This is How AyeFeel

Welcome back to Fae The Source!   We're back with a brand-new series, a fresh vibe, and our new presenter Mark Thorburn leading the chat! Join Mark, as he shares laughs, stories, and lived experiences about everything that impacts young people, their mental health and wellbeing, and masculinity in Scotland.     Subscribe to Young Scot to keep up to date - https://www.youtube.com/@young_scot?sub_confirmation=1 For information on mental health support visit our AyeFeel page: https://young.scot/ayefeel    Timestamps:  00:00 Welcome to Fae The Source 00:19 Meet Finlay 02:13 Vocal Warmup 03:08 First Experience of Theatre 05:34 Masculinity and Acting 09:14 Breaking Stereotypes 13:02 Cast Support and Mental Health 14:11 Moving to London at 18 15:46 Redefining Masculinity 18:03 Singing and Neighbours 18:53 Unusual Theatre Moments? 20:23 Advice for Young Performers 27:29 Follow Your Own Path 29:18 Final Message and Resources      

Welcome back to Fae The Source!   We're back with a brand-new series, a fresh vibe, and our new presenter Mark Thorburn leading the chat! Join Mark, as he shares laughs, stories, and lived experiences about everything that impacts young people, their mental health and wellbeing, and masculinity in Scotland.    This episode Mark is joined by personal trainer and online coach Jack Valentine. Jack shares with us the value of joining a sports team for your mental wellbeing, his story of dealing with anxiety, and so much more!     Subscribe to Young Scot to keep up to date - https://www.youtube.com/@young_scot?sub_confirmation=1 For information on mental health support visit our AyeFeel page: https://young.scot/ayefeel    Timestamps:   00:00 Welcome to Fae the Source 00:19 Meet Jack Valentine 01:03 Team Sport and Belonging 02:54 Off Pitch Support 04:03 Loss and Looking Out 07:30 Breaking the Tough Guy Myth 09:46 Jack’s Anxiety Story 11:52 How Sport Helped 13:22 Gym Community Matters 14:19 Social Media Body Pressure 16:06 Balanced Fitness Lifestyle 17:09 Teen Body Image Struggles 19:07 Advice For Young People 20:41 Helping A Mate Open Up 22:20 You're Not Alone Stories 25:38 Check In On Friends 26:04 Final Message And Resources

Welcome back to Fae The Source!   We're back with a brand-new series, a fresh vibe, and our new presenter Mark Thorburn leading the chat! Join Mark, as he shares stories, laughs and lived experiences around topics and themes that impact young people, their mental health, and wellbeing.   This episode Mark is joined by Scottish musician Archie CW ( @archiecwmusic ), together they discuss blowing up on TikTok, the pressures that come with that, and remembering to stay true to yourself, no matter what.   Subscribe to Young Scot to keep up to date: https://www.youtube.com/@young_scot?sub_confirmation=1   For information on mental health support visit our AyeFeel page: https://young.scot/ayefeel   #YoungScot #FaeTheSource #AyeFeel #MentalHealth #Masculinity #PopMusic #YoungArtist #ScottishMusic   Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to the Podcast 00:30 Meet Archie the Musician 01:16 Why Pop Music 02:19 Handling Criticism 04:41 Be Yourself Online 05:40 Masculinity in Music 07:42 Self Care for Creatives 09:00 Public Attention and Safety 11:58 Turning Negativity into Fuel 13:17 Dealing with Rejection 17:39 Backflip Injury Story 20:09 Mindset on Stage 22:39 Being a Role Model 27:06 Archie's Advice to Nervous Musicians 28:34 New Music and Tour Plans 29:42 Final Thoughts and Support

In this episode, Gray Crosbie opens up about how they use poetry to explore their trans and non-binary identity, the challenges of finding words that fit, and the impact of being seen and heard. They talk about the pressures of language, how mis-gendering affects mental wellbeing, and how writing has helped them process their experiences and support others who might feel alone. It’s a conversation about authenticity, resilience, and the power of creative self-expression to heal, connect and transform.

In this episode, Dorian T. Fisk & Freddie Ocity share how drag - and specifically their inclusive drag‑king workshops and online course via Shut Up and King - can be more than performance. It can be a powerful way to explore identity, build confidence and support mental wellbeing. They talk honestly about what it means to “Free Your Inner King,” why drag is accessible to anyone regardless of gender, disability or background, and how embracing creativity and self‑expression helped many reclaim their sense of self. Whether you’ve ever thought about drag or are just curious, this chat celebrates authenticity, art, and the strength found in showing up as you truly are.

In this episode, Louis and Hitesh (the dynamic duo behind Two Shades of Funny) share how comedy became a space to explore identity, process tough moments and connect with others who might be struggling too. With plenty of laughs and real talk, Two Shades of Funny open up about the power of humour, the challenges behind the scenes, and how embracing your story - the light bits and the heavy bits - can be a game-changer for your mental health.

In this episode, Muminah Koleoso takes us through her remarkable journey - from studying Computer Science and Maths in Edinburgh to becoming a multi-award-winning writer, content creator and advocate for Black and Muslim women in Scotland. She explores how storytelling became a way to unpack identity, culture, belonging and mental health, and how showing up in spaces where you’re under-represented can build both resilience and community. Whether you’re into writing, activism or just navigating your own path, this is a powerful conversation about finding your voice, standing in your truth and connecting through what you create.

In this episode, Alec “Leccyspec” Craigie takes us behind the scenes of the esports world, sharing how casting matches - that is, commentating live on competitive gaming events - gave him more than just a career path. It boosted his confidence and supported his mental health. Alec chats about studying in Scotland’s first esports degree programme, the ups and downs of breaking into the industry and how discovering his voice in the commentary pit changed how he sees himself. Whether you’re into gaming or not, this is a real talk about finding your lane and using what you love as a way to feel stronger.

In this episode, Chanel O’Conor opens up about island life, finding drag as a powerful form of self-expression, and the mental health challenges and triumphs along the way. Through humour, honesty and a whole lot of heart, Chanel shares how embracing her identity helped her feel grounded, confident and connected. Tune in for a real, uplifting conversation about belonging, creativity and learning to take up space no matter where you come from.   Find more information and support around mental health and wellbeing on our AyeFeel homepage: https://young.scot/campaigns/ayefeel

Content warning: this episode discusses details of medical procedures and surgeries. This episode is for informational purposes only and should not be regarded as a substitute for professional medical advice. From quitting nursing to creating mental wellbeing content online. We chat with Hadia Aslam about dealing with chronic pain and her online platform where she shares authentic content about mental health. You might recognise Hadia from TikTok or Instagram as @thelifeofhadia. So let’s get into it!