North and South Podcasts

Today, in association with Hope Street, I talk about Equanimity – the ability to stay calm in difficult situations. I look at the spiritual dimension of the word and look at how we can incorporate more equanimity into our lives.  -New theatre in Prescot - Shakespearenorthplayhouse.co.uk -Check out the play Dog/Actor by Steven Berkoff – 2022 Tour details online Check out my YouTube Channel - https:...

Warning – this podcast refers to trauma, suicide and drug taking. Today, in association with Hope Street, I speak to Tony Buck, a successful volunteer, property developer and head of pastoral at a school. We talk about his problems with criminality and drugs at a young age, and how he turned it around. Tony tells us about how he got into the criminal world, his experiences at rehab, and how he has...

Warning – this podcast refers to trauma, violence, suicide and drug taking. Today, in association with Hope Street, I speak to Ste, a Hope Street volunteer, about how traumatic experiences have impacted on his life and how he has managed to turn his life around. Ste talks about adverse childhood experiences, the impact of drugs and violence, and his ongoing battle with his mental health. He also s...

Today, in association with Hope Street, I speak to Yoana, a yoga teacher who specialises in Kundalini Yoga. We look at the physical benefits of yoga, as well as the positive impact on mental wellbeing. We also look at the spiritual and philosophical side to yoga, non-duality, the importance of music, and how flow states and positive energy can be part and parcel of yogic and daily practice. Check...

Today I talk about Podcasting and how it has become a key part of my life, leading to the creation of North and South Podcasts. I also go off on a tangent on Politics, Covid and a few other things.   Check out these excellent podcasts… Adam Buxton Podcast Mersey Talk Podcast The Doorstep Mile Blindboy Podcast   Please support the Podcast at https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts?ref=onboarding_email...

Today I speak to Wilson and Chris Lewis from the excellent Merseyside Expanding Horizons about the Big Onion – an exciting retail space, community centre and employability hub in Bootle Strand Shopping Centre in my hometown of Bootle, Merseyside. The Big Onion helps independent business owners get up and running in the heart of the local community, and so much more. It was an honour to do this pod...

Warning – this podcast refers to trauma and sexual abuse and has drug taking references. Today, in association with Hope Street, I speak to Chris, a Hope Street volunteer and creative, about how traumatic experiences have impacted on his life and how he has managed to navigate these for the better.  Chris talks about a lot of very sad and traumatic experiences, but is a positive influence on all a...

Warning – this podcast refers to trauma and has drug taking references.  Today, in association with Hope Street, I speak to Kevin Morris, an Angelic Reiki Master Teacher and Life Coach, about his journey from Jack the Lad to a Spiritual Healer. Kevin tells us of his extraordinary story, and how positive energy can transform our lives.  Check out the website https://www.codesofconsciousness.co.uk/...

Today I speak to Steve Reid about Community Building Capacity, a Community Interest Company (CIC) based in the North-West of England. Steve is a former teacher who has made big changes in his life to follow his dreams and be part of community and charity work with vulnerable people in society. Steve tells us about he made the transition and the importance of his work.  Check out the website and Fa...

Please support the Podcast at https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts?ref=onboarding_email_share2   Today I speak about links with the excellent charity Hope Street and my hopes for the future. I also give my spin on the Ukraine Crisis. Solidarity all.   Check out the Hope Street website - https://hopest.org.uk/   @wearehopestreet on Facebook @letstalkhopest on Instagram and Twitter Be excellent to e...

Please support the Podcast at https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts?ref=onboarding_email_share2   Today I speak to my Father’s brother, Uncle Frank about the family history, the history of Liverpool, and family links with Ireland. We also consider the importance of horse transportation in the history of Liverpool. Towards the end we hear of the tragic loss of Frank and Collette’s only child, my cou...

Please support the Podcast at https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts?ref=onboarding_email_share2 This podcast is produced in association with Hope Street, a fantastic wellbeing charity based in Ormskirk in the North West of England. Check out the Hope Street website - https://hopest.org.uk/   @wearehopestreet on Facebook @letstalkhopest on Instagram and Twitter Today I look at how journals can help...

Please support the Podcast at https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts?ref=onboarding_email_share2   Today I speak to Christopher Snellgrove, an old friend, and published children's author, about his excellent new book, ‘The White Bobbadus.' We chat about how the book came to be released, creativity and its expression, and the artistic process. You can buy 'The White Bobbadus' from this link on amazon...

Please support the Podcast at https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts?ref=onboarding_email_share2   Today I speak about the corruption of the modern British state.  Today I read the excellent article by Abbey Innes called State Capture from the London Review of Books. Please see the link below. Please support the LRB. https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v43/n24/abby-innes/short-cuts  

Please support the Podcast at https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts?ref=onboarding_email_share2   Today I speak to the gentleman who inspired me to do North and South Podcasts. Paul and I speak about podcasting, journalism, and making music. Check out Paul's excellent Mersey Talk Podcast on Spotify.  https://open.spotify.com/show/4denbCnavif1U6l1GStx8d    Check out grass roots football on Merseysid...

Please support the Podcast at https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts?ref=onboarding_email_share2   Check out the Hope Street website - https://hopest.org.uk/   @wearehopestreet on Facebook @letstalkhopest on Instagram and Twitter   Today I speak to Dave about giving up alcohol and starting a new and better life. Dave tells us of his how he examined his own mind to acknowledge the issue with alcohol,...

Please support the Podcast at https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts?ref=onboarding_email_share2   Today I speak to Liverpool based playwright and writer David Moorhead about his excellent new play ‘Forgotten Voices’ which is the true story of his grandmother and her life as a Trade Unionist in apartheid South Africa who eventually settled in the UK. David talks about the play and on his approach to...

Today I speak to Diane Jennings, of Solution Focused Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy about how targeted solution based therapy and relaxation can be used to help people with a range of different issues relating to wellbeing. Please see Diane’s excellent website - https://www.dianejennings.life/   Here is the website for the Liverpool branch of the CPHT - https://cphtliverpool.co.uk/ for further inf...

Today Tim speaks to Sheila Byrne, the founder of Hope Street, a community organisation in the Ormskirk area of West Lancashire in the North-West of England. Sheila tells us of her own journey with mental health illness and how it encouraged her to set up a group for people to access in the local community. You might find some reference to mental health issues upsetting. Check out the Hope Street w...

Today I speak to 'Charlie' about being a prison officer, what life was like inside for prisoners and staff, the impact of austerity, and why he left after only three years. Notes - costs-prison-place-costs-prisoner-2019-2020-summary.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk) Cost per prisoner above 40,000 according to 2019/20 figures. I could not find any information about Governors being paid extra based on...

Apologies for the sound of my neighbour's Strictly Come Dancing throughout! This podcast discusses how we can form habits around exercise for better physical and mental health. There is also a message of goodwill this Christmas.  Check me out on twitter @northpodcasts  Here is the twitter link -  North and South Podcasts (@NorthPodcasts) / Twitter   Also, check out Mersey Talk Podcast on Spotify....

Tim introduces the philosophy and set up of North and South Podcasts. As part of our Health and Wellbeing theme we also look at self-knowledge and change and why they are important. Notes - What do you with to achieve in fields of career, relationships, recreation and contribution to others? Write a list of first steps and do them over the next week. Set time aside - even if it is only ten minutes...

Tim speaks to his Mum about growing up in post-war Bootle, Merseyside (U.K.) from a young woman's perspective. What was the role of class and gender in shaping people? How did new ideas and experiences shape Noreen's life? 

Tim speaks to his Dad to record some important oral history about Bootle, Merseyside in the years after the war. What was life and work like growing up in a deprived part of the U.K.? What lessons did he learn? To what extent might life have improved? 

Tim James introduces North and South Podcasts. We are here to help and inspire.