Something Different with John and Sarah

www.johnandsarah.ieThis week: Ireland's Fertility Crisis finally hits the news, as Mary McAleese wages war on baptism. Also: Fine Gael are in crisis, say the papers. Trump is in crisis, say the voters. And Lawyers are not in crisis any more.00:00 The week’s headlines and a correction from last episode01:43 Ireland’s falling birth rate and its local consequences03:22 Culture, policy, and the causes of delayed parenthood08:30 How the pregnancy debate shapes attitudes to having children12:27 Child-benefit proposals and incentives for larger families18:11 Mary McAleese, baptism, and parental choice26:23 Religious liberty, circumcision, and Chesterton’s fence29:29 Fine Gael’s centre-right identity and the blocked motion32:47 Simon Harris, NGOs, and political triangulation37:00 Fine Gael’s shifting priorities and lack of a governing plan41:35 What the US midterms say about Trump and voter frustration53:16 The court challenge to legal-aid reforms01:01:00 Listener support and sign-off

www.johnandsarah.ieThis week's episode discusses the case of Kirk Loco - prosecuted (and acquitted) for what appeared to be the offence of spotting a migrant crime. Also Aodhán O'Riordáin dances, FF and FG collapse, and Jen Lawrence gets a new face.00:00 This week’s agenda: Kirk Loco, politics and Halloween01:50 What Coco’s Law covers and why Loco was charged03:32 Garda priorities, the tweet and the bus incident06:31 Newtownmountkennedy and the context behind the post08:46 The court hears passenger testimony and acquits Loco10:04 Was the prosecution a political use of a vague law?16:02 Drug-gang threats and the question of Garda resources20:19 Who is accountable when government fails to act?27:38 Aidan Reardon’s housing video 34:49 Opinion poll numbers and the rise of smaller parties41:47 Cost-of-living frustration and a lack of political ideas42:52 Jennifer Lawrence and the pressure to change your face51:05 Patrick Stewart, Star Trek and the US midterms55:51 Halloween sign-off and fireworks advice for dog owners

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, 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

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, and the politics of “cupcake” spending18:39 - Why universal state schemes can waste money23:18 - Waterford murder case and the horror of drug debt intimidation30:08 - What the state should do about drug gangs and extortion36:44 - Tatiana Stachiv and welfare fraud across borders45:00 - Ruth Coppinger’s non-binary and intersex recognition bill48:28 - The distinction between non-binary, intersex, and transgender54:02 - Why they see gender recognition law as coercive58:24 - Patrick O’Donovan in intensive care and political fallout61:07 - Closing remarks and best wishes to listeners

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 on cost of living03:19 Discussion on minimum wage and its economic effects09:00 The influence of government spending and taxes on inflation17:13The political landscape and the march through institutions29:56 The European Parliament's Trump statue controversy50:00 Gender dysphoria treatments for minors and legal challenges54:09 The Guardian article on exercise and political ideology56:57 The anniversary of October 7th and its implications01:00:12 Conclusion and final thoughts

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 Government Spending and Waste12:12 Case Study: Child Abuse and Tusla Failures14:12 Political Responsibility and Ministerial Accountability19:51 Systemic Failures in Irish Health and Care Systems21:53 Community and Parades Disputes in Northern Ireland29:59 The Role of Media and Public Opinion in Politics36:01 The Politics of Community Relations and Parades42:48 Historical Context of Northern Ireland Parades49:57 The US Justice System and Death Penalty Cases56:55 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

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

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 “non-eventful”06:24 - Dublin housing list data and the scale of non-Irish applicants10:32 - Should Irish citizens be prioritised on council housing lists?15:05 - Opposition parties and the need for a radical housing message18:21 - Tóibín, abortion, and the three-day waiting period20:57 - The case for a cooling-off period before abortion24:22 - Sydney Sweeney ad controversy and the “choice” argument27:25 - Eroticism, explicit content, and why Sweeney stands out32:32 - Athlete controversy after finishing while pooping37:38 - Ed Sheeran, McLemore, and political litmus tests in music40:42 - Why saying the slogan matters more than what people believe46:54 - Michael Healy-Rae assaulted and the issue of political violence52:02 - Dublin city centre disorder and public safety concerns57:35 - Mary Lou McDonald’s makeover and closing reflections

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 Policy11:31 Irish Political Landscape today16:43 Irish Government Approval Ratings and Public Sentiment21:01 Leadership in Irish Politics and Future Leaders24:57 Global Security Post-9/11 and Societal Changes34:51 Economic Policies and Public Spending in Ireland42:10 Reflections on 9/11 and Its Global Impact55:11 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

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