Nothing fancy in the notes this week, just an explanation as to the track I have chosen for the title.

It's a Paddy McAloon song, recorded by Jimmy Nail as part of the Crocodile Shoes project, which was a TV show about a songwriter in the North East. Had I not mentioned it as part of a discussion about Prefab Sprout it may never have come up in conversation, but that would also have meant that I wouldn't be booked out for what promises to be a special evening on the 8th October.

Thanks Shane, life is indeed a circular ride.

Stay safe

Dragons - Jimmy Nail

Dragons - Paddy McAloon

As we were driving to Manchester Airport last week we realised we had left the newly-purchased suncream at home. Even though we had only been travelling a few minutes we decided not to turn back, but risk picking some up at the departure lounge, irrespective of the fact it would probably be at an eye-watering supplement.

As it turned out it was pretty much the same as buying from Boots on the high street, and another thing I noted was that the coffee and sandwich that I got from Pret was not only the same cost, but I was able to get my Club Pret discount. So kudos to everybody at T2 for not taking advantage of those passing-through.

Surprisingly, and in sharp contrast, it cost eleven euros for 2 small cervazas on the way back - which is exactly what I wasn't expecting in GC. This was followed by sixty-five euros for a family Burger King (there really wasn't much more in the way of choice) which really did seem like profiteering.

A tale of two departure lounges.

Stay safe.

Richard Hawley - As The Dawn Breaks

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I am hoping you will forgive me if the edit is a little off compared with normal.

The good news is that I have managed to assemble and export this week’s TFM on the iPad for the second week on the spin, and the first where I didn’t have a fallback option.

The not-so-good news is that I can’t work out how to fine-tune the episode length (I like the episodes to end in a double digit format) and the volume fades are not as precise.

I am sure I will get better, but I must admit I am finding the new workflow a little frustrating.

Clearly not a real world problem, so I will give my head a wobble, but at the same time this wouldn’t be TFM if I didn’t at least mention it.

Stay safe.

P.S He finished with Carless Whisper so we got the saxophonic holy trinity - very apt considering what day it was…

(Reach up for the) Sunrise - Duran Duran

Guardanapo

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I appreciate I have said this before, but one of the challenges of TFM is that some weeks what goes through my head just isn't that interesting.

Take this week, twenty odd minutes of stuff but honestly, nothing that is going to give you any deeper insight or philosophical clarity. You could summarise it as something I have taken a shine to, and something I haven't, something I haven't heard for ages and enjoyed, and something I haven't but didn't, and something that may (or may not) be a bit of a fad.

You see, even the notes for the pod this week aren't that enlightening.

Stay safe.

Human - Rag 'n' Bone Man

Renault 5

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

On the back of using a Cliff track for a recent TFM I went back and listened to 'those' albums all over again, which is why it was easy to join the dots and get to this track whilst trying to come up with something for this week, specifically the on-location recording bit.

Of course that then took to me back to that very 'of it's time' video, that has the man himself roller-skating around listening to a Sony Walkman. The things that I get dragged back to as part of the TFM process are indeed more than a little surreal.

I know I said it in the pod, but thanks to you all for your support and feedback. You are all wise, and caring and I take none of it for granted.

Stay safe.

Wired For Sound - Cliff Richard

The Case for Rejoin - John Curtice Article

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I am now in two minds.

Having mentioned this tune toward the end of this week's TFM I am not sure it is in fact the right choice because equally I could be the problem in the integrity of this figurative dam. But you have got to pick a side and I do like this track so I am sticking with it (don't worry it will all make sense as you listen, or at least it should...).

I don't know what else to write about what I have to say as it kind of stands alone this week, so I will take up no more of your time and let you listen.

Stay safe.

Hold Back The River - Wet Wet Wet

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

As you are about to hear I went somewhere a bit special this week, and it took me right back to early 1983, as I approached my twelfth birthday.

At that stage I was desperately waiting for the day to arrive, because I was hoping to get a ZX Spectrum (16KB) and join the cyber-generation. In preparation, and as a way of increasing my sense of anticipation and excitement, I had been reading, and re-reading the couple of computer magazines that I owned, devouring anything I could and planning what I would use the mythical machine for.

Within the pages was an advert for the Spectrum, a full size image on the actual machine in all its glory. I remember this vividly, because as the day approached I had taken to sitting cross-legged on the floor, typing commands into the keyboard, and imagining how my life as a top programmer was going to pan out.

Stay safe.

I'm Nearly Famous - Cliff Richard

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

It's been a long time since I have watched Pulp Fiction, but it came up in conversation when I was asked by my eldest if I could suggest something for him to watch.

At the beginning of lockdown I began the process of ripping my DVD collection and having everything available as easy playback and sharing, and having got about 80% of the way through it before getting bored, it meant I had a lot to peruse and ultimately recommend.

Along with the cool-as-you-like Tarantino classic I offered up Grosse Pointe Blank, I Am Legend, Inception, Phone Booth, The Usual Suspects, Seven, Birdman, Blade Runner and Unbreakable.

Oh, and Phoenix Nights.

Stay safe.

You Never Can Tell - Chuck Berry

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I am bringing you a bit of a story this time, so here isn't much I can really say about it in advance...I need to just let it all unfold, so to speak.

What I can say is that the track that gives the episode its title is by Dave Lee Roth, and is from an album called A Little Ain't Enough released in 1991. It is memorable for me because I went to see DLR on that tour, and it remains the only live experience I have of him or any link to Van Halen.

It is also memorable because I bough a t-shirt that had 'Pure F*ckin Rock' emblazoned on the front (just without the censorship) which I wore with the cocky swagger of a 20 year old, thinking I was the first.

Which is more than a little amusing, in the context of today's tale.

Stay safe.

Sensible Shoes - Dave Lee Roth

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

In between recording and note-writing Wikipedia has provided one of the answers;

St Andrew's Church is a redundant Anglican church standing in an isolated position, in fields about 2 kilometres to the north of the village of Woodwalton.

The isolated position of the church is thought to be due to its central location between Woodwalton Castle, a motte and bailey castle to the north, Sawtry Abbey to the west and the village settlement to the south.

It is about 200 metres to the east of the East Coast Main Line and is visible from the passing trains.

A picture of the church appears on the cover of the book The Nation's Favourite Churches by Andrew Barr.

Oh, and it allows me to tip my hat to the Little Angels, on the week tickets have gone on sale for their reunion tour.

Stay safe.

Splendid Isolation - Little Angels

St Andrews Church, Woodwalton

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I like to be out for a run around the seven thirty mark, which means that the alarm is usually set for between six and six thirty, so I can start the process of recording the weeks TFM. In theory that should be enough time to record a c.20 minute podcast, make a brew, write the notes and get myself ready.

It's currently 07:38 and I have got this far. I have managed to lose fifteen minutes listening to Tenacious D and a further five minutes just faffing. I have also taken the top of a small scab on my left forearm, which is gently bleeding toward my elbow.

There is a good chance it will be gone eight before I am pounding the pavement, but I do now have a brew on my desk. There is still a good chance something else will throw me off task before I hit send.

Stay safe.

The Day Before You Came - Pulp

Wicked Game - Tenacious D

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

OK so this is a very particular phenomena to mention, but there is something about that first blast of UK air when you get off a plane that is really quite reinvigorating.

It is probably down to nothing more than the welcome release from the stale air of the aircraft, but when I was met by what was comparatively fresh and chilly air as I stepped into the air bridge, it didn't half hit the spot. And I got a second chance to enjoy it as the lift doors opened onto the multi-storey car park.

Of course by the time I reached Sheffield, and it contained a fair dollop of driving rain, and I was feeling the temperature differential from SoCal quite acutely, it had lost some of it's initial appeal.

Stay safe.

Ride on Time - Black Box

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

Friday Night.

I have just collected some take-out food and returned to my hotel room on the top floor of the Sheraton Park Resort, to eat Spaghetti and watch The West Wing. After three days of meet and greet I am spent, I just want be quiet for a while.

The Friday 'night-in' has become a regular feature of this trip over the last few years, and it is neccesitous if I am going to get through the last of the working days. Don't get me wrong there are a lot of people here that I have come to know well (and care about) over the years, but I need a few hours to regroup.

I will be fine by the morning. One more day of back-to-backs (starting with a breakfast meet at 07:45) and that will be it for another year. I do enjoy this show, but for now I am grateful for the space and the wise words of Jed Bartlett.

Stay safe.

Free Fallin' - Tom Petty

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

As an addition to the bit about things that we just pass-by all the time without really noticing, I went to Milton Keynes this week (go with me on this) because I had been asked to speak as part of a panel discussion on Music Education.

Anyway, I stayed at the Hilton hotel which is incorporated into the Stadium MK complex, the homes of the MK Dons football team. Because of the nature of the development the entrance is a fairly small and basic, with just a Reception Desk, a sort of gathering space with a few chairs and the lifts. It starts to open out on Floor Two, when you get the first of the restaurants, a bar area, some meeting rooms and the gym (as well as the first of the bedrooms).All perfectly predictable then, until you get to floor three which just comprises of bedrooms.

What I wasn't expecting was the fact that it does a complete loop of the football pitch, so whichever way you turn as you leave the lift, and provided you don't turn back) you can keep walking until you have been around all four corner posts and arrived back at where you started. There are also a number of windows along the route so you get a great view of the playing surface and the stadium itself.

Now I have driven past this building on a number of occasions, and eaten in the restaurant, and yet I had no idea about that part of the design. And looking from the outside you equally probably couldn't have worked it out. Pretty cool, eh.

Stay safe.

Anxiety - Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

Two things to quickly mention before you listen to this week's TFM.

Firstly I managed to get myself confused by songs, so instead of The Who track that I mentioned you are getting the Robbie & Kylie track that was actually playing in my head. I think the confusion comes from the final line of the chorus which does actually say 'the kids are alright', even though the song title is more to the point.

It's not that I have a problem with The Who, but that track isn't one that would ever loop in my subconscious.

Secondly I have just found an enormous hair growing from the top of my ear, probably getting on for an inch in length. Now I have been in a few social situations this week and either nobody spotted it (unlikely) or nobody pointed it out. I was more than a little distressed at my need for an overdue aural manicure, so please...if you spot misplaced and (frankly) rampant follicles on a friend or colleague, gently let them know. They will thank you, I promise.

Stay safe.

Kids - Robbie Williams & Kylie Minogue

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I have got a little bit reflective and a little bit sentimental this week, but I guess that is only to be expected as the old year finally turned.

And even though I only finished recording a few minutes ago, I am already thinking of the things that I missed out of my 'off the cuff' countdown of the best, and most memorable bits of 2025. Now normally I would be kicking myself at the omission, but actually I am taking the positives from the positives that I missed, and choosing just to smile.

However you choose to do it, thinking back on the good times is well worth it.

Stay safe.

This is the Time - Billy Joel

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I am going to split Christmas 2025 into three categories, the more, the less and the same.

In the more bucket we have family cultural experiences, with the triple whammy of the cinema, the theatre and the panto in a five day period bookending the big day. I would also throw into the more pot, jigsaw-time, food-prep and possibly running.

The consistent category is food and drink, no question. The annual appearance of the cheese board has been most welcome, and there has been very little in the way of intake discipline since Christmas Eve. Slightly more red than white, equal parts savoury to sweet.

And the less has been screen time, scheduled group TV moments and snoozing. I don’t think I have had one nap this time around.

Oh and matching Christmas Pyjamas, at no point has this even been considered, as an insta-moment or as going-out attire.

Stay safe.

The Boy in the Bubble - Paul Simon

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

Technically speaking the actual song title for this is Thea Gilmore's Midwinter Toast, but I have taken a little artistic license for the episode naming just because it's my podcast, and I can.

I make no apology for banging on about this incredible songwriter, or indeed for reminding you that her winter album Strange Communion is the only thing you should be listening to for the next week or so. It remains an incredible collection of songs, and the fact that it can be revisited every year at this time, and still have the ability to knock me (or indeed anyone) right over is all you need to know.

So apropos of nothing, other than we are just about to hit the 21st, I present to you the studio version, and a lovely live take on this song.

Hopefully I will see a few of you before we get to the 25th, but if not I wish you a safe and peaceful Christmas x

Thea Gilmore's Midwinter Toast

Thea Gilmore's Midwinter Toast - Live at the Jazz Cafe

J Sheekey Restaurant

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I was somewhat taken aback this evening, just at the point when I was about to enjoy one of the traditional kick-offs to the festive season.

Our local Lidl has recently had a facelift, and as part of that process the magazine stand has been placed in the entrance. As such, and as we were walking out, I happened to notice a cardboard display freshly stacked with copies of the Christmas TV & Radio Times. Huzzah!

Obviously I scurried back inside with a virgin copy of the Festive RT, and headed to the new collection of self-checkouts tills, which were another feature of the recent works. Now this is pertinent because it meant I was about to make a purchase of a single unit, and in doing so I couldn't escape noticing the price of said item.

Clearly of late I must have procured my RT as part of a wider supermarket basket, because I am sure I would have passed comment on being asked for £6:50 for my piece of festive nostalgia.

When did that happen?

And before you say it, yes I realise I am starting to sound like somebody of a certain age, but even so, six and a half quid for the Christmas Radio Times...

Stay safe.

Train in the Distance - Paul Simon

Recipes that have taken Social Media by storm

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

The eldest has asked for a first pair of running trainers for Christmas, and after taking him to Up & Running for some cheeky gait analysis, we settled on a pair of Hoka Clifton 10s in a light green finish (I think the decision has been based on the aesthetics of the shoe in question, but they do also provide the required support).

Unfortunately it's a range that Up & Running don't carry so we ended up getting them for Run North West, and when they arrived I noticed a nice postcard in the top of the shoe box. Anyway it has been sat on my desk for a couple of weeks, and as I was moving stuff about I happened to notice that it had been handwritten with a message from Tim, wishing me well with the shoes.

Now I like stuff like this, I think it is simple but very effective, and it prompted me to call the RNW number and let them know that everything had arrived safely, and that I really appreciated the time, care and attention they had taken with my order. And as you might expect the person who took the call was equally lovely and appreciative of the feedback.

It really isn't that hard.

Stay safe.

Tunnel of Love - Dire Straits

Jason Isbell Martin Acoustic

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

Sra

I heard this song for the first time in ages, and I have been humming it most of the week. So when I found myself knee deep in blue icons looking at the London Remembers website, then I closed the loop and accepted it was going to be the episode title.

Of course what that has done has (somewhat) inevitably led me to an hour of listening to some of my favourite Bob choons, and I thought it would be rude not to share. So in no particular order we have had Tangled Up In Blue, Hurricane (with its lyrical awesomeness and that crazy fiddle), Ring Them Bells, Jokerman (with Mark K on both guitar and production duties), Make You Feel My Love, The Mighty Quinn, Everything is Broken, Not Dark Yet, Things Have Changed (which I think features in the Michael Douglas film Wonder Boys) and of course Blind Willie McTell.

Not a bad way to spend an hour.

Stay safe.

Tangled Up in Blue - Bob Dylan

Carol of the Bells

London Remembers Website

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

Thanks to everybody that joined in and got a bit angry last week, it didn't seem to take much to push most of you toward that particular line in the sand.

I am not sure I am quite as angry as last week, but lots of the noise swirling around is still somewhat triggering, to the point that even a Pret Christmas sandwich did not produce it's normal unadulterated moment of joy this week (don't get me wrong, it was none too shabby, but I wasn't as fully focussed as I should have been).

The one thing I did notice this week, was that when I went to Leeds on Wednesday I got very cold. Clearly exacerbated by being a little off my best, it didn't alter the fact that I am getting old, and feeling the cold far more than I used to. And I can't say that I care for it.

Stay safe.

Numbers - Fish

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

The morning after the night record, and I am not sure that it was anger I was feeling or a sense of frustration, we don't get many cracks at this which is why they have to count. We are way past the point of thinking that we are going to evolve into the place we need to be, and in too many ways we are clinging to something that is just way past its sell by date.

Of course there are reasons, and there are far too many interested parties that have the ability to influence and drip-feed a narrative. That doesn't mean they are right.

Because a change in direction is way overdue, we are going to experience some bumps and it will be costly. We are all going to be in it together.

But if we don't we are risking something far worse for the generations that follow. It's time to be brave, and talk about where we truly are.

Stay safe.

Hope the High Road - Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

Robert Harris

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I want to shout out to all those of you that regularly comment on TFM, comments that I always read but because I read them whilst I am dashing around hardly ever respond to.

Actually that is worthy of an apology, so let's start by apologising for not responding to most of the comments I get, but confirming that I do read them all.

So this goes out to Christine (invariably the first to listen & comment), Linda (always includes a Allen family insight), Brian (fast becoming a top five responder), Melissa and Kerry (both often a week behind the rest of the pack), Simon (always some Blades based reassurance), Susie (most dedicated newbie), Rita, Michael, Paul & Adam (insights from across the pond) and of course Shane (keeper of the records).

I will of course apologise to all those regulars I have missed next week, as names come flooding back to me over the course of the day.

And if you would like to comment, then head over to Patreon and check out the episodes there.

Stay safe.

Flag Day - The Housemartins

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

A chance for a good ol' bit of hair rock this walk as I believe I am welcoming Mr Big to the TFM artist roster for the first time.

They became well known because of the ballad To Be With You which went to the top of the UK charts in 1991, but the essence of the band was hard rock. This song appears on the first album, and is a great example of where they were at.

If you want another MB recommendation, then check out Green Tinted Sixties Mind which has the most amazing intro guitar riff.

Stay safe.

Take a Walk - Mr Big

Christian Payne AKA Documentally

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I picked the episode title before I sat down to watch the football.

After a really difficult start to the season, a lot of which was self inflicted, over the last week it looked like the Blades had perhaps turned a corner. Back to back wins, and we had moved out of the bottom three.

So when we went 2-0 up in the first twenty minutes last night, in a bid for reassurance I made the mistake of checking a stat about our opponents Preston. Big mistake.

It turns out that by looking back to check the last time they had managed to score three goals in a game, the act itself pretty much guarantees that will be the outcome. As so it came to pass.

Stay safe.

Crashing Down - Del Amitri

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I very rarely do this, but I have picked a song I don't know just because the title works for the episode.

Anyway this is Gavin James, and I have to admit I actually quite like the song. It sounds very familiar, quite a bit Newton Faulkner-y. Anyway he's an Irish chap and has been on the go since 2015. He's opened for Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran and he has also produced an album called Winter Songs which I am definitely going to seek out (after all you know how I feel about winter albums).

Stay safe.

Tired - Gavin James

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I am going to pop out for a final run before the Manchester Half tomorrow. I hadn't planned on running today but my legs were a bit stiff yesterday so I am going to throw in a gentle 5-6 miler just to keep everything loose.

It's probably all in my head, because I am ready, In fact I have been ready for a couple of months. At the beginning it was about whether I could cover the distance, which progressed to whether I could do it under two hours - but as I have answered both of these questions as part of my prep so tomorrow becomes about the enjoyment of the day.

It's fitting that this event should fall on this weekend, because one of the initial prompts for TFM was the fact I was sat at home, with an injury, unable to get out for a run. The importance of running in my life was evident then, and thankfully that hasn't changed.

Stay safe.

P.S thanks to Shane & Christine (they both know why...)

Here and Now - Del Amitri

Rob Brydon's Honky Tonk Road Trip

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

As I suspected I had used this particular track for a TFM episode title, but as you will hear it is just too prescient not to go with for this week.

The track itself is from 1992, and an album called Sleepwalking which I used to own but has somehow got lost in the journey to this point. I did try to get hold of it again, but it is quite difficult to late being out of print and seemingly in demand - I am guessing there is some confusion about licensing as it is also unavailable on most streaming services.

Anyway I think it's a cracker, and a reminder of the kind of tune that Magnum could turn out, and the vocals I remember.

Stay safe.

Stormy Weather - Magnum

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

Well that was a week, and I had a blast. Apologies that this is a little late, but by the end you will understand the reason why and the episode title will make sense.

I have now discovered that there are two tunnels on the Bristol-Bath cycle path, and that the one I ran through is called the Staple Hill Tunnel and is the shorter of the two, coming in at 515yds.

Of course I am now going to have to plan a return journey to have a trot through the Combe Down Tunnel, which comes in at over a mile in length and is the longest walking/cycling tunnel in the UK.

Stay safe.

One Slip - Pink Floyd

Bristol-Bath Rail Path

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

Of the things that went to Newcastle for a bit of a run out, but ultimately we're not required, or indeed couldn't be accommodated the highlights are;

• Shoe Rack
• 27" Computer Monitor
• Dinner Plates (x2)
• Cereal Bowls (x2)
• Side Plate (x2)
• Desert Bowl (x2)
• 2 way HDMI Splitter

The Fire Stick has ended up in the kitchen, and a longer 3.5mm to RCA Phono cable along with a set of Digital Scales have been acquired. Operation Child Transition appears to be proceeding well and largely to plan.

Stay safe.

P.S It turns out that Alec Guinness plays eight parts in Kind Hearts and Coronets not the six as I suggested.

The Circle - Ocean Colour Scene

Bill Bailey playing The Typewriter

Driving Tests

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I think we have pretty much got everything, the last bits of tech arrived yesterday (HDMI Splitter, Laptop Stand) and apart from a few bits of food we are about there.

Clothes still have to be pulled from the wardrobe, and we haven't decided how we are going to transport them, favourite appears to literally be a well positioned heap on the top of the other boxes. For one more night the house is overstocked with more kitchen utensils than is ordinarily required, which makes contemplating the number of people who could simultaneously (and independently) mash potato quite amusing.

By this time tomorrow it will all be winging its way to a new location, and by this time next week it will be feeling very much at home, adapting well and functioning as required. The turntable will provide the soundtrack, the laundry basket will be overflowing and the chopping board will be battle scarred with toast crumbs. All will be firing, even if it is taking the gentle souls in the background a little longer to settle.

Stay safe.

(Wading Through) The Waters of my Time - Richard Hawley

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

The best opportunity you will ever get to prove to a customer you are the real deal (and worthy of repeat custom) is the way you behave when something isn't quite right.

Good customer service should be easy, because if you think something through from the customers perspective, and you agree they have a point, then fixing it is no real headache.

Five examples of that in practice this week, and pleasingly more positives than negatives, but in reality it should have been a clean sweep.

Stay safe

Nice'n'Easy - Frank Sinatra

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

Why I should be surprised at this technological development is beyond me, I nearly bought a similar looking device from the middle aisle of Lidl at the start of the year, only with the intention of never having to mow the lawn again. And I am sure they are common place in many homes scurrying around carpets and laminated floors.

There is just something magical however about this device, because it is attached to the surface by a long tube and so looks like some kind of deep sea recuse pod, that is being manned by a team of intrepid gerbils.

I look forward to seeing them emerge, and hearing tales of the successful discovery of long lost wrecks, and plundered treasures.

Stay safe.

Blue Hotel - Chris Isaak

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

You may recall the debacle I talked about last time, the one where I managed to get carried away with my own technical ability and inadvertently formatted my SD card, deleting an unpublished podcast in the process.

So last week, with that experience still raw, after recording TFM I reverted to the 100% tried, 100% trusted method of removing the self-same card and inserting into my desktop dock. Moments later my files were transferred, with a welcome lack of drama, and with everything intact.

Of course the reassurance that comes with knowing your media is secure, turned out to be a false blessing when yesterday I discovered that it remains in situ on my desk - a cool 1084 miles from where it was now needed.

It really is turning into a gift that keeps on giving

Stay safe.

Room At The Top - Tom Petty

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I started beating myself up yesterday, because I hadn't got anything worked out in terms of talking points for this week's TFM.

In that moment (because unsurprisingly this isn't the first time it has happened) I tend to get a bit despondent, and a little bit flat, and I do question whether I should even be bothering. And yesterday evening, probably around about seven thirtyish, that was where I was at.

Of course none of that is important. It isn't the reason that TFM exists, and it isn't why I do what I do. So I sat down and talked, with no idea what was going to happen, and felt better.

And this morning I have dropped that pure example of TFM into the editing software, and just added the episode idents. Exactly how it was intended to be.

Stay safe.

Pure - The Lightening Seeds

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I had no idea that Trevor Horn had so much to do with this song.

I have always really liked it, but it was only when the TH band played it last night at the Cropredy gig did I put two and two together. TBH even then he had to kind of say it out loud for the penny to drop.

Anyway I think it's a banger and worthy of a break in the day to have a listen...the kids were really getting into, I wonder if it has had a second life on TikTok.

In other news apols for this being a bit late, I had recorded it in time but my host has been distracting me with stories of village life and clips of Rollie Birkin.

Stay safe.

All The Things She Said - t.A.T.u

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

As you know I try and get out to go for a run on a Saturday morning.

These days that means a distance of 7-8 miles, and I usually run to Coffee Boy in Huddersfield to meet Mrs S. for a beverage. I am quite happy with this arrangement, it kicks off the weekend well and I like the fact that more often than not I can arrive for the opening time of 08:30 hours, and be in the first wave of clients.

Last week the opening hours changed, and it now opens at 07:30. This has caused me more than a little frustration. In my head I know there is no real way I can now be there for opening time, because I am not going to set the alarm for 05:30 just to do that. But it has taken the shine off the symmetry of my day when I run down there, I did like being just as they were just opening the door.

Oh, and I am not sure this is the right Lego themed song, but it does neatly capture the project in hand.

Stay safe.

Little by Little - Oasis

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I will have to rely on others to make this statement definitive, but this may be my first Belinda Carlisle song choice as episode title...?!

Dedicated to the right hand side of the bay window in the lounge, the one overlooking the harbour, and the hypnotic joy of idle observation. The song comes from the Real album, which was released in 1993 and is an absolute cracker - in fact I am playing the closing track Here Comes My Baby as I write these notes.

I think Belinda is a little underrated actually, both this album and the follow-up which includes a fantastic collab with Brian Wilson called California. And if that wasn't enough it also features (none other than) Nick Beggs on Chapman Stick. Boom.

Stay safe.

Windows of the World - Belinda Carlisle

Here Comes My Baby - Belinda Carlisle

California - Belinda Carlisle

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

What seems to be happening at the moment is that I am missing one of my walking days, pretty much without fail, every week.

The running is going fine, I am up to about 35 miles per week, and last week I ran my second half marathon distance. I am just about to set off for an eight miler, and I will probably do eleven or so tomorrow. 

Thinking about it, it might be because I get up and run first thing, as opposed to trying to crowbar a walk into the later part of the day. Anyway, whatever the reason, it just seems to be (literally) a step too far for my schedule at the moment.

Stay safe.

Save The World - Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

The Brett Domino Trio - Dead Whale Song

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

There is quite a bit of excitement in the house about the new Superman movie. Jack has been looking forward to it for quite a while, and I must admit I have been a little drawn in by all the noise around it, and the fact it is dividing opinion so much.

Clearly I am from the Christopher Reeve era when it comes to Superman. Another one of those magical movies that appeared at just the right point in my formative years, and was my introduction into the concept of a superhero story.

As you know I am not an avid Marvel or DC aficionado, but I did enjoy the Henry Cavill film and the fact it is from the director of Guardians of the Galaxy give me hope that it will not be an updated rehash.

Stay safe.

Doctor, My Eyes - Jackson Browne

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

05:22 this time.

After a similar experience a couple of days ago, it was slightly later this morning when I woke up with the missing piece.

I suppose you could say that most weeks are full of hellos and goodbyes, but on reflection this week has been built around examples that are maybe a little heavier than the norm.

And apologies for fans of the original, but at this time of the morning I find the David Gray take on this song a little more in keeping.

Stay safe.

Say Hello, Wave Goodbye - David Gray

The Last Laugh

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I forgot to mention how much I enjoyed the cricket.

The first test against India from Headingley was an absolute delight, we were pretty much addicted for the whole five days, with the live coverage in the back room doing battle with the radio commentary upstairs.

The whole joy is that for most of the fifteen (yes I did say fifteen) two hour sessions I had no idea who was actually winning. At four-ish on the fifth day it could still have gone three ways, with the outcome only really becoming clear after tea when the threat of a final weather-based intervention passed.

We should hang onto this strange sporting phenomena tightly. It is a quirk, a wrinkle, a throwback and we are all the better for it.

Stay safe.

Here's to you - Thea Gilmore

Ian Dunt - In Praise of Kim Leadbeater

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I have been trying to work out if I have ever seen the video for this song before, and having mulled it for longer than I possibly should, I have reached the conclusion that I probably haven’t.

Nothing particularly surprising in that conclusion I suppose, and whilst it’s very much of its time (quirky and instantly forgettable) it also made me realise that I had no real clue what Squeeze actually looked like.

Yes I know that it's Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford, yes I remember that Jools Holland was there in the early days and that he had been replaced by Paul Carrack. But as to the look of that band, not a clue. So I was surprised to see a bouncy, punky outfit with swagger and Jools chomping away on a cigar. It's great when things like that happen...

Stay safe.

Cool for Cats - Squeeze

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

Now you know I like a good sitcom, and you also know that I rate Not Going Out very highly and certainly worthy of special mention.

Well the new series landed last night, and the BBC dropped all six episodes which resulted in us watching the first four. I am pleased to report that it is a strong as ever, but the reason I mention it is because the second episode called Doll is really very clever.

I am not quite sure how you begin to put together a narrative like that, the whole thing is a little uncomfortable (and certainly quite unnerving) but it hard not to be swept along in the subtext.

If you can get the iPlayer, you might want to give it a go.

Stay safe.

God Only Knows - BBC (Various)

Sloop John B - Brian Wilson & Alan Jardine

Stairway to Heaven - Ann Wilson, Nancy Wilson, Jason Bonham, et al

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

Sometimes the need to try and find a song title that encapsulates an element of my week, takes me to some very specific places.

This song featured in a Rolling Stones documentary called 25x5, that I watched over and over, back in the late 80s. It was only a very small section of the programme, but it always stuck with me, and fortunately it was easy enough to locate the clip.

So even though it is a prompt to a rather disappointing realisation (and outcome) of the week - it is still a really great performance.

Stay safe

You Better Move On - The Rolling Stones

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I completed my final run for the month yesterday, and also the final run in my current pair of running shoes, and I mention it because it is a bit of a bitter-sweet moment.

I become quite attached to my runners, and whilst I am looking forward to a new pair (the first few runs in new shoes are always great) it always feels like I am being less than respectful to my current squeeze as we approach the end of our time together.

Of course, the reality is that isn't the case. After a well earned (and no doubt) invigorating spin through the washing machine, my trusty pair of Saucony Ride 17s (Tangerine & White) will be this year's casual wear of choice.

Stay safe.

No Easy Way Down - Mark Eitzel

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I ended up going to away matches with him and his Dad, and I even had a Saturday job at their family business back in the day (they had an independent Insurance brokerage, just in case you were wondering).

We still keep in touch, though somewhat vicariously, over one of the platforms, in fact there is even a possibility we will bump into each other through the course of the day. Because he will be heading to the same place that I am, and like me he will have found some new hope.

This time.

Stay safe.

This Time - Bryan Adams

Cambridge Common Cows

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I haven't been able to ascertain exactly which group of football fans adopted this song first. Wikipedia cites the example of Everton fans in 1956, which is only a year after the song was written - so that might be favourite. I was belting it out (along with 26,000 others) at Bramall Lane on Monday and having a whale of a time.

Aura Farming: Depending on the context, “aura farming” can refer to a person who does something cool without trying, or someone who is trying too hard to appear cool. For the purposes of this week's TFM I am hoping it is the former.

Mog: To outclass or be significantly more attractive than someone else, often used in a humorous or self-deprecating way

Oh and I haven't mentioned Andor this week, mainly because I haven't finished it yet. If truth be told I don't want it to end, I have two episodes to go and I am trying to stretch it out. It really is exceptional.

Stay safe.

Que Sera, Sera - Doris Day

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I see that Amazon very astutely managed to get Conclave on their roster of films included on Prime, just in time for the selection of the new pope.

I can only assume that the nature of the timing, you could almost say it was divine, will push the viewing figures no end.

I haven’t seen it yet, but I have read the book which I thoroughly enjoyed. Robert Harris is a fave amongst my fiction-author-choices, and his new one Precipice landed last week, it's currently perched at the top of the ‘next up’ pile.

I’ll report back when I get to the film, but the cast looks hefty, and the twist at the end is delicious.

Stay safe.

Down The Road - Mike Peters

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

Between 13:00 and 13:40 today I witnessed a wonder of the modern world.

In the Long Bar, which is situated in the East Stand at Headingley, an undisclosed but statistically significant number of cricket followers were fed a lunch of fish, chips and mushy peas, with bread and butter on the side.

This was the scene that greeted me in the Members lounge, as this unnamed collective moved between the food queue, the condiments table and the bar. The average age well north of 70.

There was little in the way of fanfare, and nothing like the amount of ambient noise I would have expected. Just a focussed sense of purpose, that comes from the understanding that the time in hand was short. You see there was not only food to be eaten, there was drink to be drunk, and a comfort break to be factored in before the first ball of the afternoon.

You can moan about the boomers, and I often do, but when they get their sh*t together it is a thing of really beauty.

Stay safe.

Give A Little Bit - Supertramp

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

As you are about to hear there isn't a real reason why I have picked this particular track to share with you as the episode title. There could have been, but as it turned out I ditched that idea because it was a bit too complicated.

But I have stuck with it because I can't get past one aspect of the lyric, and as it happens it does resonate with (admittedly in a slightly laboured way) the football part of this week's TFM. Let me explain.

As a song it contains an absolutely killer lyric, and it is preceded by a really nice build up in the verse;

Jimmy Shoes, he busted both his legs

Trying to learn to fly

From a second storey window

He just jumped and closed his eyes

His momma said he was crazy

He said, Momma, I've got to try

Nothing wrong with that, it's a great foundation that is building a narrative and preparing you for something special. Kind of like the first forty games that Sheffield United have played this year. Then you get this killer line....

Don't you know that all my heroes died?

Boom. Absolutely stunning line, really stops you in your tracks. A bit like beating Coventry 3-1 at home and putting promotion squarely in your own hands. But then Jon follows it up with this lifeless, disappointing, throw-away cliche

And I guess I'd rather die than fade away

What a let down, hopes smashed. Like losing to Oxford, Millwall and Plymouth and handing promotion to your season-long rivals.

Stay safe.

These Days - Bon Jovi

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I am quietly chuckling to myself, because I never thought I would be able to feed a song title like this one into an episode of TFM. But in the context of the content for this week, and if you flip it around a bit, and imagine it from a certain perspective then it does make a lot of sense.

Anyway it's a bit of a funny one this week, with the early week being the closing stages of our holiday to Gran Canaria, before setting back off to what was a slightly unusual end to the working week.

I hope you find something in there of interest, and that you have a rewarding easter weekend.

Stay safe.

Video Killed The Radio Star - Buggles

The Residence - Netflix

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

As it turns out a Saltwater swimming pool does (in point of fact) still contain Chlorine.

Not an opening sentence I thought I would ever use for a slice of TFM, but the experiences of the week have brought me here, and after all that is what this is all about.

I have been informed by Goggle AI that 'a saltwater swimming pool utilises a salt chlorine generator to produce chlorine from salt, offering a less harsh alternative to traditional chlorine pools. While it doesn't eliminate chlorine entirely, the generator creates a smaller amount, making the water feel softer and potentially gentler on skin and eyes.' 

None of which I knew.

The thing that it doesn't explain is the sensation of increased buoyancy that you feel when just floating on your back. None of the 'advantages of' lists I have read has it down as a feature or a benefit, which leads me to the conclusion that I have probably just imagined it.

The power of the mind, eh.

Stay safe.

Saltwater - Chicane (ft. Moya Brennan)

26 minutes to go until this weeks TFM is due to be published and I have no idea what to do about the notes.

Michael Sembello is pulsating out of the speakers on my desk, and if I flip tabs I can see the very MTV era video playing away in its non-widescreen format. We are due to be leaving the house for a family shopping trip to Meadowhall at quarter to, which is only adding to the pressing nature of my task.

Normally I would have a little nugget leftover from the episode, something anecdotal perhaps or maybe a bit of interesting aside that would round out one of the segments. But for now I have nothing.

22 minutes now, 7 until we are due to set-off. Quick mental recap of the week, but still nothing. I might just have to go with an empty page...

Stay safe.

Maniac - Michael Sembello

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

One of the great things about recording TFM is that I get to rack my brains and come up with an episode title that is also a song. You know the rules, the song title (where possible) must be pertinent to some of the themes of the week's episode, and I try and make it a song I have some history with.

Clearly this week was going to be fairly easy, I mean how many song titles are there that contain the word 'Drive' (don't answer that, because it is quite a lot). But here's the thing, because this part of the TFM process is a bit of a gift that keeps on giving, the choice of REM has taken me back to Automatic For The People, and who doesn't need reminding of how good an album that is and how lucky we are to have it.

What that means is that I am going to be giving it a spin over the weekend, as I contemplate the state of the nation finances and the sheer absurdity of the Testi app.

Stay safe.

Drive - REM

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I have heard this story three times now, and it floors me every time.

This song was written as part of Radio 2's 21st century Folk project, where a group of songwriters were invited to write songs about other peoples lives. The song describes the day that Thea travelled to the North East to meet Delyth Raffell, and to hear about her daughter Ellen who passed away at the age of 16 from an allergic reaction.

I was drawn to the song on the first listen, long before I understood the context or the significance of it. With the backstory in place, it takes it to a whole different level.

She then performed the song for Delyth and her family at the Woodhorn Museum in Ashington. I have included the link to that performance as well album version of the song.

Stay safe.

She Speaks in Colours - Thea Gilmore

She Speaks in Colours performed for Delyth Raffell

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

A few things to know, Therapy For Me has been running for just over five years and is a safe space for me to process what has been going on over the course of the last week.

It is unscripted, recorded (mostly) in one take and published fresh everything Saturday morning around 9am GMT

The episode titles are based around songs that tie-in to some aspect of the content of that week, and feature tracks that have floated in and out of my existence.

(this week it's a belter from a project called Sunhouse, the link is below)

And that should be enough to get you started. Feel free to subscribe if you like it, and if you want to join in with the chat you might want to listen via my patreon page

Stay safe.

Ant

P.S If you are curious about the swan then click here

Crazy on the Weekend - Sunhouse (song)

Crazy on the Weekend - Sunhouse (album)

Sunhouse

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I love this song, and I love this album.

Bearing in mind what I am talking about this week I wanted something sublime and beautiful, and this is surely it.

Should I be using something other than Marillion to describe a Marillion weekend? Absolutely I should, anything by the band themselves would be a little too 'on the nose'

Anyway I hope you are well and have had a good week, mine has been another one of those slightly surreal ones, for which I feel blessed.

Stay safe.

Crazy on the Weekend - Sunhouse (song)

Crazy on the Weekend - Sunhouse (album)

Sunhouse

Todays notes come courtesy of Wikipedia;

Coles Corner is the name given to the corner of Fargate and Church Street in Sheffield, in sight of the cathedral. It was the site of the old Cole Brothers department store until it moved to Barker's Pool in 1963.

The corner is famous in Sheffield as a place to meet for a first date. A plaque put up by the Rotary Club now marks the spot and ensures its local history is not forgotten.

I mention this of course because of the 20th anniversary of the album by Richard Hawley, and because as I am off to Sheffield today anyway (the Blades are taking on Preston at BDBL) I might try and go and seek out that plaque.

You can find some more information and pictures here

Stay safe.

Coles Corner - Richard Hawley

Craig Joiner

Sea of Souls

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I found myself watching the first Rambo film last night, partly because it was there and partly because I haven’t seen any of that particular franchise.

Clearly they were films of their time, but it is interesting that the original - which was called First Blood and has since been rebranded as Rambo: First Blood - bore little resemblance to the genre it effectively spawned.

It got me thinking about the parallels the Deep Purple Machine Head, which I had also listened to for the first time recently and which also sounded nothing like the musical style that the band is cited with creating.

As far as both were concerned I was pleasantly surprised. I guess it’s a reminder to always experience the source material first hand, and always make your own mind up.

Stay safe.

Coffee and TV - Blur

Documentally substack

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

It really has been a revelation listening to some CDs again, the only real downside is that I had forgotten the effort it takes to read the album titles up on the high shelf in the back room.

You will understand what has got me to this point when you have listened to this weeks TFM, but in real terms it means I have given the following a spin;

• Symphonie Fantastique - Hector Berlioz
• Tower of Song: The Songs of Leonard Cohen - Various Artists
• Small World Turning - Thea Gilmore
• Green Light - Cliff Richard
• Something to Be - Rob Thomas
• Crazy on the Weekend - Sunhouse
• S P Q R - Steve Hogarth
• Eyes Wide Open - Snow Patrol
• Let it Bee - Voice of the Beehive
• Melissa Etheridge - Melissa Etheridge
• 12 Songs - Neil Diamond

I am not convinced I would have surfed that lot down on Spotify.

Stay safe.

Running With Our Eyes Closed - Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

Harrison Ford

Illinois State of the State Address

As I have mentioned before, there are some weeks when it comes around to TFM time that I literally have nothing.

Over time I have learnt not to panic, trust the process, and hey presto something appears right when I need it and away we go.

The same is also true of writing the notes.

So even though I finished this weeks TFM last night, I am still waiting for process to deliver, to allow me to finish the notes. I am staring to panic a little because I am hoping to get out for a run in the next twenty minutes or so.

I am sure something will come to me.

Stay safe.

Think for a Minute - The Housemartins

Julie Hartley Brewer

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

Whatever we thought was going to happen when the world became more connected, this absolutely ain't it.

I have spent the last few weeks speculating on the 'end-game' for the sector I work in. Not quite existential, but certainly diminished to a point that would have been unthinkable when I first wandered into a guitar shop back in the mid-eighties.

Of course it is part of a bigger pattern, where the problem isn't the information we have at our fingertips, but the difficulty we now have in being able to navigate it.

In the past effective oppression has come in many forms - physical, structural, spiritual - all of which kept people in their place. Our paths today are influenced by the sheer quantity of information we are bombarded with, and our inability to make any kind of sense of it. So after starting out with the best of intentions of becoming better informed, we put our heads in our hands in despair at the doom-spiral we are locked in, and just give-up.

Because the path of least resistance may not be enlightening, but it certainly is easier.

Stay safe.

This Ain't It - Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

Journalism is collapsing in the middle of the information war - Ian Dunt

LALAHO Piano

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

You may well have heard of Rob Thomas, and if so it is entirely possible this is down to the Santana tune Smooth. Not only did he sing on that track, he also rewrote the lyrics and melody.

My Rob Thomas story starts in Durham, on a Sunday afternoon and the purchase of the first Matchbox Twenty album from a little independent CD shop just this side of the bridge.

It is a cracking album called Yourself or Somebody Like You, and it was followed up by the equally sublime Mad Season.

Fast forward a bit and Rob releases his first solo album - Something To Be - which I end up getting slightly obsessed with for a while.

I finally got to see him/them in Manchester in 2008. They were touring their first hits compilation Exile on Mainstream. You will be pleased to know they didn’t disappoint.

Stay safe.

This is how a heart breaks - Rob Thomas

When the heartache ends - Rob Thomas

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I just need to accept the inevitability of not sleeping when I arrive here.

But no, for the first two nights I tried to outwit my old LA nemesis by every single combination of pillow and bedding known to man, in the vain hope that I would unlock the mystical elixir of deep and unbroken sleep.

You are aware in an instant, on awaking at 03:17, that sleep as an option has been pulled from the menu, so why would I believe that having one foot out from under the covers and one of the pillows folded double will somehow make a difference.

I tend to give up just after five, and pop the coffee machine on.

Stay safe.

Old Friends - Simon & Garfunkel

Redondo Beach Pier

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

Because I am not sure what to write this week, I am going to back fill a few bits of extra information on some of the stuff that came up...

• Duke Special was born just a few weeks before me in Northern Ireland, and the song of his I am banging on about was released in 2005. There is a Marillion tie-in as he often works with Ben Castle
• Pride and Prejudice (sort of) has just begun its run for this year, and is going to be on the road for quite a while so you have a good chance of catching it. The website has the cast details, and jolly fine they all were. Don't think about it, just book and go.
• According to onlineopticiansuk there is a chart to help you pick reading glasses, and apparently for my age I need a 1.50 to a 2.00. The strength of all reading glasses is measured in dioptre, with units increasing by 0.25 dioptre depending on the power of the lens. So there.

Stay safe.

Freewheel - Duke Special

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

It's always a little strange that the first couple of episodes of the New Year also mark the end of another year of TFM.

Here we are at episode 52 of season 5, which means that next week will mark the beginning of my sixth year of banging away at whatever this curious little podcast actually is.

Anyway, whilst searching to see if `I had used this weeks episode title before (which I had) I took a moment to stop and read the episode notes from back in January 2021, and as it turns out it was that episode when I made the decision to publish in seasons, as it marked the end of the first year proper of the pod.

Strange how these things make sense of themselves...

Stay safe.

Seasons End - Marillion (with Friends)

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

Having made the decision to go with Old December as the title track, it turns out I have already used it - way back at the end of December 2021.

That left me with the dilemma of what to do, should I consider something different and if so should I re-record the final bit of the podcast? Of course that would have meant selecting another tune as an episode title, and nothing was coming to mind.

Should I go back and rename the earlier episode? Not a bad idea, but I would have to go back and listen to it to try and select something suitable, and I am not overly excited about that prospect.

Or should I just power on and repeat myself. Well it is a great tune.

Stay safe.

Old December - Thea Gilmore

Ashley Jackson

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

Here we go then, the Christmas TFM.

Over the last couple of weeks I have been watching a lot of Christmas specials, you know the kind of thing Not Going Out, Gavin & Stacey, Frasier, Click & Collect, etc, etc. I have been over indulging in them for the reasons we do anything at this time of the year; they are there and they make you feel good.

And I think some of that Christmas Special formula has permeated its way into this week's episode. Think about it, it feels like a normal episode but somehow it isn't quite the same, it has an unashamed Christmas vibe and it is a little less ranty and a little more mushy.

Of course any series that has been running this long would be expected to deliver some form of festive special, after all it is the law, so I am on point in that respect.

Stay safe.

P.S The other Christmas Carol spoken TV episode I was struggling to recall was Simon Callow.

That'll be Christmas - Thea Gilmore

Hendersons Relish

Sheffield Lyceum Snow White

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

The biggest problem I had trying to replicate my Chrissy Mix playlist on Spotify came literally at the start of the process. Since my very crack at that particular selection, the first track had always been Gabriels Message by Marillion.

No ifs, no buts, no negotiations.

Of course that particular version started out life as a fan club only release, and still to this day is not available on Spotify. So I had to find an alternative, atmospheric opener and whilst I love Sol Invictus by TG, it just isn't quite the same. I have become used to that as the start point.

Of course Midwinter Toast which is the second track on the seminal Strange Communion album isn't actually on my Chrissy Mix but as this weeks TFM goes live on the Midwinter solstice it felt like a good way to include this track as well.

Stay safe.

Stacey & Nat stare-off

Gwen's Omelette Recipe

I am going to mention Love Actually in this week's TFM, and even though it is a bit of a passing reference, it prompted me to search out a video clip that I had seen a snippet of earlier in the week on instagram.

I have therefore just watched the full speech that Hugh Grant made, as he introduced Richard Curtis at a recent awards ceremony. I draw it to your attention because it reaffirms why Hugh is such a national treasure, he is grumpy and a little self-centred, and invariably raging about where we managed to find ourselves.

I wonder if he would ever consider recording a TFM.

Stay safe.

Born of Frustration - James

Hugh Grant introduces Richard Curtis

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

Of course there are flip sides to everything. As you will hear I am going to make a plea for more impromptu conversation, and also talk about an epic gig in an epic venue.

In both cases near disaster was only just averted. Take note;

a) Whilst helping the Australian Lady with her bag as we all got off the train, I put down my rucksack because her case was quite heavy. I realised as I walked through the station that I had left it behind and only just made it back to retrieve it before the train was due to alight. It's the fastest I have scaled a flight of stairs in a good while, as I literally pushed people out of the way and left human debris in my wake.

b) I managed to park in the wrong car park at the Cathedral in Liverpool, and only just got back to my car before it would have been locked into the basement for the evening. I then had to walk back to my seat at the front, and disturb the entire proceeding. Its a good job they know me.

Stay safe.

Take Me To Church - Hozier

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I am currently sat in the McDonalds car park just off J35a of the M1, waiting for Josh to return with £8.08 of food.

I literally have no clue what he has ordered, I was merely required for payment. This is one of those times when you are most certainly a piece of flesh connected to a credit card.

After a fairly nail-biting game we are driving home with three points. Two sendings off (one for each side) a fine penalty save and lots of nervous noise, but we won out by a single goal. It feels good, though the Sunderland fan I just bumped into in the gents wasn't quite on the same page about it all.

Stay safe

Once in a While - Barry Bostock

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I am dedicating this week's TFM to the person I sat next to on the train travelling to Manchester on Wednesday. You are going to hear all about it (obvs) but just to be clear the naming of the episode is most definitely for you.

Which brings us to the album that particular track originates from, which is of course Full Moon Fever by Tom Petty. As it happens I had been listening to that long-player just the week before, and one particular moment that I had completely forgotten about had made me smile.

At the end of Runnin' Down A Dream there is a little interlude where Tom instructs the listener that because you are listening to the CD version of the album, there will now be a slight pause to allow those listening on cassette or record to get up and turn the album over.

Genius.

Stay safe.

I Won't Back Down - Tom Petty

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

Where are we all at in terms of Christmas Lights?

Don't get me wrong I am a big fan, but I went for a run in London on Thursday morning (around 06:15 so still very much dark) and as I stepped from the hotel I was met with the full twinkly, majestic force of the display as I proceeded toward Russell Square.

I found myself wondering if the middle of November wasn't just a bit too early to be in full chrimbo-mode.

I feel grinch-like just suggesting it, but shouldn't we wait until at least the beginning of advent?

Stay safe.

Mr Blue Sky - Electric Light Orchestra

9-42 John Wiles aka The Old Grey Guitarist

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

The simple fact is that irrespective of whether the outcome is the one we wanted or not, we just have to keep going.

It's fine to feel the way we all feel at the moment, and it's fine to try and make some sense of what just happened. It's also fine to want to distract your self with other stuff, take comfort from something that might seem a little irrelevant, or unimportant and it is certainly fine to find a disproportionate amount of happiness in a piece of optometry.

So with all that in mind, I give you this week's TFM.

Stay safe

America - Razorlight

Kitty Cafe

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

A bit of 80's pop you say? Go on then how about this banger from Erasure....

And it does talk to at least two things I have mentioned in today's TFM, albeit loosely, so I am on point in a roundabout kind of way.

Other than that not much to say in way of set-up for this week, partly because it will detract from the content, and partly because I am late for my morning run.

Stay safe.

Stop! - Erasure

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

Here we are then, episode 250 of TFM...

Yes, you could say it has gone by in the blink of an eye. But then again, if you think about what we have lived through in the backdrop to those 250 episodes, it has been a crazy ride.

Whilst the COVID pandemic dominated the first couple of years, how could we also forget the transition of Presidents in the U.S, the nonsense around Brexit and the slow death of the car-crash that was the last Government.

I have ranted, I have pulled my hair out, I have laughed and I have cried. I have sat at my desk, in the garden, and at various locations around the globe.

I have tried to make sense of the noise, and often been left short, but I have coped, carried on and because of you I haven't felt on my own, So thank you.

Stay safe.

And So It Goes - Billy Joel

Accident Claim Management Firms

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

Although I will mention Keir this week, the episode title is not meant as a comment on the whole Taylor Swift affair/gate/scandal.

Admittedly the idea that a politician meeting a famous pop star, and the police ensuring her safety doesn't take me to quite the same place as say illegally proroguing parliament, or breaking your own lockdown laws. But I will leave that one alone.

The choice of song is inspired by John, who I met this week, and how amazing things can be the result of doing something in all innocence of what the potential outcome could be. Doing something because you can, and with no expectation attached.

I like that, it kind of made my week.

Stay safe.

Innocent Man - Billy Joel

The Old Grey Guitarist (1)

The Old Grey Guitarist (2)

Ian Dunt Article

The Big Red Building

Furnivals Inn

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

However I was also very wrong, though as it turned out probably not because of a well thought through plan.

The fact is that the Tories are now going to lurch to the right, in a desperate and misguided ploy to try and regain some of the votes they have lost to the Reform Party. One group of headbangers try to appeal to another group of headbangers, all with the zeal of the converted.

I find it hard to believe that we are going to have to listen to even wilder diatribes on why the UK isn't sovereign enough, or didn't Brexit hard enough, and that all the answers lie in a referendum on membership of the EHCR.

You may be right, but that isn't the place that you win from.

Stay safe.

You May Be Right - Billy Joel

War Game Documentary

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

You will hear me talk about the Penshaw Monument in this weeks TFM, and pretty much everything I said about it was (on further investigation) wrong.

It is in fact a memorial rather than some sort of Victorian Folly, and was built to commemorate the death of John Langton, the first Earl of Durham and the Governor-General of British North America. It is indeed officially know as the Earl of Durham's Monument.

What is true is where it stands, on Penshaw Hill near the village of Penshaw, between the towns of Washington and Houghton-le-Sping in County Durham, and that for many locals it is the reassuring sign they are in the right place

So I got some of it right.

Stay safe.

The Tipping Point - Tears for Fears

James Blunt

Penshaw Monument

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I am writing this at 10:02 on the 27th September.

By my reckoning it is the 54th time I have witnessed this date, and would imagine that for forty-odd of those occurrences I should have some recollection. Except I am not sure I have.

I have probably done many interesting things on this day through the years, for example it's possible it is one of the first days I spent at University back in 1990. I may well have been to a gig, or stood at Bramall Lane watching the mighty Blades on this date over the years - but ask me for specifics and I have none to offer.

Wouldn't it be great if there were some way to retrieve that information, a sort of retrospective diary-on-demand, to remind you of the significance of this day, over the years.

Stay safe.

Memory of Water - Marillion

Bilberry Reservoir Disaster

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

So I sat outside the British Library for a bit this week (as you will hear) with my face in the sunshine, and it was bloody lovely.

There was a place to get coffee, one of those horse-boxy, old caravan style ones, and so I ordered a flat white. The coffee they were serving was 'origin' and it took me right back because the first time I had origin coffee was in Padstow about 15-20 years ago.

It turns out that they are celebrating their 20 year anniversary, and the reason I stumbled across the brand in Padstow is that Cornwall (Porthleven, to be precise) is the origin of their story (see what I did there...).

Needless to say the coffee was smashing, particularly as it came with a thread to the past which allowed me to think back to early morning walks along the Camel Trail.

Stay safe.

How Far We've Come - Matchbox Twenty

Origin Coffee

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

Jarvis is so cool.

And it doesn't matter what you think of Pulp as a musical force, he is just very, very, cool. As you will hear the choice of today's title came very much in the moment and as such I wasn't expecting to be listening to this song, or indeed watching the video.

And it is so Pulp, so Jarvis, so bloody cool.

Stay safe.

Help the Aged - Pulp

Cabin Pressure

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

As a slight departure from the norm I have chosen the live version of this song, taken from the Secret World tour. The reason being that it is one of the best live DVDs I can remember having seen.

Back in the early noughties I was working for a music instrument retailer called Academy of Sound. I was working in the purchasing team, and every so often I would get little special assignments.

What that meant in this case was that I spent a week or so in the Preston Store helping with a departmental rejig, and this DVD was playing on repeat all the time I was there. it's actually about the only thing I can remember about the visit.

Stay safe.

Come Talk To Me - Peter Gabriel

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I don't actually follow the crowd on this album, I loved it then and I love it now. Yes it is over-blown, and pompous and so, so, impressed with itself, but do you know what I really like that about it.

There was still other good stuff to come, but this was Oasis at their swaggering best, and this is why they still hold a fascination for some many people.

For once I am going to forget the cynical side of what has happened this week, and just wallow in the sheer joy of having the brothers back around and causing mayhem.

Stay safe.

Be Here Now - Oasis

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

This has to be one of the nicest spots I have published a podcast from. I am sat overlooking the sea at the Cafe Iconic in Sant Antoni de Calonge, for no other reason than I need to immerse myself in there Wi-Fi gratis.

We are getting to the back-end of what has been a fantastic time in Catalonia, firstly in Girona and latterly at the coast around Palamos. This really is a very special place to spend some time, and a reminder of how life is shaped by the local climate. The promenade is currently dense with a mixture of runners and walkers - everybody seemingly in transit to somewhere else - in a way I would not expect back home at 8am on a Saturday.

For someone who likes to observe human behaviour, it's a joy to watch how the world spins and all the local interactions and peculiarities.

But enough of this whimsy, I have a croissant to finish, and a café amb llet to start, and if that wasn't enough there is a game of beach paddle (or is it padel) that is reaching a thrilling climax.

Stay safe.

Walking Down Your Street - The Bangles

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I can’t remember ever going over 30 minutes for a TFM before, though now I have said it out loud, it is probably not that unusual.

Of course it’s an achievement that cuts two ways.

For me, it means I have decluttered my brain and let go of some stuff that probably wasn't going to do me much good, especially if I continued to dwell on it. And it has also given me the chance to reflect and smile again at some of the quirks of the week.

For you, it means an extra 5-10 minutes of your life given over to a rambling fifty odd year old and his first world neuroses.

But them, as the saying goes, are the breaks.

Stay safe.

Closing Time - Semisonic

Girona Opera Fella

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

It seems a little counter-intuitive to have selected this particular episode title, given some of the stuff that has been going on this week, but as you will hear I have had cause to smile at number of things through the week.

Also this is a song that 'I knew' for years before I actually tell you who it was, and even when it had been released.

And do you know what, it's a song that illicit the same response so all the more reason to share it this morning.

Stay safe.

Smile - The Supernaturals

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

A tough week this week. Not because of anything going on in my immediate orbit, just the unrelenting clamour of everything that is going on in the wider universe.

I am not convinced we are making a particularly good job of it at the moment, but in reality that is just because of what has risen to the surface over the last few days. What was important last week, last month, last year is still the same and so we have to keep on going in the face of the forces that wish to divide and destruct.

I do think it is being called out, both loudly and for what it is - but we have a fair way still to go.

Stay safe.

Absolute Reality - The Alarm

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

Why not start the weekend with a bit of old-school goth rock I hear you say, well even though you never actually asked for it out loud, I am going to bring it to you anyway.

The inspiration is St Leonards Tower in Newton Abbot, a hugely impressive building that I saw for the first time this week. Originally part of a gothic-style church (see what I did there) built in the thirteenth century it was also the site where William III declared he would be taking the English Throne in 1688.

The tower has been protected numerous times in the past by local petitions and is now owned by the town council and maintained by the local museum. And it really is rather tremendous, well worth a visit if you are down that way.

Stay safe.

The Mission - Tower of Strength

St Leonards Tower - Newton Abbot

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

This song comes from an album called The Bridge which was released in 1986. By the time it came out I had become a bit of a devotee of Mr Joel, having borrowed most of his back catalogue from the Denman Library in Retford and recorded them onto TDK C90s.

The Bridge was the first album of new material I took any interest in, and the tour for the album was the first time I got to see him perform live at the Birmingham NEC the following year.

Even though he doesn't consider it to be one of his best, and actually that it was an unhappy album to make, I have a soft spot for it - we even covered Big Man on Mulberry Street in a band I played with at school.

Stay safe.

A Matter of Trust - Billy Joel

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

Of the random things I have done this week I put together a 'kind-of-britpop' mixtape on Spotify, mainly for Josh actually, and I have been enjoying some guitar-drenched nineties bangers as I have been sat behind my screen.

Totally independently of that I mentioned Thea Gilmore on this week's Corona Diaries podcast and when I realised I had put Cast on my playlist, I happened to say out loud that I thought Thea's version was my go-to.

So I have put links below for both, so you can have your say. And of course I hope JB gets to walkaway with the dignity that befits his service.

Stay safe.

Walkaway - Thea Gilmore

Walkaway - Cast

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

Generally speaking it doesn't happen very often.

The transition of power in the UK, from one political party to another, has occurred four times in the last 45 years - 1979, 1997, 2010 and now 2024. So any way you look at this, whichever point of view, yesterday was an historic day.

And what better way to celebrate than with a lovely punchy, punky little number from The Alarm. The song is called Change, from an album called Change. And incidentally one of the first gigs I went to under my own steam, which I think was in 1990.

After weeks like this one, the future feels wide open again. I know it won't last long but I doing to take a moment to drink it in. We did it.

Stay safe.

Change - The Alarm

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I wonder if I should change the logo for TFM. I have looked at it a couple of times, and even had somebody mock me up some alternatives but never settled on anything I like.

The existing one is supposed to be a typewrite style font on some serious grade writing paper, and if you look at it closely it does look like that. It's simple and it's clean. it just doesn't really talk to the styler content of the podcast - but then does that matter?

I like the uncluttered nature of it, and the fact it isn't too busy. But then you could say that is exactly the opposite of what I am often discussing.

Of course now I have said this, I can probably move on and forget all about it for a year or so. 

Stay safe.

Rock 'n' Roll Star - Oasis

Press Preview with Kevin Maguire

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

So here we are, the longest day.

I always find this a bit of a strange one if I am being honest, because technically we are now on the downward slope as far as the light is concerned but I never feel at this point that 'summer' has even got out of first gear.

The same can be said of the 21st December, because although that is the point when we see the days start to pull out, we equally know that the hardest bit of the winter is still to come.

What I can't argue with is that we are only a week and a half from the midpoint of the year. How did that happen.

Stay safe.

P.S I managed to get my facts wrong and it isn't Binology, rather Binopolis. Obviously I am a doughnut, but it doesn't taken anything away from the fact it is a thing of beauty.

Against All Odds - Phil Collins

Lewis Goodall reports from Spalding

Binopolis

Jimmy Fallon and the Star Wars Theme

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

So the best laid plans and all that.

I was up bright and early to record this, because I had to head off to a junior football tournament that we were organising, in fact I may have mentioned it. Anyway I left Mrs.S doing the QC listen and I was hoping to publish it from pitch side.

Well that was 8 hours ago, and as you will have worked out I am just getting around to it now. IN the intervening period I have lined a pitch, set up a PA. built some goals, stood in the middle of the road and directed traffic, ensured twenty games got played on schedule and presented a load of medals and two trophies. Oh and got absolutely pi$$ wet through.

So apologies TFM is a little late, plenty of reasons but no excuses.

Stay safe.

Place Your Hands - Reef

Hands in Puppies

Christian explains Mastodon

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I got into Bryan Adams before the Reckless album came out. So before Summer of 69, and before Run To You.

I had a friend called Steve Nicholson way back in the day, and we used to hang out and listen to music, and one day he put on the cassette of Cuts Like A Knife. Mind blown.

Of course the only reason I have thought back to that moment at 06:43 on a Saturday morning, is because I was trying to come up with a title for an episode that would reference the D-Day celebrations that took place this week. And Bryan had the answer.

The song is from a much underrated album called Into The Fire, which I could also have used to describe the kind of week Rishi has had.

Stay safe.

Remembrance Day - Bryan Adams

Journey Home

Lewis Goodall Interview

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

Whilst I am not a particular fan of Boris Johnson (I know, comes as a shock doesn't it...) I have considerably more time for his brother Jo. Not only did he see through the nonsense of Brexit, he also manages to perfectly articulate why tossing out nonsense like 'National Service' and 'Mickey Mouse degrees' is such a backwards step.

I caught this clip on twitter and it is one of the most balanced and intelligent things I have head in a while.

Stay safe.

Hello - Oasis

Paul Lesinksi Spotify

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

Like it or not, some weeks the episode titles do pick themselves.

I am trying not to think about the parallels with 1997 too much, but it is getting hard not to at least to believe that if nothing else the outcome will be the same. And if that is going to be the case can we not get there as soon as possible.

If you aren't into the political side of TFM then this would definitely be the week to give it a swerve, and I apologise for the overly ramble nature of this week's slice. I guess I have been waiting so long for this that now it is here, I am a little overwhelmed.

Anyway let's start by enjoying watching the majestic Victoria Derbyshire in full flow.

Stay safe

Things Can Only Get Better - D:Ream

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

It turns out that I have used Complicated before as an episode title, normally when I realise that I try and find something different - but bearing in mind there are two tie-ins this week, I decided to bend my self-imposed rules slightly.

If you are going to fully immerse yourself in my week, then you are going to need to start by navigating to the root cause of the problem which is a page on the JD Sports website after which you are going to have to have a look at a couple of pages on the Birkenstock website, this one and then this one.

Once you have done this, as well as listening to the explanatory notes you should be able to empathise a little with my week.

Stay safe.

Complicated - Avril Lavigne

Who replaced Avril Lavigne podcast

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I love this song, and it is worth the slightly disjointed crowbarring to be able to share it with you this week.

TBH I am becoming quite a Tears For Fears fan, they are seriously under-appreciated in the way that say Aha are. Maybe it is something to do with the early pop success that both had, but in both cases there is some serious creative stuff going on.

Anyway have a listen and see what you think, I think it's a belter.

Stay safe.

P.S After the BBC News Theme tune the second best thing at the moment is the return of Dead Ringers on Radio 4 - if only for the Liz Truss impersonation that Jan Ravens absolutely nails...

Break It Down Again - Tears for Fears

BBC News Theme

If you are a regular listener to TFM you will be familiar with my Saturday morning routine, which invariably involves getting out for a run.

For the last six months or so my route on a Saturday takes me the six miles to Coffee Boy, a vibrant little spot just on the outskirts of Huddersfield, located in an old Mini showroom. The run takes me about an hour, in which time Mrs S hauls herself out of bed and heads down to meet me for a brew and to ferry me back home.

The problem with all this, is that as it is has become established as a weekly arrangement, I tend to like it to go in a predetermined way. So I like to be there for when Coffee Boy opens at 08:30, and I have a favourite spot to sit in. All of which makes it really difficult when you are running late and you are trying to work out what the hell to put in your podcast notes.

Stay safe.

One - U2

The News Agents with Neil Kinnock

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

For what it is worth I think Labour are onto a winner with their policy to bring the trains back under Government control. I appreciate that they will never say it is 're-nationalisation' because somehow that word is considered too politically toxic, but the fact is that many people will look at this as a positive.

Whilst I have been a firm advocate of Labour not saying too much, too early, about what their vision for the country is, we are getting to the point where they need a few clean lines of difference. And this announcement, along with the commitment to repel the Rwanda bill is certainly something to be getting on with.

State-owned rail seems like an open goal, it has the potential to make a tangible improvement to many peoples lives, it is environmentally positive and we know it works across the continent.

I can't believe I didn't include it in this week's TFM tbh.

Stay safe.

Shame - Matchbox Twenty

Darren Jones on LBC

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

This one of those songs that I can hear in my head, but no matter how much searching I do I can't find 'the' version that I remember from my youth.

I think I had it on a compilation album, actually now that I think about it, it could have been one of the Blues Brother, Soul Sister releases. In fact give me a moment and I will check.

(short interlude)

Ok so I have checked, and it was the Dobie Grey release - which is the one that is considered the archetypal version - and that I have listened to a couple of times and still isn't sounding like the tune in my head.

Strange thing memory.

Stay safe.

Drift Away - Dobie Grey

Carers hounded by the DWP

42 Balloons

Dormice and the Rope Bridges

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

This is one of those songs where I don't actually know the original. I was introduced it by me by Jimmy Nail(not personally, obvs) as he covered it on his album Tadpoles in a Jar in 1999.

It turns out it was written in 1972 by a band called Family, and I am listening to it for the first time as I write this.

I have always loved the JN version, because it's a perfect little thing, a little gem of a song that doesn't demand your attention or sit proud in your subconscious, but is a thing of beauty none the less.

And it evokes my Friday night walk home, post weetabix procurement, perfectly.

Stay safe.

My Friend the Sun - Jimmy Nail

My Friend the Sun - Family

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

The New Statesman email has started landing in my inbox and I am not sure why. I can only assume it is something to do with signing up for the Ian Dunt blog that I told you about, but whatever the reason I am quite enjoying it.

It seems to be a bit sporadic in terms of its cadence, and I would be lying if I didn't tell you that was triggering my OCD tendencies a little, but generally it has been a positive.

So far this week I have enjoyed pieces penned by David Gauke, and Lewis Goodall, both of whom I have a lot of time for, along with some interesting stuff from Freddie Haywood. I appreciate that I am just being baited and played, and after a couple of attempts with an 'exclusive subscriber offer' they will no doubt move on, but it is all good for the moment.

It really is the small things.

Stay safe.

Blink 182 - All the small things

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

It is hard to believe that this song was released when I was 18, and that I first saw Mr Big at Rock City two years later in 1991. I was a bit of a devotee for the first few albums and I still have a huge soft spot for the song Green Tinted Sixties Mind, because it is a perfect slice of hair pop rock.

As it turns out they are currently on the road for their Big Finish tour, playing their second album Lean into It (which contains GTSM) and rounding off their 30+ year career. They were back at Rock City on the 19th March, and I really should have made the effort to go. Maybe I will catch them at Leeds in July.

Take care.

Take a Walk - Mr Big

Green Tinted Sixties Mind - Mr Big

Ian Dunt - Substack

Ian Dunt - How Westminster Works

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

Why do I leave my podcast notes until Saturday morning, when I know it is going to cause me stress.

I like to be out for a run by 07:30, but it’s 07:08 and I still have to drink my tea, get a shower and get dressed.

For some reason, even when TFM is in the can in plenty of time, I still put the notes off. And it isn’t like they are ground breaking in terms of content, or indeed quality.

Bonkers. Stay safe.

Cecilia - Simon and Garfunkel

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

Actually I will be running, in about 24 minutes if all goes to plan, when I have finished these notes and got my sh*t together.

The reason for the title is that I am stumped for a content-relevant song this week and as I talked about Blair Dunlop last week, and as I talked to Blair Dunlop this week, I thought I would include take his most recent single as my inspiration for episode title.

Not a lot else to tell you, as you will hear, so I am going to finish my tea and toddle off.

Stay safe.

P.s I will share the link to the Blair podcast next week, he really is a smashing fella.

I Wanna be Running - Blair Dunlop

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

We have three Spiderman masks in the house, compared with none this time last week.

And these are actual fabric, full head, pull-over kind of masks not the held-on-by-a-piece-of-elastic variety that you recall from your childhood. The reason for this of course is World Book Day and the fact that Jack had a yin to go as the Miles Morales version of Spiderman. And to be fair he looked great, the mask is pretty impressive and paired with a black hoodie worn hood-up, joggers and black nike trainers he did indeed look the part.

The hangover of course is now the ongoing negotiation with son number two about the unworn masks (we ordered three with the intention of picking one and returning the others...) and whether they form part of a new mask collection.

The joys of parenting.

Stay safe.

Downtown Train - Tom Waits

Blair Dunlop

Hit Me Baby One More Time (Kung Fu Panda Clip)

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

After all the kerfuffle involved in getting it actually finished, I think we may frame the London Underground jigsaw with the 200+ white pieces.

I appreciate that in the scheme of things we haven't actually shifted the dial in terms of human progress. The methodical placing of multiple pieces until you find one that fits snugly (btw if you could bottle that feeling you would be onto a winner, because it is delicious...) and then the process of rinse and repeat is not beyond the wit of many.

Literally all we have demonstrated is a little bit of patience, but we have decided to mark it and mark it we will. Which leads me to the ask.

Now I can't imagine I am the first person to want to frame a completed puzzle, but I am a little at a loss to know how to do it. So any advice on the topic would be much appreciated.

Stay safe.

Hit Me Baby One More Time - Britney Spears

Hit Me Baby One More Time - Tenacious D

Hit Me Baby One More Time - Travis

Nick Ferrari cuts off Minister

Andrew Marr Monologue

Sayeeda Warsi on Islamaphobia

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

You may have noticed that my episode titles normally only contain one capital letter, even though in pretty much all cases they are lifted from the title of a song.

The reason for this is that, in pretty much all cases, they allude to something I am going to discuss in the podcast proper. At times they are a bit oblique, but that is the intent unless otherwise specified.

I have changed it for this week because, I don't know, it just looked plain wrong and as such was a little bit triggering for me. The irony being that it is one of those weeks where the title actually refers to two topics of conversation, and as such would be perfectly acceptable uncapitalised.

Sometimes you just have to give in to the screaming in your head.

Stay safe.

Little Shop of Horrors (Intro) - Film Version

Ian Dunt Explains

I am actually going to answer one of my own 'tossed-out' TFM questions, because I have just spent a rather enjoyable half hour in an underground-related-rabbit-hole.

Now before you say, where else would a rabbit hole be, I was actually referring to The Underground (capitals included and indeed implied) because I was looking at three-dimensional-cross-section drawings of various tube stations.

And they are quite striking, particularly as I hadn't considered the plethora of connecting walkways that are involved, have a look at this one to get the idea. Anyway that got me onto a physically accurate version of the tube map which is also rather spectacular

Fascinating, and all it took was the time to would have taken me to deploy one jigsaw piece.

Stay safe.

Jigsaw Puzzle - The Rolling Stones

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

Another week, another casualty at Nestle.

Now don’t get me wrong the Breakaway was a solid biscuit choice, not up there with a Mint Viscount or a Trio (obvs) but definitely in the same bracket as a Club or a Penguin, and clear of a Blue Riband by some distance.

I haven't been floored in the same way that I was last year, I mean who can forget where they were when the news of the demise of the Caramac came through, but the fact is another part of my childhood has now gone.

The thing is, you bean counters at Nestle, you are still banking on me to buy your KitKats, aren't you...and one of these days you are going to push me too far.

Stay safe.

Science Fiction/Double Feature - The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Laura Trott Interview

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

All the things I want to watch at the moment appear to be on streaming platforms that I don't subscribe to. No sooner have I signed up to Apple TV to watch Ted Lasso (off the charts good) and Slow Horses (Gary Oldman is a legend) I am now being drawn to Paramount Plus.

I am quite good at resisting the lure of a new platform, provided you accept that my tipping point is three. As soon as I spot three things that I can't get anywhere else, then I am lost and it's only a question of time.

The new season of Frasier has been circling overhead for a few months, and about a month ago it was joined by Star Trek Strange New Worlds. Now I am not a trekkie, but I have read good things about this pre-Kirk origin story and it has piqued my interest.

So when I noticed Rabbit Hole (the latest incarnation of Kiefer Sunderland as Jack Bauer) on the flight, I just had to dip my toe. I got half way through episode 3 before I fell asleep, meaning I was about a third of the way through. Fast forward a couple of days, curiosity got the better of me and I asked goggle what streaming platform Rabbit Hole resided on.

I don't need to finish that sentence do I...

Stay safe.

Scenes from an Italian Restaurant - Billy Joel

Turn the Lights Back On - Billy Joel

Ghostbusters Frozen Empires

Jason Isbell Tour

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

Just three things you need to know about TFM this week;

Firstly I am back in California at the NAMM show and that is the excuse as to why this is a little behind schedule, it has been full-on.

Secondly the noise outside (that is very, very loud) didn't pick-up as I had hoped on the recording due to the nature of the lapel microphone In was using but trust me it was real and it was considerable.

And thirdly it is a long-un....the longest so far in fact, just putting it out there so you know what to expect.

Stay safe.

Pride - U2

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I am off to LA next week for the NAMM show, which is back in its usual time slot for the first time since the onset of COVID .

And that can mean only one thing…I have completed another full year of recording TFM.

Today’s episode marks my first step into season five, and I don’t know about you but I need a moment to let that land. I have been capturing my thoughts on a weekly basis for four years - and by ‘eck what a four years it has been.

Anyway thanks for joining me for bits of it (or indeed all of it) I have been glad of the support. Let’s celebrate with a bit of prime 80s hair rock

Take care.

Here I Go Again - Whitesnake

Jess Philips - Rwanda Intervention

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I was thinking of a suitable title for this weeks slice of TFM and I haven't been able to get the first line of Vienna out of my head...

I have been a BJ fan for as long as I can remember, and I first saw him live on the Bridge Tour in July of 1987 at the NEC in Birmingham. Vienna is one of those songs that was never a single, seems modest in its ambition, but somehow worms its way into your psyche.

Whilst the song is a metaphor for getting old, it was inspired by a trip he made to find his estranged father when he toured Europe for the first time.

For the purposes of TFM, it is the first line that resonates, but for those of you unfamiliar with the song then you are in for a treat.

Stay safe.

Vienna - Billy Joel

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

It appears that most of the people I know are either with cold, or trying to shake off the lingering remains of it. I also know a fair few who have Covid.

I started with it on New Years Eve, that distinctive back of the throat feeling that lets you know something is fast approaching and although it's not forced me off track it has slowed me down a little, and given me plenty of opportunity to feel a bit sorry for myself.

Without it of course I probably wouldn't have rewatched the final Star Wars trilogy, hunkering down on the first, second and third respectively and wallowing in a bit intergalactic escapism. And it has given me an excellent excuse to feed a cold - though I am not sure that Coffee & Walnut cake is what the old adage is really driving at.

As of this morning it's still standing firm, though that it's definitely on the move. Loosening is the phrase that seems to be favourite for this stage of the proceedings. Oh well, onward and upward and all that.

Stay safe.

Roll With It - Oasis

Beauty and the Beast - Sheffield Lyceum

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

This weeks chunk of TFM does kinda have the feel of that week between Christmas & New Year about it, I have explained it away as being a bit of a hibernation moment but I guess you could say it is about being slightly disconnected from the grid.

Apart from the nonsense about weights and measures I have lost touch with the world a bit this week, not even bothering to get myself worked up about the absurdity of a 49-day-car-crash of a PM putting forward an Honours List.

Clearly it won't last but for now I am not in a rush to re-engage, not when there are box-sets to finish and nobody frowns on me for having. piece of coffee cake with my mid-morning brew. Bliss.

Stay safe.

Rest Stop - Matchbox 20

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I wonder if TFM is getting a little stale.

It is difficult because of the very nature of this podcast to know if it has become stuck in a bit of a rut, and although there is kind of natural progression inherent in it's DNA it was never a story that had a obvious and unfolding dramatic arc.

It still works for me, and I still enjoy sitting down for 20-25 minutes every week and capturing whatever I have collided with that week, so I guess I am thinking about where you are at with TFM and if it still piques your interest.

But, if I am being truly honest, am I just being a bit self-indulgent. If it works for you, you will listen and if it doesn't you won't and isn't that just exactly how it should be. And the answer is of course a resounding yes, so less stuck in a rut and more a needle dropped delicately into the groove.

Right moment over, nothing to see here - as you were...

Stay safe.

Wrapped up in Time - Marillion

A Christmas Carol read by Patrick Stewart

Ted Lasso - Darts Scene

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I just love this song, and the fact I am employing it ironically to emphasise the point that we are going to regroup in January to revisit the parliamentary physcho-drama around the Rwanda Bill, shouldn't deter from it's awesome-ness-ness.

It's the Beach Boys sounding exactly like what you think of when you think of the Beach Boys.

Absolute classic.

Stay safe.

Do It Again - The Beach Boys

Chris Bryant Rwanda Bill Intervention

Apple Butter

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

So many links to point you toward this week that there is hardly any space for the actual notes themselves, so I thought I would drop them in as little CTAs along the way.

Let's start with the majestic Doctor Who and the incredible episode from last Saturday which is called Wild Blue Yonder you can find here if you leave in the UK. On the subject of the 14th incarnation I am rather taken by the new Sonic but I am resisting it for the time being.

The Sophy & Sam clip around the possible date of the next election is here and if you don't follow either of them on x then maybe you should.

The Thea Gilmore song is Cutteslowe Walls and you can read a little about them here

You can watch the Stephen Timms intervention in the DWP debate here and the letter from Michael Rycroft to Pritti Patel can be read on the Government website

Stay safe.

Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor) - Robert Palmer

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I think I have sailed past my 200th episode of TFM without even noticing.

I found myself thinking last week that I must be getting close to that milestone so I did a quick search on Captivate and it suggested I have published xx episodes as of last Saturday.

Now I need to go back and check properly, just in case that total includes non-episode-proper content (trailers, updates, etc) and that I have in fact actually gone past the double century. But if I have, well ruddy hell...

In some respects it's a bit of a shame that I hadn't noticed, but at the same time it nicely reinforces the point that I am so content with my weekly fix of ramblings & rant, that I don't need to think about such frivolities.

Stay safe.

Coldplay - Christmas Lights

Alfie Boe settles the Die Hard question...

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I have been dipping into the Doctor Who content that is all over the BBC iPlayer at the moment, including some of the documentary content and odd episodes and curiosities. Firstly there is a ton of stuff and for even the most casual of Who-vians it's a mighty easy way to idle away a few hours.

What I still come back to is how good some of those re-boot episodes actually were. I watched The Girl in the Fireplace again and it is an utterly beguiling and thought-provoking piece of drama, way beyond the confines of it's supposed (and pigeon-holed) premise.

And don't get me started on Blink, or School Reunion, or The Family of Blood, or the Big Bang or the one where he is separated from Rose. And of course then there's the music....

Stay safe.

Hip to be Square - Huey Lewis and the News

As an accompaniment to some of what I am about to talk about, I thought I would clarify the whole 'how can a person that hasn't been elected possibly be appointed to the cabinet' position. Well, as with most things concerning the governance of the UK it is down to convention.

Technically speaking that could have been me getting out of a car in Downing Street this week, traipsing off to be offered the job of Foreign Secretary, because you don't actually have to be a member of either chamber (which I am not).

Because however it is a core principle of the UK constitutional system that ministers should be accountable, then it is the accepted practice that either one should be an elected MP or a member of the Lords - hence why DC was ennobled in pretty short order to allow him to take up a cabinet level post.

The last time we had a Foreign Secretary that sat in the Lords was Lord Carrington (1979-82) though there are plenty of other examples across different departments in Whitehall since.

If you want to know more this article makes for a good introduction, unsurprisingly it was published on Monday.

Stay safe.

Blue Monday - New Order

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

On a completely unrelated note to anything that is covered in this week's TFM, Jason & I launched the new season of 9-42 this week.

The reason I mention that little aside, is that I have been somewhat overwhelmed by the number of people who (after an eight month lay-off) have chosen to listen to the five and a half minute trailer we put out on Thursday.

Podcast listening is something that people do religiously, up until the point when that they don't and so when anything breaks the habit of consuming a particular series it can be very difficult to just pick an audience back-up if you have neglected them for a while.

Anyway first episode is out next week and its good to be back on the mic with that particular pod.

Stay safe.

Let's Make A Night to Remember - Bryan Adams

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

Two things have come together to make the TFM production process a little less fraught this morning. The first is the fact that I decided to run yesterday, so instead of Thursday-Saturday-Sunday which is my normal routine, I have shaken it up a bit and gone with Thursday-Friday-Sunday.

The second is the extra hour that I have gotten from being in mainland Spain, and which I am putting to good use. I can't explain the joy of being able to type these notes in a leisurely fashion - even though the local time is 09:14.

On a normal Saturday, my particular brand of OCD would be doing backflips at this point, at the utter dereliction of duty on my part in being so unbelievably tardy.

But of course I still have 46 minutes in hand, so I can breathe easy, glance over at the tide and take another slurp of my tea.

Stay safe.

House - Marillion

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

The notes. like this weeks episode, are going to have to be quick.

Normally, I would explain in writing but as will become clear I really don't have the time - such is the schedule I have to adhere to this morning.

Needless to say I will more than likely be updating you as the week goes on, and as is often the case I will stumble across stuff that intrigues, interests to just plain irritates me to the put that I have to tell you about it.

Gotta love me a bit of alliteration.

Stay safe.

Soak up the Sun - Sheryl Crow

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I always loved this song. It's a bit like another lesser know Marillon song called How Can It Hurt that I also really like. No idea why it landed with me the way it did. It just did.

Of course I never thought I would be able to neccesarily use it as a TFM episode title, but I hope when you get to the relevant section of this week's episode it all falls into place.

Right I am late for a run, and this episode is already 4 minutes overdue so I am going to clear off.

Stay safe.

I will walk on water - Marillion

John Edmunds evidence to Covid Inquiry

Tory Candidate bolts for the door

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

Well that all changed rather quick. As you listen to this weeks TFM you will find that I recorded a whole section in order to use 'oops, I did it again' as the title for the episode.

It turns I have already used that particular pop-banger it back in May 2022, so that left me scrabbling about looking for another title that would chime with one of this week's topics.

Anyway the revised title folds neatly into what I was talking about at the end, which was a bit of a bonus, so as a special treat you get a bit of the Barenaked Ladies (which as it happens also references the original thing I was referencing, to a certain extent).

But then that got me thinking, because bearing in mind what TFM actually is...I can't believe I have never used a track called 'one week' before?!

Anyway, what a choon.

Stay safe.

One Week - Barenaked Ladies

Norwich City

Awareness Days

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

**Major Spoiler Alert**

For this week's TFM I am going to bang on about the Conservative Party Conference

The Tories gathered this week in a disused railway terminus in Manchester for their annual get-together, and I was drawn like a moth to the flame. It was a shambles before they arrived, and it just got more shambolic as the week went on.

If you want some kind of gauge to the preposterous-ness of the whole affair, the hottest ticket in town was to listen to Liz Truss defend trussonomics and her 42 day tenure of chaos.

Everywhere you turned there was another one of them behaving like a fruit loop, making it impossible for Rishi to get any of the attention, even after he had implemented an epic train-crash of a marketing strategy to ensure he got the limelight.

Lord help us.

Stay safe.

Can't Take My Eyes Off You - Frankie Valli

Tory Member Ejected

Penny Mordaunt

Pritti Patel & Nigel Farage

Jon Ashworth on Question Time

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I think I may have a verruca. I have never (to my knowledge) been afflicted with one, but it appears that I have one now.

I can't actually see it, it is in a rather tricky spot to see on my left heel but Mrs S reckons that's what it is and that I probably picked it up on holiday - apparently they take a while to ripen or something.

Anyway it has started to hurt when I walk, so I am going to pop along to the pharmacist for a medical opinion and then some form of something to attend to it.

Stay safe.

She's Electric - Oasis

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

As a rule I don't set an alarm in a morning, because I am fairly good at managing it with my own internal snooze function. Occasionally if the reason is one that is non-negotiable (those pesky planes or trains that don't seem to want to bend their schedules) I will set an alert, but invariably I wake up 45 minutes before it is due to go off, and bizarrely I end up getting less sleep.

All I wanted to do today was write these notes, publish this weeks TFM, have a brew and be out of the house by 07:30 for a run.

It's currently 07:46 and the kettle has only just boiled...

Stay safe.

True Colours - Cyndi Lauper

Luis - PowerPoint Tutorials

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

This track is less than two minutes, but its an absolute belter.

It's from an album called All The Pain Money Can Buy, and I bought it in the US whilst on honeymoon in 1998 because the hit single from the album was being played everywhere. As it happened I also picked up Stunt by the Barenaked Ladies for the self-same reason that One Week was also being played wall-to-wall.

Both albums are interesting because they sound very little like the singles that made them famous, and whilst this was initially a little disappointing, I have since grown to love the diversity of material on both.

And because it's only two minutes long, it means you can listen to it twice.

Stay safe.

Warm Fuzzy Feeling - Fastball

Noises Off

A Christmas Carol

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

There is something about the songs of Richard Hawley that make them perfect as an audio signature for a hotel like the Renaissance at St Pancras.

So I am going to take the opportunity to bang on about him again, because I think everybody deserves a bit of RH in there lives and if you haven’t discovered him yet then I commend him to you.

As it happens he has announced a career retrospective this week entitled Now Then, and though I haven’t seen the track listing it is sure to be of interest.

But before you investigate that, check out his two mercury nominated efforts Coles Corner & Trueloves Gutter and let me know what you think.

Stay safe.

Hotel Room - Ricard Hawley

Angry - The Rolling Stones

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

I seem to to recall that back when it was released the Jack the Ripper mini-series was much anticipated because it purported to name the identity of the infamous killer.

Much was made of the research that had gone into the production, and the access that was granted to official records and documentation not previously disclosed.

Of course in the end it played out like the dramatisation that it clearly was, and any effort that has gone into trying to it give it an air of historical gravitas quickly dissipated.

Still it’s a strangely enjoyable piece of quirky schlock, worth it for every piece of scenery chewing one-upmanship on display.

Stay safe

Stella Braverman Police Officers Interview

Flip The Switch - The Rolling Stones

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

As it has turns out, I have spent very little time sat in the garden so far this summer.

You may recall that it was one of the things I was really looking forward to around April time, that seasonal improvement in the ambient weather conditions that makes sitting outside such a joy.

And yet I was looking out at my soggy cushions this morning, trying to think of the last time I ventured outside with a hot beverage.

The end of August tends to leave me a little melancholic, even though I am a big fan of September. I guess it harks back to the inevitable end of the summer for another year and with it all the possibility and freedom that used to come with the school holidays.

Stay safe.

No Surprises - Radiohead

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.

For the first time ever I have not been able to find a video clip of the song I have chosen to be the title for this weeks episode.

As you know I try to find something with either a title (or content) that is in someway connected, in all or part, to what I am riffing on. In fact the process of landing on the right song often takes longer than capturing the content itself.

This week I dropped on the track very quickly, and a nice opportunity to publicly recognise Bryan Adam and the often overlooked album Into The Fire from 1987. I am a big fan, even though it appears the rest of the world isn't and this might explain why I couldn't find a video clip anyway to share with the notes.

So apologies but you are going to have to put up with the Spotify link instead...

Stay safe.

Home Again - Bryan Adams

The Woofits - Michael Parkinson

Therapy For Me (or TFM as I now refer to it) is a bit of an audio curiosity. It started out as a mechanism for me to clear my head, with the hope that by saying stuff out loud it would act as a little bit of self-help. It's remains loose in style, fluid in terms of content and raw - it's a one take, press record and see what happens, affair.

If you want to keep in touch with TFM and the other stuff I do then please follow me on Facebook, Insta, Twitter or Patreon. Thanks for getting this far.