On today’s podcast I had the absolute pleasure of the company of Fiona Burke, the founder and owner of Little Red Skincare.

A simple conversation about her very special business opened up into a number of areas I wasn’t at all expecting.

She chatted about her early life as the daughter of the local policeman in Ennis, being bullied out of her job as an engineer by someone who felt that wasn’t the place for a woman, and this leading to an unplanned life of a successful entrepreneur selling cheese at various markets around Cork.

The cheese business evolved into Little Red Skincare, an organically certified business that can be purchased online, in various stockists, or even better, in person from Fiona at Bantry, Skibbereen and Schull markets.

She also chatted about some big personal changes that she has made recently, and how she has cracked the code on this thing we call life!

Enjoy the show

Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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After such a long wait we were finally in our seats to watch the premiere of my son’s first feature film, Christy at the prestigious Berlinaile International Film Festival.

The speeches were made to open the festival and finally the lights went down and the film began.

I wasn’t fully sure what to expect of the movie, and within minutes I found myself emotionally gripped by the story and throughout I laughed and I cried, I cheered on the main characters and hoped that things would work out for them, and at the very end, and I really don’t want to give anything away of the story, I wept and had to take a few moments to dry my eyes and gather myself.

The movie was brilliant and moving, all of the talented actors and everyone involved waved the Irish and Knocknaheeney, Cork flag proudly and yes, my son did good, beyond good, brilliant.

After the movie had finished and I dried my eyes, I chatted with Daithí O’Dronai who did the music score, to see how he enjoyed it, and how he went about creating such a beautiful sound backdrop throughout the film to match the story.

I then managed to catch Brendan, the man of the moment for a couple of words before chatting with some of the very talented cast; Diarmuid Nose, Sophia McNamara, Emma Willis and Ciaran Bermingham, a mix of established and brand new actors about their experience of working in the movie and some other projects they are involved in.

At the after party I finally caught up with the extremely humble and down to earth, Daniel Power who played the main character Christy in the movie. This superstar in the making explained his journey from rapping to acting, and how easy that transition was for him and once again it shows the huge role that initiatives like the Kabin Studio can play in young people’s lives.

A few drinks later and it was time to get to bed - this wasn't your typical Valentine’s Day, but it was the day when an international audience fell in love with Christy, with Knocknaheeny and this special love letter to Cork city.

Christy will be showing in cinemas this summer - you are in for a very special treat.

Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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When your son has co-written and directed a full feature movie it’s a big deal.

When this movie has been chosen to open the Generation section of the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival you start to get excited, and before you know it you are in Berlin on a snowy Valentines Day in a huge auditorium excitedly waiting to see the movie for the first time.

The opening night was a sell out with 1,000 people gathering in the bar and lobby area before the doors opened for the theatre.

I wanted to capture this special occasion so with a mixture of nerves and excitement I turned on the microphone and chatted with some of the stars of the movie and the producers to learn about their roles and to get a hint of what we were about to see on the big screen.

First I spoke with two of the actors in the movie, Lewis Brophy and Ian Tabone.

To learn more about the business side of the movie and the importance of the festival itself I spoke with producers Rory Gilmartin and Meridith Duff.

And then just before his huge night began I managed to catch my son, Brendan Canty, to capture his excitement on what must be one of the biggest professional moments of his life.

While the cast and crew were here for the international premiere of Christy, what the huge crowd were not expecting was that Knocknaheeny from the Northside of Cork were here in force and before we filed into the theatre we were treated to a special flavour of Cork by the Kabin Crew.

It’s time to take our seats and watch a movie!

Christy will be on our big screens this summer..

Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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In part two of a two part podcast, Artist and Author, Sue Stolberger chats with me about her nearly 40 years living in a tent in the Ruaha National Park in East Africa.

Sue says that “nature is the greatest teacher” and she shares with me so many of her experiences from that special time including Winkie the Warthog, Mr and Mrs C, Romeo the giraffe, Mrs Reedbuck and the cycle of life, her encounter with a lion, falling trees, climate change, gender equality and her wonderful life with the world renowned sculptor, her very special Rob Glen.

All of these stories are captured in her beautiful book, ‘Nature Speaks’ , which in many ways is as much a book about life as it is about nature.

Sue has done lots, but there is lots more to come…

Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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On today's podcast I chatted with the wonderful author, artist, photographer, nature lover and sometimes life philosopher, Sue Stolberger.

Sue has had the most fascinating life, with most of it spent living in a tent in the Ruaha National Park in the East African wilderness.

In part 1 of this two part podcast, Sue chats about her early magical idyllic life in Tanzania, her love of painting, living hand to mouth for four years in Italy, and then finally returning to Tanzania and purchasing a jeep with the proceeds of an exhibition of her work.

After spending some time exploring and painting in different locations at weekends, she met and fell in love with sculptor Rob Glen after a few twists and turns. A good turn to a stranger in need, resulted in a permit to live and work in Ruaha National Park, where they were the only people permitted to be there.

Sue remembers a safari visit there when she was young, and feeling that her heart was going to burst with happiness.

Let’s hear the story that brought her there...

Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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On today’s podcast I chatted with Liam Mullane, the musician turned Mercedes-Benz General Manager.

Liam’s passion is music, and despite his very best efforts he realised that the life of a musician playing original material was not going to sustain him and he had to choose a different path.

With a new focus this talented lead guitarist became a leading salesman, and after 22 years in the motor trade he is now the General Manager of Mercedes-Benz in Cork.

He chatted about his career path, the ups and downs, the buzz of being a successful salesman, how to close a sale, the special role of cars in our lives, QTR and why the music never ever stops!

Enjoy the show…

Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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On today's podcast I chatted with Paul Kearns, journalist and urban planner, from his home in Tel Aviv in Israel, just 60 kms from Gaza.

Paul is living there with his two young daughters and his partner and he has been there since 2018.

He shares in detail the perspective of life there, how it has changed considerably since October 7th 2023, how it is for him and his family, and how it is for his neighbours, friends and Israelis in general.

He talks about the censorship by the media when reporting about the atrocities in Gaza, the awkward relationship Israel has with Ireland, and why he has taken it upon himself to write about the conflict and pull back the curtains on the real stories.

As an expert on urban planning and urban beauty I ask him how he can possibly continue to live there and how this conflict can be resolved.

I hope you enjoy the show...

Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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On today’s podcast I had the pleasure of learning some of life's lessons from a very wise man, Kevin Fahey, CEO and Founder of Peer to Peer coaching company, Essence of Leadership.

Kevin came from a family farm in Tipperary, he went into the Irish clothing manufacturing industry and after a board room battle he found himself at home, unemployed.

Never a man to stand still Kevin started off a successful training company and was once labelled a Positive Psychopath by one of his clients. Like so many other businesses the recession that followed the Celtic Tiger crash, had him once again wondering where the next few bob was going to come from.

Kevin reinvented himself, and with all of his collective wisdom and experience he remodelled his business following the simple principle that often the wisdom that we are searching for actually sits within us. He explains why and how peer to peer coaching is so powerful, in particular for business owners and senior managers.

As I have been very recently grappling with a big birthday number, we also chatted about ageism and moving into “wisdom”!

I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did...

Podcast Production by Greg Canty

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