He thought he was indestructible, but when illness brought him to his knees it also served him with lessons of personal growth he never expected.

Mike Forbes is former fly-fishing champion, in his own words a ‘hairy-assed farmer’ from Angus, and a man who looked a 10% survival rate in the eye and told it to sod off.

This episode of the Unmuted podcast shares the bare faced resilience but also the unswerving humility of Mike’s spirit.

Mike started life as a second generation farmer who sees opportunities in challenges. When the pig farming business was in decline, he transformed a run down boathouse into a coveted luxury country resort.

His real transformation occurred during his recovery from a rare leukemia. Faced with a 10% survival rate, Mike found faith through a series of events that have shaped him into a man who now expresses empathy, humility and transparency.

For those of you who have visited Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort, the history of the location and man who made this place will likely astound you. For anyone who has faced a dark journey of their own, this podcast might serve as a beacon of light.

An incredible story of an incredible man whose outlook on life is from a life well lived.

#forbespfkingennie #mikeforbes #faithlikepotatoes #inspiringstories #scottishheroes

Music: 'Spirit of Fire' - fiftysounds.com

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Victoria’s job is so much more than photographing boudoir shots. It’s been a space of reclamation, driving her to advocate on body positivity to youth groups, and her salvation when her life crumbled in 2024.

From quitting the office job she hated and never even handling a camera, Victoria Baptiste found herself as a career photographer and discovered the creative and meaningful work that came from boudoir photography.

I met with Victoria to discuss the importance of high emotional intelligence in a job where your customers are at their most vulnerable. I learned that this safety in vulnerability offers Victoria's customers an emotional outlet that they often aren’t anticipating.

She explains that her work is less about the photos themselves and more about reclaiming self-worth for women who have survived cancer, domestic violence, or body dysmorphia.

A central theme of the episode is resilience. Victoria shares her experience of losing her father, her dog, her home, and her relationship while navigating a pregnancy loss—all within eight months. She credits her survival to her business and the "anchor" of small daily routines. The episode also explores the dangers of social media "perfection" culture, the rise of AI, and Victoria’s work with youth charities to promote healthy body image in schools.

Take a listen to learn how Flux Photography’s Victoria Baptiste handles life with half dressed customers with the greatest care.

Music: 'Spirit of Fire' - fiftysounds.com

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Carl Cashman may be described as the UK’s hottest politician, but that should be representative of his keen ambition and remarkable commitment to the betterment of the community of Liverpool, not just his appearance.

In an age where we often find political leaders who are out of touch and without empathy, In Carl, I met a leader who knows that empathy and emotional intelligence help him.

He is quick to share the stories of people in his community who have inspired him, who provide mentorship and inspiration. This isn’t a solo rise to success, but a collective effort and one that Carl celebrates openly.

At just 34, Carl is the leader for the Liberal Democrats in Liverpool. If you’ve seen him on TV, heard him on the radio, or met with him in person, you’ll likely agree that he does not fit the stereotype of the typical politician.

Personable, authentic and passionate; Carl is first and foremost a member of the Liverpool community. He leads with heart as much as strategy and not once did he offer a ‘politician’s’ answer to any of my questions.

An inspiring, humbling and empowering podcast guest - take a listen to Carl as he shares his thoughts on how we can think, inspire and communicate with each other for a better quality of life in our communities.

Music: 'Spirit of Fire' - fiftysounds.com

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Unmuted was recently commissioned to produce eight short-form audio packages to be broadcast on Pride FM.

'Learning How To Dive' is the brainchild of award-winning writer, Brendan Murray.

The play is about three people, one uncertain future, love, lies, loss and what comes next.

It is much more than a work of fiction. The story is based on Brendan's thirty-year relationship with a married man.

Here are all eight short form interviews in one, easy-to-listen feature.

TUNE TO PRIDE FM FOR MORE STORIES FROM BRENDAN MURRAY…YOU CAN SEE HIS PLAY, ‘LEARNING HOW TO DIVE’ AT THE WHITE BEAR THEATRE ON KENNIGTON ROAD IN LONDON FROM THE 10TH TO THE 21ST OF FEBRUARY 2026. THERE ARE EVENING AN MATINEE PERFORMANCES…GO TO WWW.DAMNCHEEK.CO.UK FOR MORE INFORMATION.

MUSIC: 'I Get Along Without You Very Well (Except Sometimes)' Chet Baker (Composer: H Carmichael)

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“I don’t know a harder job when you’re not feeling the way you are; my best friend and brother died within 7 days of each other and I went on air and talked about it because that's where the two worlds marry up.”

The task of a radio presenter is to set the tone and mood for your day - despite what they may be feeling on the inside.

They may be the first voices that you hear in the morning. They tell you the good news and the bad. They pep you up, they calm you down. You feel like you know them…but do you really know the story behind that trusted voice?

Radio and radio presenters have long held the highest form of trust as a media source.

What is about radio that makes it feel so trusting? And why does deep emotional intelligence play such an important role in how you connect with the station of your choice?

At its heart, radio is typically consumed as a 1-2-1 media - you listen in your car, as you cook, as you work. Radio presenters are trained to deliver their content to you, the single person, not the mass audience it actually reaches, which is why it feels so personal.

In this podcast, I speak to 3 of my radio protegees who have gone on to major success in their field. Garry Spence broadcasts daily on Clyde 1 across Scotland, Paul Harper is heard daily on Jack FM in Canada, and Pete Snodden can be found on Cool FM across Northern Ireland.

We share a peek behind the curtain of life on radio and discuss how they show up everyday - even when they are navigating terrible personal trauma.

There are great stories here about their experiences, their careers, and how they manage when life gets tough. Take a listen and share your thoughts with us!

#radiopresenters #lifeinradio #emotionalintelligence #presentingskills #inspiringpodcast

Music: 'Spirit of Fire' - fiftysounds.com

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Unmuted: Unplanned is our podcast where the presenter is unaware of the questions ready to be asked.

Our guest is presented with a red velvet bag in to which they are invited to delve and remove questions, one at a time. The only rule, they MUST answer, no matter how challenging the question may be.

At the heart of all their answers are examples of emotional intelligence.

Please note, in this podcast, their is discussion of suicide.

The first guest on Unmuted: Unplanned is Professor Scott Brady.

Scott is an entrepreneur, lawyer, businessman, author, academic and philanthropist.

Scott was appointed as the University of Dundee’s first Entrepreneur-in-Residence, and accepted an Honorary Fellow of the University of Dundee in 2013 in recognition of the student career support he has given over fifteen years whilst Managing Director of his business, ecos limited.

In 2019 Scott and his wife, Alison, formed SB Global HR and Legal LLP. The global legal advisory and support service has secured contracts in its first year of operation and now works on investigative projects in Denmark, Belgium, Singapore, Manilla, London and South America. Ecos limited continues to operate as a separate successful legal entity.

In January 2020 Scott took up the role as Entrepreneur in Residence – The University of Stirling to promote and support the existing work of the University Enterprise Programme Team. Scott was appointed an Honorary Professor at the University at the end of 2020.

In January 2022 Scott was appointed Professor in Practice at the University of Dundee. Scott was also appointed to the Board of the School of Business at the University. Scott has recently resigned this position to allow for volunteering opportunities abroad.

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Ellis Watson is one of the UK's leading senior media executives with experience, reputation and a heritage that is second to none.

Ellis has been largely responsible for the worldwide success of the TV quiz programme 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire' during his time with Celador, was head-hunted to lead Simon Cowell's Syco Entertainment Group, had led companies as diverse as Mirror Group Newspapers, Menzies Distribution and FirstGroup, but it was at the iconic publishing company DC Thomson where Ellis met the founder of Unmuted, Gary Robinson, for the first time.

In this interview with Gary, recorded in 2016, Unmuted is proud to be able to share Ellis' story ten year later.

Regardless of the industry you work in, if you are a freelancer, sole-trader, student or volunteer, this podcast is for you.

A story that illustrates that, with the right mindset and attitude to life, anything is possible.

Music: 'Spirit of Fire' - fiftysounds.com

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Dr Suzanne Zeedyk is one of the UK's leading voices in the field of connection and attachment.

In 2014, Suzanne broadened her public reach even further by founding the organization connected baby. She and her team work to help parents and professionals make practical use of the science of connection.

In recent years, Suzanne has been one of a small, but growing, number of individuals that have brought Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE's) to the forefront of Scotland's thinking around trauma and its related illnesses.

However, this podcast for Unmuted is unique.

Unique in the sense that Dr Zeedyk rarely gives the public or the media, a personal insight into what makes Suzanne, Suzanne.

This is a very special interview, recorded in 2016, and is so poignant and significant today in 2026, that Unmuted is delighted and honoured to rebroadcast this very special encounter with Unmuted founder, Gary Robinson.

Music: 'Spirit of Fire' - fiftysounds.com

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