In this episode, Dara is looking for a pulse. After he and his daughter watched Adam Sandler’s 2004 romcom, 50 First Dates, Dara was reminded why he wasn’t a fan of the comedian’s factory line movies – there were too many moments and gags that were completely devoid of life.
A very simple and straightforward episode this week – Dara reads a lengthy unabridged extract from Marlon Brando’s autobiography – Songs My Mother Taught Me, published in 1994. Brando’s voice is frank and accessible and he shares his thoughts on acting, fame, and various female lovers during the time of his emergence as America’s most captivating actor. He also speaks about being a damaged child and the difficulty he had trying to shake off feelings of worthlessness.
Readings from Brando and Durcan – Slimy Slugs and Penile Compasses! – Episode 171 Read More »
In this episode, prompted by his cat and dog, Dara is considering the idea of essentialism. He talks about core dispositions and the perennial pitching of nature against nurture. He argues that there is very little that is not in the mix when it comes to how our identities emerge. He shares his thoughts about his daughter on this stage of her journey and wonders about her essential leaning.
Assembling the Broke Existentialist Army, or Who I Am is Who my Child Is! – Episode 170 Read More »
For the second time in the show’s history, Dara is considering the questionable value of nostalgia. While allowing that there are wellness benefits to understanding the connection between nostalgia and loss, and the stark reality of nostalgia’s relationship to ageing, there is something offensive about a particular brand of generalised nostalgia that regularly raises its unoriginal head on social media.
What’s So Great About It? – The Dubious Value of Nostalgia – Episode 169 Read More »
In this episode, Dara doesn’t know whether to eat the food or make love to it. He talks about all three seasons of The Bear, the brilliant TV show depicting the trials and tribulations of genius chef Carmen Berzatto and the colourful people who populate his messy, damaged world. Like the extraordinary food that leaves viewers in a state of mouthwatering wonder, the other elements of the show are beautifully sourced, prepped and composed.
Yes, Chef! – The Brilliance of The Bear – Episode 168 Read More »
In this episode, Dara is reflecting on the good fortune of finding a new place to live, but he is wondering how to refer to The ClearOut’s new home. His daughter has rejected his suggestions so far as being ‘too cringe’. Hashtag Blessed is no more! What to call the new abode…?
Set Down Your Honourable Load – Finding the Clear Path Ahead – Episode 167 Read More »
In this episode Dara is giving out about recent bad movies, and not the ‘so bad they’re good’ kind. Kevin Costner’s Western opus Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 starts the party with its bloated scale, turgid pacing, and on-the-nose representations of archetypal stories and characters. Far too earnest and self-serious, Dara recommends at least half a dozen alternatives, including Michael Cimino’s Heaven’s Gate and Costner’s own Open Range.
Horizon, Other Recent Movie Turkeys, and Recommended Alternatives – Episode 166 Read More »
In this episode Dara is looking at two significant news stories from the big nations to Ireland’s east and west. At the weekend just gone, Donald Trump, Republican presidential candidate and bete noire of liberals and humane humans everywhere, survived an assassination attempt. In Germany not long afterwards, England’s national football team contested the final of the EURO 2024 tournament, and lost.
Unifying Events, Sensible Ripples, and What If Trump Had Been Taken Out? – Episode 165 Read More »
In this episode, Dara is wondering about what comes next. We can never truly know what lies in the future so how do we cope with that uncertainty? Are we willing to step into the unknown without the security of a plan? Do we trust we have the resources to deal with what we find?
The Existential Toolkit to Approaching the Unknown – Episode 164 Read More »
In this episode, Dara is taking time to express thanks to a place that has served him well over the last few years, and he’s so determined to do so in a special way that he moves the podcast to the location he’s honouring! At the end, when a certain flying creature appears, it’s time to bring things to a close. No, it’s not a dragon…
Scene from a Garden – Tall Trees, High Kicks, and Low, Low Wages – Episode 163 Read More »
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