Therapy For Me

W/C 20th May 2023Like 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 safeThings Can Only Get Better - D:ReamTherapy 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.

W/C 13th May 2024It 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 LavigneWho replaced Avril Lavigne podcastTherapy 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.

W/C 6th May 2024I 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 FearsBBC News Theme

W/C 29th April 2024If 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 - U2The News Agents with Neil KinnockTherapy 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.

W/C 22nd April 2024For 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 TwentyDarren Jones on LBCTherapy 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.

W/C 15th April 2024This 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 GreyCarers hounded by the DWP42 BalloonsDormice and the Rope BridgesTherapy 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.

W/C 8th April 2024This 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 NailMy Friend the Sun - FamilyTherapy 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.

W/C 1st April 2024The 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 thingsTherapy 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.

W/C 25th March 2024It 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 BigGreen Tinted Sixties Mind - Mr BigIan Dunt - SubstackIan Dunt - How Westminster WorksTherapy 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.

W/C 18th March 2024Why 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 GarfunkelTherapy 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.

W/C 11th March 2024Actually 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 DunlopTherapy 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.

W/C 4th March 2024We 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 WaitsBlair DunlopHit 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.

W/C 26th February 2024After 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 SpearsHit Me Baby One More Time - Tenacious DHit Me Baby One More Time - TravisNick Ferrari cuts off MinisterAndrew Marr MonologueSayeeda Warsi on IslamaphobiaTherapy 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.

W/C 19th February 2024You 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 VersionIan Dunt Explains

W/C 12th February 2024I 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 spectacularFascinating, and all it took was the time to would have taken me to deploy one jigsaw piece.Stay safe.Jigsaw Puzzle - The Rolling StonesTherapy 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.

W/C 5th February 2024Another 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 ShowLaura Trott InterviewTherapy 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.

W/C 29th January 2024All 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 JoelTurn the Lights Back On - Billy JoelGhostbusters Frozen EmpiresJason Isbell TourTherapy 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.

W/C 22nd January 2023Just 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 - U2Therapy 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.

W/C 15th January 2024I 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 rockTake care.Here I Go Again - WhitesnakeJess Philips - Rwanda InterventionTherapy 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.

W/C 8th January 2023I 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 JoelTherapy 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.