Longtime Ago People

M I L E S

In a world where family connections shape us, stories bridge generations. Many of us carry cherished memories of those who touched our lives, which I think deserve to be shared.Each episode I hope will feature guests recounting touching, funny, and inspiring memories, celebrating the impact these individuals had on their lives. I aim to beautifully remember loved ones, offering listeners nostalgia, warmth, and connection.  I am looking for people to reflect on the impact of these relationships.

  1. 3d ago

    I Wrote Our Story So My Sons Could Understand

    Nadia - Miguel 1968   wife/husband    When I sit down with Miguel, I hear a love story that begins in Abu Dhabi, where he meets Nadia, marries her within six months, and builds two decades of the kind of partnership that makes ordinary days feel electric. Then metastatic breast cancer arrives, and being “the strong one” stops sounding like a compliment and starts feeling like a job with no days off. We talk about what caregiving really looks like when treatment, parenting and fear collide, and why he began writing at night simply to stay upright. Miguel explains how those pages became The Boxer’s Corner, written almost like a message to his sons so they could one day understand what happened to their mum and what he was carrying. We talk about the moment Nadia dies in his arms, the brutal gap between that night and the next morning when he has to tell two children aged thirteen and nine, and the strange way grief turns you towards simplicity, routine and the small details you never want to forget. We also explore what families need from cancer‑care communication, especially when optimism starts to blur reality, and the caregiver ends up holding the truth alone. And we hear how a five‑month, round‑the‑world trip with a tutor becomes a form of healing through awe, movement and shared memories, with music that keeps Nadia present.  If you’ve lived through loss, supported someone through cancer, or wondered how people rebuild after tragedy, this conversation stays with you.  Subscribe, share it with someone who might need it, and leave a review so more listeners can find these stories. Bits & Bobs The Boxer's Corner: A Cancer Caregiver's Story of Love, Loss, and Isolation by Miguel Barron The Global Madridista - The ONLY English language content by a REAL Socio Abonado of Real Madrid covering all Real Madrid news and analysis straight from Madrid. 171k followers! https://www.youtube.com/@TheGlobalMadridistaSend us Fan Mail “Follow Longtime Ago People wherever you get your podcasts.” Everyone has a story, what's yours? Copy this RSS feed and paste it into your podcast app.  https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2503597.rss Instagram: @longtimeagopeople  Blog: longtimeagopeople.com Have a story echoing through time? I’m listening—300 words or fewer.  Memory is Fragile  "In a world where you can be anything, be kind."

  2. Aug 3

    Made in Harlem: Growing Up Fast, Surviving Even Faster

    All Mumu's People - Mustafa 1983    father, mother, grandmother/son & grandson  When I sit down with Mumu, I realise Harlem isn’t just where he is from. It is the place that raised him with rules you only learn by living them, from knowing which streets truly count as Harlem to understanding why being outside in the 90s felt like the whole world. We talk block parties, rap battles, water fights, and the way the crack epidemic of the 1980s lingered into childhood memories that still sit close to the surface. He tells a story every New Yorker feels in their bones: getting lost on the bus as a kid, ending up far from home at night, and relying on a stranger to help you find your way back. From there, our conversation turns inward to family, faith, and the push and pull of identity. Mumu describes a father shaped by Islam and activism, determined to hold a huge blended family together, and a mum who is deeply loved but seriously unwell. He talks about what it feels like to be Black, raised Muslim, and know you are gay from early on while believing you must hide it to stay safe, even from the person you trust most. We explore the real friction between Islam and church, and what happens when religion becomes control rather than comfort. We move into adulthood through music, work, and survival. Mumu shares the sounds that shaped Harlem culture, his job supervising security in New York City subway stations, and what the trains felt like during COVID when the city went quiet but danger did not. You will also hear the surprising turning point that comes from juggling, plus his plan to save, invest, travel, retire within a decade, and maybe leave New York for land where he can grow his own food.  Send us Fan Mail “Follow Longtime Ago People wherever you get your podcasts.” Everyone has a story, what's yours? Copy this RSS feed and paste it into your podcast app.  https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2503597.rss Instagram: @longtimeagopeople  Blog: longtimeagopeople.com Have a story echoing through time? I’m listening—300 words or fewer.  Memory is Fragile  "In a world where you can be anything, be kind."

  3. Jul 28

    We Learn Who He Was By The Tales He Told

    Ottelo Mola Benedetti - Mari 1968   grandfather/granddaughter   When I sit down with Mari, I begin with the bronze “Indian” head that lived in her family home. It was always described as Native American, and for years she and her cousins believed the story that came with it: their grandfather had once been an Indian, a fighter, a man whose adventures were too vivid to question. That single object becomes our doorway into a much wider family history, stretching from Catalonia and Barcelona back to Italy, and into the places where the record falls silent. As we talk, I find myself drawn to the tension of loving someone who could make you laugh and still leave you with questions you will never fully answer. We trace her grandfather’s path through the Second World War, when he was a young Italian army driver, and then on to a tiny Sardinian town where a chance encounter turned into a romance that reshaped the entire family. There is post‑war survival in a bombed‑out house, improvised heating made from rolled newspaper, and the long, determined grind of migration as work pulled them from Turin to Murcia and eventually to Barcelona. Alongside all of this, we sit with the contradictions: the charm, the dreaming, the smuggled tobacco, and the way a man who could be a difficult husband still fought for his four daughters to study and build careers in a world that did not expect women to. Threaded through the stories is an aching gap, an estranged family line that no one ever reconnects with, and a sense that identity is stitched together from many places at once. We finish with a plan to search for roots in Rome’s Trastevere, and a promise to keep the Native American “Indian” alive as a shared memory.  If you enjoy family storytelling, oral history, migration tales and wonderfully messy real‑life character portraits, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave us a review with the one family myth you still carry with you. Send us Fan Mail “Follow Longtime Ago People wherever you get your podcasts.” Everyone has a story, what's yours? Copy this RSS feed and paste it into your podcast app.  https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2503597.rss Instagram: @longtimeagopeople  Blog: longtimeagopeople.com Have a story echoing through time? I’m listening—300 words or fewer.  Memory is Fragile  "In a world where you can be anything, be kind."

  4. Jun 25

    The Father Behind a 60s & 70s High‑Street Icon

    Bill Sharman - Howard 1955  father/son   When I sat down with Howard, I quickly realised that a burger can be a time machine. What starts as a chat about Wimpy on one of the hottest days of the year becomes a walk straight back into post‑war Britain, when “hamburgers” were still a novelty and Wimpy was quietly inventing what we now think of as British fast food. Howard’s dad, Bill Sharman, isn’t just working in restaurants — he’s learning the product from the ground up, shaping standards, and helping to build a franchise model that felt genuinely new on the high street. We get into the details that make business history feel human: where the name Wimpy came from, why quality control mattered more than any secret recipe, and how table service changed the whole feel of eating a burger in town. There are brilliant snapshots of the era, too, celebrity openings, the Savalas brothers drifting through the story, and the strange glamour of international travel when flying felt risky enough that you’d buy life insurance at the airport before boarding. But the conversation soon shifts from brand building to the cost of it. Howard talks about a father who was kind, reserved, and often absent, shaped by wartime service and a generation that rarely showed affection out loud. We talk about retirement, regret, and the danger of life feeling hollow when the work stops. It’s a reminder that behind every iconic brand sits a family living with the consequences of ambition. If you care about UK food culture, franchising, leadership, or simply the human side of building something that lasts, there’s a lot here to take away. If this resonates, subscribe, share it with someone who remembers Wimpy, and tell me what Wimpy brings back for you — a taste, a person, or a moment in time. Bits & Bobs There's a slight bit of mic static (I don't know if it's on my mic or Howard’s mic), but it's okay, it's only for a few minutes.  Joe Lyons & WimpyWimpy 1966 FIFA World Cup finalSavalas brothersSend us Fan Mail “Follow Longtime Ago People wherever you get your podcasts.” Everyone has a story, what's yours? Copy this RSS feed and paste it into your podcast app.  https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2503597.rss Instagram: @longtimeagopeople  Blog: longtimeagopeople.com Have a story echoing through time? I’m listening—300 words or fewer.  Memory is Fragile  "In a world where you can be anything, be kind."

  5. Jun 16

    One Kung Fu Night and a Life in Practice

    Po, Kan, Lambert, Dai-Sensei & Zhong Ming Fashi - Simon 1960   mentors/student  When I sat down with Simon, he told me that everything began with one evening in childhood, three TV channels, and a single kung fu programme. That moment set him on a 52‑year martial arts journey that carried him from the Isle of Wight to Asia, and now to a quieter life in the Philippines, where he still trains every day and runs his school from afar. In our conversation, we explore what he learned under his first sensei, why travel became part of his curriculum, and how training with so many teachers and traditions shaped his ideas about destiny, discipline, and self‑direction. We wander through monastery life in Thailand, Okinawan roots, research trips to China, and the belief that martial arts are ultimately less about winning fights and more about learning how not to fight. A big part of our chat centres on San Shan Gong, Simon’s moving meditation built around the three battles of mind, body, and spirit. We also get wonderfully practical — posture, breath, and why something as simple as “standing” can teach you lessons that stay with you for years, even on a packed tube train. And yes, we talk about martial arts in films and TV: what Hollywood gets wrong, and what still rings true if you look past the myth. If you’re drawn to kung fu philosophy, karate history, meditation, self‑defence mindset, or simply the idea of living with a bit more calm strength, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share it with someone who trains (or wants to), and tell me the biggest takeaway you’re carrying into your week. Bits & Bobs A caulkhead is a colloquial nickname for a native-born resident of the Isle of WightMaster Po and Master Kan from the 1970s Kung Fu TV series, whose philosophy, depth of skill, and spirituality deeply impacted him.Mike Lambert, his first sensei, was instrumental in his journey and whom he modelled himself after.Higaonna Morio Dai-Sensei, a grandmaster from Okinawa, was his inspiration for five years in America and helped him take karate back to its roots.Zhong Ming Fashi was his Chan Zen meditation master and spiritual leader in China.TV Show Kung FuThe Champions is a British sci-fi, espionage, and adventure TV seriesThe Isle of Wight man who devoted his life to KungFu: Simon Lailey’s decades of martial arts masterySend us Fan Mail “Follow Longtime Ago People wherever you get your podcasts.” Everyone has a story, what's yours? Copy this RSS feed and paste it into your podcast app.  https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2503597.rss Instagram: @longtimeagopeople  Blog: longtimeagopeople.com Have a story echoing through time? I’m listening—300 words or fewer.  Memory is Fragile  "In a world where you can be anything, be kind."

  6. May 11

    The Vicarage Boy: The Longtime‑Ago‑Person Is Me

    John 1958  father/son  “The Longtime-Ago-Person is Probably Me” When I sit down with John, I’m taken straight into a childhood that feels almost impossible now. He grew up in a vicarage on the edge of Dartmoor, the kind of place where a boy could walk out after breakfast, vanish for the entire day, and nobody thought to worry — partly because there wasn’t a phone to reach for. As we talk through his own mind map of longtime ago people, the memories return with astonishing clarity: the huge lawn and orchard, ponies on the moor, bikes as transport, and the absolute normality of knocking on a stranger’s door for water and maybe an apple. Being a vicar’s son in a small Devon village gives the story a unique texture. Sundays meant church, whether he liked it or not, sitting among older parishioners while his dad — the most recognisable man in the community — did the work of keeping people connected. John reflects on faith, on the tension between everyday humanity and spiritual authority, and on how those early years shaped his sense of community, care and responsibility. Then come the stories that make rural 1960s Britain feel wonderfully alive: open fires that smoked out the room, ice on the inside of the windows, hot water bottles, the post office that doubled as a sweet shop, returnable bottles swapped for treats, and the pub hatch where children bought sweets — or sometimes just knocked and ran. John talks about camping with his younger siblings in a farmer’s field, a whole day spent wandering in search of an osprey that never appeared, and a perfect culture clash when teenage him played Black Sabbath’s Paranoid to his vicar father just to see the reaction. If you love British nostalgia, Dartmoor history, village life, or the bigger question of what childhood freedom does to a person, this episode will speak to you. Hit play, share it with someone who grew up pre‑mobile, and leave a review telling us what you miss most about the analogue days. Send us Fan Mail “Follow Longtime Ago People wherever you get your podcasts.” Everyone has a story, what's yours? Copy this RSS feed and paste it into your podcast app.  https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2503597.rss Instagram: @longtimeagopeople  Blog: longtimeagopeople.com Have a story echoing through time? I’m listening—300 words or fewer.  Memory is Fragile  "In a world where you can be anything, be kind."

  7. May 5

    The Count of Lanzarote

    Rhys 1963  son/father/count/dj/islander   When I catch up with Rhys — or “The Count”, as he’s known on air — I’m taken straight back to 1976, when two twelve‑year‑olds (we are the two twelve-year-olds) walked into a school classroom and realised they were the entire class. From that moment, a friendship was built on shared trouble, fast laughs, and the kind of music discovery that rewires your brain for life. I trace the soundtrack that shaped him: early punk, the Sex Pistols, The Jam, and those late‑night sessions with Radio Luxembourg under the pillow. We talk about the ritual of taping the Sunday chart, praying the DJ wouldn’t talk over the intro, and the thrill of buying your first record with pocket money. There are stories of Sid Vicious, chapel rebellion, and the gigs that still live in your chest decades later — from the emotional punch of Live Aid to festival moments that turn grown adults into emotional wrecks. Then the conversation widens into real life: leaving school, scraping together work, joining the Merchant Navy, even getting deported from the US, before eventually building a long career in a trade that somehow keeps brushing up against pop culture. The biggest pivot is Monster Radio Lanzarote, where Rhys explains how a modern community station really works: no playlists, real presenters, giveaways, listener interactivity, and a commitment to local charities. It’s a brilliant reminder that radio is far from dead — it’s simply evolved. If you love music podcasts, radio stories, 1970s and 1980s nostalgia, or honest conversations about how songs help us carry joy and loss, you’ll feel right at home here. And if you’re listening, share it with someone who still remembers their first Walkman, and leave us a review with the one song you’d play to your younger self. Bits & Bobs Sex PistolsPistol - TV Mini SeriesThe JamListen to The Count on Monster Radio as he counts down all the number ones from his birthday in April 1963 to the present day.George Thorogood - Get A Haircuthttps://monsterradio.tvMonster Radio AppMy Isle of Wight Festival 2013 Boomtown Rats Send us Fan Mail “Follow Longtime Ago People wherever you get your podcasts.” Everyone has a story, what's yours? Copy this RSS feed and paste it into your podcast app.  https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2503597.rss Instagram: @longtimeagopeople  Blog: longtimeagopeople.com Have a story echoing through time? I’m listening—300 words or fewer.  Memory is Fragile  "In a world where you can be anything, be kind."

  8. Apr 25 ·  Bonus

    Ten Lives, Countless Echoes: Season Two Epilogue

    Season 2 Epilogue — Longtime Ago People  Season Two brings me back to what I’ve always believed about memory — how it hides in music, in family stories, and in the everyday influence of people who shaped us long before we realised it. Looking back over these ten conversations, across places, eras and lives, I’m reminded again that who we are is never just about us. This season has taken me from the Welsh Valleys to the Somme and far beyond, meeting people whose stories carry humour, heartbreak, courage and connection. Russell talked about a life shaped by central Scotland — the divides, the love, the work, and the lessons that carried him forward.David traced a path from oil rigs to Wall Street and Napa Valley, built on mentorship and sheer resilience.Sean brought London family stories to life — disinheritance, laughter, and a surprising cheeky reveal after loss.Ian shared a cross‑continental family history marked by childhood loss and an enterprising grandfather known as “Smuggling Jim.”Rupert took us deep into David Bowie’s world — the personas, the albums, the cultural pull that shaped a generation.Matt unravelled a century‑old mystery, honouring his great‑great uncle through research and a moving Royal Marines ceremony.Sarah celebrated her Welsh roots, her family’s resilience, and her community‑driven life on the Isle of Wight.Steve reflected on loyalty, hard work and the people who helped him build a family business from the ground up.Lee walked us through a life lived in motion — Navy diving, African overland journeys, DJ nights and tribute‑band touring.And Loz brought us back to a carefree Southampton childhood, and into an honest conversation about reinvention and mental health in adulthood.If any of these stories remind you of someone — a parent, a friend, a teacher, a neighbour — tell them. Or tell someone about them. That’s how memory stays alive. Thank you Send us Fan Mail “Follow Longtime Ago People wherever you get your podcasts.” Everyone has a story, what's yours? Copy this RSS feed and paste it into your podcast app.  https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2503597.rss Instagram: @longtimeagopeople  Blog: longtimeagopeople.com Have a story echoing through time? I’m listening—300 words or fewer.  Memory is Fragile  "In a world where you can be anything, be kind."

About

In a world where family connections shape us, stories bridge generations. Many of us carry cherished memories of those who touched our lives, which I think deserve to be shared.Each episode I hope will feature guests recounting touching, funny, and inspiring memories, celebrating the impact these individuals had on their lives. I aim to beautifully remember loved ones, offering listeners nostalgia, warmth, and connection.  I am looking for people to reflect on the impact of these relationships.