No 1 In Particular

In this candid and wonderfully unpredictable conversation, I sit down with Samuel Garza Bernstein. An award-winning author, screenwriter, playwright, and lifelong storyteller whose career spans film, television, theater, and Hollywood’s Golden Age. Samuel has written about and brought to life some of Hollywood’s most fascinating personalities, including books about legendary stars Joan Crawford, Cesar Romero, and most recently Roddy McDowall.

But this conversation isn’t really about his impressive résumé. It’s about the man behind the stories and the way he sees the world.

Samuel grew up with unexpected trips, packed suitcases, and a father whose bipolar disorder could send the family off on another grand and sometimes unconventional adventure. One minute life was here; the next, it might be somewhere halfway around the world.

That unpredictable upbringing, Samuel believes, helped shape the storyteller he would become. He developed a fascination with people, personalities, and most importantly the boundless power of imagination. His philosophy is simple but powerful: if you can imagine it, you can create it.

We talk about Hollywood’s Golden Age and the bold, complicated, larger-than-life women who captured Samuel’s imagination. We talk about the female characters and actresses who influenced him, what they represented to him growing up, and how those powerful personalities helped shape his creative voice and sense of identity.

Today, Samuel divides his time between Porto, Portugal, and Los Angeles. We talk about Portugal’s remarkably low crime rate, and the country’s controversial and often misunderstood approach to drug decriminalization and harm reduction.
And because no good conversation stays in one lane, we eventually get into some decidedly heavier territory: political tribalism, critical thinking, and homelessness in Los Angeles. But rest assured it never gets too heavy. Samuel is quite possibly, the best cocktail-party guest you could ever end up chatting to.

In this short summer catch-up episode, I dive into the fascinating meanings behind some of the World Cup jersey colours and the national pride and symbolism they represent. As an England supporter, I'm hoping the Three Lions can go all the way this tournament!

I also discuss FIFA's new red card infringements, including Article 27 which does not explicitly state that a player must serve a suspension immediately, and sound off about the hydration breaks.

Away from football, I share a few updates from home, including a follow-up to our previous episode about raising chickens. We recently took our roosters to a farm sanctuary, enjoyed pet-sitting an adorable bunny and some fascinating hermit crabs, and discovered that hermit crabs can live 30–50 years in the wild, something I never expected!

This is a short, relaxed episode to say hello, share a few thoughts, and wish everyone a fantastic summer. Thanks for listening, and enjoy the episode!

Music mentioned:

Róisín Murphy

LTJ Bukem

Oasis

Welcome back! Today, you’re getting a front-row seat inside the wonderfully unpredictable, honest and hilarious mind of an 11-year-old.

Meet Violet—a public school kid with big thoughts, strong opinions, and zero patience for bullies. In this episode, she takes us from the colorful magic of Mardi Gras parades (shoutout to tit Rex) to the quiet magic of junk journaling, all while explaining why being invisible might just be the ultimate life hack.

We talk animals, gossip, potential fun jobs, and why roller coasters are absolutely not worth the hype. Along the way, Violet reminds us of something easy to forget: childhood isn’t something to rush through—it’s something to protect.

Thoughtful and refreshingly innocent. Let kids be kids!

Music we Mention:

Benson Boone

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Unbound author Serena Arora to explore identity, immigration and the generational stories that shape who we become. Serena shares her parents’ extraordinary journeys. Her father’s escape from Peshawar during the partition of India and Pakistan, and her mother’s families flight from China to Malaysia avoiding the painful tradition of foot binding like her great-grandmother. 

As a mixed-race daughter of immigrants, born in Canada, Serena opens up about navigating cultural dissonance, belonging and what she calls “immi-grit” and “immi-guilt.” We dive into the emotional complexities of growing up between cultures, the loss of innocence and the universal struggle of facing discomfort and change.

Serena also discusses how yoga and Ayurvedic practices have guided her life, offering a path toward healing, balance and self-understanding after decades of study.

Whether you’re an immigrant or not, this conversation will resonate. At its core, it’s about identity, resilience and the shared human experience of finding your place in the world.

Music we mention:

Edith Piaf - Non, Je ne regrette rien

I sit down with Iraq War veteran and musician Sean Martin of the band The Quarantined

We talk about what war actually looks like from the inside.

With tensions rising once again in the Middle East and renewed discussions about Iran, many people are wondering if history could repeat itself. But rather than debating politics or policy, this episode focuses on something far more personal — the lived experience of someone who was there.

Sean enlisted as a teenager knowing he was headed to Iraq. He shares raw stories from the front lines: near-death moments, the mindset of a young soldier preparing for combat, and what it’s like to carry those experiences long after the war ends, including the lasting reality of PTSD.

It’s a human conversation about courage, youth, survival, and the people who step into danger while most of us watch events unfold from a safe distance, on our couch in the comfort of our own home.

Sean’s story ultimately leaves me with the same lingering question many of us quietly ask:

Why do we keep doing this to each other? Why war?

Music we Mention:

Tupac Shakur

Avenged Sevenfold

Josh Douglas is back for round two—and this one goes off the rails in the best way.

The first conversation hit, so we came back for another episode. This time, we dig deeper into travel chaos, questionable decisions, and the kind of real-world lessons you only learn the hard way. We swap stories from the road, talk about how not to get robbed while traveling, and break down the surprisingly easy ways you can get arrested in Mexico if you’re not paying attention.

Josh dives into food culture, while I share a wild story from Cambodia involving “Happy Pizza” that still lives rent-free in my brain. Somewhere between the laughs, we shift gears and get honest about our fears of being older parents and what it means to raise a child in a world increasingly shaped by AI.

It’s funny, a little reckless, unexpectedly heartfelt, and full of life experience you won’t find in a guidebook. Hope you enjoy—and don’t forget your Bob Marley tickets.

Music we Mention:

Dinosaur Jr. - https://www.dinosaurjr.com/

Nirvana - https://www.nirvana.com/#/

Gang Starr - https://www.youtube.com/c/GangStarr

Guru - https://www.youtube.com/@GuruOfficial01

De La Soul - https://www.youtube.com/@WeAreDeLaSoul

Jazzmatazz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcuKyuDrcoQ

Ever wondered what happens when two college friends reconnect across continents—with microphones, questionable Wi-Fi and decades of life experience to unpack? This episode has it all.

I reunite with my college friend Josh Douglas (shout-out to Meno College!), now living in Taiwan, to talk about friendship, expat life, and creative reinvention. Josh is the author of the thrilling, action-packed novel The Vampire, The Tutor and The Madman.

We dive into cultural differences between the U.S. and Asia, Gen X growing pains, and what it was like during the Bay Area tech boom. Josh shares stories from his travels, fulfilling a childhood dream of working in a zoo, and the brutal skateboarding injury that abruptly ended his skating days. He opens up about the mental crash that followed—and how a college friend helped him climb out of that crater and find new ways to chase those endorphins.

Josh also talks about why he genuinely loves his teaching career, how teaching English sharpened his grammar and storytelling skills, and how obscure historical facts fuel his passion for writing.

Part travel diary, part therapy session and part late-night dorm-room conversation, this episode is for anyone interested in friendships, living abroad, Gen X reflections, career choices and navigating life’s unexpected pivots. If you love honest conversations, global perspectives, and stories about resilience and cultural differences, this episode is for you.

Music we Mention:

Fontaines DC

Minor Threat

Black Flag

Johnny Cash

Viagra Boys

Colter Wall

Joy Division

Black Marble

Music Stories, Friendship & Nostalgia | Bonus Year-End Podcast Episode

Welcome to a cheeky bonus episode closing out the year—wee hoo, we made it!

Thank you for listening to the podcast. Truly. This show exists because you show up, share, and listen, and I’m endlessly grateful to this community. We’re all navigating life together, one story at a time.

If you’re a regular listener, you know I always ask my guests one question: what music moves you? In this special year-end bonus episode, I turn the mic back on myself with Lizette and Milana—my first podcast guests of the year and my closest friends.

We dive into the stories behind the songs that shaped us, sharing memories from concerts and live shows, iconic TV moments, radio hits, and the music that found us at pivotal moments in our lives. This episode explores how music connects us, sparks nostalgia, and becomes the soundtrack to friendship and personal growth.

If you love podcasts about music, storytelling, memories, and the emotional power of songs, this episode is for you. Music is magic—and this is our love letter to the songs that carried us through. 🎶✨

Lucy’s Music

Queen

Grooverider - Bootleg ( ain't gonna find it )

Prince 

Amy Winehouse

Florence and the Machine

Milana's Music  

Portishead

Interpol 

Swans 

Godspeed You! Black Emperor

Chelsea Wolfe

Lizette's Music

Tool

Lady Gaga

Gojira

Mastodon

Melvins

Can

Thomas Fitzsimmons lived a life most people only dream about—but with a moral compass few could match. A former NYPD officer working the dangerous streets of 1970s New York City, Fitzsimmons later transitioned into the worlds of modeling and acting, immersing himself in the glamorous era of Studio 54 and high-profile celebrity culture.

From rubbing shoulders with presidents, Hollywood stars, and New York’s elite, to navigating the flashbulbs and champagne of the nightlife scene, Fitzsimmons never lost sight of his values. His dedication to serving and protecting followed him beyond the badge, leading him to take on private investigation work for friends and business owners.

He also became a trusted celebrity bodyguard, providing personal security for Gwyneth Paltrow, Michael Douglas, and Catherine Zeta-Jones. This true-life story blends law enforcement, fame, and integrity—offering a rare look at a man who moved seamlessly between the gritty streets of NYC and the glamorous world of film, fashion, and celebrity protection.

Memoir Available Now!

Thomas Fitzsimmons An Extraordinary life of an Ordinary Man

Music we mention:

Alabama

Bobby Caldwell

Rod Stewart

Step inside the kitchen and life of Chef Lawrence DiJoseph, whose journey began in a lively Italian American family rooted in Washington, DC. DiJoseph celebrates the heart of food and family, inspired by generations of restaurateurs—his great-grandmother ran a restaurant at the turn of the century, his family made wine during prohibition and may have loose ties with the mob, and an aunt was a pastry chef at the White House.

A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Chef DiJoseph’s adventures have taken him through French restaurants in Washington DC, and New York City. His decades-long career as a chef and instructor brings together some storytelling magic including; JFK Jr's. cigar smoke, Charlton Heston's P & J sandwich and working with Special Ops Veterans. He's funny and unfiltered and you'll appreciate what it takes to get the food on your plate after you listen to this.

Lawrence hosts private knife skills classes, cooking classes, and private chef dinners in Richmond, Virginia.

Visit is personal website here

Music we mention:

Roy Ayers Ubiquity

Lord Huron

Carly Simon

Chér

Bad Brains

Black Fag

New Order

Siouxsie and the Banshees