In this episode of Tall Boy Radio, we’re heading to Edinburgh to chat with a man who wears more hats than a busy cloakroom. Joining us is Steven McDonald, the powerhouse founder behind Tallboy Performing Arts.

Steven isn’t your typical creative; he’s a fascinating blend of logic and lyricism. By day, he navigates the complexities of the law as a solicitor, but his heart has always beat to the rhythm of the stage. From a deep-rooted background in amateur dramatics and singing to becoming a seasoned actor and coach, Steven has spent a lifetime mastering the art of performance.

Now, he’s distilled that lifetime of experience into Tallboy Performing Arts—a company dedicated to helping you find your voice and command the spotlight.

• The Law of Creativity: Steven shares his personal journey of balancing a legal career with a relentless passion for the arts. We dive into how his "analytical" brain and "artistic" soul work together rather than competing.

• Building Tallboy: The "why" and "how" behind the founding of Tallboy Performing Arts. Steven discusses his mission to train the next generation of performers and why he believes everyone has a story worth telling.

• The Anatomy of a Song: As a prolific singer-songwriter, Steven pulls back the curtain on his creative process. He explains how he moves from a fleeting thought or emotion to a fully realized musical composition.

• Songwriting Masterclass: If you’ve ever wanted to write your own music but didn’t know where to start, Steven offers practical, actionable tips to overcome writer's block and find your unique melodic signature.

Whether you’re an aspiring actor, a shower-singer looking to go pro, or just curious about how a solicitor finds time to write albums, this episode is packed with inspiration, wit, and expert advice.

Check out tallboy performing arts

Home - Tallboy

Listen to Steven's music on Spotify

Steven McDonald | Spotify

Find tallboy performing arts on instagram

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In this high-energy episode of Tall Boy Radio, our host Beans dives headfirst into a world of hidden containers, GPS coordinates, and urban exploration. While most people might call it a hobby, after five minutes with this week’s guest, it’s clear that Geocaching is a lifestyle, an obsession, and a global scavenger hunt rolled into one.

Joining Beans in the studio is none other than Jason Hale, better known to the outdoor community as "The Halemeister." As the face of the popular YouTube channel Geocaching with the Halemeister, Jason brings a staggering level of expertise to the table—boasting over 20,000 finds and having personally placed hundreds of hides for others to discover.

The Man Behind the MapThe conversation kicks off with Jason’s origin story. Beans explores how a simple curiosity turned into a YouTube channel that now serves as a beacon for "cachers" worldwide. Jason shares what it’s like to film his adventures and the community spirit that keeps him trekking through woods and city streets alike.

More Than Just a Tupperware in the WoodsJason breaks down the staggering variety of caches out there. The duo discusses:

• Traditional Caches: The classic "bread and butter" of the game.

• Multi-Caches: The mental marathons that lead you through several waypoints.

• Mystery & EarthCaches: Where geocaching meets geography lessons and complex puzzles.

• The Treasure (SWAG): From "trackables" that travel the globe to the simple joy of finding "Signature Items" left by other players.

Pro-Tips and The "Halemeister" Survival KitWith 20,000 finds under his belt, Jason has seen it all. He offers listeners an exclusive masterclass in "The Find," including:

• Essential Gear: Why you should never leave home without a "Telescopic Mirror," a "Power Bank," and the ever-important "Tweezer" for those pesky micro-logs.

• Stealth Mode: How to look for a cache in a crowded public area without looking like a secret agent (or a total weirdo)...and the more relaxed rural caches

• Hide Like a Pro: Jason shares his philosophy on what makes a "Good Hide" versus a "Bad Hide," emphasizing creativity and respect for the environment.

"It’s not just about the numbers; it’s about the places I never would have stood if there wasn't a little plastic box waiting for me there." — Jason Hale

Whether you’re a "Muggle" who has never heard of the game or a veteran with a thousand finds, this episode is packed with wit, wisdom, and the infectious enthusiasm of two guys who truly appreciate the thrill of the hunt.

Check out Jason's videos

(10) Geocaching with Halemeister - YouTube

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This week on Tall Boy Radio, Beans and Gaz are firing up the griddle for a deep dive into a regional icon. We aren’t just talking about any breakfast staple; we’re talking about the humble, versatile, and legendary Staffordshire Oatcake.

Joining the boys in the studio is the man, the myth, the flour-dusted legend himself: "Oatcake Dan" from the world-famous Kidsgrove Oatcakes.

In this episode, we peel back the paper wrapping on what it really takes to run a modern small business. Dan shares the secret sauce (or should we say, the secret batter?) behind his shop’s meteoric rise. We cover:

• The Viral Griddle: How Dan turned a local shop into a social media powerhouse. We talk strategy, authenticity, and why showing the "real" side of business resonates with hundreds of thousands of followers online.

• Going Global: It’s not just for the Potteries anymore. Dan discusses his ambitious journey to take the Staffordshire Oatcake into new markets, breaking boundaries across the UK and even looking toward international horizons.

• The Weight of Small Biz: A candid look at the grit, long hours, and occasional burnt edges of entrepreneurship. Dan’s honesty about the highs and lows is a masterclass for anyone looking to start their own venture.

• Community First: Beyond the shop floor, Dan is a man on a mission to give back. We hear about his tireless efforts to clean up the local Kidsgrove community and why he believes a business should be a force for good in its neighborhood.

Dan’s positivity is infectious. Whether he’s talking about the perfect cheese-to-bacon ratio or his passion for local activism, his enthusiasm shines through every minute of this conversation. It’s an episode about food, sure—but more importantly, it’s about heart, hustle, and the power of a local lad with a big vision.

Order your oatcakes here :

Kidsgrove Oatcakes

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Grab a cold one and settle in, because this week’s episode is a dizzying mix of temporal confusion and gritty New York City history.

Before we get to our heavy-hitting guest, we open with Beans trying to figure out why Gaz showed up to the recording session exactly sixty minutes early—and completely stressed out.

It turns out Gaz has been "bamboozled" by the Atlantic divide. While the UK is still cruising along on Summer Time, the US clocks have already jumped back. Gaz spent the morning convinced he’d missed his alarm, his breakfast, and potentially his entire life, only to realize he’s just victims of the "Daylight Savings Gap." Beans, naturally, offers zero sympathy and instead spends ten minutes explaining how "The Sun doesn't care about your Google Calendar, mate."

Once the temporal dust settles, the boys are joined by a true legend of the force: Retired Lt. Cmdr. Vernon J. Geberth. While many know him as the "Godfather of Homicide Investigation," today we’re diving into his high-octane early years in the Narcotics Division.

Vernon takes us back to a version of New York that feels like a fever dream—a time of open-air drug markets and "Wild West" policing. The highlights include:

• The Siege of Christopher Columbus High School: Vernon breaks down the massive operation to reclaim the Bronx school from the grip of local dealers. It wasn't just about arrests; it was about "cleaning house" so kids could actually walk to class without tripping over a crime scene.

• The "Swinging" Detective: In perhaps the most "Hollywood" moment in Tall Boy history, Vernon recounts a raid where the front door wasn't an option. He describes the adrenaline of swinging through a high-rise window on a rope to catch a dealer off guard. (Gaz asks the important questions here, specifically: "Did you feel like James Bond, or were you just worried about the rope snapping?")

• Street Lessons: From the psychology of a bust to the sheer grit required to work undercover in the 70s and 80s, Vernon provides a masterclass in old-school detective work.

Buy a copy of Vernon's book here

THE GODFATHER OF HOMICIDE: VERNON J. GEBERTH A COP'S COP eBook : Cardillo, Vince: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

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This episode of The Tall Boy Radio Podcast is a deep dive into the grit, the grind, and the soul of policing. Hosts Beans and Gaz sit down with a man who has seen it all: retired Miami-Dade Sergeant Bert Gonzalez.

Taking a journey through the pages of Bert’s gripping book, The Real Greatest Show on Earth, the conversation moves far beyond standard "cop stories" to explore the profound human cost of wearing the badge.

The Weight of the BadgeThe guys explore the internal reality of law enforcement that rarely makes the evening news. Bert opens up about the immense pressures placed on every officer, detailing the mental health struggles, the strain on domestic life, and the heavy personal toll extracted by a career spent on the front lines.

Cocaine Cowboys & HomicideStepping back into one of the most volatile eras in American history, the episode takes a look at the homicide rates and the sheer chaos of Miami during the "Cocaine Cowboys" years. Bert provides a firsthand perspective on what it was like to police a city under siege by drug cartels and unprecedented violence.

The Modern Front LineThe discussion pivots to the present day with a sobering look at Active Shooter training. Bert shares his expertise on the evolution of tactical responses and the harrowing preparation required to face modern-day threats.

Sgt. Maverick is Heading EastTo wrap things up on a high note, the crew discusses Bert’s (aka Sgt. Maverick’s) upcoming trip across the pond to our "Green and Pleasant Lands." The guys talk travel plans, cultural shifts, and what the Sergeant is looking forward to most during his visit to the UK.

Check out SGT Maverick's website

SGT.MAVERICK

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Crack open a cold one and grab your GPS—this week, Gaz and Beans are diving headfirst into the world of high-stakes hide-and-seek. Is it a hobby? A sport? A lifestyle choice that makes your neighbors wonder why you’re poking around a guardrail at 2:00 AM?

To get the answers, the boys are joined by a true legend of the game: Scott Berks from the Geocaching Podcast. Scott doesn't just "find" caches; he conquers them. With a staggering 33,000 finds under his belt, Scott shares what it’s like to live a life governed by coordinates.

• The Quest for the 50 States: Scott discusses his near-complete map of the US. He’s logged a cache in every single state except for Hawaii (which, let's be honest, is a pretty good excuse for a future trip).

• The Wild North: While many flock to the tropics, Scott reveals why Alaska stands as his absolute favorite caching destination, citing the raw terrain and the sheer scale of the adventure.

• Urban Jungles vs. The Great Outdoors: The crew breaks down the fundamental divide in the community. Do you prefer the "stealth mode" required for urban micro-caches in a busy city, or the grueling hike for a remote ammo can in the woods?

• The ET Highway: Scott takes us on a deep dive into his journey down Nevada’s famous Extraterrestrial Highway. Hear what it’s like to tackle one of the most famous "power trails" in the world, where the caches are numbered in the thousands and the desert sun is unforgiving.

Whether you’re a veteran cacher with a "First to Find" addiction or you still think a "muggle" is just something from a Harry Potter book, Scott’s passion is infectious. Gaz and Beans try to wrap their heads around the dedication required to hit 33,000 finds while debating if they have the physical stamina to walk more than 50 yards from the pub for a plastic container.

Listen to the Geocaching podcast on Spotify

Geocaching Podcast | Podcast on Spotify

Head to their website

The Geocaching Podcast – An Informative Weekly Geocaching Show

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In this special episode of Tall Boy Radio, host Beans dives deep into the enigmatic, often polarizing, and endlessly fascinating world of Steven Patrick Morrissey. To help navigate this complex cultural landscape, Beans is joined by George and Chris, the seasoned voices behind the Morrissey and Wine podcast.

The conversation is more than just a standard track-by-track breakdown; it’s an exploration of the unique gravity Morrissey exerts on his audience.

The trio spends a significant portion of the episode dissecting the "why" behind the "who." They explore the deep-rooted connection that fans feel toward the former Smiths frontman—a bond that often transcends music and borders on the spiritual.

Key themes include:

• The Voice of the Outsider: How Morrissey’s lyrics provided a sanctuary for the "misfits" of the 80s and continues to resonate with those who feel out of step with the modern world.

• The Nature of Devotion: A look at why Morrissey fans are among the most loyal (and protective) in the music industry.

• The Complexity of the Idol: Navigating the difficult waters of being a fan in the 21st century, balancing the artistry against the headlines.

Recorded on the cusp of a new era, the episode captures the electric anticipation surrounding the upcoming album, Make-up is a Lie. Since the record had yet to drop at the time of recording, George, Chris, and Beans engage in some educated speculation and shared excitement.

They discuss:

• What the title suggests about Morrissey’s current headspace.

• Expectations for the sonic direction—will it be a return to jangly roots or a continuation of his grand, orchestral solo style?

• The significance of a new release in maintaining the momentum of his storied career.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan who has every B-side on vinyl or someone who is simply curious about the "Cult of Moz," this crossover event offers a balanced, witty, and insightful look at an artist who refuses to be ignored. With George and Chris providing their expert "wine-fueled" perspective and Beans steering the ship, it’s a masterclass in music fandom.

Listen to the Morrissey and Wine podcast on Spotify

Morrissey and Wine | Podcast on Spotify

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In this episode of Tall Boy Radio, host Beans sits down with a true Renaissance man of the New York creative scene: Gabriel Rotello.

From the grimy, loud-fast-rules energy of the 1970s underground to the high-stakes world of investigative journalism, Gabriel’s career has been a masterclass in following one's curiosity—wherever it may lead.

• The CBGB Era: Gabriel takes us back to the summer of 1977. We discuss the sweaty, sticker-covered walls of the legendary Bowery club and what it was really like to be in the room while the foundations of punk and new wave were being laid.

• The Musical Journey: Before he was a chronicler of culture, he was a creator within it. Gabriel shares stories from his own musical career, the transition from the stage to the page, and how the "DIY" ethos of the punk scene influenced his later work.

• A Journalist’s Legacy: As an influential journalist and the founding editor of OutWeek, Gabriel played a pivotal role in LGBTQ+ media. He and Beans discuss the art of the scoop, the responsibility of the press during times of crisis, and what it means to be a "truth-teller" in a changing media landscape.

• "The CBGB conspiracy": The heart of the conversation centers on Gabriel’s latest novel. Set against the backdrop of 1977 New York—a city on the brink of both a cultural explosion and financial collapse—the book serves as both a love letter and a gritty post-mortem of a specific moment in time.

Whether you’re a music history buff, an aspiring novelist, or someone who misses the "old New York," this conversation bridges the gap between lived experience and historical fiction. Gabriel offers a unique perspective on how we remember our past and why the stories we tell about it still matter today.

"You didn't go to CBGB to see a polished performance; you went to see someone figure out who they were in real-time. That's what I wanted to capture in the book." — Gabriel Rotello

Buy The CBGB conspiracy here

The CBGB Conspiracy eBook : Rotello, Gabriel: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Storetallboyradio.com