EXTRAordinary Women

Join host Denise O’Brien as she reflects on a transformative year for the Extraordinary Women podcast. From fitness to finance, politics to aviation, and entrepreneurship to end-of-life care advocacy, 2024 brought an array of inspiring stories from remarkable women across diverse fields:

Leona O’Shea’s insights on fitness and wellness

• Shalley Svoren’s expertise in finance and aviation
• Geraldine Lambert’s journey in politics and community service
• Gina London’s masterclass in communication
• Julie Garland’s exploration of aviation and drone innovations
• Judy Hyde’s yoga wisdom for inner peace
• Joanne Begley’s advocacy through her Legacy Journal project
• Hannah Wrixon’s entrepreneurial lessons
• Fiona Doyle’s global impact in fashion styling

As we close the year, this recap celebrates the empowering stories that have inspired us all. Cozy up this holiday season or set your New Year goals with the motivation these extraordinary women provide.

Here’s to another year of powerful stories and inspiration!

#ExtraordinaryWomenPodcast #Leadership #Innovation #Empowerment #Aviation #Entrepreneurship #Wellness #CommunityService

Join us as we chat with the fabulous Fiona Doyle, an International Personal Stylist with over 18 years of experience in the fashion industry! From Milan to London, Fiona brings a wealth of knowledge and style expertise, offering services ranging from Corporate Keynote Talks to Personal Styling Consultations and Colour Analysis. 

Fiona’s passion for colour and its positive effects, combined with her background in education, makes her approach truly unique and tailored to each individual. 

Fiona recently completed also an Advanced Personal Style Course through the London College of Style.

EXTRAordinary Women podcast is created by O'Brien Learning Solutions. O'Brien Learning Solutions helps create a corporate culture that attracts and retains top talent. 

Check out our website at https://obrienlearningsolutions.ie

Thanks for listening!

This episode features Hannah Wrixon, CEO of KELLA, and a seasoned entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in startups, technology, and HR.

Recently exiting WrkWrk, her third startup, which was a multi-award-winning company formerly known as Get the Shifts Ltd., Hannah brings extensive leadership and innovation to KELLA. She leads the "Back for Business"; and "Going for Growth"; programs and has been a judge for the National Enterprise Awards for the past four years.

With a background in leading international teams and developing bespoke software, she is an alumna of the prestigious EY European Winning Women program. Honored as the Image Digital & Technology Businesswoman of the Year in 2019 and the Network Ireland Businesswoman of the year 2019. Hannah also holds qualifications in Strategic Leadership (L9) and a Dip Corporate Governance.

EXTRAordinary Women podcast is created by O'Brien Learning Solutions. O'Brien Learning Solutions helps create a corporate culture that attracts and retains top talent. O'Brien Learning Solutions is a leadership development firm with a focus on helping individuals, teams and organisations to successfully navigate through periods of change, no matter how big or small.

If you’d like to get in touch check out our website at https://obrienlearningsolutions.ie.

Thanks for listening!

Welcome to Episode 7 of the EXTRAordinary Women podcast!

This episode features Joanne Begley, an end of life care practitioner and author of "For after I've Gone".

Joanne shares her journey, her community involvement, and how she balances it all as a proud mom of two with a supportive husband. 

Don't miss this inspiring conversation about:
✨ Community involvement
✨ Balancing family, career, and community work
✨ Joanne's lessons and experiences.

Welcome to Episode 6 of the EXTRAordinary Women podcast! 

This episode features Julie Hyde. Julie, a certified Hatha Yoga Teacher and Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultant, shares her incredible journey from discovering yoga in her teens to becoming a passionate teacher and mentor.

We interviewed Julie before her current period of maternity leave. Congratulations to Julie and her family, as she has since given birth to their third baby boy! Denise attended Julie's Saturday morning yoga classes before the birth of her third child, and I found no better start to my weekend.

In this episode you will find out also what is Ayurveda and Ayurvedic lifestyle.
We delve into Julie's motivations to become a Yoga instructor, the challenges she's overcome, and how she created her dream life in County Clare with her husband and children. 

Don’t miss this inspiring episode!

Welcome to Episode 5 of the EXTRAordinary Women podcast! This episode features Julie Garland - the founder and CEO of Avtrain, an online learning and certification body for drone operators and pilots across Europe. 

Julie is a former airline training captain and aircraft maintenance engineer. Before setting up Avtrain she was the CEO of Thunder Tiger Aviation, a Chinese Investment Company and drone pilot training organisation, and prior to that the Director of Compliance for Norwegian Air International. She is an Irish Aviation Authority Authorised Examiner for all drones up to 75kgs and is the founding Chair of the Unmanned Aircraft Association of Ireland.

Julie Garland is also a Barrister at Law, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and an accredited mediator. 

In this podcast, Julie talks about her career path as a woman, new rules for drone operators in Europe and the future of aviation.

EXTRAordinary Women podcast is created by O'Brien Learning Solutions. 

O'Brien Learning Solutions helps create a corporate culture that attracts and retains top talent. O'Brien Learning Solutions is a leadership development firm with a focus on helping individuals, teams and organisations to successfully navigate through periods of change, no matter how big or small. 

If you’d like to get in touch, you can send an email to [email protected] or check out our website at https://obrienlearningsolutions.ie.

Thanks for listening!

This episode features Gina London – CEO, Language of Leadership. Gina is an American entrepreneur based in Dublin where she founded and serves as CEO of the Language of Leadership company.

She guides global companies and C-level executives how to better connect and engage with their employees, their board member and themselves. Her Fortune 500 clients include Salesforce, JP Morgan, Oracle, Google, Coca-Cola, Carnival Cruise Lines and many more. 

 A published author and regular media analyst, Gina has appeared on the BBC, FOX, and CNN. She also writes a weekly business leadership column, “The Communicator” in Ireland’s largest circulated newspaper, The Sunday Independent. And, last but not least, Gina is also an Emmy-award winning former CNN anchor and correspondent.

Gina shares invaluable insights on how to captivate audiences, inspire teams, and elevate your own leadership presence.

If you’d like to get in touch, you can send an email to [email protected] or check out our website at https://obrienlearningsolutions.ie.

Thanks for listening!

This episode features Geraldine Lambert, a significant political and community figure from Shannon, discussing her journey, the role of women in politics, and the evolution of the Shannon community. It's an inspiring narrative of dedication, impact, and the power of community activism.

If you’d like to get in touch, you can send an email to [email protected] or check out our website at https://obrienlearningsolutions.ie.

Thanks for listening!

Shelley Svoren is a woman who has blazed a pathway for women in finance, aviation and entrepreneurship. 

I had the pleasure of chatting with Shelley about her experiences as a woman in business and what advice she would give to those of us who would like to take that next step or a big leap and are feeling doubtful!

If you’d like to get in touch, you can send an email to [email protected] or check out our website at https://obrienlearningsolutions.ie.

Thanks for listening!

Our first episode is with Leona O'Shea, owner of Fierce Fitness. Leona is a fully qualified personal trainer and fitness instructor with qualifications in nutrition as well.

Her journey in the fitness industry began in 2017 when she completed her PT course in Galway with Image Fitness. Since then, she has been actively involved in the industry, working both independently and for various gyms. Leona served as the manager of SKB for four years before transitioning to full-time self-employment. She caters to a diverse range of clients, offering 1-1 sessions, group classes, coaching GAA teams, and assisting online clients.

Leona's primary objective in the fitness industry is to assist individuals in achieving their goals, fostering comfort in the gym environment, and imparting knowledge and understanding of fitness routines.

If you’d like to get in touch, you can send an email to [email protected] or check out our website at https://obrienlearningsolutions.ie.

Thanks for listening!