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with Tony Kearney

Grief with comedian Cariad Lloyd, why some people choose to be child-free, and how films like All Quiet on the Western Front affect our attitudes to war.

Figures show that births in Scotland have dropped by almost a fifth in a decade. So why are more people seemingly making an active choice not to become parents? Tony Kearney gets an insight into why this might be happening from Dr Dawn Llewellyn an Associate Professor in Religion and Gender at the University of Chester and Dr Zara Gladman who’s a comedian, scientist and presenter.

You may not have heard his name, but you could know his music. Matt Redman is a Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter, worship leader and author. He's been writing hymns for 30 years - and has now written a new album which features in the hit Christian TV show, the Chosen. He speaks to Alex Strangwayes-Booth.

Governmental targets agreed to protect landscapes for nature have intensified discussions here in Scotland about rewilding. Tony discusses the challenges of restoring ecosystems while supporting communities with Steve Micklewright, the chief executive of the Trees for Life charity and convenor of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance and Margaret Pool, a trustee of the Langholm Initiative which is behind the Tarras Valley Nature Reserve.

Talking therapy is a recognised treatment for some mental health conditions. But what might be some of the barriers that prevent people from accessing it, particularly due to class? Tony explores the issue with Rich Tildesly, an outdoor therapist at Scottish charity Venture Trust, and Simone Daniels, who is a counsellor in a comprehensive school and also runs a private practice.

Alan Cumming's decision to give back his OBE was prompted, he said, by recent conversations around the British Empire which made him revaluate his feelings. It brings up the question of how we can make sure that we continue to question our own beliefs. Tony is joined by broadcaster and academic at The University of Edinburgh, Mona Siddiqui, and journalist Neil Mackay.

In her multi-award winning podcast Griefcast, comedian Cariad Lloyd chats to well-known faces about loss. Cariad lost her own dad to pancreatic cancer when she was 15. She talks to Tony about her newly released a book You Are Not Alone, inspired by her own experience of grief.

One of the front runners for this year’s Academy Awards is All Quiet on the Western Front. Based on the book by German author Erich Maria Remarque, the story has become a classic of anti-war literature. But how can works of art affect our attitudes to conflict? Film critic Ian Hoey joins Tony along with Professor Jolyon Mitchell from the University of Edinburgh, who specialises in the role of arts in religion, violence and peacebuilding.

2 hours

Last on

Sun 5 Feb 2023 08:00

Music Played

  • Marlena Shaw

    California Soul

    • Marlena Shaw Anthology.
    • Soul Brother Records.
    • 2.
  • Fatboy Slim

    Praise You

    • Now 1999 - The Millennium Series.
    • Now.
  • Karine Polwart

    Take Its Own Time

    • Scribbled In Chalk.
    • Spit And Polish.
    • 8.
  • Fleetwood Mac

    Everywhere

    • The Very Best Of Fleetwood Mac.
    • Warner Strategic Marketi.
    • 13.
  • Randy Newman

    You've Got A Friend In Me

    • Toy Story O.S.T..
    • Walt Disney Records.
  • Pictish Trail

    Dead Connection

    • Future Echoes.
    • Lost Map.
  • Laura Mvula

    Sing To The Moon

    • Sing to the Moon (Deluxe).
    • RCA Records Label.
    • 10.
  • Madonna

    Ray Of Light

    • Madonna - Greatest Hits Volume 2.
    • Maverick.
    • 10.

Broadcast

  • Sun 5 Feb 2023 08:00