PODAROONEY

I'd heard of Aslan when I was in the band Guernica but didn't know their music and probably didn't want to as they were just another competitor. That's the way it is when you are in a band. When I first heard the song "This Is". I loved the melody and to this day I love this song. There's a line in the song "Everybody hits you with this feeling" which from what I know of Christy encapsulates him. People who experience trauma as a child either close up and protect themselves or become very sensitive. I think Christy was the latter. I think he could feel other people's trauma and became a voice for those who were suffering. That's a hard burden to carry and eventually it took its toll.  In March 2017 Christy invited me into his house to talk on Podarooney. He was witty, warm and refreshingly honest. He could see a bullshitter a mile away and wasn't afraid to be upfront about it. That's not very common in show business where everyone is afraid to offend the gatekeepers. Maybe being aware of your mortality makes you open and honest but I think that was just Christy.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Wild Geeze is made up of Miss Lavelle and Breda from the Queer Cabaret. The duo met a year and a half ago. Miss Lavelle was running Limerick's first monthly cabaret show ‘Chez Le Cabaret' in the artistic Chez Le Fab, Arthur's Quay. Breda being a comedian, did not hesitate to message and ask to be a part of a Limerick cabaret. Breda performed at the September show and brought the house down. Their on-stage banter and appreciation of giant vagina puppets was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Aka is an Irish cosplay performer, adventure seeker, digital creator and vocaloid dancer. She has performed at cosplay events all over Europe. She has a very popular Instagram on which she cosplays characters from anime and vocaloids in videos and stills and goes to extraordinary lengths to get inside the heads of these characters. You will find her on Instagram at @akadinosan

Sahar Ali is a comedian, spoken word performer and blogger who grew up in Ireland and is currently living and working in Dubai. Her blog Saharcasm became her first solo show which she performed in the Dublin Fringe Festival in 2017 intertwining spoken word poetry, comedy, and music in an hour long show that looked at the cross cultural relations in Ireland. Sahar currently performs on the comedy/spoken word circuit in Dubai.

Karl MacDermott was amongst the new breed of stand-up comedians in the Ireland of that era. In 1988 he helped co-found The Comedy Cellar at The International Bar in Dublin with Barry Murphy, Ardal O'Hanlon and Kevin Gildea.  After appearing in his own one - man comedy show Memoirs of a Midget at The Peacock Theatre in 1989 and he had successful runs at The Gilded Balloon in The Edinburgh Fringes from 1991-93 with shows like An Afternoon With Klaus Barbie's Pen-pal and Stand-Up Stories. In September 2021, his new humour fiction novel 58% Cabbage, about a sit-down nobody who tries stand-up comedy, was published by Black Spring Press Group. 

Barbara Taylor has a compassionate, holistic approach to fitness based on cultivating self love, not self deprivation.  At 49 Barbara has spent 32 years body building. She studied ballet from 14 years, competitive Gymnastics from 7 yrs and started weight lifting at 18.  She is an avid Mountain hiker in Ireland, has completed numerous Camino's in Spain & Portugal and walked camino solo many times. She is a qualified Pilates Instructor, PT and Massage Therapist. Her own inner healing journey from Trauma, Abuse and Violence has led her to want to help people deal with their own generational/family trauma or shame.  She survived an eating disorder, alcohol misuse, self destructive patterns and raising a daughter solo to really look at how her family/societal conditioning drove her negative beliefs about herself into adulthood.

Pratt's music career spans more than 30 years. He is best known for his prolific work as a session bass player, working with artists including Pink Floyd, Roxy Music, Gary Moore, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Robert Palmer, Echo & the Bunnymen, Iggy Pop,Whitesnake, Womack & Womack, Kirsty MacColl and Robbie Robertson. Pratt has been a member of the Australian rock band Icehouse, and is currently a member of the psychedelic rock band Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets. In 2005 he debuted a one-man music and comedy show. He is the author of the autobiography My Bass and Other Animals. 

On August 18th 2021, the world lost one of its finest comedians, Sean Lock. To pay tribute to the great man listen back to the interview Joe had with Sean in 2018. 

Trevor Lock is an English comedian, actor and playwright. He is noted for the circuitous and surreal nature of his comedy. He managed to come with a new form of comedy which involves audience participation in a show called Community Circle. Trevor's new attempt at making a thing that only some people will like is similar to Community Circle and Girl v Boy but funnier and not as good. Experiments In Participatory Entertainment: We Are Each Other explores the unexpected things we have in common. ‘Superbly comic writing.' (Sunday Times). ‘Funny, moving and clever.' (Scotsman). ‘In a different league really.' (LondonIsFunny.com).

Heather Turkington is a dramatherapist based in County Armagh in Northern Ireland. She works full-time as a dramatherapist in an adult male mental health residential and nursing facility. Heather holds the NI Link Person role for BADth (British Association of Dramatherapists), is the NI rep for dramatherapy in AHPFNI (Allied Health Professionals Federation Northern Ireland), and is also a Council member of IACAT (Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists). She has a specific interest in mental health and specialises in one-to-one sessions.  As well as dramatherapy, Heather is a writer, singer, podcast host, and holds a few TV and theatre acting credits. 

Dave Minogue is the writer and Director of Irish feature film Poster Boys. Poster Boys is a lighthearted and heartwarming watch, but it isn't afraid to shy away from issues that are sure to resonate with an Irish audience, including the housing crisis, depression and suicide. We talk about getting Poster Boys from script to finance to shooting and finally onto the big screen.

Andie McCaffrey Byrne is an actor/writer who has written and starred in a new film called "Sparkle". Other roles include journalist Abbie White in RTE's Fair City. "Jane" in feature film "South" and "Stephanie" in award winning RTE/BBC Series Love/Hate. A trained Comedy Improviser, Andie has studied with some of Ireland's top film Directors and Educators including Gerry Grennel and Stephen Bridgewater in Bow Street Academy.

As a professional Fitness Coach Colman Power's passion is to guide people towards a healthier lifestyle. Everybody is unique, with their own strengths and limitations. His method is to build a custom plan based on your health, schedule and more importantly, fitness goals. Colman's aim to transform your body and influence you to make more mindful decisions when it comes to your health.

Cian Griffin has a background in content creation, writing, social media marketing and journalism, he is a passionate creative currently working in a Social Media Specialist role at Sales force. He is a fluent Irish speaker and his Instagram @gaylgeoiri is a really fun way to pick up Irish words and phrases. 

Feargal Harrington is the Managing Director of Intro Matchmaking, Ireland’s largest face to face matchmaking agency which he founded with his wife Rena 10 years ago.   Feargal has spent over a decade becoming an expert in dating through running Intro and successfully pairing thousands of clients from all walks of life in all 32 Counties. Today, Intro has 7 staff members operating from a suite of offices on Grafton street where they meet every client in person and arrange up to 100 dates every single week.

Michelle Browne personally experienced the process of legally separating in Ireland in 2008. Having endured the painstaking process of litigation and experienced the arduous amount of energy and resolve required to endure the process Michelle underwent training in Maynooth University to become a Family Mediator. Michelle believes passionately in the merits of Mediation for separating and divorcing couples in Ireland. The saving on finances is only one of the many advantages of mediation over family law courts in Ireland. For so many couples with children the mediation process can offer the compassion and empathy needed at such a difficult time.

A rising star in the comedy world, both nationally and internationally, Esther Manito has enjoyed a startling ascent as a performer in the last four years. Thrown in to the fields of writing and stand-up after completing a short writing course at the Camden Comedy Schoolin 2016, a wealth of accolades and rave reviews have followed. These include BBC New Comedy Award nominations four years running and achieving a finalist spot in both the regional Funny Women Awards and So You Think You’re Funny awards in 2017. 

Neil is a queer entertainer of the soft, philosophical and filthy variety and an absurdist songwriter. He is part of the Token Straight group of queer Irish comedians.  Neil’s recent YouTube video essays have become incredibly popular worldwide. Subject matters include gender, philosophy, politics, history, semantics and it’s all done in a fun way while also including a cookery section.

The Internet gets me down sometimes. People telling me what I should do about my mental health is bad for my mental health. There's too many people out there who want to tell me how I should exercise, how I should stretch, how I should breathe, what or how I should eat, think, not think, behave, be, have. So I need to get it off my chest. 

Bonnie Boux is a dancer, self love purveyor, wedding celebrant, performer, comedian, twerker and Wim Hof method teacher. She emanates good vibes, love and a lust for life through her dancing, her brilliant physical comedy and her smile. If Harpo Marx and Cher had a baby it would be Bonnie Boux.

On this podcast I don't have a guest. It's just me talking about being rejected. If you're an actor or writer or comedian or real person who's been rejected a lot recently you might find some solace in this. Y'know sharing is caring. 

Suzi Quatro codified a type of rock & roll woman who didn't exist before she took the stage, one who looked as tough as the guys and wasn't merely a singer but also an instrumentalist, the leader of the band who made the noise right along with the rest of the group. With her trademark leather jumpsuit and big bass guitar Quatro created a new and potent image for women in rock, one that spoke of both strength and sex appeal, and she became a major international star in the '70s with "Can the Can," a stomping bit of glam rock that kicked off a series of hit singles in the U.K. and defined the sound of her best-known work. Quatro would finally break big in the States in 1978 with a more pop-oriented single, "Stumblin' In. Her latest album "The Devil In Me" is a return to rock roots. 

Fiaz Farrelly is a photographer and videographer who has worked and toured with among others Machinehead, Metallica, The Dead Daisies and Gojira. His photography is not just confined to music but his story of growing up in Zimbabwe and becoming a Machinehead fan in a country where the local shop had maybe 10 CDs and having to ask friends and relations to bring back CDs from Europe to going on the road with Machinehead as their tour videographer is compelling. 

The Mary Stokes band hails from Dublin, Ireland and have been tearing up the blues world for over two decades. Their music is a fusion of blues and rock with a definite Irish twist. Mary can belt out a tune in a rockin’ style or in a sultry ballad. She has shared a stage with many a Blues legend including John Lee Hooker, Taj Mahal, BB King and Bo Diddley.

A champion of new and alternative music, she can be heard regularly on BBC 6 Music, where she presents the Music News live on air with Shaun Keaveny and Radcliffe & Maconie. She has interviewed hundreds of musicians and arts and entertainment figures, among them Debbie Harry, Roger Daltrey, John Grant, Richard Thompson, Glen Matlock, Steve Reich, Johnny Marr, Jools Holland, Matt Johnson, and Suzi Quatro. She was assistant producer on Pot Of Gold the Julien Temple film about Shane Magowan and researcher on a recent BBC Three documentary Music's Dirty Secrets: Women Fight Back.  

Artist, psychotherapist and singer Anne Marie Kelly, made God Given Opportunity a short film made in response to the Papel visit to Ireland in 2018 and her experience at the Stand 4 Truth demonstration which coincided with Pope Francis' mass in the Phoenix Park. The film has just been released online. As part of her Integrative Psychotherapy work Kelly treats patients suffering from addiction, trauma and emotional release and so has first hand experience of the devastating affects that child sexual abuse can have on its survivors. 

Sarah Michelle was born in Dublin, Ireland and started playing classical guitar at age fourteen. Soon she became fascinated with rock music, and quickly decided to switch to electric guitar. Her mind would change, however, the first time she heard Guns N’ Roses “Sweet Child of Mine”. It was her “that’s what I want to do” moment – she knew she wanted to be a professional rock guitarist.  Her influences in addition to Slash have grown to include Jimmy Page, Rory Gallagher, Joe Pass, Chet Atkins, and Stevie Ray Vaughan

Charlotte Matabaro was born and raised in Tower Hamlets in East London. She lived there until 1995 before moving to Ireland. She is mixed race, Tanzanian, Irish and British. Even though she was born in central London she absolutely loves living in the Irish countryside. She runs a male grooming cosmetic line called Mohecan 

While born and raised in Dublin city Ireland, MarieAnn Mc Loughlin Dwyer is a Donegal based storyteller, songwriter, and playwright. Her publishing credits include the novellas "Magpie" and "How To Trap A Starfish" and a self-published book of poetry entitled “My Invisible Rhymes”.  She released an album “Stolen Hearts” in 2016, working with producer PJ Curtis for which Hot Press Ireland published a favorable review.  She is the creator/producer of a new web series "Behind The Truth" which premiered on the 8th January at the Behind The Truth dedicated YouTube channel. MarieAnn was born in 1966, is one of seven children, and is a mother and grandmother.

Maureen O'Connell is a professional actor and filmmaker from Dublin, Ireland. She trained as an actor at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London and received her BA in Acting in 2012. She also has a Higher National Diploma in Film Production from Ballyfermot College, Dublin. She has co-written, acted in and directed the comedy feature Spa Weekend and is the director of the Dublin International Comedy Film Festival on the 3rd and 4th December www.dublininternationalcomedyfilmfestival.com (http://www.dublininternationalcomedyfilmfestival.com/)

Julia is an Estonian-born theatre artist living in London. Winner of the Malcolm Hardee Award for Comic Originality at Edinburgh Fringe 2019. Most recently, her show "Legs" had an extended run at Soho Theatre. Julia's show "We Must Live" with The Pushkinettes was nominated for an Off West End Theatre Award for best production at Voila Europe Fest 2019. She is a frequent performer at New International Encounter, having toured "We Come from Far Far Away" - a show that won the Hedda Award for best performance for young audiences in Norway, and "Spynet" - an interactive performance that toured Cambridgeshire.

Isa Bonachera started doing comedy during her time at the University of Cambridge,  where she was a cartoonist for the satirical magazine The Porter’s Log. Since she moved to London, she became a member of the Soho Theatre Young Company, and an improv student at the Free Association. Originally from Spain Isa, now a UK resident, has performed critically acclaimed shows at the Edinburgh Festival.  "A distinctively offbeat way of thinking, generating off-kilter punchlines that are hard to see coming” (Chortle).

This week on PODAROONEY, Joe chats to Mary O'Connell.  Mary O'Connell is a comedian, writer and North London socialite. Her stage presence is dangerously aloof and despite her two degrees she's always been too cool for school. Her left field view makes for hilarious and absurd material. O'Connell was longlisted in the Thousand Films Female Writing Competition.

Erika’s razor-sharp, dark and visceral writing paired with precise delivery makes her one of the most exciting young comedians on the circuit. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Erika now lives in the UK after completing the Comedy Writing and Performance Program at Salford University. In 2019, she was crowned winner of the Chortle Student Comedy Award, was the recipient of the Mike Craig Comedy Award, and the Hot Water Roast Battle Champion. She has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe, Latitude Festival, and the Toronto Sketch Festival. Erika has recently written for the upcoming fourth series of Comedy Central’s Roast Battle.

Eryn Tett is a comedian, writer and actor. Born and raised in Singapore to English parents, she moved to Southampton to get a degree in comedy writing and performance, followed by completing the American Comedy Institute one year programme in New York. As a stand up Comedian she has regularly performed to crowds at Gotham Comedy Club and Eastville in New York and on the UK circuit. She also has improv and sketch acting experience has written, filmed and edited sketches and webisodes which can be found on her YouTube channel.

The Sudanese diaspora has been instrumental in achieving a successful Sudanese revolution. One of the most active communities has been the British-Sudanese community. And you cannot talk about the British-Sudanese community without talking about Ola Labib. Labib is a 30-year-old clinical pharmacist by day and a stand-up comedian by night based in the UK. ‘Comedian. Black, female, Muslim aka a walking hate crime,’ says the biography of Labib on social media, highlighting how her identity plays a significant role on who she is and what she does.  

On this week's episode of PODAROONEY Joe chats to Charlie George. LGBTQ New Comedian of the Year 2019.  So You Think You’re Funny & Funny Women Awards runner up 2019 & Leicester Square New Comedian Award & Pride’s Got Talent finalist 2018. A former circus performer and dancer, Charlie George started doing stand-up in 2018, and since then, has fast become one of the UK circuit’s most exciting new talents. Hailed as “Hilarious” & “Lights up a room,” Charlie has also performed stand-up on BBC Asian Network Live and the BBC’s No Country for Young Women Podcast. www.charliegeorgecomedy.com (http://www.charliegeorgecomedy.com/)

This week on PODAROONEY Joe chats to Katie Pritchard. Katie Pritchard is an award winning comedian, West End & TV actor, musician, writer and artist. She plays guitar with the award winning all-girl Rock n' Roll band The Daisy Chains, has been on Harry Hills Clubnite TV show and has a podcast  with Katharine Kerr called "The Farce and the Spurious" . She also runs her own comedy night "My Mates' Jokes Bring All The Folks To The Yard" . Check her out at www.katiepritchard.co.uk (http://www.katiepritchard.co.uk/)  

Julie Jay is a comedian who has been taking the Irish comedy scene by storm, supporting the likes of Neil Delamere, Alison Spittle, Des Bishop, Flo and Joan and most recently been resident support act for Tommy Tiernan on his Paddy Crazy Horse Tour. She has performed at Edinburgh Fringe, Electric Picnic, Altogether Now, Vodafone Comedy Festival and on BBC Radio. She MCed the 2019 season of the much acclaimed Tommy Tiernan Show and hosts the ‘Up to 90’ podcast with her comedy wife Emma Doran. ‘The funniest thing I’ve seen for a long, long time’ - Tommy Tiernan

Hailing from her native Dublin, FiCat's musical creativity has taken her on an amazing journey. Recording in Nashville in 2011 allowed her to showcase her ability to infuse storytelling with succinct melodies. This ability led her to become lead singer of Irish pop outfit ‘Toy Soldier’, earning acclaim for her "soaring yet delicate" voice (GoldenPlec).   FiCat also wrote top-line melodies for an international advertising agency. Her catchy jingles can be heard in advertisements for some of the worlds leading brands such as Coca-Cola, Toyota and Pantene.  This exciting life journey from Nashville to Berlin and back to Dublin has given FiCat the inspiration to launch her brand new electro/melodic sound. FiCat has paired up with Irish based producer Diffly on her new single.    ‘All My Love’ is a summer-drenched anthem that instantly evokes memories of your favourite music festival or that beach holiday we are all missing.  With more infectious tracks up her sleeve, 2020 looks likely to be a big year for FiCat. 

Talented award-winning writer and stand-up, Mark Maier, is an established and highly sought after performer on both the national and international comedy circuits. Mark Maier has appeared in Harry Hill The Movie and in various cameo roles in the series Harry Hill’s TEA-TIME Amongst his many credits, Mark has taught and performed improvisation with Catherine Tate in London and has had a string of successful radio series, in which he was both writer and performer. Awards * 3 London International Advertising Awards ’96 (radio writing – humour) * 2 London International Advertising Awards ’96 (radio writing – utilities) * Aerial Award (radio writing) ‘96 * Radio Writing and Television Award – Hollywood International Broadcast Award ’97 (radio writing) * Jewish performer of the year

Mike Gunn (born 1964) is a British stand-up comedian, presenter, actor, writer, and voiceover artiste. He is most notable for his performance on Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow and for appearing in nine episodes of Al Murray's Time Gentlemen Please.  In the late 1980s he attended Clouds House, a 12-step drug treatment centre for his heroin addiction, and has been drug-free ever since. It was during his rehabilitation that Mike took up stand-up comedy, performing his first gig at Jacksons Lane Community Centre, North London, in 1995. Mike spent four years educating young children about drugs by working on the 2Smart4Drugs roadshow which was funded by Essex police. Gunn has been a contributor for The Guardian, and has also written for Time Out, The List, The 11 O'Clock Show (CH4) and even Match of The Day Magazine.