Something Different with John and Sarah

Something Different

John McGuirk and Sarah Ryan bring you incisive commentary on Irish politics, culture, and life - every Friday.

  1. 1 day ago

    E23: Grabby Grannies and Tusla Scandals

    www.johnandsarah.ie This 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, family B” style of cultural signalling in the ad07:58 - Why the campaign went viral and drew international disbelief08:26 - Consent in family life versus state-funded messaging09:52 - Why the hosts say the ad conflates hugging with sexual consent11:09 - Sarah’s argument: the state should not dictate family conversations13:18 - The Irishness, class tone, and age-based disrespect in the ad14:27 - A separate taxpayer-funded trans video and the argument over mockery16:45 - Why the hosts see the ad as part of a wider sneering attitude to older Irish men21:09 - The Tusla case: a 14-year-old girl allegedly being sexually exploited22:06 - Special care, staffing shortages, and why Tusla says it cannot place her23:32 - The judge’s intervention and the failure of political urgency25:41 - Why Sarah says priorities in the state have become badly distorted28:22 - Why John says Tusla is not being overseen properly by the responsible minister29:17 - The old expectation that ministers resign for major failures30:59 - Why this case would once have been a national scandal32:03 - The minimum standard the state should meet for children in care35:37 - What the triple lock is and why the Dáil vote matters36:42 - Sarah’s concerns about broken promises and government trust38:04 - John’s case for letting elected governments make foreign policy decisions41:32 - Neutrality, public sentiment, and why the issue is politically complicated44:06 - Mission creep, referendum promises, and why voters distrust politicians45:16 - Why John thinks the triple lock debate is partly theoretical for Ireland’s current military capacity

  2. 16 Oct

    E22: Has the Irish State lost Control?

    www.johnandsarah.ie Strikes 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 court 04:47 - Why the public sector strike feels bigger than a pay dispute 10:35 - Free school books, lunches, and the politics of “cupcake” spending 18:39 - Why universal state schemes can waste money 23:18 - Waterford murder case and the horror of drug debt intimidation 30:08 - What the state should do about drug gangs and extortion 36:44 - Tatiana Stachiv and welfare fraud across borders 45:00 - Ruth Coppinger’s non-binary and intersex recognition bill 48:28 - The distinction between non-binary, intersex, and transgender 54:02 - Why they see gender recognition law as coercive 58:24 - Patrick O’Donovan in intensive care and political fallout 61:07 - Closing remarks and best wishes to listeners

  3. 9 Oct

    E21: Paving the Path to Hell

    www.johnandsarah.ie With 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 overview 00:42 Analysis of the Irish budget and its impact on cost of living 03:19 Discussion on minimum wage and its economic effects 09:00 The influence of government spending and taxes on inflation 17:13The political landscape and the march through institutions 29:56 The European Parliament's Trump statue controversy 50:00 Gender dysphoria treatments for minors and legal challenges 54:09 The Guardian article on exercise and political ideology 56:57 The anniversary of October 7th and its implications 01:00:12 Conclusion and final thoughts

  4. 2 Oct

    E20: We're Emergency Ready

    www.johnandsarah.ie This 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 Recap 00.20 Spider Season 04:21 Discussion of the 'Be Emergency Ready' Book 08:12 Government Spending and Waste 12:12 Case Study: Child Abuse and Tusla Failures 14:12 Political Responsibility and Ministerial Accountability 19:51 Systemic Failures in Irish Health and Care Systems 21:53 Community and Parades Disputes in Northern Ireland 29:59 The Role of Media and Public Opinion in Politics 36:01 The Politics of Community Relations and Parades 42:48 Historical Context of Northern Ireland Parades 49:57 The US Justice System and Death Penalty Cases 56:55 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

  5. 25 Sept

    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 young people want to leave Ireland04:16 - Policy choices, housing, and the “liberal progressive society” argument07:47 - The emotional and social cost of young adults being stuck at home10:50 - Why the crisis is bigger than a mood and harder to fix politically14:33 - How collapsed nightlife feeds loneliness and weaker dating culture18:03 - The lockdown effect on teenage social development20:02 - What government could do now, from policing to city-centre culture22:23 - Why fewer risks and fewer nights out change how young people grow up24:51 - Why some people leave temporarily and still plan to come back26:55 - David Higgins and the “milestone recession”28:34 - Nick Delahanty’s business closure and the Irish Times reaction30:09 - The reality of starting and running a small business in Ireland36:02 - Labour’s miscarriage leave proposal and the cost to employers41:41 - Holly Cairns, maternity leave, and political virtue signalling45:32 - Exclusive: the Convention on Education agenda in Sligo47:35 - Who gets to define school culture54:32 - Sunny Hostin and the shocking murder trial anecdote59:03 - A wider point about imported culture-war insanity62:30 - Wrap-up and closing remarks

  6. 18 Sept

    E18: The Dublin Housing List Numbers

    Sarah's Boob Article: https://www.johnandsarah.ie/p/sarah-ryan-feminists-are-making-tits This 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 - Intro 01:06 - Listener comment about economics versus wider social issues 02:56 - Why Trump’s Ireland visit landed as “non-eventful” 06:24 - Dublin housing list data and the scale of non-Irish applicants 10:32 - Should Irish citizens be prioritised on council housing lists? 15:05 - Opposition parties and the need for a radical housing message 18:21 - Tóibín, abortion, and the three-day waiting period 20:57 - The case for a cooling-off period before abortion 24:22 - Sydney Sweeney ad controversy and the “choice” argument 27:25 - Eroticism, explicit content, and why Sweeney stands out 32:32 - Athlete controversy after finishing while pooping 37:38 - Ed Sheeran, McLemore, and political litmus tests in music 40:42 - Why saying the slogan matters more than what people believe 46:54 - Michael Healy-Rae assaulted and the issue of political violence 52:02 - Dublin city centre disorder and public safety concerns 57:35 - Mary Lou McDonald’s makeover and closing reflections

  7. 11 Sept

    E16: Immigration Dominates the News

    www.johnandsarah.ie This 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 victory 05:01 Irish Reactions to Germany's Election Results 07:15 Sinn Fein's Shift on Migration Policy 11:31 Irish Political Landscape today 16:43 Irish Government Approval Ratings and Public Sentiment 21:01 Leadership in Irish Politics and Future Leaders 24:57 Global Security Post-9/11 and Societal Changes 34:51 Economic Policies and Public Spending in Ireland 42:10 Reflections on 9/11 and Its Global Impact 55:11 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

  8. 4 Sept

    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 Sexualization of Breastfeeding and Cultural Shifts09:54 The Logic Behind Gender-Related Lactation15:02 Advertising Trends and Cultural Representation in Brands19:58 The Influence of Corporate and Political Culture24:53 Irish Government Spending and Policy Critique29:52 Economic Outlook and Recession Risks40:00 European Union's Regulation of AI and Internet Platforms50:08 Global Innovation, American Dominance, and Europe's Role

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John McGuirk and Sarah Ryan bring you incisive commentary on Irish politics, culture, and life - every Friday.

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