The Distance Dilemma
Having been close friends for almost 10 year, Imran and Shaun face the dilemma of now living in different countries. In 2024, Imran and his partner moved to Switzerland, while Shaun and his partner moved into their own house. The Distance Dilemma is a podcast for anyone else who faces the challenge of keeping a friendship alive while living in different countries.
Episodes

16 hours ago
16 hours ago
In this episode, we’re diving into a more serious one—Why I Stayed in Ireland. We’ve been getting DMs and voice notes from listeners who’ve thought about packing up and leaving, but ultimately decided to stay put. So we’re unpacking all of that this week: the push and pull of emigration, the things that made people stay, and whether Ireland still has enough to offer.
No messing around this time—it’s strictly business. We chat about the cost of living, housing (obviously), careers, community, and the emotional side of choosing to stick it out here. Is it hope? Is it stubbornness? Or are there actually some underrated perks to staying local?
We also hear directly from listeners who’ve been right on the edge of leaving—people who had the visas sorted, the job offers lined up, the escape plan in motion—but changed their mind. Some stayed for family, some for love, and a few just couldn’t say goodbye to the sea, the pints, or their granny’s roast.
No script, no filter—just real talk, hard truths, and a bit of honesty about what keeps us rooted in a place, even when everything’s telling us to leave.

Monday Jul 07, 2025
Monday Jul 07, 2025
In this episode, we’re talking about tipping in retail—should it be a thing or not? We get into the weird politics around it, whether it makes sense outside of hospitality, and the bizarre “tips” we’ve actually been given on the job.
We also go down memory lane chatting about the mobile games we were obsessed with back in school—the quick, low-effort ones you could sneak in between classes or during a boring lesson. Stuff like 2-minute football games, 4 Pics 1 Word, Temple Run, Flappy Bird—the golden era of wasting time.
That leads us into some proper nostalgia about how simple life felt back then—random cycles with friends, no plans, just vibes, and the freedom of not checking your phone every two minutes.
Then we wrap up with our topic of the week: funny travel stories. Shaun and Imran both share one of their favourite travel mishaps, and we read out a few ridiculous stories from listeners too—think missed flights, hotel mix-ups, and one very unfortunate encounter with a local delicacy.
No script, no filter—just good chat, questionable opinions, and a bit of chaos.

Monday Jun 30, 2025
Monday Jun 30, 2025
In this episode, we’re taking a trip down memory lane—and by that, we mean ranting about our retail days and why we fully believe everyone needs to do at least one year in the trenches. Character building? Absolutely. Trauma? Also yes.
We swap horror stories from the shop floor, talk about the weird life lessons we picked up (like how to fake smile for 8 hours straight), and the kind of customers that honestly should’ve been banned from society.
Then we get into Imran’s current obsession: Crumble Cookies. You know, those over-the-top, TikTok-famous, American cookie slabs that look more like desserts than biscuits? He’s deep in the cravings, considering international shipping, and Shaun’s just watching it all unfold in real time.
We also chat about our elite cheat meals (because yes, we’re trying to gym and diet but also... life’s short), and round it all off with our topic of the week: what we’d ban if we ran the country. Vapes? Gone. People blasting music on buses like it’s a wireless speaker party? Get in the bin.
No plan, no filter—just vibes, laughs, and probably too much oversharing. Standard.

Monday Jun 23, 2025
Monday Jun 23, 2025
In this episode, we’re flipping the script—Shaun’s answering your questions, straight from our Instagram DMs, all centred around life in the music industry and his personal journey as a musician.
Imran’s steering the ship, digging into the questions you sent in—from how Shaun got his start, to the biggest lessons he’s learned, and what keeps him grounded when the industry gets chaotic. We talk about the creative process, navigating burnout, making money (or not) from music, and how Shaun balances art with the pressure to stay relevant.
No fluff, no industry PR-speak—just honest chat about the reality of trying to build a life around music, from gigging in tiny rooms to playing bigger stages, and everything in between. Imran doesn’t hold back with his own questions either, pushing Shaun to reflect on where he’s at now and what’s changed over the years.
Come for the behind-the-scenes, stay for the oversharing—you know the vibe.

Monday Jun 16, 2025
Monday Jun 16, 2025
In this episode, we’re looking back—chatting pure shite in the best way—half sense, half nonsense, all heart, with Shaun reflecting on his time over in Thun, Switzerland visiting Imran.
It’s been a minute since the trip, but the memories are still fresh—so we’re diving into some highlights, some odd detours, and the usual dose of chaos. No script, no plan—just a rambling catch-up the way only we know how.
We get into our worst nightmares (literally), with Imran revisiting a terrifying sleep paralysis episode that still haunts him, and Shaun bringing the heat with his topic of the week: how long did we both spend with our partners before finally moving in together—and what it’s been like since. Spoiler: we’re both big fans of the domestic life.
Come for the laughs, stay for the oversharing—you know how it goes.

Monday Jun 09, 2025
Monday Jun 09, 2025
In this episode, we’re live for the first time—chatting pure shite in the best way—half sense, half nonsense, all heart, straight from Thun, Switzerland.
Shaun made the trip over from Dublin for his first time in Thun, and what better way to mark the occasion than by answering your questions live on Instagram? No script, no plan—just the usual rambling with a live twist.
There were tangents, dodgy takes, and plenty of laughs. A bit of nostalgia, a bit of chaos, and a lot of questionable opinions.
As always—bit of craic, bit of madness, and hopefully a few moments that make you feel like you're third-wheeling a loud Irish ramble.

Monday Jun 02, 2025
Monday Jun 02, 2025
In this episode, we’re back chatting pure shite in the best way—half sense, half nonsense, all heart.
We kick off with a bit about the Irish language—how we spent years dodging it in school, and now we weirdly want it back. Blame the nostalgia… or Duolingo bullying us with that owl.
Then we get stuck into how mad tech has gotten since we were kids. One minute you’re rewinding DVDs from Xtra-Vision, next thing Imran’s using ChatGPT to become some sort of spice wizard in the kitchen.
From there, it’s the big hitters: childhood cereals (the sugary, probably illegal ones), why Irish food products are actually elite, and whether Shaun will ever finish Dexter now that there’s not one, but two spin-offs. Don’t hold your breath.
And Imran wraps things up with a lovely one—summer as a kid in Ireland. Ice pops, sunburn, water fights, and that magic feeling of doing absolutely nothing for three months.
As always—bit of craic, bit of chaos, and hopefully a few laughs. Stick it on, and feel like you're third-wheeling a loud Irish ramble.

Monday May 26, 2025
Monday May 26, 2025
In this episode, Shaun and Imran are back chatting about everything and nothing, in the best way possible. You know the deal—some solid laughs, a few too many opinions, and probably something we’ll regret saying later.
We kick things off talking about stand-up desks—are they actually good for you or just a fancy way to feel like you're doing something with your life while replying to emails you’re ignoring anyway? Somehow that leads us into a chat about people who are obsessed with counting their steps on smartwatches. No shade, but if your daily goal is 10,000 steps and you're pacing around the kitchen at 11:58pm to hit it... we need to talk.
Then it’s the great headphone vs. earphone debate. Shaun reckons headphones make you look like you know what you're doing, even if you're just listening to ASMR soup videos. Imran is Team Earphones all the way—tiny, portable, and easy to lose in a hoodie pocket forever.
We also get into a real one: shop assistants don’t care. At all. And we say that as two people who used to be shop assistants. Imran shares a few gems from his retail days that prove most complaints get filed under “mad stuff someone said and then walked out.”
From there, we go full nostalgia talking about our Debs nights—peak chaos. Fake tans, sore feet, rented suits that never fit quite right. If you survived your Debs without a wardrobe malfunction or mild emotional breakdown, teach us your ways.
We also ask the important question: where have all the white girl music nights gone? You know the ones—screaming "Mr. Brightside" with a pint in your hand, living your best emotional crisis. Secretly, lads loved them just as much as anyone else. Bring them back.
Then we shout out our favourite gig venues in Dublin—the ones with dodgy acoustics but brilliant vibes, sticky floors, and that one bar staff who always gives you the look when you order something too fancy.
And finally, Shaun gets deep with a chat about perception and self-perception—how we think we’re coming across vs. how we actually are. Spoiler: it’s not always matching up. It’s real, a bit reflective, and yeah… maybe just a tiny bit existential.
Basically, it’s classic us—a bit all over the place, but always a good time. Stick it on and pretend you’re third-wheeling a very loud, very Irish catch-up.

Monday May 19, 2025
Monday May 19, 2025
In this episode, Shaun and Imran are taking a stroll down memory lane—10 years of friendship, laughter, and a surprising number of questionable experiences. It’s a wholesome one, but don’t worry, the chaos still finds its way in.
We kick things off celebrating some of our biggest friendship wins over the last decade. Somehow that leads to us talking about how much we both love cooking for people—whether it’s a full-on feast or just showing off that one dish we’ve nailed. If you’ve ever been to either of our houses, you’ve probably been fed way too much and handed a drink before you could even sit down.
Then things get a bit cultural as we break down the mystery of tipping in Ireland—how it actually works (or doesn’t) and why it's completely different from the tipping minefield in America.
Also, can we all agree that getting into a car that’s been baking in the sun is a form of modern torture? We go in on that shared hatred—and yes, we have solutions.
We also take a minute to reflect on Imran’s journey in content creation—how far he’s come, what he’s learned, and the stuff he’s proud of (even if Imran still doesn’t fully understand TikTok).
And finally, Imran brings this week’s topic to the table: Things he doesn’t miss about Ireland. It’s honest, it’s a bit spicy, and it might just trigger a national debate.
Basically: this episode’s got heart, heat, and a whole lot of laughs. Tune in—you’ll feel like you’re just hanging with two mates who’ve been through it all.

Monday May 12, 2025
Monday May 12, 2025
In this episode, Shaun and Imran return with a conversation that ranges from the oddly personal to the surprisingly profound. What begins as a light discussion about chat show hosting quickly unravels into a whirlwind of childhood quirks, musical grievances, and a thoughtful reflection on national identity.
We start by assessing Shaun’s potential as a talk show host—think less Graham Norton, more controlled chaos—before delving into the strange phases we went through growing up. Imran had a piercing stage, Shaun was deep in his Oasis era (a fact he now deeply regrets), and somehow we both made it out the other side.
From there, we tackle the music genres that just don’t work for us. Imran takes aim at Westerns and country, while Shaun makes a solid case against rap. No one is safe, including our younger selves.
The core of the episode, though, revolves around Shaun’s big question: “Reasons Why I Wouldn’t Leave Ireland.” What starts off sounding simple turns into a nuanced discussion about home, nostalgia, and why certain places stick with us—even when we think we want out.
It’s thoughtful, a bit ridiculous, and hopefully the kind of chat that makes you laugh and think. Tune in.