Rockpool Podcasts
By Rockpool Podcasts
We are an award-winning music and chat show hosted by our team of producers, musicians, and broadcasters where we champion inclusion, equality, and innovation.
Our hosts bring a unique flavour and perspective to every episode serving a little tea and shade with an eclectic side of music, chat, and special guests.
From audio interviews to video episodes, on location shoots and much more, we shine a spotlight on people, stories, and conversations in association with Ayrshire College and HALO Rock Me.
Socials, Merch Store + App: www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts.
Rockpool PodcastsMar 26, 2023
John's Birthday Minisode 2024
Happy 41st Birthday, John!
On this Minisode, John is hosting solo as everyone on the team is currently busy with projects, music work and other things!
He's here to update our Friends of The Pod on what's been going on and what will be going on at Rockpool Podcasts; an update from Lochnorris Studios; some news about our collaboration with College After Hours; and he'll be telling us about his new music releases AND his brand new Spotify exclusive series, "John's Jotter" which will release really soon!
For more information on everything mentioned in the minisode check out the following Links:
- John McBlain Online: www.linktr.ee/jmcb
- Rockpool Podcasts: www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts
- Lochnorris Studios: www.linktr.ee/lochnorrisstudios
What The Music & Rockpool Podcasts Crossover
Hello Hello Hello and welcome to a What The Music Podcast crossover with Rockpool Podcasts hosted and produced by Nicole Kilpatrick.
What The Music is a podcast series dedicated to the grassroots scene within Ayrshire & Glasgow hosted and produced by Nicole Kilpatrick.
Rockpool Podcasts is an award wining music and chat show produced by John McBlain with a revolving team of hosts and special guests.
We’ve decided to release Nicole Kilpatrick’s interview with John McBlain as a crossover episode on both What The Music and Rockpool Podcasts as both shows are champions of what’s going on with creative people in the creative industries across Ayrshire & Glasgow!
Keep up to date with What The Music at www.linktr.ee/whatthemusicpod
And keep up to date with Rockpool Podcasts at www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts
Rockpool Podcasts & Lochnorris Studios Crossover
IWD2024 with Charlotte Mitchell & Angela Cox
Hello Hello Hello and welcome to our International Women's Day 2024 episode!
Ayrshire College's Equality & Diversity Performance Lead, Charlotte Mitchell is joined by Principal and CEO of Ayrshire College, Angela Cox for a conversation in celebration of International Women's Day 2024.
For more information on International Women's Day please check out www.internationalwomensday.com.
For all things Rockpool Podcasts including our Merch Store, Rockpool App, VR Studio, our previous International Women's Day episodes + 7 seasons of podcasts and conversations, check out our LinkTree at www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts.
The Backstabbing Traitors
Hello Hello Hello and welcome to The Backstabbing Traitors!
In this behind the scenes video episode produced and directed by Ciaran Owens and Robert Myles with assistance from the Intro to Media Video Squad...
14 Media Students at Ayrshire College play the ultimate game of lies and deception in the hope of winning a variety of prizes but hidden amongst them are The Traitors whose job is to secretly murder the Faithful without getting caught!
Slight sound warning as all the clips were recorded on a phone.
Everything from our audio episode, behind the scenes video episode, website, artwork, photography and photo galleries were produced by the Introduction to Media, Film & Broadcasting Team as part of their studies at Ayrshire College!
Please check out our Traitors Ayrshire College Website for more information on our version of the game, photo galleries and much more by following this link: The Traitors Ayrshire College Website.
As always, follow Rockpool Podcasts online, check out our merch store, send us a voicemail and download our Rockpool App, with all links available via our LinkTree: www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts.
Traitors Talk
Hello Hello Hello and welcome to Traitors Talk!
On Friday 2nd February 2024, Ayrshire College's Introduction to Film & Broadcasting Students were invited to play a game inspired by the UK, US and Australian versions of internationally renowned reality TV show, The Traitors!
On this episode, Introduction to Film & Broadcasting Students take over Rockpool Podcasts to interview the cast of the first episode of The Traitors: Ayrshire College!
Traitors Talk features interviews with Host and Claudia Winkleman impersonator John McBlain, Ayrshire College Staff Members Juliana Pyper-Mcfarland and Michelle Kerr, cinematographer Ciaran Owens and of course, The Faithful and The Traitors!
Everything from our audio episode, behind the scenes video episode, website, artwork, photography, website and photo galleries were produced by the team as part of their studies at Ayrshire College!
Please check out our Traitors Ayrshire College Website for more information on our version of the game, photo galleries and much more by following this link: The Traitors Ayrshire College Website.
As always, follow Rockpool Podcasts online, check out our merch store, send us a voicemail and download our Rockpool App, with all links available via our LinkTree: www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts.
Bathwater Candles
Hello Hello Hello!
Evan Keen welcomes back John from his recent illness and absences to talk about our new collaboration with Lochnorris Primary School in Cumnock, our partnership & forthcoming episodes with Ayrshire Growth Deal & Community Wealth Building, music video shoots, student feedback, upcoming gigs at Ayrshire College & Venue 38 in Ayr, The Traitors at Ayrshire College, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Chappel Roan, Saltburn and Jacob Elordi Bathwater Candles.
As always, keep up to date with Rockpool Podcasts, our Social Media, Virtual Reality Office, Merch Store and Rockpool App via our LinkTree at www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts!
Mind Thy Self, a new mental health support podcast series and accompanying App is available at www.linktr.ee/mindthyself.
Introducing Holly Rollins
Evan Keen in in Rockpool Studios to welcome Holly Rollins to the Rockpool Podcasts Editorial Team!
Rockpool Wrapped 2023: A Wrapify!!!
Hello! Konnichi Wa! Mabuhay! Hola! Bonjour! Hei! Nǐ Hǎo!
John and Evan are in Rockpool Studios for one final time in 2023 to bring you ROCKPOOL WRAPPED 2023: A WRAPIFY!!! - celebrating all things Rockpool Podcasts and Spotify Wrapped!
Featuring voicemails from 40 Friends of The Pod, this is a jam packed episode full of music, chat and good, good times!
Give us a Hello Hello Hello in the Spotify App and grab and share out Rockpool Wrapped: A Wrapify graphic with everyone who contributed to this episode from our Instagram and Twitter!
Download & install our Rockpool App, browse our Merch Store and visit us in Virtual Reality via our LinkTree: https://www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts.
Many thanks to the following people for lending their voices to this episode: Abbie Gordon / Molly McIntyre / Charlotte Duffy / Ash McLean / Logan Carruthers / Lex Caig / Nicole Kilpatrick / Robert Myles / Ciaran Owens / Connor Brown / Scott J Sutherland / Iona Atkins / Tess Donnelly / Cara Beck / Bryan Shaw / Rihanna McLintock / Luca Citti / Mia Armitage / Kaelin Johnston / Stephen Reside / Benn Easdown / Kirsty Frazer / Kerran Campbell / Richard Scott / Iain Massey / Colin Train / Murray Baxter / Nia Kelly / Craig Dawson / Liam Evans / Lola McNab / Michael Cairns / Juliana Pyper McFarland / Michelle Kerr / Ethan Mitchell / Freddie Handsley / Linda Corbett / Coco The Dog / Sara Turkington / Karen Dunbar.
See y'all in 2024!
Rockpool VR
Hello Hello Hello and welcome to Rockpool VR!
John McBlain and Evan Keen invite you to take a guided tour of our Virtual Reality Studio in the Metaverse in this video episode, exclusive to Spotify!
To arrange a visit to our VR Studio or to find out more information on our work in virtual, mixed and augmented reality platform and environment development, contact the team at rockpoolpodcasts@gmail.com or via Instagram and Twitter / X.
Access and install the Rockpool Podcasts App as featured in this episode on your phone or device!
- LinkTree: https://www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts
- Rockpool Pod App: https://www.bit.ly/rockpoolpodapp
Hello! Konnichi Wa! Mabuhay!
Hello Hello Hello
Hello Hello Hello and welcome to Rockpool Podcasts!
We are an award-winning music and chat show hosted by our team of producers, musicians, and broadcasters where we champion inclusion, equality, and innovation. What do we talk about on the show? Well! Here at Rockpool Podcasts, no topic is off limits!
Our hosts bring a unique flavour and perspective to every episode serving a little tea and shade with an eclectic side of music, chat, and special guests. From audio interviews to video episodes, on location shoots and much more, we shine a spotlight on people, stories, and conversations in association with Ayrshire College and HALO Rock Me.
Listen to and follow our show exclusively on Spotify, find us on social media, check out our merch on our online store, get in touch with the show and keep up to date with all things Rockpool Podcasts by downloading our app straight to your phone; with all links available via our Link Tree at www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts.
Episode 300
Hello Hello Hello and welcome to Episode 300!
The team are back for one last time to wrap up Season 6 and to celebrate the 300th episode of Rockpool Podcasts! Reunited in the studio are John McBlain, Joe Smith & Sara Turkington - the OG hosts of the show - alongside Evan Keen, Linda Corbett, Nathan Harkins, Ryan Robertson & Nicole Kilpatrick to celebrate this milestone episode! Keep an eye on Twitter and Instagram for our photos from the episodes as the team were having too much fun with a Polaroid camera!
Recorded on the hottest day of 2023 with 8 people and 4 microphones, the team look back and reflect on 300 episodes of Rockpool Podcasts starting with a monologue from John before descending into a multiverse of tangents, conversations, chaos and Padam Padams! Not even a torrential rainstorm can interrupt the celebrations!
The team say a huge welcome back to Joe Smith to hear all about his career since graduation from Ayrshire College and bid adieu to Nicole Kilpatrick, Ryan Robertson, Kym McSwan and Andrew Dooner who will soon be following in Joe's footsteps with their own graduations and careers.
In addition, to paraphrase the Spice Girls, the team are also saying Goodbye... My Friend... to Sara Turkington. Sara has been a producer and host of the show since day one and we wanna wish her all the best as she starts her new job and career. "Sara has gone from being a name on an email signature to not just a colleague, co-host and award-winning podcast creator, but a true friend, a pal and a confidante. You might be leaving us, but you're legacy lives on Spotify forever. And on Whatsapp voice notes. Insert your own painting nail emoji and Shade Button noise as you see fit!" - John
In amongst a truly Steptacular playlist of songs, the episode features: voicemails from celebrity Friends of The Pod - Divina De Campo, Charlie Harding, Lee Latchford-Evans and Jedward; the Team receiving their Saltire Awards; a game of the Ultimate Wheel of Pod; conversations aplenty and a truly wholesome celebration of friendship and shared experiences.
Rockpool Podcasts socials, merch store, website and Rockpool App: www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts.
Ayrshire Film Festival 2023 BTS
Hello Hello Hello!
Rockpool Podcasts has teamed up with ACTV to bring you a behind the scenes look at the Ayrshire Film Festival 2023!
Hosted by Cara Beck and produced by ACTV, and filmed on location at the Gaiety Theatre, Ayr; this special video episode features interviews with Jake McEwan, John Rae, Richard Scott, Nathan Clark, John McBlain, Tymofi Donets, Juliana Pyper-McFarland; behind the scenes footage from the festival; and some teasers and clips from the films show on the day!
Many thanks to Cara, Steven and Mia for creating the video and congratulations to everyone involved at Ayrshire College for bringing the Ayrshire Film Festival 2023 to life!
- Rockpool Podcasts socials, merch store, App + more: www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts!
- Listen to our Ayrshire Film Festival 2023 episode recorded in the lead up to the festival!
- Listen to our Ayrshire Film Festival 2023 Recap episode reflecting on the festival!
- Learn more about the Ayrshire Film Festival at www.ayrshirefilmfestival.com!
- Support ACTV by following the ACTV YouTube Channel!
BBC Introducing at Ayrshire College
John McBlain, Nicole Kilpatrick and Nathan Harkins are joined by Best Friend of The Pod, Ally Smith to talk about their work experience with BBC Introducing in Scotland at Ayrshire College, reflect on the skills they've developed through their work experience and the positive impact it's had on their future careers and give a behind the scenes look at what it was like from their own points of view.
The team play their favourite tracks from Nani, Pretty Preachers Club and Peplo - artists and bands who the team worked with to record Live Sessions that were broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland. Ally, Nathan and Nicole talk about being VIPs at the 2023 Scottish Act Of The Year Awards in Glasgow and also impart wisdom and advice for future students taking part in the BBC collaboration.
Be sure to check out the articles below and listen to our On Location at BBC Scotland episode featuring John McBlain in conversation with Lindsay Gillies, Producer at BBC Introducing in Scotland to hear more about the partnership between Ayrshire College's Music & Sound Department and BBC Introducing in Scotland.
- Rockpool Podcasts Season 5 Episode 16
- Listen on Spotify: On Location at BBC Scotland
Click below to read all about the partnership between Ayrshire College and BBC Introducing:
- Read More: BBC Establishes Revolutionary Partnership With Ayrshire College
- Read More: Students Thrive In BBC Recording At Ayrshire College
- Read More: Ayrshire College Working With Creative & Cultural Skills
- Read More: Scottish Parliamentary Motion S6M-04639
- Read More: Ayrshire College Foundation
- Read More: Ayrshire Students Benefit From New Partnership
BBC Introducing at Ayrshire College is just one of many opportunities available at Ayrshire College. To find out more about courses in Music and Sound Production, check out the Ayrshire College website and apply today at www.ayrshire.ac.uk.
Live & Local at HMV Ayr
Hosted and produced by Nicole Kilpatrick and Ryan Robertson, Rockpool Podcasts are on location, live and local at HMV Ayr!
In conversation with Jay Cope, manager of the HMV Ayr store, Nicole and Ryan, they're recording from the shop floor to hear all about HMV's '1921 Records' record label, the 'Live & Local' in-store live music events supporting local grassroots music and the dynamic social media presence the HMV Ayr team have built with their customers and followers, establishing a true sense of community through a shared love of music.
Nicole, Ryan and Jay talk about the positive experiences they've had at Ayrshire College studying in the Creative Industries Departments while Ryan & Jay bond over their shared experience of studying photography, working with people, support from Lecturers and the technical and editorial skills that have stuck with them as photographers and film makers.
Elsewhere in conversation is Nicole's experience of playing live in HMV Ayr with her band Stepping On Violets, a game of Circle of Pod that goes off on tangets including Batman, Disney, The Simpsons, Drag Race, movies, TV shows + much more, and Ryan going on a shopping spree adventure through the shop floor exploring the amazing range of products (including the famous HMV Mystery Boxes!) available in HMV Ayr!
HMV Ayr Links n Things:
Rockpool Podcasts Links n Things:
When Harry Styles Met Sam Fender
Hello Hello Hello!
This episode is full of emotion as Evan and Nicole go into detail and talk about the highlights of two high profile gigs they were recently at: Harry Styles (also known as the Fruitman) who rocked Scotland's capital with two sold out nights for the "Love On Tour"; and Sam Fender’s return home to Newcastle for his two sold out homecoming shows at St James Park.
With music from Harry Styles and Sam Fender and special quest voice messages from Evan's friends David Ryan and Rachel, Nicole and Evan really get into the heart of why music plays such an important part in their lives! Get your tissues ready for this one - you’re going to need them!
Links, Website, Socials + more: http://www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts
The Wheel of Pod!
The Wheel Of Pod is back! Evan, Nathan and Nicole take on the wheel for the first time as they put their music taste to the test! Featuring music from The 1975, Taylor Swift and many more! Prepare for one of the most chaotic episodes yet!
Links, Website, Socials + More: www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts
Quit Your Way Scotland
Over the past few years we’ve dedicated many episodes to conversations around mental health, health and wellbeing and we are gonna continue this trend by welcoming two special guests to the show: Martin Hammond - Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing at Ayrshire College and Jackie McCullagh Tobacco Cessation Prevention Officer from NHS Ayrshire and Arran, who are here on the to speak about Quit Your Way - an advice and support service for anyone trying to stop smoking in Scotland.
Quit Your Way Online
Quit Your Way Contacts
- Quit Your Way National Helpline - 0800 848 484
- Quit Your Way Local Helpline (NHS Ayrshire & Arran Residents) - 0800 783 9132
- Quit Your Way Email - QYWAyrshire@aapct.scot.nhs.uk
Quit Your Way Social Media
Ayrshire College Health, Safety & Wellbeing
Loreen, Lochnorris, Padam... Oh My!
Where to even start with this one! John, Evan, Nicole and Nathan reunite in the Rockpool Studio for the first time in a long time for a good old chit chat!
Recently, John was invited to Lochnorris Primary School in Cumnock, Ayrshire as part of the school’s World of Work Week to talk to pupils about careers in the Creative Industries and pathways to future courses and jobs. A huge thank you to the Staff and Pupils at Lochnorris Primary School for their warm welcome and we look forward to our next visit!
John, Nathan, Evan and Nicole talk about their own experiences of careers advice, opportunities, inspirations and aspirations they had when they were young; reflect upon the 2023 Music & Sound Department’s Final Fling Gig; have a discussion on their progress over the past year; and chat about camaraderie amongst music students and the importance of encouragement and feedback!
In amongst the Shade Button being put to good use, tangents and topics include: John FINALLY getting his hands on tickets for Loreen thanks to Evan "The Ticketmaster Himself" Keen, Nicole's quest for Niall Horan tickets, writing a theme tune for Nathan Skywalker, The Frock Destroyers, Kylie Minogue, Padam, the Tragedy Fan, the HEAT IN THE POD STUDIO, Padam, ASMR, Paris Hilton, Kim Petras, Paris Hilton following John on Twitter, Padam, Nelly Furtado, Padam, our forthcoming 300th episode, Padam, Evan’s “old age”, Padam, the Kaarija money jar, Padam, Kaarija + much much more!
More importantly, Nicole also tries to put a stop to John & Evan stan-boying over Kaarija and Cha Cha Cha! Good luck with that, Nicole! lol
As we mentioned, we're fast approaching our 300th Episode! Send us a voicemail to celebrate this milestone with us and we'll include it in our 300th episode special and Season 6 finale! As always our Socials, Merch Store and Rockpool App are online and available at www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts!
Meet The New Presidential Team
Joining Linda Corbett in the Rockpool Studio is new Student Vice President, Tim Chan, and Charlotte Mitchell, Student Association Advisor, to chat all about the 2023 Student Presidential campaigns, elections and results which saw Linda herself be voted in as Ayrshire College’s new Student President.
Linda, Tim and Charlotte talk about the role of the Student Association, forthcoming plans for the new Presidential Team and what they are excited for in their new roles and future at Ayrshire College.
To find out more about the work of the Student Association go to the Ayrshire College website at www.ayrshirecollege.ac.uk and on the My Ayrshire College App.
Ayrshire Film Festival 2023 Recap
Ayrshire College’s Media, Film & Broadcasting and Core Skills department recently were responsible for the 2023 Ayrshire Film Festival which took place on Friday 26th May 2023 at the Gaiety Theatre in Ayr!
Joining John McBlain on the pod is special guest, Vincent Mulligan - one of the leads in bringing the festival to life - to give us a recap on the festival, share some of the highlights from the day and celebrate the awesome success of the Ayrshire Film Festival 2023!
Links and Links and Links... Go check em out!
In Time Escape Rooms
In this episode of Rockpool Podcasts, hosted & produced by Ryan Robertson and Kym McSwan, the duo welcome Toria Cassidy and Gregor Campbell - the owners of In Time Escape Rooms in Ayr - into the pod booth and formally interview them about their business and at points they are informally questioned about their bizarre lives!
If you don’t know what an escape room is going into the show, then you definitely will by the end of it and if you didn’t know there was an escape room in Ayr you definitely will by the end of the show and if by the end of the episode you are interested in visiting an escape room then we did a good job!
Also includes discussions about Christmas (probably way too much for May), Tamfest, Ayrshire and a significant amount of other random things!
More about In Time Escape Rooms:
Check out the In Time Escape Rooms website for prices, bookings and availability and make sure to follow In Time Escape Rooms on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with them!
If you are interested or know someone who may be interested in In Time escape rooms, please share this episode around and share the links above around. Word of mouth is the best way to help this amazing Ayrshire business grow!
As for Rockpool Podcasts
Access to the all of Rockpool’s socials, as well as the editorial teams, merch store and the app can be found here www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts.
Thanks for listening - Ryan & Kym
Mental Health Awareness 2023
Hello! Hello! Hello! Linda and Nathan are in the studio talking all things Mental Health following on from Mental Health Awareness Week 2023.
They chat about their own mental health as well speaking with Charlotte Mitchell from Ayrshire College’s own Student Association about the Wear It On Your Sleeve Campaign and the student ambassadors for the campaign. Joining Linda and Nathan via Zoom is Tony McLaren of Breathing Space to talk about the services available from the Scottish based organisation that aims to support people with their mental health via phone and online web services. In addition, you'll hear from Students from Ayrshire College talking about their individual experiences with mental health and wellbeing and what strategies they use to cope - a huge thanks to all Students who gave their voices to this episode.
- Listeners and students of Ayrshire College can find out more about the Wear It On Your Sleeve Campaign by contacting Charlotte Mitchell on charlotte.mitchell@ayrshire.ac.uk.
- For Ayrshire Colleges Student mental health support services you can reach out to student.services@ayrshire.ac.uk.
- Ayrshire College Students can also access the Mental Health Toolkit by clicking on this link.
- Breathing Space services are available by phone on 0800 83 85 87 or online at www.breathingspace.scot.
Sun Turtle Takeover: Introducing Monsanto
Ayrshire Film Festival 2023
Hello Hello Hello!
John McBlain welcomes Cara Beck and Vincent Mulligan to the Rockpool Studios to talk about the 2023 Ayrshire Film Festival!
Beginning as a showcase student film festival for Ayrshire College media students it has now expanded to include entries from students across Scotland. The festival has a full programme of events including guest speakers, screenings, industry discussions and an awards ceremony.
Taking place on Friday 26th May 2023 at the Gaiety Theatre in Ayr, the festival is open to the public and to attend, all you need to do is RSVP via the Ayrshire Film Festival website at www.ayrshirefilmfestival.com.
For more information on the Ayrshire Film Festival, check out the links below:
John's Hat-Trick and Other Celebrations!
Hello Hello Hello!
Welcome to a post-Eurovision and post- Bridge 2 Business Awards celebration episode hosted by John McBlain, Evan Keen and Nicole Cullen!
The trio are in the studio to celebrate the 2023 Bridge 2 Business Awards, John becoming a HALO Ambassador, Ayrshire College's 2023 Student President Elections, the Media Department's 2023 Ayrshire Film Festival, the Music & Sound Department's Final Fling Gig of 2023 and Eurovision 2023! How many times did we fit '2023' in there?! Almost as many times as John and Evan FANBOY over their new hero - Kaarija! Cha Cha Cha!
Congratulations to John McBlain on for winning the College Enterprise Champion Award for the 3rd consecutive year; congratulations to everyone at Ayrshire College for winning the Enterprise College of the Year Award; and congratulations to all the finalists and nominees at this year's awards! We also want to extend a huge thank you to the team at Bridge 2 Business and Glasgow Clyde College for hosting a truly fantastic and memorable awards ceremony! It was a pleasure to meet everyone in person and we look forward to catching up with you soon!
Links n Things:
- Rockpool Podcasts Socials, Merch Store & App: www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts
- Bridge 2 Business LinkTree: www.linktr.ee/bridge2business
- Ayrshire Film Festival Website: www.ayrshirefilmfestival.com
- Ayrshire College Website: www1.ayrshire.ac.uk
- HALO Digital, Cyber & Innovation Website: www.halokilmarnock.com
Read More:
- Article: Bridge 2 Business Award Winners Crowned For 2023 via Bridge 2 Business Website
- Article: Ayrshire College Is The Enterprising College Of The Year via Ayrshire College Website
Eurovision 2023: A Rockpool Pre Party!
Hello! Bonjour! Pryvit! Laskavo prosymo na nashu vechirku Yevrobachennya 2023!
Hosted and produced by Evan Keen and featuring fellow Eurovision fanatic, John McBlain; Master of Rockpool Podcasts' Eurovision Ceremonies Evan hosts a Eurovision 2023 pre-party-podcast and takes a deep dive into his Top 5 entires for Eurovision 2023 and predicts his winner / potential winners!
We'll be following this pre-party podcast episode up with a post-party podcast episode! Leave a comment on the Spotify App, send us a voicemail, DM us on Twitter or Instagram or get in touch via the Rockpool App and let us know what your all time FAVOURITE Eurovision anthem is and be part of our follow up episode!
Rockpool Podcasts Socials, App + much more: www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts
Happy 40th Birthday, John!
Hello Hello Hello and welcome to John’s 40th birthday podcast celebration!
Hosted and produced by Evan Keen and featuring... ahem... extra "special" guest - John McBlain - Musician & Producer; Host, Producer & Showrunner of Rockpool Podcasts; Award-Winning Lecturer in Music, Media & Performance at Ayrshire College; expert in 90s and 00s pop music and pop culture; and shy, retiring wallflower, who is now 40 years old! Emphasis on the old! Lawl! Insert painting nail emoji and hit that shade button multiple times!
With birthday voicemails from the Rockpool Podcasts Editorial Team, music from Spice Girls, Chase & Status, Confidence Man, Creamy and 5ive (yes… 5ive not Five!), Evan has invited John to the pod booth to celebrate his birthday and play a game of ‘Knowing Me Knowing You’ by letting John loose on the mic to chat about… well… lawl... you’ll need to tune in and find out! Trust us when we say this is a not-to-be-missed episode!
Gird your loins, grab a drink, take a set and prepare for an episode full of tangents, tea, shade and surprises! Happy 40th Birthday, John!
- John McBlain’s LinkTree: https://www.linktr.ee/jmcb
- Evan Keen’s Flowpage: https://www.flow.page/evankeenmusic
- Rockpool Podcasts LinkTree & Rockpool App: https://www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts
The Boys Are Back In Town!
Hello! Hello! Hello!
Evan and Nicole are back in the studio talking about the 2023 Bridge 2 Business Awards, Stagecraft Performances and Evan's review of Paramore’s gig at the Hydro in Glasgow!
The two close friends go over Coachella 2023, talking about performances from Labrinth, Rosalia, Dominic Fike, Muna and many more. They also take a deep dive into the Frank Ocean controversy and talk about the weekend show stealer (at great length) Boygenius, a supergroup made up of three of the most talented female singer-songwriters in the world Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus!
Nicole challenges Evan in a game of Song vs Song pinning some of Evan’s favourite tracks against each other!
Links to our socials, merch store and the Rockpool App: www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts
Sun Turtle Takeover: Didgeridoo Promotions at Harleys
Welcome to another Sun Turtle Takeover of Rockpool Podcasts!
Produced by Sound Production Student Cameron MacNee, this episode is hosted by David Ballantyne, Sound Production Student at Ayrshire College who is here to talk about Didgeridoo Promotions - a student led promotions company who are working in partnership with Sun Turtle Records to host a special event at Harley’s in Ayr on Thursday 27th April 2023 featuring some of Ayrshire’s finest up and coming musicians.
Joining David in the Rockpool Podcasts Studio is Ochiltree based musician, Ayrshire College Music student and one of the most talented stage performers and musicians I have had the pleasure of working with, Angus Hendrie to speak about his work under the moniker Sacred Groove and his appearance at the forthcoming Didgeridoo Presents event at Harleys in Ayr on Thursday 27th April 2023!
For more information please check out the following links:
Didgeridoo Promotions
Sun Turtle Records
Angus Hendrie / Sacred Groove
Harleys Ayr
Rockpool Podcasts
Wax City Club Nights
Hello Hello Hello!
John McBlain is in conversation with DJ, producer, club promoter and former Ayrshire College Sound Production student, Malcolm Bennett! Two kindred spirits with a shared passion and love of electronica, house, techno and club culture, John & Malcolm are in the studio to talk about dance music, Ayrshire's deep roots in the club scene and Wax City's forthcoming club nights at Venue 38 in Ayr!
For more information on everything and everyone John & Malcolm are talking about, please lick the links below:
Wax City Presents... Event Tickets
- Mily B, Robin Barclay, Malcolm Bennett - Saturday 29th April 2023 at Venue 38, Ayr
- Yogi Haughton, Burroughs, Robert Tomlinson, Malcolm Bennett - Sunday 30th April 2023 at Venue 38, Ayr
Rockpool Podcasts
John McBlain
Wax City
Malcolm Bennett
Robin Barclay
- https://www.instagram.com/robin_barclay_dj
- https://www.facebook.com/robinbarclaydj
- https://www.tiktok.com/@robinbarclay1
- https://www.beatport.com/artist/robin-barclay/1103759
- https://soundcloud.com/robinbarclay
- https://twitter.com/robinbarclaydj
Mily B
Robert Tomlinson
Burroughs
Yogi Haughton
We Are Bridge 2 Business Awards 2023 Finalists!
Hello Hello Hello!
We are back after our 2 week holiday! John and Nicole are in the studio to talk about the Bridge 2 Business Awards 2023 because the Rockpool Podcasts Team are finalists for the Social Enterprise Award, Ayrshire College is a finalist in the Enterprising College Award and for the third year in a row (and having won the award 2 years in a row), John is a finalist for the College Enterprise Champion Award! Congratulations all round! Thank you to Bridge 2 Business and congratulations to our fellow finalists from across the College Sector in Scotland!
They're also talking about Nicole's 22nd birthday, John's forthcoming 40th birthday on May 3rd, Belfast, Game of Thrones, up coming gigs at Ayrshire College and our brand new Rockpool Podcasts App and NFC Cards! Click the link to install the App on your phone and if you see John about in person, ask him to 'Tap For The App' using our brand new NFC technology!
As always, links to our App, Merch Store, Socials + much more at www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts.
"Celebrating ten years of impact this year, the B2B awards have been developed to highlight and showcase some of the most innovating and inspiring enterprise activity across Scotland. Across six categories, the judging panel will look to recognise individuals and groups for their enterprising efforts.The Bridge 2 Business Enterprise Awards will be an in-person event which will take place in Glasgow on Thursday 11th May 2023. All finalists will be invited to attend."
- Click here to read more about the Bridge 2 Business 2023 Awards.
- Click here for the Ayrshire College online article John reads from.
A Mid Season Break Tea Party
John McBlain, Linda Corbett and Nicole Kilpatrick are in the studio to for a lil’ pod party as we head into our Season 6 mid season break!
They’re looking back on the past few months at Rockpool Podcasts, discussing the Ayrshire & Arran Tourism Conference, An Audience With Karen Dunbar & Rachel Coburn, the HN Music Stagecraft Gig live at Ayrshire College, Nicole’s gig at HMV Ayr’s Live & Local events, ACTV’s Letterboxd HQ community and Nicole re-introduces THE CIRCLE OF POD… with a guilty pleasures twist... in amongst many other tangents, twists and digressions!
We also wanna say Hello Hello Hello to the Rockpool Podcasts App!
If you wanna be a BEST friend of the pod, download the Rockpool Podcasts App where you’ll find a treasure trove of content including our Meet The Team & Hall of Fame areas, every single episode of the show from episode 1 to date, Spotify season playlists, a new way to contact us, our truly wonderful About The Show Area, music, pictures, links, videos + much more! Just click on the link, add to your home screen / install on your device and voila!
We're taking a 2 week holiday and we'll be back soon with more episodes to pod our way to our 300th episode!
Links to our socials, website, merch store, app + much more: www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts.
An Audience With... Rachel Coburn and Karen Dunbar
Hello Hello Hello & welcome to a very special and first of its kind episode of Rockpool Podcasts!
On Friday 24th March 2023, John McBlain hosted our first ever live show in front of a studio audience of over 65 students from Ayrshire College for an audience with Producer and Director Rachel Coburn and actor, comedian & writer, the one and only Karen Dunbar! Rachel & Karen were on campus for a screening of their documentary Karen Dunbar's School Of Rap which is available on BBC iPlayer and to chat with John about making the documentary, their experiences and life and the inspirational women they worked with on the programme.
What you'll hear on this episode is an unedited recording taken from the live show which includes John, Rachel and Karen in conversation; an off the cuff Q&A between Rachel, Karen and Students from Ayrshire College's Music, Sound, Media, Film & Broadcasting and Social Media Content Creation courses; testimonials and feedback recorded by some of the Students who attended the event; and some songs chosen by Rachel and Karen!
This is a live and uncut recording from the event which contains strong language in some places and the audio goes up and down sometimes (that's a live show with radio mics for ya!) but what we're sure you'll take away from this episode is the energy in the room, the passionate response to the documentary and a flavour of what it was like to be in the audience for this fun filled, chaotic, inspiring and memorable live show at Ayrshire College!
- Watch Karen Dunbar's School of Rap on BBC iPlayer!
- Click here to access the Rockpool Podcasts App where you can add it to your home screen / install on your device!
- Links to Rockpool Podcasts socials, website, merch store + more at www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts!
- Interested studying at Ayrshire College? Start here, go anywhere!
Ayrshire College Student President Elections with Charlotte Mitchell
Hello Hello Hello!
Ayrshire College's Student Association Advisor, Charlotte Mitchell hosts a special episode dedicated to the Student President Elections 2023!
Tune in to find out more about the role of the Student Association, the role of the Student President and how you can get involved!
Ayrshire College Students can keep an eye on their student email inbox for updates and can find out more on the College website and by following the Student Association on Twitter!
For all things Rockpool Podcasts, check out our LinkTree and... drum roll please... click here to install the Rockpool Podcasts App on your phone!
Student Association Takeover with Ellie Jamieson & Charlotte Mitchell
In this Student Association Takeover episode, Ayrshire College Student President, Ellie Jamieson and Student Association Advisor, Charlotte Mitchell are in the studio and on the mic to talk about the work of the Student Association, what it does and how it supports students at Ayrshire College!
To find out more about about Ayrshire College's Student Association and how to get involved please click here and make sure to follow on Twitter for updates and more information!
For all things Rockpool Podcasts, check out our LinkTree and... drum roll please... click here to install the Rockpool Podcasts App on your phone!
Ayrshire and Arran Tourism Conference: Live On Location
The Rockpool Podcasts Team were on location at the Carlton Hotel in Prestwick recording live from the Ayrshire & Arran Tourism Conference which took place on Wednesday 15th March 2023. Proudly supported by RAD Hotel Group, Scottish Enterprise and VisitScotland, the full day industry event brought together the hospitality and tourism sector and was the first of its kind and a unique opportunity for people and businesses to come together, learn, and network with others.
Produced by John McBlain and hosted by Evan Keen, Linda Corbett, Nicole Cullen, Nicole Kilpatrick, Nathan Harkins and Ryan Robertson with photography and digital support from Andrew Dooner, this episode includes just under 2 hours of audio, 24 interviews and the entire closing panel speeches that concluded the event.
Please make sure to check out our Photo Gallery website at: www.bit.ly/rockpool_aa_conference. As always, links to the Rockpool Podcasts website, mech store, social media AND our new Rockpool Podcasts App are on our LinkTree at: www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts.
Organised by the Ayrshire & Arran Destination Alliance and by partners including East, North and South Ayrshire Councils, VisitScotland and Scottish Enterprise, over 120 delegates from across the region were in attendance at the Ayrshire & Arran Tourism Conference for the launch of the Ayrshire & Arran Visitor Economy Strategy and to hear plans for regional action to deliver this over the next few years.
Alongside keynote speakers there were breakout sessions covering digital tourism, food and drink, skills and employability, community wealth building and fair work with representatives from across the sector and ministerial address from Ivan McKee MSP - Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise - sharing his thoughts on the opportunities and challenges faced by the sector, looking ahead to delivery of the Ayrshire & Arran Visitor Economy Strategy and the difference this can make to the region.
Many thanks to the following people who spent time with our team and gave their voices to this episode:
- Ivan McKee MSP – Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise
- Daniel Steel – Chief Executive Officer, Ayrshire & Arran Destination Alliance
- Rob Dickson – Director of Industry & Destination Development, Visit Scotland
- Joshua Ryan-Saha – Director Traveltech for Scotland
- Justin Reid – Director of Media, Destinations, Hotel & Growth at TripAdvisor
- Linda Johnston – Managing Director of Auchrannie Resort
- Marc Crothall MBE - Scottish Tourism Alliance
- Fiona Richmond – Scotland Food & Drink
- Elaine Hutton – Assistant Principal, Ayrshire College
- Anne Marie McCabe - Scottish Enterprise
- Ailsa Currie – Bellevue Farm
- Linda Blackwood – NFU Mutual
- Craig Perkins – Geronimo Sailing
- Alastair Dobson – Taste of Arran
- Johnny Manning – Connekt – EV Charging
- Angus White – Direct Distribution
- Craig Lawless – VisitScotland
- Andrew Walsh – VisitArran
- Esther Tacke – Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere Partnership
- Gordon Smith – VisitScotland
- Sheila Gilmore – VisitArran
- Robert Kyle – RAD Group Ltd
- Anthony Gurney – North Ayrshire Council
- Adity Houison Craufurd – Craufurdland Ltd
For further information on the conference please click here to check out the VisitScotland website.
Sun Turtle Takeover: Open Mic Nights
Nicole Kilpatrick chats with Evan Keen, Nathan Harkins and Nicole Cullen about working alongside Sun Turtle Records, who are an Ayrshire-based not-for-profit record label that has been supporting grassroots music in Ayrshire since 2017. Sun Turtle has launched a brand new monthly open mic night at Harley's in Ayr and is allowing students from Ayrshire College to market, organise and host their open mic nights.
If you want to get involved in the March 2023 open mic night or any future open mics, you can get in touch with Sun Turtle at sunturtlerecords@gmail.com.
Upcoming open mic nights take place on Thursday the 23rd of March, Thursday the 20th of April and Thursday the 18th of May at Harley's, Ayr.
Find out more about Rockpool Podcasts, our website, merch store and Rockpool App + links to our Editorial Team's individual LinkTrees at www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts.
International Women's Day with Elsie Cook
To celebrate International Women's Day, Evan Keen is in conversation with pioneering trailblazer of women’s football in Scotland, Elsie Cook!
Recorded and released on location at HALO Enterprise and Innovation Centre in Kilmarnock on International Women's Day 2023, Stewarton-based Elsie was the Manager for the Scottish Women's national team and the secretary for the Scottish Women’s Football Association and had a key role in institutionalising the Scottish Women’s FA through her various endeavours. With a book reflecting on her impressive and inspirational life story on the horizon, Elsie shares some of her memories from throughout the years with her long term good friend, and fellow football fanatic, Evan Keen.
As mentioned throughout the episode, here are some links to articles about Elsie Cook and a short BBC produced documentary:
- Sunday Post (2022 article) - Sports awards celebrate women’s football legend Elsie Cook and her trailblazing teammates
- The Scotsman (2021 article) - Football legend Elsie Cook: 'I had to prove that women could play'
- Press and Journal (2022 article) - Elsie Cook: We have to speak out against sexists. We can’t let them win.
- BBC Scotland (2022) - When We Were Famous Documentary
For more information on Rockpool Podcasts, our social media, merch store, and our Rockpool App, check out www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts.
ACTV Letterboxd: Meet The Team Video Episode
Hello Hello Hello!
Produced and directed in less than 5 minutes, Ayrshire College Lecturer and Best Friend of The Pod Richard Scott hosts an exclusive video episode getting to know the team running the show at ACTV Letteboxd HQ!
Letterboxd is new online platform and App dedicated to, and all about movies where you can review movies, interact with other movie fans and catalogue your own watch lists!
Always the innovators in the Media, Film & Broadcasting Department; Ayrshire College is the FIRST educational establishment in Scotland to secure the highly sought after Letteboxd HQ status!
Letterboxd is available to download on all App Stores and you can sign up for your own account at https://letterboxd.com.
Follow ACTV on Letterbox at https://letterboxd.com/actv and on Twitter at ACTVBoxed at https://twitter.com/actvboxed.
As always, Rockpool Podcasts socials, merch store, website + much more available via www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts.
ACTV on Letterboxd
Hello Hello Hello and welcome to Rockpool Podcasts!
Linda Corbett is hosting an ACTV Letterboxd special with frequent Friends of The Pod, Benn Easdown and Richard Scott!
Letterboxd is new online platform and App dedicated to, and all about movies where you can review movies, interact with other movie fans and catalogue your own watch lists!
Always the innovators in the Media, Film & Broadcasting Department; Ayrshire College is the FIRST educational establishment in Scotland to secure the highly sought after Letteboxd HQ status!
Linda, Benn and Richard are here to tell you all about the platform, the ACTV Student Team running the show and what type of content you can expect to see, hear and read on ACTV Letterboxd HQ!
Letterboxd is available to download on all App Stores and you can sign up for your own account at https://letterboxd.com.
Follow ACTV on Letterbox at https://letterboxd.com/actv and on Twitter at ACTVBoxed at https://twitter.com/actvboxed.
As always, Rockpool Podcasts socials, merch store, website + much more available via www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts.
Your Story, Your Song with Sarah Prager
Sara is back with a special Rockpool Podcasts episode with Sarah Prager, writer, speaker, and activist. Sarah’s book ‘Queer, There and Everywhere: 23 People Who Changed The World’ is one of the titles in Ayrshire College’s new Pride Collection of books available in the Learning Resource Centre (LRC) at Kilmarnock campus, Ayrshire College.
In this episode, Sara and Sarah chat about all things ‘Sarah’, over Zoom, as we get to know more about her; her story; her books; the song that best describes her; her favourite song by an LGBT+ artist; and her song on repeat. She even gives Rockpool Podcasts an ‘exclusive’!
Sarah is now an official friend of the Pod and we look forward to speaking with her again soon!
You can check in with Sarah on her socials and read more about her on her website at sarahprager.com.
As always, you can do the same with Rockpool Podcasts with all the details on how and where on our LinkTree.
Click here to read more about Ayrshire College’s Pride Collection.
Music and HALO and Horses Oh My!
Hello! Konnichi Wa! Mabuhay!
Recorded on location at HALO Digital, Cyber and Innovation Park in Kilmarnock; John welcomes Evan and Nicole to HALO for the first time!
On this jam packed episode they're talking about what's going on at Rockpool Podcasts and Ayrshire College, live music & upcoming gigs, Sun Turtle Records new Open Mic Night at Harley's in Ayr, the Saltire Awards, revamping and updating the merch store and website, our soon-to-be-released Rockpool Podcasts App + much more!
They also take a trip down Brit Awards memory lane, talking about some of their favourite Brits moments and performances from the 90s, 00s and 2010s and find out that John was, once upon a time, a JUDGE at the Brit Awards in 2004! Evan and Nicole also, on behalf of our Editorial Team, take revenge on John by asking him the questions from our individual Meet The Team episodes!
It's a super-sized episode filled with plenty chat going off on tangents galore, laugh out loud moments, sound effects and music from Felix Da Housecat feat. the Poptarts, Macaulay Culkin, Seth Green and Chloe Sevigny; Steps, B*Witched, Cleopatra, Tina Cousins and Billie Piper; Kylie Minogue and New Order; and the Queen of Pop herself, Madonna! As we said! Super-sized! Stunnin!
As always, follow Rockpool Podcasts and our Editorial Team on their socials, check out our website and merch store and keep an eye out for our Rockpool Podcasts app which will be available soon!
All links on our LinkTree: www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts
Meet The Team (Part 2)
Evan, Nicole and Nathan, three of our new hosts enter the Pod Booth to host, record & produce their first episode of the show!
The trio have been friends, colleagues and fellow musicians for a few years having met each other while studying Music at Ayrshire College and in this episode, they're talking about their journey as Musicians, reflecting on their experiences to date as Music Students at the College, projects and upcoming live shows they're involved in, musical heroes + much more!
With music from Survivor, Stevie Nicks and Sam Fender!
Links, Website, Socials + more: www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts
Meet The Team (Part 1)
Linda, Kym & Nicole K, three of our new hosts enter the Pod Booth to host, record & produce their first episode of the show!
There's chat about goings on in their lives, creative work they're involved in, a wee game of Name That Tune + much more!
With music from Kesha, RuPaul and Mozart!
Links, Website, Socials + more: www.linktre.ee/rockpoolpodcasts
Introducing Nicole Kilpatrick
We're here to say Hello Hello Hello to our Season 6 Editorial Team and on this episode, we're passing the mic to Nicole Kilpatrick!
- Nicole's LinkTree: www.linktr.ee/steppingonviolets
- Rockpool Podcasts Website, Merch Store + More: www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts
- Ayrshire College Website: www1.ayrshire.ac.uk
Video Episode Produced & Directed by Andrew Dooner.
Rockpool Podcasts Produced by John McBlain.
Introducing Nathan Harkins
We're here to say Hello Hello Hello to our Season 6 Editorial Team and on this episode, we're passing the mic to Nathan Harkins!
- Nathan's LinkTree: www.linktr.ee/nathanlukeharkins
- Rockpool Podcasts Website, Merch Store + More: www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts
- Ayrshire College Website: www1.ayrshire.ac.uk
Video Episode Produced & Directed by Andrew Dooner.
Rockpool Podcasts Produced by John McBlain.
Introducing Linda Corbett
We're here to say Hello Hello Hello to our Season 6 Editorial Team and on this episode, we're passing the mic to Linda Corbett!
- Linda's LinkTree: www.linktr.ee/CorbettCaptures
- Rockpool Podcasts Website, Merch Store + More: www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts
- Ayrshire College Website: www1.ayrshire.ac.uk
Video Episode Produced & Directed by Andrew Dooner.
Rockpool Podcasts Produced by John McBlain.
Introducing Nicole Cullen
We're here to say Hello Hello Hello to our Season 6 Editorial Team and on this episode, we're passing the mic to Nicole Cullen!
- Nicole's LinkTree: www.linktr.ee/nicolecullenn
- Rockpool Podcasts Website, Merch Store + More: www.linktr.ee/rockpoolpodcasts
- Ayrshire College Website: www1.ayrshire.ac.uk
Video Episode Produced & Directed by Andrew Dooner.
Rockpool Podcasts Produced by John McBlain.