Arts & Human Rights with Smashing Times

Smashing Times
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Arts
  • Updated Biweekly

Welcome to the Smashing Times Arts and Human Rights Show, hosted by Mary Moynihan and Freda Manweiler. Join us for an hour of discussions on equality, diversity, and the powerful work of artists advocating for human rights. From theatre and film to digital arts and sculpture, we explore a wide array of creative forms that inspire change. Tune in to hear unique perspectives and stories from the world of art, all recorded at Dublin South FM. https://smashingtimes.ie/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Jun 11

    Reflections on War and Peace & Interview with Aoife McAtamney

    The Smashing Times Arts and Human Rights Radio show broadcast on Wednesday 10 and 16 June 6-7pm (and available as a podcast) features a reflection by Mary Moynihan on war and peace. Global military spending now exceeds €3 trillion every year. Who benefits and where is the equivalent investment in peace? Instead of spending 1.7 billion on defence, should the Irish government spend this money on housing, job creation and peace? Why can billions be found for war spending while poverty homelessness, wealth inequality and climate breakdown continue to worsen? These are the debates we need to have in Irish society and the media.  Artist Mary Moynihan says ‘Ireland can be a leading voice for peace. Defend our neutrality, defend the Triple lock and challenge the growing influence of military and corporate interests on public policy and governments. As our former president Michael D. Higgins said, we need to ‘make space for peace.’   The show features a guest artist interview with Aoife McAtamney, a multidisciplinary artist working with contemporary dance, choreography, filmmaking, music and education. Aoife is Artistic Director of Daughter of a Drum, and a part of Choreography Connects, a CoisCéim artist-led residency project. Aoife is currently doing an Artist Residency with Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality at 30 Sandycove Road, Dublin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    58 min

  2. May 27

    Interview with award-winning theatre practitioner, director, sociologist, and educator Frédérique Lecomte

    The Smashing Times Arts and Human Rights Radio show broadcast on Wednesday 27 May, 6-7pm (repeated Wednesday 3 June 2026, 6-7pm) and available as a podcast), features an interview with the award winning internationally recognised theatre practitioner, director, sociologist, and educator Frédérique Lecomte. Frédérique is the founder, CEO and artistic director of Théâtre et Réconciliation located in Brussels, Belgium. The company uses performances and workshops to support reconciliation, trauma recovery, and human rights work, using theatre to promote social engagement and to empower and transform individuals and communities. They have the aim of making theatre with everyone to save the world and create a shared humanity. Frédérique has developed her own theatrical method for over 40 years called Théâtre et Réconciliation, named after the theatre company she founded. Frédérique has worked extensively in Belgium and in conflict zones including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    55 min

  3. May 13

    Interview with John Scott, Artistic Director, Irish Modern Dance Theatre

    Today’s show is dedicated to the art of dance in the context of arts and human rights. The show begins with a call by presenter Mary Moynihan for peace and non-violence across the world and for greater investment in international diplomacy, humanitarian action, accountability measures, and meaningful sanctions as a constructive path forward for peace and an end to funding for the arms industry. This is followed by a reflection on arts and human rights and the power of dance as a form of resistance and protest.   Numerous families in Chile today are still searching for relatives who disappeared during the military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet who violently took over and ruled Chile from 1973 to 1990. The show highlights how the ‘cueca sola’ or ‘solo dance’ has been used, and continues to be used as a form of peaceful protest by relatives of the ‘disappeared’.   Our feature guest artist today is John Scott, a Dublin-born choreographer, performer, and founder of Irish Modern Dance Theatre. John is also a founder and Artistic Director of the Dancer from the Dance Festival and a member of Aosdána.  Listen to John talk about the artistic practices that inspire his work as a dancer and choreography and his creative journey into arts and human rights.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    55 min

  4. Apr 29

    Letters from Afar with Naoise: Irish Diaspora Diaries

    The Smashing Times Arts and Human Rights Radio Show, broadcast Wednesday 29 April and Wednesday 3 May, 6-7pm, is  presented by Mary Moynihan on Dublin South FM. On the show, we are launching a new occasional segment called Letters from Afar with Naoise: Irish Diaspora Diaries. Over the coming months, Naoise will be joining us from Australia, sharing stories from the Irish abroad, exploring migration, identity, and the realities of building a life far from home. On today's show Naoise recalls his adventures in Nepal and Thailand before heading to Vietnam and then Australia. In addition to exploring the adventures of a young Irish person travelling far from home,  we will use the opportunity to talk about artists, culture and sport in some of the locations Naoise is travelling to.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    54 min

  5. Apr 28

    Elizabeth Moynihan: Happiness Then and The Art of Trees

    On this week's show, guest artist interview is with Elizabeth Moynihan, a successful actor, writer and director. As a writer Elizabeth’s new play Happiness Then returns by popular demand for its third year. Elizabeth directed The Art of Trees by Mary Moynihan currently on tour in South Kerry with public performances at Tech Amergin, Waterville, County Kerry, on Friday 17 April 2026, 8pm (booking 066 9478956) and St John the Baptist Church, School Road, Valentia Island, County Kerry, on Saturday 18 April 2026, 7pm. Also featured on the show is the current Irish nationwide tour of Shirley Valentine by Willy Russell performed by Cork actor and comedian Norma Sheahan; information on the upcoming Ranelagh Arts Festival and highlights of  activities and events coming up with Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality including From the Forest to the Ocean by Mary Moynihan at the Smashing Times Visual Art Gallery. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    54 min

  6. Apr 1

    The Thinking Woman’s Podcast: No Kings Protests, Tracey Emin at Tate Modern, and an interview with Maeve Halpin

    In this episode, we reflect on the ‘No Kings’ demonstrations in the United States and the courage of the protesters who are standing up for human rights. Additionally, we provide a preview of "Tracey Emin: A Second Life", a new exhibition at Tate Modern in London running until August 2026.  Joining us for a powerful interview is Maeve Halpin, a counselling psychologist based in Rathmines, Dublin. She offers insight into her interests in personal development, self-empowerment, and the potential for positive living, while highlighting her passion for world politics, equality, and human rights. Maeve presents the radio show Wellbeing for Everyday Life every Thursday at 1 pm on Dublin South 93.9 FM. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    55 min

  7. Mar 19

    Féilim James & Tintreach: The Smashing Times Arts and Literary Journal

    In this episode, we discuss the powerful memoir ‘When Breath Becomes Air’ by Paul Kalanithi, reflecting on the interconnecting emotions of joy and grief as well as the ‘silent’ grief experienced by parents when their children decide to emigrate. Additionally, we provide a special acknowledgment to Transition Year Students at Firsthouse Community College for the wonderful presentation of their annual show. Joining us is Féilim James, a poet, playwright, and prose writer from Dublin, Ireland, whose work has appeared in New Irish Writing, Acumen, and Abridged, among others. He serves as the editor of Tintreach: The Smashing Times Arts and Literary Journal, and shares details on our upcoming edition as well as an open call for submissions set to begin in May. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    56 min

  8. Mar 6

    Iranian artists speaking out for freedom

    Mary reflects on the war in the Middle East, on Iranian artists speaking out for freedom, and on the urgent need to end war, authoritarianism and genocide. The programme also highlights upcoming Smashing Times exhibitions, performances and events, and celebrates International Women’s Day with features on new art and a powerful Magdalene Laundry installation. https://smashingtimes.ie/ https://dublinsouthfm.ie/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    56 min
See All (43)

About

Welcome to the Smashing Times Arts and Human Rights Show, hosted by Mary Moynihan and Freda Manweiler. Join us for an hour of discussions on equality, diversity, and the powerful work of artists advocating for human rights. From theatre and film to digital arts and sculpture, we explore a wide array of creative forms that inspire change. Tune in to hear unique perspectives and stories from the world of art, all recorded at Dublin South FM. https://smashingtimes.ie/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information