Win Happy Podcast

In this episode I chat with Amy McKeogh , of Fior Studios and the founder and creative force behind the Design Pop festival, which happens in Cork between 27th and 29th August , 2021. This festival by architects and food producers, which can be experienced through pavilions, exhibitions and talks is a huge credit to the determined Amy, who had to cancel last minute in 2020 due to Covid. In our cha...

In part two of this two part podcast I chat with journalist and author, Ralph Riegel . We chat about the important role of journalism, the challenges the industry faces and the huge need to battle "fake news", delivering truth that people can have faith in. We also chat about the ethics of the role, the personal impact of the job from some of the stories that must be covered, and some fantastic st...

In part one of this two part podcast I chat with journalist and author, Ralph Riegel . Ralph has been a journalist for nearly 30 years and he has lived through huge changes in the profession, with one of his friends calling him the " Blacksmith of this Generation "  We chat about Afghanistan, his American father who served in the navy during WW2, his book writing and the quality of life we are luc...

When Anthony Quigley took a job with an unknown company in 1992 called Microsoft , did he have any idea the career path ahead! This is a really interesting conversation about the evolution of digital, entrepreneurship, seizing opportunities, taking risks and some insights into his ventures including the (DMI) Digital Marketing Institute , the Code Institute and his latest venture the Corporate Gov...

In this special episode I chat with colourful and passionate, renowned Irish artist Elisabeth Cope at her home in Shankill Castle , Co. Kilkenny. I was privileged to experience a sneak preview of her " 9,000 babies ? " exhibition which features her work and work by guest artists. It is shocking, thought provoking and even uplifting, inspired by the deep scar on Irish society, that is the Magdalene...

In this episode I chat with one of Cork's most fantastic ambassadors, John Coleman , aka " Concierge John ", Concierge Manager of Fota Island Resort ,  John has a great story complete with some big personal bumps along the way and at the tender age of 48 he decided to follow his dream and became a concierge at the Metropole Hotel . He talks about the importance of finding Teddy, why we need human...

In this episode I chat with Aideen Quirke of Cork Printmakers about her career, this special members organisation and some of the fantastic work that is happening including by an interesting group of young people from the migrant community. She talks about art as a " precarious career choice ", the importance of making art more accessible and the role of art in culture, in therapy, in communicatin...

I chat with a huge nature advocate, Shirley Clerkin , Heritage Officer with Monaghan County Council about her role and more importantly how we can all get back to nature this summer! She speaks of Richard Louv's book " Last Child in the Woods " and what he refers to as " nature deficit disorder " and the effect it has on our children. Shirley suggests some really practical and  fun ways to get chi...

In this episode I chat with Brian Bowler , General Manager of the Montenotte Hotel and President of the Irish Hospitality Institute . Brian chats about his Dingle hospitality roots, the fantastic career opportunities in the sector and the role the IHI plays in encouraging people within this diverse industry, that comes with an international passport. He also chats about the ongoing transformation...

In this special episode I chat with Elizabeth Adeyemo , an incredibly impressive and powerful young woman and host of the " Forget the walls " podcast. She has a big story that shines a spotlight on Direct Provision, race, humanity and survival and the special friends that are there for you when you are at your lowest ebb. Enjoy the show! This show has been brought to you by Fuzion Communications...

Who better to talk to about the brutal unsolved murder of the beautiful, 39 year old French woman, Sophie Toscan du Plantier nearly 25 years ago in a beautiful, rugged spot in West Cork, than the author of " A Dream of Death " a book about the tragic case that still intrigues to this day. In my chat with the author Ralph Riegel , a journalist with the Irish Independent , who covered the case exten...

A great company or organisation needs a great board. Kieran Moynihan , CEO of Board Excellence explains that to have a great board you need good governance, a strong chair and the right mix of independently minded non executive directors who are willing to challenge, ask the right questions and provide real support and direction to the executive team. A typical dangerous scenario is when a Chief E...

We celebrate our LGBT community and PRIDE month by having a big conversation about the topic with special guests, Singer/Songwriter, Jack O'Rourke , former Rose of Tralee and MEP, Maria Walsh and Ciara Jordan , Head of Communications with Fuzion. Is there still a need for Pride month and who is it actually for, were our big questions and the answer is a resounding YES! All you need is love, and th...

Our good friend, Brendan Murphy of the band THE 4 OF US shares his experience of this crazy Covid period. Surprisingly, instead of being despondent he was really positive and enthusiastic as he has grabbed the opportunity to jump off the comfortable treadmill to learn new tricks, get closer to the fanbase and even invite them into the song writing process for the new album! Enjoy the chat and some...

On this podcast I chat with successful entrepreneur, Joanne Hession who talks about her life, her career and what brought her to her latest venture, the non-profit training organisation, LIFT . Joanne says leadership is a muscle that can be trained and everyone, regardless of what they do in life can be a great leader. An early experience in Rwanda taught her that no one can steal education from y...

On todays podcast I had the pleasure of chatting with a bright UCC mathematics student, Saoirse Trought . This passionate young woman shared her perspectives on mathematicians, women in STEM, the effect of Covid on college students, gender equality, media and politics and what it means to be happy! Enjoy the show!    This show has been brought to you by Fuzion Communications , a Marketing, PR, Gra...

When the experienced and much travelled sustainability designers, Frank O'Connor and Jude Sherry of Anois identified and mapped out over 300 derelict properties in Cork city that can be restored for much needed housing, creative and work spaces you start to take notice BUT you automatically come up with many reasons why it is not possible. Frank and Jude debunk not only these reasons (myths) but a...

When I received the gift of a second hand book. that was written by a very special American friend of ours, Jane Maas who had since passed and I found a note in the book I was very curious. This treasured book, signed by the author came with a note from the store owner, Michelle Allen from the Bad Reputation Boutique , a vintage clothing store in New Jersey - this was bizarre!! I tracked the store...

On part two of this two part podcast I chat with Sharon Vaughn , one of the international songwriting greats. We chat about the ingredients for songwriting success, Garth Brooks performing in her honour when she was inducted in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019 , coming out of her genre and writing musicals and pop songs including three for this years Eurovision . She also spoke about...

In part one of a two part podcast I chat with my special friend, the incredible songwriter Sharon Vaughn who was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019. Sharon has been writing hit songs prolifically since the 70's for an array of stars including Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Dolly Partin, Tammy Wynette and Kenny Rogers . She shares her fascinating story, how Nashville actu...

In this episode I chat with Lisa Molloy , CEO of the I rish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) , as they celebrate 40 years of  the organisation. We chat about the changes in 40 years and the things that have always stayed the same. We also chat about the benefits of talking and the unique challenges that Covid has brought to people and their therapists. Enjoy the show! This show...

I had a big conversation with Aoife Lenox of I nside Strategies about the work that she does with introverts. We chatted about her life and career as a self confessed introvert and the stress, anxiety and lack of self confidence as a result. We also chatted about " introvert bias " in the workforce and how she works with introverts to get them to understand their strengths and how to overcome thos...

The economists, Jim Power and Chris Johns from ' The Other Hand ' podcast are guests on this special episode. In light of the Davy , Beacon Hospital and other recent revelations we ask if it is time to " Drain the Swamp " of the elitism that seems to be corroding Irish society and politics. We also chat about Joe Biden running the US economy "red hot" and how some of his policies could affect us i...

A big Covid chat with Dr. Gerry Waldron who is head of Health Protection for the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland . We chat about prioritising schools and other front line workers. the different vaccine types, the calculated risks we are taking with opening schools, how things are going in N. Ireland and his prediction for the rest of the year. We also talked about the importance of people...

In the final part of my 3 part conversation with Declan Murphy , songwriter and guitarist with one of my favourite bands THE 4 OF US , he reveals his final selection of " must have " albums. he chats about the songwriting process and waiting for " happy accidents " to happen. We also talk about the idea of art and music being compulsory in school and why everyone is so chilled in Jamaica, man! The...