Barrie's Podcast: Recent Episodes
Barrie's Podcast
Barrie’s Podcasts are quirky, amusing and sometimes serious blogs by author and international columnist, Barrie Mahoney.
”I write about my loves and hates, my passions and loathings, issues and passing fancies. Things that make me angry and things that make me laugh and cry; news that makes me ashamed and news that makes me embarrassed.”
For more information about Barrie and his books, go to: www.barriemahoney.com
I am sure than many readers will recall times talking to children when an imaginary friend enters the conversation. Children chat happily with their imaginary friend, whether they wish us to be involved or not. I often wondered if the imaginary friend really was imaginary, but really was there and could be seen and interacted with through a ‘third eye’. During my work with young children, I concluded that they are much closer to the spirit world than most adults who seem to have lost something in the growing up process.
© Barrie Mahoney 2023
Join me on Facebook: @barrie.mahoney
To find out more about Barrie and his books, go to: http://barriemahoney.com/
“Oh, she’s an angel”, or “Thank you, you’re an angel” are comments that I sometimes hear, and often following an act of kindness or generosity. Maybe such comments are more common in the older generation nowadays, but I am used to hearing them. It is always a comment that startles me for a moment, and I wonder...
© Barrie Mahoney 2023
Join me on Facebook: @barrie.mahoney
To find out more about Barrie and his books, go to: http://barriemahoney.com/
The article claimed that Denmark, Switzerland and Norway are the most unfriendly destinations for immigrants Despite the generally high quality of life in these countries, they are just not friendly enough with poor attitudes to immigrants and a local culture that is difficult to get used to. These ‘sinners’ were closely followed by Germany and France that ranked 56th and 57th in a list of 67 countries. Again, the general friendliness (or lack of) figured highly in France, whilst in Germany socialising with the locals and the language were major barriers to successful integration. Mind you, it could be worse, with Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the Czech Republic being the most unfriendly of all.
© Barrie Mahoney 2023
Join me on Facebook: @barrie.mahoney
To find out more about Barrie and his books, go to: http://barriemahoney.com/
Although, I understand that the suffering and welfare of people come first, I know that I am not the only one to be distressed about animals caught up in such disasters. There is rarely any mention of animals caught up in flooding, fire and other tragedies that appear on our television screens, and little is ever reported. It seems that animals suddenly become invisible during times of crisis, yet as all animal lovers will know, they have become part of our lives and highly important. Dogs, cats, horses, donkeys, birds and reptiles, as well as farm animals often perish in horrendous circumstances during these periods of exceptional tragedy, and it seems that they are forgotten and left behind during the pressure of rescue efforts.
© Barrie Mahoney 2023
Join me on Facebook: @barrie.mahoney
To find out more about Barrie and his books, go to: http://barriemahoney.com/
I discovered the “Fruit of the Gods” the other day. More accurately known as persimmon or Sharon Fruit, this delectable fruit has been tempting me for a while, but somehow I didn't have the courage to try one. As feeble as this may sound, I have been caught by strange fruit and vegetables before, and the prickly pear being a particular unfortunate experience, which is a story for another time. One thing that I have learned from that particular experience is always to check with someone knowledgeable about how to prepare, cook and eat any strange new fruit and vegetables that we may come across, and to be clear about what is to be done with anything prickly.
© Barrie Mahoney 2023
Join me on Facebook: @barrie.mahoney
To find out more about Barrie and his books, go to: http://barriemahoney.com/
We remember and celebrate the foundation of the National Health Service by the Labour Government on 5 July 1948. The NHS, despite its current difficulties with funding, staffing levels and retention of staff, is one of the very few areas that unites most of the country. It is often described as the country’s national religion and supported by most people. Despite current difficulties in accessing treatment, long waiting lists and lack of follow up care, surveys indicate that the founding principles of the NHS, which was to be universal, equitable, comprehensive, high quality, free at the point of delivery and centrally funded, are still supported by most people.
© Barrie Mahoney 2023
Join me on Facebook: @barrie.mahoney
To find out more about Barrie and his books, go to: http://barriemahoney.com/
For me, peace and meditation is often best achieved within the tranquillity of an old building: a church or chapel, or maybe a quiet National Trust property. When we enter a building for the first time, we often immediately sense if it is welcoming or not, and whether we would feel comfortable there. The reasons are unclear, and we may not know why we feel this way, but it is real. This feeling is often described as our ‘inner eye’, which in generations gone by would connect to the unseen world. It is a powerful sense, which has become more acute within me as I get older.
© Barrie Mahoney 2023
Join me on Facebook: @barrie.mahoney
To find out more about Barrie and his books, go to: http://barriemahoney.com/
Looking at the broader issues. Is it right for aircraft to be joyriding the skies in a show of machismo during the climate crisis? Given the huge costs of energy and fuel poverty in the country, is it right to be casually flouting an endless supply of aircraft fuel for joy riding? What about pollution of both the atmosphere and noise? Yes, the pilots are well trained, gifted, and clever individuals, but hopefully the public are aware that such displays are basically another recruitment tool, along with Armed Services Day, for military service? Air shows are generously promoted and encouraged by the military in the hope that more young people will be encouraged to sign up to protect our country or, in other words, to be used as possible cannon fodder in a war that the Government chooses to participate in.
© Barrie Mahoney 2023
Join me on Facebook: @barrie.mahoney
To find out more about Barrie and his books, go to: http://barriemahoney.com/
Once upon a time there was a Spanish civil servant, an engineer, who was asked to collect an award after 20 years of loyal service to the Spanish state. On further investigation by his superiors, it turned out that he had not appeared for work for the last six years, although this could possibly be as many as fourteen years, no one is quite sure. Someone seemed to remember him popping out for lunch one day, but then all recollections of him after his siesta appear rather hazy...
© Barrie Mahoney 2023
Join me on Facebook: @barrie.mahoney
To find out more about Barrie and his books, go to: http://barriemahoney.com/