The Extremis Publishing Podcast: Recent Episodes
Extremis Publishing Ltd.
Extremis Publishing is an independent publishing house based in Scotland, specialising in arts, media and culture non-fiction. Join us as we chat with our authors, talk about new books, and discuss all things writing. (Some episodes may contain adult language.)
Archaeologist Dr Murray Cook considers the remarkable story of the River Forth as he unveils his book "Scotland's First Frontier". From Roman invasions to Viking attacks, the Forth has played a major part in Scotland's story for millennia. Murray explains why it has been such a vitally important factor in the country's history for so long.
For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com/scotlands-first-frontier.html
Recorded at the remarkable Bannockburn House, one of the most culturally significant country houses in all of Stirlingshire, Dr Catherine Bradley of the Bannockburn House Trust discusses just why this amazing place has become so important to Scotland's history. A Category A listed building with important connections to medieval battles, Jacobite history, and ties to the tartan weaving industry, Catherine discusses just some of the fascinating facts about the house - including the many film and TV productions to take place on the premises, and the estate's unexpected link to the legendary comedy duo Laurel and Hardy!
Find out more by visiting the official Bannockburn House website at: https://www.bannockburnhouse.scot/
What does it really take to build a thriving business community across an entire region, and who is helping to make it happen? In this episode, we sit down with Lynn Harris, President and CEO of Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce, to discover how this remarkable organisation has grown into a network of over 300 member businesses spanning Central Scotland, connecting entrepreneurs, supporting growth, and giving local enterprise a powerful collective voice.
For more information about Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce, please visit their website at: https://forthvalleychamber.co.uk/
Managing Director of Studio King Street, Neil Munday, interviews Tom Christie about his new book "Lights, Camera, Stirling!" which was co-authored by Julie Christie. Tom discusses just why this beautiful and historic part of Scotland has proven to be so popular with film-makers from all over the world, including some examples of the many movies and TV series which have been shot in the region over the years.
For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com/lights-camera-stirling.html
Computer industry legend Mel Croucher, who founded the first videogames company in the UK, drops in for a chat about "Gamers: Ghosts in the Machine" - the first instalment in his ambitious multi-volume series detailing the history of gaming. Mel talks about some of the extraordinary figures who were responsible for shaping the modern videogames industry, and teases a few surprises we can look forward to in later entries in the series.
For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com/gamers.html
Laura Ruddock, the founder of the Literary Escape Company, joins us for a chat about her ambitious new range of book festivals, with sellout events scheduled right across Britain in 2026. Laura discusses her business journey to date, including her range of merchandise and new developments that are still in the pipeline.
For more information about the Literary Escape Company, please visit their official website at: https://www.literaryescapeco.co.uk/
Stuart Hall, PR and Media Officer at Forth Valley College, has a chat with Dr Tom Christie, creator of the Writing for Publication course that runs regularly at the college's Stirling campus. Tom reflects on presenting the course over the past few years, and discusses the content that attendees can expect - not least the fact that there is always something new to include every time a session runs!
For more information about the Writing for Publication course, please visit Forth Valley College's website at: https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/courses/creative-industries-and-media/writing-for-publication-evening
Author and entrepreneur Laurie Duncan discusses his brand new book Real Property, Real Profit, exploring his remarkable real-life journey towards huge business success in the world of property. Laurie discusses the challenges and the successes involved in becoming one of the country's most successful property traders and developers, including the importance of mindset and adaptability.
For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com/real-property-real-profit.html
A true pioneer of British microcomputing has once again taken to the airwaves. Mel Croucher, the visionary creator of Deus Ex Machina and one of the most distinctive voices of the 1980s home computer scene, has revived his irreverent end-of-the-year “address to the nation” as Mel Croucher’s Christmas Cracker. In the glory days of Crash and other stalwart computer magazines, Mel’s seasonal missives arrived as crackling cover-mounted cassette tapes, equal parts satire, philosophy and digital mischief. Now, in a pleasingly circular twist of technological fate, the message returns via podcast: still as provocative, still as witty, and still reminding us that computing was once as much about imagination and rebellion as it was about machine code.
In this Christmas podcast special, author Robert Murray reminisces about celebrating the festive season in glorious Tayside - from his happy childhood in the seaside town of Carnoustie to his memories of working in retail in the city of Dundee. Robbie paints a vivid picture of yuletide festivities over the decades, exploring just why this amazing part of Scotland means so much to so many people.
Phillip Vaughan, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Games Technology and Mathematics at Dundee's Abertay University and Programme Leader for their Master of Science degree in Technical Art and Visual Effects, chats with Tom Christie and Julie Christie about their new book, "Lights, Camera, Dundee!" This entertaining illustrated guide to the films, TV series, music videos, and commercials filmed in and around Dundee, Tayside, and Angus considers just what makes this amazing part of Scotland so unique and appealing to film-makers worldwide.
For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com/lights-camera-dundee.html
Chris Watson, Retail Liaison Manager for Stirling's famous Thistles Shopping Centre, drops by for a chat about his amazing charity challenge in support of Save the Children - a feat of endurance which has included training for participation in the gruelling Tokyo Marathon and a nail-biting sleepover in the Thistles' infamous Thieves' Pot, beneath the historic Bastion. With many thanks to Studio King Street, where this recording took place.
If you'd like to support Chris in his fundraising efforts, please visit his JustGiving page at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tokyomarathon2026-chriswatson
Robert Murray discusses his book "My Life in Carnoustie: A Lang Time Ago," a lively exploration of the famous seaside town in the Scottish county of Angus. He looks back over the evolving industries in the town, the changing face of the high street, the enduring community spirit, its cultural heritage, and of course Carnoustie's enduring connection with the game of golf.
For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com/my-life-in-carnoustie.html
Laura Cluxton, Lauren Gilmour, and Rowan Ferguson - all representatives of the Forth Valley Sensory Centre in Falkirk - join us to discuss the vital role the centre plays in the lives of people of all ages. They talk about the services being provided by the centre, the community focus of its work, and the different ways that people can become involved.
For more information, please visit the Forth Valley Sensory Centre's website at: https://www.forthvalleysensorycentre.org/
A mystery interviewer quizzes author Dr Tom Christie about his book Digital Pioneer Spirit: The Freewheeling Creative Innovation of Mel Croucher on the Home Microcomputer. They discuss the infamously nonconformist counter-cultural genius, Mel Croucher - the acknowledged founder of the UK computer games industry - and explore his extraordinary career of world firsts as well as his most memorable titles, his original music, and many unexpected facts along the way.
For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com/digital-pioneer-spirit.html
Entrepreneur Paul Murray, Director of King Street ApartHotel in Stirling, turns the tables on Extremis Publishing's Directors by putting them into the hot seat as part of their tenth anniversary celebrations. Tom found himself as the interviewee for once, while Julie took to the airwaves for only the second time in over eighty Extremis podcasts (to date). If you would like to know about the people behind Extremis Publishing, now is your chance!
Abertay University's Phillip Vaughan and Matthew Bett join us for a discussion of Dundee's brand new CoSTAR Realtime Lab - a remarkable new production facility which has tremendous implications for film and TV, live performance, and videogame development. They explain the many ways that this cutting-edge creative technology has the potential to spark new growth and innovation.
Archaeologist Dr Murray Cook discusses his book "Hidden Stirling", an exploration of the secret sites of the city, where he uncovers some surprising stories of its illustrious past. He also ventures into his findings from Stirling's surrounding area, discussing the ancient communities that once lived there and the mysteries they left behind.
Gillian Barrett, Association Manager with the Scottish Tourist Guide Association, kindly joins us for an exploration of the work of this distinctive and highly-respected national organisation. With over sixty years of experience, the STGA has built up a vast network of clients with a first-class reputation of training highly-skilled guides who can bring any travel itinerary to life. Gillian discusses the many different facets of the organisation as it works tirelessly to bring Scottish history and cultural heritage alive.
For more information about the Scottish Tourist Guide Association, please visit their website at: https://www.stga.co.uk/
Neil Munday, the Managing Director of the brand new King Street Aparthotel in Stirling, joins us for a chat about this remarkable new attraction in the city centre. Housed within a charming B-listed 19th-century stone building, this luxurious boutique self-service hotel is also home to WorKing Flexispaces - a flexible workspace with private offices, a co-working hub, soundproof telephone booths, a business lounge, meeting rooms, and a podcast studio. Neil explains how the building has been thoughtfully restored to combine historical charm with modern amenities, providing a productive environment for individuals and businesses alike.
For more information, please visit https://kingstreetaparthotel.com/ and https://workingflexispaces.com/
Author, pastor and radio personality, the Rev. Dr Alasdair Black, has a lively and informative chat about his new book "The Courage to Speak: Sex, Sexuality and the Church," which examines changing cultural and social attitudes towards sexual behaviour in the modern world. Alasdair discusses the themes of his book and talks about the urgent need to find common purpose amongst division and conflict.
The importance of library services comes under the spotlight in this podcast, where librarians Lynne James and Jennifer Hosie discuss the vital importance of Falkirk Libraries throughout the region's communities. Join them for an entertaining exploration of the many different roles played by libraries in the modern day.
In this festive special, author, podcaster and media personality Santa Joe Moore interviews his friend, Dr Tom Christie, who has just completed work on his four volume history of Christmas cinema in the twentieth century with the publication of "A Seriously Groovy Movie Christmas" - a guide to the themes and developments of holiday season movies during the 1960s and '70s. Join them as they discuss the highlights of the era, along with some truly surreal films which have become infamous for all the wrong reasons!
For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com/a-seriously-groovy-movie-christmas.html
Mel Croucher, digital culture pioneer and legend of computing, unveils his new book "Mundaneum": an absorbing account of information management pioneer Paul Otlet, creator of a unique global data retrieval system, and propagandist Hans Hagemeyer who was responsible for the project's eventual eradication from history. Mel explains the astonishing true story of the man who created the Internet and the man who ultimately destroyed it.
For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com/mundaneum.html
Robert Murray, Chairperson of Carnoustie Heritage Group, joins us for a discussion of the organisation's activities in promoting the history, culture and heritage of this beautiful seaside town in scenic Angus. Robbie explains how the group was founded, talks about its events to date, and gives a few clues about what to expect in the months ahead.
Karyn King, Operations Manager at Forth Valley College, discusses the importance and benefits of further education in lifelong learning for everyone. In a wide-ranging chat, she explains the many different disciplines that are available for study at Forth Valley College across its three campuses, and also talks about the exciting new courses that are being offered for its students.
For more information about Forth Valley College, please visit their website at: https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/
Author Neil Hallam makes a welcome return to talk about his Robin Hood 500 Route. Since the release of his official guidebook, Neil has taken part in some remarkable adventures on the route as he works tirelessly to bring it to the attention to the public. Find out more about how the 500RH presents the best of history and folklore to visitors, as well as appreciating some of the most beautiful scenery that England has to offer.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/the-robin-hood-500-route.html
Recorded live at the famous Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum at Stirling Castle, authors Dr Murray Cook and Jim Roche discuss their new book "Conflicts of the Forth" - a far-reaching account of warfare in Scotland's Forth Valley area throughout the course of six millennia.
For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com/conflicts-of-the-forth.html
Nick Cooke, Secretary of the Scottish Pilgrim Routes Forum, discusses the role of this unique organisation in highlighting the importance and significance of pilgrim routes throughout Scotland. Join him as he explores the formation of SPRF, the organisation's mission, and what the future might hold. Nick also talks about the many ways that the public can engage with these remarkable routes, including the vital need to get involved in their preservation for future generations.
Author Alan Baxter drops in for a chat about his book "Making History: My Life as a Scottish Metal Detectorist", where he discusses the many artefacts of cultural and historical significance he has discovered across Central Scotland during a hugely successful metal detecting career.
For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com/making-history.html
Ken Thomson, a Trustee with Stirling District Tourism and a respected transport historian, joins us for a chat about the history and cultural heritage of the city of Stirling. Ken discusses exactly why Stirling became a significant location in Scotland before moving on to the many different ways in which its culture and significance are being celebrated in the present day by residents and visitors alike.
The North Pole Press's Mary Moore drops in for a chat about the importance of effective book illustration. A veteran illustrator of many titles, Mary takes part in a wide-ranging discussion about the many factors that make a book's design truly memorable, including the North Pole Press's award-winning and much-loved range of volumes for children.
For more information about the North Pole Press, please visit their official website at: https://thenorthpolepress.com/
Author and award-winning business professional James R.A. Herriot takes part in a discussion about his exciting new book "Insights to Kitchen Design," in which he talks about more than forty years of involvement in the interior design industry along with exploring the successes, the challenges, and what is still to come for the future of this fast-moving sector.
For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com/insights-to-kitchen-design.html
Tennessean creative polymath Alex Tucker joins us for a lively and wide-ranging chat about the importance of libraries, the encouragement of literacy, and the art of the graphic novel. Discussing the changing role of public libraries across the world, Alex also delves into the question of what's coming next for writers and artists at a time of such fast-moving cultural change.
In this month's special festive edition of the Extremis Publishing Podcast, Santa Joe Moore of the North Pole Press Presents interviews Tom Christie and Murray Cook, authors of "Scotland's Christmas" - the first full-length account of the history and traditions of Christmas in Scotland ever to be published. The pair share some unexpected tales from past and present which might just surprise even the most ardent fan of Christmas.
For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com/scotlands-christmas.html
Tracey MacIntosh, General Manager of Stirling District Tourism, drops by for a discussion about this remarkable organisation which is dedicated to preserving and promoting the history and cultural heritage of the CIty of Stirling. Find out more about the many amazing events they have coming up over the months ahead.
Tinsel and Tartan is one of the most beloved Christmas retail destinations in Scotland, and is certainly a highlight for people visiting the city of Stirling where it is based - guests come from all over the world to see this amazing shop and its unique range of items. In this episode, owner Lyndsey McDermott discusses her business journey - and explains what it's like to keep the festive season alive all the year round!
Popular DJ Mark Wallace drops in for a chat about Creative Veterans Scotland, a group of like-minded veterans and their families who have a passion for arts and drama. Mark also discusses his work in community radio, and talks about how this halcyon medium is enjoying a resurgence in popularity thanks to the latest technology.
In this special extended episode, computing legend Mel Croucher takes part in a wide-ranging discussion about Jeeni, the pioneering ethical audio streaming platform that he founded which has since reached and entertained audiences all over the world. Mel also talks about creativity, artistic freedom, and his immense contribution to the home computer industry from its formative years through to the present day.
Author Neil Hallam drops by for a chat about his new book, "The Robin Hood 500 Route". Neil's 500RH Route takes in some of the most beautiful places in England, and includes many historical sites of interest which relate to the legends surrounding Robin Hood. Neil talks about the inspiration behind this amazing road trip, discusses some of the fascinating places that people can explore when travelling it, and offers a few thoughts about Robin Hood's famous adventures around the area.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/the-robin-hood-500-route.html
Forthgiving is a unique local charity offering support to people in crisis throughout the Forth Valley area. In this episode, Ellen Dickie and Nick Cooke discuss the long history of the organisation and talk about its important work in the present day, collaborating with groups throughout Stirlingshire, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire to provide support directly to individuals who find themselves in a situation of personal difficulty as well as to organisations supporting disadvantaged members of the community.
For more information about Forthgiving, please visit their official website at: https://www.forthgiving.org.uk/
In this episode, travel writer James R.A. Herriot - author of "The Sabbatical: A Year of Travel During the Pandemic" - has a chat about his amazing life of global journeys. He discusses the distinctive set of ideas which brought about his book of international travel memoirs, written during the pandemic when no-one was able to leave their homes, and reflects on the incredible experiences he has enjoyed across the world thus far.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/the-sabbatical.html
Jim Bennett, outgoing CEO of the Bannockburn House Trust and social enterprise specialist, joins us for a chat about the amazing Bannockburn House - an historically-significant 17th Century mansion near Stirling which has been the location of many noteworthy cultural events over the years, and is now a unique venue which has become popular with visitors and filming crews alike.
The founder and owner of Clootie McToot Dumplings Ltd., Michelle Maddox, drops by for a discussion about her remarkable company - one of the most unique food businesses in all of Scotland. Michelle chats about the story behind Clootie McToot, her appearances on UK television, the very special children's book she has authored, and explains why her work has been so important in popularising this most culturally significant of Scottish dishes.
Property experts Laurie Duncan, Alex Robertson and Conar Tracey of the famous Real Estate Wealth Development Group - otherwise known as REWD Group - talk about their first book "Fast-Track to Property Millions": a guide to the strategies involved in developing and trading in property, with many reflections on their own incredible business journey.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/fast-track-to-property-millions.html
Neil Paterson - Outreach Services and Information Officer at Dundee Library Services - discusses the many activities taking place throughout Tayside to support local communities, bring people together, and promote language and literacy. Modern libraries are about so much more than lending books, and Neil explains how things have been developing since the pandemic in the Dundee area - with a range of new services that might just surprise you.
With the festive season fast approaching, Dr Tom Christie chats about his new book "A Totally Bodacious Nineties Christmas: Festive Cinema of the 1990s" with his long-time friend Joe Moore of the North Pole Press. Covering movie favourites of the nineties as well as many less-well-known yuletide features, Tom discusses what it was about this decade's Christmas films that made the era special for so many people.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/a-totally-bodacious-nineties-christmas.html
Dr David Mitchell and Tracey MacIntosh, both contributors to the "Stirling Legends" anthology, drop by for a chat about this exciting new collection of writing about the unique people and places from Stirling's illustrious past, published in collaboration with Stirling District Tourism.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/stirling-legends.html
Dr Murray Cook, one of the authors of "The Bannock Burn: Journeys Along and Across the World's Most Famous Burn", discusses working with his friend and co-writer Ian McNeish on this exploration of the history and culture of this iconic Scottish burn and the impact it has had on the country over many centuries.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/the-bannock-burn.html
Dr Murray Cook, one of the authors of "The Bannock Burn: Journeys Along and Across the World's Most Famous Burn", discusses working with his friend and co-writer Ian McNeish on this exploration of the history and culture of this iconic Scottish burn and the impact it has had on the country over many centuries.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/the-bannock-burn.html
Playwright Robert Murray has a chat about the recent performances of his acclaimed stage drama The Spirit of Robbie Burns at the Edinburgh Fringe, explaining what it felt like to see his work come to life as part of that great international cultural showcase.
Dr Gaye Manwaring drops by for a chat about her book "Learning My Living", which describes her lifetime of work in the rapidly-changing higher education sector. She discusses the many developments she witnessed in that time, from the evolution of information technology through to the way that people engage with universities and their courses.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/learning-my-living.html
Robert Murray has a chat about his book "The Grocer's Boy Gets Down to Business", discussing his many experiences of working in the retail distribution industry for more than thirty years. He describes his time in the employ of iconic Dundee company Watson & Philip, and talks about the wide-ranging changes in the UK business world between the 1970s and the early 2000s.
Noted anthropologist Professor Joy Hendry discusses the challenges of working with different modes of writing, exploring the ways in which academic texts, mainstream books and fiction writing all present their own particular range of strengths and complexities.
Extremis Publishing co-director Julie Christie discusses the unconventional career path that led her into the world of publishing, as well as talking about her approach to writing.
Author Dr Colin M. Barron reveals his five favourite TV shows - the television programmes which have most influenced him over the years, ranging from groundbreaking comedy to thrilling action adventures.
In this month's Extremis Publishing Podcast, Julie Christie and Tom Christie have a chat about their new Heart 200 road trip guide Secrets and Mysteries of the Heart 200 Route with Mike Dales, the communications director of Heart 200. Together, they discuss the enduring appeal of this epic journey around Stirlingshire and Perthshire as well as highlighting some of the more unusual and offbeat attractions to be found along the way.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/secrets-and-mysteries-of-the-heart-200-route.html
Stirling archaeologist Dr Murray Cook has a chat about his latest book, "Bannockburn and Stirling Bridge: Exploring Scotland's Two Greatest Battles", where he discusses the legacy of Scotland's Wars of Independence and the impact they had on the city of Stirling - an influence which can still be witnessed today on account of the many different historical sites and archaeological finds located throughout the area.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/bannockburn-and-stirling-bridge.html
Robert Murray, author of "The Spirit of Robbie Burns", drops by for a discussion about Burns Night - the international celebration of the life of Scotland's national bard, Robert Burns, which takes place every 25th January. Literature, haggis, whisky and good humour are all on the agenda as Robbie explores the essential elements behind a great Burns Night event.
In this festive episode, Tom Christie discusses his new retro gaming book "A Very Spectrum Christmas" with a very special guest from the North Pole. Christmas movies, festive pop culture and nostalgia are also explored in this wide-ranging chat about all things yuletide.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/a-very-spectrum-christmas.html
Professor Joy Hendry, one of Britain's most noted anthropologists, discusses the importance of recognising the role of indigenous wisdom in achieving a more sustainable environment. She draws upon her decades of experience working in collaboration with indigenous peoples across the world to explore their scientific methodology and contributions to global culture.
Author Robert Murray drops in for a spirited discussion about the history of Halloween, and the various ways in which Scottish culture - and a certain poet named Robert Burns - helped to shape the modern day customs which surround the season.
Archaeologist Dr Murray Cook stops by for a discussion about his five favourite films - the collection of movies, each with radically different styles, which have come to mean the most to him over the years.
Join renowned anthropologist Professor Joy Hendry as she talks about her book "An Affair with a Village", which explores her remarkable relationship with the Japanese village of Kurotsuchi from the 1970s until the present day. Joy discusses the many long-lasting friendships she has made with the villagers, her observations about Japanese life, and the way that life in Japan has changed in recent decades.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/an-affair-with-a-village.html
Dr Gaye Manwaring MBE discusses the amazing story behind her book "Waiting in the Wings: Letters of a Pilot in World War II", explaining the incredible real-life discovery of hundreds of letters exchanged between her parents during the Second World War which made the anthology possible.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/waiting-in-the-wings.html
Author David M. Addison relates some of his unexpected adventures on Scotland's North Coast 500, South-West Coastal 300 and Snow Roads Scenic Route, telling some entertaining "behind the scenes" stories about what was involved in the writing of his Exploring series of travel books.
Recorded in the great outdoors in compliance with the pandemic public health rules, author Ian McNeish engages in a lively chat about the approach he takes to the writing process, discussing the many different elements that go into the creation of his books.
Author Dr Colin M. Barron has a chat about his five favourite books - the different literary works which have most influenced him over the years, and which have come to have an impact on his own writing.
Archaeologist Dr Murray Cook drops in for a chat about his book "The Anvil of Scottish History: Stories of Stirling", where he considers the complex and lively history of this unique royal city. Murray discusses the changing face of Stirling over the course of millennia, detailing some extraordinary archaeological finds and many little-known historical facts about the area.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/the-anvil-of-scottish-history.html
Robert Murray talks about his book "The Grocer's Boy Rides Again: Another Slice of His Life in 1960s Scotland and Beyond", where he discusses his career in retail management and further education before moving into training in trade distribution and the corporate world - all against the backdrop of the Swinging Sixties.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/the-grocers-boy-rides-again.html
In respectful tribute to our dear friend Eddie Small, lecturer in creative writing at the University of Dundee, we are presenting a special interview that Eddie recorded with us before he sadly passed away last year. In this podcast, Eddie talks with Tom Christie about his five favourite films - the cinematic features which have most inspired Tom, and which have influenced his writing on the subject over the years.
In this festively-themed podcast, archaeologist and Scottish history expert Dr Murray Cook talks with film history and literature scholar Dr Tom Christie about the history of Christmas in Scotland. They discuss the various festive traditions which have developed over the centuries, comparing yuletide celebrations at home and abroad, to explore what makes a modern Scottish Christmas.
Ian McNeish describes a life of adventure in the hills and mountains of Scotland as he recounts his exciting experiences in his book "From Dumyat to Mont Blanc: Being Alive with Mountains". Ian discusses the many amazing places that he has visited, the hair-raising situations he has been through, and some of the incredible people that he has met along the way.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/from-dumyat-to-mont-blanc.html
Travel writer David M. Addison chats about his book on the subject of the famous Snow Roads Scenic Route - a stunning road trip from Blairgowrie to Grantown on Spey, featuring some of the most breathtaking scenery and fascinating historical facts in all of Scotland.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/exploring-the-snow-roads.html
Colin M. Barron drops in for a chat about "Travels in Time: The Story of Time Travel Cinema", his informative and entertaining guide to sci-fi movies over the decades which have focused on the perennially popular concept of travelling through time on the big screen. For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/travels-in-time.html
Thomas A. Christie talks with Colin M. Barron about "Contested Mindscapes: Exploring Approaches to Dementia in Modern Popular Culture", a study of themes and topics related to different forms of dementia which have appeared in film and television, music, performance art and interactive entertainment.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/contested-mindscapes.html
Julie and Tom Christie celebrate the fifth anniversary of Extremis Publishing with this special podcast episode, where they answer regularly-asked questions about the company and its book releases.
David M. Addison talks about his duology of Italian travel books, "Travels Through Time in Italy" and "Travels Around Sorrento", where he discovers some of the most incredible sights that this wonderful country has to offer. In addition to his cultural observations, David also discusses some of the fascinating people that he met on his journey.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/travels-through-time-in-italy.html and https://www.extremispublishing.com/travels-around-sorrento.html.
In this month's Extremis Publishing Podcast, author Dr Colin M. Barron talks about his five favourite films - the movies which have most impressed him over the years, and which in his opinion represent the best that the world of cinema has to offer.
Julie Christie and Thomas A. Christie chat about their new travel guide "The Heart 200 Book" with Robbie Cairns, the managing director of the Heart 200 route - a new road trip around Stirlingshire and Perthshire which offers everything from family adventures to cultural and historical discoveries.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/the-heart-200-book.html
Author Robert Murray chats about his Five Favourite Books - the texts which have most impressed him and had a lasting impact on his lifelong love of literature.
David M. Addison chats about his fascinating road trip around the beautiful and historic South-West of Scotland when writing his book "Exploring the SWC300: A Cultural and Historical Companion to the South-West Coastal 300 Route".
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/exploring-the-swc300.html
Dr Colin M. Barron discusses "Victories at Sea", his guide to dramatic depictions of naval warfare on film and television. As well as taking a look at some of the finest maritime-themed features ever to grace the big and small screens, he also uncovers some little-known facts about this timeless genre.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/victories-at-sea.html
In this festively-themed podcast Thomas A. Christie chats about his book "The Golden Age of Christmas Movies", where he takes a look at the themes of Christmas cinema produced throughout the 1940s and 50s - including some surprising facts about the holiday season classics of the period.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/the-golden-age-of-christmas-movies.html
Dr Murray Cook discusses his book "Digging into Stirling's Past" - an illustrated guide to the hidden historical secrets of the city of Stirling. As well as the locations of major historical significance, Murray also talks about many of the lesser-known sites around the area that have helped to make Stirling one of the most fascinating places in all of Scotland. For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/digging-into-stirlings-past.html
Recorded on Independent Bookshop Week in celebration of Independent Bookshop Day, Andy Rome from the Bookhouse in Monifieth talks about the continuing relevance that bookshops have in the modern world when it comes to encouraging new readers, establishing reading communities, and driving a diverse and fast-moving industry.
Colin M. Barron talks about “Battles on Screen”, his guide to some of the finest war movies ever to appear in cinemas - a book which spans many decades of modern film production.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/battles-on-screen.html
Professor Roderick "Rory" Watson, Emeritus Professor of English Studies at the University of Stirling and author of the celebrated text "The Literature of Scotland" (1984), talks to his old protégé Dr Thomas A. Christie about the five books which have helped to influence Tom's worldview and shape his understanding of literary studies.
Robert Murray chats about his three-act play "The Spirit of Robbie Burns", which explores the life of Scotland's national bard Robert Burns from his formative years through to his literary fame and later farming life.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/the-spirit-of-robbie-burns.html
David M. Addison looks back on his epic road trip around the North Highlands of Scotland when writing his book "Exploring the NC500: Travelling Scotland's Route 66".
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/exploring-the-nc500.html
Colin M. Barron discusses “Planes on Film”, his guide to the very best of aviation cinema which takes a look at some of the most iconic aviation movies ever to grace the big screen.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/planes-on-film.html
Alby Grainger, proprietor of Dunfermline's legendary Little Shop of Heroes comic store, talks to Thomas A. Christie about "The Spectrum of Adventure", an in-depth guide to the history of text adventure games on the Sinclair ZX Spectrum home computer throughout the 1980s.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/the-spectrum-of-adventure.html.
Ian McNeish discusses his five favourite books - the texts which have most influenced him and helped to shape his worldview over the years.
David M. Addison looks back on his time as a high school exchange teacher in 1970s Montana as he discusses his books "An Innocent Abroad" and "Still Innocent Abroad", which detail an eventful period of his life as a fish out of water when he swapped his Scottish classroom for the wide open spaces of the United States of America.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/an-innocent-abroad.html and https://www.extremispublishing.com/still-innocent-abroad.html.
Colin M. Barron chats about his book "The Craft of Public Speaking", and discusses the skills behind delivering a truly effective public presentation as well as revealing a few handy hints from his many years at the lectern.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/the-craft-of-public-speaking.html
Thomas A. Christie discusses his book "A Righteously Awesome Eighties Christmas", a study of festive cinema throughout the 1980s which covers some long-time movie favourites as well as some decidedly offbeat entries in the genre.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/a-righteously-awesome-eighties-christmas.html
Ed Dixon talks about his book "Tales from the Western Front", a collection of stories about the people and places that were encountered by the author during more than three decades of visiting the First World War battlefields, graveyards, towns and villages of France and Belgium.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/tales-from-the-western-front.html
Robert Murray discusses his book "The Grocer's Boy: A Slice of His Life in 1950s Scotland", an account of his early life in retail as he deals with the trials and tribulations of life behind the counter - and on a delivery bike - in fifties Tayside.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/the-grocers-boy.html
Colin M. Barron chats about "Dying Harder: Action Movies of the 1980s", his book on the subject of the golden age of eighties action cinema which brought about some of the most unforgettable franchises in the genre.
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/dying-harder.html
Ian McNeish chats about his book "The Fearn Bobby: Reflections from a Life in Scottish Policing", his account of police service in rural and urban Scotland from the 1970s until the turn of the century - a time which was sometimes harrowing, often humorous, but always thought-provoking. [Contains explicit language.]
For more information, please visit: https://www.extremispublishing.com/the-fearn-bobby.html.
Brother and sister publishing team Julie and Tom Christie introduce the new Extremis Publishing podcast, recorded in the heart of Scotland.
For more information about Extremis Publishing and the books that they publish, please visit their website at: https://www.extremispublishing.com.