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

Katrina Cairns is one of the youngest people we’ve ever had on the podcast. She’s also the first person I’ve ever met with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA).   In today’s show, Katrina teaches me what arthritis actually is, shares how she was able to deal with such a difficult diagnosis at a young age and the importance of pacing ourselves as we chase our biggest goals, dreams and desires.   //...

In this week’s show we have the absolute privilege of sitting down with one of Northern Ireland’s most experienced and successful entrepreneurs: Pete Boyle.    Pete Boyle started Argento in 1997 after selling jewellery on the streets of Belfast.  In today’s episode we discover Pete’s origin story, how retail is changing in the age of the internet and the essential business lessons he’s learned alo...

Sarah Friar is from Sion Mills, Northern Ireland. She’s also the CEO of Nextdoor, a free private social network whose goal is to get you connected to your neighbours.    In this episode, we discuss how Sarah got to where she is today, the epidemic of loneliness and how we can become community builders in a digital age.    Check it out!   // To see a 'treasure trove' of all things related to Sarah...

Andrew Trimble is a “retired egg chaser, entrepreneur and podcaster.”   The former Ulster and Ireland rugby star played over 250 professional games before retiring in 2018 to pursue business. In today’s conversation we talk about the transition from sport into tech, what life’s like after rugby and where the nickname Dopey Sheep comes from.    // To see a 'treasure trove' of all things related to...

Despite only being 23 years old, Ballymena born & bred Sarah Mcbride has already worked with Google, Nokia, Betaworks, a VC firm in NYC — and launched a t-shirt company that doesn’t exist…    In today’s show, we chat about early influences on her involvement in tech, what life is like in NYC and how artificial intelligence is disrupting the world of fashion.   // To see a 'treasure trove' of all t...

Jack McGarry is the youngest-ever International Bartender of the Year. Sean Muldoon is admired/feared throughout the bar world for his vision, drive and insane attention to detail.  In this episode, we hear how two lads from West Belfast went on to open the Best Bar In The World, publish multiple books about their industry and find time for future projects in the pipeline that range from comic boo...

Geraldine Hughes is an actor from West Belfast, Northern Ireland known for her performances in Rocky Balboa, Gran Torino, Harry Potter & The Cursed Child and much, much more.   In this very raw and honest conversation, Geraldine opens up about her journey to stardom, what it’s like to work with directors like Clint Eastwood and the most challenging experience she’s ever faced.   // To see a 'treas...

‘The Heroes Journey’ is an age-old step by step model used to describe the process a person has to go through to experience success.   In this five-part mini-series, Matthew Thompson teams up with serial entrepreneur Gavan Wall to show how you can use the heroes journey to break out of a rut, take the next step and slay the dragon guarding the treasure in your life.   // To see a 'treasure trove'...

‘The Heroes Journey’ is an age-old step by step model used to describe the process a person has to go through to experience success.   In this five-part mini-series, Matthew Thompson teams up with serial entrepreneur Gavan Wall to show how you can use the heroes journey to break out of a rut, take the next step and slay the dragon guarding the treasure in your life.   // To see a 'treasure trove'...

Woops... Sorry about that. I scheduled the wrong one this morning. Here's the correct episode!   The Heroes Journey’ is an age-old step by step model used to describe the process a person has to go through to experience success.   In this five-part mini-series, Matthew Thompson teams up with serial entrepreneur Gavan Wall to show how you can use the heroes journey to break out of a rut, take the n...

‘The Heroes Journey’ is an age-old step by step model used to describe the process a person has to go through to experience success.   In this five-part mini-series, Matthew Thompson teams up with serial entrepreneur Gavan Wall to show how you can use the heroes journey to break out of a rut, take the next step and slay the dragon guarding the treasure in your life.   // To see a 'treasure trove'...

‘The Heroes Journey’ is an age-old step by step model used to describe the process a person has to go through to experience success.   In this five-part mini-series, Matthew Thompson teams up with serial entrepreneur Gavan Wall to show how you can use the heroes journey to break out of a rut, take the next step and slay the dragon guarding the treasure in your life.     // To see a 'treasure trove...

Suzanne Wylie has been Chief Executive of Belfast City Council for 5 years.     Having worked for the council for over 30 years, Suzanne progressed from working as an Environmental Health Officer to the top leadership position.   In her time as CX, she has been responsible for negotiating an £850 million city deal with the UK government to deliver on an ambitious set of projects spanning across Li...

// To see a 'treasure trove' of all things related to Grace (including a photo) please visit https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/grace-chambers-belfast-parkrun   Best Of Belfast is Northern Ireland's #1 Interview Podcast. We've shared 100+ hour-long conversations with incredible people from Northern Ireland.   To find out more, or join 'The Producers Club' please visit https://bestofbelfast.org/   C...

Cathy Craig is a Professor of Experimental Psychology at Ulster University, but she’s also the CEO of INCISIV: a sports technology company that helps players make more match winning decisions. In today’s conversation we explore Cathy’s widly successful academic career, how VR can be used to make our lives better and how we can make better decisions.    // To see a 'treasure trove' of all things re...

Foy Vance is a legendary singer-songwriter from Bangor, Northern Ireland.    In this very raw conversation we talk about what it means to wake-up, the importance of play when it comes to making music and why it is essential to stop and listen.   // To see a 'treasure trove' of all things related to Foy (including a photo) please visit https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/foy-vance-musician   Best Of...

Shane Todd is a comedian from Holywood, Northern Ireland.   In this week’s show, we had the chance to find out more about the man behind the sold-out stand-up gigs, podcasts and legendary characters like Mike McGoldrick and wee Dean Davidson.   // To see a 'treasure trove' of all things related to Shane (including a photo) please visit https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/shane-todd-comedian   Best O...

RagDogs is a new start-up founded by 6 young women from Bloomfield Collegiate School that sell eco-friendly dog toys made from recycled materials.   We had the absolute honour to sit down with them to discover what they’ve learned along the way, how they feel about the big final in London and what it’s been like to juggle starting a business with your A-Levels.   // To see a 'treasure trove' of al...

In 2017, Kilkeel born and bred Jenna Stevenson set up Made In Mourne, a non-profit organisation whose goal is to connect and support over 500 entrepreneurs in the region.   I was really impressed with just how much grit and determination Jenna lives her life with and I know you will too.   // To see a 'treasure trove' of all things related to Jenna (including a photo) please visit https://bestofbe...

In 2018, Ryan set up his own full-service agency in Brooklyn which specializes in branding, web design, content creation & digital marketing.   In today’s show we’re gonna find out the dominos that led to Ryan’s success, including working in a pizza restaurant in Manhattan, graduating from Queens with a Masters in Drama and setting up an agency in one of the most competitive places on the planet....

Norman Houston is the longest serving British Diplomat in Washington D.C. and is our Northern Irish representative for all of America.   We had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Norman in the Fitzpatrick Hotel in Manhattan to reflect on his career, what he’s learned along the way and what’s next.   // To see a 'treasure trove' of all things related to Norman (including a photo) please vi...

After winning the green card lottery in 1997, Pauline Turley left friends and family in Newry behind to move to NYC. Since then she’s has been on a rollercoaster journey that’s included developing the Irish Arts Center into what is it today. Pauline is an absolute powerhouse and I had an absolute blast sitting down to hear her story and I know you will to.   // To see a 'treasure trove' of all thi...

In 2014, Aaron Flanagan and his brother quit their ‘proper jobs’ to open Comic Book Guys, Northern Ireland's largest independent comic book store.   In this week’s conversation, we chat all about serving a small market, the impact superhero movies have had on the industry, what it’s like to set up your own business and why a vintage medium like comic books are still thriving today.   Check it out....

After working in hospitality since he was 13 years old, Steve Pette has spent his life creating experiences for people.   In today’s conversation with Steve, we talk about the dominos that led to him opening the UK’s first coworking space in 2010, how he met his wife in a job interview and how we can build a better future together. // To see a 'treasure trove' of all things related to Steve (inclu...

In June 2014, Scott Riley was 100 lb overweight, suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis and on a cocktail of pharmaceutical drugs.   But not any more.   After some big leaps of faith like being treated by the tribes in the Peruvian Amazon, going 60 days without solid food, and climbing frozen mountains half naked in the snow, Scott coaches others to “take small steps to giant living” when it comes to...