212. Jonathan Kemp: Walking 4,200km for Mental Health - Leg 1
12/05/2026 | 50 mins.
Jonathan Kemp joins The Ireland Podcast to discuss his extraordinary 4,200km Finding Peace of Mind Walk 2026 - a journey across the UK and Ireland in support of mental health awareness and recovery.
Starting in the Shetland Islands on January 1st and finishing in Galway later this year, Jonathan shares the deeply personal experiences that led him to undertake the walk, including his lifelong struggles with bipolar disorder, depression, dyslexia, addiction, and suicidal ideation during COVID.
Jonathan speaks openly about diagnosis, medication, recovery, neurodiversity, addiction, and the importance of seeking help. He also reflects on the physical and emotional realities of walking thousands of kilometres while raising funds and awareness for mental health charities across Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Ireland.
This is Leg 1, Part 1 of an ongoing series following Jonathan’s journey toward Galway.
Relevant Links https://www.gofundme.com/f/Jonathansupporting4mentalhealthcharities https://linktr.ee/jonathankemplondon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
211. Steve Mack 2: That Petrol Emotion - The Band That Influenced 1,000 Others
05/05/2026 | 46 mins.
Part 2 of conversation with Steve Mack of That Petrol Emotion.
In this episode, Steve goes deep on what really makes a great record - not just what you hear, but the space between the notes. From the genius of the Stayin' Alive to the importance of restraint in music, this is a masterclass in listening differently.
We also explore the evolution of That Petrol Emotion - how Brendan Kelly joined the band, the albums that defined their sound, and ultimately how the band began to come apart after years of getting close without breaking through to that next level. It’s an honest look at ambition, pressure, and the reality behind life in a band.
Along the way, Steve shares stories about fans, legacy, and the unexpected ways music travels through generations - including the moment he discovered his biological father was connected to Dion and the Belmonts.
This is a conversation about music, identity, and the ripple effect of songs that never really go away.
Relevant Links https://linktr.ee/smack206 https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7lEmb06zxltC0M1TMDfLXd?si=179a45e302864e50 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
210. Steve Mack 1: That Petrol Emotion to R.E.M. and Nirvana
28/04/2026 | 1h 13 mins.
A wide-ranging and thoughtful conversation with the lead singer of one of Ireland’s most seminal bands, looking back on origins, identity, and the winding path of a life in music. He reflects on early influences, the experience of being adopted, and the sense of instinct that shaped both his voice and his direction.
There are vivid stories from Belfast - including the surreal reality of playing gigs while staying in the Europa Hotel, known as the most bombed hotel in Europe - alongside moments that capture both the humour and tension of the time. Throughout, he returns to a simple but firm belief: that the song always comes first.
The conversation moves through the highs and the missteps - from early promise to periods where production and expectation began to overshadow the music itself. There’s an honest look at the excesses of 80s sound, and a clear philosophy that great songs should stand on their own, without being buried under layers of production.
It’s also a story of rediscovery - of finding the groove again, reconnecting with what matters, and trusting instinct over noise. Along the way, he shares insights into creativity, influence, and the fine line between sound and substance, offering a candid perspective on what it really means to make music that lasts.
Relevant Links https://linktr.ee/smack206 https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7lEmb06zxltC0M1TMDfLXd?si=179a45e302864e50 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
209. Graham Linehan: Writer, Journalist & Activist - Part 2
20/04/2026 | 1h 5 mins.
In this episode of The Ireland Podcast, writer Graham Linehan joins for a wide-ranging, long-form conversation.
The discussion covers a career in comedy, including the creation of Father Ted, along with how life and work have evolved in recent years. Broader cultural and societal topics are also explored, including the role of media and institutions, and the challenges of discussing difficult issues in today’s climate.
This is Part 2 of a two-part conversation.
The Ireland Podcast aims to create space for open, respectful dialogue and to present a range of perspectives, allowing listeners to make up their own minds. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
208. Graham Linehan: Writer, Journalist & Activist - Part 1
14/04/2026 | 43 mins.
Part 1 of a long-form conversation with Graham Linehan on The Ireland Podcast.
The conversation moves quickly into the activism and controversies that have come to define Graham Linehan’s public life in recent years, before touching at points on his career - from Father Ted, Black Books and The IT Crowd.
The discussion covers public backlash, media narratives, free speech, Gaza, comedy, the early internet, and the personal and professional consequences of speaking out.
A wide-ranging and, at times, unpredictable conversation on one of the most contested areas in public life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
About the PodcastThe Ireland Podcast is a long-form interview series creating space for unhurried conversation about life on the island of Ireland and beyond.The ConversationsHosted by Fender Jackson and produced by Salthill Media, the podcast centres on listening rather than argument. Each episode features a single guest and allows time for reflection, context, and experience to emerge naturally. Guests include artists, musicians, writers, athletes, broadcasters, historians, and cultural figures whose work or perspective offers insight into place, memory, and lived experience.There is no political or religious agenda. The podcast does not seek to persuade, promote, or argue a position. Instead, it exists as a space for careful dialogue, where complexity is allowed and difference is approached with curiosity rather than confrontation.The HostFender Jackson grew up in Ulster and later lived in England and China before returning to Ireland and settling in Galway, where most episodes are now recorded. These experiences inform a listening-led, exploratory approach shaped by distance as well as proximity, and by an awareness of how place, movement, and memory intersect.ApproachThe Ireland Podcast approaches the island as a shared, lived place - shaped by multiple histories, traditions, communities, and viewpoints. In a post-conflict society, conversation itself has value. The podcast recognises the role that respectful dialogue, storytelling, and careful questioning can play in fostering empathy and understanding.Over time, it becomes an informal record of conversations about the island and its many expressions, offered quietly and without prescription. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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