What’s the Story? Podcast

WTS 307: Brian Lloyd

This week we're all about movies and TV as Movies Editor with Entertainment.ie Brian Lloyd joins us for a chat. 

We chat about big-screen and small-screen favourites, cast a critical eye toward the Oscars, and ask why do they reboot movies that were never any good in the first place? 

 

WTS 306: Kerrie Leonard

This week we're joined by Irish Paralympian Kerrie Leonard. 

Kerrie represented Ireland at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics which, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, were held in 2021. Kerrie tells us about her experience in those historic, pandemic games and what it was like for athletes at the events. 

Kerrie tells us what brought her to Archery and how it helped her with mental health struggles while studying at college. Having never really intended to go to the pinnacle of para-sports, she narrowly missed out on qualifying for Rio 2016 but that left her ready and poised to take on Tokyo. 

With the Paris games on the horizon, we discuss qualification hopes for this year's games. And, away from archery and competing in World Championships and Paralympics, we talk a little about her other passions including being a keen horse breeder and racing fan. 

 

WTS 305: Paul Micheau

This week Paul Micheau joins us from the Is it Worth It channel on social media. 

Paul talks about creating videos and reviewing food as an ordinary Joe. He has travelled around Ireland giving honest reviews of everything from the humble but iconic breakfast roll to Michelin Star restaurants.

Paul's "Is it worth it" review is based on price, taste, and experience with Paul emphasizing the importance of always keeping it real with his audience and how this has led to some interesting encounters with restaurant owners and lovers after reviews.

 

You can follow Paul and the Is it Worth It channel on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. 

WTS 304: Martin Leahy

For almost two years singer song-writer and activist Martin Leahy has been holding a weekly protest outside Dail Eireann to highlight Ireland's housing crisis. Drawing on his personal experience, every Thursday for over 90 weeks and counting, Martin travels from Cork to Leinster House in Dublin to sing his song "Everyone should have a home". 

We chat to Martin about his protest and how he feels about being called an activist. His life as a musician and his reaction to Christy Moore covering his song Snowflakes.

WTS 303: Brianna Parkins

We're back and this week we're joined by journalist and broadcaster Brianna Parkins. 

In our first podcast of 2024, we take tangent talks to the next level. Our chat with Brianna starts with financial advice and ends with mullets and pornstar moustaches. There's some love for Joe Duffy, a chat about culture wars, and we hear how Australia is tackling housing very differently from Ireland. 

 

WTS Christmas Special 2023

The annual WTS Christmas Special is back and this year we have a surprise guest joining us! 

As the tradition goes, Paul Howard and Gary Mackle are on hand to steer us through this festive frenzy before our dynamic duo becomes a triple threat thanks to the one and only Al Foran! 

Merry Christmas to you and yours, we'll see you in the new year. 

WTS 302: Philip O’Connor

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Friend of the show, Our Man in Stockholm, Philip O'Connor returns to WTSpod to help right the wrongs in our world. 

Philip is a journalist and podcaster originally from Dublin and is now based in Stockholm, Sweden. 

Following the recent mayhem in Ireland's capital, Philip talks to us about the importance of community and why love must win over hate. 

WTS 301: Stephen Jones

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This week we are joined by Irish actor, writer, poet, and performer Stephen Jones. 

Stephen has been performing on stage and on screen for over a decade and will be familiar to people from his roles in Red Rock, Love Hate, and most recently his TG4 drama Northern Lights. 

 

WTS 300: Paul Howard & Gary Mackle

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300th  EPISODE

It's WTS 300 and who better to mark the milestone than Messrs Mackle and Howard! 

This week the lads talk about BAFTA wins and Kate Winslett, mid-life crises, Howie's surgery recovery, their shared love of the great Vincent Browne, Bruce Springsteen and Paul paying the Boss, Gary's cooking, AI, football woes, and lots more besides. 

From Mero and Danny, we just want to say thank you. Whether you have been here for all 300 episodes or just 3 minutes, thanks for listening xoxox.

WTS 299: Karim Zidan

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We're back... 

This week we're talking to Karim Zidan an investigative journalist and writer who specialises in the intersection of sport, power, and politics. 

Karim chats to us about the rise of Saudi Arabian influence in sports and how the term sportwashing doesn't go far enough to capture all that is happening. 

Is what's good for the goose good for the gander and will we see France called out for its authoritarian decisions and actions ahead of the Olympic games in 2024? 

Mero asks Danny about Ireland and the Rugby World Cup so Danny rants for a few minutes about Ireland falling short in a quarter-final... again. 

298: Steo Wall

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This week we're joined by singer-songwriter Steo Wall. 

As the finishing touches are being put on his new album, Steo tells us about what's been going on for him and what fans can look forward to when the album comes out later this year. We talk about inspiration and nerves before a big gig and Steo tells us about working with the great Damien Dempsey on his popular hit 'What's Wrong with the World, Ma?"

WTS 297: Some Dare Call it Conspiracy

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This week we are joined by Brent Lee and Neil Sanders from Some Dare Call it Conspiracy Podcast.

Brent Lee is a former conspiracist who spent 15 years down the rabbit hole between 2003 and 2018, believing every event from 9/11 to mass shootings was being orchestrated by a "satanic, paedophilic elite". Brent now fights disinformation and helps to explain and unravel the web of lies constructed through conspiracy. 

Neil Sanders is an author covering True Crime and Psychology with a particular interest in the history of mind manipulation techniques. Neil was also part of the "Truther" movement for a number of years before exiting and joining forces with Brent to give people a guided tour of the rabbit hole and reveal the reality of the conspiracy mindset. 

WTS 296: Michael Finkel

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Michael Finkel is a journalist and best-selling author and his new book, The Art Thief, is out now.

We first spoke to Michael six years ago on WTS 118 and we were delighted to welcome him back to tell us the true story of Stephane Breitweiser, a man who stole over 200 pieces of art from museums worth billions of euro and he did it all in broad daylight. 

The Art Thief is available online and in bookshops now, check out https://www.michaelfinkel.com/ for more. 

WTS 295: Stephanie Zambra

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After four long years, the artist formerly known as Stephanie Roche is back on WTSpod. 

We catch up with Steph about what's been happening since we last spoke, including marrying Dean, her decision to return to Ireland, signing for Shamrock Rovers, and progress in the women's game. 

We get Stephanie's thoughts on the upcoming World Cup, Ireland's squad and she predicts a winner... kind of! 

Steph will be in Australia covering the Girls in Green for this historic tournament and will be part of the commentary team for the tournament.

The Women's World Cup kicks off on Thursday, 20 July and Ireland takes on tournament hosts in a sold-out Stadium Australia. 

 

WTS 294: Petesy Carroll

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This week we're joined by Ireland's best MMA journalist and proud son of Blanchardstown, the great one, Peter Carroll. 

Petesy joined us to talk about the latest goings on in the world of mixed martial arts* and reveals the cringing trauma behind why he can't watch Love Island. 

You can check out some of Petesy's brilliant work by listening to or watching his podcasts The Craic and The Ringer MMA Show. 

*This episode was recorded on Wednesday, June 14th. 

WTS 293: Elaine Burke

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This week we're joined by journalist and broadcaster Elaine Burke. Elaine is a technology and science specialist who can be found contributing to national media regularly. She is also the co-host of For Tech's Sake podcast. 

Elaine joined us to wind up Mero and talk all things tech as we hear about AI and if the hype is driving the fear, Apple's latest announcement and the world of virtual reality, Fast- tech and consuming way more than we need to, and we ask Elaine if our devices are really listening to us... 

WTS 292: Sean Mari and Jack Marley

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This week we go back to the Borough and speak to Sean Mari and Jack Marley from Monkstown Boxing Club. 

Jack is a European Heavyweight Champion and Sean is an Irish Elite Champion who has medaled in European competition. Both men are Team Ireland representatives who tell us about their hopes ahead of Paris 2024. 

WTS 291: Donal Fallon

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This week we're joined by social historian Donal Fallon. His history podcast Three Castles Burning brings the city of Dublin to life, telling its story through its streets and the people who lived there. 

 

WTS 290: The Boss and the big shop

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This week Mero asks Danny about three of his favourite things: Bruce Springsteen, Eurovision, and doing the big shop.

 

WTS 289 - Crossy

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This week we're joined by Thomas Crosse - AKA Crossy.

Crossy has been soothing the airwaves since he was a teenager and in recent years has become a staple of Irish radio for many people looking to get their morning off to a flyer. 

Crossy tells us about how he got started in radio, dealing with social media, loving nostalgia, and why Bruce Springsteen concerts are such a special occasion for him and his Mam. 

You can hear more of Crossy every day by tuning in to Dublin's FM104.

WTS 288:Bob Carley

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This week we're joined by Bob Carley - a counselor, advocate, pastor, and motivationalist. 

We got to know Bob a few years ago through his work with the mental health charity Suicide or Survive and when we sat down to speak with him this week we were not expecting the conversation to flow how it did. 

Bob speaks openly, and passionately about his life, relationships, work, and faith. His message is simple; Love never fails. 

WTS 287: Professor Rose Anne Kenny

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This week we're learning about the science of ageing and some simple things we can all do to help ourselves be younger, and healthier, for longer. 

Rose Anne Kenny is Professor of Medical Gerontology, at Trinity College Dublin. Professor Kenny was appointed in 2005, to Trinity College and St. James's Hospital, as Head of the Academic Department of Medical Gerontology and holds the Chair of Medical Gerontology.

Rose Anne is the founding Principal Investigator of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing TILDA : www.tilda.ie), Ireland's flagship research project in ageing - where she leads a team of multidisciplinary researchers focusing on psychology, nursing, medicine, physiotherapy, economics, bio-engineering, social sciences and health economics as aspects of the ageing process in Ireland.

 

WTS 286:Adam Drummond

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Adam Drummond is an Irish athlete who has represented his country in basketball on several occasions. 

In 2021, following an accident, Adam was left paralyzed from the waist down. He tells us about life after the accident and how, after years of playing basketball for Ireland and on scholarships in the US, he has found the switch to wheelchair sports and life at Cork-based Rebel Wheelers Wheelchair Basketball Club. 

 

WTS 285: Fionnuala Moran

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This week we're joined by Fionnuala Moran for a chat about sustainable living, dropping fast fashion, and a bit of showbiz. 

Fionnuala is a broadcaster and journalist who has regularly featured on RTÉ, Virgin Media, and a host of print publications. She recently completed a Master's degree in Climate Change: Policy, Media & Society. 

You can follow Fionnuala on Instagram to get lots of great and simple tips to live more sustainably. 

WTS 284: David Sneyd

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Football journalist and writer David Sneyd joined us to talk all things football and Ireland's upcoming Euro qualifiers. 

David is a writer with the42.ie and has been featured in the Irish Times, Mirror, Independent, RTÉ, and many more.