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

John Christie is a Hot Rod Racing World Champion. In today's episode, we discuss: What Hot Rod is and what sets it apart from other motorsports Qualifying for the world championship with a broken arm Running a mechanic workshop while racing around the world Growing up learning from his dad, Ormond Christie (Who was also a world champion and mechanic) The rivalry between his dad and Davy Evans that...

Michael Cosgrove is a bartender in The Crown Bar. In today’s episode we talk about: How he became a celebrity bartender The ghost that lives The Crown The cultural shift he’s noticed since COVID Why he’s stayed in the same job in the same pub for 36+ years And some of the chance encounters he’s had with punters Check it out! // https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/michael-cosgrove-bartender //

Welcome to Pub Chats & A Pint, a podcast series sponsored by Harp where we sit down with interesting local people in a Belfast pub. Today we are in The Orpheus Bar in the Cathedral Quarter and are joined by comedian, actor and social media star Abbie Parkinson. In this episode we talk about: The mad TikTok journey that led to her stardom Dreaming of becoming a world-famous actor from a young age M...

James McGinn is the Managing Director of Hastings Hotels. Over the last 27 years, he has been involved in presidential visits, hosting celebrities, starring in 31 episodes of reality TV, and working with charities like Belfast Homeless Shelter, Flax Trust, and Aware NI. In today's episode, we talk about: Growing up as one of 11 children in Killyclogher How he got into hospitality Being held up at...

Welcome to Pub Chats & A Pint a podcast series sponsored by Harp where we sit down with interesting local people in a Belfast pub. Today we are in The Errigle Inn on the Ormeau Road and are joined by legendary pizza maker Marty Duggan who runs Pi Guy out of Trademarket in the City Centre. In today's episode we talk about: Broken bones Cuban raves Interning under legendary pizza makers His new besp...

Chris Lynch is the Head Wellbeing Manager of Australia's National Football Team. He has also worked in Olympic Cycling and Malaysian Rugby. In today's episode, we talk about: The early years of sports data (collecting sticker books and cards!) How the local GA players were like the Greek gods of his world when he was growing up Becoming a successful athlete on an inter-county level His own battles...

Welcome to  Pub Chats & A Pint,  a podcast series sponsored by Harp Lager where we sit down in a local pub with someone interesting from Northern Ireland. Today we're in The Harp Bar in Cathedral Quarter and are joined by rising-star Comedian William Thompson. In this episode we talk about: Why his mum kept his cerebral palsy a secret from him How he landed his first comedy gig The philosophical u...

Welcome to Sport Inspires: a podcast recorded in collaboration with The Mary Peter’s Trust and made possible by the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund. Today’s episode is with Olympic Rower and Medical Doctor Philip Doyle. In today’s episode we talk about: Being headhunted to work for Abercrombie Harsh, ego-checking advice from his teacher “Helen” How he got into rowing Eating 8000 calories per day What mak...

Welcome to  Pub Chats & A Pint,  a podcast series sponsored by Harp Lager where we sit down in a local pub with someone interesting from Northern Ireland. Today we're in Southside Social on Botanic Avenue and are joined by Bernadette Hagans: a presenter, amputee model, gamer, streamer, charity ambassador, content creator, Call of Duty competitor and local inspiration. In this episode we talk about...

Welcome to Sport Inspires: a podcast recorded in collaboration with The Mary Peter’s Trust and made possible by the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund. Today’s episode is with Claire Taggart, the 2022 Boccia World Champion and the first person from Northern Ireland to ever compete at the Paralympics in the sport. In today’s episode we talk about: What boccia is (and why it’s “way better than bowls!”) Being...

Paul Kennedy is a young, driven entrepreneur who has squeezed a lot into his first 29-years here on earth. (Including survivng a car accident, building a creative marketing agency, travelling to 38 different countries, making content for Floyd Mayweather and meeting the likes of Andrew Tate, KSI and Jake Paul). In today’s episode we talked about: Why the car accident was a turning point in his lif...

Roy and Noel Spence are twin brothers born in 1944 who’ve dedicated their lives to making films. In today’s episode we talk about: Their first trip to the cinema in 1952 Roy’s theory that cave-men were film-makers Experience of using old-school tech to make movies Hilarious moments of when things went wrong on shoot The dangers of an “instant-society” How to do special effects with “no budget” The...

Ryan Tierney is a director and co-founder of Seating Matters : a medical chair manufacturer based in Limavady. “Eight years ago I went home from work really frustrated, the business wasn’t running the way I wanted it to run, we had lots of production issues, lots of defects and it was a very stressful environment to work in. I said to myself “there has to be a better way” I started researching and...

Johnny Ward is the first person from Ireland to visit every country in the world. He’s also has made $3m from his blog , started a non-profit and now has his sights set on being the first person in history to visit north pole, south pole, every country and climb the seven summits, with his everest expedition starting next month. In today’s episode we chat about: The weirdest country he’s taken his...

Terry Loughins has had a lot of jobs including: salesman, milkman, barman and DJ. But his favourite job was his 25-years working for Guinness NI, a role which led to him being involved in oyster festivals, U2 Concerts, golfing tournaments and farmer matchmaking events… In today’s episode, Matt and Jawbox Gerry sit down with Terry to talk about: The best pint of Guinness he’s ever had Playing Ice H...

For over 100 years, the Morelli family has been serving award-winning Italian Ice Cream in Portstewart. In today’s episode we sat down with Damian and Ellen Morelli to talk about: The incredible story of how the Morelli family ended up in NI Hardship during the second world war A chance encounter that saved a life Surviving COVID as a hospitality business Their favourite flavour of ice cream Cold...

If no two brains are the same why do our schools, universities and work places treat everyone “equal?” That’s the question Dr. John Kelly has spent his 73-years on earth answering. In today’s conversation we chat about: How he transitioned from being a medical doctor to the world of learning The eight types of “smartness” each brain has (And how most don’t match up with the education system) Losin...

Mike and Caragh Hamilton are a power couple. In this episode we talk about: Going into business together while dating Whether or not they believe in “the one” What to look for in a potential partner And why it’s important to cheer each other on We also talk about playing football for Northern Ireland, food-rage, crashing cars in Iceland and Mike’s dream of becoming an internationally successful da...

John Eldredge is a husband, father and therapist who has sold millions of books on the topic of masculinity, adventure and becoming the man you needed when you were younger. In today’s episode we talk about: The role of his grandfather throughout childhood Dealing with the shadow cast by an absent, alcoholic father Why masculinity can only be bestowed by other men How life’s challenges are actuall...

Jelvis Pelvis (Jordan Devine) is a full-time Elvis street performer. In today’s episode we talk about: The cut-throat nature of being a busker on the streets of Belfast Being born with a life-threatening heart condition Where he gets his energy from Getting robbed The kindness of strangers Why confidence is his superpower Dealing with fame His thoughts on the Elvis movie Coming from Strabane How g...

Michael Stewart is a hospitality legend with over 36-years of experience under his belt. In today’s episode we talk about: Opening up bars during The Troubles Drinking Grey Goose with Matthew McConaughey in the back of a taxi Growing up on the Shankill Road What makes a bar succeed… or flop And why failing doesn’t make you a failure. Special thanks to Gerry White (aka Jawbox Gerry) for joining us...

Peter Quinn is a multi-disciplined creative who’s recently stumbled on success making weird VFX videos for celebrities around Los Angeles like Will Smith, Snoop Dogg, Weezer and Michael Bublé. In today’s episode we talk about: Pitching an idea in Will Smith’s living room His “Stranger Things” childhood in Carryduff How TikTok, Marvel and YouTube have forever changed our attention spans A formula f...

Cameron Hunter is a senior software engineer that has spent the last 15 years working in tech for companies like Amazon, Twitter, and Netflix. (If you’ve ever sent a DM on Twitter or watched Netflix on a TV you have Cam to thank). Originally from Belfast, he now lives in Silicon Valley where away from the glowing screens, he enjoys climbing rocks, woodwork, and reading comic books. In today’s conv...

Tim Clifford is the curator of Ireland’s largest vinyl record collection. His life’s mission is to collect all the singles that have made it into the top 100 charts between 1952 and 2003. He’s also co-owner of the historic mansion Abbeydene House which has hosted guests like President Eisenhower, Daniel O’Donnell and international music acts from around the world. In this episode we talk about: Wh...

Dr. Neil Powell is an internationally renowned dog trainer whose been involved in global search and rescue missions, crime prevention efforts and natural disaster relief. His dogs have been awarded the gold medal for valour, murdered by Malaysian pirates and saved countless lives — while recovering the bodies of many more. In today’s episode we talk about: The age old connection between man and do...