Change is Possible

Former MMA fighter Ryan “Chaos” Curtis joins me for one of the most powerful conversations I’ve had on Change is Possible.

Ryan grew up in Dublin’s inner city, surrounded by hardship, addiction, violence, and the need to fight for himself from a young age. But when he walked into an MMA gym for the first time, everything changed. He was humbled, beaten up, and somehow left knowing one thing: he was going to become a world champion.

Years later, while training for a major fight and with the UFC in sight, Ryan suffered a catastrophic spinal injury. His neck broke. He was instantly paralysed from the neck down. Doctors told him this was his new way of life.

Ryan refused to accept that.

In this episode, we talk about the accident, the pain, the fear, the discipline, and the mindset that helped him fight his way back. We also explore self-belief, failure, masculinity, gratitude, addiction, vulnerability, responsibility, and what it really means to become someone you can rely on.

This is not just a story about recovery. It is a story about identity, discipline, and refusing to be beaten by life.

Click here⁠ and subscribe for more conversations on transformation, recovery, resilience, and human potential.

Connect with Ryan on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠.
Listen to Ryan's Podcast: Made in Chaos.

Connect with Brian
⬛ Get ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FREE access to Brian’s online courses⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⬛ Buy Brian’s memoir, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bonus Time⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⬛ Follow Brian on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⬛ Follow Brian on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sponsors: Founded by the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fabulous Pharmacist, Laura Dowling⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, I'm delighted to partner with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fabuwellness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a company dedicated to empowering your health with science-led, nature-inspired supplements.

We're also delighted to continue our partnership with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Kyne Foundation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, with whom I'm closely collaborating on a special project that aligns with our joint mission to nurture youth well-being in Ireland.

Chapters

00:00 — Ryan’s life-changing moment
04:12 — First MMA gym session
08:46 — Becoming reliable
13:35 — Growing up in Dublin 1
19:18 — Bullying and confidence
25:40 — The psychology of MMA
31:52 — Why Ryan chose fighting
36:45 — The accident
42:08 — Waking up paralysed
47:35 — Refusing to accept it
52:26 — Everything is psychological
57:40 — The accident as a gift
1:02:44 — Discipline over motivation
1:09:38 — Gratitude and Made in Chaos

Most people think that more money will make them happy.

They’re wrong.

In this conversation, I sit down with Eoin McGee — Certified Financial Planner™, radio and TV broadcaster, best-selling author, and columnist — to break down the hidden psychology behind money.

From why earning more doesn’t make you happier, to the dangerous myths keeping people broke, Eoin reveals why chasing money often leads to more stress, more pressure, and less peace... and what actually creates a fulfilling life.

Eoin shares the personal story that shaped his career, alongside practical financial habits and powerful insights into the psychology behind money, happiness, and freedom.

If you feel stuck financially, overwhelmed, or constantly chasing “more,” this episode will give you a completely new perspective.

Connect with Eoin on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠.

Connect with Brian
⬛ Get ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FREE access to Brian’s online courses⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⬛ Buy Brian’s memoir, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bonus Time⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⬛ Follow Brian on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⬛ Follow Brian on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sponsors: Founded by the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Fabulous Pharmacist, Laura Dowling⁠⁠⁠⁠, I'm delighted to partner with ⁠⁠⁠⁠Fabuwellness⁠⁠⁠⁠, a company dedicated to empowering your health with science-led, nature-inspired supplements.

We're also delighted to continue our partnership with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Kyne Foundation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, with whom I'm closely collaborating on a special project that aligns with our joint mission to nurture youth well-being in Ireland.

Chapters
00:00 – The moment that changed Eoin’s life forever
03:30 – How money gave his dad 28 extra years
08:15 – Why most financial advice is wrong
12:40 – The psychology of money (and why you’re never satisfied)
17:20 – Why chasing money won’t make you happy
22:10 – What people REALLY missed during lockdown
26:30 – The truth about happiness (Harvard study explained)
31:45 – Why “I’ll be happy when…” is dangerous
36:20 – What financial freedom actually means
40:10 – The biggest mistake people make with money
43:30 – The 15-minute habit that can change everything
48:00 – How your brain keeps you bad with money
53:20 – The mindset shift: “I’m good with money”
58:10 – Why small wins beat big plans
1:02:00 – The €5 savings story (powerful)
1:06:30 – Why most people fail financially
1:10:15 – The truth about getting rich quick
1:14:40 – Investing explained simply (and why patience wins)
1:19:30 – Discipline = financial freedom
1:22:00 – What really matters in life

Keywords: psychology of money, money mindset, personal finance, financial wellbeing, happiness, financial freedom, wealth, stress, self development, mindset, Eoin McGee, Brian Pennie, Change is Possible, money habits, emotional health

What if the moment you thought you were completely broken was actually the beginning of your healing? Caroline Foran joins me for a deeply honest conversation about anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and what it really takes to heal.

Caroline shares the moment she hit rock bottom, believing she was beyond help, and how that experience became the turning point that changed everything. We unpack what anxiety actually is, why panic attacks feel so overwhelming, and how misunderstanding your own body can make everything worse. This conversation cuts through the noise. No quick fixes. No fluff. Just real, practical insight into how anxiety works, and how to work with it instead of against it.

In this episode, we cover:
Caroline’s most challenging moment with anxiety
What panic attacks really feel like
Anxiety vs stress vs depression
Why anxiety is a full-body experience
The role of the nervous system and safety
Tools that actually help (and why consistency matters)
Self-compassion and the aftermath of panic attacks
Medication for anxiety: stigma vs reality
High-functioning anxiety and burnout
Phones, social media, and modern overstimulation
If anxiety has ever made you feel broken, this episode will show you that change is possible.

Connect with Caroline on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠get her new book here

Connect with Brian
⬛ Get ⁠⁠⁠⁠FREE access to Brian’s online courses⁠⁠⁠⁠
⬛ Buy Brian’s memoir, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bonus Time⁠⁠⁠⁠
⬛ Follow Brian on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠
⬛ Follow Brian on ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sponsors: Founded by the ⁠⁠⁠Fabulous Pharmacist, Laura Dowling⁠⁠⁠, I'm delighted to partner with ⁠⁠⁠Fabuwellness⁠⁠⁠, a company dedicated to empowering your health with science-led, nature-inspired supplements.

We're also delighted to continue our partnership with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Kyne Foundation⁠⁠⁠⁠, with whom I'm closely collaborating on a special project that aligns with our joint mission to nurture youth well-being in Ireland.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:00 Caroline’s most challenging moment with anxiety
05:30 The terror and helplessness of panic attacks
09:00 Anxiety, shame, and not knowing why you feel this way
13:00 What anxiety actually feels like in the body
16:30 Anxiety vs stress: what’s the difference?
20:00 When anxiety turns into depression
24:00 Rock bottom, surrender, and the beginning of healing
28:30 The brain, the body, and why anxiety is pre-rational
33:00 Why healing starts with the body, not just the mind
37:00 Tools for anxiety: breathwork, walking, and what works for you
43:00 There is no magic wand — only consistent tools
46:00 Panic attacks, self-criticism, and self-compassion
51:00 Caroline’s roadmap back to yourself
55:00 Why talking to someone you trust matters
58:30 Breathwork, grounding, and nervous system regulation
1:02:00 Riding the wave of anxiety instead of fearing it
1:06:00 Anxiety as information, not a life sentence
1:09:00 Helping young people with anxiety
1:12:00 Medication for anxiety: stigma, nuance, and what helps
1:15:30 What people get wrong about anxiety
1:16:20 Final message of hope

Keywords: Caroline Foran, anxiety, panic attacks, anxiety recovery, mental health, nervous system, Owning It, Everything I Wish I’d Known About Anxiety, self compassion anxiety, breathwork anxiety, high functioning anxiety, anxiety healing, stress and anxiety, depression and anxiety

Most people secretly believe they’re not enough. In this episode, award-winning life coach Tara Rafter explains why… and how to finally change it.

Brian Pennie sits down with Tara Rafter to explore the real psychology of healing, self-belief, trauma, and personal growth. Tara shares her deeply personal story of growing up around addiction and domestic violence, caring for her mother through chronic illness, losing both parents, and how those experiences shaped her nervous system, relationships, and identity. She explains how many of our limiting beliefs were installed when someone else was “holding the needle” in our life story, and how we can rewrite them.

We talk about:
Why most people secretly feel they’re “not enough”
Caring for a parent with chronic illness
Grief before death (anticipatory grief)
How trauma rewires trust, love, and safety
Self-compassion & internal safety
How journaling and awareness change behaviour
Why most people feel disconnected from themselves
How forgiveness can become an act of self-liberation
The science of building internal security instead of seeking validation

If you’ve ever felt stuck, anxious, disconnected, or like you’re performing instead of living, this episode will change how you see yourself.

Connect with Tara on Instagram and The Navigation Coach Website ⁠

Connect with Brian
⬛ Get ⁠⁠⁠FREE access to Brian’s online courses⁠⁠⁠
⬛ Buy Brian’s memoir, ⁠⁠⁠Bonus Time⁠⁠⁠
⬛ Follow Brian on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠
⬛ Follow Brian on ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠

Sponsors: Founded by the ⁠⁠Fabulous Pharmacist, Laura Dowling⁠⁠, I'm delighted to partner with ⁠⁠Fabuwellness⁠⁠, a company dedicated to empowering your health with science-led, nature-inspired supplements.

We're also delighted to continue our partnership with ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Kyne Foundation⁠⁠⁠, with whom I'm closely collaborating on a special project that aligns with our joint mission to nurture youth well-being in Ireland.

Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:12 Tara on the hardest challenge that shaped her
04:35 Her mum’s COPD and the loss of safety
08:42 Caregiving, grief, anger and fear
12:18 Childhood, identity and emotional survival
16:07 Addiction, domestic violence and reading the room
20:14 Building safety on the inside
23:40 Trauma, trust and opening your heart
27:18 Is full healing from trauma possible?
30:41 Becoming a mother and discovering unconditional love
34:22 Her dad’s death, forgiveness and returning from Australia
39:05 How Tara became a life coach
43:18 Therapy, self-worth and healing old beliefs
47:02 Humour as a coping mechanism
50:46 Action, mindset and changing your emotional state
54:08 Parenting, fear and letting go with love
57:30 The Navigation Coach and the Compass system
1:01:22 Daily self-check-ins, values and realignment
1:04:18 Why so many people feel not enough
1:07:05 Trusting your gut and what to do when you feel lost
1:09:18 Final thoughts and where to start

Keywords: Childhood trauma healing, emotional safety, trauma recovery, self-acceptance, personal development podcast, change is possible podcast

Content warning: this episode includes discussion of suicide. Please take care while listening. If you’re affected by anything raised in this conversation, Samaritans are available free, 24/7, on 116 123. What drives someone toward violence? And what helps them change? In this unfiltered episode of Change Is Possible, Bob Cullen shares the raw reality behind violence, prison, addiction, and recovery. From childhood trauma and self-hatred, to suicide attempts, armed crime and a 10-year prison sentence, Bob explains how he internalised a powerful belief that vulnerability was weakness. As bullying, exposure to violence and family breakdown compounded that belief, anger became protection, and violence became his currency.

Bob speaks candidly about:
Being held at gunpoint as a teenager
The night that led to his arrest involving firearms
Childhood experiences of violence and bullying
Suicide attempts and deep mental health struggles
How shame, masculinity and the fear of appearing “weak” shaped his identity
How he's now doing a Master's in Criminology
The psychology of violence and masculinity
What prisons taught him about trauma, rehabilitation and restorative justice
Bob’s story challenges black-and-white narratives about offenders. Beneath the violence was a young boy who felt alone, ashamed and desperate to belong. His journey illustrates how unprocessed trauma, substance abuse and societal neglect can spiral into destruction.

Bob’s story is raw, confronting and deeply human. But this is not just a personal story. This conversation explores the psychology of violence, why prison often makes people worse, and how connection, not punishment, creates real change.

Connect with ⁠Bob Cullen

Connect with Brian
⬛ Get ⁠⁠FREE access to Brian’s online courses⁠⁠
⬛ Buy Brian’s memoir, ⁠⁠Bonus Time⁠⁠
⬛ Follow Brian on ⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠
⬛ Follow Brian on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

Sponsors: Founded by the ⁠Fabulous Pharmacist, Laura Dowling⁠, I'm delighted to partner with ⁠Fabuwellness⁠, a company dedicated to empowering your health with science-led, nature-inspired supplements.

We're also delighted to continue our partnership with ⁠⁠⁠The Kyne Foundation⁠⁠, with whom I'm closely collaborating on a special project that aligns with our joint mission to nurture youth well-being in Ireland.

Chapters
00:00 Bob Cullen on waking up in a Garda cell
03:45 Addiction, suicide and the night his life collapsed
08:55 Childhood trauma, violence and negative self-beliefs
12:45 Bullying, shame and why violence felt like survival
20:05 Youthreach, arrests and rejection at home
25:35 Chef by day, addict by night
33:00 Selling drugs, self-hate and total chaos
39:30 Suicide attempt and rock bottom
46:30 Trying to get help and being failed by the system
49:15 Sponsor break
50:00 Threats, crime and the path to prison
57:40 Prison sentence and where change began
66:30 Meditation, healing and personal transformation
74:15 Why prison does not rehabilitate people
82:45 Prison reform, patriarchy and changing Ireland
85:55 Masculinity, vulnerability and emotional strength
94:05 Why toxic masculinity is socially rewarded
96:45 Accountability, forgiveness and hope

Keywords: Trauma recovery, addiction recovery story, prison rehabilitation, criminal justice reform, mental health and crime, masculinity and emotions, personal transformation story, life after prison, restorative justice, childhood trauma impact, resilience and healing, social inequality and crime, recovery journey podcast