W/C 29th December 2025

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.

W/C 22nd December 2025

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.

W/C 15th December 2025

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.

W/C 8th December 2025

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.

W/C 1st December 2025

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

W/C 24th November 2025

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.

W/C 17th November 2025

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.

W/C 10th November 2025

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.

W/C 3rd November 2025

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.

W/C 27th October 2025

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.