Pop Filter: Best of 2016
inspireland podcast
There’s too much pop culture to possibly keep track of. There are so many podcasts, apps, boxsets, books, and movies clamouring for your attention that it’s hard to know which are worth exploring. That’s where Pop Filter comes in. The producer/editor behind the Inspireland Podcast, Wil McDermott, and Wil’s friend, Lorraine Harton, (and sometimes Dave from Inspireland), sit down every couple of weeks to discuss some of the latest popular culture. In this episode Wil & Dave discuss their favourite Pop Culture from 2017. Enjoy.
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E51 Kliph Nesteroff: History Of US Comedy
inspireland podcast
Kliph Nesteroff joins me on the show to discuss his bestselling book The Comedians; Drunks, Thieves, Scoundrels and the History of American Comedy. The Comedians chronicles the evolution of comedy from interval acts in burlesque shows, through its growth on radio and tv, to the glory days of Las Vegas and the comedy clubs, before finishing on the comedy of the new millenium. The Comedians expertly blends deep research, anecdotes, and gossip to give us the definitive history of comedy and comedians but it also a social history of the US since the early 20th century. Kliph...
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POP FILTER: BLACK MIRROR
inspireland podcast
***THERE WILL BE SPOLIERS*** In episode #3 of Pop Filter I join Wil and Lorraine to discuss the first few episodes of Netflix's bleak but brilliant Black Mirror. Black Mirror was written by the always excellent Charlie Brooker and the current 6 episodes are the first installment of a 12 part season 3 commissioned by Netflix. Black Mirror paints a pessimistic picture of a dystopian,technology driven, near-future that will make you want to smash all your connected devices. Dave
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E50 Dara O'Kearney: Poker Pro
inspireland podcast
In this episode of the podcast I was delighted to be joined in the studio by professional Irish poker player, Dara O'Kearney. Dara, or Doke as he's known in the poker world, gave a wide ranging and fascinating interview that's definitely one of my favourites to date. It's a long one but a good one! Enjoy, Dave. Some of the areas we spoke about were: Dara's late entry and rapid ascension in the professional poker world. His experience as an ultra runner, including representing Ireland, and completing a 24 hour race. We chat about Dara's unlikely online friendship with David Bowie from the...
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POP FILTER: WESTWORLD
inspireland podcast
In episode #2 of Pop Filter Wil and Lorraine discuss the first few episodes of HBO's Westworld. Westworld is based on a 1973 film of the same name that was written and directed by novelist, Michael Crichton. Westworld blends the Western and Sci-Fi genres and has a stellar cast. The reviews for the show have been overwhelmingly positive with IndieWire saying that it is: “Ambitious to the edge of a cliff." There will be SPOILERS! Enjoy. Dave
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E49 Virginia Heffernan: The Internet As Art
inspireland podcast
I've read books and think pieces about the internet but none have come close to describing the web's awesome yet terrifying power as well as Magic And Loss by Virginia Heffernan. Heffernan, who has been described as "...one of the mothers of the internet.", views the web as a massive work of art favouring speed, wit, and versatility. Virginia's work sidesteps the cliches rife in analysis of online life (decreased attention spans, trolls, obsession with appearance, etc) by taking a highly original, and at times searingly personal, account of the web's rules, aesthertics, and...
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POP FILTER: AMANDA KNOX
inspireland podcast
We break from the norm for this episode as Wil McDermott, editor of Inspireland Podcast, sits down with our mutual friend, Lorraine Harton to discuss something from popular culture. In this episode they discuss Netflix's Amanda Knox documentary. Enjoy. Dave
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E48 Easkey Britton: Soulful Surfer
inspireland podcast
In episode #48 I was joined by Ireland's first lady of surfing, Easkey Britton. Surfing is so deep in Easkey's DNA that she was named after a famous wave off Ireland's west coast. More recently, Easkey has shifted her focus from competitive big wave surfing to using her training and research to help bring surfing to communities with no experience of the sport. If all this wasn't enough Easkey also writes, paints, and speaks. During our conversation we discussed; The legendary story of Easkey's grandmother bringing the first surfboard to Ireland in the 1960s. Easkey's earliest memories of...
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E47 Constantin Gurdgiev: Economics As Art
inspireland podcast
For episode #47 I was joined by the economist Dr Constantin Gurdgiev. When the Irish economy crashed and everybody was desperately searching for answers and solutions I often heard Constantin on the radio and was instantly attracted to his knowledge of economics and his ability to communicate complex ideas in simple ways. When we met in June to record this episode I was delighted to find that his ability to explain economic ideas wasn't limited to the shorter bursts radio generally provides but easily transferred to the longer podcast format. During the episode we discussed: What it was...
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E46 James Bloodworth: Myth Of Meritocracy
inspireland podcast
In episode #46 I was joined by journalist and author, James Bloodworth. James's book, The Myth Of Meritocracy, is a detailed investigation of the inequalities at the heart of how society works. Bloodworth has found that if you're born poor you'll stay poor in spite of the widely-held belief that hard work and intelligence will see us rewarded with a better quality for ourselves and our family. Topics covered during the conversation: What Meritocracy is and why it's a myth. Why political parties have embraced it as an ideal worth pursuing (or at least talking about pursuing). Why there...
info_outlineIn 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;
- Why wrestlers transition to MMA so successfully.
- How a serious injury sent Justin into an increasingly unmanageable addiction to painkillers.
- Justin describes the vision he had prior to his first visit to the Congo.
- Justin details the plight of the slave Pygmies and the 'evil' violence they experience at the hands of others.
- Justin gives a brief History Of The Congo 101.
- 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.
- Justin tells us how he managed to reduce the struggle of the Pygmies without further alienating them from other local groups.
- Justin tells us his plans for the future, Congo-related and personal.
For full episode notes please visit the INSPIRELAND blog. Thanks. Dave