🎙️ Episode Summary – Maureen McCowen

“Confidence breeds confidence.”

In this uplifting and insightful episode, Maureen McCowen, Public Speaking Specialist, shares her journey from classroom to coaching — and how discovering her own voice helped her build a business focused on helping others do the same.

Maureen opens up about the freedom she’s found in self-employment, the challenges of changing careers, and how networking, community, and continuous learning shaped her path.

She discusses how public speaking isn’t just about delivering a message — it’s about owning your presence and building confidence that ripples through every area of life.

From navigating uncertainty to helping professionals step into their voice, this is a conversation about growth, connection, and the real impact of finding the courage to speak up.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Freedom is a core value that shaped Maureen’s personal and professional choices

• Transitioning careers requires courage, curiosity, and a willingness to learn

• Public speaking training is about more than technique — it’s about building true confidence

• Networking plays a vital role in business growth and personal development

• Overcoming the stigma of needing support is the first step to change

• Communication is not about perfection — it’s about connection

• Confidence in one area can empower change across many others

• Supportive communities and networks are key to success in any field

• Finding your voice can transform how you lead, live, and relate to others

📌 Connect with Maureen McCowen

👉 Website: https://www.softskillsuccess.ie/
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureenmccowen/
👉 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/maureen_softskillsuccess/

🎙️ Connect with James Dean Coaching
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-dean-688557156/
👉 Instagram: @jamesdeancoaching
👉 Podcast: What’s Important to You

🎯 Interested in coaching?

If you’re ready to reconnect with what matters most and move forward with clarity, confidence, and purpose — I’d love to support you.

Book a free Clarity Call here: https://tidycal.com/jamesdeancoaching/clarity-call

“Live with no regrets.”

In this heartfelt and deeply grounded episode, Christina Kenny shares her journey through career transitions, personal reinvention, and the power of somatic coaching.

We explore what it means to start again, not because you failed — but because you’ve outgrown the old version of yourself.

From closing her restaurant and grieving its loss, to discovering the life-changing impact of body awareness, Christina’s story is filled with lessons on courage, emotional processing, and the freedom that comes from getting out of your own way.

We discuss the pressures of societal expectations, the challenge of finding your true desires, and the importance of building strong support systems for growth.

Whether you're navigating change, searching for clarity, or simply learning to be more compassionate with yourself — this conversation offers insights that truly land.

💡 Key Takeaways:📌

• Trying new things without attachment is key to living without regret

• Personal growth comes through lived experience — not just outcomes

• Grief is a natural part of career transitions and identity shifts

• Somatic coaching reconnects us with our body, emotions, and sense of direction

• Self-belief can be built at any stage of life — it’s never too late to start again

• Processing emotions leads to release, clarity, and meaningful change

• Mental health first aid can be a powerful tool for early support

• Goals are important — but adaptability and awareness make them sustainable

• Many people feel lonely — connection and community are crucial for personal growth

• We don’t need to suppress emotions to be strong — we need to understand them

  
  

Connect with Christina Kenny

👉 Website: https://thebodysoulcoach.com/
👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebodysoulcoach/
👉 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebodysoulcoach/

Let’s stay connected:
👉 Website: https://jamesdeancoach.com/
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-dean-688557156/
👉 Instagram: @jamesdeancoaching
👉 Podcast: What’s Important to You

🎯 Interested in coaching?
If you’re ready to reconnect with what matters most and move forward with clarity, confidence, and purpose — I’d love to support you.
Book a free Clarity Call here: https://tidycal.com/jamesdeancoaching/clarity-call

What if the key to growth wasn’t pushing harder — but becoming more flexible?

In this powerful episode, Zsanett Lásár, a Physical and Mental Health Coach, shares how a flexible mindset, authentic connection, and deep body-mind awareness can transform the way we approach personal development.

We explore her journey from helping others heal to uncovering her own truth, and how trauma, resilience, and societal pressure can all shape — and sometimes suppress — who we’re truly meant to be.

Zsanett brings wisdom, calm, and clarity to complex topics like identity, self-discovery, and the hidden strength in slowing down and listening. This episode is full of permission: to evolve, to question, and to do things differently.

💡 Key Takeaways:📌

• Flexibility in thinking supports authenticity and personal growth

• The body and mind are deeply connected — and both deserve attention

• Listening well is more powerful than giving advice

• Trauma shows up in different ways — and so does healing

• Asking why can unlock new levels of self-understanding

• Resilience is powerful — but can become armour if not balanced

• Societal expectations can block authenticity and clarity

• Supportive people can be a catalyst for meaningful change

• Change takes time, and growth isn’t always linear

  You don’t need to do it all alone — and you’re not meant to

  
  

Connect with Zsanett Lásár🎙️

👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fit_mind_coaching/

Connect with James Dean Coaching

👉 Website: https://www.jamesdeancoach.com
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-dean-688557156/
👉 Instagram: @jamesdeancoaching
👉 Podcast: What’s Important to You

🎯 Interested in coaching?

If you’re ready to reconnect with what matters most and move forward with clarity, confidence, and purpose — I’d love to support you.

Book a free Clarity Call

here:https://tidycal.com/jamesdeancoaching/clarity-call

What happens when you step away from what’s expected… and move toward what’s truly meaningful?

In this episode, we sit down with a certified coach, trainer, and former finance professional who made a bold transition from a high-level corporate career to a purpose-driven path in coaching and development.

This conversation explores what it really means to align your daily actions with your personal values, and how growth isn’t just something we chase — it’s something we build, one brave choice at a time.

Paul shares insights from his own journey of change and reinvention, reflecting on the lessons he's learned through self-employment, client work, and continuous self-reflection.

We cover themes like:

• How networking and taking action fuel transformation

• The power of facilitation and tools like Insights Discovery

• Letting go of perfection and embracing vulnerability in leadership

• How to build trust, create safe spaces, and lead with authenticity

• Leveraging technology and automation in a human-centered way

• The role of reflection and courageous action in building confidence

• And why some of the best things in life only come after doing something scary

Whether you’re navigating a career shift, stepping into leadership, or simply want to live more intentionally — this episode offers practical wisdom and honest reflection for the road ahead.

📌 Connect with Paul Dicker

👉 Website: https://pauldickerconsulting.com/ 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauldickerconsulting/ 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pauldicker/

Let’s stay connected:
👉 Website: https://www.jamesdeancoaching.com👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-dean-688557156/👉 Instagram: @jamesdeancoaching👉 Podcast: What’s Important to You

🎯 Interested in coaching?
If you’re ready to reconnect with what matters most and move forward with clarity, confidence, and purpose — I’d love to support you.
Book a free Clarity Call here: [Insert TidyCal or booking link]

What if you’re not broken… just disconnected from your own strength?

In this rich and reflective episode, Norma O’Kelly — Systemic and Transition Coach — invites us into a deeper understanding of wholeness, identity, and the quiet power of simply being seen.

We explore the principles behind systemic coaching, where the focus shifts from fixing problems to reconnecting with inner resourcefulness and the places we come from.

This isn’t surface-level coaching — it’s rooted in authenticity, belonging, and the courage to surrender to change.

Some of the powerful takeaways in this episode:

• You’re not broken — you’re whole, and capable of regeneration.

• Resourcefulness isn’t about learning more; it’s about remembering what’s already within you.

• Family roles and systems shape identity more than we realise.

• “Right sizing” ourselves in family and professional spaces creates healthier dynamics.

• Being useful in coaching is more powerful than just being helpful.

• Authenticity fosters deeper, more impactful coaching relationships.

• Most clients are more ready for deep work than they think.

• Endings aren’t failures — they’re often the doorway to something meaningful.

• Transitions are hard — and support, connection, and place matter deeply.

• Feedback from trusted people can reveal strengths we’ve forgotten or overlooked.

This episode is an invitation to reflect, reconnect, and remember that you’re not starting from scratch — you’re starting from strength.

Connect with Norma O'Kelly

👉 Website: normaokelly.com

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/normaokelly/

👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/normaokellysystemiccoach/

👉 Other (if relevant): [Insert podcast, book, etc.]

Want to learn more about Norma's work, coaching, or services?

Give them a follow and reach out, they’d love to hear from you.

Let’s stay connected:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-dean-688557156/

👉 Instagram: @jamesdeancoaching

👉 Podcast: What’s Important to You

🎯 Interested in coaching?

If you’re ready to reconnect with what matters most and move forward with clarity, confidence, and purpose , I’d love to support you.

Book a free Clarity Call here: https://tidycal.com/jamesdeancoaching/clarity-call

In this conversation, Marina Branigan discusses the significance of connection in her life and work, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and authentic relationships.

She shares her journey from providing operational support to becoming a coach, highlighting the evolution of her business and the role of community in her personal and professional growth.

Marina reflects on the influences of her parents and the lessons learned from their passing, which have inspired her to live authentically and take risks.

The discussion also touches on the value of continuous learning and the importance of creating spaces for connection and support among like-minded individuals.

takeaways

• Connection is essential for personal and professional fulfillment.
• Self-awareness is key to understanding one's needs and desires.
• Building authentic relationships leads to a more fulfilling life.
• Embracing imperfection allows for growth and creativity.
• Community plays a vital role in personal development and support.
• Life experiences can inspire courage and a desire for change.
• Continuous learning enriches both personal and professional life.
• Creating spaces for connection fosters a sense of belonging.
• It's important to allow oneself to experiment and take risks.
• Living authentically is more valuable than financial security.

Connect and Follow Marina

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marinabranigan/

https://bravavirtual.ie/

Today's guest is a stroke survivor and she shares her journey of recovery and how she has become a coach for stroke victims and their caregivers.

She emphasizes the importance of patience, independence, and finding joy in the process of relearning skills. Jan also discusses the challenges she faced in her relationships and the support she received from friends and the community.

She highlights the need for open conversations about the emotional and physical struggles faced by stroke survivors.

Her story is a testament to the power of resilience and the ability to find purpose and meaning in life after a traumatic event.

A stroke survivor and author, she shares her journey of recovery and how she found inspiration in writing children's books and poetry.

She emphasizes the importance of gratitude and celebrating small successes.

She also highlights the role of caregivers and offers advice on how to support them. She plans to continue her advocacy work and become an international speaker, inspiring others to overcome challenges and strive for greatness.

Today we find out what's important to Jan Burl.

Jan's Facebook Group

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/k9HKgJxr2j2Qzh2u/?mibextid=K35XfP

Jan's Website

www.thundercrestbooks.com

Jan's LinkedIn Profile

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-burl-ec-nlp-ma-4476b416/

Takeaways

Helping stroke victims and their caregivers requires patience, independence, and finding joy in the process of relearning skills.

Open conversations about the emotional and physical struggles faced by stroke survivors are crucial for support and understanding.

Community support and the presence of empathetic friends can make a significant difference in the recovery journey.

Stroke survivors can find purpose and meaning in life by embracing resilience and focusing on personal growth. Writing can be a powerful tool for self-expression and healing, even for those who haven't experienced a stroke or trauma.

Gratitude and celebrating small successes are essential for maintaining a positive mindset during recovery.

Caregivers play a crucial role in the recovery process and should be supported and acknowledged.

Language and the way we frame our experiences can have a significant impact on our mindset and resilience.

Jan Burl plans to continue her advocacy work and become an international speaker, inspiring others to overcome challenges and strive for greatness.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Mission

05:35 Finding Inspiration and Overcoming Challenges

08:27 Impact of COVID-19 and Pursuing Education

10:30 Becoming a Coach and Writing Children's Books

14:41 Mindset, Patience, and Continuous Learning

21:02 Supporting Stroke Survivors: Tips for Caregivers

23:54 Transitioning from Survivor to Supporter

26:38 Becoming a Certified Coach and Future Goals

30:00 Introduction and the Power of Listening

32:45 Inspiration for Writing Children's Books

35:56 Jan's Stroke Recovery Journey

38:08 Becoming a Published Writer

45:19 Quotes and Phrases that Inspire Jan

48:18 Influences in Jan's Life

53:45 Supporting Caregivers and Loved Ones

57:34 Jan's Future as an International Speaker

58:32 Podcast outro (music & Links.mp4)