We Are The People

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Emma Foran takes us on her journey of self-discovery, career transformation, and personal growth. From her early aspirations to be an actor to navigating unfulfilling corporate roles, Emma shares how she found her true calling in social care and her current role as an Employment Officer at Down Syndrome Ireland.Emma reflects on the invaluable lessons she learned growing up alongside her aunt, who has Down Syndrome, and how it shaped her compassionate outlook on life. She discusses the challenges of leaving stable corporate jobs to pursue meaningful work and the joy she now finds in empowering adults with Down Syndrome to thrive in employment.Emma also opens up about the importance of living authentically, the struggles of societal expectations, and her evolving relationship with social media. With warmth and honesty, Emma reveals how embracing her passions has brought her a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment.If you've ever questioned your career path, struggled with conformity, or sought inspiration to make a meaningful change, this episode is for you.Let me know your thoughts on this eposideWebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook

Stepping out of our comfort zone is never easy, and I have great admiration for anyone that has stepped outside theirs to do something that they have been afraid of. James Michels is one such person. Growing up he was an introvert, who lived in his own world and was wary of letting people in. Today he is an author who has published 5 books, finding the confidence to share his inner universe with the world.Join us as James opens up about his pivotal moment of self-discovery. He shares his journey of personal growth and the decision to invest in himself, leading to the unexpected path of becoming a crime thriller author. You'll hear about the challenges he faced in his quest to write his first book, and the powerful life lessons he learned along the way.Resilient, brave, humble, funny, inspirational… This is James Michels.WebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook

Growing up in a predominantly white neighborhood, Astrid faced a unique set of challenges that shaped her into the remarkable person she is today. She'll share her experiences of navigating the immense pressure to succeed imposed by her parents and the process of discovering her identity as the only black child in her school. But it's not just her cultural background that sets her apart; like any young person today, she's had to confront the typical struggles of adolescence.In this episode, Astrid opens up about the ignorance she faced in school, the importance of understanding history, her unique relationship with social media, her unwavering commitment to being a role model for other first-generation children, and how her faith challenges her to be a better person every day.WebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook

Today, we're joined by an incredible guest, Peter Ryan, a remarkable athlete who has conquered adversity and shattered barriers.Growing up, rural Tipperary was home for Peter. That meant sports and plenty of them. He was very good at soccer and hurling but never pushed himself. In school he followed the crowd and stayed within his lane. He was a coasting through school happy in the knowledge a job in construction would see him through.Then at the age of 19 his eyesight began to fail and he was diagnosed with Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy, a rare genetic disorder that left him with between five and ten percent peripheral vision in both eyes. Basically, he was legally blind.In what felt like the blink of an eye what Peter knew as normal had disappeared, his identity was gone and he turned to alcohol to cope. He hit rock bottom before sport saved him and he unleashed the potential within… becoming a Paralympian!Human, brave, honest, funny, a world class athlete… This is Peter Ryan!WebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook

Orlagh Reynolds was a messer as a child and she has retained that sense of mischief into adulthood. She loved life and life loved Orlagh back as she lived the dream. City hopping as her career developed, working her dream job, surrounded by friends and family and topped off by her husband and daughter. Orlagh was lucky and grateful.Then one day, her husband Fraser received a Motor Neuron Disease diagnosis that turned their world upside down. He was given two years to live and as the devastating news sunk in Fraser decided that something good was going to come from this diagnosis. It may have been too late for him but he was sure he was going to make a difference for future MND patients. And with that, they began to fight back!WebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook

Scott Jenkins didn't want to find himself at the age of 80 looking back at his life wondering what more he could have done with it, what more he could have achieved and the people he could have helped along the way.Scott grew up in Wales and reached a turning point at the age of 30 where he decided to do something big, something that would have an impact on his life but also on lives around him. Himself and his brother decided to run 2000 miles from Boston to Austin, raising money and learning life lessons along the way.Since that decision to run 75 marathons in 75 days, Scott has become an ultramarathon runner, a Badwater finisher, a high performing sales manager, a motivational speaker and has changed the lives of 93 children across the world, through Operation Smile.Scott will inspire you to take the leap of faith you've been putting off and he'll make it sound so simple… This is Scott JenkinsWebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook

Beulah Coombs was born in Jamaica in 1949 and at the age of 8 she moved to Manchester following her parents who had moved their to help rebuild England after the war. She is part of the Windrush Generation. The world she encountered was much different to what she imagined and the welcome she received was tainted by ignorance as she strove to make an impact in her new surroundings.But make an impact she did as Beulah ignored the racists and naysayers to build a life in her adopted country that was so fulfilling it prevented her from returning to live in Jamaica, even when the British government introduced a law suggesting she do just that.Beulah describes the difficulties she faced finding a job, the vibrancy of the nightclub scene and talks about the importance of accurately depicting the past.Inquisitive, funny, determined, and a first time published author at the age of 75…this is Beulah Coombs!WebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook

Lawrence Cowan set out in politics determined to change lives but his life took an unexpected turn when his best friend, Gordon Aikman, was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease. It was too late for Gordon but together they were determined to positively impact the lives of future MND sufferers.From Gordon Brown to Nicola Sturgeon, Lawrence and his friends energised Scottish politics to change Scottish Healthcare for the better, positively impacting Scottish generations to come. Their campaign was so successful Gordon's legacy was preserved when the largest lecture theatre in Edinburgh University was renamed The Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre.Laurence's work raising funds and awareness of MND lead him to pursue a career in fundraising. He continued on to work for Breast Cancer Now and Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland, saving countless lives in the process.Lawrence speaks with passion throughout this episode, none more so than when he speaks about his daughter who navigates the world with a visual and physical disability. Lawrence's story is the inspiration for all of us to be the change we wish to see in the world.WebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook

Elaine Garrigues O'Neill grew up in Ireland but her eyes were always firmly fixed on a life further afield. When she graduated from University she moved to France and set about becoming as French as the French themselves.She set about honing her translation skills in the corporate world before realising she would much rather be her own boss. With little more than a few contacts, a large helping of bravery and a willingness to conquer French bureaucracy she set up her own translation business.As her business grew she became more comfortable and her mind began to wander once more. Elaine had always dreamed of becoming a pastry chef and where better to learn than in the pastry capital of the world? She enrolled in a patisserie school and went back to the classroom for long hours, intense exams and early mornings in the bakers.Elaine's story is proof that we can achieve our goals once we set our minds to them.WebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook

Vicki Duffendack was a typical South Dublin woman, she grew up interested in boys, having fun with friends and seeing the world. She travelled across the globe as a nanny, working hard and partying just as hard. In Australia, she found love and got engaged but when that didn't last she looked for love on Instagram... well what she thought was love. Her quest for likes and followers brought her to Bali but her obsession with appearance drove her to a breakdown.In the depths of despair she reignited her relationship with God and slowly recovered at Teen Street, a discipleship for Christian teens. Vicki drew strength from her relationship with God and signed up to attend the Bethal Christian School. Her whirlwind life continued as she met her future husband and settled in America, with her family and church her focus.WebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook

Serendipity and chance encounters brought Inka and Iason together, their shared interests blossomed into a romance that is now three years down the road. As their relationship developed their boundaries fell as they opened up to each other and realized a shared dream.The dream of one day creating music with their partner… that day arrived and so The Zorbas was born.The Zorbas is a mixture of music, cinema, design, story telling… and lots more.Ambition, vulnerability, excitement, passion, humour, positivity, it's all here… This is the Zorbas!Listen to the Zorbas here: https://www.thezorbas.live/WebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook

The events we experience throughout our lives shape who we are and how we look at the world. As we move through life we learn and adapt and change because of what we have been through.Inka Malovic was conceived in the Congo, born in Bosnia, grew up in Algeria and when war broke out in both Yugoslavia and Algeria she settled with her family in Canada.As she moved from one place to the next she became a sponge in her new environment, she watched and listened as she integrated herself and it was these skills that helped her hone her craft.Inka is an actress, a dancer, a teacher, a musician… she wears many hats all of them with passion and positive energy… nothing is impossible… This is Inka Malovic.WebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook

The vast majority of us follow a well-trodden path when it comes to what we do with our lives, we may take an unexpected diversion here and there but by and large we follow in the footsteps of where others have gone before. Stephen Carton grew up in Dublin, went to school in Dublin and completed a degree and masters in Engineering in Trinity College… you can probably fill in the gaps from here, right?Wrong?A chance encounter as a Fresher in Trinity lit a spark that created a passion for American Football that burnt so brightly he decided becoming an American Football coach was his destiny.He left Ireland in a hurry and put his foot on the bottom rung of a ladder and started climbing, his adventure taught him the importance of family, to embrace his identity and what happens when you take a chance… This is Stephen Carton.WebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook

I think it is interesting to hear what people wanted to be when they were children because it gives an insight into what they were like then and as their story unfolds we can get a sense of how they have developed.The truth is, most of us give up on that childhood dream early on, but not everybody does…James Timmons always wanted to be a footballer. It informed how he spent his lunch time break, where he went to university and encouraged him to travel the world.Buckle up as one of the most enthusiastic people I know takes us from single minded child to even more determined adult… this is James Timmons.WebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook

The world is made up of characters, that's what makes it so interesting. We all approach life in slightly different ways leading to experiences and stories that help us to stay connected with one another. Rebecca Proctor has always been sure of who she was and where she was going… she may not necessarily have known how it was going to turn out but she wasn't going to shrink to the shadows.Whether that was on the stage bringing joy to her heart, in the turbulent school corridors or as a mother finding her way… Rebecca gives life her all.Rebecca talks honestly about feeling lost in school, acting both on and off stage and how she reacted when she found out she was pregnant, five months into her pregnancy… this is Rebecca Proctor!WebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook

Paraic Keenan has always done things his way, he made his choices and he saw them through, having the courage to pivot if required. Be that asking for help when stuck in a ditch, building his career instead of going to college or abandoning his corporate lifestyle in favour of sea swimming and self discovery, he trusted things would work out and they did.His experiences have made him the man he is today as he discusses identity, introspection, listening and plenty more.This is Paraic Keenan.WebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook

John Clendennen is a local councillor from the small village of Kinnitty in Offaly. At one stage the world was his oyster but today John is more likely to bring oysters to Kinnitty.He grew up surrounded by people in the family pub and it is no wonder that he has gone on to follow in his father's footsteps… taking over the family business and making a name for himself in politics.John has an interest in life that is infectious, he is energetic and thoughtful, innovative and open… This is John Clendennen.WebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook

A footballer and a writer are at two very different ends of the career spectrum. For a footballer their end product is based on split second, instinctive decisions, whereas a writer is contemplative and reasoned in their approach.Or are they?Gavin Colton's story challenges these potential misconceptions. He grew up in Leixlip, just outside Dublin and dreamed of being a footballer. He became a TV star, signed autographs, flirted with supermodels and eventually moved to America on a soccer scholarship. Today he is on the verge of publishing his first collection of short stories. How did he go from soccer star to college lecturer? How much do the narratives he created in his dreams impact his writing now? How important is identity?Gavin Colton is thoughtful, insightful, brave, funny and engaging… This is Gavin Colton!WebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook

Pallavi Pande had an idea based on childhood nostalgia. She grew up in India and now lives with her husband and two kids in Portland, Oregon. Her company, Dtocs, creates tableware from naturally fallen palm leaves and has won a NEXTY at the Natural Food Expo for the most innovative new sustainable product on the market.Pallavi tells me about being a mompreneur, raising brand ambassadors, supporting her female workers, how paying it forward is essential to her being and how America has changed… this is Pallavi Pande!WebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook

Usually, when we think about people and their stories it is the older generations that spring to mind as the gold mines. However, my next guest has seen and done so much and is only 28.Kieran Walsh is married with two kids, he works in a local hospital and dreamed of buying his own home. So far so straight forward.I came across Kieran on Twitter when I followed his podcast “Reeling in your ears”, a clever watch along of the TV show Reeling in the Years.Like a lot of people, his life hasn't been straight forward. He talks about growing up as the baby of the family when most of his siblings were more than halfway through their childhoods, the pain of losing his mum, the pressure to succeed in a big family and how attempting to become a recognized stand up comedian has negatively impacted his mental health.You'll hear the pain, smile at the laughter and be struck by Kieran's sense of gratitude… This is Kieran Walsh.WebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook

Teegan Maguire is a friend of mine. She has an extremely successful career, she is 35, she owns her own flat, she is single, she lives in London, she is from Clones, a small village in Ireland. Teegan takes on societal norms and faces them down, choosing the route that is right for her rather than the one offered up as the path most trodden. She speaks openly about children, societal pressure, how reaching her thirties has changed her attitude to life and what she learned from creating a plan for her life until she is 100.This is a story about a woman making decisions that are right for her, this is a story told with eloquence and honesty… this is Teegan Maguire.WebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook

Virginie grew up in picturesque France, playing in the forest was her youth where she dreamed of travelling the world. At the earliest opportunity to moved to Ireland where a career in tech, trips to India and her own business became her new life.So far so idyllic.Maybe on paper, listen as Virginie takes us through the reality of her paralysed mother in a wheelchair, battling anxiety and how India grounds her.This is Virginie Laveau.WebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook

Dean Clarke dreamed of becoming a professional footballer and he lived that dream for over 10 years in Ireland. However, the realities of his dream life are a far cry from the fame and fortune you would associate with being a professional footballer.If I offered you a job, your dream job, and told you the salary would make it hard to get by and your contract would only last for 10 months of the year… would you accept my offer? And if you did, how long would you stick at it?This is the reality of being a professional footballer in Ireland and this is the power of those two words “Professional Footballer”.This is Dean Clarke.WebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook

Jill Godsil created an idyllic life for herself and her family before divorce, bankruptcy and home repossession shattered that life. She was down but not out and somehow found the fight within to strike back and change Ireland's legislation while she was at it.Jill Godsil has an inspiring story that is overflowing with enthusiasm, life lessons and plenty of unexpected twists.WebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook

Kunal landed in Dublin on the 13th of January 2015 with €1,000 in his pocket, 80kg of luggage and an address on Mountjoy Square.He quickly ran out of money, went without food for 3 days at a time and could not find a job... any job, but her persevered.Kunal tells us what he thinks of the Irish welcome and how he has to work harder to prove himself but ultimately he thinks it has worked in his favour. WebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook

Kunal Gandhi came to Ireland from India, leaving behind his friends, family and a very comfortable life.Before he tells us about his experience in Ireland, I wanted to know what it was like growing up in India. It is a culture that fascinates the world, and the internet gives us a glimpse into what it may be like, but I wanted to hear it from Kunal in his own words.Those words are filled with passion and conviction as he speaks about his love for his parents, his dedication to his family and how pressure is just something you get used to when you are from India.WebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook

In March 2018 my friend James Lundy died suddenly, his anniversary is a painful time, filled with sadness and grief but it is also our opportunity to speak about James and ensure he comes along life's journey with us.Whether you knew James or not, I want this episode to celebrate James's life and to act as a reminder to all of us to cherish what we have, because life is fleeting and can disappear so quickly.I asked his friends and family to send me voice notes of their favourite memories and this is what they said. WebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook

Saoirse Fitzgerald studied Business and German in UCC, represented Germany in the Rose of Tralee, became LinkedIn's first German speaking employee and now owns one of Ireland's most famous Lighthouse keeper's houses. She made choices along the way and through it all she put her trust in one place – her gut.Her story brings us through huge highs and tragic lows, it teaches us the importance of community and resilience and how failure is only failure if you fail to learn from it.WebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook

Over fifteen years ago, John and Elaine, along with their three sons, decided to forego their usual Christmas presents in favour of giving that money to people who needed it more. But to who? There are plenty of very deserving charities who would willingly accept their donations… but instead John and Elaine, inspired by their friends in Malawi decided to create their own charity, they called it Chifundo.WebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook

Have you ever had an idea you'd love to pursue but real life gets in the way? Colm O'Toole had an idea and went for it.A chance rejection sent him to Lyon in France where his desire to learn French took him on an adventure of a lifetime.In the heart of Lyon he found a community, opened an Irish bar and found a new appreciation for life.WebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook

Pete Cogavin is a teacher and musician living in London. His dream was to play the guitar and have the crowd sing along with him, he achieved this and plenty more.From playing to a television audience of over 20 million people to headlining a French music festival attended by over 15,000, to realising his passion for teaching was going to have to go hand in hand with his love for music, Pete's story is one that is sure to inspire.He takes us across France, from Lyon to Caen to Nice and then over to London as music and teaching open up opportunities at every turn.If you've ever wondered if you can chase your dream and live a normal life, this episode is for you.WebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook

Moia Rowsome is a former teacher who now works for Twitter in online learning, her journey to this point took many turns, each one a learning opportunity and many worth sharing.Moia tells me how feeling lost drove her to follow her dream of becoming a famous musician. Her quest for purpose, her willingness to make sacrifices and her work ethic mean she now has a whole host of memories and experiences that have shaped the person she is today.Moia's story is encouragement for all of us to throw off the shackles and allow our talents to lead us somewhere… and you never know where that could be. WebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook

Ger Barron was a goalkeeper for Glasgow Celtic and UCD, that is how he saw himself and, perhaps more importantly, that is how he felt the world saw him. Ger talks about the anxiety and pressure he felt every time he stepped onto the field, an anxiety that struck as a feeling in his stomach during matches but that would go on to consume him.This is a story about someone doing their job, who one day decides enough is enough and it is time for a change. Ger's story is an example to encourage all of us to stop and ask ourselves if what we are doing is making us happy.WebsiteInstagram TwitterFacebook