Contact at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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