'We went from podcast virgins to podcast hosts ... with 39 shows made in West End'

Last year we began our journey to increase our skills and stretch our bravery storytelling, going from podcast virgins to podcast hosts.

We were offered the opportunity to create a pod series with the fledgling podcast network ‘The Big Light’.

With the boom in this medium it was another way to connect directly with people wherever they were in the world, sharing human stories and life experiences that may chime with their own.

Charley and Colin with one of their first guests, presenter and journalist Kirsty Wark.

By sharing everyday bravery stories, our aim was to reduce loneliness and increase human connectedness in uncertain times.

We believe authentic storytelling not only heals, it unites and can inspire human beings.

By October our bravery message went live with the launch of our podcast on World Mental Health Day in New York, with a live spot on BBC Radio Scotland and interviews at Gotham Recording Studios on West 38th Street.

Brave Your Day podcast and The Big Light network.

Fast forward to today, we reflect on our catalogue of 39 shows recorded at Demus studios off Great Western Road and The Big Light at Park Gate.

Every week as we stepped up to the mic, we got better at conquering our nerves to confront new learning as we prepared to interview, explore and unravel the bravery story within each of our guests, while inviting listeners to lead a braver life, with simple takeaways to practice.

We have featured a rich range of storytellers such as football legend Rose Reilly, Scottish artists, Alexander Miller, Ross Muir and Gerard M Burns, global anti-ageism activist Ashton Applewhite, New York Times journalist John Leland, comedian Karen Dunbar, broadcaster Kirsty Wark plus many more fabulous guests.

Brave Your Day. With New York Times journalist John Leland.

During the COVID lockdown our weekly shows came from our Southside living room and focused on exploring in-the-moment problems, anxieties and fears as we lived, up close, in a global pandemic.

We are currently working on a 4th series and this week we drop a bonus episode, featuring a mix of our stellar guests who have explored their own relationship with bravery.

All this could not have been possible without the belief, mentoring and support from The Big Light, a new podcast network based in Glasgow’s West End and founded by broadcaster Janice Forsyth and producer Fiona White.

'By sharing everyday bravery stories, our aim was to reduce loneliness and increase human connectedness in uncertain times.

'We believe authentic storytelling not only heals, it unites and can inspire human beings'

Brave Your Day

From comedy to crime, culture to scripted fiction, music to documentaries, they are creating high-quality audio and international community of listeners to the very best of contemporary Scottish culture.

All of their shows are made in, or inspired by, Scotland, but the themes and subjects are universal.

In the words of our Big Light stablemate, Stuart Cosgrove: “A new generation of Scottish-based media is emerging, and we are passionate about seeing it succeed.”

All of this has come from the creative Glasgow West End.

We invite you to listen to our bonus episode out now, as an introduction to explore our bravery back catalogue.

Big lights: Producer Fiona White, presenter Stuart Cosgrove, and broadcaster Janice Forsyth.

Live at The Big Light studio in Glasgow.

* Search Brave Your Day to subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts and check out the range of The Big Light shows via their website. Apple www.apple.co/2JTadMz. Spotify https://sptfy.com/4T4a. Find out more about Brave Your Day here and The Big Light here.