The Extremis Publishing Podcast

Managing Director of Studio King Street, Neil Munday, interviews Tom Christie about his new book "Lights, Camera, Stirling!" which was co-authored by Julie Christie. Tom discusses just why this beautiful and historic part of Scotland has proven to be so popular with film-makers from all over the world, including some examples of the many movies and TV series which have been shot in the region over the years. For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com/lights-camera-stirling.html

Computer industry legend Mel Croucher, who founded the first videogames company in the UK, drops in for a chat about "Gamers: Ghosts in the Machine" - the first instalment in his ambitious multi-volume series detailing the history of gaming. Mel talks about some of the extraordinary figures who were responsible for shaping the modern videogames industry, and teases a few surprises we can look forward to in later entries in the series. For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com/gamers.html

Laura Ruddock, the founder of the Literary Escape Company, joins us for a chat about her ambitious new range of book festivals, with sellout events scheduled right across Britain in 2026. Laura discusses her business journey to date, including her range of merchandise and new developments that are still in the pipeline. For more information about the Literary Escape Company, please visit their official website at: https://www.literaryescapeco.co.uk/

Stuart Hall, PR and Media Officer at Forth Valley College, has a chat with Dr Tom Christie, creator of the Writing for Publication course that runs regularly at the college's Stirling campus. Tom reflects on presenting the course over the past few years, and discusses the content that attendees can expect - not least the fact that there is always something new to include every time a session runs! For more information about the Writing for Publication course, please visit Forth Valley College's website at: https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/courses/creative-industries-and-media/writing-for-publication-evening

Author and entrepreneur Laurie Duncan discusses his brand new book Real Property, Real Profit, exploring his remarkable real-life journey towards huge business success in the world of property. Laurie discusses the challenges and the successes involved in becoming one of the country's most successful property traders and developers, including the importance of mindset and adaptability. For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com/real-property-real-profit.html

A true pioneer of British microcomputing has once again taken to the airwaves. Mel Croucher, the visionary creator of Deus Ex Machina and one of the most distinctive voices of the 1980s home computer scene, has revived his irreverent end-of-the-year “address to the nation” as Mel Croucher’s Christmas Cracker. In the glory days of Crash and other stalwart computer magazines, Mel’s seasonal missives arrived as crackling cover-mounted cassette tapes, equal parts satire, philosophy and digital mischief. Now, in a pleasingly circular twist of technological fate, the message returns via podcast: still as provocative, still as witty, and still reminding us that computing was once as much about imagination and rebellion as it was about machine code.

In this Christmas podcast special, author Robert Murray reminisces about celebrating the festive season in glorious Tayside - from his happy childhood in the seaside town of Carnoustie to his memories of working in retail in the city of Dundee. Robbie paints a vivid picture of yuletide festivities over the decades, exploring just why this amazing part of Scotland means so much to so many people. 

Phillip Vaughan, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Games Technology and Mathematics at Dundee's Abertay University and Programme Leader for their Master of Science degree in Technical Art and Visual Effects, chats with Tom Christie and Julie Christie about their new book, "Lights, Camera, Dundee!" This entertaining illustrated guide to the films, TV series, music videos, and commercials filmed in and around Dundee, Tayside, and Angus considers just what makes this amazing part of Scotland so unique and appealing to film-makers worldwide. For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com/lights-camera-dundee.html

Chris Watson, Retail Liaison Manager for Stirling's famous Thistles Shopping Centre, drops by for a chat about his amazing charity challenge in support of Save the Children - a feat of endurance which has included training for participation in the gruelling Tokyo Marathon and a nail-biting sleepover in the Thistles' infamous Thieves' Pot, beneath the historic Bastion. With many thanks to Studio King Street, where this recording took place. If you'd like to support Chris in his fundraising efforts, please visit his JustGiving page at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tokyomarathon2026-chriswatson

Robert Murray discusses his book "My Life in Carnoustie: A Lang Time Ago," a lively exploration of the famous seaside town in the Scottish county of Angus. He looks back over the evolving industries in the town, the changing face of the high street, the enduring community spirit, its cultural heritage, and of course Carnoustie's enduring connection with the game of golf. For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com/my-life-in-carnoustie.html

Laura Cluxton, Lauren Gilmour, and Rowan Ferguson - all representatives of the Forth Valley Sensory Centre in Falkirk - join us to discuss the vital role the centre plays in the lives of people of all ages. They talk about the services being provided by the centre, the community focus of its work, and the different ways that people can become involved. For more information, please visit the Forth Valley Sensory Centre's website at: https://www.forthvalleysensorycentre.org/

A mystery interviewer quizzes author Dr Tom Christie about his book Digital Pioneer Spirit: The Freewheeling Creative Innovation of Mel Croucher on the Home Microcomputer. They discuss the infamously nonconformist counter-cultural genius, Mel Croucher - the acknowledged founder of the UK computer games industry - and explore his extraordinary career of world firsts as well as his most memorable titles, his original music, and many unexpected facts along the way. For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com/digital-pioneer-spirit.html

Entrepreneur Paul Murray, Director of King Street ApartHotel in Stirling, turns the tables on Extremis Publishing's Directors by putting them into the hot seat as part of their tenth anniversary celebrations. Tom found himself as the interviewee for once, while Julie took to the airwaves for only the second time in over eighty Extremis podcasts (to date). If you would like to know about the people behind Extremis Publishing, now is your chance!

Abertay University's Phillip Vaughan and Matthew Bett join us for a discussion of Dundee's brand new CoSTAR Realtime Lab - a remarkable new production facility which has tremendous implications for film and TV, live performance, and videogame development. They explain the many ways that this cutting-edge creative technology has the potential to spark new growth and innovation.

Archaeologist Dr Murray Cook discusses his book "Hidden Stirling", an exploration of the secret sites of the city, where he uncovers some surprising stories of its illustrious past. He also ventures into his findings from Stirling's surrounding area, discussing the ancient communities that once lived there and the mysteries they left behind. For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com/hidden-stirling.html

Gillian Barrett, Association Manager with the Scottish Tourist Guide Association, kindly joins us for an exploration of the work of this distinctive and highly-respected national organisation. With over sixty years of experience, the STGA has built up a vast network of clients with a first-class reputation of training highly-skilled guides who can bring any travel itinerary to life. Gillian discusses the many different facets of the organisation as it works tirelessly to bring Scottish history and cultural heritage alive. For more information about the Scottish Tourist Guide Association, please visit their website at: https://www.stga.co.uk/

Neil Munday, the Managing Director of the brand new King Street Aparthotel in Stirling, joins us for a chat about this remarkable new attraction in the city centre. Housed within a charming B-listed 19th-century stone building, this luxurious boutique self-service hotel is also home to WorKing Flexispaces - a flexible workspace with private offices, a co-working hub, soundproof telephone booths, a business lounge, meeting rooms, and a podcast studio. Neil explains how the building has been thoughtfully restored to combine historical charm with modern amenities, providing a productive environment for individuals and businesses alike. For more information, please visit https://kingstreetaparthotel.com/ and https://workingflexispaces.com/

Author, pastor and radio personality, the Rev. Dr Alasdair Black, has a lively and informative chat about his new book "The Courage to Speak: Sex, Sexuality and the Church," which examines changing cultural and social attitudes towards sexual behaviour in the modern world. Alasdair discusses the themes of his book and talks about the urgent need to find common purpose amongst division and conflict. For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com/the-courage-to-speak.html

The importance of library services comes under the spotlight in this podcast, where librarians Lynne James and Jennifer Hosie discuss the vital importance of Falkirk Libraries throughout the region's communities. Join them for an entertaining exploration of the many different roles played by libraries in the modern day.

In this festive special, author, podcaster and media personality Santa Joe Moore interviews his friend, Dr Tom Christie, who has just completed work on his four volume history of Christmas cinema in the twentieth century with the publication of "A Seriously Groovy Movie Christmas" - a guide to the themes and developments of holiday season movies during the 1960s and '70s. Join them as they discuss the highlights of the era, along with some truly surreal films which have become infamous for all the wrong reasons! For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com/a-seriously-groovy-movie-christmas.html

Mel Croucher, digital culture pioneer and legend of computing, unveils his new book "Mundaneum": an absorbing account of information management pioneer Paul Otlet, creator of a unique global data retrieval system, and propagandist Hans Hagemeyer who was responsible for the project's eventual eradication from history. Mel explains the astonishing true story of the man who created the Internet and the man who ultimately destroyed it. For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com/mundaneum.html

Robert Murray, Chairperson of Carnoustie Heritage Group, joins us for a discussion of the organisation's activities in promoting the history, culture and heritage of this beautiful seaside town in scenic Angus. Robbie explains how the group was founded, talks about its events to date, and gives a few clues about what to expect in the months ahead.

Karyn King, Operations Manager at Forth Valley College, discusses the importance and benefits of further education in lifelong learning for everyone. In a wide-ranging chat, she explains the many different disciplines that are available for study at Forth Valley College across its three campuses, and also talks about the exciting new courses that are being offered for its students. For more information about Forth Valley College, please visit their website at: https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/

Author Neil Hallam makes a welcome return to talk about his Robin Hood 500 Route. Since the release of his official guidebook, Neil has taken part in some remarkable adventures on the route as he works tirelessly to bring it to the attention to the public. Find out more about how the 500RH presents the best of history and folklore to visitors, as well as appreciating some of the most beautiful scenery that England has to offer.  For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/the-robin-hood-500-route.html

Recorded live at the famous Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum at Stirling Castle, authors Dr Murray Cook and Jim Roche discuss their new book "Conflicts of the Forth" - a far-reaching account of warfare in Scotland's Forth Valley area throughout the course of six millennia. For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com/conflicts-of-the-forth.html

Nick Cooke, Secretary of the Scottish Pilgrim Routes Forum, discusses the role of this unique organisation in highlighting the importance and significance of pilgrim routes throughout Scotland. Join him as he explores the formation of SPRF, the organisation's mission, and what the future might hold. Nick also talks about the many ways that the public can engage with these remarkable routes, including the vital need to get involved in their preservation for future generations.

Author Alan Baxter drops in for a chat about his book "Making History: My Life as a Scottish Metal Detectorist", where he discusses the many artefacts of cultural and historical significance he has discovered across Central Scotland during a hugely successful metal detecting career. For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com/making-history.html

Ken Thomson, a Trustee with Stirling District Tourism and a respected transport historian, joins us for a chat about the history and cultural heritage of the city of Stirling. Ken discusses exactly why Stirling became a significant location in Scotland before moving on to the many different ways in which its culture and significance are being celebrated in the present day by residents and visitors alike.

The North Pole Press's Mary Moore drops in for a chat about the importance of effective book illustration. A veteran illustrator of many titles, Mary takes part in a wide-ranging discussion about the many factors that make a book's design truly memorable, including the North Pole Press's award-winning and much-loved range of volumes for children. For more information about the North Pole Press, please visit their official website at: https://thenorthpolepress.com/

Author and award-winning business professional James R.A. Herriot takes part in a discussion about his exciting new book "Insights to Kitchen Design," in which he talks about more than forty years of involvement in the interior design industry along with exploring the successes, the challenges, and what is still to come for the future of this fast-moving sector. For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com/insights-to-kitchen-design.html

Tennessean creative polymath Alex Tucker joins us for a lively and wide-ranging chat about the importance of libraries, the encouragement of literacy, and the art of the graphic novel. Discussing the changing role of public libraries across the world, Alex also delves into the question of what's coming next for writers and artists at a time of such fast-moving cultural change.

In this month's special festive edition of the Extremis Publishing Podcast, Santa Joe Moore of the North Pole Press Presents interviews Tom Christie and Murray Cook, authors of "Scotland's Christmas" - the first full-length account of the history and traditions of Christmas in Scotland ever to be published. The pair share some unexpected tales from past and present which might just surprise even the most ardent fan of Christmas. For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com/scotlands-christmas.html

Tracey MacIntosh, General Manager of Stirling District Tourism, drops by for a discussion about this remarkable organisation which is dedicated to preserving and promoting the history and cultural heritage of the CIty of Stirling. Find out more about the many amazing events they have coming up over the months ahead.

Tinsel and Tartan is one of the most beloved Christmas retail destinations in Scotland, and is certainly a highlight for people visiting the city of Stirling where it is based - guests come from all over the world to see this amazing shop and its unique range of items. In this episode, owner Lyndsey McDermott discusses her business journey - and explains what it's like to keep the festive season alive all the year round!

Popular DJ Mark Wallace drops in for a chat about Creative Veterans Scotland, a group of like-minded veterans and their families who have a passion for arts and drama. Mark also discusses his work in community radio, and talks about how this halcyon medium is enjoying a resurgence in popularity thanks to the latest technology.

In this special extended episode, computing legend Mel Croucher takes part in a wide-ranging discussion about Jeeni, the pioneering ethical audio streaming platform that he founded which has since reached and entertained audiences all over the world. Mel also talks about creativity, artistic freedom, and his immense contribution to the home computer industry from its formative years through to the present day.

Author Neil Hallam drops by for a chat about his new book, "The Robin Hood 500 Route". Neil's 500RH Route takes in some of the most beautiful places in England, and includes many historical sites of interest which relate to the legends surrounding Robin Hood. Neil talks about the inspiration behind this amazing road trip, discusses some of the fascinating places that people can explore when travelling it, and offers a few thoughts about Robin Hood's famous adventures around the area. For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/the-robin-hood-500-route.html

Forthgiving is a unique local charity offering support to people in crisis throughout the Forth Valley area. In this episode, Ellen Dickie and Nick Cooke discuss the long history of the organisation and talk about its important work in the present day, collaborating with groups throughout Stirlingshire, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire to provide support directly to individuals who find themselves in a situation of personal difficulty as well as to organisations supporting disadvantaged members of the community. For more information about Forthgiving, please visit their official website at: https://www.forthgiving.org.uk/

In this episode, travel writer James R.A. Herriot - author of "The Sabbatical: A Year of Travel During the Pandemic" - has a chat about his amazing life of global journeys. He discusses the distinctive set of ideas which brought about his book of international travel memoirs, written during the pandemic when no-one was able to leave their homes, and reflects on the incredible experiences he has enjoyed across the world thus far. For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/the-sabbatical.html

Jim Bennett, outgoing CEO of the Bannockburn House Trust and social enterprise specialist, joins us for a chat about the amazing Bannockburn House - an historically-significant 17th Century mansion near Stirling which has been the location of many noteworthy cultural events over the years, and is now a unique venue which has become popular with visitors and filming crews alike.

The founder and owner of Clootie McToot Dumplings Ltd., Michelle Maddox, drops by for a discussion about her remarkable company - one of the most unique food businesses in all of Scotland. Michelle chats about the story behind Clootie McToot, her appearances on UK television, the very special children's book she has authored, and explains why her work has been so important in popularising this most culturally significant of Scottish dishes.

Property experts Laurie Duncan, Alex Robertson and Conar Tracey of the famous Real Estate Wealth Development Group - otherwise known as REWD Group - talk about their first book "Fast-Track to Property Millions": a guide to the strategies involved in developing and trading in property, with many reflections on their own incredible business journey. For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/fast-track-to-property-millions.html

Neil Paterson - Outreach Services and Information Officer at Dundee Library Services - discusses the many activities taking place throughout Tayside to support local communities, bring people together, and promote language and literacy. Modern libraries are about so much more than lending books, and Neil explains how things have been developing since the pandemic in the Dundee area - with a range of new services that might just surprise you.

With the festive season fast approaching, Dr Tom Christie chats about his new book "A Totally Bodacious Nineties Christmas: Festive Cinema of the 1990s" with his long-time friend Joe Moore of the North Pole Press. Covering movie favourites of the nineties as well as many less-well-known yuletide features, Tom discusses what it was about this decade's Christmas films that made the era special for so many people. For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/a-totally-bodacious-nineties-christmas.html

Dr David Mitchell and Tracey MacIntosh, both contributors to the "Stirling Legends" anthology, drop by for a chat about this exciting new collection of writing about the unique people and places from Stirling's illustrious past, published in collaboration with Stirling District Tourism. For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/stirling-legends.html

Dr Murray Cook, one of the authors of "The Bannock Burn: Journeys Along and Across the World's Most Famous Burn", discusses working with his friend and co-writer Ian McNeish on this exploration of the history and culture of this iconic Scottish burn and the impact it has had on the country over many centuries. For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/the-bannock-burn.html

Playwright Robert Murray has a chat about the recent performances of his acclaimed stage drama The Spirit of Robbie Burns at the Edinburgh Fringe, explaining what it felt like to see his work come to life as part of that great international cultural showcase.

Dr Gaye Manwaring drops by for a chat about her book "Learning My Living", which describes her lifetime of work in the rapidly-changing higher education sector. She discusses the many developments she witnessed in that time, from the evolution of information technology through to the way that people engage with universities and their courses. For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/learning-my-living.html

Robert Murray has a chat about his book "The Grocer's Boy Gets Down to Business", discussing his many experiences of working in the retail distribution industry for more than thirty years. He describes his time in the employ of iconic Dundee company Watson & Philip, and talks about the wide-ranging changes in the UK business world between the 1970s and the early 2000s. For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/the-grocers-boy-gets-down-to-business.html

Noted anthropologist Professor Joy Hendry discusses the challenges of working with different modes of writing, exploring the ways in which academic texts, mainstream books and fiction writing all present their own particular range of strengths and complexities.