Scotcast

Mhairi Black, the youngest MP in over 300 years and former SNP representative, shares her journey of navigating politics and mental health. She discusses her ADHD diagnosis and the liberation it brought, revealing the toll of Westminster's toxic culture on her well-being. Mhairi hints at her upcoming BBC documentary and her transition to a quieter life focused on personal fulfillment. She expresses concerns about the SNP's self-inflicted troubles and reflects on unexpected friendships and challenges within the political sphere.

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay is suggesting lowering the school leaving age to 14 to 'transform' young people’s opportunities. We ask education journalist James McEnaney from The Herald and the BBC’s Lysney Bews if critics are right to describe the idea as 'Dickensian'. And Martin and Laura discuss the prospect of football’s ban on alcohol being lifted. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

The owners of NFL giants San Francisco 49ers, led by Paraag Marathe, are making a move for Rangers FC. We ask the BBC’s Chris McLaughlin and Sharyn Fleming and football finance expert Kieran Maguire how big a deal it could be for Scottish football. And after US President Donald Trump paused aid to Ukraine, we unpack First Minister John Swinney’s reaction. Plus, an update on the case of Jagtar Singh Johal. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk Image credit: Paraag Marathe, PA. Clip of JD Vance from Fox News Channel's 'Hannity'.

Martin Compston is one of our busiest, and most successful, actors. Now the star of Line of Duty wants to bring more big films and TV shows to Scotland. He tells us about his plan to make a movie about a 16th-century Scottish cannibal, the 'dark places' he’s had to go as an actor and answers the obvious question: will Line of Duty be back? And we reflect on Martin Geissler’s interview with the First Minister and discuss whether John Swinney really wants to hobnob with Donald Trump. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins.

A Scottish man called Jagtar Singh Johal has been jailed in India for seven years without conviction. The Indian government call him a terrorist. A UN working group says he’s been arbitrarily detained. Jagtar himself alleges he's been tortured. What are the British government doing to bring him home? The team speak to the BBC’s Katie Hunter and Calum McKay, asking how a man from Dumbarton became the centre of a diplomatic dilemma.Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler and Laura Miller. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Stewart McDonald, former SNP MP and defense spokesman, shares insights on Scotland's evolving defense policies amid rising tensions. He discusses the SNP’s shift in stance regarding defense and the Trident nuclear program, spurred by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The conversation highlights the political fallout from recent comments by the First Minister and the implications of rising defense spending. McDonald also touches on the necessity for cross-party collaboration in addressing international security challenges.

A report has found the attainment gap has worsened for Scottish schools. It means the level of qualifications gained between young people in the most affluent and least affluent areas is widening. For nearly 10 years the Scottish Government has said that closing the attainment gap is their 'priority'. We ask education journalist James McEnamey and BBC Political correspondent Phil Sim about a bold solution from a group of experts. The Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) says there could be 90,000 fewer pupils by 2040, and that teacher numbers could be cut as a result. Could the money saved be a better help elsewhere? Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler and Laura Maciver. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Gillian Mackay, a Scottish Green MSP who championed the Abortion Services Safe Access Zones legislation, defends the law as a safeguard for individual privacy. In contrast, Lois McLatchie Miller from Alliance Defending Freedom International argues against it, emphasizing freedom of speech. They debate whether private prayer can be seen as a criminal act, especially following a recent arrest that sparked outrage. The conversation navigates the tricky balance between protecting access to abortion services and allowing for personal expression in public spaces.

The changing room tribunal involving Sandie Peggie, Dr Beth Upton and NHS Fife has dominated headlines. As First Minister’s Questions gets fiery on the gender debate, we ask if the temperature of political opinion is changing.We speak to Mark Diffley, pollster and analyst, and BBC Scotland’s Chief Political Correspondent, Lynsey Bews. And an archaeologist from Galashiels finds a pharaoh’s tomb. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk

What’s the price of climate progress? As another Scottish pylon project is approved, the team hears about the communities in the way of the green energy revolution. Prime Minister Keir Starmer calls them Nimbys (Not in my back yard). But campaigner Kate Matthews tells us how 70m monster pylons will blight the landscape around her home in Aberdeenshire. Kate is from one of the many local groups fighting pylons, substations and battery energy storage systems being built across the country. BBC Scotland Environment Correspondent Kevin Keane joins her in the studio. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast with Martin Geissler and Laura Miller. Get in touch with us by emailing scotcast@bbc.co.uk