Shows
Kincraig CaresSpecial ep! Supporting people with cancer in our communities betterToday’s episode is a special one-off to mark National Cancer Survivors Day (1st June), and is actually with someone from my previous community - Rachel Westwood.Rachel has been very open about her experiences going through cancer treatment in order to improve understanding of what it’s like, and how others can best help. She has a particularly interesting insight, being a pharmacist, a wife, a mother of three, someone who's always prioritised her health and a linchpin character in her community. Knowing what to say to someone with cancer, and what to do, can b...2025-06-0123 min
Kincraig CaresWhy local group Women Support Women is more important than ever in today's CRAZY worldI (Suzy!) co-run a group called Women Support Women locally - at our last hike I was asked about the idea behind the group, and why I feel so strongly about putting my time and energy into it.I answered that SO BADLY. In fact I went off on a rant about the brilliant polymath nun Hildegard von Bingen and female orgasms (they are, actually related... she was basically the Beyonce of the Middle Ages and wrote the first recorded account.... but that's for another podcast, eh!).Because I left more local women...2025-04-2428 min
Kincraig CaresMeet Tamasina Cassidy: how this gutsy, globe trotting gal travelled the world but chose the Cairngorms & the Rowan Tree Hotel & Restaurant to call homeToday’s guest is the gutsy, globe trotting Tamasina Cassidy, who runs the Rowan Tree Hotel and Restaurant with her husband Jonny.In this episode, she tells us why she downed tools in London – after 9 ski seasons and with 2 kids in tow – and headed for the hills. Specifically the Cairngorm Mountains to take over the Rowan Tree, which is situated just outside Kincraig between here and Aviemore and next to the gorgeous loch Alvie. It's abundantly apparent that her ability to reframe situations into positives and her tendency to get stuck in have stood her in very...2025-04-0655 min
Kincraig CaresMeet indestructible 88 year old Gertie Hera: on how, ultimately, life is all about love & connectionToday’s guest is no ordinary 88 year old. It’s the formidable Gertie Hera Barton, whose name appropriately translates as ‘indestructible strength’.Here she talks about her rich, varied and (sometimes) going-against-convention life.We cover so many topics in this episode:Losing friends and what you learn about yourself from thisHow to find joy, gratitude and beauty all around youAnger and social injustice How nature is her churchHow life is really all about love and connectionCan Gertie be a modern da...2025-03-201h 09
Kincraig CaresMeet community superhero Ian Ash aka the Ashmeister: on life, loves and how old he really is…Well, the moment is finally here - the one the villagers of Kincraig have been asking for - community stalwart Ian Ash is on the pod!He’s been nominated by practically every guest before him. So integral to the running of the village is Ian that some people even believe he’s actually our Mayor. This is because wherever there is a community event, Ian is there, popping up with a smile like a (nice) whack a mole or teleporting ninja. You’ll find him on Cairngorm Mountain, in the Old Post Office...2025-02-211h 05
Kincraig CaresMeet army vet Tony Brown of Forces Manor: abandoned at birth, forgotten in care but saved by the care of KincraigToday’s guest is Tony Brown, an army veteran who runs the not for profit self catering facility in Kincraig Forces Manor - called as such because it’s primarily aimed at those who have been in the Forces, though anyone is welcome to stay there.
This majestic building in the centre of the village was formerly the celebrity and royalty attracting Hotel and Restaurant of its day, The Ossian.
His backstory, of how Kincraig Village changed/saved his life from the moment he came to visit as a 13 year old kid in care on holi...2025-02-061h 16
Kincraig CaresMeet 'MacYoda' Heather Hadden: on everything from empaths to anxiety to raunchy reads & turning Kincraig tribal!*Please note this episode contains adult themes so it’s not for little ears (or big ears that get offended easily!)*
I only have one house next to mine in my wee Scottish Highland village of Kincraig and today’s guest, Heather Hadden, has the mixed blessing of living in it.
As an empath who loves people and caring for them, but also gets exhausted by them, Heather has taught me a lot about how difficult this can be in our always-on, noisy, extrovert world.
She’s helped me understand how extroverts (like me) can...2025-01-031h 31
Kincraig CaresMeet author Merryn Glover: how creativity builds connection & communityToday’s guest is Merryn Glover, who is an award-winning writer, a poet, a creative teacher, the cocreator of Kincraig's open mic 'Storylands Sessions' and - most importantly, of course - my lovely neighbour!
This podcast is for anyone who loves to think deeply about life and what hurtling through space on a rock all means. Also brilliant for any creatives for her thoughts on how we create works of art that really resonate with others.
What I love about Merryn most is her magnetic intensity and capacity for connection - and how she embraces th...2024-12-151h 09
Kincraig CaresMeet supergran Ali Crompton: and how to NOT grow older grumpilyToday’s guest is Ali Crompton, who I really wanted on the podcast to ask her how she has so much energy, as well as patience (especially with kids), and to get inspiration on how NOT to grow older grumpily.
She’s my next door neighbour and I refer to her affectionately as ‘Supergran’ as I can see how loved she is by the many kids she has in her life - her own grandchildren as well as others she entertains, such as at Kincraig Friday Fun and various other voluntary roles.
In this wide ranging...2024-11-2848 min
Kincraig CaresMeet supergran Ali Crompton: and how to NOT grow older grumpilyToday’s guest is Ali Crompton, who I really wanted on the podcast to ask her how she has so much energy, as well as patience (especially with kids), and to get inspiration on how NOT to grow older grumpily.
She’s my next door neighbour and I refer to her affectionately as ‘Supergran’ as I can see how loved she is by the many kids she has in her life - her own grandchildren, as well as others she entertains, such as at Kincraig Friday Fun and various other voluntary roles.
In this wide ranging...2024-11-2849 min
Kincraig CaresMeet unsung community hero Shula: and how adventure, spirituality & compassion shape who she isShula Bayton will hate the title of this podcast and being described as a 'hero' because she's deeply uncomfortable with people making a fuss of her (you will be able to feel her discomfort after the intro!!).
However, as discussed in this podcast, I am like exposure therapy to emotions for her, and she is like the best grounding sheet in the world for me. And I am determined - regardless of how uncomfortable she feels - to sing her praises because she makes life better for so many people around her.
They say, after...2024-11-161h 03
Kincraig CaresMeet Fiona & Phil Hawkins: and why knitting, dipping, parties and flapjacks are key to communityToday's guests are the dynamo duo Phil and Fiona Hawkins who are the people behind local legendary initiatives such as the iconic Kincraig 'Post Box Topper' and 'Flapjack Fridays' at Loch Insh.
This episode is recorded in their 'posh room' while we are all knitting post dinner. We cover all manner of topics, like where they get their desire to not only get involved in community get togethers, but actually lead them.
Phil shares his wisdom on life which has helped me, such as how not to care what others think and be more comfortable...2024-11-0740 min
Kincraig CaresMeet No.1 nurturer Lenka: and why communities benefit so much from teachers like herToday's guest is Lenka Nagle. Lenka is Faculty Head of the Mathematics, Numeracy and Computing department at Kingussie High School, as well as being a good friend and my son's maths teacher.
Some people hate the idea of a small community where everyone knows everyone - and I wasn't sure how I'd feel. But I've found a real comfort in this.
Especially in knowing that there are teachers seeing my kids day in day out who know them, and know me, and our situation, so pick up on any changes or concerns.
This h...2024-11-0137 min
Kincraig CaresMeet sparkly singer Sarah: and why every community needs a character like herMy guest today is Sarah Wylie. One of the many things I love about Sarah is that her ethos in life is to treat every interaction as an opportunity to brighten and bring joy to someone else’s day.
And she has certainly done that for me, making me smile on even my darkest days. She has that rare mix of light and dark, which makes her so good at connecting with her fellow humans however they are feeling. In this chat, she shares her thinking behind this approach to life.
As well as sprinkling he...2024-10-2451 min
Kincraig CaresHow community saved me (and why it's good for your health)This episode explains why I set up this podcast about my wee village in the Scottish Highlands, Kincraig, and why I'm going to be interviewing various community characters in forthcoming episodes.
It tells the story of how my neighbours helped, and continue to help, me through a really, really tricky time. It does this with honesty and a desire to break down stigmas around taboo topics like mental health, relationship breakdowns and loneliness.
It covers why community is so important and health-enhancing in this digital age we live in, where more people die in selfie-related...2024-10-2121 min
Big Juicy CreativeEp 019: Stargazing with astronomer Paul Haworth | How to Thrive Winter SeriesThis episode with astronomer Paul Haworth is the ninth in our series on how to thrive this coming Covid winter. We know winter can be tough at the best of times let alone during a global pandemic, but mindset is everything. Suzy has rounded up a gaggle of inspirational winter-lovers and Paul's love of, and curiosity about, star gazing will rub off on you. As he says, you don't need fancy equipment or to be in a particular location in the world, you just need a clear sky and a bit of enthusiasm. As he also explains...2020-11-0916 min