Hometown Juice

In this episode, James Doolan of Higher Level MMA talks about growing up in Carstairs Village, South Lanarkshire in Central Scotland. From growing up next to an institution for the criminally insane ‘State Hospital’ to being ruthlessly bullied in primary school, James takes us through the real psychological and physiological responses to the threat of confrontation. He shares the lessons he has learned about life through his professional role in the Martial Arts scene in the UK and globally as both a fighter and a coach. We talk about James' sense of purpose, running an inclusive community-based Martial Arts gym, 'Higher Level MMA'. We chat about the gang violence epidemic that Scotland continues to face in the working-class districts, and James discusses his own experiences with 'postcode warriors'. We also touch on the chronic mental health situation, particularly among men, in Scotland.

Content warnings: Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Violence, Drug and Alcohol abuse.

Hayley and Gian join us to tell some charming, mischievous and unsettling stories about their home county of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Lancaster sits an hour away from Philadelphia on the east coast of the United States. A rural county with a dramatic class divide, long school bus rides and Amish "Goth Farmers" nestled between endless cornfields.

We explore the dark reality of wealthy teens who romanticise poverty through rap music. The mental health and opioid epidemic as well as Lancaster City's evolution with gentrification. As wealthier populations move into the area, existing residence still face many social and economic issues. 

After listening to this episode, It's hard not to be left feeling nostalgic for this place you've never been.

Aimée takes us through her chaotic upbringing in Paisley. The economic and social challenges of growing up in “Scheme life” (government housing projects). We discuss drug culture, addiction and mental health through the lens of her personal experiences. From her mother’s addiction to heroin to her own experiments with drugs to escape reality and her past. We follow her leaving Paisley, connecting with the synchronicity and beat of the universe to guide her on a seemingly aimless global quest of escapism and ultimately personal freedom. Only to be faced with the heavy realisation that this displacement and lack of rootedness she felt is what plagues Scotland. Finding herself in cultures that celebrate their ancient practices she was forced to face that this is missing in Scotland. The ancient language and practices are far from normalised and accessible to the Scottish people. Facing how defeated Scotland has become as a colonised country and the effects that this has had on the mentality of the Scottish people, she set off on the quest back home to revive the ancient ways and uplift the country one piece at a time. Back in Scotland for two years now with her partner who is also committed to the land, learning Gaelic and reviving the ancient crafts. She discusses her new conscious journey into motherhood reflecting on all she has learned through this journey since leaving her Paisley Scheme life.

For Episode 1, we start at the beginning with my hometown, Cumnock. Graeme Faulds joins me in a candid conversation about our town of origin. We get into it about collective identity, social norms, and economic struggles of Cumnock. As well as the mental health crisis and stigma surrounding Cumnock for its gritty portrayal in the media. We honour the 'Salt of the earth' realness that the people of Cumnock carry and the impact the place has had on us both from growing up there.

TRIGGER WARNING: Contains conversations of violence, suicide, abuse, racism, and very fast Scottish accents!