On today’s podcast I chatted with Paul Niland, journalist and CEO / Founder of Lifeline Ukraine, the national suicide prevention resource for the country.

This is the third year in succession that I have chatted with Paul from his apartment in Kyiv as he and fellow Ukrainians prepare for another war time Christmas and the prospect of yet another year of this brutal war.

Even though Paul is experiencing the effects of the relentless stress of living through a war, he says the mood there is one of resolute resistance, Ukraine will not capitulate and he is confident that victory will come.

We spoke about daily life in Kyiv, the possible difference that Trump may make, how people end up being hardened by war and we even spoke about Christmas trees.

This is my last podcast of 2024, I’d like to thank all of my guests this year and I’d like to thank you, my listeners.

Have a wonderful, peaceful Christmas and let’s hope that Paul and his fellow Ukrainians will experience this too, sooner rather than later.

Enjoy the show.

 Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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On today’s podcast I chatted with Michelle Furey, who comes from that famous Irish musical family.

Michelle' s career wasn’t a musical one, but one in the beauty industry which resulted in her establishing her own beauty clinic.

Her life took a huge turn in 2018 when just like many others, she went to Turkey for what should have been a routine Tummy Tuck procedure. This procedure turned out to be a botched horror show of monumental proportions which has resulted in Michelle needing 21 subsequent procedures to restore her health, which has still not been fully restored,

Michelle, determined to make sure that no one suffers like her has started her own cosmetic surgery company Asetica to provide safe, affordable procedures for these who need them

Our conversation provides a fascinating insight into this poorly regulated industry, about who needs these procedures and what would make them take the same dangerous journey as Michelle took. 

Enjoy the show...

 Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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On today’s podcast I chatted with my good friend, the proud Scotsman, Malcolm Allan, co-founder of a new training company, The Place Brand Academy.

At the tender age of 75, Malcolm, one of the true pioneers of Place Brand Marketing had brought all of his experience, knowledge and expertise together for anyone who wants to work or learn more about this fascinating discipline.

Malcolm chats about the importance of place branding, and the process and discipline involved in developing place brands. As the Wild Atlantic Way celebrates 10 successful years he shares his story of how the brand was developed and how the same approach was used for other brands he worked with around the world.

While developing a place brand is an important first step, the real value is created when it is managed properly into the future.

Enjoy the show!

 Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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At the beginning of the summer I sat down with Der O’Sullivan and his wife Linda Kennedy as they were gearing up for another, hopefully busy season at O’Sullivans Bar and Nottages Bar & Restaurant.

Der and Linda are the next generation who took over the business from his parents Billy and Angela,who took over from Billy's parents, Sonny and Elizabeth. 

This special business is a little piece of paradise in a West Cork village by the sea called Crookhaven where you can enjoy the most Southerly pint in Ireland and wholesome food 364 days a year.

Der and Linda spoke about how they first met, the challenge of hiring a brand new team each summer, coping with the off season and the magic of the place that keeps bringing people back.

Enjoy the show!

Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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On today’s podcast I chatted with dark fantasy author and tarot reader Julie Embleton about her life and career.

Her English schoolteacher Ann Creedon once told her to “write what makes your heart sing” and these were the magic words that turned this voracious reader with a fantastic imagination into a writer.

Julie was eventually able to pack up her full time job a few years ago and concentrate on her passions, her writing and her tarot reading.

She talks about her 12 books, about the world of self publishing, how she develops the different characters, and she also explains how tarot reading works and how it finds its way into her stories.

And finally we talk about who might play one of the main characters when a movie is made based on her books!.  

Enjoy the show..

 Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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On today’s podcast I chatted with the visual artist, Hammond Journeaux who is living in the beautiful West Cork village, Ballydehob.

Hammond who is originally from Wyndham in New Zealand was the most lovely host along with her three dogs in her unusual haunted house.

She spoke about her life and career, her love of horses, her love of books and of course her love of art and the challenges for a working artist in Ireland.

“Have some fun with a pencil” she was once told and she has done exactly that for a lifetime!

Enjoy the show!

Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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On today’s podcast I chatted with the comedy actor Jon Culshaw who is known to us all for his many roles and TV appearances. 

From an early age Jon discovered he had the ability to make people laugh with his impersonations of big characters in his life such as his grandmother’s housekeeper, Mrs Jump. 

From hospital radio to Spitting Image, from Deadringers to the Royal Variety Show, Jon has made us laugh for decades.

 There is also the serious side with the narration of David Bowie in The Final Take for the BBC World Service and playing the role of Boris Johnson in the Channel 4 docudrama, Partygate.

Most of all Jon is a super nice man who is a great listener and has a lovely positive outlook on life.

Enjoy the show.!

Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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On today’s podcast I chatted with Laurann O’Reilly, the nutritionist who is on a quest to get us all to live healthier lives.

The founder of Nutrition by Laurann grew up on a family farm in Tipperary and she unfortunately had an early battle with leukaemia. These early experiences led to a huge curiosity about the role of food and nutrition to your health. 

Laurann has plenty of practical tips to live a healthier life including some advice for the fast approaching winter months. 

Enjoy the show 

Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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On today’s podcast I chatted with my retired neighbour and total gentleman, Jim O’Meara, who lives at the top of the hill at Ardsallagh in Crookhaven with his wife Mary. 

Jim was born and bred in Goleen, the son of the local teacher and his own path was quite similar but he ended up teacher training in Belfast for 40 years. 

He chats about his life and career, living in Belfast in troubled times and his love of the sea including an interesting encounter with David Attenborough.

Enjoy the show!

Special thanks to Mary O’Meara for her special appearance on the podcast

Podcast Production by Greg Canty of Fuzion

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On today’s podcast I chat with Mike Baldwin, not the character from Coronation Street, but an Englishman all the same. 

Our neighbour from the other side of the hill loves visiting the old cottage near Goleen in West Cork and in truth just can’t spend enough time here.

Mike has been drawn to this special cottage where his great grandfather lived his whole life.

This special needs teacher is the author of a number of books, he is obsessed about Irish folklore, the history of harps and yes, he is also a harp maker.

He loves nothing more than coming here, enjoying the relative solitude while he potters away on his projects including bringing this old cottage back to life.

Enjoy the show

Links to Mike’s books, available from Worm Books, Schull, Co.Cork

 Mizen: Rescued Folklore, Histories and Songs from Ireland's Southwest

 Skibbereen: Rescued Folklore and Histories from Ireland's Southwest

 Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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