Something Different with John and Sarah

This week, we're asking for your support. You can do so by subscribing here: https://www.johnandsarah.ie/subscribeWe're doing so for several reasons, but mainly because in the face of ongoing threats to Irish media freedom, we want to grow our offering, reach more people, and get out on the road taking our message to Irish people who don't get to hear alternative views from the state-funded media.This week we discuss those threats to media freedom - but also Simon Harris's fake right turn, Micheál Martin's big conference, and the reverberations from the Russell Brand conviction.Thank you, as ever, for listening.00:00 The week’s agenda01:04 Why we need you to support the podcast06:39 The investigation of TIPP FM and Southeast Radio08:13 How Coimisiún na Meán compares with the BAI11:08 Impartiality and alternative media15:19 Fine Gael’s political identity18:21 Why welfare soundbites suck25:06 Dublin’s summit week31:21 School bomb scares, freezer attacks and cyber resilience36:36 Russell Brand: separating character from trial evidence43:09 Consent, historical allegations and reasonable doubt49:18 A complainant’s rights and a defendant’s robust defence51:02 Brand’s public persona, religion and political celebrity57:07 Why due process matters 58:37 How to support Something Different

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

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This 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 Halloween
01:50 What Coco’s Law covers and why Loco was charged
03:32 Garda priorities, the tweet and the bus incident
06:31 Newtownmountkennedy and the context behind the post
08:46 The court hears passenger testimony and acquits Loco
10:04 Was the prosecution a political use of a vague law?
16:02 Drug-gang threats and the question of Garda resources
20:19 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 parties
41:47 Cost-of-living frustration and a lack of political ideas
42:52 Jennifer Lawrence and the pressure to change your face
51:05 Patrick Stewart, Star Trek and the US midterms
55:51 Halloween sign-off and fireworks advice for dog owners

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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” backlash
02:49 - Why the consent ad used grandparents and why that annoyed so many people
04:54 - The “family A, family B” style of cultural signalling in the ad
07:58 - Why the campaign went viral and drew international disbelief
08:26 - Consent in family life versus state-funded messaging
09:52 - Why the hosts say the ad conflates hugging with sexual consent
11:09 - Sarah’s argument: the state should not dictate family conversations
13:18 - The Irishness, class tone, and age-based disrespect in the ad
14:27 - A separate taxpayer-funded trans video and the argument over mockery
16:45 - Why the hosts see the ad as part of a wider sneering attitude to older Irish men
21:09 - The Tusla case: a 14-year-old girl allegedly being sexually exploited
22:06 - Special care, staffing shortages, and why Tusla says it cannot place her
23:32 - The judge’s intervention and the failure of political urgency
25:41 - Why Sarah says priorities in the state have become badly distorted
28:22 - Why John says Tusla is not being overseen properly by the responsible minister
29:17 - The old expectation that ministers resign for major failures
30:59 - Why this case would once have been a national scandal
32:03 - The minimum standard the state should meet for children in care
35:37 - What the triple lock is and why the Dáil vote matters
36:42 - Sarah’s concerns about broken promises and government trust
38:04 - John’s case for letting elected governments make foreign policy decisions
41:32 - Neutrality, public sentiment, and why the issue is politically complicated
44:06 - Mission creep, referendum promises, and why voters distrust politicians
45:16 - Why John thinks the triple lock debate is partly theoretical for Ireland’s current military capacity

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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