Saint Speaks

How To Speak And How To Grieve

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 08:00:00 GMT

Should you talk like David Attenborough? What does grief have to do with peat bogs? On this week's Saint Slander, Alexia Heasley and Tasha Currie talk all this and more with Simon Ezra-Jackson. Produced and edited by Natalie Olofsson.

Read Alexia Heasley's accent investigation, 'Lost In Pronunciation', here: https://www.thesaint.scot/post/lost-in-pronunciation

...and read the final installment of Tasha Currie's column 'Serial Griever' here, shortlisted for 'Best Project/Initiative' at the 2025 Student Publication Awards: https://www.thesaint.scot/post/serial-griever-clothes-and-goodbyes

Special thanks to the Ben Shankland Trio for use of their original jazz composition 'Looking Glass'. Here the full song at: https://youtu.be/Pgdhymzq1sQ?si=naRI7U-gCJhD49Dp and keep an eye on their gigs here https://www.benshankland.co.uk/gigs

If you'd like, you can support The Saint at https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-the-saint-st-andrews

The views expressed are the those of the speakers, not The Saint.

To get in touch, email podcast@thesaint.scot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let Things Die! Then Dig Them Up!

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 08:00:00 GMT

Who killed the Witch Lake Eight? Should you rip up granny's banana bread recipe? You've often wondered these questions, I know. On this episode of Saint Slander Simon Ezra-Jackson fearlessly tackles both sorcery and baking with Celia Irving and Alden Arnold. Produced by Natalie Olofsson and edited by Rohit Bamane.

Read Celia's gripping early modern murder mystery here: https://www.thesaint.scot/post/who-killed-the-witch-lake-eight

...and read Alden's tremendously eloquent reflections on mortality here: https://www.thesaint.scot/post/some-things-should-die

If you'd like, you can support The Saint at https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-the-saint-st-andrews

The views expressed are those of the speakers, not of The Saint.

To get in touch, email podcast@thesaint.scot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are Snobs Right? Is Insta Evil?

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 09:00:00 GMT

Do we need another French Revolution? Should you downgrade to a flip phone? On this episode of Saint Slander, Simon Ezra-Jackson talks these tough Qs and more with Arnaz Mallick, Georges Toulouse and Isabella Checkley.

This episode of Saint Slander was produced by Natalie Olofsson and edited by Elodie Cowan.

Read Arnaz and Georges' debate on 'High Culture' here: https://www.thesaint.scot/post/devil-s-advocate-is-high-culture-the-most-valuable-form-of-art

...and read 'Log Off To Lock In,' Isabella's social media detox deep-dive, here: https://www.thesaint.scot/post/log-off-to-lock-in

If you'd like, you can support The Saint at https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-the-saint-st-andrews

The views expressed are those of the speakers, not of The Saint.

To get in touch, email podcast@thesaint.scot

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How to Have a Conversation: The Philosophy of Conversation

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 09:00:00 GMT

In this episode, Sophia sits down with Dr Petronella Randell, a lecturer in Lecturer in Ethics and Philosophy of Language at the University of St Andrews. After having listened to our previous episode: How to Have a Conversation, with Lula Zeid, Dr. Randell helped us explicate these topics a bit more.

Discussion points include: relative definitions within different speech communities, conflicting definitions of ambiguous terms (Merely Verbal Disputes), how to do philosophy, and truly helped to answer our questions about the philosophy of conversation.

This episode was produced by Natalie Olofsson and edited by Rohit Bamane.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nepo Babes And Masonic Crazes

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 08:00:00 GMT

Does Goldman Sachs have an outreach programme for nepo-babies? What's up with Freemasons? Mrunmayi Kamerkar and Stella Pak-Guénette chat all this and more with Simon Ezra-Jackson. This episode of Saint Slander was produced by Natalie Olofsson and edited by Rohit Bamane.

Read Mrunmayi's intriguing Masonic deep-dive here: https://www.thesaint.scot/post/we-don-t-ride-goats-and-we-re-not-connected-to-the-illuminati

...and Stella's magnificent nepo baby polemic here: https://www.thesaint.scot/post/networking-nepotism-and-the-myth-of-merit

Special thanks to the Ben Shankland Trio for use of their original jazz composition 'Looking Glass'. Here the full song at: https://youtu.be/Pgdhymzq1sQ?si=naRI7U-gCJhD49Dp

If you'd like, you can support The Saint at https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-the-saint-st-andrews

The views expressed are those of the speakers, not of The Saint.

To get in touch, email podcast@thesaint.scot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cringe Kindles And Fife Park Phobia

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:09:18 GMT

Is the DRA Night Bus basically the Titanic? What's the sex appeal of an E-reader? Alex Barnard, Sarah Hassanein and Simon Ezra-Jackson discuss these timely questions and more. Saint Slander is produced by Natalie Olofsson for The Saint. This episode was edited by Elodie Cowan.

Read Alex Barnard's controversial defence of 'Kindle Man' here: https://www.thesaint.scot/post/don-t-come-for-my-kindle

...and read Sarah Hassanein's wonderful weigh-up between living in DRA and In-Town here: https://www.thesaint.scot/post/the-distance-dilemma-drafp-vs-in-town

If you'd like, you can support The Saint at https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-the-saint-st-andrews

The views expressed are those of the speakers, not of The Saint.

To get in touch, email podcast@thesaint.scot

Special thanks to the Ben Shankland Trio for use of their original composition 'Looking Glass'. Hear the full song at: https://youtu.be/Pgdhymzq1sQ?si=naRI7U-gCJhD49Dp

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Saint's Unholy History

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 09:00:00 GMT

Twenty years ago, The Saint was a tabloid of dubious repute and St Andrews was a backwater for the dim but posh. How did all that change? And how is Britney Spears involved? William Finlator and Simon Ezra-Jackson get stuck into it.

Read William's magisterial piece on The Saint in the Noughties here: https://www.thesaint.scot/post/a-worthy-and-highly-respectable-student-newspaper-highs-lows-and-halos-the-saint-and-its-arch

Saint Slander is hosted by Simon Ezra-Jackson and edited by Natalie Olofsson and Rohit Bamane.

Special thanks to the Ben Shankland Trio for use of their original composition 'Looking Glass'. Hear the whole thing here: https://youtu.be/Pgdhymzq1sQ?si=QuAoaJovX2HstrV4

If you'd like, you can support The Saint at https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-the-saint-st-andrews

The views expressed are those of the speakers, not of The Saint.

To get in touch, email podcast@thesaint.scot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AI Dream Analysis and Sunny Scotland

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 11:33:48 GMT

Do dreams of ravens flying over a dark forest bode ill? Is there anywhere in Scotland past Edinburgh and St Andrews? Simon Ezra-Jackson wades galoshes-first into these questions and more with Reese Abromavage and Mistral Zerbi. Produced by Natalie Olofsson.

Read Reese's interesting piece on dreams (and Taylor Swift) here: https://www.thesaint.scot/post/the-art-of-dreams

Read Mistral's refreshingly bucolic piece on Scotland's natural beauty here: https://www.thesaint.scot/post/four-years-here-and-you-saw-nothing

If you'd like, you can support The Saint at https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-the-saint-st-andrews

The views expressed are those of the speakers, not of The Saint.

To get in touch, email podcast@thesaint.scot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discount Debauchery and Duolingo

Fri, 29 Nov 2024 13:14:05 GMT

What do sex and unripe avocadoes have in common? How manipulative is Duolingo? Simon Ezra-Jackson talks all this and more with Maria de Feo and Alex Mcquibban.

Find Maria and Alex's brilliant pieces here:

'My Beef With Duolingo' https://www.thesaint.scot/post/my-beef-with-duolingo

'The Art Of Affordable Indulgence'

https://www.thesaint.scot/post/the-art-of-affordable-indulgence

If you'd like, you can support The Saint at https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-the-saint-st-andrews

The views expressed are those of the speakers, not of The Saint.

This episode was hosted by Simon Ezra-Jackson and produced and edited by Natalie Olofsson.

To get in touch, email podcast@thesaint.scot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dating Older Women And Duelling Other Men

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 10:24:09 GMT

Do St Andreans hold secret sword fights? (Yes). Is dating your academic kids okay? (Hmmm). Simon Ezra-Jackson gets to the bottom of this malarkey with Arnaz Mallick and Truman Cunningham.

Read Truman's spectacular piece 'Bring Back The Duel', here: https://www.thesaint.scot/post/bring-back-the-duel

...and read Simon's piece 'Mind The (Age) Gap' here: https://www.thesaint.scot/post/mind-the-age-gap-students-experience-dating-older

Produced by Natalie Olofsson and edited by Rohit Bamane.

If you'd like, you can support The Saint at https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-the-saint-st-andrews

The views expressed are those of the speakers, not of The Saint.

To get in touch, email podcast@thesaint.scot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to Have a Conversation

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 10:00:13 GMT

In this inaugural episode, we sit down with one of the co-founders of the 1984, Lula Zeid, to discuss the contextual nature of conversations, how to make them accessible, and the acceptability of answering questions with questions.

The 1984 is a student society dedicated to facilitating intellectual conversations outside of the classroom. They bring curious students together to have unstructured dialogues on an array of topics via a series of debates throughout the year. Our next episode will be with Petronella Randell, a member of the St Andrews Department of Philosophy, to answer questions raised in this episode, and further the conversation.

This episode was hosted by Sophia Pawliw, produced by Natalie Olofsson, and edited by Rohit Bamane.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Puberty, Despair, and France

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 10:30:09 GMT

Does a "second puberty" exist? Do our Instagrammable holidays hide glum realities? Sunaa Ahmed and Soren Rasmussen are asked all this and more in episode two of Saint Slander. Hosted by Simon Ezra-Jackson and produced by Natalie Olofsson.

Find Sunaa and Soren's brilliant pieces at the links below:

'Puberty: The Sequel', by Sunaa Ahmed: https://www.thesaint.scot/post/puberty-the-sequel

'"The Green Ray" And Reading Week Despair', by Soren Rasmussen:

https://www.thesaint.scot/post/the-green-ray-and-reading-week-despair

If you'd like, you can support The Saint at https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-the-saint-st-andrews

The views expressed are those of the speakers, not of The Saint.

To get in touch, email podcast@thesaint.scot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Slow Walkers Strike Back

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 09:00:18 GMT

Should Keir Starmer ban slow walkers? Should we forgive slow walkers? What nationality of tourist dawdles the most? Sam Spendlove and Simon Ezra-Jackson tackle these pressing questions and more. Produced by Natalie Olofsson and edited by Rohit Bamane.

Find Sam's controversial defence of the slow walker at thesaint.scot/post/ease-on-down-the-road.

If you'd like, you can buy The Saint a pot of tea at gofundme.com/f/save-the-saint-st-andrews.

The views expressed in this podcast are of the individual speakers, not of The Saint.

To get in touch, contact us at podcast@thesaint.scot.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

09 — Challenging Black-and-White Thinking

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 19:03:43 GMT

For our very final episode of the year, we bring back return guest Alex Beckett, Business Editor for The Saint, and brand new guest Ren Smyth, a fourth-year philosophy student.

We discuss a new report on the role of gender in youth political views, and delve our furthest ever into the arts with Beyonce's brand-new Cowboy Carter. There's a brief but vigorous debate on the word "vibes" — and if hangovers are a state of mind.

This episode was hosted by Rosie Miller, produced by Natalie Olofsson, and edited by Ana-Lucia Chalmers.

All opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers, not The Saint.

To get in touch, please reach out to us through podcast@thesaint.scot. We would love to hear from you.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

08 — Questioning Assumptions

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 08:00:40 GMT

Putting our best student journalist minds to work, we invite Simon Ezra-Jackson, who studies philosophy and German, and Phoebe Davies, a theology student. We cover the limits of gene editing, why Italy might come for your favourite Italian restaurant, and a long-standing British political controversy.

This episode was hosted by Rosie Miller, edited by Ana-Lucia Chalmers, and produced by Natalie Olofsson.

All opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers, not The Saint.

To get in touch, please reach out to us through podcast@thesaint.scot. We would love to hear from you.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

07 — International Women's Day Special

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 09:00:46 GMT

In light of International Women's Day and Mother's Day, we discuss recent reports on equal pay in Birmingham, a memorable resistance to the Taliban through music, and what is next for International Women's Day.

Thank you to Shakeelah Bessell, a fourth-year International Relations student, and Noura McNelis Mahmoud, a third-year International Relations and Modern History student, for joining us today.

This episode was hosted by Rosie Miller, produced by Natalie Olofsson, and edited by Ana-Lucia Chalmers.

All opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individual speakers, not The Saint.

To get in touch, read out at podcast@thesaint.scot. We would love to hear from you.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

06 — Year of Elections

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 08:00:53 GMT

In a topical episode this week on global 2024 elections we bring in return guest Chris Morrow, VP of St Andrews Economics Society, and welcome Janvi Poddar, economics student and part of the university's climate committee.

The opinions expressed by guests and hosts in this episode of Diss-Course are those of the speakers. They do not reflect the opinions or views of The Saint.

This episode was hosted by Rosie Miller and edited by Natalie Olofsson.

To get in touch, email us at podcast@thesaint.scot.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

05 — Science Under the Microscope

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 17:00:14 GMT

In our first episode of 2024, we welcome return guests Jasmine Sykes and Sophia Pawliw to discuss changes in health and technology.

This episode was hosted by Rosie Miller, produced by Natalie Olofsson, and edited by Ana-Lucia Chalmers.

The opinions expressed by guests and hosts in this episode of Diss-Course are those of the speakers. They do not reflect the opinions or views of The Saint.

To get in touch, email us at podcast@thesaint.scot.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

04 — Freedom Versus Safety

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 09:00:09 GMT

This week we welcome Hannah Shirley and Sophia Pawliw, who share their thoughts on the right to protest, data sharing, and Canada’s controversial automatism clause.

Trigger warning: this episode involves the discussion of crimes that some listeners may find upsetting.

The opinions expressed by guests and hosts in this episode of Diss-Course are those of the speakers. They do not reflect the opinions or views of The Saint.

This episode was hosted by Rosie Miller and edited by Natalie Olofsson.

To get in touch, email us at podcast@thesaint.scot.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

03 — The Future of Technology

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 09:00:14 GMT

This week we welcome Martyna Kemeklyte and William Finlator to discuss changes to technology — and the future of policing in the UK.

The opinions expressed by guests and hosts in this episode of Diss-Course are those of the speakers. They do not reflect the opinions or views of The Saint.

This episode was hosted by Rosie Miller and edited by Natalie Olofsson.

To get in touch, email us at podcast@thesaint.scot.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

02 — Regulation: 4-Day Work Weeks, the NHS, and an Authoritarian Student Bar

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 17:54:00 GMT

This week we welcome Chris Morrow, VP of the St Andrews Economics Society, and Hugo Sinclair, president of Shinty Society, to debate all things controversial: smoking bans, dress codes, and... glasses of milk?!

The opinions expressed by guests and hosts in this episode of Diss-Course are those of the speakers. They do not reflect the opinions or views of The Saint.

This episode was hosted by Rosie Miller and edited by Natalie Olofsson.

To get in touch, email us at podcast@thesaint.scot.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

01 — Off Brand: HS2 Policy Changes, Starmer’s U-Turn, and a Certain Disgraced Comedian

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 09:00:28 GMT

Our most important and benign opinions are brought to the surface in the grand opening of Diss-Course Season 1. The qualms of breakfast foods, and the future of HS2 in the United Kingdom, lay in front of three St Andrews students this week.

Queries? Contact us at podcast@thesaint.scot.

The opinions expressed by guests and hosts in this episode of Diss-Course are those of the speakers. They do not reflect the opinions or views of The Saint.

With guest speakers Alexander Beckett and Jasmine Sykes.

Hosted by Rosie Miller.

Edited by Natalie Olofsson.

Diss-Course uploads every fortnight during the university term.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 14: Exam Stress and Mental Health

Sat, 22 Apr 2023 09:26:37 GMT

Today Saint Speaks talks to Professor Ian Smith, Director of Student Wellbeing for the School of Economics and Finance and Grace Greene, Mental Health Representative for the Students Union, to discuss the pressures facing students in the light of exam season

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Episode 13: Is St Andrews a Top Uni?

Fri, 24 Mar 2023 11:51:22 GMT

Today, Emily and I go to the Criterion to ask students whether they think St Andrews is a top university. We discuss the academic, social and extra-curricular elements of the experience, and weigh up how they compare to our perceptions of what a good university is.

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Episode 12: Resilience in Crisis: Small Businesses in St Andrews

Sat, 18 Mar 2023 11:42:48 GMT

St Andrews is not immune from the market pressures of the cost of living crisis - the crunch is felt here, like it is elsewhere, which small businesses experience attests to. Today, Isabel and William visit several small businesses across town to understand how they are surviving in crisis. What Saint Speaks found was that despite the relatively considerable pressures, by and large, the key story is one of resilience.

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Episode 11: Meet the Candidates

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 01:49:31 GMT

In this week's episode of Saint Speaks Isabel, William and Millie interview some of the leading candidates for the upcoming student elections. We ask candidates about their reasons for running, what they hope to change about University life and how they respond to the legitimacy crisis in student union elections.

To listen to a specific candidate, the timestamps for each candidate can be found below:

Barry Will, candidate for Student President - 2.25.

Stella Maris, candidate for Student President - 14.10.

Pasha Moradzadeh-Tehrani, candidate for Athletic Union President - 23.27.

Hitanshi Badani, candidate for Arts and Divinity Faculty President - 30.27.

Taasia Thong, candidate for BAME officer - 34.39.

Syna Singh, current Economics and Finance President, seeking re-election - 40.22.

Daria Gusa, candidate for IR President - 43.59.

Holly Seo, candidate for Physics and Astrophysics President - 47.39.

Olivia Benbow, candidate for History President - 50.19.

Dawn Lui, candidate for Art History President - 57.38.

Michael Pagnano, candidate for Classics President - 63.15

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Episode 10: Love in St Andrews

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 10:03:52 GMT

You either leave St Andrews married or an alcoholic, so goes the expression. Today, on Valentine's Day, we explore this further - asking what is love and what does it mean in St Andrews?

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Episode 9: UCU Strikes Again

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 16:45:07 GMT

Today, Isabel Loubser speaks to striking university staff about the ongoing strikes. We interview those on the picket line, to understand what the issues are what is at stake and why action must happen now.

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Episode 8: Advocacy and Accountability: Your Vote in 2023

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 10:51:38 GMT

Today, William Finlator interviews Juan Pablo Rodriguez, President of the Students Association about the upcoming student elections and the role student representatives play more broadly.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 7: Events in 2023, What to Look Forward to

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 11:31:26 GMT

In today's episode, Isabel Loubser welcomes the Saint's very own Events Editor, Harriet St Pier, to discuss St Andrews events over the coming semester.

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Episode 6: CASH and the Fight for Affordable Student Housing

Wed, 23 Nov 2022 17:43:15 GMT

Today Isabel Loubser speaks to Barry Will and Tooba Ahmed of CASH (Campaign for Affordable Student Housing) about the ongoing student housing crisis. They discuss the scale of the issue, who, if anyone is behind it, and what steps the university and others can take to alleviate the crisis.

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Episode 5: What Makes University Debate Important?

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 00:13:52 GMT

This week on Saint Speaks, Isabel talks to Cara, President of the Union Debating Society (UDS), and Alp, Serjeant-at-Arms of the UDS, about the role of debate at University.

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Episode 4: Does the St Andrews Music Scene Offer Anything Unique?

Wed, 09 Nov 2022 22:04:06 GMT

Today, we talk about what is new and unique about the St Andrews music scene. Our guests include Lottie, Skye and Tiger from Behave and Lily and Theo from Szentek. The link to buy tickets for the November event is here: https://ra.co/events/1601703

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Episode 3: Charity and Community

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 22:50:01 GMT

This week on Saint Speaks, Isabel talks to Mabel Pickering, President of The Lumsden Club and Andrew Dingwall, the first fellow of The Fellowship. Andrew and Mabel talk about their charitable endeavours, and their efforts to help bridge the town-gown divide.

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Episode 2: Ghosts in St Andrews

Wed, 26 Oct 2022 14:57:18 GMT

This week, Isabel Loubser speaks with award-winning St Andrews-based ghost expert Richard Falconer, to discuss ghosts in St Andrews and some common misconceptions associated with them. Richard's website for his ghost tours is https://standrewsghosttours.com/

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Episode 1: Meet the Editors

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 17:36:57 GMT

In our inaugural episode of Saint Speaks, Isabel Loubser, Deputy Editor of the Saint and host of the podcast, speaks to Amelia Perry, her co-Deputy and Sophia Brousset, the Editor of the newspaper. Discussed is the history, values and missions of the Saint, as well as the broader aims of the Editorial board over the coming year.

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