The Long Game

Prime Minister Farage?

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 11 May 2026 07:19:13 -0700

On this week's episode of The Long Game, Ben and Jason discuss Reform UK's decimation of Labour and the Tories in the UK and what it means for Ireland; the ongoing Irish by-elections; the outbreak of hantavirus, and more.

Going Nuclear

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Tue, 05 May 2026 07:42:29 -0700

Ben and Jason consider Ireland's impending nuclear debate, the upcoming by-elections in Dublin and Galway, and the cancellation of a controversial surrogacy event following substantial criticism.

The FFG death spiral continues

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 08:15:35 -0700

Jason and Ben comment on the slow-but-steady death spiral of FFG which the latest polling indicates is continuing, as well as on the Government's modular housing plans and the reputational blow the Southern Poverty Law Center has taken in the last week.

"I AM THE GREATEST"

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 01:33:13 -0700

Micheál Martin's dodgy Muhammad Ali impression and his enduring grip on Fianna Fáil; Leo Varadkar's take on the rural-urban divide; and whether the State media regulator is currently engaged in policing speech. All on this week's Long Game podcast.

Not what they paid for

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 05:56:15 -0700

The fuel protests have wound down, a minister's not happy with the media's lack of support for Government and a battle for the ages: Donald Trump vs Pope Leo XIV. All discussed on this week's episode of The Long Game Podcast.

Send In The Troops

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 07:20:04 -0700

On this week's episode of The Long Game, Ben and Jason discuss the ongoing fuel protests disrupting traffic across Ireland, Donald Trump's Iran war ceasefire, and how the Christian messages of the Artemis II astronauts are making atheists on Reddit go berserk.

Covid and Courts Madness

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 04:37:49 -0700

Jason is joined this week by Fatima, who comes bearing stories from the courts. They also discuss the state of Ireland's Covid-19 'evaluation' and the quality and quantity of biblical dramas on streaming services in 2026.

Censorship in Progress

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 07:24:27 -0700

Freshly returned from his time Stateside, Ben joins Jason to talk banned TikTok videos and EU content policing, Iran war energy woes and the wild reaction to Ryan Casey's political opinions.

St Patrick's Shambles

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 04:02:18 -0700

The growing tendency to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of national and cultural celebrations irks Jason and Maria this week. The deepening oil crisis and Maria's experience of the recent Women's Coalition on Immigration event make up the rest of the show.

Keeping up with the Kardashian

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 09:17:47 -0700

Ben and Jason discuss Barbie Kardashian's new digs and Dublin Zoo's Mother's Day marketing, as well as the Government's commitment to the Cost of Living crisis.

'World War Three Fought Piecemeal'

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 06:56:20 -0800

Jason and special guest Maria Maynes discuss the spiralling situation in the Middle East, the sectarian trend in UK politics and the shocking abortion story receiving no coverage from the Irish media.

Truly diverse Defence Forces

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 07:26:57 -0800

The security concerns surrounding the Ireland/Israel Nations League fixture, Minister Helen McEntee's Defence Forces diversity drive and LENT are all up for discussion on this week's episode of the Long Game podcast.

Dodge, Duck, Dip, Dive and Dodge (Ben's questions)

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 04:21:16 -0800

On this week's episode of The Long Game, Ben and Jason analyse some of Ben's recent encounters with Government ministers and their disappointing (non-) answers.

On Floods and State Funding

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 07:43:04 -0800

Ben and Jason bemoan the weather and the Government response to it, before turning to problems of entirely human origin: the State's funding of, apparently, everything, the Deposit Return Scheme's disastrous effect on Dublin and the omnipresence of gambling.

Whispers of Euroscepticism

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 02:08:24 -0800

This week, Ben and Jason discuss Helen McEntee’s great love of Europe, a Fianna Fáil TD’s suggestion that the State should steer clear of "anti-Government" CEOs for State contracts, and the political leanings of modern movies.

Tech Illiterates

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 02:03:44 -0800

On this week's episode of The Long Game podcast, Ben and Jason discuss the tech illiteracy of the people regulating the Irish digital space, Trump's impending seizure of Greenland and the growing threat of a US-EU trade war, and the re-arrest of Enoch Burke.

Slow Learners

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 02:01:41 -0800

Jason and Ben discuss the week’s top news, from Sinn Fein failing to learn lessons, Grok being bold to the impending end of the 25 year-long Mercosur saga.

Might is Right is back

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 07:07:17 -0800

Ben and Jason cross swords over the American intervention in Venezuela, before discussing lighter things like the new Dublin city traffic plan and the dire state of modern children's books.

Andrew Tate and the Book of Exodus

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 06:27:13 -0800

In something of a Christmas special, Ben and Jason discuss whether 2025 went as they predicted politically-speaking, the weekend whooping of Andrew Tate and the ethics of Santa Claus.

Is it cringe to "wait until marriage"?

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 07:53:35 -0800

Ben and Jason discuss whether or not virginity is embarrassing following Piers Morgan's interview with a American streamer, as well as the merits and dangers of online age restrictions, and the tragic events at Bondi Beach over the weekend.

Irish people have "white privilege"?

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 02:16:17 -0800

On this episode of The Long Game podcast, Ben and Jason discuss Irish school children being taught they have "white privilege"; what America's new national security policy means for Europe; and the young man taking the "looksmaxxing" trend way too far.

The Battle of Herzog Park

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 07:52:49 -0800

Ben is back from Greece, and he's got a complaint to make. After venting, the conversation moves on to the Battle of Herzog Park and a senior garda's admission that radical Islam is on the rise in Ireland.

Mass migration an 'existential threat' to the West?

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 07:20:24 -0800

Jason is joined this week by Fatima Gunning to discuss the US State Department's announcement that mass migration is an "existential threat" to Western civilisation, as well as Slovenia's rejection of assisted suicide and the ongoing Christian persecution in Nigeria.

Too few houses, too few prisons, too many NGOs

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 07:54:29 -0800

The failure of the State to treat the housing crisis like the "emergency" they say it is; prison overcrowding and the drastic measures authorities are considering to cope with it; and a mad German NGO are all on the agenda for Ben and Jason this week.

You Need to Get Your Act Together

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 08:19:28 -0800

This week, Ben and Jason rant and rave about institutional failures and shortcomings, from the BBC to RTÉ and everywhere in between.

Have you any humanity?

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 08:44:52 -0800

This week, Ben and Jason discuss the Government's swing to the FAR-RIGHT (also known as majority opinion on immigration), the dawning awareness that EU regulation has stifled homebuilding, and finally the unspoken time bomb that western nations are sitting atop.

Spoiled Brats

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 03:42:31 -0700

Limping Across the Finish Line

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 08:10:49 -0700

As Fine Gael targets Catherine Connolly's work as a barrister, Jason and Ben breathe a sigh of relief that the presidential race is nearing its end. That's followed by a sigh of despair as they examine 'Official Ireland's' commitment to gender ideology and France's inability to stop thieves breaking into its national museums.

FFG: Running on Empty

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 01:54:45 -0700

On this week's episode, Jason and Ben react to the Heather Humphreys' polling woes and question whether FFG's lack of political imagination is finally coming back to bite them both domestically and internationally. They end on an optimistic note that's sure to annoy some viewers, as poll data reveals NI youths are bullish about Christianity.

Gavin-Gate

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 07:42:59 -0700

On this week's episode, Ben and Jason laugh and laugh and laugh about the latest twist in the presidential election as Jim Gavin drops out, before turning to another of the candidate's disappointing gender ideology answers and analysing FG's budgetary promises.

Debate Predictions

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 10:53:24 -0700

In this week's episode of The Long Game podcast, Ben and Maria predict how boring the Presidential election debate will be, discuss Maria Steen being blocked from the ballot, and talk about American football stars being mugged in Dublin.

Why Are They Like This?

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 08:21:44 -0700

Jason and Ben react with disbelief to Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty's proclamation that you can say whatever you want on RTÉ, before turning their disbelief to both Sinn Féin's "game-changing" presidential announcement and the way people talk about Christians.

The War on 'Wrong Opinions'

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 09:16:41 -0700

Ben and Jason share their reactions to the murder of Charlie Kirk, as well as what they thought of the many reactions celebrating and justifying his death. Left-wing violence on Irish streets and the Taoiseach's view that saying 'Ireland for the Irish' is tantamount to inciting violence were also on the agenda this week.

The Messy Business of Politics

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 08:03:00 -0700

The road to the Áras is getting busier as independents vie to earn the backing of the local authorities, prompting Jason and Ben to chat about what will separate the serious contenders from the rest. The ongoing threats faced by Tánaiste Simon Harris and his family, and Gavin Pepper's failure to live up to the leftist's imagining of him, make up the rest of the discussion this week.

Dublin City Council vs. The Irish Tricolour

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 08:45:56 -0700

On The Long Game this week, Ben and Maria talk about Dublin City Council's attempt to remove Irish flags around the city; the media grilling of Presidential hopeful Catherine Connolly; and Fianna Fáil's apparent lack of faith in any candidate from inside their own ranks.

President Bertie?

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 08:45:10 -0700

On this week's episode of The Long Game Podcast, Ben and Jason discuss the state of the Presidential race, the possibility of "President Bertie Ahern", the cult of Michael D. Higgins, and delve further into the state funding of media.

Nasty People

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 07:38:13 -0700

As Tony Holohan announces the presidency is no longer in his sights, Ben and Jason discuss why politics may be a nastier business than it used to be, before coincidentally moving on to the State's total disregard of public pushback on a national dis-/mis-information strategy. Also: Are eugenics back in vogue in some fashionable circles?

The Most Controversial Episode So Far

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 07:47:02 -0700

Without beating around the bush, Ben and Jason get into the recent reports of Indians feeling unsafe in Ireland, and the surging phenomenon of 'elsewhereism,' or being primarily concerned about the rights and wrongs of goings on in other places. They also discuss Gript's latest subscriber-only feature, 'The Cost of Politics'.

Law and Disorder

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 04:47:46 -0700

Ben and Jason ramble through a discussion about whether law and order is breaking down in Ireland, and specifically in Dublin, musing about the merits of raising a family in the city versus in the countryside, before getting back to the news of the kidnapping of an Irish woman in Haiti.

The EU just got Trumped

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 07:07:20 -0700

This week on The Long Game podcast, Jason laments the EU's latest steamrolling at the hands of Donald Trump, and Ben adds fuel to the fire by questioning the current calibre of Irish thought on economics and borders.

You get what you pay for

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 08:28:16 -0700

With Ben missing in action this week, Jason is joined by Gript colleague Maria Maynes to discuss the revised National Development Plan and Maria's coverage of calls for 'Jennie's Law', before complaining about falling afoul of Ryanair's baggage policy and viral infidelity.

Who's to blame for the housing crisis?

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 07:48:44 -0700

The Housing Minister accidentally blaming the Government for housing holdups, the plight of the pubs and the dangers of technology, as found out by one State agency recently, are all on the cards for Jason and Ben on this week’s episode.

Re-run the Care Referendum?

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 08:11:12 -0700

On this week's episode, Jason and Ben discuss the UN's call for a re-run of the Care Referendum, as well as the tools the State is using to tackle 'wrongthink' in both schools and An Garda Síochana.

Roderic to the Rescue

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 08:34:47 -0700

This week, the lads discuss the lacklustre start to Ireland’s presidential election speculation, what the latest polling data tells us about the lay of the political land, and the Irish delegation that defiantly made its way to Hungary’s Pride parade over the weekend.

Injustice after injustice

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 04:34:54 -0700

With Ben on holidays this week, Jason is joined by Telegraph columnist Michael Murphy to discuss the week's news, including changes to US student visa vetting, questionable reasons for rejecting garda applicants and more.

Commission Impossible

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 09:21:53 -0700

Ben and Jason discuss the ways in which a culture of civil mediocrity and bureaucracy is strangling Irish society, from media to AI.

We're all mongrels now

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 08:50:27 -0700

This week on 'The Long Game', Jason and Ben question whether Garda Commissioner Drew Harris is on top of his brief after a surprising exchange with Ben, the modern trend among Irish elites of denigrating Irishness, and whether Government is up to the task of regulating information itself.

Poland, Pride and Short Kings

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 09:21:31 -0700

Poland’s choice of president and the state of that country more generally are on the cards for Ben and Jason this week, along with the decline of Pride month and the trials of short men in their dealings with the fairer sex.

Artists and Anger

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Tue, 27 May 2025 07:26:29 -0700

The lads discuss the Kneecap terror charge, whether Oireachtas scrutiny of IPAS spending is likely to make any difference, and whether or not the Basic Income for the Arts scheme is a good idea after it was publicly backed by Minister Patrick O'Donovan.

Climate Activism is coming to the Leaving Cert

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 19 May 2025 07:45:59 -0700

The imminent climate course that will see Leaving Cert students engage in activism is on the agenda for Jason and Ben today, alongside Sinn Féin’s transgender woes and the tumultuous European elections at the weekend.

Are hate speech laws back on the table?

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 12 May 2025 07:41:58 -0700

Jason and Ben have a look at Ireland's apparent 'BANANA' problem, the EU's decision to start applying pressure to Ireland over its lack of hate speech regulation and share their initial thoughts of Pope Leo XIV.

Catching the Tánaiste napping

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 05 May 2025 01:54:11 -0700

Grilling politicians, chartering flights for refugees into Ireland and the Government-Media-NGO nexus are all on the agenda for Ben and Jason this week - beginning with a brief diversion into the India-Pakistan tensions.

Disinformation everywhere

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 08:02:40 -0700

This week on 'The Long Game' podcast, Jason and Ben react to the weekend's protests and the coverage they received, Regina Doherty's ongoing gender journey and have a look at Ireland's new Counter Disinformation Strategy.

Sad Catholic boys

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 10:40:06 -0700

This week on The Long Game Podcast, Ben and Jason discuss the death of Pope Francis and what comes next, the public’s low level of trust in RTÉ and their gaming history in light of the imminent Oblivion Remaster.

The Anti-Democratic Age

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 05:47:08 -0700

This week on The Long Game Podcast, Ben and Jason discuss the news that plans for a directly-elected Dublin mayor have been shelved over Conor McGregor-shaped fears, whether citizen journalists are the threat they're made out to be and the new Climate Leaving Cert subject which will see students considering 'environmental racism' and the role of colonialism is 'climate injustice'.

Tariff Terror

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 07:43:32 -0700

On this week’s episode, Ben and Jason discuss the prospect of talking climate with their barbers, the terror Trump’s tariffs have induced around the world, and whether or not failing to do the dishes is sufficient reason to consider divorce.

Just Be Yourself

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 08:30:28 -0700

In this extremely informal, rambling episode of The Long Game podcast, Ben Scallan and Fatima Gunning discuss everything from rising crime rates in Ireland, to 'toxic masculinity', to what Fatima finds attractive and unattractive in a man, and more.

Toxic men everywhere

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 10:50:22 -0700

This week on ‘The Long Game’ Podcast, Jason and Ben discuss whether the concept of toxic masculinity makes any sense, the Garron Noone saga, and the achingly boring Dáil speaking rights debacle.

McGregor In the House

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 18:52:05 -0700

On this week's episode of 'The Long Game' podcast, Ben Scallan and Jason Osborne discuss Conor McGregor's St. Patrick's Day White House contributions, a Guyanese migrant with 19 previous convictions attacking an 18-year-old girl within days of arriving in the country, thousands of acres of Amazon rainforest being cut down to 'save the climate', and more.

A Public Spanking

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 18:48:52 -0700

On this episode of the Long Game Podcast, Ben and Jason discuss whether Taoiseach Micheál Martin will receive a public spanking during the St. Patrick's Day White House meeting; Trump's trade war on everyone; and more.

Should Ireland remove the Triple Lock?

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 01:59:43 -0800

On this short-and-sweet episode of The Long Game podcast, Ben and Jason discuss the odds of a right-leaning Irish President in this year's Presidential election, whether Ireland removing the Triple Lock would damage military neutrality, and more.

Bureaucratic Hell

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 08:41:37 -0800

On this episode of 'The Long Game' podcast, Ben Scallan and Jason Osborne discuss Garda applicants waiting years to be processed, the State's war on cabin homes in people's gardens, whether pornography should be treated as a public health issue and banned, and more.

Thank God for X

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:40:35 -0800

This week on the Long Game Podcast, Ben and Jason discuss the gardaí attempt to access Gript's private messages, as well as the latest stabbing in Dublin, calls for a European Army, and whether adult-only weddings constitute a war on children.

The Stoneybatter Stabbing

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 09:00:05 -0800

On this episode of The Long Game Podcast, Jason Osborne and Ben Scallan discuss the Stoneybatter stabbing, the Irish State giving millions of euros to media outlets to protect 'democracy', how to make the Eurovision less crap, and more:

Islamic extremism is for everyone

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 06:18:46 -0800

On this episode of The Long Game podcast, Jason and Ben discuss the Seanad elections, Irish people’s attitude towards gender quotas, the Government abandoning their transgender plans for under-16s, and respond to criticism from a rival podcast.

Outage outrage

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 08:43:53 -0800

On this week's episode of The Long Game podcast, Jason and Ben discuss the fact that hundreds of thousands of people around the country remain without power days after Storm Éowyn, as well as the new ministerial appointments, a St Patrick's Day terror threat and the fading power of celebrity tears.

Extreme efficiency

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 09:11:16 -0800

On this week of 'The Long Game' podcast, Jason and Ben discuss Trump's inauguration, the Irish Programme for Government, the modern dating market for young men, and how much efficiency is too much.

The Salad King's Legacy

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 08:17:10 -0800

In this week's episode of The Long Game podcast with Jason Osborne and Ben Scallan, the lads discuss foreign money being channelled into Irish NGOs, Eamon Ryan meeting with Extinction Rebellion to discuss Ireland's energy policy, and more.

Boys Will Be Boys

Ben Scallan, Jason Osborne — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 08:22:38 -0800

Welcome to Ep. 1 of The Long Game with Gript: a podcast where Jason Osborne and Ben Scallan share the week’s top political and cultural stories through young, Irish, conservative eyes.

This week: DCU vs. Andrew Tate, UK grooming gangs, State-funded sex work advocates, and more.