One Song, One Story | Where Music Meets Memory

North of Normal | Storytelling Through Music
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One Song, One Story is where music meets memory. Each guest brings one song that changed their life, and with host Shubeeh Imam, unpacks the story it holds — the love, loss, hope, and healing behind every note. It’s a celebration of how songs shape our lives and connect us to something deeper. If you love soulful stories, honest emotion, and the beauty of music that truly moves you, you’ll love this show.

  1. S2:E5 - How One Song Carried Me 2,000 Miles - Unwritten by Natasha Beddingfield

    2D AGO

    S2:E5 - How One Song Carried Me 2,000 Miles - Unwritten by Natasha Beddingfield

    What if one small step could change the entire direction of your life? In this episode of One Song One Story, I’m joined by Deb Van Schaack, calling in from Bisbee, Arizona, for a conversation about courage, kindness, and trusting the path as it unfolds. Deb shares the song that became a quiet companion during her 2,000 mile walk across the Appalachian Trail. A journey that began with a single intention and unfolded one step at a time. We talk about setting goals later in life, listening for the moments when music finds you exactly when you need it, and the powerful realisation that nothing is fixed, your story is still being written. At its heart, this is a conversation about possibility. About choosing movement over fear. And about the songs that remind us that the ending is never decided. If you’ve ever wondered if it’s too late to begin again, this one might stay with you. 🎵 Song featured: Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield 00:00 Welcome to One Song One Story 00:55 Meeting Deb and setting the tone 02:00 Kindness, community, and everyday music 03:55 A song that connects us 05:30 How Deb fell in love with walking 08:10 Deciding to hike the Appalachian Trail 09:00 2,185 miles across 14 states 10:00 Age, goals, and proving what’s possible 11:15 From endurance hiking to “diva hiking” 12:45 Early memories of music 14:00 Broadway, bluegrass, and evolving taste 15:45 Music as a daily companion 18:20 Introducing the song choice 18:40 Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield 20:00 The moment the song found her on the trail 22:30 Why the lyrics hit so deeply 24:40 Music as motivation and medicine 26:20 When songs arrive exactly on time 27:20 How the song’s meaning has stayed simple 28:30 Freedom, change, and rewriting your story 30:15 Dream cover versions of the song 32:00 Looking back on the journey 33:35 What’s next for Deb 34:20 Closing reflections ⏱️ Episode Chapters

    35 min
  2. S2:E4 - The Song That Felt Like a Spiritual Experience | In The Garden by Van Morrison

    FEB 13

    S2:E4 - The Song That Felt Like a Spiritual Experience | In The Garden by Van Morrison

    What happens when a song feels less like music… and more like a spiritual experience?In this episode of One Song One Story, I’m joined by Dr Gareth Palmer: therapist, musician, artist, and someone who has played a quiet but meaningful role in my own creative journey. Together we explore creativity, discipline, therapy, and the strange way a single song can carry deeper meaning across decades.Gareth brings a track that isn’t just about lyrics or melody. It’s about seeking, transcendence, and those rare moments that arrive without warning. No method. No teacher. No guru.🎶 Song Choice: In the Garden by Van Morrison(From the album No Guru No Method No Teacher)We talk about:Hearing this song for the first time on cassette in the 1980sWhy the music hit before the lyrics made senseJung, creativity, purpose, and the need to keep making thingsSpirituality that feels grounded, not performativeHow songs change as we changeWhy some art can’t be improved, covered, or explainedIf you’ve ever heard a song that bypassed your brain and went straight to something deeper, this episode will land.🎧 Subscribe for more episodes exploring music, memory, identity, and the stories hidden inside the songs we love.00:00 Welcome to One Song One Story00:12 Intro to the episode and Dr Gareth Palmer01:06 Gareth’s morning routine and “if your day was a song”01:54 Today’s vibe: “Resolve” by Röyksopp02:38 A song that connects host and guest03:08 Shubeeh shares his song “One Way Fare” and therapy connection05:11 Gareth on writing songs in his head and early songwriting06:43 Shubeeh’s piano journey and writing without distractions08:20 Do therapists play music in sessions08:52 Gareth’s unexpected connector song: Ernie the Fastest Milkman in the West11:04 Gareth’s creative life: music, art, and therapy12:25 The Nice Fish band and writing hundreds of songs13:28 PhD years, freedom, golf, and creativity15:18 Purpose, work ethic, and stepping away from Instagram16:22 Using art to support therapy and insight18:02 Sitcoms, humour, and cheering yourself up20:16 Song reveal: In the Garden by Van Morrison20:54 Van Morrison as seeker and spiritual artist22:15 Creativity, ageing, and the need to keep going25:28 Alternate song choice: Public Service Broadcasting (Race for Space)27:25 First time hearing In the Garden on cassette28:44 Why the song hit so hard emotionally30:37 Lyrics vs music and how meaning evolves31:42 From love song to spiritual encounter32:40 No guru, no method, no teacher and the idea of transcendence33:38 Effortless craft and envy of artistic flow34:46 Van Morrison’s career, freedom, and experimentation36:05 Gareth’s spiritual journey and Jung38:26 Gareth’s creativity as constant motion40:06 Losing old work, not looking back, always making the next thing41:22 Rehearing the song decades later with new understanding42:19 Transcendence arrives without instruction43:49 Shubeeh’s deep dive and what the song unlocked for him45:54 Nostalgia, vinyl culture, and listening to new music48:29 First gigs and Pink Floyd memories51:03 Who should cover this song (and why nobody should)53:55 Johnny Cash, Rick Rubin, and when covers work56:05 What the song choice says about Gareth57:02 Where to find Gareth: menshouldtalk.com57:28 Closing

    58 min
  3. S2:E3 - “I Played This Song on Repeat Until the Fear Stopped” | Titanium by David Guetta ft. Sia

    FEB 6

    S2:E3 - “I Played This Song on Repeat Until the Fear Stopped” | Titanium by David Guetta ft. Sia

    What if one song could become your anchor in the darkest hours? In this episode of One Song One Story, I’m joined by Colleen Grimshaw for a powerful conversation about fear, resilience, and the kind of strength you discover when life gives you no choice but to find it.  Colleen shares how Titanium by David Guetta ft. Sia became her soundtrack during the early days of a breast cancer diagnosis. When nights felt long, the future felt uncertain, and even the thought of an MRI brought her to the edge of panic, this song became her steady ground. Not just because of the words, but because of the energy in Sia’s voice. The feeling of being held. The reminder that even if life knocks you down, you can get back up. This episode explores: The shock and denial of diagnosis How fear changes at night when everything feels louder Music as a mantra when reassurance doesn’t reach Learning to advocate for yourself Finding strength without letting everyone around you see the fear Why some songs become part of who we are If you’ve ever needed something to hold onto when everything felt uncertain, this story will stay with you. 🎶 Song featured: Titanium by David Guetta ft. Sia 00:00 Intro: resilience, fear, and finding strength through music 01:01 Welcome Colleen in Florida 01:50 If today was a song 03:30 How Colleen knows Jim Farfaglia 05:26 Early music memories and dancing as a child 06:58 Teen years listening: Moody Blues, Carole King, James Taylor 08:33 Music today: dancing, family, and grandkids 09:42 Sabrina Carpenter, K pop, Taylor Swift and modern listening 12:21 Setting the premise of the show 13:11 Song reveal: Titanium by David Guetta ft. Sia 14:37 Hearing Titanium for the first time in the car 15:54 Early days of diagnosis and why the lyrics hit 16:32 Strength, energy, and Sia’s voice 17:42 Why Colleen avoided the music video 18:41 Breast cancer diagnosis on her anniversary 19:45 Fear, uncertainty, and claustrophobia before MRI 20:00 Playing Titanium on repeat through panic at night 21:36 Feeling empowered and believing she could be “titanium” 22:34 The pressure of being strong for family 23:25 Loneliness at night and the song as an anchor 24:10 Using Titanium again during a recent cancer scare 25:22 Physical reaction to the song and singing it loudly 26:16 Surgery, mastectomy, reconstruction, and recovery 27:40 Different treatment path and healing over time 28:09 Reaching ten years and what the song means now 30:01 Strength becoming affirmation and pride 31:09 The shock of a new scare before Christmas 32:03 Taking control, researching, and advocating for herself 33:21 The difference between the first diagnosis and now 34:55 Who is “you” in “you shoot me down”? 36:48 What the song gave her that she couldn’t share with others 39:20 Advice for others facing breast cancer 41:33 Relief, gratitude, and closing reflections 42:10 Final goodbye

    43 min
  4. S2:E2 - She’s Been Carrying This Song in Her Body Since She Was 3 | This Year's Love by David Gray

    JAN 30

    S2:E2 - She’s Been Carrying This Song in Her Body Since She Was 3 | This Year's Love by David Gray

    In this episode of One Song One Story, I’m joined by my friend Hannah Bergin – a dancer, creative, and someone whose relationship with music lives deeply in the body. We talk about movement as memory, music as something you feel rather than think, and what it’s like growing up in a house where everyone seems to be accidentally singing the same song in different rooms. Hannah shares the track that’s been with her since she was just three years old – a song that didn’t just soundtrack her childhood, but quietly shaped how she moves, listens, and expresses herself in the world today. This is a conversation about embodied memory, early musical imprinting, and the way certain songs stay with us long before we have language for why. If you’ve ever felt music in your bones before you understood it in your head, this one’s for you. 00:00 – Welcome to One Song One Story 01:00 – Introducing Hannah Bergin 02:10 – Music that lives in the body 04:30 – Growing up in a house full of shared songs 07:15 – Movement as memory 10:40 – The song Hannah has loved since she was three 14:20 – How early music shapes who we become 18:30 – Listening with the body, not the mind 22:10 – Why some songs never leave us 26:00 – Reflections on music, memory, and identity 29:30 – Final thoughts and closing

    51 min
  5. S2:E1 - I Miss The Old Me, But I’m Glad I’m Not Her Anymore | Dangerous Levels Of Introspection by JP Saxe

    JAN 23

    S2:E1 - I Miss The Old Me, But I’m Glad I’m Not Her Anymore | Dangerous Levels Of Introspection by JP Saxe

    Most of us have an old version of ourselves we secretly miss.Not because life was perfect back then.But because we were lighter. Less aware. Less shaped by everything that came after.In this episode of One Song One Story, I sit down with Nora, a Nashville based songwriter, to talk about nostalgia, growth, and the emotional chaos of becoming yourself.Her song choice is:🎶 Dangerous Levels of Introspection by JP SaxeIt opens up a real conversation about:Missing your old self while still being proud of who you are nowThe difference between self awareness and overthinkingWhy introspection can feel comforting and exhausting at the same timeHow songwriting becomes therapy without trying to be therapyTaking the riskier path when the safe option is right thereIf you’ve ever felt stuck inside your own thoughts, or caught yourself romanticising a past chapter, this is for you.👇 Comment your “nostalgia song” below.The track that instantly takes you back to an old version of you.00:00 Intro01:05 Welcome and meeting Nora03:10 Nora’s background and becoming a songwriter06:10 Music as emotional processing08:40 Today’s song reveal09:20 Dangerous Levels of Introspection by JP Saxe11:30 Why this song hit Nora so hard14:05 Missing your younger self vs outgrowing her17:10 When introspection becomes overthinking20:05 Nostalgia, tenderness, and self compassion23:30 Choosing the brave path over the safe one27:10 What this song means now vs when she first heard it30:05 Final reflections and what Nora hopes listeners take away32:00 Where to find Nora and closing

    34 min

  6. JAN 16

    S1:E12– "The Song That Made Me Love World Music" - Chan Chan by Buena Vista Social Club

    In this radiant and heart-opening episode of One Song, One Story, Shub sits down with his friend and creative inspiration Marc-John Brown — a coach, medicine man, activist, and father — to explore the power of rhythm, voice, and the universal language of music. Marc-John brings the timeless “Chan Chan” by Buena Vista Social Club, a song that changed the course of his life. What begins as a nostalgic trip to Buenos Aires at age 19 — a sunny day, a sweet coffee, a drifting breeze, and that hypnotic Cuban rhythm — unfolds into a story of identity, ancestry, and soulful connection. Together they explore: 🌎 The roots of world music and how Afro-Cuban rhythm connects continents and cultures 🪘 Music as resistance — and why beauty often blooms in hardship 🎶 The role of sound in healing, ceremony, and family life 👨‍👩‍👧 How “Chan Chan” became the soundtrack of a household — from washing dishes to bedtime singalongs Marc-John’s reflections ripple across creativity, spirituality, and love — from discovering rhythm on a metal sink to playing percussion on a Malaysian beach. It’s a conversation about belonging, resilience, and the music that keeps us alive. Hit play, pour a coffee, and feel the warmth. Because sometimes the world’s most powerful songs don’t just move you — they become part of your story. 00:00 Introduction and Connection03:28 The Role of Creativity in Life05:47 Exploring Musical Influences08:31 Rhythm and Personal Experiences11:04 The Evolution of Musical Tastes13:41 The Essence of Folk Music16:38 World Music and Cultural Identity19:13 Music's Role in Daily Life21:54 Introducing the Song: El Chan Chan24:23 The Story Behind El Chan Chan27:52 The Indescribable Connection to Music31:21 Music as a Symbol of Resistance33:04 Personal Journey Through Music35:34 The Evolution of a Song's Meaning36:31 Family and Music: A Daily Ritual41:10 Cuban Folklore and Cultural Connection43:39 The Deeper Meaning of the Song45:12 Symbolism and Personal Reflection48:28 Imagining a Cover of the Song49:04 Final Reflections and Connections51:22 Riverside Intro : Outro.mp4

    52 min

  7. JAN 9

    S1:E11 – "When I heard It, I Burst Into Tears" - Have You Heard by Pat Methany Group

    In this deeply personal and beautifully nostalgic episode, Shub from North of Normal sits down with music lover and self-confessed audio nerd Alex Baker — a man with over 2,000 records, a dream of running a “listening bar,” and a lifelong connection to sound. Alex shares the story behind his song choice: “Have You Heard” by Pat Metheny Group — the tune that first made him cry at ten years old and still moves him decades later. What begins as a simple childhood memory turns into a touching reflection on family, emotion, and the strange power of music to hold us through life’s chaos. Together, Shub and Alex explore: 🎧 The lost art of listening — from hi-fi systems to headphone rituals 🎵 How a single song can become a comfort blanket through the years 🕊 Why music often says what words can’t — and why that’s enough It’s a soulful dive into jazz, nostalgia, and the frequencies that make us feel alive. If you haven’t heard the song yet, pause, listen to “Have You Heard” by Pat Metheny Group, and then come back. You’ll hear this conversation in a whole new way. 00:00 Introduction and Connection Through Music 03:00 Personal Journeys and Reflections on Recovery 05:58 Creativity and the Impact of Parenthood 08:39 The Art of Listening and Audio Quality 11:26 Musical Background and Influences 14:13 Early Musical Memories and Tastes 22:29 Vinyl Culture and Record Collections 24:25 Song Choice and Personal Connection 24:47 The Emotional Connection to Music 29:19 Memories and Music: A Personal Journey 35:06 The Power of Music in Emotional Moments 37:20 Exploring the Impact of a Song 42:17 The Comfort of Familiar Tunes 46:29 Imagining Covers and New Interpretations 50:50 Riverside Intro : Outro.mp4

    51 min

  8. JAN 2

    S1:E10 - "And Now Controlla Is Playing? And The Hips Are Moving?!" - Controlla by Drake

    What does the perfect song sound like? In this episode of One Song One Story, I sit down with Ivan Costa, a man whose life soundtrack spans gospel, grime, kizomba, dancehall and R&B. And then he brings the song. Drake’s Controlla. What follows is not a breakdown of production or lyrics, but a memory unlocked in real time. Summer 2016. A house party about to be shut down by the police. One last song. The room erupts. From childhood influences shaped by Portuguese and African heritage, to discovering music through playground freestyles, gospel for the soul, and Drake as a time machine, this conversation is about how certain songs don’t just play in the background… They hold chapters of our lives. Ivan shares how music keeps him grounded, how nostalgia creeps in when you least expect it, and why some songs feel like a photograph you can listen to. This one is about love, youth, chaos, rhythm, faith, and the kind of track that changes a night forever. 00:00 Introduction to Ivan Costa02:54 The Power of Music in Daily Life05:36 Musical Influences and Early Experiences08:24 The Evolution of Music Tastes10:45 Cultural Background and Musical Heritage13:29 The Impact of Music on Emotions16:12 Music's Role in Family Life18:55 The Connection Between Music and Film21:37 Choosing a Song: Drake's 'Controlla'25:29 The Journey of Love and Music29:42 The Impact of Drake's 'Controller' on Memories33:27 The Energy and Vibe of Dancehall and R&B37:16 Nostalgia and Its Role in Music41:37 Lyrics vs. Melody: How We Digest Music46:28 Imagining 'Controller' in Film51:55 The Influence of Covers and Remixes53:49 Riverside Intro : Outro.mp4

    54 min
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About

One Song, One Story is where music meets memory. Each guest brings one song that changed their life, and with host Shubeeh Imam, unpacks the story it holds — the love, loss, hope, and healing behind every note. It’s a celebration of how songs shape our lives and connect us to something deeper. If you love soulful stories, honest emotion, and the beauty of music that truly moves you, you’ll love this show.

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