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Discover how the highest performers push beyond limitations in this up-and-coming no. 1 Irish podcast.
Host and high-performance consultant Stephen McDonnell, speaks deeply with world-class performers, revealing secrets to their success. The podcast features several series across high-performing industries, including business, sports, entertainment and more.
These conversations are real, honest, courageous and great fun. Each episode is designed to provoke, educate, inspire and empower you to achieve the impossible.
Previous guests include Jordan Harbinger, Damian Browne, Mark Divine and many more.
Host and high-performance consultant Stephen McDonnell, speaks deeply with world-class performers, revealing secrets to their success. The podcast features several series across high-performing industries, including business, sports, entertainment and more.
These conversations are real, honest, courageous and great fun. Each episode is designed to provoke, educate, inspire and empower you to achieve the impossible.
Previous guests include Jordan Harbinger, Damian Browne, Mark Divine and many more.
71 Episodes
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Rupal Patel, a former CIA intelligence analyst, has developed an annual tradition called the "Capture Your Year" exercise. This method helps to recognise unacknowledged achievements and identify areas for improvement. Plus, we’ll discuss the importance of sharing these insights with others for mutual growth and reinforcement. Make sure to listen in for actionable tips that can transform how you approach your yearly goals and planning.Check the full episode here: https://www.liveunbound.com/podcasts/the-cia-toolkit-for-life
With decades of leadership in technology and innovation, Ann Kelleher shares practical strategies for navigating challenging environments, leveraging culture, and building lasting impact whether in global organisations or local communities. From lessons learned growing up on a farm in County Cork to turning around high-stakes operations at Intel, Ann Kelleher delivers actionable wisdom for anyone seeking growth through adversity and going the road less travelled.Join us to explore:Why resilience is a learnable leadership skillThe “Emotional bank account” Risk-taking for career growth and innovationLeading high-stakes change through peopleReverse engineering team performance and cultureBeing a good neighbour The Leadership in Business Series is presented by Live Unbound, a global leader in high-performance coaching, team effectiveness, and culture transformation.Please email stephen@liveunbound.com if you have any questions about what we discussed today.Like this show? Please subscribe and leave us a five-star rating and review. It’s a chance to tell us what you love about the show, and it helps others discover it too. Consider leaving your Instagram handle so we can thank you personally, and feel free to follow ours.
Stephen McDonnell sits down with John Gilley, CEO of Kent, for a raw and inspiring look at leadership and building a culture that scales. From his roots in Cobh, County Cork, to leading billion-dollar projects across Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, John reflects on how Irish values, family influence, and a relentless drive for growth shaped his journey.He opens up about leading through the chaos of COVID, the loneliness of the CEO role, and the tough lessons learned through Kent’s major acquisitions and cultural transformation. Packed with humility and real-world insight, John shares how to create belonging in fast-growing teams, empower people to lead, and stay grounded while driving global success.Join us to explore:Leading through loneliness (the unseen side of being CEO)Why culture comes before strategy in every great businessEmpowering teams by letting go of controlBuilding psychological safety that drives real performanceBalancing ambition with family, values, and wellbeingThe Leadership in Business Series is presented by Live Unbound, a global leader in high-performance coaching, team effectiveness, and culture transformation.Please email stephen@liveunbound.com if you have any questions about what we discussed today.Like this show? Please subscribe and leave us a five-star rating and review. It’s a chance to tell us what you love about the show, and it helps others discover it too. Consider leaving your Instagram handle so we can thank you personally, and feel free to follow ours.
Noella Gabriel, co-founder and Global President of ELEMIS, shares how vision and resilience built a world-leading skincare brand. From West Cork to the world stage, Noella Gabriel’s journey is one of grit and vision. As co-founder and Global President of ELEMIS, she reveals how gut-led decisions, empowered teams and an uncompromising focus on quality built a global beauty brand.She shares how personal adversity shaped her authentic leadership style, which is rooted in resilience, intuition and purpose. This episode is a must-listen for founders and leaders who believe business should be driven by heart as much as by numbers, and who want to build brands that truly last.Join us to explore:Turning adversity into unstoppable driveFrom West Cork roots to global successWhy instinct still outperforms data in leadershipBuilding teams with ownership & accountabilityThe power of uncompromising standardsThe Leadership in Business Series is presented by Live Unbound, a global leader in high-performance coaching, team effectiveness, and culture transformation.Please email stephen@liveunbound.com if you have any questions about what we discussed today.Like this show? Please subscribe and leave us a five-star rating and review. It’s a chance to tell us what you love about the show, and it helps others discover it too. Consider leaving your Instagram handle so we can thank you personally, and feel free to follow ours.
Renowned entrepreneur and business leader Tommy Kelly shares how he built a billion-dollar company, created high-performance cultures and led change.From his roots as a farmer to scaling global logistics and e-commerce giants, Tommy brings a wealth of experience in strategy and leadership. In this episode, Tommy delves into what it takes to create world-class organisations, the importance of clarity and accountability, and why authentic leadership drives results.Listeners will discover firsthand advice on team building, navigating work-life balance, embracing technology, and finding meaning in relentless growth.Join us to explore:From rural beginnings to global impactBuilding high-performance teams that winBalancing fair & firm leadershipAccountability & drive with empathy at the coreThriving through tech disruption and AIThe Leadership in Business Series is presented by Live Unbound, a global leader in high-performance coaching, team effectiveness, and culture transformation.Please email stephen@liveunbound.com if you have any questions about what we discussed today.Like this show? Please subscribe and leave us a five-star rating and review. It’s a chance to tell us what you love about the show, and it helps others discover it too. Consider leaving your Instagram handle so we can thank you personally, and feel free to follow ours.
As CEO of one of Ireland’s biggest private employers, Cpl, Lorna Conn takes us inside her journey, from early ambitions and formative experiences to leading a global organisation through radical transformation.She shares candid lessons on resilience and the power of authenticity, giving listeners practical strategies to navigate uncertainty, drive diversity and build high-performing teams that thrive under pressure.Join us to explore:Values-driven Leadership in actionA playbook for leading through transformationBalancing ambition, family life, and vulnerabilityCreating high-performing, psychologically safe teamsEmbracing change with courage and clarityThe Leadership in Business Series is presented by Live Unbound, a global leader in high-performance coaching, team effectiveness, and culture transformation.Please email stephen@liveunbound.com if you have any questions about what we discussed today.Like this show? Please subscribe and leave us a five-star rating and review. It’s a chance to tell us what you love about the show, and it helps others discover it too. Consider leaving your Instagram handle so we can thank you personally, and feel free to follow ours.
With over 30 years of navigating the toughest energy transitions, Dave Kirwan has seen what leadership really takes. In this episode, he strips back the boardroom façade to reveal the human side of leading: how personal values, vulnerability and courage intersect with business decisions.We go deep on servant leadership, mastering emotional intelligence, radical candour and the hard-earned power of trust. Dave shares practical strategies for building resilience, juggling competing priorities and inspiring teams authentically, including essential skills for anyone steering through uncertainty or aiming to make a lasting impact.Join us to explore:Leading with values and vulnerabilityBuilding trust in high-stakes environmentsPractising radical candour without fearBalancing resilience with competing demandsInspiring teams with authenticity and courageThe Leadership in Business Series is presented by Live Unbound, a global leader in high-performance coaching, team effectiveness, and culture transformation.Please email stephen@liveunbound.com if you have any questions about what we discussed today.Like this show? Please subscribe and leave us a five-star rating and review. It’s a chance to tell us what you love about the show, and it helps others discover it too. Consider leaving your Instagram handle so we can thank you personally, and feel free to follow ours.
Rita McGrath, top global transformation strategist, shares how to spot inflection points, manage risk and futureproof your business in disruption.She isn’t just a Columbia Business School professor – she’s one of the world’s most influential voices on strategy and innovation. Named by Thinkers50 as a top global business thinker, Rita has shaped how leaders everywhere respond to change and disruption.In this episode, she sits down with Stephen McDonnell to tackle the critical question: how do you spot the “inflection points” before they blindside your business? From Kodak’s collapse to Amazon’s rise, Rita unpacks the real stories behind why some companies thrive in disruption while others disappear.Join us to explore:Spotting inflection points before they disruptLessons from Kodak, Fuji and AmazonBuilding innovation portfolios that lastLeadership and culture as change driversPractical tools to execute transformationPlease email stephen@liveunbound.com if you have any questions about what we discussed today.Like this show? Please subscribe and leave us a five-star rating and review. It’s a chance to tell us what you love about the show, and it helps others discover it too. Consider leaving your Instagram handle so we can thank you personally, and feel free to follow ours.
Rituals rooted in culture unite and empower teams at every level. For fans fascinated by the haka, Kieran Read, a former Crusaders and All Blacks captain, gives an inside look at its meaning, not as intimidation, but as a way of drawing on heritage, connecting with teammates, and honouring those who went before. He explains how respect and practice ensure the haka is performed with authenticity. Leading it, he says, is a deeply humbling honour.Tune in to the full episode here: https://www.liveunbound.com/podcasts/20-life-lessons-from-the-legendary-former-all-blacks-captain
Executive coach Andrea Garfield shows how leaders unlock resilience and impact by addressing root causes, not quick fixes.A pioneer in integral coaching and founder of Awesome Institute, Andrea blends decades of entrepreneurial grit, somatic wisdom and science-backed process to help high-performers, CEOs and C-suite execs become more fully themselves – in all areas of life. Andrea shares her journey from burnout to regenerative leadership, the power of presence and why field-study self-reflection is fuel for sustainable growth.This episode will empower leaders, coaches, entrepreneurs and anyone seeking tangible, lasting change. Expect actionable frameworks for self-coaching and practical ways to lead with both compassion and strength at work and at home.Join us to explore:How root causes beat quick fixesCoaching the whole person, not just the roleEmpathy with boundaries builds strong teamsSetbacks, emotions and the art of self-coachingInsights from coaching Simon Sinek & top leadersPlease email stephen@liveunbound.com if you have any questions about what we discussed today.Like this show? Please subscribe and leave us a five-star rating and review. It’s a chance to tell us what you love about the show, and it helps others discover it too. Consider leaving your Instagram handle so we can thank you personally, and feel free to follow ours.
In freediving, anxiety can be the difference between breakthrough and blackout. As a 7x World Champion freediver, William Trubridge learnt how to train his mind to remain calm and present, using practised breathing and ‘Observer Mind’ techniques that we can all embrace. This applies well beyond sport, especially in high-stakes leadership and everyday stress.Tune in to the full episode here: https://www.liveunbound.com/podcasts/a-deep-dive-into-extreme-high-performance
With over two decades of negotiation experience, including multinational hostage crises and police operations, Matthias Herter shares the power of communication, team dynamics, and inner strength. He candidly discusses lessons from both triumphs and setbacks, showing how doubt and insecurity can fuel performance and growth.Discover the key skills used by elite negotiators, such as active listening, emotional regulation, and authentic connection – and how these can transform relationships, business, and personal leadership.This episode is essential listening for business leaders, team players, and those navigating high-pressure environments who want to build trust, handle conflict, and lead with integrity. Join us to explore:Inside the mind of a crisis negotiatorTurn fear into peak performanceInside the playbook of winning negotiation teamsOvercoming grief and lossNegotiation skills for everyday successPlease email stephen@liveunbound.com if you have any questions about what we discussed today.Like this show? Please subscribe and leave us a five-star rating and review. It’s a chance to tell us what you love about the show, and it helps others discover it too. Consider leaving your Instagram handle so we can thank you personally, and feel free to follow ours.
Former Gym+Coffee CEO Niall Horgan sits down with Stephen McDonnell to explore the growing importance of mental toughness in sports. Niall shares his insights on how early mental coaching helps young athletes build resilience and teamwork. Tune in to hear how these lessons, learned on the field, have shaped their leadership journeys and why focusing on the journey rather than just trophies leads to lasting success in both sports and business.Listen to the full episode here: https://www.liveunbound.com/podcasts/embracing-the-unknown
IMD Professor and author of The First 90 Days, Michael Watkins, joins the show to break down what most leaders get wrong during transitions and how to turn change into growth. Learn about his hard-earned lessons on managing identity in upheaval, leading under pressure, and navigating the rise of AI and rapid disruption. We unpack key insights from his latest book, The Six Disciplines of Strategic Thinking, and why old ideas of high performance don’t hold up. Whether you’re stepping into a new role, coaching through change, or finding your next move, this episode offers tools to move forward with confidence.Join us to explore:Turning disruption into momentumThe six disciplines essential to strategic thinkingReclaim identity and purpose in the AI eraShift from reactivity to responsivenessPlease email stephen@liveunbound.com if you have any questions about what we discussed today.Like this show? Please subscribe and leave us a five-star rating and review. It’s a chance to tell us what you love about the show, and it helps others discover it too. Consider leaving your Instagram handle so we can thank you personally, and feel free to follow ours.
Hostage negotiator, clinical psychologist, and leadership expert, George Kohlrieser, explains the ‘Person Effect’, the emotional impact we have on others through our presence, mostly communicated non-verbally. Some people naturally inspire trust, while others create distance. Find out how effective leadership goes beyond rapport to true emotional bonding, which many avoid due to past pain. When bonding leads to hurt, the brain learns to protect itself by pulling away from connection.Listen to the full episode here: https://www.liveunbound.com/podcasts/31-george-kohlrieser-applying-hostage-negotiation-tactics-in-leadership
In this special episode of Unbound, hurling champions Noel Conners (former Waterford captain) and John “Bubbles” O’Dwyer (Tipperary All-Star) join host Stephen McDonnell (former Cork Captain) as they gear up for this weekend’s All-Ireland senior hurling final.Tune in as they unpack Cork’s explosive form, Tipp’s hunger for an upset, and what it takes for defenders to survive against the country’s sharpest forwards. Who will take home the cup? You’ll want to hear their takes!Join us to explore:Honest predictions: All-Ireland Hurling FinalWhy Waterford’s struggling, Tipp’s rising fastSurviving against the country’s sharpest forwardsWhy Munster matches are a different beastWho will take home the cup?Like this show? Please subscribe and leave us a five-star rating and review. It’s a chance to tell us what you love about the show, and it helps others discover it too. Consider leaving your Instagram handle so we can thank you personally, and feel free to follow ours.
Strengths-based leadership specialist Eline Meijer unpacks how to move beyond "weakness fixing" and use your strengths for ultimate growth.Eline draws on her decade of experience with CliftonStrengths and her background in psychology to demystify how we can thrive by identifying, understanding, and leading with our natural abilities.She reveals why traditional approaches to personal development and performance management often fall short and how applying a strengths-based lens benefits individuals, teams, and organisations.Join us to explore:How to leverage your strengths vs. weaknessesWhere strengths really come fromWhen strengths go too far, and how to balanceUsing your strengths to boost performanceWhen strengths meet smart collaborationPlease email stephen@liveunbound.com if you have any questions about what we discussed today.Like this show? Please subscribe and leave us a five-star rating and review. It’s a chance to tell us what you love about the show, and it helps others discover it too. Consider leaving your Instagram handle so we can thank you personally, and feel free to follow ours.
How do you push through your toughest days when the pressure is on and it feels like everything is going wrong? Eímear Noone, Irish composer and conductor, shares her approach to overcoming personal challenges while maintaining a high level of performance on stage. She reveals the mindset shift that helps her show up for others, even when she's not feeling her best, and how she navigates the balance between self-compassion and the drive to deliver excellence.Listen to the full episode here: https://www.liveunbound.com/podcasts/28-eimear-noone-irish-culture-mindset-breaking-barriers
Science journalist Alex Hutchinson explores risk, reinvention, and what drives us to seek the unknown – in sport, life, and beyond.With a rare mix of elite athletic experience and academic insight, Alex unpacks what drives high performers to grow, adapt, and keep going, especially when the path ahead isn’t clear.Whether you’re an athlete, a leader, or standing at a personal crossroads, this conversation will hit home. We explore how to navigate transitions, rebuild identity, and find meaning in challenge. This is about more than performance… It’s about purpose, curiosity, and how to rewrite your story when it matters most.Join us to explore:Harnessing the “Effort Paradox”Reinventing identity through challenge and changeThe biology driving risk and rewardMastering self-talk under pressureHow superstition shapes high performanceWhat drives us to explore the unknown Please email stephen@liveunbound.com if you have any questions about what we discussed today.Like this show? Please subscribe and leave us a five-star rating and review. It’s a chance to tell us what you love about the show, and it helps others discover it too. Consider leaving your Instagram handle so we can thank you personally, and feel free to follow ours.
In this Unbound Tool, best-selling author and entrepreneur Patrick Sweeney shares his journey of battling a rare form of leukaemia, using mental performance techniques from the Olympic Training Centre.As doctors collaborated with a Penn State expert, Patrick harnessed visualisation to strengthen his mind and body, picturing his cells as warriors fighting the disease. With the support of friends, including a local priest, and an unwavering focus on recovery, Patrick's story highlights the power of mental imagery and positive self-talk in overcoming adversity.Listen to the full episode here: https://www.liveunbound.com/podcasts/living-with-no-limits
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