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

Our greatest esoteric adventure yet — live from Scott’s sofa.    Join the yo-yo bros and fellow traveller Tone Floreal as we dive deep into the world of true community, the ebb and flow nature of life and moving away from shortcuts/tactics/elite biohacks to address the core of what’s holding us back from true lifestyle change.    https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/the-yo-yo-principle  

Eileen Murphy is a Professor of Archaeology at Queen’s University Belfast and a leading expert in ancient human remains/burial practices. Her passion is for telling the stories of ordinary people whose voices have been largely written out of history. Dr Murphy is the author/editor of 12 books, including a book all about Takabuti: the Belfast mummy currently living in the Ulster Museum — who as you...

Hayley Milthorpe is the creator of The Cultured Food Company . She’s also a mother, nutritionist and passionate advocate for the health benefits of fermented foods. Described as a trend setter, her company has been leading the way in Ireland for the last 8 years by producing a range of organic fermented vegetable from sauerkraut to kimchi — making probiotic rich foods accessible for all. In today’...

People come and go in our lives — “friend’s for a season” — folks who we journey with for a while and then part ways. But every now and then a connection is made that you know will last a lifetime.   For me, podcaster James O’Connell from Dublin is one of those connections.    After strangely being introduced by previous podcast guest and current Mental Health co-host Stephen Ilardi , I first met...

Gemma Gallagher is an award-winning Visual Artist and the Founder of Design & Dine , a Creative Workshop company based in the UAE and Northern Ireland. The aim was to create an event where guests could discover their creative abilities and learn to make art in a fun, sociable environment. What started as a small workshop has now grown to become the UAE’s largest interactive, creative experience wi...

Dr Lindsay Broadbent is a virologist at Queen's University Belfast who has made over a thousand media appearances during the pandemic.    In this conversation we talk about: What a virus actually is How viruses jump from animals to humans The potential scientific truth behind vampire lore Human responses to pandemics throughout history The importance of transparency and nuance in public discourse...

Grab a pair of headphones, a shovel and get to work. The boys are out of town and this time we’re volunteering at Hahu Organics to try and find the meaning of life amongst the worms and dirt.   Along the way we chat about how disconnected we’ve become from our food, the change of perspective working the land can give us and whether or not our great-granda’s could beat us in a fight.   https://best...

Biruk Sahle is the no-dig gardener behind Hahu Organics : an initiative that feeds 40+ families from a small plot of land in Helens Bay Walled Garden.    By flipping modern agriculture on its head, Biruk and his family have been able to create a sustainable and profitable business growing vegetables in the 21st Century without pesticides, subsidies, heavy machinery or debt — all while regenerating...

Dr Amilra De Silva (more commonly known as AP) is a Professor in the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering who during his 40-year career with Queen’s University developed a blood analyser that has sold 10’s of millions of units and saved countless lives around the world.    In today’s episode we talk about: Growing up in Sri Lanka The role his grandparents played throughout his life Moving...

Shines Seafood are a family business based in Killybegs, Co. Donegal that sell Ireland’s only Irish Tuna, Irish Sardines & Mackerel to both the retail & food services sectors.   It’s is their aim to make the best quality Irish Seafood in the world more affordable and available to the nation. Having been involved in the fishing industry for a combined 50 years they are passionate about the consumpt...

Rory O’Connor, a native of Derry, is Professor of Health Psychology at the University of Glasgow where he directs the Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory, one of the leading suicide research groups internationally.    He is a world leader on suicide research and prevention and has been working in the field for 25 years, beginning with his PhD on suicide and self-harm at Queen’s University of Be...

Dr Yassin Brunger is a Lecturer in Human Rights Law and Co-Director of the Gender Justice and Society Research Network at Queen’s University Belfast.    Originally from the Gambian , Yassin spent 20 years living in the Middle East and is rooted in transnational understandings of justice and human rights. As a long-term feminist and scholar-activist, her academic work remains informed by the lived...

Matthew Scott is a Digital Media Entrepreneur working hard to change Media Entertainment, Digital Storytelling and Digital Democracy. Over the last 20-years he has worked as a creator, producer, marketer and innovator with the likes of SKY, BBC, Discovery Networks, Nike, Coca-Cola, Ford, Lego, Intel, Sony Pictures and countless more. His new company Play Human focuses on helping creators/brands en...

Colly Graham is a 78-year-old international businessman, sales training expert and great-grandfather. He's also a former alcoholic, rough-sleeper, petrol-bomber, prisoner and member of the RAF.  In today's episode we talk about: - The secret to a happy marriage - Old drinking dens in Belfast - Sobriety - Spiritual experiences - What most young people get wrong about life - And balancing contentmen...

Dear friends! Excited to share with you today a very special conversation with someone I've only met once who left a big impression on me. The short story is that I got more from a two-hour chat with Rabo (Polish-Canadian Engineer, Writer and Product Manager) at the launch of Mark Dowd's new business in December than frankly, I have in most relationships outside of my inner-circle. Today's podcast...

Professor John Barry is the C0-Director of the Centre for Sustainability, Equality and Climate Action at Queen's University Belfast, and C0-Chair of the Belfast Climate Commission.   He’s also a recovering politician, public servant, electric-car driving, foldable bicycle riding activist himself, as well as a lover of The Lorax by Dr Seuss — but I’ll let John tell you more about that himself.   In...

Sea-swimming, sauna-sweating and aufgussing (wait, what?!).  Join myself, Scott and special guest Ryan Scollan on another esoteric adventure — this time up the North Coast on Benone Beach in our favourite sauna in the world: Hotbox! Medical Disclaimer: please do not do anything mentioned, discussed or actually done in this episode. Enjoy! // Notes: - Check out our interview with Anna & Carl - Book...

Dr. Ryan Milligan is a lecturer in the Astrophysics Research Center at Queen’s University Belfast. His research focuses on the study of the sun and how it can impact our planet.   After graduating from Queen’s University in 2007 he spent several years at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center outside Washington, DC, and two years at the University of Glasgow, before returning home in 2019.    Before e...

Dr Caoimhe Rooney is a mathematician at NASA that searches for life throughout the universe by studying distant planets, known as exoplanets.    Following an undergraduate degree in mathematics at Trinity College Dublin, with a scholarship year at UCLA, Caoimhe achieved a PhD in Industrially Focused Mathematical Modeling at the University of Oxford.    In pursuit of her dream to apply her transfer...

What a ride the last few weeks have been! Highly recommend you going back and listening through the six different episodes we've released as part of this Addiction Series. Today's episode is a final recap conversation and overview with my dear friend Professor Steve Ilardi from our new Mental Health podcast. If you would like to hear other episodes in this series (including ADHD 101, Depression 10...

Today’s episode features a conversation about the state of addiction in Northern Ireland with Dr Anne Campbell and Professor Kathryn Higgins from Queen’s University Belfast who have both dedicated their professional careers to researching and implementing solutions around this issue.    In today’s episode we talk about: What personally got each them into the field of addiction Key insights from lo...

Floatation and trauma expert Vivian McKinnon set up Hydro-ease : Northern Irelands only dedicated floatation centre in September 2015.    She established the business in response to her own traumatic experiences and a passion for helping people move away from pain and towards a life of fulfilment.   Qualified and experienced in many therapeutic approaches and currently studying with Dr Gabor Mate,...

Theo Fleury is a former NHL All-Star, Stanley Cup winner and Olympic Gold Medalist. He’s also the two-time best-selling author of Playing with Fire and Conversations With a Rattlesnake.   While Theo enjoys his hockey memories and accolades, he feels his true life’s purpose is what he does today: creating healing through conversation, particularly in the areas of addiction, sexual abuse and childho...

Willy G is a world-famous tattoo artist from Whitehead, Northern Ireland. He’s also a husband, proud father of three, painter and former cocaine addict.   In today’s episode we talk about: The intimacy involved in tattooing  How Willy got into art Working towards dreams/goals Managing success at a young age The years that led him to rock bottom And what got him sober   Check it out.   https://best...

Today’s very special episode features an in-depth conversation with an individual in his 70s who has been sober for 40+ years through the Alcoholics Anonymous, 12-Step Program.    In this episode, “Alan” shares: Why anonymity is a key pillar of AA The origins of this organisation that has helped millions of people get sober Why alcoholics are “allergic to alcohol” The rock-bottom moment that led t...