Assa Marra
Assa Marra
Podcast Description
Assa Marra: “A Love Letter to West Cumbria and the Legend I Married”This 18th December marks 16 incredible years since I met my husband, madcap adventurer and total legend, John Williamson. To celebrate this milestone, I’ve created Assa Marra—a 10-episode podcast series that is as much a tribute to him as it is to the place we both hold so dear: West Cumbria.West Cumbria has been the backdrop to our love story. Its rugged landscapes, rich history, and incredible people mirror the qualities I adore in him: strength, humour, indomitable nature, and an unstoppable spirit. Over the years, we’ve found inspiration in the stories of this county’s remarkable characters, from legends like Josh Naylor to the everyday heroes whose contributions have gone unnoticed.Through Assa Marra, I weave our love story with the soul of West Cumbria. These 10 episodes are deeply personal, recounting not only the moments that have defined our relationship but also the beauty of the people and places that have been part of our journey.Assa Marra blends highlights from my previous podcast, Gobsmacked!, with brand-new radio interviews, creating a unique tapestry of stories that celebrate both our personal journey and the vibrant spirit of West Cumbria.As the creator of Gobsmacked!—a podcast loved in 114 countries—I’m thrilled to use this platform to bring West Cumbria’s charm, humour, and spirit to a global audience. Above all, Assa Marra is my gift to John: a celebration of the life we’ve built together and the magical county that continues to inspire us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on the intertwining themes of personal love stories and the unique culture of West Cumbria. Topics include personal resilience, adventures, and the lives of remarkable locals like Darren Banks, a visually impaired veteran who ran from Land’s End to John O’Groats, and Ruth Hasson, a survivor of domestic abuse advocating for victims. The series provides a platform for discussing mental health, entrepreneurship, and local legends.

Assa Marra: “A Love Letter to West Cumbria and the Legend I Married”
18th December 2024 marked 16 incredible years since I met my husband, madcap adventurer and total legend, John Williamson. To celebrate this milestone, I created Assa Marra – a podcast series that is as much a tribute to him as it is to the place we both hold so dear: West Cumbria. It has grown to 16 episodes, with a couple more due before the end of 2025.
West Cumbria has been the backdrop to our love story. Its rugged landscapes, rich history, and incredible people mirror the qualities I adore in him: strength, humour, indomitable nature, and an unstoppable spirit. Over the years, we’ve found inspiration in the stories of this county’s remarkable characters, from legends like Josh Naylor to the everyday heroes whose contributions have gone unnoticed.
Through Assa Marra, I weave our love story with the soul of West Cumbria. These 10 episodes are deeply personal, recounting not only the moments that have defined our relationship but also the beauty of the people and places that have been part of our journey.
Assa Marra blends highlights from my previous podcast, Gobsmacked!, with brand-new radio interviews, creating a unique tapestry of stories that celebrate both our personal journey and the vibrant spirit of West Cumbria.
As the creator of Gobsmacked! – a podcast loved in 147 countries to date – I’m thrilled to use this platform to bring West Cumbria’s charm, humour, and spirit to a global audience. Above all, Assa Marra is my gift to John: a celebration of the life we’ve built together and the magical county that continues to inspire us. Our West Cumbrian community is being heard loud and clear in over 40 countries, celebrating and amplifying the wonderful people around us.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Julieanne Mitchell. A West Cumbrian woman with an undeniable West Cumbrian voice. Speaking into a subject many people still tiptoe around or consigned to the 80s .
Julieanne Mitchell was diagnosed with HIV in her twenties, more than two decades ago. She was seriously unwell, and the diagnosis took so much longer because she did not match the profile.
Not the expected picture.
Not the stereotype.
And that tells you everything about how silence and assumptions still work.
But here she is candid, forthright and deeply human.
Speaking pragmatically yet sensitively about something most people think belongs to another decade. It does not.
Numbers are still growing. And most of us may have never knowingly spoken to anyone who is HIV positive.
That is why this episode goes out on World AIDS Day. Because the need for continued awareness is vital. Julieanne’s message is a country mile away from fear-laden adverts of the 80s that haunted us rather than informed us. Julieanne’s interview cuts through the awkwardness and fear – better still, it will leave you better informed and very endeared to this warm, honest and refreshingly honest woman.
We give you the courageous and supremely candid Julieanne Mitchell.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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