Garry Talks

After losing his sight in his twenties, Mark Pollock became a competitive rower and raced 43 days to the South Pole as the first blind person to do so. Then, a month before his wedding, he fell from a second-storey window and broke his back. On Garry Talks, Mark explains how he learned to live fully without waiting for a cure, while remaining hopeful that new spinal-stimulation technology may one day help him walk again. He also shares why finding a cure for paralysis required bringing scientists, investors, charities and patients together—and how a carefully planned calendar helps him manage uncertainty, work and recovery.

For more information on Mark, please visit... https://www.markpollock.com/

- Support this podcast by leaving a positive comment, sharing it with a friend, or visiting www.GarryTalks.com -

What do women wish they’d known about their bodies before motherhood, hormonal changes and the pressures of everyday life?

This week on Garry Talks, I’m joined by personal trainer and online fitness coach Laura Burke for an honest conversation about confidence, body image, motherhood and the realities of women’s health.

Laura opens up about how fitness helped her through her parents’ separation, her decision to undergo nose surgery, and the challenges of juggling a nine-to-five job, a growing fitness business and family life, with baby number three on the way.

We also explore some important and often overlooked areas of women’s health, including perimenopause, pelvic floor health and Laura’s personal experience of a bladder prolapse after childbirth. Why aren't women better prepared for these changes, and what more could be done to support them?

Along the way, Laura shares practical advice on strength training, nutrition and finding time for exercise, even when life feels overwhelmingly busy.

An open, insightful conversation about resilience, self-confidence and why fitness should be about feeling good, not just looking good.

 

For more information on Laura, please visit... https://lauraburkefitness.com/

 

- Support this podcast by leaving a positive comment, sharing it with a friend, or visiting www.GarryTalks.com -

 

00:00 – Introduction and episode highlights
02:10 – Pregnancy, motherhood and preparing for baby number three
10:55 – Balancing family life, a full-time job and a fitness business
16:55 – Why exercise is so important for mental health
21:15 – The stresses of moving house with young children
28:15 – How her parents' separation led Laura to fitness
38:40 – Nose surgery, body image and finding confidence
45:20 – Why strength training is so important for women
50:45 – Understanding perimenopause and menopause
53:35 – Hormonal health, exhaustion and Laura's experience with testosterone
1:08:10 – How partners can better support women
1:13:40 – Laura's personal experience of bladder prolapse
1:17:10 – Why women need better postpartum care
1:23:30 – Returning safely to exercise after childbirth
1:32:25 – Lean with Laura and her online fitness programmes
1:34:50 – Starting small and building sustainable exercise habits
1:39:05 – Strength training, bone density and healthy ageing
1:40:45 – Protein, nutrition and pre- and post-workout meals
1:46:55 – Laura's future plans and growing her fitness business

After years as a Marist priest and teacher, Dara Molloy felt trapped by the institution. A visit to Inis Mór (Inishmore) in 1982 changed his direction: he left for the island, lived simply as a hermit, and began exploring whether ancient Celtic spirituality could speak to modern life. In this episode of Garry Talks, Dara reflects on his unconventional journey from Catholic priesthood to life on the Aran Islands, where he built a family with his wife, author and poet Tess Harper-Molloy. He shares how their relationship, family life and creative partnership have shaped his outlook on love, spirituality and living life on their own terms. He also shares how nature, ritual and community shape the ceremonies he creates today.

For more information on Dara, please visit... https://www.daramolloy.com/

 

- Support this podcast by leaving a positive comment, sharing it with a friend, or visiting www.GarryTalks.com -

 

Meeting Dara Molloy and life on Inishmore (00:00:00)  
Dara joins Gary, sharing how long he has lived on Inishmore and recalling the island’s rough crossings.

Growing up in Malahide and choosing the priesthood (00:01:09)  
Dara describes his Dublin upbringing, Catholic family life, education, and early sense of vocation.

Priesthood, institutional life, and the pull of Inishmore (00:08:19)  
He discusses losing freedom as a priest, becoming unhappy in teaching, and discovering a different way of life on the Aran Islands.

Finding a spiritual path outside institutions (00:14:11)  
Dara explains why he moved to Inishmore, seeking simplicity, Irish traditions, and a meaningful spiritual practice.

Living as a Celtic hermit (00:18:21)  
He recounts his solitary start on the island, openness to visitors, daily life, and ways he supported himself.

Community life and Celtic wandering (00:24:01)  
Dara reflects on island generosity and describes wandering as a way to discover identity and direction.

Taking risks and changing life’s direction (00:30:08)  
They discuss travel, career changes, courage, and Dara’s decision to leave the institutional Church.

Why Dara left the Catholic Church (00:35:04)  
He explains family reactions and says Church hierarchy and opposition to women’s ordination were decisive factors.

Spirituality, nature, and moments of insight (00:41:19)  
Dara encourages attention to nature and unexpected experiences, sharing a formative moment that led him to Inishmore.

Using symbols and cards for reflection (00:46:28)  
They discuss intuitive practices, Bible passages, and how images or cards can reveal what someone already senses.

Marriage, children, and personal growth (00:50:20)  
Dara reflects on celibacy, family life, emotional development, and accepting children as unique individuals.

Writing about Celtic spirituality and the divine (00:54:07)  
He explains how his books explore imagining the divine through nature, experience, and ancient Celtic traditions.

Sacred places, children’s graves, and original sin (00:59:47)  
They discuss children’s burial grounds, Church teachings on original sin, and the history of the Celtic Church.

Druidic identity and wedding rituals (01:02:55)  
Dara describes his roles and outlines practices such as blessing the four elements.

Trees, retreats, and closing reflections (01:06:03)  
They discuss spiritual connection with trees, Dara’s approach to retreats, and wrap up the interview.

In this episode of 'Garry Talks', host Garry speaks with Irish coach Fiona Gillies about neurodiversity in the workplace. Fiona explains conditions such as dyslexia, ADHD, autism, and dyspraxia, highlighting both their challenges and strengths. She discusses the importance of inclusive workplace practices, individualised support, and open communication between employers and employees. Fiona also addresses language preferences, late diagnoses, and the decision to disclose a condition during recruitment. Drawing on the social model of disability, she argues that adapting environments — rather than "fixing" individuals — enables neurodivergent people to thrive. Small, practical changes, she emphasises, can make a significant difference.

For more information on Fiona, please visit... https://www.fionagillies.co.uk

 

- Support this podcast by joining our tribe today at www.GarryTalks.com -

Please follow Garry Talks on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok. 

Please follow GKMedia.ie on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and TikTok. 

Most importantly – please subscribe to this Podcast.

 

Introduction & Guest Overview (00:00:07)
Garry introduces Fiona Gillies, her background, and her coaching focus on neurodiversity and positive habits.

Defining Dyslexia & Historical Figures (00:00:35)
Fiona explains dyslexia as information processing difficulty and mentions historical figures likely to have been neurodivergent.

Prevalence of Neurodivergence (00:00:55)
Discussion of statistics: approximately 10% of people are neurodivergent.

Podcast Network Announcements (00:01:00)
Brief interlude about the GK Media Studios Creators Network.

Fiona’s Coaching Approach (00:01:19)
Fiona describes her coaching process, focusing on individual strengths and practical changes.

Types of Neurodivergent Conditions (00:02:53)
Overview of conditions: dyslexia, ADHD, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and Tourette’s.

Dyslexia & Information Processing (00:03:34)
Clarification that dyslexia is about information processing, not just reading.

Individual Experiences & Coaching Conversations (00:05:10)
Importance of individualised support and communication for neurodivergent people.

Explaining Other “Dis” Conditions (00:06:16)
Breakdown of dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and dyspraxia, and their impact on daily life.

ADHD, Autism, and Late Diagnosis (00:08:28)
Discussion on late diagnoses and prevalence rates for ADHD, autism, and dyslexia.

Language & Identity in Neurodiversity (00:09:41)
Debate over “autistic person” vs. “person with autism” and the importance of language.

Traits vs. Symptoms & Positive Aspects (00:11:09)
Fiona prefers “traits” over “symptoms” and highlights positive neurodivergent characteristics.

Evolutionary Perspective & Creativity (00:11:47)
How neurodivergence contributed to human evolution, creativity, and problem-solving.

Attention to Detail & Empathy (00:14:22)
Neurodivergent strengths: attention to detail, pattern recognition, and empathy.

Comedians & Focus in Neurodiversity (00:15:06)
Examples of comedians with ADHD/autism and discussion of focus and distraction in creative work.

Fiona’s Career Path to Coaching (00:16:45)
Fiona’s transition from HR and information systems to coaching and neurodiversity training.

Satisfaction in Coaching & Self-Belief (00:17:37)
The rewarding aspect of helping neurodivergent clients build confidence through practical steps.

Workplace vs. Personal Life Challenges (00:19:30)
Workplace-based coaching often overlaps with personal life improvements.

Employer vs. Employee Initiatives (00:21:10)
Employers, managers, or employees may initiate coaching or training for neurodiversity support.

Training Methods: In-Person & Online (00:22:21)
Most coaching and training is online, but in-person sessions offer unique value.

Key Advice: Individual Conversations (00:23:23)
Emphasising that everyone is different; importance of specific, actionable conversations.

Making Practical Suggestions (00:24:38)
How to offer concrete support rather than broad, vague offers of help.

Role Fit & Workplace Adjustments (00:26:02)
Sometimes roles and individuals are incompatible, but adjustments should be tried first.

Genuine Need vs. Taking Advantage (00:27:10)
How to distinguish genuine neurodivergent needs from potential misuse in the workplace.

Discussing Neurodiversity in Interviews (00:29:54)
Should candidates disclose neurodivergent conditions in job interviews? Pros, cons, and strategies.

Organisational Change & Awareness (00:32:06)
Organisations are becoming more open, but practical support still varies widely.

Improved Diagnosis & Understanding (00:34:21)
Better recognition and diagnosis of neurodivergence, especially in women and girls.

Historical Neurodivergent Figures (00:36:09)
Speculation about historical figures like Da Vinci being neurodivergent.

Workplace Structure & Neurodiversity (00:38:19)
Modern work structures challenge neurodivergent people; historical context of work expectations.

Medical vs. Social Model of Disability (00:39:38)
Explaining how societal structures, not just individual traits, create disability.

Language Sensitivity & Evolution (00:40:51)
Language around neurodiversity is evolving; importance of open conversation.

Universal Strategies: Distraction Management (00:41:32)
Practical strategies like notification audits and noise-canceling headphones to manage distraction.

Final Takeaway: Environment & Conversation (00:44:04)
Encouragement to adapt environments and have open conversations to support neurodivergent individuals.

Outro & Contact Information (00:44:27)
Closing remarks, Fiona’s contact details, and podcast outro.

In this episode of 'Wellth Talks', hosts Garry Kelly of GK Media Studios and Niall Leyden of Atlantic Wealth Management meet guest Dermot McConkey, author of 'Sales ASAP' to explore the art of sales and communication in business. Dermot shares practical strategies for building customer relationships, emphasises the importance of emotional engagement, and discusses how businesses can differentiate themselves through genuine connection and consistent follow-up. The conversation blends personal stories, humour, and actionable advice, highlighting that success in sales relies on empathy, simplicity, and going beyond expectations to truly understand and serve clients.

 

 

Please visit:

GK Media

https://www.gkmedia.ie

 

Atlantic Wealth Management

https://atlanticwm.ie

 

Dermot McConkey

https://www.mcconkey.ie/

 

Disclaimer: Niall Leyden is the Founder of Atlantic Wealth Management Limited, a firm that is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland to advise on and arrange a range of financial products. Please note that Niall’s comments in this podcast are made in a personal capacity and are not recommendations or financial advice and do not form part of Atlantic Wealth Management Limited’s regulated activity.

 

 

Podcast Introduction (00:00:00)

Introduction to the podcast, hosts, guests, and the purpose of the episode.

 

Dermot’s Book & Motivation (00:01:07)

Dermot discusses why he wrote "Sales ASAP" and the importance of differentiation in business.

 

Primacy and Recency in Communication (00:03:33)

Explains the significance of the beginning and end of interactions in sales and communication.

 

Engaging Customers Emotionally (00:04:22)

Importance of asking open, emotional questions to understand customer needs and concerns.

 

Four Key Buying Factors (00:05:05)

Discussion of time, money, quality, and quantity as the main factors influencing customer purchases.

 

Financial Services Example & Strategy (00:06:46)

How financial advisors use strategy, planning, and persistence to help clients.

 

Application of Skills & Communication Training (00:07:40)

The need for communication and telephone skills in business, and shifting from selling to helping people buy.

 

Persistence and Habit Formation (00:08:21)

How persistence and forming habits over 21-30 days leads to success in sales and life.

 

Emotional Decision-Making (00:08:56)

Humans make decisions emotionally rather than logically, impacting sales and service.

 

Simplicity and Trust in Business (00:10:45)

Keeping things simple and building trust by telling the truth over time.

 

Inbound vs. Outbound Communication (00:12:19)

Differences between inbound and outbound sales calls and the challenges of each.

 

Letter Writing: Then and Now (00:13:39)

How business letter writing has evolved, focusing now on customer choices and engagement.

 

Attitude as a Cornerstone (00:14:38)

The fundamental importance of attitude in business and personal success.

 

Going Beyond Expectations (00:15:54)

Doing more than what’s expected to build customer loyalty and personal legacy.

 

Expressing Appreciation and Customer Care (00:17:15)

The value of expressing gratitude and recognizing customers’ choices and loyalty.

 

Expressing Emotion in Business and Life (00:18:44)

The importance and challenges of expressing love and appreciation in personal and professional relationships.

 

Following Up and Building Relationships (00:20:18)

The impact of following up with clients and maintaining relationships without an agenda.

 

Thank You: Courtesy vs. Context (00:20:48)

The difference between generic thanks and meaningful, contextual appreciation.

 

Ethical Persuasion and Influence (00:21:06)

Persuasion and influence as ethical tools for positive change, not manipulation.

 

Referrals and Handling Rejection (00:22:34)

Strategies for getting referrals from existing clients and handling rejection in business and life.

 

The ‘Apart From’ Technique in Objection Handling (00:25:02)

Using the word "apart" to uncover and address the real objections in sales conversations.

 

Proactive Customer Engagement (00:26:16)

The importance of proactively reaching out to customers and the missed opportunities when businesses don’t.

 

Consistency and Continuous Improvement (00:28:31)

Why businesses must keep improving and not stop what’s working, using marketing and sales as examples.

 

Practice and Professionalism (00:29:21)

The difference between amateurs and professionals: consistent practice to avoid mistakes.

 

Features, Functions, and Emotional Benefits (00:31:40)

How to communicate product features, functions, and emotional benefits to customers.

 

Top Three Tips for Financial Planning (00:33:34)

Dermot’s top tips: work with professionals, ask emotional questions, and focus on planning and fear of loss.

 

Contact Information and Closing (00:36:06)

How to contact Dermot, acknowledgments, and encouragement to share and review the podcast.