The ClearOut

In this episode Dara explores the concept of character and how its uncovering might lie at the heart of true strength, happiness and resilience. He places it in firm counterpoint to the litany of red…

In this episode Dara asks the question - what movies really do it for you? Before giving his own answer, he explores the types of masculinity that he has been attracted to on the big screen since he …

In this episode, Dara reflects on body image and the objectification and commodification of female beauty and sexuality. He discusses the sexist rhetoric and dynamics that he has always found pervasi…

In this episode, Dara gets stuck into expectations and how imposing they can be if they are too rigid. He draws a connection between unmet expectations and the loss of control, and the anger that res…

In this episode Dara touches on sugar consumption and gut health and warns of the danger of big lunches if your afternoons are going to be demanding.

He talks about using social media to promote his s…

In this episode Dara walks the corridors of nostalgia and explores the underpinning emotion that informs that longing for the past. The journey takes him to the movies of his childhood and starts him…

In this episode, following some thoughts on Afghanistan and the Taliban, Dara reflects on conflict in his own life and looks particularly closely at his marriage and the diverging paths that have eme…

In this episode, Dara looks at the unwitting victims of a biblical exorcism before cruising through Michael Cimino's 1978 masterpiece, The Deer Hunter, with particular focus on Robert De Niro's perfo…

In this episode Dara tries to unpick the puzzle of presence. He draws a line between perceived safety and protecting the precious parts of ourselves. He argues for integrity and wholeness as the path…

This episode is all about stars! Dara discusses at length the many versions of A Star Is Born and their relative strengths and weaknesses, as well as their gender politics. He also uses those movies …

In this episode, Dara reveals some naming issues regarding the animals in his life and takes the opportunity to slaughter his production team in the process.

He wanders into the wilderness of ignoranc…

In this episode, Dara has a long hard look at the notion and reality of madness and places it in a context of conflict.

The world of karate and traditional martial arts and the codified dynamics of at…

In this episode, Dara talks about how listening to another podcast stimulated all of this episode's talking points.

He discusses the casting and similar subject matter of three very recent movies, at…

In this episode Dara revisits his relationship with hats and head coverings and recalls a distinctive haircut from his teens that he took with him to a summer job in the USA in 1990.

He also discusses…

In this episode, Dara explains why he has a little cold and reflects on the not so great behaviour we tolerate in ourselves towards those closest to us. He takes the discussion further to reflect on …

In this episode, Dara can't remember what a theremin is called. He talks about playing cricket with his daughter and then recalls watching the Detroit Tigers baseball team in Detroit 31 years ago. A …

In this episode, Dara relives some acting experiences he'd rather forget. He admits that clowns inspired him to want to become an actor and goes on to argue that clowns have a lot to teach about huma…