Michelle McManus gathers together a whole host of stories which reflect contemporary Scotland. Upbeat, positive and inspirational, giving us energy to face the week ahead.
The Non Binary Wrestler, the Yarn Bomber, and the Protest Musician.
Brandon is a non binary wrestler known as London Love Lust. Caroline yarn bombs Nairn's post boxes, and Kapil's music highlights issues of honour violence, caste and disability.
10/15/2022 • 27 minutes, 38 seconds
The Pet Finder, The Eco-Artist, and The Clutha Survivor
After the Clutha helicopter crash, Michael struggled with PTSD, and now he supports trauma survivors. Katie finds missing pets. Scott encourages locals to protect wildlife.
10/8/2022 • 28 minutes, 5 seconds
The Bodyguard, sewing2gether All Nations, and Knockengorroch
Alan the bodyguard teaches personal safety to women. Gabi and Corinne bring refugees together through sewing. Katch runs the Knockengorroch festival on the land where she was born.
10/1/2022 • 28 minutes, 6 seconds
The Singing Meditator, The Ultra Triathlon Winner, and The Foula Filmmaker
Britain's Got Talent singing star Edward learns to meditate. Eilidh wins the Norseman ultra triathlon. Gareth returns to the remote island of Foula where he grew up.
9/24/2022 • 28 minutes, 6 seconds
The Walrus Chaser, The Rainbow Family, and a Passion for Vintage
Nicola and Heather decide to start a family and turn to their friend Scott. Tragic O'Hara becomes a professional Walrus Chaser, and Rachel opens her own vintage clothing shop.
9/17/2022 • 28 minutes, 8 seconds
The Outdoor Community Organiser, The Tiny Home Renovator and The Rock Photographer
Roberto is living the dream photographing the world's biggest rock stars. Maryanne reconnects families with nature. YouTuber George restores a tiny house in his home village.
9/10/2022 • 28 minutes, 9 seconds
A Green Face, Glassblowing, and Shiatsu for Kids
Rachel becomes a green faced star on TikTok. Natalie's first book Mak the Dragon teaches shiatsu to children. Armed police officer William makes floral glass paperweights.
9/3/2022 • 28 minutes, 5 seconds
Tumbleweed to Typewriters, The Autistic Hijabi Farmer, and Rainbow Valley
Abby-Leigh's love of cows leads to a career in farming. Inspired by her daughter, Angela runs Rainbow Valley. Tom shares their passion for typewriters and a letter from Tom Hanks.
8/27/2022 • 27 minutes, 58 seconds
The Beauty Pageant Ambassador, The Sneakerhead, and Scotland's First Female Rapper
Lauren defies her disability and wins a beauty pageant! Sneakerhead Rob turns his passion into a surprising business, and rapper Lotos shares her musical inspiration.
8/20/2022 • 28 minutes, 4 seconds
The Vegan Butcher, The Cheerleader, and DJ Jolly Jilly
Traditional butcher Alan makes a mean vegan lorne sausage. Emily wins the World Cheerleading Championships, and a Barlinnie prison chaplain becomes DJ Jolly Jilly.
8/13/2022 • 28 minutes, 5 seconds
Stevie and the Ukrainian Orphans
Hibs fan Stevie founded the charity Dnipro Kids after an away tie in 2005. With the war escalating, he finds himself travelling to Ukraine to bring the children to Scotland.
7/2/2022 • 27 minutes, 57 seconds
Leo the Spaniel, Cycling the NC500, and the Hebridean Baker
Christina breaks records cycling the North Coast 500. Emily's spaniel Leo learns CPR, and Coinneach the Hebridean Baker explains why he's keeping his day job in football.
6/25/2022 • 28 minutes, 5 seconds
Disability Darts, Agnes the Blacksmith, and Rounding the Capes
Kyle captains Scotland to World Cup victory at Disability Darts. Agnes forges a career as a blacksmith. And Iain completes a world first sea voyage round the southern Capes.
6/18/2022 • 27 minutes, 53 seconds
Bank to Super Bowl, the Glenrothes Norse Pagan, and the History Girls
History Girl Rachel celebrates forgotten Scotswomen. Norse Paganism inspires Jamie's music and games design. David's unusual hobby takes him from the bank to the Super Bowl.
6/11/2022 • 27 minutes, 55 seconds
Scotland’s First Rainbow Honesty Shed and Richie’s Steps to Hope
A small gift to the homeless inspires Richie to start up a new charity. Julie and Rachel move to Lewis and fly the gay Pride flag at their rainbow honesty shed.
6/4/2022 • 27 minutes, 58 seconds
The Doric TikTok Sensation, Flying with HIV, and the teacher who ran away to the sweetie shop
Katie from Aye Tunes sings pop songs in Doric. James makes his dream of being an airline pilot come true. And Lorna leaves teaching after 26 years, and buys a sweetie shop.
5/28/2022 • 27 minutes, 46 seconds
Science and Salsa, Sailing Away, Surrogacy
Jamie teaches science through cola home experiments and dance. Olly sails his way to the world championships. And surrogacy makes Laura's dream of becoming a mum come true.
5/21/2022 • 27 minutes, 44 seconds
Swimming the Masters, War to Wildlife, and an Eminem Love Story
Water baby Sandra's swimming all over the world. Gethin's swapping war photography for wildlife in the Borders. Nikki's dreams come true, all thanks to Eminem.
5/14/2022 • 27 minutes, 57 seconds
Hijabi Riders, Alpaca Care Home Visits, and Tangerine Dreams
Meet Sheri, a fashion influencer and vintage expert who adores all things orange. Bob takes his alpacas to visit care homes. And Hijabi Rider Mahnoor learned to ride a bike at 40.
5/7/2022 • 28 minutes, 15 seconds
Dancing with Dot, Speaking Scots, and Breast Cancer Embroidery
Dot became a fitness instructor at the age of 75. Ally tells us why Scots speakers should celebrate their culture. And Jo found embroidery helped her cope with breast cancer.
4/30/2022 • 27 minutes, 57 seconds
The Breast Milk Donor, the Royal Handwasher, and the Great, Great, Great Granny
Young mum Tanisha donates breast milk to Glasgow Children's Hospital, Simon will ceremonially wash our next monarch's hands, and record breaking great, great, great granny Mary
8/15/2021 • 28 minutes
Hula Hooping, Slacklining and the Great Highland Bagpipes
Michelle McManus chats to Kat Borrowdale a professional hula hooper and the founder of Think Circus in Leith. She also meets, Owen Hope, a student at St Andrews and an adventure photographer and Allan Jardine shares the trials and tribulations of mastering the Great Highland Bagpipes.
8/8/2021 • 28 minutes, 10 seconds
The Young Reporter, the Stateside Student, and the Racing Champ
Angus interviews Scottish football legends on YouTube. Rachel wins a place at an American university, and racing driver Gordie hits the track at 150 mph.
8/1/2021 • 28 minutes
Selkirk General Store, Arkdefo and Deanburn Verge
Michelle McManus meets Sue Briggs from Selkirk's new repair shop, The General Store. She also meets Elizaveta and Andrew Bennett who make up Arkdefo, an upcycle fashion brand that takes denim cast-offs and turns them into new designer clothes and environmental campaigner Simon Whitworth.
7/25/2021 • 27 minutes, 49 seconds
A Clown Doctor, a Master of Surprises, and a Ghostbuster
Diane tells Michelle how a clown doctor is different from a circus clown, Alan surprises a few family members, and Fraser shares his obsession with ghostbusters.
7/18/2021 • 28 minutes, 12 seconds
Dog trainer Heather Smith and pharologist Sarah Kerr
Michelle McManus meets dog trainer Heather Smith who talks about her extraordinary dog Dare, and her journey from rescue dog to performing in the ring at Crufts. Michelle also talks to pharologist Sarah Kerr who is on a mission to visit every lighthouse in the UK.
7/11/2021 • 28 minutes, 8 seconds
Crack Climbing, Oban Pride, and The Mushroom Man
Robbie starts a new craze, the first Oban Pride is hosted by drag queen Crystal, and Roy shares a lifetime obsession with fungi.
7/4/2021 • 27 minutes, 58 seconds
A Photography Prize, the Sunshine Kitchen, and Bringing Back Wildlife
Train driver Dylan wins Landscape Photography award. Michelle meets Gayle who set up the Sunshine Kitchen for young adults with learning disabilities and Chloe who makes the brownies. Roy tells Michelle about his life reintroducing wild species to parts of Scotland, and what he would like to bring back next.
6/20/2021 • 28 minutes
Ex-Concorde air stewardess and SOPLANE
Former British Airways air stewardess Sally Armstrong, shares her memories working on Concorde and self-confessed plane geek Nik Sennhauser, explains why he is recreating his favourite plane meals at home.
6/13/2021 • 27 minutes, 56 seconds
Rowing to Antarctica, the Bee Business, and Incontinence Comedy
Jamie tells Michelle how it's mind over matter if you want to row the notorious Drake Passage. We meet Suzie who set up a bee business with a purpose, and Michelle introduces Elaine, a physiotherapist and incontinence comedian.
6/7/2021 • 28 minutes
Aggie MacKenzie, Zoe Berry and Ariel Wang
Michelle gets spring cleaning advice from the Queen of Clean, Aggie Mackenzie. She speaks to Zoe Berry from Life Edit about what prompted her to set up her decluttering business and meets Ariel Wang, who gave up her job during lockdown to set up Leafy Love Affair, selling houseplants.
5/30/2021 • 28 minutes, 8 seconds
Off Grid Adventures and the Hedgehog Hospital
When Katie applied to take part in reality TV show Eden, she had no idea she would spend a whole year living cut off from the world on the remote Ardnamurchan peninsula. It was tough, but inspired more off grid adventures. Michelle also hears from Nadia who set up a hedgehog hospital in her own home.
5/23/2021 • 27 minutes, 59 seconds
Holly Keir and Shiona McCallum
Michelle McManus speaks to Holly Keir, an award wining researcher who has been working all year on potential treatments for COVID-19. Also joining Michelle is Newsbeat's Shiona McCallum who shares her experience of giving birth during lockdown. Shiona is now an ambassador for See Me, Scotland's programme for mental health.
5/16/2021 • 27 minutes, 58 seconds
A Message in a Bottle, Photographing Asian Scots, and Super Recognisers
Michelle meets Emily from Findochty. When she was two her gran put a message in a bottle with her name on it. Fifteen years later it turned up in Siberia and Emily's invited to an international summit in Reykjavik. When Hermann arrived in Scotland thirty years ago, he became fascinated by photographing Asian Scots, even gate-crashing weddings! And Michelle learns all about super recognisers with Lauren, who never forgets a face, and facial recognition expert Anna.
5/9/2021 • 28 minutes, 29 seconds
Cal and Clare, Heidi - Miss Pole Dancing UK and Danny the Singing Hairdresser
Michelle meets Cal and Clare, a young couple who accidently bought the wrong house at auction and then decided to restore the derelict property with a little help from their amazing friends. Heidi explains what it takes to become Scotland's number one pole dancing athlete and we hear from Danny, the singing hairdresser from Arbroath who has raised thousands for the NHS with his live lockdown performances.
5/2/2021 • 27 minutes, 58 seconds
The Tribe Sanctuary, The Homeless Comedian, and the Micropig
Morag Sangster sold her city home, escaped to the country, and set up a sanctuary for farm animals in need of a little TLC. Michelle hears how she ended up sharing her house with Francesco, a twenty stone pet pig. Knowing well the highs and lows of instant fame, Michelle chats with Gary Faulds, whose comic videos became a social media sensation. Soon Gary was packing out auditoriums, but when Covid hit, he had to declare himself homeless.
You can find information and support around homelessness by looking up the BBC Action Line Homelessness.
4/25/2021 • 28 minutes, 1 second
Young Foster Parents and a Modern Day Viking
Michelle meets Amanda and Darren Cleary. After having their own two wee ones Ben and Olivia., 22 year old Amanda couldn't wait to start fostering, but Michelle fins out how this went down with Darren and the kids. Dwayne Davies might sound Welsh, but he's a Shetlander with Viking ancestry who did the ultimate themed wedding in full Norse regalia. Michelle discovers he's the longest Jarl in waiting, or leader of the Viking squad for the uninitiated, his moment in the spotlight at the Up Helly Aa festival postponed due to Covid.
4/18/2021 • 27 minutes, 59 seconds
Retired fire fighter and charity campaigner, Ally Boyle and Queen's Nurse Kelvin Frew
Michelle meets Ally Boyle MBE, founder of the Anthony Nolan and SFRS Partnership and talks to Kelvin Frew and finds out what it takes to become a Queen's Nurse.
4/11/2021 • 28 minutes, 7 seconds
Designing Toys, Babysitting Badgers and Curating Museum Collections
Hand rearing baby badgers, treating an infestation of moths in a mountain hare and promoting diversity in engineering.
4/4/2021 • 27 minutes, 59 seconds
A Highland Dancer, Naturist Scots and an Emotional Reunion with an Elephant
Michelle McManus speaks to a Glasgow couple about the realities of being naturists in Scotland.
Third year dental student Ellis Hayes lifts the lid on the fiercely competitive world of Highland Dancing. She tells Michelle about the secret Highland Fling lessons she gives to her fellow students in the scrub room.
Proving that an elephant never forgets, Peter Adamson talks about his emotional reunion with an elephant named Kirsty who recognised his voice after over 35 years apart.
3/28/2021 • 27 minutes, 29 seconds
Love on a Train, an Extraordinary Kidney Swap and an 82 year-old Flatmate
Michelle hears from Mandy whose kidney transplant was failing. We follow the journey of her husband Graham who donates a kidney– not to his wife, but to a complete stranger. And as Graham’s organ flies from Edinburgh for Belfast, Mandy is prepped for surgery to tie in with a matched kidney for her arriving from Belfast.
We hear how 68 year old widower Danny from Forres travels the length of America - and the fluke chance of him meeting the second love of his life – and now fiancé - aboard a US train.
And we meet Dave the 26 year old Edinburgh student who, when looking for accommodation in the capital, finds himself tenant to an 82 year old ex ballet teacher, who insists on cooking his dinner every night.
3/28/2021 • 27 minutes, 56 seconds
A Drag Queen, a Graffiti Gran and the woman who talks to trees
Michelle McManus speaks to Stephen Murphy from Glasgow about his life as a drag queen and how ‘Barbra La Bush’ has helped bolster his confidence over the last 30 years. Also, 71 year old Graffiti Granny Maggie Wilcockson talks to Michelle about designing her own tag and how an art project helped her reconnect with her community in Aberdeen. And we hear from a woman who is convinced she can communicate with trees... and according to Holly Worton they even talk back to her!
3/28/2021 • 27 minutes, 56 seconds
A Miniature Miracle, a Family Lost and Found and a Daring Proposition
Michelle meets Megan and Sam from Dumfries, the parents of Robyn, who was born profoundly deaf. Michelle learns of their journey from Robyn’s birth through to her being fitted with a cochlear implant and then onto the miracle moment when she uttered her first word.
Michelle’s envy is difficult to hide as she hears of Helen’s recent proposal of marriage from her partner Thomaas – involving a very high tree climb, a sky bench and half an apple.
And we meet Rose from Beauly who went on a life changing journey of discovery – in search of the Canadian father she had dreamed of meeting.
3/28/2021 • 27 minutes, 54 seconds
Deaf Parents and a Power-lifting Gran
Michelle McManus talks to Ray Bradshaw about how his childhood with 2 deaf parents ultimately shaped his comedy career and inspired him to take his comedy to deaf audiences all over the world. Michelle also hears from record breaking gran Val Dourley who after developing a passion for powerlifting in later life, can now deadlift a phenomenal 15 stone. Isobel Hogton also joins the programme to tell Michelle about her incredible ability to communicate with horses.
3/28/2021 • 27 minutes, 57 seconds
Wojtek the Soldier Bear, a Globe-trotting Diabetic Biker and Wartime Memories
Teddy bear fans will be blown away by the story Michelle hears on this episode of Our Lives. Aileen Orr collects teddy bears for children in need all over the world but the back story which led Aileen to sharing her life with thousands of teddies is nothing short of remarkable.
Michelle also hears from Maurice who wouldn't let his diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes stop him from completing his dream of travelling round the world on his motorbike.
Plus we hear from 83 year old Meryn Pearce, a contributor to the Lothian Birth Cohort studies on cognitive ageing, who shares some of her earliest war time memories.
3/28/2021 • 27 minutes, 56 seconds
Photographing Grief, the Ukelele-loving Reverend and a Mermaid
Michelle hears from Lesley who lost her partner to suicide two years ago and how, with the help of her photography, she was able to express the grief she couldn’t put into words. Now Lesley has managed to find a way of not just surviving but thriving. This is a difficult story with an inspirational twist.
Forget Disney’s Ariel… Michelle meets Kate from the Isle of Lewis - whose all-weather-all–year-round-swimming has taken her dangerously close to the mouths of sharks.
And performing pubs and clubs by night and the altar by day, Michelle hears from man of the cloth - the Rev Jim - on his stage act and how it links with his day job in the East end of Glasgow.
3/28/2021 • 27 minutes, 56 seconds
Dinosaurs, Doric Language and Nonagenarian Duguld.
Elsa explains how she became a dinosaur hunter, Dugald shares the secret of a long and happy life and Jackie teaches us Doric.
3/28/2021 • 27 minutes, 56 seconds
A Park Runner, Family Bee-keeping and the Kindness of Strangers
Michelle hears from Jason, a man who's turned Park Run into a passion - so much so he's about to complete the full set, having taken part in every single Scottish Park Run going. And if Jason's enthusiasm doesn't get you grabbing your trainers and heading for the park this weekend, nothing will!
We’ll also be hearing a gorgeous wee tale from Cat and Yazzie - total strangers who were united through a simple act of kindness involving a big heart, an old pink bike and the Aviemore triathlon.
Plus mother and son, Sarah and Martin, explain how they’ve got a shared love of bees! A hobby which has recently led to Martin becoming crowned a World Champ – Scotland’s got a bee World Champion, who knew?
3/28/2021 • 27 minutes, 56 seconds
Hearing in Colour, a Depressed Pig and a Man Who Collects Bricks
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra conductor Jessica Cottis believes that her ability to see sound as colour is akin to having a superpower. Jessica explains to Michelle why synaesthesia is such a gift when conducting an orchestra.
Jen Scott tells Michelle what it was like when her best friend became her sister and Michelle hears about Pippa the Pig who was so bereft at losing her companion that a desperate hunt was launched to find her a new friend.
Mark Cranston admits that he doesn't always receive a positive reaction when he reveals he is a collector of bricks! However, he explains to Michelle why so much of Scotland's history is hidden in each block of clay.
3/28/2021 • 27 minutes, 57 seconds
A Painless Woman, Trike Tours for the Elderly and Turning Baby Loss to Support
In a very moving story Michelle talks to Kimberley Shaw who has turned her grief at losing her stillborn daughter Sarah into a way of helping other parents who have lost a baby to miscarriage, stillbirth or neo-natal death. Kimberly set up a charity called Zaagi and, using the material from donated wedding dresses, she creates beautiful nestling blankets, wraps and blessing gowns so bereaved parents can wrap their tiny children.
We also hear from Ross Nixon who – when he’s not on shift as a Highland fireman – volunteers for Spokes for Folks, taking the elderly on tours of Inverness in a specially designed trike.
Plus we’ve an astonishing story from Jo Cameron who doesn’t feel pain but didn’t realise she was special or different until recently when she needed a hip operation! She can even eat a Scotch Bonnet raw without feeling anything more than ‘a little bit of warmth’.
3/28/2021 • 27 minutes, 54 seconds
A Bicycle Repair Guy, a Career Change and the Lovers with a 26 Year Age Gap
Willy fixes bikes that ride the world. Lisa changed careers to follow her dream. Suzy & Christine spent their silver anniversary taking part in the first Inverness Pride March.
3/28/2021 • 27 minutes, 56 seconds
Welcome to Our Lives with Michelle McManus
Delivering an entertaining series of conversations, Michelle McManus chats with people around Scotland who have experienced something inspirational, challenging, joyful, tragic, life-changing or heart-warming.