Assa Marra

In this episode of Assa Marra, Catherine speaks with Gail Dobson-Burns about baby loss, infertility, and the experience that shaped her work and community impact.Gail shares her story with honesty and pragmatism, reflecting on the challenges she and her husband faced, including miscarriage, and the emotional and physical realities that many families experience but are rarely spoken about. In the UK, around one in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage, stillbirth affects around one in 250 pregnancies, and ectopic pregnancy affects around one in ninety pregnancies. These are not rare experiences. They are simply not often talked about.The statistics are vast and national, but the experience is always local. And in West Cumbria, where communities are tight and services can be further afield, these experiences are often carried quietly, sometimes making them feel even heavier.Out of her own experience, Gail founded Silent Footprints, a Cumbria-based charity supporting individuals and families affected by baby loss and infertility. The organisation offers emotional support, safe spaces for conversation, practical guidance following loss, memory-making support, and community awareness. It recognises that the impact of loss extends beyond mothers, supporting partners and families too.This episode brings an important and often underrepresented conversation into the open, grounded in Gail’s lived experience and her ongoing contribution to the West Cumbria community. It is a conversation handled with care, honesty, and quiet strength. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Assa Marra features a rapidly developing local legend Lyn Cavaghan.Having West Cumbrian parents Lyn has the place in her DNA the Marra in her marrow. There is something about that inheritance of place that tugs at you. Even if life starts elsewhere. Even if your accent is shaped somewhere different. Even if your career begins beyond the county line.One of the themes that keeps surfacing through Assa Marra Podcast is this:You do not have to be born in a place to serve a place. Nor is it about big ta-dahs. It’s about rolling up your sleeves and following the need.Belonging is built through contribution.Through her stewardship of the Girl Guide movement, and through her leadership as CEO of Always Another Way, Lyn’s influence is felt quietly and widely across this region.Always Another Way operates in that vital space before crisis, improving mental wellbeing across West Cumbria. Early intervention. Practical mental health support. Real conversations for young people and adults across the region. Under Lyn’s leadership it has strengthened its governance, grown in reputation, and become an award winning force for preventative care.We talk about dyslexia. About navigating education when exams are not your natural playground. About forging a career built less on certificates and more on adaptability, instinct, resourcefulness, a bit of streetwise guile, and a healthy abundance of personality.And running through it all is that West Cumbrian thread. The call of home. The pull of heritage. The sense that even if you were not born here, something in you recognises the landscape.This episode is about service. About leadership. About coming back in your own way.And about how communities flourish when people choose to contribute.Because here, legends are not made by birthplace.They are made by impact. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is our one-year anniversary episode of Assa Marra, and it is here to delight you because it’s a corkerAn uplifting, joyful, laugh-out-loud conversation from start to finish. I give you nine-year-old Frankie McMillan.In his short life so far, Frankie has already walked nearly 900 mountains, including some of the biggest and most iconic. He has travelled the world, reached Everest Base Camp, and somehow remains the most chirpy, curious, and grounded young human you could ever hope to meet.Frankie is currently preparing for his 10 x 10 challenge, climbing the highest peak in ten European countries. Frankie moves the mountains and the mountains move Frankie.As you are prepping your turkey, bicarbing your sprouts on Christmas Day, I humbly suggest you have Frankie playing in the background. His optimism is infectious, his energy irresistible, and the trajectory of his star feels inevitable.Frankie receives voice messages from Bear Grylls. Of course he does.He may well be among the greats one day, but for now we meet him right here, at the start. And alongside Frankie, this becomes a podcast within a podcast, as we also meet his wonderful mum, Basia McMillan, who has been on his shoulder and by his side every step of the way. Anyone who is a parent will understand what that takes, encouraging a child to reach full potential while quietly managing your own fear.So here it is, our Christmas special.Frankie McMillan.And if you can, do donate to this stellar young chap's GiveStar page: https://givestar.io/gs/10-countries-10-highest-peaks-one-10-year-old Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Blimey, what a bright and articulate chap is Sonny Smith. One minute we are talking AI, the next minute he is unpacking lupus, then he is off reflecting on Marcus Aurelius or Notre-Dame. It surprises you in the best way. He’s a humble chap with a powerful intellect who thinks deeply because life pushed him that way.Sonny is Harrington born and bred. A West Cumbrian with a hidden illness that has shaped more of his life than anyone would guess at first glance. Lupus is no small thing. It is unpredictable and unforgiving, and it meant COVID was a real threat. So while Rishi was dishing out his Eat Out enticements and everyone was piling back into the noise, Sonny stayed inside. Same view. Same chair. Same caution. Not because he was nervous. Because he had to be.That long stretch of quiet did something to him. It slowed him down in a way he never asked for, but it opened something too. He read. He wrote. He thought his way through days that felt stuck. Out of that came Where the Light Comes In, a book that feels like someone thinking out loud and refusing to pretend everything is tidy.And now he is turning that lived reality into his doctorate. He is trying to crack how AI enhanced telehealth might actually work for West Cumbria. Not on paper. In real homes. In places with patchy signal. In families who cannot drive miles for a short appointment.And here is the thing. Sonny has a depth that arrived early, but he is still young. He wants what any young lad wants. That mix makes him compelling. You feel the old soul and the young man at the same time. Yours brains going to get a Reet good workout Marra Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma Williamson lived through a childhood witnessing domestic violence, chaos, and addiction. When the challenges came, they weren’t small ones — and it’s true to say, when it’s bad anywhere else, it’s extra bad in West Cumbria. The experience is amplified. When it’s dark here, it’s dark. When it’s light, it’s light.For every ounce of darkness Emma endured, she’s channelled it back tenfold into light. From her own addiction struggles to that solitary moment where she chose radical change, she has turned pain into power. From not being able to put a full stop in a sentence, to earning a master’s degree, she’s taken bitter beginnings and transformed them into a force for good.Now, she pours that resilience into making a difference for young people in the care system — living proof that no matter how dark it gets, light can return, and when it does, it shines brighter than ever. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Originally from the North East, 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.When Christine walked through the doors of Calderwood House in Egremont, she wasn’t just seeking shelter. She was choosing a new life.Now in her late 70s, she’s a self-taught musician, playing multiple instruments, helping refugees, and serving as a trustee for a local charity. 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gerard Richardson MBE, born and raised in Cleator Moor, takes us on a journey through a life steeped in service and local pride. From his early days as a Royal Navy Aircraft Engineer to founding the iconic Whitehaven Maritime Festivals and running the beloved Richardson’s Fine Wines, Gerard’s story is one of community, colour, and commitment. In this warm and wide-ranging conversation, he reflects on transforming Whitehaven through tourism and storytelling, what earning an MBE meant to him, and why true public service starts at home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we shift focus from celebrating the beauty and splendour of West Cumbria to exploring a more serious story—that of Ruth Hasson.At 17, Ruth entered a controlling and abusive relationship. Her partner’s obsessive behaviour gradually isolated her from friends and family, leaving her vulnerable and alone. The abuse escalated over the years, culminating in a terrifying six-hour assault that brought her to the brink of death. On her 21st birthday—a day coinciding with the passing of Freddie Mercury—Ruth experienced a powerful turning point, inspiring her to seek freedom and reclaim her life.Now a passionate advocate for survivors of gender-based violence, Ruth shares her story not only to highlight the dangers of coercive control but to offer hope to others facing similar challenges. Her journey from victim to survivor is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the support that communities like West Cumbria can provide.This episode serves as a poignant reminder that even amidst the charm and beauty of a place, there are untold stories of resilience and courage that deserve to be heard. Join us as Ruth candidly shares her experiences and insights on healing, advocacy, and transformation.By bringing Ruth’s story to light, we emphasise the importance of acknowledging and supporting the struggles within our community. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next on Assa Marra: Kris Mathers shares a cracking insight into how AI, especially ChatGPT, helped him bounce back from his darkest days. A few years ago, Kris hit rock bottom—COVID stress, workaholic habits, and obsessive behaviours pushed him to breaking point.But as an early adopter of AI, Kris discovered how this powerful tech could support recovery, rebuild focus, and spark transformation. His take is sharp, unique, and bound to get you thinking.Don’t miss this fascinating chat with Kris Mathers on Assa Marra! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 6 of “Assa Marra,” we chat with David Barnes, a Cumbrian lad who turned his life around through cold water immersion. Four years ago, David was in a bad way—owt of shape, unhappy, and battling the drink. Seeking change, he found solace in the chilly waters of Cumbria’s lakes and the Irish Sea off St Bees. This practice became his salvation, helping him heal early childhood trauma and find balance.David’s journey is a testament to the power of nature and resilience. His commitment to cold water immersion has not only transformed his own life but has also inspired many in the Cumbrian community to explore this practice for their well-being.Join us as we explore David’s inspiring journey, the benefits of cold water immersion, and how the natural landscapes of Cumbria have played a pivotal role in his transformation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of “Assa Marra,” we’re chuffed to welcome Oliver Hodgson, a reet inspiring young entrepreneur from Whitehaven, Cumbria. At just 16, Oliver left school and, undeterred by traditional paths, founded Platinum Live, a creative communications agency that’s gone from strength to strength. Now in his early 20s, he’s garnered national recognition, including being named the North West’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Oliver’s approach is as unique as a Herdwick on a fell, refusing to let a “one size fits all” mentality dictate his work. His success story offers a compelling glimpse into the Gen Z mindset, showcasing how fire, grit, graft, and innovation can lead to remarkable achievements, even when the traditional route doesn’t fit.Tune in for a crackin’ conversation that sheds light on the future of business through the eyes of a true Cumbrian trailblazer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Episode 2 of Assa Marra, where we’re celebrating two proper West Cumbrian legends—Gary McKee, the ‘Marathon Man’ from Cleator Moor who ran 365 marathons in a year, and Gary Graham, better known as Gary Mankini, originally from Whitehaven.Gary McKee’s graft and determination have inspired folk round here, while Gary Mankini brings a bit of craic and daftness with his antics, including his now-famous mankini. He’s the sort of bloke who can mek anyone smile and always has time for his marras.These two couldn’t be more different, but they’re both grand examples of what makes West Cumbria so special—hard work, a good laugh, and a heart as big as the fells. So let’s get stuck in and celebrate two blokes who’ve left their mark on this corner of the world in their own unique ways. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.