Fran McIntyre

@IrvineWelsh - that was superb. @BBCRadio4

@heyalexfriedman This is both very very sad, and also beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

Six months ago today, my best friend died. 
On our last day together, we lay in bed listening to her favorite songs as I retold her stories we had laughed about 1000 times before. I was there by fate. While our other best friend was trapped in Austin because of an ice storm, I happened to be an hour away from her in California for work. Her health declined so quickly. I rushed out of work, holding back tears, as I called one of my friends from college, who graciously drove me down to be with her. My life has looked a lot different since that day. I sleep a lot more, I cry a lot more, and after building for over a decade straight, I’m not building anything. I’ve turned down every work opportunity, and embarrassingly for the first time in my adult life, I’m not prioritizing work. My brain feels different. The way I communicate feels more raw. I want to tell people I love them more. I’m way more afraid of missing memories with the people I care about. My content looks a lot different, too. After gaining 80,000 followers in a seemingly short amount of time, I haven’t posted on TikTok since she died. I’ve had trouble posting anything too motivational or work-related. I feel like a fraud. Pretending to care about making money, or "hustling", when right now... I really don’t. Grief and loss are horrible experiences. I’ve spent so much time reflecting on what I would change about my time with her if given the chance…
I wouldn’t have missed our last vacation together for a last-minute “important” meeting that I don’t even remember.
I wouldn’t have spent so much time working on my phone while we were together.
I wouldn’t have let the rude comment someone left me on social media ruin my mood, even if just for a second we were together. Life is painfully fragile and, for some, unexpectedly short. In our bubble, where we hear people talk nonstop about what is worth sacrificing for success, I can honestly say this: don’t sacrifice making memories with the people that would be there even if you lost it all. 🤍

@DominicMcGregor Amazing! What an achievement. I watch people struggle with this every day & can only imagine what it takes to go this far. Congratulations!

✨ Today, I am 7 years, 84 months, 364 weeks, and 2,555 days sober! ✨ This actually blows my mind. Without this, there is no way I would have: - Married my best friend - Built 2 companies - Keep my best friends - Grown as a person - Appreciate life This has been the single greatest achievement in my life. I have been able to see the value in living life to the fullest and become the person I am today. Three weeks ago, I had all my closest friends and family at my wedding, and I was able to stand up in front of everyone and thank them for the role they played in my life. Their support for my sobriety across the last 7 years has made this journey so much easier, and the rewards from my stronger relationships with them all have been so fulfilling to experience. Moreover, I have been very public about this, and the love and support people on LinkedIn, Instagram, and other social networking sites have shown me have been deeply appreciated. Being open about my story has made meeting people so much easier because they are aware of what I have been through, leading to forming some great relationships with people who now play a major role in my life. Every comment, reaction, and congratulations I receive for my sobriety is always remembered, and I cannot thank everyone enough for the support I have received. Thank you, everyone.

@pittso Sorry to hear that Mike. Rest. Get off social media. And shout if we can do anything to help. (Please don't actually shout!).

I've been ill since Wednesday and I'm tired of it now.

@mhdksafa Love this! What a great idea.

"If you're trying to persuade people to do something or buy something, it seems to me you should use their language, the language they use every day, the language in which they think." – David Ogilvy

@RoryStewartUK @RestIsPolitics @JenMacfarlane

UK astonishingly far behind on CT and MRI scanners - I get that tech isn’t everything - but can we really justify being this much of an outlier? ⁦@RestIsPolitics⁩

@HelenTurnerMI @InnovationMids Collaborating towards progress makes so much sense. Looking forward to hearing more about this, and the opportunities for driving change.

@dave_mcpartlin This

Do you know what we’re all feeling tonight? It’s belonging. We’re all sat at home, watching the same thing, thinking the same thoughts, feeling the same feelings and it’s absolutely lovely. Belonging is everything.

@jdalgoutteCE @UofGlasgow @embrooksy8 @tashaquinn19 This is so inspiring. You clearly have a load to offer the world. I'm grateful to you & everyone on your journey who is making that offer a reality. Congratulations!

I’m amazed at how far my tweet has gone and so grateful, the online community has been so kind! While it’s going a bit mental here’s a video I filmed with the amazing @UofGlasgow @embrooksy8 and @tashaquinn19 capturing my memorable day on campus and getting tapped on the head

@jennyniv @edbookfest Wonderful news! Congratulations!

Some news folks!!! Absolutely thrilled to be appointed the new Director @edbookfest as of September. Exciting times ahead!

What a time to be alive. #politics

Bosses who insult and intimidate don't get results. They leave people scarred. Data: when NBA players have abusive coaches, they play more poorly for the rest of their careers—and commit more technical fouls. Weak leaders make people weaker. Strong leaders make people stronger.

Some excellent conversations & thought provoking content at this morning's @SCDInews forum. Chaired by @sallymag1 & featuring our @innovateuk CEO, Indro Mukerjee who reiterated the huge respect he has for Scotland's business & innovation community.

One of our @innovateuk Young Innovators kicking off (see what I did there?) a society-centric business deal with @BurnleyOfficial. Great to see! burnleyexpress.net/business/pendl… @campbellclaret

What a few weeks for business engagement at @innovateuk! Kicking off with @AllEnergy, moving to @_InnovationZero before going straight into @MandEWeek & completing the marathon at @LDNTechWeek next week. So good to see live engagement back with such energy! @ExhibitionNews

Wishing everyone involved in @_InnovationZero a cracking couple of days: connecting & collaborating to accelerate the innovation that will address our most urgent global challenge. See you tomorrow! @innovateuk @ExhibitionNews #NetZero

I read this passage last night and it hasn't left me alone since. From Laura McBride's 'We are Called to Rise'. @simonschusterUK

There's a little toddler belting out 'Baby Shark' on the Tube, to the giggling delights of all other kids & a silent eye-averted audience of commuters. It's the perfect soundtrack to kick off a Thursday! Love it. #London #tfl #earworm

@saraelhanfy Love this Sara! I new you were a natural on show the other week. Break a leg!

Only one week until my latest break from Artificial Intelligence to tread the boards. This time as Mole in Wind in the Willows. Tickets on sale now