Hello You - the Shropshire podcast with Jim Hawkins

Jim Hawkins

I’m trying to give you something a little different. Hello You is about stuff, and things. People, and stories. Shrewsbury, and Shropshire. Mental health and well-being. History and heritage. Arts, culture and music. Faith, belief and the complexities of life. I’m a good listener. It’s what I do. And for Hello You, I’m listening to (and talking with) fascinating people, mostly but not always from Shropshire, so that you can hear what they have to say. It's public-service local journalism that cares about people. Audio that brings you the voices of people you might not hear from otherwise. Interviews conducted with compassion and empathy. Thoughtful, positive, good-humoured conversations, informed local storytelling, and commentary that’s not afraid to get righteously angry on occasion. jimallthetime.substack.com

  1. Hello You 152: Kyle's Home, everyone's hope

    FEB 1

    Hello You 152: Kyle's Home, everyone's hope

    ‘If you can make a difference for one person, it’s worth it’ Candlemas greetings, Imbolc blessings, and for me: Happy New Year, again! After a fairly s**t January, I’m starting 2026 again today. And it’s going quite well so far! I took myself to Attingham Park today to see the snowdrops in the rain. It’s the kind of thing I’ve promised myself I’ll do more of this year. And I’ve got this episode of Hello You the Shropshire podcast out, which is more than I managed to achieve for the last couple of months. Plus I’ve spent the weekend taming my email inbox (also neglected for weeks) so if you’re awaiting a reply from me then you should receive one in the coming week. See also: people I need to respond to on LinkedIn, Facebook, Bluesky, Instagram, Signal … If you’re socially sociable on social media and you’d like to connect with me, there are links to my various socials at the bottom of this email. Or just send me a message? ‘He was amazing, flamboyant; he was loved wherever he went … he had the heart of God’ Many interviews on Hello You the Shropshire podcast are recorded at Palmer’s coffee shop in the centre of Shrewsbury. Jude James used to manage Central, the building on Claremont Street where Palmer’s is based. Jude’s latest project is named after a much-loved and very recognisable former Palmer’s regular. In this episode of Hello You the Shropshire podcast, she tells me about Kyle’s Home. It’s being supported by Green Pastures, who believe a future without homelessness is possible. Listening and connection Would you like to listen better? You might imagine my forty-plus years on the radio were spent talking for a living. Close, but not quite. I was mostly listening. Listening to guests, interviewees, people in the street … and I became rather good at it. I’m still listening; it’s what makes Hello You the Shropshire podcast work. And I’m also sharing my knowledge with you. I can talk to your group, organisation or business about how to listen more effectively. I have a twenty-minute talk about listening and some of my other recent experiences, which is followed by an open Q&A. I gave my talk to the Rotary Club of Shrewsbury Severn last week, and it proved to be a fascinating evening all round, largely because of perceptive questioning by David, Johnathan, Katie, Aidan and otherwise. They drew a link between listening and connection; what makes us connect with one another. I’ve been thinking about that ever since, and it’ll be a topic of a future episode of Hello You the Shropshire podcast. If you have a story about a special connection, or making a connection, that you’d be willing to share with me, please get in touch? Intelligent, informed, curious and progressive That’s you, right? Thought so. And it’s your friends, family and colleagues as well, isn’t it? Why not do them a favour and share this episode of Hello You the Shropshire podcast with them? If you enjoy it, then they will too, and they’ll be glad you tipped them off! Become a member of the Hello You family It’s good to have you with us. I’m glad you’re here. Why not pull up a chair to the virtual Hello You kitchen table, and join the family? Subscribe at jimallthetime.substack.com Take care of yourself? Take care of the people around you? It’s really important at times like these … And I hope the people around you are taking care of you, too. Hello You - the Shropshire podcast from Jim Hawkins is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimallthetime.substack.com/subscribe

    36 min
  2. Hello You 151: What gives you hope?

    JAN 25

    Hello You 151: What gives you hope?

    In this episode of Hello You the Shropshire podcast: What - or who - gives you hope? I explain why I’m asking and unpack my answers in the audio, but I really want to know what gives you hope. Tell me in the comments or by sending me a message, and I’ll share your response in the next episode, anonymously if you prefer: Shropshire Welcomes! There's more positivity in Shropshire than there is negativity. The welcome is warmer than any hostility is cold. If you want to tell the world that Shropshire Welcomes, then please join this Facebook group? Invite all your friends, wherever they may be? ‘Nostalgia is not a strategy’ Can Mark Carney please just run everything? If you’ve not yet read or seen the speech given at the World Economic Forum in Davos by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, then can I suggest you find a quarter of an hour to do so? ‘The powerful have their power. But we have something too — the capacity to stop pretending, to name reality, to build our strength at home, and to act together’ You can watch the speech here (merci à Agence France Presse). If you’d rather read what Mark Carney had to say, then Robert Reich has posted a full transcript here in his excellent Substack which is well worth signing up to. On the subject of which: I’m glad you’re part of the Hello You family. Could you please ‘Like’ the hell out of this? And subscribe (free! or not! choice is yours) so you never miss an episode in the future? Hello You the Shropshire podcast is informed, intelligent, positive conversation, for and about Shropshire and the wider world. If that sounds like your bag, then you probably know other people who’d dig it, too. Share it with them? There’s a love … Please take care of yourself? You’re precious and important. Remember that? Treat yourself with the kindness and care you deserve. Please take care of the people around you. This can come at a cost, as Alex Pretti found out in such a horrible, brutal fashion a couple of days ago. And I really hope that the people around you are taking care of you, too. Until next time … Your friend jh Hello You - the Shropshire podcast from Jim Hawkins is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimallthetime.substack.com/subscribe

    28 min
  3. At last! The Long-Awaited, Somewhat Overdue, Almost-Mythical Hello You Episode 150

    12/29/2025

    At last! The Long-Awaited, Somewhat Overdue, Almost-Mythical Hello You Episode 150

    Celebrating 150 episodes with a new look, a half-price offer, and some questions … How was your Christmas? Mine was lovely, the best for years. And New Year is a few days away, which means we’re stuck in this weird limbo period between the two; the Humber Bridge of the calendar. The perfect time to serve you a brand-new celebration slice of Hello You the Shropshire podcast! Take out a paid subscription to Hello You for HALF PRICE! Details below … New graphics for Hello You the Shropshire podcast Huge thanks to Shrewsbury-based illustrator Saffron Russell for creating wonderful new images. I wanted something that looked the way Hello You feels, and I think Saffron nailed it. Understood the assignment, as they say. I hope you like it as much as I do! Let me know in the comments? Tell me where to stick it Thanks also to Amanda and Paul at Battlefield Printing Group for my new posters, flyers and business cards. If you know somewhere I could display a poster or a pile of flyers - a noticeboard, a community or arts venue, a shop window, anywhere - send me a message by hitting the button: Half-price Hello You subscription offer! To celebrate my one hundred and fiftieth episode, I’m giving you the chance to take out a paid subscription to Hello You the Shropshire podcast for half price! It’s a deal so good, you could buy a gift subscription for that person you forgot at Christmas … Claim your 50% discount by signing up before January 31st! 150 episodes, 150 new members of the Hello You family? I’d love to celebrate my one hundred and fifty episodes with one hundred and fifty new subscribers, paid or otherwise. So please tell your friends? If you appreciate informed, intelligent, progressive, sometimes quirky conversation for and about Shropshire and the rest of the world, you probably now at least one other person who’ll enjoy it too. Share Hello You by hitting the green button, or just mention it to them the next time you see them? Thank you for being there Please take care of yourself. Take care of the people around you. And I very much hope the people around you are taking care of you, too. Happy New Year! Hello You - the Shropshire podcast from Jim Hawkins is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimallthetime.substack.com/subscribe

    20 min

  4. 12/16/2025

    Hello You 149a: the video version!

    Thank you! Thank you so, so much … I need to show you these figures because I’m very excited and hugely grateful to you for making this happen. Here’s how Hello You the Shropshire podcast is performing on Spotify: Thank you so much for your support, for your interest and for your attention. I’m thrilled that you’re a member of the Hello You family, and that the family is growing. Why not subscribe to make sure you never miss an episode in the future? And share Hello You the Shropshire podcast with your friends? We’re all just trying to get to Christmas, right? Or: Return to the Valley of Where’s Episode 150? There’s so much going on right now for all of us, you don’t need me to tell you about it. And on top of that, each of us has our own s**t to deal with ... And everyone’s inbox is rammed with people trying to tell us something, sell us something, donate to something ... Same’s true for me. So much going on. And it seems to me that if we can ease each other’s burden in these dark times, we should. If we can ease our own, even better. So I’m being realistic. I know I promised you that Hello You 150 would be a kind-of reset, with a new look, new graphics and artwork by a wonderful Shropshire illustrator (I’m so excited to share that with you!) and, for new members of the Hello You family, some backstory and explanation. And there’ll be a discount offer on paid subscriptions, too! I also told you that I have a stash of really interesting interviews to share with you. That’s true. Everything from rock-star memoirs to new arrivals in Shropshire creating art about their experiences to a story of what happens when your whole life changes in a fraction of a second. But who’s got time for anything like that right now? We’re all ridiculously busy, preoccupied, stressed and anxious. (It’s not just me, is it?) Who’s got time to listen to anything, let alone edit or produce anything? Hence, here’s the plan: Hello You Episode 150 will be with you between Christmas and New Year. In the meantime, I hope you have the best festive season you can, in whatever your circumstances might happen to be. Whatever this time of year looks and feels like for you, please take care of yourself. Take care of the people around you. And I hope the people around you, wherever and whomsoever they may be, are taking care of you, too. Hello You - the Shropshire podcast from Jim Hawkins is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimallthetime.substack.com/subscribe

    9 min

  5. 12/15/2025

    Hello You 149a: Rapt by Wrapped!

    Thank you! Thank you so, so much … I need to show you these figures because I’m very excited and hugely grateful to you for making this happen. Here’s how Hello You the Shropshire podcast is performing on Spotify: Wow. Just over two years ago, I started this podcast by mistake. And now look! Thank you so much for your support, for your interest and for your attention. I’m thrilled that you’re a member of the Hello You family, and that the family is growing. If you’ve not yet done so, you can follow Hello You the Shropshire podcast on Spotify, or (even better) subscribe right here on Substack: And be a good friend to someone? Share Hello You the Shropshire podcast with them: We’re all just trying to get to Christmas, right? Or: Return to the Valley of Where’s Episode 150? There’s so much going on right now for all of us, you don’t need me to tell you about it. And on top of that, each of us has our own s**t to deal with ... And everyone’s inbox is rammed with people trying to tell us something, sell us something, donate to something ... Same’s true for me. So much going on. And it seems to me that if we can ease each other’s burden in these dark times, we should. If we can ease our own, even better. So I’m being realistic. I know I promised you that Hello You 150 would be a kind-of reset, with a new look, new graphics and artwork by a wonderful Shropshire illustrator (I’m so excited to share that with you!) and, for new members of the Hello You family, some backstory and explanation. I also told you that I have a stash of really interesting interviews to share with you. That’s true. Everything from rock-star memoirs to new arrivals in Shropshire creating art about their experiences to a story of what happens when your whole life changes in a fraction of a second. But who’s got time for anything like that right now? We’re all ridiculously busy, preoccupied, stressed and anxious. (It’s not just me, is it?) Who’s got time to listen to anything, let alone edit or produce anything? Hence, here’s the plan: the fabled Hello You Episode 150 will be with you between Christmas and New Year. You know, in the perineum of the year, when you’re most in need of distraction and diversion. I’m giving you something to look forward to the other side of Christmas! Merry Christmas! I hope you have the best festive season you can, in whatever your circumstances might happen to be. Whatever this time of year looks and feels like for you, please take care of yourself. Take care of the people around you. And I hope the people around you, wherever and whomsoever they may be, are taking care of you, too. Hello You - the Shropshire podcast from Jim Hawkins is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimallthetime.substack.com/subscribe

    9 min

  6. 11/19/2025

    Hello You 149: Julia Buckley MP answers your questions and mine

    Shrewsbury’s Labour MP answers questions from listeners to Hello You the Shropshire podcast Back in July, around the time of her first anniversary as an MP, I interviewed Dr Julia Buckley for Hello You about how her first twelve months had been. I felt it went well, so I was happy to agree when Julia’s team suggested we record another conversation. And for this one, I asked beforehand on social media: What questions do you want answers to? (If you want to follow me on socials, by the way, there are links to all of them at the bottom of this email.) In this episode of Hello You the Shropshire podcast, Julia Buckley discusses: * flooding, and floods prevention - ‘We need to stop reacting to floods as if they’re a surprise’ * local transport issues - public transport, including the Shrewsbury Night Bus trial that start on Monday November 24th, and the notorious floating bus stop outside the railway station! * when will the people involved in the PPE scandal be brought to account? * digital ID - Julia wanted to hear her constituents’ views, so what did they say? * the environment - does the Planning and Infrastructure Bill provide enough protection for nature? and what about the pearl mussels in the River Clun, for example? * improvement work at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital - ‘You won’t believe your eyes’ * farming and rural issues, including water quality and a possible compromise on the matter of inheritance tax for family farms * military accommodation, and the shocking state of RAF Shawbury * could people missing out on the shingles vaccine be the new WASPI victims? * when will people affected by the infected-blood scandal finally receive compensation? * the best and worst thing about being an MP Share this episode of Hello You with just one simple click: Who else do you want to hear answering your questions and mine on Hello You the Shropshire podcast? Which local or regional decision-makers, influencers, big cheeses or interesting characters should I try to get on Hello You? And what would you ask them? Leave your answer, and share your thoughts on this episode, in the comments: Coming soon: Hello You 150! … but not until this awful cold’s cleared up so I don’t sound so dreadful … Hello You 150 will include a recap of the two years of Hello You so far; an explanation of how it all started, where it’s been and where I hope it’s going. I’ll tell you more about me, and explain what I’m trying to do with Hello You the Shropshire podcast. And I’ve got some things that I’d really like your thoughts on, but I’ll reveal them in the next episode. If you want to get in ahead of the game and let me know what you make of Hello You, send me a message: Hello You 150 will also see a fresh new look to these emails and the podcast page, which I’m very excited about. I hope you’ll like it as much as I already do! If you do, then there’ll be a chance for you to share the joy … Be a good friend If you enjoy what I do, you probably know someone else who’d enjoy it too. So, don’t keep it to yourself! Share Hello You with friends, family, colleagues, whomsoever: … or just talk about it at work, at home, in the pub, in the café, at your place of worship, at the footy, on the bus … Help make my dreams come true? Even just a little bit? With Hello You 150 on the horizon, I’d really love to get a whole bunch of new subscribers to enjoy the new-look podcast as well as the conversations. So, if you haven’t yet done so, why not join the Hello You family by subscribing? You can subscribe for free! Or, if you want to help me get closer to my dream of making great locally-rooted public-service audio full-time, you could take out a paid subscription. The choice is yours. Whichever you opt for, I’m hugely grateful. Thank you for being there Please, take care of yourself. Take care of the people around you. And I very much hope they’re taking care of you, too. Hello You - the Shropshire podcast from Jim Hawkins is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimallthetime.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 7m
  7. WTF is happening with the BBC?

    11/10/2025

    WTF is happening with the BBC?

    This morning I’m angry, sad and fearful for the future of this country and one of its great institutions. I’ve worked for the BBC for most of the last forty years. I’m bloody glad I don’t anymore, for a large number of reasons. The resignations last night of the Director-General and the head of BBC News should’ve come a long time ago, but not for the reason that forced them out. We’re seeing a concerted attack on public service media in the UK, in America and elsewhere around the world. There are dark clouds gathering, as the Public Media Alliance puts it. Please take a few minutes to watch this video, and share it with your friends? And if you want to support public service media in the smallest of ways, please subscribe to Hello You the Shropshire podcast: Hello You - the Shropshire podcast from Jim Hawkins is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimallthetime.substack.com/subscribe

    9 min

  8. 11/07/2025

    Hello You 148: Jonny Thaw loves his country

    ‘We could be so great, we could be great to people and do great things’ Displaying a national flag and saying that you love your country can be quite loaded gestures at the moment. But why? Shrewsbury artist Jonny Thaw tackles these issues head-on in his new show at the town’s Swan Hill Studios. And if you’d never normally go to an art show, he’s particularly keen to know what you think of it! So why not go this weekend? It’s free to enter, and it would make a change from traipsing around a retail park in the rain, wouldn’t it? I mean, where else are you going to see a St George’s Flag Amnesty Bin?! ‘I shouldn’t feel it’s a bad thing to want to display a flag, but I do’ Jonny Thaw: Loves His Country is on at Shrewsbury’s Swan Hill Studios until November 13th. You can hear all about it in this episode of Hello You the Shropshire podcast. Excited by this? Intrigued? Enraged? Join in the conversation in the comments: Thank you, Jonny! I’m grateful to Jonny Thaw for taking the time to share his art and his thoughts with Hello You the Shropshire podcast. If this episode makes you smile or makes you think, please share it with a friend, colleague or family member: And while we’re about it: You like listening to intelligent, informed, positive and progressive conversation. That’s why you’re a member of the Hello You family, isn’t it? I bet you know at least a handful of people who’d also really enjoy listening to Hello You the Shropshire podcast. Do them (and me, and yourself) a solid. Share Hello You with those people? And suggest that they, in turn, share it with other likeminded individuals, wherever in the world they may be? Start by hitting this button: Thank you, Miranda! Hello You 147 was about the lost art of noticing, and it was noticed by super-noticer, the marvellous Miranda Keeling, author of two delightful books about what she sees when she stops to notice things, and host of a brilliant short podcast called Stopping to Notice. She shared the episode with her social media followers and described it as ‘lovely’, which was very kind and generous of her. If you’re here because of Miranda, I’m very grateful to you and to her! Thank you, Emily Jayne! Something about Hello You 146: Home wasn’t built in a day has really connected with people. Emily Jayne’s story of life on the streets and how she came back from that has become the second most listened-to episode of Hello You the Shropshire podcast so far. Not only that, so many people have been deeply touched by Emily Jayne’s life and words. I’ve long since lost count of the number of people who’ve stopped me in the street, in shops and cafés and even in meetings to talk about the episode. If you’ve not heard it yet, take a listen to it this weekend? And share it with your friends? Thank you, Julia! Next weekend, I’m recording a conversation with Julia Buckley, the Labour MP for Shrewsbury. I’ll publish the interview as soon as I can after recording, but what do you want me to ask Dr Buckley? I’ve already had a lot of suggestions, but I’m still open for more. Leave your question in the comments, or send me a message: Thank you, you Thank you for being there. Putting together Hello You the Shropshire podcast isn’t easy, especially with a full-time job and lots of other things going on in my life too, so I’m very grateful that you choose to spend time with my work. Take care of yourself Take care of the people around you. And I really hope the people around you are taking care of you, too. Hello You - the Shropshire podcast from Jim Hawkins is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimallthetime.substack.com/subscribe

    27 min
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About

I’m trying to give you something a little different. Hello You is about stuff, and things. People, and stories. Shrewsbury, and Shropshire. Mental health and well-being. History and heritage. Arts, culture and music. Faith, belief and the complexities of life. I’m a good listener. It’s what I do. And for Hello You, I’m listening to (and talking with) fascinating people, mostly but not always from Shropshire, so that you can hear what they have to say. It's public-service local journalism that cares about people. Audio that brings you the voices of people you might not hear from otherwise. Interviews conducted with compassion and empathy. Thoughtful, positive, good-humoured conversations, informed local storytelling, and commentary that’s not afraid to get righteously angry on occasion. jimallthetime.substack.com

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