Insight: The Stripped Back Podcast

Season 6 wasn’t just another chapter…It was the moment everything levelled up. This is our official lookback episode on the season where The Stripped Back Podcast stepped into new territory — bigger conversations, bigger guests, and a bigger impact than ever before. We didn’t just stay in our lane… we widened it. This season we dived deep into the conversations that really matter:Equality in the w...

Season 8 Episode 10, The Season Finale featuring Shay Lally on Restoration, Renovation and The Reality of Costs. We get into:The truth about renovation budgets (and why transparency matters)Managing client expectations the right way. Hidden costs people don’t see comingWhy trust and honesty are everything in this game. Season 8… wrapped. And what a journey it’s been. Before we get into the guest I...

Season 5 Lookback | Road To 100 SeriesSeason 5 felt different… in the best way. This was the season where the conversations got deeper, the stories got more personal, and the doors opened wider than ever before. As part of our Road To 100 series , we’re taking a step back to reflect on a season that brought us into rooms we never expected — sitting down with guests from sport, music, finance, trad...

Season 4 was a big one for us. In this compilation episode, we look back at some of the best moments from Season 4 as part of our Road to 100 Series. From the standout guest interviews to classic Overload Segment chats that had us laughing, debating, and thinking out loud. This season marked a huge turning point for The Stripped Back Podcast. For the first time, we introduced video interviews, tak...

Road To 100 Series – Season 3 | Finding Our VoiceSeason 3 marked a real turning point for Insight: The Stripped Back Podcast. This was the season where the numbers started to grow and, for the first time, people were reaching out asking could they come on the show. The conversations were landing, the message was resonating, and it became clear that what we were building was connecting with the tra...

Road To 100 Series – Episode 2 | Season 2: Continuing To BuildIn Episode 2 of our Road To 100 series, we take a proper look back at Season 2 of Insight: The Stripped Back Podcast, a season where the foundations were laid and the momentum really started to build. Still recording audio-only episodes, Season 2 saw us significantly expand our reach, not just across Ireland, but into the UK trade indus...

Season 1 is where it all began. Before the studio upgrades, the big guests, and 100 episodes of stripped-back conversations, there was simply an idea: to have honest, unfiltered chats about life in the trade. The good, the bad, and the bits no one really talks about. In this bonus compilation episode, Stephen and Keith take a look back at Season 1, revisiting the conversations, topics, and guests...

This episode marks a huge milestone for the podcast, 100 episodes. Stephen and Keith celebrate it with a conversation that perfectly reflects what the show is all about: real stories, real people, and real journeys. For this landmark episode, they sit down with Harry Maharaj of Kilkenny Architectural Salvage, who shares the evolution of one of Ireland’s most distinctive salvage yards. Harry talks...

This episode marks a huge milestone for the podcast, 100 episodes. Stephen and Keith celebrate it with a conversation that perfectly reflects what the show is all about: real stories, real people, and real journeys. For this landmark episode, they sit down with Harry Maharaj of Kilkenny Architectural Salvage, who shares the evolution of one of Ireland’s most distinctive salvage yards. Harry talks...

In this final episode of 2025, Stephen Buckley reflects on a year of significant growth for Insight: The Stripped Back Podcast, highlighting the increase in listeners, the depth of conversations, and the importance of community support. He expresses gratitude for the guests and listeners who have contributed to the podcast's success, celebrates the achievements of the trade community, and looks fo...

The Insight Trade Awards 2025 celebrated excellence across Ireland’s trade sector, recognising outstanding tradespeople, companies, and apprentices across multiple categories. Powered by community support and public voting, the awards highlighted the role of social media in championing the industry, fostering meaningful connections between brands and tradespeople, and inspiring the next generation...

In this heartfelt Overload episode, Stephen dives into the often-overlooked mental health challenges faced by those working in the trades during the busy Christmas season. With pressure building on site, at home, and socially, Stephen reminds listeners that feeling overwhelmed is not a sign of weakness, It’s a human response to a hectic time of year. He talks openly about the importance of connect...

In this episode, Stephen takes the hosting helm solo once again and is joined by the brilliant John McGrath, better known online as Man. In. Shed, a self-employed electrician, wood-crafter, and social media favourite. Stephen and John dive into a powerful and honest conversation about integrity in content creation, the importance of celebrating tradespeople, and the personal journeys that shape ca...

In this spontaneous upload of The Overload, Stephen grabs a rare few minutes between jobs to jump on Instagram Live while finishing off his reports, because why not multitask at its finest? What starts as a quick check-in with the community soon turns into a cracking chat when Richard Cockerline hops onto the live midway through. The two dive into everything from the On The Tools Awards to what’s...

This week, Stephen Buckley takes the helm on his own for one of the most open, raw, and emotional conversations of this season if not our full catalogue. He sits down with Stephen Harold of Elite Fitness , who shares a powerful story shaped by adversity, survival, and ultimately triumph. Growing up with a mother who was homeless and living with schizophrenia, and a father who was also homeless and...

In this episode of The Overload, Stephen and Keith dive into the excitement surrounding the Insight Trades Awards and the incredible reaction it’s received from the trade community. With voting now closed, the countdown is on for December 11th, when the winners will be announced live on YouTube at 8pm! They give a huge shoutout to all the support from the trades, including the brands and companies...

In this episode, we explore the reality of being a woman in an electrical apprenticeship through the eyes of someone breaking barriers in real time. Our guest Rachel Horsom shares her journey from starting out on the tools to navigating a male-dominated industry with determination, resilience, and a genuine passion for the trade. Rachel explains the decision she made to leave Ireland and finish he...

In this episode, Stephen Buckley and Keith Delahan dive into some of the most talked-about issues in the trades. From the complications that arise when customers supply their own materials, to the ongoing battle between quality and price, the lads unpack the realities tradespeople face daily. They explore the true value of expertise, the emotional side of service pricing, and the tricky territory...

Stephen Buckley and Keith Delahan sit down with Dave Dillon and Jennifer Murray, the passionate duo behind TheTradeCounter.ie. Together, they explore deeply personal experiences that have shaped their lives and careers, from the challenges of childhood and post natal depression, to the complexities of ADHD and the battle with addiction and the journey of recovery. The discussion goes beyond indivi...

In this Overload Segment Episode of the Insight The Stripped Back podcast, Stephen highlights the rapid evolution of the trade industry, particularly in relation to technology and renewable energy. He reflects on how the industry has changed since the early 2000s, emphasising the need for electricians to adapt to new technologies such as solar panels and EV chargers. The conversation highlights th...

In this episode, hosts Stephen Buckley and Keith Delahan sit down with Dylan Kearney, founder of Koncept Construction, for an open and insightful conversation about the modern construction industry and the growing impact of social media. Dylan shares his journey from apprenticeship to entrepreneurship, discussing how he built his personal brand and leveraged digital platforms to connect, grow, and...

Design Source Ireland is a creative hub that connects professionals across design, architecture, and the construction trades, providing inspiration, resources, and collaboration opportunities for those shaping Ireland’s built environment. Stephen and Keith were invited by Design Source Ireland to join Brian Tyrell from Bear Creation on an Instagram Live chat, where Brian turned the tables and inte...

We kick off Season 8 with a powerful conversation featuring Alan Collins from Simplified Sparky Marketing. A Cork native now living and working in Australia, Alan shares his inspiring story of starting his business Westcork Electrical from scratch, the lessons learned along the way, and how he is turning his trade experience into a much needed marketing brand, with Simplified Sparky Marketing help...

Sometimes the best conversations don’t happen in a studio, they happen out on the road. In this episode, Stephen and Keith park up in Sutton, Dublin, with the stunning backdrop of Dublin Bay behind them for a proper catch-up on all things Insight. From the buzz around the upcoming season to the amazing support flooding in for the Insight Trades Awards, the lads open up about what it all means, not...

In this special bonus episode, Stephen takes a few minutes from his van to give listeners a sneak peek into what’s coming for Season 8 of Insight: The Stripped Back Podcast , and to share some exciting news about the first-ever Insight Trades Awards 2025 !This year, Stephen and Keith are taking their passion for the trades community to the next level with an event created by the trades, for the tr...