I don’t think there’s really such a thing as a ‘normal’ conversation with Michael Harding, and I certainly had no intention of trying to have one in this episode of The Mario Rosenstock Podcast. Michael is many things – a writer, a playwright, a podcaster, and a columnist - but he’s also one of the most captivating speakers you’ll have the pleasure of listening to. He has been up and he has been down and he has thought deeply about life and how to live it well, and he loves to share what he has learned, in case you might find it of use.

So if you want to hear two grown men do down a whole lot of rabbit holes about amateur Buddhism, existentialism , love, loss, and the meaning of life – all with a good handful of great craic thrown in - then you’ve just hit play on the right podcast!

Produced by Patrick Haughey, AudioBrand

Sometimes I’ll have a long and fascinating conversation with a guest and instead of including all of it in the episode, we’ll chop some of it out, put it into a little folder in the Mario Rosenstock podcast vaults for safekeeping, and then dust it off and pop it in to a special episode of un-heard bits when the time is right.

So we’ve two such bonus bits from the vaults for you in this episode – one from Former professional footballer and manager, Roddy Collins and the other from housing expert and former chair of the Housing Agency, Conor Skehan. Neither of whom hold back on their chosen subject!

We’ll also be remembering the late, great Manchan Magan, someone who made a deep impression on me and that I had great time and admiration for. We’ll replay a lovely excerpt from the conversation we had back in 2021.

COMEDY – David McWilliams is very excited about this week’s Budget – but he lets rip about a couple of tax hikes that are going to hit him straight in the pocket.

Produced by Patrick Haughey, AudioBrand

Eamon Carr has had the most fascinating life –poet, playwright, sports journalist, copywriter in an ad agency, entertainment journalist. Oh.. and he was also a founding member of one of Ireland most unique and iconic bands, The Horslips! (the band responsible for that amazing guitar sample in ‘put em under pressure' from Italia 90).

Eamon takes me right back to the start of Horslips and into their heyday, and we also talk about life on the road as a musician and the toll that rock n roll living can take. Eamon also talks about some of the most interesting people that he has interviewed over his long career as a journalist.

This is the topic of his latest book, Pure Gold, full of brilliant stories about his interviews with greats including Shane MacGowan, Jack Charlton, Gay Byrne, Sinead O’Connor, and many more.

COMEDY – its all about the Presidential race at the moment and we’re hearing lots from the candidates. But what about Michael D, what’s going on with him behind the closed doors of the Aras??

Produced by Patrick Haughey, AudioBrand