Best Michael Leahy Podcasts (2024)

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IRA's GREATEST JAILBREAKS | The Troubles, War Of Independence & more | James Durney, Author 52:57

2h ago52:57

52:57

My guest for this week is James Durney, historian and author of “Jailbreak” which details the various “great escapes” perpetrated by Irish Republican prisoners from 1865 onwards into the 1980s. James tells us about the most daring and dangerous prison escapes, both successful and otherwise, of the troubles-era including the story of the Crumlin Kan…

1
Policing The Troubles | East Tyrone, Belfast, Riots & Near-Death Experiences | Hilton McCabe, Ex-RUC 2:40:51

9d ago2:40:51

2:40:51

Hilton McCabe served in the RUC in both East Tyrone and Belfast during the second half of the conflict we know as “the troubles”. Hilton tells us about policing rural East Tyrone and the horror of cleaning up body-parts after the one of the IRA’s most deadly roadside b*mb attacks, the Ballygawley Bus Ambush. Hilton shares with us his stories of rio…

1
SOUTH ARMAGH AGENT HANDLER | Recruiting & Running Informants In BANDIT COUNTRY| Ex-FRU Handler 2:34:26

16d ago2:34:26

2:34:26

Ex-FRU agent handler "Will Britten" (alias) actively ran and recruited agents in South Armagh, one of the most dangerous places to be a British soldier during the conflict, in the 80s and is the author of "The Deadly Game". We speak in depth about the recruitment methods of the FRU, how to successfully run an agent in such a dangerous area, the leg…

1
Preston So: The Case for a Universal CMS – Episode 197 31:52

12d ago31:52

31:52

Preston SoThe CMS landscape has evolved a lot over the past couple of decades. Recently, headless CMSs and decoupled content architectures have appeared to address the need for omnichannel content experiences.While their separation of the management of content from its presentation offers many benefits, these systems have left many users dissatisfi…

1
Red Business - Cork Craft Month Special 21:26

16d ago21:26

21:26

On this week’s Red Business, We have a Cork Craft Month Special on the show this week. Managing Director of Cork Craft & Design, James McConville, tells Jonathan about the events taking place in August, He explores intricate model houses with Brendan Ryan Ceramics in Whitechurch, And he looks at seaweed pressings and prints with Farraige in West Co…

1
Witnessing His Father's IRA M*rder | Alan Miles' Story, Son of H-Blocks Deputy Governor Albert Miles 55:43

14d ago55:43

55:43

In a recent episode I interviewed author Dan Lawton about his book focusing on the fallout from the murder of dept Governor, Albert Miles, of the infamous Maze Prison in November 1978 in which an innocent man was convicted. Alan Miles witnessed his father’s brutal murder as a young man at the hands of the IRA but almost immediately got to a place i…

1
David Connis: Systems Thinking for Content Designers – Episode 196 30:25

20d ago30:25

30:25

David ConnisA crucial skill for any content practitioner is the ability to sort out complex work environments and thrive within them.David Connis shows how a systems thinking mindset can help you cope with the upheaval of AI, the messy realities of content work, and other complex design challenges.He teaches a course on systems thinking for content…

1
Red Business – John Kearney, a Director at Cork based financial planning firm Provest, Ciara O’Brien also talks to him about the newly renovated guesthouse Barnahown And Ber O’Donovan from Elite Cuisine ... 18:32

20d ago18:32

18:32

On this week’s Red Business, John Kearney, a Director at Cork based financial planning firm Provest, joins Jonathan to discuss auto - enrolment Ciara O’Brien also talks to him about the newly renovated guesthouse Barnahown And Ber O’Donovan from Elite Cuisine tells Jonathan about celebrating 20 years in business.…

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IRA's K*LLING FIELDS - The Story Of The EAST TYRONE IRA | Jon Trigg, Ex-British Army & Author 1:48:13

22d ago1:48:13

1:48:13

Jonathan Trigg’s book “Death In The Fields” examines, in great detail, the infamous East-Tyrone IRA and how this rural group complied some of the republican’s biggest wins and conversely, their most devastating losses. We examine the early days of the unit and how they were formed, the autonomy they enjoyed, the Jim Lynagh “A-Team” era and their de…

1
Red Business - Cork on a Fork Special, Elmaire McCarthy, tourism officer at Cork City, The VQ Shared Table is set to be a festival highlight, Jonathan speaks to Phil Ryan, Manager of Isaacs Restaurant ... 23:08

1M ago23:08

23:08

On this week’s Red Business, We have a Cork on a Fork Special on the show this week. Elmaire McCarthy, tourism officer at Cork City Council tells Jonathan what’s on offer at the festival this year. The VQ Shared Table is set to be a festival highlight with 400 guests dining together on MacCurtain Street. Jonathan speaks to Phil Ryan, Manager of Isa…

1
Timi Stoop-Alcala: Knowledge Domain Modeling and Content Advocacy – Episode 195 31:46

26d ago31:46

31:46

Timi Stoop-AlcalaWhen the concept of "content" comes up it can be hard to get everyone aligned on exactly what you're talking about.At IKEA, Timi Stoop-Alcala focuses on the "what" of content via the practice of knowledge domain modeling both to deal with the complexity of content and to highlight its importance.Her knowledge-focused, human-centere…

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EX-RUC SPECIAL BRANCH HANDLER Tells His Story | Informers, IRA & M*rder | William Matchett 1:59:14

28d ago1:59:14

1:59:14

William Matchett is an ex-RUC officer who spent years working in the secretive and murky world of informants and agents during his time in Special Branch while “the troubles” raged on. William shares with us his motivations for joining the RUC during such dangerous times, the techniques they utilized to recruit informants, death threats he’s receiv…

1
Red Business - Jonathan speaks to Michelle Russell, Marketing Manager of Spike Island. He’ll also speak to Teresa Leahy to hear about Leahys Open Farm’s latest expansion into glamping pods. And Jonathan ... 23:36

1M ago23:36

23:36

Spike Island has just launched its newest exhibition which showcases the island’s rich military past in Cork harbour. Jonathan speaks to Michelle Russell, Marketing Manager of Spike Island. He’ll also speak to Teresa Leahy to hear about Leahys Open Farm’s latest expansion into glamping pods. And Jonathan is also joined by President of Cork Business…

1
Hilary Marsh: Digital Councils for Better Content Strategy – Episode 194 30:50

1M ago30:50

30:50

Hilary MarshOrganizations of all types and sizes struggle with presenting their content so that it both makes sense to readers and aligns with the organization's intentions.Hilary Marsh introduced the concept of the "digital council" to address this issue. Councils can take many forms, depending on the nature of the organization, but the intent alw…

1
Red Business - Guaranteed Irish is celebrating its 50th anniversary - Eddie Fitzgerald, a tour guide on the Ballycotton Lighthouse Tours - Managing Director of Boardwalk Coffee in Youghal 19:29

1M ago19:29

19:29

On this week’s Red Business, Guaranteed Irish is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a new competition offering one of its members the chance to win a €50,000 communications campaign. Jonathan is joined by Chairperson of Guaranteed Irish Damien McCann to hear more. He’ll also speak to Eddie Fitzgerald, a tour guide on the Ballycotton Lighthouse T…

1
CATHOLIC PRIEST on Capitol Hill Fighting For IRISH FREEDOM | Fr. Sean McManus 1:48:14

1M ago1:48:14

1:48:14

**Sorry for the late upload my good people.. feel free to follow on YouTube where I'm a bit more on top of things** Fr Sean McManus hails from Co. Fermanagh but was sent, by his superiors in the Catholic, to America early in his career where he continued his fight for Irish freedom. Fr McManus’ tells us about his early life, his older brother who w…

1
Cruce Saunders: Content as a Valuable Enterprise Asset – Episode 193 31:27

1M ago31:27

31:27

Cruce SaundersContent is a precious business asset and should be treated as such in enterprise accounting.Cruce Saunders has been making the case for content as a financial asset for many years, arguing that much of it should be accounted for like the durable machinery that powers a factory, not like an ephemeral one-time business expense.He still …

1
Red Business - Fota Wildlife Park will officially open its multi-million euro Education, Conservation and Research Centre (ECRC) - Niamh O’Sullivan, founder of Jigsee - Midleton based life sciences recruitment ... 20:37

2M ago20:37

20:37

On this week’s Red Business, Jonathan will hear how Fota Wildlife Park will officially open its multi-million euro Education, Conservation and Research Centre (ECRC) this Friday. He’ll also speak to Niamh O’Sullivan, founder of Jigsee, about the company’s plans to expand its product range. And Midleton based life sciences recruitment company, Baker…

1
BATTLING THE IRA & LOYALISTS IN TROUBLES-ERA BELFAST | SAS & DET. SURVEILLANCE OPERATOR Mick Hawkes 2:09:28

2M ago2:09:28

2:09:28

Mick Hawkes is an ex-SAS soldier and 14th intel company (the Det.) operator who worked against the IRA and Loyalist paramilitaries in Northern Ireland as part of his military career. Mick tells us about the daily ins and outs of carrying out surveillance on dangerous insurgents, the differences between republican and loyalist paramilitaries, how he…

1
Red Business- Léigh; an innovative electronic braille reader - coming event at Republic of Work for budding entrepreneurs. - Michelle Keane who manages the Dolly Parton Imagination Library for Cork City ... 20:31

2M ago20:31

20:31

On this week’s Red Business, Jonathan hears all about Léigh; an innovative electronic braille reader developed in Cork by Colm Clancy. He hears about an upcoming event at Republic of Work for budding entrepreneurs. And he speaks to Michelle Keane who manages the Dolly Parton Imagination Library for Cork City Partnership.…

1
Michael Priestley: Creator of the DITA Structured-Content Standard – Episode 192 31:06

2M ago31:06

31:06

Michael PriestleyTwenty-four years ago at IBM, the company's commitment to user-focused content led to the decision to develop a standard way of structuring content so that it could be used in multiple channels.Michael Priestley was uniquely positioned to guide the team that created the technical approach to the corporate standard that would ultima…

1
Being IRISH in Birmingham during IRA ENGLAND B*mbing Campaign | Dr. Michael Flavin 1:05:13

2M ago1:05:13

1:05:13

My guest this week is Dr Michael Flavin, child to Irish parents who grew up in Birmingham, England during the IRA’s bombing campaign in England during the troubles. Michael speaks to us about being a part of the Irish diaspora in England, anti-Irish discrimination at the time as well Michael’s writings on IRA leadership and INLA splits. 00:00 “NO B…

1
Rafaëla Ellensburg: Holistic, Semantic Content Engineering – Episode 191

2M ago

—

Rafaela EllensburgServing personalized content about thousands of products to millions of people requires a sophisticated content operation.At Albert Heijn, the big grocery store chain in the Netherlands, Rafaëla Ellensburg established a content engineering practice that lets the company deliver personalize-able omnichannel content at scale.In the …

1
Pavel Samsonov: Content-First Product Design Leadership – Episode 190

2M ago

—

Pavel SamsonovPavel Samsonov is a UX product designer with a deep appreciation of content.His content-first approach to design is driven by his observation that navigating digital experiences is about accessing content, not clicking buttons.Pavel has also cultivated a deep awareness of the semantic environments that he and his colleagues navigate a…

1
UK's INTEL WAR against the IRA | Derry IRA, Rural Units & Peace Talks | Thomas Leahy 59:38

3M ago59:38

59:38

For this episode I’m joined by author and lecturer, Thomas Leahy, whose book “The Intelligence War against the IRA” gives a through and detailed account of Britain’s attempts to disrupt and defeat the IRA by way of intel gathering. We discuss the various methods of intel collection, what “intel” is and can be used for in this context, the various t…

1
INNOCENT MAN FRAMED for IRA M*RDER | How Kevin Barry Artt was falsely convicted & Escaped LONG KESH 50:52

3M ago50:52

50:52

Dan Lawton’s thrilling new book “The Hunted” explores the story of Kevin Barry Artt and how he was false-convicted of the IRA murder of deputy Maze prison governor, Albert Miles. We speak about the so-called “confession factory” Castlereagh, Long Kesh’s Maze prison, the horrors of the “blanket”/“no-wash” protests and how Kevin Barry Artt took part …

1
Red Business- Dara O’Shea of Rhea Events talks about planning a funeral and Catherine Collins of Polymer First Training Skillnet 24:36

3M ago24:36

24:36

On this week’s Red Business, EPS introduces a new scheme to encourage employees to embrace renewable energy sources such as solar Dara O’Shea of Rhea Events talks about planning a funeral and about winning Emerging Businesswoman at the Network Cork Businesswoman of the Year Awards And Catherine Collins of Polymer First Training Skillnet talks about…

1
Jeffrey MacIntyre: Orchestrating Personalized Content Experiences – Episode 189

3M ago

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Jeffrey MacIntyreScalable content personalization systems create huge value for businesses. Like most valuable endeavors, they're really hard to do well.Jeffrey MacIntyre orchestrates the activities - terminology and taxonomy work, metadata strategy, information architecture, and more - that help businesses build content operations that deliver the…

1
TROUBLES-ERA PARA & SAS man tells his story | Belfast RIOTS, South Armagh & more | Harry McCallion 2:09:49

3M ago2:09:49

2:09:49

Harry McCallion is an ex-paratrooper and SAS solider who served in the north during some of the troubles’ most violent years. Harry tells us about the brutal training regime they underwent before deployment, his thoughts on the mistakes that the British army made, his views on the “Ballymurphy Massacre”, his emotional state while policing violent r…

1
Red Business - Glandore celebrates its fifth anniversary at its Cork venue on Lapps Quay - AxisBIC - Crann Centre seek support for this year’s Walk N’Roll 22:37

3M ago22:37

22:37

On this week’s Red Business, Glandore celebrates its fifth anniversary at its Cork venue on Lapps Quay AxisBIC reports an increase in high potential start-ups in Cork and Kerry And the Crann Centre seek support for this year’s Walk N’Roll

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1974 DUBLIN/MONAGHAN B*MBING | Robin Jackson, British Army Involvement & more| David Burke, Author 1:09:40

3M ago1:09:40

1:09:40

Author, lawyer and past guest of the show, David Burke reveals a previously unreleased statement from ex-Tara member and close-friend of Robin 'the jackal" Jackson, Charlie Simpson uncovering Jackson and the British Army's involvement in one of the trouble's most heinous attacks. We talk through the events of the tragic day, the logistics of the UV…

1
Shannon Leahy: The Content Design Job Market – Episode 188 33:25

3M ago33:25

33:25

Shannon LeahyContent design jobs have become scarcer as the digital world adjusts to the post-pandemic tech economy.Shannon Leahy does her best to make sure that her content colleagues discover the jobs that are available, scouring the internet for job listings and sharing them in her social media feeds.But that's just the tip of the iceberg when i…

1
Red Business - Eight Degrees Brewing Cam Wallace - Michael O’Neill, director of Fernhill House Hotel and Gardens - Conor Twomey, Head coach at Bishopstown Lawn Tennis Club 23:22

3M ago23:22

23:22

Jonathan has a summer theme this week -Director of @eightdegreesbrewing Cam Wallace discusses the company’s journey including a sale to, and buy-back, from Irish Distillers. Michael O’Neill, director of Fernhill House Hotel and Gardens talks about a successful stint including being crowned overall Business of the Year at the West Cork Business and …

1
John Williams: Going Headless and MACH Architecture – Episode 187 31:02

3M ago31:02

31:02

John WilliamsThe rise of omnichannel content strategy and the emergence of new technical capabilities like cloud computing, API-delivered microservices, and headless software platforms have created entire new content ecosystems.John Williams explores these new systems and modern content and experience architectures on his "Going Headless with John"…

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IRA HELICOPTER ESCAPE Mastermind & Portlaoise Jail Break| Brendan Hughes (Tyrone) IRA COMMANDER 1:50:51

3M ago1:50:51

1:50:51

Brendan Hughes (not to be confused with the deceased Brendan ‘The Dark” Hughes) shares his truly extraordinary life story, a life shaped by his membership of the East-Tyrone PIRA in the early days of the conflict in the North. Brendan tells us about his time ambushing British soldiers in the countryside and robbing banks to fund raise for the IRA a…

1
Episode 84: Dr. Elvira Parravicini 25:00

4M ago25:00

25:00

The de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture presented the 2024 Notre Dame Evangelium Vitae Medal—the nation’s most important award for heroes of the pro-life movement—to Dr. Elvira Parravicini, founding director of the Neonatal Comfort Care Program and professor of pediatrics at Columbia University Medical Center. She established the Neonatal Comfo…

1
Red Business - CEO John O’Keeffe tells us how ePower is driving the change to a more sustainable future - CEO of Kinsale Spirit Company - Elio Networks’ CEO David Russell talks connectivity 25:54

3M ago25:54

25:54

In this week’s Red Business CEO John O’Keeffe tells us how ePower is driving the change to a more sustainable future - one EV charging point at a time. CEO of Kinsale Spirit Company, Colin Ross toasts the distillery’s success at the World Spirit Championships in San Francisco Elio Networks’ CEO David Russell talks connectivity, the role of AI, and …

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TROUBLES-ERA BMB DISPOSAL EXPERT | Taking on Belfast's IRA BMB-MAKERS | Steve Smith, British Army 1:09:27

3M ago1:09:27

1:09:27

My guest this week is ex-b*mb disposal man, Steve Smith. Steve worked as a EOD officer in Belfast during the early 80s and worked to rid the city of IRA & Loyalist b*mbs. Steve gives us his insight into the various types of explosives used throughout the conflict, the differences between IRA & Loyalist b*mb-makers, how it feels to put on the b*mb-s…

1
Red Business - Julie Cronin, who runs Wildlife Rescue Cork - Patricia Macropoulos Access Laboratories in Midleton - Bernard Yore, Group CEO of ESS 24:33

3M ago24:33

24:33

Jonathan is joined by Julie Cronin, who runs Wildlife Rescue Cork. The organisation is seeking corporate sponsorship to expand the premises to meet demand. He’s also joined by Patricia Macropoulos who has brought healthcare to the High Street with the establishment of Access Laboratories in Midleton. And Bernard Yore, Group CEO of ESS, an industry …

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Ex-TEEN UDA FOOTSOLDIER tells his story | RUC Collusion, Sectarian Violence & Escaping the Conflict | Graham Cousins 48:16

4M ago48:16

48:16

Graham Cousins grew up protestant in East Belfast and spent his late-teen years and early 20s in the Ulster Defense Association better known as the UDA, a loyalist paramilitary group formed in the early 70s. He has since become close friends with ex-paramilitaries from the other side including my last guest, ex-b*mb-maker Packy McMahon (https://you…

1
Deborah Carver: Connecting Literature, Composition, Content, and SEO – Episode 186 30:17

4M ago30:17

30:17

Deborah CarverDeborah Carver sees direct connections between her academic study of literature and composition and her work as a content strategist, content marketer, and SEO.She also sees similarities between AI engineers and content professionals, both of whom endeavor to create meaning with language.We talked about: her work as a consultant and t…

1
Episode 83: Church Life Africa 45:00

4M ago45:00

45:00

The growing population and vibrant faith of African Catholics have engendered a long-expressed hope that the future of the Church is in Africa. Based on a model of solidarity and mutual enrichment between the Church in Africa and the Church in the United States, Church Life Africa (CLA), a strategic initiative at the University of Notre Dame, takes…

1
Red Business - Danny McEnery, MD of PrimaHeath - Tara O’Driscoll from Douglas, co-founder of BoobyBiome - The Entrepreneurship, Strategy and Growth Summit 20:28

4M ago20:28

20:28

On this week’s Red Business, Jonathan speaks to Danny McEnery, MD of PrimaHeath, an adolescent mental health provider. The company was one of the recent winners at the IGNITE awards. He also speaks to Tara O’Driscoll from Douglas, co-founder of BoobyBiome, which harnesses breast milk microbiome science to develop products to improve infant health. …

1
EX-IRA BMB-MAKER tells his story | Bmb-making, Long Kesh & Informers | Packy McMahon 1:13:37

4M ago1:13:37

1:13:37

Patrick “Packy” McMahon is a former provisional IRA bomb maker who was jailed after being caught in the act of manufacturing a 1,500 LB bomb. Packy tells us about growing up as the conflict raged and how his life-long battle with British soldiers began. We spoke about the in and outs of how the IRA manufactured its bombs/explosive devices from begi…

1
Red Business - Simon Coveney 28:25

4M ago28:25

28:25

On this week's Red Business, Jonathan has an in-depth conversation with Simon Coveney, who recently stepped down from his Cabinet position. The former minister discussed some of the highs and lows of his political career, as well as looking at some of the developments we’ve seen in Cork during that time.…

1
Tuija Riekkinen: Scaling Content and Design Operations – Episode 185 32:53

4M ago32:53

32:53

Tuija RiekkinenTuija Riekkinen brings a unique perspective to scaling both content and design operations, as well as other digital initiatives.She has applied her holistic and pragmatic enterprise product management skills at organizations like IKEA, where she has worked on both their design system and content management system.Tuija is a persuasiv…

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EX BRITISH SPY HANDLER speaks out| Stakeknife, Frank Hegarty & Operation Kenova | Ian Hurst ( Martin Ingram) 3:10:20

4M ago3:10:20

3:10:20

Ian Hurst, better known to some as “Martin Ingram” was a member of the Force Research Unit, an intel gathering and spy-handling British security forces group and spent time as a handler in Derry during which time he worked with Frank Hegarty. Ian is best known for co-authoring the book ’Stakeknife” which exposed the exploits of one of the North’s m…

1
Episode 82: Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy 43:32

4M ago43:32

43:32

Natalie MacMaster married Donnell Leahy in 2002, who came to prominence as the lead fiddle player for The Leahy Family. Together the pair have released two albums together. The first, One, was released in 2015. The pair released a traditional Christmas album, A Celtic Family Christmas, the year after. Natalie and Donnell have toured the world toget…

1
Red Business - Cork businessman John Mullins - The “VAT 9” campaign - Cork artist John Adams 20:45

5M ago20:45

20:45

Cork businessman John Mullins is throwing his hat in the ring to run as a Fine Gael candidate for Ireland South in the upcoming European Elections. Jonathan asks him what inspired the decision. We also hear all about the “VAT 9” campaign and why the owners of Ballinadee Bus Accommodations in West Cork are getting behind it. And Cork artist @johnada…

1
Why did SCAPPATICCI become an AGENT?? | EX-BRITISH INTEL MAN IAN HURST speaks out 16:51

5M ago16:51

16:51

*** PREVIEW CLIP*** (I usually don't do this but to fill the void this week here's a snippet from the full episode which will be available on YouTube this week and on podcast platforms next Monday) In a clip from our upcoming 3 + hour interview, ex-FRU handler Ian Hurst (Martin Ingram) gives his take on how he thinks the infamous "Agent Stakeknife"…

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