Podcast Archives - The ClearOut

Burned Again? Lean Closer with Nietzsche – Episode 268

In this episode, and not for the first time, Dara is reckoning with old wounds. Life has a great knack for shocking you out of your complacency, but what do you do when you are reminded of stuff you thought you had long since put to bed? Some things just refuse to stay down, and maybe the harder you push the more likely they are to push back.

Navigating Inner and Outer States – Episode 267

In this episode, Dara is decompressing after a week of shifting boxes and furniture. A new home and a new phase await. What is living going to be like under a different roof, between different walls, looking out at different views? And how do you recalibrate after such literal and energetic upheaval?

Moving Day! – Home is Where the Heart Is – Episode 266

In this episode, Dara is recording for the last time at Hashtag Hilltop - he and his family are about to move for the umpteenth time in recent years. He finds himself reflecting on homes of the past and the countless and never reliable memories from all of them. It strikes him how important the idea of a shared space is. Isn't the ability to share space a profoundly important matter for all humanity? Isn't that ability integral to humility? And isn't it fundamentally antithetical to capitalism?

Gloria! Tribute to a Feminist Icon – Episode 265

In this episode, in honour of the late Gloria Steinem, Dara attempts to mansplain feminism - so women, I hope you are listening! No, rather than that foolhardy exercise, he reads in their entirety two blazing feminist articles from the 1970s. Miami by Nora Ephron documents the dynamics within the National Women's Political Caucus at the 1972 Democratic National Convention and prominently features the animus between Steinem and Betty Friedan, author of The Feminine Mystique (arguably the core text that ignited second wave feminism).

Dolly, Dolls, and Puppets – The Ageless Beauty of Female Icons – Episode 264

In this episode, Dara is joining the dots between some recent topical news stories. He talks about a female icon of American entertainment - blonde, beautiful, independent, diminutive and unknowable; who else could it be other than Miss Piggy! And what does that embodiment of female power have in common with the late Dolly Parton? Quite a lot actually, but of particular interest is the nature of their apparent agelessness and consistency.

Musical Youth – The Albums That Took Me From Eight to Eighteen! – Episode 263

In this episode, Dara is going full listicle and revisiting the albums that made up the soundtrack of his youth, from Michael Jackson's Thriller in 1982 to movie-inspired choices of the late 80s that carried him to university.

Glen Hansard and the Unquantifiable Wonder of Mojo – Episode 262

In this episode, Dara takes the time to pay respects to the recently departed Glen Hansard, whose untimely death shocked and rocked so many, both here in Ireland and further afield. Hansard's band The Frames really were part of the soundscape of 90s Ireland as it emerged out of the dark years of the 80s into a newly discovered energy and confidence that ushered in what felt like limitless frontiers.

Christopher Nolan’s Odysseus – Just Another Superhero? – Episode 261

In this episode, Dara is going full Greek as he embraces the epic telling and retelling of Homer's The Odyssey, now Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey. Notably, the film is being promoted not with a tagline, but with a declaration of the mode of its making - shot entirely on 70mm IMAX cameras! But is that the film's only selling point? Surely not.

Feeling It In Your Guts! Connection vs Fracture – Episode 260

In this episode, Dara is apologising for going missing last week, but he has a good excuse - he was in hospital! Struck down with a level of pain he had never previously experienced, he had to abandon his journey to get help and have an ambulance come to the rescue. It turned out it was just a little old kidney stone! The disruption to his normally rude good health gives reason for pause. What is it to be well? And what does care look like?

England’s World Cup Exit – Victims of Their Own Identity Crisis? – Episode 259

In this episode, Dara is scratching his head at yet another mammoth failure of the England football team. He has genuine sympathy for the players who have once again come unstuck at a crucial moment in a top tournament. And to add insult to injury, the destroyer of English dreams came in the form of their old nemesis Argentina, who turned in a schizophrenic performance of pure cynicism and fearless, fluid attack. But this defeat lies on the shores of Albion and has been years in the making...

Listen to Podcast Episodes

Latest Episodes

Burned Again? Lean Closer with Nietzsche – Episode 268

Read More »

Navigating Inner and Outer States – Episode 267

Read More »

Moving Day! – Home is Where the Heart Is – Episode 266

Read More »

Gloria! Tribute to a Feminist Icon – Episode 265

Read More »

Dolly, Dolls, and Puppets – The Ageless Beauty of Female Icons – Episode 264

Read More »

Musical Youth – The Albums That Took Me From Eight to Eighteen! – Episode 263

Read More »

Glen Hansard and the Unquantifiable Wonder of Mojo – Episode 262

Read More »

Christopher Nolan’s Odysseus – Just Another Superhero? – Episode 261

Read More »

Feeling It In Your Guts! Connection vs Fracture – Episode 260

Read More »

England’s World Cup Exit – Victims of Their Own Identity Crisis? – Episode 259

Read More »

About the Podcast

Subscribe

Discover AURA

Over 30,000 subscriber listens!

Support me on Patreon

Privacy Policy