Rebecca Winckworth is a professional singer who has toured across the world as a soloist with shows such as Anúna, Celtic Nights, Ragús and Titanic Dance. She represented Ireland in the World Festival of Music in China 2015. She was also a special guest on Celtic Woman's project "Destiny" which was nominated for a Grammy in 2017. She is also a businesswoman and a Co-Founder of White & Green, an organic and ethical bedding and homewares brand. Having graduated with a MSc in Development...

When it comes to the breath so much attention goes on the first and last breath, but what about the breaths in between. The first and last act of our lives is to breathe in and finally to breath out one last time. Returning to the breath in our day to day is a powerful anchor for checking in with ourselves. `It teaches us to be more present in our lives, more responsive over reactive and increases our awareness and objectivity.  In a world where it can be hard to catch a breath this episode...

When it comes to the breath so much attention goes on the first and last breath, but what about the breaths in between. The first and last act of our lives is to breathe in and finally to breath out one last time. Returning to the breath in our day to day is a powerful anchor for checking in with ourselves. `It teaches us to be more present in our lives, more responsive over reactive and increases our awareness and objectivity.  In a world where it can be hard to catch a breath this episode...

A 28 year old ultra runner from Cork, Conor O'Keeffe says it as it is.  He doesn't pull any punches in how he lives his life with remarkable honesty and commitment. Formerly a Mai Tai boxer, in May of last year he won the Enduroman 200 Mile Ultra Race 2019, becoming the youngest person to finish the race. A race which hadn't had a finisher since 2016. He hasn't stopped there with a list of endurance and fighting feats to his name, most recently  raising over €30k for Pieta House by running...

This episode explores a fresh perspective - What is beginner’s mind? It involves dropping our expectations and preconceived ideas about something, and seeing things with an open mind, fresh eyes, just like a beginner. If you’ve ever learned something new, you can remember what that’s like: you’re probably confused, because you don’t know how to do whatever you’re learning, but you’re also looking at everything as if it’s brand new, perhaps with curiosity and wonder. That’s beginner’s mind....

A role model of mine and a wonderful example of someone endeavouring to express his potential, as he says "life rewards effort", I am delighted to have Gerry Duffy join this week. This episode is packed with actionable tips, a real exploration of Gerry's story as he went from his comfort zone to building purpose and confidence in different areas of his life through goal setting and personal development. He is humble and approachable, yet committed and deliberate as he displays repeatedly in...

We all have ambitions, hops, dreams, things we want to learn and do but so many of us never take the first step, we get in our own way. Fundamentally that comes down to a fear of judgement. For me I know that for years I believed I had to have it all figured out, to get it right before I could ever start and yet I would cheer others on as they tried new things. The antidote? Imperfect action. We don't have to be great to start but we do have to start to be great. I learned to embrace being a...

Aged 19 Mark Maxwell was on a gap year in Australia training to be a professional rugby player when on a trip with friends he had a heart attack. It was down to quick action by friends and a fast ambulance response that he is still with us, now with a pacemaker in tow. This would fundamentally alter his plans and the way he interacts with life. But the bigger pain point came in the years after recovery as he explored a variety of careers and was left feeling lost, until that very process led...

They say we learn the most from the most challenging times in our lives. I believe this can be true, if we are willing to open ourselves to looking for the learnings. In this episode I share the story of a 60 second talk that made me search for the the most fundamental lessons I learned through living with spinal cord injury which are relevant to everyone. Enjoy😛 Only Human Podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and many more platforms. It is produced by Evan Balfe 🎤 Until next...

This episode features my good friend Marie Tonra. We explore her journey of self discovery and uncovery as she went through the trials and uncertainty of her early to mid twenties. Marie works in the field of social care and is currently completing her thesis for a masters in journalism and media and is in the midst of training to be a life coach. She  is insightful, thoughtful, articulate and full of energy for life, but it wasn’t always that way. She describes the period of her early...

During times of challenge and uncertainty we can feel at a loose end or unprepared. What todays episode explores is the fact that as a child you developed so many of the traits that will help you thrive during these times. Traits like curiosity, unapologetic honesty, resilience, persistence, proper rest, recovery and importantly true emotional connection.  What were once innate skills as children learning to grown and navigate the challenges of the world often atrophy as we slip into comfort...

Thomas is a Mayo man. Having given it a go in Dublin and almost losing himself in a life that wasn't his own Thomas made some changes and retrained as a Life Coach. He battled for a year or two as to where he "should" base himself before trusting the voice inside and moving back west only weeks before Coronavirus visited the Irish shores. He speaks from the heart sharing what he has learned on his journey and about the pace of life that seems most natural to him. He asks: "What can you take...

We all get pulled off course sometimes, we face setbacks, challenge or adversity or we find ourselves living by someone else's version of success. Getting clear on what you value and who you are when you are at your best can help us take steps back towards showing up fully as ourselves. In this episode I cover some questions we can ask for clarity so we can be more in flow, feel at our best, feel like we are showing up as ourselves more of the time. Only Human Podcast is produced by Evan...

In a world of information where anyone can acquire knowledge, John Doran is refreshingly full of wisdom. John has been a teacher and guidance counsellor for over 25 years and is author of the internationally acclaimed book Ways To Wellbeing. He is passionate about the transformative power of education to disrupt poverty, and help young people do all that they can, with all that they have, in the time that they have got, in the space that they are in. John speaks on resilience, EQ, well-being...

The language we use has a huge influence on our perceptions, feelings and actions. So often we talk about what we or others should do/be, should have done, must, ought to, have to, etc. We get caught as victims of the past, inaction in the present and fear of the future. We use disempowering, victim of circumstance, guilt, shame and anxiety inducing language in our internal and external narrative, ultimately doing ourselves a disservice. We add the weight of expectations, social expectations...

The language we use has a huge influence on our perceptions, feelings and actions. So often we talk about what we or others should do/be, should have done, must, ought to, have to, etc. We get caught as victims of the past, inaction in the present and fear of the future. We use disempowering, victim of circumstance, guilt, shame and anxiety inducing language in our internal and external narrative, ultimately doing ourselves a disservice. We add the weight of expectations, social expectations...

Joe O'Brien is a trainee Health Psychologist who works with Spectrum Mental Health and is the founder of the @HeadFirst0 instagram account and podcast which has been influential in making health psychology accessible and understandable for anyone. Joe and I go all the way back to primary school. We discuss how our self image and identities have evolved over time before turning to how to bring the very practical insights of health psychology into play in our day to day lives so we can stay...

In my first solo cast I explore the ways this period can be used. Will it be a time of growth or decline, dead or alive time? How can you learn from this experience? I explore some questions to help build your self awareness about life before, during and after Coronavirus and how you can use this time to let go of things that don't serve you and to bring more of what makes your life meaningful into play. There is lessons and opportunities for us all in this period. Will you take the time to...

A businessman, plant based ironman triathlete, author, innovator, single dad of two, Conor Devine has his plate full. He does all this whilst living with MS. Conor has exemplified the power of hope in times of uncertainty, the importance of attitude in first surviving and later thriving in life and the art of building resilience through daily action. A committed student of humanity and life, Conor is insightful and inspiring yet humble and honest about his struggles. He is after all Only...

Welcome to the Only Human Podcast. My name is Jack Kavanagh and I am delighted you have decided to tune in. Only Human recognises that we are each simultaneously a masterpiece and a work in progress, that we can feel stuck in one are of life and be thriving in another, that we can in the same moment feel vulnerable and courageous. In this time of uncertainty and overwhelm for so many, Only Human aims to create some space, room to breathe as we explore the stories of people finding the magic...