In this last episode before Christmas, Tom brings you something a little bit different. A story you might have missed, that's so life affirming you can't help but feel grateful for what you already have and the incredible things you're yet to do. Jonathan Acott is not afraid of a challenge; he's run ultra-marathons, scaled mountains, he's swam lakes, cycled hundreds of miles and is now planning to join the Seven Continents Club, with a marathon on every one. But Jonathan has also lived with Cancer for over a decade, surviving its devastating effects 6 times over. Unsurprisingly, his body and his brain have been to the darkest of places, but his determination to remake and rebuild has led him to achieve the extraordinary. 

**Content Warning: Now, this episode explores themes that are not suitable for everyone. There is strong language throughout, as well as references to suicide, addiction, self-harm, and depression**

If you've been affected by the issues raised in this conversation, remember there's always someone to talk or text.

In the UK, the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is on 13 11 14. Hotlines in other countries can be found here."

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This time around, Tom finds self-styled musician and guitar obsessive, Dodie Clark, in a padded room at Sony's headquarters. Dodie posted her first song and much of her adolescence online as a teen, but 10 years on she's a world-class songwriter with 13 singles, 4 EP's, and a studio album under her belt. And whilst the gigs are getting bigger, she continues to nurture the digital community that helped her grow, vlogging with the same authenticity and brutal honesty as her teenage self. Together, Tom and Dodie explore the emotion that's poured into their lyrics, and agree, that song-writing is often better than therapy. She also reflects on the outsider mindset, her parents' disapproval and winning their acceptance, as well as the on-stage moment she'll never forget.

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On this episode of Memories That Made Us, Tom meets UK Garage legend Craig David. From his slick home studio, Craig recalls selling chocolate in the playground, finding his voice in dark club basements and trips to London's record shops with his mum. He remembers meeting his hero in the hallway, and a moment he really should regret but, simply doesn't, as well as the power of hearing his own track on the radio for the very first time. But they also explore how fame has altered his life, often for the better but sometimes for the worse. Finally, Craig passes the personal advice that helped him, on to Tom. 

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This week Tom meets one his childhood heroes, in her podcast studio in London. On a crisp October morning, Fearne Cotton recalls falling in love with Led Zeppelin, spontaneous wild swimming in Dorset, and a moment of pure, unadulterated bliss. But whilst powerful, our memories are not always good. Fearne reflects on the painful ones too, where self-hatred and shame continue to stick and overwhelm. They also discuss Cotton Christmases past and present and explore the piece of advice she'll never forget. This episode does contain some mild swearing.

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In this first episode of Memories That Made Us, Tom meets Jamie Oliver in his test kitchen in London, where he reflects on Otis Redding, culinary nightmares and losing a monk to the Italian countryside. He talks openly about the rough housing that got him through boyhood, then followed him into the kitchen, and passes on the surprising advice he received at six years old. As you might expect, the episode does contain some swearing and adult humor. 

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This is Memories That Made Us. The podcast that explores the power of recall and the way it has shaped us. In this series, platinum-selling singer-songwriter Tom Walker discovers those places, faces, and half-remembered moments that have changed the lives of some very special guests, to reveal who they are today, where they've come from, and where they're going.

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