What's The Story?

It's been a marathon summer for Our Man in Stockholm Philip O'Connor having covered both Euro 2020 and the Tokyo Olympics back to back. So, with Philip home less than 48 hours from Tokyo we decided to not let him rest and tell us all about his summer of sport.  From working at the games with Covid restrictions to the interesting sandwiches you can get in Tokyo Phil gives us a behind the scenes run through of what it's like covering the games as a journalist.  Danny tries to squeeze in some NBA talk and Mero talks to Phil about the brilliant piece he wrote about the Pride of Portland Row Kellie Harrington. If you've not read it you can find it here.  

This week we welcome Dr Cara Augustenborg back to the podcast to chat about billionaires in space, charging an EV in Ireland and all things climate change.  Danny tries to keep up with the youth by dropping a Tik Tok reference, Mero had an unpleasant experience while out with the stunning Suggsy and Cara tells us why Bezos and the lads need to pull up their socks on earth before heading off into outer space.   

On this week's episode Paul and Gary announce their new arts centre in Wicklow. We talk about the Olympics and Paul shares his experience of reporting from Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004, the Celtic Tiger and the biggest hangover the country has ever had and the problem with social media. 

After a summer holiday the lads return to hear the amazing story of the Black Donnellys - an Emmy award winning Irish Duo who have found success in the US and Las Vegas.  Dave Rooney, originally from Ballybrack, joins the lads to discuss winning the Emmy for the documentary "An Irish Story: This is my home". The film took the coveted NATAS (National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences) prize in the “Outstanding Achievement” Documentry; Category.  If you manage to get to fabulous Las Vegas in the future, make sure to pay a visit to the Mandalay Bay where you'll find the Black Donnellys lighting up the stage in Ri Ra's Irish Pub. 

Eve McDowell is a co-founder of stalking.ie which she set up with Una Ring as there is currently no specific stalking legislation in Ireland. Eve joined us to share her story as a victim of stalking and told us about her experience, how it happened and the lack of support available to victims even as they go through the courts process in Ireland.  Eve and Una are actively campaigning to introduce specific stalking legislation in Ireland and to provide support to those experiencing stalking. You can sign the petition by visiting the website above or clicking here. At the time this podcast goes live, less than 400 signatures are needed. If everyone listening signed it, the petition would reach its goal within 24 hours. 

Joining us this week is one of the most popular and requested guests we've ever had on the podcast, PJ Gallagher. A national treasure and a man responsible for bringing laughter to millions of people, we're always delighted to catch up the man himself.  We talk about dogs, Sex and the City, what makes a dickhead, and we take an unexpected and deep turn when talking about PJ's childhood.  Don't forget you hear PJ on Radio Nova, weekdays from 6-10am and you can subscribe to the hilarious Dubland Podcast which he hosts along side the amazing Suzanne Kane. 

Larry Mahony is a former FAI UEFA ‘A’ Licence instructor with over 30 years of coaching experience. He has provided expert coaching for players at every level of football in Ireland, from the youngest beginners all the way up to the professionals of Ireland’s National League. We spoke to Larry about his career in football from his trials with clubs like Manchester United and Preston North End to his return home and four decades of success in the Irish game and in Europe.  His new book, 'Let the players play' is available now and has won the praise of Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kennedy and Ireland internationals like Stephanie Roche and Aine O'Gorman. 

This week we're joined by People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett who spoke to us live from the Dail which is currently sitting in Dublin's Convention Centre due to Covid-19.  Our chat with the Dun Laoghaire TD covered issues like Israel Palestine, the Debenhams workers, housing and loads more besides.   

***On 4 May 2021 Alan McLoughlin passed away. He will always be remembered by Irish football fans and we are truly thankful that he joined us on this podcast in 2018. We've republished this episode in his memory. Shine on, Alan McLoughlin.***   In November of 1993 Alan McLoughlin wrote his name into Irish football history. His left foot providing the strike that ultimately sent the Republic of Ireland into a frenzy, packing their bags for the 1994 World Cup in the US, after securing a draw against Northern Ireland.  On this bonus podcast, Alan joined us just hours after the FAI parted ways with Martin O'Neill, Roy Keane and the rest of O'Neill's backroom staff. Following a disappointing run of games, the Republic of Ireland are struggling to see a bright future for their football fortunes.  We also spoke to Alan about his days in the green jersey and the legendary strike in Windsor Park back in '93.   

This week we're joined by the brilliant and always fascinating David McWilliams.  A broadcaster, author, economist and now podcaster, David is one of the most respected voices in Ireland and beyond. This week the chats go from Vespas to the rejuvenation of main streets in Ireland and from the lack of new council housing ruining football to the increasingly asked question of 'what next for Northern Ireland?'  Make sure to click subscribe for all future episodes and check out the David McWilliams Podcast too.   

This episode of What's the Story? Podcast is brought to you by Manscaped. Go to http://manscaped.com/ and get 20% off + free shipping with the code: WTSPOD #manscapedpod.  This week we're joined by journalist and reporter Brianna Parkins. Brianna will be familiar to listeners from her work with Virgin Media and the Irish Times and from her time as the Sydney Rose at the 2016 Rose of Tralee.  From dealing with sexism in the workplace to discussing what chocolate goes in the fridge. Danny takes exception to Brianna saying the sun in Ireland is weak, Brianna also shares her Mam's hilarious reaction to her becoming the Sydney Rose and Mero shares stories from his time in Australia (again). 

This episode of What's the Story? Podcast is brought to you by Manscaped. Go to http://manscaped.com/ and get 20% off + free shipping with the code: WTSPOD #manscapedpod.  On this week's episode we learn Mero has Kerry Katona in his eyes, Danny can't say the word optometrist, salted caramel is a celtic tiger creation, we've found the greatest cinnamon bun on the island of Ireland, we hear listeners' "unpopular opinions" that aren't really unpopular and we hear how Mero is helping Danny get Air Jordan's for his wedding...   *Apologies for the audio this week - plagued with mic problems. We'll get it sorted for next episode. 

This episode of What's the Story? Podcast is brought to you by Manscaped. Go to http://manscaped.com/ and get 20% off + free shipping with the code: WTSPOD #manscapedpod.  In association with Inner City Helping Homeless, we are delighted to welcome Fergal Devitt - AKA WWE Superstar and NXT Champion Finn Bálor - back to WTSpod.  As  part of Wrestlemania week, Finn will defend his NXT championship at NXT:Stand and Deliver and he took time out of his busy schedule to chat to us about what he's been up to since the last time we spoke in January 2016.  A big thank you must go to Inner City Helping Homeless for supporting this episode and for the incredible work they do on the streets of Dublin. The ICHH outreach volunteers are on the streets 7 nights a week, 365 days a year offering practical supports to people that are sleeping rough in doorways, parks, squats and places off the beaten track. To support the great work done by this charity please visit https://ichh.ie/donate/. 

This episode of What's the Story? Podcast is brought to you by Manscaped. Go to http://manscaped.com/ and get 20% off + free shipping with the code: WTSPOD #manscapedpod.  This week we're blasting off to space with Dr Niamh Shaw who is at the forefront of Ireland's space ambitions.  Niamh is a performer, a writer, an engineer, a scientist, a communicator and aspiring astronaut. She has worked with the European Space Agency, presented talks at NASA, spoken at Áras an Uachtairan and, as we hear, been involved in a very unique Mars expedition simulation here on Earth.   

This episode of What's the Story? Podcast is brought to you by Manscaped. Go to http://manscaped.com/ and get 20% off + free shipping with the code: WTSPOD #manscapedpod.  Housing in Ireland is absolutely bonkers and the pandemic has only made it worse. This week we spoke to Ciaran Mulqueen of the Instagram page that has Estate Agents cursing t'internet, Crazy House Prices. We had a chat with Ciaran about the page and the madness that is buying a gaff in Ireland in 2021.  A personal trainer turned primary teacher, Ciaran has no vested interest in the property game beyond being a first time buyer and looking for the right deal. The page has grown rapidly and has become a bit of a community for people looking to buy and finding nothing but frustration. 

This episode of What's the Story? Podcast is brought to you by Manscaped. Go to http://manscaped.com/ and get 20% off + free shipping with the code: WTSPOD #manscapedpod.  It's St. Patrick's Day and to mark the occasion we decided to get the band back together. Gary Mackle and Paul Howard have become firm fan favourites with our listeners over the years. Paul is a best selling author and a highly respected journalist. Gary is an agony aunt, raconteur, philanthropist, entertainer and award winning designer.  This week we help you build a playlist of great power ballads and cracking cover versions. Gary tells us about the time his arse was compared to a global rockstar's, Paul reveals a dislike for Ed Sheeran, Cheltenham and even Paddy's Day. The lads share war stories from recent trips to the supermarket while Gary gives us some much needed interior design advice and tell us about the time he had to turn down the offer of coordinating a wedding...     

This episode of What's the Story? Podcast is brought to you by Manscaped. Go to http://manscaped.com/ and get 20% off + free shipping with the code: WTSPOD #manscapedpod. 

This episode of What's the Story? Podcast is brought to you by Manscaped. Go to http://manscaped.com/ and get 20% off + free shipping with the code: WTSPOD #manscapedpod.  This week we're joined by League of Ireland legend Conan Byrne. A league and cup winner and veteran of European campaigns, Conan has done it all across Ireland's domestic football scene and he joined us this week to chat a bit about his career so far and the upcoming LOI season. 

This episode of What's the Story? Podcast is brought to you by Manscaped. Go to http://manscaped.com/ and get 20% off + free shipping with the code: WTSPOD #manscapedpod.  Immunologist Luke O'Neill joins us this week to talk Covid-19 and tell us about the vaccine. Luke tells us why the vaccine is completely safe and takes some time to answer listeners' questions.  Luke's book 'Never mind the b#ll*cks, here's the science' was published in 2020 and is available online and in book shops. You can also catch Luke twice a week on the Pat Kenny show on Newstalk and on his own podcast, 'Show me the science' which is available everywhere now. 

This episode of What's the Story? Podcast is brought to you by Manscaped. Go to http://manscaped.com/ and get 20% off + free shipping with the code: WTSPOD #manscapedpod.  Making her long awaited return to WTSpod, Political Correspondent with the Irish Examiner, Aoife Moore is back to help educate the lads and shed some light on the world we live in.  After a ten minute ramble from Danny and Mero, Aoife puts some manners on the conversation as we chat about schools in Derry v Dublin private schools, female representation in politics, getting stick over working class accents, Irish journalism has a wealth of talent and loads more besides.  You can follow Aoife on Twitter and pick up a copy of the Irish Examiner to see her bylines running wild on the pages.