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.