In Episode 135, Karl O’Rourke sits down with Independent Ireland TD Ken O’Flynn for an in-depth and candid conversation about some of the most talked-about issues in Irish public life today. From culture and identity to child protection and the future of young people in Ireland, this episode tackles big questions with honesty and insight. Ken begins by sharing his background, how he entered politics, and what drives his work as a TD for Cork North Central. The discussion then moves through key national topics, including: Whether Ireland is becoming a hostile place for LGBT people The Government’s shifting approach to immigration and why attitudes may be changing How potential policy changes in the UK could affect Ireland under the Common Travel Area Serious concerns raised about Tusla’s child protection services A UCD study highlighting the risks faced by young people in residential care How the Periodic Payment Order system affects families like Jack Hegarty’s The debate around biology in sport and safeguarding And finally, what Ireland must do to ensure young people feel they have a future here It is a wide ranging conversation with competing ideas, strong viewpoints, and a focus on the real challenges facing Irish society today. If you enjoy thoughtful discussions with people shaping public debate, make sure to subscribe on YouTube or follow on Spotify so you never miss an episode.

In this episode, we dive into the viral Vogue article asking a very 2025 question: “Is having a boyfriend embarrassing now?” We unpack what the article actually meant, how people reacted online, and what this says about the modern dating landscape — especially for young women navigating identity, independence, and social media. We explore themes like:

• Why some women feel “cringe” posting their boyfriends online
• How relationships went from being a status symbol to something people hide
• Why singlehood is becoming an identity, not a waiting room
• The pressure to curate your love life for an audience
• The fear of settling or looking naive
• The role social media plays in turning private relationships into public branding
• Why privacy is becoming the new power move

We talk about whether this shift is empowerment, avoidance, a reaction to past relationship trauma, or just another side effect of modern online culture. We also dig into what all of this means for mental health, confidence, trust, and why dating feels so much more complicated than it used to. Perfect for anyone interested in the psychology behind modern relationships — and how online culture is reshaping love, identity, and what people consider “cringe.”

In this episode, I sit down with Sky Elizabeth Hill — a coach with over a decade of experience helping women transform not just their bodies, but their self-belief, their confidence, and their relationship with food and movement. We explore the deeper layers of body image, how the fitness industry shapes the way women see themselves, and what Sky has learned from ten years of coaching real women through real struggles. This conversation goes beyond training and nutrition. It's about identity, self-worth, and the small but powerful mindset shifts that ripple into every area of life.
If you’re a woman navigating body image, a coach working with women, or someone curious about the psychology behind confidence and change — this episode is a must-listen.

In Episode 132, we sit down with Tayem Mercer, a powerful and thoughtful voice in Ireland’s cultural conversation. From growing up in Congo to building a life in Tallaght, Tayem brings honesty, depth and a fearless willingness to challenge mainstream narratives — especially around racism, identity and media manipulation. We talk about his early life in Congo, moving to Ireland in 2001, learning the language, finding his place, and how Tallaght shaped both his personality and his outlook on Irish life. Tayem shares why he believes Irish people aren’t naturally racist, and how online outrage, media framing and political agendas often distort reality and fuel division. We dive into the difference between race, culture and integration, how attitudes have shifted over the years, and how to tell genuine racism from general frustration about immigration. Tayem unpacks the modern obsession with victimhood, why the “oppressed narrative” is so seductive and dangerous, and how gratitude and personal responsibility changed his own life. We get into the Citywest protests, immigration policy, and the role he plays as a Black Irish Christian in a conversation that’s becoming more polarised by the day. Tayem also opens up about his faith, the rise of secular unhappiness, and why global Christian persecution — especially in Nigeria — receives so little attention compared to other conflicts. From the damage porn is doing to young men, to purpose, divorce, and why so many men feel lost, Tayem offers grounded, hard-earned advice. He also talks about his experience on “Dinner with the Enemy”, what it taught him about conflict, listening, and why people today struggle so much with opposing viewpoints. We wrap up with Tayem’s message to Ireland right now — and where people can follow his work. Raw, challenging, hopeful and full of clarity. This episode pulls no punches. Enjoy.

In this episode, Ger and Rob dive deep into the world of weddings, money, and why people spend the way they do. From oversized engagement rings to €30k wedding days, the lads explore the evolutionary psychology behind costly signalling: the idea that we prove our commitment, status, or certainty through expensive behaviours that are hard to fake. They break down the research on wedding spending and divorce, why big weddings sometimes mask insecurity rather than confidence, and how social media has completely changed how couples perform love in public. The conversation also touches on Irish wedding culture, the pressure to keep up appearances, and whether people today are more focused on the marriage… or the spectacle. Expect honesty, laughs, uncomfortable truths, and a fresh look at why humans spend big to show they care. If you’ve ever wondered why weddings cost so much, why people feel the need to show their love through price tags, or whether the “big day” actually says anything about the relationship itself, this episode is for you.

Description:
In this episode, I’m joined by the one and only Lewis Potts — a coach, mentor, and thinker who’s played a huge role in my own growth over the past three years, both professionally and personally. Lewis has lived multiple lives in one — from American football player to party animal, to going through a massive fat loss transformation, open-heart surgery, and building a thriving coaching business that now helps coaches and clients around the world transform their lives. We dive deep into the psychology of change, behaviour, and what it really takes to help people grow — not just on the surface, but at their core. Here’s what we explore:

• Why so many coaches struggle to get results for their clients — and what’s actually missing.
• How to help people care enough to change.
• The hidden stories we tell ourselves — and Lewis’s powerful question: “What is this story doing for you?”
• The difference between understanding change and actually doing it.
• How to spot when a coach is leading from ego instead of empathy.
• Why some people stay stuck for years while others reinvent themselves multiple times in a decade.
• The role of emotion, resistance, and discomfort in real transformation.
• The truth about motivation, ownership, and lasting change.
• Plus, Lewis’s thoughts on the growing role of AI in coaching — and how it might shape the future of personal development.

If you’re a coach, leader, or anyone who helps others grow, this episode is packed with insights, uncomfortable truths, and practical wisdom you can apply right away. 🎧 Tune in, take notes, and get a dose of that Lewis Potts magic.

I bring Rob & Ger on to chat about different fallacies.

In this episode of The Uneducated PT Podcast, Ger and Rob dive into the real meaning of productivity — what it is, what it’s not, and how to actually get more done without burning out. They break down the myths around hustle culture, talk about how to find focus in a noisy world, and share the habits that keep them consistent in training, business, and life. It’s raw, honest, and full of practical takeaways you can apply today. 🎙️ Topics include:

• Why “being busy” isn’t the same as being productive
• How to structure your day for focus and flow
• Managing distractions and mental fatigue
• Balancing ambition with rest and recovery

If you’ve ever felt stuck between motivation and burnout, this one’s for you.

This week on The Uneducated PT, we’re joined by Dr. David Nolan, sport scientist and lecturer in Sport & Exercise Science at Dublin City University — and one of Ireland’s leading voices on performance, physiology, and ethics in sport. In this episode, we dive into the controversial world of the Enhanced Games — a proposed Olympics-style event where athletes can openly use performance-enhancing drugs. Dr. Nolan breaks down what this means for science, fairness, and the future of sport. We ask:

• Is the Enhanced Games about exploring human potential — or just selling enhancement drugs?
• What would it mean to live in a society that openly embraces chemical enhancement?
• Could this blur the line between sport, biotechnology, and entertainment?
• And what are the ethical and health implications if “enhanced” competition becomes normalized?

It’s an honest, thought-provoking conversation on where performance science might be headed — and whether pushing human limits has finally gone too far.

In this episode, Ger and Rob tackle one of the most frustrating taboos in youth fitness — why children and teenagers are still being denied access to proper strength training in schools. They break down:

• The outdated myths that still make teachers and parents afraid of “lifting weights.”
• How modern research shows that supervised resistance training is safe, effective, and essential for healthy growth.
• Why school systems keep prioritising endurance over strength — and what that says about our wider misunderstanding of physical education.
• The consequences of raising a generation that’s strongly discouraged from getting strong.
• How proper training could transform kids’ confidence, performance, and lifelong health.

This is a no-filter conversation about how the education system is holding back the next generation — and what needs to change.