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