EP 1: Reintroducing Ourselves to the World, feat. Tommy Tiernan
May 18, 2021
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In this engaging conversation, Tommy Tiernan, an acclaimed Irish comedian known for his improvisational style, joins Martin Shaw to explore the profound impact of storytelling on healing after the pandemic. They share reflections on creativity during lockdown and the challenges of returning to audiences. Tommy narrates a gripping personal tale from Newark Airport that reveals resilience and humor. The duo also dives into themes of identity and cultural heritage, emphasizing the power of stories in connecting with one’s roots.
Tommy Tiernan emphasizes the importance of storytelling as a profound means of engagement, transcending mere humor to connect with personal experiences.
The podcast explores the impact of social withdrawal on creativity, highlighting how artists have adapted their craft in response to the absence of live audiences.
Deep dives
The Importance of Reintroduction
The conversation reflects on the shared experience of social withdrawal during lockdown and the need for reintroduction into society. Many individuals have felt a disconnect from their previous selves, leading to a longing for reconnection with others. The discussion highlights the potential for culture and community to emerge from this experience, pondering how societies can redefine themselves after traumatic events. This theme connects back to historical examples and artistic figures, emphasizing that exploration and expression are vital in moving forward.
Navigating Performance and Creativity
The podcast delves into the evolving nature of performance during the pandemic, focusing on how the lack of live audiences has influenced creativity. Comedian Tommy Tiernan articulates his instinctive adaptation to this new environment, where the essence of engaging with language and storytelling remains, regardless of the presence of an audience. He reflects on his desire for artistic exploration, noting that even private readings or solo podcasts can hold significant value without the pressure of public performance. This shift in focus allows for a more genuine engagement with words and ideas, fostering a deeper connection to his craft.
Storytelling and its Transformative Power
A key discussion point is the role of storytelling in comedy and broader culture, suggesting that the essence of comedy often resides in the stories being told rather than mere punchlines. Tiernan's approach contrasts conventional stand-up, emphasizing narratives that resonate on a more profound level and reflect personal experiences over generic humor. He recalls the impact of legendary storytellers and how embracing one's unique voice is crucial to creating authentic narratives. The interplay between humor and storytelling is presented as an evolving journey that continues to shape an artist’s identity.
Cultural Reflection and the Impact of Heritage
Throughout the conversation, there's an exploration of cultural heritage and individual identity, particularly how one's background influences storytelling. The podcast references John Moriarty, an Irish thinker whose work emphasizes understanding the roots of Western culture through shared narratives. The discussion invites reflection on how personal and collective histories shape contemporary expression and the storytelling landscape. This exploration broadens the frame for considering how cultural experiences impact the way stories are crafted and shared, highlighting the intertwined nature of identity and narrative.
Welcome to the Smoke Hole Sessions, a series of vital conversations with some of our most admired writers, musicians, artists, comedians and more. In this first episode, Martin Shaw chats to longtime friend and Irish comedian Tommy Tiernan. They discuss what sorts of stories, performances and practices have helped them get through the last year (often without an audience) and in turn, how we as a society can use stories to emerge from the pandemic and learn to grow our hands back again.
Get 30% off Martin’s new book Smoke Hole at chelseagreen.co.uk using the code SHS30
Find Martin Shaw on insta @drmartinshaw; facebook @Martin Shaw; www.drmartinshaw.com
Find Tommy Tiernan on insta @officialtommedian; twitter @tommedian; www.tommedian.com
A huge thanks to Ben Addicott for helping to produce this podcast