What's Important To You?

What if the greatest risk in life isn't failure, but slowly drifting away from the person you're capable of becoming? In this inspiring episode of What's Important To You? , James sits down with entrepreneur, author, real estate investor and podcast host Marty Hofmann to explore why living intentionally is one of the most important decisions we can make. Marty shares how growing up on a farm in Io...

What if care wasn't seen as a personal issue, but as something that shapes every family, every workplace and every community? In this thought-provoking episode of What's Important To You? , James sits down with Dr. Rosemary Daynes Kearney , founder of The Care Advocate, researcher at the University of Limerick, and passionate champion for family carers, to explore why care deserves to be prioritis...

What happens when the pursuit of success comes at the expense of your wellbeing? And how do you rebuild your life when you realise you've been wearing emotional armour for decades? In this deeply honest episode of What's Important To You? , James sits down with motivational speaker, author and mental health coach Brian Kennedy to explore a remarkable personal journey through leadership, burnout, r...

How do you tell the story of one of life's most painful experiences? And can writing help us make sense of grief, love, and the people who shape us? In this deeply moving episode of What's Important To You? , James speaks with author Sarah Vosburgh about the personal journey that led her to write her memoir, Who Will Name the Bees? —a heartfelt account of caring for her mother through Alzheimer's...

How does a journalist become captivated by one of history's greatest mysteries? And what can Amelia Earhart still teach us nearly a century after her disappearance? In this episode of What's Important To You? , James speaks with journalist and author Rachel Hartigan about her fascinating career, her years at National Geographic , and the extraordinary journey that led her to write LOST: Amelia Ear...

What does it really take to become resilient and why is having the right people around you one of the greatest advantages in life and leadership? In this episode of What's Important To You? , James sits down with executive coach and former Garda James Carty to explore the experiences that shaped his career, the lessons learned from decades in high-pressure environments, and why resilience is about...

In this insightful conversation, James speaks with relationship coach and marriage expert Lee Baucom about what truly helps relationships thrive and why connection is the foundation of a healthy marriage. Drawing on decades of experience helping couples navigate challenges, Lee explains why many relationship struggles are not actually communication problems but symptoms of deeper disconnection. He...

What if the biggest obstacle in your life isn't external circumstances, but the invisible beliefs you've carried for years? In this thought-provoking conversation, James speaks with leadership coach, author, and former Royal Air Force pilot Will Steel about personal transformation, authentic leadership, and the hidden constraints that stop people from reaching their full potential. Will shares his...

In this thoughtful and inspiring conversation, James speaks with award-winning author, radio host, and educator Grace Sammon about authenticity, storytelling, and the power of sharing our experiences. Grace reflects on her journey as a writer and how her novels became a pathway to deeper self-discovery. She shares how writing helped her navigate changing identities, life transitions, and difficult...

What if success wasn’t just about profit, but about purpose, fulfilment, and the impact you leave behind? In this thought-provoking episode of What’s Important To You? , James Dean sits down with spiritual business coach Andrew Grinbaum to explore the intersection of business, mindset, spirituality, and personal growth. Andrew shares how entrepreneurs and leaders can create meaningful success with...

In this honest and deeply personal conversation, James speaks with Anne-Marie Zanzal about authenticity, identity, courage, and the experience of coming out later in life. Anne-Marie shares her journey of leaving a 27-year marriage, embracing her identity at 52, and helping others navigate the emotional and relational challenges that often come with major life transitions. Through her work as an L...

In this moving conversation, James speaks with Karen Olson, founder of Family Promise, about how one small act of kindness changed the course of her life and eventually impacted hundreds of thousands of families experiencing homelessness. Karen shares how losing her mother at a young age shaped her understanding of empathy, connection, and service. Years later, while walking through New York City,...

In this inspiring conversation, James speaks with publisher and entrepreneur Orla Kelly about storytelling, courage, creativity, and the life-changing impact books can have on both writers and readers. Orla shares her unexpected journey from environmental scientist to international publisher after creating a children’s story for her own children. What began as a simple idea evolved into a publishi...

In this engaging and thought-provoking conversation, Gabrielle Dolan shares how storytelling became her life’s work and why it remains one of the most powerful tools in leadership and communication today. Drawing from her experience in senior leadership roles and over two decades of working with global organisations, Gabrielle explains how authentic storytelling builds trust, strengthens relations...

In this episode of What’s Important To You? , James speaks with entrepreneur, product leader, and author Radhika Dutt about what it really takes to create meaningful change,both in our work and in our lives. This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation , where the focus is on clarity of vision and why so many people struggle to make progress, not because of a lack of effort, but because they haven’t...

In this episode of What’s Important To You? , James speaks with men's coach and mental mastery expert Lee Daly about identity, courage, and what it means to define your own version of greatness. Lee shares his personal journey from struggling with anxiety to becoming a coach helping men develop mental strength, clarity, and confidence. Through his work, he supports high-achieving professionals who...

In this episode of What’s Important To You? , James speaks with leadership expert and HEARTnomics™ founder Hanna Bauer about fulfilment, purpose, and what it means to lead with intention in a rapidly changing world. Hanna shares her perspective on the difference between purpose and passion , explaining how fulfilment is often the feedback that tells us we are moving in the right direction. When le...

What if understanding your numbers could completely transform your business — and your life? In this episode, Damian Connolly shares his journey from qualifying as an accountant to becoming a Fractional CFO and SME Exit Advisor through his company, Sakura Business Solutions. We explore why financial clarity is one of the most powerful advantages an SME owner can have, the hidden dangers of DIY acc...

What happens when external success no longer feels like fulfilment? In this inspiring conversation, Gabriela Tomkiel-Pedlowska shares her journey from a high-profile career in diplomacy and international affairs to becoming a full-time coach helping others transform their lives. Despite working with presidents, ministers, and appearing in media, something was missing, peace of mind and alignment w...

What does it take to rebuild your life with honesty… and then help others do the same? In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Anne Marie Allen shares her journey of resilience and self-discovery after leaving Opus Dei and navigating the emotional aftermath of that chapter. Through writing, reflection, and courageous honesty, she transformed pain into purpose and built a coaching practi...

What does it mean to keep living… after unimaginable loss? In this deeply moving conversation, we explore love, grief, faith, trauma, and the long road to healing. After the tragic loss of two sons, Marcia Earhart’s journey through devastation became a pathway to hope, not just for herself, but for countless others navigating trauma and heartbreak. Marcia shares how grief reshaped her understandin...

What if growing your business didn’t have to cost you your health… or your marriage? In this episode, Dr. Travis Parry shares how the sudden loss of his father became a catalyst for deep self-discovery, purpose, and a complete re-evaluation of success. Instead of chasing growth at any cost, he developed what he now calls the Balanced Growth Method , a framework helping entrepreneurs 10X their busi...

Ambitious. Capable. Hard-working. And yet… still feeling unfulfilled or plateaued. In this powerful conversation, Angela Cox shares why self-belief is the foundation of everything, from career progression to leadership confidence and life fulfilment. We explore the difference between surface-level success and deep alignment, how identity shapes results, and why asking better questions unlocks bett...

In this powerful and deeply reflective conversation, I am joined by Alfredo Borodowski to explore what it truly means to flourish as a leader, as a team, and as a human being, especially in times of disruption. Alfredo introduces the principles of positive psychology and explains why so many people remain unaware of their strengths, despite the evidence showing that knowing and using them dramatic...

In this thoughtful and deeply human conversation, Jill Macauley explores why self-awareness is one of the most important and most overlooked skills in leadership and life. Drawing on her work as COO of Behavioral Essentials and her background in leadership development, Jill explains how awareness begins with understanding who we are across identity, values, emotions, and behaviour. Using the metap...