“It always seems impossible until it is done.”- Nelson Mandela
The final episode of the Eighth is a fly on the wall audio journey with Ciara from her hearing the exit poll results through to the final result in Dublin Castle. Featuring a range of voices throughout the day, with special thanks to my sister Evie, my Mam Róisín, Shane, Sharon, Morgan, and Ciara.
Special thanks to Alan and the whole HeadStuff crew for their tireless support, encouragement and help in making this series.
And the biggest thank you of all to my partner in Repeal, Paddy.
We did it.
It Is Done.
**Credits**:
Featuring news clips from Newstalk, RTE, ITV, Fox News, and BBC News, reproduced with thanks.
Produced by Ciara O’Connor Walsh
Executive Producer: Alan Bennett, HeadStuff
Production assistance from Paddy Walsh and Brian from HeadStuff
Artwork: Eimear Gavin
**Music**:
Nine Inch Nails, Ghosts I-IV, Ghosts I
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven - Storm
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40:37
9: #09: Reflections, Predictions
This week, Ciara and Paddy reflect on the journey of making The Eighth, what they have learned, and where they think the chips might fall tomorrow. Ciara speaks to political analyst Johnny Fallon to make predictions about the count, to Elle and Lisa out on the canvass in Dublin, and Ciara's sister Emily speaks to some of her friends on the eve of the vote. Then join Ciara, Paddy, and a cameo from the lovely Karen from Everyday Stories part 2 as they CAST THEIR BALLOTS this morning. Now get out to vote everyone... Your voice matters.
Credits:
Clips from ITV, Channel 4 News, The Telegraph, NBC, BBC
Produced by Ciara O’Connor Walsh
Executive Producer: Alan Bennett, HeadStuff
Production assistance from Paddy Walsh, Emily Hannigan
Artwork: Eimear Gavin
Music:
Sinead O'Connor, Thank you for hearing me
Ghosts I-IV, Nine Inch Nails
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55:54
8: #08: Difficult Conversations
We're being asked by campaigners for and against repeal to get out and talk to our family and friends before the 25th of May - to have conversations about why voting is so important, and about which way to vote. Turnout will make or break the campaign for both sides, and given we have so many people who are still somewhere in the middle, conversations with people who they love and respect could be the deciding factor.
In this episode, Ciara and her husband Paddy bring up the _awkward_ subject of abortion with their families, who have a mixed bag of opinion… including Ciara's sister Katie, who does a complete 180 after listening to the pro-life episode of the podcast.
Also, the wonderful Taryn DeVere gives advice on how to start these conversations and how to make them meaningful if you are planning on raising the referendum at home, at work, or in the pub. You should 100% read Taryn's excellent piece, [How To Talk To Your Anti Choice Dad](https://medium.com/@taryndevere/how-to-talk-to-your-anti-choice-dad-2d5829ab731c), and follow her super-duper-repeal-y and inspiring Twitter feed, @TarynDeVere.
**A note from the producer:
It was brought to my attention that I got a point of information confused in my conversation with my brother last week on this episode, and I’d like to correct that. The proposed legislation states that up to 12 weeks, a woman will arrive at her decision regarding her abortion with the support of one doctor. After 12 weeks, two medical professionals will essentially need to ‘approve’ the abortion on serious mental and physical health grounds amounting to a risk to life. I wanted to clarify this mistake, and recommend the site Aboutthe8th.com for clear, non-legalese information on the proposed legislation.
**Credits:**
Thanks to my very patient and deadly family for letting me ask them some pretty tricky questions for this one.
Produced by Ciara O’Connor Walsh
Executive Producer: Alan Bennett, HeadStuff
Production assistance from Paddy Walsh and Brian from HeadStuff
Artwork: Eimear Gavin
Music: Devin Townsend Project - Ghost - Infinite Ocean / Chvrches - The Bones of What You Believe - You caught the light
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58:27
7: #07: Everyday Stories - Part 2
In this episode, Louise tells the story of having termination following a fatal foetal abnormality diagnosis, and Ciara and her friend Karen share their own abortion stories with each other for the first time.
**Content warning for discussion of abortion, in some detail. **
Credits:
Produced by Ciara O’Connor Walsh
Executive Producer: Alan Bennett, HeadStuff
Production assistance from Paddy Walsh and Brian from HeadStuff
Artwork: Eimear Gavin
Music:
Alvo Noto – Xerrox vol 2
Nils Frahm - Screws - Re
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52:36
6: #06: Everyday Stories - Part 1
This Episode shares four women's stories of abortion, and is a partnership with Everyday Stories. Content warning for sexual violence, physical abuse, abortion, miscarriage.
[www.everydaystories.org](www.everydaystories.org)
Credits:
Produced by Ciara O’Connor Walsh and Caoimhe Anglin
Executive Producer: Alan Bennett, HeadStuff
Production assistance from Paddy Walsh and Brian from HeadStuff
Artwork: Eimear Gavin
Music:
Bohren and Der Club of Gore - Black Earth - Crimson Ways
Bohren and Der Club of Gore - Dolores - Black Maja
HeadStuff Podcast Network presents The Eighth, a podcast series documenting the upcoming referendum on the Eighth Amendment to the constitution of Ireland. Going beyond the ten minute head-to-heads and media talking points, The Eighth has long, sticky, moral and open conversations with people on all sides of the debate and none, those in the middle ground and those who are confused about how to vote in the referendum. We ask: where do both sides of the debate part ways? Is it right to morally equate the life of the woman with prenatal life? And when does life truly begin? This podcast attempts to answer these questions, and more, through the lens of a pro-choice host who is attempting to bring clarity, understanding and some degree of common ground to this incredibly fraught space.
Ireland