Great Conversations with Nicola O'Donoghue

My guest this week is Laura Teare-Jones, a Hormone and Mindset coach. In this episode, Laura takes us on an enlightening journey through the menstrual cycle, detailing the physiological changes that occur and sharing how we can tap into the power of each stage. She sheds light on PMDD versus PMS and advocates for viewing menstruation as a gift from the body that communicates its needs. Laura then...

My guest this week is Mark Rix, Group Managing Director of Wellbeing at Work. Mark's journey is a testament to the power of character and resilience. From navigating a challenging early family life and working as a young British man in a South African gold mine, to working in the media industry for over 25 years, Mark's experiences have shaped his unique perspective on life and work. In th...

In this week's episode, I am joined by Heather de Groot, the co-founder of Be Ethical Training. Heather shares with us her entrepreneurial journey; a path marked not just by external milestones, but also by a deep exploration of herself. Heather speaks candidly about the unique challenges women face in entrepreneurship and the importance of nurturing - herself, her business, her family, and th...

My guest this week is intogreat's Wellness & Menopause Expert, Claire O'Sullivan.  This week's episode is all about change. A seasoned navigator of life's twists and turns, Claire shares her personal journey of moving abroad, going through a divorce with two children, and making a significant career shift.  Her story perfectly encapsulates Claire's positive outlook on life....

My guest this week is Tris Brown, the founder of Northern Rose, a leading communications firm.  Tris shares his deeply personal journey, revealing how therapy became his compass in navigating the landscape of self-awareness and understanding. This in turn taught him not just to acknowledge his flaws, but to embrace them as integral parts of his identity. From his time serving as the Chief of Staff...

Anna Collard is the SVP of content strategy at KnowBe4 Africa, Cybersecurity Woman of the Year for 2023 and a mother of two. In this episode, we delve into the power of kindness in business as well as mindfulness as a tool for protecting us in the online space. Anna shares her experiences of how our mental well-being can play a pivotal role in our susceptibility to cybersecurity scams and how we c...

My guest this week is Shirleyann Haig. Shirleyann is a single mum of two and the CEO of Haig Property Solutions. Shirleyann's story is one of embracing individuality. She shares how she amicably divorced her husband of 22 years as well as her experiences raising her two children, one of whom is ADHD and the other is autistic. Through her parenting journey there has also been self-discovery, Sh...

My guest this week is Mel Kelly. At 22 years of age, Mel was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Her process of diagnosis was not a simple one, but as her journey through treatment unfolded, Mel quickly began to pursue not only healing for herself but also the motivation for others to do the same. Her willingness to take on life's challenges with such relentless optimism truly is inspiring. Mel&#39...

My guest this week is Rian Bailey-Weir. Rian is the founder of A&B Marketing as well as an advocate for positivity in the space of both queerness and neurodivergence. In this week's episode, Rian shares his journey, starting with his early years as a young carer, coming to terms with his queer identity, and, in his 30s, being diagnosed with ADHD. Throughout his journey, Rian has let his ch...

My guest this week is Leeanne Heald, owner of Folk Coffee Anthropology, mother of two and an inspiring example of how to empower yourself to create the life you want. In this week's episode Leeanne shares her remarkable story of self discovery. From a young age she discovered the wisdom of taking responsibility for the things you can control and the grace of letting go of the things you can&#3...

Today, we're celebrating the launch of my new business venture, intogreat, by delving into my story. This is a story of discovery, one that took me from searching for answers externally to coming home to my authentic self. It's about finding my identity and values, and the lessons learned from major life transitions such as career changes, overseas relocations, burnout, divorce, and ultima...

My guest this week is Mosidi Seretlo, the CEO of Fourways and a mother of one. In this week's episode Mosidi shares the all-too familiar story of feeling overwhelmed and exhausted by life. She compassionately shares how success in her career did not translate to happiness or fulfilment in her life, and how being fired from her job, forced her to acknowledge that she was actually burnt out and...

CAUTION: In this episode, we talk about domestic abuse and there is cursing, so if you are not in a space to listen, then please take care of yourself. This week my guest is Sam Butler. Sam is an extraordinary human, with an infectious laugh, 4 beautiful children, and a successful career in the rail industry. She is also a domestic abuse survivor. In this episode, Sam shares her heartbreaking jour...

This week, my guest is Mandy Grewal, a trailblazer, and CEO of @Room Women’s Network. On her path to success, Mandy confronted the challenges of racism and gender bias head-on. But she was never willing to sacrifice her values or identity at the cost of fitting in. Her journey is a testament to her inner strength and conviction in her own worth and ability. We learn the power of mentorship and tea...

This week my guest is Anita Montolalu, a relationship coach, wife and mother of two. Anita's story is one of hard-work, patience and perseverance. Through her story she shares her realisation that hard-earned success, whilst economically valuable, doesn't necessarily equate to living a happy, healthy and fulfilling life. What struck me during our conversation was how Anita took the steps t...

CAUTION: In this episode Bill talks openly about her experience of living with depression, suicidal thoughts and postpartum depression. We would encourage anyone who may find these topics triggering, to give this episode a miss. This week my guest is Bill Murray, a wife, mother, entrepreneur and all-round inspiration. Bill's journey is a testament to resilience. Through her story, she shares h...

After 10 amazing episodes of Great Conversations it's time to take a look back at this wonderful journey so far. In this episode I revisit the inspiring stories shared by my amazing guests. I reflect on shared experiences and profound insights that have resonated and impacted my perspective of my own journey. Join me as I embark on a journey of reflection, growth and unveiling wisdom.

Join me this week as we dive into Joe Welsh's incredible journey of triumph over adversity. Emerging from extreme poverty, Joe faced relentless barriers and discrimination. But fueled by anger and an unyielding determination to prove the system wrong, he embarked on a relentless pursuit of education that ultimately transformed his life and led to a 35-year teaching career. Joe opens up about t...

This week, my guest is Rory O'Hare. Rory is a partner at Primas Law, a husband, father of two and a Catholic. In this conversation Rory shares his story, from humble beginnings in Blackpool to his becoming a partner in a law firm. His story stands out because he fearlessly embraces new opportunities, eagerly runs through open doors and is unafraid of the challenges that lie ahead. His unwaveri...

The story of Micheline Ntiru is an eye opener for everyone who wants to understand more about the challenges people face as minorities, Africans, and women. Join us as we explore Micheline's journey, which is a testament to the power of education in allowing the lesser privileged to achieve success. Micheline candidly shares her experiences of encountering racism when she moved from Kenya to t...

Join us in this inspiring conversation with Michelle Geere, the CEO of Adbot as she shares her remarkable journey from a small town in South Africa to becoming a successful tech entrepreneur.  Michelle shares her journey of personal growth in overcoming her limiting mindset and finding her authentic self. She delves into her experiences in the advertising industry, where she realised the importanc...

CAUTION: In this episode Jela talks openly about the eating-disorder that shaped a huge part of her life. I would encourage anyone who may find this topic triggering, to give this episode a miss.  This week, my guest is Jela Begonja Kovacevic. Jela is an internationally accredited coach, a mother, and a much-loved wife, daughter, sister and friend.  In this conversation, Jela vulnerably shares her...

CAUTION: In this episode we talk about losing a parent at a young age and healing from an abusive relationship, so please give this episode a miss if you may find these topics upsetting. In this week's episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with the remarkable Libby Mitchell. Libby shares her story of overcoming grief and trauma. From losing her mother at a young age, to retiring as an elite...

CAUTION: In this episode we talk about losing a parent at a young age and healing from an abusive relationship, so please give this episode a miss if you may find these topics upsetting. In this week's episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with the remarkable Libby Mitchell. Libby shares her story of overcoming grief and trauma. From losing her mother at a young age, to retiring as an elite...

This week, my guest is Sasha Sanders. A storyteller, father, brother, friend and life-long learner.   In this conversation, Sasha shares his experience of leaving a 15-year career in advertising to find more meaning and purpose. We talk about the fallacy of “overnight success” and how most life changes start with a willingness to dip your toe in and unfold, one tiny step at a time.  Sasha talks ab...