The Ireland Podcast

A couple of months ago I spent another week in Shanghai, one of the most fascinating cities I’ve ever visited. In this episode I revisit videos I filmed during the trip and reflect on the strange mixture of colonial history, futuristic architecture, live music, electric vehicles, museums, marriage markets and everyday life that makes Shanghai feel unlike anywhere else.Along the way:I get sketched by a street artist while recovering from gastroenteritisVisit the Shanghai Museum and a qipao exhibitionDiscover Shanghai’s marriage marketHear traditional Chinese music in the parkExplore the Bund and the French ConcessionReflect on China’s electric vehicle revolution and BYDEnd up in a Queen tribute night in an old temple-turned-music venueShanghai is one of those cities that feels like several different worlds happening at once.

Xishuangbanna, in China’s Yunnan Province, is a tropical city near the borders of Laos and Myanmar, known for its temples, night markets and elephant tourism.This episode wanders through crowded markets filled with colour, karaoke, strange foods and the unforgettable smell of durian. There’s torrential rain, beautiful temples, incredible food, curious encounters with locals, and even some unexpected hotel entertainment.A loose, atmospheric travel diary from southwest China after dark.

After living in China for eight years, Fender Jackson returns to Kunming for the first time since leaving during COVID.This episode is part travelogue, part memoir and part reflection on ordinary life in modern China.Topics include:housing complexes and skyscrapersoutdoor gymsChinese parks and public lifestreet food and night marketseBikes and urban designrobots and modern technologyteaching in Chinareturning to an old schoollife after COVIDcultural differences between China and the WestAlong the way, Fender reflects on memory, identity, creativity and the strange feeling of returning to a place that once felt like home.The episode closes with former students in China performing The Ecstasy of Gold by Ennio Morricone.New episodes from Xishuangbanna and Shanghai coming soon.

After living in China for eight years, Fender Jackson returns for the first time since leaving during COVID.In this personal episode of The Ireland Podcast, he reflects on life in Kunming and Shanghai, raising children in China, cultural differences, the emotional impact of the pandemic, grief, identity, Irish voices abroad, and the strange feeling of returning to a place that once felt like home.This episode also sets up a new series of travelogue and vlog-style episodes recorded during a recent return trip through Kunming, Xishuangbanna and Shanghai - including street food, Irish bars in China, random encounters and reflections on modern Chinese life.Featuring:Life in China during COVIDReturning to Kunming after four years awayChinese culture and daily lifeTeaching in ChinaIrish identity abroadPrince: The Musical on BanjoThe origins of The Ireland PodcastNew China travel episodes coming over the next few days.A quick note - some of the audio from this episode came out rougher than intended while testing a new recording setup. We decided to publish it anyway because the story itself felt important to tell.

In this special episode of The Ireland Podcast -which is really a continuation of Ep. 213 - Fender Jackson breaks down the harmony and emotional architecture of “Sensitize” by That Petrol Emotion through live piano demonstrations, storytelling and performance.Drawing connections to David Bowie, The Beach Boys, Queen and jazz harmony, the episode explores:split chords and slash chordsborrowed harmonyadd9 chordsmajor vs minor movementemotional tension in songwritingMingus and hard bop influencesTwin Peaks-style harmonyarranging music for pianoand the relationship between music theory, emotion and intuition.The episode concludes with a live performance-inspired arrangement of “Sensitize.”Spotify Playlisthttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/38Eohpgg54xtkHWscjxHc2?si=02db29285e534bef

In Part 1 of this two-part music special from The Ireland Podcast, Fender Jackson explores the emotional power of slash chords - also known as split chords - and how artists such as The Beatles, The Beach Boys and David Bowie used them to create richer and more dramatic harmony.Along the way, he discusses:“God Only Knows”“The Long and Winding Road”“Life on Mars?”“Where Are We Now?”as well as:four-track recording in the 1960sBrian Wilson and The Beatlesrecording technologyFeaturing live piano demonstrations throughout the episode.A video version of this episode with chords on the screen is on Spotify and YouTube.

Jonathan Kemp joins The Ireland Podcast to discuss his extraordinary 4,200km Finding Peace of Mind Walk 2026 - a journey across the UK and Ireland in support of mental health awareness and recovery.Starting in the Shetland Islands on January 1st and finishing in Galway later this year, Jonathan shares the deeply personal experiences that led him to undertake the walk, including his lifelong struggles with bipolar disorder, depression, dyslexia, addiction, and suicidal ideation during COVID.Jonathan speaks openly about diagnosis, medication, recovery, neurodiversity, addiction, and the importance of seeking help. He also reflects on the physical and emotional realities of walking thousands of kilometres while raising funds and awareness for mental health charities across Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Ireland.This is Leg 1, Part 1 of an ongoing series following Jonathan’s journey toward Galway.Relevant Linkshttps://www.gofundme.com/f/Jonathansupporting4mentalhealthcharitieshttps://linktr.ee/jonathankemplondon

A wide-ranging and thoughtful conversation with the lead singer of one of Ireland’s most seminal bands, looking back on origins, identity, and the winding path of a life in music. He reflects on early influences, the experience of being adopted, and the sense of instinct that shaped both his voice and his direction.There are vivid stories from Belfast - including the surreal reality of playing gigs while staying in the Europa Hotel, known as the most bombed hotel in Europe - alongside moments that capture both the humour and tension of the time. Throughout, he returns to a simple but firm belief: that the song always comes first.The conversation moves through the highs and the missteps - from early promise to periods where production and expectation began to overshadow the music itself. There’s an honest look at the excesses of 80s sound, and a clear philosophy that great songs should stand on their own, without being buried under layers of production.It’s also a story of rediscovery - of finding the groove again, reconnecting with what matters, and trusting instinct over noise. Along the way, he shares insights into creativity, influence, and the fine line between sound and substance, offering a candid perspective on what it really means to make music that lasts.Relevant Linkshttps://linktr.ee/smack206https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7lEmb06zxltC0M1TMDfLXd?si=179a45e302864e50