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

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/

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

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

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/

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 Photography
• Life in Asia
• Taiwan's Political Situation
• NFTs and Photography Transition from working in various jobs to becoming a photographer
• Ethical considerations in photojournalism
• Adventures 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 Stowers
• 10:23 NFTs and Photography
• 24:37 Transition to Photography
• 32:11 Early Years of Traveling and Photography
• 40:02 Challenges and Ethical Considerations in Photojournalism
• 48:08 Experiences During the Journey Home from Asia
• 58:07 The Journey Home and the Yugoslav Civil War