This episode is about how justice and humanity can intersect, and what happens when you treat people like they can still be more than the worst thing they’ve ever done.

I’m viscerally aware of how serious crimes affect victims - I’ve felt that pain myself, but every conversation needs space for nuance.

And in this episode, you’ll hear former Barlinnie prison officer Frank and I have a very detailed one.

We discuss his expansive work history and his view of life inside Barlinnie, how modern innovations in rule-breaking make it tough to stop drugs getting in, plus the blackmail methods used against guards…

We take a look at the social factors behind crime and why so many end up in a cycle of prison, addiction, and reoffending…

And we explore why, in some cases, investing in rehabilitation makes more sense than a never-ending, expensive spiral.

And as always, there’s loads more.

Contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.com

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Angela Landers is a teacher of transcendental meditation at the TM Centre in Glasgow, recently displaced following the vape-shop fire on Union Street.

In this conversation, we explore what transcendental meditation actually is, what it does to the mind and body, and why more people are turning inwards in a world that feels increasingly loud, constant, and overwhelming.

We get into the crossover between science and long-standing spiritual practices, how attention and awareness shape our experience, and whether looking inward offers something that modern life doesn’t.

I’m not offering a neat solution, because there isn’t one. I’m just asking the right questions.

If life feels like too much at times, and you find yourself constantly looking outward for something to settle that, this might shift your perspective.

contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.com

TM Glasgow

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Derek McEwan is preparing to take on the Marathon des Sables, a six-day, 250km ultra-marathon across the Sahara, where runners carry their own supplies and face extreme heat and cold.

He’s doing it to raise money for the Catherine McEwan Foundation, set up in memory of his mum, who died aged 37 after living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease for 21 years. The charity supports people dealing with chronic pain, fatigue, and the daily realities of IBD.

To understand the challenge, I joined Derek in a 35°C heat chamber session with humidity and reduced oxygen. Even over an hour, the strain on breathing, heart rate, and effort levels was clear, offering a glimpse into both the race conditions and the ongoing reality for those living with IBD.

contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.com

Catherine McEwan Foundation

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