Dr. Laura Cooper is a researcher at the University of Edinburgh who led a groundbreaking study on prototaxites, an ancient organism that has puzzled scientists for nearly 170 years. Her research, published in the journal Science, reveals that well-preserved fossils from Aberdeenshire represent a distinct extinct lineage that doesn't fit into any existing biological kingdom. She recently completed her PhD, with this discovery forming a central part of her doctoral thesis.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Dr. Laura Cooper and the significance of her research being published in Science

01:25 - What is prototaxites and why it's caused scientific debate for 170 years

02:21 - The origin of the name "prototaxites" and why it's misleading

02:44 - How the organism has been classified throughout history, from yew tree to fungus

03:07 - The exceptionally well-preserved specimens from Aberdeenshire, Scotland

03:40 - Why prototaxites doesn't fit with fungi based on chemical composition and anatomy

04:14 - The massive size of these organisms—at least eight meters long

04:39 - Why prototaxites doesn't fit into any known major groups of complex life

05:22 - Understanding biological kingdoms: bacteria, prokaryotes, and eukaryotes

06:13 - The protists group and how genetic information has revealed multiple separate lineages

07:20 - Why prototaxites represents a separate large organism lineage that went extinct 08:44 - Early land environments when life was first coming onto land

10:30 - The timeline of when plants colonized land and prototaxites' role in early ecosystems

15:45 - How prototaxites lived and functioned in ancient landscapes

22:18 - The structure and anatomy of prototaxites compared to modern organisms 28:50 - How the organism grew and what its tubes looked like

35:20 - The Rhynie Chert fossil site and its exceptional preservation

42:15 - Techniques used to study the fossils, including high-resolution imaging

48:30 - Chemical analysis that revealed prototaxites wasn't made of chitin like fungi

55:40 - What the organism might have eaten or how it obtained nutrients

1:02:15 - The ecological impact of these massive organisms on early terrestrial environments

1:08:30 - Why prototaxites went extinct and what replaced it

1:16:10 - Future research directions and similar organisms being studied

1:17:04 - Looking for smaller, earlier versions of prototaxites to understand its evolution

1:18:09 - Where to find more prototaxites specimens around the world

1:19:29 - The specimen going to the National Museum of Scotland's research collection

1:21:22 - Laura's PhD viva examination and completion

1:22:19 - What a viva is and how it works as a final PhD examination

Relevant Links:

University of Edinburgh - https://www.ed.ac.uk

National Museum of Scotland - https://www.nms.ac.uk

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Jacob Smith is a journalist and food writer based in Edinburgh who has worked for The Courier and various publications as a freelance writer. He studied sport science and later earned a masters in Conflict, Security and Development before transitioning into journalism and creative writing. He is currently working on a literary fiction novel while employed as a kitchen porter at Dog Star Restaurant, Edinburgh.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to the episode and overview of conversation topics

00:53 - How Jacob got into jiu-jitsu through his partner and his athletic background in rugby and boxing

01:56 - Educational journey from sport science to masters in Conflict, Security and Development

03:07 - Why Jacob chose to study international security and development while teaching English in Spain

04:12 - What deterred him from pursuing a career in international development and aid work

05:42 - The challenges of working in large international organizations versus grassroots charities

06:01 - Discussion comparing approaches to humanitarian work, referencing the Oleg Dmitriev episode

08:30 - How Jacob transitioned into journalism and got his start in writing

12:45 - Early freelance writing experiences and learning the business side of journalism

18:20 - Getting hired at The Courier and what that role involved

24:15 - Food writing as a specialty and how that developed

31:40 - The realities of being paid as a freelance writer

38:25 - How AI is impacting journalism and writing professions

45:10 - Concerns about AI-generated content and its effect on the industry

52:30 - The importance of building relationships with editors

58:45 - Deciding to leave The Courier and return to freelance work

1:05:20 - Taking a job as a kitchen porter while pursuing creative projects

1:12:35 - The difference between journalism and creative writing

1:18:50 - Dealing with rejection and the emotional side of creative work

1:25:15 - The practical challenges of making a living as a writer

1:32:40 - Why working in kitchens informs both his novel and food writing

1:38:25 - The writing process and discipline required for long-form fiction

1:44:10 - How to know when a piece of writing is finished

1:50:23 - Current projects: literary fiction novel about toxic masculinity and male friendship in kitchens

1:52:31 - Plans for future food writing pieces and submissions to national publications

1:53:48 - The ups and downs of a creative career path

1:54:12 - Living with uncertainty and having supportive people around you

1:56:56 - Final thoughts on taking creative risks and Jim Carrey's lesson about playing it safe

Relevant Links

• Jacob Smith's Instagram Profile: https://www.instagram.com/jlsmithwriter/
• Dogstar Restaurant, Edinbrugh: https://dogstarleith.com/
• The Courier: https://www.thecourier.co.uk/

Thank you for listening.

Dean Robertson is a fitness coach and business owner based in Edinburgh. He runs Elysium and CrossFit Edinburgh, an 11,000-square-foot facility in the heart of the city. Dean has been in the fitness industry for 19 years and holds a master's degree in strength and conditioning from Edinburgh University.

Timestamps:

00:01:16 - Introduction and what Dean does beyond personal training

00:03:10 - Dean's background, business overview, and owning Elysium and CrossFit Edinburgh

00:04:08 - Educational journey through Edinburgh College, Napier University, and master's degree

00:05:03 - The deeper role of personal trainers and handling vulnerable conversations with clients

00:06:29 - Using strength training as a vehicle for mental resilience and life improvement

00:07:53 - Finding what makes people tick and helping fitness become a passion rather than a task

00:08:46 - Arnold Schwarzenegger's perspective on training and the transformative power of exercise

01:48:03 - Creating a workplace culture where employees genuinely enjoy what they do

01:48:43 - Reflections on people who hate their jobs and the importance of finding fulfillment

01:49:31 - Future plans for the business and small victories ("greenlights")

01:50:32 - Inspiration from his nephew with cystic fibrosis and maintaining gratitude

01:51:47 - Final thoughts on authenticity, being yourself, and enjoying every day

Links:

Dean's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamelysium/?hl=en

CrossFit Edinburgh: https://crossfit-edinburgh.com/

Elysium Fitness Edinburgh: https://elysium-edinburgh.com/

Thank you for listening.

Oleg Dmitriev is the leader of Sunflower, a Scotland-based charity that delivers humanitarian aid directly to people in Ukraine's most dangerous frontline areas. He has made dozens of trips into conflict zones including Kherson, Kharkiv, and Sumy, bringing medical supplies, equipment, and essential aid to those who need it most. Through his work, he coordinates volunteers, manages complex logistics, and ensures that donations reach the people who desperately need them.

KEY MOMENTS:

00:00 - Introduction: Meeting Oleg Dmitriev from Sunflower Charity

03:00 - The Work: Delivering Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine's Frontlines

08:00 - Dozens of Dangerous Trips to Kherson, Kharkiv, and Sumy

12:00 - The Animal Rescue Controversy: Why Prioritizing Humans Matters

18:00 - How Sunflower Charity Operates: From Scotland to Ukraine

24:00 - Finding People in Need: Social Media, Word of Mouth, and Connections

30:00 - How to Donate: Money, Supplies, and Standing Orders

35:00 - Medical Equipment and Life-Saving Supplies: What's Actually Needed

42:00 - Why You Can't Just Send Big Lorries to the Frontlines

48:00 - The Reality of Frontline Deliveries: Small Vehicles, High Risk

55:00 - Volunteer Safety: Proper Training, Equipment, and Risk Assessment

1:02:00 - Why Sending Untrained Volunteers is Immoral

1:08:00 - The Cost-Effectiveness Problem: Buying Food Locally vs. Shipping

1:15:00 - How the War Has Evolved: Drones, Technology, and Obsolete Tactics

1:22:00 - The Technological Revolution on the Battlefield

1:28:00 - Adapting Strategy: Learning What Works and What Doesn't

1:35:00 - Ensuring Aid Reaches the End User, Not Warehouses

1:42:00 - Future Plans: How Long Will the Mission Continue?

1:48:00 - Team Management: Working with Volunteers from Around the World

1:54:00 - The Importance of Rest and Sustainability in Humanitarian Work

2:00:00 - Final Thoughts: How Everyone Can Support Ukraine

LINKS: Sunflower Charity Website: https://sunflowerscotland.co.uk/

Ways to Donate: https://sunflowerscotland.co.uk/donate-to-support-ukraine/

Follow Oleg's Work: https://sunflowerscotland.co.uk/about/sunflower-scotland-team/sunflower-scotland-team-oleg-dmitriev-mba/

Thank you for listening.

In this episode, I spoke to Kyle Matthews, also known as 'The Milky Runner', who is running the entire perimeter of the UK. At time of publishing, Kyle has run 3800km with a backpack and tent, from September through to December, at just 19-years-old.

We talked about why he is doing this, what it was like at the beginning, planning (or not) his days, running 50-60km per day, what he eats, and the effect it's had on him as a person.

Kyle finishes his race between Christmas and New Year 2025, and is raising money for Family Action,You can find his fundraiser here.

Thanks for listening.

In this episode, I’m joined by writer and novelist Chris Barkley, author of The Man on the Endless Stair.

We talk about Chris’s journey as a writer — from early manuscripts and rejection, to publication — and use that as a starting point to explore bigger questions: how stories shape our understanding of the world, how trauma influences perception, and why certainty can sometimes be more dangerous than doubt.

Our conversation covered metafiction, journalism, Buddhism, quantum physics, phenomenology, and psychology, touching on ideas like the middle path, synchronicity, and the role of wonder in a meaningful life. We also talk about Chris’s time working in an alternative school, how that experience shaped his writing, and why listening — rather than prescribing answers — matters so much.

This is a wide-ranging, reflective conversation about creativity, humility, and what it means to participate in reality rather than trying to control it.

Resources mentioned:

• The Man on the Endless Stair — Chris Barkley
• If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler — Italo Calvino
• Six Memos for the Next Millennium — Italo Calvino
• On Writing — Stephen King
• Steering the Craft — Ursula K. Le Guin
• Bird by Bird — Anne Lamott
• On Becoming a Person — Carl Rogers
• Analytic Idealism in a Nutshell — Bernardo Kastrup
• Biocentrism — Robert Lanza
• Atom and Archetype — Wolfgang Pauli & Carl Jung

Ronan Foley is a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and coach at Low Tide BJJ in Edinburgh.

Ronan was diagnosed with stage-4 Hodgkins Lymphoma earlier in the year, which stopped him from teaching and practising the sport he loves.

We talked about diagnosis, treatment, and the joy of going into remission.

Remember to subscribe to the podcast, and leave a review - it really helps!

Ross

Dr Donald Smith is a Scottish storyteller, writer and cultural advocate. He was founding Director of the Scottish Storytelling Centre (2003-2014) and is the driving force behind the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, as well as a mentor in storytelling, theatre and community heritage work.