Taranoia

In show 44 (wish it was 50, but here we are), Tara celebrates her half century by recording a breezy (literally), free-form, stream-of-consciousness podcast from a car at the side of the road, overlooking Kinsale. That's right, she's 50. (Fifty.) (50.) She's earned every facial line and wrinkle and knee-creak so damn right she's going to celebrate. As cars roll past wondering if she's a tree surgeon or some kind of shit spy, Tara reflects on times she nearly died, stuff she's learned, and reads some questions from patrons she will attempt to answer with the kind of wisdom that automatically lands on you at such a great age, when libraries deem you officially "old". Right? PARTAY in the car-tay!

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In show 43, Tara has journalist and author Lynn Enright over to her flat for a chat. They talk about moving to London, the concept of 'DubLon' and and finding where you're meant to be in your life and career. How Lynn highlighted the need to repeal the 8th amendment from overseas. Why is it that now, even those on-side in the UK are outraged about Alabama but don't seem to know much about the situation in Northern Ireland? And of course they talk about Lynn's book Vagina: a Re-Education (Allen & Unwin).They reminisce about sex education in Irish schools, the 'mirror day', and finding out the vagina might actually be pretty cool, despite messaging to the contrary, and why it doesn't actually whistle when you walk.  Tara is looking forward to the sequel already and has some ideas.

https://www.lynnenright.com

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Website

http://www.taraflynn.ie

Patreon

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In show 42 (recorded a couple of weeks ago), Tara is in London talking to Stewart Lee about comedy and whether PC really has GONE MAD. Stewart has lots of thoughts on Brexit. They talk about the role of satire, and whether comedians have a responsibility when you can, in reality,  'say anything (anymore)'. There's also mic-swapping, background birdsong, Truro, comedy in the olden days, voting, an upcoming film project (see link below), and the alt-right's forays into humour. This leads to a cracker of a Taranoia-style conspiracy theory, and honestly, Tara is here for it.

For info on King Rocker or to donate to help get it made: https://kingrockerfilm.com

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Website

http://www.taraflynn.ie

Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/taraflynnirl

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/taraflynnirl

In show 41, Tara meets up with Emily Waszak of Migrants for Reproductive Justice (MERJ). Tara discovers that while Tara is a big chicken, Emily is much braver. They talk civil disobedience, anarchy, the migrant experience in Ireland, structural discrimination, repro rights and maternity care, housing and evictions, putting yourself out there, and what racism really looks like. There's also plenty chat about milkshakes and Emily gets a birthday wish.

http://merjireland.org

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Website

http://www.taraflynn.ie

Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/taraflynnirl

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/taraflynnirl

In show 40, Tara visits the office of Dr. Arpita Chakraborty (or does she)? Arpita is with the School of Law and Government at DCU and is part of the Ireland India Institute. What makes her, as she self-describes, a "GIF-obsessed feminist killjoy"? In Arpita's office (or is it?) she and Tara discuss masculinism and toxic masculinity. Why is it so often interpreted as 'masculinity is toxic'? Arpita sets us straight, with milk and cake. They talk representation, changes in Ireland, and possible echoes in the experiences of the Dalit caste in India and the travelling community here. And Arpita digs deep with spoilers* into certain character arcs on Game of Thrones and *that* controversial episode. Which, of course, is the really important stuff. (Handle dragons with care.)

*To avoid GOT spoilers, if you're behind, skip minute 30 to 34

www.irelandindia.ie

Twitter @arp_chak

Instagram @foodie_nerd

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Website

http://www.taraflynn.ie

Patreon

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https://www.instagram.com/taraflynnirl

In show 39, Tara has just come back from New York, with its blue-eyed cats and ubiquitous seating. She was also there for a conference on reproductive rights. What are the issues that affect Ireland and the US? Exactly one year on from the Repeal of the 8th amendment in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland is still without access. Why 'the North is next' has nothing to do with Winterfell and everything to do with Westminster.

Support Alliance for Choice here http://www.alliance4choice.com 

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Website

http://www.taraflynn.ie

Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/taraflynnirl

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In show 38, Tara has tea and porn chat with Caroline West, a Doctoral Scholar (soon to have her PhD) in Sexuality Studies at DCU. Caroline's work involves examining the experiences of women working in the American porn industry and what feminists say about those experiences, as well as going to Las Vegas for research. Is porn bad (like Tara always heard growing up) or good (agency, empowerment), or a broad and varied industry that can be both? Caroline helps people to talk about sex, and think about who gets to decide what's good or bad. She and Tara chat traditional repression, changing attitudes, cheesy storylines, sharing names with porn stars and the absence, in cinematic depictions, of the sex towel.

Twitter: @carolinewest_IE

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Website

http://www.taraflynn.ie

Patreon

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https://www.instagram.com/taraflynnirl

In show 37, Tara has a think about language and stereotypes. The French have a slightly different connotation for the verb 'to ignore': what might that teach us English speakers? How the word 'cis' is useful, not derogatory, so let's stop stressing and listen when trans people have something to tell us. When your Spanish language podcast buddy turns out not to be what he seems. And how people might sell books off the back of dating rules, but those rules might be way more limiting than they seem. Is it jousting you want? Really? Brought to you by Spamdals. (Shout outs to Bethany Black and Mona Eltahawy.)

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Website

http://www.taraflynn.ie

Patreon

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In show 36, Tara kidnaps Dr. Gavan Titley, Senior Lecturer in Media Studies at Maynooth University. His focus is the politics of racism and multiculturalism in Europe, as well as freedom of speech and what constitutes 'hate speech' in traditional and social media. Though race is the main target, Tara feels Gavan's work could apply to trolling and controlling based on any form of discrimination. In an hour she asks him to cover: the rise of the far right and what big tech can do about it, or is it already too late? Who has the power online? Is 'hearing out' harmful ideas useful, or have some ideas been adequately tested in history? The IDW lads. Charlie Hebdo, Notre Dame, and who makes a news story. Is democracy fucked? Is revolution inevitable or just something in Tara's head? And is there Mill in the fridge? There isn't half enough time. She'll just have to have him back.

Gavan's past publications include The Crises of Multiculturalism: Racism in a Neoliberal Age, written with Alana Lentin (Zed Books 2011), and the co-edited National Conversations: Cultural Diversity and Public Service Media (Intellect Books 2014) and After Charlie Hebdo: Terror, Racism, Free Speech (Zed Books 2017).  

Racism and Media will be published by Sage Publications in spring 2019.

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Website

http://www.taraflynn.ie

Patreon

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In show thirty-five, Tara joins Claire Hunt of Homeless Period Ireland to find out all about what they do. What is period poverty and is there anything we can do about it, short or long term? What counts as a luxury item? On getting caught out, smashing shame, comforts and treats and old loopy pads. The power of volunteering. Why Ireland is still leaving people behind on essentials in 2019. And not really knowing what churching is, thank goodness.

Drop-offs, donations and information:

https://www.facebook.com/homelessperiodIreland/

Twitter: @homelessperiodD

Instagram: @homelessperiodireland

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Website

http://www.taraflynn.ie

Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/taraflynnirl

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/taraflynnirl