On a warm, sunny day in the west of Ireland, I watched spiders. It made me reflect on the deep link between our place and our identity. This episode explores the wisdom of August, the second harvest. It features a chat between Irish writer and philosopher John Moriarty and comedian Tommy Tiernan. Moriarty links place and identity. He stresses the need to be present and connected to our surroundings. I also share insights from leading men's groups. I discuss the value of empathy, and my nature experiences that teach patience and presence. I explore, through reflections and readings, the works of Moriarty and John O'Donohue, and personal anecdotes. They show that being present in nature helps us find our true selves and connect with others. Join me as I share these thoughts and a poignant encounter with a spider that taught me about life and presence.

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Men's Workshop in Westport

Anam Croi House

August 31st

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-- 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene 00:52 Exploring the Wisdom of August 01:50 John Moriarty and Tommy Tiernan's Conversation 06:53 The Importance of Community and Empathy 09:56 A Day of Reflection and Connection with Nature 14:06 The Profound Lessons from a Spider 23:27 Childhood Memories and Nature's Magic 25:28 John Moriarty's Reflections on the Countryside 26:48 Reflecting on Marianne Danny 28:06 The Mystery of Nature and the Human Soul 30:20 The Power of Presence and Compassion 32:13 The Spider and the Lesson of Fear 36:51 The Dark Harvest and Self-Reflection 52:49 Embracing Fear and Curiosity 56:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts