Ways to Wellbeing

Lach: A New Yorker finds happiness in Scotland

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!