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

[Rebroadcast: this episode first aired October 16th 2020] Baroness May Blood grew up in a working-class area of Belfast.   In today’s episode, we talk all about what it was like growing up in Belfast in the ’40s, her time in the House Of Lords and why Integrated Education is essential to overcoming the pain of our past.   // To see a 'treasure trove' of all things related to May (including...

[Rebroadcast: this episode first aired on August 19th 2019] Terry George is an Oscar-winning film director from Belfast, Northern Ireland, known for movies like Hotel Rwanda, The Shore, In The Name Of The Father and much, much more.    In this rare conversation, we talk about why he creates the films he does, what genocide has taught him about forgiveness and the best piece of directing advice he’...

Ryan Donnelly is the co-founder of Enzai, a start-up who’s mission is to enable a future where AI is harnessed to address humanity's most significant challenges In today’s episode, we talk about: An incredible four-year journey from being in a career he hated to running a start-up he loves The small, seemingly insignificant steps that have led to where he is today “Getting smacked in the face”...

Kingsley Aikins is one of the world’s leading experts on networking, relationship-building and diaspora engagement. In this episode, we caught up with Kingsley in his home for a rare conversation about: How the old way of networking is dead (And why it probably never worked in the first place) A surprising hack to turn cold calls into hot coffees Incredible tips and tricks to “wow” new relationshi...

Kyle McCallan is the Headmaster of Lurgan College. He’s also a former Irish International Cricketer with 2 World Cups and 226 caps. In today’s episode, we talk about: The difference between a manager and a leader “The 3B’s” that make up the ethos of his school What held him back as a professional athlete The role school plays in society “Following better things” His vision for the future of Lurgan...

Gemma Austin is the Owner of A Peculiar Tea in Belfast and a Great British Menu contestant who has represented Northern Ireland three times. In today's episode we talk about: How “losing everything” set her on the path to success Battling anxiety and depression The ONE conversation that led to her becoming a chef Creating a value-based business that makes the world a better place Transforming...

Martina Tierney is the founder of Seating Matters and author of “The Stairway of My Life.” In today’s episode, we talk about: Why the stairs in her house are so special Growing up as one of fourteen siblings How a farming background prepared her for entrepreneurship Becoming an Occupational Therapist Why regular 9-5 hours didn’t suit her The courage provided by her husband to “do her own thing” Ho...

Jonathan, Ryan and Martin Tierney are brothers with heads for business, hearts for people and souls that long to the leave the world better than they found it. They're all directors at Seating Matters, a family business started by their mum that employs 60+ people and manufactures life-changing medical chairs for patients around the world. In this episode we talk about: Why they rarely sit at...

Colin Gibson is an ex-soldier, military contractor, scuba-diver, and owner of Talon: a security training company based in Northern Ireland. He’s served in Iraq and Afghanistan, lived in Belize for 6+ years and has been on a rollercoaster journey of dealing with combat-induced PTSD and childhood trauma. In part one of this epic four-part special we talk about: The effects of growing up with an abus...

(Recorded September 2023). Kevin Roland is a Managing Director in New York-based global CEO advisory firm Teneo . He was a member of the Foreign Service of the U.S. State Department, serving in front-line diplomatic roles in Northern Ireland (from 2009-2012), as well as Iraq, Egypt, Tunisia, South Africa, Jordan, and the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs in Washington, D.C. Despite working around the...

Brendan McGurgan is the co-founder of Simple Scaling: an organisation that helps ambitious business leaders to 10x their business through accelerator programs, best-selling books, acclaimed podcasts, and the upcoming ScaleX Summit. He’s also a certified Wim Hof Instructor and self-confessed sauna-junkie. In today's episode we talk about: - His first job picking apples as a boy in Armagh - Why...

Joseph Kennedy III currently serves as the Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs. In today's episode we talk about: - Growing up in a family known for public service - How the assassination of his uncle (JFK) and granda (Bobby Kennedy) impacted his family - Moving to the Dominican Republic as a young man - Dealing with the expectations people have of him because of his last name -...

Paul Tweed is a media lawyer described as “the most powerful man in Hollywood.” He’s represented A-list celebrities like Justin Timberlake, Harrison Ford, Britney Spears, Liam Neeson and countless others — all while being based in Belfast. In today’s episode we talk about: How his working class background is a superpower in court The two most important traits a successful lawyer must have What def...

Colin Leeman is the British Consul General in Cape Town. Over the last twenty years in the British Foreign Service, he’s had postings to Iraq, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, the UAE, New Zealand — and now South Africa. In today’s episode we talk about: What a Consul General actually does/the perks of being a Foreign Diplomat Rescuing Emma Little-Pengelly MLA from a kidnapping Going from wanting to be a pr...

George McGowan, is a professional parkour athlete from Northern Ireland who’s widely known as the “springiest guy in the sport.” In today's episode we talk about: How he became a real-life Spiderman (Without killing himself in the process) Making it to the semi-finals of Britains Got Talent The weirdest thing he’s ever done for money Working for Warners Brothers to model video game characters And...

Laurence Beattie is a recently retired jack-of-all-trades, including lab technician, forensic scientist, quality engineer, quality manager, plant manager, production manager, executive, business owner/managing director, mixologist, and full-time grandpa. He worked for 47 years after leaving school following his A-levels. He also enjoys motor racing, shooting, and angling when he gets the chance. I...

Roberta Clements is a gospel singer from Belfast who has performed on thousands of stages around the world, including local pubs/clubs, high-security prisons, and U.S. military bases during the Vietnam War. She is also a recovering alcoholic. In today's episode, we discuss: The spiritual experiences that happened while she was still in the womb Singing on top of wooden school desks at four years o...

Leon McCarron is an award-winning writer, broadcaster, and explorer from Northern Ireland. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and the Geographical Society of Philadelphia's Explorer of the Year. He is known for his long-distance expeditions and immersive multimedia storytelling. In the past decade, he has traveled over 50,000 km by human power and is currently based in Iraq. In today...

[Rebroadcast: this episode first aired on 13th November 2019] The Priests are the fastest-selling classical group of all time. They’re also full-time clergymen…  In this week’s episode, we chat about what it was like to grow up together, what it’s like to juggle the priesthood alongside being world-famous musicians and how to keep our ego in check. // To see a 'treasure trove' of all things relate...

[Rebroadcast: this episode first aired on 17th May 2021]   Anna and Carl Isaksson are the founders of Hotbox: Northern Ireland’s first ever beach sauna experience.   The idea is simple yet utterly genius: what if after a cold plunge in the sea you could cosy into a sauna to sweat it out with your nearest and dearest?   In today's episode we talk about: Working for and kissing kings How a gal from...

[Rebroadcast: this episode was first aired on 7th November 2019] Nadine Patterson is a puppet-maker from Northern Ireland. From making models as a child to working in the puppet hospital on a Tim Burton movie set, Nadine has one of the most interesting stories we’ve ever featured on the podcast.   In this rare conversation, you’ll discover what goes on inside a puppet hospital, how difficult it is...

[Rebroadcast: This episode first aired 2nd November 2020] Sir Otto Jaffe was one of the leading entrepreneurs responsible for the boom of the Linen Industry here in Belfast in the 1800s. Through a lot of hard work and determination, the young German-born entrepreneur rose through the ranks of the family business and went on to become the Lord Mayor of Belfast. Twice. Yet by the end of his life, Si...

Ian D Withers is a retired Private Investigator and author. In today’s episode we talk about: Growing up in the aftermath of WW2 The role private investigators play in society Falling through the ceiling while trying to catch someone in the act of adultery How he got into PI work Building his own private investigator business from scratch Working for the Seychelle Government for eight years Why th...

Ryan Jenkins is a 30-year-old self-taught chef from West Belfast and the owner of ROAM: an award-winning restaurant in Belfast city centre. In today's episode we talk about: Stumbling into hospitality at 19-years-old How he went from peeling vegetables to owning an award-winning restaurant Where the name ROAM comes from Why he chose (and loves) his Callendar Street location What it was like to wat...

Joan Burney Keatings is the Chief Executive of Cinemagic: an award-winning charity that provides young people around the world with opportunities to break into the film-industry. In today’s episode we talk about: How her parent’s entrepreneurial flair is being passed onto her kids Producing films in the Middle-East Bringing the muppets to Northern Ireland The outrageous events that led to her meet...