Feckology
From the people who brought you The Feckin’ Check-In, Feckology is a light-hearted, weekly podcast where Traynor and The Big Mouse try to make sense of what the feck is going on.
S04E08. Weddings [Part 1]
With the upcoming nuptials of Ferg, this week he and The Big Mouse discuss the topic of weddings and all of the fanfare and complexities involved in preparing for one.
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S04E07. Bitterness
This week, The Big Mouse and Ferg reflect on times they have been bitter in their own personal lives. Success of friends, old grudges, school teachers, times of injustice - all get a look-in and an examination during this chat. They then move on to a character study of professional wrestler Bret "The Hitman" Hart, a man so bitter he could open a lemonade stand. In the final act, the pair turn their attention to another public figure, exploring the roots of that person’s bitterness and what may have shaped it.
Let us know wha...
S04E06. Gambling: Casinos, Sports Betting, and Systematically Fluting Away Money
This week, the Big Mouse and Ferg share their previous experiences with gambling and how they both lost the run of themselves, and lots of money!
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S04E05. Hulk Hogan. Real American?
This week, in the wake of the new four-part documentary series about his life, The Big Mouse and Ferg reflect on their childhood memories of Hulk Hogan, but also delve into the man behind the gimmick. Hulk Hogan was a wrestler, a hero to many, a notorious liar, and by his own admission, a racist. Bearing all this in mind, your hosts discuss and dissect the complex legacy of arguably the most famous professional wrestler of all time.
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https://ww...
S04E04. Social Crutches
This week the Big Mouse and Ferg delve into the practice of (unintentionally or intentionally) using other people as a crutch to make oneself feel more comfortable in social situations, and other people doing the same.
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S04E03. Work Toilets
This week, The Big Mouse and Ferg respond to quite a bit of listener feedback, then literally talk shit for the remainder of the episode!
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S04E02. "The Bloom's Off the Rose" - Musings on the Decline of Cultural Institutions
Ferg and the Big Mouse return with Season 4, Episode 2 of Feckology to rant about cultural institutions that have lost their proverbial spark. They make a perverse attempt to link declining chocolate and Easter egg quality, with the fading buzz of cinema, fragmented music culture, and sport becoming over-analysed and formulaic. Is this just part of the changing wind? Is it written in the stars? And how should old farts cope with this perverse new world?
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S04E01. Turning 40
The Big Mouse and his co-host (under a new moniker, as is tradition) return with Season 4 of Feckology! On this episode we discuss turning 40, a topic which was touched upon and danced around quite a lot during Season 3.
We examine how we both felt in the lead up to our respective 40th birthdays late last year, talk about the events themselves and associated celebrations, and reflect on how we feel now that it is in the proverbial rear-view mirror.
A lot of quite personal discussion in this one!
We would love to hear f...
S03E10. Never-ending Chores
The Big Mouse and A-train reflect on the never-ending nature of household chores! These chores never end - did you realise that would happen when you were a child? The Big Mouse finds it hard to accept - one of the world's great injustices! We also wrap up the season and reflect on what went well. See you for season 4! Merry Christmas, Listener!
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S03E09. Know-It-Alls
On this episode, The Big Mouse and The A-Train discuss know-it-alls. For a fun game, try to count how many times the c-word is uttered. And we're not talking about Christmas!
Answers on Speakpipe!
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S03E08. Ghosts, Death, Heaven, and Hell
This week on Feckology, The Big Mouse and The A-Train dive head-first into the big, unanswerable questions of existence: topics people whisper about late at night and pretend not to believe in the next morning. From ghosts that linger in the corner of your eye to the uneasy mysteries of death, we explore what might (or might not) be waiting beyond the veil. Is Heaven a place, a feeling, or a story we tell ourselves? Is Hell a load of old codswallop?
Of course, it wouldn’t be Feckology without a spirited detour, so we wander off th...
S03E07. Perverse Relationships With Money
The Big Mouse and A-Train discuss the perverse relationship that Irish people have with money, covering topics such as the taboo of discussing salary, social awkwardness over paying for things, and the strong urge to avoid thinking about investing money, pensions and all that stuff!
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S03E06. Passive-Aggression
This week, The Big Mouse and The A-Train delve into the topic of passive-aggression. From petty household habits, to narky neighbours, via virtual reality get-togethers - your hosts examine how these apathetic, sulky, and snarky behaviours evolve - and how they can be handled better.
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S03E05. Loyalty
On the latest episode of Feckology, The Big Mouse and The A-Train discuss the concept of loyalty across numerous different areas of their lives.
- Loyalty in friendships
- Loyalty to bands, musicians, comedians
- Loyalty to podcasters (touching on the concept of "content guilt")
- Loyalty to sports teams (the social faux pas of changing teams + comparisons to religion)
Let us know what you think by leaving us a voice message:
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S03E04. Neighbours
In this episode, The Big Mouse and The A-Train discuss their relationships with their neighbours, including sub-topics, such as:
- Experiences with growing up in the 1980s and 1990s
- Relationships with current neighbours
- Quarrels with neighbours and how to resolve them
- Community WhatsApp goups
This one should be relatable to everyone!
S03E03. Ego Running Wild
How is your relationship with your ego?
How much is too much?
Do you take pride in your accomplishments?
What about receiving compliments?
Egos are running wild on this week's Feckology, brother!
S03E02. Schooled By Culture
In Episode 2 of Season 3, The Big Mouse and The A-Train attempt to tie in a conversation about not connecting to Irish Culture with a dilemma The Big Mouse is facing about which type of school to send his child to. Does this ham-fisted attempt to make a cohesive discussion about two semi-related points work? The Listener can decide.
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S03E01. Being A Manager
Season 3 of Feckology kicks off with The Big Mouse and The A-Train (new season, new moniker) alleging to talk about people management - but mostly taking swipes at Gen Z and overgeneralising wildly. Business as usual.
S02E15. Ultimate Episode Bonanza Special
Join the BM and Prof T for the ultimate episode of season 2. In this bonanza special, we reflect on the highs and lows of season two, a mysterious and important revelation from the BM, and we respond to the fabulous feedback from the listening community. Thank you, listener. That's a proverbial wrap for Season 2!
S02E14. When Mentoring Goes Wrong!
In the penultimate episode of Season 2, The Big Mouse and Professor T share their own cautionary tales of mentorship gone horribly wrong. From misguided professional guidance, to brotherly-figures living dangerously, to academic mentors who seemed more interested in their own research than their students' success, they reveal how their own experiences as mentees turned into unforgettable disasters. Get ready for a rollercoaster of misadventures, as The Big Mouse and Professor T offer laughs, lessons, and the hard truths they learned the hard way.
S02E13. Listener-Led Topical Claptrap
Based on listener suggestions, we discuss St Paddy's Day, Play, Seasons and other topical claptrap! Thank you, listener - this made us "giddy" (in-joke that you will only get if you listen to the proverbial episode).
S02E12. Severance
This week, The Big Mouse and Professor T discuss the theme of the popular television show "Severance", where one's workplace memories are separated from one's primary, external memories. Your hosts apply this concept to their own professional and personal lives and examine how the balance has shifted over the tears.
For people who haven't watched Severance, there are no spoilers here that you wouldn't find in a couple of sentences online that explain the show.
S02E11. The Case For Drinking
Prof T helps the Big Mouse get over his (overly) negative narrative of his heavy drinking days - by leading an exploration of the good times we had whilst drinking! We also reflect on our personal journeys with drinking and where we are today with it. Absolutely!
S02E10. Boyzone - "No Matter What" Review [Part 2]
On this episode, The Big Mouse and Professor T pick up where they left off with Boyzone at the height of their success. Cracks, however, were starting to form within the structure of the band, and their greatest collective tragedy was about to befall them.
We also reflect on The Goose Model™, which we employed on our previous podcast, The Feckin' Checkin', as a means to grow in popularity. Will The Goose Model™ make a return in 2025? That remains to be seen.
S02E09. Boyzone - "No Matter What" Review [Part 1]
In this episode, The Big Mouse and Professor T address quite a bit of listener feedback on the "Tipping" episode, then delve into this weeks topic: the recently-released and much spoken-about Boyzone documentary, No Matter What. We discuss the early parts of the band's career, with a particular focus on the role of manager Louis Walsh, and his ruthless approach to the music business.
S02E08. Can I Add a Tip to the Bill?
We discuss the extreme awkwardness of tipping for services in a mostly cashless society, citing various personal examples from the Big Mouse and Prof T!
S02E07. Real Origin Story
The Big Mouse and Professor T dial back the years to 1990, as they present their real origin story.
S02E06. Fake Origin Stories
Join us for a chat about the fake origin stories behind EMDR Therapy, Volkswagen, & Nike. We also chat briefly about the non-fake origins of Feckology and reflect on recent listener interactions. Absolutely!
S02E05. Non-Player Characters
On this week's Feckology, The Big Mouse and Professor T address some listener feedback, then delve into the topic of people who walk around in public places while looking at their phones. As a semi-regular jogger, The Big Mouse finds this practice quite irritating, and feel the offenders act like NPCs from Grand Theft Auto. As an offender himself, Professor T examines why he is the way he is.
Join in the chat on Twitter @feckology
S02E04. Typical Netflix Movie
Join the proverbial Big Mouse and Professor T for an analysis of the declining quality of Netflix, and the accompanying rise of the Typical Netflix Movie. All based on the below excellent article by @wtavlin https://www.nplusonemag.com/issue-49/essays/casual-viewing/
Let us know what you think, dear listener. Are you content with Netflix's substandard content?
S02E03. The Case Against Travel
Does travel narrow the mind? Do you always take yourself with you on holidays?
Wherever you go, there we are. Professor T and The Big Mouse discuss "The Case Against Travel".
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-weekend-essay/the-case-against-travel
S02E02. Perverse Love Songs
Join the Big Mouse and Prof T for an analysis of two popular love songs - from the perspective of the creeped-out recipient of the lyrics.
S02E01. Do You Read Books?
Traynor, now reverting to his previous persona of "Professor T" (we'll have to change the theme song), and The Big Mouse, return for Season 2 of Feckology. Discussing new year's resolutions, losing the ability to read books, lacking enthusiasm for podcasting, different types of creative fulfilment, and Gen Z phrases. This one is as loose and rusty as you might expect after a long hiatus!
S01EXX. Dear Ego (Song)
Sorry Listener, we could not do an episode as intended due to Life - Again. Instead, please enjoy this new song by the Big Mouse using an AI created beat. See you soon!
S01E17. AI-Generated Music
In this episode, Traynor and The Big Mouse discuss the topic of AI-generated music, the implications this may have on the music industry, and generate some AI songs in real time (and play them)!
S01E16. The Human Centipede
On the latest episode of Feckology, we address listener feedback to the last few episodes and also discuss The Human Centipede that is the housing market in Ireland!
S01E15. Snippets, Reviews, Memes, and Mimes: Listening to music in 2024
We discuss how people are listening to music through snippets, reviews, memes, and mimes. Do songs matter anymore? Does connection with the artist matter anymore? Is music on the decline, or is this weird shit just a natural evolution enabled by technology?
S01E14. Righteous Indignation
Traynor reflects on a recent run-in with an estate agent where he lost his temper and asks: am I the asshole? The Big Mouse shares a story from a recent football match where things also got heated. We both ponder: is it better to express anger in the moment, or to wait, and let cooler heads prevail?
S01E13. Embracing the Uncool and Popular
We chat about how strong preferences in art and music dwindle as you get older. This can free you up to like things you previously would have despised. We also discuss running out of podcast material and the Golden Goose Model!
S01E12. Season Infinite: The Never-Ending and Guilt-Inducing Nature of Constant Podcast Content Creation (CPCC)
When will the CPCC ever let us be? When will be free? Can we just pop in for a metaphorical cuppa tea, or do we need to always listen intently? Join us as we attempt to answer these questions. Thank you, Listener!