Just Stories

In our fourteenth episode, we are honoured to bring to you Sylwia Kolasinska's story. Sylwia and I met next door to the Mud Station Pottery, a studio that Sylwia owns and runs in Edinburgh, Scotland. Sylwia describes herself as a self-taught potter. She strongly believes that's it's never too late to start a new hobby or find a new passion! In today's episode Sylwia shares her huge knowledge about clay and pottery. She explains how she has built a community around clay. Sylwia also talks about clay firing techniques and she talks about reasons for closing all ceramics education departments in Scotland.  If you wish to learn more about Sylwia's's passion and her work, please visit: https://www.mudstation.co.uk.  Tune in tonight and listen to Sylwia's story! Music from https://www.zapsplat.com  Photos: Mud Station Pottery

In our thirteenth  episode, we are honoured to bring to you Kim Ritchie's story. Kim and I will take you for a walk to Binning Wood in East Lothian, Scotland. It's a place where today's guest and her Border Search and Rescue Unit team had to go on a call out. Kim will talk about personal struggles and rewarding feeling, teamwork, searches and will reveal how to become a volunteer with the mountain rescue team. Kim volunteers Borders Search and Rescue unit which is a part of the Scottish Mountain Rescue. The team covers the South-East of Scotland, including the Lammermuir and Cheviot Hill Rangers in Scotland. Kim loves adventure, flying, helping people and hill walking.  If you wish to learn more about mountain rescue or support and donate Border Search and Rescue unit please visit https://www.bordersar.org.uk/viewItem.php. Tune in and listen to Kim's story! Music from https://www.zapsplat.com

In our twelfth  episode, we are honoured to bring to you Sarah Curtis' story. Sarah loves nature, bees and most importantly adventure! Sarah’s biggest hobby is flying. We will hear how she got into piloting microlights and what it means to her. Sarah is one of two women who have a piloting licence in Microlight Club in East Fortune in Scotland. A place that has been on the go since 1989.  Tune in and listen to Sarah's story! Music from https://www.zapsplat.com

In our eleventh episode, we are honoured to bring to you Pat Lemmol's story.  I met with Pat in the Bridge Centre in Haddington, East Lothian in Scotland. The centre is a home for The Lammermuir Larder.  We talked about Pam' involvement in the community and the latest food initiatives she co-created with other volunteers.  Tune in and listen to Pam's story! Music from https://www.zapsplat.com

In our tenth episode, we are honoured to bring to you Alasdair McDougall's story.  I met with Alasdair in the Amisfield Walled Garden in Haddington, East Lothian. We talked about Alasdair's involvement in community gardening, history of walled gardens, gardening itself. It was a great opportunity to take in the peaceful atmosphere that the garden offers.  Tune in and listen to Alasdair's story! Music from https://www.zapsplat.com

In our ninth episode, we are honoured to bring to you Justyna Majewska's story. Justyna Majewska came to Scotland almost a quarter of a century ago. She describes herself as a world citizen. Justyna says that journeys at youth are part of the education but at maturity are part of the experience. Justyna describes herself as a sunrise lover who uses the early hours of a morning to teach yoga at JuYoga.  Justyna loves people as much as she loves yoga and travelling. Today, therefore, we will talk about a community of women - Moc Kobiet - that Justyna co-created.  Justyna will also talk about why an analogy of washing dishes helped her to improve relationships. If you wish to discover why? ... tune in! Tune in and listen to Justyna's story! Music and sound effects from https://www.zapsplat.com

In our eight episode, we are honoured to bring to you Barbara Mackenzie's story. Barbara is an East Lothian painter who knows a secret to choosing a good painting. She describes herself as a ‘new lady’ from down the road, despite having lived in Scotland for 50 years. Barbara, in today's episode, shares how to order Turkey's favourite drink and how she used St. Paul's Letters from the Bible as a tour guide when she visited Turkey.   Barbara will explain what recycling means to her and why is it important.  Barbara and I, in today's episode, will have a blether. I will try to get to know her favourite place and herself.  Tune in and listen to Barbara's story! Music from https://www.zapsplat.com

In our seventh episode, we are honoured to bring to you Moc Kobiet's story.  Today’s episode will be different, as I recorded the conversation in Polish. I talked to two Polish women: Ewa Rogos-Chuchro and Justyna Majewska. They decided to help women to discover their power by creating a community: Moc Kobiet.  Tune in (if you speak Polish) and listen to Moc Kobiet's story! Music from https://www.zapsplat.com

In our sixth episode, we are honoured to bring to you Ed Bethune's story. Ed Bethune has got a passion for old railway lines and will talk about his family 'obsession' with the railways and how his holidays always involved being near a steam railway. Ed will explain how he got discovered the road rail in Cockenzie, East Lothian and build the replica of an old wagon for the first railway in Scotland. Ed will also tell us why bull's blood was essential in the production of salt. Tune in and listen to Ed Bethune's story! Music from https://www.zapsplat.com

In our fifth episode, we are honoured to bring to you Ewa Sample's story. Ewa Samples received her very first camera when she was 15. She has been working as a photographer for the last 10 years. Ewa's special place is photography that she refers to as a space that serves its purpose as a mental sanctuary. Ewa will speak about how photography and art helped her to overcome her anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts. "Photography is a story that I failed to put into words." Tune in and listen to Ewa's story! Music from https://www.zapsplat.com

In our fourth episode, we are honoured to bring to you Karl Macrae's story. Karl is a proud Highlander. In today's episode, he will talk about how to be true to yourself. Karl will speak about his music, love for teaching and embroidery. He will also explain how he has made a safe and creative space that he now calls home.  Karl is a professional musician, artist and teacher based in Leith, Edinburgh. He is a freelance creative who used to work as a teacher in Special Education until 2017, where he broke free and started his freelance work. Tune in and listen to Karl's story! Music and sounds: Karl Macrae (www.karlmacrae.me) Music from https://www.zapsplat.com

In our second episode, we are honoured to bring to you aGa Pinczak's story. She grew up in Poland and in 2005 arrived in Scotland looking for a better life. Better meant to her to be accepted as a lesbian and live an honest life which she can share with others without fear. Working mostly with vulnerable people for the last 16 years, she needed to face her own demons and vulnerabilities, so she could grow as a human being. She tells us how a huge support from a certain place and a certain person helped her to live a better life today. Tune in and listen to aGa's story! Music and sounds from https://www.zapsplat.com

In our first episode, we are honoured to bring to you Louise Hastie's story. She grew up in South Australia, with long summer days spent at the beach. Now, living on a dairy farm in East Lothian, she still loves the beautiful coastline, even if it's a little different. She tells us how protecting our ocean has inspired her work with Lil. Tune in and listen to Lou's story! Music from https://www.zapsplat.com