What happens when a young woman from Brooklyn challenges expectations, pursues her dream of becoming an Occupational Therapist, and spends a lifetime transforming the lives of older adults?In this inspiring episode, Martina speaks with Susanne Giannitti, Occupational Therapist, educator, mentor, advocate and lifelong learner from Connecticut, USA. Susanne shares her remarkable OT journey, from working in some of New York’s toughest neighbourhoods to becoming a respected clinician, educator and champion for older adults.

Together, they explore:✨ The courage to pursue higher education when it was not expected of women in her generation✨ Why she fell in love with Occupational Therapy and never looked back✨ The lessons learned from decades of working with older adults in nursing homes, rehabilitation and home care✨ Memorable patient stories that demonstrate the life-changing impact of Occupational Therapy✨ The importance of mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals✨ Susanne’s passion for falls prevention, healthy ageing and lifelong learning✨ Why retirement does not mean the end of making a differenceNow at 71 years old, Susanne continues to educate, mentor and advocate for older adults, proving that purpose, curiosity and service have no age limit.If you are an OT, healthcare professional, student, caregiver, or someone passionate about ageing well, this episode is filled with wisdom, encouragement and practical insights.#MartinaTierneyPodcast #OccupationalTherapy #ThePowerOfOT #HealthyAgeing #FallsPrevention #OlderAdults #Mentorship #HealthcareLeadership #OTLife #RetiredNotExpired #LifelongLearning #CompassionateCare #SeatingMatters***

I’d love to hear what you think of this episode, your feedback helps shape future episodes. And if you know a healthcare professional with a powerful story to share, I’d love to connect.

Drop me an email anytime at ⁠[email protected]⁠

Thanks so much for tuning in and supporting the show!

Martina

In this episode of The Martina Tierney Podcast, Martina is joined by Occupational Therapist Kirsty Ryan for a powerful conversation on dementia care, therapeutic seating, postural management and the future of clinical education.

Kirsty shares her journey from mental health nursing into Occupational Therapy, her work with Seating Matters and A1 Momentum, and the research she is carrying out on the outcomes of therapeutic seating for people living with dementia.

Together, they explore the importance of a holistic 24-hour postural care approach, the impact of environment and sensory input in dementia care, and why seating is about far more than simply providing a chair.

Kirsty also shares a remarkable case study involving a 102-year-old woman living with advanced dementia and paratonia, explaining how patience, assessment and the right seating approach helped reduce pain and restore comfort after months spent in bed.

This episode is filled with practical insight for clinicians, carers and care providers, while also serving as a reminder of the dignity, comfort and quality of life that good care can provide. Topics discussed include:

• Therapeutic seating and dementia care
• Paratonia and muscle tone management
• 24-hour postural care
• Manual handling and transfer techniques
• Pressure injury prevention
• Falls reduction
• The role of Occupational Therapy in long-term care
• Clinical education through A1 Momentum

A thoughtful and inspiring conversation for anyone involved in caring for older adults and people living with dementia.

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I’d love to hear what you think of this episode, your feedback helps shape future episodes. And if you know a healthcare professional with a powerful story to share, I’d love to connect. Drop me a email anytime at ⁠[email protected]

⁠Thanks so much for tuning in and supporting the show!

Martina

In this episode of The Martina Tierney Podcast, Martina speaks with Eileen Burns, Professional Lead Occupational Therapist in Wheelchair Services for Northern Ireland and former Commonwealth Games cyclist.

Eileen shares her remarkable journey from taking up cycling in her twenties to representing Northern Ireland on the international stage, all while building a career in Occupational Therapy.

Together, Martina and Eileen explore the realities of wheelchair services, seating, rehabilitation and the importance of truly person-centred care.

The conversation highlights how the right equipment, the right clinician and the right questions can profoundly change someone’s quality of life and independence.

Eileen also shares powerful clinical stories, including how one simple decision to trial a powered wheelchair transformed the life of a gentleman who had spent almost two years confined to a hospital ward.

This episode is an inspiring discussion about resilience, dignity, independence and the life-changing impact of Occupational Therapy.

Topics include:

• Wheelchair services and complex seating

• Independence and powered mobility

• Rehabilitation and neurological conditions

• Commonwealth Games cycling• Occupational Therapy careers and advice for students

• Person-centred care and clinical decision making

🎧 Listen now and discover how seeing possibility in people can transform lives.

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I’d love to hear what you think of this episode, your feedback helps shape future episodes. And if you know a healthcare professional with a powerful story to share, I’d love to connect. Drop me a email anytime at ⁠[email protected]⁠

Thanks so much for tuning in and supporting the show!

Martina

In this episode of the Martina Tierney Podcast, Martina is joined by Sharon McNulty, founder of Joyful Spaces, for a deeply honest and insightful conversation about the connection between our homes, our habits, and our mental health.

Sharon’s journey began in healthcare, working closely with families in their own homes. Over time, she noticed a common thread - overwhelm.

Busy lives, constant demands, and environments that no longer supported the people living in them. What started as an observation has grown into a powerful mission: helping people create spaces that don’t just look better, but feel better.

This episode goes far beyond decluttering.

Together, Martina and Sharon explore how our surroundings can directly impact our stress levels, our ability to cope, and even our overall wellbeing.

Through real-life client stories, Sharon shares how simple, intentional changes can reduce anxiety, lift emotional weight, and bring a sense of calm back into everyday life.💬

“That last day we were together was the last bad head day I had.” From overwhelmed households to life-changing transformations, this conversation highlights just how powerful the right support - and the right system - can be.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly trying to keep on top of everything, or that your environment is adding to your stress rather than easing it, this episode will resonate.It’s not about perfection.

It’s about creating space - physically and mentally - for a better way of living.

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I’d love to hear what you think of this episode, your feedback helps shape future episodes. And if you know a healthcare professional with a powerful story to share, I’d love to connect. Drop me a email anytime at ⁠[email protected]⁠

Thanks so much for tuning in and supporting the show!

Martina

In this episode of The Martina Tierney Podcast, Martina speaks with Norma Findlay, Head of Clinical Operations at Tierco Healthcare, to explore the true importance of 24-hour postural care.

Norma shares her clinical experience and insights into why posture cannot be considered in isolation, but must be supported across the full 24-hour period, from lying and sitting to transfers and personal care.

The conversation highlights the risks of poor positioning over time, including the development of avoidable complications such as pressure injuries, reduced mobility and loss of independence.

Together, Martina and Norma discuss how a more holistic approach to care can improve outcomes, support rehabilitation and enhance quality of life for those who require assistance with daily living.

This episode offers practical guidance and thought-provoking insight for clinicians, caregivers and healthcare professionals who want to better understand how consistent, clinically led positioning can make a lasting difference.

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I’d love to hear what you think of this episode, your feedback helps shape future episodes. And if you know a healthcare professional with a powerful story to share, I’d love to connect.

Drop me a email anytime at ⁠[email protected]⁠

Thanks so much for tuning in and supporting the show!

Martina

In this episode of The Martina Tierney Podcast, Martina speaks with Claire Bowes for a deeply personal and inspiring conversation about resilience, trauma, and rebuilding a life with purpose.

Claire shares her experience of losing her sight at just 15 years old following the Omagh bombing - and how, in an instant, everything changed.

She reflects on the emotional and physical challenges that followed, from navigating sudden sight loss to adjusting to a completely new way of living.

Through honesty and strength, Claire offers powerful insight into what it means to move forward after trauma - not without difficulty, but with determination, perspective, and resilience.

The conversation also explores Claire’s journey into music, entrepreneurship, and education, as well as the role purpose and mindset have played in shaping the life she has built today.

Together, this episode is a moving and thought-provoking discussion about overcoming adversity, finding strength in the hardest moments, and creating meaning beyond life’s challenges.

*** I’d love to hear what you think of this episode, your feedback helps shape future episodes. And if you know a healthcare professional with a powerful story to share, I’d love to connect.Drop me a email anytime at ⁠[email protected]⁠Thanks so much for tuning in and supporting the show!Martina

In this episode of The Martina Tierney Podcast, Martina speaks with Occupational Therapist Ciara Duffy and country music star Lisa McHugh for an open and deeply personal conversation about Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), burnout, and recovery.

 Lisa shares her experience of how quickly life can change. At the height of a demanding career, the pressure and exhaustion of constant work began to take their toll, eventually leading to symptoms that would later be diagnosed as FND. Her storyoffers a powerful insight into the realities of living with a condition that is still widely misunderstood.

 Ciara brings the clinical perspective, explaining what FND is and how Occupational Therapy can play a vital role in helping people rebuild confidence, regain independence, and return to the activities that matter most in their lives.

Together, the conversation explores the impact of burnout, the importance of understanding FND, and the transformative role healthcare professionals can play in supporting recovery.

This episode is a thoughtful and hopeful discussion about resilience, compassionate care, and the difference the right support can make.

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I’d love to hear what you think of this episode, your feedback helps shape future episodes. And if you know a healthcare professional with a powerful story to share, I’d love to connect. Drop me a email anytime at ⁠[email protected]⁠

Thanks so much for tuning in and supporting the show!

Martina

World Obesity Day Special – Equity, Language and Dignity in Bariatric Care with Tracey Carr

Released on World Obesity Day, this episode of The Martina Tierney Podcast explores what equitable healthcare truly looks like for people living with obesity.

Martina speaks with Tracey Carr, advocate, educator and founder of Fat Lot She Knows. Through her consultancy, Tracey works internationally with healthcare professionals to improve dignity, communication and equity in bariatric care, always bringing lived experience to the conversation.Together, they discuss:

• Why conversations about weight are often mishandled
• The impact of language in clinical settings
• Why “morbid obesity” can feel deeply harmful
• Why bariatric seating is not simply about weight limits
• The importance of width, depth, posture and gluteal shelf accommodation
• Moving and handling considerations for larger patients
• How proactive, respectful communication transforms patient experience

This episode is not about promoting obesity. It is about promoting responsibility, dignity and clinically sound, evidence-based care. On World Obesity Day, we are reminded that obesity is complex and multifactorial. As clinicians and manufacturers, we must lead with compassion and practical solutions. Because there should never be a limit to care.

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I’d love to hear what you think of this episode, your feedback helps shape future episodes. And if you know a healthcare professional with a powerful story to share, I’d love to connect. Drop me a email anytime at ⁠[email protected]

⁠Thanks so much for tuning in and supporting the show!

Martina

In this episode of The Martina Tierney Podcast, I sit down with Dr Melanie Stephens, Tissue Viability Nurse and Associate Professor, to explore a topic that belongs to all of us in healthcare.

Tissue viability is not just about mattresses or dressings. It is about posture, pressure, advocacy and the responsibility we carry every single day to protect dignity.

This is a powerful and honest conversation about interprofessional working, 24-hour care, prevention over blame and the courage it takes to speak up for a patient.

Melanie shares the story of a 19-year-old young man whose final wish was simply to go home and die in his mother’s arms. It is a moment that reminds us why we must sometimes ask the difficult question, and have the courage to act on the answer.

🔍 In this episode, we explore:

* Why tissue viability is a shared clinical responsibility

* The link between posture, seating and pressure injury prevention

* The importance of understanding a patient’s journey, not just their diagnosis

* Interprofessional learning and breaking down silos in care

* The courage required to advocate for what a patient truly wants

This episode is about dignity, responsibility and doing the right thing, even when it is hard.

🎧 Thank you for listening. If this conversation resonated with you, please follow, rate and share. It helps these important discussions reach the people who need to hear them.

In this episode of The Martina Tierney Podcast, I sit down with Martin Tierney, Managing Director of the Tierco Group, and my son.

This is a deeply personal conversation about leadership, values and responsibility, and what it means to grow a business without losing sight of the people at the heart of it. We reflect on the journey from a family idea rooted in clinical need to a global healthcare group, and the lessons learned along the way.

Martin shares his perspective on stepping into leadership, carrying responsibility for others and making decisions that affect not just a business, but people’s lives, livelihoods and dignity.

🔍 In this episode, we explore:

* What leadership really looks like behind the scenes

* Growing a family business while staying true to your values

* The responsibility that comes with employing people and serving patients

* Why purpose must come before profit

* Remembering the human being behind every decision

This episode is about people, purpose and legacy, and why values matter most when decisions are hardest.

🎧 Thank you for listening.

If this conversation stayed with you, please rate, review and share. It helps spread these stories and the thinking behind them.