Stephen McDonnell
Unbound | Conversations Without Limits
Discover how the highest performers push beyond limitations in this up-and-coming no. 1 Irish podcast. Host and high-performance consultant Stephen McDonnell, speaks deeply with world-class performers, revealing secrets to their success. The podcast features several series across high-performing industries, including business, sports, entertainment and more. These conversations are real, honest, courageous and great fun. Each episode is designed to provoke, educate, inspire and empower you to achieve the impossible. Previous guests include Jordan Harbinger, Damian Browne, Mark Divine and many...
Author
Stephen McDonnell
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Jan 1, 2026
Where to listen?
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Episodes
#39: Marc Brackett | Harnessing Emotional Intelligence in Life and Leadership 24.01.2025 55:52
Marc Brackett discusses the impact of negativity bias, extroversion vs. introversion, and the key role of emotional intelligence in leadership. He dives deep into the effects of social comparison on mental health, advocating for self-compassion and empathy to tackle these emotional challenges. Drawing from personal and professional experiences, Marc shares actionable insights for breaking negative...
Unbound Tool #7 Mastering the “Five Mountains” in 2025 with Mark Divine 09.01.2025 6:00
Mark Divine, former Navy SEAL commander, reveals how mastering physical, mental, emotional, intuitional, and spiritual aspects, which make up the "Five Mountains", can lead to extraordinary resilience and self-mastery. Mark’s insights have reshaped the way many perceive personal transformation and leadership. Check the full episode here: https://www.liveunbound.com/podcasts/feeding-the-courage-wol...
Unbound Tool #6 Harvest your learnings from 2024 with Rupal Patel 02.01.2025 3:31
Rupal Patel, a former CIA intelligence analyst, has developed an annual tradition called the "Capture Your Year" exercise. This method helps to recognise unacknowledged achievements and identify areas for improvement. Plus, we’ll discuss the importance of sharing these insights with others for mutual growth and reinforcement. Make sure to listen in for actionable tips that can transform how you ap...
#38: Dr. Alia Bojilova | Increase your Resilience with former SAS Psychologist 19.12.2024 50:52
Dr. Alia Bojilova, former special forces psychologist and resilience expert, unpacks human behaviour and psychological resilience. Discover how Dr. Alia Bojilova uses psychological profiling, micro observations, and interviews to predict individuals' capabilities and how she’s redefining resilience through her book ‘The Resilience Toolkit’. Join us to explore: Predicting behaviour in high-st...
Unbound Tool #5 Rebuilding from Rock Bottom with Megan Henry 11.12.2024 6:04
Megan Henry is a lifelong athlete playing two Division 1 sports, field hockey and track, who faced an unexpected health crisis that abruptly ended her competitive career. She shares her journey through isolation, depression, and identity loss and how she built mental resilience and used visualisation and routine to get through the darkest days. Whether you're facing a personal setback or searching...
#37: Dr. Sarah Sarkis | Curiosity as a Catalyst for Growth 04.12.2024 1:03:54
Dr. Sarah Sarkis, a clinical psychologist and high-performance coach, dives into her journey of relentless curiosity and its transformative power. In this episode, Dr. Sarah Sarkis shares a memorable childhood experience that sparked her lifelong intrigue with psychology and how curiosity has become her primary strength. She shares how to use curiosity to combat monotony, develop self-awareness, a...
Unbound Tool #4 Overcoming Fear with Damian Browne 29.11.2024 3:41
In facing immense challenges, Damian Browne teaches us to be aware of ourselves and get out of the victim mentality. Tune into this week’s Unbound Tool to discover how to starve fear and feed courage. Check the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSjHus7MpoM
#36: Chris Voss | Good Things Happen When You Run To Trouble 20.11.2024 56:55
Chris Voss, a former FBI hostage negotiator, unpacks high-stakes hostage negotiations and effective communication strategies in life and leadership. Chris has taught negotiation courses at Harvard and Georgetown Universities and is the author of “Never Split the Difference”. Chris explains how to use empathy, specific key questions, proactive listening, emotional processing and more to ensure you...
Unbound Tool #3 Design Conditions that Drive Team Performance with Ruth Wageman 13.11.2024 4:51
Ruth Wageman is among the foremost scholars and practitioners studying and working with teams, especially leadership teams. In this clip, we share the three essential conditions for team effectiveness, drawing on research and practical examples from diverse fields including healthcare, aviation, and emergency services. Check the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IE7Tdp0cCc
#35: Tim Fletcher | Redefining Connection, Trauma and Healing 06.11.2024 55:23
A pioneer in the addictions and mental health treatment profession, Tim Fletcher delves into the journey of trauma, healing and self-discovery. We'll unpack “Big T" and "Little t" traumas, the power of feeling inherently valued, generational trauma, and discuss the importance of authentic connection, both with ourselves and others. Whether you're dealing with trauma, seeking deeper connections, or...
Unbound Tool #2 Lessons from a CIA Agent: The Best Way to Lead with Rupal Patel 30.10.2024 7:11
As a CIA officer, Rupal's job was to analyse intelligence and brief high-level officials, from Presidents to generals. It taught her the power of communicating complex information to a whole range of audiences. Tune in to this clip, as Rupal shares why it’s not about having all the answers but seeking them out and how to be direct with others about your knowledge gaps. Check the full episode here:...
Unbound Tool #1 Your Toolkit for Psychological Safety 14.10.2024 5:04
In these minisodes, I pick key tools from previous episodes. This clip comes from episode 33 with Dr David Burkus, author and renowned organisational psychologist. Tune in as he unpacks how to build psychological safety in teams, and his recommended toolkit with where to begin. Listen to the full episode here: https://www.liveunbound.com/podcasts/33-dr-david-burkus-how-to-build-a-high-performing-t...
#34: Amy Edmondson | Creating High-Performance Cultures 25.09.2024 1:07:25
Expert leadership scholar Amy Edmondson unpacks psychological safety, the need for belonging, and overcoming imposter syndrome in teams. In this episode, we delve into toxic positivity, the balance between realism and optimism in leadership, and notable case studies like the "Miracle on Ice". In her books ‘Teaming’ and ‘The Fearless Organization’, Amy explains the critical role of psychological sa...
#33: Dr David Burkus | How to Build a High-Performing Team 11.09.2024 50:15
Renowned organisational psychologist Dr David Burkus unpacks how to enhance team performance and create meaningful work environments. Tune in as David shares invaluable insights on the importance of collecting stories of impact, conducting the "It's a Wonderful Life" test, and fostering a sense of value and belonging within teams. We'll also dive into the challenges of hybrid work models, understa...
#32: Nuala Walsh | How to Make World Class Decisions 21.08.2024 53:52
In a fast-paced, noisy, and overloaded world, Behavioral Scientist Nuala Walsh explains why we tune out what matters and how we can "tune in" and leverage the insights we need to become more decisive and impactful leaders. Nuala shares her framework for identifying and overcoming the 200+ biases that can sabotage even the most seasoned leaders. From power-based traps to ego-based biases, you'll di...
#31: George Kohlrieser | Applying hostage negotiation tactics in leadership 24.07.2024 53:26
Hostage negotiator, clinical psychologist, and leadership expert George Kohlrieser has an unconventional approach to developing high-performing leaders - one that explores the impact of fear, loss, and personal transformation. George shares how his experiences on the front lines of crisis negotiation have given him a perspective into the power of communication and strong connections in effective l...
#30: Whitney Johnson | Disrupt Yourself 10.07.2024 50:41
What if achieving mastery was simply a matter of navigating the predictable stages of growth mapped by the S-curve model? Whitney Johnson, CEO of Disruption Advisors, introduces the S-curve model for mastering personal and professional growth. She guides us through this framework, offering practical examples and real-life cases to illustrate its application. Join us to explore: How to apply the S-...
#29: Brian Pennie | Overcoming Trauma, Breaking Barriers and Living Good 19.06.2024 55:01
After a near-death experience, Brian Pennie a former heroin addict for 15 years made a decision that transformed his entire existence. Brian went from rock bottom to becoming a leading advocate for empowering others to overcome trauma and addiction. Today, he is a neuroscientist and resilience specialist. Join us to explore: Living by a values-based framework Shifting your self-narrative & bel...
#28: Eímear Noone | Irish Culture, Mindset & Breaking Barriers 22.05.2024 1:29:02
Eímear Noone, an Irish composer and conductor, made history in 2020 by becoming the first woman to conduct at the Oscars. Eímear offers insights into how her upbringing shaped her work through the lens of Irish culture and values. In this conversation, experience her incredible journey of daring to dream big and turning dreams into reality through perseverance, community, and creativity. Join us t...
#27: Sarah McKay | Neuroscience, Managing Tech Consumption & Digital Overload 02.05.2024 1:04:45
Neuroscientist and science communicator Sarah McKay examines the impact of digital overload on mental health. Our evolutionary history has not prepared us to manage the relentless influx of information from technology — a fundamental mismatch that can deteriorate mental wellbeing. Sarah discusses how the brain responds to the constant barrage from a neuroscience perspective and the potential menta...
#26: Dan “Nitro” Clark | Trauma, Focus & Trusting the Process 10.04.2024 1:13:13
When former American Gladiator Dan "Nitro" Clark suffered a heart attack, it forced him to confront his reality. For decades, Dan had buried the trauma of witnessing his brother's death at a young age, believing he had to suppress his emotions because "big boys don't cry." Surviving the heart attack drove Dan to unpack the grief he'd avoided for so long. From the arena of American Gladiators to a...
#25: Pete Paciorek | Leveraging the Four Pillars of Character for Success 27.03.2024 59:25
Pete Paciorek, also known as Dr. "Coach Pete" is the Head of Leadership & Character Development at the prestigious IMG Academy. He believes leaders need to prioritise building relationships and culture before getting too caught up in strategy. This episode explores a research-backed framework for cultivating well-rounded strengths beyond just skills and "Xs and Os." You’ll also discover the be...
#24: Gerry Hussey | Choose your Hard 28.02.2024 53:51
Content warning: this episode covers the topic of suicide and depression. If you need resources or support, talk to your GP or a relevant health practitioner. In today's uncertain times, much feels beyond our control. Yet, how we respond is always our choice. Gerry is Ireland’s leading Health and Performance coach who designs and delivers powerful transformational experiences. In this episode, he...
#23: Chris Johnson | The Neuroscience Behind Your Limitations 08.02.2024 1:06:03
Learn how elite performers think and operate, drawing on over a decade of working with US Army Special Operations and top sports teams. Chris Johnson is the scientific performance advisor for S2 Cognition. He has worked with the Golden State Warriors, Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Navy SEAL team programme. As Chris reveals, we’re not all born to become Special Forces operators, but that's ok - as pe...
#22: Andy Walshe | Exploring the Edges of Human Potential 24.01.2024 1:21:54
Step into the explorer mindset and go to the edges of human potential with Andy Walshe, a globally recognised leader in elite human performance. As a former head of Red Bull's elite programmes, Walshe oversaw record-breaking projects such as Felix Baumgartner's record-breaking jump from space and created intense experiential boot camps using unpredictable scenarios - like inducing stage fright,...
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