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 has an update on the fox situation at Hashtag Blessed and admits he views the surviving chickens differently since last week’s attack. Is it just him, or do they seem to be grieving?
Caring Enough to Act, or Do I Really Need to Laugh at That? – Episode 154 Read More »
In this episode, Dara is rolling over some recent themes. He is convinced that cultivated internal calmness is a key part of responding healthily to the chaos of the world. When he talks about the importance of a ‘proportional response’ to whatever afflicts us, he acknowledges the connection of that idea to the philosophy of traditional martial arts practice. The implication of control is central to that idea and it is why Dara doesn’t have a lot of love for UFC competition, where that restraint is often disregarded.
Was That Absolutely Necessary? or, Keeping Calm in an Age of Chaos! – Episode 145 Read More »
In this episode, Dara reflects on a few days spent at a writers’ retreat and his attempts to slip into a writing flow. Among other things, he talks about identifying his preferred voice, the subject matter he finds himself drawn to, and trusting that his own process would reveal to him what he should be trying to write. He describes as luxurious the gifts of headspace and optimal conditions for creativity.
Identifying The ‘Write’ Voice – The Joy of Creative Luxury – Episode 143 Read More »
In this episode, Dara tries to remind himself of the existential power of understanding life as an unending path that leads to endless unknown destinations. In relation to a recent rough mental health episode, he is also happy to be reminded that the path of life will continue past the present moment, no matter how challenging it might be.
Existential Framing: Pathways, Destinations, and Empty Spaces – Episode 139 Read More »
In this episode Dara looks at dynamics of giving and receiving in relationships. He argues that having a true exchange with someone is impossible unless that dynamic is present and healthy.
The Receptive Mind and Men Who Don’t Talk – Episode 125 Read More »
In this episode, Dara responds to a confronting conversation about the podcast that raised issues of self-worth, purpose, and the validity of the podcast itself. He looks at the specific criticism levelled at the show and what he does on it and makes a case for the defence. In a broader sense he looks at situations of personal conflict and how to remove emotion from the equation in order to view things more dispassionately.
Critical Reaction and the Bestowal of Credibility – Episode 120 Read More »
In this episode, Dara talks about the affection for survival narratives and considers the respective legacies of the recently deceased singers and songwriters Tina Turner and Christy Dignam. He wonders whether we should be defined by what we’ve overcome in life. He also questions the value of legacy and argues for the need to be more concerned with our present-tense impact.
Survival, Transcendence, and the Myth of Whatever Doesn’t Kill You – Episode 108 Read More »
This week’s episode begins and ends with a hug, because we all need a hug sometimes, right? Dara thinks so, and he looks at the idea of self-soothing in a wellness context, arguing that it is a particularly useful practice when aligned with mindfulness.
Hugs, Threats, Non-Transferable Skill Sets, and a Day Told in Reverse – Episode 104 Read More »
In this episode Dara wrangles with the purpose and direction of the podcast. He wonders if he’s doing the pod all right or all wrong. Before he makes any radical changes though, he remains clear that he doesn’t want it to be perfectly curated content that becomes bland and generic. He tries to work out who the podcast is for so he can better understand his target audience.
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