Brave Conversations with Lee Walls
by Firewalk Scotland
Bravery means something different to each of us, right? Firewalk Scotland founder Lee Walls hosts this series of intimate, personal and inspiring conversations about what bravery looks and feels like. How do you stay authentic, and stay real? How do you ensure that you show up for yourself when needed?New episodes fortnightly on Wednesdays.Find out more about Lee's work with Firewalk Scotland here: https://www.firewalkscotland.co.uk/
Episodes
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When Life Changes the Forecast: Windy Wilson on Heart Health and Bravery
In this episode of Brave Conversations, I’m joined by Windy Wilson, a familiar and trusted voice to many across Scotland. What started as a light-hearted interest in the weather grew into a significant online following, and then into something far more meaningful. Windy shares how his son’s heart...
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Confidently Lost with Gavin Oattes
Gavin Oattes joins me for a brilliant chat about the messy bits of life, the funny bits, and the small moments that keep us going. He talks about his journey from comedy to teaching, and why playfulness shouldn’t disappear just because we’ve become adults with bills. Gavin opens up about anxiety...
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Be a man about it with George Bell
Season 3 opens with a bang. No easing in gently; we’re diving straight into the deep end with George Bell, author of Be A Man About It, a book that’s making a lot of folk rethink what masculinity actually means. George talks about growing up under the usual banners men get handed; be tough, don’t...
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From Grief to Hope: Caroline's Story of Recovery After Suicide
Join Caroline as she shares her heartfelt journey of healing after the loss of her husband to suicide. Discover her path to resilience, the power of therapy, and the importance of community support. Key Points: Caroline's early life and meeting her husband, Steve. The impact of Steve's sudden…
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Good Girl De-programming with Michelle Minnikin
In this episode, we explore the concept of "Good Girl Deprogramming" with Michelle Minnikin, an organisational psychologist and author. Michelle shares her personal journey of breaking free from societal expectations and the pervasive "good girl" conditioning that affects women from a young age....
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Resilience Redefined: Cat Paterson's Journey Through Chronic Illness
Join us as we delve into the inspiring story of Cat Paterson, a confidence coach who has transformed her life through resilience and determination. In this episode, Cat shares her personal journey of overcoming chronic illness and how it led to a profound personal transformation. Key Takeaways:...
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Mandy The Day After Fifteen: A Birth Mother's Story of Adoption and Reunion
Description:In this powerful and deeply moving episode of Brave Conversations, Lee sits down with Mandy Temple—who gave birth the day after her 15th birthday, after concealing her pregnancy until just days before. Her son was adopted, and what followed was a journey marked by heartbreak, hope…
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Embracing Weirdness and Authenticity with Amy Keene
Title: Embracing Weirdness and Authenticity with Amy Keene Description: Join us as we dive into a fascinating conversation with Amy Keene, a psychosociologist and CEO of Good Shout. Amy shares her journey through a squiggly career in advertising, her passion for teaching people to use their…
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Being a Human Rights Observer with Jenny
Jenny who was Director, University of London International Programmes Undergraduate Laws programme, joins the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) sends people to the West Bank to serve as human rights observers, offering protective presence, documenting violations,...
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On the road: From Motörhead to mentor with Kim Hawes
Kim Hawes spent ten years of her impressive career with one of the most notorious rock bands ever, Motörhead. She was then headhunted to become one the very first female tour managers in the world. Reminiscing on some wild stories from her touring days, as well as reflecting on being a women in...
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Battling Cancer with Comedy: Aiden Cowie
Stand-up comedian Aiden Cowie talks about his teenage cancer diagnosis, living with a visible difference after life-saving facial surgery, and how body image and identity have shaped his story. We explore the power of comedy to spark honest, meaningful conversations, and how Aiden’s resilience…
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The Merthyr Mermaid's Antarctic Ice Mile: Cath Pendleton
Cath Pendleton, known as the 'Merthyr Mermaid, is an ice swimmer who achieved the Guinness World Record for being the first person to swim a mile inside the Antarctic Circle. She represented Team GB in the world ice swimming championships. Watch BBC Documentary 'The Merthyr Mermaid' here. Find…
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The Unlikely Path of Spirituality with Simon Farrell
After confronting his unhealthy relationship with alcohol head-on, Simon Farrell wrote The Habits of Happiness — a practical and compassionate guide to building a more fulfilling life, one habit at a time. Simon also founded the charity Another Way, a youth-led community focusing on empowering...
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Everyday mindfulness to help burnout with Nikki St Paul
Nikki is a Mind, Body, & Breath Coach and the Founder of Breathing Mindful Coaching. She helps ‘always on’ Female Founders & Leaders create momentum, financial freedom & flexibility in their businesses without burning out. She combines her expertise in coaching, breath-work, mindfulness, somatics...
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Turning tragedy into positivity with Gary Seath and the Captain David Seath Memorial Fund
Gary Seath is the founder of the Captain David Seath Memorial Fund, established in memory of his brother David, a serving officer in the British Army who tragically passed away while running the London Marathon in 2016. Through the foundation, Gary has worked tirelessly to raise funds and provide...
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Understanding Menopause with Dr Sigi Joseph
Dr Sigi Joseph is a GP partner & trainer in Edinburgh. To date she has trained over 1,000 future GPs, and recently won a UK RCGP Inspire 21 award for her work. Alongside her clinical role, she has spent 20 years working for National Education for Scotland, developing, delivering and assessing...
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From Frontline to Mental Health Advocate with Steve Beedie
Ex British Army Veteran, Steve Beedie has gone from fighting on the front line, to becoming an author of Open the Bleed Off: Unleashing Mental Health in the Workplace, talking about his journey of self-discovery and resilience. Steve embraces vulnerability by giving TED Talks, training and…
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Seconds to Snap with Tina McGuff
Tina McGuff is the author of critically-acclaimed mental heath memoir Seconds to Snap. She is a trainer in Mental Health First Aid, and her work as an eating disorder campaigner has led to national media appearances, including on ITV's Lorraine, Channel 5, STV, The Jeremy Vine Show, and Radio 1.…
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Everest disasters and a road to recovery: adventurer and author Joe French
Adventurer, climber and camera operator Joe French has survived some of Earth's most hostile environments - including two catastrophic natural disasters on Everest. He is a film producer/director, writer, climber, musician, and member of Lochaber Mountain Rescue in the Scottish Highlands. His...
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MakeLoveNotPorn Founder Cindy Gallop
'Pro-sex, pro-porn, pro-knowing the difference' is the eye-catching tagline of MakeLoveNotPorn, an online platform set up to promote positive sexual behaviour and values. Cindy Gallop, the site's founder, is this episode's guest. Brave Conversations is edited by Ailish Hunter at Bespoken Media...
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Listener montage: "What does brave mean to you?"
In every episode of Brave Conversations, Lee asks her guest 'what does brave mean to you?' For this special episode to mark the end of season 1 of Brave Conversation, we invited listeners to send voicenotes sharing their own thoughts on bravery. -- This episode of Brave Conversations was edited…
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Persevering after rejection: author Isabel Losada
Bestselling author Isabel Losada has written seven non-fiction books including The Battersea Park Road to Paradise and Sensation. Her most recent book The Joyful Environmentalist is being re-released in April 2025. She tells Lee about the importance of perserverence - especially, in Isabel's…
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'Secret style weapon' Samantha Harman
This one's for anyone - particularly women - feeling under scrutiny over their clothing choices. As Style Editor Samantha Harman says, 'if your wardrobe isn't helping you make money... it's not doing its job properly.' Samantha talks to Lee about why she's so passionate about helping women dress...
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Finding joy after a stroke at 52: Susan Perry
At just 52 years of age, speaker coach Susan Perry had a stroke. In this Brave Conversation, Susan tells Lee about her unexpected symptoms, her pathway to recovery, and how it has been a 'fault line' moment. She also discusses how to look for and embrace 'slivers of joy' in life. Brave...
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“As Prescribed” film-maker Holly Hardman
Film-maker Holly Hardman shares the health impacts of her dependence on prescription drugs, particularly benzodiazepines. Holly also discusses the making of her documentary 'As Prescribed', that highlights risks associated with benzodiazepines, including addiction and mental health problems.…
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Overcoming suicidal feelings: Christo Hudson
Christo Hudson shares his journey from being an RAF and commercial pilot to becoming a mental health trainer and advocate. We chat about the impact of the Covid pandemic on identity and mental health, the importance of understanding mental health from a male perspective, and the need for open...
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Careers advice with Laurie Macpherson
Laurie is a 'career wing woman', meaning she helps mid and senior level women gain skills and confidence to push forward their careers. She emphasises the importance of being bold and brave as many women tend to minimise themselves, and fail to showcase their true abilities. Laurie helps her...
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Naked sea swimming: North East Skinny Dip organiser Jax Higginson
This Brave Conversation is with Jax Higginson, organiser of the North East Skinny Dip, the UK's largest organised mass nude sea-swimming event. It has become an inclusive community that supports mental health and provides a sense of purpose. Participating allows people to let go of self-judgement...
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Poet Donna Ashworth: Supporting a child with additional needs
Donna Ashworth on being a "tiger mum", and supporting a child with Additional Support Needs. This Brave Conversation takes in overcoming fears, dealing with judgement, and stepping into your own version of 'brave'. Donna is a Sunday Times best selling author. Her ninth book of poems "Growing…
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Love Your Period campaigner Molly Fenton
Molly Fenton is a campaigner for women's health and period dignity from Cardiff. Now in her early twenties, she started the award-winning Love Your Period campaign while she was still in school, and couldn't find period products during an important exam. She says she wants to tackle period…
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Rape and sexual violence recovery: Madeleine Black
CONTENT WARNING: sexual violence, rape Madeleine shares her story of having been brutally and multiply raped as a young teenager, as part of a mission to end shame, stigma, and silence. She's an author, public speaker, and hosts her own 'Unbroken - healing through storytelling' podcast. Mentioned...
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A child of a parent with mental illness: Dr Pamela Jenkins
When Pamela's mum read her bedtime stories, she would stop to talk to the other people in the room - people only she could hear. Pamela is what is known as a COPMI - the child of a parent with mental illness. Today, she hosts the My Family, Mental Illness… and Me podcast for the charity Our Time,...
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Rethinking drinking and alcohol: Anna Donaghey
Anna Donaghey used to drink alcohol in a way that was negatively impacting her life - so she decided to make a change. She no longer drinks at all - and has become an Alcohol Mindset coach, to help others improve their relationships with alcohol. Anna's podcast is The Big Drink Rethink.
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Never too late to superstar DJ: Kavita Varu
Kavita Varu's first ever DJ set was to celebrate her own 50th birthday - a livestream during Covid with family and friends. She's gone on to support Pete Tong, and to DJ in Ibiza and around the world. Her story is a powerful and inspiring demonstration that it's never too late to pursue your…
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Talking to children about death: Elke Thompson
Children's author, award-winning graphic designer, and speaker Elke Thompson talks about confronting death through her own difficult experiences - and how she has become an expert about speaking to children about the big things in life. Elke's website is here.
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What does 'brave' mean to you? Introducing Brave Conversations
Intimate, personal and inspiring conversations about what bravery looks and feels like. As lead instructor at Firewalk Scotland, Lee Walls knows a thing or two about overcoming fears. Subscribe to Brave Conversations in your podcast player now, to ensure that all episodes are automatically...
About this show
Bravery means something different to each of us, right? Firewalk Scotland founder Lee Walls hosts this series of intimate, personal and inspiring conversations about what bravery looks and feels like. How do you stay authentic, and stay real? How do you ensure that you show up for yourself when needed?New episodes fortnightly on Wednesdays.Find out more about Lee's work with Firewalk Scotland here: https://www.firewalkscotland.co.uk/
Hosted by
Firewalk Scotland
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