Something Different with John and Sarah
John McGuirk and Sarah Ryan deliver incisive commentary on Irish politics, culture, and life every Friday. The podcast offers a weekly deep dive into current affairs and societal issues from an Irish perspective.
Episodes
E23: Grabby Grannies and Tusla Scandals
www.johnandsarah.ieThis week: We talk about THAT ad, a story John broke on Wednesday. Also, the Tusla Scandal that should bring down the Government. The Triple Lock unlocked. Sinn Fein Charity woes. And Fine Gael at War.00:00 - Opening the week’s big stories and the “don’t hug your granny” backlash02:49 - Why the consent ad used grandparents and why that annoyed so many people04:54 - The “family A
E22: Has the Irish State lost Control?
www.johnandsarah.ieStrikes shut down the country; Drug gangs burn children alive; Ministers are hospitalised, and the Dáil debates.... Non Binary Rights? In this episode we ask a simple question: Has the state lost control?00:00 - Opening thanks 02:15 - Strike disruption at home, school, and court04:47 - Why the public sector strike feels bigger than a pay dispute10:35 - Free school books, lunches
E21: Paving the Path to Hell
www.johnandsarah.ieWith John away following the death of his father, Sarah is joined by her husband Keith Redmond for a lively discussion of Ireland's miserable budget, the rising cost of employing people, the political capture of our institutions, and why The Guardian thinks exercise turns you right-wing.00:00 Introduction and episode overview00:42 Analysis of the Irish budget and its impact
E20: We're Emergency Ready
www.johnandsarah.ieThis week: Spiders Terrorise Malahide Woman; Emergency booklets from Helen McEntee; Tusla disaster courtesy of Norma Foley; and Garvaghy Road madness courtesy of... Sinn Fein? The Sports Journos go Feral; and an American Woman is killed twice, but lives.....00:00 Introduction and Weekly Recap00.20 Spider Season04:21 Discussion of the 'Be Emergency Ready' Book08:12 Govern
E19: Ireland's kids hate it here
www.johnandsarah.ieThis week: Ireland's young people hate life in Ireland, objecting to housing shortages, joblessness, and lots more. We discuss in depth. Also: Ebun Joseph fixes your school; Nick Delehanty closes his business; Holly Cairns gets maternity leave for some reason, and have you heard about the Lesbians in America?00:00 - Episode intro and the week’s big topics02:07 - Why so many
E18: The Dublin Housing List Numbers
Sarah's Boob Article: https://www.johnandsarah.ie/p/sarah-ryan-feminists-are-making-titsThis week: The Scandalous Dublin Housing numbers and what to do about them. Also: Trump visits, Ed Sheeran gets cancelled, an athlete poops her pants, and lots of Sydney Sweeney chat.00:00 - Intro01:06 - Listener comment about economics versus wider social issues02:56 - Why Trump’s Ireland visit landed as “
E16: Immigration Dominates the News
www.johnandsarah.ieThis week, Sinn Fein announced a major U-turn on immigration - but is it real? The AfD shocked Germany. Jack Chambers was compared to Margaret Thatcher. And Trump comes to Ireland on 9/11's 25th anniversary. It's a busy week!00:00 Introduction 02:12 Germany's AFD victory05:01 Irish Reactions to Germany's Election Results07:15 Sinn Fein's Shift on Migration Po
E16: Breastfeeding Men and Booby Women
www.johnandsarah.ieCheck out our poll, below!In this weeks episode: Boobs. Some men want to use theirs to breastfeed, and Sarah is disgusted. Advertisers want boobs back in fashion. And to round it off: Are Government making a tit of the economy?00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview01:52 Support and Future Plans for the Podcast03:57 Controversy Over Men Breastfeeding Conference06:49 The Sexualiz
E15: The Terrifying New Immigration Numbers
https://www.johnandsarah.ie/p/the-new-cso-immigration-figures-areThis week, the CSO released new numbers showcasing the extraordinary scale of Irish immigration over the past six years. We discuss how these impact every policy area, and how it might be solved.Also: More Lindsay Clancy, Fuel Prices rising, CAO chaos, and Dolly Parton RIP.(01:02) Sarah’s Greece story and meeting listeners in public(
E14: It's Time to Talk about Travellers
www.johnandsarah.ieThis week John and Sarah ask: Why can't we talk openly about traveller culture and how most people experience it? Also, GurrierGate latest, John Kelly's tweets, the UK migrant leaflet, and Lindsay Clancy drives American women mad.00:00 Introduction02:58 GurrierGate controversy 05:07 Ireland's crime issues and Traveller Culture17:34 Proposed new laws and enforcement p
E13: Joy Riders and Ebun Joseph
www.johnandsarah.ieAs more lives are lost and Gardai seem powerless to intercept joy-riders, John and Sarah ask: Is Ireland lawless? Also, Ebun Joseph's war on the Irish Language, Alison Chawke's good fortune, Jason Arday's Death, and political inaction on Friedreich's Ataxia.00:00 Introduction and episode overview00:15 Holiday reflections and work-life balance01:38 Ireland's youth crime and polic
E12: Feckin' Greeks
Sadly this week's podcast is delayed until Sunday because of Greek connectivity issues, but in Sarah's absence - she's off tradwifing - John provides some brief updates on the big issues of the day - HSE reticence on Friedreich's Ataxia; more accusations of Irish antisemitism, and of course, Tradwives and Jason Arday.
Ep 11: The Invasion of Spain
"It's our border, too" - this week John and Sarah discuss the invasion of Ceuta, and the consequences for Europe. Also: UK is to block the puberty of 270 kids, Noel Grealish went to right-wing Davos, and John cheated at The Sopranos.00:00 Introduction and Overview of Topics02:09 The Invasion of Ceuta and Its Impact04:30 Legal and Political Aspects of Migration07:31 Law Changes and Bo
Episode 10: Simon Harris's Fake Tax Cut
This week John and Sarah dive into Fine Gael's proposed 8 euro a week tax cut, and how the Government will claw it all back. Also: Fauci pleads the fifth, The IRA returns, German terrorism, Norwegian murders, and a massively expensive Metro.00:00 Introduction to Ireland's Current Political and Security Climate02:20 Irish Political Parties and Their Evolving Values04:03 Security Threats: Te
Episode 9: The Media's UCD R*pe Disgrace
This Week, John and Sarah dive in detail into the UCD R*pe case, how it was covered, and what the media didn't want to see. Also: A lively row about the Irish language; Why do women police women; and the latest on Sarah's crusade against Government's Legal Aid reform.00:00 Introduction and episode overview02:09 The Irish media's handling of the UCD rape case06:03 Court facts versus
Episode 8: Busy Fools
This week, Anne Widdecombe died, Ireland faced drought (per the media), the Chalk kids went to jail, Politicians went on holiday, and reading nearly died. Join John and Sarah as they talk it all out:00:00 Introduction and episode overview02:56 Water restrictions and infrastructure issues in Ireland04:19 The real causes of water shortages: infrastructure and population growth07:01 Irish governance
Episode 7: Dangerously Naive: The Jamey Carney murder
This week, brutal news from Killarney prompts yet another conversation about immigration amongst everyone bar Irish politicians. Also: Nigel versus a Bin, Russia's Aluminum, and general chitchat.00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview02:36 Discussion on Immigration and Crime in Ireland07:00 Cultural Differences and Safety Concerns for Women12:07 Ireland's Embrace of Third World Narratives1
Episode 6: Bouchaker, Boo Labour, and Bootlicking
"Bouchaker is everything they told us never happens" says an angry John this week as he and Sarah dive into the verdict in that case. Also: Helen Ogbu's troubles, Pico Lopes as one of us, and Micheál Martin's ascension to global leadership.Chapters00:00 Introduction01:50 Riyad Bushaker Trial and Verdict15:01 Helen Ogbu Controversy and Political Implications30:07 John's Pico L
Episode 5: Mass re-education
In this week's episode, John and Sarah talk heatwave politics and the media's desperation for climate change panic. Also: Indoctrinating your kids via the leaving cert exams, egregious misinformation from the Irish Examiner, and why you should be on the side of lawyers this one time.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Weather Discussion01:55 Climate Change and the Green Party's Stance05:51
Episode 4: Could Politicians use a three-day wait?
This week, John and Sarah tackle the Dáil's legislation abolishing the three-day cooling off period for abortions; the renewed campaign to call the national flag racist; Minister Patrick O'Donovan becoming the decider, and the continued fallout from one of the worst criminal cases in recent memory.00:00 Introduction and Overview02:13 Abortion Legislation Changes in Ireland17:55 Cultural Im
Episode 3: The Media's Nightmare in Belfast
This week, John and Sarah walk through the horrific events in Belfast, and the media and establishment instinct to cover it all up. Import the culture, import the consequences?Also: The Government's Maternity mess, the awfulness of men, John's faith in astrology, and happy birthday Helen McEntee!00:00 Introduction to Current Events in Ireland01:30 Reactions to Violence in Belfast06:40 Cult
Episode 2: The Climate of Fear
This week John and Sarah delve into high profile recent crime cases in the UK and Ireland - asking whether a culture of fear in the public sector results in outcomes like the Henry Nowak case or the relative silence in Ireland around Alex Coughlan. Also: Sinn Fein's poll slump, Bonnie Blue's sex stunt, RTE's continued troubles, and Enoch Burke's prison of conscience.
As we were saying....
As they re-enter the podcasting world after a significant break, John and Sarah dive into the pressing issues and personal narratives that have unfolded during their hiatus. This inaugural episode of Unchained brings to light recent political events, including the surprising outcomes of by-elections, fuel protests, and John's resignation from Gript Media, providing listeners with a comprehensive o
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