The Eighth
HeadStuff Podcast Network presents The Eighth, a podcast series documenting the upcoming referendum on the Eighth Amendment to the constitution of Ireland. Going beyond the ten minute head-to-heads and media talking points, The Eighth has long, sticky, moral and open conversations with people on all sides of the debate and none, those in the middle ground and those who are confused about how to vote in the referendum. We ask: where do both sides of the debate part ways? Is it right to morally equate the life of the woman with prenatal life? And when does life truly begin? This...
Fri, June 01, 2018
#10: It Is Done
“It always seems impossible until it is done.”- Nelson Mandela The final episode of the Eighth is a fly on the wall audio journey with Ciara from her hearing the exit poll results through to the final result in Dublin Castle. Featuring a range of voices throughout the day, with special thanks to my sister Evie, my Mam Róisín, Shane, Sharon, Morgan, and Ciara. Special thanks to Alan and the whole HeadStuff crew for their tireless support, encouragement and help in making this series. And the biggest thank you of all to my partner in Repeal, Paddy. We did it. It Is Done. **Credits**: Featuring news clips from Newstalk, RTE, ITV, Fox News, and BBC News, reproduced with thanks. Produced by Ciara O’Connor Walsh Executive Producer: Alan Bennett, HeadStuff Production assistance from Paddy Walsh and Brian from HeadStuff Artwork: Eimear Gavin **Music**: Nine Inch Nails, Ghosts I-IV, Ghosts I Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven - Storm
Fri, May 25, 2018
#09: Reflections, Predictions
This week, Ciara and Paddy reflect on the journey of making The Eighth, what they have learned, and where they think the chips might fall tomorrow. Ciara speaks to political analyst Johnny Fallon to make predictions about the count, to Elle and Lisa out on the canvass in Dublin, and Ciara's sister Emily speaks to some of her friends on the eve of the vote. Then join Ciara, Paddy, and a cameo from the lovely Karen from Everyday Stories part 2 as they CAST THEIR BALLOTS this morning. Now get out to vote everyone... Your voice matters. Credits: Clips from ITV, Channel 4 News, The Telegraph, NBC, BBC Produced by Ciara O’Connor Walsh Executive Producer: Alan Bennett, HeadStuff Production assistance from Paddy Walsh, Emily Hannigan Artwork: Eimear Gavin Music: Sinead O'Connor, Thank you for hearing me Ghosts I-IV, Nine Inch Nails
Mon, May 14, 2018
#08: Difficult Conversations
We're being asked by campaigners for and against repeal to get out and talk to our family and friends before the 25th of May - to have conversations about why voting is so important, and about which way to vote. Turnout will make or break the campaign for both sides, and given we have so many people who are still somewhere in the middle, conversations with people who they love and respect could be the deciding factor. In this episode, Ciara and her husband Paddy bring up the _awkward_ subject of abortion with their families, who have a mixed bag of opinion… including Ciara's sister Katie, who does a complete 180 after listening to the pro-life episode of the podcast. Also, the wonderful Taryn DeVere gives advice on how to start these conversations and how to make them meaningful if you are planning on raising the referendum at home, at work, or in the pub. You should 100% read Taryn's excellent piece, [How To Talk To Your Anti Choice Dad](https://medium.com/@taryndevere/how-to-talk-to-your-anti-choice-dad-2d5829ab731c), and follow her super-duper-repeal-y and inspiring Twitter feed, @TarynDeVere. **A note from the producer: It was brought to my attention that I got a point of information confused in my conversation with my brother last week on this episode, and I’d like to correct that. The proposed legislation states that up to 12 weeks, a woman will arrive at her decision regarding her abortion with the support of one doctor. After 12 weeks, two medical professionals will essentially need to ‘approve’ the abortion on serious mental and physical health grounds amounting to a risk to life. I wanted to clarify this mistake, and recommend the site Aboutthe8th.com for clear, non-legalese information on the proposed legislation. **Credits:** Thanks to my very patient and deadly family for letting me ask them some pretty tricky questions for this one. Produced by Ciara O’Connor Walsh Executive Producer: Alan Bennett, HeadStuff Production assistance from Paddy Walsh and Brian from HeadStuff Artwork: Eimear Gavin Music: Devin Townsend Project - Ghost - Infinite Ocean / Chvrches - The Bones of What You Believe - You caught the light
Fri, May 04, 2018
#07: Everyday Stories - Part 2
In this episode, Louise tells the story of having termination following a fatal foetal abnormality diagnosis, and Ciara and her friend Karen share their own abortion stories with each other for the first time. **Content warning for discussion of abortion, in some detail. ** Credits: Produced by Ciara O’Connor Walsh Executive Producer: Alan Bennett, HeadStuff Production assistance from Paddy Walsh and Brian from HeadStuff Artwork: Eimear Gavin Music: Alvo Noto – Xerrox vol 2 Nils Frahm - Screws - Re
Fri, April 27, 2018
#06: Everyday Stories - Part 1
This Episode shares four women's stories of abortion, and is a partnership with Everyday Stories. Content warning for sexual violence, physical abuse, abortion, miscarriage. [www.everydaystories.org](www.everydaystories.org) Credits: Produced by Ciara O’Connor Walsh and Caoimhe Anglin Executive Producer: Alan Bennett, HeadStuff Production assistance from Paddy Walsh and Brian from HeadStuff Artwork: Eimear Gavin Music: Bohren and Der Club of Gore - Black Earth - Crimson Ways Bohren and Der Club of Gore - Dolores - Black Maja
Fri, April 20, 2018
#05: Maternity
Maternity In this Episode, we hear about how the 8th Amendment impacts on every single pregnancy in Ireland, Ciara speaks to Philomena Canning from Midwives for Choice, Dr Anthony McCarthy, Perinatal Psychiatrist in Holles St, Krysia Lynch, Chair of AIMS Ireland, and her friend Clare Anne O'Keefe about her own pregnancy. Ciara also shares footage from before, during and after her 20 week scan from when she was pregnant with her son last year. CREDITS Produced by Ciara O’Connor Walsh Executive Producer: Alan Bennett, HeadStuff Production assistance from Paddy Walsh and Brian from HeadStuff Artwork: Eimear Gavin Music: Alvo Noto - Xerrox vol 2 Nine Inch Nails - Ghosts I-IV Kid Loco - Party Animals and Disco Biscuits
Fri, April 13, 2018
#04: The Violinist
The Violinist. This Episode delves into the field of ethics, or moral philosophy, to see how it can help clarify a lot of our gut instincts around the issue of abortion. Ciara speaks to world-renowned Professor of Bioethics in Princeton University, Peter Singer; Professor Maureen Junker-Kenny, Head of Religions and Theology in Trinity College Dublin; and Dr Helen Watt, Senior Research Fellow and former Director of the Anscombe Bioethics Centre, Oxford, UK. Credits Produced by Ciara O’Connor Walsh Executive Producer: Alan Bennett, HeadStuff Production assistance from Paddy Walsh and Brian from HeadStuff Artwork: Eimear Gavin Music: Max Richter, The Blue Notebooks, On the Nature of Daylight Max Richter, 24 Postcards in Full Colour, The Picture of Us Nine Inch Nails, Ghosts I-IV, Ghosts I
Fri, April 06, 2018
#03: In Trouble - Irish Abortions Then And Now
In this Episode of The Eighth, Ciara tells the story of the reality of Irish abortions, and why Ireland will never be an island free of abortion. She speaks with Niall Behan, CEO of the IFPA, who provide counselling to thousands of women who travel every year to the UK for an abortion. She also speaks to Dr Patricia Lohr, Medical Director of BPAS, one of the UK's largest abortion providers. Ciara draws on research by Professor Cara Delay (Fulbright Fellow 2012-2013, UCD Humanities Institute and Associate Professor History Department, The College of Charleston) and her lecture – ’Noxious Things’: Illegal Abortion Cases in Twentieth-Century Ireland’ CREDITS Produced by Ciara O’Connor Walsh Executive Producer: Alan Bennett, HeadStuff Production assistance from Paddy Walsh and Brian from HeadStuff Artwork: Eimear Gavin Music: Ulver, Teachings in Silence, Silence Teaches You How to Sing Ulver, Teachings in Silence, Darling, Didnt We Kill You Dead Can Dance, The Serpents Egg, The Host of Seraphim
Fri, March 30, 2018
#02: Yes for Repeal
Episode 02: Yes for Repeal In this episode, Yes for Repeal, Ciara meets women who are campaigning to remove the 8th amendment to the constitution. One woman tells her personal story of travelling to the UK for an abortion, another describes how she almost died during her pregnancy. Campaigners talk about what drives them, and a team of women in Waterford talk about ‘fighting the good fight’ in a pro-life city that ‘tends to be forgotten’. This episode is dedicated to the memory of Dympna Reilly. CREDITS: Produced by Ciara O’Connor Walsh Executive Producer: Alan Bennett, HeadStuff Production assistance from Paddy Walsh, Emily Hannigan, and Brian from HeadStuff Artwork: Eimear Gavin Music: Ghosts I-IV, Nine Inch Nails Ani DiFranco, ¿Which Side Are You On?, Amendment
Fri, March 23, 2018
#01: Against Repeal
In this episode, Ciara meets a philosophy student who says he owes his life to the 8th Amendment, a Polish anarchist who hates the term anti-choice, a feminist student who believes 'abortion is the ultimate exploitation of women', and a woman who just couldn't find a pro-choice life ethic she could feel good about. Ciara also goes to the rally for life, deals with graphic abortion images, and talks to some of the more staunchly anti-repeal campaigners. Credits: Produced by Ciara O’Connor Walsh Executive Producer: Alan Bennett, HeadStuff Production assistance from Paddy Walsh and Brian from HeadStuff Artwork: Eimear Gavin Music: Ghosts I-IV, Nine Inch Nails
Tue, March 20, 2018
#0: Introducing The Eighth
Introducing The Eighth, a podcast documenting the upcoming referendum to repeal the 8th in Ireland. This episode, a prequel to the series, outlines the host, Ciara O’Connor’s background and the origin of the series - a safe space to ask honest, hard questions, to listen to people speak freely, honestly, and openly. Ciara talks about the kinds of struggles she has had as a pro choice person - and someone who has had to travel to the UK for an abortion - has had in the making of this series and in meeting and talking to people who are supportive of, or utterly opposed to her worldview. Credits: Produced by Ciara O’Connor Walsh Executive Producer: Alan Bennett, HeadStuff Production assistance from Paddy Walsh and Brian from HeadStuff Artwork: Eimear Gavin Music: Ghosts I-IV, Nine Inch Nails
Trailer · Thu, March 15, 2018
The Eighth Trailer
With the referendum on the eighth amendment looming, Ireland is witnessing both sides of the debate battle it out in the media, online, in the streets. But have you ever wondered why these sides - pro repeal and anti repeal - are so diametrically opposed? Where do they part ways? Can we ever know who is right and wrong with such a complex, nuanced issue? Should the constitution mention abortion at all? And can we know when life truly begins and should be protected? This month, the HeadStuff Podcast Network presents a new podcast series documenting the upcoming referendum on the Eighth Amendment to the constitution of Ireland, The Eighth. This new podcast attempts to answer these questions, and more, through the lens of a pro repeal host attempting to bring clarity, understanding and some degree of common ground to this incredibly fraught space. The Eighth asks: what do doctors in the UK who perform abortions have say about the Irish situation? What kind of complex situations present in abortion information counselling sessions? How can bioethicists, the Church, midwives, lawyers, activists and everyday people inform how we will vote? And will hearing, for the first time, a wave of real stories of women who have travelled or illegally obtained an abortion in this country have an impact on people’s decision making? The Eighth, hosted by Ciara O’Connor Walsh, gives a 360 degree view of this complex referendum in real time as it unfolds. Episode 1 will land on 23 March, where Ciara talks openly, frankly and honestly with people intending to vote against repeal. In episode one, Ciara speaks to a range of people who are voting against the amendment, and puts herself “in the eye of the storm” at the recent Rally for Life in Dublin Episode two speaks to people intending to vote for repeal of the eighth amendment, and explores the range of complex reasons and nuances of belief on this ‘side’ Other episodes include Professor Peter Singer, celebrated Princeton professor of Ethics, Prof Maureen Junker-Kenny, Head of the Department of Religions and Theology in TCD, Niall Behan, CEO of the Irish Family Planning Association, and representatives from Midwives for Choice, Doctors for Life and the Catholic Church. “I made this podcast because I am genuinely curious about how people are currently thinking about the Eighth Amendment in Ireland, what way people are planning to vote - and more importantly - why”, says host and producer, Ciara O’Connor Walsh. “I’m hoping people who listen will learn something - about themselves, about women who have to travel to the UK for abortion services, about the reality of the situation in Ireland. In making this podcast, I have definitely learned a lot - I have had genuinely humbling and emotional conversations with people who I may have otherwise shut out of my sphere because I disagreed with them. You’ll hear me navigate some incredibly choppy waters on both sides - some more successfully than others - in my journey
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