Unbound | Conversations Without Limits

Rupal Patel, a former CIA intelligence analyst, has developed an annual tradition called the "Capture Your Year" exercise. This method helps to recognise unacknowledged achievements and identify areas for improvement. Plus, we’ll discuss the importance of sharing these insights with others for mutual growth and reinforcement. Make sure to listen in for actionable tips that can transform how you ap...

With decades of leadership in technology and innovation, Ann Kelleher shares practical strategies for navigating challenging environments, leveraging culture, and building lasting impact whether in global organisations or local communities. From lessons learned growing up on a farm in County Cork to turning around high-stakes operations at Intel, Ann Kelleher delivers actionable wisdom for anyone...

Stephen McDonnell sits down with John Gilley, CEO of Kent, for a raw and inspiring look at leadership and building a culture that scales. From his roots in Cobh, County Cork, to leading billion-dollar projects across Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, John reflects on how Irish values, family influence, and a relentless drive for growth shaped his journey. He opens up about leading through the chaos of C...

Noella Gabriel, co-founder and Global President of ELEMIS, shares how vision and resilience built a world-leading skincare brand. From West Cork to the world stage, Noella Gabriel’s journey is one of grit and vision. As co-founder and Global President of ELEMIS, she reveals how gut-led decisions, empowered teams and an uncompromising focus on quality built a global beauty brand. She shares how per...

Renowned entrepreneur and business leader Tommy Kelly shares how he built a billion-dollar company, created high-performance cultures and led change. From his roots as a farmer to scaling global logistics and e-commerce giants, Tommy brings a wealth of experience in strategy and leadership. In this episode, Tommy delves into what it takes to create world-class organisations, the importance of clar...

As CEO of one of Ireland’s biggest private employers, Cpl, Lorna Conn takes us inside her journey, from early ambitions and formative experiences to leading a global organisation through radical transformation. She shares candid lessons on resilience and the power of authenticity, giving listeners practical strategies to navigate uncertainty, drive diversity and build high-performing teams that th...

With over 30 years of navigating the toughest energy transitions, Dave Kirwan has seen what leadership really takes. In this episode, he strips back the boardroom façade to reveal the human side of leading: how personal values, vulnerability and courage intersect with business decisions. We go deep on servant leadership, mastering emotional intelligence, radical candour and the hard-earned power o...

Rita McGrath, top global transformation strategist, shares how to spot inflection points, manage risk and futureproof your business in disruption. She isn’t just a Columbia Business School professor – she’s one of the world’s most influential voices on strategy and innovation. Named by Thinkers50 as a top global business thinker, Rita has shaped how leaders everywhere respond to change and disrupt...

Rituals rooted in culture unite and empower teams at every level. For fans fascinated by the haka, Kieran Read, a former Crusaders and All Blacks captain, gives an inside look at its meaning, not as intimidation, but as a way of drawing on heritage, connecting with teammates, and honouring those who went before. He explains how respect and practice ensure the haka is performed with authenticity. L...

Executive coach Andrea Garfield shows how leaders unlock resilience and impact by addressing root causes, not quick fixes. A pioneer in integral coaching and founder of Awesome Institute, Andrea blends decades of entrepreneurial grit, somatic wisdom and science-backed process to help high-performers, CEOs and C-suite execs become more fully themselves – in all areas of life. Andrea shares her jour...

In freediving, anxiety can be the difference between breakthrough and blackout. As a 7x World Champion freediver, William Trubridge learnt how to train his mind to remain calm and present, using practised breathing and ‘Observer Mind’ techniques that we can all embrace. This applies well beyond sport, especially in high-stakes leadership and everyday stress. Tune in to the full episode here: https...

With over two decades of negotiation experience, including multinational hostage crises and police operations, Matthias Herter shares the power of communication, team dynamics, and inner strength. He candidly discusses lessons from both triumphs and setbacks, showing how doubt and insecurity can fuel performance and growth. Discover the key skills used by elite negotiators, such as active listenin...

Former Gym+Coffee CEO Niall Horgan sits down with Stephen McDonnell to explore the growing importance of mental toughness in sports. Niall shares his insights on how early mental coaching helps young athletes build resilience and teamwork. Tune in to hear how these lessons, learned on the field, have shaped their leadership journeys and why focusing on the journey rather than just trophies leads t...

IMD Professor and author of The First 90 Days, Michael Watkins, joins the show to break down what most leaders get wrong during transitions and how to turn change into growth. Learn about his hard-earned lessons on managing identity in upheaval, leading under pressure, and navigating the rise of AI and rapid disruption.  We unpack key insights from his latest book, The Six Disciplines of Stra...

Hostage negotiator, clinical psychologist, and leadership expert, George Kohlrieser, explains the ‘Person Effect’, the emotional impact we have on others through our presence, mostly communicated non-verbally. Some people naturally inspire trust, while others create distance. Find out how effective leadership goes beyond rapport to true emotional bonding, which many avoid due to past pain. When bo...

In this special episode of Unbound, hurling champions Noel Conners (former Waterford captain) and John “Bubbles” O’Dwyer (Tipperary All-Star) join host Stephen McDonnell (former Cork Captain) as they gear up for this weekend’s All-Ireland senior hurling final. Tune in as they unpack Cork’s explosive form, Tipp’s hunger for an upset, and what it takes for defenders to survive against the country’s...

Strengths-based leadership specialist Eline Meijer unpacks how to move beyond "weakness fixing" and use your strengths for ultimate growth. Eline draws on her decade of experience with CliftonStrengths and her background in psychology to demystify how we can thrive by identifying, understanding, and leading with our natural abilities. She reveals why traditional approaches to personal development...

How do you push through your toughest days when the pressure is on and it feels like everything is going wrong? Eímear Noone, Irish composer and conductor, shares her approach to overcoming personal challenges while maintaining a high level of performance on stage. She reveals the mindset shift that helps her show up for others, even when she's not feeling her best, and how she navigates the balan...

Science journalist Alex Hutchinson explores risk, reinvention, and what drives us to seek the unknown – in sport, life, and beyond. With a rare mix of elite athletic experience and academic insight, Alex unpacks what drives high performers to grow, adapt, and keep going, especially when the path ahead isn’t clear. Whether you’re an athlete, a leader, or standing at a personal crossroads, this conv...

In this Unbound Tool, best-selling author and entrepreneur Patrick Sweeney shares his journey of battling a rare form of leukaemia, using mental performance techniques from the Olympic Training Centre. As doctors collaborated with a Penn State expert, Patrick harnessed visualisation to strengthen his mind and body, picturing his cells as warriors fighting the disease. With the support of friends,...

Karen Eber breaks down the science of storytelling and why it’s the secret weapon for influence, connection, and driving real change. Karen shares how the right story can shape teams, inspire action, and build stronger relationships. Whether you're leading a company, managing a team, or just want to communicate more effectively, this conversation is packed with insights you can apply instantly. Jo...

What happens when technology takes the place of real-world interactions? In this Unbound Tool, Sarah McKay reveals the impact of digital life on our well-being, touching on everything from social media addiction to the loss of authentic communication. As our reliance on virtual connections grows, Sarah warns of the mental health consequences and the decline of meaningful face-to-face relationships...

What if you could build a network based on trust and mutual respect, without ever asking for anything in return? Jordan Harbinger breaks down the art of relationship-building in a way that is both practical and meaningful. Tune in to learn how you can use these techniques in your own life to cultivate deeper connections and open doors you didn’t even know existed. Check the full episode here: http...

Robin Dunbar, a renowned anthropologist and evolutionary psychologist, delves into human connection and the evolution of social structures. He is widely known for devising "Dunbar’s Number," which explores how early life in culturally diverse environments shaped his understanding of the social complexities in monkeys, apes, and humans. From his groundbreaking studies on sociability in primates to...

In this Unbound Tool, we explore the profound power of inner dialogue and how it shapes our mental and emotional well-being. Woniya Thibeault shares her unique experience of spending months in complete solitude, confronting the thoughts and stories that surfaced in her mind. Tune in to discover how small wins, rituals, and intentional positivity can transform the way we navigate life's challenges....