Best Karen Dunbar Podcasts (2025)

1
Patrick Grant, Jason Donovan, Sophie McCarthy, The Young'Uns, Mychelle, Stuart Maconie 38:55

2h ago38:55

38:55

Jason Donovan won the hearts of millions alongside Kylie Minogue in the Australian soap Neighbours; then his debut album was the biggest seller of 1989 and he topped the UK singles chart 4 times. In the 1990s he reinvented himself in musical theatre with acclaimed roles in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Priscilla Queen of the Desert …

1
Paloma Faith, Mike Bubbins, Frank Cottrell Boyce, Helen Carr, Euros Childs, Kizzy Crawford 36:17

7d ago36:17

36:17

Clive Anderson brings us Loose Ends from the Hay Festival. Joining Clive in front of a Hay audience are singer Paloma Faith who last year released her most personal album 'The Glorification of Sadness'. She also published her first book 'MILF' (no, not that one), a rousing call to arms for women to take up space, based on her experiences in the mus…

1
Accessible design systems with Karen Hawkins 36:40

9d ago36:40

36:40

S03E11 (#339). Karen Hawkins, accessible design practice lead at Level access and chair of the W3C ARRM group joins us to discuss accessibility and design systems. Design systems can really help improve accessibility, but in reality design teams often don’t know their exact responsibilities, leading to accessibility gaps in implementation. We talk …

1
Jess Gillam, Stevie Martin, Georgia Ruth, Emma Jane Unsworth, Ben Aitken, Stuart Maconie 35:29

15d ago35:29

35:29

The comedian and podcaster Stevie Martin is currently battling it out in the latest series of Channel 4’s award winning show Taskmaster - you might have enjoyed her "most snooty possession" which was a portrait of her pet tortoise in military uniform. She'll be here to tell us all about getting "the call" and her favourite games...sorry... tasks. I…

1
#42: Alex Hutchinson | Seeking the Unknown 52:18

18d ago52:18

52:18

Science journalist Alex Hutchinson explores risk, reinvention, and what drives us to seek the unknown – in sport, life, and beyond. With a rare mix of elite athletic experience and academic insight, Alex unpacks what drives high performers to grow, adapt, and keep going, especially when the path ahead isn’t clear. Whether you’re an athlete, a leade…

1
Gruff Rhys, Phina Oruche, Kate Mossman, Divina De Campo, Joe Kent-Walters 38:45

22d ago38:45

38:45

Joining Stuart Maconie in the Salford studio are the actress Phina Oruche who began her career modelling in America. She's best known for playing Liberty Baker in Footballers Wives. Phina is currently on stage at the Liverpool Everyman in Nathan Powell's new play 'Takeaway', where she stars as Carol, the matriach behind Hyltons Caribbean takeaway. …

1
Designer burnout with Katrina Alcorn 40:12

23d ago40:12

40:12

S03E10 (#338). About 15 years ago Katrina Alcorn suffered from burnout while managing a team of designers and raising a family. Drawing from her own experience, Katrina highlights during our conversation the importance of autonomy, connection, as well as purpose in the workplace. We discuss the ways in which burnout can be avoided and how to create…

1
Dancing with Uncertainty: Creativity, Leadership & the Power of Art | Margaret Heffernan 35:23

24d ago35:23

35:23

Why the future belongs to the imaginative — what leaders can learn from art. In this rich and provocative conversation, Tracey Camilleri welcomes best-selling author, entrepreneur, and professor Margaret Heffernan to talk about her latest book, Embracing Uncertainty: How Writers, Musicians, and Artists Thrive in an Unpredictable World. Together the…

1
Unbound Tool #11 Fighting Disease Through Visualisation with Patrick Sweeney 4:18

26d ago4:18

4:18

In this Unbound Tool, best-selling author and entrepreneur Patrick Sweeney shares his journey of battling a rare form of leukaemia, using mental performance techniques from the Olympic Training Centre. As doctors collaborated with a Penn State expert, Patrick harnessed visualisation to strengthen his mind and body, picturing his cells as warriors f…

1
Alex Horne and The Horne Section, Susie Dent, Anoushka Shankar, Kate Wiliams, Callum Scott Howells, Clive Anderson 37:14

29d ago37:14

37:14

Taskmaster star, comic and sitcom actor Alex Horne joins Clive Anderson to talk about season two of his sitcom, to introduce his comedic band The Horne Section and tell us why he's never running out of taskmaster tasks. The lexicographer and broadcaster Susie Dent is now a mystery thriller writer too, she'll be with us to talk about twisty word clu…

1
Rachel Joyce, Matilda Mann, Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Levison Wood, Maya Delilah, Stuart Maconie 36:34

1M ago36:34

36:34

Rachel Joyce’s debut novel The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry was a bestseller in 30 languages, became a much-loved film with Jim Broadbent and is about to become a stage musical. She's also got a new novel, a sun-soaked family drama called The Homemade God which has already been hailed by one critic as "the perfect holiday read". Levison Wood h…

1
Headspace with Cal Thompson 48:44

1M ago48:44

48:44

S03E09 (#337). Cal Thompson, VP of Product Design and Research at Headspace, joins us to talk about the evolution of Headspace from a pure mindfulness app to a comprehensive mental health platform, including health coaches and therapists. We chat about Headspace’s internal culture and how they manage being a healthy workplace as a health company. W…

1
Kieran Hodgson, Julie Lin, Lewis Gribben, Selali Fiamanya, Skerryvore, Mike McKenzie 35:16

1M ago35:16

35:16

Clive Anderson will be joined by comedian and star of Two Doors Down Kieran Hodgson ahead of his upcoming show Voice Of America. Chef Julie Lin's cookery book Sama Sama celebrates all parts of her Malaysian, Chinese and Scottish identity and mixes tradition with innovation. Lewis Gribben stars in the new series of Charlie Brooker's multi award-winn…

1
Karen Dunbar, Mollie Hughes, Rosco McClelland, Kirsty MacLaren, NATI., Lewis McLaughlin 34:13

2M ago34:13

34:13

Stuart Maconie will be joined by comedian Karen Dunbar, star of sketch comedy show Chewin’ The Fat, ahead of her nationwide tour. Restless Natives: The Musical is the new stage adaptation of the Scottish cult classic. Actor Kirsty MacLaren stars in the show which brings some of Big Country's greatest hits to life. Rosco McClelland celebrates his re…

1
UX for business with Joel Marsh 44:24

2M ago44:24

44:24

S03E08 (#336). Inspired by feedback from his booked UX for beginners, Joel Marsh has written UX for business. A comprehensive guide for designers navigating real-world challenges. We talk to him about his own journey from design principles to practical business applications. We chat about Joel’s VDP methodology: Value, Diagnosis, and Probability, e…

1
#41: Karen Eber | How to Influence & Inspire Through Storytelling 52:07

2M ago52:07

52:07

Karen Eber breaks down the science of storytelling and why it’s the secret weapon for influence, connection, and driving real change. Karen shares how the right story can shape teams, inspire action, and build stronger relationships. Whether you're leading a company, managing a team, or just want to communicate more effectively, this conversation i…

1
Billy Porter, Deborah Frances White, Anna Chancellor, Lapsley, Anthony Joseph 34:50

2M ago34:50

34:50

Joining Clive Anderson in the Loose Ends studio are the Emmy award-winning actor Billy Porter, currently hanging out in the Kit-Kat club where he is starring as Emcee. Comedian and 'Guilty Feminist' podcaster Deborah Frances White has just published a new book 'Six Conversations We're Scared to Have', about how to ask difficult questions and change…

1
Tomaz Interview Audio 51:12

2M ago51:12

51:12

Join me as I chat to Tomaz Mueller to find out more about Ayurvedic wellbeing.Tomaz is an accomplished Ayurvedic and Holistic Health Practitioner with over three decades of experience. He began his journey with Guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of the transcendental meditation movement, and went on to open and manage prestigious Ayurvedic cli…

1
Michael Rosen, Barbara Flynn, Dylan Jones, Kemah Bob, Grace Petrie, Brad Kella, Stuart Maconie 35:46

2M ago35:46

35:46

Loose Ends this week is all about finding the light. Poet, performer and broadcaster Michael Rosen is touring a one man show making sense of some of the darker moments of his life. Dylan Jones was the editor of era-defining magazines like i-D, Arena and British GQ in the 1990s and noughties. Now his memoir, These Foolish Things - tells how he left …

1
Service literacy with Lou Downe 41:29

2M ago41:29

41:29

S03E07 (#335). Lou Downe, author of Good Services and former director of design for the UK government joins us in this episode. We sat down with Lou and asked—Where is service design going wrong, and are we even doing service design? Among the topics we discussed were: The complexity of modern services and the complete reliance on infrastructure, a…

1
Unbound Tool #10 The Mental Cost of Constant Virtual Connectivity with Sarah McKay 6:15

2M ago6:15

6:15

What happens when technology takes the place of real-world interactions? In this Unbound Tool, Sarah McKay reveals the impact of digital life on our well-being, touching on everything from social media addiction to the loss of authentic communication. As our reliance on virtual connections grows, Sarah warns of the mental health consequences and th…

1
Bridget Christie, Adam Frost, Louise Young, Richard Dawson, Abel Selaocoe 33:25

2M ago33:25

33:25

Clive Anderson's guests in Salford include Bridget Christie who returns with series two of The Change. Gardener's World expert Adam Frost who is on the road with his 'Lessons from the Garden' tour and up and coming stand up Louise Young. Music is from Richard Dawson who has just released a new album 'End of the Middle' and cellist and singer Abel S…

1
Unbound Tool #9 How to Create and Maintain Powerful Connections with Jordan Harbinger 3:26

2M ago3:26

3:26

What if you could build a network based on trust and mutual respect, without ever asking for anything in return? Jordan Harbinger breaks down the art of relationship-building in a way that is both practical and meaningful. Tune in to learn how you can use these techniques in your own life to cultivate deeper connections and open doors you didn’t ev…

1
Declan Lawn, Naoise Dolan, John Meagher, Emer Maguire, Ryan McMullan, Chubby Cat 36:42

3M ago36:42

36:42

Stuart Maconie and guests come together with mighty laughs, big stories, and altogether good craic from Lisburn, Northern Ireland. Declan Lawn is a screenwriter of multiple TV series alongside his creative partner Adam Patterson, including the successful Blue Lights as well as the BBC miniseries The Salisbury Poisonings. Series three of Blue Lights…

1
Defending against evil with Aarathi Krishnan 40:39

3M ago40:39

40:39

S03E06 (#334). Aarathi Krishnan is an international aid expert, specialising in humanitarian futures and strategic foresight. In a world where the sets of rules that have governed us as humanity are rapidly changing, how will we know if the solutions that we are designing now are going to be fit for purpose? Aarathi pushes the importance of account…

1
Michael Ball; Hollie McNish; Pearl Mackie; Sam Lee; Pierre Novellie; Clive Anderson 34:44

3M ago34:44

34:44

Clive hosts Loose Ends with an audience in London this week with a set of guests with a serious work ethic and willingness to try new things in the name of entertainment. The chart topping superstar and award winning actor Michael Ball is now also a best selling novelist. Can life backstage really be as chaotic as this page-turner set in theatrelan…

1
Interview with Scottish Actress and Comedian Louise McCarthy 29:42

3M ago29:42

29:42

The GGC is teaming up with The Lyceum Theatre for a fantastic giveaway to celebrate the premiere of Wild Rose - The Musical! Join us as we chatted with 𝐋𝐨𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐌𝐜𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐲, who is set to play Jackie in the Wild Rose Musical, about:🎟 Wild Rose – The Musical🎤 The journey from award-winning film to stage🏆 How YOU can win a theatre trip to Edinburgh!📅 Date…

1
Dave Gorman, Angela Barnes, Simon Barnes, HotWax, Ni Maxine 34:24

3M ago34:24

34:24

Stuart Maconie is looking on the bright side this week with Dave Gorman who thinks that 'Modern Life is Goodish'. In the latest installment of his TV series, Dave Gorman is back with his trusty powerpoint as he falls down rabbit holes but always with a smile on his face -ish. And just to balance out all that positivity we've got natural worrier Ang…

1
Fail early 42:42

3M ago42:42

42:42

S03E05 (#333). A linkshow. James and Per discuss two articles they’ve stumbled on. This time we feature articles about things that slow down your website’s experience and why you can’t do anything about it plus the concept of “failing early” but not in a “failing fast” startup way. Article one is Six things that slow down your site’s UX (and why yo…

1
#40: Robin Dunbar | The Science of Human Connection and Evolution 1:09:38

3M ago1:09:38

1:09:38

Robin Dunbar, a renowned anthropologist and evolutionary psychologist, delves into human connection and the evolution of social structures. He is widely known for devising "Dunbar’s Number," which explores how early life in culturally diverse environments shaped his understanding of the social complexities in monkeys, apes, and humans. From his gro…

1
Stewart Lee, Barb Jungr, Philippa Dunne, Biig Piig, Aysha Kala 35:36

3M ago35:36

35:36

Stuart Maconie is joined by the 41st best stand up ever to talk about his new tour 'Stewart Lee Vs The Man-Wulf', and by Philippa Dunne who plays Anne in the school gates sitcom 'Motherland'. Anne is back in the spinoff series 'Amandaland', focusing on Anne's glamorous best friend Amanda. Aysha Kala tells us how she nailed the accent to play Saima …

1
Hue and Cry, Larry Dean, Kirsty Logan, Jack Docherty, Su-a Lee 35:03

4M ago35:03

35:03

Jack Docherty has entertained audiences in eight series of BBC Scotland’s mockumentary police show Scot Squad, as Chief Commissioner Cameron Miekelson. He returns to our screens in new spin-off The Chief. Writer Kirsty Logan has written on witches, mermaids, and motherhood. Her latest collection of dark tales of love and desire is No & Other Love S…

1
More systems thinking with Sheryl Cababa 48:47

4M ago48:47

48:47

S03E04 (#332). Two years on from when Sheryl Cababa released Closing The Loop, her book about systems thinking for designers, we hear Sheryls reflections and insights about what she’s learnt during that time and we grapple with the challenge of applying system thinking as designers “out of the box”. We work in a complex space, with many complex as …

1
The Social Brain: Cracking the Code of Human Connection | Robin Dunbar 47:05

4M ago47:05

47:05

What Primates, Group Dynamics, and the Dunbar Number teach us about Thriving. How do we create truly connected, thriving teams in an increasingly hybrid world? Join Tracey Camilleri and Robin Dunbar, co-authors of The Social Brain: The Psychology of Successful Groups, as they delve into the science of social connection and organisational dynamics. …

1
Kevin Clifton, Liz Lochhead, The Hebridean Baker, Wild Rose, Mama Terra 34:29

4M ago34:29

34:29

Kevin Clifton entertained the nation for years on Strictly, now he can often be found treading the boards instead – and is currently starring in Chicago as it tours the country. Poet and former Scots Makar Liz Lochhead talks about her collection of poems A Handsel ahead of her appearance at the Winter Words Festival in Pitlochry. Coinneach MacLeod,…

1
Unbound Tool #8 123 Days Alone: Finding Joy in the Struggle 4:50

4M ago4:50

4:50

In this Unbound Tool, we explore the profound power of inner dialogue and how it shapes our mental and emotional well-being. Woniya Thibeault shares her unique experience of spending months in complete solitude, confronting the thoughts and stories that surfaced in her mind. Tune in to discover how small wins, rituals, and intentional positivity ca…

1
Mhairi Black, Gordon Buchanan, EMEL, Cal MacAninch, Michael Pedersen, LÉDA 34:35

4M ago34:35

34:35

Natural history presenter and cameraman Gordon Buchanan’s new book In The Hide is a look back at some of his greatest adventures across the world, from Mumbai to Mongolia. In 2015 Mhairi Black became the youngest MP elected to the House of Commons since the 1800s. After stepping down at the 2024 General Election, she turned her mind to her tell-all…

1
Murky middle with Christina Joy Whittaker 38:29

4M ago38:29

38:29

S03E03 (#331). Your destiny isn’t tied to a role. You were a person before your role. Leadership expert and strategist Christina Joy Whittaker talks to us about the murky middle, a phenomenon rooted in misalignment and purpose and quite distinct from imposter syndrome which is rooted in confidence. Christina shares her personal journey from corpora…

1
Susie McCabe, Peat and Diesel, Carina Contini, Meredith Brook, Paul Malgrati 35:50

4M ago35:50

35:50

Clive Anderson celebrates Scotland’s Bard with a special Loose Ends Burns Supper. Comedian Susie McCabe is back with her new show Best Behaviour. The Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow award-winner and host of the smash-hit podcast Here Comes The Guillotine is headed for Glasgow Comedy Festival. Meredith Brook stars in new BBC ALBA drama An t-Eilean …

1
#39: Marc Brackett | Harnessing Emotional Intelligence in Life and Leadership 55:52

4M ago55:52

55:52

Marc Brackett discusses the impact of negativity bias, extroversion vs. introversion, and the key role of emotional intelligence in leadership. He dives deep into the effects of social comparison on mental health, advocating for self-compassion and empathy to tackle these emotional challenges. Drawing from personal and professional experiences, Mar…

1
Deacon Blue, Paul McKenna, Rachel Sermanni, Julie Wilson Nimmo, Jon Muq 35:28

4M ago35:28

35:28

This year the Scottish pop rock band Deacon Blue celebrates 40 years together. Not only is the band going strong – so is the marriage bringing together its lead vocalists Ricky Ross and Lorraine McIntosh. They both join Nihal Arthanayake to reflect on four decades of music-making. Paul McKenna’s career has taken him from radio DJ to stage hypnotist…

1
The Great Amazon Heist with Oobah Butler 41:39

5M ago41:39

41:39

S03E02 (#330). Oobah Butler, journalist and filmmaker known for his prankster antics, joined us to discuss his work, including “The Great Amazon Heist” and “The Shed at Dulwich”. Oobah highlights the relative ease of manipulating algorithms, such as TripAdvisor and Amazon, to boost fake products’ rankings. We also discussed the broader implications…

1
Laughter is the Best Medicine: the Link Between Comedy and Leadership | John Vlismas 29:47

5M ago29:47

29:47

Building Community and Connection through Humour. Join Sam Rockey in a captivating conversation with comedian, leader, and educator John Vlismas as they explore the profound intersections of comedy, leadership, and personal growth. In this episode, John shares his transformative journey from a high-energy entertainer seeking adoration to a reflecti…

1
Interview with The Fertility Mentor 54:28

5M ago54:28

54:28

A chat around fertility and PCOS with The Fertility MentorOver the next few months Claire Innes will be live across the GGC groups to share some information and education around fertility and will be sharing tips on how women can take control of their egg quality and lifestyles to support their fertility journey.*Trigger warning - baby loss, miscar…

1
Joanne Harris, Richard Blackwood, Dr Rangan Chatterjee, Nina Gilligan, Clive Anderson, The Deep Blue, John Bramwell 35:47

5M ago35:47

35:47

Loose Ends is in Hebden Bridge this week, a town made famous by the BBC drama Happy Valley, but you might also recognise the place and its glorious scenery from Last Tango in Halifax, Gentleman Jack or The Gallow's Pole. Clive will talk to local resident and bestselling novelist Joanne Harris, maybe best known for Chocolat which was adapted into an…

1
Unbound Tool #7 Mastering the “Five Mountains” in 2025 with Mark Divine 6:00

5M ago6:00

6:00

Mark Divine, former Navy SEAL commander, reveals how mastering physical, mental, emotional, intuitional, and spiritual aspects, which make up the "Five Mountains", can lead to extraordinary resilience and self-mastery. Mark’s insights have reshaped the way many perceive personal transformation and leadership. Check the full episode here: https://ww…

1
Blossoms, Rowetta, Graham Fellows and Miranda Sawyer 32:05

5M ago32:05

32:05

Loose Ends is kicking off the year with a special recording at the Salford Lad's Club. If your New Year's resolution is to listen to music we've got you covered as Stuart Maconie will be joined by Stockport's finest, Blossoms, performing songs from their fourth UK number one album 'Gary'. We also have the powerhouse vocals of Rowetta, who will also…

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