The State of Us

Welcome to The State of Us – Episode 06: John Boyne
In this compelling episode of The State of Us, host Ian O’Doherty sits down with acclaimed Irish novelist John Boyne for a candid, moving, and, at times, darkly humorous conversation. Brought to you by Rivada Space Networks, this episode takes you beyond the headlines into the personal, literary, and societal undercurrents that have shaped one of Ireland’s best-known authors.
Timestamps / Topics Covered:
00:00 – Introduction | The State of Us & Rivada’s “outernet”
01:00 – John’s book tour, the “Elements” novella sequence, and tackling sexual abuse in literature
04:00 – Growing up in Irish schools: endemic abuse, generational silence, complicity, and trauma
12:00 – How Irish schools have changed & recognising positive progress for young people today
14:30 – Writing about the Holocaust: The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas—origins, empathy, challenges
18:30 – Impact, legacy, and enduring controversy of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
24:00 – Responding to criticism, online abuse, and navigating backlash as a writer
33:20 – “My Brother’s Name is Jessica”: Writing about transgender issues, allyship, and being targeted by social media mobs
41:00 – The culture wars, the privilege of victimhood, pronouns, and cancel culture
49:50 – Satire and catharsis: Writing “The Echo Chamber” as a response to contemporary online outrage
56:00 – Threats, author safety, and reflections on the Salman Rushdie attack
1:08:00 – John’s creative process, life, and what’s next
Key Discussion Points:
The Elements Novellas: John breaks down his daring four-part novella series, which confronts sexual abuse from different perspectives, and explains why fiction is crucial for empathy and understanding.
School Abuse Scandals: Hear powerful, candid accounts of how abuse in Irish schools shaped a generation and why silence persisted for so long.
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas: Learn where the novel’s inspiration came from, its unexpected global impact, and why John remains fiercely proud despite enduring waves of criticism.
Controversy & Social Media: John discusses being at the centre of online “pile-ons”, why he stands by his work on transgender issues, and the culture of outrage—plus, his approach to dealing with trolls and threats.
The Echo Chamber: Discover why satire was the only suitable response to Ireland’s digital culture wars—and why laughter heals.
Wisdom for Writers: John shares his writing routine, relationship with solitude, and advice for fellow creatives.
About John Boyne:
Author of over twenty novels, John Boyne is best known for The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, The Heart's Invisible Furies, A Ladder to the Sky, The Echo Chamber, and several acclaimed books for young readers. His work has been translated into more than 60 languages.
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👉 Produced by Podcast Dublin: https://www.podcastdublin.ie/
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In this episode of the State of Us podcast, host Ian O’Doherty sits down for a candid and deeply insightful conversation with Alan Shatter — former Irish government minister, lawyer, author, and a prominent voice in Irish public life.
Brought to you by Rivada Space Networks, this week’s conversation offers an unfiltered look at Shatter’s life and career, from his Dublin upbringing in an Irish-Jewish family to his influential work in law and politics. Alan opens up about his surprising comedic side (including the story behind his satirical bestseller “Family Planning Irish Style”), his deep involvement in sports, and the serious backdrop that shaped his public persona.
As Minister for Justice and Minister for Defence during one of Ireland’s most turbulent economic periods, Shatter offers rare behind-the-scenes reflections on the challenges of public service, the Troika years, and the tough battles fought to protect critical state institutions, such as the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána. Ian and Alan examine the immense responsibility of governmental roles and the public misconceptions that often accompany them.
A significant portion of the conversation tackles the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Irish political responses, and the rise of antisemitism in Ireland. Alan speaks frankly about the failures and biases he sees in Irish media and government, the recent controversy surrounding the treatment of Irish-Jewish voices, and his personal experiences with hostility and prejudice. They also discuss Ireland’s political relationship with Iran, the current state of the Defence Forces, and the importance of learning from the Irish peace process.
Other discussion points include:
The story of Alan’s journey from law to politics to comic writing
The infamous “Family Planning Irish Style” satire
Why Ireland’s government and media have “demonised” Israel
Shatter’s perspective on the future of Irish Jewry
Lessons from the Troubles and why they’re relevant to Middle East peace
The controversy at the Holocaust memorial and its broader implications
What the future holds for Israel and for Jewish life in Ireland
This is not just a political interview—it's an honest, wide-ranging, and often emotional discussion that asks tough questions about identity, justice, political courage, and the nature of truth in public life.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro and Alan Shatter’s early years
06:52 – Humour, writing, and the making of “Family Planning Irish Style”
10:06 – Entering politics and the seriousness of public perception
15:06 – Banking collapse & inside the economic crash
18:52 – Defending Defence Forces and the Gardaí
24:11 – The Sean Rooney case and Ireland’s role in UN missions
28:06 – Israel, Gaza, and Irish political/media narratives
36:33 – Iran’s role in the conflict and Irish foreign policy
42:26 – Antisemitism, Irish Jewish identity, and shifting community dynamics
57:01 – The Holocaust memorial controversy
1:02:50 – Personal safety and the future for Irish Jews
1:04:35 – Will Israel exist in 10 years?
1:05:35 – Closing thoughts & call for more reasoned debate
If you found this episode thought-provoking, please consider liking, commenting, and subscribing. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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Produced by: https://www.podcastdublin.ie/

State of Us Podcast: Michael Murphy on Hate Speech Laws, Ireland’s Identity Crisis & Europe’s New Fault Lines
In this provocative episode of The State of Us, host Ian O’Doherty sits down with acclaimed journalist, broadcaster, and documentary filmmaker Michael Murphy (The Telegraph, The Spectator) for a wide-ranging and hard-hitting discussion at the crossroads of Irish, European, and global politics.
🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
The hush-hush visit of US diplomats to Dublin, concerns about Ireland’s controversial hate speech legislation, and the pressure on Big Tech.
How new EU laws could threaten Ireland’s economic miracle—and why American tech giants might leave Ireland for good.
Ireland’s uncomfortable place between American free-speech values and European regulatory zeal, and what it means for the nation’s future.
The rise of censorship, media groupthink, and reluctance among Ireland’s elite to confront uncomfortable truths.
Explosive debates over immigration, the aftermath of the Dublin riots, and what Ireland should learn from the rest of Europe.
How populist movements, Brexit, and figures like Nigel Farage are changing British and Irish political landscapes.
The Deepening Rifts Inside the MAGA Movement: Elon Musk vs. Donald Trump, and What It Means for America’s Right.
October 7th, the Gaza war, and the tidal wave of anti-Semitism in Western discourse—why it’s changing everything.
Critique of the Irish government’s handling of foreign policy, its deeply troubled relationship with the US, and the risk to Ireland’s global reputation.
Michael Murphy’s Irish roots, his experiences reporting on “chattering classes” in Ireland, and the need for contrarian voices.
Insights into Michael’s sensational documentaries unpacking Ireland’s changing identity, challenges of mass migration, and the silencing of dissent.
Produced by Podcast Dublin.
Sponsor: Rivada Space Networks

Welcome to Episode 3 of The State of Us podcast, hosted by Ian O’Doherty and featuring special guest Stella O’Malley—psychotherapist, author, journalist, and passionate advocate for mental health.

In this thoughtful and unfiltered conversation, Stella shares her personal journey from a “normal life” as a therapist and writer to finding herself at the heart of the contentious debate over transgender issues. Listen as she discusses the emotional toll of receiving heartbreaking letters from families, her experience making the documentary "Trans Kids: It’s Time to Talk," and the backlash she's faced from both activists and the media.

Welcome to the second episode of the State of Us podcast with Ian Dohery! Today, we delve into an engaging conversation with the award-winning broadcaster Paddy O'Gorman. In this episode, Ian sits down with Paddy to explore his remarkable career journey, the captivating stories he has encountered, and his perspective on the modern media landscape. But before we dive deep into Paddy’s world, let’s get to know the man behind the microphone.