Ordinary Extraordinary Show with Paul Stevenson

Ciaran Gribbin: The Dream Changed. The Music Didn't.

What happens when the dream you've spent years pursuing takes you somewhere you never expected?

For Northern Irish musician and songwriter Ciaran Gribbin, music has been a lifelong passion. From childhood friendships and Sunday rehearsals at his local football club to writing with world-renowned artists and fronting INXS, his journey has been anything but predictable.

But the most fascinating part of Ciaran's story isn't the famous names or the stages he's performed on. It's everything that happened along the way.

In this episode of Ordinary > Extraordinary, Paul Stevenson explores the experiences, relationships and choices that shaped Ciaran's remarkable life.

Growing up in Northern Ireland during troubled times, Ciaran found sanctuary in music. He earned the money for his first guitar gathering potatoes, spent countless hours learning his craft alongside friends, and discovered how music could bring people together across deeply divided communities.

His passion became a profession, but the journey brought years of uncertainty, rejection letters, day jobs and moments when others questioned whether he should pursue something more conventional.

Ciaran kept going. Not because he knew where it would lead, but because he loved what he was doing.

In this conversation, we explore:

• How family, friendship, community and the music of his childhood shaped his identity.
• Why persistence isn't simply about chasing a dream, but finding joy and purpose in the work itself.
• The years of rejection, preparation and unexpected relationships that eventually led to collaborations with Snow Patrol, Madonna and others.
• How an unlikely encounter with Andrew Farriss opened the door to becoming the lead singer of INXS, long after Ciaran had stopped chasing the rock-star dream.
• The difference between confidence and ego, and why preparation matters when opportunity arrives.
• The personal realities of performing, touring, family life and knowing when it's time for something different.
• How Ciaran reinvented his career through Rock and Roll Team Building, using music to help others discover the power of collaboration and connection.

Throughout the conversation, Ciaran shares a refreshing perspective on success. He talks about the importance of surrounding yourself with talented people, learning from rejection, looking after yourself and recognising that progress often happens long before anyone else can see it.

Perhaps the most powerful insight is that changing direction doesn't mean abandoning your dream. Sometimes it means discovering a different way to live it.

This is a conversation about resilience, creativity, friendship, opportunity and the courage to keep showing up, even when the destination isn't clear.

Whether you're pursuing an ambition, navigating change or wondering what the next chapter of your own life might hold, Ciaran's story offers something worth reflecting on.

Because extraordinary lives aren't defined simply by what we achieve, but by the people we become along the way.

The conversation explores Dave's journey into creating the WNOW charity built around the power of connection and movement. We talk about the challenges of relocating to another country and the loneliness that can often silently creep up. It explores Dave's childhood, his experience of growing up in Ireland and the impact of generational connection. The conversation highlights the journey of building the WNOW charity, emphasising the importance of community and connection, as well as the self-discovery that drove this. We talk more generally about the impact of loneliness and disconnection in men, and how WNOW is specifically addressing this. It shows us how the power of friendship and community can help us through some of lifes challenges.

Takeaways

• Community and Connection how to create it
• Journey of Self-Discovery to understand loneliness and disconnection
• The power of friendship and community

Sally Douglas shares her journey of grief and the creation of Good Mourning, a podcast and book that aims to normalise the conversation around loss and grief. She discusses the societal shift in discussing death and the challenges she faced throughout whilst providing advice to others experiencing loss. Sally shares her journey of starting a podcast and business whilst navigating grief whilst also working full-time. She discusses early learnings, holding space for others, and coping mechanisms. She also emphasises the physical aspect of grief and shares insights on breathwork and meditation.

Takeaways

• Grief impacts all areas of life
• Society's shift in discussing death and grief
• Starting a podcast, writing a book and what that involves
• Holding space for others and providing resources without feeling responsible for solving every problem is crucial.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Journey to Good Morning
• 02:49 The Start of Good Morning
• 06:08 The Impact of Grief
• 09:04 Societal Shift in Discussing Death
• 14:47 Challenges of Starting a Podcast
• 25:35 Starting a Podcast and Early Learnings
• 26:38 Holding Space for Others and Coping with Grief
• 28:37 Understanding Grieving Styles and Coping Mechanisms
• 30:34 Navigating Grief While Working Full-Time
• 42:36 The Physical Aspect of Grief and Coping Mechanisms

In this episode, Paul Stevenson talks with Aleisha McCall about the mindset behind high performance and reinvention. From her beginnings in small-town New Zealand to competitive figure skating at an international level, Aleisha shares how discipline, pressure, and determination shaped the way she thinks and works.She also opens up about what happened when that chapter ended — and how she invested in herself, found a mentor, and created a new direction in business. If you want an honest conversation about backing yourself, adapting after a major life shift, and building something meaningful, this one is packed with practical insight.

Andrea Comastri, CEO of Hotel Etico, discusses his journey creating, running and building Hotel Etico, the disabilities and independent living programme that has trained over 65 people with intellectual challenges. The conversation covers the hurdles he and the Hotel have to overcome plus how he managed to complete a solo 400-kilometer run to raise funds! Andrea Comastri shares insights on resilience, leadership development, team dynamics, career transitions, personal sacrifices, inclusivity, and corporate engagement. Andrea's commitment to humanizing the hotel experience and promoting inclusivity reflects his passion for creating a positive impact in the community.

Takeaways

• Innovative approaches to disability inclusion
• Personal commitment to social impact Resilience and self-awareness are key to navigating personal and professional challenges.
• Inclusivity and humanizing the hotel experience contribute to personal joy and professional satisfaction.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and 400 Kilometer Run
• 10:22 Andrea's Journey and Motivation
• 22:08 Challenges and Personal Balance
• 30:57 Resilience and Leadership Development
• 39:36 Career Transitions and Personal Sacrifices
• 45:01 Personal Joy and Professional Satisfaction
• 50:34 Inclusivity and Corporate Engagement

The conversation delves into Jules Dormand's journey from early life challenges to building a successful career and finding a supportive tribe. It explores her resilience, ambition, and the impact of her experiences on her personal and professional growth. Jules Dormand shares her journey of personal and professional growth, from taking the leap to work independently to redefining success and embracing purpose. She offers practical advice for meaningful action and emphasizes the importance of building connections and community. Jules' story highlights the impact of self-discovery, reevaluation of success, and the pursuit of purpose in life and business.

Takeaways

• Resilience in the face of adversity
• The importance of finding a supportive tribe for personal and professional growth The importance of embracing discomfort and taking practical steps toward personal growth
• Redefining success and finding purpose in life and business

Chapters

• 00:00 The Ordinary Extraordinary Show
• 06:02 Seeking Opportunity and Ambition
• 11:11 Career Journey and Finding a Tribe
• 19:01 Relocating to Australia and Career Growth
• 25:04 The Leap to Independence
• 30:11 The Decision to Start a Business
• 35:37 Redefining Success
• 42:52 Surprising Aspects of Jules Dormand

The conversation delves into the journey of Geoff Coombes, co-founder of Tour de Cure and Stryde4, highlighting his experiences, challenges, and the impact of community and collaboration. It explores the themes of resilience, purpose, and the power of shared experiences, shedding light on the lessons learned and the launch of Stryde4. Throughout the discussion, the importance of perseverance and the transformative nature of community are evident, shaping Jeff's extraordinary journey. The conversation explores the power of shared experiences in building strong connections and fostering a sense of community. It delves into the challenges and growth opportunities after school, the creation of shared experiences in the workplace, the significance of purpose-driven activities, and the impact of striving for a cause. It also emphasizes the importance of embracing the ordinary, taking action, encouraging contribution and collaboration, getting started, overcoming fears, feeling alive, and embracing new beginnings.

Takeaways

• Resilience and perseverance
• Community and collaboration Shared experiences build strong connections
• Purpose-driven activities foster a sense of community

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Ordinary Extraordinary
• 05:11 Finding Purpose and Early Life Experiences
• 10:45 Community and Shared Experiences
• 15:54 Founding Tour de Cure and Overcoming Challenges
• 23:57 Lessons Learned and Launching StrideForce
• 29:05 Creating Shared Experiences in the Workplace
• 35:15 Strive for a Cause and Community Impact
• 41:27 Getting Started and Building Momentum
• 47:55 Feeling Alive and Embracing New Beginnings