After two weeks with the brilliant Catriona Stewart and Shona Craven, the Boys are Back In Town! At the end of the show a question from J.P. Gallacher Recommendations: Stuart: Bobby Fischer Goes to War: The most famous chess match of all time - Dave Edmonds Bobby Fischer Goes to War by David Edmonds and John Eidinow details the occasion when Bobby Fischer met Boris Spassky in one of the most thrilling and politically charged chess matches of all time. For decades, the USSR had dominated world ch...
Apr 10, 2024•6 min•Season 7Ep. 216
This week, with Stuart and Eamonn on holiday, we have a wee treat in store - a girl power double header with Talk Media favourites Catriona Stewart and Shona Craven. At the end of the show a listener question suggested by Brian Brussels. Recommendations: Shona Invisible Child - Book - Andrea Elliot Based on nearly a decade of reporting, Invisible Child follows eight dramatic years in the life of Dasani Coates, a child with an imagination as soaring as the skyscrapers near her Brooklyn homeless s...
Mar 27, 2024•6 min•Season 7Ep. 214
This week, the boys are really happy to have the company of Chris Mullin - journalist responsible for exposing the false convictions of the Birmingham Six , author and ex-labour MP. At the end a question from Jim Hunter. Recommendations: Chris Mullin Books: Error of Judgement, Didn’t You Used to be Chris Mullin, A Very British Coup, Secret State and Walk on Part and Many More… https://www.waterstones.com/author/chris-mullin/77471 Film: The Investigation Inside a Terrorist Bombing 1990 Martin Sha...
Mar 13, 2024•6 min•Season 7Ep. 213
At the end of the show a question from Stephen Cameron. Recommendations: Stuart “Rabbits” by Hugo Rifkind Tommo has just started at a new school – a training ground for the Scottish elite – when his friend Johnnie’s brother is found dead in a Land Rover on a Highland farm. There’s a shotgun at his feet. Nobody seems clear about what has happened, least of all Tommo. A child of the middle class, and with new independence thrust upon him, Tommo finds himself invited into fading crumbling houses. I...
Mar 06, 2024•6 min•Season 7Ep. 212
This week we have filled the boys with cups of tea, chocolate biscuits and sweeties, locked them in to the studio and set them on a two hander across this weeks' stories. At the end of the show a question from David Stark. Recommendations: Stuart 'Never Have I Ever' - Netflix After a traumatic year, an Indian-American teen just wants to spruce up her social status — but friends, family and feelings won’t make it easy on her. https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/80179190 Eamonn Thatcher: A Very Briti...
Feb 28, 2024•6 min•Season 7Ep. 211
At the end of the show a question from Maggie Rankin Recommendations: Eamonn Greyhound Tom Hanks stars as a longtime Navy veteran who, as a first-time captain, is tasked with protecting a convoy of 37 ships carrying thousands of soldiers and much-needed supplies across the treacherous waters of the Atlantic during WWII. For five days with no air cover, the captain and his small force of three escort ships must make their way through an area of the ocean known as “the Black Pit,” battling Nazi U-...
Feb 21, 2024•6 min•Season 7Ep. 210
At the end of the show a question from Andy McNeil Our apologies for the sound issues we encountered on this episode. Recommendations Paddy Jon Stone There’s been a reassessment of the Blair/Brown government on the Left in recent years: you hear more about its achievements than you used you. that’s good, but it’s also important not to forget that it regularly did things a Tory government would be criticised for https://twitter.com/joncstone/status/1231543272943898626?lang=en Putin Vs The West- N...
Feb 14, 2024•6 min•Season 7Ep. 209
With Stuart off on his book tour (rock 'n roll), Eamonn is joined by Catriona Stewart and Simon Pia for a great discussion on the week's stories. This week we've included questions by John Nichol and Alex MacDonald. Recommendations: Eamonn The Long Way Up Best friends Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman, reunite for Long Way Up, after more than a decade since their last motorbike adventure around the world. Covering 13,000 miles over 100 days through 16 border crossings and 13 countries, starting ...
Feb 07, 2024•6 min•Season 7Ep. 208
With questions inspired by Mark Stephenson, Kevin Richey, John Daly, Michelle Shortt and Muriel Cockburn. At the end a question from Grant McLanaghan. Recommendations: Ruth A Very Stable Genius: Donald J. Trump's Testing of America Richly sourced and highly readable . . . Sheds new light on how the 45th president tests the boundaries of the office while trying the patience and dignity of those who work for or with him. It is not just another Trump tell-all or third-party confessional - Guardian ...
Jan 31, 2024•6 min•Season 7Ep. 207
At the end of the show a question from Niail Mackay. Recommendations: Eamonn Northern Exposure A recently graduated New York City physician, Dr. Joel Fleischman, is sent to practice in the fictional town of Cicely, Alaska to fulfil his obligation after Alaska paid for his medical education. Early episodes deal with Fleischman's culture shock in the small town. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/amzn1.dv.gti.c0cbc05a-d575-4808-abff-898c5388461a?autoplay=0&ref_=atv_cf_strg_wb or https://...
Jan 24, 2024•6 min•Season 7Ep. 206
At the end of the show a question from Andrew Anderson Recommendations Stuart: ‘Poor Things’ From filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos and producer Emma Stone comes the incredible tale and fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter (Stone), a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe). Under Baxter’s protection, Bella is eager to learn. Hungry for the worldliness she is lacking, Bella runs off with Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo), a slick and de...
Jan 17, 2024•6 min•Season 7Ep. 205
Our first show of 2024! At the end of the show a question from John Daly Recommendations: Catriona: Priscilla When teenage Priscilla Beaulieu meets Elvis Presley at a party, the man who is already a meteoric rock-and-roll superstar becomes someone entirely unexpected in private moments: a thrilling crush, an ally in loneliness, a gentle best friend. Through Priscilla’s eyes, Sofia Coppola tells the unseen side of a great American myth in Elvis and Priscilla's long courtship and turbulent marriag...
Jan 10, 2024•6 min•Season 7Ep. 204
Thanks for lending us your ears in 2023. We'll be back in 2024 full of energy and opinions. Happy New Year from everyone at Talk Media and The Big Light.
Dec 27, 2023•38 min•Season 6Ep. 203
At the end a question from Denis Maxwell. Recommendations: Eamonn: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Puffin Clothbound Classics are stunning collectable gift editions of some of the best-loved classics in the world - get into the Christmas spirit and celebrate the 180th anniversary of A Christmas Carol with this irresistible clothbound edition. https://www.waterstones.com/book/a-christmas-carol/charles-dickens/9780241411193 A Christmas Carol BBC4 Simon Callow enacts the story of Ebeneezer Scr...
Dec 20, 2023•6 min•Season 6Ep. 202
The Boys are on their own this week getting stuck in to today's topics, albeit with a wheezy soundtrack. At the end of the show a question from Martin O'Donnell. Recommendations: Eamonn Archie: the man who became Cary Grant Young Archie Leach escapes his childhood in Bristol and journeys to America as his older self Cary Grant falls in love with Dyan Cannon. https://www.itv.com/watch/archie-the-man-who-became-cary-grant/7a0170/7a0170a0001 Stuart The Complete Collection of Fyodor Dostoevsky 6 Boo...
Dec 13, 2023•6 min•Season 6Ep. 201
At the end of the show a question by Michael Heffernan Recommendations: Joyce McMillan Pitlochry Festival Theatre Set to fantastic songs from world-renowned Scottish band The Proclaimers , Sunshine on Leith is both a funny and moving play about Davy and Ally, two Edinburgh natives returning to their hometown after serving in war-torn countries overseas, who are questioning what ‘home’ really means. A fantastic feel-good story from Stephen Greenhorn , with a feature film adaptation in 2013, this ...
Dec 06, 2023•6 min•Season 6Ep. 200
At the end of the show a question from Gerry Mulvenna. Recommendations: David: The Pigeon Tunnel - Apple TV Academy Award-winning documentarian Errol Morris pulls back the curtain on the storied life and career of former British spy David Cornwell — better known as John le Carré, author of such classic espionage novels as The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and The Constant Gardener. Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Cold War leading into present day, the film sp...
Nov 29, 2023•6 min•Season 6Ep. 199
Stuart is off grid this week so Eamonn is joined by producer and commentator Paddy Duffy to chat over some of the week’s media stories. Please note this show was recording pre Autumn Statement. At the end of the show a question from Kay Springham Recomendations: Eamonn Spymaster book by Helen Fry The dramatic story of a man who stood at the centre of British intelligence operations, the ultimate spymaster of World War II: Thomas Kendrick “A remarkable piece of historical detective work. . . . No...
Nov 22, 2023•6 min•Season 6Ep. 198
Please note - This podcast was recorded at noon on Wednesday - before the Ceasefire Amendment in Westminster. At the end a question from John Daly. Recommendations: Stuart: The Pigeon Tunnel Academy Award-winning documentarian Errol Morris pulls back the curtain on the storied life and career of former British spy David Cornwell -- better known as John le Carré, author of such classic espionage novels as The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and The Constant Gardener. Set ...
Nov 15, 2023•6 min•Season 6Ep. 197
At the end of the show a questions from James Robertson Recommendations: The Courier Talking Football Podcast Scottish football is too often dominated by the Old Firm, but the teams across Courier Country deserve a football podcast that’s every bit as informed, every bit as passionate, and every bit as in-depth as anything covering Rangers FC and Celtic FC. https://www.thecourier.co.uk/courier-podcasts/courier-talking-football-podcast/ Stuart Panenka His name was Joseph, but for years they had c...
Nov 08, 2023•6 min•Season 6Ep. 196
At the end of the show a listener question from Ian Mout Recommendations: Eamonn: Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays The Rent (Hardback) Cavorting naked through the Warwickshire countryside painted green. Acting opposite a child with a pumpkin on his head. These are just a few of the things Dame Judi Dench has done in the name of Shakespeare. For the very first time, Judi opens up about every Shakespearean role she has played throughout her seven-decade career, from Lady Macbeth and Titania to Opheli...
Nov 01, 2023•6 min•Season 6Ep. 195
At the end of the show a question from Gill Blair. Recomendations: David: Simon Murphy 'Govanhill' This major exhibition of Simon Murphy’s photographic document 'Govanhill' brings together his long term project of a place in the southside of the city of Glasgow – a local place which is truly international in the demographics of those who live there. Simon has been documenting people in this locality for several years with the resulting images giving an insight into one of Scotland's most diverse...
Oct 25, 2023•6 min•Season 6Ep. 194
At the end of the show a question from Jim Anderson. Recommendations: Stuart: Beckham With never-before-seen footage, this docuseries follows David Beckham's meteoric rise from humble beginnings to global football stardom. https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81223488 Paddy: Cassius X Exploring the life of Cassius Clay as he undergoes his spiritual transformation as well as examining the evolution of his amazing boxing skills, this landmark film is structured around the early years of his boxing car...
Oct 18, 2023•6 min•Season 6Ep. 193
Friday the 13th Special ‘The Labour Party Conference’ and ‘Israel at War’ / with David Pratt Thank you for all your questions for David Recommendations: Stuart: The Reckoning Factual drama examining the crimes of Jimmy Savile, with testimony from survivors. https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0g4swnr/the-reckoning Eamonn: Race across the World In a frenetic race across the world, travellers can choose any route they like - but no flights or phones are allowed. On the trip of a lifetime, whic...
Oct 13, 2023•6 min•Season 6Ep. 192
At the end of show a question from me. (Brian) Recommendations: Ruth: Cobra Season 3 Robert Carlyle returns to screens for the third instalment of fan favourite political thriller COBRA: Rebellion with Jane Horrocks joining the cast. https://www.skygroup.sky/article/-the-explosive-third-instalment-of-sky-original-drama-cobra-rebellion-coming-to-sky-max-and-now-on-12-october- Cove & Kilcreggan Book Festival https://www.facebook.com/cbhbookfest/ Eamonn: Party Gate Karaoke, suitcases of wine, a...
Oct 04, 2023•6 min•Season 6Ep. 191
At the end of the show a question from Alex MacDonald Recommendations: Eamonn “Who Killed Jill Dando” Revisit the shocking 1999 murder of beloved TV presenter Jill Dando, which continues to mystify experts and the public, in this in-depth documentary. https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81594933 Stuart “Football And How To Survive It” The former footballer and author of the acclaimed The Accidental Footballer recounts his turbulent tenure as both player and Chief Executive of Scottish First Divisio...
Sep 27, 2023•6 min•Season 6Ep. 190
At the end of the show a question from Jim Fraser. Recommendations: Eamonn: The Haunting in Venice In post-World War II Venice, Poirot, now retired and living in his own exile, reluctantly attends a seance. But when one of the guests is murdered, it is up to the former detective to once again uncover the killer. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22687790/ Catriona: The Morning Show This Emmy® winner is an unapologetically candid drama that looks at the modern workplace through the lens of the people ...
Sep 20, 2023•6 min•Season 6Ep. 189
At the end of the show a question from Paul Murray Recommendations: Stuart: Gallus, Michael McEwan There are two kinds of people in this world. Those who insist that football is just a game, and those who know better. Take the April 1967 clash between England and Scotland. Wounded by their biggest rivals winning the World Cup just nine months earlier, Bobby Brown's Scots travelled to Wembley on the mother of all missions. Win and they would take a huge step towards qualifying for the 1968 Europe...
Sep 13, 2023•6 min•Season 6Ep. 188
At the end of the show a question from Roger Hyam Recommendations: Eamonn: Hatton, Sky Compelling Sky Original documentary painting an intimate portrait of Ricky Hatton, charting the ex-British boxer’s journey from an estate in Manchester to the bright lights of Las Vegas. Available on Sky and Now TV Ruth : David Hockney, Sky An intimate portrait of David Hockney, featuring interviews with the artist - one of Britain’s most beloved painters - in London and Normandy, and exclusive new footage of ...
Sep 06, 2023•6 min•Season 6Ep. 187
At the end of the show a question from Mila Stricevic Recommendations: Stuart: The Missing Madonna - BBC Sounds The Missing Madonna, which is available from 25 August on BBC Sounds, marks the 20th anniversary of an audacious art heist that set the record for the most valuable painting ever to be stolen in Britain. BBC Sounds Eammon: The Man Who Stole the Scream - Sky Documentaries The story of the theft of Edvard Munch’s painting, the Scream, and the game of cat and mouse between an art-loving t...
Aug 23, 2023•6 min•Season 6Ep. 186
