Rebel Matters Podcast

We have a system in Ireland called direct provision that keeps asylum seekers who have come here to seek refuge from violence and the threat of being killed in their home countries in institutions with very poor living conditions. The direct provision system forces people into a limbo for long periods of time where they can't work, build a meaningful life for themselves in this country, and have no control over the food they eat and their overall day to day lives. It is an inhumane system that needs to be ended. In this episode I chatted with Ellie Kisyombe who has lived in the direct provision system since 2010, is an activist, and founder of Our Table, an organisation that works to highlight the direct provision system as well as bringing people together to learn new skills and share experiences around food.

Our Table:

http://www.ourtable.ie

Journal.ie Article on Ellie

https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/having-been-in-direct-provision-for-such-a-long-time-i-had-started-to-lose-confidence-4072559-Jun2018/

Independent Article on Ellie's Pop Up Restaurant

https://www.independent.ie/life/food-drink/i-might-not-have-money-but-im-rich-after-starting-a-popup-restaurant-this-asylum-seeker-has-found-a-recipe-for-success-37249556.html

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/q-a-what-is-direct-provision-1.3373747

https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/opinion-direct-provision-has-been-a-disaster-4066146-Jun2018/

https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/she-has-bad-days-sometimes-mother-of-three-outlines-effects-of-direct-provision-on-her-children-872663.html

This year I was in the West Bank twice. This episode countains a short selection of sounds that represent some of the things that are happening in Palestine today, the basics of Palestinian modern history that gives an idea of how we ended up with the situation that exists there today, and a short talk I recorded from Aysar, who is a volunteer in the Laylac Centre that serves the second biggest refugee camp in the West Bank, the Dheisheh Camp.

Useful Links for More Information

Laylac Centre Information

Aysar Go Fund Me To Raise Funds To Translate Writings

BADIL- Palestinian Refugee Human Rights Organisation

FAQ about Palestinian Refugees

Article on Dheisheh Refugee Camp Shootings

There is a man living in a tent on Patricks Quay in Cork city. I have seen him around many times, and he has been in the news recently as a local politician and former Lord Mayor of Cork featured in the local newspaper and said about his home: "It should be removed, dismantled, thrown into the back of one of our council trucks and taken away." I spoke to him about his life, his home, and his philosophical outlook on life.

On this episode I chat with Strength Coach and Author Dan John about the importance of developing a coaching philosophy, training and nutrition, the benefits and importance of intentional community, the challenges facing young people today, and a few more topics!

Arveene and Shamon Cassette from Acid/Hiphouse duo Bon Voyage are in the Rebel Matters hotseat this week. We chatted about their individual paths to hip-hop, the creative process, and the importance of the message behind genuine music and art. So many great points were raised and discussed that this is an episode to listen to, not only if you are a music fan, but if you just want the good vibes to spread all over! Enjoy.

This week I sat down with Dan Murphy from Hermitage Green and Global Village Tours. We discussed the creative process, working within set limits in art, the Irish language, travel, and a few more interesting segues.

This weeks episode is a conversation that I recorded with Mick 'The Iron Man' Murphy at his home just outside Caherciveen back in 2010. The original recording was 4 hours long, and not initially intended for release, so the quality is not as good as it should be.

This enthralling conversation details Mick's life as a circus performer, wrestler, cyclist, weightlifter, darts player, and all round journeyman. Putting this episode together brought back a lot of great memories of the chats that I had with Mick over the 5 years that I knew him.

Pádraic discusses his involvement in the Republican movement from a young age, his time in Crumlin Road Gaol, and in Long Kesh, where he took part in the blanket and no-wash protests, and his life as a community activist.

Gill Bourke has over 50 caps for the Irish Rugby team and suffered a life altering concussion during an Irish training session. In this episode, Gill chats about how she built her international career, and her treatment in the aftermath of sustaining the concussion. We also get stuck into the importance of upholding personal and professional values on and off the field.

This week on Rebel Matters I sat down with music producer Peter Power to discuss the importance of art in our modern society and the challenges that come with building a successful career in an industry that is off the beaten path in relation to more conventional career paths.

I also have another Rebel Matters first for all you lovely listeners out there. Today we are going to close out the episode with a new song that has over 300000 views online, has been banned from radio and television, and despite that has picked up several awards in the last few weeks. Straight from the streets of West Belfast, stay tuned to the end to hear Irish language rap trio Kneecap and their first release, Cearta.