The Cowshed Talks

It's springtime and we are back with a great talk - here is the start of a discussion we hope to grow, about transforming our workplace to best care for personal and colleagues wellness. 

Derek Nagle meets with Gary Flood to talk about his experiences and how he's found that valuing personal experience and encouraging personal development are central to developing a wellness mindset in the media industry.

Gary Flood is a seasoned television producer, director, edit producer and script writer whose work encompasses factual entertainment, lifestyle, light entertainment, documentary, comedy and drama programming. He is also a certified Personal, Executive & Leadership Coach, and an experienced trainer specialising in communication, conflict resolution and presentation skills training.  

You are not alone 

Let's Talk

Lisa Wilkinson. We discuss her many talents and struggles and then Lisa guides us through an amazing grounding anxiety exercise.

Lisa and I will come back to this space over the next months to deliver more of these exercises which we will post on their own as a great free helpful support for all to access and use.

You’re never alone, let’s talk.

Lammy's Therapies Explained - he is joined by Rosa Hoskins to chat about Life Coaching.

You are not alone - Let's talk 💚🌎

Ken Binley's guest is Camera Operator & Producer Chris Donohue. A huge thanks to Chris for a fantastic talk covering his experiences building a career in the television industry, traveling, social drinking, the side effects of his relationship with alcohol and his journey to living alcohol free. 

Bio:

Chris Donohue is a professional camera operator & producer from Melbourne, Australia now living in County Cork Ireland. 

Over the past 15 years, Chris has moved up the ranks in the television industry from cable rigger to working across broadcast news, long-format drama, documentaries, reality TV, light entertainment, floor manager, live sports broadcasting as a camera operator, and producer. 

And there are more ears and help available to connect with:

Alcoholics Anonymous Ireland +353 1 8420700

https://www.alcoholicsanonymous.ie/

Narcotics Anonymous Ireland

https://www.na-ireland.org/

Minding Creative Minds IRL - Dedicated 24/7 helpline 

ROI: 1800 814 244  or NI/UK: 0800 0903677

http://mindingcreativeminds.ie/

Music Support UK

https://www.musicsupport.org/what-we-do

HSE Drugs and Alcohol helpline (Ireland)

1800 459459

[email protected]

We always recommend you contact reputable counselling or psychotherapy services accredited by either of the following groups:

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

https://iacp.ie/

Irish Association of Humanistic & Integrative Psychotherapy

http://iahip.com/about-us

Let's talk

Suzi Green talks with Chez Stock about wellbeing on and off tour.

We are excited to hear from Suzi since she also has a huge interest in mental health and wellbeing. During lockdown Suzi started a peer zoom group ’The Back Lounge' for music and events refugees, as a way to connect with and support other music professionals in these uncertain times.

We'd love to hear your thoughts, during or after the talk, in the comment section below - Let's Talk.

Suzi Green has a career in the Music Industry spanning 25 years, and has tour managed artists including PJ Harvey, Placebo and The Chemical Brothers. After experiencing burn out, she left the industry and retrained as a Naturopathic Nutritionist, and has since returned to the business where she is able to use her new skills on tour, to the benefit of artists and crew.

You are not alone - Let's talk.

September's is international recovery month - and we have a very special show by Ken and Paul who leads by example, lighting the path for others to find hope and share the journey x 

Hidden Talents - Ken Binley's guest today is Lighting Designer Paul O'Neill. Paul's joined us to talk about his experience working professionally in the entertainment industry, his recovery from addiction, and how's he has re-trained as a bodywork therapist alongside looking forward to our industry picking up again. This is another beautifully authentic chat, thank you so much Paul for taking the time to share your story so far and for being honest and open sharing your experiences.

You are not alone - Let's Talk folks x

Listener discretion is advised x

Born in Dublin, Paul O’Neill was blessed an idyllic early childhood. In 1984 he was plunged into the booming Dublin arts scene when a major venue offered a clueless twenty year-old student real money to light their next play. Before long he was a venue technician with a blossoming career as a lighting designer. 

In a diverse career spanning the worlds of theatre, music, dance, fashion, TV, corporate and civic events….he has also had stints in sound, rigging, tour & production management, as well as consultancy and installation work… and has been the tech manager of two well-known venues in Ireland.

Paul’s path was far from smooth however, and at the age of 47, after yet another failed relationship and facing homelessness, he finally sought professional help. This led to finally addressing his relationship with alcohol and other escapes, opening the door to healing long-buried childhood trauma and taking ownership of his mental & emotional wellbeing for the first time. 

Also gifted with healing hands, he has trained in a range of bodywork therapies over the past twenty years, and since 2006 has combined freelancing on events with a practice in Amatsu and Body Harmony. 

Having lost too many friends and colleagues through suicide or substance misuse he is truly grateful to wake up each day with a clear head, and is committed to helping others to find whatever recovery and connection they can to be their best selves. 

Useful links to support groups mentioned by mentioned by Paul 

Al-Anon Family Groups – Strength and hope for families & friends of problem drinkers.

http://www.al-anon-ireland.org Helpline +353(01) 8732699

Co-Dependents Anonymous Ireland

http://codaireland.com

To all listening - You are not alone.

Let's Talk.

Chez Stock talks with Suzi Green about Chez’s vast touring experience and how she found the healthiest working environments always celebrate diversity, ability and skill.

Chez Stock is an LA based FOH engineer & tour manager. Her 20 year career in audio has taken her to stadiums around the world and tiny clubs you've probably never heard of (for good reason). The pandemic hit & the touring industry evaporated overnight in March 2020. She now has lots of time on her hands & has started volunteering for a local street cat TNR rescue & is currently fostering multiple kittens.

You are not alone - Let's talk.

Ken Binley's guest today is Lighting Designer Andrew Leonard. He joins us to talk about his 45 years experience in the entertainment industry, living in the moment and the need for collaboration in these pandemic times.

Bio: Born in Dublin in 1953, Andrew Leonard grew up in the leafy suburbs in Killiney Co. Dublin.

Educated first by nun’s with men’s names in black habits, Andrew then went to St. Conleth’s in Ballsbridge, followed by Ampleforth, a Public School in Yorkshire run by Benedictine monks in skirts / habits!

He went to Trinity in Dublin to study Business Studies, but got diverted into theatre by an old school friend and he discovered his vocation for lighting and theatre there and spent most of his time in the Players’ Theatre.

Just before he left Trinity, he saw an ad for Lighting operators in RTE, went for it and got the job, which he stuck at for 3 very valuable years.

He left to start Stage and Location Lighting with Rupert Murray in 1978, which then became Lighting Dimensions. It was the start of an era, the beginning of the indigenous business which has grown to dizzy heights today.

Andrew left the company in ’94 to become a freelance Lighting Director and contractor.

Andrew joins us to talk a little bit about keys moments, turns in the road, the coping with the stresses and strains of running a business, of relationships, and how he addressed those moments with the help of personal development work, therapy and mindfulness.

Here's a link to Oscailt a fantastic service referenced in the show: https://oscailt.com/practitioners/

Let's talI

Join us this evening at 7pm - Rowan McDonagh talks with Ian Lamb about Rowan’s experience of being bipolar, his experiences of periods of residence in mental health hospitals, his problems with trauma, addiction and the passion he has as a mental health advocate in our industry.

We are excited to hear from Rowan since he joins us after some months seeking care during Covid19 lockdown. Rowan and Andi Flack at Ancroo Live initiated The Tech Check talks, which is growing to become an important industry wide conversation with our peers. We welcome Row to the mic with open arms, and no better man than Lammy to chat away with! Put the kettle on.

Rowan McDonagh is an Irish tech production manager for large scale festivals. He has over 25 years experience in the live music industry. From managing irelands largest AV company to stage manager and production manager, Rowan's experience spans the entire industry. Rowan has a diagnosis of rapid cycling bi-polar disorder, and is in recovery from trauma and addiction. Rowan founded The Cowshed with Claire Morrissey. He is a huge advocate of mental health issues within our industry.

Let's talk.

Naomi Venables talks with Ian Lamb about mental health issues in family life, in particular drawing the focus onto when our children have their own mental health issues. How as parents you care for them, what professional and parent group help is available out there and how you deal with the knock on mental health stress of this on yourself whilst also dealing with the responsibility of working.