Gobsmacked (2025)

02/07/2025

Christine Smeaton made West Cumbria her home at 21. But it wasn’t until her late 60s — facing homelessness and uncertainty — that her most extraordinary chapter began. She wondered how she could end up at Calderwood House , but found it was the start of a new life with their support.

Now, in her late 70s, she’s a self-taught musician, playing multiple instruments, helping refugees, and serving as a trustee for Time To Change West Cumbria with Rachel Holliday. Her faith runs deep. Her presence is calm. And her story is a masterclass in courage, reinvention, and hope.
This is a story of starting over, standing tall, and shining brightly — no matter what age you are. Please take a listen here and get in touch with any feedback - we'd love to hear from you.
Listen here:
https://bit.ly/AssaMarraChristineSmeaton

02/07/2025

It was an absolute honour to sit down with Christine Smeaton, a woman whose quiet faith holds immense power. Her extraordinary personal story takes us from leaving her painful past behind and facing homelessness at 67, to finding refuge and kindness at Calderwood House - a place and people that helped her look forward and truly start again. Christine has since developed a profound faith and many wonderful strands to her life.

I am sure you'll be as captivated by Christine's gentle smile, bravery, humour, and powerful positivity. This episode is a reminder that it is NEVER too late to start again. Tune in for an extraordinary conversation and a large helping of hope, courage, and the pure gift that is Christine's story.

Listen here: https://bit.ly/AssaMarraChristineSmeaton

01/07/2025

Dianne Richardson is a force of nature. She has built a life of contribution with her husband, Gerard (there's another wonderful listen). She has navigated personal challenges with courage, and she does it all with a profound sense of positivity, purpose, heart and humour.

Today, we're shining a light on the incredible woman who champions West Cumbria, collaborates to empower businesses and to raise their collective voice through her role as CEO of Britain's Energy Coast Business Cluster.

Dianne may find it hard to read all these positives - it's a Cumbrian trait to stay humble! But there's no getting away from it, she is one exceptional woman. Get ready for a "great craic" with the one and only Dianne Richardson.

Listen here and let us know what you think: https://bit.ly/AssaMarraDianneRichardson

30/06/2025

I have two amazing guests on my Assa Marra podcast this week. Their stories are extraordinary and they are titans of the Weat Cumbrian community. You won’t want to miss them. More in the morning 🤩

27/06/2025

I was so delighted to chat with Andrew "Patto" Patterson on the Gobsmacked! Podcast a couple of weeks ago. The Second Innings is his story - how this former Ireland International cricketer, father, and friend to so many, was diagnosed with Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia, a rare neurological condition that gradually takes away your ability to walk.

He was told he’d need a wheelchair for life.

Instead, he raised £70,000, travelled to the US for pioneering surgery, and taught himself to walk again. Just months later, he completed a 5K.

This podcast is about what it really takes to come back. It’s about persistence, perspective, and the power of keeping going - one determined step at a time.

If you haven't heard it yet, it's really worth hearing Patto talk about those steps forward. bit.ly/GobsmackedAndrewPatterson

20/06/2025

When I started my Gobsmacked! podcast in 2022, the podcasting world felt daunting. Now, with 48 episodes under my belt and listeners in 123 countries, I'm bursting with pride! Most podcasts don't make it past Episode 3, so hitting 48 feels like a massive win.

It’s not about perfection, but about keeping going—even when I'm more of a sprinter than an endurance athlete! The way it resonates with people means the world. The fact that is also listened to around the world is in itself gobsmacking!

And not forgetting the book that shines light on ordinary people with extraordinary stories! https://bit.ly/GobsmackedBookAndAudio

This adventure is incredible, and I'm so excited for what's next. If you know of inspirational stories or people with extraordinary stories to share please drop me a message. We have wonderful guests lined up, but I love to develop strong connections!

You can listen here: https://bit.ly/gobsmackedpodcast

17/06/2025

Through my series of podcasts, I have had the joy of connecting with many remarkable people, and one such guest graced the show almost exactly two years ago. I first met Hazel Carter at the wonderful 2023 Ladiesfirst Professional Development Awards, where we were both delighted to receive awards.

Hazel's compelling story is a beautiful testament to the power of love and her determination to turn pain into purpose. It's a true love story as she discusses the journey with her soulmate Alan, who was diagnosed with, and eventually taken by, Motor Neurone Disease / MND.

Have a listen here: https://bit.ly/hazelcarterepisode19

Another listen and a reminder about the power of human connection is to Matt Gallagher, who talked to me with searing honesty about his own MND diagnosis - his indomitable spirit shines through our chat. He and Hazel are now connected - both determined to find purpose in their respective challenges.

Listen to Matt Gallagher https://bit.ly/mattgallagherbeyondthewhistle

12/06/2025

A couple of years ago, Louise Bates deftly sidestepped my enthusiastic overtures to come on the Gobsmacked! podcast. But I prevailed—and eventually, she succumbed! The result was a wonderful episode, full of insight and warmth.

Marvellously, Louise later launched her own podcast, A Gift for Grief, bringing her wisdom and compassion to an audience who needed it. And in a beautiful full-circle moment, I had the honour of being a guest on her show - out next month.

Do have a listen to Louise’s perspective on grief and child loss she has so much to teach us all.

Listen here https://bit.ly/gobsmackedpodcast

05/06/2025

New Podcast Alert! 🎙️

Join me as I chat with the inspiring Andrew Patterson, or "Patto" as he is affectionately known by many! Representing his country over 60 times in cricket, he now navigates life with Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia. His story is a great reminder of how finding your purpose can be transformational, and he chats with me about why he thinks everything happens for a reason. What an inspiration!

If you’re involved in education, youth work, coaching, or leadership development, this is someone you want in the room.
Book him. Let young people hear from someone who’s faced it all and still has more spirit and resolve than most. Check it out here https://pod.link/1612117307

03/06/2025

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐰 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐨, 𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐬𝐨 𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲.
Patto Power

To represent your country at cricket over 60 times is impressive enough. But to then be diagnosed with a rare genetic condition that will eventually lead to full paralysis. That takes a different kind of strength altogether - he truly is navigating and negotiating his ‘second innings’

He lives with Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia, a condition as rare as a lottery win. Yet my time with Patto was anything but heavy. He’s what the French would call a bon ami - ‘a good friend’. The sort of person who lifts the room without trying.

Big thanks to Malcolm Stern for picking up the phone and telling me: “You’ve got to get this man on Gobsmacked.”

If you’re involved in education, youth work, coaching, or leadership development, this is someone you want in the room.
Book him. Let young people hear from someone who’s faced it all and still has more spirit and resolve than most.

LINK IN BIO 🔗 or copy
pod.link/1612117307

28/05/2025

Brilliant to see Gerard Richardson MBE Richardsons of Whitehaven featured in The Telegraph for his fantastic wine shop, which is a real gem in the heart of Whitehaven and a credit to the West Cumbria community 🍷👏 If you haven’t yet, catch Gerard’s incredible story on the Assa Marra Podcast. Link in story or head to bit.ly/AssaMarra12

Gobsmacked

02/07/2025

02/07/2025

01/07/2025

30/06/2025

27/06/2025

20/06/2025

17/06/2025

12/06/2025

05/06/2025

03/06/2025

28/05/2025

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