Richard Boyd-Barrett's political awakening took place in Hebron. His lifelong journey for social justice took its first steps alongside young Palestinian's of the first Intifada. So his voice was one that I wanted as part of this project. We discuss his return from illness, the militarisation agenda, Gaza and much more.

Note: The music at the end is my own recording of Daniel Maté singing Joni Mitchell at a Gaza event. It just felt relevant to the chat with Richard.

Maryam Elwaheidy is a translator with a strong foundation in English, Arabic. She holds a B.A. in English Language and Translation from Al-Azhar University in Gaza. She joins us from Gaza city to update us on the latest situation on the ground with the heavy fall of rain which flooded the tents of displaced Palestinians. We also discuss how the world is pretending that the so-called ceasefire means we can all forget about Gaza and what Israel has done over the last two plus years. Tune in for the full story.

note: this was recorded in Leinster House and Richard Boyd-Barrett makes an impromptu appearance at the end.

I travelled to Dungannon to spend a few life-affirming hours in the company of the powerhouse, Bernadette Devlin McAliskey. You probably know her story, from Bloody Sunday to Westminster to getting shot, to giving her Freedom of the City of New York award to the Black Panthers. She's lived 10 lives and in this podcast she talks about childhood, inter-generational trauma, what 's wrong with the world, what's right with the world, hope, despair, keeping our chins above the water, Ireland-Palestine and so much more.

It's in 3 parts. A general podcast discussion, the story reading and then a discussion on the story that leads to a bit of a philosophical Bernadette. Eternal life even gets a mention. I hope you all enjoy it.

Ayat Abuhelal is a poet, writer, translator, and student of English literature, born and raised in Gaza. She was recently evacuated to Ireland to continue her academic studies. While finishing her BA studies online, she is preparing to start her MA studies in Dublin. She shares a story of struggle between two worlds. This story is of displacement, hope and family that she left behind. When Ayat left Gaza, she also left behind part of her in a city now in rubble. As her new classmates speak of 2026 to come, she at times feel frozen in October 2023.

Tune in for the full story

Cian Prendiville was Head of Digital Organising on the Connolly for President Campaign, and he joined me to talk about that history making few months, the highs, lows and the learnings he wants us to take forward into the new keepleft.ie movement. Great insights; even this old cynic was impressed.

Sojood Bakroon is a graduate of Literature at Al-Aqsa University in Gaza. She is a writer and a poet, who hopes to amplify the Palestinian voice and let the world know about Palestine and Gaza. She is now in Ireland doing English and Communication at UCD. In this PalCast episode, she shares her experience of loss, displacement and fonding hope and sadness after leaving Gaza. “The world is a hotel and Gaza my home,” she says. She hopes to return back to Gaza one day to help rebuild.

The EU continues to rollback hard won rights and protections around trade, work practices and environmental regulations all in the name of simplification and competitiveness. Now the previously maligned “free-trade” Mercosur is back on the agenda, consequences be damned.

Joining me to discuss this and more is MEP Lynn Boylan, who is organising an event on Nov 6th around Trade Justice. More info here:https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/never-wast

Sparky sat down with journalist, podcaster and most importantly kids football coach, Dion Fanning to talk about their passions, experiences and feelings towards jellies. Yup!

Noor Abu Mariam, is a Business Administration student, a writer, and the social media manager for Gaza Great Minds School. She is passionate about using storytelling and digital media to share the voices and experiences of people in Gaza. She shares how she saw body parts for the first time in her life while being displaced to the south from Al-Shatii refugee camp. Noor was displaced at least 15 times and despite all the upheaval she hopes to finish her degree and continue her graduate studies. She recounts how she lost her friend and aunt and how the last two years have changed her. Tune in for the full story

A member-only podcast on the comments made in relation to Martin's work on bogus self employment in RTE on the Indo podcast, the power of Virginia Guiffre, the ceasefire that hasn't ceased the firing and a few words from Tom Clonan and the wonderful Coddle expert (she said she'd sue me if I didn't say that) Alannah Uí Geargáin.