Oleg Dmitriev is the leader of Sunflower, a Scotland-based charity that delivers humanitarian aid directly to people in Ukraine's most dangerous frontline areas. He has made dozens of trips into conflict zones including Kherson, Kharkiv, and Sumy, bringing medical supplies, equipment, and essential aid to those who need it most. Through his work, he coordinates volunteers, manages complex logistics, and ensures that donations reach the people who desperately need them.

KEY MOMENTS:

00:00 - Introduction: Meeting Oleg Dmitriev from Sunflower Charity

03:00 - The Work: Delivering Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine's Frontlines

08:00 - Dozens of Dangerous Trips to Kherson, Kharkiv, and Sumy

12:00 - The Animal Rescue Controversy: Why Prioritizing Humans Matters

18:00 - How Sunflower Charity Operates: From Scotland to Ukraine

24:00 - Finding People in Need: Social Media, Word of Mouth, and Connections

30:00 - How to Donate: Money, Supplies, and Standing Orders

35:00 - Medical Equipment and Life-Saving Supplies: What's Actually Needed

42:00 - Why You Can't Just Send Big Lorries to the Frontlines

48:00 - The Reality of Frontline Deliveries: Small Vehicles, High Risk

55:00 - Volunteer Safety: Proper Training, Equipment, and Risk Assessment

1:02:00 - Why Sending Untrained Volunteers is Immoral

1:08:00 - The Cost-Effectiveness Problem: Buying Food Locally vs. Shipping

1:15:00 - How the War Has Evolved: Drones, Technology, and Obsolete Tactics

1:22:00 - The Technological Revolution on the Battlefield

1:28:00 - Adapting Strategy: Learning What Works and What Doesn't

1:35:00 - Ensuring Aid Reaches the End User, Not Warehouses

1:42:00 - Future Plans: How Long Will the Mission Continue?

1:48:00 - Team Management: Working with Volunteers from Around the World

1:54:00 - The Importance of Rest and Sustainability in Humanitarian Work

2:00:00 - Final Thoughts: How Everyone Can Support Ukraine

LINKS: Sunflower Charity Website: https://sunflowerscotland.co.uk/

Ways to Donate: https://sunflowerscotland.co.uk/donate-to-support-ukraine/

Follow Oleg's Work: https://sunflowerscotland.co.uk/about/sunflower-scotland-team/sunflower-scotland-team-oleg-dmitriev-mba/

Thank you for listening.

In this episode, I spoke to Kyle Matthews, also known as 'The Milky Runner', who is running the entire perimeter of the UK. At time of publishing, Kyle has run 3800km with a backpack and tent, from September through to December, at just 19-years-old.

We talked about why he is doing this, what it was like at the beginning, planning (or not) his days, running 50-60km per day, what he eats, and the effect it's had on him as a person.

Kyle finishes his race between Christmas and New Year 2025, and is raising money for Family Action,You can find his fundraiser here.

Thanks for listening.

In this episode, I’m joined by writer and novelist Chris Barkley, author of The Man on the Endless Stair.

We talk about Chris’s journey as a writer — from early manuscripts and rejection, to publication — and use that as a starting point to explore bigger questions: how stories shape our understanding of the world, how trauma influences perception, and why certainty can sometimes be more dangerous than doubt.

Our conversation covered metafiction, journalism, Buddhism, quantum physics, phenomenology, and psychology, touching on ideas like the middle path, synchronicity, and the role of wonder in a meaningful life. We also talk about Chris’s time working in an alternative school, how that experience shaped his writing, and why listening — rather than prescribing answers — matters so much.

This is a wide-ranging, reflective conversation about creativity, humility, and what it means to participate in reality rather than trying to control it.

Resources mentioned:

• The Man on the Endless Stair — Chris Barkley
• If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler — Italo Calvino
• Six Memos for the Next Millennium — Italo Calvino
• On Writing — Stephen King
• Steering the Craft — Ursula K. Le Guin
• Bird by Bird — Anne Lamott
• On Becoming a Person — Carl Rogers
• Analytic Idealism in a Nutshell — Bernardo Kastrup
• Biocentrism — Robert Lanza
• Atom and Archetype — Wolfgang Pauli & Carl Jung

Ronan Foley is a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and coach at Low Tide BJJ in Edinburgh.

Ronan was diagnosed with stage-4 Hodgkins Lymphoma earlier in the year, which stopped him from teaching and practising the sport he loves.

We talked about diagnosis, treatment, and the joy of going into remission.

Remember to subscribe to the podcast, and leave a review - it really helps!

Ross

Dr Donald Smith is a Scottish storyteller, writer and cultural advocate. He was founding Director of the Scottish Storytelling Centre (2003-2014) and is the driving force behind the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, as well as a mentor in storytelling, theatre and community heritage work.

In this episode, I spoke to Suzanne Teed about what it's like to be a humanist celebrant.

We discussed her role as a celebrant, the importance of ceremony, how to plan a wedding, funerals, feminism, Trump, and more.

Subscribe to the podcast to never miss an episode, and consider leaving a review - it really helps.

Enjoy!

Dr. Scott McCoull is a junior doctor working in the NHS. He has degrees in medicine and physiology. He's a triathlete, martial artist, and is currently working on a renal ward.

We discussed his path into medicine, what life is like as a junior doctor, death and how to die, healthspan vs lifespan, the four pillars of health, his exercise regimen, how he recovered from a concussion, what he eats, sleep hygiene, emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Please enjoy the first episode of The Patterson Podcast.