bestofbelfast

Check out the full episode with Kingsley Aikins here: https://youtu.be/F8J2j5YcSDM

Check out the full episode with Gemma Austin here: https://youtu.be/s93tuZ81AJ8

Check out the full episode with Martina Tierney here: https://youtu.be/A9Of-00rJVU

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 series of mad events that led to them meeting Bob Proctor - Dropping out of school and quitting their jobs to work at Seating Matters - The family values that set them up for success - Losing their father at a young age - The unique superpower of each brother - Bringing head, heart & soul into business - How they protect their brotherhood - And advice they'd give to 18-year-old versions of themselves Check it out! https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/-jonathan-ryan-martin-tierney

Check out the full episode with Brendan McGurgan here: https://youtu.be/G7aw4CWxFms

Check out the full episode with Brendan McGurgan here: https://youtu.be/G7aw4CWxFms

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! https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/george-mcgowan

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 didn't answer for his son - Why becoming a grandparent makes you want to live forever - Killing and eating a goat as part of a scouting trip - The two times he's seen ghosts - Advice he'd give to an 18-year-old Check it out! https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/laurence-beattie

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 attempts - The unbelievable events that led to her getting sober - Why people call her "the spiritual tin-opener" - And how she discovered "the master's plan" for her life. Check it out. P.S. You can find Roberta's music here: https://www.youtube.com/@RobertaClements

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 adventure of a lifetime - Cycling across America in his early twenties - Why he moved to Iraq - The transition from "selfish adventures" to "purpose-driven adventures" - Stories from the rivers around where the Garden of Eden is thought to be - And the kindest thing someone has ever done for him Check it out. https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/leon-mccarron P.S. You can pick up a copy of Leon's latest book, [Wounded Tigris: A River Journey Through the Cradle of Civilization here.](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wounded-Tigris-Civilisation-Language-Worldmaking/dp/1472156234)

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 again. Check it out! https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/ryan-jenkins

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 studios in places like LA - The number one trait she sees in people who succeed in the industry - And advice to her younger self. Check it out! https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/joan-burney-keatings-cinemagic

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! Webpage Link - https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/john-christie-hot-rod

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! Webpage Link - https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/michael-cosgrove-bartender

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 colleague in the bathroom with a lady of the night - Why hospitality is an incredible industry to work in - Advice for younger people starting out Enjoy! https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/james-mcginn

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 athletes experience an identity crisis (and what to do about it) - Whole athlete wellbeing - The career stepping stones that led to where he is today - And what becoming a father has taught him about performance Check it out! Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: [https://au.linkedin.com/in/chris-lynch-b4852a59](https://au.linkedin.com/in/chris-lynch-b4852a59)

Welcome toPub Chats & A Pint,a podcast series sponsored by Harp Lager where we sit downin a local pub withsomeone interestingfrom Northern Ireland. Today we're in The Harp Bar in Cathedral Quarter and are joined by rising-star Comedian William Thompson. In this episode we talk about: - Why his mum kept his cerebral palsy a secret from him - How he landed his first comedy gig - The philosophical undertones of Spy Kids - Balancing local humour with an international audience - High School Musical Mania - Favourite comedians - And his upcoming Ulster Hall Show Check it out! William’s Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/william_thompson_comedy/?hl=en] Harp Lager Instagram:[Harp Lager (@harplagerni) | Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/harplagerni/) Harp Bar’s Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/harpbarbelfast/]