The week that really was

John and Sarah discuss the new Cillian Murphy "Ireland was awful" movie and it's predictable acclaim; offer final thoughts on the Trump/Harris campaign, and discuss issues that won't come up in Ireland's general election: 03:13 Cultural Reflections on Ireland's Past 06:02 Critique of Modern Cultural Narratives 08:51 The Impact of Historical Narratives on Society 12:03 Contemporary Issues and Socia...

John and Sarah discuss the latest developments in sex ed, the passage of the hate crime bill, the government clearing the decks for an election, and why John has full blown Trump derangement syndrome, god love him.

With an election due to be called any day now, John and Sarah review the state of the opposition. Also: Councils ban Bibi, Roderic escapes scrutiny, and tragedy in Argentina.

Sarah and John discuss the spy in the Oireachtas, Sinn Fein forgetting how to do politics, Scary Movies, Scarier Sex Education, and the Government buying the media in a packed podcast this week.

John and Sarah walk through the budget, John's row with an unfortunate Fine Gael canvasser, the latest celeb muck from Philip Schofield and P. Diddy, and the horrifying case of the woman allegedly tortured in Dublin. 00:00 Budget Week Insights 05:54 Child Welfare and Family Support 12:09 Critique of Government Spending 17:45 Opposition Response and Political Dynamics 23:48 Vice Presidential Debate...

In the aftermath of the defeat of the hate speech legislation, John and @sarahcatryan unleash a torrent of what some might consider hate speech towards the bike shed, the children's hospital, various members of the Government, and President Higgins.

John and Sarah examine the contradiction between Fine Gael's standing in the polls and the state of Scoliosis treatment for children. Also: Simeon Burke and the law library, Micheal Martin's endless leadership, and did Israel blunder in Lebanon? 02:45 Political Landscape and Opinion Polls 05:47 Fine Gael's Momentum and Election Strategy 09:01 Health Care Crisis: Scoliosis Case Discussion 12:05 Gov...

The big debate in America; The big windfall at home; Another clue about the election date; and Ireland's useless opposition misses again - John and Sarah round up the week. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview of the Week 01:22 Analysis of the US Presidential Debate 12:57 Political Landscape in Ireland: Dáil Returns 16:50 Sinn Féin's Challenges and Opportunities 28:04 The Role of Immigration i...

John and Sarah discuss the SPHE book that set tongues wagging; the world's most expensive bike shelter; what may be the world's most expensive sex abuse enquiry; and why some stories impact you emotionally more than others. 00:00 Introduction and Discussion of Topics 02:18 Controversy Over Depiction of Irish Culture 09:32 Emotional Impact of the Middle East Hostage Situation 19:24 Concerns About t...

John and Sarah discuss the latest developments in the Enoch Burke case, the nude cyclists and the Mayor of Cork, Kamala Harris finally agreeing to an interview, and the latest revival of the hate speech bill.  00:00 Introduction and Back to School Week 01:00 Enoch Burke's Return to School and Stance on Pronouns 09:58 Discussion on the Stabbing Incident in Galway 16:54 Proposed Ban on Smoking in Be...

John and Sarah discuss beauty contests this week: The upcoming election, during which politicians will flash their ankles. The Democratic Convention, which attempted to entice us to Kamala, and the Rose of Tralee, which has nothing to do with beauty at all: 00:00 Apologies and Introduction 01:22 Minor Public Spat and Election Speculation 04:05 Fine Gael's Advantage and Fianna Fáil's Risk 06:03 Nav...

Sarah and John review a week that featured big revelations about government spending, plans to abolish same sex schools, a big love island breakup, and a disagreement over olympic breakdancing. 00:00 Introduction and Weather 00:55 Government Spending and Lack of Discussion 01:48 Media Coverage and Lack of Challenge 03:08 Lack of Hard Conversations in Irish Politics 13:19 Issues with Single-Sex Sch...

In what should be silly season, John and Sarah discuss a surprisingly busy week: Riots in the UK, an anti-media rebellion for Kellie Harrington, a new VP nominee for Kamala Harris, and Simon Harris goes to war with Elon Musk. 00:00 Introduction and Discussion of Recent Events 01:07 Hypocrisy in Media and Politics: The Treatment of Athletes 06:32 Dismissive Attitude Towards the Concerns of the Work...

John and Sarah discuss the controversy around the Olympic games, the riots in Southport, the death of Edna O'Brien, and ask whether it's time to revisit the way the state engages with Travellers after the Dooley murder in Kerry. 00:00 Introduction and Discussion of the Olympic Opening Ceremony 13:10 Tragedy in Southport and Societal Issues 16:46 Frustration with the Government's Handling of Immigr...

John and Sarah discuss Sinn Fein's new immigration policy, the fantasy of "public service broadcasting", Catherine Martin's bad press conference, and the pitfalls of the Trump versus Kamala Harris election.

John and Sarah discuss events in Coolock, which has John "f*cking livid", as well as the attempt on Donald Trump's life, why Sarah adores JD Vance, and why Sinn Fein's apology to its voters likely won't work.

John and Sarah discuss a week of implosions, including the implosion of Independent Ireland, the disintegration of Joe Biden's campaign, and yet more lenient sentences in our mess of a justice system. Unfortunately, technical difficulties mean this week's audio is sub-par: We apologise.

John and Sarah discuss the fallout from the Biden debate debacle; Independent Ireland's woke turn; the rise to power of Ebun Joseph, and the many many people who simply aren't having children.

John is on holiday; Sarah is taking refuge in the loving arms of Taylor Swift; and both are in absolute despair at the events of the week in the Oireachtas ranging from standing ovations to baby finance ministers.

John and Sarah react to the Cathal Crotty case, and Fine Gael's continued claims to be the party of law and order. Also: Eamon Ryan's departure, Michael O'Leary is far right now, and Micheál Martin is feeling left out.

John McGuirk talks to co-host Sarah Ryan about what it was like to spend 3 days at the RDS, only to come out on the losing side; what the elections might mean for the future of a "right" in Ireland; and why Holly Cairns has something to be sorry for.

As voters cast their ballots, John and Sarah review the election campaign, and stick their necks on the line with predictions for each of the Euro constituencies, and the local elections.

Title: A backpack of invisible privileges Blurb: John and Sarah discuss the implications of the surrogacy bill; The slow motion car-crash that is the children's hospital; Michael D. Higgins' continued abuse of his office; and the very very bad verdict on Sinn Fein from the doorsteps

With two weeks until polling day, John and Sarah take stock of the state of the EU and local election campaign. Also: Will recognising palestine help the Government? And Sarah argues that young women are in "a crisis".

PODCAST: Are Sinn Fein irretrievably done for with working class voters who feel betrayed? Did we over-react to the Dublin Portal hijinks? And Sarah explains why she'd always prefer a man to a bear.