Taranoia

In show thirty-four, Tara is thrilled that sex-positive smut-peddler supreme Shawna Scott gives her informed, enthusiastic consent to be on the show to talk about sexy times. What’s missing from sex ed? Why the concept of consent can be the very opposite of a mood-killer. What’s it like to be a dating show reality TV star? Why helping strangers to have orgasms can take an emotional toll. And what about the time Shawna accidentally angered both sides of the sectarian divide when all she wanted was for people to have a good time? For Shawna’s toys, go here: https://sexsiopa.ie Her patreon is here: https://www.patreon.com/shawnascott (It’s the least we could do in return for an ol’ orgasm.) ---   Website   http://www.taraflynn.ie   Patreon   https://www.patreon.com/taraflynnirl   Instagram   https://www.instagram.com/taraflynnirl  

In show thirty-three, a slightly echoey Tara thinks about what makes her happy. Clue: it’s not folding. But it could well be the new recording gear (thanks, patrons). Why is she afraid of pasta sauce, and why would the Pope be wise to be wary of it? Isn’t it great when shit things don’t happen in the first place? Is that a mohair coat she’s wearing? (No.) A nostalgia chip-trip. What’s the deal with traffic light reflections? Plus, a poem about a truly joyous sighting of national treasure in a car park. In association with no one but you.   ---   Website   http://www.taraflynn.ie   Patreon   https://www.patreon.com/taraflynnirl   Instagram   https://www.instagram.com/taraflynnirl

In show thirty-two, aptly enough in time for April Fools Day, Tara wonders who can be tricked and how. A look at how loneliness and vulnerability gets exploited. Close-up magic. Poison apples. Pseudo-science men. And lots and lot of emotion (sorrynotsorry). Brought to you in association with Snake Oil. Website http://www.taraflynn.ie Patreon https://www.patreon.com/taraflynnirl Instagram https://www.instagram.com/taraflynnirl

In show thirty-one, Tara asks who feels safe? Not her, that’s for sure. And maybe that’s all right. But what can we do to feel a bit better when the world seems grim and everyone’s in pain? That’s right: meditate. Just for you, Tara improvises an incredibly beautiful and life-changing guided meditation to do wherever you are, right now. It will change your life.* (*Might not change your life.) In association with Brewvet. This episode ends with sounds from Cape Reinga, the northern tip of New Zealand and the confluence point of the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea. According to Māori mythology, it is at this point that the spirits of the dead gather to depart the mainland and begin their descent to the underworld. Website http://www.taraflynn.ie Patreon https://www.patreon.com/taraflynnirl Instagram https://www.instagram.com/taraflynnirl

In show thirty, Tara sets out her Thirteen Rules for Life. “Finally!” says you. Well, everyone else is doing it and we can’t let Taranoia stop us from living our best selves in a Flynnspiring way. So here’s a list of wisdoms she’s sure to be touring soon. Also this week, a chat with St. Patrick, recovering after his recent festivities. Brought to you by the new smash hit Schwarzenegger movie Emerald Isle Be Back. Website http://www.taraflynn.ie Patreon https://www.patreon.com/taraflynnirl Instagram https://www.instagram.com/taraflynnirl

In show twenty-nine, Tara considers fame, minor to mega. What’s good about it? What’s not? Perks vs privacy. What happens when friends gets superstar famous? Is being famous a viable job in itself? Also, old Hollywood icons, making it, rudeness to and from servers and being human in the public eye. (NB no server has ever gone un-tipped on Tara’s watch, no matter how snotty the service or her own response.) Brought to you by Floxadol, in association with Lent. Website http://www.taraflynn.ie Patreon https://www.patreon.com/taraflynnirl Instagram https://www.instagram.com/taraflynnirl

In show twenty-eight, Tara thinks hard about cancel culture, accountability, slip-ups vs major transgressions, celebrity passes, forgiveness, constructive criticism, trolling, consequences and what, in reality, deserves immediate cancelling. Brought to you by Rental Floss. Website http://www.taraflynn.ie Patreon https://www.patreon.com/taraflynnirl Instagram https://www.instagram.com/taraflynnirl

In show twenty-seven, historian Fin Dwyer tells Tara whether there’s any weight to her notion that historical witches have a through-line to online swarms. Are shocking events of the past too serious to correlate to today’s stresses? Is there a modern-day equivalent to stocks and what’s a scold’s bridle? Uppity women. Shame as a silencing tool. Fear and power. The tragedy of Bridget Cleary. How European witch trials, which crossed to Atlantic to Salem, originated in an Irish town. (No Wiccans were dissed in the making of this podcast.) To hear more from Fin visit https://irishhistorypodcast.ie Website http://www.taraflynn.ie Patreon https://www.patreon.com/taraflynnirl Instagram https://www.instagram.com/taraflynnirl

In show twenty-six, award-winning author Emilie Pine helps Tara to do a deep dive on periods. Tara and Emilie aren’t doctors, instead, they jump the chat off from Emilie’s essay Notes on Bleeding and Other Crimes from her bestseller Notes to Self (Tramp Press). Why are we still so reluctant to talk about periods? What if you’re not having them? And what’s the deal with disgust?  Also: to hair or not to hair, and creaming. What’s a leg hat and why would someone throw a scarf down their leg? All will be revealed. (For more on period poverty in Ireland, check out Homeless Period Ireland https://www.facebook.com/homelessperiodIreland/) Website http://www.taraflynn.ie Patreon https://www.patreon.com/taraflynnirl Instagram https://www.instagram.com/taraflynnirl

In show twenty-five, Tara wonders if she’s a feminist at all, she’s often so bad at it. There’s so much to take in and Tara, the eejit, hasn’t always been paying attention. What’s a feminist in the first place and how do you surf those waves? Can someone be anti-choice and feminist? What about lads? Why does intersectionality matter? Internalised misogyny is one hell of a tricky fecker - she attempts to grapple with that. What hope do we have in beating sexism if the ones on the receiving end are doing it, too? In association with no one (the boom is not back). Website http://www.taraflynn.ie Patreon https://www.patreon.com/taraflynnirl Instagram https://www.instagram.com/taraflynnirl

In show twenty-four, Kate McGrew (aka Lady Grew) award-winning rapper singer dancer comic, sex worker and Director of Sex Workers Alliance (SWAI) drops in to drop Tara in it with a surprise challenge. Before that, they manage to chat about sex work in Ireland, changing attitudes, Irish law, shamelessness, fearlessness, safety, autonomy, theatre and Kate’s brilliant show Hookers Do It Standing Up. Not bad for a Monday. For more information on SWAI visit https://www.facebook.com/sexworkersallianceireland Website http://www.taraflynn.ie Patreon https://www.patreon.com/taraflynnirl Instagram https://www.instagram.com/taraflynnirl

In show twenty-three, Evie Nevin visits Headstuff HQ to tell Tara all about disability, accessiblity and visibility. How does Dublin fare in terms of getting around? Evie has gone over to the dark side recently and gone into politics. Can Tara dissuade her in time and get her to follow her true calling, solving crimes? Website http://www.taraflynn.ie Patreon https://www.patreon.com/taraflynnirl Instagram https://www.instagram.com/taraflynnirl

In show twenty-two Tara shows how a Good Girl becomes a Difficult Woman and when being ‘nice’ can be gross. Rightness: which is better - correct, or just? Should you always give in and play Twister? Tara has a back and forth with herself - and she doesn’t always agree - on whether being difficult is actually worth it or not. If you’re sick of going “tee hee”, this might be the episode for you. Sponsored by Diet Air. Website http://www.taraflynn.ie Patreon https://www.patreon.com/taraflynnirl Instagram https://www.instagram.com/taraflynnirl

In show twenty-one, Ellie Kisyombe comes in to studio. She tells Tara about the wonderful Our Table project (www.ourtable.ie) that shows how food can connect people, and what we all need to do to end Direct Provision. There’s also matchmaking, an Ellie-inspired energy drink, and we find out which animal could be the one to put an end to Ellie’s political career. Website http://www.taraflynn.ie Patreon https://www.patreon.com/taraflynnirl Instagram https://www.instagram.com/taraflynnirl

CW: abortion. Last year, the Republic of Ireland voted to repeal the 8th amendment to its constitution. For the first time there is now (like this-week-now, January-2019-now) access to abortion for some here at home. But misinformation and stigma remain. Tara had to travel for an abortion in 2006. What’s it like to realise you’re pregnant when you don’t want to be, when you can’t be? And how do you then become a secret agent? No one should ever have to share their story, but in this very personal Taranoia, Tara hopes we won’t let old fear keep us from talking to each other. HSE Unplanned Pregnancy help at myoptions.ie or call 1800 828 010 --- Website http://www.taraflynn.ie Patreon https://www.patreon.com/taraflynnirl Instagram https://www.instagram.com/taraflynnirl

Look, it’s that time of the year again and there’s nothing we can do about it. Here’s a bumper, annual-size Taranoia to help you through. What have we learned this year? What’s been banned and who’s the boss of you? Also features Tara being a dick (shock), listeners’ conspiracy theories, a random act of kindness and a query about pubes. Merry Winterval, fellow eejits! Website http://www.taraflynn.ie Patreon https://www.patreon.com/taraflynnirl Instagram https://www.instagram.com/taraflynnirl

In show eighteen, Tara asks historian Dr. Mary McAuliffe why the past is so important to the present. Where are all the women in the books, and were historians telling us where they were all along? What do we really mean when we talk about ‘patriarchy’? And what have zombies got to do with it? Website http://www.taraflynn.ie Patreon https://www.patreon.com/taraflynnirl Instagram https://www.instagram.com/taraflynnirl/

In show seventeen, High Horse, Tara shares the English language’s three most powerful words. She digs deeper into her own privilege and explains the concept of the subterranean horse. Why does asking for kindness get read as preachy? What’s the deal with ‘woke’? Why are some discussion panels just mad? And what’s going on with toasters? Sponsored by Freese. Website http://www.taraflynn.ie Patreon https://www.patreon.com/taraflynnirl Instagram https://www.instagram.com/taraflynnirl/

In show sixteen, Tara has her old mate Michelle Read in to chat about improv, comedy, and Michelle’s award-winning plays. How did they get into a dog-suit together? What was comedy like in the 90s? How do you turg? And bonus content: has #MeToo gone too far? Selina Totty asks Jennifer Mandible - a contrarian dying to be on the radio. Website http://www.taraflynn.ie Patreon https://www.patreon.com/taraflynnirl Instagram https://www.instagram.com/taraflynnirl/

In show fifteen, it’s 10 years since Tara and Carl went on their first date. TEN YEARS. That’s given Tara time to think about all the time she was single, often happily, but then sometimes loneliness dicked with her brain. Includes dick pics, hooking up and the secret to love and relationships. The answer may surprise you! (Yeah, right.) Website http://www.taraflynn.ie Patreon https://www.patreon.com/taraflynnirl Instagram https://www.instagram.com/taraflynnirl/