Dara Clear, Author at The ClearOut

Why De Niro is a gangster, not a lover or The case for greatness – Episode 12

In this episode, I look at the unwitting victims of a biblical exorcism before cruising through Michael Cimino’s 1978 masterpiece, The Deer Hunter, with particular focus on Robert De Niro’s performance in it. A case for greatness is made and De Niro is pitted against Lionel Messi, the Argentinian footballing genius. The anthemic God Bless […]

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The here, the me, the now – the challenge of being present – Episode 11

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In this episode I try to unpick the puzzle of presence. I draw a line between perceived safety and protecting the precious parts of ourselves. I argue for integrity and wholeness as the pathways to self-acceptance and the tools for calm and confident presence. I also share a very personal story to illustrate the power

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Spinning in Infinity

Goodness gracious, great balls of fire! – Episode 10

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This episode is all about stars! I discuss at length the many versions of A Star Is Born and their relative strengths and weaknesses, as well as their gender politics. I also use those movies to look at trauma and the dire male response to trauma and addiction by one of the central characters that

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Getting comfortable with chickens and ignorance – Episode 09

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Episode 9 of the podcast has a look at what we know and what we understand, and asks if we can reduce our anxiety by getting more comfortable with what we don’t know and what we can’t control. Pets with confusing names feature early on. There is also a trip to the river, a return

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Drawing the line at madness – Episode 08

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Episode 8 of the podcast has me taking a good look at madness and placing it in a context of conflict and self-defence. My knowledge of karate and the systematised code of conduct in that world informs the discussion. I find counsel from one of the great fictional madmen – The Joker, and the words

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Wake up and smell the Rousseaus – Episode 07

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In this week’s episode, I wade into the murky waters of identity politics and woke culture. The stepping off point is a lovely podcast I was listening to that raised a few different points of discussion in my head. Movies and casting are discussed, as well as giving offence, protecting ourselves, identity and representation, and

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Patchouli in the crow’s nest, or The search for cool – Episode 06

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In episode 6 of the podcast, a trip down memory lane leads to one especially dodgy haircut and some rather nice hats. It also takes in a teenage summer in the USA and a trip to Canada while there. I share some thoughts and further context in response to my recent post on anxiety. This

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Slurp! or How I learned to love licking (kind of) – Episode 05

2 Comments / Podcast / Dara Clear

In this episode I get stuck into bad behaviour and why we tolerate it in ourselves towards the people closest to us. I reflect on the dangers of unchecked parenting and the legacies of unaddressed trauma, and the difficulty of putting that stuff to bed. Finally, I use the Man Cold as a starting point

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Merely

6 Comments / Poems / Dara Clear

Merely I’m sorry. I’m just a man. I don’t know what I represent to you or anybody else. I only know who I am and who I’m not, what I’ve done and what I haven’t. I’m not trying to steal air or drink water or take space that was meant for you. I’m not looking

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Dara Clear

Why De Niro is a gangster, not a lover or The case for greatness – Episode 12

The here, the me, the now – the challenge of being present – Episode 11

Spinning in Infinity

Goodness gracious, great balls of fire! – Episode 10

Getting comfortable with chickens and ignorance – Episode 09

Drawing the line at madness – Episode 08

Wake up and smell the Rousseaus – Episode 07

Patchouli in the crow’s nest, or The search for cool – Episode 06

Slurp! or How I learned to love licking (kind of) – Episode 05

Merely

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