Ways to Wellbeing

Natalie Gilray: Laughter Yoga

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 11:30:28 -0300

Laughter therapist, Natalie Gilray tells Jeff Zycinski how she turned to laughter therapy as her career in social work hit the burn-out point.

Shona MacLean: These Books are Made for Walking

Tue, 30 May 2023 07:54:46 -0300

Author S.G. MacLean is interviewed by Jeff Zycinski in front of a live and lively audience at the new Inverness Festival of Walking & Wheeling. She speaks about the importance of walking and cycling in her creative process, describes the creepiest place in Inverness and makes a bold prediction about the Scottish Cup Final.

John Beattie: Walking, Wheeling and a Wonky Bridge

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 08:56:48 -0400

Jeff Zycinski speaks to John Beattie, the former rugby internationalist turned BBC radio presenter. In a wide- ranging conversation they talk about the benefits of walking and cycling and John's fears about dementia after too many head knocks in his sporting careers.

Ruari Gordon: Fun Palaces

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 15:26:30 -0400

Ruari Gordon is the Fun Palaces ambassador in Inverness. He tells Jeff Zycinski how the project encourages people to recognise their own creativity and use the public spaces and venues normally reserved for so-called highbrow arts.

Ways to Wellbeing: Christmas Special 2022

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 08:17:33 -0400

Jeff Zycinski talks to Jo De Sylva and Bruce MacGregor who describe their roller-coaster of a year. Radio producer Richard Melvin tells all about the background to his hit song 'Santa's a Scotsman' with a surprise appearance from BBC Radio 2's Ken Bruce.

Tom Morton: Books, Bikes, Buckfast and Beyond

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 12:06:54 -0400

Jeff Zycinski talks to Shetland-based author, musician and broadcaster Tom Morton. He talks about surviving two heart attacks and about his various 'life adventures'.

Books for a Better Life

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 17:12:47 -0400

A special edition for Book Week Scotland recorded at Waterstones bookshop in Inverness. Grace Nicoll invites author Barbara Henderson to square up against actor Karen Bartke as they each recommend their favourite life-enhancing books from five different categories. The live audience decides who wins.

Bob MacLennan: What became of ’Wee Fat Bob’?

Tue, 08 Nov 2022 06:49:52 -0400

"Scammed out of a fortune, I begged for food in the Philippines, now I'm homeless in the Highlands'.

Elsie Normington: The Silent Doorbell

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 07:01:38 -0300

Community campaigner Elsie Normington makes good things happen for families in the Highlands, especially parents of children with special needs. In this edition of Ways to Wellbeing she talks to Jeff Zycinski about the new Haven respite centre taking shape in Inverness and shares her strong views on the policy of inclusion in Scottish schools.

Good news from P4W

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 12:11:07 -0300

Kate, Nicola and Jeff with a short update on all that's happening at Partnerships for Wellbeing, including good news about our award winner Dave Greer and plans for a festival of walking and wheeling next year.

Lach: A New Yorker finds happiness in Scotland

Tue, 30 Aug 2022 07:21:12 -0300

New York musician Lach moved to Edinburgh ten years ago and says he's found happiness with a philosophy of life that doesn't let anyone else define his success. He talks to Jeff Zycinski about his new novel Langdimania and why it's always important to "get outta the house" and have "kind adventures".

Kaye Adams: Dancing on Strictly and Turning Sixty

Thu, 18 Aug 2022 09:44:46 -0300

Loose Women regular Kaye Adams shares her worries about turning sixty and reveals why she agreed to take part in the forthcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing. Along the way she talks about life, death, hearing loss and why the criticism she gets from radio listeners sometimes hurts,

David and Geraldine: We fish to relax and to appreciate life.

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 08:48:20 -0300

Jeff Zycinski goes to the banks of the River Ness to find out why some NHS authorities are prescribing fishing as a way to ease anxiety and depression. Retired fireman David McDiarmid says he does it to relax while former breast cancer patient Geraldine Connah says she goes out into the river to enjoy the beauty of her surroundings and appreciate life.

Paul Roebuck: My mouth cancer journey

Fri, 22 Jul 2022 18:25:14 -0300

Jeff talks to fellow mouth cancer survivor Paul Roebuck. In an emotional conversation they compare memories of their diagnosis, the experience of major surgery... and the important support of family and friends.

John Dempster: choosing joy, surviving indoctrination.

Fri, 08 Jul 2022 09:00:22 -0300

Author John Dempster talks about his strict Brethren religion and how its influence and that of his parents impacted on his childhood, early adulthood and his mental health.

Paul Curran: My parents threw me out of the house because I wanted to be a dancer.

Sun, 12 Jun 2022 15:00:17 -0300

Jeff Zycinski talks to fellow Easterhouse school-friend Paul Curran who is now one of the most sought-after opera directors in the world. Paul tells how his parents disowned him when he was 16 because he wanted to be a dancer. That dream ended after an on stage injury but led to new beginnings and a lifetime of happiness and success. .

Helen Black: My mum was a refugee, that’s why I help the homeless.

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 08:25:19 -0300

Jeff talks to Helen Black, the Service Manager at the Salvation Army's Resettlement centre in Inverness. Helen and her team work with vulnerable adults - some as young as 16 - helping them cope with independent living and providing everything from advice about benefits to pots and pans.

John D. Burns: My next book is about hot tents.

Tue, 24 May 2022 11:59:05 -0300

Nicola and Jeff talk to Inverness-based author John Burns. He talks about his love of the hills, his days in a mountain rescue team and the new book he's writing about hot tenting. Can you really put a wood-burning stove in a tent and do you need to be naked if you do that?

Mike Youatt: Gambling addiction can start as young as four years old.

Wed, 18 May 2022 05:03:41 -0300

Nicola and Jeff talk about the fun and fear around gambling and hear from gambling support worker, Mike Youatt who describes how children as young as 4 year old got started on the road to problem betting.

Janice Clyne: Now I feed the ’good guys’ in my gut.

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 06:30:21 -0300

Nicola and Jeff talk to Janice Clyne who admits to being obsessed with fermentation and the importance of feeding the good bacteria in our gut. Janice believes smart food choices involving plenty of fibre and lots of diversity can actually repair some of the damage done by years of bad diets. And don't get her started on artificial sweeteners!

Paula McGuire: I was a recluse for thirty years now I’m the anxious adventurer.

Tue, 12 Apr 2022 11:54:47 -0300

Nicola and Jeff are joined by author and inspirational speaker Paula McGuire. Paula tells how social anxiety blighted her teenage years but by the time she turned thirty she decided to embrace life by tackling one amazing adventure after another.

Partnerships for Wellbeing: April Update

Tue, 05 Apr 2022 15:38:26 -0300

Jeff, Kate and Nicola with the latest news from Partnerships for Wellbeing. Nicola gives us the gossip from the launch night of the Cheery Book Club, Kate recites a special limerick and Jeff tells how his weight loss efforts were hindered by a delicious dessert.

Grace Nicoll: I love Inverness, who doesn’t?

Wed, 23 Mar 2022 12:26:37 -0300

Jeff and Nicola with this week's update from Partnerships for Wellbeing, news about the Cheery Book Club and the special guest is the multi-media star Grace Nicoll who describes how her new BBC video went viral and tells all about her forthcoming sky-dive for Cash for Kids.

Five inspirational guests

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 07:36:11 -0400

Nicola and Jeff with a catch-up programme for new listeners featuring five inspirational guests. Plus... Jeff confesses he got high with a model and dropped his trousers at an airport. Featuring Nanette Mutrie, Nicola Creen, Julia Sutherland, Lesley Robertson and Helga Mellor MacFarlane.

Raymond Mearns: I parked comedy and worked in a pandemic hospital.

Wed, 02 Mar 2022 09:43:42 -0400

Nicola, Kate and Jeff tell us what's happening at Partnerships for Wellbeing and comedian Raymond Means talks about the pursuit of progress, not perfection, as he returns to the stage for his latest tour.