Our extended featured interview with Professor Nigel Seaton marks what could be a major turning point for Dundee University. One year after the financial crisis hit the headlines, is the university safe? What happens next? And does he regret taking that call to take on the difficult job? The Courier editor David Clegg joins political journalists Alasdair Clark and Andy Philip to look at the institutional failures, how the city has responded to the crisis and how this saga is a warning for the entire country.

Scottish prisons are creaking at the seams with inmates, and staff are bearing the brunt. Some prisoners are being released in a third “emergency” pressure release. Phil Fairlie of the Scottish Prison Officers Association joins us to explain what it’s like on the front line. We also look at the latest stories behind the headlines, including a glimmer of good news for people caught up in the crumbling concrete housing crisis in Aberdeen. And we look at an update on disgraced NHS Tayside surgeon Sam Eljamel as the public inquiry gets closer.

From Russian aggression, to culture wars in the aisles of a Dundee Hobbycraft, this week’s Stooshie covers ground. We start with a catch up after Scottish Parliament recess and what we gleaned from a few days in Whitehall and Westminster. Defence is a hot topic, with German planes using RAF Lossiemouth and big questions about the threat from Russia off Scotland’s coasts. The team gets into the new plan to use an Inverness barracks as migrant accommodation – how are locals reacting? And we look at toxic culture wars on gender and freedom of speech, including a Tory “joke” about Rangers, and a gender rights row in a craft shop.

On this week's episode, The Courier's campaigns editor Sean O'Neill joins The Stooshie to talk about the Voice for Victims campaign which pushed for changes to legislation to improve the parole system for victims and their families. Sean discusses why this is so important and how locals let down by the system inspired the campaign. And most importantly - what comes next?

We look at a hard-hitting series about the institutional failures which added to an abuse survivor’s ordeal in the Highlands. The Stooshie delves into the repercussions of The Chameleon, published by the P&J. We look at the political impact, the need for big changes and how survivors can be better protected. Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole Hamilton also joins us for a run-through of his ambitions for next May’s elections, as the party heads to its conference this weekend.

The SNP conference is being held in Aberdeen this weekend, and there’s an election around the corner. SNP MP Graham Leadbitter joins the Stooshie to look at the big talking points. We cover the ever-present focus of independence, the policies getting people talking and the challenges for John Swinney. And we look at the political challenge from a bruised Conservative party and an upstart Reform group.

Maurice Golden is calling time on dog thieves. He hopes a new law that could seem them caged for five years will pass its first Scottish Parliament hurdle. In the Stooshie, the North East MSP sets out why dog theft is different and describes surprising links to organised crime gangs. First, the team discusses the impact of placing asylum seekers at a university campus in Aberdeen full of international students. And how a wall of silence in Perth & Kinross led to important discussions about reporting immigration stories.

Labour MP Graeme Downie talks to us about the health of the party before conference begins in Liverpool. He was in Dunfermline with deputy leadership candidate Lucy Powell this week, after the resignation of Angela Rayner. What do MPs think of Keir Starmer’s leadership? How are they fighting Reform’s advance? And what is the mood in Scottish Labour before a crucial Holyrood election next spring?

Asylum seekers are being moved from hotels to student halls of residence - what do people in Aberdeen think? Why is the Home Office being so terrible at explaining what’s happening? We look at a Reform/Tory turf war in an SNP target seat. And what do changes to the law mean for victims of crime? SNP MSP Kevin Stewart also joins to go over his high points and experience with mental health struggles as he prepares to leave parliament next spring.

We look at the big Offshore Europe conference on the energy industry, hearing how there might be grounds for optimism despite upheaval. Business journalist Kelly Wilson describes the changes over time and the mood in the “energy capital” of Aberdeen. Also in the Granite City, Nicola Sturgeon was there to promote her book. Political journalist Denny Andonova was in the audience to hear about everything from roller skating to the battle for Scotland’s flag.

The Stooshie team is refreshed from our summer break … in which we did a lot of work. Things that got in the way of cocktails by the pool include: Golf course chats with Donald Trump Protests outside hotels for asylum seekers from Aberdeen to Perth The rise of Reform, and trouble for Tories Investigations into the future of Dundee university. All that and a look ahead to a parliamentary election year in Scotland.

Some stark contrasts in this week’s episode as we look at splits and partnerships in politics. We look at Fergus Ewing’s dramatic exit from the SNP after decades of service, only to stand against his former party next May. And we speak to a husband and wife team who secured the top two slots for the Liberal Democrats on the North East Scotland regional ballot paper.

Dundee and the wider Tayside region has served as the pilot for a scheme to tackle public debt.National charity Aberlour have been helping families in poverty unable to pay their rent or council tax.But how has the project worked for the local community, and can it actually save taxpayers’ cash?

Scottish Conservative chief Russell Findlay joins us ahead of his party’s conference in Edinburgh this weekend. He speaks candidly about his first year in the job and addresses Tory council defections to Reform. We also hear exclusively about his party’s proposals for an emergency law to fast-track A9 dualling.

Two political heavyweights started the week in Scotland, and we went to speak to both. In Aberdeen, Nigel Farage unveiled his latest north-east defector from the Tories. And in Glasgow, Keir Starmer outlined the impact of his defence spending plans. We look through the developments - including a weird Reform attack on the media - to see what it means locally. And we look at the timing as voters in a crucial Holyrood by-election prepare to cast their ballots.    

This week's episode focuses on our in-depth coverage of the fall-out from the St Andrews University rector's comments on Israel. We reveal the behind-the-scenes efforts to secure £2m from a spooked donor, and allegations of hate crimes in the ancient university town. The by-election in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse is turning poisonous.  We look at Reform leader Nigel Farage and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar's comments on minority communities and values. And we focus on how one grandmother's stress over the future of her sheltered home illustrates the real-life impact of tough budget choices

The link between a college funding crisis and the future of jobs is becoming clear. We look closely at UHI Perth, and at Nescol in Aberdeen, Peterhead and Fraserburgh to see what it means. If they can't train the workers of the future, what's the point of worrying about that fabled energy industry 'just transition' anyway? We also look at polling showing Reform on track to stun Conservatives - and everyone else - with a focus on multiple defections in one council, Aberdeenshire.  

Reporter Lindsay Bruce joins the podcast to describe what’s happening in communities affected by the crumbling concrete crisis caused by Raac in housing. Lindsay has spent months speaking with people who are losing their homes in places such as Torry in Aberdeen. Parts of Dundee are also caught up in the crisis, leaving local government with a hefty bill. And while we campaign for justice for those affected by the crisis, what are our politicians doing other than blaming each other?

Inverness GP Dr Iain Kennedy, the British Medical Association's Scottish council chairman, joins us for a full interview on the stresses and strains in the NHS.We look into the findings of our own survey which explores real-life experiences of the health service.Dr Kennedy has clear messages to the political leaders who will find the NHS front and centre of the May 2026 Scottish elections.He points out where the service is struggling, and where it shows encouraging signs of progress.

The STUC’s Roz Foyer joins us in Dundee where union members held their annual congress. Roz sets out the big challenges ahead for jobs, the decline of Grangemouth refinery, higher education and the future of the economy. She reflects on speeches to union members from First Minister John Swinney and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar. And she warns Labour in particular have not lived up to promises at last year’s election, saying she wanted to hear some more 'humility' from the party leader.