Podcast Summary: "The Irish Civil War with Shane Todd" | History Hyenas

Podcast: History Hyenas
Hosts: Chris Distefano and Yannis Pappas
Guest: Shane Todd
Release Date: January 1, 2026

Episode Overview

Comedians Chris Distefano and Yannis Pappas bring on Northern Irish comedian Shane Todd for an energetic, irreverent, and insightful episode exploring Irish identity, politics, history, and stereotypes—with plenty of laughs along the way. Blending personal stories, Irish cultural quirks, and historical asides, the group provides both comic relief and sharp commentary on Ireland, America, and the ties (and trouble) that bind them.

Key Discussion Points

1. Shane Todd’s Irishness & American Misconceptions (00:36–02:57)

Shane, a Belfast native, jokes about Americans confusing Irish and Scottish backgrounds.
- "Original white. Like the factory where white people were made." — Shane [01:04].
- Shane's DNA is "100% Irish," reinforcing his credentials for the discussion.
Anecdote: The perils of American tours, including a slip from healthy living to late-night McDonald's binges in Belfast.
- "You can derail him with a bag of McDonald’s, a Guinness... you can just derail the kid." — Yannis [02:20].

2. Travel Tales: America through Irish Eyes (03:00–07:00)

Shane shares stories from recent U.S. gigs:
- Encounters with masked audiences (San Francisco) and visits to Tijuana.
- Naivety booking a hotel in San Francisco’s “Tenderloin”—assuming it sounded “lovely”—before realizing it was a rough area.
- Observes America’s peculiar habit of “incarcerating groceries”: “Buying Doritos like I was buying a diamond necklace.” [05:03].
Commentary on American retail theft, contrasted with Belfast’s own gritty reputation.

3. Irish Identity, Immigration, and the Irish Divide (07:00–16:00)

Discussion on modern Irish identity:
- Perception that Ireland is changing due to immigration, especially in Dublin (recent riots).
- “...it was kind of nice to watch that, you know, because we were like, you know, it’s not us.” — Shane on Belfast vs. Dublin troubles [07:42].
Irish Americans and misunderstanding Northern Ireland (“All Irish are Catholic” myth).
The lingering reality of divisions:
- “There’s a long time where you’re not 100% sure... you gotta find like, what school did you go to? Where are you from? How do you pronounce the letter H?” — Shane [09:52].
- Unique Belfast shibboleths, like pronouncing ‘H’.
The peace wall remains: Still closed nightly, but mostly a tourist site now.

4. Religion, Partition, and The Troubles (16:00–29:00)

Sectarian tensions: Protestants seen as “loyalists” to the British crown, Catholics as Irish nationalists.
- “The best way I can describe it is we have two sort of main parties... they’re never on the same page. So even now... if one side picks an opinion on something, by default the other side has to go the opposite.” — Shane [28:54].
- Example: Gay marriage referendum splitting along tribal lines.
Older generation more attached to distinctions; younger, not as much.
Shane’s religious background: Raised with neither, “religious fluid.” [27:44–28:13].

5. Irish Drinking Culture vs. American Drinking (11:08–19:19 and throughout)

The Irish reputation for drinking is examined with humor:
- “Is it true there’s no AA in Ireland?” — Chris [15:44].
- Shane clarifies: “No, that’s not true,” but attitudes are different.
Early drinking ages (15 or 16 in country bars), and the ability to “handle it.”
- “People will be, like, mangled after, like, 12 pints and be like, ‘I gotta go. I gotta drive this bus now.’” — Shane [18:40].
Myth-busting: Not everyone drinks heavily; “not drinking” means something different in Ireland.

6. The Irish Parliament, Drinking, and History Nods (22:01–24:31)

Historical trivia: Irish legislators and parliamentarians "used to brawl drunk in Parliament."
- “It used to be, in Ireland, you just went to the parliament and everyone was fucking getting hammered.” — Yannis [16:07].
Irish moonshine ("poitin") lore: “If you drank a cup of it, you’d die.” — Shane [22:54].

7. Comedy, Food, and Cultural Swaps (11:37, 29:49–34:49)

Chris’s surprising discovery of “the best pizza” in Belfast, at Flout Pizza.
- “He took a Japanese approach to it. In Japan... they just focus on one thing. So this place [Flout Pizza], they just do pizza. And his pizza is legendary.” — Chris [12:01].
Irish attitudes to ambition:
- Less driven by wealth or “crushing it” than Americans.
- “In Ireland... Don’t get above your station.” — Shane [33:25].
- “The wealthiest comedians in Ireland do well enough... You don’t have to have seven Ferraris.” — Chris [35:17].

8. Bare-Knuckle Boxing and Irish Travelers (42:10–46:50)

Fascination with the Irish Travelers (the ethnic minority often called "Pikeys," a term noted as a slur).
- “The right term’d be ‘traveler’.” — Shane [42:10].
Wild tradition of family bare-knuckle boxing, captured in the documentary "Knuckle."
- “They beat the shit out of each other in a car park and then... love each other.” — Shane [43:57].
- “It’s family’s honor. It’s like samurai shit.” — Yannis [44:23].

9. Reflections: Irish vs. American Life (37:26–41:49)

Americans: Enthusiastic, always hustling, everything moves “a mile a minute.”
Irish: Appreciate calm, sitting down “to just do nothing,” less pressure for more (or bragging).
Homelessness differences: Ireland has less visible homelessness and perhaps more communal care.
Guns: Both societies have them, but mass shootings are an American phenomenon.
“What have you picked up about Americans?”
- “So enthusiastic about everything. You guys get behind everything... I actually love coming over here.” — Shane [37:37].

10. Irish-American Connections and History Nods (35:36–41:29)

Hercules Mulligan, an Irish-born American Revolutionary figure.
- "That's how much the Irish hate the British. He probably came here just to help us... because we hate the British so much." — Yannis [41:03].
Shout-out to the often overlooked role of Irish immigrants in American history.

11. Comedy Scene in Ireland and Recommendation (48:02–49:00)

Irish comedy booming, with Belfast now hosting arena shows for local comedians.
- Names dropped: Dylan Moran, Tommy Tiernan.
- “The crowds in Belfast and Dublin were the best crowds I did a whole tour through Europe for. It's not even close.” — Chris [15:01].
Shane’s own podcast: “Tea With Me.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Irish Ancestry:
“I was keen to see how exotic I was. And it was like, you never left.” — Shane [01:10]
On American Drugstore Security:
“We're buying Doritos like I was buying, like, a diamond necklace.” — Shane [05:05]
On Sectarian Divisions:
“You gotta ask like eight questions before you decide whether you hate the person.” — Shane [09:55]
On Drinking Ability:
“People will be, like, mangled after, like, 12 pints and be like, ‘I gotta go. I gotta drive this bus now.’” — Shane [18:40]
On Irish Food:
“One of the best pizzas I've ever had in my life was in Belfast at Flout Pizza.” — Chris [11:37]
On Cultural Differences in Ambition:
“Don't get above your station.” — Shane [33:25]
On Bare-Knuckle Fighting:
“They beat the shit out of each other in a car park and then they share a can after.” — Shane [43:58]
On American Enthusiasm:
“So enthusiastic about everything. You guys get behind everything.” — Shane [37:39]
On Travelers:
“Tyson Fury’s family [are] travelers.” — Shane [43:09]

Key Timestamps

00:36 – Shane Todd intro, Irish/Scottish identity jokes
03:00 – Shane’s American tour stories: San Francisco, Tijuana
07:22 – Belfast/Dublin distinction and immigration
08:21 – Reflections on the Belfast peace wall
11:07 – Best pizza in Belfast story
16:07 – Drunken Irish Parliament history
18:40 – Irish vs American drinking habits
22:32 – Irish poitin and moonshine stories
27:44 – Shane’s religious background: “religious fluid”
28:54 – Each political side taking opposite stances out of tribal logic
33:25 – Irish humility compared to American ambition
35:36 – American looting ancestors, Irish composure
37:39 – American enthusiasm vs. Irish calm
43:09 – Irish Travelers and bare-knuckle boxing traditions
48:02 – Irish comedians and Belfast comedy scene

Tone and Style

Irreverent, rapid-fire, affectionate but unfiltered—a blend of self-deprecating Irish humor, New York edge, and a genuine enthusiasm for history, culture, and people.

Where to Follow

Shane Todd: @ShaneToddComedy on social media, host of "Tea With Me" podcast
History Hyenas: Chris Distefano and Yannis Pappas, available on podcast platforms

Podcast Summary: "The Irish Civil War with Shane Todd" | History Hyenas

Podcast: History Hyenas
Hosts: Chris Distefano and Yannis Pappas
Guest: Shane Todd
Release Date: January 1, 2026

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points

1. Shane Todd’s Irishness & American Misconceptions (00:36–02:57)

Shane, a Belfast native, jokes about Americans confusing Irish and Scottish backgrounds.
- "Original white. Like the factory where white people were made." — Shane [01:04].
- Shane's DNA is "100% Irish," reinforcing his credentials for the discussion.
Anecdote: The perils of American tours, including a slip from healthy living to late-night McDonald's binges in Belfast.
- "You can derail him with a bag of McDonald’s, a Guinness... you can just derail the kid." — Yannis [02:20].

2. Travel Tales: America through Irish Eyes (03:00–07:00)

Shane shares stories from recent U.S. gigs:
- Encounters with masked audiences (San Francisco) and visits to Tijuana.
- Naivety booking a hotel in San Francisco’s “Tenderloin”—assuming it sounded “lovely”—before realizing it was a rough area.
- Observes America’s peculiar habit of “incarcerating groceries”: “Buying Doritos like I was buying a diamond necklace.” [05:03].
Commentary on American retail theft, contrasted with Belfast’s own gritty reputation.

3. Irish Identity, Immigration, and the Irish Divide (07:00–16:00)

Discussion on modern Irish identity:
- Perception that Ireland is changing due to immigration, especially in Dublin (recent riots).
- “...it was kind of nice to watch that, you know, because we were like, you know, it’s not us.” — Shane on Belfast vs. Dublin troubles [07:42].
Irish Americans and misunderstanding Northern Ireland (“All Irish are Catholic” myth).
The lingering reality of divisions:
- “There’s a long time where you’re not 100% sure... you gotta find like, what school did you go to? Where are you from? How do you pronounce the letter H?” — Shane [09:52].
- Unique Belfast shibboleths, like pronouncing ‘H’.
The peace wall remains: Still closed nightly, but mostly a tourist site now.

4. Religion, Partition, and The Troubles (16:00–29:00)

Sectarian tensions: Protestants seen as “loyalists” to the British crown, Catholics as Irish nationalists.
- “The best way I can describe it is we have two sort of main parties... they’re never on the same page. So even now... if one side picks an opinion on something, by default the other side has to go the opposite.” — Shane [28:54].
- Example: Gay marriage referendum splitting along tribal lines.
Older generation more attached to distinctions; younger, not as much.
Shane’s religious background: Raised with neither, “religious fluid.” [27:44–28:13].

5. Irish Drinking Culture vs. American Drinking (11:08–19:19 and throughout)

The Irish reputation for drinking is examined with humor:
- “Is it true there’s no AA in Ireland?” — Chris [15:44].
- Shane clarifies: “No, that’s not true,” but attitudes are different.
Early drinking ages (15 or 16 in country bars), and the ability to “handle it.”
- “People will be, like, mangled after, like, 12 pints and be like, ‘I gotta go. I gotta drive this bus now.’” — Shane [18:40].
Myth-busting: Not everyone drinks heavily; “not drinking” means something different in Ireland.

6. The Irish Parliament, Drinking, and History Nods (22:01–24:31)

Historical trivia: Irish legislators and parliamentarians "used to brawl drunk in Parliament."
- “It used to be, in Ireland, you just went to the parliament and everyone was fucking getting hammered.” — Yannis [16:07].
Irish moonshine ("poitin") lore: “If you drank a cup of it, you’d die.” — Shane [22:54].

7. Comedy, Food, and Cultural Swaps (11:37, 29:49–34:49)

Chris’s surprising discovery of “the best pizza” in Belfast, at Flout Pizza.
- “He took a Japanese approach to it. In Japan... they just focus on one thing. So this place [Flout Pizza], they just do pizza. And his pizza is legendary.” — Chris [12:01].
Irish attitudes to ambition:
- Less driven by wealth or “crushing it” than Americans.
- “In Ireland... Don’t get above your station.” — Shane [33:25].
- “The wealthiest comedians in Ireland do well enough... You don’t have to have seven Ferraris.” — Chris [35:17].

8. Bare-Knuckle Boxing and Irish Travelers (42:10–46:50)

Fascination with the Irish Travelers (the ethnic minority often called "Pikeys," a term noted as a slur).
- “The right term’d be ‘traveler’.” — Shane [42:10].
Wild tradition of family bare-knuckle boxing, captured in the documentary "Knuckle."
- “They beat the shit out of each other in a car park and then... love each other.” — Shane [43:57].
- “It’s family’s honor. It’s like samurai shit.” — Yannis [44:23].

9. Reflections: Irish vs. American Life (37:26–41:49)

Americans: Enthusiastic, always hustling, everything moves “a mile a minute.”
Irish: Appreciate calm, sitting down “to just do nothing,” less pressure for more (or bragging).
Homelessness differences: Ireland has less visible homelessness and perhaps more communal care.
Guns: Both societies have them, but mass shootings are an American phenomenon.
“What have you picked up about Americans?”
- “So enthusiastic about everything. You guys get behind everything... I actually love coming over here.” — Shane [37:37].

10. Irish-American Connections and History Nods (35:36–41:29)

Hercules Mulligan, an Irish-born American Revolutionary figure.
- "That's how much the Irish hate the British. He probably came here just to help us... because we hate the British so much." — Yannis [41:03].
Shout-out to the often overlooked role of Irish immigrants in American history.

11. Comedy Scene in Ireland and Recommendation (48:02–49:00)

Irish comedy booming, with Belfast now hosting arena shows for local comedians.
- Names dropped: Dylan Moran, Tommy Tiernan.
- “The crowds in Belfast and Dublin were the best crowds I did a whole tour through Europe for. It's not even close.” — Chris [15:01].
Shane’s own podcast: “Tea With Me.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Irish Ancestry:
“I was keen to see how exotic I was. And it was like, you never left.” — Shane [01:10]
On American Drugstore Security:
“We're buying Doritos like I was buying, like, a diamond necklace.” — Shane [05:05]
On Sectarian Divisions:
“You gotta ask like eight questions before you decide whether you hate the person.” — Shane [09:55]
On Drinking Ability:
“People will be, like, mangled after, like, 12 pints and be like, ‘I gotta go. I gotta drive this bus now.’” — Shane [18:40]
On Irish Food:
“One of the best pizzas I've ever had in my life was in Belfast at Flout Pizza.” — Chris [11:37]
On Cultural Differences in Ambition:
“Don't get above your station.” — Shane [33:25]
On Bare-Knuckle Fighting:
“They beat the shit out of each other in a car park and then they share a can after.” — Shane [43:58]
On American Enthusiasm:
“So enthusiastic about everything. You guys get behind everything.” — Shane [37:39]
On Travelers:
“Tyson Fury’s family [are] travelers.” — Shane [43:09]

Key Timestamps

00:36 – Shane Todd intro, Irish/Scottish identity jokes
03:00 – Shane’s American tour stories: San Francisco, Tijuana
07:22 – Belfast/Dublin distinction and immigration
08:21 – Reflections on the Belfast peace wall
11:07 – Best pizza in Belfast story
16:07 – Drunken Irish Parliament history
18:40 – Irish vs American drinking habits
22:32 – Irish poitin and moonshine stories
27:44 – Shane’s religious background: “religious fluid”
28:54 – Each political side taking opposite stances out of tribal logic
33:25 – Irish humility compared to American ambition
35:36 – American looting ancestors, Irish composure
37:39 – American enthusiasm vs. Irish calm
43:09 – Irish Travelers and bare-knuckle boxing traditions
48:02 – Irish comedians and Belfast comedy scene

Tone and Style

Irreverent, rapid-fire, affectionate but unfiltered—a blend of self-deprecating Irish humor, New York edge, and a genuine enthusiasm for history, culture, and people.

Where to Follow

Shane Todd: @ShaneToddComedy on social media, host of "Tea With Me" podcast
History Hyenas: Chris Distefano and Yannis Pappas, available on podcast platforms

The Irish Civil War with Shane Todd | History Hyenas

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Summary

Podcast Summary: "The Irish Civil War with Shane Todd" | History Hyenas

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points

1. Shane Todd’s Irishness & American Misconceptions (00:36–02:57)

2. Travel Tales: America through Irish Eyes (03:00–07:00)

3. Irish Identity, Immigration, and the Irish Divide (07:00–16:00)

4. Religion, Partition, and The Troubles (16:00–29:00)

5. Irish Drinking Culture vs. American Drinking (11:08–19:19 and throughout)

6. The Irish Parliament, Drinking, and History Nods (22:01–24:31)

7. Comedy, Food, and Cultural Swaps (11:37, 29:49–34:49)

8. Bare-Knuckle Boxing and Irish Travelers (42:10–46:50)

9. Reflections: Irish vs. American Life (37:26–41:49)

10. Irish-American Connections and History Nods (35:36–41:29)

11. Comedy Scene in Ireland and Recommendation (48:02–49:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Key Timestamps

Tone and Style

Where to Follow

Summary

Podcast Summary: "The Irish Civil War with Shane Todd" | History Hyenas

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points

1. Shane Todd’s Irishness & American Misconceptions (00:36–02:57)

2. Travel Tales: America through Irish Eyes (03:00–07:00)

3. Irish Identity, Immigration, and the Irish Divide (07:00–16:00)

4. Religion, Partition, and The Troubles (16:00–29:00)

5. Irish Drinking Culture vs. American Drinking (11:08–19:19 and throughout)

6. The Irish Parliament, Drinking, and History Nods (22:01–24:31)

7. Comedy, Food, and Cultural Swaps (11:37, 29:49–34:49)

8. Bare-Knuckle Boxing and Irish Travelers (42:10–46:50)

9. Reflections: Irish vs. American Life (37:26–41:49)

10. Irish-American Connections and History Nods (35:36–41:29)

11. Comedy Scene in Ireland and Recommendation (48:02–49:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Key Timestamps

Tone and Style

Where to Follow