Welcome to Ponderland, Episode 54! Recorded on June 4th, 2025, this episode opens with Jane's Addiction's "Sympathy for the Devil," a choice David explains as he delves into what he considers the most intolerable situation in the world: the ongoing crisis in Gaza.

David lays bare the grim realities: the dire lack of humanitarian aid reaching Gaza, the reported killings of Palestinians at aid points, and the concerning White House criticism of the BBC's reporting integrity. He strongly recommends listening to recent episodes of The Free State podcast (featuring Doctor McMonagle, who describes Gaza as "worse than hell") and The News Agents podcast for harrowing firsthand accounts of the famine and medical crisis. David condemns the blockade and the alleged tactics, highlighting disproportionate casualties, particularly among children, and calls out the lack of credible justification for the suffering.

The conversation then takes a profound philosophical turn, connecting the atrocities in Gaza to the concept of evil. David ponders whether a devil or a source of evil could take human form and orchestrate such events, observing it all unfold. This leads to a chilling discussion about Jimmy Savile, the disgraced UK entertainer, and his chilling philosophy of accumulating "good credits" to manipulate his way into heaven despite his horrific abuses—a "loophole" reminiscent of the film Dogma. David suggests a dark parallel, questioning if Savile's actions were an "in-your-face" challenge to higher powers, mirroring a similar calculated cruelty seen in Gaza.

Finally, David shares a truly disturbing anecdote about Israeli drones reportedly luring Palestinians with crying baby sounds to target them. The episode closes with a brief personal update, acknowledging the stark contrast of his own life compared to the horrors he discusses, as he heads off to a football match.

This is a raw, intense, and deeply personal episode of Ponderland, urging listeners to confront uncomfortable truths and consider the nature of evil in our world.

Connect with Ponderland:

• Visit David's Substack for more insights & writing: The Ponderings | David Kelly | Substack
• Follow David on X (Twitter): @PonderlandLife
• Join the conversation on Instagram: @PonderlandLife
• Catch the visual ponderings on TikTok: @ponderlandlife
• email: david@ponderland.life

Support Ponderland:

• Subscribe and leave a review! Your feedback helps us reach more curious minds.
• Share this episode with a friend who loves to ponder!

Copyright: © 2025 Ponderland. All rights reserved.

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Welcome to Ponderland, Episode 53! Recorded on May 28th, 2025, David dedicates this entire episode to a fascinating deep dive into Council Bluffs, Iowa. Inspired by a listener from this very city, David embarks on a journey to uncover its rich history and unique character.

Before delving into Council Bluffs, David gives a quick update on the English Premier League – including a lament about Manchester United's worst-ever finish and a brief, condemning mention of a disturbing incident at Liverpool's title celebrations. He also reiterates his stance on the ongoing Gaza situation, advocating for a two-state solution.

The main focus, however, is Council Bluffs. Drawing from research (including insights from Google Gemini!), David reveals:

• Its pivotal role as the "Gateway to the West" and a terminus for the Transcontinental Railroad.
• Key historical milestones, from Lewis and Clark's council with Native Americans to its days as Kanesville and its connection to Mormon settlers.
• Notable figures who called Council Bluffs home, including Amelia Jenks Bloomer (the suffragist who popularized bloomers!) and Dr. Lee DeForest, known as the "Father of Radio" – a direct precursor to podcasting!
• A captivating exploration of Council Bluffs folklore and unique stories, such as the mysterious Black Angel statue, the eerie Squirrel Cage Jail (reportedly haunted!), the city's beloved black squirrels, and the unexplained Big Lake Park Fireball incident of 1977.

This episode is a testament to the unexpected history and intrigue hidden in plain sight. Tune into Ponderland Ep 53 for a captivating journey through the past and present of Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Connect with Ponderland:

• Visit David's Substack for more insights & writing: The Ponderings | David Kelly | Substack
• Follow David on X (Twitter): @PonderlandLife
• Join the conversation on Instagram: @PonderlandLife
• Catch the visual ponderings on TikTok: @ponderlandlife
• email: david@ponderland.life

Support Ponderland:

• Subscribe and leave a review! Your feedback helps us reach more curious minds.
• Share this episode with a friend who loves to ponder!

Copyright: © 2025 Ponderland. All rights reserved.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Ponderland, Episode 52! Join David as he takes you on a thought-provoking journey from the urgent humanitarian crisis in Gaza to the philosophy of rebellion in Star Wars and why adults often ruin things for kids. Recorded on May 21st, 2025, this episode is a passionate call for empathy and understanding in a complex world.

David begins by focusing on the devastating UN reports of 14,000 babies facing starvation in Gaza, powerfully arguing that no action justifies such suffering. He envisions a two-state solution as the ultimate utopia, emphasising that organisations like Hamas are born out of oppression, not prosperity. This leads to a deep dive into the ethics of rebellion, drawing parallels with the nuanced portrayal of resistance in Disney+'s Andor, a Star Wars story.

The discussion broadens into a reflection on how adults inadvertently ruin things for children, urging listeners to consider looking at the world through a child's innocent, logical eyes.

To balance the heavy topics, David shares some personal updates: his efforts to get back into cycling amidst beautiful Northern Ireland weather, and his excitement for the All-Ireland Football Championship, including a review of a recent LGFA ladies' final. He even gives a heartfelt pub recommendation for The Village Inn in Killyclogher, County Tyrone, for anyone visiting.

This episode blends heartfelt commentary on global humanitarian crises and geopolitics with personal anecdotes and a unique perspective on human nature. Tune into Ponderland Ep 52 for David's latest ponderings on children, conflict, culture, and life's simple pleasures.

Connect with Ponderland:

• Visit David's Substack for more insights & writing: The Ponderings | David Kelly | Substack
• Follow David on X (Twitter): @PonderlandLife
• Join the conversation on Instagram: @PonderlandLife
• Catch the visual ponderings on TikTok: @ponderlandlife
• email: david@ponderland.life

Support Ponderland:

• Subscribe and leave a review! Your feedback helps us reach more curious minds.
• Share this episode with a friend who loves to ponder!

Copyright: © 2025 Ponderland. All rights reserved.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.