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 podcast attempts to answer these questions, and more, through the lens of a pro-choice host who is attempting to bring clarity, understanding and some degree of common ground to this incredibly fraught space.

Episodes

10: #10: It Is Done

June 1, 2018 • 40 mins

“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...

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9: #09: Reflections, Predictions

May 25, 2018 • 55 mins

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 Stor...

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8: #08: Difficult Conversations

May 14, 2018 • 58 mins

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 epis...

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7: #07: Everyday Stories - Part 2

May 4, 2018 • 52 mins

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 Artw...

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6: #06: Everyday Stories - Part 1

April 27, 2018 • 26 mins

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: Bo...

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5: #05: Maternity

April 20, 2018 • 58 mins

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 so...

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4: #04: The Violinist

April 13, 2018 • 59 mins

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 Bi...

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3: #03: In Trouble - Irish Abortions Then And Now

April 6, 2018 • 57 mins

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...

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2: #02: Yes for Repeal

March 30, 2018 • 54 mins

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 for...

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#01: Against Repeal

March 23, 2018 • 54 mins

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 ant...

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#0: Introducing The Eighth

March 20, 2018 • 11 mins

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...

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1: The Eighth Trailer

March 15, 2018 • 3 mins

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 tr...

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