I Want to Talk About You

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/ [https://robertrickelman.com/] Buy Jumping to the End: https://www.amazon.com/Jumping-End-Lifetime-Struggle-Alcoholism/dp/1627206604 [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.waterstones.com/book/jumping-to-the-end/robert-rickelman/9781627206594] https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/jumping-to-the-end-robert-rickelman/1148957289 [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/jumping-to-the-end-robert-rickelman/1148957289]

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 [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 [https://open.spotify.com/album/5nsnqKjgeBQNE5n4pca77w] Joanna remixes on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/album/4O2bWtLdMSdpzEvBkqeak5 [https://open.spotify.com/album/4O2bWtLdMSdpzEvBkqeak5] Joanna on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/joanna_band1990 [https://www.instagram.com/joanna_band1990]

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 [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 [https://open.spotify.com/artist/6xKL0fuDG1P7nivQtPY2fv] Adorable on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/adorablecreationrecords [https://www.facebook.com/adorablecreationrecords]  The Zephyrs on Bandcamp - https://thezephyrsuk.bandcamp.com/ [https://thezephyrsuk.bandcamp.com/]  The Zephyrs on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Udc8hvR7KHrO9AoblN2IV [https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Udc8hvR7KHrO9AoblN2IV] The Zephyrs on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thezephyrs [https://www.facebook.com/thezephyrs]

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 [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 [https://adoptablepuppycafe.com] Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/18MGg7JLRL/?mibextid=wwXIfr [https://www.facebook.com/share/18MGg7JLRL/?mibextid=wwXIfr] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theadoptablepuppycafe?igsh=MWY2cGo3cXNmdW9rMA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr [https://www.instagram.com/theadoptablepuppycafe?igsh=MWY2cGo3cXNmdW9rMA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr] Gohan movie trailer - https://youtu.be/DmUlRxfGg7s?si=mhmEFe4jHYGPUpXg [https://youtu.be/DmUlRxfGg7s?si=mhmEFe4jHYGPUpXg]

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 [iwttay.podcast@gmail.com] LINKS Tim’s book So That’s What It Was - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FGVZNJV7 [https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FGVZNJV7] Dueling Minds - https://www.duelingminds.org/ [https://www.duelingminds.org/] Michael’s Twitch channel - https://www.twitch.tv/adhdruids [https://www.twitch.tv/adhdruids] Michael’s neurodivergency Discord community - https://discord.gg/fyCfnpe864 [https://discord.gg/fyCfnpe864] Michael’s other career as a voice actor - https://druidsvoices.com/ [https://druidsvoices.com/]