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16/08/2015

Novelist and poet John Burnside talks to Cathy Macdonald about using writing as a map to navigate his life, from his troubled childhood to professional acclaim and fatherhood.

Novelist and poet John Burnside is Cathy's guest this morning. He talks about how he's used his writing and poetry as a map to navigate his life, one that's taken him from a troubled childhood and mental health issues to professional acclaim and fatherhood.

Benjamin Dix has spoken to migrant workers, survivors of war, those caught up in the drugs trade. These people end up in the pages of the literary comics he creates in the hope of bringing contemporary social and human rights issues to a wider audience.

Change is a feature of all our lives, whether you're beginning school or university, a new job or a relationship. Being emotionally resilient could make all the difference in how we cope with change. Cathy finds out more with Morag Kerr, an Educational Trainer, and Associate at the Centre for Confidence and Wellbeing; and psychologist Suzanne Zeedyk.

In her recently published memoir "Blackout", author Sarah Hepola describes how her relationship with alcohol both defined and distorted her sense of self, and documents the endless nights and memory lost to drink before she decided to find help.

Critic Gareth K Vile has been dipping into the Edinburgh festivals this past week and talks to Cathy about the shows to watch out for.

1 hour, 55 minutes

Last on

Sun 16 Aug 2015 10:00

Cathy Macdonald and John Burnside

Cathy Macdonald and John Burnside

Novelist and poet John Burnside talks about how he's used his writing and poetry as a map to navigate his life

Broadcast

  • Sun 16 Aug 2015 10:00