Win Happy Podcast

On today's podcast I chatted with theatre director, writer and performer Karen Minihan [https://karenminihan.ie/] about many topics including her two books, her plays, her theatre directing and her performing. It is one of life’s huge miracles that Karen worked as a solicitor for 10 years, and then that moment arrived when she had to embrace who she was and what she needed to be doing with her precious life. She spoke about where she gets her inspiration, how stories come to her, how she develops the characters and how she thrives off the energy that comes from collaboration. She also spoke about her book Extraordinary, Ordinary Women [https://karenminihan.ie/product/extraordinary-ordinary-women-untol-stories-from-the-founding-of-the-state/] and the sequel More Extraordinary, Ordinary Women [https://karenminihan.ie/product/more-extraordinary-ordinary-women-untold-stories-from-the-founding-of-the-state/]. In these books she reveals the untold stories that highlight the significant, yet often overlooked, contributions of women in West Cork during the Irish War of Independence and Civil War. Karen is an absolute live wire, brimming with passion, projects, ideas and creativity, and I tried my very best to keep pace with her. Enjoy the show This episode is dedicated to Sorcha   Podcast Production [https://www.fuzion.ie/podcast-production/] by Greg Canty [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregcantyfuzionpr/] Greg’s blog [https://gregcantyfuzion.com/] Greg on Twitter  [https://twitter.com/GregCantyFuzion] Greg on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregcantyfuzionpr/] Email Greg with feedback or suggested guests: greg@fuzion.ie [greg@fuzion.ie]

Early in the morning on the 13th June 2025 the air raid sirens and the phone alerts came and you had to quickly move to a communal shelter with your partner and your two children. What thoughts go through your head when you hear the bombs overhead? What conversations do you have with other people sheltering? What do you tell your children? Does it make people think about what it must be like for people in Gaza as the bombs rain down on them and they have no shelters? How do you do this day after day when those sirens alert you once again to take cover? Now that the war with Iran “is over” how do you feel? What is the position with Gaza and has this changed the standing of Netanyahu? On today’s podcast I chat with Paul Kearns [https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-james-kearns-53601581/], urban planner, author and journalist about his experience living in Tel Aviv with his young family for the last 8 years, and wonder what is he still doing there? Let's hear what he has to say.   Podcast Production [https://www.fuzion.ie/podcast-production/] by Greg Canty [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregcantyfuzionpr/] Greg’s blog [https://gregcantyfuzion.com/] Greg on Twitter  [https://twitter.com/GregCantyFuzion] Greg on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregcantyfuzionpr/] Email Greg with feedback or suggested guests: greg@fuzion.ie [greg@fuzion.ie]

I can’t imagine giving up my home and deciding to live in a horse drawn caravan. I can’t imagine moving to another country in that horse drawn caravan and buying some land on a rugged peninsula. I can’t imagine living in a teepee on that land through wet and damp winters with my infant children. On today’s podcast I chatted with Lisa Scarff [https://www.facebook.com/lisa.scarff.3] who moved from Dorset to Sheep’s Head in 1993, and made a wonderful life for herself and her children. She speaks about her love of nature, making a life in West Cork, entrepreneurship, her meadows, butterflies, moths and turning 70! Enjoy the show Greg Podcast Production [https://www.fuzion.ie/podcast-production/] by Greg Canty [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregcantyfuzionpr/] Greg’s blog [https://gregcantyfuzion.com/] Greg on Twitter  [https://twitter.com/GregCantyFuzion] Greg on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregcantyfuzionpr/] Email Greg with feedback or suggested guests: greg@fuzion.ie [greg@fuzion.ie]

On today’s podcast I had the absolute pleasure of the company of Fiona Burke, the founder and owner of Little Red Skincare [https://www.littlered.ie/]. A simple conversation about her very special business opened up into a number of areas I wasn’t at all expecting. She chatted about her early life as the daughter of the local policeman in Ennis, being bullied out of her job as an engineer by someone who felt that wasn’t the place for a woman, and this leading to an unplanned life of a successful entrepreneur selling cheese at various markets around Cork. The cheese business evolved into Little Red Skincare, an organically certified business that can be purchased online, in various stockists, or even better, in person from Fiona at Bantry, Skibbereen and Schull markets. She also chatted about some big personal changes that she has made recently, and how she has cracked the code on this thing we call life!  Enjoy the show  Podcast Production [https://www.fuzion.ie/podcast-production/] by Greg Canty [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregcantyfuzionpr/] Greg’s blog [https://gregcantyfuzion.com/] Greg on Twitter  [https://twitter.com/GregCantyFuzion] Greg on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregcantyfuzionpr/] Email Greg with feedback or suggested guests: greg@fuzion.ie [greg@fuzion.ie]

After such a long wait we were finally in our seats to watch the premiere of my son’s first feature film, Christy [https://www.berlinale.de/en/2025/programme/202503982.html] at the prestigious Berlinaile International Film Festival. The speeches were made to open the festival and finally the lights went down and the film began. I wasn’t fully sure what to expect of the movie, and within minutes I found myself emotionally gripped by the story and throughout I laughed and I cried, I cheered on the main characters and hoped that things would work out for them, and at the very end, and I really don’t want to give anything away of the story, I wept and had to take a few moments to dry my eyes and gather myself. The movie was brilliant and moving, all of the talented actors and everyone involved waved the Irish and Knocknaheeney, Cork flag proudly and yes, my son did good, beyond good, brilliant. After the movie had finished and I dried my eyes, I chatted with Daithí O’Dronai [https://www.silverstreammusic.ie/artists/daithi-odronai/] who did the music score, to see how he enjoyed it, and how he went about creating such a beautiful sound backdrop throughout the film to match the story.  I then managed to catch Brendan [https://www.brendancanty.ie/], the man of the moment for a couple of words before chatting with some of the very talented cast; Diarmuid Nose [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1559688/], Sophia McNamara, Emma Willis [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4143377/] and Ciaran Bermingham [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2197118/], a mix of established and brand new actors about their experience of working in the movie and some other projects they are involved in. At the after party I finally caught up with the extremely humble and down to earth, Daniel Power [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11175280/] who played the main character Christy in the movie. This superstar in the making explained his journey from rapping to acting, and how easy that transition was for him and once again it shows the huge role that initiatives like the Kabin Studio can play in young people’s lives.   A few drinks later and it was time to get to bed - this wasn't your typical Valentine’s Day, but it was the day when an international audience fell in love with Christy, with Knocknaheeny and this special love letter to Cork city. Christy will be showing in cinemas this summer - you are in for a very special treat.   Podcast Production [https://www.fuzion.ie/podcast-production/] by Greg Canty [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregcantyfuzionpr/] Greg’s blog [https://gregcantyfuzion.com/] Greg on Twitter  [https://twitter.com/GregCantyFuzion] Greg on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregcantyfuzionpr/] Email Greg with feedback or suggested guests: greg@fuzion.ie [greg@fuzion.ie]