The Irish Connection: Recent Episodes
Paul Higgins
During these crazy times The Irish Connection is here to have a laugh, spread positive messages, give inspiration for your dreams and help people make connections.
Positive vibes are contagious; lets put them out there
There are over 7 billion people in the world; each with their own story and journey in life and I can’t wait to meet as many as possible
This week I talk about our health treatment from a much broader perspective than prescription drugs. The medical community is becoming much more open these days to using other methods of treatment that may benefit us as individuals and in the UK we are even moving now towards healing through connections with the power of social prescribing. Oh, and I even manage to delve into some interesting research around magic mushrooms for depression and post traumatic stress, and the phenomenon that has been CBD oil.
This week I had the pleasure of chatting with Joel Jelen, founder of Breathren and advocate of the power of the Buteyko breathing method for good health. Dubbed the new yoga, attitudes towards breathing techniques have been slowly changing with the potential of relieving everything from anxiety to asthma and chronic fatigue. Joel talks about his journey of discovering the power of breathing, alongside our lifestyle choices.
This week I talk about life as an adult with dyslexia. I reflect on my personal journey with dyslexia and the numerous effects it has on my daily life. After so long in trying to escape the labels placed on me from when I was at school I have finally accepted that my differences are a gift, and being vocal about the challenges of adulting with dyslexia will only help me, and I hope others, in all aspects of life.
This week I had the pleasure of chatting with Jack Byrne, author of Under the Bridge, Book 1 in The Liverpool Mysteries series. We chatted about his Irish ancestry and Liverpool upbringing that inspired his first published book, along with the challenges facing a working- class author. The historical stories around emigration to the port city of Liverpool were a fascinating insight to the make-up of the city’s DNA. Jack also gave us a reading from Under the Bridge which truly sets the scene for this mystery series.
This week I talk about the concept of reinvention as we get older. After being introduced to The Geriatric Traveller, Moira Ward, who celebrated her 70th birthday in style by climbing Mount Fuji, following the diagnosis of Parkinsons Disease at the age of 60, I wanted to explore whether age really is just a number and if we let it affect living life on our own terms.
This week I conclude my chat with Johnny Ward, Irish travel blogger and adventurer. He tells me all about his obsession with visiting every country and the sacrifices he made on the way, along with the massive success of his blog. Now that he has been to all 197 countries his sight is now set on completing the Explorers Grand Slam – of visiting the North and South Pole and ascending the seven highest summits - which would make him the first person in history to complete all these challenges.
This week I talk about the pursuit of financial freedom. I question whether being financially free may mean different things to different people, and whether our money mindset is driven by fear, circumstances or just not dreaming big enough.
This week I had the pleasure of chatting with Johnny Ward, just before he set off to row across the Atlantic Ocean unsupported, with 3 other crew members, to raise loads of money for men’s mental health charities. As a travel blogger supreme, who has visited every country in the world, and adventurer, his incredible story couldn’t be told in one podcast so make sure you catch Episode 5 - The Romance of Travel as well.
This week I talk about whether the jobs we’re doing today are really so different to what we thought we would be doing when we were children? I question whether we turn our backs on our childhood ambitions when faced with the realities of life as a grown-up? Or is it more than that?
This week I had the pleasure of chatting with Shaun Troke, independent film director.
COVID19 has brought many difficulties to the creative industries but Shaun retains his positivity about his dream job and completing projects that have been on hold during lockdown.