In this episode, Dara shares the realisation that he is not goal-oriented. He is all about the process. It’s not the destination, it’s the journey, man! He argues for the stabilising properties of having a process in place and tries to understand why it is that stability appeals so much.
After being on the receiving end of someone’s anger, Dara takes a moment to consider reactions, responses, and patterns. He argues that the ongoing examination of one’s beliefs and habitual framings is extremely worthwhile in the quest for improved resources.
Dara discusses three brilliant works of art he has just consumed – the TV series Succession (no spoilers), the film version of the beloved Judy Blume book Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret (2023) and the epic plunge into 1960s corruption and venality that is James Ellroy’s novel, American Tabloid. He considers the very different characters presented in these different forms of storytelling and wonders if liking coming-of-age stories makes him sentimental.
And then there’s the buttercups…