Join us as we talk about all things brain tumours with those who have been diagnosed, their friends, parents, partners and children as well as with researchers, fundraisers and advocates. Find out how The Brain Tumour Charity is working to improve outcomes for those who are diagnosed with this unforgiving disease. Please Note: We recognise that everyone's experience's are unique. Our guests are sharing their own personal experiences of diagnosis, treatment and care. These may differ from you ...
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Beyond Brain Tumours is a podcast by, for, and about the brain tumour community. Listen in as we talk to brain tumour survivors, patients, and caregivers as they share their stories and perspectives on brain tumour treatments, research, and survivorship. Learn more about Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada’s resources, programs, and services for people affected by a brain tumour. Visit www.BrainTumour.ca.
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A podcast designed to inform, support, and provide a platform for patients to share their stories, while also allowing staff to discuss the support available to cancer patients and their families. Hosted by Laura Boyd
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Inspirational life-stories with award-winning journalist Helen Fospero
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Jamie Bartlett, host of the hit podcast The Missing Crypto queen, is back with another gripping, investigative serial. In his new series, Jamie tells the story of Megan Bhari, an inspirational 16 year old girl who in 2012 launches a charity to grant wishes to seriously ill children. The charity is called Believe in Magic and it attracts the support of the biggest boy band in the world: One Direction. Believe in Magic soon becomes a household name in the child cancer community, putting on par ...
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Dr. Peter Geoffrey Lucas received his medical degree from the University of Queensland in 1998 before going on complete his surgical training at The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane where he first developed his passion for neurosurgery.
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Balancing care, recovery, and school: How support, compassion & advocacy pave the way | Part 2
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30:13Welcome back, everyone! In this episode, our host Ben Seewald chats with Patrick, a Registered Nurse and a brain tumour survivor. Having just started nursing school, Patrick shared his experiences facing a brain tumour as a young adult and balancing care, recovery and coursework. Together, they discuss Patrick’s journey of strength and resilience a…
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A Deep Dive into Mud & Worms with Marine Biologist Dr Ceri Lewis
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37:21
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37:21Mud on the seabed and the diverse, weird and wonderful invertebrates who live in it are having their climate moment, according to Marine Biologist Dr Ceri Lewis. Based at the University of Exeter – Ceri is part of the five-year Convex Seascape Survey researching how a healthy ocean can help fight climate change. She’s passionate about worms – from …
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In this episode, we'll hear from four of our much-valued Involvement Champions : Rebecca, Oriana, Claire and Mark. We recorded their presentations to the whole organisation as they explained why they wanted to become key voices in the brain tumour community. (Trigger warning, they talk about diagnosis and mental health issues, and their stories are…
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Wendy Fulcher’s Personal Campaign For More Brain Tumour Research
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39:11Wendy Fulcher shares the story of losing her husband and soulmate John when he was just 52 to an aggressive stage 4 glioblastoma and how it led to her setting up a powerful, research charity. John was under the care of TV star Davina McCall’s consultant neurosurgeon Kevin O’Neill who we featured in our last episode. Kevin and Wendy set up the Brain…
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Balancing care, recovery, and school: how support, compassion and advocacy pave the way | Part 1
40:24
40:24
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40:24Welcome back, everyone! In this episode, our host Ben Seewald chats with Patrick, a Registered Nurse and a brain tumour survivor. Having just started nursing school, Patrick shared his experiences facing a brain tumour as a young adult and balancing care, recovery and coursework. Together, they discuss Patrick’s journey of strength and resilience a…
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Neurosurgeon Kevin O’Neill – the Man Davina McCall Says Saved Her
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43:45Davina McCall’s consultant neurosurgeon Kevin O’Neill gives a fascinating insight into the five-hour surgery he carried out on the TV star, navigating his way between the brain’s two hemispheres to successfully remove a rare colloidal cyst Davina nick-named ‘Jeffrey’. Kevin recounts the journey into the centre of Davina’s brain and recalls the mome…
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Lord Prescott’s Son David on his Mission for More Govt Alzheimer’s’ Support
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46:28
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46:28Former Deputy Prime Minister Lord Prescott’s son David gives a very personal insight into his father – a giant of the Labour movement – revealing family stories and anecdotes from his life at Westminster. David was born two days after John became MP for Hull East, serving his constituents and the country for 40 years. Former Prime Ministers Sir Ton…
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After weeks of toil and training, The TCS London Marathon 2025 is just around the corner and The Brain Tumour Charity has 145 runners taking part this year - more than ever before! Our Involvement Champion Imelda Turnock speaks to two of them - Barbara Prodger and David Barrow - about their reasons for running. But first, Andy Tudor gets some insid…
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We're With You: Supporting Each Other Through Cancer
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31:38
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31:38Join host Laura Boyd as she chats with Erin Lavery and Beth Clyde, who both share their personal stories of living with cancer. They reflect on their diagnoses, treatments, and the challenges they’ve faced along the way. Erin and Beth also talk about documenting their experiences on social media, offering support and encouragement to others. Togeth…
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Crime Reporter Martin Brunt Reveals Undisclosed Stories Behind the Headlines
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49:55Crime reporter Martin Brunt has covered some of the biggest, shocking and most notorious crime stories in British history for Sky News over the last four decades. Still working in 24-hour breaking news, his book - No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason – filled with previously undisclosed details and fascinating inside track is about to com…
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Robin Greenfield - The Robin Hood of the Modern World
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46:22
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46:22Inspired by the teachings of Mahatma Gandi, social reformer, author and Ted Talk speaker Robin Greenfield explains why and how he’s simplified his life - strand by strand - so others can simply live. 38-year-old Robin was on his way to his first million in his 20s, drove a new car, ran a marketing business in the States and was immersed in consumer…
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We’re with You: Navigating Cancer as a Family
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20:17Join host Laura Boyd as she chats with Ian Rankin and his daughter Lucindy, who are both living with cancer. Lucindy shares how she discovered a lump, her diagnosis, and her treatment journey. Ian reflects on his own symptoms, the role his wife played in getting help, and his positive outlook - despite his wife’s breast cancer diagnosis and the los…
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Surgeon Gabriel Weston’s Alternative Look at Our Anatomy
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57:06
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57:06ENT surgeon Gabriel Weston’s new book is a deeply personal and provocative journey through the human body. In this captivating, alternative exploration of our anatomy, Gabriel dissolves the boundaries which often divide surgeon and patient, pushing beyond the limit of what science can tell us about who we are. Gabriel has just sold the rights to he…
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We’re With You: Geoff Clark on Living with Brain Tumours and Giving Back
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24:14Join host Laura Boyd as she chats with Geoff Clark about his experience with cancer. Geoff opens up about the first signs that something wasn’t right, his diagnosis, and the ups and downs of treatment. He shares how he’s coped with the challenges, the difference staying active has made, and the support he’s had from Beatson Cancer Charity. Geoff al…
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Ungovernable by Former Chief Whip Simon Hart
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43:13Simon Hart reveals why he’s published his personal diary entries in his new book, Ungovernable – The Political Diaries of a Chief Whip, lifting the lid on what really went on at Westminster during one of the most turbulent times in British politics. Simon had a front-row seat at the heart of government - in the cabinet under Boris Johnson; as Chief…
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We’re With You: Paolo’s Story of Strength Through Three Diagnoses
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25:34Join host Laura Boyd in conversation with Paolo Lizzeri, who has faced Hodgkin’s lymphoma three times. Paolo shares his experience of diagnosis and treatment, as well as the mental and emotional challenges along the way. He discusses the power of a positive attitude, the unwavering support of his family and friends, and how he has given back by doc…
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How Five Minutes a Day Can Transform Your Life
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44:26Successful entrepreneur and co-founder of Intelligent Change Alex Ikonn shares how he turned his life around through the simple habit of gratitude. Alex’s teenage years were tough - he lost his father to cancer, suffered hardships at home with little money, mum worked round the clock to make ends meet – but by changing his mindset and practising da…
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A Life in Music with Exec Producer Malcolm Gerrie
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51:13In part two of our special with music legend and CCO of Whizz Kid Entertainment, Malcolm Gerrie gives an insight into the new film he’s just finished shooting with blind tenor Andrea Bocelli. Malcolm and the team from Lionsgate have had incredible access to the star and his family at their home and venues all over the world. The much-anticipated fi…
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Our focus in this episode is on friendships and close bonds. How does a brain tumour diagnosis affect our loved ones and who can we turn to for support or advice when we don’t want to worry or upset those closest to us? To answer that question, Andy Tudor talks to five women who were all treated at the same hospital for the same meningioma diagnosi…
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Breaking the Rules with Music Legend Malcolm Gerrie
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48:08In part one of our two-part special, the story of how a teacher from Newcastle pushed the boundaries in music, creating the legendary eighties show The Tube. Malcolm Gerrie booked ‘low priority act’ Madonna for her first UK performance, helped U2 break America at Red Rocks, breathed fresh life into Tina Turner’s career and exec produced live perfor…
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Hacked Off’s Emma Jones on Prince Harry’s Press Victory
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42:07Hacked Off board director Emma Jones explores Prince Harry’s ‘monumental victory’ against News Group Newspapers and what it means for hundreds of other victims of press intrusion. Emma was at London’s High Court when Rupert Murdoch’s group settled with the Duke of Sussex at the eleventh hour, minutes before the trial was due to start. NGN issued an…
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John Hajdu MBE Shares His Story of Survival as a Boy During the Holocaust
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45:1880 years since Auschwitz-Birkenau was liberated, 87-year-old Holocaust survivor John Hajdu MBE shared his story of survival with the Princess of Wales this week and got a big hug. So, we’re re-running our episode where John tells Helen about his harrowing life as a young boy in Budapest seeing Jews persecuted & killed and his parents forced to labo…
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Drawing Testimonies in Situ in War Zones with Illustrator George Butler
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48:06Award-winning artist George Butler creates ink and watercolour drawings in situ in war zones, refugee camps and disaster areas all over the world and some of his work can be found in museum archives, including at the V&A. His testimonies of ordinary people capture suffering, courage, moments of hope, and introduce us to real characters behind the h…
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Climbing Blind with Guinness Record Holder Jesse Dufton
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33:55
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33:55Jesse Dufton was the first blind person to lead a climb of The Old Man of Hoy – a daunting sea stack in the Orkney Islands, off the coast of Scotland. It earned him a Guinness world record and was the subject of Alastair Lee’s multi-award-winning documentary Climbing Blind. In newly-released Climbing Blind II, Jesse describes being “right at his li…
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Episode 60 - Less Survivable Cancers Awareness Week
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31:03A warm welcome to Let's Talk About Brain Tumours! After a break since the summer, we're back to bring you interesting and informative conversations with members of the brain tumour community and at The Brain Tumour Charity. A new production team is now at the helm, so bear with us while we learn the ropes of podcast production. But we're delighted …
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Pioneering Jockey Khadijah Mellah - Our 200th Guest!
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42:07
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42:07Pioneering jockey Khadijah Mellah, from Peckham, became the first UK jockey to compete in a horse race in Britain wearing a hijab. A minute later, she made history again by riding her mount, Haverland, to victory in the Magnolia Cup at Goodwood. A film was made of her remarkable story and an academy set up in her name to help other youngsters from …
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New Revelations in the Search for Lord Lucan
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53:10Investigative journalist Glen Campbell details his decades long search for fugitive Lord Lucan – the Eton-educated gambler who disappeared without trace after murdering his children’s nanny, Sandra Rivett, in 1974. Glen forms an unlikely partnership with Sandra’s son, Neil Berriman, and their investigations all over the world are subject of a gripp…
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From the Boardroom to the Kitchen Sink with Laura Harnett
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34:51Laura Harnett spent 20 years as a high-flying corporate executive, in the boardroom at Selfridges and working for brands like IKEA and Coca-Cola. Never did she imagine she’d be championing a humble cleaning sponge. However, frustrated by supermarket aisles full of microplastic-filled cleaning tools, and a devastating diagnosis of breast cancer, she…
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Miles Spencer has mentored tech founders for more than 30 years, and has created hundreds of jobs while founding, financing, building, and exiting three digital media companies. But he’s also strayed a long way from his US home. He led 1500 people across 14 miles of open sea in kayaks, raising more than a million dollars for charity; ran with the b…
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The Story Behind Sustainable Fragrance Brand Floral Street
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43:14Michelle Feeney founded Floral Street Fragrances – an award-winning British brand with sustainability at its core – after a dynamic career leading top global beauty names, including Estee Lauder and Mac Cosmetics. The inspiration to create clean, affordable fragrances which won’t impact the planet, came during what Michelle describes as her gap yea…
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Fossil vs Future – An Intergenerational Look at Climate Change
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52:29
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52:29Seasoned barrister & environmentalist James Cameron - one of the leading architects of COP – reflects on three decades of arguing for a fairer and more sustainable planet. He co-hosts a new podcast series – Fossil vs Future – with his 30-year-old god-daughter Daisy Nicholls who works in sustainable finance. It’s a refreshing, authentic conversation…
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Helen takes an 11-degree chilly dip in Windermere in the Lake District with renowned Cold Water Swim Coach Gilly McArthur to experience the benefits of cold exposure and blue spaces. Gilly is part of a world-class team working on an NHS research project with Oxford and Portsmouth Universities, investigating whether cold water & outdoor swimming can…
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We’re With You: Through Navigating Cancer and Work
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25:09
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25:09Join host Laura Boyd as she talks with Rebecca, a Specialist Health and Work Service (SHAWS) Practitioner at Beatson Cancer Charity, and her client, Lyndsay, about navigating work during and after a cancer diagnosis. Rebecca explains how SHAWS supports people in balancing work with treatment and recovery. Lyndsay shares how this service helped her …
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Life as a Forensic Psychologist with Kerry Daynes
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43:34Forensic Psychologist Kerry Daynes delves into the psyche of some of the most disturbed criminal minds to understand what lies behind their often heinous actions. Her work as one of the most sought after forensic psychologists in the business has taken her from maximum-security prisons, police interview rooms and the witness box to the wards of sec…
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Join host Laura Boyd in conversation with Rhona and Marj, wig specialists at Beatson Cancer Charity’s Wellbeing Centre, as they discuss the impact of hair loss and the ways wigs can help restore confidence. Rhona and Marj share tips on selecting the perfect wig and talk about the compassionate support available for those facing hair loss during can…
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When Jermyn Street shirt-maker Emma Willis MBE heard a documentary on Radio 4 about injured soldiers recovering from life-changing injuries on their return from Afghanistan, she knew she wanted to help. Emma has spent years visiting patients at Headley Court Military Hospital in Surrey, gently measuring burns victims, Armed Forces men and women who…
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We're With You: Exploring Clinical Trials at The Beatson
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17:50Join host Laura Boyd in conversation with Susannah Radford, a Senior Pharmacovigilance Clinical Trial Coordinator, about the incredible work happening at The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre’s Clinical Trials Unit. Susannah explains how clinical trials offer patients access to new treatments, bringing hope and helping to advance cancer care.…
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Photographer & storyteller Giles Duley MBE joins me from Ukraine where his NGO – the Legacy of War Foundation – is providing ambulances to the frontline to evacuate civilians, many of them elderly. Giles lost both legs and an arm when he stepped on an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan in 2011 whilst embedded with 101st Airborne. Locked in …
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We're With You: John Allison’s Year-Long Challenge for Beatson Cancer Charity
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23:55Join host Laura Boyd in conversation with John Allison, founder of The K9 Way, about his year-long fundraising journey for Beatson Cancer Charity. John shares updates on the challenges he's taking on, including the Devil O’ Highlands Ultra Marathon and the Edinburgh Marathon, aimed at raising essential funds for the Beatson Cancer Centre in Glasgow…
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Sam James’s Edinburgh Fringe Debut as a Producer
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37:53
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37:53Find out what it’s like to produce your first ever play and put it on alongside 3,800 other shows at The Edinburgh Fringe. Sam James, Technical Head of Claims at Convex and winner of the company’s Dream Pitch, produced ‘Girlhood’ which examines the roles of mothers and the impact of mother figures on our lives. Armed with a copy of The Accidental P…
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We're With You: Roisin’s Voice for Skin Cancer Awareness
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28:31
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28:31Join host Laura Boyd in conversation with rising pop star Roisin McCarney, who shares her personal journey from working in a sunbed shop to being diagnosed with skin cancer. After stunning audiences on ITV’s The Voice, Roisin uses her platform to raise awareness about the dangers of sunbeds. In this heartfelt episode, Roisin and Laura, who is livin…
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Discover the Science of Eating for a Lifetime of Health with Dr Federica Amati
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49:50Dr Federica Amati - one of Britain’s top nutritional scientists – recalls the eureka moment studying with legendary Professor Elio Riboli when she realised the power of food on good health, preventing many chronic diseases. The Italian-born scientist teaches medical students at Imperial College London – something that didn’t happen five years ago –…
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Adventuring in the UK with The Travel Project
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47:21Charlie Wild and Jessica Last have spent three years exploring the UK in search of unique and exciting adventures on our doorstep. From climbing peaks in the Scottish Highlands to surfing the breaks off Northern Ireland; foraging in the deepest forests of Snowdonia to camping wild on Dartmoor, they’ve discovered extraordinary places and wonderful c…
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Breaking the Sound Barrier with the Fastest Man on Land
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55:35When Wing Commander Andy Green OBE broke the sound barrier in a supersonic jet car in 1997, he became the fastest person on land – a world record he still holds, almost three decades on. Andy explains the risks involved, the spectacularly small mathematical margins for error, lessons learned, and reveals the thrills of driving more than 763 mph acr…
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Life in the Legendary Pathfinders as a Lancaster Bomb Aimer
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29:47101-year-old Jack Dark reflects on life in WW2 as part of the RAF’s elite Pathfinder Force. Just a lad at 18, Jack was a Bomb Aimer and Navigator in the Lancaster Bomber. The Pathfinders went in first to find and mark the targets. Their accuracy is said to have changed the course of the Second World War. Jack is one of a few surviving Pathfinders a…
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Join host Laura Boyd in conversation with Gillian Shirreffs, who lives with MS and was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021. Gillian shares her journey, discussing how she confronted her own mortality and the support she received from Beatson Cancer Charity. She highlights the charity's wig service, telephone befriending service, and the Fear of Re…
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Chris Levine - Using 7.83 Hertz to Highlight the Health of Our Oceans
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38:22Artist Chris Levine, renowned for his portraits of the late Queen, describes 7.83 Hertz – his new immersive installation featuring cutting edge lasers - which he hopes can be scaled to highlight the vital role our ocean plays in tackling the world’s climate crisis. Created in collaboration with the Convex Seascape Survey, Chris explains how underst…
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Join host Laura Boyd in conversation with Martin Cawley, former CEO of Beatson Cancer Charity. In this episode, Martin reflects on his career at the charity, the challenges he faced during his five years at the charity, including the Coronavirus pandemic, the highlights of his tenure, and his deep affection for the organisation. He also shares what…
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Join host Laura Boyd in conversation with Professor Anthony Chalmers, Chair of Clinical Oncology at the University of Glasgow and the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre. They discuss cancer research, clinical trials, and the realities of working for The Beatson. Professor Chalmers also shares his hopes for the future of cancer treatment.…
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We’re With You: Through Living With Cancer
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19:15Join host Laura Boyd in conversation with Lisa Adam, who has been living with cancer for 19 years. Joining her is Beatson Cancer Charity's CEO, Gillian Hailstones, formerly Director of Care Services. Laura shares her personal experience with cancer, and together they discuss the support services Beatson Cancer Charity offers, like Fear of Recurrenc…
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