Colm Flynn Podcast

While almost every other aircraft in the United States was being grounded, Colonel Mark Tillman was pushing his throttles full force ahead to get Air Force One into the air as quick as possible. Behind him, inside the flying White House, was President George W. Bush - coming to terms with the fact that America was under attack, the deadliest hit since Pearl Harbor. 

Captain Mark Tillman had one of the most important jobs in America on September 11th 2001, to ensure the safety of the United States president and the continuity of government. As they flew through the air, racing back to Washington DC, they heard the news that a third plane had hit the Pentagon and there were an unknown number of other hijackings in the sky. Air Force One banked at a sharp angle and headed to a secret military base instead. 

In this one-on-one exclusive interview, Colonel Mark Tillman tells Colm Flynn about his memories of that horrific day, and accounts how the crew felt flying through the air knowing their country was under attack. 

instagram.com/colmflynnire

Growing up in the projects in New Jersey, Steven Allbright knew his father was involved in the mafia. From FBI agents spying through their windows, to his dad asking him to take mysterious bags down to the local bar. And as they say, like father, like son, and when Steven grew up he copied many of his father's habits with alcohol, drugs, and women. Struggling with alcohol addiction, Steven managed to hold down a good job, and worked as private security for some of the biggest names in Hollywood. He was married, had a child, a nice house and car. But when he took his first shot of cocaine, little did he know it would lead him on a journey that would ultimately end up in prison. 

After six years in jail, Steven says he would have been thrilled if someone gave him a chance just to wash the dishes in a kitchen, but today he is the executive chef of a multi-million dollar kitchen in a top-restaurant in Washington DC. And in this podcast interview, Steven tells Colm how he turned his life around after finding himself behind bars, and how he comes to terms with his past and the life that he lived. 

This podcast is brought to you by The Last Lions. (www.thelastlions.net)

instagram.com/colmflynnire

The idea of death is something most of us never like to talk about. It can be so heartbreaking to be at a funeral and watch a family grieving over a lost loved one. And because of the pain we feel when we think about those we know someday dying, we normally avoid the topic. But for Irishman Ronan Conneely, he is surrounded by death everyday. At 22-year-old, he is one of Ireland's youngest embalmers. And in this podcast interview, he tells Colm about how he started working in the family business at a young age, helping his father collect people who had died and bring them to the funeral home. He also talks about the toll the job takes on his personal life and how the work has affected his attitude towards life and death. 

instagram.com/colmflynnire

Can you imagine growing up blind and being bullied in school, and thinking you were the problem because you were blind? That was Ollie Cantos' life. But it was thanks to some tough love from his parents that made him realise his full potential, leading to him working as an Associate Director for Domestic Policy at the White House, and then a civil rights attorney for the Department of Education.

Career success aside, he focused on his personal life and deeply wanted a family. But he never imagined how it could come about. And today, has adopted triplet boys from Columbia who are also blind. Here is their incredible story.

instagram.com/colmflynnire

Mountain Butorac was working in IT in Atlanta, Georgia, but wasn't passionate about his job. Growing in his faith, he knew he wanted to do something connected with his Catholicism but wasn't sure what. That was until one day when he took a trip to Italy and fell in love! He fell in love with the ancient architecture and history, delicious pasta and pizza, and the slower pace of life. When he returned to the USA he quit his job, started a tour company, and eventually moved his family to Italy. 

Today, Mountain runs a successful tour group called 'The Catholic Traveller' where he brings pilgrims and tourists around Italy's most iconic spots, and further afield to places like Ireland, France, Poland and the Holy Land. He's also built up a large following on social media, giving his fans a unique insight into what life is like for an American living in Rome. 

In this interview, Mountain tells Colm about what it was like growing up in the music industry in Atlanta, and how he changed from one job to another before eventually having the courage to quit and follow his heart. He also talks about the challenges of running a tour company and the things that can go wrong, but ultimately how he wouldn't change it for anything else.

In this episode of the Colm Flynn Podcast the guest is 'The Catholic Traveler', Mountain Butorac. 

instagram.com/colmflynnire

Tighe Dixon is originally from Dublin in Ireland, and growing up didn't always have it easy. He came from a family that, although loving, had problems with alcohol and drug addiction. As a child he would go in and out of prison visiting his father and other relatives, often wondering why life was like this. When it came time for him to forge his own path in life he looked around and wondered would his fate be the same. But instead, he decided he was going to be the one to make a change and break the cycle. With mounting frustration and anger, he knew he needed to get away and make a fresh start. So with that, he packed his bags and moved to Dubai where he lives today, selling and renting real estate in a booming market. But on top of this, Tighe wanted to do something to encourage others who find themselves in family or community situations that are unhealthy, and so started uploading videos about his life to social media. Already he has over 17,000 followers on Instagram where he tries to spread hope and positivity. Here is his story.  

instagram.com/colmflynnire

Alan Clarke is an Irish social media influencer and podcast host who has built an impressive following over the past number of years. His live podcast stage shows, 'Big News Coming Soon', has been filling venues right around Ireland, not just in his home county of Mayo. And in this episode of the Colm Flynn Podcast, Alan talks about the reality behind why he started the live shows, and how much work goes into each episode. He also opens up about his personal life and the fact he dropped out of school before his Leaving Cert exams, the teachers telling him he wouldn't amount to much. Hear Alan Clarke's inspiring story of not waiting for anyone to give him a break, but instead doing it for himself! 
Colm Flynn Podcast Season 3 Episode 1

instagram.com/colmflynnire

Diana Bunici is a talented Irish journalist and broadcaster who made a name for herself presenting a popular children's TV show on RTÈ, the national broadcaster. From the outset it seemed like she had it all; a dream job, on the cover of magazines, and a great boyfriend. But when you hear her story of how she got to where she is today, it's much more impressive and interesting. Diana grew up in rural Moldova in Eastern Europe. Money was scare, life was simple, and opportunities were few and far between. But thanks to her parent's sacrifice and determination, they moved to Ireland and embarked on a new life. 

In this podcast Diana talks about what it was like starting life in a new country, and trying to fit in with your school mates. She speaks about her time working in television and the insecurity she was feeling around that time, always afraid of how others would perceive her. And we talk about her engagement to Kodaline singer, Steve Garrigan.

Here is Diana Bunici's story. 

instagram.com/colmflynnire

Finn Boylan is an Irish filmmaker from Bray in Co. Wicklow. He has always had a strong interest in the history of wars and conflicts around the world, feeling a fascination with places of unrest. When the war broke out in Ukraine in 2022 he had just started filmmaking and felt a strong urge that he had to travel to Ukraine and capture what was happening. Finn realised history was being made and he wanted to play his part. But nothing could have prepared him for what he would witness over the next five months as his camera brought him right into the middle of the tragedy that was unfolding. The footage he captured is real, is raw, and tells the story of a country fighting to survive amidst such heartache and devastation. Now, for the first time in an extended interview, the man behind the camera, Finn Boylan, tells his story.

instagram.com/colmflynnire

David Harper is a broadcaster from the UK, working with networks like the BBC World Service. In fact, his voice can often be heard reading news live to millions of people around the world. He also covers a wide range of stories for other TV and radio networks in the UK. He has a passion for what he does!

But his job can be very demanding and high-pressured at times, and being a freelancer the work can be unstable. But what makes David's situation a bit more difficult, is that he suffers from Bipolar Disorder. He kept his condition a secret for many years, fearing what others would think, and the possibility of losing work as looking unstable. But recently he uploaded a video to X (formerly Twitter) where he talked about his diagnoses and how that affected his life. 

In this podcast, David tells me about what it's like living with extreme lows, and manic highs, and how it affects his life every day. He also talks openly about the problems bipolar disorder can have on his family and friends, and those closest to him. We discuss the medication he has tried, and what he says eventually worked for him in terms of coping with it.

instagram.com/colmflynnire