Episodes

  • Michael Ryan Nature of Man

    Michael Ryan Nature of Man
    Apr 28 2025
    The previous episode (Nature of Man with Diarmuid Lyng) had generated more discussion and feedback than most other episodes. The feedback had been mixed in the sense that many people related to the content but as many were of the opinion that the retreat or the idea of a retreat 'wasn't for them.' The best way to continue the discussion is to literally do just that. This episode is with Michael Ryan, co-founder and facilitator of Mature of Man. A wellness and meditation expert, Michael gives his perspective on condition of the Modern (Irish) Man and we discuss holistic benefits of the Nature of Man retreat and the value it can offer anyone and everyone. The next retreat takes place in Donegal from 6th-9th June. Details can be found at natureofman.ie We reference a number of writers / poets in this episode - David Whyte and John Moriarty. Two deadly men well able to put into words the thoughts of everyone of us (and indeed none of us)
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    38 mins
  • The Nature Of Man - interviewing Diarmuid Lyng

    The Nature Of Man - interviewing Diarmuid Lyng
    Apr 9 2025
    In March, I found myself at a retreat in the Wicklow mountains, facilitated by Diarmuid Lyng and Michael Ryan. An entirely transformative experience and one that I felt the need to share through a discussion with Diarmuid - Wexford County Hurler, TG4 Commentator, retreat facilitator, husband, father and builder of a cultural facility in south Kilkenny. The podcast covers alot of ground but is centred around the Summer Nature of Man retreat in Donegal 6th to 9th June 2025 - and the myriad reasons why some of you should attend. www.diarmuidlyng.ie will offer more detailed information on the retreat and the other projects that Diarmuid is involved in. The poet mentioned (I know) is David Whyte, the poem Self Portrait. I hope you enjoy - and if you do please feel free to share with those who might benefit from the retreat. Thanks for reading.
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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • Taking control of unconscious behaviours

    Taking control of unconscious behaviours
    Mar 8 2025
    In a number of conversations this last few weeks - on a personal and professional level - a common theme was the importance of taking time...time 'out', time to prepare, time to think and the benefits of not rushing. The control of our subconscious / unconscious in what we do and how we do things is evident but only when we stop to think. Take a breath, a moment too get some clarity and perspective. How often do you stop and think - about the unimportant stuff? about the important stuff? About the critical stuff?
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    22 mins
  • The word on the streets

    The word on the streets
    Feb 25 2025
    A recent walk through Belfast city centre reminds me of a time when I lived in the city and encountered the homeless problem first hand. In 2013 there were a number of deaths on the streets in quick succession that should have sparked some deliberate action from local politicians and government. 9 years on and a new Rolex store will open up soon, directly opposite where Catherine Kenny died in March 2013. If there is room in our world for luxury watches then surely there is space too for the disenfranchised lost souls of this country
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    19 mins
  • Shouting from the sidelines

    Shouting from the sidelines
    Feb 9 2025
    The shouts from the sidelines - and the media - at Ange Postecogolou over the last few months have been pretty clear. A coach sticking to his principles, lacking as many as 8 first team players is now deemed not good enough. Unless you've played or coached at that level, then it's hard to fully appreciate what is going on. A journalist only has a perception of what is going on, not the full picture. Never the full picture - and as a result criticism can be overly harsh, directed at the wrong person, or just wide of the mark. On a personal level, I've come to learn the difference between perception and perspective and the importance of loosing the ideal that 'perception is reality'
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    16 mins
  • Amateur or expert - do you know the difference?

    Amateur or expert - do you know the difference?
    Dec 27 2024
    How quickly do you filter out the expert buyer from the amateur buyer?
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    19 mins
  • The discipline of telling the truth

    The discipline of telling the truth
    Dec 8 2024
    The only thing that matters is making yourself understood. Good communication is critical to any aspect of our lives and despite the dominance of moving image, writing is an important aspect of good selling Take away exaggeration, superlatives, adverbs and adjectives you start to get close to the heart of good writing. Truth. Ernest Hemmingway said that it takes great discipline to write truthfully. And so to this podcast - memories of Sunday afternoon's Big Movie a few decades ago...the Iceberg Theory and the economy of good writing. And the importance of truth.
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    15 mins
  • More than a game

    More than a game
    Dec 2 2024
    Two weekends spent at GAA matches - football and hurling - and guess which one didn't need the rule changes.
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    9 mins