The PAC Woman Podcast : Recent Episodes
Tortoise Shack Media
This is an extra special edition of the PAC Woman Podcast, as Linda was joined by some of the members of Abolish Direct Provision, a grassroots group of people within the Direct Provision centres. We have had to disguise their voices, as they recorded this at great risk to themselves. If identified, their centre managers could uproot them and send them to a centre at the other end of the country for speaking out. One thing is clear from it, Direct Provision is an inhumane system, and they feel very strongly that the recent White Paper, published by the government, is not sufficient. We need Minister O'Gorman to sit down with asylum seekers and enter into meaningful discourse in relation to what can be done right now and not in 2024. We need a system that supports Asylum Seekers to live their lives free from harm and oppression and to be able to integrate properly and enrich Irish society. Thanks to Brian at Grooves Ahead for his work in editing this episode. Support this podcast at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
In this second episode in the short series that looks at the prevalence of online abuse and the types of abuse people experience online we continue to focus on online abuse directed at the LGBT community.
Linda is joined by Historian and LGBT Activist Denise Murray, to talk about attempts to dox her on Twitter after an innocuous conversation she was having with other Historians online. It's really important to understand the types of people who are being subjected to abuse online and what we need to do to be better allies and take action to protect people, especially those in marginalised communities.
Don't forget that we are live later with a brilliant panel. Register now at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
This is the first episode in a series that looks at the prevalence of online abuse and the types of abuse people experience online. This week we are focusing on the LGBT community. Linda is joined by Aoife Martin, a Trans woman and activist who talks about her experiences of Transphobia and the attempts to import Transphobia around gender Self ID in Ireland from the UK. It's really important to understand the types of people who are being subjected to abuse online and what we need to do to be better allies and take action to protect people, especially those in marginalised communities.
Support this podcast and get access to all the extra tortoise shack content by going to: patreon.com/tortoiseshack
This week Linda is joined by Disability Activist, Social Democrat Party Vice Chair and all around sound person, Evie Nevin. Evie explains what it's like to live with the rare condition Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, and why there are no specialists in it in Ireland. They talk about what it's like to be an adoptee with a genetic disorder and finally what drew her to the Soc Dems, and what social democracy is, and how it works.
You can find Evie on Twitter @evie_nevin
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This week Linda is joined by an amazing panel of Leaving Cert and 1st Year College students to talk about the impact Covid-19 has had on their lives. How they're adapting to distance learning and not having the social aspect of school and college. They also talk about the resources they have been given to adapt, or lack of them, and the impact all of it has had on their mental health.
This panel is made up of bright stars of our future; Joella Dhlamini a first year law student in DCU, Isabelle Flanagan a leaving cert student from Roscommon, David Driscoll also doing 1st year law in DCU and Conor Talbot who is studying commercial modern music in BIM. Thank you to all of the panelists this week for their very frank and honest contribution.
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This very special Live Podcast was recorded in front of an audience of tortoise shack members. Linda speaks to a brilliant panel of incredible women: GP with the HSE Homeless Team Dr Anna Marie Naughton, Asst Prof in Addiction, Public Health & Primary Care Dr Jo-Hanna Ivers and UCC Psychology Lecturer, Dr Sharon Lambert to discuss the impact of Homelessness on Health.
This was a very engaging discussion about all aspects of homelessness and the ways both society and politics deals with it.
Thanks also to our audience for such terrific participation.
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Well this is a treat! Linda was delighted to be joined by Digital Comedy Superstar Michael Fry to talk about the phenomenal success of his "Indie Band" song sketches, what drew him to this kind of comedy, what might happen next and will we get an Indie band album or live show. Have a listen for the answers to the very important questions. If you haven't seen Michael's stuff check it out on Twitter and Instagram on @BigDirtyFry
Support him: ko-fi.com/michaelfry
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This week Linda is joined by Repeal the 8th powerhouse, Erin Darcy - custodian of people's abortion stories: In Her Shoes.
Erin is an author, an artist and an activist. The pair talk about how pivotal In Her Shoes was in repealing the 8th amendment, how the Irish legislation on abortion is now up for review and what is happening with the abortion ban in Poland.
They also talk about the importance of having art in everyday places and how important that is in your life. Erin is a joy to listen to, so this is a podcast that's not to be missed. You can see the Polish In Her Shoes page here https://www.facebook.com/jejbuty/ and you can find Erin's art on https://edarcydesign.com/ and buy In Her Shoes with €1 from every sale being donated to Women's Aid here https://www.newisland.ie/nonfiction/inhershoes
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It's now over a week since the publication of the report from the Commission of Inquiry into the Mother and Baby homes, and so Linda asked Maree Ryan-O'Brien from Aitheantas to rejoin her and tell her what she thought of the report and what needs to happen next from an adoptee's perspective. Maree pulls no punches as the pair talk birth certs, generational trauma and deletion of key stakeholders from the process.
You have to listen, it's really important stuff.
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Linda's guest* this week is Dr Ian Marder, a lecturer in Criminology in Maynooth University who has a specialist interest in Restorative Justice. Ian ran a short intro course to Victimology during the summer of 2020 which Linda attended and learned a lot from, so she thought that you, the listener, might be interested in learning more about it. They talk about what a victim is, ideal victim concepts, restorative justice and how the criminal justice system can be victimising in itself. Have a listen, it's very informative.
*Co-Staring Beans the dog
Remember, these podcasts are totally listener supported.
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Joining Linda this week is the wonderful Tura Artura, who is known for his Art, Seán Nós dancing and his Community Activism. Tura is the Capacity Building Manager for Africa House in Northern Ireland, who work at helping the African Diaspora settle into life in the here and in building the community. The two talk about Imperial History, the commonality between African and Irish people and his experiences with the PSNI around the BLM protests in June. If you get a chance check out some of Tura's Seán Nós dancing on YouTube and join us as we talk about healing division through music and song.
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On the 31st of December 2019 Ireland lost an important voice. Shane Griffin was a businessman, a young father and a tireless advocate for people who had experienced trauma within the Care system. Shane worked hard for Care Leavers, not just in Ireland but across Europe. He was a truly remarkable man with a HUGE heart. Linda is joined this week by Shane's sister Ciara Griffin,who talks about her little brother, how they came to be in care, and about how he turned from a troubled youth, into a resounding voice, in order to stop what had happened to him happening to anybody else.
If you have been a part of the care system and need some support, the Care Leavers Network is a brilliant resource that can help you. You can find them on www.careleaversnetwork.com alternatively you can contact Ciara directly at ciaragriffin@victimsalliance.ie
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Joining Linda this week is Judith Finlay, Custodian of the AIDS Memory Quilts, co-founder of Queer Culture Ireland and Registrar of Collections Management in the National Museum of Ireland. Join them as they discuss what being Queer means, what Queer Culture is and all about the history and exhibition of the AIDS Memory Quilts and how they came into existence. This is a super informative Podcast. You can view the AIDS Memory Quilts in Filmbase, Curved St in Temple Bar in Dublin. Check them out if you can.
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In this, the last live Sunday Special of 2020, Dr Vicky Conway of Policed took the lead and asked Linda Hayden of PAC Woman, Dr Caroline West of Glow West and Tony (Martin is milking his illness) for their thoughts on 2020.
And because we are a bit different we asked some different questions. Mess of the year was a bit of a mess and we each have some interesting opinions on what constitutes a performer! We look forward to Tony's cancellation for one of his answers in particular.
Dawn Foster then joined us and our live online audience to talk Covid UK, No Deal Brexit and Blue Passports for fish.
Thanks so much for all your support this year, we simply wouldn't be here without you.
Full version available for all members at patreon.com/tortoiseshack
We also gave away copies of David O'Doherty's new Comedy Christmas Special, which you can buy here: https://gumroad.com/l/AkeRJ
Happy Christmas and here's to a much more socially interactive 2021!
The Shack Family
This week Linda is joined by one of the most resilient women in Ireland, Kayleigh Payne who is a person with a chronic illness, a mother, an activist and a recovering alcoholic. The pair talk about what it's like to live with a chronic illness, what impact that has on your life, how becoming a mother nearly killed her when the 8th amendment was in place and how to get and stay sober if you are an atheist. They also touch on holistic approaches to trauma and how complex PTSD is treated in this country. It's so informative so please give it a listen.
This weeks episode comes with a number of trigger and content warnings for Cchronic illness, child sex abuse, Rrape, birthing difficulties, addiction and PTSD. If you are affected by anything in the podcast you can contact the Dublin Rape Crisis centre hotline on 1800 778888 or One in Four at 01-6624070, or Alcoholic Anonymous at 01 8420700 and they will be able to support you. If you want to contact Kayleigh directly she is on Twitter as @ohlookitsme7 or on Facebook through The Facts About Historical Sex Abuse.
Support this podcast at: patreon.com/tortoiseshack
This week Linda is joined by her Victims Alliance colleague, Megan Sims to discuss the discovery of the Mega Files of images which were being shared without consent. We talk about what happened, where we are now in regard to the legislation and what needs to happen next. We touch on the misogyny at the heart of this crime and what changes we need to see in society. Megan also discusses Only Fans and how it has been a lifeline to so many during Covid-19 Lockdown.
You can support the Civil Action Go Fund Me for the victims of IBSA to get some justice here: gf.me/u/y96qi9
This week Linda is joined by the youthful Lynn Ruth Miller, who at 87 is the world's oldest female stand- up comedian, an ex- college Professor, Author (check out Getting The Last Laugh here), a burlesque dancer and just the kind of person everybody should want to be.
The pair talk about everything from cultural differences around the world, the rise of Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminism, Ageism and internalised bias. Funny, witty and smart, Lynn Ruth is a joy to listen to.
Grab a cuppa and settle in for a warm podcast hug.
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This week Tony was "hosting" and was joined by Caroline, Linda, Martin and Vicky for our usual dive into the weeks news and some stories you might have missed out on. We had a lot to cover. We discussed the Bloody Sunday Commemorations, Seamus Woulfe Watch, NPHET vs the Govt, RTE and the class based curtain twitcher's, the ongoing Brexit Blunder Bus, the Oscar Traynor Road vote and then Labour's Annie Hoey and journalist Philip O'Conor joined us to discuss the Image Based Sexual Abuse story and what we hope to see happen next.
Well done to Linda Hayden and her colleagues at the Victims Alliance, who have forced this on to the political agenda. Make sure you hear Caroline's brilliant breakdown of Consent Culture. We then opened the mics and had some craic with our members.
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This week Linda is joined by not one, but three guests, to talk about their experiences of living with mental illness, the kind of support and services available and what they would like to see done to help lift the stigma of mental illness.
You will hear from (2mins) Amy McGrath, a teacher, mother and mental illness advocate, (23 mins) Eliza Nuzum, a degree student who has suffered from Mental Illness since childhood and (45 mins) Psychologist and Psychotherapist Dr Andrew Magee, who also suffers with his own mental illness.
This is a very informative podcast in a time where it seems like everybody talks about Mental Health and nobody talks about Mental Illness. Have a listen.
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In the keeping with the theme of resilience and hope, this week's PAC Woman Podcast is something completely different. It is an old recording, thought lost, from a Podcast called Me and My hosted by the lovely Martin McMahon. In this recording from Nov 2018, Linda Hayden was asked to bring a significant person in her life to record with her, and she brought her hero, her Dad Gerry Hayden. There is a TW for Child Sex Abuse, Institutional Abuse, Alcohol Addiction, Alzheimers, but it is a beautiful story of a normal man's life that was turned completely upside down when he was placed into Artane Industrial School at 10 years of age for mitching school, and the long reaching impact that has had on his life right up to today. Please listen, it's a hard but uplifting story.
Artwork by @Ciaraioch
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Join Linda in a discussion with Joy Tendai Kangere about loving being a Black person, about having to neutralise microaggressions every day with her children and about her organisation, Rooted in Africa Ireland. Also we find out how tiny the world really is.
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Join Linda as she speaks to Anne Marie Quilligan, about working as a carer, the shocking statistics about how Travellers are affected by homelessness, lack of services and how the government and State have a long history of oppressing her community.
I'm very grateful for Anne Marie for sharing these experiences and it is clear that we all need to do more to become Mincéir allies.
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In case you were unaware, there is legislation currently being rushed through the Dáil that could result in the sealing of the archive from the Commission of Investigation into the Mother and Baby homes. To look at this Linda is joined by Maree Ryan-O'Brien, founder of Aitheantas (adopteerights.ie), which is an organisation focused on the rights of Adoptees, or lack of them here. Maree speaks of her frustration at the lack of consultation there has been with Adoptees and Survivors from the Mother and Baby homes and what alternatives there are to sealing these files. This is such an important issue. Please reach out to your local TD and ask them to call for this to be stopped.
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Taking a departure from the norm, Linda got the opportunity to go to the Natural History Museum in Dublin, to check out the renovations and talk about all things dead animals with Zoology Curator, Paolo Viscardi.
The Museum, also known as the Dead Zoo, forms a very important part of conservation efforts today as well as being culturally and historically important. Informative and exciting, have a listen to how they are working so hard to keep things updated without losing the Victorian charm.
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This week Linda is joined by author of Grief Demystified and soon to be Doctor, Caroline Lloyd, aka The Grief Geek.
Join them as they discuss why we have such an aversion to talking about death, the ways in how we react to news of a terminal illness can impact the ill person and how cultural differences in attitudes to death affect grief.
Informative and definitely not as morbid as you would think, this episode really shines a light on Irish attitudes to grief and mourning.
It is such a great conversation.
Artwork by @Ciaraioch
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Following on from the podcast on why women are leaving comedy in Ireland, Linda is joined by Comedian, Ruth Hunter, to talk about the codes of conduct that are being drawn up for comedy clubs, and the training that is being provided to go with them.
A must listen for anybody interested in ensuring they are supporting safe venues.
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Joining Linda this week are Linda Meehan Ashton and Teresa Coyne, two brilliantly funny women who left the comedy scene in Ireland due to misogyny, safety issues and sexual assault.
The three talk about the highs and lows of being comedians and the scene that did not protect them or their counterparts. This is a raw but necessary listen.
The Rape Crisis Centre National Helpline is: 1800 77 8888
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Artwork by @Ciaraioch
In this episode Linda is joined by Jen Dalton, who runs Child Protection Solutions, an organisation that provides consent, relationship and sex education workshops for young people. The pair discuss the importance of body autonomy to protect children from predators, consent, contraception and the fact that better education on consent and respect in relationships, mean less of a need for sexual violence advocacy. Don't miss it, there's so much important information in it!
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Join Linda and the Eternal Hun and Tortoise Shack royalty, Alannah Murray, to talk sex and body positivity, dating during a pandemic, fashion, accessibilty and perspectives of disabled people in film. Alannah is funny, informative and a joy to chat to, so make sure you tune in.
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Joining Linda this week is Mick Finnegan, a child sex abuse survivor who tells us what happened to him, the systems that failed him, his lack of justice, the lasting effects of trauma and surviving and thriving afterwards. We also talk about how hard it is to date when you are easily googleable and life in general. It is a hard listen, but a story that you have to hear. Join us.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast the 24 hour rape crisis hotline is 1800 778888, or one in four deal directly with survivors of child sex abuse www.oneinfour.ie. I believe you and it was not your fault. You can talk directly to Linda on twitter @lindaokaythen or on pacwomanpod@gmail.com
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In this live recording Caroline is joined by sexual violence campaigner and host of PACwoman podcast Linda Hayden. We chat to support worker Susan Walsh from the Sexual Health Centre in Cork, and Megan Jrenee, a victim of revenge porn and campaigner. Listen in as we discuss the legislation needed, why we need to reframe this conversation, and what you can do to help support victims.
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As the dust started to settle on #GolfGate and some commentators compared justified public opprobrium to racially motivated attacks, we asked what the Hell is going on and why is accountability kryptonite to already better-off?
To discuss this Tony and Linda (of The PAC Woman Podcast) were joined by one half of the team that broke the story, Political Correspondent with the Irish Examiner and proud Cork Man, Paul Hosford. Paul discusses the job itself, getting the story and how Covid-19 threw all of his own plans up into the air.
You won't hear a better take down of the claims of cancel culture than Paul outlines here. Thanks. Paul
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In this episode, Linda is joined by Adeline Berry, who is an Intersex Trans woman. This is both a very educational and deeply human insight into intersex erasure, Trans rights and how societal "norms" can too often force Trans people into sex work. I found this to be an eye opening account and am so grateful to Adeline's for sharing her experiences. Not to be missed.
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Join Linda, as she chats to Samantha Kenny, a mother of four children, three of whom have additional needs. They talk about all things disability, from the lack of support, to how Sam has to fight for every resource she gets, and also about her fears for her children returning to school during a pandemic. A genuine must listen to remind ourselves of those who were already left behind before Covid-19 and why we must strive to do better than just getting back to normal.
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In her very first episode Linda chats to human dynamo Emma-Jane Dempsey, who spends her time now locating and supporting the victims of human trafficking. Emma-Jane is a life-long victim advocate, activist, investigator and a child sex abuse survivor. They talk about everything from the obsession people have with seeing only sex trafficking as an issue, why many people look away from migrant exploitation and on to how sex workers are being penalised by the current legislation.
Artwork by @Ciaraioch
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The PAC Woman Pod is your place for Politics, Activism and Comedy. Hosted by Linda Hayden who is involved with politics through the Social Democrats, she is a founding member of The Victims Allicance and a victim advocate and also a stand-up comedian. Join her for weekly chats with a huge mix of guests, including those from marginalised groups whose voices need to be heard.
Send any guest suggestions to pacwomanpod@gmail.com
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