Podcast Archives - Page 10 of 26

What’s So Great About It? – The Dubious Value of Nostalgia – Episode 169

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.

Yes, Chef! – The Brilliance of The Bear – Episode 168

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.

Set Down Your Honourable Load – Finding the Clear Path Ahead – Episode 167

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...?

Horizon, Other Recent Movie Turkeys, and Recommended Alternatives – Episode 166

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.

Unifying Events, Sensible Ripples, and What If Trump Had Been Taken Out? – Episode 165

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.

The Existential Toolkit to Approaching the Unknown – Episode 164

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?

Scene from a Garden – Tall Trees, High Kicks, and Low, Low Wages – Episode 163

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...

You’re a Man – Do You Care About Women? – Episode 162

In this episode, Dara looks at the Natasha O'Brien case which saw a young woman beaten unconscious in the street by a young man who wasn't known to her, and that same young man been given a suspended sentence so as not to jeopardise his career as an Irish soldier. There is nothing that isn't problematic about these events, but as ever, there are larger social questions to be asked beyond the ugly specifics of the case in question.

If You’ve Nothing Good to Say, Maybe Think About Shutting Up! – Episode 161

In this hot and bothered episode, Dara tries to address the issue of racism in Ireland in the wake of the hate and racist abuse directed at Rhadisat Adeleke last week after her triumphant performances at the European Athletics Championships. A topic covered on the show before around the Emer O'Neill/Tommy Tiernan story, it seems to need speaking about again.

Character Identification and a New Short Story: David Has Been Great – Episode 160

In this episode, Dara reads a short story that is new to the listener but not to him. The story has a female protagonist and when he shared it with a female friend a few years ago, he was told that not all women felt the same way as the character he'd written. In reply he said he'd never thought that would be the case.

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What’s So Great About It? – The Dubious Value of Nostalgia – Episode 169

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Yes, Chef! – The Brilliance of The Bear – Episode 168

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Set Down Your Honourable Load – Finding the Clear Path Ahead – Episode 167

Read More »

Horizon, Other Recent Movie Turkeys, and Recommended Alternatives – Episode 166

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Unifying Events, Sensible Ripples, and What If Trump Had Been Taken Out? – Episode 165

Read More »

The Existential Toolkit to Approaching the Unknown – Episode 164

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Scene from a Garden – Tall Trees, High Kicks, and Low, Low Wages – Episode 163

Read More »

You’re a Man – Do You Care About Women? – Episode 162

Read More »

If You’ve Nothing Good to Say, Maybe Think About Shutting Up! – Episode 161

Read More »

Character Identification and a New Short Story: David Has Been Great – Episode 160

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