Paths Podcast

A conversation about Padraic's life which brought him from being the guitarist/bassist in platinum-selling band The Thrills - playing Glastonbury and Conan O'Brien, hanging out with people like Hulk Hogan and the Gallagher brothers - to working in managerial roles at Google, LinkedIn and Hubspot. As we discover in this, Padraic's first ever podcast interview, his career in tech had in fact begun before The Thrills ever released a record.

Guest: Padraic McMahon

Host and producer: Donal Gallery

Recorded using Zoom between North London and Dublin

Artwork by Anna Obert https://www.instagram.com/annaobertillustration/

Music by Donal Gallery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PathsPodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PathsPodcast

Get in touch with stories of people who've had dramatic changes in their lives at [email protected]

Thanks for listening

A conversation about Sally's life which took her from a successful twenty-year career with Natwest Bank on Merseyside, where she eventually became manager of a branch. At age 36, the death of a friend and a cancer diagnosis for her mother was a moment of epiphany. She handed in her notice and decided to make her long-held passion for amateur theatre into a professional career. Twenty-two years later, Sally has achieved great success on stage and screen. We talk all about how she did it and highlights which include working with her hero Victoria Wood, appearing on Coronation Street and Little Britain and working with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Upcoming TV appearances for Sally:

Moving On https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00vt2q1 (airing the day after this is released, Tues 9th March 2021)

Angela Black https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13288904/

Close to Me https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6831266/

Guest: Sally Bankes

Host and producer: Donal Gallery

Recorded using Zoom between North London and Southport, Merseyside.

Artwork by Anna Obert https://www.instagram.com/annaobertillustration/

Music by Donal Gallery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PathsPodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PathsPodcast

Get in touch with stories of people who've had dramatic changes in their lives at [email protected]

Thanks for listening

A conversation about John's life which brought him from being a professional boxer with a stellar record (31 fights, 29 wins, 18 KOs) to retiring suddenly in the midst of training for the biggest fight of his career, to becoming an actor performing on stage and screen, working with Robert De Niro and starring in an upcoming film A Bend in the River.

(Please note: this episode was originally released 22 Feb 2021. Owing to a glitch cutting off the ending first time round - and the correction not uploading across all platforms - now re-released in full 1 Mar 2021)

Guest: John Duddy

Host and producer: Donal Gallery

Recorded using Zoom between North London and New York City.

Artwork by Anna Obert https://www.instagram.com/annaobertillustration/

Music by Donal Gallery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PathsPodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PathsPodcast

Get in touch with stories of people who've had dramatic changes in their lives at [email protected]

Thanks for listening

A conversation about Mark's life which took him from living out his childhood dream of being a top level football player in England to being convicted and serving time for drug trafficking, then to the present day as he works for a water treatment company purifying water for dialysis machines in hospitals.

Mark's book Hammered https://www.waterstones.com/book/hammered/mark-ward/9781843582724

Highlights from West Ham days https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX8WnL374C0

Goodison debut against Arsenal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeP1HJyuKrM

Scoring in Merseyside derby victory https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjrRudw8KC4

Episode index:

0.00-2.47 Intro

2.47-7.50 Premier Inn in Wrexham and his present-day job with a water treatment company working in hospitals around the UK and Ireland

7.50-9.09 Irish connection

9.09-10.13 Childhood in Huyton and first footballing lesson taught by an Alsatian

10.13-13.05 Did he realise he had a special talent as a child? More time with the ball than other kids.

13.05-17.38 Being let go by Everton. Not giving up. Signing for Northwich Victoria.

17.38-20.55 Running 14 miles to training, scoring a hat-trick and never looking back. Birth of daughter lights a fire underneath him.

20.55-27.25 Move to Oldham Athletic. Up into the Football League. Still the best player in the team. Great playing with quality players.

27.25-31.19 Move to West Ham. "John Lyall will be at your house in an hour." Whirlwind. Now in the top league in English football.

31.19-33.55 First time he felt possibly out of his depth. Elegant central defenders. Shit himself. But John Lyall put his faith in him.

33.55-37.57 A few questions about playing football in front of big crowds. What does it feel like? What is home advantage all about really? Are some players great in training but can't do it in front of thousands of people?

37.57-39.35 Upton Park - the crowd will either make you or break you. Mark breaks Kevin Moran's fingers.

39.35-40.18 Mark's goals a bit like Paul Scholes' goals.

40.18-42.19 The greatest season of his career with West Ham. Came third in the league. So close. Still hurts.

42.19-46.09 Nearly goes to Spain. "Don't go there, son. It's shit." Signs for Howard Kendall at Man City.

46.09-49.00 Having a pint in his ancestral home Cork when he gets word he'll be returning to his footballing home Everton. Shaking when he gets the news.

49.00-54.45 Playing for Everton. Goodison debut. In the tunnel. The Zcars music. Every hair on his body stood up. Greatest game of his career. After that, scoring in Merseyside derby victory.

54.45-56.00 His last game in football. A lonely night in Altrincham.

56.00-57.30 Mark's sister battling motor neurone disease. Generosity from footballing community for charity fundraiser.

57.30-59.36 How did he go from his football career to winding up in prison? Admits he was indisciplined with money during football career. Going into pub trade a big mistake. Drinking too much and involved with the wrong people.

59.36-1.00.45 Goes to Australia but having scored in the derby wasn't enough to get a visa.

1.00.45-1.03.32 Returns to Liverpool. Puts his name on a property which was being used for drug trafficking. Police were surveilling. Arrested. Couldn't tell police who he was involved with and tells us why.

1.03.32-1.05.30 Reflections on conviction and effect on family. Biggest regret of his life.

1.05.30-1.12.04 His time in Walton prison. A very dangerous and brutal place. Mark had the mentality to be able to handle it. Becomes the number one prisoner in The Bronx. "Ladbrokes" in his cell. Looking after vulnerable prisoners. Becoming fittest man in the prison. Having things to focus on. Comparison of football culture and prison culture. Intervening in a fight.

1.12.04-1.14.34 How could prison system be reformed? Help

A conversation about Andy's life, which took him from being an actor, graduate of Mountview Drama School, performing plays in Vienna and Lagos amongst other places to being the head chef and founder of his own London restaurant, Alter, which specialises in vegan food done in a new and exciting way.

Episode index:

0.00-9.50 Intro, Andy's childhood in Yeovil and beginnings in drama

9.50-19.05 Drama School - Mountview

19.05-26.00 Leaving Mountview, life as an actor in the real world

26.00-29.53 First gig, Vienna's English Theatre and time in Austria

29.53-34.02 Doing a play in Nigeria, time in Lagos

34.02-36.48 Time as a struggling actor

36.48-41.23 Dropped by agent before going onstage, leaving acting and looking for ideas

41.23-43.33 Gravitates into kitchen, works for free

43.33-45:40 Takes plunge, starts from the bottom as a chef, Claude's Kitchen

45:40-50.09 The theatrical aspect of food

50.09-52.10 Rising up the ranks in Claude's Kitchen

52.10-53.24 Makes the move to a Michelin Star kitchen

53.24-54.27 Trial shifts

54.27-56.45 Culture of Michelin Star restaurants and comparison to West End theatre

56.45-1:03:31 Bullying culture in kitchens, where does that come from?

1:03:31-1:09:51 How did he start up his own project? Talks about inspirations for Alter including Simon Amstell's Carnage, veganism and Anthony Bourdain

1:09:51-1:12:41 Guessing he's not a believer in cultural appropriation of food? No, he isn't. Explains why his restaurant is more global than that.

1:12:41-1:15:35 I wonder will the world go vegan or is the vegan world an echo chamber? Andy thinks about this differently, it's about expanding our palette not competing with nostalgia.

1:15:35-1.23.30 Trace the steps from Som Saa to founding his own restaurant.

1.23.30-1.24.42 His style as a head chef in the kitchen

1.24.42-1.27.56 We go back to his time as an actor. Why does he think that career didn't work out? Creative fulfilment and how it comes in different guises.

1.27.56-1.28.53 His wife, actor Mona Goodwin, and their soon to arrive baby

1.28.53-1.31.29 Seems like he's reached a good point in life. The Swans legs are kicking hard under the water. Final thoughts.

1.31.29-1.33.01 Outro

Guest: Andy Hogben

Links to Alter and other media Andy has done:

https://www.alterldn.com/about-1

https://www.lockeliving.com/en/features/chef-andy-hogben-is-on-a-mission-to-make-vegan-vibrant

Host and producer: Donal Gallery

Recorded using Cleanfeed between our houses in North and South London

Artwork by Anna Obert https://www.instagram.com/annaobertillustration/

Music by Donal Gallery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PathsPodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PathsPodcast

Get in touch with stories of people who've had dramatic changes in their lives at [email protected]

Thanks for listening

A conversation about Josh's life, from being lead singer in blues rock band Sal Vitro whose highlights included playing supporting slots to Jeff Beck, Thin Lizzy and Status Quo, whom they supported in the O2 in Dublin (now 3 Arena) to a crowd of 10,000 people. They also released an album and moved to London - four band members sharing a two-bed flat for a year. Now Josh is a primary school teacher in George Eliot Primary School in North London, a job that he loves, whilst still writing music and singing.

Episode index:

00.00 Intro

01:22 Interview begins with background and context

06:40 Growing up in Dublin and musical beginnings

14:25 Forming a band

15:07 Being a shy person performing onstage

17:56 First phase of the band as Roadrunner - Dime Store in Sweeneys etc

19:35 Sex, drugs and rock'n'roll?

23:22 Parting ways musically with a good friend

25:33 New drummer, new name Sal Vitro

26:32 Dreaded question: what was their style of music?

27:43 Rick Beato and songwriting

32:47 Sal Vitro moves up a gear

34:15 Did he ever see it as a career? Chat about idea of making your passion your career.

38:25 Supporting Jeff Beck, Thin Lizzy and Status Quo

41:36 Playing the O2 in Dublin (now 3Arena) to 10,000 people

42:55 Best gigs he ever played?

45:58 Can never predict how you'll feel onstage

46:43 G leaves the band to concentrate on engineering career

48:32 Making the album

49:23 Moving to London - four band members to two-bed flat

56:00 Differences between Dublin and London

59:20 Corley getting naked

1:00:27 Blues rock no longer considered cool?

1:01:10 Crisis of confidence

1:04:30 The album, response to it and reflections since

1:08:09 The end of the band

1:11:09 Took it further than they ever could have dreamed

1:11:35 Theme of podcast - the majority of artists we never hear from at large

1:13:39 The other side of life - degree and jobs along the way

1:14:45 Becoming a teacher

1:17:55 Froebel College inspires him

1:19:06 How rewarding teaching is

1:21:06 Style of teaching

1:23:09 Teaching kids about mental health - George Eliot a brilliant school

1:25:46 Still playing music

1:29:44 Working with Bres from Republic of Loose

1:31:00 Chat about creativity

1:34:40 Thoughts on being a teacher in 2020/21

1:38:02 His other passion - bouldering

1:39:42 Goodbye and thanks

1:40:15 Outro

Guest: Josh Dunford

Links to Sal Vitro and Josh's music:

https://youtu.be/ik0wsKiFzkM

https://youtu.be/xSjQDhz26UU

https://youtu.be/8l0dTNDbXw4

https://youtu.be/w6Fs5EqgDHc

Host and producer: Donal Gallery

Recorded using Cleanfeed between our houses in North London

Artwork by Anna Obert https://www.instagram.com/annaobertillustration/

Music by Donal Gallery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PathsPodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PathsPodcast

Get in touch with stories of people who've had dramatic changes in their lives at [email protected]

Thanks for listening

A conversation about Ray's life which led him from working in the carpet trade in and around Sheffield between the ages of 15 to 60 then, in response to a breakdown, pursuing his long-held desire to study drama at University. Now, aged 72, Ray is a professional actor and prolific, acclaimed playwright.

Episode index:

0.00 Episode intro and opening of conversation

6.15 Time at school and starting out in carpet trade

9.38 Pays tribute to his brother David

11.03 How he came to run his own business

14.19 Miners and steelworkers - strikes

15.47 Amateur Dramatics

19.18 A day at work for Ray as business owner

21.28 His breakdown

30.30 Going to university and selling business

40.35 Ray's dissertation on theatres as places of adult education

42.58 Career as actor and playwright begins

47.24 Speaks about the conditioning of low expectations

49.22 Talks about the different aspects of new career he enjoys

53.15 Family's reaction to it all

54.34 Writing - description of different plays, themes and process

1.05.39 Ray's youth and influences at that time, tv, film, theatre, music

1.10.17 How he met his wife Linda

1.11.39 Future ideas

1.13.35 Coronation St and his agent

1.18.43 Meeting hero Freddie Davies at audition and bringing him for coffee

1.20.20 Final thoughts

1.23.29 Outro

Guest: Ray Castleton

Ray's twitter: https://twitter.com/raycastleton?lang=en

Ray's Spotlight page including showreel: https://www.spotlight.com/2214-1279-0398

Host and producer: Donal Gallery

Recorded using 'double-end' method and phone between London and Sheffield, 7th December 2020.

Artwork by Anna Obert https://www.instagram.com/annaobertillustration/

Music by Donal Gallery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PathsPodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PathsPodcast

Get in touch with stories of people who've had dramatic changes in their lives at [email protected]

Thanks for listening

A conversation about Alex's life which brought him from being an actor, graduate of the Atlantic School of Acting in NYU to an Astronomer, on the verge of completing his PhD in Columbia University where his research focused on the search for exomoons - moons in other solar systems - which are as yet undiscovered by humankind.

Guest: Alex Teachey

Host and producer: Donal Gallery

Recorded 1st Oct 2019 in the Department of Astronomy, Pupin Building, Columbia University, New York

Episode can broadly be divided into two chapters:

Start - 41:00 We mainly talk about Alex's time as an actor

41:00 - End Mainly about Alex's time as an astronomer

Artwork by Anna Obert https://www.instagram.com/annaobertillustration/

Music by Donal Gallery

If you think you have a story like this yourself or know someone who does, please contact the podcast at [email protected]

If you enjoy the podcast and would like to contribute to keep it running, you can do so at Patreon.com/pathspodcast

Find us on twitter https://twitter.com/PathsPodcast

A conversation about Elise' life, which took her from being a graduate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) and performing Twelfth Night in India to being the Senior Director of Film at Kickstarter in NY.

Guest: Elise McCave

Produced and hosted by Donal Gallery

Recorded in Kickstarter offices in Greenpoint, Brooklyn 4th October 2019.

Broadly episode can be divided into two chapters.

Start - 29:45 we talk about Elise' youth, her time training and being an actor.

29:45 - End we talk about her new career and how that led to Kickstarter.

Artwork by Anna Obert https://www.instagram.com/annaobertillustration/

Music by Donal Gallery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/pathspodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PathsPodcast

Get in touch with stories of people who had dramatic changes in their lives at [email protected]

Thanks for listening