We Are The People Podcast

Epizode

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  S9-E5: Eoghan Cleary: Protecting Childhood in an Adult World 26.07.2026 1h 3min

  Eoghan Cleary is a teacher, researcher and campaigner whose work explores the influences shaping young people’s identities, relationships and understanding of sex. In this deeply reflective conversation, Eoghan shares how a frightening childhood experience, struggles with belonging and his discovery of theatre shaped the person he would become. He discusses working with marginalised communities, creating spaces where young people can be vulnerable and the personal experiences that often sit b...
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  Social Without the Media: Growing Up Online with Lorena, Tara and Rosie 07.06.2026 1h 8min

  What does it feel like to grow up in a world where childhood, friendship, self-image and attention are all shaped by technology? In this episode of We Are The People, I speak with Lorena, Tara and Rosie, three young women reflecting honestly on their childhoods and the role that phones, tablets, online games, social media, short-form content and AI have played in their lives. This is not a conversation about blaming young people. It is not about blaming parents either. And it is not a claim t...
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  Lucy Butler: The Mindful Gardener - Anxiety, Motherhood and the Healing Power of Getting Outside 24.05.2026 47min

  In this episode, I speak with Lucy Butler, the voice behind The Mindful Gardener. Lucy shares her experience of living with depression and anxiety, and speaks honestly about the exhaustion of trying to appear fine when internally things feel very different. Her story is not one of neat answers or overnight transformation. Instead, it is about learning, over time, what helps her feel steadier — getting outside, moving her body, journaling, reading, and spending time in the garden. We talk abou...
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  Michael Doherty: Four Years, One Video, and the Cost of Chasing a Dream 17.05.2026 1h 8min

  Michael Doherty spent almost four years trying to build something that, for a long time, looked like it was not going to work. After studying finance and realising it was not the path for him, Michael chose fitness. He became a personal trainer, started building an online coaching business, and began posting content every day with the hope that eventually something would connect. For years, very little did. In this episode of We Are The People, Michael talks honestly about the long, uncert...
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  S9-E1: Alan Olive on Grief, Resilience, Leadership & What It Means to Be Human 10.05.2026 53min

  Former Navy Pilot and Performance Psychologist Alan Olive on Loss, Vulnerability, Elite Performance and Human Connection What does it really mean to live a meaningful life? In this episode of We Are The People Podcast, I speak to former Navy pilot, performance psychologist, leadership coach, and adventurer Alan Olive about resilience, grief, vulnerability, elite performance, and the growing importance of human connection in an increasingly digital world. Alan has spent decades working in high...
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  S8 - E5 - Sinead Walsh: Comedy, Courage and the Power of Being Seen 05.10.2025 1h 4min

  In this episode of We Are The People, Sinead Walsh takes us on a journey through their life — from growing up in Donabate with dreams of football and performing, to navigating school as a young queer person in a Catholic environment, and eventually finding their voice in journalism, activism, and stand-up comedy. Sinead opens up about the formative moments that shaped them: fainting at the sight of a vet’s stitches, writing cheeky songs in school, and the challenges of coming out as a teenage...
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  S8 - E4: Mindie Buttars: From Meth to Meaning: A Story of Resilience 07.09.2025 42min

  From childhood on horseback in Utah to years lost to addiction, Mindie’s story is one of resilience, recovery, and redemption. At just 14, she was introduced to meth, setting off a spiral that cost her her marriage, her children, and nearly her life. After countless stints in jail and a house raid that forced her to confront the truth, she made the brave choice to get sober — and has now celebrated over 16 years of recovery. In this deeply moving conversation, Mindie shares how honesty with h...
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  Michael Spencer: Self-Confidence and Second Chances 31.08.2025 1h 6min

  In this episode of We Are The People, Michael Spencer opens up about his journey from a childhood shaped by skiing in Park City and the pursuit of professional sports, to navigating family trauma, building resilience, and ultimately forging a career as a sports agent. Michael shares how coaching and supporting athletes became a way to provide the belief and encouragement he lacked growing up, leading to moments that reshaped the world of sport—like guiding Gus Kenworthy through one of the mos...
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  S8-E2 Adam Brawer: From Hollywood Catastrophe to Luxury Real Estate 24.08.2025 33min

  What happens when your dream career collapses overnight? Adam Brawer went from producing films with Oscar winners to watching projects fall apart, relationships break down, and life feel ‘catastrophic.’ In this episode, Adam shares how he rebuilt his life in an unexpected way — luxury real estate. From $50 million listings to cleansing homes of their energy with his ‘from staged to saged’ philosophy, Adam’s story is about resilience, integrity, and redefining legacy in the world we live...
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  S8 - Ep 1 - Patricia Noelle - Breaking Chains: From Religious Trauma to Spiritual Healing 06.07.2025 59min

  In this deeply moving episode, Patricia shares her extraordinary journey from childhood abuse survivor to trauma-informed healer. Growing up as one of nine children in a Mormon household, she experienced severe abuse and was forced to give up her son for adoption at 16 through church influence. After years of traditional therapy with limited results, Patricia found profound healing through psychedelic medicines and shamanic practices. Today, she works as a trauma-informed coach helping others...
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  Jamie Buttars: From Rock Bottom to Resilience – How One Man Turned Struggle into Community Impact 23.02.2025 52min

  What if your biggest struggles became the foundation for something greater? Jamie Buttars' journey is one of resilience, redemption, and relentless drive. From dropping out of high school and battling addiction to building a coffee shop (Cache Coffee & More) that’s saving lives, Jamie has transformed his past into a force for good. In this episode, we dive into: ☕ How Jamie’s coffee shop became a safe haven for veterans and those struggling with mental health 💪 His powerful perspective on...
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  Resilience, Reinvention & the Reality of Success – Neil O’Sullivan on Overcoming Struggles and Finding Balance 02.02.2025 47min

  In this episode of We Are The People, we sit down with Neil O’Sullivan, co-founder of Nimbus and former footballer, to explore the highs and lows of his journey—from childhood struggles and professional reinvention to the pressures of entrepreneurship and the pursuit of true well-being. Neil shares his raw and honest reflections on overcoming bullying, battling imposter syndrome, and learning to manage anxiety in high-stakes environments. He also discusses the realities of running a wellness ...
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  Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone: Sarah Collins on Risk, Resilience, and Life’s Small Joys 26.01.2025 1h 1min

  In this episode of We Are The People, we sit down with Sarah Collins, a marketing expert, world traveler, and entrepreneur whose story is a testament to the power of stepping outside your comfort zone. From helping KFC crack the Irish market to building a thriving café business in her hometown, Sarah has embraced risk and serendipity to carve out a life filled with adventure and purpose. Join us as Sarah shares her journey through 51 countries, the lessons she’s learned about resilience, and ...
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  Fighting for Legacy: Damian Darker on Discipline, Resilience, and Creating Opportunities 11.01.2025 1h 2min

  In this episode of We Are The People, we sit down with Damian Darker, a European kickboxing champion, dedicated coach, and proud father. Damian takes us through his journey, from childhood days inspired by Power Rangers and Chuck Norris to becoming a trailblazer in Irish kickboxing. He shares the discipline and respect instilled by traditional martial arts like Taekwondo, the highs and lows of competing on the world stage, and the sacrifices that come with being a fighter in an underfunded sp...
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  From Corporate Burnout to Purpose-Driven Work: Emma Foran’s Journey of Resilience, Inclusivity, and Fulfillment 05.01.2025 56min

  In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Emma Foran takes us on her journey of self-discovery, career transformation, and personal growth. From her early aspirations to be an actor to navigating unfulfilling corporate roles, Emma shares how she found her true calling in social care and her current role as an Employment Officer at Down Syndrome Ireland. Emma reflects on the invaluable lessons she learned growing up alongside her aunt, who has Down Syndrome, and how it shaped her compassionate...
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  S6 - E3 - James Michels... how self improvement unlocked an introvert, fired a passion and created a legacy. 12.11.2023 46min

  Stepping out of our comfort zone is never easy, and I have great admiration for anyone that has stepped outside theirs to do something that they have been afraid of. James Michels is one such person. Growing up he was an introvert, who lived in his own world and was wary of letting people in. Today he is an author who has published 5 books, finding the confidence to share his inner universe with the world. Join us as James opens up about his pivotal moment of self-discovery. He shares his jou...
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  S6 - E2 - Astrid Abissath - From not fitting in to finding the real Astrid... all before she was 22 22.10.2023 47min

  Growing up in a predominantly white neighborhood, Astrid faced a unique set of challenges that shaped her into the remarkable person she is today. She'll share her experiences of navigating the immense pressure to succeed imposed by her parents and the process of discovering her identity as the only black child in her school. But it's not just her cultural background that sets her apart; like any young person today, she's had to confront the typical struggles of adolescence. In this episode, ...
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  S6 - E1 - Peter Ryan - From visually impaired to Paralympian and Ultra Endurance Running 08.10.2023 1h 10min

  Today, we're joined by an incredible guest, Peter Ryan, a remarkable athlete who has conquered adversity and shattered barriers. Growing up, rural Tipperary was home for Peter. That meant sports and plenty of them. He was very good at soccer and hurling but never pushed himself. In school he followed the crowd and stayed within his lane. He was a coasting through school happy in the knowledge a job in construction would see him through. Then at the age of 19 his eyesight began to fail and he ...
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  S5 - E6 - Orlagh Reynolds - Grateful for her life... the highs of Australia to the lows of helping her husband fight MND 14.05.2023 1h 5min

  Orlagh Reynolds was a messer as a child and she has retained that sense of mischief into adulthood. She loved life and life loved Orlagh back as she lived the dream. City hopping as her career developed, working her dream job, surrounded by friends and family and topped off by her husband and daughter. Orlagh was lucky and grateful. Then one day, her husband Fraser received a Motor Neuron Disease diagnosis that turned their world upside down. He was given two years to live and as the devastat...
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  S5 - E5 - Scott Jenkins - A turning point at 30 leads to ultramarathons, Badwater, life lessons and smiling children 26.03.2023 48min

  Scott Jenkins didn’t want to find himself at the age of 80 looking back at his life wondering what more he could have done with it, what more he could have achieved and the people he could have helped along the way. Scott grew up in Wales and reached a turning point at the age of 30 where he decided to do something big, something that would have an impact on his life but also on lives around him. Himself and his brother decided to run 2000 miles from Boston to Austin, raising money and learni...