Blethered

The Lindsay Clancy case in America has been one of the most scrutinised, analysed and talked-about cases in a long time.

Clancy is a Massachusetts mother who killed her three young children in 2023, in a case centred on whether she was criminally responsible or suffering from postpartum psychosis. Her trial very recently ended with a hung jury, meaning that a decision could not be reached.

One of the by-products of the entire case has been the realisation that mothers, and fathers, are often let down when it comes to matters of pre- and postnatal depression. I started to realise how little I know about the entire subject, and how little I’ve ever heard about it in general.

Then, in a bit of a serendipitous discovery, I saw Mhairi talking about her own experience with pre- and postnatal depression. I was really struck by the coherence, candour, sincerity and even humour of her recollections of an utterly awful experience.

Now, I know Mhairi well, and I know how she expresses herself, so the podcaster in me kicked in, and we had a chat about having the conversation. I’m really glad that we did.
I found it revealing, enlightening, educational and, in the end, uplifting. She went through hell, and I think probably experienced what a huge amount of people do, without ever speaking about it out loud.

Mhairi isn’t someone seeking the spotlight or trying to draw out a traumatic experience for personal gain. She’s a young, devoted mother with a lovely wee boy who she lives for. And her insight will contribute, even if it’s only microscopically, to a challenging and misunderstood subject that shouldn’t be ignored or demonised.

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Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.com
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Karen Koren founded the Gilded Balloon on Edinburgh's Cowgate in 1986. Her daughter Katy joined the business in 2014 and now runs it alongside her.

In this episode, Karen and Katy join me to talk about building the venue from a single 150-seat theatre into one of the defining names of the Edinburgh Fringe, the comedians they helped launch, the fire that destroyed their original venue, running the business through the pandemic, and what it's like working together as mother and daughter.

Recorded during the 2026 Edinburgh Fringe.

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Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.com
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Filmmaker and Cosmic Cat Films founder Ged Fitzsimmons joins me for a wide-ranging conversation about filmmaking, creativity and finding your way into an industry that can be notoriously difficult to navigate.

Ged talks about his unconventional route into film, building Cosmic Cat Films, and becoming an impact producer, using cinema as a vehicle for social change. We discuss his work with Ken Loach, including I, Daniel Blake, and the experiences that shaped his approach to making and distributing films.

We also get into the realities of Scotland’s film industry, class, opportunity, rejection, the value of life experience, and what separates work that simply entertains from work that can leave a lasting impact.
Later, the conversation turns to one of Ged’s most personal projects: a new documentary about former Celtic player George Connelly.

We explore George’s remarkable career, the mystery surrounding his early departure from football, and the anxiety, addiction and mental-health struggles behind a story too often reduced to one of wasted potential. The film aims to celebrate what George achieved while finally exploring the question that has followed him for decades: what happened to George Connelly?
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Ged also explains the crowdfunding campaign helping bring the documentary to cinemas, and his ambition to give George, his family and the supporters a long-overdue testimonial on the big screen.

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Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.com
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First published in June 2024

Imagine this: You're scrolling through Instagram, TikTok or even Facebook, and suddenly you get a message from someone who seems genuinely interested in you.

The conversation quickly turns flirtatious, and before you know it, you've shared personal photos and information. And then, the unthinkable happens.

The person on the other end reveals their true intentions, and threaten to send it on to your friends and family unless you pay up, or do something equally distressing.

This isn't an urban myth or something that only happens thousands of miles away, this is the reality for many people who fall victim to ‘sextortion’ and blackmail by catfish accounts, and it’s happening where you live.

These twisted predators use fake identities to build trust and manipulate their victims, leading to devastating consequences, both emotionally and financially.

In this episode I’m joined by Debbie MacPhee whose teenage son was targeted, even without engaging with anyone, and we’re shining a light on the tactics and methods used by these criminals.

You’ll hear a number of stories about people who were targeted, with some horrifying outcomes, and steps you can take to ensure that you and your loved ones can stay safe in an online setting that’s becoming increasingly dangerous.

Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.com
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Jodie Marsh joins me at Fripps Farm for a biographical interview spanning severe school bullying, London nightlife, Stringfellows, Essex Wives, Page 3 and the height of Britain’s 2000s tabloid culture.

She explains how she negotiated £30,000 from The Sun, why she deliberately kept herself on the front pages, what made Celebrity Big Brother such a brutal experience, and how much of her public feud with Katie Price was genuine. We also discuss grief, depression, competitive bodybuilding and the private life behind the public character.

The final part of our conversation focuses on Fripps Farm, the animal sanctuary Jodie founded in Essex, as well as online abuse, disputes surrounding the sanctuary and her plans to expand its work.

Jodie Marsh, in her own words.

Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.com
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