The Stripped Back Podcast

We kick off Season 10 by sitting down with Trevor Macken from Ashbourne Paving, to explore his extraordinary journey from a troubled childhood and social anxiety to becoming a successful entrepreneur, recovery advocate, and business owner. Trevor opens up about the challenges that shaped his early life, his battle with addiction, and the long road to recovery. He shares how construction became a t...

In this solo bonus episode, Stephen reflects on a career lesson that has shaped his journey both on and off the tools, the danger of limiting yourself. From starting out as an apprentice electrician to stepping into an Assistant Management role within a mobile maintenance division, Stephen shares how the skills learned in the trade can open doors far beyond what many people imagine. This isn't...

In this bonus episode of The Stripped Back Podcast, Stephen Buckley takes a practical look at navigating the Irish apprenticeship system, using the Electrical Apprenticeship as a real-world example. Stephen breaks down the seven-phase apprenticeship structure, explaining the balance between on-the-job and off-the-job learning, the types of assessments apprentices can expect throughout their traini...

In this bonus episode of The Stripped Back Podcast, Stephen Buckley discusses one of the most important topics in any workplace safety. From risk assessments and Safe Work Plans to Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) procedures and electrical safety, Stephen explores why safety is far more than a box-ticking exercise. It's about protecting people, preventing incidents, and ensuring everyone gets home safe...

In this special bonus episode, Stephen opens up about his personal journey of growing and navigating the challenges of education, finding his place within the electrical trade, and now sharing insights from raising children with Autism and AuDHD. This is an honest conversation about neurodiversity, self-belief, and the importance of creating environments where people can thrive. Together, we explo...

In this special bonus episode of The Stripped Back Podcast , we’re taking you behind the scenes to the very end of Season 9. After recording a full podcast episode with apprentice electrician Aaron Murray, Aaron stayed on in the studio and joined us for a live TikTok session where we opened the floor to questions from viewers and had a relaxed, honest conversation about life in the electrical indu...

In this bonus episode, Stephen takes a step away from industry talk to discuss something that affects so many men, fathers, husbands, brothers, and friends every day, the pressures and stresses that can come with modern life. From providing for a family and balancing work commitments to carrying responsibilities that often go unseen, many men find themselves struggling in silence. Stephen shares h...

In this bonus episode of The Stripped Back Podcast, Stephen takes a step back and reflects on the notes, thoughts, and lessons he has gathered over the last few years since launching the Insight page on Instagram and eventually turning it into a podcast alongside co-host Keith. From building a community and creating meaningful industry connections to opening doors that never seemed possible, Steph...

In this special short bonus episode of The Stripped Back Podcast, Stephen reflects on the evolution of the electrical industry since beginning his career in 2006. From traditional installation methods and simpler electrical systems to the rise of solar PV, electric vehicle charging, smart homes, energy management systems and connected technologies, the trade has transformed dramatically over the l...

Join one half of The Stripped Back Podcast, Co-Host Stephen Buckley as he reflects on the origins and evolution of the podcast. From starting with just an idea, a phone and honesty, the podcast has grown into a platform connecting tradespeople. Discover how authentic content helped build trust and community, the role of social media in its growth, and the importance of supporting apprentices. Step...

This week we are joined by electrical apprentice Aaron Murray for a special summer break bonus episode filled with honest conversation, motivation and real life perspective. Aaron speaks openly about his experience in school and why the traditional classroom environment was not a place where he felt he could truly thrive. We discuss the pressure surrounding the Leaving Cert and why exam results sh...

Season 9 comes to a powerful and emotional close as we sit down with paramedic and frontline worker John Gaughan for one of the most honest conversations we’ve ever had on The Stripped Back Podcast. In this season finale, John opens up about life on the frontline, the unseen mental toll of dealing with trauma on a daily basis, and the harsh realities facing emergency services in Ireland today. We...

Join Stephen Buckley and Keith Delahan as they discuss the evolving landscape of renewable energy, the importance of industry standards, and practical insights into electrical safety and maintenance. This episode offers real-world experiences, technical discussions, and advice for professionals navigating the modern electrical and energy sectors. Main Topics: ​The impact of social media and market...

In our penultimate interview episode of Season 9, we sit down with Adam Powell from Powell Insulation for a proper, honest conversation about building a modern trade business while staying rooted in family values. Adam takes us back to the early days, growing up around the business his father built, and what it was like stepping into that world before putting his own stamp on it. We get into how h...

In this episode, we sit down with Ian Brennan of Ian Brennan & The Echoes and Ronan Sherlock from Ian Brennan & The Echoes & Gather The Lost for a real, honest look at life in the Irish music scene. We get into the lads’ early years, their first jobs, and how they each found their way into music. From there, the conversation opens up around the realities of being in a band, the dynamics, the creat...

This episode featuring Northern Irish Plumber Aaron Cunningham and Dublin Painter Julian Fraser from Fraser Painting, offers raw, honest conversations about health battles, the trades, childhood memories, and mental well-being, with a focus on personal resilience and community support. Join us for a real chat that highlights the importance of talking and staying connected during tough times. Key T...

Join Stephen Buckley and Keith Delahan in this episode as they explore Ireland's current fuel protests, to innovative DIY education programs. Discover how grassroots movements and practical skills are shaping the future generations, community resilience, and economic fairness. Main insights from the episode include: The ongoing energy crisis in Ireland and its social and economic impacts, emph...

Join us as we explore the journey of a talented Irish craftsman who shares his experiences from rural Ireland to Australia and New Zealand, highlighting the importance of trades, craftsmanship, and social media in modern business. Discover insights on career development, overcoming challenges, and building a community around craft. We chat about Niall's career journey from Ireland to Australia...

In this episode, we sit down with Fergal Cantwell to break down the realities of retrofitting, energy management, and navigating grants in Ireland. Fergal shares practical insights from the front line of the industry, cutting through the confusion around home energy upgrades and exposing some of the biggest misconceptions homeowners and tradespeople face today. We dive into the importance of prope...

In this episode, we sit down with Saul Whelan to dive into his journey from school into the world of surveying and the wider construction industry. Saul shares a refreshingly honest perspective on carving out a career path at a young age, highlighting the opportunities that exist within the trades and beyond. We explore how social media and AI are rapidly shaping the construction industry, from ch...

Unlock the secrets to elevating your trade game and setting yourself apart at industry events. This episode dives into the power of community, storytelling, and strategic networking, showing how tradespeople and designers are reshaping Irish markets one connection at a time. Imagine transforming a routine trade show visit into a goldmine of opportunities. We explore how entrepreneurs like boost th...

We kick off Season 9 with this special episode of The Stripped Back Podcast, were we took the microphones on the road and headed to the Design Source Ireland Trade & Networking Event at the RDS Dublin. Rather than sitting down in the studio, we walked the show floor and chatted with some of the exhibitors, distributors, and innovators shaping the industry in this two part special. In Part 1, w...

In this bonus off season Overload Segment episode, Stephen Buckley and Keith Delahan dive into WorldSkills 2025, exploring the incredible range of career opportunities available to students across the trades. From electrical installation and plumbing to hospitality and automotive, they highlight how skills competitions and vocational training are shaping the next generation. The lads stress the im...

In this bonus Overload Segment, Stephen shares his full journey, from starting out as an electrical apprentice in 2006 to stepping into a leadership role as Assistant Manager of a Mobile Maintenance Team in 2026, Twenty years of paving a path of career growth opportunities. This is a real, honest breakdown of what progression in the trade actually looks like. From apprenticeship days to developing...

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 coming Why trust and honesty are everything in this game. Season 8… wrapped. And what a journey it’s been. Before we get into the gues...