I Want to Talk About You

Tim Russell

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Arts

Join me, Tim Russell, as I have interesting conversations with interesting people - artists, musicians, writers, photographers, and more. We'll be talking about their work, their lives, their philosophy, their successes and failures, and their regrets, and also taking a few unexpected diversions. I'm always on the lookout for interesting guests as well as advertisers and sponsors, so if you're interested in collaborating, please get in touch!

May 6

Episode 9: Life After Alcoholism with Robert Rickelman

In the 9th and final episode of I Want to Talk About You, Tim Russell talks to writer Robert Rickelman about his new memoir, Jumping to the End, which is out now. Robert spent most of his life drinking, living in flophouses, and going in and out of rehab centres and psychiatric wards. His memoir pulls absolutely no punches, and the conversation is similarly frank and open as Robert talks about growing up in Chicago, going to law school, his early drinking experiences, and how his drinking got out of control. It’s a gripping tale of job-hopping, sleazy flophouses, rehab centres, psych wards, and colourful characters, and Robert is as frank and open in conversation as he is on the page. Big thanks to Robert for being such an amazing guest and helping IWTTAY go out on a high note, and thanks to all of you who’ve listened over the last few months. Your support is greatly appreciated. LINKS Robert's website - https://robertrickelman.com/ Buy Jumping to the End: https://www.amazon.com/Jumping-End-Lifetime-Struggle-Alcoholism/dp/1627206604 https://www.waterstones.com/book/jumping-to-the-end/robert-rickelman/9781627206594 https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/jumping-to-the-end-robert-rickelman/1148957289

1h 24m
Apr 21

Episode 8: The Story of Great Lost Manchester Band Joanna

In episode 8 of I Want to Talk About You, host Tim Russell welcomes Tyler Holt, guitarist with late 80s Manchester band Joanna , to tell the amazing story of their 2025 album release Hello Flower. Originally recorded as a set of demos in 1990, the band split soon after and the tapes were lost, only to resurface some 35 years later. After a bit of restoration work, the tapes were remastered and the album was released to rave reviews in late 2025. Tyler talks about the band’s origins in late 80s Lancashire, their early influences, and their electric live shows, and how despite a huge buzz around them from the music industry and press, things never quite clicked and they ended up splitting in 1991. Tyler also discusses the rediscovery of their demo tapes and how they came to be released as an album, and about their future plans which include a show in LA in May and a small UK tour in September. It’s a great story of could-have-beens and second chances, told with Tyler’s deadpan humour and passion for his music. Big thanks to Tyler for joining me to tell this fantastic story! If you enjoyed this episode, please check out previous episodes and like, share, rate and subscribe to help IWTTAY get as much exposure as possible. For collaborations, sponsorship or advertising, contact me on iwttay.podcast@gmail.com. Next episode, featuring US writer Robert Rickelman talking about his alcoholism and mental illness memoir Jumping to the End, is out in two weeks’ time. LINKS Joanna album Hello Flower on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/album/5nsnqKjgeBQNE5n4pca77w Joanna remixes on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/album/4O2bWtLdMSdpzEvBkqeak5 Joanna on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/joanna_band1990

54 min
Apr 8

Episode 7: The Adorable Robert Dillam

In episode 7 of I Want to Talk About You, host Tim Russell welcomes an old friend, musician Robert Dillam. Robert - known to his friends as Bob - was guitarist in early 90s Creation Records act Adorable, and is now drummer with Scots folk-rockers The Zephyrs . After reminiscing about their school years, the two discuss Bob’s life in music, particularly the Adorable years and what it was like being in a hotly-tipped (ooer) band on the world’s coolest record label, and their struggles with that label, the press, and each other. Bob also talks about his second life in The Zephyrs, and how it’s different making music in your 50s from when you’re in your 20s. It’s a funny, frank, and occasionally chaotic conversation, and all the better for it - the perfect example of what IWTTAY is all about. Big thanks to Bob for taking part in the podcast and for being such an honest, open, and engaging guest! As usual, if you enjoyed this podcast, check out my previous episodes and please like, share, rate, and subscribe. If you want to collaborate, either as a guest, host, advertiser, or sponsor, get in touch via iwttay.podcast@gmail.com. And look out for episode 8 coming up on 22 April, when I’ll be talking to Tyrone Holt from great lost Manchester band Joanna. LINKS Adorable on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/6xKL0fuDG1P7nivQtPY2fv Adorable on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/adorablecreationrecords The Zephyrs on Bandcamp - https://thezephyrsuk.bandcamp.com/ The Zephyrs on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Udc8hvR7KHrO9AoblN2IV The Zephyrs on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thezephyrs

1h 31m
Mar 25

Episode 6: Rescuing Thailand's Street Dogs with Kirsty Smith

In this episode, Tim Russell talks to Kirsty Smith, founder of one of Thailand’s best known animal rescue nonprofits, The Adoptable Puppy Cafe. Based in Hua Hin, Kirsty has been in Thailand since 2015 and cofounded the organisation some six years ago with her friend and fellow dog-lover Iza, and they’ve gone on to find homes for over 800 abandoned dogs. Kirsty talks about her beginnings in animal rescue, saving a litter of baby rats from imminent death, and how her career in housing led to her getting involved in rescuing stray dogs and cats. We also talk about the stray dog situation here in Thailand, and how one of the Puppy Cafe’s adoptees is about to become a big film star in the upcoming Thai movie Gohan. Big thanks to Kirsty for taking the time to talk to me and I hope you enjoy our conversation - if so, please like, share, subscribe and rate this podcast to help IWTTAY and the Adoptable Puppy Cafe get more exposure. And if you’d like to collaborate, email me on iwttay.podcast@gmail.com. I’m always open to guest pitches or suggestions, sponsorship, advertising, and other partnership ideas. Thank you for listening to this episode, and look out for episode 7 when I’ll be talking to Robert Dillam, guitarist with early 90s indie sensations Adorable and now drummer with Scots folk-rockers The Zephyrs. LINKS The Adoptable Puppy Cafe - https://adoptablepuppycafe.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/18MGg7JLRL/?mibextid=wwXIfr Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theadoptablepuppycafe?igsh=MWY2cGo3cXNmdW9rMA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr Gohan movie trailer - https://youtu.be/DmUlRxfGg7s?si=mhmEFe4jHYGPUpXg

1h 9m
Mar 10

Episode 5: Adult ADHD with Michael Ruffin

In episode 5 of I Want to Talk About You, Tim Russell talks to Michael Ruffin about issues related to adult ADHD. Both men were diagnosed with the condition later in life - Tim at 55, Michael at 35. Michael has since gone on to found a nonprofit organisation called Dueling Minds, which provides help and resources for people with ADHD and autism, while in 2025 Tim published a book about his experience of getting diagnosed with ADHD, So That’s What It Was. In this podcast, the two talk very frankly and honestly about their experiences, about their struggles growing up and with education, employment, and relationships. They also share what they have learned since being diagnosed and talk about how ADHD has affected their lives both for better and for worse. This episode is an essential listen for adults who are thinking of getting diagnosed or have been already and don’t know what to do next, and is also a very interesting listen for non-ADHDers who want to understand more about the condition and learn about how they can support friends and relatives who do have ADHD. Big thanks to Michael for taking part, and to you for listening - please make sure to like, share, rate and subscribe to stay informed about future episodes. For collaborations, please email Tim on iwttay.podcast@gmail.com LINKS Tim’s book So That’s What It Was - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FGVZNJV7 Dueling Minds - https://www.duelingminds.org/ Michael’s Twitch channel - https://www.twitch.tv/adhdruids Michael’s neurodivergency Discord community - https://discord.gg/fyCfnpe864 Michael’s other career as a voice actor - https://druidsvoices.com/

1h 27m
Feb 24

Episode 4: Riding the Rails with Travel Writer Matthew Woodward

On episode 4 of I Want to Talk About You, Tim Russell is joined by travel writer Matthew Woodward. Matthew left his career in the beer industry (WHY?!) in 2011 and began a life of travelling the world by train, and writing books about his journeys. He’s since written five books about his travels in Asia, Europe, and the US, and is currently planning his sixth. In the podcast, Matthew talks about how his love of trains began at a very early age and how, following over 20 years marketing various beers, he was finally able to indulge his passion by becoming a full-time travel writer and rail traveller. He has some great stories from his travels including vomiting over his fellow passengers in Vietnam, nearly being decapitated in an engine shed in Bangkok, and doing a bit of DIY on a train window in China. Big thanks to Matthew for taking part in this episode and to all of you for listening. Please like, share, and rate this episode, and subscribe for future shows. LINKS Matthew’s website - https://www.matthew-woodward.com/ Matthew’s books on Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Matthew-Woodward/author/B072HWHS8B

1h 9m
Feb 12

Episode 3: Martin Bowes of Darkwave Legends Attrition

In this episode, Tim Russell talks to his fellow Coventrian Martin Bowes of darkwave pioneers Attrition, who have been making dark electronic/industrial music since the early 80s. Martin talks about the band’s origins in Coventry’s late 70s punk and fanzine scene, and how they were inspired by the likes of Cabaret Voltaire and Throbbing Gristle and eventually carved out their own unique sound. He also discusses the band’s eclecticism and his refusal to make the same record twice, as well as their enthusiasm for playing gigs in unlikely destinations such as Delhi and Bangkok. Martin also talks about his other projects including new band Klandestine, and his day job remastering albums in his studio The Cage. He also explains why the 2020s are actually a pretty good time to be a musician, and denies being a goth despite once buying Victorian poison bottles on eBay. Thanks so much Martin for taking part in IWTTAY, and if you’ve enjoyed the episode - or even if you haven’t - please like, share, subscribe and do anything else you can to spread the word about this relatively new podcast. And keep an eye out for episode 4 coming up on 26 February, when I’ll be talking to travel writer and rail enthusiast Matthew Woodward. LINKS Attrition on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/5yAtVvdaWrTxW4GPC18643?si=LiA4VnQoR0-K_0bLHnoO-Q Klaendestine’s We Shall Share EP - https://open.spotify.com/album/6xJA1IicsaJhhPw6k2xTpK

1h 8m
Jan 29

Episode 2: Whipping Boy Guitarist Paul Page

In this episode, Tim Russell chats to Paul Page, guitarist with 90s Irish indie legends Whipping Boy, whose 1995 Heartworm has become a cult classic and is regularly voted as one of the best albums ever to come out of Ireland. Paul talks about the band's often chaotic early days, how they wrote and recorded their masterpiece, and how the album's lack of commercial success ultimately led to their downfall, despite having a very strong third album in the can. He also talks very honestly about his struggles following the band's breakup and how he didn't pick up a guitar for over 20 years after the split. There are also some great anecdotes about touring with Lou Reed, hanging out in Bono's bathroom, and upsetting Irish TV legend Gay Byrne. Huge thanks to Paul for taking part in the podcast! Please make sure to like, share, rate, subscribe and do anything else you see fit to help IWTTAY get a bigger audience, and watch this space for Ep3 featuring Martin Bowes of UK darkwave pioneers Attrition. Thanks for listening, and check the links below to explore Paul's work. LINKS Whipping Boy on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/3oadMDBL4Wv7F5lkVwRWy2 Whipping Boy on The Late Late Show - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpqN83jQ4dc Polaroid Ghost - Belgica 1898 (Paul's new solo album) - https://open.spotify.com/album/1ZYorolG79RC5MSBtVQpPE The Sentimental Tourists - https://thesentimentaltourists.bandcamp.com/

1h 18m
Jan 16

Episode 1: Photojournalism with Chris Stowers

In the first episode of I Want To Talk About You, host Tim Russell chats with Asia-based photojournalist Chris Stowers. The discussion covers Chris's early experiences as a documentary photographer, his time in Asia, and his new book "Shoot, Ask...and Run". The conversation also features Chris's experiences working in various countries, his transition into photography, and the ethical considerations of photojournalism. It also delves into his adventures during his journey home from Asia, including his experiences in Romania and the collapsing Soviet Union. They also discuss the challenges of documentary photography in the digital age, and the impact of AI on the industry. Chris shares insights and advice for aspiring photographers, emphasizing the importance of passion and perseverance in pursuing a career in photography. Chris's website Buy Chris's book on Amazon Takeaways Documentary PhotographyLife in AsiaTaiwan's Political SituationNFTs and Photography Transition from working in various jobs to becoming a photographerEthical considerations in photojournalismAdventures during the journey home from Asia Passion and perseverance are essential for a successful career in photography.The impact of AI on photography and the challenges of documentary photography in the digital age. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Chris Stowers10:23 NFTs and Photography24:37 Transition to Photography32:11 Early Years of Traveling and Photography40:02 Challenges and Ethical Considerations in Photojournalism48:08 Experiences During the Journey Home from Asia58:07 The Journey Home and the Yugoslav Civil War

1h 30m

9 Episodes

Join me, Tim Russell, as I have interesting conversations with interesting people - artists, musicians, writers, photographers, and more. We'll be talking about their work, their lives, their philosophy, their successes and failures, and their regrets, and also taking a few unexpected diversions. I'm always on the lookout for interesting guests as well as advertisers and sponsors, so if you're interested in collaborating, please get in touch!

Creator

Tim Russell
Years Active

2K
Episodes

9
Rating

Explicit
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© 2026 Tim Russell
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I Want to Talk About You