John Christie is a Hot Rod Racing World Champion.

In today's episode, we discuss:

• What Hot Rod is and what sets it apart from other motorsports
• Qualifying for the world championship with a broken arm
• Running a mechanic workshop while racing around the world
• Growing up learning from his dad, Ormond Christie
• (Who was also a world champion and mechanic)
• The rivalry between his dad and Davy Evans that shaped the sport
• Drawing the line between success and striving for more

Check it out!

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https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/john-christie-hot-rod

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Michael Cosgrove is a bartender in The Crown Bar.

In today’s episode we talk about:

• How he became a celebrity bartender
• The ghost that lives The Crown
• The cultural shift he’s noticed since COVID
• Why he’s stayed in the same job in the same pub for 36+ years
• And some of the chance encounters he’s had with punters

Check it out!

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https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/michael-cosgrove-bartender

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Welcome to Pub Chats & A Pint, a podcast series sponsored by Harp where we sit down with interesting local people in a Belfast pub.

Today we are in The Orpheus Bar in the Cathedral Quarter and are joined by comedian, actor and social media star Abbie Parkinson.

In this episode we talk about:

• The mad TikTok journey that led to her stardom
• Dreaming of becoming a world-famous actor from a young age
• Moving from Fermanagh to Chicago
• Dealing with the rejection involved in pursuing acting
• The shadow side of social media
• Going to Country To Country with her ma to see Luke Combs
• Cycling across Cuba under the Cuban curse
• And how her faith keeps her rooted

Check it out!

Links:

Abigail on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/piguyni/?hl=en

Abigail on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@abigailparkinson_?lang=en

The Orpheus Bar Website: https://dukeofyorkbelfast.com/venues/the-new-orpheus/

Harp on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harplagerni/

James McGinn is the Managing Director of Hastings Hotels. Over the last 27 years, he has been involved in presidential visits, hosting celebrities, starring in 31 episodes of reality TV, and working with charities like Belfast Homeless Shelter, Flax Trust, and Aware NI.

In today's episode, we talk about:

• Growing up as one of 11 children in Killyclogher
• How he got into hospitality
• Being held up at gunpoint
• The importance of building a good team culture
• Hosting the MTV Awards
• Locking up a colleague in the bathroom with a lady of the night
• Why hospitality is an incredible industry to work in
• Advice for younger people starting out

Enjoy!

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https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/james-mcginn

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Welcome to Pub Chats & A Pint a podcast series sponsored by Harp where we sit down with interesting local people in a Belfast pub.

Today we are in The Errigle Inn on the Ormeau Road and are joined by legendary pizza maker Marty Duggan who runs Pi Guy out of Trademarket in the City Centre.

In today's episode we talk about:

• Broken bones
• Cuban raves
• Interning under legendary pizza makers
• His new bespoke, unbelievably expensive oven
• And why the dinner table is so important

Check it out!

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Links:

Pi Guy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/piguyni/?hl=en

Errigle Inn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/errigleinn/

Harp on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harplagerni/

Chris Lynch is the Head Wellbeing Manager of Australia's National Football Team. He has also worked in Olympic Cycling and Malaysian Rugby.

In today's episode, we talk about:

• The early years of sports data (collecting sticker books and cards!)
• How the local GA players were like the Greek gods of his world when he was growing up
• Becoming a successful athlete on an inter-county level
• His own battles with depression and suicide
• How he learned to "stop bottling everything up"
• Why so many athletes experience an identity crisis (and what to do about it)
• Whole athlete wellbeing
• The career stepping stones that led to where he is today
• And what becoming a father has taught him about performance

Check it out!

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https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/chris-lynch-wellbeing

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Welcome to Pub Chats & A Pint, a podcast series sponsored by Harp Lager where we sit down in a local pub with someone interesting from Northern Ireland.

Today we're in The Harp Bar in Cathedral Quarter and are joined by rising-star Comedian William Thompson.

In this episode we talk about:

• Why his mum kept his cerebral palsy a secret from him
• How he landed his first comedy gig
• The philosophical undertones of Spy Kids
• Balancing local humour with an international audience
• High School Musical Mania
• Favourite comedians
• And his upcoming Ulster Hall Show

Check it out!

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William’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/william_thompson_comedy/?hl=en

Harp Lager Instagram: Harp Lager (@harplagerni) | Instagram

Harp Bar’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harpbarbelfast/

Welcome to Sport Inspires: a podcast recorded in collaboration with The Mary Peter’s Trust and made possible by the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund.

Today’s episode is with Olympic Rower and Medical Doctor Philip Doyle.

In today’s episode we talk about:

• Being headhunted to work for Abercrombie
• Harsh, ego-checking advice from his teacher “Helen”
• How he got into rowing
• Eating 8000 calories per day
• What makes a good rowing partner
• And why you shouldn’t water dead plants

Check it out!

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https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/philip-doyle-olympic-rower

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Welcome to Pub Chats & A Pint, a podcast series sponsored by Harp Lager where we sit down in a local pub with someone interesting from Northern Ireland.

Today we're in Southside Social on Botanic Avenue and are joined by Bernadette Hagans: a presenter, amputee model, gamer, streamer, charity ambassador, content creator, Call of Duty competitor and local inspiration.

In this episode we talk about:

• What it was like to receive a rare cancer diagnosis and keep it a secret
• Maintaining a positive outlook on life after losing a leg
• “Being the energy you want to attract”
• Playing Call Of Duty competitively
• Meeting Terry Bradley
• Her modelling career
• How she’s used her pain to gives back to others
• The kindest thing someone’s ever done for her
• And everything you’ve wanted to ask an amputee but were too afraid to ask

Check it out!

Bernadette’s Instagram: Bernadette Hagans (@bernadettehagans) | Instagram

Harp Lager Instagram: Harp Lager (@harplagerni) | Instagram

Southside Social’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southside.social/

Welcome to Sport Inspires: a podcast recorded in collaboration with The Mary Peter’s Trust and made possible by the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund.

Today’s episode is with Claire Taggart, the 2022 Boccia World Champion and the first person from Northern Ireland to ever compete at the Paralympics in the sport.

In today’s episode we talk about:

• What boccia is (and why it’s “way better than bowls!”)
• Being diagnosed with a neurological condition at the age of 18
• How Claire got into the sport
• The logistics of travelling with an eletric wheelchair
• Why boccia is a “nail-biting sport”
• The opportunties being a professional athlete has brought into Claire’s life
• And advice she would give to her 18-year-old self.

Check it out!

Claire’s Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/NiftyNotebooksUK

The 200 Club: https://marypeterstrust.org/club200/

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https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/claire-taggart

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