Podcasts about Northern Ireland

#254Our WhatsApp  groupProperty Engine discounts (Code: EXPAT)Starter: 30 day trialPro: 30 day trial/3 mths 1/2 price, Ultimate: 1/2 price 3 monthsGoalsettingLeave a review37 Question Due Diligence Checklist / Auction GuideOur Sponsors: Finnigan McNeill Property GroupThis is the fifth episode in this year's mini-season celebrating the 12 Days of Christmas.We're releasing daily bite sized episodes.Each one contains clips from three of my favourite episodes from 2025.Today's show features extracts from:#224: Why You Should Invest in Northern Ireland Property (Eimear Gourley)#225: Structural Secrets for UK Property Investors (Paul Fowler)#223: The Ticking Time Bomb of EPCs in UK Property (Solo)KeywordsUK property podcast, Expat property podcast, UK buy to let podcast, Property investment UK podcast, UK property investment tips, Investing in Northern Ireland property, Expat property story, UK rental property advice, Energy Performance Certificate advice UK (EPC), EPC changes 2026 UK landlords, UK property market podcast, Structural issues property UK, UK property portfolio management, Hands free property investing UK, Property renovation UK podcast, How to identify structural issues in UK properties, Landlord tips for EPC changes 2026, Buying to let in Belfast Northern Ireland podcast, UK property legislation for expats, Maximising capital growth Northern Ireland property, Avoiding subsidence problems in UK rentals, Retrofit contractors advice UK property podcast, Grants for energy improvements UK landlords, UK stamp duty for expats, Rental yield Belfast, UK property legislation differences, Property sourcing companies UK review, Podcast for investing in Manchester property

Vaughan Roderick looks back at interviews over the past year. Professor Elwen Evans from Universities Wales came in October, following a year of headlines on the financial challenges facing universities. Professor Kevin Morgan talked about his book, Serving the Nation, and the importance of good public food. On the 100th anniversary of the report of the Irish Border Commission, Cormac Moore discussed the redrawing of the lines that divided the young Irish Free State from Northern Ireland. Ten years after Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board first went in to special measures, current Chief Executive Carol Shillabeer explained what she was doing to try and turn the health board around. Before Lindsay Whittle went on to win the Caerphilly by-election for Plaid Cymru, Sir Deian Hopkin remembered the 1968 election when Plaid Cymru gave Labour a run for its money but ultimately didn't gain the seat in Westminster. And following the publication of her book 'Artists, Siblings, Visionaries', Judith Mackrell illustrated the effects the early death of their mother had on the lives of Welsh-born Gwen and Augustus John.

In August 2020 Katie Simpson was brutally murdered by Jonathan Creswell, the partner of her older sister.For months he convinces her family, the hospital, the pathologist and even the police that she'd taken her own life. He portrays himself as the Good Samaritan, who'd tried to save her.But for a small group of people, close friends and family, a Detective Sergeant and journalist Tanya Fowles, the truth about how she'd died might never have come out.For the first time, Tanya reveals how in the weeks after Katie's death, while she'd been asking questions of the police about Creswell, she receives a phone call from someone employed by one of Northern Ireland's politicians.The message is clear, unusual and unnerving. The journalist has no idea how her caller knew she was enquiring about the case as she hadn't published a word about it yet.But it convinces her more than ever that there is definitely more to Katie's death than suicide.

Aoife Moore is an independent investigative journalist from Derry, Northern Ireland and formerly worked as a political correspondent for the BBC.She calls herself a victim of England's legacy in Ireland and says that every facet of her life has been marred by British colonialism, including the death of her uncle in the violence of Bloody Sunday.Aoife chose her path to become a journalist because of her frustration with the British media's unwillingness to challenge the government's official narrative of what happened on Bloody Sunday and her desire to be a part of revealing the truth.She is the best-selling author of The Long Game: Inside Sinn Fein, a book that explores the growth of Sinn Fein from the armed struggle of the IRA to its current political dominance in the country.Credits:Photos and text, John NoltnerField production, summer interns Kate West, Sawyer Garrison, and Kaitlin ImaiAudio Engineering, Razik SaifullahThanks for listening to A Peace of My Mind's podcast. For photos, videos, and additional content, visit our website and follow us on Instagram.

2025 was a platinum year for Northern Ireland's sport superstars, from winning Premier League medals to securing world titles. Rory McIlroy finally got his hands on the green jacket, Lewis Crocker upset the odds to win the IBF Welterweight World title at Windsor Park, and Northern Ireland won its first ever World Cup... as Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney took home the glory of the 2025 PDC world cup. To count down Northern Ireland's top 15 Sporting Moments of 2025, Keith Bailie is joined by Belfast Telegraph chief sportswriter Steven Beacom and reporter Niamh Campbell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Song: I Believe Music by: Una McCann   Guest singers:​ Rebecca Csuy, Seth Norton, Tom Norton, Marika Tabilio   Notes: You'll hear a wonderful group of singers helping me cover all the ranges of this song: Tom and Seth bring the bass, Marika nails the tenor, Rebecca lines up the alto, and I take on soprano. There's a bit of octave confusion -- where do we find these pitches in our different voices?! And then this fabulous song and groove reminds us to see the goodness -- in you, in me, in everybody. So grateful to Una McCann for living into the teachings of Tara Brach and catching this song that feels so good to have singing in my body! Wishing everyone a week of discovery and festive comradery, whether you are celebrating holy days or simply the close of 2025...   Songwriter Info: Una McCann is based in Belfast, Northern Ireland where she works as a choir leader and songwriter.  She has been leading groups in harmony since her school days and has been working professionally with choirs for 15 years.   Currently the chair of the Natural Voice Network, Una runs 6 Natural Voice style weekly choirs.  She also enjoys running singing holidays and retreats.    Una is passionate about the power of creativity to transform lives and encourages her singers to improvise, play and explore their own creativity. Song writing is a part of life that sustains and supports Una.  She writes melodies and words that she needs to hear in that moment and is always delighted when they resonate with other people too.   I Believe was born out of the wish to always see the best in people even when it's hard and we don't want to, and to remember that underneath all of us is someone who just wants to be happy. We all come from love but sometimes we lose our way a bit.  It was inspired by listening to Tara Brach who creates beautiful talks on topics such as this.   Sharing Info: Please buy sheet music on Una's website (see below) if you plan to share this song as a songleader.   Song Learning Time Stamps: Start time of teaching: 00:05:24 Start time of reprise: 00:19:52   Links: Una's website: www.unamccann.org Sheet music for this song: https://unamccann.org/product/i-believe/  Una's Instagram: www.instagram.com/unamccann47 Una's Facebook (Una McCann Music): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558408430060  Tara Brach's website: www.tarabrach.com Natural Voice Network: www.naturalvoice.net    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, minor, 2 layers, one layer with melody & two harmonies   Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely:  https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share   Help us keep going: reviews, comments, encouragement, plus contributions... we float on your support.  https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html

Neoborn Caveman spins a marble-mouthed pro-humanity satire on truth, sovereignty, and tyranny, blending green tea slurp and burp with critiques of Avatar 3 as overpriced garbage versus The Promised Land series as low-budget fun, champions vinyl and CDs over streaming for control, exposes poisoned food and water amid ignored protests like Belgium farmers, questions Rep. Ashley Hinson's Iowa bill forcing fathers to pay pregnancy costs as socialist overreach demanding relationship responsibility, condemns UK silent prayer bans near abortion clinics as thought crime absurdity, and urges good people to unite in humility and accountability against parasitic elites.Key TakeawaysTruth requires personal responsibility.Sovereignty favors tangible over digital control.Globalists suppress protests while toxifying essentials.Relationships demand commitment before consequences.Government laws erode family autonomy.Silent thought faces criminalization.Good unity defeats sinister regimes.Humility exposes elite parasites.Accountability restores human freedom.You are special—one of a kind.Sound Bites"Let's slurp and burp together just to annoy Bill Gates and the globalists because we will provide some methane gases after today!""Watch The Promised Land, this is the series title, The Promised Land""CDs are back, maybe they never went away. And I think it's all about control and sovereignty.""That's not life, that's not what God designed for us.""I will be a lawmaker on a way as well to ensure father's shoulder 50% of pregnancy expenses.""Keep it in your pants or keep your pants up. That's it.""It's not only a Northern Ireland thing, it's not only an England thing, it's not a British thing, it's American...""What are you doing? You don't move your lips. What are you thinking of?""We have to take responsibility for our own lives.""You are amazing. You are special. You are one of a kind."Gather for unfiltered rambles at patreon.com/theneoborncavemanshow —free join, chats, lives.keywords: truth, sovereignty, avatar critique, promised land series, streaming control, poisoned food, belgium protests, iowa pregnancy bill, ashley hinson, relationship responsibility, silent prayer bans, uk abortion zones, humility, accountabilityHumanity centered satirical takes on the world & news + music - with a marble mouthed host.Free speech marinated in comedy.Supporting Purple Rabbits. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

William Ury is one of the world's most influential peacebuilders and experts on negotiation. He advised Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos in the lead up to that country's historic 2016 peace agreement with the FARC, and played a key role in de-escalating nuclear tensions between the U.S. and North Korea in 2017. Getting to Yes, which Ury co-wrote with Roger Fisher back in 1981, is the world's best selling book on negotiation. Ury co-founded the Program on Negotiation at Harvard, as well as the Abraham Path Initiative, an NGO that builds walking trails connecting communities in the Middle East. His new book is called  Possible: How we Survive - and Thrive - in an Age of Conflict. It's filled with incredible stories from Bill's career. In this episode, Bill talks about how lessons from the failures and success of the past – in places like Northern Ireland, Colombia, and the Middle East – can be instructive when dealing with the conflicts of today.  He shares exciting ideas about how journalists can tell stories about peace. What's more, his insights on managing conflict can be applied anywhere from the UN to the boardroom to your own family. William Ury's ideas aren't easy to implement –  in fact they're incredibly challenging. Ury says conflicts don't end, but they can be transformed, from fighting with weapons to hashing differences out in a democratic process. And if Northern Ireland, South Africa, and Colombia – places where people said violent conflict would go on forever – could transform their conflicts, then there's hope for the seemingly “impossible” conflicts of today. Music in this episode by Joel Cummins, Podington Bear, Kevin MacLeod, Meavy Boy, and Faszo.This episode was originally published in May 2024. ABOUT THE SHOW The Making Peace Visible podcast is hosted by Jamil Simon and produced by Andrea Muraskin. Our associate producer is Faith McClure. Learn more at makingpeacevisible.orgSupport our work Connect on social:Instagram @makingpeacevisibleLinkedIn @makingpeacevisibleBluesky @makingpeacevisible.bsky.social We want to learn more about our listeners. Take this 3-minute survey to help us improve the show!

As AI becomes more prominent in our daily lives, it is also reshaping the cybersecurity landscape. So how do Irish  organisations and businesses build a stronger resilience against emerging threats? To find out more about this I spoke to Ivor Buckley Field CTO at Dell Technologies Ireland & Northern Ireland.Ivor talks about his background, multi-cloud, AI, cyber resilience and more.More about Dell Technologies:Dell Technologies is a global team united under a single purpose: to drive human progress through the power of technology. Through AI-powered automation and intelligence, their services help you enhance your IT and end user experiences to maximise innovation end-to-end.

As AI becomes more prominent in our daily lives, it is also reshaping the cybersecurity landscape. So how do Irish organisations and businesses build a stronger resilience against emerging threats? To find out more about this I spoke to Ivor Buckley Field CTO at Dell Technologies Ireland & Northern Ireland. Ivor talks about his background, multi-cloud, AI, cyber resilience and more. More about Dell Technologies: Dell Technologies is a global team united under a single purpose: to drive human progress through the power of technology. Through AI-powered automation and intelligence, their services help you enhance your IT and end user experiences to maximise innovation end-to-end. See more podcasts here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

For this special joint podcast on bluetongue with Catherine Egan from the Beef Edge and Stuart Childs from the Dairy Edge, we're joined by vet John Donlon to get an insight into bluetongue. Primarily transmitted via biting midges, the cases on farms in Northern Ireland significantly reinforces the need for awareness on farms in the Republic of Ireland.  Early action, identification and isolation will be key in reducing the potential for further virus spread. Temperature is a major factor in the transmission of bluetongue. The typical transmission period usually runs from late spring to early autumn, especially during the summer months. During the winter, the risk of disease spread is much lower. Bluetongue is associated with many symptoms. Typically, in affected cattle and sheep, the main symptoms may include: fever and loss of appetite; drop in milk yield (dairy cows); reddening of mucous membranes; sores on the nose, gums or dental pads; swelling of the face, lips or tongue (‘blue tongue'); breathing difficulties, drooling or nasal/eye discharge; lameness due to inflammation at the top of the hoof; abortion or foetal deformities; and, in severe cases, infection can result in death. For further info: Teagasc urges vigilance on bluetongue - Teagasc | Agriculture and Food Development Authority Bluetongue is a notifiable disease, meaning anyone who suspects an animal may have the disease is legally obliged to notify DAFM without delay. To report a suspected case of Bluetongue virus to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), you should immediately contact your local Regional Veterinary Office (RVO) or the National Disease Emergency Hotline.  Contact details:·      During office hours (9 am - 5 pm): Contact your local Regional Veterinary Office (RVO)·      Outside office hours (operational 365 days a year): Ring the National Disease Emergency Hotline at 01 492 8026 For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at:https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast

Church attendance in Northern Ireland is set to increase this Christmas, with 57 per cent of adults planning to attend a church service or event, according to research commissioned by Tearfund.  The survey, conducted independently by Savanta among 998 adults, shows a notable rise from last year's 50 per cent.  In line with ‘Quiet Revival' trends, Gen Z are the largest generation to say they plan to attend church this Christmas (72%), followed by Millennials (62%), the Silent Generation (58%), Gen X (49%) and Baby Boomers (49%).   Key factors bringing people through the doors were tradition, spiritual meaning and community support.  Of those attending, 45 per cent say it is part of their Christmas tradition, a third (33 per cent) go for the atmosphere, and nearly a third (32 per cent) regard Christmas as a time for spiritual reflection.  Among non-Christians, 44 per cent say they leave church at Christmas feeling peaceful, while others report feelings of hope (21 per cent) or joy (19 per cent). The role of churches as a community cornerstone has been noted; nearly half of Northern Irish adults (49 per cent) said they, or someone they know, has received support from a church at Christmas. Nearly one in ten (8 per cent) report using a Christian foodbank themselves, and almost a quarter (22 per cent) have benefitted from a free Christmas Day meal provided by a church – or know someone who has. 

Irish Stew couldn't make it to Dublin, so cohost Martin Nutty and John Lee settled for the Dublin House, a venerable watering hole on New York's Upper West Side, known for its low-key vibe, high quality pints and its 10-foot-tall neon sign in the shape of a harp that has been lighting the way to a great craic for decades.The occasion was a meet-up over a pair of those pints for “Stew in Review,” a holiday retrospective on their 2025 season.  Martin reflected on the core message of the Joseph Kennedy III episode as the former US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland advocates for the healing power of civility over the destructive impulse of rage.John notes for craic it's hard to top the episode recorded in the cavernous, cacophonous Common Market with Belfast Night Czar Michael Stewart and Belfast Food Tours' Caroline Wilson, and for raw, riveting emotions the episode with Northern Irish actors John Duddy and Ciaran Byrne as they relived their experiences of The Troubles.That was one of two episodes of Irish Stew recorded live before a (paying!) audience as part of the Origin Theatre First Irish Festival, a 2025 highlight made possible by then artistic director Mick Mellamphy, an high-energy experience the pair hopes to expand on in the year to come.With a pint or two oiling the conversational gears the pair shared recollections of The Irish Stew residency at the Solas Nua Capital Irish Film Festival, a standout episode with the groundbreaking Irish president Mary Robinson, the sense of commitment to community they found throughout their Off the Beaten Craic in the Hidden Heartlands Road Trip, the destination dining at Thyme Restaurant in Athlone, and the serendipitous stories they stumbled upon in their off-season Midlands ramble.The podcasters also raise a toast to their travel partner Tourism Ireland, media partner IrishCentral, the Dublin House for welcoming them into their cozy confines, and, above all, the folks who lend their ears--the listeners. The episode wraps with a sneak preview of what's to come in 2026, and, after settling their bar tab, the podcasters head back into the windy winter weather on West 79th Street, pausing for a selfie under the glowing green harp that heralds the Dublin House.Irish Stew LinksWebsiteInstagramLinkedInEpisode Details: Season 7, Episode 37; Total Episode Count: 140

This week Ivy Slater, host of Her Success Story, chats with her guests, Cathlene Miner and Aisling Owens Nash. The three talk about the origins of Hopefull Handbags as a movement to support survivors of domestic abuse, the unique approach of using donated handbags filled with essentials to open conversations and restore dignity, and the life-changing programs the organization offers to help survivors rebuild their lives—such as SHINE, which empowers individuals towards independence, employment, and long-term success.  In this episode, we discuss: How Cathlene Miner founded Hopefull Handbags in 2017, inspired by her grandmother's domestic abuse experiences and childhood memories, beginning with collecting donated handbags to provide practical support and open conversations about abuse. What drove Aisling Owens Nash to expand Hopefull Handbags to Ireland in 2021 as Executive Director of Hopefull Handbags Global Ireland, drawn by the organization's simple, impactful approach to helping survivors through community bag-packing events. When handbags serve as powerful conversation starters—packed with daily essentials like toiletries, notebooks, and handwritten messages of hope, they restore dignity and enable survivors to reach out for further support without immediate vulnerability. Why pop-up shelters and transitional support like rent assistance and children's needs are critical, addressing the statistic that over 85% of survivors return to abusers due to financial instability. What the NEW program (Navigating Employment Wins) entails—hands-on resume building, interview skills, and active job searching to ensure financial independence, rejecting the empowerment model's limitations for more direct intervention.   Cathlene Miner is the Founder CEO of Hopefull Handbags Global, Inc. Non-Profit, 501c3, Raising Hope for those getting back on their feet again due to Domestic Abuse and other Challenging Situations beginning with One Hopefull Handbag at a time. She is a Bestselling Author of the 30 Day Self Perception Makeover, and the 30 Day Self Perception Makeover Teen Edition, Mentor, Fitness Lover, International Speaker, and Radio Podcast Host. Cathlene loves her life as a homeschool mom, wife, mother of 4, and grandmother (Sea) to 3 amazing granddaughters, an entrepreneur, and a love of anything that brings a smile and joy, and a self-professed glass half full kinda girl. Cathlene and Hopefull Handbags Global believe in collaboration over competition which is why Hopefull Handbags Global hosts and are part of events that bring women, businesses, and nonprofits, and communities together because "Together We Are Stronger". She knows from her own experiences and those of her clients that with a healthy Self Perception, anything is possible to truly manifest your life on purpose and allow your dreams to unfold because you are limitless. "Never Underestimate the Power of Hope"  Aisling Owens Nash Founder, The Right Room™ | Event Experience Architect™ | Executive Director, Hopefull Handbags Global | President, Hopeful Handbags Global Ireland | Regional Head Networking Leader, MIB International (Ireland & Northern Ireland) Aisling Owens Nash is the creator of The Right Room™ and a sought-after Event Experience Architect™, designing and hosting premium live and digital experiences that transform events from inspiration-only gatherings into decision-making spaces where authority, clarity, and conversion happen. In addition to leading The Right Room™, The Expansion Room™, The Conversion Room™, and The BoardRoom Series™, Aisling serves as Executive Director of Hopefull Handbags Global and President of Hopefull Handbags Global Ireland, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering survivors of domestic abuse worldwide. She also holds the role of Regional Head Networking Leader for Ireland and Northern Ireland with MIB International, the world's fastest-growing female empowerment network, uniquely positioned as a child-friendly global business community. Her mission is simple: to create the rooms, relationships, and opportunities that help entrepreneurs step out of businesses they've outgrown and into the identity, structure, and visibility required to lead what's next. Website: https://www.cathleneminer.com/ https://www.hopefullhandbags.org     

Who doesn't love a great roadie? Self-drive adventures rank highly in my pantheon of golden travel experiences and Northern Ireland's Causeway Coast touring route is a show-stopper. Bookended by Derry~Londonderry and Belfast Lough, this sublime 185km drive threads together a stirring mosaic of fishing villages, secluded beaches, wondrous rock formations, rugged coastlines, crumbling castles, storied history and mouth-watering scenery. Pointing the car northeast from Derry~Londonderry, I began tracing the nooks and crannies of Northern Ireland's theatrical coastline by stopping off at Mussenden Temple. Dramatically perched on a cliff lording over Downhill Beach, this flamboyant folly was constructed in 1785 - inspired by the Temple of Vesta, near Rome. This circular stone temple served as a library and retreat for the eccentric Earl of Bristol who was also the Bishop of Derry (Earl Bishop), along with enormous views over the Atlantic Ocean. The setting is lip-smacking, wrapped in glorious estate gardens which you can explore on the cliff-edge walk, along with the ruins of the Earl Bishop's mansion, Downhill House. Fancy a beach layover? The neighbouring seaside resort towns of Portstewart and Portrush are blessed with sprawling blonde-sand beaches, backed my muscular limestone cliffs. Portrush is the bigger, brasher resort with an abundance of souvenir shops and amusement arcades like Curry's Fun Park. There's a faded glory feel to this seaside spot, exuding a retro appeal, in a similar vein to Blackpool or Bournemouth. But it's those drop-dead-gorgeous beaches and turquoise waters that really steal the show. Liberally strung along the Causeway Coast, strategically located look-out points cater to roadtrippers eager to get snap-happy and drink in the panoramic views. Few spots command greater affection than the Dunluce Castle look-out. It's a riveting perch to dreamily gaze across the crumbling castle ruins, clinging to the cliff, high above the churning ocean on a wind-walloped basalt outcrop. This medieval stronghold of the MacDonnell clan featured regularly on Game of Thrones. The MacDonnell Clan of Antrim still technically own it, even though the castle fell into disrepair 300 years ago. You can access it via the bridge which connects it to the mainland. Like many Irish castles, Dunluce has a fine bit of legend attached to it. It's said that on a stormy night back in 1639, part of the castle's kitchen fell into the icy water below. Apparently, only the kitchen boy survived, as he managed to tuck himself away in a safe corner of the room. If set-jetting is your bag, there's a host of fantastical shooting locations for Thrones fans to scout out in Northern Ireland, around the Causeway Coast. Just inland in Ballymoney, I jaunted to The Dark Hedges. Falling victim to over-tourism, stringent traffic and parking restrictions are now in place. Go early in the morning to dodge the hordes. Nor did I see The Dark Hedges. Photo / Mike Yardley The legendary ghost, the Grey Lady, a spectral figure said to drift silently between the ancient beech trees. This iconic avenue of gnarly, intertwined beech trees was planted in the 18th century by the Stuart family to create a grand entrance to their estate, Gracehill House. It's an ethereal landscape which of course became globally famed after appearing as Kingsroad on Game of Thrones. Sadly, over a dozen of these trees have been lost in recent storms and a heritage trust has been formed to try and keep the remaining 80 trees alive, given they are reaching the end of their natural lives. Heading back to the ocean, the Causeway Coast earns its name from a primordial geological marvel that may well prove to be your road-tripping highlight. Yes, the Giant's Causeway. Forged 60 million years ago when molten lava cooled quickly in the ocean water and contracted into crystallised basalt pillars, it is a head-spinning volcanic formation. The spectacle is compelling, a procession of 40,000 basalt hexagonal blocks and columns, reaching out into the ocean, like primal pistons thrusting out of the earth. You can take your chances and hop-scotch or clamber your way across these inter-locking formations, as crashing waves thunder in. The spectacle is best enjoyed at low-tide, revealing more and more of these basalt columns. Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. Photo / Mike Yardley I enjoyed a night in the charismatic village of Bushmills, just minutes from the Giant's Causeway. Sip on a dram from the world's oldest licensed distillery. Old Bushmills Distillery started manufacturing after a grant from King James 1 in 1608. Over 400 years later, they're still making single-malt whiskey here, using Irish barley and the unique water from their own stream too, spilling out of the River Bush which flows over basalt rock. Jamesons is the No.1 selling Irish whiskey. Like Jamesons, Bushmills is triple-distilled for smoothness, but distinctly individual in character. If you prefer gentle vanilla sweetness with subtle fruitiness, reach for Jameson. If malty richness with honey and spice appeals more, Bushmills will hit the sweet spot. Take a distillery tour to fully revel in the magic. Just around the corner, enjoy a night at the Bushmills Inn Hotel. Sharing the same pedigree as the distillery, the oldest part of the Inn, which is now home to the restaurant, was the original coach house and stables, circa 1608. Blending historic character with modern luxury, this award-winning hotel, backed by the River Burn, is an evocative place to rest and savour the legendary drama and beauty of the Causeway Coast. Space and luxury are the hallmark of the 41 guest rooms and suites, individually designed with stylish, traditional furnishings. After enjoying a dram by the cracking peat fire, tuck into some seriously good gourmet dining, steeped in local produce like treacle-cured salmon and seabass fillets with seared scallops. After a great night's sleep and a hearty full Irish breakfast, I headed back on the Causeway route, passing through picturesque Ballintoy Harbour (another Thrones filming site) to reach the remarkable Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. Suspended and swaying 30 metres above the roiling Atlantic, this catch-your-breath rope bridge is cared for by the National Trust. Clinging to the cliffs off the mainland and the outcrop Carrick Island, this gnarly rope bridge was first erected by salmon fishermen over 250 years ago. Crossing the bridge is a thrilling experience with sublime views across to Rathlin Island and the Scottish Islands, along with encountering the original salmon fishery. Blow out the cobwebs and sway with the bracing wind. Fishermen first constructed a single handrail rope bridge to transport boxes of their prized salmon, caught off the island. There would be have been tens of thousands of crossings, over time. Ever since its construction in 1755, not a single report of anyone losing their from slipping off the bridge has been recorded. I didn't want to blot that copybook. As I tentatively crossed over, my guide thoughtfully informed me that the current model can withstand the weight of a double-decker bus. After reflecting on the gluttonous size of my full Irish breakfast, that was quite reassuring. I was lucky enough to get a glimpse of the historic fisherman's cottage, where they would store their nets and take shelter while awaiting their catch of migrating salmon. It's a magnificent, elemental nugget of coastal pride and seafaring heritage. Carnlough Harbour. Photo / Mike Yardley For a complete of scenery, I headed south to take in the Glens of Antrim that jut in from the coast like verdant wonderlands for outdoorsy adventures. These nine dramatic, forest-filled valleys in County Antrim, spill forth with folklore, spectacular hiking trails, bucolic splendour and truly charming villages like Glenariff. If you're after a scenic medley of deep valleys, rolling hills, lush forests and thundering waterfalls, you'll be in seventh heaven. Don't rush the Glens, they're best savoured at an easy, meditative and relaxed pace. For one final night of Causeway magic, before driving back to Belfast and onto Dublin, I luxuriated in the picturesque seaside village of Carnlough. Located at the foothills of Glencoy – one of the nine Glens of Antrim, edged by the shores of Carnlough Bay, this sheltered and compact harbour is the focal point of Carnlough village. Carnlough Harbour is another Thrones location to add to you tick-list. Fans will recognise the stony staircase leading down to the sea, filmed as part of the Free City of Braavos Canal. With its storybook good looks, this sweetheart stone harbour was first constructed in 1854 by the Marchioness of Londonderry (Winston Churchill's great grandmother), to help develop the limestone export trade. It's also home to the Harbourview Hotel. Formerly known as the Londonderry Arms, this gorgeous main street institution, beckoning like a country house hotel, has been refreshed into Ireland's first destination whiskey hotel. The Harbourview's focus is on Irish spirits, rare tastings, and events, blending its rich 1848 history with modern coastal luxury on the scenic Causeway Coast. I delved into the hotel's Whiskey Chamber, brimming with over 200 Irish whiskeys, where sublime tastings, distillery dinners, and whiskey-themed events take place, led by co-owner and master distiller Darryl McNally. Darryl and his fellow hotel owners also own Outwalker and Limavady Whiskey. Great drops! Old Bushmills Distillery. Photo / Mike Yardley Retaining stunning features including open fires and original terrazzo flooring, the new hotel features a newly refurbished bar, lounge and restaurant, offering the perfect blend of timeless charm and modern Irish hospitality. Each of the 35 elegantly appointed bedrooms have been completely redecorated and revamped, blending contemporary luxury with timeless style, and where the emphasis centred squarely on comfort. Hearty hospitality and a homely atmosphere is just the start of the Harbourview's seduction. A fitting place to raise a celebratory glass to the conveyer belt of treasures, underpinning the siren-like pull of the Causeway Coast. Fill your heart with Ireland in the enchanting Emerald Isle. For more touring insights and inspiration, head to the official website www.ireland.com I flew to Dublin with Qatar Airways, recently crowned the 2025 World's Best Airline by Skytrax, scooping the supreme honours for the ninth consecutive year. Qatar Airways flies non-stop between Doha and Auckland daily, with onward connections to 170 destinations, including daily flights to Dublin. I flew in Economy and you'll notice the difference with one of the widest seats in the industry, complete with adjustable headrests. Lap up generous dining, complimentary Wi-Fi and over 8000 on-demand entertainment offerings in the Oryx One system. For best fares and seats to suit, www.qatarairways.com Mike Yardley is Newstalk ZB's resident traveller and talks travel every week on Saturday mornings with Jack Tame.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The major changes needed to make farming profitable - we hear from Baroness Batters on her long awaited review.Charcuterie is often a favourite over the festive season, which means this is a busy time of year for Lizzie and Andrew Baker in Ammanford in South Wales. They rear rare breed pigs on their farm and have a charcuterie and smoking business too.We've been taking a look at historic rural buildings this week, their cultural value and how to preserve them, and this morning we're heading to Northern Ireland. When a local community group began the restoration of an old corn mill, in County Fermanagh, it sparked interest in a number of old mill stones long abandoned on local farms. Presented by Caz Graham and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

Jonny Clark is the program manager for Public Theology at Corrymeela, often called Ireland's oldest peace center.Born in New Zealand and married to an American, Jonny has lived in Northern Ireland for 40 years. When he was growing up, his family moved to Belfast at the heights of The Troubles. As he says, “During a time when most people were not moving to Northern Ireland.”He has spent time in South Africa, Israel - Palestine, and other places of tension, learning ways that other countries have moved through or continue to struggle with conflict.Jonny was involved with making a documentary called Guardians of the Flame, a film that strives to hear redemptive stories from people in the midst of religious and sectarian violence.Thanks for listening to A Peace of My Mind's podcast. For photos, videos, and additional content, visit our website and follow us on Instagram.

In the first of two Christmas Specials we are joined from Belfast, Northern Ireland by Emma Brennan.  Owner of Iron Wolf Gym, Iron Wolf Gymwear, Qualified Personal Trainer, Strength & Conditioning Coach, Sports Therapist, competitive Powerlifter & mother of two. This is a wide ranging conversation covering Emma's unconventional route into the fitness industry, her experience in the education & training sector, the current state of the industry, juggling life as a wife & mother with running a business AND competing in Strength Sports. Emma also talks openly about dealing with her own health & fitness challenges over the years & how her personal experiences inform her approach when working with clients.

Lumpy Skin Disease continues to spread in Europe, Bluetongue was recently found in Northern Ireland for the first time and bird flu was found in dairy cows for the first time in Wisconsin. Could these diseases suddenly slow milk production growth faster than the market is expecting?

How did centuries of history shape the Irish Troubles?In this second episode about the history of 'The Troubles' Dr Thomas Leahy traces the roots of the conflict from the 17th century to the eve of the First World War. From Cromwell and the plantations to rebellion, famine, and the fight for Home Rule, this episode reveals how power, religion, and identity became deeply entangled in Ireland.Rather than starting with violence, this conversation shows how division was built slowly — through laws, land, loyalty, and memory.You'll learn:Why religion became inseparable from politics in IrelandHow discrimination and land ownership shaped identityWhy events like the Great Famine still matter todayHow Ireland came close to civil war before WWIThis episode connects the dots and sets the stage for understanding the Troubles themselves.

A comparison of early stage state supports for the indigenous tech sector in Ireland and Northern Ireland' with Minister Jack Chambers The Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers today launched a new report, 'A comparison of early stage state supports for the indigenous tech sector in Ireland and Northern Ireland' which was conducted by Scale Ireland and QUBIS, and commissioned by InterTradeIreland. Supporting the Irish tech sector The report, which was conducted over the last year, provides an in-depth and comprehensive comparative analysis of the state financial supports available for supporting early stage tech start-ups in Ireland and Northern Ireland. It also contains several proposals on enhancing collaboration between Ireland and Northern Ireland and their indigenous tech ecosystems. Some of the Key Proposals To further support the development of a more integrated all-island ecosystem, the state agencies should initiate a forum with stakeholders from Ireland and Northern Ireland on an annual or twice yearly basis. A joint funding initiative for companies in Ireland and Northern Ireland under the Shared Island initiative should also be explored. A Department for the Economy-led study could consider exploring joint funding mechanisms, such as a cross-border tech seed fund that leverages incentives to stimulate investment in high-growth sectors, strengthen regional economic clusters, and support sustainable, knowledge-driven business growth across Northern Ireland and Ireland. Launch and fund an initiative to gather more specific data to assess the state and impact of both indigenous tech ecosystems and how they compare and interact. The Programme for Government in Ireland contains a commitment to commission a statistical series of comparative data. The all-island ecosystem might be a suitable subject for consideration in this regard, potentially providing the basis for this further study The CEO of Scale Ireland, Martina Fitzgerald said 'This report presents a strong vision for enhanced collaboration between the indigenous tech sectors in Ireland and Northern Ireland. It is very clear there are opportunities for further joint funding initiatives and data collection and this can be progressed by the setting up of a Stakeholder Forum bringing together key agencies and organisations'. The Chair of Scale Ireland,Brian Caulfieldsaid 'This report provides valuable, in-depth insights into early stage state supports and funding in Ireland and Northern Ireland. It highlights shared challenges and opportunities in relation to funding. It will be of great value to founders and will, hopefully, encourage increased policy coordination'. Rachael Corridan, Programme Manager, InterTradeIreland said 'The Comparison of Early-Stage State Supports for the Indigenous Tech Sector in Ireland and Northern Ireland report highlights the importance of cross-border collaboration in addressing shared challenges and unlocking growth opportunities. InterTradeIreland is proud to support this project, and the work of Scale Ireland and QUBIS through our Synergy programme'. Prof Brian McCaul, CEO, Qubis, "This report highlights how Ireland and Northern Ireland have complementary tech ecosystems with real potential to achieve more through closer collaboration. By strengthening all-island cooperation we can improve access to funding, talent and international markets and build a more competitive innovation ecosystem" Scale Ireland is the independent not-for-profit representative organisation for Irish tech start-up and scaling companies. Founded in late 2019, Scale Ireland has over 820 members of all stages, sizes and sectors in the tech start-up community. Its key mission is to make Ireland a leading location for innovation and entrepreneurship. Scale Ireland is now the largest representative organisation for the indigenous tech sector. InterTradeIreland which connects and helps businesses...

Lee Reynolds is Northern Ireland's first Commissioner for the Ulster-Scots and the Ulster-British tradition. The Coleraine man is a former DUP special advisor, Belfast city councillor and he's the man who coordinated the campaign for Brexit in Northern Ireland. What does the role entail? What is Mr Reynold's vision? And what changes can people expect to see, and hear? Lee Reynolds joined Ciarán Dunbar in the studio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jason Miler and Dave Armstrong - As we pursue a vision of love in the neighborhood, we've been continually inspired by a kindred community in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The people of Redeemer Central Church are following Jesus and stewarding a sacred space in the heart of their city, and as we've taken on the call to reactivate the Tribune as a place for the people of South Bend, their story is encouraging us in ours. Our lead pastor, Jason Miller, was with Redeemer in Belfast this week, and he and David Armstrong from Redeemer sat down to share the story of how these two communities are walking together.  To give to the Christmas Offering, which will, in part, go to Redeemer Central Church, click here.

Allen, Joel, and Yolanda recap the UK Offshore Wind Supply Chain Spotlight in Edinburgh and Great British Energy’s £1 billion manufacturing push. Plus Ørsted’s European onshore wind sale, Xocean’s unmanned survey tech at Moray West, and why small suppliers must scale or risk being left behind. Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored by Weather Guard Lightning Tech. Learn more about Weather Guard’s StrikeTape Wind Turbine LPS retrofit. Follow the show on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Linkedin and visit Weather Guard on the web. And subscribe to Rosemary Barnes’ YouTube channel here. Have a question we can answer on the show? Email us! You are listening to the Uptime Wind Energy Podcast brought to you by build turbines.com. Learn, train, and be a part of the Clean Energy Revolution. Visit build turbines.com today. Now, here’s your host. Allen Hall, Joel Saxon, Phil Totaro, and Rosemary Barnes. Allen Hall: Welcome to the Uptime Wind Energy Podcast. I’m your host Allen Hall in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Queen City. I have Yolanda Pone and Joel Saxon back in Austin, Texas. Rosemary Barnes is taking the week off. We just got back from Scotland, Joel and I did, and we had a really great experience at the UK offshore wind supply chain spotlight 2025 in Edinburgh, where we met with a number of wind energy suppliers and technology advocates. A Joel Saxum: lot going on there, Joel. Yeah. One of the really cool things I enjoyed about that, um, get together the innovation spotlight. [00:01:00] One, the way they had it set up kind of an exhibition space, but not really an exhibition. It was like just a place to gather and everybody kind of had their own stand, but it was more how can we facilitate this conversation And then in the same spot, kind of like we’ve seen in other conferences, the speaking slots. So you could be kind of one in ear, oh one in year here, listening to all the great things that they’re doing. But having those technical conversations. And I guess the second thing I wanted to share was. Thank you to all of the, the UK companies, right? So the, all the Scottish people that we met over there, all the people from, from England and, and around, uh, the whole island there, everybody was very, very open and wanting to have conversations and wanting to share their technology, their solutions. Um, how they’re helping the industry or, or what other people can do to collaborate with them to help the industry. That’s what a lot of this, uh, spotlight was about. So from our, our seat, um, that’s something that we, you know, of course with the podcast, we’re always trying to share collaboration, kind of breed success for everybody. So kudos to the ORE [00:02:00] Catapult for putting that event on. Allen Hall: Yeah, a big thing. So, or Catapult, it was a great event. I’ve met a lot of people that I’ve only known through LinkedIn, so it’s good to see them face to face and. Something that we’ve had on the podcast. So we did a number of podcast recordings while we’re there. They’ll be coming out over the next several weeks, so stay tuned for it. You know, one of the main topics at that event in Edinburg was the great British Energy announcement. This is huge, Joel. Uh, so, you know, you know, the United Kingdoms has been really pushing offshore wind ambitions for years, but they don’t have a lot of manufacturing in country. Well, that’s all about the change. Uh, great British energy. Which is a government backed energy company just unveiled a 1 billion pound program called Energy Engineered in the uk, and their mission is pretty straightforward. Build it in the uk, employ people in the uk, and keep the economic benefits of the clean energy transition on British soil. 300 million pounds of that is really [00:03:00] going to be focused on supply chain immediately. That can happen in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England. It’s a big promotion for the UK on the wind energy side. I see good things coming out of this. What were your thoughts when you heard that Joel Saxum: announcement, Joel? The offshore wind play. Right. It’s like something like this doesn’t happen to economies very often. Right. It’s not very often that we have like this just new industry that pops outta nowhere. Right. We’re, we’re not making, you know, it’s like when, when. Automotive industry popped up in the, you know, the early 19 hundreds. Like that was this crazy new thing. It’s an industrial revolution. It’s all this new opportunity. So offshore wind in, in my idea, same kind of play, right? It’s this new thing or newer thing. Um, and as a government, um, coming together to say, Hey, this is happening. We have the resources here. We’re gonna be deploying these things here. Why would we not take advantage of building this here? I mean. Any politician that says I’m bringing jobs or I’m bringing in, you [00:04:00] know, um, bringing in funds to be able to prop up an industry or to, uh, you know, start a manufacturing facility here or support an engineering department here, um, to be able to take advantage of something like this. Absolutely right. Why offshore this stuff when you can do it Here, you’ve got the people, you have the engineering expertise. It’s your coastline. You’ve operated offshore. You know how to build them, operate ’em, all of these different things. Keep as much of that in-house as you can. I, I mean, we’ve, we’ve watched it in the US over the last few years. Kind of try to prop up a supply chain here as well. But, you know, with regulations and everything changing, it’s too risky to invest. What the, it looks like what the UK has seen over there is, well, we might as well invest here. We’ll throw the money at it. Let’s, let’s make it happen on our shores. The Allen Hall: comparison’s obvious to the IRA Bill Yolanda and the IRA bill came out, what, A little over two years ago, three years ago, roughly. We didn’t see a lot of activity [00:05:00] on the manufacturing side of building new factories to do wind. In fact, there was a lot of talk about it initially and then it. It really died down within probably a year or so. Uh, you know, obviously it’s not a universal statement. There were some industries model piles and some steelworks and that kind of thing that would would happen. But sometimes these exercises are a little treacherous and hard to walk down. What’s your thoughts on the UK government stepping in and really. Putting their money where the mouth is. Yolanda Padron: I think it’s, I mean, it’s, it’s great, right? It’s great for the industry. It’ll, it’ll be a great case, I think, for us to look at just moving forward and to, like you said, government’s putting their money where their mouth is and what exactly that means. You know, not something where it’s a short term promise and then things get stalled, or corporations start looking [00:06:00] elsewhere. If every player works the way that they’re, it’s looking like they’re going to play right now, then it, it could be a really good thing for the industry. Allen Hall: Well, the, the United States always did it in a complicated way through tax policy, which means it runs through the IRS. So any bill that passes Congress and gets signed by the president, they like to run through the IRS, and then they make the tax regulations, which takes six months to 12 months, and then when they come out, need a tax attorney to tell you what is actually written and what it means. Joel, when we went through the IRA bill, we went through it a couple of times actually, and we were looking for those great investments in new technology companies. I just remember seeing it. That isn’t part of the issue, the complexity, and maybe that’s where GB Energy is trying to do something different where there’s trying to simplify the process. Joel Saxum: Yeah. The complexity of the problem over here is like that. With any. Business type stuff, right? Even when you get to the stage of, um, oh, this is a write off, this is this [00:07:00] for small businesses and those things, so it’s like a delayed benefit. You gotta plan for this thing. Or there’s a tax credit here, there. Even when we had the, um, the electric vehicle tax credits for, uh, individuals, right? That wasn’t not something you got right away. It was something you had to apply for and that was like later on and like could be. 15 months from now before you see anything of it. And so it’s all kind of like a difficult muddy water thing in the i a bill. You’re a hundred percent correct. Right. Then we passed that thing. We didn’t have the, the rules locked down for like two years. Right. And I remember we had, we had a couple experts on the podcast talking about that, and it was like, oh, the 45 x and the 45 y and the, the C this and the be that, and it was like. You needed to have a degree in this thing to figure it out, whereas the, what it sounds like to me, right, and I’m not on the inside of this policy, I dunno exactly how it’s getting executed. What it sounds like to me is this is more grant based or, and or loan program based. So it’s kinda like, hey, apply and we’ll give you the money, or we’ll fund a loan that supports some money of with low interest, zero [00:08:00] interest, whatever that may be. Um, that seems like a more direct way, one to measure ROI. Right, and or to get things done. Just just to get things done. Right. If someone said, Hey, hey, weather guard, lightning Tech. We have a grant here. We’d like to give you a hundred grand to do this. Or it was like, yeah, if you put this much effort in and then next year tax season you might see this and this and this. It’s like, I don’t have time to deal with that. Yolanda Padron: Yeah. We might also just change the rules on you a little bit, and then maybe down the line we’ll see where we go. Yeah. It does seem like they’re, they’re setting up the dominoes to fall in place a bit better. This way. Yeah, absolutely. Joel Saxum: That’s a, that’s a great way to put it, Yolanda. Let’s setting up the dominoes to fall in place. So it’s kinda like, Hey. These are the things we want to get done. This is what we wanna do as an industry. Here’s a pool of money for it, and here’s how you get access to it. Allen Hall: A lot’s gonna change. I remember, was it a couple of months ago, maybe, maybe a year ago, time flies guys. Uh, we were just talking about. That on the way home from [00:09:00]Scotland, like how many people have had in the podcast? It’s a lot over 60 have been on the podcast as guests. Uh, one of the people we want to have on is, uh, Dan McGrail, who’s the CEO of Great British Energy because, uh, we had talked about with Rosemary the possibility of building turbines all in. The uk, they have blade factories. All this stuff is doable, right? They have technology. This is not complicated work. It just needs to be set up and run. And maybe this is the goal is to just run, it may maybe not be OEM focused. I I, that’s what I’m trying to sort through right now as, is it vestas focused? Is it GE focused? Is it Siemens Keesa focused? Is there a focus or will these turbines have GB energy? Stamped on the side of them. I would Joel Saxum: see love to see support for sub-component suppliers. Yeah, I would too. Yeah. The reason being is, is like that’s, that’s more near and dear to my heart. That’s what [00:10:00] I’ve done in my career, is been a part of a lot of different, smaller businesses that are really making a difference by putting in, you know, great engineering comes from small businesses. That’s one of my, my things that I’ve always seen. It seems to be easier to get things done. In a different way with a small business than it does to engineering by committee with 50 people on a team faster, sometimes better. Uh, that’s just my experience, right? So I would like to see these smaller businesses propped up, because again, we need the OEMs. Yes, absolutely. But also spread it around, right? Spread the wealth a little bit. Uh, you know, a, a factory here, a factory there, a engineering facility here. The, uh, you know, an execution plant here. Some things like that. I would love to see more of these kind of, uh, spread around like the, like GB energy’s money spreads around, like fairy dust. Just kind of plant a little here, plant a little in this city, make a little here, instead of just lumping it to one or lumping it into one big, um, OEM. And that doesn’t necessarily [00:11:00] have to be an OEM, right? It could be a blade manufacturer that I’m talking about, or. Or a big, big gearbox thing or something like that. We need those things, and I, I’m all for support for them, but I just don’t think that all of its support should go to them. Speaker 7: Australia’s wind farms are growing fast, but are your operations keeping up? Join us February 17th and 18th at Melbourne’s Poolman on the park for Wind Energy o and M Australia 2026, where you’ll connect with the experts solving real problems in maintenance asset management. And OEM relations. Walk away with practical strategies to cut costs and boost uptime that you can use the moment you’re back on site. Register now at W OM a 2020 six.com. Wind Energy o and m Australia is created by Wind Professionals for wind professionals because this industry needs solutions, not speeches. Allen Hall: If you haven’t booked your tickets to Wind Energy o and m Australia 2026, you need to be doing [00:12:00] that. Today, uh, the event is on February 17th and 18th in Melbourne, Australia. Uh, we’ll have experts from around the world talking everything o and m, and there’s so many good people are gonna be on the agenda, Joel, and a lot of big companies sponsoring this Joel Saxum: year. Allen Hall: You want to give us a highlight? Joel Saxum: Yeah, so like you said, Alan, we have a ton of sponsors going to be there and, and I’d like to say the sponsors. Thank you ahead of time. Of course. Right. We’re, we’re, we’re super excited for them to get involved because as we’ve put this event together. We’re trying to do this no sales pitches, right? So we wanna do this, not pay to play. We want people here that are going to actually share and learn from each other. And the sponsors have been kind enough to get on board with that message and follow through with it. So, like our lead industry sponsor Tilt, uh, Brandon, the team over there, fantastic. Um, they have, they’re, they’re the, their key sponsor here and they’re supporting a lot of this. So the money’s going to applying in experts from all over the [00:13:00] world, putting this thing together. Uh, so we have an, uh. A forum to be able to talk at, uh, C-I-C-N-D-T. From here in the States, uh, we’ve got Palisades, who’s another operator in the, uh, Australian market, uh, rig com. ISP over there doing blade work and it just keeps rolling down. We’ve got squadron on board, squadron’s gonna do one of the coffee carts. Um, so I know that we’ve got a limited bit of tickets left. I think we are 250 in the venue and that’s what the plan is. I think we’re sitting at about half of that leftover. Allen Hall: Yeah, it’s getting close to running out. And I know in Australia everybody likes to purchase their tickets at the last minute. That’s great. And but you don’t wanna miss out because there is limited seating to this event. And you wanna go to WMA w om a 2020 six.com. Look at all the activities. Book some tickets. Plan to book your travel if you’re traveling from the United States or elsewhere. You need a couple of weeks [00:14:00]hopefully to do that ’cause that’s when the airline prices are lower. If you can book a a couple of weeks ahead of time. So now’s the time to go on Woma 2020 six.com. Check out the conference, get your tickets purchased, start buying your airline tickets, and get in your hotel arranged. Now’s the time to do that. Well, as you know, war has been selling off pieces of itself after setbacks in the America market. Uh, sounds like two heavyweight bidders are looking for one of those pieces. Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and ENG G are allegedly competing for Seds European. Onshore Wind business, a portfolio valued at roughly 1 billion euros. Supposedly the bids are gonna be due this week, although nothing is certain in a billion dollar deals. This is a little bit odd. I understand why Stead is doing it, because they’re, they’re trying to fundraise, but if they do this. They will be essentially European offshore wind only [00:15:00] with some American onshore and a little bit American offshore. Not much. Uh, that will be their future. Are they gonna stay with America one onshore or, and American offshore? Is that a thing? Or they just could, could be all European offshore wind. Is that where Osted is headed? It’s a complicated mix because, you know, they’re, they’re, they’ve negotiated a couple of other deals. Most recently to raise cash. They’re supposedly selling, uh, another set of wind farms. I dunno how official that is, but it’s, it seems like there’s some news stories percolating up out there trying to raise more cash by selling large percentages of offshore wind farms. Where does Joel Saxum: this all end? I don’t know. The interesting thing is like if you looked at Ted, uh, man, two years ago, like if you Googled anything or used a jet, GPT or whatever it was like, gimme the. Three largest wind operators in the world. They were the top three all the time. Right. And, and most valuable. At one point in time, they were worth like, [00:16:00] uh, I don’t wanna say the wrong number, but I, I thought, I thought 25 billion or something like that. They were worth. ATS at one point in time. Market share. Allen Hall: Yeah, Joel Saxum: I think that seems right. So like they, they were huge and it just seems like, yeah, they’re trying to survive, but in survival mode, they’ve just kind, they’re just dwindling themselves down to being just o just a small offshore company. And, or not small, but a small, just a, just a siloed offshore company. A large offshore company. Yeah. Yeah. But I mean, like, even just, there was, there’s another article, um. Today we’re, we’re talking here, CIP and Engie looking to buy their European onshore business. They’ve also are putting up like, uh, was it greater Ang of four in Taiwan for, for sale as well. So, I mean, like you said, where does it stop? I don’t know. Um, CIP is an interesting play. Uh, an Eng, CIP and Engie kind of battling this one out ’cause the CIP management team is a bunch of ex or said people, so they know that play very well. Um, ENGIE of course, being a big French [00:17:00] utility. So that one will sell, right? They’re, their European offshore or onshore assets will be gone shortly. Uh, they’ll be sitting with a bunch of offshore assets that they own and partially own around the world. Uh, and of course their, their, I think their US onshore fleet is about a gigawatt, maybe a and a half. Um, that could be the next domino to fall. You don’t, I, sorry, Yolanda, I used your, your, your, uh, euphemism from before, but, um. That they’re actively parting ways with some stuff. I don’t know when it stops. Allen Hall: It is odd, right? EOR has basically stopped a lot of renewables. Stat Craft has pulled back quite a bit. Another Norwegian company. A lot of the nor Northern European companies are slowing down in wind altogether, trying to stick to onshore for the most part. Offshore will still be developed, but just not at the pace that it needed to be developed. There is a lot of money moving around. Billions [00:18:00] and billions of, of euros and dollars moving. And I guess my, my thought is, I’m not sure from a market standpoint where Orid is headed, or even Ecuador for that matter, besides maybe moving back into oil and gas. They never really left it. The direction of the company is a little unknown because these, uh, news articles about sales. Are not really prefaced, right? It’s just like, all right, Taiwan, we’re selling more than 50% of the projects in Taiwan. We’re out, we’re selling European onshore pow, which there’d been some rumors about that, that I had heard, but nothing was really locked in, obviously, until you really start seeing some reliable news sources. Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners is an interesting play just because it kind of keeps it. Up in Denmark and not in France with Engie. That’s what I’m, in my [00:19:00] head. I’m thinking Sted is not likely to sell it to Engie just because they’re French. This is a national, uh, security issue for Denmark Sted. Is it, I I how Engie is involved in this maybe to help set a, a baseline of what the valuation is so that CIP can then purchase it. Do you see CIP losing this, Joel? Joel Saxum: No, I don’t think so. I think, yeah, I think CCIP has to land with this one and, and CI P’s been building a portfolio quietly, building a, not, I guess not quietly, they’ve been building a portfolio for the last few years. It’s pretty stout, uh, pretty fairly sizable. Right? And it, it’s an interesting play watching this for me because you, you see all these people kind of rotating out. And it, and it has to do with the, the, in my opinion, it has to do with the macroeconomics of things, right? Once, when you develop something and you get through, like in, into the teething pain cycle and all that kind of stuff. [00:20:00] The asset is not designed to have a 50, 70%, you know, margin, right? That’s not how wind works. Wind, wind operates of small margins and a lot of times in the early, a early stages of a project, you end up running into issues that eat those margins away. So when you’re talking about small margins, they’re six to 10% is what you kind of see. Um, and it’s pretty easy to eat away a 6% or a 10% margin. If you have some kind of serial defect you have to deal with, uh, or that, that the OEM’s fighting you on and, and you know, whether or not they take responsibility for it or you have to pay for it. A lot of times those processes can drag out for 12, 24, 36 months until you get made whole. So the early state, the first, you know, five years of a lot of these projects, five to eight years, are very expensive. And then once you get through kind of those things and the thing starts just chugging. Then you actually are starting to make money, and that’s where CIP P’S buying these assets is in that years after it’s gone through its teething pains and the company that developed it is like, man, [00:21:00] we need to get outta this thing. We’ve just been burning through cash. Then CI P’s kinda swooping in and grabbing ’em. And I think that this is another one of those plays. Allen Hall: So they’re gonna live with a smaller margin or they’re gonna operate the assets differently. Joel Saxum: The assets may be being operated better now than they were when they started, just in that, in, they exist, the starting company simply because the, some of the issues have been solved. They’ve been sorted through the things where you have early, early failures of bearings or some stuff like the early fairings of gearboxes. Those things have been sorted out, so then CIP swoops in and grabs them after the, the teething issues that have been gone. Allen Hall: Does evaluation change greatly because of the way horse did, manages their assets? Up or down? Joel Saxum: I would say generally it would go up. Yeah. I don’t necessarily think it’s dependent on o and m right now. I think it’s just a, it’s a time to buy cheap assets, right? Like you see, you see over here in the States, you see a lot of acquisitions going on. People divesting, they’re not divesting because they’re like, oh, we’re gonna make a ton of money off this. They may need the cash. They’re [00:22:00] divesting in, in, um, what’s the term, like under duress? A lot of them, it may not look like it from the outside in a big way, but that’s kind of what’s happening. Yolanda Padron: Yeah, I think it’ll be really interesting to see, uh, you know, there were a lot of layoffs in Ted and Europe as well, so seeing if maybe some of the people who can make those assets perform better. Come back just with a different t-shirt on. Allen Hall: As wind energy professionals staying informed is crucial, and let’s face it difficult. That’s why the Uptime podcast recommends PES Wind Magazine. PES Wind offers a diverse range of in-depth articles and expert insights that dive into the most pressing issues facing our energy future. Whether you’re an industry veteran or new to wind, PES wind has the high quality content you need. Don’t miss out. Visit PES wind.com today in this quarter’s, PES Wind Magazine, which you can download a copy at PES [00:23:00] wind.com. There’s an article by Xan and they were, uh, contracted by Ocean Winds to evaluate the sea floor from. The sea floor at Moray West, which is way, way, way up north on the northern end of Scotland. A pretty rough area, Joel. And, but what ex Ocean did was they used unmanned survey equipment to monitor the ocean floor where the mono piles were gonna replace for the Moey West Wind Farm. That is a really difficult area to operate any sort of boat, but. Uh, the reason we’re doing this remotely unmanned was that it, it gave them sort of a, a less costly way to get high resolution images of the sea bottom. This is interesting because ocean wind was developing more a West apparently hadn’t used anything like this before, but the results, at [00:24:00] least from what I can see in PS win, look Joel Saxum: great. Yeah. This is a technology that’s been, um. Man, it’s been under development by a lot of companies in the last six, eight years. And now it’s starting to get to the point where it is, I mean, we’re, we’re TRL nine plus, right? There’s a lot of these solutions out there that are commercially ready. Xans been a top of this list since, man, since I was playing in that oil and gas world, to be honest with you. Like 20 18, 20 17, uh, really cool looking boats. That’s besides the point. Uh, but when they show up at trade shows and stuff with ’em, you’re like, ah, oh, that thing’s neat looking. Um, but it, it, it, it solves all kinds of problems, right? So when you go offshore and you’re just gonna do, say you’re just gonna go out there and do multibeam, so you’re just gonna do echo sound where you’re just looking to see depths and what’s on the sea floor. The minimum kind of vessel you need for that is 10 to 15 meters long. You need probably two to six people on that vessel. And that’s just, if you’re going out doing shift work, if you’re staying out there [00:25:00] and working 24 7, that vessel grows to. 30 meters instantly, right? So now you’re burning thousands and thousands of dollars in fuel. You’ve got food on board. You got all, it’s just a pain to put this vessel out there. You take all of those people out of harm’s way. You take all the costs away and they, and you put two of them, or one or two of them on shore in a facility, and then you put this three meter vessel out there that’s fully autonomous. No people, but collects the same style of data. I mean, it’s a no brainer, right? So you’re getting the same style of data and if, and the thing’s working 24 7, there is no need to have someone sleep. There’s a not a technician issue. There’s not, none of this is, is a problem anymore. Nobody’s getting seasick, right? So you’re sitting, you’re, you’re sitting back on shore, uh, going to work, uh, with no PPE on, um, having a, having a coffee from Starbucks down the street. And you’re running this thing 24 7, you’re collecting all [00:26:00] that fantastic data. Uh, it is just, like I said, it’s a no brainer. Now, now they’re getting to the stage where they’re putting ’em out as swarms, so you can cover whole fields. You’re doing live cable inspections. It’s, it’s pretty fantastic. So Exo ocean’s really making the next generation of robotics o offshore. Allen Hall: Yeah. And that’s gonna drive down the cost of energy. These kind of developments make huge strides in lowering costs, and this is why you need to read PES Win Magazine. So there’s a. Great articles all throughout the magazine. This quarter’s issue is, is Heavy with articles. Get your free copy@pswin.com today. As you know, in the wind industry, survival has always belonged to those who can keep up, uh, and Sorn freeze. Nuon knows better than most with his decades of experience at LM Wind Power and Uzon. He now chairs two Danish subcontractors, Polytech and Jupiter. Bach. Uh, his message to smaller suppliers in, in a recent article is. Pretty blunt. It [00:27:00]says the manufacturers, big OEMs want fewer partners and larger partners who can take on more responsibility. And if you cannot invest and grow with those manufacturers, you’ll be left behind the winners. It says it will be those who stay close to the turbine makers and adapt as the industry evolves. Joel, this is a really interesting discussion that, uh, Soren put out there. Obviously he’s invested in Polytech and Jupiter, Bach, uh, to great suppliers obviously, but small businesses are where a lot of the key technologies have been driven over the last five, six years. In wind, or more broadly the last 20 years in wind, a lot of great technology has come out of places that you wouldn’t have thought of. The OEMs have not been the bastion of innovation. I would say it [00:28:00] is necessary. You have both, wouldn’t you think? You have to have the small business innovation to prove out ideas and to show that they work, but you also have to have the large manufacturers to implement those ideas more broadly without either one of them, nobody wins. Joel Saxum: I fully agree and I think that one of the things that’s a little bit, uh, more of a granular comment there is. I think sometimes you need the OEMs and the other suppliers within the supply chain to open their doors a little bit, right? So this is, this is me wearing my, my small business, small innovative business, uh, in the wind industry cap. And that is, man, sometimes it is hard to get a conversation with a large subsupplier or with an OEM when you have something that can help them. And they just don’t want to communicate, don’t want to help. It’s just our way or the highway kind of thing. And if you watch, like we, so the podcast gives us an kind of, or not [00:29:00] gives us, it forces us to have kind of an op, an opportunity to look at, you know, what are the, what are the financial statements of some of these OEMs? What are the financial statements of some of their large sub-suppliers? You know? ’cause if they’re located in countries where that stuff is public knowledge, you can see how and what they’re doing. And if you, if you look at business in a general way where you rely on one customer or two customers to, for your whole business, you’re gonna be hurting. Um, especially in the way we look at things or what we’re seeing in the wind industry right now is if you’re, if you are a large company to say you do a hundred million in revenue and your customers are ge Vestas. Depending on what happens regulatory wise, in some random country somewhere your a hundred million dollars could shrink to 50 real quick. Um, so I don’t think that that’s a great way to do business. I think, you know, having a bit of diversification probably helps you a little bit. The OEMs Allen Hall: have a particular job to do. They need to deliver turbines onsite on time and create power for their customer. That’s our main [00:30:00] focus. They are a generator. Driven company, they make generators on steel towers with a propeller system basically. Right. Just simplify it way, way down. There’s not a lot of technology in that itself. Obviously there’s control systems, obviously there’s electronics involved, but the concept from this basic fundamentals is not difficult to to grasp. The difficulty is in execution. Showing that that product can last for 20 years, and that product can last in different environments. Australia, United States, up in Scandinavia, Canada, way down south and Brazil. There’s some really rough environments there and the OEMs are relying upon in industry, uh, guidance from like the IECs and then the dvs, uh, uls Tube. Nord. Uh. Bvs where they’re trying to make these turbines comply to a [00:31:00] set of essentially regulations, which just simplify it. You can do that. But as we have seen historically in the wind industry, if you make a turbine that just meets those requirements, you do not necessarily have a successful product. You have a product that is marginal, and as Yolanda has pointed out to me numerous times, there’s a lot of real issues in wind turbines. That probably could have been solved five years ago by small mobile companies with outside of the box ideas that could have given the OEMs a huge advantage, especially in blades. Yolanda Padron: Yeah, and I think a lot of these companies are, they’re looking at things from a different point of view, right? They’re smaller companies. You have people who could know the product, they know the real issue that’s going on on the ground. They know. Kind of what they need to do, what the next step is to move forward in their solution.[00:32:00] Right? But it’s not like it’s a, a company where you need 30 people to sign off before you can go onto the next stage, and then you need 30 more people to sign off before you can get funding to do something else. And so yes, the OEMs are doing a good job in their scope. If they’re meeting their scope, they are doing a good job. You know, if I, if I take like bread and cheese, then yes, I have a sandwich, right? Like, it might not be the best sandwich in the world, but I have a sandwich. So like, they’re making the sandwich and that’s great. But if you want something to, to actually work and to last and to, to give everybody else the, the idea that. You know, wind is profitable and we can all benefit from it. You have to get all those different layers in there, right? You have to make [00:33:00] sure that you know, if you have a big lightning issue, then you get the right people in the room to get that retrofit in there to solve your lightning issue. If you have a big leading edge erosion issue, then you get those right people in the room to solve everything, and it’s not always going to be a one size fits all. Right, but you do need those smaller companies to, to be in the room with you. Joel Saxum: I’m a hundred percent agreeing with you, Yolanda, and I think that this is the issue here is that at some level then an OEM, an OEM engineering head would have to admit that they’re not the end all be all, and that they may have got a couple of things wrong. And what, what I would love to see and who, and maybe maybe ask you this question, who of the major four Western OEMs. Do you think would be open to like an industry advisory board? Nordex, you think it’s Nordex? I think Yolanda Padron: that’s the closest one so far that we’ve seen. Right? Joel Saxum: Yeah. I, I, I agree with you, and I’m saying that because I don’t think any of the other ones would ever admit that they have an [00:34:00] issue, right? They have attorneys and they have problems, Allen Hall: so they really can’t, but I, I think internally they know that they haven’t optimized their production, they haven’t optimized their performance out in the field. They’re trying to improve availability, that’s for sure. Estes has spent a great deal of time over the last year or two improving availability so that the money is being spent. The question is, do they have all the right answers or the overspending to get to the availability that they want to deliver to their customers? That’s a great question because I do think that we we’re just in Scotland and there’s a number of technology companies in the UK that I think, wow, they should be implementing some of these. Ideas and these products that have been proven, especially the ones that have been out for a couple of years, they should be implemented tomorrow, but they’re not yet because they can’t get through the door of an OEM because the OEM doesn’t want to hear it. Joel Saxum: Yeah, agreed. Agreed. Right. Well, well, like I, the, the, the example that keeps popping into my mind is Pete Andrews and the team over [00:35:00] at Echo Bolt, simply because they have a solution that works. It’s simple. They’ve done the legwork to make sure that this thing can be optimized and utilized by technicians in the field around the world. But they, it just like, they haven’t gotten the buy-in from, from whoever, uh, that it seems to be, you know, there’s a hurdle here. Uh, and that hurdle may be the Atlantic Ocean. I don’t know. Uh, but I would love to see, I would love to see their, uh, solution for bolted connections, uh, and monitoring bolted connections kicked around the world because I think you could save. Uh, the wind industry a ton, a ton, a ton of money. And that is an example of a small business full of subject matter experts that made a solution that can solve a problem, whether you’re an OEM or you’re an operator or whatever. There’s there that’s there, utilize them, right? Those are the kind of things that we need in this industry. Yolanda Padron: And it’s also those smaller companies too that will look at your feedback and then they’ll say, oh. Okay, do I need to adjust here? [00:36:00] Did I not focus on this one parameter that your specific site has? Right. And you don’t see that from the OEMs ’cause they have so, uh, they have so many problems that they’re trying to tackle at once that it gets really difficult to, not just to hone in on one, but to, to tell everybody, oh, I, I have this perfect solution for everything. Here you go. Allen Hall: Right. I think there’s an internal conflict in the engineering departments and manufacturing departments of any OEM, regardless if it’s in wind or in any other industry, is that they have a system to make this product and they’re pretty confident in it, otherwise they wouldn’t be doing it. They don’t want to hear outside noise is I, I would describe it as noise. Like, uh, if you have a great solution that would help out their manufacturing process. But I work here, I know how, I know the ins and outs that that new idea by a small company won’t work here. Those [00:37:00] barriers have to be knocked down internally in the OEMs. The OEM management should be going through and saying, Hey, look, if I find me the manager of this operation, if I find a company that could help us and save us money, and you’re being a roadblock, guess what? See ya. Hit the road because there is no way you can let those opportunities pass you by. In today’s marketplace, you need to be grabbing hold of every opportunity to lower your cost, to improve your product availability, to improve your relationship with your customers. How do you do that? Quickly, you look at the companies that are providing solutions and you grab them, grab them, and hold on for your life and listen to what they have to say because they have probably done more research into your product than your people have. That wraps up another episode of the Uptime Wind Energy Podcast. If today’s discussion sparked any questions or ideas, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to us on LinkedIn and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If you [00:38:00] found value in today’s discussion, please leave us a review. It really helps other wind energy professionals discover the show and we’ll catch you here next week on the Uptime Wind Energy Podcast.

This week, we'll be hearing about plans for RNIB's next Technology Fair in Northern Ireland. Hubert Pawelkiewicz finds out how one listener is using technology to help living with diabetes. Plus, much more besides. You can listen to the show live in the UK every Tuesday at 1pm on Freeview Channel 730, online at RNIB Connect Radio | RNIB , or on your smart speaker. You'll hear new episodes of the Tech Talk Podcast every Tuesday afternoon, so make sure you're subscribed to never miss an episode. We'd love to hear your thoughts on accessible technology, drop us an email at techtalk@rnib.org.uk

December 12, 2025 Angus Stewart,Pastor of Covenant ProtestantReformed Church of Ballymena,Northern Ireland, who will address:“HOW KATIE HELPED the REFOR-MATION: The UNUSUAL COURT-SHIP & UNION of MARTIN & KATIELUTHER, the MOST SIGNIFICANTMARRIAGE of the REFORMATION(CONSIDERED 500 YEARS LATER)” Subscribe: iTunes TuneIn Android RSS Feed Listen:

Mark is joined by Pastor Jamie Bambrick and Dr. Rosaria Butterfield to discuss the Set Free event that just took place in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and the broader state of the Church in the West. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __   

Caz Graham talks to the President of the Irish Farmers Association, Francie Gorman, about the journey he's embarking upon from Dublin to Brussels by tractor as part of a Europe wide protest. Farmers are concerned about Common Agricultural Policy reforms, which could see the budget ringfenced for farm subsidies cut by around 20%. They're also angry about the potential impact of a trade deal between the EU and the South American bloc MERCOSUR, which could mean an increase in beef from Brazil and other cheap imports. An environmental group in Northern Ireland plans to demonstrate the benefits of nature friendly farming on a 90-acre hillside farm it's recently bought in County Fermanagh. The Ulster Wildlife Trust says the new Fedian Nature Reserve is a rare example of farmland largely free of chemical or fertiliser inputs.Traditional rural buildings are rich with history and a unique record of how farming and country life has changed over the centuries. But many are under threat; they're expensive to maintain and often not practical for modern use. Throughout this week we're going to be hearing about efforts to preserve them, and we start in Nottinghamshire where an old farmstead has been repurposed as The Walks of Life Museum in Tuxford. Presenter: Caz Graham Producer: Sarah Swadling

In the very first episode of Scaling Theory, I mentioned a few scientists who have shaped my understanding of the world. At the very top of that list is today's guest: W. Brian Arthur.Brian was born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and went on to become one of the most important figures of complexity science. Today, he is widely known as the father of complexity economics, a field that has transformed how we think about the evolution of modern economies.His influence is remarkable. Brian's work has been cited more than 58,000 times according to Google Scholar. He received numerous awards and recognition, such as being the inaugural laureate of the Lagrange Prize in Complexity Science, an award that many have described as complexity's equivalent of the Nobel Prize. Brian has been, at age 37, the youngest endowed chair holder at Stanford University. He went on to work for my institutions, including the Santa Fe Institute, as we will talk about. On a personal note, I consider Brian a friend.Now, what makes me especially happy to have Brian on the podcast is the unique perspective he brings on how economies form and evolve. His understanding of technology, how it emerges and scales, offers a lens that none others have developed. It is a way of seeing economic life as something alive. Be ready to be blown away.You can follow me on X (@⁠ProfSchrepel⁠) and BlueSky (@⁠ProfSchrepel⁠).**References:W. Brian Arthur, Competing Technologies, Increasing Returns, and Lock-In by Historical Events (1989) https://www.rochelleterman.com/ir/sites/default/files/arthur 1989.pdfW. Brian Arthur, Foundations of Complexity Economics (2021) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7844781/pdf/42254_2020_Article_273.pdfW. Brian Arthur, The Nature of Technology: What It Is and How It Evolves (2009)W. Brian Arthur, Economics in Nouns and Verbs (2023) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167268122003936Thibault Schrepel, The Evolution of Economies, Technologies, and Other Institutions: Exploring W. Brian Arthur's Insights (2024) https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/8809341E2E94D76B8CCAB4A4DDACBC4C/S1744137424000067a.pdf/evolution_of_economies_technologies_and_other_institutions_exploring_w_brian_arthurs_insights.pdf

Send us a textTehis week I am absolutely over the moon to be joined by Cathlene Miner.Cathlene  is a bestselling author, and the founder of Hopefull Handbags Global Non-Profit (HHG), a worldwide organization empowering survivors of domestic abuse and their children toward safety, health, wellness, and long-term financial stability. Cathlene founded Hopefull Handbags Global Non-Profit (HHG) in 2017, which began as a single act of kindness filling handbags with essentials to restore dignity and hope to survivors of domestic abuse. Under her leadership, HHG has grown into a thriving international nonprofit and sustainable business model operating in six countries: the United States, Kenya, Northern Ireland, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the Caribbean. We are talking about everything to do with abusive relationships, Cathleen tells her story and talks about her own, and her grandmother's experience. What made her start Hopeful Handbags, the wonderful work that they do etc.And, most importantly, she talks about how getting out of a domestic abuse situation is about MUCH more than "just leaving". Staying out requires work, it requires a plan, it requires help and support and guidance. And for everyone the journey, and the assistance required will be different.This is where Hopeful Handbags is different from some other organisations.This is an episode you definitely don't want to miss.You can find Cathlene everywhere online;Her website, where you can find out more about all the amazing things she does (including her books)Hopeful handbags website.  InstagramFacebookJust a  reminder that HPNB only has 5 billing cycles!So this means that you not only get 3 months FREE access, no obligation! BUT, if you decide you want to do the rest of the program, after only 5 months of paying $10/£8 a month you now get FREE LIFE TIME ACCESS!This means you can sign up after your first child, use the program and recover and then still have access after giving birth to child 2 and 3!None of this "pay X amount a year" nonsense, once you've paid..you've paid!This makes HPNB not just the most efficient and complete post-partum recovery program, it's also BY FAR the best value.Remember to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for the competitions, wisdom and cute videos. And, of course, you can always find us on our YouTube channel if you like your podcast in video form :) Visit healthypostnatalbody.com and get 3 months completely FREE access. No sales, no commitment, no BS. Email peter@healthypostnatalbody.com if you have any questions or comments    If you could rate the podcast on your favourite platform (especially Apple) that would be a big help.   Playing us out "I love it" by Clancie

"Fuelled by popular culture and history's long shadow, Derry~Londonderry is enjoying its moment in the sun. The Walled City in Northern Ireland has stamped its mark on the tourist map, appealing to a broad band of visitors. On my recent swing through the island of Ireland, Derry~Londonderry certainly didn't fail to impress, serving up a heady cocktail of colour, culture, and the echoes of extreme conflict." "The official name of this border town has long been the subject of a naming dispute between Irish nationalists and unionists. Generally, although not always, nationalists favour using the name Derry, and unionists favour Londonderry. On my approach to the city, I noticed most highway signs have had the Londonderry name scratched or painted over. And while I was in the “hyphenated city”, most locals I spoke to resolutely called the city simply Derry." Read Mike's full article. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Britain's military has seen better days - that much everyone can agree on. Enter ex-Royal Marine Commando Colonel Alistair Scott Carns, aka Wee Al, the UK's brand new Minister for Armed Forces. Part of the fresh batch of Labour MPs who entered Parliament in 2024, he has risen quickly through the Ministry of Defence and is considered "one to watch". Carns sat down with The Telegraph's associated defence editor Dominic Nicholls to talk about his plans to get the military into shape, the UK's commitment to Ukraine, and the ongoing Ajax debate. Plus he shared his views on Reform leader Nigel Farage and the legacy of Stakeknife in Northern Ireland. Read Dom's profile of Al Carns: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/d/dk-do/dominic-nicholls/For backgrounders on the tensions between Trump and Venezuela: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/10/24/is-trump-about-to-invade-venezuela/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/11/17/trump-builds-case-for-venezuela-war-as-worlds-biggest-aircr/Listen to Venetia's dispatch from Sweden's Gotland Island: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/06/17/the-tiny-swedish-island-regiment-tasked-protecting-europe/Producer: Peter ShevlinExecutive Producer: Louisa Wells► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditorContact us with feedback or ideas:battlelines@telegraph.co.uk @venetiarainey@RolandOliphant Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In CI News this week: Gender-critical nurse Sandie Peggie wins her harassment claim against NHS Fife, a report reveals that well over three hundred parents in Wales have been criminalised for smacking their children, and Northern Ireland reports its highest number of abortions on record. You can download the video via this link. Featured stories Partial win for gender-critical nurse in NHS Fife employment tribunal Hundreds of parents criminalised under Wales' smacking ban Northern Ireland reports record number of abortions ‘It's fantastic': Arsenal's ‘Bible Brothers' praise God together

Nolan talks to the Public Health Agency's Director of Public Health - Dr Joanne McClean

In this episode of Film Ireland Presents, we chat with Margo Harkin, an accomplished and masterful filmmaker who has been directing and producing fiction and documentary work for over forty years. Her films span many aspects of life on the island of Ireland, from chronicling Northern Ireland's political history, to examining the systemic oppression of women, to exploring the healing power of creativity, and much more beyond. The Irish Film Institute has curated a wonderful retrospective of her seminal works, available to watch back on their player now. Radical Witness Retrospective at Irish Film Institute After graduating in Fine Art from the Ulster College of Art and Design in 1974, Harkin worked as an art teacher and community worker in socially deprived areas of Derry. She joined Field Day Theatre Company in 1980 as an Assistant Stage Manager on Brian Friel's Translations, before going on to work as a stage designer for the company. In 1984, Harkin co-founded Derry Film & Video Workshop with Anne Crilly and Trisha Ziff delivering critical perspectives that ran counter to the censored narratives then broadcast by British and Irish television. The signal works of this period were Mother Ireland (1988), Anne Crilly's controversial documentary about feminism and Irish republicanism, and Harkin's own Hush-A-Bye Baby (1990), a feature drama about teenage pregnancy following the 1983 abortion referendum in Ireland. Harkin established Besom Productions in 1992 making educational films for Channel 4 but her reputation as an astute, local documentarian of injustices was soon forged through a series of highly regarded television documentaries. Her cinema films, the surf documentary Waveriders (2003), by Joel Conroy (which she produced), and Stolen (2023), about the plight of unmarried mothers in Ireland in the 20th century, provided thoroughly researched, compelling accounts of their subjects. Margo Harkin is a member of Aosdána. Her work has won countless awards and is widely taught to third-level film and media students. Spanning over four decades, Harkin's work has consistently challenged societal narratives, giving voice to the silenced and bearing witness to the social and political upheavals that have shaped the contemporary Irish landscape. The retrospective will span across the IFI's cinema screens, as well as online via IFI@Home, IFI International and the IFI Archive Player.

It's Thursday, December 11th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark UK Supreme Court: Religious education in Ireland unlawful The U.K. Supreme Court ruled last month that religious education in Northern Ireland is unlawful. State-funded primary schools in Northern Ireland currently include religious education in the curriculum. Schools also have a time of daily worship. However, the U.K. Supreme Court ruled the curriculum was not “objective, critical and pluralistic.” In response, Christian Concern is defending Christian education in schools. Listen to comments from Steve Beegoo, Head of Education at Christian Concern.  BEEGOO: “Parents, don't retreat. There is an authority that is truly higher than even our courts that we must appeal to and that we must obey. We must stand for truth and to obey Jesus Christ.” In Matthew 19:14, Jesus said, “Let the children come to Me, and do not hinder them.” Fewer British Christians, more pagans The Institute for the Impact of Faith in Life released a new survey on adults in Britain who changed religion.  Christianity experienced the most losses with people usually becoming atheist. Islam saw a modest net gain, mostly from Christianity. Also, movements like Paganism, Wicca, and broad spiritualism saw noticeable growth.  The study said, “Media reports over the past decade document a visible revival of Pagan and Wiccan practices in Britain, particularly among women over 30 and those disillusioned with organized religion but seeking ethical and emotional coherence.” Isaiah 8:19-20 says, “And when they say to you, ‘Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,' should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Spanish court acquits 21 pro-lifers A court in Spain acquitted 21 pro-life activists on Tuesday. Authorities had arrested the pro-lifers back in 2022 for praying outside an abortion mill. They were participating in a 40 Days for Life prayer chain in the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz. The ruling stated, “There is no doubt that the defendants did nothing more than exercise their right to free assembly. … The defendants conducted themselves at all times in an exemplary, peaceful manner.” 71 U.S. abortion mills closed this year In the United States, 23 independent abortion mills closed this year as of October. That's up from 12 closures last year. Since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, 100 locations closed. Independent abortion mills are not affiliated with Planned Parenthood and account for 58% of abortions in the U.S.  Life News reports that Planned Parenthood has closed 48 locations so far this year. Dept. of Justice supports Christian students who spoke truth The U.S. Department of Justice supported two Christian students on Monday in a court case involving transgenderism. Virginia's Loudoun County School Board previously suspended the two male students. They had simply objected to a girl, pretending to be a boy, in their locker room. Harmeet Dhillon is Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the Justice Department. She said, “Loudoun County's decision to advance and promote gender ideology tramples on the rights of religious students who cannot embrace ideas that deny biological reality.” Frustrated homesellers pulling homes off market Realtor.com released their November 2025 Monthly Housing Market Trends Report. The report found that home prices are rising in traditionally affordable metros. Meanwhile, expensive metros are seeing price drops. The market has also seen record de-listings as frustrated sellers pull their homes off the market without a sale. Realtor.com noted, “One home was de-listed for about every 3 to 4 new listings nationally.” Fellowship of Christian Athletes distributed 244,000 Bibles this year And finally, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes distributed over 244,000 Bibles this year across the U.S. and 68 other countries. That's up from 219,000 last year.  The achievement is due to 900 FCA camps worldwide, 23,000 huddle groups, and about 400 FCA sports club teams.  A Fellowship of Christian Athletes spokesman told The Christian Post, “FCA's overarching aim is to reach coaches and athletes with the Gospel, help them grow spiritually and then enable them to help others do the same. We believe this spiritual foundation extends beyond sports, positively influencing teammates, schools, families and entire communities.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, December 11th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

This week we look at Christmas, clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan; attempted coup in Benin; Country of the week - Northern Ireland;  Males banned from Girl Guides; Rob Smith - The Body God Gives; The end of trial by jury?;  Climate Change - Deforestation in Indonesia; the humility of Mitchell Starc; The Queens Gambit and Nona Gaprindashvili; Radiohead and Gaelic Psalm 9; Rainn Wilson and Alex O'Connor;  Conversations with Geoff Bullock; Suffering with Steve Laws; and the Final Word.with music from Bob Dylan, Colin Buchanan,  Stiff Little Fingers, Anonymous Ulster, Radiohead, Back Gaelic Psalm Singers; Geoff Bullock;  and the Gettys.

Airbus A320 fuselage panel problems, Thunderbird F-16C crash, ATC prime integrator, hand flying, Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems, Southwest Airlines meltdown fine, solar flares and A320 groundings, airline pay-for-delay compensation, and charging air travelers without REAL ID. Aviation News Airbus prepares A320 inspections as fuselage flaw hits deliveries Airbus engineers are inspecting 628 A320 family exterior fuselage panels for thickness defects. The skin panels have thickness deviations beyond Airbus's design tolerances. The panels were manufactured by a Spanish supplier Sofitec Aero and do not represent a flight‑safety risk at this time. Panels on the upper forward fuselage are the main concern, with deviations having also been found in some rear‑fuselage sections. The affected panels are not serialized, so Airbus must inspect the entire batch of potentially impacted airframes rather than trace specific parts. A320 Family final assembly line in Toulouse. Courtesy Airbus. Sofitec Aero is an aerostructures company that designs, manufactures, and assembles metallic and composite aircraft structures for major OEMs, including Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, Bombardier, and several Tier‑1 suppliers such as Spirit AeroSystems and Stelia. It is a privately held firm, founded in 1999. Thunderbirds F-16C Fighting Falcon Crashes in California The 57th Wing Public Affairs Office issued a statement saying, “On December 3, 2025, at approximately 10:45 a.m., a Thunderbird pilot safely ejected from a F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft during a training mission over controlled airspace in California. The pilot is in stable condition and receiving follow-on care.” The F‑16C went down during a routine training mission in controlled airspace over the Mojave Desert. The crash site is located in a remote desert area near the town of Trona, approximately two miles south of Trona Airport and about 27 miles from Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. Hydrazine: A Significant Hazard Each Time An F-16 Crashes (Or Fires Up The Emergency Power Unit) F‑16s use hydrazine in their emergency power units, so environmental and hazmat teams from Edwards Air Force Base were deployed to the site to evaluate and mitigate any hazardous materials concerns. The F-16's Emergency Power Unit (EPU) is a backup power system that utilizes H-70 (approximately 70% hydrazine and 30% water) to drive a small turbine, supplying emergency hydraulic and electrical power in the event of main engine or generator failure. Hydrazine is used because it is a monopropellant that can rapidly generate mechanical power without external oxygen, but it is also highly toxic, corrosive, and flammable, so its use is tightly controlled and largely limited to legacy or niche applications. US government selects contractor Peraton to lead air traffic control modernisation In Episode 865, we reported that two bids had been received to become the prime integrator for the FAA's project to overhaul the air traffic control system, called the Brand New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS). They were Peraton and Parsons Corporation. Congress had approved $12.5 billion for the project, and the Agency has indicated that an additional $19 billion might be requested. The US Department of Transportation (DOT) selected Peraton as the prime integrator. The national security company is owned by Veritas Capital and headquartered in Reston, Virginia. Flight Global says Peraton is a “provider of technologies for large, complex organisations, offering services including cyber security, systems engineering and modernisation, cloud computing and data management.” According to Veritas, the company specializes in buying and growing companies that sell technology and services to U.S. government agencies in defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets. Examples include acquisitions or control of federal IT and mission‑support businesses such as Northrop Grumman's federal IT arm (combined into Peraton) and health IT and analytics providers serving Medicaid and Defense Health Agency programs. See also, What to know about the air traffic control overhaul and the company FAA hired to manage it. Union Urges ‘Back-to-Basics' Approach to Pilot Skills Captain Wendy Morse is a Boeing 787 captain and serves as first vice president and national safety coordinator at the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA). In a recent interview at the Skift Aviation Forum in Fort Worth, she said the union is advocating for pilots to “go back to our roots” and maintain strong manual-flying proficiency throughout their careers. Morse said, “So the biggest thing is [getting] back to basics…We have to maintain a basic level of flying, a basic level of flying skills, and we have to continue to maintain those basics. This business about positive rate, gear up, [and] put on the autopilot is not a good idea. We have to keep flying the airplane so that we're good at it.” Boeing closes Spirit AeroSystems purchase in major supply chain realignment Boeing has completed its takeover of Spirit AeroSystems. Under the $4.7 billion deal, Boeing re-acquires most of Spirit AeroSystems. Airbus picks up parts of Spirit in its supply chain. Operations in Subang, Malaysia, went to Composites Technology Research Malaysia, and the subsidiary Fiber Materials was sold earlier this year to Tex-Tech Industries. Portions of the Belfast, Northern Ireland, operations will continue as an independent subsidiary branded as Short Brothers. Trump administration lets Southwest Airlines off the hook with a multimillion dollar waiver for 2022 holiday travel meltdown In 2023, the Biden administration fined Southwest Airlines $140 million for the 2022 holiday travel meltdown. The US Department of Transportation has now waived the final $11 million installment of that fine. The DOT says Southwest has made worthwhile investments in its operations control center and “the Department is of the view that it is more beneficial for the flying public to give Southwest credit for significantly improving its on-time performance and completion factor.” The 10-day schedule meltdown resulted in 17,000 canceled flights, roughly half of Southwest's holiday season flight schedule. Southwest paid out $600 million in refunds and reimbursements to passengers who were affected. Add in additional labor costs and lost revenue, and the airline reported a $914 million after-tax loss. Aviation News Follow-Up A320 Groundings – There Was No Solar Flare In Visual Approach, Airplane Geeks co-founder Courtney Miller argues that the data does not support the case that the October 30, 2025, uncommanded altitude decrease of a JetBlue A320 was caused by solar radiation. Looking at proton flux data, Courtney says, “We are talking about high-energy protons traveling from the sun to Earth, penetrating the Earth's protective magnetic field, and also penetrating the aircraft's hardware shielding to deliver what's called a Single-Event Upset (SEU). Another term you may have heard for it is a “bit flip”. The proton flux usually arrives associated with a solar flare, but not always. NOAA tracks and reports these events. In the days leading up to the “intense solar radiation” that Airbus referenced as the potential issue in the JetBlue upset, there was no intense solar radiation. The Visual Approach Advisory brings novel, data-driven, and contrarian answers to aviation clients around the world. Our bespoke consulting team is built with a focus on deep industry expertise, contrarian thought leadership, trusted independence, and opinionated results. We compete with the largest consulting firms by focusing on quality results and contrarian ideas. Pay-On-Delay Would Send Airfares Soaring, Says Transport Minister The Australian Federal Transport Minister, Catherine King, told ABC Radio in Sydney that an EU-style “pay-on-delay” compensation scheme would drive up airfares in Australia. The federal government has proposed airline customer protections, and the Minister's comments come after a consultation period ended. EU 261 requires that airlines pay passengers compensation for delays and cancellations within their control. King feels the Australian market is too small to sustain such a measure. “It is costly to administer compensation schemes. Those costs are generally passed on to passengers,” she said. Fliers without a compliant ID will have to pay TSA $45 next year The TSA says that starting in February 1, 2026, air travelers in the U.S. without a REAL ID will be charged a $45 fee. The initially planned $18 fee was raised after officials realized this identification program would cost more than anticipated. The fee applies to travelers 18 and older who are flying domestically without a REAL ID or other accepted form of ID. The non-refundable fee will be required to verify identity through the TSA Confirm.ID system. Confirm.ID replaces TSA's older manual “forgot my ID” procedures. It's a more automated, technology‑assisted process that uses a traveler's biographic and possibly biometric information to verify identity and screen against watchlists. Confirm.ID is meant as a last‑resort option for people who arrive at the checkpoint without a compliant ID, not as a routine substitute for REAL ID or a passport. The fee can be paid online before arriving at the airport. Travelers can also pay online at the airport before entering the security line, but officials said the process may take up to 30 minutes. Mentioned From the FAA: PackSafe – Portable Electronic Devices Containing Batteries Lithium Batteries in Baggage Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

What's happening this December on Papley Grove Farm, St Neots? ffinlo Costain talks to Martin Lines from the Nature Friendly Farming Network – and meets Michael Meharg, who farms near Dundrod in Northern Ireland. Michael is a past chair of the NFFN in Northern Ireland.The trio discuss farming's contribution to Christmas, Irish Moiled cattle, the ecological crisis in Lough Neagh (the largest freshwater lake in the British Isles), and the funding situation for farmers in Northern Ireland.#farming #food #regenerativefarming #organicfarming #northernireland #loughneagh #irishmoiledcattle #cattle #nifarming #irishfarming

The Governments of the UK need to do more to support native farm animal breeds. That's the view of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust which says that while there have been many warm words about the importance of rare and native breeds, clarification is needed on what the post-Brexit support schemes will offer. And the Trust says government funding should be given to the national gene bank.The sprout harvest in Scotland is in full swing, with hundreds of tonnes being cut for Christmas. Has it been a good sprout year?  A new project in Northern Ireland is using vets to help farmers look after their health. The ‘Nip It In The Bud' campaign was launched at a veterinary conference.Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

Throwbacks are where I re-release old episodes from the archives. So don't worry if you have heard it already, as 'New episodes' will continue to come out on Sundays. To get some of the old episodes heard.~~~We are joined today by two guests; the first is Chris from Northern Ireland, and Chris will be talking about some of the things he and his colleagues have witnessed while on sky-watches with the Northern Ireland UFO Society (NIUFOS). We then head over to Germany to hear from Daniela, since 2019 she has observed several UFOs and will also be sharing a sighting her Father had in Guatemala when he was twelve years old.More information on this episode on the podcast website:https://ufochroniclespodcast.com/ep-181-northern-ireland-ufos-dark-skies-germany/Northern Ireland UFO Society:http://www.niufos.org/https://www.facebook.com/NIUFOSWant to share your encounter on the show? Email: UFOChronicles@gmail.comOr Fill out Guest Form: https://forms.gle/WMX8JMxccpCG2TGc9Podcast Merchandise:https://www.teepublic.com/user/ufo-chronicles-podcastHelp Support UFO CHRONICLES by becoming a Patron:https://patreon.com/UFOChroniclespodcastTwitter: https://twitter.com/UFOchronpodcastThank you for listening!Like share and subscribe it really helps me when people share the show on social media, it means we can reach more people and more witnesses and without your amazing support, it wouldn't be possible.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ufo-chronicles-podcast--3395068/support.

Rural traditions, from morris dancing to dry stone walling and tartan weaving, could be internationally protected by UNESCO. The government has launched its search for examples of living heritage to go onto an inventory.With dairy companies continuing to cut the prices they pay farmers for milk, the man appointed to ensure fairness and transparency in the UK agricultural supply chain says he'll be watching out for any breaches in the coming months. Richard Thompson is the first in the new adjudicator role, looking first at the dairy supply chain. His report says some farmers are still afraid to speak out in case of reprisals.The UK has temporarily banned all imports of pig products from Spain after an outbreak of African swine fever in wild boars there. It's Spain's first case since 1994. The disease is spread by ticks and can be devastating to commercial herds. The National Pig Association here says it's vital our government puts adequate controls at borders to keep the disease out.The first cases of bluetongue disease In Northern Ireland have been confirmed. Two cows on a farm in County Down have the disease with a further 44 in the same herd suspected of having it. A 20km control zone has been implemented around Bangor in County Down. There have been more than 200 cases in England and Wales since July this year, though none in Scotland so far. This year's summer drought has cost arable farmers in England an estimated £828 million. The think tank the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit says crops were hit by a very hot spring and summer as well as the resulting lack of water.All week we've been looking at winter jobs, including hedge laying and tidying sheds.Presenter = Charlotte Smith Producer = Rebecca Rooney

Throwbacks are where I re-release old episodes from the archives. So don't worry if you have heard it already, as 'New episodes' will continue to come out on Sundays. To get some of the old episodes heard.~~~We are joined today by two guests; the first is Chris from Northern Ireland, and Chris will be talking about some of the things he and his colleagues have witnessed while on sky-watches with the Northern Ireland UFO Society (NIUFOS). We then head over to Germany to hear from Daniela, since 2019 she has observed several UFOs and will also be sharing a sighting her Father had in Guatemala when he was twelve years old.More information on this episode on the podcast website:https://ufochroniclespodcast.com/ep-181-northern-ireland-ufos-dark-skies-germany/Northern Ireland UFO Society:http://www.niufos.org/https://www.facebook.com/NIUFOSWant to share your encounter on the show? Email: UFOChronicles@gmail.comOr Fill out Guest Form: https://forms.gle/WMX8JMxccpCG2TGc9Podcast Merchandise:https://www.teepublic.com/user/ufo-chronicles-podcastHelp Support UFO CHRONICLES by becoming a Patron:https://patreon.com/UFOChroniclespodcastTwitter: https://twitter.com/UFOchronpodcastThank you for listening!Like share and subscribe it really helps me when people share the show on social media, it means we can reach more people and more witnesses and without your amazing support, it wouldn't be possible.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ufo-chronicles-podcast--3395068/support.

A week of intensive US diplomacy is wrapping up, with no Ukraine deal in sight, and escalating threats from Moscow. 30 years ago, the Dayton Agreement brought an end to the savage war in Bosnia, where, like Putin's dream of a greater Russia today, Serbia wanted more land and control, not an independent Bosnia. Rupert Smith was commander of the United Nations peacekeeping forces at the end of that conflict. Through his four decades in the military, he also led troops in the first Gulf war and Northern Ireland. He joins the program from London.   Also on today's show: photographer Annie Leibovitz; Bulwark reporter Will Sommer  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're diving into the economics of borders, the lines we pretend are ancient but were mostly scratched into the earth by soldiers, surveyors and empire-builders with rulers. From Ukraine's shifting frontlines to Dublin's Herzog Park, to Northern Ireland's uneasy edges, we trace how geography becomes politics. Then we go back to the original culprit: William Petty, Cromwell's cartographer, the man who mapped Ireland in 13 months and turned land into an asset class. His Down Survey redrew Ireland and created the blueprint for colonialism, capitalism and the straight-line borders that still ignite conflict from Central Asia to the Middle East. We follow the rulers, the rebellions, the dispossession and the economics behind every “line in the sand.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An Open Letter to My Unionist NeighboursA Chairde,I want to respectfully reach out to my unionist neighbours at this time of ongoing change on our island and continuous turbulence and conflict in parts of our world. We should count our blessings. Imperfect though it might be we have peace and the ability to work out our difficulties peacefully.This ability to find solutions is frustrated by the British government refusing at this time to permit us to exercise our right to self-determination. So, London continues to interfere in our affairs. In my view, and history supports this view, London will never govern us in Irelands interest. It never has. And it never will. How could it? It serves different national interests.Sometimes these coincide with the attitudes of political unionism. But when they don't political unionism and its attitudes are set to one side by London. This has happened again and again. Betrayal has been followed by betrayal after betrayal. London is only loyal to the unionists when it suits its interests. Those are not my words. These are the words of unionist leaders. I do not think these leaders serve the interests of my unionist neighbours. Certainly not on social or economic issues or the daunting challenges of growing our peace process into a prosperity process. Or a new rights based citizen centred society. Of course, my unionist neighbours are entitled to vote for these parties or anyone else if that is their wish, and political unionism clearly has a deep rooted commitment to the Union with Britain. It used to have things its own way. Maybe some of its leaders still believe that is the case but it isn't. They have lost their electoral majority. The Union is now very conditional and in the upcoming period there will be a referendum to decide the future.The extent of constitutional and institutional change is for the people of the island of Ireland to decide – democratically and without outside interference. The Good Friday Agreement makes clear that constitutional change requires consent, freely given and expressed in referendums North and South. So, political unionism will have its say. But so will the rest of us. On the basis of equality. All the unionist parties have agreed to abide by the outcome of this referendum. This ongoing continuum of change is about shaping a new Ireland, an agreed Ireland, and a new relationship with Britain that enhances our personal and community relationships, strengthens society, makes conflict a memory, ends sectarianism and creates real opportunities to improve the daily lives of citizens. It is about reconciliation and accommodation. It is about the North as a part of the island of Ireland again taking its place as a full member in the European Union.The Good Friday Agreement will provide the best framework of protections for everyone including and especially my unionist neighbours. The Agreement which was democratically supported in referendums North and South and is an all-island international agreement, already provides future protection for citizens.The Agreement guarantees that future governance arrangements will be “exercised with rigorous impartiality on behalf of all the people in the diversity of their identities and traditions and shall be founded on the principles of full respect for, and equality of, civil, political, social and cultural rights, of freedom from discrimination for all citizens, and of parity of esteem and of just and equal treatment for the identity, ethos, and aspirations of both communities; recognise the birthright of all the people of Northern Ireland to identify themselves and be accepted as Irish or British, or both, as they may so choose, and accordingly confirm that their right to hold both British and Irish citizenship is accepted by both Governments and would not be affected by any future change in the status of Northern Ireland.”

Jessa and Nico return from their visit to Ireland. All along the way, the subject of whether or not Ireland should be united kept coming up. But beyond the slogans and the bad ideas, there are very real issues at work, tedious and boring but also tremendously consequential. Nico reflects on the influence the Northern Ireland peace agreement had on Colombian politics, Jessa discusses how social media creates a false sense of consensus, and they both worry about our decreased ability to manage complexity in political issues. Shownotes and references: http://theculturewedeserve.substack.com

Baxie talks with singer/songwriter Janet Devlin. This is a truly amazing conversation with a woman who has gone from being a 16-year-old girl from Northern Ireland to being thrust into the national spotlight as an X Factor finalist. And if her story stopped there it would still be a hell of a story. But Janet's story is MUCH more than that. Instead, Janet has battled alcohol abuse, and eating disorder, and mental illness—only to come out on the other side healthier and stronger than ever before. In 2023 she produced a powerful documentary entitled “Janet Devlin: Young Female and Addicted”. She's also just released an expanded, deluxe edition of her 2024 album “Not My First Emotional Rodeo”. It's a MUST listen to interview! Listen on Apple, YouTube, Spotify, and on the Rock102 app! Brought to you by Metro Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Chicopee

The Epstein files have finally started to drip out, and the early reactions are already something to behold. This week, Frank and Dan wade into the bizarre rhetorical contortions spilling out of the right-wing media sphere—from Megyn Kelly's head-scratching attempt to "reframe" things to the Catholic League charging in with one of the most offensive defenses imaginable. We also look at Catholic clergy in Chicago suing ICE for blocking access to detained migrants, and the Vatican's "generous" decision to return 62 Indigenous artifacts to First Nations communities in Canada. Meanwhile, Ken Paxton is threatening schools that won't put the Ten Commandments in every classroom, and the UK Supreme Court finally calls out mandatory religious education in Northern Ireland schools for what it is: Christian indoctrination. To close things out, we talk about gratitude and how atheists can navigate Thanksgiving without a divine recipient of their thankfulness. And if you want to support the work we do, visit: thankgodimatheist.com/donate

What was Adolf Hitler's next move, after occupying Czechoslovakia in March 1939, and brutally invading Poland that September? Why did the Allies fail to act, despite the Nazis shocking offensive? And, would an assassination plot from within Germany itself prove to be Hitler's undoing?   Join Dominic and Tom as they launch into the Second World War, as Hitler and the Nazis escalate their war on Europe.  Hive. Know your power. Visit https://hivehome.com to find out more. _______ Is your door in the draw? Sign up by midnight 30th November at https://postcodelottery.co.uk. People's Postcode Lottery manages lotteries on behalf of good causes, 18 plus, conditions apply, play responsibly, not available in Northern Ireland. _______ Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ https://nordvpn.com/restishistory It's risk-free with Nord's 30-day money-back guarantee ✅ _______ Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to every series and live show tickets, a members-only newsletter, discounted books from the show, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at ⁠therestishistory.com⁠ For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to ⁠www.goalhanger.com _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Video Editor: Jack Meek / Harry Swan  Social Producer: Harry Balden Assistant Producer: Aaliyah Akude  Producer: Tabby Syrett Senior Producer: Theo Young-Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices