This week’s episode is all about getting rid of the bad stuff in your life, and it starts with having a good old vomit! Having had that unpleasant experience recently, Dara decides to hang this episode’s theme around the body’s singularity of purpose when expelling something evil from the gut.
The Things We Shouldn’t Stomach, or The Violent Wellness of Expulsion – Episode 39 Read More »
In this episode, Dara looks at defiance as a central attitude and strategy of wellness. Understanding defiance as an expression of personal conviction allows it to be utilised in the service of personal autonomy. It can inform and be informed by one’s certitude, but that certitude is best deployed with an understanding of imperfection and flexibility.
Defiance and the Autonomous Self – Episode 38 Read More »
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.
Love, Wellness, and Creativity, or Getting Violent with your Process – Episode 26 Read More »
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 Bridges of Wellness and Bounty – Episode 25 Read More »
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.
You Wanna Peace of Me?, or The Rocky Road to Reconciliation – Episode 22 Read More »
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.
Walking in the Shadow and Keeping her Light – Episode 21 Read More »
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.
Such big feelings!, or Learning masculinity from the movies – Episode 18 Read More »
In this episode, following some thoughts on Afghanistan and the Taliban, Dara reflects on conflict in his own life and looks particularly closely at his marriage and the diverging paths that have emerged there.
Conflict and the Place Where You Live – Episode 13 Read More »
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
The here, the me, the now – the challenge of being present – Episode 11 Read More »
Positivity is a muscle – the more you use it, and the more you use it in a variety of ways, the more effective it gets. Do you ever think about the muscles you use? If you don’t, that could mean several things. It could mean you’re very young, and it hasn’t even occurred to
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