S6E16: John Connell - Lessons From the Lambing Life
John Connell traveled far from Ireland in his 20s, and early in his career, his work yielded accolades in journalism and filmmaking. Yet happiness and contentment proved to be elusive. Returning to the family farm in Longford, one of Ireland's heartland counties, provided a restorative space to pursue a career as an author.
Three books followed, notably The Cow Book, which achieved critical acclaim; despite those successes, the way forward became unclear until an extended trip on the Camino de Santiago revealed the possibilities of another project that added deeper meaning to his life.
Join cohosts John Lee and Martin Nutty as they talk with John Connell about his latest book, The Lambing Season, and how life as a shepherd revealed new truths and understanding of what it takes to live well.
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Social Media
Books
Seamus Plug
00:00 - Introduction
03:03 - A View of the Farm
06:54 - Slowing Down
09:07 - Deep Longford Roots
12:19 - Terra Sanctis
13:50 - Leaving and Returning to Longford
19:31 - The Importance of Pilgrimage
23:22 - Rural Life and the Multiple Hat Challenge
28:24 - We Don't Choose to be a Refugee
30:49 - Reading From The Lambing Season
33:02 - Spiritual Travels
36:27 - From the Camino to the Shepherd Life
39:17 - The Granard Booktown Festival
44:58 - What Does Success Look Like?
47:10 - Inside the Barn
50:50 - Seamus Plug
53:58 - John and Martin Recap
55:28 - Credits
John Connell
Author, Farmer, Journalist
John Connell is a multi-award-winning author, film producer, investigative journalist, and farmer. His documentary programs have won over a dozen international awards. His memoir The Farmer's Son (The Cow Book) was awarded Popular Nonfiction Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards. His latest book, The Lambing Season, is published by Pegasus Books
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