Martina Tierney is the founder of Seating Matters and author of “The Stairway of My Life.” In today’s episode, we talk about: Why the stairs in her house are so special Growing up as one of fourteen siblings How a farming background prepared her for entrepreneurship Becoming an Occupational Therapist Why regular 9-5 hours didn’t suit her The courage provided by her husband to “do her own thing” How a garden shed turned into an international business And the kindest thing someone’s...

Jonathan, Ryan and Martin Tierney are brothers with heads for business, hearts for people and souls that long to the leave the world better than they found it. They're all directors at Seating Matters, a family business started by their mum that employs 60+ people and manufactures life-changing medical chairs for patients around the world. In this episode we talk about: Why they rarely sit at the same table Seeing Santa’s sleigh while laying concrete Cutting turf for pocket money The...

Colin Gibson is an ex-soldier, military contractor, scuba-diver, and owner of Talon: a security training company based in Northern Ireland. He’s served in Iraq and Afghanistan, lived in Belize for 6+ years and has been on a rollercoaster journey of dealing with combat-induced PTSD and childhood trauma. In part one of this epic four-part special we talk about: The effects of growing up with an abusive father How violence dominated his early years Getting in trouble with the police The...

(Recorded September 2023). Kevin Roland is a Managing Director in New York-based global CEO advisory firm Teneo. He was a member of the Foreign Service of the U.S. State Department, serving in front-line diplomatic roles in Northern Ireland (from 2009-2012), as well as Iraq, Egypt, Tunisia, South Africa, Jordan, and the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs in Washington, D.C. Despite working around the world, Kevin and his family reside at their home in New Quay, County Clare, Ireland. In today’s...

Brendan McGurgan is the co-founder of Simple Scaling: an organisation that helps ambitious business leaders to 10x their business through accelerator programs, best-selling books, acclaimed podcasts, and the upcoming ScaleX Summit. He’s also a certified Wim Hof Instructor and self-confessed sauna-junkie. In today's episode we talk about: - His first job picking apples as a boy in Armagh - Why he quit his retail gig over a coke - (And got hired elsewhere an hour later) - What led him to go...

Joseph Kennedy III currently serves as the Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs. In today's episode we talk about: - Growing up in a family known for public service - How the assassination of his uncle (JFK) and granda (Bobby Kennedy) impacted his family - Moving to the Dominican Republic as a young man - Dealing with the expectations people have of him because of his last name - President Biden calling to offer him a job - His love and admiration for C.S. Lewis -...

Paul Tweed is a media lawyer described as “the most powerful man in Hollywood.” He’s represented A-list celebrities like Justin Timberlake, Harrison Ford, Britney Spears, Liam Neeson and countless others — all while being based in Belfast. In today’s episode we talk about: How his working class background is a superpower in court The two most important traits a successful lawyer must have What defamation is (and why it’s different to being rude to someone) How artificial intelligience is...

Colin Leeman is the British Consul General in Cape Town. Over the last twenty years in the British Foreign Service, he’s had postings to Iraq, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, the UAE, New Zealand — and now South Africa. In today’s episode we talk about: What a Consul General actually does/the perks of being a Foreign Diplomat Rescuing Emma Little-Pengelly MLA from a kidnapping Going from wanting to be a presbyterian minister to working for the British Government Coming out as gay (and what it meant...

George McGowan, is a professional parkour athlete from Northern Ireland who’s widely known as the “springiest guy in the sport.” In today's episode we talk about: How he became a real-life Spiderman (Without killing himself in the process) Making it to the semi-finals of Britains Got Talent The weirdest thing he’s ever done for money Working for Warners Brothers to model video game characters And how we as humans can end up doing impossible things with our bodies Check it out! // ...

Laurence Beattie is a recently retired jack-of-all-trades, including lab technician, forensic scientist, quality engineer, quality manager, plant manager, production manager, executive, business owner/managing director, mixologist, and full-time grandpa. He worked for 47 years after leaving school following his A-levels. He also enjoys motor racing, shooting, and angling when he gets the chance. In today's episode, we talk about: Things his WWII navy dad taught him The one question he...

Roberta Clements is a gospel singer from Belfast who has performed on thousands of stages around the world, including local pubs/clubs, high-security prisons, and U.S. military bases during the Vietnam War. She is also a recovering alcoholic. In today's episode, we discuss: The spiritual experiences that happened while she was still in the womb Singing on top of wooden school desks at four years old How she got into showbiz Discovering alcohol at 16 years old Surviving multiple suicide...

Leon McCarron is an award-winning writer, broadcaster, and explorer from Northern Ireland. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and the Geographical Society of Philadelphia's Explorer of the Year. He is known for his long-distance expeditions and immersive multimedia storytelling. In the past decade, he has traveled over 50,000 km by human power and is currently based in Iraq. In today's episode, we talk about: Growing up on the North Coast How he ended up setting off on the...

[Rebroadcast: this episode first aired on 13th November 2019] The Priests are the fastest-selling classical group of all time. They’re also full-time clergymen…  In this week’s episode, we chat about what it was like to grow up together, what it’s like to juggle the priesthood alongside being world-famous musicians and how to keep our ego in check. // To see a 'treasure trove' of all things related to The Priests (including a photo) please visit...

[Rebroadcast: this episode first aired on 17th May 2021]   Anna and Carl Isaksson are the founders of Hotbox: Northern Ireland’s first ever beach sauna experience.   The idea is simple yet utterly genius: what if after a cold plunge in the sea you could cosy into a sauna to sweat it out with your nearest and dearest?   In today's episode we talk about: Working for and kissing kings How a gal from NI ended up marrying a Swedish guy Why they set-up a mobile sauna business And the...

[Rebroadcast: this episode was first aired on 7th November 2019] Nadine Patterson is a puppet-maker from Northern Ireland. From making models as a child to working in the puppet hospital on a Tim Burton movie set, Nadine has one of the most interesting stories we’ve ever featured on the podcast.   In this rare conversation, you’ll discover what goes on inside a puppet hospital, how difficult it is to work with such small objects and why she loves what she does for a living.   // To see...

[Rebroadcast: This episode first aired 2nd November 2020] Sir Otto Jaffe was one of the leading entrepreneurs responsible for the boom of the Linen Industry here in Belfast in the 1800s. Through a lot of hard work and determination, the young German-born entrepreneur rose through the ranks of the family business and went on to become the Lord Mayor of Belfast. Twice. Yet by the end of his life, Sir Otto was forced out of Northern Ireland. Forever. But that’s...

Ian D Withers is a retired Private Investigator and author. In today’s episode we talk about: Growing up in the aftermath of WW2 The role private investigators play in society Falling through the ceiling while trying to catch someone in the act of adultery How he got into PI work Building his own private investigator business from scratch Working for the Seychelle Government for eight years Why the MET hates him And how he ended up being the number one suspect in an international murder...

Ryan Jenkins is a 30-year-old self-taught chef from West Belfast and the owner of ROAM: an award-winning restaurant in Belfast city centre. In today's episode we talk about: Stumbling into hospitality at 19-years-old How he went from peeling vegetables to owning an award-winning restaurant Where the name ROAM comes from Why he chose (and loves) his Callendar Street location What it was like to watch his dad winning an Oscar And advice he would give to himself if he was doing it all over...

Joan Burney Keatings is the Chief Executive of Cinemagic: an award-winning charity that provides young people around the world with opportunities to break into the film-industry. In today’s episode we talk about: How her parent’s entrepreneurial flair is being passed onto her kids Producing films in the Middle-East Bringing the muppets to Northern Ireland The outrageous events that led to her meeting Liam Neeson Times she listened to her gut rather than her head Working with major film...

John Christie is a Hot Rod Racing World Champion. In today's episode, we discuss: What Hot Rod is and what sets it apart from other motorsports Qualifying for the world championship with a broken arm Running a mechanic workshop while racing around the world Growing up learning from his dad, Ormond Christie (Who was also a world champion and mechanic) The rivalry between his dad and Davy Evans that shaped the sport Drawing the line between success and striving for more Check it out! // ...

Michael Cosgrove is a bartender in The Crown Bar. In today’s episode we talk about: How he became a celebrity bartender The ghost that lives The Crown The cultural shift he’s noticed since COVID Why he’s stayed in the same job in the same pub for 36+ years And some of the chance encounters he’s had with punters Check it out! // https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/michael-cosgrove-bartender //

Welcome to Pub Chats & A Pint, a podcast series sponsored by Harp where we sit down with interesting local people in a Belfast pub. Today we are in The Orpheus Bar in the Cathedral Quarter and are joined by comedian, actor and social media star Abbie Parkinson. In this episode we talk about: The mad TikTok journey that led to her stardom Dreaming of becoming a world-famous actor from a young age Moving from Fermanagh to Chicago Dealing with the rejection involved in pursuing acting...

James McGinn is the Managing Director of Hastings Hotels. Over the last 27 years, he has been involved in presidential visits, hosting celebrities, starring in 31 episodes of reality TV, and working with charities like Belfast Homeless Shelter, Flax Trust, and Aware NI. In today's episode, we talk about: Growing up as one of 11 children in Killyclogher How he got into hospitality Being held up at gunpoint The importance of building a good team culture Hosting the MTV Awards Locking up a...

Welcome to Pub Chats & A Pint a podcast series sponsored by Harp where we sit down with interesting local people in a Belfast pub. Today we are in The Errigle Inn on the Ormeau Road and are joined by legendary pizza maker Marty Duggan who runs Pi Guy out of Trademarket in the City Centre. In today's episode we talk about: Broken bones Cuban raves Interning under legendary pizza makers His new bespoke, unbelievably expensive oven And why the dinner table is so important Check it out! ...

Chris Lynch is the Head Wellbeing Manager of Australia's National Football Team. He has also worked in Olympic Cycling and Malaysian Rugby. In today's episode, we talk about: The early years of sports data (collecting sticker books and cards!) How the local GA players were like the Greek gods of his world when he was growing up Becoming a successful athlete on an inter-county level His own battles with depression and suicide How he learned to "stop bottling everything up" Why so many...