Podcast Archives - Page 18 of 20

Love, Wellness, and Creativity, or Getting Violent with your Process – Episode 26

In this episode, before getting to the main topic, Dara observes how disconcertingly warm it is for November, and argues that things being not quite right can be extremely disruptive. He commends teachers for persevering amidst the unending Covid disruptions. The first part of the episode concludes with why his daughter felt the need to say "I hate you" to him.

The Bridges of Wellness and Bounty – Episode 25

In this episode Dara waxes lyrical about bridges of many kinds. He starts off with Lloyd, Jeff and Beau Bridges before turning his attention to the usefulness and aesthetic pleasure of actual bridges.

The Fallible Smotherboard and the Fear of Being Seen – Episode 24

In this episode, Dara discovers the word 'haecceity', which stems from the Latin word for 'thisness', and is used to describe the quality that makes a thing or a person uniquely themselves. He argues that this is something we cannot hide, no matter what we do.

The Unloved Child, or Wielding the Blade of Creation – Episode 23

In this episode, Dara is inspired by Denis Villeneuve's Bladerunner 2049 to go on a wide-ranging exploration of identity, consciousness and origin. He wonders if the leaders of Big Tech inspired Jared Leto's portrayal of the designer in the Villeneuve movie before asking what level of thought and feeling is possible for AI entities.

You Wanna Peace of Me?, or The Rocky Road to Reconciliation – Episode 22

In this episode, once he's finished breaking down, and being revolted by, the animal dynamics at Hashtag Blessed, Dara launches into a deep dive of conflict, taking as a first reference point an article on anger by A.C. Grayling. From there he ponders the concept of dehumanisation in the context of conflict.

Walking in the Shadow and Keeping her Light – Episode 21

In this episode Dara stays firmly in mental health territory and discusses at length our fear of the dark side of ourselves. He talks about the unexpressed and the uncomfortable and argues for disciplined, non-hysterical acceptance of the parts of ourselves that make us turn away.

Big Bad Daddies! From Tony Soprano to My Father in Several Easy Steps – Episode 20

In this episode Dara explores the American father as captured in TV sensations The Sopranos and Breaking Bad. He also looks at Arthur Miller's theatre masterworks Death of a Salesman and All My Sons before briefly visiting old Hollywood depictions of idealised fathers, both with and without collars!

The Thrum of the Machine, or The Beautiful Irreducibility of Character – Episode 19

In this episode Dara explores the concept of character and how its uncovering might lie at the heart of true strength, happiness and resilience. He places it in firm counterpoint to the litany of reductive names, labels and titles and other identifiers we have put on us. That prompts a reflection on the tyranny of the word 'Mother'.

Such big feelings!, or Learning masculinity from the movies – Episode 18

In this episode Dara asks the question - what movies really do it for you? Before giving his own answer, he explores the types of masculinity that he has been attracted to on the big screen since he was a child. From the days of Spencer Tracy, through the Star Wars and Indiana Jones era, to the modern emotional landscape of 'men's movies', he covers a lot of ground and a lot of movies that all capture a certain type of bruised masculinity.

If I can’t get love, I’ll take acceptance – Episode 17

In this episode, Dara reflects on body image and the objectification and commodification of female beauty and sexuality. He discusses the sexist rhetoric and dynamics that he has always found pervasive among many of the men he has known. Along the way, he revisits his own introduction back in the day to the sexualised female iconography of Playboy magazine.

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Love, Wellness, and Creativity, or Getting Violent with your Process – Episode 26

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The Bridges of Wellness and Bounty – Episode 25

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The Fallible Smotherboard and the Fear of Being Seen – Episode 24

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The Unloved Child, or Wielding the Blade of Creation – Episode 23

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You Wanna Peace of Me?, or The Rocky Road to Reconciliation – Episode 22

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Walking in the Shadow and Keeping her Light – Episode 21

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Big Bad Daddies! From Tony Soprano to My Father in Several Easy Steps – Episode 20

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The Thrum of the Machine, or The Beautiful Irreducibility of Character – Episode 19

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Such big feelings!, or Learning masculinity from the movies – Episode 18

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If I can’t get love, I’ll take acceptance – Episode 17

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