In this episode of The Martina Tierney Podcast, I sit down with Martin Tierney, Managing Director of the Tierco Group, and my son.

This is a deeply personal conversation about leadership, values and responsibility, and what it means to grow a business without losing sight of the people at the heart of it. We reflect on the journey from a family idea rooted in clinical need to a global healthcare group, and the lessons learned along the way.

Martin shares his perspective on stepping into leadership, carrying responsibility for others and making decisions that affect not just a business, but people’s lives, livelihoods and dignity.

🔍 In this episode, we explore:

* What leadership really looks like behind the scenes

* Growing a family business while staying true to your values

* The responsibility that comes with employing people and serving patients

* Why purpose must come before profit

* Remembering the human being behind every decision

This episode is about people, purpose and legacy, and why values matter most when decisions are hardest.

🎧 Thank you for listening.

If this conversation stayed with you, please rate, review and share. It helps spread these stories and the thinking behind them.

In this episode of The Martina Tierney Podcast, I’m joined by Shane Elliott, Housing and Health Lead for Northern Ireland and occupational therapist by background, alongside Dean Cooke, Global Product Manager at Seating Matters.

This conversation goes deep into the intersection of health, housing and responsibility, and what happens when systems either support or fail the people they are meant to serve. Shane brings decades of experience from clinical practice, service leadership and policy, while Dean offers insight from years of working closely with clinicians and health services on the ground.

Together, we explore how good ideas can transform care when they are allowed to spread, and why courage, accountability and collaboration matter more than ever in today’s healthcare systems.

🔍 In this episode, we discuss:

* Why joined-up thinking between housing and health is critical

* How responsibility often gets passed instead of owned, and the impact this has on patients

* The power of simple, practical innovations when systems allow them to scale

* Risk aversion in healthcare, and what it’s costing patients and professionals

* Why leadership is about persistence, influence and staying the course

This is an honest and thought-provoking conversation about systems, people and the courage required to keep pushing for better outcomes, even when change feels slow.

🎧 Thank you for listening. I’d love to hear your reflections.

If this episode resonated with you, please rate, review and share, it helps these conversations reach the people who need them most.

In this week’s episode of The Martina Tierney Podcast, I sit down with Helen Hughes, Chief Executive of Patient Safety Learning, alongside our own Dearbhaile Mulholland, whose passion for safer care sparked this powerful conversation.

Helen’s work shines a light on something many of us feel deeply but rarely articulate, that patient safety is everyone’s responsibility, and that real change only happens when we share learning openly, honestly and without fear. From global systems thinking to the everyday realities faced by frontline staff, Helen brings a rare blend of clarity, compassion and courage to a topic that affects every patient, every carer and every clinician.

🔍 In this episode, we explore:

Why avoidable harm remains one of healthcare’s biggest challenges

How collaboration, culture and shared learning can transform safety

The story behind The Hub, now the world’s largest patient-safety knowledge platform

Why seating, posture and equipment need to be part of the safety conversation

What it truly means to move from blame to learning, and from isolated practice to collective responsibility

This episode is an honest, energising and deeply hopeful reminder that safer care isn’t just possible, it’s achievable when we empower the people who know their patients best, listen to those closest to harm, and give teams the tools and trust they need to do the right thing.

Whether you work in healthcare, leadership, quality improvement or simply believe in the dignity every person deserves, Helen’s insight will stay with you long after you finish listening.

🎧 Thank you for joining us. I’d love to hear your thoughts or reflections, you can reach me at martina.tierney@seatingmatters.com.

If this episode resonated with you, please rate, review and share, it helps spread this important message further.

In this week’s episode of The Martina Tierney Podcast, I sit down with Bel Youngson, Chief Operating Officer at Hertfordshire Independent Living Service (HILS), whose story beautifully illustrates what it means to lead with both heart and purpose.

From supporting vulnerable adults to transforming community services across the UK, Bel has spent her career turning compassion into action. Her journey is a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t about hierarchy - it’s about humanity, collaboration, and never losing sight of the people we serve.

🔍 What we cover in this episode:

* How Bel’s early experiences shaped her commitment to person-centred care

* The impact of small, consistent acts of kindness in creating large-scale change

* What true leadership looks like in the face of challenge, growth and service transformation

* The balance between operational excellence and emotional intelligence

* How HILS is redefining independence, dignity and connection for thousands across the UK

Whether you work in health, social care or leadership, or you simply want to be reminded of the difference one person can make, Bel’s story will leave you feeling inspired, grounded and hopeful about the future of care.

🎧 Thanks for tuning in - I’d love to hear what resonated with you. You can reach me at martina.tierney@seatingmatters.com

(Be sure to rate, review and share if this episode spoke to you — your support helps this message reach more people.)

In this week’s episode of The Martina Tierney Podcast, I sit down with Rachel Brimblecombe - founder of both Better Rehab and Better Days, to uncover an inspiring story of turning frustration into meaningful impact.

Rachel had a dream: to reshape how we see and deliver occupational therapy and rehab internationally.

What started as a small idea in her living room grew into a global mission, supporting hundreds of clinicians across Australia, New Zealand and the UK.

🔍 What we cover in this episode:

• The moment that sparked Rachel’s shift from burnout to bold leadership

• The rise of Better Rehab and Better Days: 700+ team members, systems that empower, a vision beyond treatment

• How confidence, curiosity and courage, not just credentials, shape true leadership

• The power of mindset: when you can’t change your thoughts, you can change your feelings - and that shift ripples into action

• Why “plodding” (slow, steady progress) often outpaces flashy shortcuts when you’re building something that matters

Whether you’re an OT student, a leader in healthcare, or simply on the lookout for a story of purpose and persistence, Rachel’s journey will remind you that small steps, bold belief and community make all the difference.

🎧 Thanks for tuning in, and if you’re inspired by this episode, I’d love to hear what resonates with you. Send me a message at martina.tierney@seatingmatters.com.

(Be sure to rate, review and share if this episode spoke to you - your support helps this message reach more people.)

Dee Christie OBE has been an Occupational Therapist for over 51 years - a career defined by leadership, compassion, and an unwavering belief in the power of meaningful occupation.

In this episode, Dee reflects on her extraordinary journey - from her early days in community OT in 1970s London, to chairing the Council of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, to leading the Elizabeth Casson Trust and shaping the future of the profession.

She shares the story behind receiving her OBE at Windsor Castle, the colleagues who made it possible, and what true recognition means after a lifetime of service.

Dee also opens up about her passion for mentorship, leadership, and lifelong learning - and why she believes retired OTs still have so much to give. Her reflections on the changing face of OT, the pressures of modern practice, and the enduring importance of human connection will resonate deeply with every listener.

We discuss:

✨ The evolution of OT across five decades

✨ The inspiring legacy of Elizabeth Casson

✨ Why brave, bold leadership is key to OT’s future

✨ How mentoring can empower the next generation

Dee’s warmth, wisdom, and humility remind us why occupational therapy changes not only lives - but hearts and minds.

I’d love to hear what you think of this episode - your feedback helps shape future conversations.

If you know of a healthcare professional with a powerful story to share, please get in touch at martina.tierney@seatingmatters.com

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your colleagues and friends, and don’t forget to follow the show for more inspiring OT stories.

Thanks so much for listening and supporting the podcast!

Kate Sheehan⁠ has been an Occupational Therapist for nearly four decades, and her passion for housing as a cornerstone of health and wellbeing shines through every part of her career.

In this episode, Kate shares remarkable stories - from her early days in London where she encountered homes without indoor plumbing, to powerful cultural lessons like supporting a grandmother who was trying to use a Western toilet in the only way she knew how.

Her “Chicken Story” has become legendary in OT circles, showing how listening deeply to what matters most to clients can transform recovery and motivation.

Kate reflects on her leadership in shaping housing policy, her influential role in the Royal College Specialist Section in Housing, and her frustration at its recent closure.

She also opens up about her current charity work in Stratford-upon-Avon, providing homes for those most in need and tackling centuries-old housing endowments with modern compassion.

We discuss her mentoring of OTs moving into private practice, her collaborations with companies, and how she continues to advocate tirelessly for accessible housing across the UK. Despite changes in professional structures, her message is clear: never stop networking, seizing opportunities, and telling the real stories of OT’s impact.

Kate’s joy for the profession, her belief in the power of housing, and her unshakable energy will inspire every OT listening - whether you’re just starting out or decades into your career.

Connect with ⁠Kate on Linkedin⁠ and follow the work of her private practice KS Occupational Therapy Services.

***

I’d love to hear what you think of this episode - your feedback helps shape future episodes. If you know of a healthcare professional with a powerful story to share, I’d love to connect. Drop me an email at ⁠⁠martina.tierney@seatingmatters.com⁠⁠.

If you like what you’ve heard I’d be really grateful if you could share it with your friends and on social media.

Thanks so much for listening and supporting the show!

⁠Martina

The latest episode of The Martina Tierney Podcast is live — and it’s a special one. I sat down with my son, Ryan Tierney, the driving force behind Lean at Seating Matters.

From the chaos of our early factory days, to discovering Lean, to building a culture that improves outcomes for patients worldwide - Ryan shares how passion, purpose, and small daily improvements transformed not only our business, but the lives of those we serve.

💡 In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why Lean and occupational therapy are more alike than you think
• How respect for people and resources drives real change
• The role of visualisation and purpose in creating a meaningful future

🎧 Also available on:

🎙️Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4345sYc
🎥Watch on YouTube: https://bit.ly/4cgxB2B

I’d love to hear what you think - your feedback helps shape future episodes. If you know a healthcare professional with a powerful story to share, please let me know, drop me an email or text anytime at martina.tierney@seatingmatters.com / +44 7918 905 297

Thanks so much for tuning in and supporting the show!

Martina