Insights with Sean O'Rourke

Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation Jack Chambers joins Sean to discuss all things infrastructure, becoming the country’s youngest Minister for Finance since Michael Collins, his changing views on abortion, and the response he has had since he came out publicly as a gay man.

Former CEO of Special Olympics International Mary Davis speaks to Sean about bringing the Special Olympics to Ireland in 2003, running for Presidency, working with the Kennedys and meeting US President Donald Trump.

Chairman of one of the world's largest communications agencies FleishmanHillard John Saunders shares with Sean his experiences growing up in Artane, working in RTÉ as a sports journalist and his life in public relations. He speaks publicly for the first time about his daughters abuse at the hands of someone close to the family.

Curate for Cresslough Fr John Joe Duffy joins Sean to discuss the tragedy that happened in the small village in Donegal on October 7th in 2022. Father Duffy arrived at the scene a short time after an explosion at the Applegreen Service Station which killed ten people. He shares his journey and how the community have been coping since.

Chief Presenter with BBC News and former presenter and Washington Correspondent with RTÉ Caitríona Perry shares with Sean what life is like in Washington second time round and how her experience in Newstalk, Today FM and RTÉ led her to anchoring in front of millions of viewers both in the US and globally.

Consultant Psychiatrist, Head of Addiction Services at St John Of God University Hospital and Clinical Professor at UCD’s School of Medicine Professor Colin O’Gara speaks to Sean about growing up in Cork in a family steeped in rugby. He shares how he spends his time now advocating for those in the fight against addiction.

Former Director of Radio Programming and Public Affairs in RTÉ Kevin Healy joins Sean to share his journey as a journalist for the Cork Examiner and RTÉ and his decision to change careers in his fifties to retrain as a barrister.

Chartered Counselling Psychologist and lecturer in the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering in TU Dublin Leslie Shoemaker shares her journey with Sean from Pittsburgh to Ireland and how her dad’s side are one of the founding families of Pennsylvania. As co-founder of OCD Ireland, she explains what the disorder is and how she treats it.

Manager of Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap, chief commercial officer at Bohemians Football Club and former owner of Bang Bang cafe in Phibsboro Daniel Lambert joins Sean to share his journey from working in the Department of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations General Assembly in New York to managing Kneecap.

Star of ‘The Chase’ and ‘Beat The Chasers’ professional quizzer Darragh Ennis speaks to Sean about his journey from Rathcoole in Dublin, where he was suspended twice in primary school, to graduating from Maynooth University with a PhD before swapping it all for life in Canada and Oxford.

Former Irish ambassador Da´ithi´ O’Ceallaigh joins Sean and explains what life was like serving in places like London and Belfast during the Troubles. He also opens up about his wife’s dementia, his Sheriff Street roots in Dublin’s inner city and how he was the first in his family to go to secondary school.

Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Cyber Safe Kids Alex Cooney speaks to Sean about her journey from working in the international development and non-profit sector in East Timor, Jamaica and London to empowering children, parents, schools and businesses in what can be a very challenging online world.

Former Minister for Housing and Fine Gael TD Eoghan Murphy joins Sean to share what life is now like for him following his turbulent time in politics in Ireland and the severe impact it had on his mental health.

Journalist, author and migration activist Fintan Drury joins Sean to discuss trials and tribulations over his career in the RTÉ newsroom and Northern Ireland, public relations and serving on the board of Paddy Power and Anglo Irish Bank, leaving not long before it failed.

Former Chief Operating Officer at Warner Music UK Isabel Garvey speaks to Sean about leaving investment banking for a once in a lifetime opportunity to join the music industry meeting stars such as Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman, Paul McCartney and Ed Sheeran.

Chief Executive Officer of An Post joins Sean to share his journey from working on the shop floor of Waterstones to his time at Eircom and TV3. He opens up about the opportunities and challenges of the last ten years heading Ireland’s commercial state body An Post.

In the final episode of the series, skincare expert Jennifer Rock joins Seán to share how she built a successful business while facing life’s toughest challenges and most uplifting moments. She opens up about motherhood, illness, loss, resilience, and finding joy through it all.

Author and advocate Jody Plauché speaks to Seán about surviving child abuse, the aftermath of his abuser’s killing by his father, and his journey toward healing. Trigger warning: This episode contains discussion of child sexual abuse and trauma. Support resources are available at https://about.rte.ie/ie/helplines/

Neonatologist Prof Afif El-Khuffash joins Sean to share his journey from intensive care units to advocacy for Gaza. A proud Palestinian-Irish voice, he opens up about breaking stigma in maternal care—and the healing power of both science and art.

Nigerian-born, Offaly-raised singer Tolü Makay joins Sean to share her journey from church choirs to viral fame. A soulful artist and mental health advocate, she opens up about leaving the corporate world to follow her passion—and what future success truly looks like.

Dr Brian Pennie speaks to Seán about his journey from heroin addiction to recovery, and how it led him to a new life studying the mind and helping others change theirs. They discuss addiction, trauma, and the hope that comes with healing. Note: Help available at https://about.rte.ie/ie/helplines/

Writer and journalist Cathy Kelly speaks to Seán about her journey from journalist to becoming one of Ireland’s best-loved authors, as well as the personal challenges she has faced in recent years. Note: This discussion includes a reference to suicide. Advice is available at https://about.rte.ie/ie/helplines/

A pioneer in Irish media and the arts, Lelia Doolan reflects on her resignation from Teilifís Éireann to becoming the first female Artistic Director of the Abbey Theatre.  She also discusses her ongoing activism, including the fight to reopen Galway’s Pálás cinema.

In the final days before the papal conclave to elect the next Pope, Seán speaks to Vatican-based journalist and Clare native, Colm Flynn. They discuss possible contenders and why Colm will always be grateful to the late Pope Francis for helping him meet his wife.

Well-known designer Paul Costelloe discusses his relationship with the late Diana, Princess of Wales, his ongoing ambition as he approaches his 80th birthday this summer and turns the tables when he asks Sean a burning question.