In episode #35 I was joined by US historian and cultural critic, Thaddeus Russell. Thaddeus is best known for his brilliantly titled book: A Renegade History Of The United States.

Michael Simmons of LA weekly described Renegade History as; "...the story of our country told by the fuck-ups, prostitutes, gangsters, drunks, minstrels, and looters. His fascinating book reminds us that while the truth may hurt, it's rarely dull."

Thad currently teaches at Occidental College in LA and had previously taught at Columbia, the New School for Social Research, and Eugene Lang and Bernard colleges. Thad was fired from Bernard in 2010 for teaching a version of history that some deemed; "...improper, frightening, and dangerous." If that's not the greatest advert for a history class ever I don't know what it.

During the episode Thad tells me about his unique experience of growing up with Socialist parents as a white kid in black areas. Thad gives us his take on the micro aggression controversy currently sweeping US campuses. We also discuss how democracy is bad for a society that wants to have fun, how weekends off work were created, the best way to get the attention of your students, and why even though Donald Trump may have abhorrent world views his style of oratory is worth defending.

Thad doesn't give a warts and all version of history, he gives us a version of history that's all about the warts.

Enjoy the show, Dave

Further episode notes can be found at the inspireland blog.

In this episode I was joined by adventurer, author, and speaker Alastair Humphreys. Alastair has gone on several massive adventures but is at pains to point out that he is as lazy and cautious as the rest of us. Alastair was named a National Geographic Adventurer Of The Year in 2012 for his microadventure movement. Microadventures are a cheap, local, excuse-proof way of making adventures attainable for those of us who are too busy, poor, or timid to attempt something bigger.

Alastair was an excellent guest and I'm pretty sure I have the dubious honour of being the first interviewer who got him to swear at them!

Topics covered by my conversation with Alastair include:

1. The importance, and difficulty,of breaking our routine.
2. Alastair explains what got him to begin his first big adventure, a 46,000 mile bicycle ride!
3. The joy of the microadventure.
4. Breaking the elitism of adventuring.
5. The importance of staying childlike.
6. Alastair explains that writing is harder than walking across a desert.

For full episode notes, as well as a list of the many books etc that get a mention in the interview go to the inspireland podcast blog. Thanks for listening. Dave

In this episode I was joined from Fort Worth, Texas, by Justin "The Big Pygmy" Wren. Justin is a professional MMA fighter but his principal fight is for the rights of the 'forgotten' Mbuti Pygmy slaves in eastern Congo. Still only 27, Justin has packed a lot into his life so far. He has gone from the highs of 2 all-American wrestling titles and a place in The Ultimate Fighter house to the lows of addiction and suicidal ideation. Justin's faith has played a large part in his recovery from addiction and an even larger part in the events that found him heading to the Congo on 3 weeks notice in 2011.

Justin was an inspirational, sincere, and humble guest. Justin has found the best way to ease his own troubles is to focus on the troubles of others. Wren's immediate plans are to fight for Bellator MMA and return to the Congo between fights to visit his beloved Pygmy family.

Our conversation covered the following topics;

1. Why wrestlers transition to MMA so successfully.
2. How a serious injury sent Justin into an increasingly unmanageable addiction to painkillers.
3. Justin describes the vision he had prior to his first visit to the Congo.
4. Justin details the plight of the slave Pygmies and the 'evil' violence they experience at the hands of others.
5. Justin gives a brief History Of The Congo 101.
6. Justin describes his first trips to the Congo and his decision to help by setting up Fight For The Forgotten, getting the help of a local university, buying land, and drilling wells.
7. Justin tells us how he managed to reduce the struggle of the Pygmies without further alienating them from other local groups.
8. Justin tells us his plans for the future, Congo-related and personal.

For full episode notes please visit the INSPIRELAND blog. Thanks. Dave

In this episode I was joined by Jamie Bartlett, author of The Dark Net: Inside the digital underworld. The Dark Net explores the vast and hidden network of sites that engines like Google, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram can't access. It's a world where people can be anyone they want and largely do anything they want. It's a world occupied by bitcoin, self-harmers, illegal drugs and cyber (and all too real) terrorism.

Jamie was an excellent guest and thankfully his book is far from alarmist. Jamie met many of the people involved in the birth and growth of the most infamous corners of the dark web. Jamie tells the story of his journey through the dark web, and the story of those he met along the way, in a balanced and informative way. We meet trolls, a man convicted of possession of child porn, those tasked with policing online paedophilia, self-harmers, and a familiar camgirl (Vex Ashley).

Our conversation included the following topics:

1. What motivates the online trolls.
2. What The Onion Router (TOR) is and how it works.
3. Jim Bell's essay "Assassination politics."
4. The desensitising nature of the internet.
5. What bitcoin is and how it works.
6. Pro-anorexia and Pro-suicide forums.
7. Jamie's belief that parents should go to the sites he mentions in his book to better understand how they work.

For full episode notes go to inspirelandpodcast. Enjoy the episode. Dave

In this episode I was joined by the creator of online video hit Everything Is A Remix, Kirby Ferguson. Kirby's first series was described by The Guardian as: "...occasionally feeling like a PowerPoint presentation by the world's most coked-up history professor." While Kirby's documentary style is satisfyingly fast paced his conversational style is deliberate and demonstrative.

Kirby's current series, This Is Not A Conspiracy Theory, explores the ideas, events, and human quirks that contribute to the modern political landscape. Kirby's process is as intriguing as his videos and in the second half of the interview I explore his unique approach to his work.

Our discussion included but was not limited to:

• The important difference between work and practice.
• The difference between a conspiracy and a conspiracy theory.
• How the internet can help convince us that we're right.
• The human desire to see meaning in patterns.
• How Copy-Transform-Combine is the core of the creative process.
• Kirby explains the benefits of releasing his work episodically.

Enjoy the episode. Dave

For full episode notes please visit inspirelandpodcast.com

What is the purpose of your life? This is the question that Dr Joe Marshalla found himself asking after a near death experience. Dr Joe uses his unique blend of philosophy, psychology, spirituality, and physics to communicate his philosophy of life to the world. This philosophy is best expressed in his thought provoking book, Repeatlessness: An owner's manual for the human mind.

During our conversation we discussed:

• The impact of GMO chemicals on the ecology of his home in Hawaii.
• What all religions have in common.
• How we can live meaningful, authentic lives.
• How parents can create a team ethic with their kids.

For full episode notes visit inspirelandpodcast.com.

Thanks for listening, Dave.

In episode 28 I was joined by gregarious geneticist Aoife McLysaght. Aoife works in the Molecular Evolution Lab in Trinity College, Dublin. Aoife is currently engaged in a European Research Council funded search for genes that cause diseases. Sadly for me Aoife debunked my favourite genetic myth when she told me that you can't have a healthier child by exercising immediately prior to conceiving!

Our conversation covered the following topics:

1. Where Aoife's love of science came from.
2. Why Aoife chose to focus on genetics.
3. Why the traits of recessive genes don't disappear.
4. Why it's my Mother's fault I'm going bald.
5. The ethical problems with patenting genes.
6. The importance of public engagement to understanding of science.
7. Why one of Aoife's student left to join the circus.

For full episode notes go to my blog at inspirelandpodcast. Enjoy the show. Dave

In episode 28 I was joined by cam-girl and porn actress Vex Ashley. I came across Vex when I read an article about her and her work in Esquire magazine. In the article Vex spoke so intelligently and frankly about her career and her place within the porn/sexwork industry that I knew I had to have her on the show. Vex was charming, insightful, thoughtful, and funny and if you have any negative preconceptions about people who work in this industry prepare to have them destroyed.

During my conversation with Vex we discussed:

• Vex's art school background and the influence this has on the pornography she makes.
• How Vex first got involved as a cam girl and her surprise at the people she encountered during this work.
• Vex's decision to make the distinctive style of porn that she makes.
• Vex's site, Four Chambers, is crowdfunded via Patreon and we spoke about how this works.
• Whether or not on-screen sex is as enjoyable as off-screen sex.

We covered loads more topics during the podcast but that's a flavour. For full episode notes, including links to Vex's site etc, please visit the inspireland website.

Thanks for listening, Dave.

In inbetweenisode 27.5 I was joined by Bikram yoga teacher, Grainne Martin. We met in Grainne's studio in Fairview, Dublin shortly after a class has finished and spoke as the room slowly cooled. Grainne has been practicing Bikram since 2003 and in 2006 she made the decision to travel to Los Angeles to do the formal teacher training. Grainne taught in the US, New Zealand, and Australia before returning to Dublin in 2007. Grainne opened her studio in 2009.

During our conversation we spoke about:

1. The difference between Bikram and Hot Yoga.
2. Why Bikram is so difficult at first.
3. What motivated Grainne to make the move from student to teacher.
4. The physical and mental benefits of Bikram.
5. Bikram as a possible treatment for depression.
6. I asked Grainne are her classes full of models and vegans!
7. We discuss the accusations against the founder of Bikram.

For full episode notes visit the inspirelandpodcast blog. Enjoy the episode. Dave

In this episode I was joined on the phone from LA by New York Times bestselling author, Ashley Merryman. Merryman, along with her co-author Po Bronson, have written two award winning popular science books; NurtureShock: New Thinking About Parenting, and Top Dog: The Science Of Winning & Losing. Both books are a brilliant blend of storytelling and accessible science but during the episode we focus on her most recent book, Top Dog.

Some of the topics covered in our conversation were:

1. Merryman's experience as a young attorney and speechwriter with the Clinton administration.
2. How the co-authoring process works.
3. The difference between seeing competition as a challenge or a threat.
4. Why women are less likely to engage in competition but slightly more likely to succeed when they do.
5. Home field advantage.
6. The difference between playing to win and playing not to lose.
7. Does competition improve skills or effort?

Ashley was a really enjoyable guest, with a great sense of humour and an obvious love for the work that she does. At some stage in the future Ashley will be back on the show to discuss NurtureShock, her book that changed the American narrative on parenting.

All the books etc mentioned in the episode can be found in the detailed episode notes at inspirelandpodcast.com.

Enjoy the episode. Dave