Best Of Belfast: Northern Ireland's #1 Interview Podcast

Noel Allen is the founder and CEO of NI based food start-up Noisy Snacks.   Noisy Snacks is the award-winning innovative snacks company behind tasty, nutritional snacks that require all FIVE Senses to eat.   They claim their secret ingredient is noise and encourage all snackers out there to "shake to awake the taste."   In today's episode we caught with Noel inbetween deliveries to chat about: How...

Emer Maguire is a multi-talented comedic, musical, public-speaking, broadcasting, science communicating legend from Strabane, Northern Ireland.   She's given multiple TEDx Talks, won countless awards for her work in radio and has just come back from a sell-out run at the Edinborough Fringe festival.   Oh yeah, and she's also a fully qualified speech therapist #sidehustle   In today's episode we ta...

Had the absolute pleasure of chatting to friend and previous guest Mark Todd... an insanely good conversationalist, storyteller and talented architect (yet somehow we never really end up talking about buildings).   In today's show, we discuss a whole range of random topics including: The Borrowers Old Windmills Donaghadee And of course, leprechauns   If that doesn't make any sense to you, don't wo...

Ian McLernon is the CEO of Remy Cointreau Americas, a family-owned spirit business that dates back to 1724 best known for their cognacs Rémy Martin and Louis XIII.   Originally from Ballymoney, Ian has lived in Singapore, Hong Kong, London and now NYC with his family.   Throughout his international career, Ian has worked with some of the biggest brands in the world including Coors, Moet Hennessey...

Conor Houston is a...    Well, he's a lot of things.    Director at Houston Solutions Ltd, a bespoke leadership advisory company. Founder of Connected Citizens, a civic initiative which promotes active citizenship and creates space for citizens to co-design solutions for our society. 
 Governor of The Irish Times Trust Director of ShoutOut (an LQBTQ+ youth charity) Chairman of the Board of Governo...

Leanne Ross is a marketing director, author, trainer, lecturer and former Belfast blogger who emigrated to Dunedin, New Zealand in 2016 (homeland of her retired Ulster Rugby playing Kiwi-Irish husband).   Born and bred in Poleglass (yeooo), Leanne knew from a young age that she wanted to be a marketer after being a big fan of ads, articles and other forms of storytelling.   In today's episode we t...

Peter Dickson is the legendary voiceover artist behind The X-Factor, Britain's Got Talent, the London 2012 Olympics and 30,000 TV/Radio commercials and a hugely successful career spanning over 42-years.   (And yes, he's from Northern Ireland).   After landing a gig with the BBC at age 17, Peter went on to become their youngest-ever TV News Presenter.   This kick-started a journey that has taken hi...

Dave Elliott is a comedian and podcaster from Bangor, Northern Ireland.   He hosts two weekly podcasts: Sly Guy and Boy Town .   In today's episode we talk about: - How he got into comedy - Golden pineapples - His greatest challenges/success along the way - And of course, his love of gardening/polytunnels.   This is a super chilled-out episode with plenty of good craic thrown in for good measure....

Pete Snodden is a broadcaster, speaker and event host from Bangor, Northern Ireland.   He's the voice of one of the nation's most popular radio spots: The Cool FM Breakfast Show which he hosts alongside Paulo Ross and Rebecca McKinney   After being inspired by "the connection radio can provide" while homesick on a P7 trip, Pete knew from a young age that being a broadcaster was what he wanted to d...

Julian Simmons is the legendary UTV Continuity Presenter known for his sharp-tongued transitions between TV shows like Coronation Street and Emmerdale.   Being fascinated with planes and aircraft as a child, Julian became a travel agent before landing his dream job with Air Canada, a position that has taken him all over the world and back again.   After being "discovered by a guy in Holywood... Co...

May McFettridge is one of Northern Ireland’s most recognisable and loved faces.   But what about the man behind the character?   John Linehan is the hugely successful comedian (and avid golfer) behind the Queen of pantomime and a regular in The Grand Opera House for 30 consecutive years.   In 2006, John was award an MBE for his charitable services and in 2014 he was awarded a bronze bust of May Mc...

We hopped on the phone with legendary West Belfast actor Geraldine Hughes (Rocky Balboa, Gran Torino, Harry Potter on Broadway) to catch up and see how she is surviving (and thriving) during these uncertain times.   In today's episode, we talk about her amazing play Belfast Blues, moving into new seasons and her recent engagement.   Check out our full 'proper' interview with Geraldine here.   // T...

If you would like to donate directly to someone in need in Belfast you can do so at https://app.esther.org.uk/   ESTHER is a pocket-to-pocket giving app that allows donors to directly fund people in need.   The Belfast tech startup is leading the way in peer-to-peer donations with their revolutionary app that puts transparency at the core.   100% of the money you donate goes directly to the person...

An episode where we don’t talk about the C-19-word.   Stick the headphones on and get lost in a series of ramblings about living in NYC, social media conspiracy theories, Denny sausages, BIG MILK, the best ice-cream in Northern Ireland and of course… Dog Vance.   Enjoy!   // Sarah’s Twitter Denny’s Ad “Proper” interview with Sarah // To see a 'treasure trove' of all things related to Sarah (includ...

You guys asked for it.   Here's what was suppose to be "episode 101" where Andrew Trimble turns the tables and gets me on the other side of the mic.   We chat about selling Tayto crisps to Norn Irish people living abroad, starting up t-shirt businesses at 16, leaving Northern Ireland "forever" and coming back home to start Best Of Belfast.   (As well as dreams, short stories, mental health, burn o...

In today’s Quarantine Phone Call we hopped on WhatsApp to talk to Cordelia McKinley, a Northern Irish writer/English teacher currently living in Italy.   With Italy being two weeks ahead of us in terms of the spread of the virus, we caught up with Cordelia for some advice on how we can do our bit to contain the impact of COVID-19 here at home.   (Based on her Coronavirus Diary entries ).   We also...

Would you swap your Twitter Blue Tick for a Nandos Black Card?   Do you take red sauce or brown sauce in a sausage bap?   What is Jeeves from Ask Jeeves up to now?   These are some of the important questions we cover in today's show.    // To see a 'treasure trove' of all things related to Shanr (including a photo) please visit https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/shane-todd-podcast-northern-ireland...

Hopped on a phone call with one of the most insightful people I know when it comes to our emotional and spiritual well-being.     Kevin is a Results-Coach, Musician and lifelong student of the human condition.     In this episode we chat about our making decisions, learning to spot patterns of behaviour and our inner-child.   Enjoy!   // To see a 'treasure trove' of all things related to Kevin (in...

How can we take care of our physical and mental wellbeing during the lockdown?     Out of everyone I know and have interviewed, Scott Riley is the one guy I trust the most for advice — and what he had to say certainly didn't disappoint.     From cold-water immersion to switching the news off, hear how you can not only survive the current crisis... but also thrive.     // To see a 'treasure trove'...

Worried about food during the lockdown? Don't be.  In this bonus episode, I caught up with the legendary Jack Hamilton from Mash Direct for a quick phonecall about what his family business is doing to help keep us fed during the COVID Crisis. Check it out and please share it with your friends/family. (For our full, original interview with Jack, click here). // To see a 'treasure trove' of all thin...

Welcome to first and only episode of DADcast with local comedian Colin Geddis where I let slip I haven't listened to his podcast for six months...   Turns out I missed a lot... Like a lot-a lot.    (Also a surprise personal announcement from yours truly). // To see a 'treasure trove' of all things related to Colin (including a photo) please visit https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/colin-geddis-podc...

Just because we isolated doesn't mean we are alone. matthew@bestofbelfast.org +447873636003  

David Harbinson is a Station Commander for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service in Belfast.   After joining the service at a young age, David has worked his way through the ranks and has a story or two to tell from his experiences along the way.   In today’s show, we talk about what drives someone to become a firefighter, what it was like to lose and regain his health as well as some perso...

Andrew Cuthbert is a polymath from Northern Ireland.    So far he’s been involved in research trips to Madagascar, human rights campaigns, setting up social enterprises, publishing books, writing patents and developing strategies for businesses in sectors like proton therapy, microbiology and satellite technology.   // To see a 'treasure trove' of all things related to Andrew (including a photo) p...

Clodagh Dunlop is a detective for the Police Service of Northern Ireland.    In April 2015, her life was turned upside down after suffering a brainstem stroke, which left her with locked-in syndrome.    There is no cure for locked-in syndrome and she was expected to be a prisoner in her own body forever. However, against all odds, Clodagh astonished her doctors, family and colleagues with her reco...