Explore every episode of the podcast The Good Listener Podcast
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The Man Who Led The Black & Tans | Churchill's Man in Ireland - Henry Tudor
This week I'm joined by the author of "An Accidental Villain: A Soldier's Tale of War, Deceit and Exile", Linden MacIntyre. This book explores the life of Henry Hugh Tudor, a close friend of Winston Churchill who, during the height of Irish War Of Independence, was appointed as the de-facto chief of police (RIC) in Ireland which put him charge of arguably the single most hated group in Irish history - "the Black and Tans".
BUY THE BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Accidental-Villain-Soldiers-Deceit-Exile/dp/0735282021
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TIMSTAMPS 00:00 Intro 06:30 2nd Boer War 10:05 How did his time in Ireland effect Tudor ? 18:45 To what degree did Churchill shield Tudor from Cabinet scrutiny ? 24:50 Burning of Cork & Sack of Balbriggin 43:00 Life after army
FIGHTING TO FIND PEACE | Eamon McAuley's Story - Growing Up In Ardoyne During The Troubles
My guest for this episode is Eamon McAuley, a former professional boxer from Ardoyne and author of “Fighting to Find Peace”.
Eamon was born in Belfast just before “the troubles” erupted and has experienced a childhood unique to his place and time. From arms dumps on his street to his great uncle being brutally m*rdered by the infamous Shankill Butchers, Eamon’s life is one that has been shaped, in many ways, by the conflict that surrounded him.
Eamon also shares many stories about his father “Coco” McAuley, a notorious Ardoyne hard-man who, at one stage, was shot by the IRA, Loyalists and fought the British army Paras in the street, to the point where they had to send a boxing champion over from Germany try to defeat him.
00:00 Coco McAuley (Eamon’s father) 08:40 Eamon’s childhood (Shankill Butchers and Johnny Adair) 21:15 Lewis Crocker (Belfast’s newest champ) 34:30 Thoughts on MMA 41:35 Did being a vegetarian end Eamonn’s career? 45:25 Coco II 59:15 Coco III 1:01:25 Coco SHOT BY LOYALISTS 1:06:15 Reality of growing up during the troubles 1:15:00 GFA & thoughts on Irish Reunification
For this episode I’m joined once again by author and ex-solider, Jon Trigg to speak about his new book “Death In Derry” which tells the story of the Derry IRA and it’s perpetual leader, Martin McGuinness.
Jon joined us last year when he released “Death In The Fields”, his excellent book on the East Tyrone IRA, for what was one of my personal favorite interviews.
Jon tells us about Derry’s significance in Irish history as well as “the troubles” period itself. We discuss Martin McGuinness’ roots and his rise power including Chief of Staff. Jon discusses the battle of the Bogside, Bloody Sunday as well as the army’s early days in the city and how it’s relationship with the locals changed over time.
We discuss the types of attacks and operation carried out by the Provos in the city, the various “own-goals” that the IRA inflicted on itself, the role of the SAS in the city/county, the various notorious informers or “touts” that severely damaged the group’s capabilities, how the conflict wound down and eventually ended and much more.
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CONTACT THE SHOW: thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com
BUY THE BOOK ⬇️⬇️ https://www.irishacademicpress.ie/product/death-in-derry/
TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Reaction to previous book & interview (East Tyrone) 1:30 Derry’s significance in Irish history 8:30 Martin McGuinness & pre-troubles Derry 15:20 BATTLE OF THE BOGSIDE 22:05 British army come to Derry 41:50 “Wild West” early days and Commercial b*mbing campaign 56:20 BLOODY SUNDAY 1:06:30 Operation Motorman & Claudy b*mbs 1:15:50 Poster boys 1:35:20 THE SAS 1:44:25 DET shooting 1981 1:51:48 Why the “cell structure” didn’t suit Derry as much as Belfast 1:56:23 Events damaging the Derry IRA’s image 2:13:50 Successful SAS ambushes 2:23:40 Raymond Gilmour, Willie Carlin & Frank Hegarty 2:34:40 WAS MARTIN MCGUINNESS AN INFORMER 2:42:25 Loyalist activity in Derry 2:48:20 The End 2:58:10 Thoughts on Say Nothing tv series 3:04:17 Future Belfast Brigade books
For this episode I spoke to Cam F. Awesome, former USA Olympic team member with over 400 fights as an amauter who travels across America speaking at High Schools, businesses, conferences etc
Cam spoke to me about his dealings with bullying and anxiety as a teen and how he lost weight and eventually joined a boxing gym where he learned the skills that took him through his 400 fights including National and International competitions.
Cam told me about his removal from the USA Olympic squad and how reacted to the loss of opportunity. He told me about his speaking career and his message for the youth of today.
00:00 Intro, long weight, getting into boxing 08:10 bullying, first experiences in boxing gym 15:30 Dealing w/ PRE-FIGHT NERVES 19:35 Making the US Olympic Team & GETTING SUSPENDED 28:00 Cam’s unique self-taught method, “ I sparred the DAY OF FIGHTS” 36:00 Lessons from boxing that translate over 43:00 CHANGING NAME 44:35 Public speaking career 1:00:55 Talking about RACE, the terms “BLACK” vs “AFRICAN-AMERICAN” 1:08:00 Message to the youth SPEAKING
For this episode I spoke to Will Jimeno, former Port Authority cop, who, on the morning of 9/11 was one of the first to arrive at Ground Zero after the two Towers I've been hit. Will and his fellow officers were subsequently buried underneath both buildings when they collapsed and spent 13 hours trapped underneath the rubble. He spoke to me about his thoughts and feelings at the various stages of the day. Will told me about how he was rescued and how he felt when the brave individuals discovered him and his captain. Will also told me about the PTSD that has been with him since and how he's dealt with it.
00:00 INTRO, being an immigrant 09:00 Joining Port Authority police 11:50 Morning of 9/11 17:20 GOING DOWN TO TWIN TOWERS & ARRIVING AT GROUND SERO (2nd plane hit while en route) 30:50 FIRST BUILDING COLLAPSES 36:59 SECOND BUILDING COLLAPSES 46:35 Being found & rescued 49:24 Going to hospital 55:15 Immediate aftermath for Will 58:35 PTSD post-9/11 1:03:50 Did Will feel the need to piece together 9/11 aferwards? 1:06:15 Thoughts on 9/11 “explosions-at-base-of-towers” conspiracy 1:09:00 Does Will return to ground zero? 1:10:50 Will’s wife, her role during and after 9/11
For this episode I spoke to Rafael Mangual, the Nick Ohnell Fellow and head of research for the Policing and Public Safety Initiative at the Manhattan Institute and a contributing editor of City Journal.
We spoke about his own growing up in NYC with an NYPD detective as father and how this informed his views on police and policing. We spoke about the various hypothesis in his recent book, Criminal Injustice : What the Push for Decarceration and Depolicing Gets Wrong
We spoke about some of the most surprising pieces of data surrounding crime/crime commison in the US, policing and who crime and particularly reductions in crime REALLY affects.
TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro 06:10 Any surprises in Rafael’s research 8:35 What was the public’s perception of NYPD where Rafael grew up? 11:20 Tempted to become a cop?? 17:05 Any gripes with media coverage of crime stories/stats 23:40 Who does crime reduction benefit the most? 31:20 Fatherlessness/single parent households- what role does this play in crime commission 36:30 Any common misconceptions among the public in regards to crime/policing ? 39:40 Thoughts on current level of policy oversight/ no-knock warrants 45:30 Ma'khia Bryant shooting 49:50 NY’s recent change in concealed carry law 52:15 Summer of 2020- effect on public’s perception of police
For this episode I spoke to Iraq War Veteran Chris Levi about his experiences while serving in the U.S military in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Chris' time in Iraq came to an end when a roadside bomb hit his vehicle, Chris narrowly avoided death and lost both legs above the knee as well as sustaining a bad arm/hand injury.
Chris told me about his time in a military high school, his army training and his tours of Afghanistan and Iraq. We spoke at length about the day Chris' life changed drastically and the immediate aftermath of the ambush as well as Chris' feelings towards the person(s) who may have detonated the explosion.
Chris' spoke about the process of learning to walk again with prosthetic limbs and life after the military.
00:00 Preview, growing up, Military High School 00:19:35- Joining the military 00:27:00- RANGER SCHOOL 00:31:20 “HAZING” in the military 00:34:15 - 9/11 00:38:51- First deployment abroad (Afghanistan) 00:45:25- First impression of Afghanistan 00:48:46- What did combat w/ the Afghans consist of? 1:01:47- How did the Afghanis tend to view the Taliban/US troops? 1:08:05- Average day/ daily routine 1:15:30- GETTING “BLOWN UP” (IRAQ) 1:33:00- MEDICAL AID POST-AMBUSH 1:41:30- post-traumatic growth and humor 1:44:20- LEARNING TO WALK AGAIN, PROSTHETIC LEGS 2:02:35- charity work 2:18:40 Adjusting to life after the army
For this ep. I spoke to exoneree Marty Tanleff. Marty woke up on the first day of his last high school year to find his mother murdered and father clinging to life. Two years later he found himself in prison having been setup for his parent's murders. After serving 18 years in prison he is now a lawyer and works to exonerate others who were once in his position. This is his story.
**TIMESTAMPS** 00:00 PREVIEW 01:09 Growing up, background to murders, initial police investigation 11:49 Discovering parent’s murder scene, circumstances that led to the murders 25:09 INTERROGATION and false confession 31:29 Post-interrogation , THE TRIAL, flaws in justice system 44:44 GOING TO PRISON 50:22 Marty hires private investigator- starts his own investigation, Appeals 52:54 MARTY FINDS OUT THAT HE’S FREE 1:00:34 MARTY reflects on the effects of over 6,300 days in prison 1:07:14 WALKING BACK INTO PRISONS WHERE MARTY HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN HELD and work as a lawyer 1:10:39 How were Marty’s legal costs handled during exoneration process 1:11:54 - Adjusting to life after prison & violence in prison 1:13:34 Marty’s work as a lawyer II, Valentino Dixon case 1:16:43 What happened to the people who were responsible for Marty’s false conviction ?
For this episode I was joined by Ivor Cummins, Irish Biochemical Engineer, Complex Problem Solving Specialist who has examined the studies and data surrounding c*v!d, effectiveness of lockdowns and masks and has been an outspoken critic of government overreach during the pandemic. @Ivor Cummins
He shared his thoughts on the efficacy of masks (or lack thereof), whether lockdowns were worthwhile, the detrimental effect of the lockdowns on children, the censoring of scientists who spoke out against the govt measures and what percentage of the public will no longer trust media and govt institutions after the c$v!d years.
00:00 Preview 1:50 Intro, Ivor’s background 5:30 Ivor’s trust levels in media regarding public health PRE- PANDEMIC 7:10 First hearing about C*VID… Diamond Princess ship 12:20 Initial thoughts when lockdowns were brought in (Ireland) 26:00 Did holding a heterodox opinion re: c*vid have any social costs for Ivor ? 29:30 What will be the result of the loss of faith in media/medical establishment by many members of the public ? 38:20 Lockdowns/masking KIDS 55:20 will the “lockdown” card be played by govts again ? 59:30 Origin theory ??
For this episode I spoke w/ former NYPD Hostage Negotiator, Mike Ahearne.
Mike told me about his path to the role of hostage negotiator within the NYPD, the ins and outs of the job as well as the skills required in a good negotiator. He shared with us the story of his own experience getting taken hostage in a police station for over 4 hours in 2002, some of his most memorable negotiations and the stress that comes w/ such extreme moments.
***TIMESTAMPS***
00:00 PREVIEW 00:48 intro, starting off in NYPD 6:28 Becoming a detective 9:37 MIKE GETS TAKEN HOSTAGE 35:12 Going home after being taken hostage 37:13 Joining the hostage negotiation team and training 40:48 Mike recalls negotiation 43:28 MIKE NEGOTIATES HOSTAGE SITUATION (hostage taker, his infant child and entire apartment dosed in gasoline) 56:18 Any jobs that didn’t go so well ? 57:28 Mike’s reflections on his 17 years as a negotiator, not “bringing the job home with you” 1:00:38 Retiring from the job, thoughts on current and previous mayors 1:06:30 Traits of a good hostage negotiator? 01:07:18 How much can/should a hostage negotiator BS a criminal ? (False promises etc) 1:09:20 Life after the job.. miss having an exciting job?
For this episode I spoke w/ former world champion kickboxer, world champion boxer, nutritionalist and author of two books, "The Fighter's Kitchen" and the recently released, "So You Want To Be A Fighter" (links for both below).
Chris told me about his growing up in combat sports and his first professional fight career as a kickboxer, we spoke about the transition to professional boxing and his path to the eventual world title winning fight against Ruslan Provodnikov where Chris was a 15/1 underdog and had his orbital bone broken in the very first round.
Chris spoke about the highs and lows of the fight game, the social sacrifices necessary to live a champion's life and gave an insightful look into the inner thoughts of a fighter during extreme adversity in the ring.
We discussed Chris' recent book, "So You Want To Be A Fighter" which details stories about the less glamourus side of being a professional fighter from Chris' own career and many others. Links for the book is below and it's available also on Audible which is where I got it. I'd highly recommend it for both fight fans and laypeople alike, very honest stories and a great read (or listen).
01:30 intro, getting into material arts/combat sports 7:03 First amateur KB fight 10:06 Thoughts on kids/teens cutting weight for wrestling 11:10 First thoughts of turning pro (KB) 13:42 Supporting himself financially during pro KB career 15:02 Transitioning from pro KB to pro Boxing 21:02 What level of control does Chris have over the day-to-day runnings of his fight camps?23:45 Study film? Tailor fight camp to particular opponents? 25:08 Coming up as a young pro boxer 26:27 PROVODNIKOV FIGHT (Lead up to Prov) 29:45 PROVODNIKOV FIGHT (15/1 underdog going in) 35:10 Aftermath/ recovering from damage taken in Provodnikov fight 37:10 How life changed after winning World Title 40:53 PACQUIAO FIGHT 47:18 Amir Khan fight 50:40 Becoming a nutritionalist 50:30 Sacrifices in social life necessary to become world champ - “World champions get used to letting people down” 52:41 Work as a nutritionalist 55:56 Thoughts on fighters going vegan for fight camps and “Game Changers” 58:40 Should you raise a child vegan 1:00:30- First book- The Fighter’s Kitchen 1:01:00 Chris’ new book- “SO YOU WANT TO BE A FIGHTER” (link in description) 1:05:30 Would you recommend boxing for kids? 1:06:40- Thoughts on trans-athletes in combat sports
For this episode I spoke w/ former white supremacist skinhead leader Tony McAleer. (TIMESTAMPS BELOW)
Tony told us about his upbringing and the traumas that contributed to his eventual joining of Canadian racist skinhead movement where he would progress to the role of leader. Tony spoke about the members that made up such groups, the disfunction that was pervasive within the movement, the effect that years of being in the movement had on his humanity and his eventual leaving of the group. Tony spoke also about his current work to deradicalize extremists and prevent others from falling into a life of hate.
00:00 INTRO… growing up, relationship w/ father, boarding school in England 11:50- first contact w/ skinheads at Canadian punk rock concert, “befriend the bully, become the bully” mentality, introduction to violence- addictive/intoxicating feeling from it 20:40 getting serious w/ involvement in skinhead/white sup groups, using technology to spread their message 30:50 using music as recruitment tool 32:30 Types within white sup groups 36:40 Which racial/ethnic groups were most hated by the white sup groups? 41:50 Tony’s parents on Tony’s activities at the time (having Hitler poster on bedroom wall while living w/ a father who had been bombed during WW2) 45:10 Recruiting members, how trauma effects us, positive shame/toxic shame 53:40 Tony’s thoughts on hate, rage 57:45 Tony’s leaving the white sup movement 1:03:10- the impact of “American History X” on Tony 1:04:57- “not something I wanted for my children”- how Tony’s children helped him leave 1:06:40- disengaging from the group, getting introduction to therapy 1:14:40- Book 1:15:10 Tony’s current work in de-radicalizing (Life After Hate) 1:21:00- Coming back the same Synagogue 30 years after committing hate-crime there
For this episode I spoke w/ combat sports photographer, writer and good friend Pari Aryafar.. she spoke to me about her discovery of Muay Thai at Renzo Gracies gym in NYC, the origins of her photography skills, her love of capturing the human moments within combat sports, studying writing and becoming a sports writer for the prestigious ONE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP. We also spoke about her move to AMS, training at the famous KOPS gym, the differences in training between the US and Holland and much more https://www.instagram.com/pari.cherry_/ https://www.pari-cherry.com https://www.instagram.com/thegoodlistenerpodcast/ https://twitter.com/GLP_johnhadden
TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro 1:40 Pari’s start in writing, war photography as inspiration, photographing friends and teammates 8:40 Reasons for moving to AMS 9:50 First going to Renzo Gracie Muay Thai, Introduction to photography, 1st time photographing an MT tournament 15:20 Photos of human moments in Muay Thai 20:10 Help w/ mental health from Joe Sampieri of RGMT 23:02 Writing for FNF, working Glory Kickboxing event 25:00 Working w/ ONE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP, women in Muay Thai 29:05 Move to AMS, KOPS GYMS, training/sparring in Holland, sports prior to MT 40:25 Studying writing, writing about MT 44:55 Writing for ONE FC and future plans 50:35 Meting Iranian national team- first time w/ women on the team 53:20 Future plans II
Women Of The Troubles | B*mbers, Assassins & Victims| Martin Dillon, Author
For this episode I'm speaking with Martin Dillon, well renowned author and journalist who has spent his career writing about the conflict in the North of Ireland. Martin's latest book, "The Sorrow and The Loss" deals with the women of the troubles and how the conflict affected the lives of the area's females including those who become combatants themselves , those whose husband/partners were in a paramilitary group, members of the security forces and much more.
We speak about Mairead Farrell, one of the IRA's most effective female operators, Dolores Price, Jean McConville's execution, Martin's opinions on the book "Say Nothing" and more.
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TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Revaltions in Martin’s book about 1987 Enniskillen b*mbing 18:40 Martin’s new book “The Sorrow & The Loss” 27:40 MAIREAD FARRELL 45:58 Fallout from 1987 Gibraltar k*llings: Michael Stone attack & Corp. Howes and Wood 51:40 Dolores Price & Jean McConville 1:13:10 Tracy Doak (RUC officer)
This is episode number 9. For this episode I spoke w/ professional Muay Thai fighter and gym owner Jake Peacock. Jake told me about his growing up in England as the son of a professional soccer player, his start in combat sports, setting up a gym in Canada, his decision to turn pro after just 3 amateur Thai fights and his career to date..
00:00 Start
01.20- intro and next fight announcement 3:28- growing up in England 3:46- Having a pro footballer as a father growing up 4:38- getting into combat sports 8:30- Advice on combat sports for kids 10:15- first contact w/ Muay Thai (14/15 years old) 13:10- Jake’s MMA fight (possible future MMA) 14:44- fighting in ko karate, first amateur Thai fights 17:10- FIRST PRO THAI FIGHT 21:47 Getting signed to Lion Fight and fighting during pandemic, fighting in Ireland 25:50- Opening a gym even before first pro fight, building fight team 31:00- Everyday life of a professional fighter 33:20- what can striking sports do to grow bigger, thoughts on (some) MMA fights 36:30- Jake’s shoutouts and sponsors
For this episode I spoke to former FBI counter-terrorism agent Mike German.
Mike told me about his time spent undercover posing as a weapons trafficker investigating white supremacist gangs in California, his insight into governments methods of terrorism prevention and it’s flaws, his thoughts on mass shootings and what does and doesn’t work in trying to stop them. I also asked about Mike’s parting of ways w/ the FBI after an unpleasant final 2 years as well as what happens to a person who gets put on the terrorist watch list be it justified or otherwise.
We covered a lot of ground in this conversation so please have a look at the episode description for chapter timestamps. As always if you enjoy the content please subscribe and leaving a rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify and please subscribe to the YouTube channel for full video episodes.
00:00- Welcome to GLP 01:30 intro 2:30 FBI in media, how Mike viewed FBI previous to joining 4:35 Mike becoming an FBI agents 6:10 History of racial discrimination within FBI 8:50 Training 10:50 Any choice in area of assignment or where stationed ? 12:38 Are agents “married to the job”? 14:00 Desk or in-field? 16:20 Assigned to undercover w/ White Supremacist group (CA) 18:45 How do the FBI get informants? 20:55 White Supremacist groups- cell structure 24:15 Types within W.S groups 27:40 How deep undercover? (Mike spent 14 months) 30:00 Had Mike heard of undercover agents getting cover blown? 32:10 White sup groups- attacks 32:17 MIKE’S BOOK- “Thinking like a Terrorist” (link in description) 34:25 FBI Arrests 37:25 Def. of terrorism, flaws in FBI’s investigation of terrorism, “lone-wolf” fallacy, mass shooters, Buffalo and NYC mass shootings 1:04:15- flaws in thinking surrounding the prediction/prevention of mass shootings and crime 1:10:15- what happens when a person is “flagged” and put on Terrorist Watch List” 1:15:15- leaving FBI
EP. 7- IAN SMITH, the story of Atilis Gym, defying lockdown orders and running for congress
For this episode I spoke to Ian Smith, co-owner of the Atilis Gym in New Jersey.. Ian and his gym gained nationwide prominence in 2020 when he and his co-owner made the decision to re-open their business during the government imposed shutdown.
Ian spoke to me about his life previous to the gym-shutdown drama, his thought process as covid hit the US, the decision to re-open and remain open during lockdown, the escalation of actions taken by the State to discourage and close them down, the light at the end of the tunnel in terms of getting back to normal business and Ian’s ongoing run for Congress.
Intro, opening gym pre-covid 01:58
Was Ian a “politically interested” person pre-covid. 08:38
First hearing about covid in US, initial thoughts 14:00
First shutdown order and first thoughts of re-opening against govt orders 17:48
Reopening during shutdown.. escalation of govt measures (fines, changed locks, business revocation) 19:43
Getting business license back (WIN) 25:18
Moments of doubt ?? 26:56
Becoming influential on social media- Treatment by media outlets- Left vs Conservative media 30:17
Initial idea to run for congress 36:55
Explaining voting.. congressional districts 38:50
View on local/state politics previous to Ian running, did Ian vote in local elections? 40:04
For this episode I spoke to oscar nominated documentary director and producer Stanley Nelson. We spoke about his latest award-winning documentary Attica, based on the 1971 prisoner rebellion at the upstate New York prison which lasted five days and resulted in 43 deaths, both guards and inmates.
I also asked Stanley about his own journey thru documentary making and how it began, which of his documentaries he would recommend the most, the evolution of documentary film throughout the years and much more..
0.00 Intro, oscars 3.10 Stanley’s own start in doc making 6.30 Funding, commission for docs 7.43 Director vs producer 9.39 Initial interest in Attic as a subject 12.05 Stanley’s docs previous to Attica and Stanley’s favorite of his own work 16.41 Changes in docs over the years 21.26 Advice to young doc makers 23.20 Thoughts on “entertainment documentaries” 25.24 Docs made by others in the last few years that Stanley liked
My guest for EP. 5 was NYC Public Defender Kelvin Richards.
Kelvin spoke to me about his path to the US having grown up in Liberia during a time of civil war and his time spent in refugee camps. He told me about how his experiences in NYC shaped his decision to become a public defender, the work of a public defender, the ins and outs of criminal justice system, bail reform in NY and the ethical question of representing someone of bad character or apparent guilt. We discussed the sometimes gray line between what Police can and can't do when questioning, arresting and interrogating members of the public, the negative effects of NYC's old "stop and frisk" policy, the use of police profiling including Kelvin's own experiences with being profiled and the balance to be struck between needing police and holding them accountable when power is abused. I also asked Kevin about bias in the justice system, what Kelvin would change about prison if he could, the prohibition on drugs, some of the causes behind trends in crime, Kelvin's run for city council and much more.
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My guest for episode number 4 was retired NYPD Sergeant Pat Russo, Pat is currently the Director of the NYC Cops and Kids boxing program and the NYPD boxing team. The NYC cops and kids program allows children and teens to train for free while being coached by cops and former participants in the program at 3 gyms in some of New York’s rougher areas with a 4th gym on the way. Orginally established as a crime fighting initiative, the program has since produced over 100 NY Golden Gloves champions, 4 Olympians, 12 professionals as well as numerous Police officers, firefighters, Corrections Officers, teachers, soldiers, marines and has impacted the lives of hundreds if not thousands
Pat and I spoke about the program itself, the young people who fill their gyms, the benfits they get from it and the conditions that lead to such a program being desperately needed throughout the city.
In the second half we also discussed policing generally, the affects of “quaota” or statistic policing on communities, the concepts of “over” and under policing, the prohibition on drugs and rise in homicide in 2020 as well as the defund movement.
This episode was recorded earlier in the year so any discussion of “the summer” refer to the summer of 2020 when NY exprienced a huge spike in homicide and gun crime
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Hello and you’re very welcome to episode number 3 of the Good Listener Podcast.. my guest for this episode was Ray Cuadrado. Ray is the current USA Boxing New York Metro President as well as the owner of Brotherhood boxing club where he trains many amateur boxers and one pro, his son Ray “the scientist” Cuadrado
This episode was recorded a few months back when gyms were beginning to re-open so Ray spoke to me about the ups and downs of being a gym owner during covid and the reopening process. Ray spoke to me about his own path to becoming a coach and gym owner, the unique challenges involved when coaching his own sons for competition, the benefits of the sport to young people and many of his philosophies regarding training and life generally.
Ray also shared with me his thoughts on the fundamental differences between amateur and professional boxing, the boxers of previous decades vs the modern era’s boxers, celebrity boxing matches as well as freedom in the United States
As always if you enjoy then please support the show by subscribing on Apple podcasts, Spotify and Youtube. and again, thank you to Yun Ling for the intro music, please find his work on Youtube and Spotify by searching Yung Ling music on those platforms.
Ep. 2- Neal Williams (Part 1)- Growing up in 60s/70s Bronx, family's path to America and much more
My second guest was Neal Williams, a very interesting and well-read gentleman who i’ve spoken to many times and had always wanted to sit down with for a proper conversation.
Due to the length of our conversation I’ll be putting this out in two parts.
In part 1 Neil told me about how his mother’s side of the family moved from the West Indies island of St Kitts to Harlem in New York city to begin a new life. We discussed the mentality they came with in regards to America as the land of oppurtunity as well as the idea of legacy among immigrant groups
Neil spoke to me about his growing up in 60’s and 70’s SouthEast bronx and how he saw the area change over time with an influx of drugs and increasingly violent street gangs..
Neil also shared with me his thoughts on policing, racial biases among people, media, the raising of children and much more
My first guest was Tiarnan Lynch. Tiarnan lived in Hong Kong during the infamous 2019/2020 protests and witnessed the subsequent clashes between protestors and Chinese authorites from the ground
In the first half of the episode Tiarnan and I discussed what it was like growing up in Japan and Hong Kong and the cultural differences between the two and in the second half he told us what it was like seeing the rise, peak and fall of the protests as well as the escalation of force from the Chinese authorities.
Tiarnan also told me some surprising things about covid in Hong Kong including how the pandemic was used to further clamp down on the protestors
If you enjoy the episode please subscribe and leave a review. Take care
HUNTING DESSIE O'HARE, IRA Training Camps & The Irish Special Forces | Kevin McDonald, Ex Irish Army
My guest this week is ex Irish Defence Forces soldier Kevin McDonald. Kevin served in Irelands Special Forces during the conflict that rocked the island.
Kevin tells us about his involvement in the one of the biggest man hunts in the state’s history when INLA kidnapper Dessie O’ Hare was on the run. He shares with us the atmosphere amongst his fellow soldiers as they searched for one of the North’s most infamous paramilitaries.
Kevin talks about IRA training camps in the south and his efforts to thwart them as well as some of the techniques used by the provos to conceal their camps.
I asked Kevin about levels of support within the Army for the IRA or at least its aims, feelings towards the British Army and much more.
00:00 DESSIE O’ HARE HUNT 13:45 Joining Army 26:30 Bloody Sunday 35:54 Support for the IRA within the Army ? 44:40 IRA TRAINING CAMPS 52:35 “Shoot to Kill” policy ?
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BUY THE BOOK: https://www.mayobooks.ie/A-Life-Less-Ordinary-Kevin-McDonald?__im-GfVUNiDv=2634181280451122429
00:00 DESSIE O’ HARE HUNT 13:45 Joining Army 26:30 Bloody Sunday 35:54 Support for the IRA within the Army ? 44:40 IRA TRAINING CAMPS 52:35 “Shoot to Kill” policy ?
On June 18th 1994 while watching Ireland play in the World Cup, 6 completely innocent men were slaughtered by a loyalist paramilitary gunman who sprayed the bar with an assault rifle in an act of cold blooded sectarianism.
Trevor Birney's book, "Shooting Crows" tells the storey of this tragic event, the hatred and bitterness that provide the basis for it, the history of loyalist collusion with various security forces branches, the arms shipment that the weapons came in on and the members of the 3 man team who committed the heinous m*rders.
The book also has a personal element for Trevor as he experienced firsthand some of the breaches of his press freedoms by the PSNI following the airing of a film about the Loughlinisland massacre that Trevor was involved in.
I'll be doing a Q&A episode soon so please drop any questions in the comment section below or email me at thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com
TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro 5:45 LOUGHLINISLAND MASSACRE 18:00 History of Loyalists attacking civilian targets 24:00 “Collusion” and Brian Nelson 28:40 Extreme-loyalists 32:40 Police Ombudsman Reports into the massacre 43:35 PSNI investigate Trevor
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BUY THE BOOK: https://www.irishacademicpress.ie/product/shooting-crows-mass-murder-state-collusion-and-press-freedom/
BANDIT COUNTRY & THE SOUTH ARMAGH IRA | Toby Harnden (Author Of "Bandit Country")
Toby Harnden is the author of one of the best-selling and well regarded books on the IRA and the troubles, “Bandit Country”. Toby’s book lifted the lid on the area where is was most dangerous to be a British soldier in during the conflict and the IRA brigade that made it that way. One of my most requested guests and an author that I’ve been dying to speak to, Toby and I spoke about their history, actions & legacy as well as the reasons why this small rural area was the thorn in the army’s side throughout the entire conflict.
We discussed the IRA’s guerrilla attacks on the British Army in South Armagh, the ’Slab” Murphy family, Gaddafi & Libyan arms shipments, the anti-helicopter sub-battle within the conflict, the deployment of the SAS, the infamous 90’s sniper teams and much more.
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00:00 Intro 16:20 Stats & Facts on The South Armagh IRA 21:45 Thomas “Slab” Murphy & the Murphy family 43:00 1970’s 1:03:50 Informers 1:07:50 Sectarian m*rders 1:10:00 THE SAS (1976) 1:15:14 WARRENPOINT 1:28:00 Glasdrumann scrapyard counter-ambush 1:33:30 Libya and Gaddafi 1:42:05 Richard Johnson & the American connection 1:50:45 Anti-Helicopter War 2:00:00 “SNIPER AT WORK” (1990’s) 2:22:25 1990’s actions
NORTHERN IRELAND - "WHAT A BLOODY AWFUL COUNTRY" | How The Troubles Could Have Been Prevented
Kevin Meagher's book "What A Bloody Awful Country" examines the creation of the state we know as Northern Ireland and how the 100 plus years of existence as gone.
We discuss the reasons for partition in the first place, the sectarian violence during the state's early years, the anti-catholic discrimination built into Northern Ireland's governing system, the various forms of civil rights violations that Catholics had to endure and how violence erupted into what we call "the troubles".
TIMSTAMPS 0:00 Intro, ‘What A Bloody Awful Country’ 5:30 How Did Northern Ireland Come To Exist 12:30 Violence in Northern Ireland’s History 16:05 Key Factors Leading To The Outbreak of Violence 32:50 Ian Paisley 38:10 Kevin’s Irish History Counterfactual 50:50 Border Poll 56:40 Kevin’s Interest
(Q&A coming soon so please drop any questions in the comments or email me at thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com )
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BUY THE BOOK: https://www.bitebackpublishing.com/books/what-a-bloody-awful-country
IRA B*MBS, BOOBY-TRAPS & LOYALIST LEADERS | Violence In 1990s Belfast | Rob Millington
Rob Millington, ex-british army trooper, spent 6 months in Belfast during the final decade of the conflict that gripped the lives of anyone in the 6 counties.
Rob talks to us almost getting caught in an IRA b*mb which was set up to blow up security forces responding to sh*oting, the impact that first seeing dead bodies had on him and aftermath of the 1993 Shankill Road b*mbing.
Rob shares his story about meeting Johnny Adair while on patrol and his attempts to extract information from British soldiers as well as the surprising reaction that Rob and his men would get while meeting high-level republican paramilitaries in the street.
00:00 Responding to a sh*oting in North Belfast and almost getting caught in b*mb blast 17:50 Getting to NI 34:45 1993 Shankill Road B*mbing 41:30 Meeting JOHNNY ADAIR 53:05 See Dead Bodies For The First Time 1:01:00 Shooting During Tour ? 1:04:25 Leaving NI
CLIP OF ROB : https://youtu.be/WbcVovb4Kgc?si=cQ9EEqdHSesxJf02
(Q&A coming soon so please drop any questions in the comments or email me at thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com )
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INSIDE THE 1980 IRA/INLA HUNGER STRIKE | Long Kesh Prisoner & Hunger Striker, John Nixon
John Nixon, ex-Offical IRA and INLA member begins this episode at the start of his second prison term in Long Kesh during which he would volunteer for the IRA/INLA Hunger Strike of 1980, led by Brendan “The Dark” Hughes.
John speaks about the horrors and trauma of years in prison, beatings and torture from the guards and his account of the hunger strike that preceded the 1981 Hunger Strike, most known for Bobby Sands death.
I asked about the effect that 53 days without food has a man’s body and mind and how John has tried to moved past everything to life a normal life post prison
Please forgive us for any parts that might overlap or be repetitive, we recorded this part over several sittings as you can tell.
00:00 2nd Prison Sentence 12:45 Staying Sane in Prison 30:50 Would John Meet With an Ex-Prison Guard 36:45 Brendan Hughes 43:00 Hunger Strikes 57:42 1980 HUNGER STRIKE 1:04:42 Selecting Hunger Strikers 1:13:35 Stages of John’s Hunger Strike (53 days) 1:29:52 Hunger Strike ENDS 1:32:42 Prison after Hunger Strike 1:41:20 Release & Life after prison
(Q&A coming soon so please drop any questions in the comments or email me at thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com )
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PATROLLING BANDIT COUNTRY | South Armagh & Fermanagh IRA, Mortar Attacks & Mines | Ralph Brooker
Ralph Brooker served in the British army touring Fermanagh, Derry and the infamous South Armagh, better known as "Bandit Country".
Having spent the majority of his time in rural, border areas Ralph recounts the British army's constant attempts to counteract the IRA's ever evolving methods and tactics. Ralph speaks to us about being on the receiving end of IRA mortar attacks, explosive booby-traps & landmines and the day-today realities of fighting a guerrilla army.
Ralph told me about his views on the IRA and how they changed over the years as well as whether he now considers his old foes to be "freedom fighters"
(Q&A coming soon so please drop any questions in the comments or email me at thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com )
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00:00 GETTING MORTARED while in a HELICOPTER 12:20 High Profile IRA men 21:40 How Ralph viewed the IRA- Freedom Fighters ?? 44:40 Dealing w/ the Public 51:20 Clashes w/ UDR & RUC 1:02:50 Derry 1:07:50 Names in Stormont that Ralph remembers from COP (Close Observational) Days 1:23:05 Were the Loughall “A-Team” set up ? 1:25:15 IRA Booby-Traps 1:30:40 SOUTH ARMAGH 1:45:30 IRA’s 1:52:00 Final Thoughts
Mi6 SPY In Garda Special Branch | Patrick Crinnion & How Mi6 nearly Brought Down The Irish Govt.
David Burke’s most recent book “Puppet Masters” shines a light on mysterious case of Patrick Crinnion, the garda (Irish police officer) who was passing information to Mi6 while he was in the Gardai’s secretive intel department.
David, joining me for the third time, tells us about the state of the Republican movement in the years prior to the outbreak of “the troubles”, the resources available to Gardai in terms of intel gathering, Crinnion’s disappearance and the impact that he had on Irish history.
TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Pre-troubles republican activity 06:00 1960’s- IRA activity & Garda intel branch 17:00 Patrick Crinnion
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below) Thanks a million!!
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BUY THE BOOK: https://www.mercierpress.ie/books/the-puppet-masters/
IRELAND DURING WW2 - WHOSE SIDE WERE THEY REALLY ON ??
For this episode I am joined by author and historian, John Crotty. John has researched extensively the subject of Irelands neutrality during WW2 and the actions the Irish govt took that broke neutrality in favor of the allied side.
We discuss the efforts that the IRA of the time made to collaborate with the Germans, how the Irish govt took extreme measures against the republicans (including internment and execution) and DeVelera’s decision to offer condolences after the death of Hitler.
John also went over the reasons why Winston Churchill wished to damage Ireland’s image, what declassified British & American intelligence documents tell us Irelands war effort and whether or not Ireland was an anti-Semitic place.
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JOHN CROTTY'S WEBSITE : https://johncrottyauthor.com
00:00 Intro
10:40 Did the Irish public support the IRA’s actions ?
15:10 IRA and German collaboration
19:50 Did the IRA leaders have ideological sympathies w/ the Nazis
26:00 Irish Govt’s pro-Ally actions during WW2
36:50 Did the German’s know that Ireland wasn’t really neutral ?
41:25 Decision to not take in refugees
44:10 Dev’s decision to offer condolences after Hitler’s death
51:40 Were Irish people pro-AXIS during WW2 ?
55:00 Northern Ireland’s role in WW2
1:02:45 How Ireland helped the D-DAY Landings
1:06:27 Accusations leveled at Ireland re: helping the N*zis
1:10:45 Churchill’s plot to discredit Ireland during WW2
1:19:48 Level of anti-semitism in Ireland at the time
1:28:45 1904 Limerick Pogorm
1:34:30 John’s background in history
1:37:13 US Intel on Ireland during WW2
Mi6 SPY In Irish Dept. of Justice Offices- How High Up Did The Corruption Go ? | David Burke
****Q&A COMING SOON SO PLEASE SUBMIT ANY QUESTIONS YOU'D LIKE ANSWERED IN THE COMMENTS****
In a recent episode David Burke re-joined us to talk about the mysterious case of Garda Patrick Crinnion, a spy within the Garda Special Branch (Intel dept) who passed information to the British intel network.
The release of David's book on the subject has prompted the unearthing of new information linking former assistant secretary of the Dept. Of Justice Thomas Coyne to British intel according to a letter written by the afore mentioned Patrick Crinnion.
We discuss the possible implications of such high-level treachery by Irish government officials and the effects that this would have had on Irish politics as well as questions about the information's authenticity/reliability.
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below) Thanks a million!!
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BUY THE BOOK: https://www.mercierpress.ie/books/the-puppet-masters/
00:00 Patrick Crinnion’s letter (found in prison cell) 33:45 Thomas Coyne and subsequent officials with in the DOJ 38:35 Authenticity of new info
INLA BLANKETMAN Tells The Inside Story of "BLANKET" & "NO-WASH" Protest | John Nixon - Part 2
In part 2 of my interviews with ex-official IRA & INLA member, John Nixon. In this episode we discussed some of the INLA’s most prolific operations as well as some of the organizations most well known members including Seamus Costello and Dessie O’ Hare. (Part 1 - https://youtu.be/9YOpiW1jU6c?si=81DqiPlwIAz4HOHQ)
I asked John about second prison term in Long Kesh where he took part in the blanket protest and the no-wash protest in an attempt to win back POW status. John breaks down the escalating steps that led up to the no-wash protest and how these brutal years have effected John’s life forever. John tells us about the beatings and torture that prisoners were subjected to in Long Kesh and what atmosphere in the jail was like following one of the many assassinations of guards by republicans outside the prison walls.
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below) Thanks a million!!
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast
00:00 INLA Operations - Billy Wright 10:40 Different types in the INLA/IRSP 16:15 Séamus Costello 20:10 Dessie O Hare 29:00 SECOND Prison term 36:20 BLANKET PROTEST & Targeting Prison Guards 50:15 PTSD and Mental Trauma
IRA's GREATEST JAILBREAKS | The Troubles, War Of Independence & more | James Durney, Author
My guest for this week is James Durney, historian and author of “Jailbreak” which details the various “great escapes” perpetrated by Irish Republican prisoners from 1865 onwards into the 1980s.
James tells us about the most daring and dangerous prison escapes, both successful and otherwise, of the troubles-era including the story of the Crumlin Kangaroos, the HMS Maidstone escape, the 1973 Mountjoy Helicopter escape and of course the H-Block breakdown which is still the biggest prison escape in British penal history.
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below) Thanks a million!!
TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Jailbreak 8:30 HMS Maidstone escape 14:30 Mountjoy Helicopter 1971 22:30 Portlaoise Max. Security Prison Escape 1973 28:10 M60 Gang Escape & Long Kesh Escape 1983 40:25 War of Independence & Civil War Escapes and more
Policing The Troubles | East Tyrone, Belfast, Riots & Near-Death Experiences | Hilton McCabe, Ex-RUC
Hilton McCabe served in the RUC in both East Tyrone and Belfast during the second half of the conflict we know as “the troubles”.
Hilton tells us about policing rural East Tyrone and the horror of cleaning up body-parts after the one of the IRA’s most deadly roadside b*mb attacks, the Ballygawley Bus Ambush.
Hilton shares with us his stories of riots, threats to his life, his numerous brushes with death and how he and his colleagues dealt with the stress and trauma from the job.
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below) Thanks a million!!
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https://www.austinmacauley.com/book/mountroyal
TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Joining RUC, catholic/protestant membership 21:15 First posting- EAST TYRONE 35:00 Ballygawley Bus B*mb (8 British soldiers k*lled) 53:30 Writing “Mountroyal” 1:02:20 Post-LOUGHALL AMBUSH Call out 1:11:45 Killers, psychos & Abuse of power 1:17:00 INLA & IPLO feud 1:22:15 Differences between republicans and loyalist paramilitaries 1:23:25 IRA funerals 1:34:00 Rural vs Urban IRA brigades 1:35:10 RIOTS 1:43:10 Lucky to be alive- times Hilton almost died 2:02:40 MOUNTPOTTINGER 2:07:50 SOLDIERS 2:12:10 Threats on Hilton’s life 2:20:50 Ever been recognized off-duty ? 2:22:00 N.I’s first million pound dr*g seizure & post-GFA policing
SOUTH ARMAGH AGENT HANDLER | Recruiting & Running Informants In BANDIT COUNTRY| Ex-FRU Handler
Ex-FRU agent handler "Will Britten" (alias) actively ran and recruited agents in South Armagh, one of the most dangerous places to be a British soldier during the conflict, in the 80s and is the author of "The Deadly Game". We speak in depth about the recruitment methods of the FRU, how to successfully run an agent in such a dangerous area, the legacy of Robert Nairic and the story of how Dominic McGlinchey's INLA unit planned on setting a trap after discovering a "tout".
Due to security reasons he cannot appear on camera.. apologies for not having the usual experience.
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below) Thanks a million!!
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00:00 INLA find out about FRU source 16:20 Ideal type of agent-recruit 23:20 Ethics of running agents who murder 30:00 Robert Nairic 32:40 First arriving in N.I 41:00 Robert Nairic II 47:00 Thoughts on the IRA’s goal 54:00 South Armagh IRA & meeting Thomas Slab Murphy 1:07:50 Joining the FRU 1:14:50 Recruiting an agent 1:23:35 Motivation to become informants 1:32:25 Use of blackmail to recruit ? 1:37:45 Meeting up with a source 1:53:40 FRU Vehicles 1:59:00 What makes a good handler ? 2:10:45 What gets an FRU agent fired ? 2:15:50 Leaving N.I 2:22:00 Harry Breen & Bob Buchanan m*rders
Witnessing His Father's IRA M*rder | Alan Miles' Story, Son of H-Blocks Deputy Governor Albert Miles
In a recent episode I interviewed author Dan Lawton about his book focusing on the fallout from the murder of dept Governor, Albert Miles, of the infamous Maze Prison in November 1978 in which an innocent man was convicted. Alan Miles witnessed his father’s brutal murder as a young man at the hands of the IRA but almost immediately got to a place in his mind where he was not interested in revenge or retribution.
Alan tells us about his childhood growing up with a prison guard as a father, his father’s views on unionism & Ian Paisley, how he himself views the IRA men who m*rdered his father.
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below) Thanks a million!!
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast
TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Growing up 05:00 Father’s worker in the prison service 15:00 The blanket and no-wash protests 17:03 Does Alan want “revenge” or want to meet his father’s killer(s) ? 26:03 Night of the m*rder 36:30 Did Alan believe that Kevin Barry Artt was the killer ? 51:15 Thoughts on current-day N.I
IRA's K*LLING FIELDS - The Story Of The EAST TYRONE IRA | Jon Trigg, Ex-British Army & Author
Jonathan Trigg’s book “Death In The Fields” examines, in great detail, the infamous East-Tyrone IRA and how this rural group complied some of the republican’s biggest wins and conversely, their most devastating losses.
We examine the early days of the unit and how they were formed, the autonomy they enjoyed, the Jim Lynagh “A-Team” era and their deadly attacks, the Loughall ambush & how it effected the brigade plus the post-Loughall activities of the East Tyrone IRA including coming under attack from the Mid-Ulster UVF.
Jonathan is an ex-British soldier who himself was posted to East Tyrone in the early 90s and will be authoring more books on the subject of “the troubles”.
PLEASE EMAIL ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR GUESTS & EPISODE TOPICS (if you're reading this and were involved in paramilitary activity please give me a shout if you would like to tell your story, even anonymously to thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com)
BUY THE BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Death-Fields-IRA-East-Tyrone/dp/1785374435
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below) Thanks a million!!
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00:00 What made the East Tyrone IRA so effective ?? 14:50 Origins of East Tyrone IRA (Kevin Mallon, Brendan Hughes 29:20 THE A-TEAM era 49:40 LOUGHALL 1:02:35 Ballygawley Bus B*mbing & post-loughgall ambushes 1:15:00 UVF k*lling East Tyrone IRA members 1:22:40 LOUGHALL II 1:33:40 Future books
EX-RUC SPECIAL BRANCH HANDLER Tells His Story | Informers, IRA & M*rder | William Matchett
William Matchett is an ex-RUC officer who spent years working in the secretive and murky world of informants and agents during his time in Special Branch while “the troubles” raged on.
William shares with us his motivations for joining the RUC during such dangerous times, the techniques they utilized to recruit informants, death threats he’s received over the years and his encounters with the notorious South Armagh unit of the IRA.
We discussed paramilitaries who have committed m*rders and terror attacks while simultaneously working as an RUC Special Branch agent, the subject of collusion between RUC and Loyalist paramilitaries as well as policing a post-Good Friday Agreement state.
TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Growing up, seeing Catholic family petrol-b*mbed out of their house 08:20 JOINING THE RUC- policing in South Armagh 22:50 Negative view of the RUC & Threats on William’s life 36:00 SPECIAL BRANCH 52:30 Martin McGartland, Ken Barret, Mark Haddock, William Stobie 1:16:00 MEETING WITH INFORMANTS 1:27:05 THE NUTTING SQUAD 1:30:45 UVF/UDA 1:35:55 RUC interrogation 1:44:25 Post-GFA Northern Ireland 1:52:40 What should the RUC done differently throughout the conflict
PLEASE EMAIL ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR GUESTS & EPISODE TOPICS (if you're reading this and were involved in paramilitary activity please give me a shout if you would like to tell your story, even anonymously to thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com)
BUY THE BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Victory-Intelligence-that-beat/dp/1527202054
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below) Thanks a million!!
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CATHOLIC PRIEST on Capitol Hill Fighting For IRISH FREEDOM | Fr. Sean McManus
**Sorry for the late upload my good people.. feel free to follow on YouTube where I'm a bit more on top of things**
Fr Sean McManus hails from Co. Fermanagh but was sent, by his superiors in the Catholic, to America early in his career where he continued his fight for Irish freedom.
Fr McManus’ tells us about his early life, his older brother who was killed during the IRA’s border campaign, the death-threats he has received and the attempts by British forces to smear his reputation by implying his involvement with Gaddafi.
Fr McManus speaks about his refusal to stay silent regarding British occupation of Ireland despite attempts by his bosses in the church to get him to keep his head down as well as his work on Capitol Hill.
TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro 05:25 Brothers death in border campaign 06:10 Tempted to join ? 08:00 Becoming a priest 26:20 Sean’s “3 types of Violence” 28:35 FR MC MANUS ARRESTED 53:40 Threats to Fr McManus’ life 1:27:30 Thoughts on Fr. Patrick Ryan 1:41:10 FBI FILE ON FR MCMANUS
PLEASE SEND ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR GUESTS & EPISODE TOPICS to thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below) Thanks a million!!
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BATTLING THE IRA & LOYALISTS IN TROUBLES-ERA BELFAST | SAS & DET. SURVEILLANCE OPERATOR Mick Hawkes
Mick Hawkes is an ex-SAS soldier and 14th intel company (the Det.) operator who worked against the IRA and Loyalist paramilitaries in Northern Ireland as part of his military career.
Mick tells us about the daily ins and outs of carrying out surveillance on dangerous insurgents, the differences between republican and loyalist paramilitaries, how he helped to prevent a mortar attack on an RUC and much more.
(The first 30 mins or so are a little choppy due to wifi problems but completely fine after that.. apologies and thank you)
PLEASE SEND ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR GUESTS & EPISODE TOPICS to thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below) Thanks a million!!
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast
00:00 South Armagh 11:00 Any respect for the IRA ? 20:45 Any “off-base” activities 21:45 IRA men in the area 27:55 Between Mick’s 1980 South Armagh tour and returning to N.I in 1993- Joining SAS 33:00 THE DET 39:10 1993 Shankill fish shop b*mb 42:00 DET work II 1:04:00 Protestant paramilitary groups 1:08:30 The UDR (Ulster Defence regiment) & RUC 1:13:05 IRA informers 1:16:45 Face-to-face encounter w/ IRA man 1:26:48 Did Mick want to get into a “contact” with a terrorist ? 1:29:25 Foiling a mortar attack on RUC station 1:31:40 IRA in LONDON- Mick’s work with Mi5 1:44:20 Miss the “buzz’ from the job?? 1:55:35 Ex soldiers doing mercenary work 2:01:35 Are SAS the best ??
Martin Galvin Tells His Story | Adams, McGuinness & Did NORAID Fund The IRA ?
Martin Galvin is the former publicity director of The Irish Northern Aid Committee, better known as "NORAID", and to many, the face of the group.
A proud Irish-American, Martin joined NORAID in 1976 and, along-side his day job as a district attorney, worked tirelessly to bring awareness to the American public and political leadership about Irish republicanism and the injustices suffered by the people of Northern Ireland. He was barred from entering Northern Ireland and defied the order by sneaking in to give a speech which was violently shut-down by the RUC.
Martin shares his thoughts on the IRA's campaign of violence, why he himself didn't choose to help the armed side of the conflict, how he felt when he would hear about British soldiers being k*lled , the allegations of gun-running that plagued NORAID through it's entire existence (not unjustly) and much more.
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TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Martin reaction to recent RTE Noraid documentary 3:30 Martin’s Irish roots 09:00 NORAID 15:40 NORAID members involved in g*n-running 21:34 Martin’s support for The PIRA 38:00 Martin’s reaction to hearing about British soldiers being k*lled in the North 42:10 Meeting IRA k*llers 44:40 Peaks in Noraid funding 47:10 Feds 48:15 Gun-running trial (from Noraid documentary) 54:00 Regret not helping with armed campaign 58:15 Becoming Publicity Director of Noraid 1:09:35 MARTIN ESCAPES THE RUC 1:12:50 Martin asks Bill Clinton about Gerry Adams’ visa 1:17:45 Gerry Adams meets Donald Trump 1:18:35 Were NORAID “sidelined” by Sinn Fein 1:24:30 Denis Donaldson 1:29:00 Were the hunger strikers allowed to die by republican leadership ? 1:30:30 Anything Martin wishes he had done differently
Being IRISH in Birmingham during IRA ENGLAND B*mbing Campaign | Dr. Michael Flavin
My guest this week is Dr Michael Flavin, child to Irish parents who grew up in Birmingham, England during the IRA’s bombing campaign in England during the troubles.
Michael speaks to us about being a part of the Irish diaspora in England, anti-Irish discrimination at the time as well Michael’s writings on IRA leadership and INLA splits.
00:00 “NO BLACKS NO DOGS NO IRISH” sign- was it real?? 03:50 Michael’s parents move to England 07:05 Many other children of immigrants ? 08:50 BIRMINGHAM B*MBINGS impact on Michael’s life 20:20 Gerry Adams leadership writings 26:30 INLA splits 54:30 Do most English people consider Northern Irish people to be “British” ?
PLEASE SEND ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR GUESTS & EPISODE TOPICS to thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below) Thanks a million!!
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INNOCENT MAN FRAMED for IRA M*RDER | How Kevin Barry Artt was falsely convicted & Escaped LONG KESH
Dan Lawton’s thrilling new book “The Hunted” explores the story of Kevin Barry Artt and how he was false-convicted of the IRA murder of deputy Maze prison governor, Albert Miles.
We speak about the so-called “confession factory” Castlereagh, Long Kesh’s Maze prison, the horrors of the “blanket”/“no-wash” protests and how Kevin Barry Artt took part in one of N.I’s biggest jailbreaks.
TIMESTAMPS 00:00 CASTLEREAGH “The Confession Factory” 08:15 LONG KESH & The lead up to Albert Miles’ murder 18:45 The murder of Albert Miles 24:30 Maurice Gilvarry (IRA member & RUC Agent) 27:35 PRISON ESCAPE 39:05 Escape almost goes wrong 48:00 Film or TV series ??
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For this episode I’m joined by author and lecturer, Thomas Leahy, whose book “The Intelligence War against the IRA” gives a through and detailed account of Britain’s attempts to disrupt and defeat the IRA by way of intel gathering.
We discuss the various methods of intel collection, what “intel” is and can be used for in this context, the various times of ceasefire during the conflict and the reasons for them.
Thomas details why the rural IRA brigades were tougher infiltrate, how technological change effected the British army and the reasons for the peace talks at various points in the conflict.
00:00 What is INTEL ?? 5:50 Structure of Thomas’ book 13:50 Derry IRA 18:55 Rural areas more difficult to affect in the Intel War 35:05 Technological changes thru-out the troubles 39:50 Tasking & co group 45:40 Misconceptions surrounding the subject
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below) Thanks a million!!
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BUY THE BOOK: https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/intelligence-war-against-the-ira/A34D7CEFB3118C4C2F9553F4D30D91ED
TROUBLES-ERA PARA & SAS man tells his story | Belfast RIOTS, South Armagh & more | Harry McCallion
Harry McCallion is an ex-paratrooper and SAS solider who served in the north during some of the troubles’ most violent years. Harry tells us about the brutal training regime they underwent before deployment, his thoughts on the mistakes that the British army made, his views on the “Ballymurphy Massacre”, his emotional state while policing violent riots and the effects that the job had on his mental health at the time. Harry shares his insights on the uniques challenges of taking on a “guerrilla” army, rural vs urban warfare, his own personal relationship with violence/killing and much more..
PLEASE SEND ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR GUESTS & EPISODE TOPICS to thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below) Thanks a million!!
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TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Joining the British Army (Paras) & becoming brutalized 12:45 Pre-deployment, does Harry consider N.I people to be British & do Irish people “live in the past” too much? 25:50 DEPLOYMENT TO NORTHERN IRELAND - Internment roundup 28:55 Thoughts on BALLYMURPHY MASSACRE & 2021 Inquiry 39:35 RIOTS - “absolutely terrifying” APPEAL 51:15 Harry’s relationship with KILLING & violence 57:35 Does Harry know how many people he has killed? 58:40 Fist-fight w/ an INLA member 59:55 Joining the SAS 1:05:00 Loyalist dual membership of UDR & UVF/UDA 1:07:30 Were UVF/UDA as competent as the PIRA ? 1:12:50 SOUTH ARMAGH & TYRONE IRA 1:19:00 Gerry Adams story 1:23:00 Fighting against guerrilla soldiers 1:29:00 Protecting intel sources within the IRA 1:33:55 GUERRILLA OR TERRORIST ?? 1:49:20 Rural or urban soldiering.. which was more difficult ? 1:52:00 The MRF 1:58:35 Harry’s latest book
1974 DUBLIN/MONAGHAN B*MBING | Robin Jackson, British Army Involvement & more| David Burke, Author
Author, lawyer and past guest of the show, David Burke reveals a previously unreleased statement from ex-Tara member and close-friend of Robin 'the jackal" Jackson, Charlie Simpson uncovering Jackson and the British Army's involvement in one of the trouble's most heinous attacks. We talk through the events of the tragic day, the logistics of the UVF operation and the political goings-on at the time of attack.
DAVID'S FREE E-BOOK (much more detail on the topic) https://coverthistory.ie/2024/05/04/returning-the-serve-the-jackal-collusion-mi5-and-the-dublin-and-monaghan-bombings-by-david-burke/
PLEASE SEND ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR GUESTS & EPISODE TOPICS to thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below) Thanks a million!!
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast
IRA HELICOPTER ESCAPE Mastermind & Portlaoise Jail Break| Brendan Hughes (Tyrone) IRA COMMANDER
Brendan Hughes (not to be confused with the deceased Brendan ‘The Dark” Hughes) shares his truly extraordinary life story, a life shaped by his membership of the East-Tyrone PIRA in the early days of the conflict in the North.
Brendan tells us about his time ambushing British soldiers in the countryside and robbing banks to fund raise for the IRA and his thoughts on having to take human life for his cause. Brendan shares the incredible story of how masterminded the second ever prison escape involving a helicopter on Halloween 1973 and how he himself ended up leading a 19 man jailbreak from Ireland’s most secure lock-up.
His tale later involves a split form the movement and a team of assassins being spent to NYC to take out Brendan, one of whom Brendan would later meet.
PLEASE SEND ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR GUESTS & EPISODE TOPICS to thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com
BUY THE BOOK: https://uplikeabird.com
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below) Thanks a million!!
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TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Growing up in Tyrone, first contact with sectarianism 07:20 Joining the IRA 13:10 Robbing banks 24:40 AMBUSHING BRITISH SOLDIERS 31:00 Becoming an intel officer 35:50 Lead-up to MOUNTJOY HELICOPTER ESCAPE 45:30 DAY OF THE ESCAPE 56:50 Getting caught & jailed 1:05:27 Planning the Portlaoise prison escape 1:14:20 DAY OF ESCAPE FROM PORTLAOISE 1:22:25 Immediately after escaping 1:36:25 Split from IRA (hit-team sent to NYC to get him) 1:42:40 Back to prison 1:44:25 Thoughts on united-Ireland
TROUBLES-ERA B*MB DISPOSAL EXPERT | Taking on Belfast's IRA B*MB-MAKERS | Steve Smith, British Army
My guest this week is ex-b*mb disposal man, Steve Smith. Steve worked as a EOD officer in Belfast during the early 80s and worked to rid the city of IRA & Loyalist b*mbs.
Steve gives us his insight into the various types of explosives used throughout the conflict, the differences between IRA & Loyalist b*mb-makers, how it feels to put on the b*mb-suit & approach an explosive device and the effects that such a job can have on one’s mental health.
Steve tells us about the unique challenges of b*mb-disposal in rural settings vs urban, the physical sensation of being caught in a b*mb blast and much more.
If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. Thanks a million!!
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast
PLEASE SEND ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR GUESTS & EPISODE TOPICS to thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com
TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Putting on the “B*MB SUIT” 03:35 Training 10:00 Psychological aspect 14:20 The Hurt Locker (film) & mental toll of the job 17:00 FIRST EXPLOSIVES DISPOSALS 24:45 B*mb Disposal in RURAL AREAS 27:20 Robots 30:40 TOUGH JOB 35:10 Dealing with trauma from the job 37:25 IRA calling in car-b*mb 44:10 Loyalist b*mbs (better or worse b*mb-makers?) 46:13 TYPES of b*mbs throughout the conflict 55:10 Remote b*mbs & Mercury tilt 59:30 Light-activated explosives 1:00:30 Closest Steve has been to b*mb exploding 1:07:30 Cutting wires