Therapy For Me

W/C 26th January 2026OK 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 BoxTherapy 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 January 2026Friday 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 PettyTherapy 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 12th January 2026As 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 UnitTherapy 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 January 2026Two 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 MinogueTherapy 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 December 2025I 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 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.

W/C 22nd December 2025I 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 SimonTherapy 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 December 2025Technically 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 xThea Gilmore's Midwinter ToastThea Gilmore's Midwinter Toast - Live at the Jazz CafeJ Sheekey RestaurantTherapy 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 December 2025I 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 SimonRecipes that have taken Social Media by stormTherapy 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 December 2025The 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 StraitsJason Isbell Martin AcousticTherapy 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

W/C 24th November 2025I 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 DylanCarol of the BellsLondon Remembers WebsiteTherapy 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 17th November 2025Thanks 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 - FishTherapy 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 10th November 2025The 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 UnitRobert HarrisTherapy 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 3rd November 2025I 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 HousemartinsTherapy 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 27th October 2025A 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 DocumentallyTherapy 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 20th October 2025I 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 AmitriTherapy 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 October 2025I 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 JamesTherapy 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 October 2025I 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 AmitriRob Brydon's Honky Tonk Road TripTherapy 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 September 2025As 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 - MagnumTherapy 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 September 2025Well 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 FloydBristol-Bath Rail PathTherapy 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 September 2025Of 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 Rack27" Computer MonitorDinner Plates (x2)Cereal Bowls (x2)Side Plate (x2)Desert Bowl (x2)2 way HDMI SplitterThe 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 SceneBill Bailey playing The TypewriterDriving TestsTherapy 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.