An Irishman Abroad

Marion McKeone examines the year that was 2024 and names her biggest winners and losers of the year. A year defined by war, violence, political turmoil and upheaval has produced more memorable moments than one podcast can fit. Jarlath and Marion do their level best to sift through them all and recap the news from the past two weeks. Happy holidays to all our listeners across the world. Here’s to a better 2025! Email the show, irishmanabroadpodcast@gmail.com or come see Jarlath’s new standup show “In Bits” on tour in 2025. www.jigser.com/gigs - To access the full episode and the entire catalogue of content go to www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad 

Has President Biden done the one thing that could really upset Republicans into making his retirement hell? This week the pardoning Hunter Biden sent the GOP into a spiral while the skeletons emerged from the Hegseth closet. Marion McKeone sifts through the biggest news stories and the possible return of shy Ronnie Desantis! We also get her movie picks of the year and the new fragrance from the house of Trump. Email us on irishmanabraodpodcast@gmail.com  / Come see Jarlath's new standup show live www.jigser.com/gigs  or watch Jarlath's new standup special right here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCqZ2zYXtNg 

Entries are open for the 2025 Ballymore Cobh AC Sonia O'Sullivan 10 Mile Road Race. In case you missed our last episode, this race will be the focus of the podcast from February 1st to April 6th. Sonia talks to me to today about the tricky process of sifting through all your entries for her squad. Since announcing the plan to pick 20 listeners to be coached by the GOAT herself for her home-coming dance race we have been inundated with your emails. It's fantastic to see but it is taking some time to find the exact right fit for the team. Rest assured you will know if you've made the squad by Christmas. Speaking of Christmas, Sonia gives me her top tips for staying on your fitness track over the holiday season. She also reflects on her weekend in Valencia and what Christmas used to look like back in her days at the top od world athletics. If you are not interested in being part of Sonia's personal team for the Cobh 10, why not just join the rest of the gang heading down. Spots are very limited so get on it now while there is still space. We are busy preparing the up-coming season and lots more for you. Hopefully see you at a comedy show between now and then.   Email irishmanabroadpodcast@gmail.com to contact us at any time. Visit https://eventmaster.ie/event/6Zz3hEpT5G  to sign up for the Cobh 10 or come see Jarlath live www.jigser.com/gigs 

The people have spoken. American has chosen its next President. Was this an "unwinnable" race for Harris? What does it reveal about America? Should pollsters just resign and go work in a supermarket somewhere in Wisconsin? Is there a celebrity in shining armour who can rescue the Democrats from themselves? How will this selection affect Ukraine and Gaza? Marion McKeone and Jarlath Regan reflect on what the hell just happened. Hear the full ad free episode and much more at www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad 

It’s squeaky bum time for America. Marion McKeone looks back on the past week of hateful rallies, botched messages and urgent pleas. What have been the biggest turning points in this incendiary election? And what does it take to move the needle in the final few days. Jarlath has had his feet on US soil this week as he tours his standup show through several states. What is he hearing on the ground and does it match up with what Marion has seen on the campaign trail?   Hear the full conversation and all the up-coming Irishman In America election podcast by visiting www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad - it takes a few clicks to sign up and there’s no obligation, cancel any time you like.   Come see Jarlath live on tour this coming year. www.jigser.com/gigs or email the show irishmanabraodpodcast@gmail.com

Unprecedented is a word that gets thrown around too much in relation to this election but when the military suddenly start getting involved in flagging one of the candidates as a fascist, that fits the bill. John Kelly’s comments and various pieces in the New York Times  this week would have sunk a candidate in any other era. Today it seems meaningless to Republicans who don’t mind supporting a self confessed fan of Hitler. Marion McKeone examines the latest developments form the campaign trail including Tucker Carlson’s spanking fantasy, Elon Musk’s election interference, threats against Jack Smith and the political scientist Matt McWilliams who predicted America’s gravitational pull towards an authoritarian leader back in 2015.   To get the full conversation and a heap of bonus content visit www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad or come see Jarlath on tour www.jigser.com/gigs   Email the show irishmanabroadpodcast@gmail.com

Would you like to be coached by Sonia O'Sullivan? As Jarlath Regan can tell you, it is life changing. Today on the podcast Sonia and Jar sit down to reflect on the crazy 4 year journey of this podcast and the new direction it is taking with it in 2025. The podcast is focusing the series on various hand picked races throughout the year and inviting you to join a squad coached by the GOAT herself. The first of which will be Sonia's very own race: The Cobh 10 Miler in April 2025. Now is your chance to be considered for the squad. Submit your story and entry to irishmanabroadpodcast@gmail.com today. Squad members will receive a tailor-made weekly program from Sonia, free entry to the race, of course the stunning Irishman Running Abroad singlet and of course, the chance to meet and run with Sonia in her home town. Listen to the episode to hear all about the big new plan for the coming year. Both Sonia and Jarlath are really excited to take the show in this direction and you can enjoy a heap of extra content including the Sonia's previous training plans for 5km, half and full marathons by joining up on www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad   Jarlath heading for Boston on Friday. Follow him on Strava or drop us a line if you'd like to join him at the Boston Parkrun there on Saturday morning. For tour dates and more info visit www.jigser.com 

Marion takes us out on the campaign trail this week where things got very weird very fast. We look back on a week of tough questions, town halls and challenging moments for both candidates. Rumours have swirled about Donald Trumps sudden mental decline this week. Could he be facing a Joe Biden-like decrease in capacity or is he just a bored entertainer becoming increasingly cranky with his old worn out material? Are the polls reliable or are they being conservative in their estimates? Marion takes out her crystal ball to answer the question, "What will he do if he loses?" Obviously, this time, he does not need to be shown from the building but will riots break out in swing states. One things is for sure the dialogue is changing or ramping up as the big day draws near. Hear some of the highlights in this week's episode and get in touch with your questions for Marion in the comments section or by emailing irishmanabroadpodcast@gmail.com & make sure to come over to www.patreon.com/irishmanabraod to hear the full conversation, support the show and more. (Jarlath is off to America next week but not before he drops 3 more episodes for you. You can find him this weekend in Dundalk at the Spirit Store and next weekend at The Shubert Theatre in Boston. Tickets for all tour dates available at www.jigser.com/gigs )

Latest polls show the Harris lead narrowing ever so slightly. Is the Trump rope a dope approach working at last. Marion looks at the new Bob Woodward book and the revelations around Putin and his free COIVD test hand out from Trump. Elon Musk and Obama appeared at rallies this week. We compare both performances and preview the new Apprentice movie. Was Netflix afraid of this film?   Hear full episode of this podcast every week on www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad

Not too long ago Sonia was crossing the finish line to win her first ever marathon in Dublin. Now with only a couple of weeks to go to the 2024 edition of the race, the GOAT looks back and tries to bust some myths surrounding the fabled race. Having died on heartbreak hill last year Jarlath pitches in a few of his own observations and tips. When there's too much information and even more hot takes, it can be hard to gain clarity on what absolutely needs to be done before race day. Thankfully Sonia is here to help. Click here to access Sonia's training plans and XL episode of the podcast www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad or email us on irishmanrabroadpodcast@gmail.com 

Marion asks what will move needle in the minds of American swing voters? The VP Debate definitely didn’t do it. Jack Smith damning 165 page filing on January 6th doesn’t seem to have done it? Could the impact of Israel’s attacks on Iran make the difference? If that impact is at the gas pump you can bet Americans will notice. This week on the podcast we look back at an intense week on the campaign trail. You can find the full episode and weekly episode of this podcast on www.patreon.com/irishmanabraod - let Marion be your guide for the final 30 days of the campaign and beyond.   You can see Jarlath’s new standup show “In Bits” right now by visiting www.jigser.com/gigs

This week Donald tries to convince women he is their white knight, New York City has Gotham City's problems, the Harris campaign shuns Al Smith and Marion looks ahead to the VP debate. Even the massive tech issues we had this morning with this episode couldn't stop us getting you the exclusive Patreon weekly instalment of Irishman In America. We even managed to find the time to squeeze in a listener letter from Jack Ryan. With only 38 days until America goes to the polls both campaigns are zeroing in on the undecided voters in the swing states. Harris's attempt to look like a gun owning "get off my lawn" hardliner hit a bum note with Oprah while her latest ad from the Lincoln Project begs voters to get over "the woman thing". We look at what the polls say and whether they have been adjusted to be more reliable than in previous campaigns. Find the full episode on www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad now. Email irishmanabroadpodcast@gmail.com or visit www.jigser.com/gigs to see Jarlath live on tour.

Has your progressed stalled? Are your race times flattening out? A training plateau is common and very normal even for elite athletes. Fresh off the plane from her latest trip abroad for the Sisterly retreat in Portugal, Sonia O’Sullivan advises comedian Jarlath Regan on the best way to mix things up. Changing our approach to keep our training challenging and fun is the key. Sonia has the knowledge you need to get to that PB and keep the craic in your running. An extended version of this episode is available on www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad - this week Jarlath gets Sonia’s best running book recommendations and together they bust a few masters training myths. irishmanabroadpodcast@gmail.com 

As Vance & Trump double down on their false claims about what the Haitian population of Springfield Ohio have been eating the city has been thrown into turmoil. Marion McKeone examines the potential impact of this on the election. Together with comedian Jarlath Regan, she looks back on the fallout from debate 1 and the likelihood of a second debate. Violent rhetoric has been blamed for the latest assassination plot. Can it be cooled? Or have things spiralled beyond all control. Sean Combs faces the music, the Teamsters won’t support anyone and what exactly motivates a swing state voter. It’s all here in this week’s episode. Available in full and in a weekly instalment via www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad 

Sonia O’Sullivan provides her Ten Commandments for achieving your best long run with the help of comedian Jarlath Regan. The greatest Irish track athlete of all time explains the importance of a longer run and how to get the most out of it. First we hear about her travels with her athletes at the top track meets around Europe. Why not become a member this week and gain access to exclusive content and bonus episode. www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad or come see Jarlath live www.jigser.com/gigs

A taste of our live reaction episode for last night's Presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Marion McKeone and Jarlath Regan pick over the wreckage as things went off the rails fast for the former President. Hear it all on www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad  

US correspondent Marion McKeone is fresh off the road from a trip to Arizona to see JD Vance and Tucker Carlson in action. She looks back at the trip and ahead to the first Presidential debate between Donald Trump and VP Kamala Harris. Will the muted mics really matter? What can we expect from both candidates? Where can we watch it live? And can a debate like this actually impact the race? Our post debate episode will drop directly afterwards. Become a Patron to access it and weekly episodes. www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad 

Motivation is not a constant. How do we grow it, regain it and survive its loss. Sonia O'Sullivan talks to comedian Jarlath Regan about the one thing your smart watch can't measure. There's no magical science to staying up but we can lean into certain habits when the going gets tough and the bed feels comfy. For an even deeper dive into this topic and every topic, come over to Patreon to become a member. Members get hours of bonus content and other benefits each week. www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad  To contact the show email irishmanabroadpodcast@gmail.com - Jarlath's tour has been extended yet again. www.jigser.com/gigs 

The bells, the whistles, the fanfare, the flags and an awful lot less celebrities made this year's DNC a sight to behold. Marion McKeone jetted in straight from Electric Picnic. I caught up with her just before Kamala Harris made the most important speech of her life. Did this convention pack the punch it needed to? Or did we get the Instagram version of events? Who were the biggest winners and losers? And how many small willy jokes does it take to piss off Donald Trump. Become a member and get weekly hour long episodes in the lead up to the 2024 election - www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad or come see Jarlath live www.jigser.com/gigs 

Sonia O'Sullivan sits down with Jarlath Regan to discuss the highest highs and the lowest lows of the Paris Olympics. She was trackside to watch her daughter Sophie take part in her first games and working for RTE covering the rest of the events. Ireland broke new ground and the team captured the nation's heart but what were her standout moments without the green tinted glasses? Jarlath heads to Galway to take part in the 38th Streets Of Galway 8km road race and we get athletics journalist Cathal Dennehy on the line to take an even closer look at this stellar 18 days of sport. Contact the show - email irishmanabroadpodcast@gmail.com or pop over to www.patreon.com/irishmanabroad to become a member and hear the full episode each week. For more information on live shows and more www.jigser.com