Positive Distraction with Alexander McCall Smith

About Positive Distraction with Alexander McCall Smith

Alexander McCall Smith, worldwide best-selling author of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency and The 44 Scotland Street novels, presents a season of beautifully written short stories. Distract yourself with the warmth of his voice and the infectious ripple of his laughter as he reads short stories written for you, from the heart. A truly positive distraction and an antidote to the stresses of everyday life. Find the full range of Alexander McCall Smith’s work – short stories, novels in series and stand alone novels, poetry and non-fiction at alexandermccallsmith.com.

Publisher

Alexander McCall Smith

Category

arts

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

8 Jun 2026

Latest episode

21 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

11 of 12 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   21 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT

   The Lives of the Scottish Saints | The Positive Distraction Podcast with Alexander McCall Smith

   Alexander McCall Smith, best-selling author, shares captivating short stories about Scottish saints, offering listeners a delightful escape.

2. 

   14 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT

   No Place to Park | The Positive Distraction Podcast with Alexander McCall Smith

   Worldwide best-selling author Alexander McCall Smith shares a beautifully written short story, offering listeners a warm and positive distraction from everyday stresses.

3. 

   7 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT

   In the Swimming Pool | The Positive Distraction Podcast with Alexander McCall Smith

   Alexander McCall Smith, best-selling author, shares the short story "In the Swimming Pool" offering listeners a warm and positive escape from daily stress.

4. 

   9 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   At the Arachnophobia Workshop | The Positive Distraction Podcast with Alexander McCall Smith

   Alexander McCall Smith, best-selling author, shares a short story about an arachnophobia workshop, offering listeners a warm and positive distraction from daily stress.

5. 

   2 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   The Handbag; Miracolo; The Descent | The Positive Distraction Podcast with Alexander McCall Smith

   Alexander McCall Smith, beloved author, shares three heartwarming short stories, "The Handbag," "Miracolo," and "The Descent," offering listeners a delightful escape.

6. 

   26 Aug 2026TRANSCRIPT

   The Director | The Positive Distraction Podcast with Alexander McCall Smith

   Alexander McCall Smith shares a beautifully written short story, offering listeners a warm and positive distraction from everyday life.

7. 

   19 Aug 2026TRANSCRIPT

   My Italian Bulldozer | The Positive Distraction Podcast with Alexander McCall Smith

   Alexander McCall Smith, the beloved author, shares his short story "My Italian Bulldozer," offering listeners a warm and positive distraction from everyday life.

8. 

   12 Aug 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Sleaze | The Positive Distraction Podcast with Alexander McCall Smith

   Alexander McCall Smith, beloved author, shares a short story exploring the theme of sleaze, offering listeners a warm and positive distraction.

9. 

   5 Aug 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Logs for Sale | The Positive Distraction Podcast with Alexander McCall Smith

   Alexander McCall Smith, best-selling author, shares the short story "Logs for Sale," offering listeners a warm and positive distraction from everyday life.

10. 

    29 Jul 2026TRANSCRIPT

    Show and Tell | The Positive Distraction Podcast with Alexander McCall Smith

    Alexander McCall Smith, best-selling author, shares heartwarming short stories, offering listeners a delightful escape from daily stresses.

11. 

    22 Jul 2026TRANSCRIPT

    Helicopters Welcome Here | The Positive Distraction Podcast with Alexander McCall Smith

    Alexander McCall Smith, beloved author, shares a heartwarming short story, offering listeners a delightful escape from daily stresses.

12. 

    8 Jun 2026

    Alexander McCall Smith introduces The Positive Distraction Podcast

    Alexander McCall Smith, the bestselling author of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, launches his podcast with stories and wit to offer listeners a positive escape.

Inside a recent episode

The Lives of the Scottish Saints | The Positive Distraction Podcast with Alexander McCall Smith

Published 21 Oct 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] On one of these, the cradle intended for the firstborn, St. Jock requested that an additional carving be made, a sheep in the company of a wolf, signifying harmony and the power of goodness to overcome the atabism of our nature. These cradles were soon filled. St. Sanger gave birth later that year to St. Fergus, and this was followed in due course by the birth of St. Elspeth and St. Ronald. The three children were bright-eyed. Two of them were musically gifted. St. Ronald was a fine piper, and all of them were considerate and saintly in their ways. Saint-Senga surveyed them playing on the maria in front of their house, while she worked at a tapestry depicting the good fortune and happiness of their domestic life. […]

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

63 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

23 ratings

Contact Positive Distraction with Alexander McCall Smith

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Shows with a similar audience

• 

  ill-advised by Bill Nighy

• 

  The Waterstones Podcast

• 

  Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth

• 

  Slightly Foxed

• 

  Bookclub

• 

  Stories of Art

Questions about Positive Distraction with Alexander McCall Smith