Send us Fan Mail

Writer, mentor, and creative writing teacher Gary Mepsted joins me for a conversation in his garden to talk about writing craft, storytelling, observation, and a life shaped by instinct rather than plan.

Expelled from school early on, Gary’s path into writing was anything but straightforward. Later gaining a Master’s in English, he has spent decades teaching others, though he avoids calling it a “career.” For Gary, life has been a series of unplanned turns, each one met with a willingness to respond rather than control.

We talk about writing beyond your own life, stepping into other worlds, and the influence of writers such as Graham Swift and Maggie O'Farrell, alongside a line he once heard on the radio that has stayed with him ever since:

“As a novelist, I see myself in a kind of ornithological role…I note down what they do, but I can in no way influence their behaviour.”

That idea, observing without interfering, runs quietly through everything Gary does.

We also talk about ego in the creative arts, the role of mentorship, and why he finds more satisfaction in helping others find their voice than chasing recognition himself.

And there are stories, including his Uncle George, a larger-than-life character moving between worlds: chauffeur, joke writer, psychic, and something of a prototype for a certain South London spirit. A man who, in Gary’s words, understood him more than anyone else.

This is a walk about patience, perspective, and the craft of paying attention.

Season Two of the story pilgrim walks with people, their philosophies, their turning points, and the quieter forces that shape them.

buen camino, and keep listening.

Send us Fan Mail

Award-winning football coach Jordan Stringer joins me for a walk around Upminster to talk about resilience, grassroots football, dyspraxia, and overcoming testicular cancer at a young age.

Jordan grew up in Upminster with a deep love for football. A game that didn’t come easily to him. Living with dyspraxia meant coordination was a constant challenge, but instead of stepping away, he found another way in. A teacher’s suggestion to help coach changed everything, setting him on a path that would shape his life.

We walk through the streets where it all began, talking about school, identity, and how setbacks can quietly redirect you towards something greater.

At 21, Jordan was diagnosed with testicular cancer — something he had been aware of since childhood. He speaks openly about that period, the mental battle alongside the physical one, and how he kept moving forward.

What runs through this conversation is football as community — not just a game, but a space where people find belonging, purpose, and connection.

This is a walk about resilience, perspective, and choosing to see something steady even when life throws everything off balance.

You can find more about Jordan here:
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-stringer-4aa94812a/

🔗 https://www.instagram.com/jordy200897/

🔗 https://www.gofundme.com/f/jordan-stringer-private-procedure

Season Two of the story pilgrim walks with people — their challenges, their turning points, and the paths they build from them.

buen camino, and keep listening.

Send a text

Actor, life coach, and creative entrepreneur Sascha Cooper joins me for a walk through the Seven Sisters Nature Reserve at Cuckmere Haven to talk about acting, intuition, personal growth, and the winding path of a creative life.

Raised in Devon and later studying in Plymouth before training at The Courtyard Theatre Training Company, London, Sascha has spent more than two decades building a creative life in Brighton — balancing performance, coaching, and spiritual exploration.

Along the walk, we talk about her acting journey, the moments that shaped her confidence, and the people who helped her along the way. Sascha reflects on the women who influenced her life, the value of mentorship, and the quiet strength that comes from community.

Sascha also shares her long relationship with fortune-telling — something that began as playful entertainment and gradually deepened into a deeper exploration of intuition, insight, and guidance.

The conversation moves candidly through identity and self-image, too. Sascha speaks openly about being a plus-size woman in the performing arts industry, how that has shaped her career, and the ways she has learned to own her presence rather than shrink it.

This is a walk about creative courage, intuition, and the many routes that lead us back to ourselves.

You can find Sascha’s work here:

🔗 https://www.saschacooper.co.uk/

🔗 https://www.facebook.com/sascha.cooper/

🔗 https://www.instagram.com/saschacooperentrepreneur/

Season Two of the story pilgrim walks with people — their histories, their work, and the paths that shaped who they are.

buen camino, and keep listening.