The Good Listener Podcast: Recent Episodes
John Hadden
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This week I'm joined by the author of "An Accidental Villain: A Soldier's Tale of War, Deceit and Exile", Linden MacIntyre. This book explores the life of Henry Hugh Tudor, a close friend of Winston Churchill who, during the height of Irish War Of Independence, was appointed as the de-facto chief of police (RIC) in Ireland which put him charge of arguably the single most hated group in Irish history - "the Black and Tans".
BUY THE BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Accidental-Villain-Soldiers-Deceit-Exile/dp/0735282021
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TIMSTAMPS
00:00 Intro
06:30 2nd Boer War
10:05 How did his time in Ireland effect Tudor ?
18:45 To what degree did Churchill shield Tudor from Cabinet scrutiny ?
24:50 Burning of Cork & Sack of Balbriggin
43:00 Life after army
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My guest for this episode is Eamon McAuley, a former professional boxer from
Ardoyne and author of “Fighting to Find Peace”.
Eamon was born in Belfast just before “the troubles” erupted and has experienced a childhood unique to his place and time.
From arms dumps on his street to his great uncle being brutally m*rdered by the infamous Shankill Butchers, Eamon’s life is one that has been shaped, in many ways, by the conflict that surrounded him.
Eamon also shares many stories about his father “Coco” McAuley, a notorious Ardoyne hard-man who, at one stage, was shot by the IRA, Loyalists and fought the British army Paras in the street, to the point where they had to send a boxing champion over from Germany try to defeat him.
00:00 Coco McAuley (Eamon’s father)
08:40 Eamon’s childhood (Shankill Butchers and Johnny Adair)
21:15 Lewis Crocker (Belfast’s newest champ)
34:30 Thoughts on MMA
41:35 Did being a vegetarian end Eamonn’s career?
45:25 Coco II
59:15 Coco III
1:01:25 Coco SHOT BY LOYALISTS
1:06:15 Reality of growing up during the troubles
1:15:00 GFA & thoughts on Irish Reunification
https://www.youtube.com/@UCH3Cfhwnw5TxRUlL20A_wuQ
https://www.orpenpress.com/books/fighting-to-find-peace-a-belfast-boxers-journey/
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For this episode I am joined by author and historian, John Crotty. John has researched extensively the subject of Irelands neutrality during WW2 and the actions the Irish govt took that broke neutrality in favor of the allied side.
We discuss the efforts that the IRA of the time made to collaborate with the Germans, how the Irish govt took extreme measures against the republicans (including internment and execution) and DeVelera’s decision to offer condolences after the death of Hitler.
John also went over the reasons why Winston Churchill wished to damage Ireland’s image, what declassified British & American intelligence documents tell us Irelands war effort and whether or not Ireland was an anti-Semitic place.
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JOHN CROTTY'S WEBSITE : https://johncrottyauthor.com
00:00 Intro
10:40 Did the Irish public support the IRA’s actions ?
15:10 IRA and German collaboration
19:50 Did the IRA leaders have ideological sympathies w/ the Nazis
26:00 Irish Govt’s pro-Ally actions during WW2
36:50 Did the German’s know that Ireland wasn’t really neutral ?
41:25 Decision to not take in refugees
44:10 Dev’s decision to offer condolences after Hitler’s death
51:40 Were Irish people pro-AXIS during WW2 ?
55:00 Northern Ireland’s role in WW2
1:02:45 How Ireland helped the D-DAY Landings
1:06:27 Accusations leveled at Ireland re: helping the N*zis
1:10:45 Churchill’s plot to discredit Ireland during WW2
1:19:48 Level of anti-semitism in Ireland at the time
1:28:45 1904 Limerick Pogorm
1:34:30 John’s background in history
1:37:13 US Intel on Ireland during WW2
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Martin Galvin is the former publicity director of The Irish Northern Aid Committee, better known as "NORAID", and to many, the face of the group.
A proud Irish-American, Martin joined NORAID in 1976 and, along-side his day job as a district attorney, worked tirelessly to bring awareness to the American public and political leadership about Irish republicanism and the injustices suffered by the people of Northern Ireland. He was barred from entering Northern Ireland and defied the order by sneaking in to give a speech which was violently shut-down by the RUC.
Martin shares his thoughts on the IRA's campaign of violence, why he himself didn't choose to help the armed side of the conflict, how he felt when he would hear about British soldiers being k*lled , the allegations of gun-running that plagued NORAID through it's entire existence (not unjustly) and much more.
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Martin reaction to recent RTE Noraid documentary
3:30 Martin’s Irish roots
09:00 NORAID
15:40 NORAID members involved in gn-running
21:34 Martin’s support for The PIRA
38:00 Martin’s reaction to hearing about British soldiers being klled in the North
42:10 Meeting IRA k*llers
44:40 Peaks in Noraid funding
47:10 Feds
48:15 Gun-running trial (from Noraid documentary)
54:00 Regret not helping with armed campaign
58:15 Becoming Publicity Director of Noraid
1:09:35 MARTIN ESCAPES THE RUC
1:12:50 Martin asks Bill Clinton about Gerry Adams’ visa
1:17:45 Gerry Adams meets Donald Trump
1:18:35 Were NORAID “sidelined” by Sinn Fein
1:24:30 Denis Donaldson
1:29:00 Were the hunger strikers allowed to die by republican leadership ?
1:30:30 Anything Martin wishes he had done differently
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My guest for this episode is Ali Watkins, author of “This Next One’s For You”, a book which explores the world of Irish-American gun-running in the early days of the troubles in Philadelphia and New York and how this impacted the conflict.
We discuss Clan na Gael, an Irish-American group that pre-date the IRA and how they have been aiding the Irish Republican movement for decades and their efforts to arm the Provos however they could. Ali tells us about the methods they used to get the rifles from the US to the North of Ireland, the mistake that began the US Department of Justice’s investigation into them and how the FBI & ATF eventually ended their run, resulting in the famous “Philadelphia Five” trial.
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Who are CLAN NA GAEL ?
4:53 Philly’s connection to Ireland
7:35 Vince Conlon
10:20 Clan Na Gael & NORAID overlap
14:05 Were NORAID involved in gn-running ?
16:15 Logistics of the gn-running scheme
21:40 FBI & ATF take on Clan Na Gael
32:35 John Casey (“the tout”)
36:40 “The Philadelphia 5” Trial
48:38 Vince Conlon II
51:25 Researching the book
BUY THE BOOK: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-next-one-is-for-you-a-true-story-of-guns-country-and-the-ira-s-secret-american-army-ali-watkins/21633877?ean=9780316538275&next=t&affiliate=2344
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For this special episode I’m joined by Ciaran Shiels, human rights lawyer for the Madden & Finucane law firm. For almost 30 years, Ciaran he has represented the majority of the Families and Wounded throughout the Saville Inquiry, the subsequent civil actions, and in all of the Judicial Review challenges related to the criminal investigations and prosecutions of those responsible for the shootings of 27 unarmed young men and a woman on Bloody Sunday, as well as approximately 500 of the civilian witnesses who gave evidence at Saville.
He has been immersed in the case against Soldier F, with all of its twists and turns, and is recognised as one of leading legal authorities on the events of Bloody Sunday.
This episode will be an extremely in-depth analysis of Bloody Sunday’s events with a particular focus on the notorious “Soldier F” due to his upcoming trial in September, and that of his fellow British Paratroopers, none of whom are facing trial. Ciaran takes us through each of Soldier F’s victims, as well as all those m*rdered in a day that would have long-lasting effects on Irish history.
Ciaran talks about how Soldier F’s account of his actions that day have changed over the years, how Soldier F lied about the innocent people he arrested on the day and the various attempts by the British establishment to avoid a putting Soldier F in court to face justice.
This episode is 3 hours long and is obviously a very deep-dive into the entire case, myself and Ciaran wanted to create one video, available to everyone online, that goes through the existing evidence and testimony regarding Bloody Sunday with a degree of thoroughness previously unseen in a podcast/YouTube video. This episode is for those who wish to get into the weeds of the case and get a clear idea of what Solider F and his men did that day and why they, mostly, got away with it.
This episode contains graphic description of violence and may be upsetting to some.
00:00 Why we can discuss the case and Soldier F’s Anonymity Order
05:53 Ciaran Shiel’s background
16:00 Soldier F & his unit
50:15 SOLDIER F ON BLOODY SUNDAY (SHOTING STARTS)
1:24:10 How many did Soldier F shot and how his account of the day has changed?
2:07:47 Belfast incident involving anti-tank platoon
2:17:00 Was Soldier F ordered to sh*ot innocent people ?
2:50:40 Predictions for trial
2:58:00 Tape of bugged calls from Victoria Barracks (Derry) on the day
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For this episode I'm joined by a man well known ex-loyalist paramilitary and one-time leader of the Lower Shankill Road's infamous UDA (Ulster Defence Association), Johnny Adair.
Johnny speaks about his growing up in Belfast during some of it's most turbulent and violent times, his lifelong friend with UDA k*ller Sam McCrory and he came to join, and later lead the Lower Shankill Road's UDA C- Company.
We discussed his days as an active paramilitary, his many near brushes with death and how he viewed his opposition, the Provisional IRA and the INLA/IPLO. I asked Johnny his thoughts on C-Company's victims and whether he has any regrets looking back. We spoke about the RUC's many attempts to both jail him, which they eventually would, and to recruit him as an informant.
Johnny shares his surprising thoughts on the republican hunger strikers who died in 1981, whether he himself would have been willing to do the same if called upon and what life is like for him now, living away from the city that he once saw himself a defender of.
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
1:5 Thoughts on Kneecap member’s charges?
9:45 United Ireland ?
15:30 If Johnny went back to the Shankill
20:21 Growing Up
29:40 Sam “SKELLY” McCrory
37:45 Training (Brian Nelson, Ken Barrett
55:20 Did C- Company do “spur-of-the-moment-klls” ?
1:06:40 DID C-COMP EVER EVEN INJURE OR KLL ANY IRA MEN?
1:25:00 INLA
1:26:40 “House-takeovers” by UDA C-comp
1:30:45 John McMichael klling by the IRA
1:33:15 IRA ALMOST KLL JOHNNY ADAIR
1:49:00 SHANKILL ROAD FISH SHOP BMB
1:53:00 Drg-dealing & Extortion ?
1:55:10 GETTING CAUGHT & JAILED
1:59:40 Special Branch’s attempts to recruit Johnny as an informant
2:12:00 PRISON
2:16:10 Johnny’s respect for the IRA Hunger Strikers
2:26:15 Loyalist Feud
2:31:05 Relationship w/ Skelly and Regrets/Remorse?
For this week's episode I'm joined by ex-investigative journalist and MP, Chris Mullin, who though his efforts, was able to help free the falsely convicted Irishmen known as "the Birmingham 6".
We speak about the sequence of events on the November 21st 1974 which left a mark on the city and people of Birmingham, klling 21 people and injuring over 200 and how the 6 innocent men ended up in prison for this heinous IRA bmnbing.
Chris also talks about his own involvement in the case and how he put his reputation on the line to pursue the truth and prove the innocence of these men, the impact this had on the British justice system and how they eventually got free.
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https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/chris-mullin/error-of-judgement/9781800961234/
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00:00 Intro
2:00 THE NIGHT OF THE B*MBING
8:00 Arrests
16:45 Trial
24:40 Chris’ involvement
This week I’m joined by Austin Stack, son of murdered Portlaoise Maximum Secruity Prison Officer, Brian Stack, who was shot and later died after a planned IRA attack in 1983.
Austin tells us about the night his father was shot, what his life was like in the 18 months between Brian being sh*t in the head and his eventual passing and how he would later come to a place of forgiveness.
I asked Austin about his quest for truth surrounding his father’s death, those who were involved and where they are now, his meetings and relationship with Gerry Adams and what “justice” for his father would mean.
00:00 Intro
10:30 Who in the prison was colluding with the IRA
14:50 THE NIGHT AUSTIN’S FATHER WAS SHOT (1983)
26:35 Brian Stack’s life after being shot
37:15 Austin personal journey to find the truth
54:45 Meeting Gerry Adams & Secret Meeting
1:39:40 Forgiveness
1:45:30 DOES BRIAN KNOW WHO (& WHERE) THE K*LLERS ARE?
1:49:30 Relationship w/ Gerry Adams
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This week I’m joined once again by Fr. Sean McManus, Fermanagh priest who shared with us the story of meeting IRA intel officer, Joe Lynsky prior to his eventual execution and the hands of his fellow Provos.
Fr McManus didn’t know it at the time but it would transpire, decades later, that he had likely given Lynsky his last confession before he became one of the IRA’s 17 “disappeared”, 13 of which have had their bodies recovered but not Lynsky.
00:00 Joe Lynsky’s background & mrder
2:12 Request from IRA Chief of Staff, Sean Mac Stiofain
27:45 Any other pre-mrder confessions that Fr Sean knows of ??
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For this episode I’m joined once again by author and ex-solider, Jon Trigg to speak about his new book “Death In Derry” which tells the story of the Derry IRA and it’s perpetual leader, Martin McGuinness.
Jon joined us last year when he released “Death In The Fields”, his excellent book on the East Tyrone IRA, for what was one of my personal favorite interviews.
Jon tells us about Derry’s significance in Irish history as well as “the troubles” period itself. We discuss Martin McGuinness’ roots and his rise power including Chief of Staff. Jon discusses the battle of the Bogside, Bloody Sunday as well as the army’s early days in the city and how it’s relationship with the locals changed over time.
We discuss the types of attacks and operation carried out by the Provos in the city, the various “own-goals” that the IRA inflicted on itself, the role of the SAS in the city/county, the various notorious informers or “touts” that severely damaged the group’s capabilities, how the conflict wound down and eventually ended and much more.
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https://www.irishacademicpress.ie/product/death-in-derry/
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Reaction to previous book & interview (East Tyrone)
1:30 Derry’s significance in Irish history
8:30 Martin McGuinness & pre-troubles Derry
15:20 BATTLE OF THE BOGSIDE
22:05 British army come to Derry
41:50 “Wild West” early days and Commercial bmbing campaign
56:20 BLOODY SUNDAY
1:06:30 Operation Motorman & Claudy bmbs
1:15:50 Poster boys
1:35:20 THE SAS
1:44:25 DET shooting 1981
1:51:48 Why the “cell structure” didn’t suit Derry as much as Belfast
1:56:23 Events damaging the Derry IRA’s image
2:13:50 Successful SAS ambushes
2:23:40 Raymond Gilmour, Willie Carlin & Frank Hegarty
2:34:40 WAS MARTIN MCGUINNESS AN INFORMER
2:42:25 Loyalist activity in Derry
2:48:20 The End
2:58:10 Thoughts on Say Nothing tv series
3:04:17 Future Belfast Brigade books
For this episode I'm speaking with Martin Dillon, well renowned author and journalist who has spent his career writing about the conflict in the North of Ireland. Martin's latest book, "The Sorrow and The Loss" deals with the women of the troubles and how the conflict affected the lives of the area's females including those who become combatants themselves , those whose husband/partners were in a paramilitary group, members of the security forces and much more.
We speak about Mairead Farrell, one of the IRA's most effective female operators, Dolores Price, Jean McConville's execution, Martin's opinions on the book "Say Nothing" and more.
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Revaltions in Martin’s book about 1987 Enniskillen bmbing
18:40 Martin’s new book “The Sorrow & The Loss”
27:40 MAIREAD FARRELL
45:58 Fallout from 1987 Gibraltar kllings: Michael Stone attack & Corp. Howes and Wood
51:40 Dolores Price & Jean McConville
1:13:10 Tracy Doak (RUC officer)
My guest this week is ex Irish Defence Forces soldier Kevin McDonald. Kevin served in Irelands Special Forces during the conflict that rocked the island.
Kevin tells us about his involvement in the one of the biggest man hunts in the state’s history when INLA kidnapper Dessie O’ Hare was on the run. He shares with us the atmosphere amongst his fellow soldiers as they searched for one of the North’s most infamous paramilitaries.
Kevin talks about IRA training camps in the south and his efforts to thwart them as well as some of the techniques used by the provos to conceal their camps.
I asked Kevin about levels of support within the Army for the IRA or at least its aims, feelings towards the British Army and much more.
00:00 DESSIE O’ HARE HUNT
13:45 Joining Army
26:30 Bloody Sunday
35:54 Support for the IRA within the Army ?
44:40 IRA TRAINING CAMPS
52:35 “Shoot to Kill” policy ?
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BUY THE BOOK: https://www.mayobooks.ie/A-Life-Less-Ordinary-Kevin-McDonald?__im-GfVUNiDv=2634181280451122429
00:00 DESSIE O’ HARE HUNT
13:45 Joining Army
26:30 Bloody Sunday
35:54 Support for the IRA within the Army ?
44:40 IRA TRAINING CAMPS
52:35 “Shoot to Kill” policy ?
On June 18th 1994 while watching Ireland play in the World Cup, 6 completely innocent men were slaughtered by a loyalist paramilitary gunman who sprayed the bar with an assault rifle in an act of cold blooded sectarianism.
Trevor Birney's book, "Shooting Crows" tells the storey of this tragic event, the hatred and bitterness that provide the basis for it, the history of loyalist collusion with various security forces branches, the arms shipment that the weapons came in on and the members of the 3 man team who committed the heinous m*rders.
The book also has a personal element for Trevor as he experienced firsthand some of the breaches of his press freedoms by the PSNI following the airing of a film about the Loughlinisland massacre that Trevor was involved in.
I'll be doing a Q&A episode soon so please drop any questions in the comment section below or email me at thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
5:45 LOUGHLINISLAND MASSACRE
18:00 History of Loyalists attacking civilian targets
24:00 “Collusion” and Brian Nelson
28:40 Extreme-loyalists
32:40 Police Ombudsman Reports into the massacre
43:35 PSNI investigate Trevor
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Toby Harnden is the author of one of the best-selling and well regarded books on the IRA and the troubles, “Bandit Country”. Toby’s book lifted the lid on the area where is was most dangerous to be a British soldier in during the conflict and the IRA brigade that made it that way. One of my most requested guests and an author that I’ve been dying to speak to, Toby and I spoke about their history, actions & legacy as well as the reasons why this small rural area was the thorn in the army’s side throughout the entire conflict.
We discussed the IRA’s guerrilla attacks on the British Army in South Armagh, the ’Slab” Murphy family, Gaddafi & Libyan arms shipments, the anti-helicopter sub-battle within the conflict, the deployment of the SAS, the infamous 90’s sniper teams and much more.
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00:00 Intro
16:20 Stats & Facts on The South Armagh IRA
21:45 Thomas “Slab” Murphy & the Murphy family
43:00 1970’s
1:03:50 Informers
1:07:50 Sectarian m*rders
1:10:00 THE SAS (1976)
1:15:14 WARRENPOINT
1:28:00 Glasdrumann scrapyard counter-ambush
1:33:30 Libya and Gaddafi
1:42:05 Richard Johnson & the American connection
1:50:45 Anti-Helicopter War
2:00:00 “SNIPER AT WORK” (1990’s)
2:22:25 1990’s actions
Kevin Meagher's book "What A Bloody Awful Country" examines the creation of the state we know as Northern Ireland and how the 100 plus years of existence as gone.
We discuss the reasons for partition in the first place, the sectarian violence during the state's early years, the anti-catholic discrimination built into Northern Ireland's governing system, the various forms of civil rights violations that Catholics had to endure and how violence erupted into what we call "the troubles".
TIMSTAMPS
0:00 Intro, ‘What A Bloody Awful Country’
5:30 How Did Northern Ireland Come To Exist
12:30 Violence in Northern Ireland’s History
16:05 Key Factors Leading To The Outbreak of Violence
32:50 Ian Paisley
38:10 Kevin’s Irish History Counterfactual
50:50 Border Poll
56:40 Kevin’s Interest
(Q&A coming soon so please drop any questions in the comments or email me at thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com )
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Rob Millington, ex-british army trooper, spent 6 months in Belfast during the final decade of the conflict that gripped the lives of anyone in the 6 counties.
Rob talks to us almost getting caught in an IRA bmb which was set up to blow up security forces responding to shoting, the impact that first seeing dead bodies had on him and aftermath of the 1993 Shankill Road b*mbing.
Rob shares his story about meeting Johnny Adair while on patrol and his attempts to extract information from British soldiers as well as the surprising reaction that Rob and his men would get while meeting high-level republican paramilitaries in the street.
00:00 Responding to a shoting in North Belfast and almost getting caught in bmb blast
17:50 Getting to NI
34:45 1993 Shankill Road B*mbing
41:30 Meeting JOHNNY ADAIR
53:05 See Dead Bodies For The First Time
1:01:00 Shooting During Tour ?
1:04:25 Leaving NI
CLIP OF ROB : https://youtu.be/WbcVovb4Kgc?si=cQ9EEqdHSesxJf02
(Q&A coming soon so please drop any questions in the comments or email me at thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com )
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John Nixon, ex-Offical IRA and INLA member begins this episode at the start of his second prison term in Long Kesh during which he would volunteer for the IRA/INLA Hunger Strike of 1980, led by Brendan “The Dark” Hughes.
John speaks about the horrors and trauma of years in prison, beatings and torture from the guards and his account of the hunger strike that preceded the 1981 Hunger Strike, most known for Bobby Sands death.
I asked about the effect that 53 days without food has a man’s body and mind and how John has tried to moved past everything to life a normal life post prison
Please forgive us for any parts that might overlap or be repetitive, we recorded this part over several sittings as you can tell.
00:00 2nd Prison Sentence
12:45 Staying Sane in Prison
30:50 Would John Meet With an Ex-Prison Guard
36:45 Brendan Hughes
43:00 Hunger Strikes
57:42 1980 HUNGER STRIKE
1:04:42 Selecting Hunger Strikers
1:13:35 Stages of John’s Hunger Strike (53 days)
1:29:52 Hunger Strike ENDS
1:32:42 Prison after Hunger Strike
1:41:20 Release & Life after prison
(Q&A coming soon so please drop any questions in the comments or email me at thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com )
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Ralph Brooker served in the British army touring Fermanagh, Derry and the infamous South Armagh, better known as "Bandit Country".
Having spent the majority of his time in rural, border areas Ralph recounts the British army's constant attempts to counteract the IRA's ever evolving methods and tactics. Ralph speaks to us about being on the receiving end of IRA mortar attacks, explosive booby-traps & landmines and the day-today realities of fighting a guerrilla army.
Ralph told me about his views on the IRA and how they changed over the years as well as whether he now considers his old foes to be "freedom fighters"
(Q&A coming soon so please drop any questions in the comments or email me at thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com )
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00:00 GETTING MORTARED while in a HELICOPTER
12:20 High Profile IRA men
21:40 How Ralph viewed the IRA- Freedom Fighters ??
44:40 Dealing w/ the Public
51:20 Clashes w/ UDR & RUC
1:02:50 Derry
1:07:50 Names in Stormont that Ralph remembers from COP (Close Observational) Days
1:23:05 Were the Loughall “A-Team” set up ?
1:25:15 IRA Booby-Traps
1:30:40 SOUTH ARMAGH
1:45:30 IRA’s
1:52:00 Final Thoughts
*Q&A COMING SOON SO PLEASE SUBMIT ANY QUESTIONS YOU'D LIKE ANSWERED IN THE COMMENTS*
In a recent episode David Burke re-joined us to talk about the mysterious case of Garda Patrick Crinnion, a spy within the Garda Special Branch (Intel dept) who passed information to the British intel network.
The release of David's book on the subject has prompted the unearthing of new information linking former assistant secretary of the Dept. Of Justice Thomas Coyne to British intel according to a letter written by the afore mentioned Patrick Crinnion.
We discuss the possible implications of such high-level treachery by Irish government officials and the effects that this would have had on Irish politics as well as questions about the information's authenticity/reliability.
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)
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00:00 Patrick Crinnion’s letter (found in prison cell)
33:45 Thomas Coyne and subsequent officials with in the DOJ
38:35 Authenticity of new info
David Burke’s most recent book “Puppet Masters” shines a light on mysterious case of Patrick Crinnion, the garda (Irish police officer) who was passing information to Mi6 while he was in the Gardai’s secretive intel department.
David, joining me for the third time, tells us about the state of the Republican movement in the years prior to the outbreak of “the troubles”, the resources available to Gardai in terms of intel gathering, Crinnion’s disappearance and the impact that he had on Irish history.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Pre-troubles republican activity
06:00 1960’s- IRA activity & Garda intel branch
17:00 Patrick Crinnion
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)
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BUY THE BOOK: https://www.mercierpress.ie/books/the-puppet-masters/
In part 2 of my interviews with ex-official IRA & INLA member, John Nixon. In this episode we discussed some of the INLA’s most prolific operations as well as some of the organizations most well known members including Seamus Costello and Dessie O’ Hare. (Part 1 - https://youtu.be/9YOpiW1jU6c?si=81DqiPlwIAz4HOHQ)
I asked John about second prison term in Long Kesh where he took part in the blanket protest and the no-wash protest in an attempt to win back POW status. John breaks down the escalating steps that led up to the no-wash protest and how these brutal years have effected John’s life forever. John tells us about the beatings and torture that prisoners were subjected to in Long Kesh and what atmosphere in the jail was like following one of the many assassinations of guards by republicans outside the prison walls.
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)
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00:00 INLA Operations - Billy Wright
10:40 Different types in the INLA/IRSP
16:15 Séamus Costello
20:10 Dessie O Hare
29:00 SECOND Prison term
36:20 BLANKET PROTEST & Targeting Prison Guards
50:15 PTSD and Mental Trauma
My guest for this week is James Durney, historian and author of “Jailbreak” which details the various “great escapes” perpetrated by Irish Republican prisoners from 1865 onwards into the 1980s.
James tells us about the most daring and dangerous prison escapes, both successful and otherwise, of the troubles-era including the story of the Crumlin Kangaroos, the HMS Maidstone escape, the 1973 Mountjoy Helicopter escape and of course the H-Block breakdown which is still the biggest prison escape in British penal history.
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)
Thanks a million!!
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast
https://www.irishacademicpress.ie/product/jailbreak-great-irish-republican-escapes-1865-1983/
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Jailbreak
8:30 HMS Maidstone escape
14:30 Mountjoy Helicopter 1971
22:30 Portlaoise Max. Security Prison Escape 1973
28:10 M60 Gang Escape & Long Kesh Escape 1983
40:25 War of Independence & Civil War Escapes and more
Hilton McCabe served in the RUC in both East Tyrone and Belfast during the second half of the conflict we know as “the troubles”.
Hilton tells us about policing rural East Tyrone and the horror of cleaning up body-parts after the one of the IRA’s most deadly roadside b*mb attacks, the Ballygawley Bus Ambush.
Hilton shares with us his stories of riots, threats to his life, his numerous brushes with death and how he and his colleagues dealt with the stress and trauma from the job.
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)
Thanks a million!!
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast
https://www.austinmacauley.com/book/mountroyal
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Joining RUC, catholic/protestant membership
21:15 First posting- EAST TYRONE
35:00 Ballygawley Bus Bmb (8 British soldiers klled)
53:30 Writing “Mountroyal”
1:02:20 Post-LOUGHALL AMBUSH Call out
1:11:45 Killers, psychos & Abuse of power
1:17:00 INLA & IPLO feud
1:22:15 Differences between republicans and loyalist paramilitaries
1:23:25 IRA funerals
1:34:00 Rural vs Urban IRA brigades
1:35:10 RIOTS
1:43:10 Lucky to be alive- times Hilton almost died
2:02:40 MOUNTPOTTINGER
2:07:50 SOLDIERS
2:12:10 Threats on Hilton’s life
2:20:50 Ever been recognized off-duty ?
2:22:00 N.I’s first million pound dr*g seizure & post-GFA policing
Ex-FRU agent handler "Will Britten" (alias) actively ran and recruited agents in South Armagh, one of the most dangerous places to be a British soldier during the conflict, in the 80s and is the author of "The Deadly Game". We speak in depth about the recruitment methods of the FRU, how to successfully run an agent in such a dangerous area, the legacy of Robert Nairic and the story of how Dominic McGlinchey's INLA unit planned on setting a trap after discovering a "tout".
Due to security reasons he cannot appear on camera.. apologies for not having the usual experience.
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)
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00:00 INLA find out about FRU source
16:20 Ideal type of agent-recruit
23:20 Ethics of running agents who murder
30:00 Robert Nairic
32:40 First arriving in N.I
41:00 Robert Nairic II
47:00 Thoughts on the IRA’s goal
54:00 South Armagh IRA & meeting Thomas Slab Murphy
1:07:50 Joining the FRU
1:14:50 Recruiting an agent
1:23:35 Motivation to become informants
1:32:25 Use of blackmail to recruit ?
1:37:45 Meeting up with a source
1:53:40 FRU Vehicles
1:59:00 What makes a good handler ?
2:10:45 What gets an FRU agent fired ?
2:15:50 Leaving N.I
2:22:00 Harry Breen & Bob Buchanan m*rders
Murder and Mimosas Podcast
A true crime podcast with a focus on lesser known crimes and the background of those...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
In a recent episode I interviewed author Dan Lawton about his book focusing on the fallout from the murder of dept Governor, Albert Miles, of the infamous Maze Prison in November 1978 in which an innocent man was convicted.
Alan Miles witnessed his father’s brutal murder as a young man at the hands of the IRA but almost immediately got to a place in his mind where he was not interested in revenge or retribution.
Alan tells us about his childhood growing up with a prison guard as a father, his father’s views on unionism & Ian Paisley, how he himself views the IRA men who m*rdered his father.
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)
Thanks a million!!
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Growing up
05:00 Father’s worker in the prison service
15:00 The blanket and no-wash protests
17:03 Does Alan want “revenge” or want to meet his father’s killer(s) ?
26:03 Night of the m*rder
36:30 Did Alan believe that Kevin Barry Artt was the killer ?
51:15 Thoughts on current-day N.I
History Nerds United
Let's make history fun again! Come listen to interviews with today's best authors.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Jonathan Trigg’s book “Death In The Fields” examines, in great detail, the infamous East-Tyrone IRA and how this rural group complied some of the republican’s biggest wins and conversely, their most devastating losses.
We examine the early days of the unit and how they were formed, the autonomy they enjoyed, the Jim Lynagh “A-Team” era and their deadly attacks, the Loughall ambush & how it effected the brigade plus the post-Loughall activities of the East Tyrone IRA including coming under attack from the Mid-Ulster UVF.
Jonathan is an ex-British soldier who himself was posted to East Tyrone in the early 90s and will be authoring more books on the subject of “the troubles”.
PLEASE EMAIL ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR GUESTS & EPISODE TOPICS (if you're reading this and were involved in paramilitary activity please give me a shout if you would like to tell your story, even anonymously to thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com)
BUY THE BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Death-Fields-IRA-East-Tyrone/dp/1785374435
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)
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00:00 What made the East Tyrone IRA so effective ??
14:50 Origins of East Tyrone IRA (Kevin Mallon, Brendan Hughes
29:20 THE A-TEAM era
49:40 LOUGHALL
1:02:35 Ballygawley Bus Bmbing & post-loughgall ambushes
1:15:00 UVF klling East Tyrone IRA members
1:22:40 LOUGHALL II
1:33:40 Future books
William Matchett is an ex-RUC officer who spent years working in the secretive and murky world of informants and agents during his time in Special Branch while “the troubles” raged on.
William shares with us his motivations for joining the RUC during such dangerous times, the techniques they utilized to recruit informants, death threats he’s received over the years and his encounters with the notorious South Armagh unit of the IRA.
We discussed paramilitaries who have committed m*rders and terror attacks while simultaneously working as an RUC Special Branch agent, the subject of collusion between RUC and Loyalist paramilitaries as well as policing a post-Good Friday Agreement state.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Growing up, seeing Catholic family petrol-b*mbed out of their house
08:20 JOINING THE RUC- policing in South Armagh
22:50 Negative view of the RUC & Threats on William’s life
36:00 SPECIAL BRANCH
52:30 Martin McGartland, Ken Barret, Mark Haddock, William Stobie
1:16:00 MEETING WITH INFORMANTS
1:27:05 THE NUTTING SQUAD
1:30:45 UVF/UDA
1:35:55 RUC interrogation
1:44:25 Post-GFA Northern Ireland
1:52:40 What should the RUC done differently throughout the conflict
PLEASE EMAIL ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR GUESTS & EPISODE TOPICS (if you're reading this and were involved in paramilitary activity please give me a shout if you would like to tell your story, even anonymously to thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com)
BUY THE BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Victory-Intelligence-that-beat/dp/1527202054
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)
Thanks a million!!
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast
Sorry for the late upload my good people.. feel free to follow on YouTube where I'm a bit more on top of things
Fr Sean McManus hails from Co. Fermanagh but was sent, by his superiors in the Catholic, to America early in his career where he continued his fight for Irish freedom.
Fr McManus’ tells us about his early life, his older brother who was killed during the IRA’s border campaign, the death-threats he has received and the attempts by British forces to smear his reputation by implying his involvement with Gaddafi.
Fr McManus speaks about his refusal to stay silent regarding British occupation of Ireland despite attempts by his bosses in the church to get him to keep his head down as well as his work on Capitol Hill.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
05:25 Brothers death in border campaign
06:10 Tempted to join ?
08:00 Becoming a priest
26:20 Sean’s “3 types of Violence”
28:35 FR MC MANUS ARRESTED
53:40 Threats to Fr McManus’ life
1:27:30 Thoughts on Fr. Patrick Ryan
1:41:10 FBI FILE ON FR MCMANUS
PLEASE SEND ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR GUESTS & EPISODE TOPICS to thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)
Thanks a million!!
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast
The Eerie Side Podcast
1 Mother & 2 Daughters True Crime Podcast - We cover the unexplained, mysteries, & more.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
TREASON: Claus von Stauffenberg and the Plot to kill Hitler
In ten episodes, Treason tells the remarkable and true story of Claus von...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Mick Hawkes is an ex-SAS soldier and 14th intel company (the Det.) operator who worked against the IRA and Loyalist paramilitaries in Northern Ireland as part of his military career.
Mick tells us about the daily ins and outs of carrying out surveillance on dangerous insurgents, the differences between republican and loyalist paramilitaries, how he helped to prevent a mortar attack on an RUC and much more.
(The first 30 mins or so are a little choppy due to wifi problems but completely fine after that.. apologies and thank you)
PLEASE SEND ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR GUESTS & EPISODE TOPICS to thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)
Thanks a million!!
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast
00:00 South Armagh
11:00 Any respect for the IRA ?
20:45 Any “off-base” activities
21:45 IRA men in the area
27:55 Between Mick’s 1980 South Armagh tour and returning to N.I in 1993- Joining SAS
33:00 THE DET
39:10 1993 Shankill fish shop b*mb
42:00 DET work II
1:04:00 Protestant paramilitary groups
1:08:30 The UDR (Ulster Defence regiment) & RUC
1:13:05 IRA informers
1:16:45 Face-to-face encounter w/ IRA man
1:26:48 Did Mick want to get into a “contact” with a terrorist ?
1:29:25 Foiling a mortar attack on RUC station
1:31:40 IRA in LONDON- Mick’s work with Mi5
1:44:20 Miss the “buzz’ from the job??
1:55:35 Ex soldiers doing mercenary work
2:01:35 Are SAS the best ??
My guest this week is Dr Michael Flavin, child to Irish parents who grew up in Birmingham, England during the IRA’s bombing campaign in England during the troubles.
Michael speaks to us about being a part of the Irish diaspora in England, anti-Irish discrimination at the time as well Michael’s writings on IRA leadership and INLA splits.
00:00 “NO BLACKS NO DOGS NO IRISH” sign- was it real??
03:50 Michael’s parents move to England
07:05 Many other children of immigrants ?
08:50 BIRMINGHAM B*MBINGS impact on Michael’s life
20:20 Gerry Adams leadership writings
26:30 INLA splits
54:30 Do most English people consider Northern Irish people to be “British” ?
PLEASE SEND ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR GUESTS & EPISODE TOPICS to thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)
Thanks a million!!
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast
Living God's Way in an Ungodly World
In a world that makes up its own rules, Christians need to focus on Who rules! The Christ!
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Dan Lawton’s thrilling new book “The Hunted” explores the story of Kevin Barry Artt and how he was false-convicted of the IRA murder of deputy Maze prison governor, Albert Miles.
We speak about the so-called “confession factory” Castlereagh, Long Kesh’s Maze prison, the horrors of the “blanket”/“no-wash” protests and how Kevin Barry Artt took part in one of N.I’s biggest jailbreaks.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 CASTLEREAGH “The Confession Factory”
08:15 LONG KESH & The lead up to Albert Miles’ murder
18:45 The murder of Albert Miles
24:30 Maurice Gilvarry (IRA member & RUC Agent)
27:35 PRISON ESCAPE
39:05 Escape almost goes wrong
48:00 Film or TV series ??
PLEASE SEND ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR GUESTS & EPISODE TOPICS to thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)
Thanks a million!!
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast
BUY THE BOOK: www.abovethegroundbook.com
instagram.com/danlawtonwriter/
twitter.com/DanLawtonwriter
Harry McCallion is an ex-paratrooper and SAS solider who served in the north during some of the troubles’ most violent years. Harry tells us about the brutal training regime they underwent before deployment, his thoughts on the mistakes that the British army made, his views on the “Ballymurphy Massacre”, his emotional state while policing violent riots and the effects that the job had on his mental health at the time.
Harry shares his insights on the uniques challenges of taking on a “guerrilla” army, rural vs urban warfare, his own personal relationship with violence/killing and much more..
PLEASE SEND ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR GUESTS & EPISODE TOPICS to thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)
Thanks a million!!
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Joining the British Army (Paras) & becoming brutalized
12:45 Pre-deployment, does Harry consider N.I people to be British & do Irish people “live in the past” too much?
25:50 DEPLOYMENT TO NORTHERN IRELAND - Internment roundup
28:55 Thoughts on BALLYMURPHY MASSACRE & 2021 Inquiry
39:35 RIOTS - “absolutely terrifying”
APPEAL
51:15 Harry’s relationship with KILLING & violence
57:35 Does Harry know how many people he has killed?
58:40 Fist-fight w/ an INLA member
59:55 Joining the SAS
1:05:00 Loyalist dual membership of UDR & UVF/UDA
1:07:30 Were UVF/UDA as competent as the PIRA ?
1:12:50 SOUTH ARMAGH & TYRONE IRA
1:19:00 Gerry Adams story
1:23:00 Fighting against guerrilla soldiers
1:29:00 Protecting intel sources within the IRA
1:33:55 GUERRILLA OR TERRORIST ??
1:49:20 Rural or urban soldiering.. which was more difficult ?
1:52:00 The MRF
1:58:35 Harry’s latest book
Author, lawyer and past guest of the show, David Burke reveals a previously unreleased statement from ex-Tara member and close-friend of Robin 'the jackal" Jackson, Charlie Simpson uncovering Jackson and the British Army's involvement in one of the trouble's most heinous attacks. We talk through the events of the tragic day, the logistics of the UVF operation and the political goings-on at the time of attack.
DAVID'S FREE E-BOOK (much more detail on the topic)
https://coverthistory.ie/2024/05/04/returning-the-serve-the-jackal-collusion-mi5-and-the-dublin-and-monaghan-bombings-by-david-burke/
PLEASE SEND ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR GUESTS & EPISODE TOPICS to thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)
Thanks a million!!
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast
Brendan Hughes (not to be confused with the deceased Brendan ‘The Dark” Hughes) shares his truly extraordinary life story, a life shaped by his membership of the East-Tyrone PIRA in the early days of the conflict in the North.
Brendan tells us about his time ambushing British soldiers in the countryside and robbing banks to fund raise for the IRA and his thoughts on having to take human life for his cause. Brendan shares the incredible story of how masterminded the second ever prison escape involving a helicopter on Halloween 1973 and how he himself ended up leading a 19 man jailbreak from Ireland’s most secure lock-up.
His tale later involves a split form the movement and a team of assassins being spent to NYC to take out Brendan, one of whom Brendan would later meet.
PLEASE SEND ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR GUESTS & EPISODE TOPICS to thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com
BUY THE BOOK: https://uplikeabird.com
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)
Thanks a million!!
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Growing up in Tyrone, first contact with sectarianism
07:20 Joining the IRA
13:10 Robbing banks
24:40 AMBUSHING BRITISH SOLDIERS
31:00 Becoming an intel officer
35:50 Lead-up to MOUNTJOY HELICOPTER ESCAPE
45:30 DAY OF THE ESCAPE
56:50 Getting caught & jailed
1:05:27 Planning the Portlaoise prison escape
1:14:20 DAY OF ESCAPE FROM PORTLAOISE
1:22:25 Immediately after escaping
1:36:25 Split from IRA (hit-team sent to NYC to get him)
1:42:40 Back to prison
1:44:25 Thoughts on united-Ireland
My guest this week is ex-bmb disposal man, Steve Smith. Steve worked as a EOD officer in Belfast during the early 80s and worked to rid the city of IRA & Loyalist bmbs.
Steve gives us his insight into the various types of explosives used throughout the conflict, the differences between IRA & Loyalist bmb-makers, how it feels to put on the bmb-suit & approach an explosive device and the effects that such a job can have on one’s mental health.
Steve tells us about the unique challenges of bmb-disposal in rural settings vs urban, the physical sensation of being caught in a bmb blast and much more.
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee.
Thanks a million!!
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast
PLEASE SEND ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR GUESTS & EPISODE TOPICS to thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Putting on the “BMB SUIT”
03:35 Training
10:00 Psychological aspect
14:20 The Hurt Locker (film) & mental toll of the job
17:00 FIRST EXPLOSIVES DISPOSALS
24:45 Bmb Disposal in RURAL AREAS
27:20 Robots
30:40 TOUGH JOB
35:10 Dealing with trauma from the job
37:25 IRA calling in car-bmb
44:10 Loyalist bmbs (better or worse bmb-makers?)
46:13 TYPES of bmbs throughout the conflict
55:10 Remote bmbs & Mercury tilt
59:30 Light-activated explosives
1:00:30 Closest Steve has been to bmb exploding
1:07:30 Cutting wires
Graham Cousins grew up protestant in East Belfast and spent his late-teen years and early 20s in the Ulster Defense Association better known as the UDA, a loyalist paramilitary group formed in the early 70s. He has since become close friends with ex-paramilitaries from the other side including my last guest, ex-b*mb-maker Packy McMahon (https://youtu.be/R5XJQrUCeMk?si=zCipaXh0uMIK6P0j)
Graham speaks to us about his mindset during the early 70s, his reasons for joining up, his thoughts on the UDA’s policy of targeting innocent Catholics and how he left the group.
Graham shared some interesting thoughts/insights into his mentality during the UDA days, the time that RUC officers let him “steal” their weapons, his memories of Ian Paisley, thoughts on a united Ireland and much more
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Patreon or Buy My a Coffee.
Thanks a million!!
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
6:20 RUC COLLUSION w/ UDA
10:10 Why join UDA not UVF
15:05 How were catholic families intimidated out ?
16:55 How did graham feel about his UDA activities at the time?
18:00 Does Graham identify as British ?
21:45 Ian Paisley
27:15 How did he view the UVF ?
29:10 Any respect for the IRA ?
31:25 Would Graham have known the main hitmen in the UDA ?
35:45 Women in the UDA
37:50 Dual membership UDA/UDR
39:35 Living in England
The Khmer Rouge, Mr Clever and Me
In 1993, Chris Moon was captured by the Khmer Rouge. No westerner had ever survived.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Patrick “Packy” McMahon is a former provisional IRA bomb maker who was jailed after being caught in the act of manufacturing a 1,500 LB bomb.
Packy tells us about growing up as the conflict raged and how his life-long battle with British soldiers began.
We spoke about the in and outs of how the IRA manufactured its bombs/explosive devices from beginning to end, the materials used, how Packy avoided being blown up by his own work and the logistics of an IRA bombing operation.
Packy shared stories about his time in Long Kesh, how he got caught, Mi5 attempting to recruit him and much more
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy My a Coffee. (link below)
Thanks a million!!
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00:00 Intro
4:20 Joining junior-wing of the IRA
07:35 BECOMING A BMB MAKER
16:05 What type of bmbs did Packy make?
26:15 Ever get “bitten by his own work” ?
27:10 What separates good bmb-maker from a bad one ?
28:45 Mi5 attempt to recruit Packy
31:15 MAKING A BMB
37:10 Shooting at British solider w/ a sniper rifle
38:35 Would you have known the loyalists?
41:05 Bmb-making II
47:55 CAUGHT MAKING BMB & ARRESTED due to INFORMANT
1:01:55 Getting out of Long Kesh & life after the IRA
ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE GUESTS, TOPICS, DIFFERENT FORMS OF CONTENT ETC ARE ALWAYS WELCOME.. any theme or force within the conflict you'd like me to explore, any important people from the time, authors I haven't spoke to etc
PLEASE DROP A COMMENT ON SPOTIFY (I can't reply to comments left on Spotify but leave your email address and I can get back to you) OR SEND ME AN EMAIL
(thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com)
Thanks very much to everyone who has helped out so far!!!
Ian Hurst, better known to some as “Martin Ingram” was a member of the Force Research Unit, an intel gathering and spy-handling British security forces group and spent time as a handler in Derry during which time he worked with Frank Hegarty.
Ian is best known for co-authoring the book ’Stakeknife” which exposed the exploits of one of the North’s most notorious informants, Freddie Scappittici aka Agent Stakeknife.
Ina tells us about his time in the FRU, what goes into recruiting and running an agent, his thoughts on whether Martin McGuinness or Gerry Adam were informants, his many thoughts on the recently published Operation Kenova and much more.
Ian, at various stages in the episode, discusses agents Frank Hegarty, Willie Carlin, Brian Nelson and of course agent Stakeknife.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Was Martin McGuinness an informant??
13:00 JOINING THE FORCE RESEARCH UNIT
43:15 Did FRU operate both sides of the border?
48:00 Was Ian ever shot at ?
53:00 Work as an FRU handler
57:30 Thoughts on Operation Kenova
1:28:40 HOW handlers met w/ informants/agents
1:39:20 Story about IRA man drove into the FRU offices
1:41:10 Did the IRA ever have info on IAN ?? (Ian potentially has his life saved by an IRA man’s wife)
1:46:30 Any FRU killed ?
1:49:20 HOW DID FRU RECRUIT AGENTS/INFORMERS ?
2:12:05 HOW WAS SCAP (STAKEKNIFE) RECRUITED ?? WAS HE A “WALK-IN”?? & More thoughts on Operation Kenova
2:32:55 When agents are suspected by IRA
2:36:40 ’Spy-masters dilemmas” (Frank Hegarty’s case)
2:46:50 Psychology of handling an agent
2:52:00 Killing Rage (book by Eamonn Collins)
2:59:55 More thoughts on Operation Kenova
3:09:15 Was Gerry Adams an informer?
PREVIEW CLIP (I usually don't do this but to fill the void this week here's a snippet from the full episode which will be available on YouTube this week and on podcast platforms next Monday)
In a clip from our upcoming 3 + hour interview, ex-FRU handler Ian Hurst (Martin Ingram) gives his take on how he thinks the infamous "Agent Stakeknife" was recruited by British security services..
He also shares his thoughts on the recently published Operation Kenova.
FULL EPISODE COMING SOON
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjuLvoOn9Ns&t=123s
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast
For this episode I spoke with author Henry Hemming about his most recent book “Four Shots in the Night”, an excellently written true-story of a British army agent within the IRA named Frank Hegarty.
Henry talks to us about the army unit that recruited and ran Hegarty, the now infamous FRU (force research unit) and their unique approach to running agents, how princess Diana was nearly blown up by the IRA and the role that Gaddafi played in arming the IRA.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 How did so many informants get recruited by The British security forces
9:55 Who were the FRU (Force Research Unit)
19:30 Willie Carlin & Denis Donaldson
24:45 Ian Hurst’s involvement
30:20 IRA NEARLY BLOW-UP PRINCESS DIANA
35:30 Spy-master’s dilemma
41:15 Gaddafi’s involvement
46:35 Plans for tv series or movie ??
BUY THE BOOK: https://geni.us/FOURSHOTS
For this episode I spoke with filmmaker Des Henderson, about his recent, extremely powerful documentary "Lost Boys: Belfast's Missing Children" which focus on the disappearances of a number of boys in Northern Ireland during the troubles and explores the dark story of Kincora Boys Home.
Des tells us about the links that these disappearances may have had with a network of p*adphiles who were active in the area at the time and the known child-abusers who Mi5 were employing as agents.
DES' TWITTER: https://twitter.com/desfilmsstuff
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
09:15 Timeline of the disappearances
23:15 Cover-ups & Whistleblowers
33:10 Was KINCORA BOYS HOME being used as an MI5
47:50 Future plans
50:05 Alan Campbell
Ex-IRA volunteer and author of the “Stakeknife's Dirty War", Richard O Rawe returns to the pod to share his analysis on the recently published and long awaited, Operation Kenova (interim report). This was an investigation into the FRU (force research unit) agent code named Stakeknife and the IRA’s internal security unit better known as the “nutting squad”.
Richard walks us through the biggest takeaways from the investigation, the goods & bads from the report and his expectations for the final report, due in 2/3 months which will go into specific cases.
For those who may have seen my interview with ex-IRA volunteer Seamus Kearney (Seamus’ younger brother Michael was m*rdered by Stakenifes unit after being falsely labeled an informant and Seamus firmly believes that he was set up by British security forces in order to cover for a real informant), I can reveal new information that has been verbally confirmed by the Kenova investigation team. (Interview w/ Seamus from August 2023 • EX-IRA MAN EXPOSES Ministry Of Defenc... )
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Recap on Stakenife/Scap
8:25 Stakeknife NOT NAMED in the report
13:25 Ricky’s expectations for the report
21:00 UPDATE ON SEAMUS KEARNEY PODCAST (Brother Michael m*rdered by Stakeknife’s unit)
27:05 Operational Failings section of the Kenova report
31:45 DID STAKEKNIFE SAVE LIVES?
36:40 “Falsehoods” addressed in Kenova report
40:15 Collusion section of Kenova report
44:55 Mi5 material reviewed by Kenova team
42:25 Final thoughts on Kenova report
SEND ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE GUESTS TO : thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com
BUY RICHARD'S BOOK: https://www.irishacademicpress.ie/product/stakeknifes-dirty-war/
Padraig Og O' Ruaric, historian and author of "The Disappeared" speaks to us about his the forced disappearances the have taken place for political reasons in Ireland's often bloody history.
We speak about the different reasons for forced disappearances in Ireland's war of independence and civil war committed by both Irish guerrilla fighters and the British Army. Padraig tells us about the history of informers and spies within Ireland's conflicts and how the "good old IRA" would deal with them.
We also discussed the most high-profile cases of forced disappearances in the Northern Ireland conflict including Jean McConville, Capt Robert Nairac, the MRF agents known as "the Freds" and much more.
I would throughly recommend Padraig's book for anyone interested in Irish history, very well written and structured piece of work.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Padraig’s background, scope of the book
09:35 DIGGING UP A DISAPPEARED BRITISH SOLDIER
18:45 Why some victims are disappeared
26:35 Last person to die in the War of Independence (Hannah Carey)
28:30 British Army veterans targeted
35:00 THE TROUBLES (The “Freds”, Capt. Robert Nairic, Jean McConville, Kincora)
1:16:40 Padraig’s next book
BUY THE BOOK: https://www.irishacademicpress.ie/product/the-disappeared-forced-disappearances-in-ireland-1798-1998/
In this episode author David Blake Knox ("Facedown: The disappearance of Thomas Neidermayer") takes us through the tragic case of German man, Thomas Neidermayer, who was living in the north when he was kidnapped (and killed) by the IRA in an attempt to get Marian and Dolores Price moved to an Irish prison after their 1973 London b*mbing attack.
We speak about Neidermayer's background including how he narrowly avoided having to fight in the latter years of WW2 while a member of the (compulsory) Hitler Youth and how he moved to Ireland to run factory where Catholics and Protestants worked side by side.
David tells us about how the 1973 London b*mbings would lead to the IRA capturing Thomas Neidermayer as well as the story of Brian Keenan, the IRA quartermaster who worked with Muammar Gaddafi, Colombian FARC guerrillas and Spanish insurgent groups during his time and who once worked for Thomas Neidermayer years before the kidnap.
PLEASE SEND ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE GUESTS/TOPICS ETC TO thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com OR LEAVE A COMMENT
DAVID'S BOOK: https://www.newisland.ie/nonfiction/face-down-the-disappearance-of-thomas-niedermayer
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Thomas & Ingeborg’s backgrounds
06:45 Brian Keenan
13:15 Thomas & wife move to N.I
17:15 1973 London B*mbing
23:20 THE KIDNAPPING
33:20 Fate of the Price sisters & finding Thomas Neidermayer’s body
43:55 Brian Keenan II
48:40 Aftermath
Richard Moore grew up in Derry and as a young child experienced life in pre-troubles Northern Ireland before the eruption of a conflict that had been brewing for years.
Richard tells us about his memories of the British army as they first came to N.I following the Battle of the Bogside and how they were originally welcomed by the community and how the murders of Bloody Sunday marked a turning point in his relationship with the British army.
Richard speaks about the day he was shot in the eye at close range by a rubber bullet fired by a British soldier who Richard has since meet with and befriended.
He shares with us how his blinding has affected his life and the lives of those closest to him.
Richard’s own podcast : https://open.spotify.com/show/1UssIdNvUOe6r3kwAfIqJA?si=L28W2DIsQ0a-euL65wHujQ
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Richard’s background, growing up in Derry
10:30 How did young Richard view the army & the rioters?
14:25 BLOODY SUNDAY
28:10 THE DAY RICHARD LOST WAS BLINDED BY A RUBBER-BULLET
34:40 How did Richard’s family take the news
38:50 Any desire for revenge?
44:00 Ever used as political point-scoring ?
45:25 MEETING THE SOLDIER WHO BLINDED HIM
David Burke, author of "Kitson’s Irish War: Mastermind of the Dirty War in Ireland" breaks down the work/influence of Brigader Frank Kitson and the infamous "Military Reaction Force" better known as the MRF, The British Army branch who were "there to act like the IRA".
David tell us about how Kiston developed the tactics that would used against the IRA in Belfast during his time in Kenya, Malaya & Oman . We speak about the MRF 'S origins, the unorthodox way they operated and the effective license-to-kill that they possessed. David tells us about the double-agents within the IRA working for the MRF known as "the Freds", the four square laundry intel gathering operation the MRF ran as well the brothels they operated.
We speak about the recent news that an MRF soldier (solider "F", not to be confused with Bloody Sunday solider F") will face trial for the murder of completely innocent father of 8, Patrick McVeigh.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A 5 STAR RATING TO HELP THE SHOW
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Kitson’s background
14:55 KITSON COMES TO N.I
20:30 THE MRF
22:40 Howard Smith
25:16 MRF, The “Freds” & Four Square laundry
37:20 Ballymurphy
42:00 MRF
44:45 PROPAGANDA
45:45 MRF
48:27 KINCORA SCANDAL, Albert Baker & The UDA
52:08 MRF and the fate of 2 of “the Freds”
54:15 MRF SOLIDER TRIAL for Pat McVeigh murder
57:45 William Black (MRF story)
1:00:55 PYS-OPS
1:04:20 RUC CORRUPTION
1:09:20 What came after the MRF (SRU, FRU)
1:13:30 Derek Willford’s relationship to Kitson
1:18:50 David’s new book
BUY DAVID'S BOOK: https://www.mercierpress.ie/irish-books/kitson-s-irish-war/
Stephen White is former commanding officer of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (police force at the time) during some of Northern Ireland’s most violent and volatile years.
Stephen tells us about his early years growing up in an environment where sectarian tension and violence was a constant. Stephen spent time in the Ulster Defense Regiment before he joined the RUC.
I asked Stephen about the daily reality of policing Northern Ireland’s streets during some of its most tumultuous years, thoughts on Irish reunification, facing rioters after Bobby Sand’s death, accusations of collusion, death threats and much more
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Growing up in N.I
10:22 Story from teen years about sectarian violence on catholic friend
12:42 Thoughts on Irish reunifaction
21:02 JOING ULSTER DEFENCE REGIMENT (UDR)
33:02 UDR clashes with loyalist paramilitaries
35:22 UDR/UVF dual memberships ??
38:52 JOINING RUC (1978)
42:02 BOBBY SANDS RIOTS
47:32 John Weir conviction
53:20 Any officers under Stephen’s command investigated for COLLUSION ?
57:20 Rougher policing back then (70s-90s)
1:04:02 RUC “dirty war” use of loyalist paramilitaries as agents
1:14:02 Dealing with the trauma of the job
1:19:12 ASSASSINATION PLOTS AGAINST STEPHEN
1:26:32 Toughest area in N.I to be a cop during the troubles
1:30:12 Running into IRA men while off-duty
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On April 13th 1922 the war of independence era IRA committed their only murder on US soil when they took revenge on a traitor whose disloyalty had cost 6 members of his old unit their lives.
Author Mark Bulik, who has written the first book on the incident shares with us the story of 4 men from Sundays Well in Cork city and how one of them met their end at the hands of the other 3 outside Central Park in NYC.
Marks book details the incredible level of support that existed in New York for the Irish War of Independence, the gun running priests of NYC, the plot to get 500 tommy guns from America into Michael Collins’ hands and of course, how Patrick “Cruxy” O’ Connor paid the ultimate price for his treachery.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction
6:15 Support for Irish War of Independence in New York
17:00 The story of “Cruxy” O’ Connor and the 3-man hit
27:15 Jimmy McGee & the 500 Tommy Guns
32:10 Poisoning attempts on O’Connor
41:25 Similar story involving the IRB
45:45 Was this the ONLY IRA attack on American soil?
FULL VIDEO EPSIODES: https://www.youtube.com/@thegoodlistenerpodcast/featured
Julieann Campbell's uncle John "Jackie" Duddy was 17 years old when he was shot dead while running away by British soldiers during Bloody Sunday 1972. Julieann's urge to find out whatever she could about the killing of the uncle that she never got to meet for her family would eventually led her to write an outstanding book called 'On Bloody Sunday".
I asked Julieann about impact that Bloody Sunday and her uncle's killing had on the family, the civil rights movement in N.I up until that point, the significance of the Battle of the Bogside and the Ballymurphy massacre which preceded the terrible events of January 30th 1972.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, LEAVE A RATING & SHARE TO HELP THE SHOW CONTINUE TO GROW
https://www.amazon.com/Bloody-Sunday-History-Aftermath-People-ebook/dp/B093ZMTL78
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Family connection to Bloody Sunday
07:05 Civil Rights movement
10:45 Battle of the Bogside & Ballymurphy massacre
18:05 BLOODY SUNDAY
33:15 Bloody Sunday as a recruiting tool for the IRA
34:55 Inquests/Inquiries into Bloody Sunday & SOLDIER F upcoming trial
(RE-UPLOAD, RECORDED LATE DEC 2022 & PUBLISHED IN JAN 2023)
The chief suspect for the still unsolved 1996 murder of Sophie Toscan Du Plantier, Ian Bailey has died form a heart-attack. I spoke to Ian almost exactly a year ago in what was, I'm fairly sure, his second last long format interview and his last video long format interview. (Video version available on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZqPD3yV1uA)
To this day Ian Bailey remains the only person who has asked me to interview him (although I was going to ask anyway)
________________________________________________________________________________________________
For this episode I spoke to Ian Bailey. Ian moved to West Cork (Ireland) years before the 1996 murder of Sophie Toscan Du Plantier, an incident which later became subject of a 3 part Netflix series
Ian spoke to me about his memories from the time of the murder and the subsequent years of his life as Gardai pursued him as their prime suspect, his own theories regarding the killing, his reaction to the Netflix documentary and Audible series
APOLOGIES FOR ANY BAD-QUALITY AUDIO CAUSED BY POOR INTERNET CONNECTION
00:00 Preview
00:35 Intro and move to West Cork
7:11 First hearing about the murder
12:35 How well did Ian know Sophie (murder victim) ??
16:20 Finding out that he was the police’s (Gardai) prime suspect & treatment by Gardai
21:20 Members of the community claiming that Ian confessed
26:10 Does Ian think that the Gardai genuinely thought that he committed the murder?
27:55 Local rumor/theory about Garda killing Sophie and the “missing gate”
31:05 Marie Farrell- the witness who changed her story
34:55 Ian’s reaction to audible series on the murder
37:20 Reaction to NETFLIX doc
42:35 Does Ian court attention from being a murder suspect??
46:20 Which theory of Sophie’s death’s does Ian lean towards?
For this episode I spoke with Ronan McGreevy, co-author of the recently released book "The Kidnapping", which focuses on the doomed ransom kidnapping attempt on businessman Don Tidey.
We discussed the IRA's various methods of fund-raising during the troubles and their history of ransom-kidnaps. Ronan told me about how Tidey was selected as the target, how the IRA Maze prison break feed into the kidnapping and the role that infamous agent Freddie Scappaticci "Stakeknife" played in Tidey's rescue.
00:00 Intro
2:13 IRA’s fundraising efforts during the conflict
9:15 Maze prison break
14:15 Recent Gerry Kelly libel case and Gerry Adams mention in the book
17:45 How and why was Don Tidey selected ?
20:10 THE KIDNAPPING
24:10 Deaths during rescue
27:20 The 4-man kidnap team
29:05 Freddie Scap. (STAKEKNIFE) involvement & garda/army’s ability to deal with the IRA
35:00 Any more ransom-kidnappings after Don Tidey’s ?
Nick Dunn is a former British soldier and private security contractor who endured nearly half a decade in the Indian prison system after being unfairly convicted while carrying out anti-pirate work.
Nick spoke to me about his brief time patrolling South Armagh in post-conflict Northern Ireland and danger he faced in Afghanistan fighting against the tactics/methods of a guerrilla army.
Nick shares the harrowing story of how he and his team were unfairly convicted in an Indian court and 4 torturous years in the shocking conditions of Chennai prison.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Being a soldier in post-troubles Northern Ireland including South Armagh
14:45 Afghanistan deployment
19:40 Motivation to join the army
22:40 Did Nick view the people he was fighting against to be his “enemy”? & Thoughts on fighting against guerrilla warfare
42:20 Leaving army
44:55 Private security work & getting convicted
1:09:45 PRISON TIME
1:41:40 Back to England
1:51:10 Adjusting to life post-prison
Billy Hutchinson is an ex-UVF member and Loyalist who saw the Troubles heat up and erupt as he was a teen in sectarian Northern Ireland.
Billy told us about his growing up in the Shankill area, a working class Protestant part of Belfast and his community felt uncared for by their government despite identifying as loyal Brits.
Billy, in an attempt to join the UVF, set up a youth loyalist group and was being hunted by the British army before he was 16 years of age.
Billy recounts a chilling incident when he was abducted by the british army, brought to a field where they performed a mock-execution and then brought him to a barracks where he was hung from the ceiling by his hands and savagely beaten.
We spoke about the double-murder he took part in which resulted in Billy spending 10 years in Long Kesh. Billy told me about prison life, post-prison work for peace and much more
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Growing up in the Shankill area pre-troubles
9:32 The terms “Loyalist” and “Unionist”
11:17 Earliest memory of sectarianism
16:52 The troubles kicking off
27:42 FURNITURE SHOP BOMB IN HIS AREA
36:47 Did they feel like The British govt care about them?
40:12 PARAMILITARY ACTIVITY AS A TEEN
52:42 LIFTED BY BRITISH ARMY & tortured
57:52 Did Billy’s parents know about his involvement ?
59:17 M*RDERS THAT SENT BILLY TO PRISON
1:02:07 “I justify everything I did in the troubles, to STAY SANE I have to”
1:07:52 Collusion with security forces ???
1:13:52 CATCHING AN INFORMER WITHIN UVF
1:17:25 Did UVF have their own “nutting squad” like the IRA?
1:18:57 Ten Years in LONG KESH
1:34:52 DEATH THREATS &
1:37:17 Does N.I work as a state now?
1:39:07 Thoughts on Irish reunification
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Brian Banks is a former NFL whose life was altered forever when he was the victim of a false-r*pe allegation towards the end of his high school years.
We spoke about how he found out that he was being accused of such a horrific crime, the process of being arrested & charged and the legal games that were at play before his trial.
Brian told us about why he felt like he had to accept a plea bargain despite being completely innocent, the monotonous reality & dangers of prison life and how he remained sane in prison.
Brian’s story get even more bizarre post-prison when he was on parole and his false-accuser got in contact with him with the intention of striking up a friendship. Brian used this opportunity to gather video evidence that would later clear his name and get his football career back on track.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Growing up & FALSE R*PE ALLEGATION
17:35 Arrested
30:45 Plee bargin
35:55 Sentenced
40:50 PRISON LIFE
54:15 Getting out of prison
1:01:15 PROVING HIS INNOCENCE: Secretly recording his accusers confession
1:22:45 Getting into the NFL
1:24:25 Did Brian’s false-accuser face any consequences & Brian’s compensation for his incarceration
1:29:05 Post NFL life
PART 2 OF 2
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A RATING TO HELP THE SHOW CONTINUE TO GROWGlenn Bradley was born 1967 in West Belfast and grew up in the loyalist Woodvale area. He is a former soldier, one-time politician and a made-good businessman. Today, Glenn is Chair of Veterans For Peace Ireland and a Board Member of the Belfast Charitable Society. He remains an unapologetic Irish peace processor.
In the second half of our interview I asked Glenn about how he as an Irishman was viewed/treated in the British army and Glenn recalls an incident when he was asked to leave a pub in England because he was Irish despite being a serving British soldier.
Glenn shared his thoughts on the degree to which collusion occurred between British security forces and why he is of the opinion that collusion could not have been as rife as it is often alleged to be.
The most important aspect of Glenn’s story however is his eventual turning away from violence as a form of conflict resolution and complete disillusionment with violent means. Glenn talked us through the internal process of becoming a peace advocate and his work towards a peaceful Northern Ireland.
Glenn describes his internal process of moving away from the mentality of military life and dealing with PTSD as a veteran of a bloody conflict.
TIMSETAMPS
00:00 Soldiers from mainland UK- how good of an understanding did they have of the conflict in N.I
8:30 Did the mainland UK soldiers consider N.I people to be British & how Irish soldiers were treated in the british
13:15 British Army collusion w/ loyalists ??
19:00 When did Glen start to become disillusioned with violence (after his uncle’s horrific murder)
34:10 Being an independent thinker in the army
38:10 Life post-Army
44:00 PTSD
57:00 People’s reaction when Glenn tells them he’s a former soldier
Glenn Bradley was born 1967 in West Belfast and grew up in the loyalist Woodvale area. He is a former soldier, one-time politician and a made-good businessman. Today, Glenn is Chair of Veterans For Peace Ireland and a Board Member of the Belfast Charitable Society. He remains an unapologetic Irish peace processor.
I was eager pick Glenn's brain about what it was like to grow up surrounded by the violence of "the troubles" conflict that began when he was a small child and particularly about the years of his youth spent in the army before he became completely disillusioned with violence after experiencing it's futility firsthand.
Glenn told me about his childhood in a staunchly loyalist area of Belfast during one of Ireland's bloodiest times including when he was injured by a no-warning IRA bomb at the age of 5. We also spoke about a particularly horrific incident during the Bobby Sands riots when his schoolbus was petrol-bombed by a republican mob.
Glenn would eventually join the British Army, a time in his life that he has made sure not to let define him and I was fascinated to get his insight on the soldiering of N.I.
I asked about the daily realities of being a soldier during this period, what it feels like to be in a shootout with paramilitaries and how The British Army viewed the IRA and Loyalists. Glenn also explained the mindset of a trained soldier in terms of how they were trained to view their enemies/opponents.
PART 2 COMING SOON ( We discussed more of Glenn's military days and how he would eventually become entirely disillusioned with violence.)
00:00 Intro & growing up in troubles-era Woodvale area
6:05 Injured by IRA bomb at 5 years old
13:25 How realistic was Irish reunification as a possibility in the minds of unionist people at the time?
17:45 View of the RUC in the area?
20:35 How did Glen view British soldiers in the streets?
22:55 GLEN’S SCHOOLBUS PETROL-B*MBED (day of Bobby Sands death)
26:16 How were loyalist paramilitaries viewed by the community in his area?
32:35 Joining British Army instead of Loyalist paramilitaries
43:00 Where was Glen
46:50 Shoot-outs with the IRA
50:15 How competent did British troops consider the IRA
53:35 Any clashes w/ Loyalists
55:10 Soldiers from mainland UK- how good of an understanding did they have of the conflict in N.I
Graham Linehan is the Irish comedy writer behind behind the legendary sitcom, Father Ted, as well as Black Books and the I.T Crowd.
Grahams recent autobiography, “Tough Crowd” takes the reader through Graham’s youth in Ireland, his co-writing of the show that is now embedded in Irish culture and provided laughs the world over.
We speak about Grahams influences as he ventured into the world of sitcom writing including Seinfeld and the Simpsons. He tells us the behind-the-scenes story of Teds creation; how it was originally meant to be filmed like the “The Office” and the process behind writing an episode.
Graham shares his thoughts on American humor vs. Irish/UK humor, woke and anti-woke standup comics, his own foray into standup comedy and much more.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro, twitter activists
10:12 Trans-males in sports (Recent Canadian amateur boxing example)
13:30 FATHER TED
30:50 American vs Irish/UK humor
35:00 Father Ted was originally to filmed like “The Office”
40:10 Graham’s standup comedy
42:15 Favorite stand-ups
44:10 “Woke” comedians & “Anti-woke” comedians
Frank Portinari is a former commander of the London UDA during the troubles and was eventually imporisoned after being caught buying firearms which were to used for the loyalist cause of keeping the 6 counties of Northern Ireland part of the UK.
Frank told us about his growing in working-class London in a largely Irish area and how he ended up as a Tottnem football holligan during the decades when large-scale fights between rival supporters were commonplace. Frank speaks about his various involvements with political groups including, at one stage, the National Front who are well known for anti-immigrant and often racist views.
Frank would eventually get drawn into the Northern-Ireland conflict as a response to IRA bombs in England and hearing IRA chants and songs in his own London streets. He joined and would quickly lead the London-UDA (Ulster Defence Association, a loyalist paramilitary group) during which time he targeted IRA members and sympathizers as well as plots to assassinate several British MPs including Ken Livingston.
Frank reveled how he had been propositioned by British Special Branch a number of times and spoke about collusion between loyalist paramilitaries including security forces passing photos of and information about IRA men.
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro, growing up in Camden
06:00 Football hooligan days
11:00 Getting involved w/ National Front
22:00 Leaving National Front
28:40 JOINING LONDON UDA
46:40 Plots to ASSASSINATE BRITISH MPS
58:15 Getting caught & prison time
1:09:40 Leaving the loyalist movement
1:12:55 BEING APPROACHED BY SPECIAL BRANCH & Hearing about Loyalist/British security forces COLLUSION
1:20:40 Leaving loyalist movement II
Irish criminologist and co-host of the Real Lives Untold podcast, Sarah O' Conor speaks to us about the recent murders that shocked Ireland committed by Yousef Palani & Jozef Puska whose respective killings have now resulted in life sentences for the murderers.
Sarah also told us about Ireland's history of serial-killer types and particularly those who kill women. We spoke about the various evil murderers that have taken innocent lives in Ireland and those suspected of carrying out more brutal acts than the ones they were convicted of including infamous r*pist Larry Murphy who has been linked to serveral disappearances of women in the so called "vanishing triangle".
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro, Sarah’s background & Aishling Murphy/ Jozef Puska case I
14:25 Irish serial killers & definition of “serial killer”
26:25 LARRY MURPHY and possible links to the “vanishing triangle”
36:55 YOUSEF PALANI - background
47:45 PALANI’S SPREE BEGINS
1:00:15 Media’s coverage of the case
1:04:25 JOZEF PUSKA- background & Aishling Murphy
"Balaclava Street" is a leading blog dedicated to exploring the history of the loyalist paramilitaries in Northern, particularly the UVF. Over the years Iain has gained unprecedented access to ex-UVF members for the book that he is in the process of writing about the loyalist paramilitary's history.
We spoke about the various loyalist paramilitary groups and the differences between them, who was most active, how the UVF men regarded the IRA & INLA and how the groups armed themselves during the violent period in Ireland's history.
Iain gave his take on accusations of collusion between loyalist paramilitaries and British security forces, theories surrounding the infamous Robin Jackson, the Miami Showband Massacre, Dublin/Monaghan b*mbings and Robert Nairic, the English solider who met his end after singing rebel songs on the table of a pub in South Armagh.
We spoke about how UVF members reacted to one of their members, prolific murderer Mark Haddock, being an RUC agent and also about the feuds that have taken place amongst the loyalists since the Good Friday Agreement.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
7:20 UVF, UDA, UFF
14:20 Who was more active ? UVF or UDA
19:30 Joining UVF or UDA
24:15 How did loyalist paramilitaries view the IRA & INLA ?
30:15 Where did loyalist paras source their guns & explosives ?
41:13 COLLUSION w/ British security forces
46:30 ROBIN JACKSON
1:04:30 John Weir
1:09:15 Capt. Robert Nairic & Miami Showband Massacre
1:21:03 Agents within the UVF/UDA (Mark Haddock, Brian Nelson, Ken Barrett)
1:24:00 Loyalist groups involved with dr*gs
1:35:43 Post-Good Friday Agreement feuds within loyalist groups
https://balaclavastreet.wordpress.com/
Nicola Tallant is one of Ireland’s leading crime journalists and her newest book, “Cocaine Cowboys” presents a history of Ireland’s relationship with the drug as well as the gangland figures that have emerged since white powder hit Irish shores.
We spoke about the drug itself, how long it has taken to fully penetrate all layers of society and how it has spread to even the more rural edges of Ireland.
We spoke about the clashes between existing paramilitary/IRA groups and the drugs cartels and how the balance of power has shifted over the recent decades. Nicola tells us about the North Dublin Real-IRA feud with some of the countries biggest drug gangs and about how those in the drugs world are targeted by the IRA for a cut of their profits.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A 5 STAR REVIEW TO HELP THE SHOW CONTINUE TO GROW
TIMESTAMPS*
00:00 Nicola’s book & Ireland’s relationship with cocaine
8:35 First shipments of cocaine into Ireland
14:35 Non-criminals getting involved with serious crime figures
20:50 Are we stuck in a cycle??
26:15 Fentanyl in Ireland
29:50 IRA/PARAMILITARY CLASHES WITH THE DRUG WORLD
47:55 ARE THE KINIHANS DONE??
56:55 GERRY HUTCH’S TRIAL
Martin Doyle’s new book “Dirty Linen: The Troubles in my Homeplace” details the events of the troubles in his local area and the wide reaching effects that the conflict had on everyone’s lives. In my personal opinion the book is one of the very finest works on the subject of troubles-era Northern Ireland and is a masterfully crafted collections of human stories in a non-partisan fashion.
We speak about how Martin’s area was terrorized by the infamous "Glennane Gang” and loyalist mass murderer Robin Jackson during the height of their carnage. Martin told me about the anti-catholic discrimination that he dealt in school and how everyday life would be altered by living in such tumultuous times.
Martin also spoke about the multi century history of religious clash in Ireland especially in the north where many planters had been settled and how this sewed the seed for future conflict and violence.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A 5 STAR RATING TO HELP THE SHOW CONTINUE TO GROW
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Background & “Dirty Linen” metaphor
07:25 “Being aware of history but not weaponizing it”, The RUC father& son
14:10 Ways that life was disrupted by the conflict
22:10 Miami Showband Massacre & Stephen Travers
25:00 Religion as a proxy for other divisions + History of catholic/protestant relations in the north
32:25 Anti-catholic discrimination in Martin’s school
42:05 ROBIN JACKSON & THE GLENANNE GANG terrorizing Martin’s area
49:10 1982 in Bainbridge town (b*mbed delivered by “Killing Rage” author Eamon Collins)
1:01:20 FREEDOM FIGHTER/TERRORIST distinction
1:08:30 Filling in contextual holes in memory about his childhood
Tony McAleer is a reformed, ex- neo-n*zi/white supremacist who now works to help people disengage from violent hate-groups like the one's that Tony used to set-up and run.
Tony shares his story of how a boy from a good family & catholic school ended up heavily involved in racist-skinhead gangs even taking up a leadership role and using his intelligence to recruit other young men. Tony talks to us about the need to feel loved left him open to manipulation and how the movement became his whole identity.
We spoke about Tony's visit to the Synagogue where he committed his first hate-crime and his recent documentary in which Tony, a former staunch holocaust-denier, spent 13 hours in total in the world's most infamous concentration/death camp.
Tony shares his insight into holocaust-denial talking points and the flaws in them that he failed to see bak when he was the one pushing them.
IF YOU ENJOY THE SHOW PLEASE SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A 5 STAR REVIEW TO HELP THE SHOW CONTINUE TO GROW.. THANKS AS ALWAYS FOR LISTENING
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 How Tony became a NEO-NZI
09:35 Did Tony genuinely hate minority groups during this time ?
11:10 When was Tony’s peak in terms of involvement with Neo-nzi movement ?
14:05 Holocaust-denial
24:30 Tony visits the Synagogue where he committed his first hate-crime
27:20 Tony’s first doubts about the movement
33:55 Filming the documentary & GOING TO AUSCHWITZ
40:40 Thoughts on outlawing holocaust denial (like Austria)
https://www.lifeafterhate.org/
https://www.thecureforhatefilm.com
We continue Eddie's story as he is 16 years old and about to plant a b*mb in a pub which would kill an innocent person and wound Eddie. Eddie describes his mindset at the time and his want for vengeance in retaliation for IRA killings.
Eddie tells us about the incident itself and the effect it had on his young life, his sentencing and the subsequent doubts that began to form in his mind about his motivations for joining the UVF and carrying out the attack.
We spoke about his 14 year stretch in Long Kesh in the company of his fellow loyalist prisoners and how he spent years working for peace upon his release, in stark contrast with his old extremist mentality.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A 5 STAR RATING IF YOU ENJOY THE SHOW.. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 PLANTING BMB at 16 years old
07:05 Eddie begins questioning his motivations
08:20 Sentenced for the bmbing
10:55 Prison time, 14 (Long Kesh)
20:30 Any interactions with republican prisoners in Long Kesh?
22:10 Mindset change
28:15 Getting out of prison and getting involved in peace process
40:15 What would Eddie tell his teenage-self?
44:55 Thoughts on Legacy & Rec. Bill
FULL VIDEO EPISODES: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChtciipyjckL-asTVYecsMQ
Eddie Kinner is a loyalist and ex-UVF member who grew up in Belfast in the 60/70's, a time and place where sectarian tensions simmered and would eventually explode into rioting and violence.
Eddie speaks to us about his growing up, attitudes among his fellow protestants at the time, seeing riots & houses burnt out by sectarian mobs, all as a boy/young teen unaware of the bigger picture that he was a part of.
He tells us the effects of a 1971 IRA bmb in his area on his mentality as a young teen after helped to dig out dead bodies from the ruins of bmbed out furniture shop and how his mind processed the horrific event at the time. We spoke about his joining the UVF(loyalist paramilitary group) in his mid-teens and the jobs he carried out for them including armed robberies on part-time security force members in order to steal firearms.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Growing up in Shankill
7:40 Marching Season
11:00 Did it feel like Eddie was part of a majority growing up?
13:10 Did Eddie feel like other British people would have considered him “British” ?
15:30 Did it feel like the RUC (police) were on their side?
22:30 Rioting/Catholic houses being burnt out
30:30 IRA bomb in Eddie’s area (14 years old at the time)
33:10 Joining the “Tartan gang” and later joining the UVF
38:10 Thoughts on collusion (Mark Haddock, Dublin-Monaghan b*mbings, Robert Nairic)
50:25 UVF’s internal security unit
PART 2 COMING SOON (We speak about one of the most significant events in Eddie's life when he planted a bmb at the age of 16 which klled an an innocent women and lead to Eddie spending years in the infamous Long Kesh, plus much more)
YOUTUBE PAGE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChtciipyjckL-asTVYecsMQ
Stephen Travers was a young bass player, blissfully out-of-touch with the conflict erupting in Northern Ireland as he joined one of the country’s biggest showbands; The Miami.
Shortly after joining Stephen’s life would be altered forever when the band became the victims of a bombing and then mass sh*oting by the UVF and members of the British security forces in 1975.
Stephen describes in detail how the events of the night unfolded, first appearing to be a routine UDR/British army checkpoint before hell broke loose and one of the most prolific sh*otings took place..
Stephen tells us about his thought process as he dealt with the trauma from the event over following months and years. He also began a multi-decade search for the truth about who planned the attack, the true intentions of the attackers, who was there on the night, the role that British security forces played and the roles of loyalist Robin Jackson and Capt. Robert Nairic played in the attack.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A RATING TO HELP THE SHOW CONTINUE TO GROW
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro, joining the Miami Showband
08:40 Stephen’s lack of awareness about the conflict in Northern Ireland
14:40 Lead up to July 31st 1975
19:25 THE NIGHT OF THE ATTACK
31:40 English officer arrives (“posh accent”)
39:00 UVF B*MB DETONATES PREMATURELY
47:00 How many gunmen were there ?
54:20 Thought on the Legacy & Reconciliation Bill (recorded before bill passed)
58:40 The weeks after the shooting
1:06:45 “I understand why I was shot”
1:07:50 Finding out who was behind the attack and who carried out the attack
1:14:30 WHO WAS THERE ON THE NIGHT (ROBIN JACKSON & ROBERT NAIRIC ?)
1:26:30 Would Stephen meet & speak with his would-be killers & NETFLIX DOC
1:39:40 Mentally accepting that there was British military involvement in his shooting
Follow the Good Listener Podcast YouTube page for full video podcasts https://www.youtube.com/@thegoodlistenerpodcast
STEPHEN'S BOOK: https://amzn.to/3ZGwGBX
Richard O' Rawe's new book "Stakeknife's Dirty War: The Inside Story of Scappaticci, the IRA's Nutting Squad and the British Spooks Who Ran the War" offers the most comprehensive and in-depth look into the life and crimes of Freddie Scappaticci, better known as agent "Stakenife".
I spoke to Richard about Scap's rise through the ranks in the IRA, how he once would have seemed the least-likely of republican men to be an informer and how the internal security unit aka "the nutting squad" was ran with Stakeknife at it's helm. Richard tells us about the putting-together of such a detailed book and the many rumors that surround Freddie Scappaticci.
Richard also shared his insight into what former-IRA men think about the accusations of informing leveled against Martin McGuinness, whether Scappaticci was the only spy in the ISU and if the upper-echelons of British govt knew about Stakeknife and his activities.
*PLEASE SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A REVIEW TO HELP THE SHOW CONTINUE TO GROW*
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Putting together the book & who was Freddie Scappaticci
06:05 When Scappaticci and Ricky joined the IRA & Scappaticci’s rise through the ranks
09:45 Scappaticci once looked very unlikely to have been an informer/agent
11:05 Difference between an agent and an informer
12:50 WHO WERE “THE NUTTING SQUAD” ??
18:05 Michael Kearney’s mrder
19:40 WAS SCAP THE ONLY AGENT/INFORMER WITHIN THE NUTTING SQUAD?
22:05 British Intel sacrificing lesser-informers to protect a higher-up agent
25:20 HOW FAR UP DID KNOWLEDGE OF STAKENIFE GO ?
26:55 Was Steaknife the UK government’s highest-ranking informant?
35:15 Was Scap rich by the end?
37:50 Scap’s mental health and prn-habit?
50:10 How was Steaknife recruited by the British Govt ?
53:30 Torture by the ISU
55:00 Motivations for writing the book
1:08:55 IS SCAP REALLY DEAD? & thoughts on Operation Kenova
GOOD LISTENER PODCAST YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@thegoodlistenerpodcast
BUY THE BOOK: https://amzn.to/46lOmoG
Patrick Ryan is the infamous former priest who sourced money, weapons and materials for the IRA during the troubles and even personally met with Libyan dictator Mummar Gaddafi to buy guns for the Republicans.
I spoke with author and journalist Jennifer O' Leary about her interviews with Patrick Ryan resulting in a book, "The Padre".
Jennifer shares her insight in Patrick Ryan the man, whether he feels any regret about his actions and how the project came about.
We spoke about the moulding of Ryan by his family and area into an IRA sympathizer, his high-level of competency when it came to any of Patrick's endeavors and the extent to which Patrick Ryan aided the republican movement.
*PLEASE SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A REVIEW IF YOU ENJOY THE EPISODE***
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro & how Jennifer met Patrick Ryan “The Padre”
3:35 Patrick’s family influences & his timer in East Africa as a missionary
10:15 The extent of Patrick Ryan’s work for the IRA (Gaddafi, bmb timers, guns)
16:54 Spy work for Libyans intel services
19:40 Patrick Ryan’s mistrust of IRA command
21:45 Does Patrick Ryan differentiate between civilian and military targets for IRA B*MBS?
24:47 How did Patrick Ryan leave the movement?
29:14 Is Patrick Ryan still a Christian ?
BUY THE BOOK: https://amzn.to/3RkZ2Qk
JENNIFER'S TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Jen_O_Leary
Jason O' Toole has sat down for 40 + hours of interviews with one of Ireland's most notorious criminals, drugs traffickerJohn Gilligan. The result was a gripping and facasinating book called "The Gilligan Tapes" and a 3 part documentary which is airing now.
I spoke to Jason about how the their initial meeting came about in 2008 when he interviewed Gilligan in a maximum security prison and how this would eventually led to his most recent project.
I asked Jason if he feels he knows Gilligan as a man after all this time, whether he's a psychopath or not, if he genuinely feels remorse for this past crimes and how honest Jason felt Gilligan was being with him. We discussed Gilligan's life-long gambling habit, his sense of humor about grave situations and if he may have a "Napoleon" complex about his short stature.
Jason gives insight into Gilligan's opinions of Gardai, Martin Cahill, the members of his old crime gang and who Gilligan claims shot the journalist, Veronica Guerin.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro, how Jason met John Gilligan
9:53 Does Jason know John Giligan as a person
10:43 Gilligan’s use of humor- genuine or a front?
12:13 Does Gilligan have a “Napoleon Complex” ?
14:43 Gilligan’s relationship with MARTIN CAHILL “THE GENERAL”
17:33 Gilligan’s view of Gardai
20:53 Did Gilligan come across as an “underworld-figure” type in person?
23:30 Martin Cahill’s assassination
25:15 Gardai II
26:33 Gilligan’s peak as a multi-millionaire
30:37 WHO SHOT VERONICA GUERIN
36:43 Gilligan’s claim that Veronica Guerin shot herself in the leg
37:43 Is Gilligan BROKE & ADDICTED TO GAMBLING??
44:53 Gilligan’s view on legalization of drugs
46:23 GILLIGAN’S NEAR-ASSASSINATION
47:33 How honest did Gilligan’s seem?
52:13 Any hidden motives for doing the book/doc ?
54:33 Does Gilligan believe he’s going to hell?
55:53 Is Gilligan a “NARCISSIST” or a “PSYCHOPATH” ??
1:07:15 GOVERNMENT MINISTERS ATTACK THE DOCUMENTARY
1:10:33 Would Jason do this type of project again?
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JASON'S BOOK (Must read!!!) https://amzn.to/44LICTY
GOOD LISTENER PODCAST YOUTUBE PAGE https://www.youtube.com/@thegoodlistenerpodcast/featured
Anne Cadwallader is a former journalist who covered The Troubles during some of it’s worst years and wrote one of the leading books on the proven collusion that occurred during The Troubles between British Govt/law enforcement and Loyalist paramilitaries.
Anne’s book and research focusing mainly on the period of 1972-1978 and group known as the Glenanne Gang, a loose collection of loyalist paramilitaries and, more worryingly, members of the RUC (police force in N.I at the time) who provided weapons, intel and more to help the group kill innocent Catholics who, almost exclusively, had no connection to the IRA.
We discussed the infamous loyalist murderer Robin Jackson, the RUC officer John Weir whose evidence shed light on the collusion and blind-eye-turning took place. Anne tell us about the Dublin/Monaghan b*mbs which killed 33 and injured scores more, the Miami Showband Massacre and the evidence that links the Glenanne Gang to these atrocities.
We spoke also about Operation Kenova, Operation Denton, the Legacy & Reconciliation Bill and their implications.
Please subscribe and leave a rating if you enjoy the show.. thank you very much.
00:00 Anne’s background
5:33 First hearing of collusion between British Govt. & Loyalist paramilitaries
9:33 RUC’s relationship with the Catholic and Protestant and the RUC’s history
13:53 Why the UDA (Ulster Defence Association) was not classed as a “terrorist group”? & who were the UFF (Ulster Freedom Fighters)?
16:03 Earliest examples of COLLUSION
18:13 THE GLENANE GANG
24:38 JOHN WEIR (RUC) & ROBIN JACKSON “The Jackal”
31:18 Robin Jackson’s work with the RUC & UDR
34:53 DUBLIN/MONAGHAN BMBING & MIAMI SHOWBAND MASSACARE and collusion involved
40:33 Did John Weir’s superiors know ??
43:43 John Boucher’s Operation Kenova & Denton and Legacy and Reconciliation Bill
57:53 Will British security/intel officers brought to trial or convicted?
1:02:38 Pat Finucane mrder
FULL VIDEO EPISODES
https://youtu.be/-_Fs3cVE54E?si=3kyrx-5PN61ON9cm
ANNE'S BOOK
https://amzn.to/3YUQjWM
Seamus continues his story at the point where he is caught and arrested by the RUC for a job gone-wrong. He tells us about the physical and mental torture inflicted by the prison guards in Long Kesh (H Blocks) and the lengths that Seamus and his colleagues went to during the "Blanket Protests" or 'Dirty Protests".
Seamus describes the inhumane methods employed by the guards to break the IRA prisoners and end their fight for political-prisoner status during his 10 year detainment in Long Kesh.
He shares the tragic story of how his brother, Michael, was falsely labeled an informant after being interrogated by the IRA internal security unit which included the now-infamous British agent Freddie Scappaticci, better know as "Steaknife". This began a decades long journey by Seamus to clear his brother's name and expose the British Intel handlers who he believes are responsible for planning and orchestrating his brother's stitch-up in order to protect their own informants within the Provos.
Seamus reveals new uncovered internal IRA documents from that he says will expose the "dirty-war" methods of British Ministry of Defence.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A RATING TO HELP OUT THE SHOW
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Getting caught and arrested
9:53 H-BLOCKS (LONG KESH)
20:00 Beatings and torture by guards & relationship with prison guards
30:13 BROTHER’S EXECUTION after being FALSELY-LABELLED an informant
52:43 Seamus’ writ served on the Ministry of Defence
1:18:50 Government report on H-Block abuse of prisoners
SEAMUS' BOOK
https://www.anceathrupoili.com/en/shop/no-greater-love-the-memoirs-of-seamus-kearney/?fbclid=IwAR3N-PWRQ4lB7ibPb24sLcRQ2idr50fKRBb8zz54QQr9F_-3FcA1zPrHrog
Seamus Kearney is a former IRA volunteer who grew up in sectarian Belfast and came of age as the Troubles were building up.
He spoke to me about experiencing anti-catholic discrimination including having to change his first name while working his first job as well as seeing his area attacked by a sectarian mob after being abandoned by Army and RUC.
Seamus described his rise through the ranks in the IRA from the youth wing to being in an active service unit during one of Northern Ireland’s bloodiest decades.
PART 2 COMING SOON
00:00 Growing up in sectarian N.I
17:23 Seeing his area attacked by sectarian mobs
35:18 Bloody Sunday 1972 & joining the junior wing of the IRA
Seamus Kearney is a former IRA volunteer who grew up in sectarian Belfast and came of age as the Troubles were building up.
He spoke to me about experiencing anti-catholic discrimination including having to change his first name while working his first job as well as seeing his area attacked by a sectarian mob after being abandoned by Army and RUC.
Seamus described his rise through the ranks in the IRA from the youth wing to being in an active service unit during one of Northern Ireland’s bloodiest decades. He told me how the general members of the public would offer invaluable help to the guerrilla army and a story about how the RUC’s overconfidence reveled to him the identity of an informant within their ranks.
PART 2 COMING SOON
00:00 Growing up in sectarian N.I
17:23 Seeing his area attacked by sectarian mobs
35:18 Bloody Sunday 1972 & joining the junior wing of the IRA
49:53 Being in an Active Service Unit of the IRA
54:23 Car Bombs and civilian deaths
1:02:03 How the general public aided the IRA
1:11:18 Informers- how Seamus caught an informer
Jo Berry was 27 when she tragically lost her father, Anthony Berry, in 1984 after the IRA detonated a bomb a Brighton hotel targeting Margret Thatcher and her cabinet.
Despite the grief and devastation that her father's murder inflicted on her, she quickly came to the realization that she was seeking to understand the people responsible for her father's death not seek revenge. This decision eventually led her to meeting face -to-face with the IRA member who planted the bomb, Patrick McGee after he was eventually caught, imprisoned and released.
This meeting and subsequent conversation between the two began a journey of healing and understanding for both which resulted eventually in the pair touring the world giving over 300 speeches together.
Please subscribe and leave a rating if you enjoy the show.. thank you very much.
00:00 INTRO, growing up with a politician
06:30 Life at the time of losing her father
8:55 Hearing the bad news
13:16 Attempts to meet with Patrick McGee
18:15 FACE-TO-FACE WITH PATRICK MCGEE (IRA bomber responsible for Brighton bomb)
27:05 Meeting again
36:40 Forming a friendship eventually
40:15 Will Jo ever be able to meet the others involved in the bomb???
42:40 Speaking tours w/ Patrick McGee
Colin Breen was an RUC (Royal Ulster Constabulary, the police force in Northern Ireland up until late 90s) Officer during the period of extreme violence and murder known as "The Troubles".
Colin shared with me his own experiences of investigating murders, bombings and trying to maintain order during such a tremulous time. He spoke about being shot at twice by Loyalists and 3 times by Republicans, the methods of counter surveillance officers had to employe and arriving to, what was supposed to be, his own murder scene.
Colin told me many harrowing stories of the traumas and trials faced by members of the RUC including being blown up, injured and shot at as well the uphill battle of investigating such a huge number of murders with a police force stretched so thin.
Please subscribe and leave a rating if you enjoy the show.. thank you very much.Colin's books: https://amzn.to/44AwnKE
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Background & Northern Ireland during The Troubles
8:30 Catholic/Protestant ratio within the RUC
16:05 Republican or Loyalist targeted more by RUC
20:45 Any clashes with other agencies ?
22:45 Accusations of collusion between RUC & Loyalists
25:35 Rough handed methods in the RUC ??
29:15 Typical day in policing The Troubles
36:30 booze/burnouts
46:25 SHOWING UP TO WHAT WAS TO BE IS OWN M*RDER SCENE
54:25 Run into people from work while off duty ?
58:00 Being shot at 5 times (3 by Republicans, 2 by Loyalists)
59:05 Any empathy for the goal of united Ireland ?
1:03:35 Current role of IRA/other papramilitiraies
1:06:25 Colin’s books
Matt Thornton has been practicing and teaching martial arts around the USA and the world for decades and is the founder of the now world famous MMA gyms, Straight Blast Gym (SBG).
We discussed the best ways for the average person to gain the practical skills nessceray to defend themselves and their loved ones, the biggest misconceptions floating around about what works and what doesn't and the ever-present industry of fake martial arts that offer their students nothing more than false confidence.
Matt gave his break down of a recent incident on the NYC subway in which a crazed homeless man named Jordan Neely was killed using a chokehold after violently threatening passengers and the arrest & charging of the man you stepped in. Matt also gave his take on the viral "BJJ is useless" clip from Andrew Tate and his opinions on Tate's street fighting advice.
Matt's recent book "The Gift of Violence:Practical Knowledge for Surviving and Thriving in a Dangerous World" is a brilliant and very insightful, highly recommended.
BUY HERE : https://amzn.to/3rxGpxI
Please subscribe and leave a rating if you enjoy the show.. thank you very much.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Matt’s own background & BULLSH!T martial arts
11:00 Are we in history’s most peaceful time??
14:05 Advice to the average person who wants to learn HOW TO DEFEND themselves
20:10 ANDREW TATE - “BJJ is useless” CLIP
25:18 Biggest misconceptions
28:54 Jordan Neely NYC subway incident
36:10 Self defense vs. stepping in for someone else
40:40 General advice to stay safe
44:45 KEEPING YOUR KIDS SAFE
48:40 SBG Gorilla- backstory
Mubin Shaikh is a former extremist turned counterterrorism operative and expert, who, at the age of 18 encountered the Taliban in Pakistan after a life in Canada up until then. He spent years as an extremist became an undercover agent for the Canadian govt. after the events of 9/11 changed his perspective.
Mubin and I discussed his twists and turns in his life path and how he turned from someone campaigning against the west to working for the Canadian to help prevent a terror attack. He told me about the roots of the "Arab-terorrist" stereotype seen on countless movie screens, what exactly "jihad" is and what it isn't as well as how he goes about deradicalizing the young men who are in the position that he once was.
Please subscribe and leave a rating if you enjoy the show.. thank you very much.
00:00 Intro
06:50 Parent’s attitude towards western culture
11:00 Comment on grooming gangs in UK
11:50 The “Arab/Muslim Terrorist” stereotype
14:00 First contact with jihadists
20:50 What is “jihadism” ?
26:35 Common traits among extremist recruits
30:00 Becoming a spy for Canadian Govt.
38:50 De-radicailizing young men
Mubin's book https://amzn.to/44fmYbt
Ireland is currently in the process of passing into law the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022.
If passed Ireland will have some of the strictest hate speech laws in the world and it will be possible to prosecute citizens for simply possessing material that is interpreted as an incite to hate.
I spoke to Alexander Sheridan from Free Speech Ireland about the bill's contents, what citizens can be targeted for if passed, the vagueness/subjectivity of the various terms and protected catergories, Leo Varadkar's inability or unwillingness to state the govt's position on gender and much more
00:00 Intro
02:50 WHAT CAN YOU BE PUNISHED FOR UNDER PROPOSED LAWS?
7:55 Similar laws elsewhere in the world ??
11:35 Vagueness of new legislation
14:00 GOVERNMENT’S STANCE ON GENDER??
16:30 How close to passing are the proposed laws?
22:40 CAN THESE LAWS BE USED TO SHUT DOWN PROTESTS & TARGET JOKES?
30:00 Where to find Free Speech Ireland
If you do enjoy the podcast please subscribe and leave a rating to help us grow
https://twitter.com/FreeSpeechIre
Peter Taylor has covered “The Troubles” in Northern Ireland since Bloody Sunday in 1972 and has written several books on the subject. His latest work is “Operation Chiffon” (link below) revels and details the back-channel communications that existed between the IRA and British intelligence and helped form a path towards eventual peace in Northern Ireland.
Peter and I spoke about the extent to which British Intel agencies operated in Northern Ireland and sometimes even the Republic, the recently deceased British spy within the IRA: Stakeknife and the investigation that just took place into British troubles-era handlers of informants.
We also discussed the elusive topic of how to actually define what a “terrorist” is, how they differ from freedom fighters if at all and the motivation for Peter's coverage of N.I.
Peter’s latest book : https://amzn.to/3oUZhpj
Killing Thatcher by Rory Carroll: https://amzn.to/3NrqtFR
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
5:20 Ramping up of British intelligence agencies role in Northern Ireland
16:20 Why the meetings between IRA and British intel were kept a secret
20:50 STAKEKNIFE (IRA’s biggest rat)
32:20 Any possible repercussions for Troubles-Era British intel handlers ?
36:40 Operations that cross the R.O.I/ N.I border
37:45 Garda (Irish law enforcement) Special Branch
42:15 IRA attacks on UK mainland- effect on peace talks
48:45 WHAT IS A TERRORIST??
58:10 What drew Peter to covering “The Troubles”/Northern Ireland
If you do enjoy the podcast please subscribe and leave a rating to help us grow
This week I spoke with Rory Carroll, author of 'Killing Thatcher"/ "There Will Be Fire" which details the IRA's plot to assassinate Margret Thatcher and her cabinet using a bomb a Brighton hotel in 1984.... and came incredibly close
Rory spoke to me about the years of planning that went into the attack, the effect and closeness of the bomb itself, how far Thatcher was from dying that night and how it effected her going forward.
We spoke about the infamous "We only need to be lucky ONCE.." statement that the IRA put out the next day and the IRA's "England Dept." which was tasked with bringing the conflict to British shores.
00:00 Peter’s own background
02:50 The Troubles up until 1984 Brighton Bombing- context
05:10 Previous IRA attempts on live of political figures ??
08:20 “The England Dept.” of the IRA & planning the bomb
17:10 Were British Intel expecting the attack to come??
19:40 HOW CLOSE THEY ACTUALLY CAME
22:30 IRA STATEMENT the next day- “WE ONLY NEED TO BE LUCKY ONCE..”
If you do enjoy the podcast please subscribe and leave a rating to help us grow
AUDIO BOOK LINK - https://amzn.to/3MIRK4W
HARDCOVER - https://amzn.to/43CFDgK
For this episode I spoke with Licensed Clinical Social Worker Leah O'Donnell. Leah works in the field of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy as well as more conventional methods of therapy.
Leah told me about human ego; the role it plays in our lives, it's importance and how it can also hinder development. We spoke about the culture of men bottling up their emotions and not talking about their problems and where this comes from.
Leah shared her knowledge on ketamine therapy, how it's used and it's benefits for clients and much more.
00:00 Intro & path towards becoming a therapist
3:50 What is EGO ???
11:50 Culture of hyper-productivity
16:20 Therapy: In-person vs. Zoom
17:35 Is therapy always to heal a trauma or “patch-up” an emotional wound ?
22:20 WHY DON’T MEN TALK??
29:20 Are woman or men more emotional ??
33:25 Does therapy sometimes tinder a person instead of help?
37:45 Ketamine & Psychoactive therapy
https://leahodonnelllcsw.com/
For this week’s episode I spoke to a legend of Irish comedy writing, writer and creator of “Father Ted”, Graham Lineman.
Graham told me about his schooling and how it impacted his writing of ‘Father Ted”, his feelings about comedians being afraid to touch certain topics and his cancellation in recent years due to his outspoken views on the trans ideology.
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00:00 Graham’s background and Father Ted
4:50 Catholicism’s decline in Ireland & effects of social media on society
17:10 Has Graham always been okay with holding beliefs that could get him in trouble ? & the “trans” issue
27:40 Would Graham use “preferred pronouns” if asked by an individual ?
32:20 People feel afraid to back-up celebs who are seen as being ‘anti-trans’
42:40 How Graham’s life has been negatively affected by his opposition to certain aspects of the trans issue
46:50 Comedian being afraid to speak out or defend other comedians
51:10 Ireland
1:01:00 Free speech in comedy
1:09:25 Could Father Ted be made today ?
*** For any fans of Irish history/ War of Independence make sure to check out the brand new podcast "Rebel Tales" available now on all podcast platforms https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Pg62EqDLVXoV5o6OAPrq0?si=af397edcea4b404c )
My guest for this episode was Florida's 23rd death row exoneree, Herman Lindsey.
Herman was falsely convicted for the murder of a pawn shop employee during a robbery in 1994 in a trial which has since been recognized as one of Florida's worst murder convictions given the lack of evidence placing Mr Lindsey at the scene.
Herman told me about how he felt when he realized that the state was trying to convict him of a murder that he was not involved in and his thoughts as he was convicted and that he had been sentenced to the death penalty.
We spoke about life in prison, how he went about appealing the conviction and the effects that his incarceration had on his life post-prison.
00:00 Herman’s background
04:13 The night of 1994 M*RDER that Herman was convicted of
09:25 Finding out that he was being CHARGED WITH MURDER
11:18 TRIAL
23:00 Did race play a factor in the trial/conviction
28:33 Being found GUILTY
32:43 Getting conviction reversed
36:38 Reality of life on DEATH ROW
42:43 Getting free from death row
49:33 FINDING OUT THAT HE WAS CLEARED
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TIMESTAMPS BELOW
For this episode I spoke to Conor, aka COUNTERPOINTS a former US Marine and Police Officer who is now a political streamer on Youtube.
Conor told me about his Marine training and the effect of it’s brutal training on his mind, we spoke about hsi time stationed in Iraq and his years as a Police Officer.
Conor spoke to me about America’s relationship with guns, the laws around gun ownership, whether an armed citizenry could defeat a rogue government and if guns succeed in keeping their owner’s safe.
We also spoke about the uniquely American trend of tragic school shootings, what Conor feels are behind them, what can be done to prevent future bloodshed and much more..
00:00 Preview
00:43 Intro
11:43 Marines instilling the desire to “kll” into their soldiers
15:25 Which movies get Marine boot-camp right??
19:20 Being stationed in Iraq
28:43 Becoming a cop after military
35:43 Biggest misconceptions about cops
39:43 GUNS- 2nd Amendant
43:13 would an armed citizenry be able to defend themselves against a tyrannical government
49:43 Would USA go to war over an assault rifle ban
55:03 Does home gun ownership end up actually help ?
59:25 WHY DOES AMERICA HAVE SCHOOL SHT!NGS??
1:16:43 ULVADE VS. TENNESSEE SCHOOL SH*T!NG POLICE RESPONSE
1:25:15 Las Vegas mass shooting
My guest for this week's episode was Craig Harrison, ex-british Army Sniper and holder of the world record for longest sniper k!ll.
Craig spoke to me about his 23 years in the military, his initial tours of Bosnia and Kosovo where he witnessed unspeakable atrocities which would scar him for life and his time as a sniper in the Middle East.
Craig shared the story of his record breaking shot, the cold, hard reality of a sniper's job and what made Craig good at his job. We spoke about his chronic PTSD, being forced to leave the Army and his feelings of bitterness towards the military for their lack of support following his departure.
If you enjoy this episode or any others please leave a 5 star rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts as it helps the show out greatly. Thank you!!
00:00 INTRO
00:47 Upbringing and joining military
7:37 First tours of combat
10:17 Becoming a SNIPER
17:37 First time taking a life
23:17 Ever look at targets as real people ? Thoughts on UK presence in the Middle East
27:07 Missons as a sniper
29:47 WORLD’S LONGEST SNIPER K!LL
35:47 PTSD symptoms showing up
40:25 “I F*CKING HATE the sentence “MAN UP””
45:47 Being forced to leave the army
51:07 Should Govt. be allowed to draft ?
52:27 Life post-Army
54:27 Thoughts on mercenary work
https://www.themavericksurvivalschool.co.uk
https://www.instagram.com/cohcraigharrison/?hl=en
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TIMESTAMPS BELOW
For this episode I spoke to Justin Brooks, criminal defense lawyer, law professor, and the Founding Director of the California Innocence Project and recent author of “You Might Go to Prison, Even Though You're Innocent”.
( https://www.amazon.com/Might-Prison-Though-Youre-Innocent/dp/0520386833)
The book and our interview focuses on Justin’s work which is the exoneration of falsely-convicted prisoners for crimes up to and including murder.
We spoke about the various ways in which false-convictions can come about due to dishonesty, incompetence and/or errors from police, prosecutors and judges. Justin shares stories from his most prolific and shocking cases including false- r!pe allegations and decades wrongly spent in jail.
Justin told me about problems with cross-racial identification, how difficult it is to over-turn a conviction, the damaging effect that prison has on the falsely convicted and the role that race plays in American trials.
00:00 Intro
01:40 HOW DO FALSE CONVICTIONS COME ABOUT??
09:40 How Innocence Project chooses it’s clients
12:30 Brian Banks case (Justin’s most well known case, false r@pe case)
15:30 Marty Tankleff case (False confession case)
19:10 Prisoners lying about being innocent ??
21:00 Are most false convictions due to incompetence or dishonesty?
22:01 RACE
27:05 Should you NEVER speak to cops during interrogation ??
29:35 Repercussions for police/prosecutors/judges who act dishonestly ??
38:10 How difficult is to get an appeal going ?
45:10 Success rate
46:30 Detrimental effect of prison on falsely convicted inmates ?
52:10 Breaking the bad news to a prisoner you can’t get freed
55:25 DEATH PENALTY
59:35 How good is US justice system compared to others?
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00:00 Preview
00:40 Growing up in Bradford, Bradford Riots
09:25 Joining police
11:10 DAILY REALITY OF A TRAFFIC COP
17:30 Feeling of engaging in a high-speed pursuit
20:30 QUITTING POLICE DUE TO MENTAL HEALTH
35:40 Hollywood/TV on police & policing in the US
44:20 GUNS- should more cops be armed ?
49:55 CORRUPTION WITHIN THE POLICE ??
58:35 DO COPS TAKE JUSTICE INTO THEIR OWN HANDS??
1:04:00 Have camera phones changed the police’s job?
1:05:30 More pressure to hide mental health struggles while being on reality tv
For this episode I spoke to ex-road cop and star of channel 4's 'Police Interceptor" Ben Pearson.
Ben spent 19 years chasing criminals, dealing with traffic fatalities and risking his life in the English city of Bradford. He would later leave the job due to mental health reasons having struggled with how to deal with the stress and trauma of the job.
We spoke about how he and other cops tried to cope with the pressure by drinking and bottling up emotions and how they felt unable to express any mental instability due to their work environment. Ben shared his internal struggles and his eventual mental break-down as well as his need to hide these feelings while on television.
Ben is also an author and has a YouTube channel dealing with mental health and policing topics.
https://benjamin-pearson.co.uk/
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https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-good-listener-podcast/id1580379332
00:45 Growing up, environment
09:25 COSS STARTS HIS OWN DRUG-DEALING OPERATION
13:35 STICK-UP MEN & RIVAL DEALERS
16:15 Adjustments made to operation & dealing w/ cops
18:15 Coss’ dealer try to steal
19:35 FEDS PHONE TAP
20:55 Amount of $$$$ being made
22:45 FEDS PHONE TAP II
24:45 HOW TO SPOT AN UNDERCOVER FED
25:35 Getting caught
34:15 PRISON
37:35 PRISON GUARDS
38:45 PRISON II & Setting up CON-BODY
For this episode I spoke with Coss Marte, owner of Con Body, an NYC gym employing ex-convicts as trainers.
Coss told me about his growing up in the drug-invested Lower East Side of NYC during the late 80s and 90s, how he became involved in drug dealing from a young age and his progression up the ladder to the point of making $2million a year from his own drugs-delivery service.
Coss tells about dealing with DEA, stick-up men, wire-taps, betrayal from within his team and how he eventually ended up doing a long prison stretch, where he turned his health and life around.
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Eric Montalvo is US based attorney who is currently in the process of taking legal action against the now closed boxing promotion company MTK (previously home to Tyson Fury, Darren Till and Carl Frampton) which is controlled by Dublin cartel boss Daniel Kinahan, who Eric alleges, used MTK to wash money coming from the proceeds of crime.
Eris tells us about the background of the case, how MTK has changed tactics during the proceedings, his plans to personally question individuals from MTK, how the DOJ reward for info on the Kinahan helps his case and the future of the case.
Eric also spoke about his 2009 case involving Guantanamo Bay and torture by US govt.
00:30 Eric’s background
02:35 MTK/DANIEL KINIHAN CASE
14:32 US DEPT. OF JUSTICE goes after KINAHAN CARTEL
19:40 Current standing of case against MTK
26:15 WILL ERIC TRY TO QUESTION DANIEL KINAHAN PERSONALLY ??
29:30 Future of the case
31:00 Eric’s 2009 Guantanamo Bay Case
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For this episode I spoke with Buck Angel, a male to female transexual who has lived 30 years as a woman and 30 years as a man.
Buck spoke to me about his childhood growing up feelings like he was in the wrong body, the decision to "cross-over" despite there being little-to-no conversation around the topic at the time and the medical process including surgery and testosterone treatment.
Buck shared his thoughts on trans-prisoners, some of the more extreme trans-activists, de-transitioners and much more..
00:00 Growing up with feelings of wanting to be a boy, Influences
08:05 Is it better to be born transsexual/transgender today or when Buck grew up?
14:10 Decision to transition medically
17:25 Beginning of medical transition
21:00 “ this is where I butt heads w/ trans community”
28:15 Life as a woman vs life as a man
35:10 Testosterone- Weight lifting
37:55 Testosterone- Seeing your own face change
49:10 TRANS-PRISONERS
57:45 Social contagions affecting girls more than boys..
1:04:15 Seeing the trans-issue being used as a political tool
1:06:50 Final thoughts
https://buckangel.com
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For this episode I spoke with Ger Redmond, Irish professional triathlete who has truly turned his life around in an extraordinary way. Ger shared his experiences growing up in one of Ireland’s roughest areas, having his pro soccer dreams dashed, having to raise his younger siblings following his father’s imprisonment, his progression through the ranks of a criminal gang and his eventual prison stint.
I asked Ger about his post-prison transformation into an elite athlete and a mentor for young male offenders at Oberstown juvenile detention center in Dublin.
Ger shared his thoughts on channeling trauma, dealing with repressed emotions, giving up the crutches of drink/drugs, what can be done to break the cycle of generational crime/imprisonment and much more..
TIMESTAMPS
00:54 Ger’s background, growing up in Darndale
09:54 Father’s conviction, moving back to Dublin, joining criminal gang
17:15 Living with the legacy of father’s crime
18:40 Progression through the ranks within criminal gang
24:30 Raising siblings with sister
28:40 PRISON TIME
34:35 Life after prison, getting into triathlon , Job w/ Oberstown (juvenile detention center)
54:35 Types of teens in Oberstown
1:03:45 Preventative measures
1:10:54 Plans for the future
https://gerredmond.com
https://www.instagram.com/gerredmond5/
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For this episode I spoke to Ian Bailey. Ian moved to West Cork (Ireland) years before the 1996 murder of Sophie Toscan Du Plantier, an incident which later became subject of a 3 part Netflix series
Ian spoke to me about his memories from the time of the murder and the subsequent years of his life as Gardai pursued him as their prime suspect, his own theories regarding the killing, his reaction to the Netflix documentary and Audible series
APOLOGIES FOR ANY BAD-QUALITY AUDIO CAUSED BY POOR INTERNET CONNECTION
00:00 Preview
00:35 Intro and move to West Cork
7:11 First hearing about the murder
12:35 How well did Ian know Sophie (murder victim) ??
16:20 Finding out that he was the police’s (Gardai) prime suspect & treatment by Gardai
21:20 Members of the community claiming that Ian confessed
26:10 Does Ian think that the Gardai genuinely thought that he committed the murder?
27:55 Local rumor/theory about Garda killing Sophie and the “missing gate”
31:05 Marie Farrell- the witness who changed her story
34:55 Ian’s reaction to audible series on the murder
37:20 Reaction to NETFLIX doc
42:35 Does Ian court attention from being a murder suspect??
46:20 Which theory of Sophie’s death’s does Ian lean towards?
For this episode I spoke to Donna Zephrine, a former military mechanic who completed two tours of Iraq.
She told me about her road to the army, her tours of combat in the Middle East, dealing with the mental strain of combat and living on a military base, having a learning disability, PTSD among soldiers/veterans and much more.
00:00 Intro, basic training
07:15 Becoming a light-weight vehicle mechanic, 9/11
14:30 Initial invasion of Iraq (2003), first impressions, daily life
29:00 Shoot-outs and death of squad leader
36:00 Life on base, contacting home, drug use/‘self medicating” among soldiers
48:35 Did soldiers feel that their work in Iraq was worthwhile/meaningful
53:00 PTSD and traumatic incidents, being a woman in the military and having a learning disability
1:07:40 Dealing w/ PTSD post-military
1:11:35 Donna’s current work
1:17:00 Reintegrating into society after years in military
For this episode I spoke with John Crawley (Ex-US Marine and IRA volunteer), author of the "The Yank: The True Story of a Former US Marine in the Irish Republican Army".
John spoke to me about his move to Ireland from the US as a teen, his time in the US Marine Corps, his joining the IRA and how the organization works from the inside.
I asked John about his gunrunning mission for the IRA involving the now infamous James "Whitey" Bulger, his time in prison, meeting with the CIA, his part in a plan to disrupt the London power grid using bombs, being under surveillance by British Intel, the question of "Freedom Fighter or Terrorist", his thoughts on sectarianism and much more.
Please be sure to purchase John's book if you find the episode interesting
https://www.mhpbooks.com/books/the-yank/
https://www.amazon.com/Yank-Story-Former-Marine-Republican/dp/1612199844
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro, Moving to Ireland from the US, influences
09:10 Decision to join the IRA
12:00 Joining the US Marines
18:20 Joining IRA after Marines
22:30 IRA training & Operations, “types” within the IRA, Life in the IRA
40:40 Public support for IRA
46:10 GUN-RUNNING MISSION to the US
55:25 Caught w/ shipment of guns, arrested by Gardai (Irish police)
1:05:10 After 10 year prison sentence
1:09:25 Plot to disrupt power grid in London & surveillance from British Intel
1:18:55 PAID A VISIT BY THE CIA- offered John $$ to rat
1:24:23 Prison in England- treatment by guards
1:28:30 Thoughts on sectarianism
1:33:40 Early release from prison in England (2nd ceasefire)
1:40:10 Thoughts on Loyalist paramilitaries, collusion w/ British intelligence
1:43:15 FREEDOM FIGHTER OR TERRORIST
1:49:30 Any regrets or things John misses about the old life?
1:54:00 Final words and book signings
1:55:40 Can John return to the US ?? (Not back since 1984)
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(CLIP FROM PREV. EPISODE (#13))
Former NYPD Hostage Negotiator Mike Ahearne recounts his craziest call-out.
FULL EPISODE- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4nLy0tZYZI&t=1435s
* TIMESTAMPS
For this episode I spoke with Irish-American author, Peter Quinn about his growing up in 50s/60s Bronx, his various books, Irish famine immigration, life as a writer, his thoughts on Martin Scorsese's "Gangs of New York" and much more
PETER'S BOOKS
https://www.fordhampress.com/peter-quinn/
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Preview, Peter’s background
07:27 Peter’s Irish heritage
10:27 Growing in 50s/60s Bronx
16:52 Irish immigration
24:36 “The Great Migration” of black people from Southern states to big cities
25:37 Discrimination faced by Irish immigrations to the US in 19th century
27:27 Peter’s novel on the 1863 Draft Riots
45:01 Gangs of New York movie
46:42 Reality of being a professional writer
47:58 John Morrissey (1831 – 1878), loose inspiration for Leonardo DiCaprio’s character in Gangs of New York
50:37 Peter’s most recent book, his biography
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For this episode I spoke w/ Irish crime journalist and author, Nicola Tallant. She spoke to us about the upcoming trial of one of Ireland’s most infamous criminals, Gerry “The Monk” Hutch” and the shocking revelation that a Sinn Fein local councilor will be turning state’s witness against him.
Nicola spoke to me about the background of the Hutch/Kinahan feud and the notorious “Regency Hotel attack” for which Gerry Hutch stands accused of planning, the trial of Patrick Hutch and the history of criminals-turned-state-witness in Irish gangland.
Nicola also told me about her start in crime journalism around the time of Veronica Guerin’s murder and her work in chronicling the story of Ireland’s youngest ever witness protection program participants and his journey through the criminal underworld.
00:00 PREVIEW
01:10 Nicola’s bio, getting into journalism, remembering Veronica Guerin’s murder (1996)
5:00 Do crime journalist face danger/threats from the criminals they write about ?
10:40 Is it common for criminals to attempt to SQUASH A STORY??
14:10 THE REGENCY HOTEL ATTACK- background, the day’s events
22:55 The infamous “man-in-drag” photo from the Regency Hotel attack & the trial of Patrick Hutch
30:40 Current state of Kinahan organized crime group
33:50 GERRY HUTCH’S TRIAL (Regency Hotel Attack)- Jonathan Dowdall turning state witness
47:00 History of “rats” turning state’s witness in Irish criminal world (John Giligan case, Limerick feud)
53:30 Rumors of Garda corruption involving Gerry Hutch
56:25 “The Witness, in his own words” book/podcast series, Joey’s story
https://twitter.com/nicolatallantsw
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-witness-in-his-own-words/id1567117244
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FUNDRAISER LINK- Please consider helping out w/ John's future
** https://www.gofundme.com/f/muay-thai-community-each-other-for-a-brother **
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Getting into Muay Thai, first fights
17:08 DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, WAKING UP IN HOSPITAL & immediate aftermath
32:13 Learning to walk on prosthetic legs
50:03 TRAINING AGAIN
55:38 Plans to fight again
58:33 Any other effects of having legs amputated
59:33 Modifications to home
1:00:53 Shoutouts and thank you’s
For this episode I spoke w/ John Esposito, NJ based Muay Thai fighter who lost his legs while conducting roadside work in December of 2021.
John spoke to me about his discovering of Muay Thai, his bouts against some of the best fighters in the tri-state area and the day that changed his life forever.
We spoke about his memories from the day itself as well as the immediate aftermath, the process of learning to walk again on prosthetic limbs, getting back into training and his plans to fight again in the future.
John's attitude towards his situation and his future is truly exceptional and inspiring. Hope you enjoy the episode
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TIMESTAMPS BELOW
Former World Champion Boxer, Nutritionalist and Performance Coach, CHRIS ALGIERI gives his take on the recent article in The Atlantic magazine titled "Separating Sports by Sex Doesn’t Make Sense".
00:00 Intro
02:23 Chris’ thoughts on the article, co-ed sports PRE-PUBURITY, testosterone, general differences in athletic performance
06:18 SOCIALIZATION ARGUMENT (made by article)
09:41 TESTOSTERONE
12:24 WEIGHT CLASS ARGUMENT (made by article)
15:21 Women’s boxing- 2 min rounds instead of 3 ????
17:09 Fine thoughts and MORE STATS
20:29 Chris’ latest book
Chris' books
https://www.amazon.com/You-Want-Fighter-Resilience-Acceptance-Inside/dp/B0B1L47SPX/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=chris+algieri&qid=1663890667&sprefix=Chris+alg%2Caps%2C67&sr=8-2
https://www.amazon.com/Fighters-Kitchen-Muscle-Building-Burning-Recipes/dp/146548373X/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=chris+algieri&qid=1663890667&sprefix=Chris+alg%2Caps%2C67&sr=8-3
https://www.instagram.com/chris_algieri/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChtciipyjckL-asTVYecsMQ
https://www.tiktok.com/@thegoodlistenerpodcast?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
https://linktr.ee/TheGoodListenerPodcast
https://www.instagram.com/thegoodlistenerpodcast/
https://open.spotify.com/show/6841FNScEdMyfJhgEUHDfD?si=rZ8nT3-oT9Os1p_EbpU99w
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-good-listener-podcast/id1580379332
TIMESTAMPS BELOW
For this episode I spoke to Cam F. Awesome, former USA Olympic team member with over 400 fights as an amauter who travels across America speaking at High Schools, businesses, conferences etc
Cam spoke to me about his dealings with bullying and anxiety as a teen and how he lost weight and eventually joined a boxing gym where he learned the skills that took him through his 400 fights including National and International competitions.
Cam told me about his removal from the USA Olympic squad and how reacted to the loss of opportunity. He told me about his speaking career and his message for the youth of today.
00:00 Intro, long weight, getting into boxing
08:10 bullying, first experiences in boxing gym
15:30 Dealing w/ PRE-FIGHT NERVES
19:35 Making the US Olympic Team & GETTING SUSPENDED
28:00 Cam’s unique self-taught method, “ I sparred the DAY OF FIGHTS”
36:00 Lessons from boxing that translate over
43:00 CHANGING NAME
44:35 Public speaking career
1:00:55 Talking about RACE, the terms “BLACK” vs “AFRICAN-AMERICAN”
1:08:00 Message to the youth SPEAKING
https://camfawesome.com/about/
https://www.instagram.com/camfawesome/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChtciipyjckL-asTVYecsMQ
https://www.tiktok.com/@thegoodlistenerpodcast?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
https://linktr.ee/TheGoodListenerPodcast
https://www.instagram.com/thegoodlistenerpodcast/
https://open.spotify.com/show/6841FNScEdMyfJhgEUHDfD?si=rZ8nT3-oT9Os1p_EbpU99w
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-good-listener-podcast/id1580379332
TIMESTAMPS BELOW*
For this episode I spoke to Will Jimeno, former Port Authority cop, who, on the morning of 9/11 was one of the first to arrive at Ground Zero after the two Towers I've been hit.
Will and his fellow officers were subsequently buried underneath both buildings when they collapsed and spent 13 hours trapped underneath the rubble.
He spoke to me about his thoughts and feelings at the various stages of the day. Will told me about how he was rescued and how he felt when the brave individuals discovered him and his captain. Will also told me about the PTSD that has been with him since and how he's dealt with it.
00:00 INTRO, being an immigrant
09:00 Joining Port Authority police
11:50 Morning of 9/11
17:20 GOING DOWN TO TWIN TOWERS & ARRIVING AT GROUND SERO (2nd plane hit while en route)
30:50 FIRST BUILDING COLLAPSES
36:59 SECOND BUILDING COLLAPSES
46:35 Being found & rescued
49:24 Going to hospital
55:15 Immediate aftermath for Will
58:35 PTSD post-9/11
1:03:50 Did Will feel the need to piece together 9/11 aferwards?
1:06:15 Thoughts on 9/11 “explosions-at-base-of-towers” conspiracy
1:09:00 Does Will return to ground zero?
1:10:50 Will’s wife, her role during and after 9/11
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChtciipyjckL-asTVYecsMQ
https://www.tiktok.com/@thegoodlistenerpodcast?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
https://linktr.ee/TheGoodListenerPodcast
https://www.instagram.com/thegoodlistenerpodcast/
https://open.spotify.com/show/6841FNScEdMyfJhgEUHDfD?si=rZ8nT3-oT9Os1p_EbpU99w
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-good-listener-podcast/id1580379332
For this episode I spoke to Rafael Mangual, the Nick Ohnell Fellow and head of research for the Policing and Public Safety Initiative at the Manhattan Institute and a contributing editor of City Journal.
We spoke about his own growing up in NYC with an NYPD detective as father and how this informed his views on police and policing. We spoke about the various hypothesis in his recent book, Criminal Injustice : What the Push for Decarceration and Depolicing Gets WrongWe spoke about some of the most surprising pieces of data surrounding crime/crime commison in the US, policing and who crime and particularly reductions in crime REALLY affects.
https://www.amazon.com/Criminal-Justice-Decarceration-Depolicing-Wrong-ebook/dp/B09NPFH2VT
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
06:10 Any surprises in Rafael’s research
8:35 What was the public’s perception of NYPD where Rafael grew up?
11:20 Tempted to become a cop??
17:05 Any gripes with media coverage of crime stories/stats
23:40 Who does crime reduction benefit the most?
31:20 Fatherlessness/single parent households- what role does this play in crime commission
36:30 Any common misconceptions among the public in regards to crime/policing ?
39:40 Thoughts on current level of policy oversight/ no-knock warrants
45:30 Ma'khia Bryant shooting
49:50 NY’s recent change in concealed carry law
52:15 Summer of 2020- effect on public’s perception of police
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChtciipyjckL-asTVYecsMQ
https://www.tiktok.com/@thegoodlistenerpodcast?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
https://linktr.ee/TheGoodListenerPodcast
https://www.instagram.com/thegoodlistenerpodcast/
https://open.spotify.com/show/6841FNScEdMyfJhgEUHDfD?si=rZ8nT3-oT9Os1p_EbpU99w
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-good-listener-podcast/id1580379332
TIMESTAMPS BELOW
For this episode I spoke to Iraq War Veteran Chris Levi about his experiences while serving in the U.S military in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Chris' time in Iraq came to an end when a roadside bomb hit his vehicle, Chris narrowly avoided death and lost both legs above the knee as well as sustaining a bad arm/hand injury.
Chris told me about his time in a military high school, his army training and his tours of Afghanistan and Iraq. We spoke at length about the day Chris' life changed drastically and the immediate aftermath of the ambush as well as Chris' feelings towards the person(s) who may have detonated the explosion.
Chris' spoke about the process of learning to walk again with prosthetic limbs and life after the military.
00:00 Preview, growing up, Military High School
00:19:35- Joining the military
00:27:00- RANGER SCHOOL
00:31:20 “HAZING” in the military
00:34:15 - 9/11
00:38:51- First deployment abroad (Afghanistan)
00:45:25- First impression of Afghanistan
00:48:46- What did combat w/ the Afghans consist of?
1:01:47- How did the Afghanis tend to view the Taliban/US troops?
1:08:05- Average day/ daily routine
1:15:30- GETTING “BLOWN UP” (IRAQ)
1:33:00- MEDICAL AID POST-AMBUSH
1:41:30- post-traumatic growth and humor
1:44:20- LEARNING TO WALK AGAIN, PROSTHETIC LEGS
2:02:35- charity work
2:18:40 Adjusting to life after the army
https://www.tiktok.com/@thegoodlistenerpodcast?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
https://linktr.ee/TheGoodListenerPodcast
https://www.instagram.com/thegoodlistenerpodcast/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChtciipyjckL-asTVYecsMQ
https://open.spotify.com/show/6841FNScEdMyfJhgEUHDfD?si=rZ8nT3-oT9Os1p_EbpU99w
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-good-listener-podcast/id1580379332
For this ep. I spoke to exoneree Marty Tanleff. Marty woke up on the first day of his last high school year to find his mother murdered and father clinging to life.
Two years later he found himself in prison having been setup for his parent's murders.
After serving 18 years in prison he is now a lawyer and works to exonerate others who were once in his position. This is his story.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 PREVIEW
01:09 Growing up, background to murders, initial police investigation
11:49 Discovering parent’s murder scene, circumstances that led to the murders
25:09 INTERROGATION and false confession
31:29 Post-interrogation , THE TRIAL, flaws in justice system
44:44 GOING TO PRISON
50:22 Marty hires private investigator- starts his own investigation, Appeals
52:54 MARTY FINDS OUT THAT HE’S FREE
1:00:34 MARTY reflects on the effects of over 6,300 days in prison
1:07:14 WALKING BACK INTO PRISONS WHERE MARTY HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN HELD and work as a lawyer
1:10:39 How were Marty’s legal costs handled during exoneration process
1:11:54 - Adjusting to life after prison & violence in prison
1:13:34 Marty’s work as a lawyer II, Valentino Dixon case
1:16:43 What happened to the people who were responsible for Marty’s false conviction ?
https://www.tiktok.com/@thegoodlistenerpodcast?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
https://linktr.ee/TheGoodListenerPodcast
https://www.instagram.com/thegoodlistenerpodcast/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChtciipyjckL-asTVYecsMQ
https://open.spotify.com/show/6841FNScEdMyfJhgEUHDfD?si=rZ8nT3-oT9Os1p_EbpU99w
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-good-listener-podcast/id1580379332
TIMESTAMPS BELOW
For this episode I was joined by Ivor Cummins, Irish Biochemical Engineer, Complex Problem Solving Specialist who has examined the studies and data surrounding c*v!d, effectiveness of lockdowns and masks and has been an outspoken critic of government overreach during the pandemic. @Ivor Cummins
He shared his thoughts on the efficacy of masks (or lack thereof), whether lockdowns were worthwhile, the detrimental effect of the lockdowns on children, the censoring of scientists who spoke out against the govt measures and what percentage of the public will no longer trust media and govt institutions after the c$v!d years.
00:00 Preview
1:50 Intro, Ivor’s background
5:30 Ivor’s trust levels in media regarding public health PRE- PANDEMIC
7:10 First hearing about CVID… Diamond Princess ship
12:20 Initial thoughts when lockdowns were brought in (Ireland)
26:00 Did holding a heterodox opinion re: cvid have any social costs for Ivor ?
29:30 What will be the result of the loss of faith in media/medical establishment by many members of the public ?
38:20 Lockdowns/masking KIDS
55:20 will the “lockdown” card be played by govts again ?
59:30 Origin theory ??
https://www.tiktok.com/@thegoodlistenerpodcast?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
https://linktr.ee/TheGoodListenerPodcast
https://www.instagram.com/thegoodlistenerpodcast/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChtciipyjckL-asTVYecsMQ
https://open.spotify.com/show/6841FNScEdMyfJhgEUHDfD?si=rZ8nT3-oT9Os1p_EbpU99w
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-good-listener-podcast/id1580379332
For this episode I spoke w/ former NYPD Hostage Negotiator, Mike Ahearne.
Mike told me about his path to the role of hostage negotiator within the NYPD, the ins and outs of the job as well as the skills required in a good negotiator. He shared with us the story of his own experience getting taken hostage in a police station for over 4 hours in 2002, some of his most memorable negotiations and the stress that comes w/ such extreme moments.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 PREVIEW
00:48 intro, starting off in NYPD
6:28 Becoming a detective
9:37 MIKE GETS TAKEN HOSTAGE
35:12 Going home after being taken hostage
37:13 Joining the hostage negotiation team and training
40:48 Mike recalls negotiation
43:28 MIKE NEGOTIATES HOSTAGE SITUATION (hostage taker, his infant child and entire apartment dosed in gasoline)
56:18 Any jobs that didn’t go so well ?
57:28 Mike’s reflections on his 17 years as a negotiator, not “bringing the job home with you”
1:00:38 Retiring from the job, thoughts on current and previous mayors
1:06:30 Traits of a good hostage negotiator?
01:07:18 How much can/should a hostage negotiator BS a criminal ? (False promises etc)
1:09:20 Life after the job.. miss having an exciting job?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4nLy0tZYZI&t=5s
https://linktr.ee/TheGoodListenerPodcast
https://www.instagram.com/thegoodlistenerpodcast/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChtciipyjckL-asTVYecsMQ
TIMESTAMPS BELOW
For this episode I spoke w/ former world champion kickboxer, world champion boxer, nutritionalist and author of two books, "The Fighter's Kitchen" and the recently released, "So You Want To Be A Fighter" (links for both below).
Chris told me about his growing up in combat sports and his first professional fight career as a kickboxer, we spoke about the transition to professional boxing and his path to the eventual world title winning fight against Ruslan Provodnikov where Chris was a 15/1 underdog and had his orbital bone broken in the very first round.
Chris spoke about the highs and lows of the fight game, the social sacrifices necessary to live a champion's life and gave an insightful look into the inner thoughts of a fighter during extreme adversity in the ring.
We discussed Chris' recent book, "So You Want To Be A Fighter" which details stories about the less glamourus side of being a professional fighter from Chris' own career and many others. Links for the book is below and it's available also on Audible which is where I got it. I'd highly recommend it for both fight fans and laypeople alike, very honest stories and a great read (or listen).
01:30 intro, getting into material arts/combat sports
7:03 First amateur KB fight
10:06 Thoughts on kids/teens cutting weight for wrestling
11:10 First thoughts of turning pro (KB)
13:42 Supporting himself financially during pro KB career
15:02 Transitioning from pro KB to pro Boxing
21:02 What level of control does Chris have over the day-to-day runnings of his fight camps?23:45 Study film? Tailor fight camp to particular opponents?
25:08 Coming up as a young pro boxer
26:27 PROVODNIKOV FIGHT (Lead up to Prov)
29:45 PROVODNIKOV FIGHT (15/1 underdog going in)
35:10 Aftermath/ recovering from damage taken in Provodnikov fight
37:10 How life changed after winning World Title
40:53 PACQUIAO FIGHT
47:18 Amir Khan fight
50:40 Becoming a nutritionalist
50:30 Sacrifices in social life necessary to become world champ - “World champions get used to letting people down”
52:41 Work as a nutritionalist
55:56 Thoughts on fighters going vegan for fight camps and “Game Changers”
58:40 Should you raise a child vegan
1:00:30- First book- The Fighter’s Kitchen
1:01:00 Chris’ new book- “SO YOU WANT TO BE A FIGHTER” (link in description)
1:05:30 Would you recommend boxing for kids?
1:06:40- Thoughts on trans-athletes in combat sports
https://www.amazon.com/You-Want-Fighter-Resilience-Acceptance-Inside/dp/0744042550/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2D328VF1WVGX2&keywords=so+you+want+to+be.+a+fighter&qid=1656527066&s=books&sprefix=so+you+wan+to+be.+a+figjhter%2Cstripbooks%2C56&sr=1-1
https://www.amazon.com/Fighters-Kitchen-Muscle-Building-Burning-Recipes/dp/146548373X
https://linktr.ee/TheGoodListenerPodcast
https://www.instagram.com/thegoodlistenerpodcast/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChtciipyjckL-asTVYecsMQ
For this episode I spoke w/ former white supremacist skinhead leader Tony McAleer. (TIMESTAMPS BELOW)
Tony told us about his upbringing and the traumas that contributed to his eventual joining of Canadian racist skinhead movement where he would progress to the role of leader. Tony spoke about the members that made up such groups, the disfunction that was pervasive within the movement, the effect that years of being in the movement had on his humanity and his eventual leaving of the group. Tony spoke also about his current work to deradicalize extremists and prevent others from falling into a life of hate.
00:00 INTRO… growing up, relationship w/ father, boarding school in England
11:50- first contact w/ skinheads at Canadian punk rock concert, “befriend the bully, become the bully” mentality, introduction to violence- addictive/intoxicating feeling from it
20:40 getting serious w/ involvement in skinhead/white sup groups, using technology to spread their message
30:50 using music as recruitment tool
32:30 Types within white sup groups
36:40 Which racial/ethnic groups were most hated by the white sup groups?
41:50 Tony’s parents on Tony’s activities at the time (having Hitler poster on bedroom wall while living w/ a father who had been bombed during WW2)
45:10 Recruiting members, how trauma effects us, positive shame/toxic shame
53:40 Tony’s thoughts on hate, rage
57:45 Tony’s leaving the white sup movement
1:03:10- the impact of “American History X” on Tony
1:04:57- “not something I wanted for my children”- how Tony’s children helped him leave
1:06:40- disengaging from the group, getting introduction to therapy
1:14:40- Book
1:15:10 Tony’s current work in de-radicalizing (Life After Hate)
1:21:00- Coming back the same Synagogue 30 years after committing hate-crime there
https://www.lifeafterhate.org/blog/tag/Tony+McAleer
https://twitter.com/mcaleer
https://linktr.ee/TheGoodListenerPodcast
https://twitter.com/GLP_johnhadden
https://www.instagram.com/thegoodlistenerpodcast/
For this episode I spoke w/ combat sports photographer, writer and good friend Pari Aryafar.. she spoke to me about her discovery of Muay Thai at Renzo Gracies gym in NYC, the origins of her photography skills, her love of capturing the human moments within combat sports, studying writing and becoming a sports writer for the prestigious ONE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP. We also spoke about her move to AMS, training at the famous KOPS gym, the differences in training between the US and Holland and much more
https://www.instagram.com/pari.cherry_/
https://www.pari-cherry.com
https://www.instagram.com/thegoodlistenerpodcast/
https://twitter.com/GLP_johnhadden
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
1:40 Pari’s start in writing, war photography as inspiration, photographing friends and teammates
8:40 Reasons for moving to AMS
9:50 First going to Renzo Gracie Muay Thai, Introduction to photography, 1st time photographing an MT tournament
15:20 Photos of human moments in Muay Thai
20:10 Help w/ mental health from Joe Sampieri of RGMT
23:02 Writing for FNF, working Glory Kickboxing event
25:00 Working w/ ONE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP, women in Muay Thai
29:05 Move to AMS, KOPS GYMS, training/sparring in Holland, sports prior to MT
40:25 Studying writing, writing about MT
44:55 Writing for ONE FC and future plans
50:35 Meting Iranian national team- first time w/ women on the team
53:20 Future plans II
This is episode number 9.
For this episode I spoke w/ professional Muay Thai fighter and gym owner Jake Peacock. Jake told me about his growing up in England as the son of a professional soccer player, his start in combat sports, setting up a gym in Canada, his decision to turn pro after just 3 amateur Thai fights and his career to date..
00.00- intro and next fight announcement
1:08- growing up in England
2:26- Having a pro footballer as a father growing up
4:38- getting into combat sports
7:10- Advice on combat sports for kids
8:55- first contact w/ Muay Thai (14/15 years old)
11:50- Jake’s MMA fight (possible more MMA)
13:24- fighting in ko karate, first amateur Thai fights
15:50- FIRST PRO THAI FIGHT
20:37 Getting signed to Lion Fight and fighting during pandemic, fighting in Ireland
24:30- Opening a gym even before first pro fight, building fight team
29:40- Everyday life of a professional fighter
32:00- what can striking sports do to grow bigger, thoughts on (some) MMA fights
35:10- Jake’s shoutouts and sponsors
https://www.instagram.com/jake_leestriking/
https://www.instagram.com/thegoodlistenerpodcast/
https://twitter.com/GLP_johnhadden
For this episode I spoke to former FBI counter-terrorism agent Mike German.
Mike told me about his time spent undercover posing as a weapons trafficker investigating white supremacist gangs in California, his insight into governments methods of terrorism prevention and it’s flaws, his thoughts on mass shootings and what does and doesn’t work in trying to stop them. I also asked about Mike’s parting of ways w/ the FBI after an unpleasant final 2 years as well as what happens to a person who gets put on the terrorist watch list be it justified or otherwise.
We covered a lot of ground in this conversation so please have a look at the episode description for chapter timestamps. As always if you enjoy the content please subscribe and leaving a rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify and please subscribe to the YouTube channel for full video episodes.
00:00- Welcome to GLP
01:30 intro
2:30 FBI in media, how Mike viewed FBI previous to joining
4:35 Mike becoming an FBI agents
6:10 History of racial discrimination within FBI
8:50 Training
10:50 Any choice in area of assignment or where stationed ?
12:38 Are agents “married to the job”?
14:00 Desk or in-field?
16:20 Assigned to undercover w/ White Supremacist group (CA)
18:45 How do the FBI get informants?
20:55 White Supremacist groups- cell structure
24:15 Types within W.S groups
27:40 How deep undercover? (Mike spent 14 months)
30:00 Had Mike heard of undercover agents getting cover blown?
32:10 White sup groups- attacks
32:17 MIKE’S BOOK- “Thinking like a Terrorist” (link in description)
34:25 FBI Arrests
37:25 Def. of terrorism, flaws in FBI’s investigation of terrorism, “lone-wolf” fallacy, mass shooters, Buffalo and NYC mass shootings
1:04:15- flaws in thinking surrounding the prediction/prevention of mass shootings and crime
1:10:15- what happens when a person is “flagged” and put on Terrorist Watch List”
1:15:15- leaving FBI
https://www.instagram.com/thegoodlist...
For this episode I spoke to Ian Smith, co-owner of the Atilis Gym in New Jersey.. Ian and his gym gained nationwide prominence in 2020 when he and his co-owner made the decision to re-open their business during the government imposed shutdown.
Ian spoke to me about his life previous to the gym-shutdown drama, his thought process as covid hit the US, the decision to re-open and remain open during lockdown, the escalation of actions taken by the State to discourage and close them down, the light at the end of the tunnel in terms of getting back to normal business and Ian’s ongoing run for Congress.
Intro, opening gym pre-covid 01:58
Was Ian a “politically interested” person pre-covid. 08:38
First hearing about covid in US, initial thoughts 14:00
First shutdown order and first thoughts of re-opening against govt orders 17:48
Reopening during shutdown.. escalation of govt measures (fines, changed locks, business revocation) 19:43
Getting business license back (WIN) 25:18
Moments of doubt ?? 26:56
Becoming influential on social media- Treatment by media outlets- Left vs Conservative media 30:17
Initial idea to run for congress 36:55
Explaining voting.. congressional districts 38:50
View on local/state politics previous to Ian running, did Ian vote in local elections? 40:04
Media treatment while running for congress 41:30
Election schedule- voting dates 42:20
Lessons from the last few years 45:55
Upcoming book, Two Dumb Gym Owners 47:00
https://linktr.ee/TheGoodListenerPodcast
https://open.spotify.com/show/6841FNScEdMyfJhgEUHDfD?si=CE0jOfW9ThyvA-zox6Vjrw
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-good-listener-podcast/id1580379332
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChtciipyjckL-asTVYecsMQ
https://www.instagram.com/thegoodlistenerpodcast/
https://www.instagram.com/iansmithfitness/
https://www.instagram.com/theatilisgym/
For this episode I spoke to oscar nominated documentary director and producer Stanley Nelson. We spoke about his latest award-winning documentary Attica, based on the 1971 prisoner rebellion at the upstate New York prison which lasted five days and resulted in 43 deaths, both guards and inmates.
I also asked Stanley about his own journey thru documentary making and how it began, which of his documentaries he would recommend the most, the evolution of documentary film throughout the years and much more..
0.00 Intro, oscars
3.10 Stanley’s own start in doc making
6.30 Funding, commission for docs
7.43 Director vs producer
9.39 Initial interest in Attic as a subject
12.05 Stanley’s docs previous to Attica and Stanley’s favorite of his own work
16.41 Changes in docs over the years
21.26 Advice to young doc makers
23.20 Thoughts on “entertainment documentaries”
25.24 Docs made by others in the last few years that Stanley liked
https://linktr.ee/TheGoodListenerPodcast
https://open.spotify.com/show/6841FNScEdMyfJhgEUHDfD?si=CE0jOfW9ThyvA-zox6Vjrw
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-good-listener-podcast/id1580379332
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChtciipyjckL-asTVYecsMQ
https://www.instagram.com/thegoodlistenerpodcast/
My guest for EP. 5 was NYC Public Defender Kelvin Richards.
Kelvin spoke to me about his path to the US having grown up in Liberia during a time of civil war and his time spent in refugee camps.
He told me about how his experiences in NYC shaped his decision to become a public defender, the work of a public defender, the ins and outs of criminal justice system, bail reform in NY and the ethical question of representing someone of bad character or apparent guilt.
We discussed the sometimes gray line between what Police can and can't do when questioning, arresting and interrogating members of the public, the negative effects of NYC's old "stop and frisk" policy, the use of police profiling including Kelvin's own experiences with being profiled and the balance to be struck between needing police and holding them accountable when power is abused.
I also asked Kevin about bias in the justice system, what Kelvin would change about prison if he could, the prohibition on drugs, some of the causes behind trends in crime, Kelvin's run for city council and much more.
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PublicDefender #LegalAidSociety #NYC #Crime #CriminalJusticeSystem #LegalSystem #Prison #PrivatePrisons #GeorgeFloyd #RacialBias #NYPD #Policing #DeathPenalty #WarOnDrugs #BailReform
My guest for episode number 4 was retired NYPD Sergeant Pat Russo, Pat is currently the Director of the NYC Cops and Kids boxing program and the NYPD boxing team. The NYC cops and kids program allows children and teens to train for free while being coached by cops and former participants in the program at 3 gyms in some of New York’s rougher areas with a 4th gym on the way. Orginally established as a crime fighting initiative, the program has since produced over 100 NY Golden Gloves champions, 4 Olympians, 12 professionals as well as numerous Police officers, firefighters, Corrections Officers, teachers, soldiers, marines and has impacted the lives of hundreds if not thousands
Pat and I spoke about the program itself, the young people who fill their gyms, the benfits they get from it and the conditions that lead to such a program being desperately needed throughout the city.
In the second half we also discussed policing generally, the affects of “quaota” or statistic policing on communities, the concepts of “over” and under policing, the prohibition on drugs and rise in homicide in 2020 as well as the defund movement.
This episode was recorded earlier in the year so any discussion of “the summer” refer to the summer of 2020 when NY exprienced a huge spike in homicide and gun crime
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Hello and you’re very welcome to episode number 3 of the Good Listener Podcast.. my guest for this episode was Ray Cuadrado. Ray is the current USA Boxing New York Metro President as well as the owner of Brotherhood boxing club where he trains many amateur boxers and one pro, his son Ray “the scientist” Cuadrado
This episode was recorded a few months back when gyms were beginning to re-open so Ray spoke to me about the ups and downs of being a gym owner during covid and the reopening process. Ray spoke to me about his own path to becoming a coach and gym owner, the unique challenges involved when coaching his own sons for competition, the benefits of the sport to young people and many of his philosophies regarding training and life generally.
Ray also shared with me his thoughts on the fundamental differences between amateur and professional boxing, the boxers of previous decades vs the modern era’s boxers, celebrity boxing matches as well as freedom in the United States
As always if you enjoy then please support the show by subscribing on Apple podcasts, Spotify and Youtube. and again, thank you to Yun Ling for the intro music, please find his work on Youtube and Spotify by searching Yung Ling music on those platforms.
My second guest was Neal Williams, a very interesting and well-read gentleman who i’ve spoken to many times and had always wanted to sit down with for a proper conversation.
Due to the length of our conversation I’ll be putting this out in two parts.
In part 1 Neil told me about how his mother’s side of the family moved from the West Indies island of St Kitts to Harlem in New York city to begin a new life. We discussed the mentality they came with in regards to America as the land of oppurtunity as well as the idea of legacy among immigrant groups
Neil spoke to me about his growing up in 60’s and 70’s SouthEast bronx and how he saw the area change over time with an influx of drugs and increasingly violent street gangs..
Neil also shared with me his thoughts on policing, racial biases among people, media, the raising of children and much more
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChtciipyjckL-asTVYecsMQ/featured
My first guest was Tiarnan Lynch. Tiarnan lived in Hong Kong during the infamous 2019/2020 protests and witnessed the subsequent clashes between protestors and Chinese authorites from the ground
In the first half of the episode Tiarnan and I discussed what it was like growing up in Japan and Hong Kong and the cultural differences between the two and in the second half he told us what it was like seeing the rise, peak and fall of the protests as well as the escalation of force from the Chinese authorities.
Tiarnan also told me some surprising things about covid in Hong Kong including how the pandemic was used to further clamp down on the protestors
If you enjoy the episode please subscribe and leave a review.
Take care