Episodes
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A conversation about Peter's life.
Peter grew up in Cardiff, Wales. He studied medicine first at Oxford University and then St Barts in London before leaving med school just weeks before graduation to pursue his long held passion - acting. After training at Guildhall drama school, he had a successful career, doing lots of television work in particular both in the UK and, after his big break in the tv show Highlander, in the US. He worked on numerous famous shows including 24 and CSI: Miami. In 2011 Peter returned to medical school in Vermont - having to do the whole course again despite having only missed the last few weeks in St Barts - and now he is Peter Wingfield, MD and Anesthesiologist in Cedar Sinai hospital in Los Angeles. He lives up in the hills near the Hollywood sign. I’m sure you’ll agree Peter has had a fascinating journey in his life and I really enjoyed hearing all about it.
Episode guide:
0.00 Intro
2.58 Childhood in Cardiff
6.38 Studying medicine in Oxford and St Barts
13.22 Decision to leave Med School weeks before graduation to become an actor, then starting at Guildhall
25.05 First acting job out of Guildhall. Starts working regularly in British TV. The employment insecurity all actors face
33.35 Big break. Methos in Highlander
44.18 Hollywood film sets. Behaviour of high status actors etc. Working on 24. Kiefer Sutherland going off at an actor for not bringing character to set. Peter's own behaviour being possibly a bit "Hollywood"
59.25 Transition out of acting and return to medicine
1.14.15 Going to Med School in Vermont. Why anesthesiology? Most memorable and profound moments since practising
1.32.34 Does he miss acting?
1.37.43 Post-script on the mysterious nature of anesthesiology and consciousness
1.42.26 Outro
Guest: Peter Wingfield
Host and producer: Donal Gallery
Artwork by Anna Obert https://www.instagram.com/annaobertillustration/
Music by Donal Gallery
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PathsPodcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PathsPodcast
Get in touch with stories of people who've lived unusual lives at [email protected]
Thanks for listening
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A conversation about Conor's life.
Conor was born and grew up in Dublin. After studying Business, Economics and Social Studies in Trinity College Dublin he went to Sandhurst to train as an officer in the British Army. He served in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in the winter of 2012/2013 - a Lieutenant and Police Advisory Commander - and later rose to the rank of Captain as he travelled the world conducting training exercises as a Forward Air Controller. He left the army in 2017 and after a tricky couple of years figuring out what he wanted to do and an MBA in Edinburgh, he has arrived in his current role as a Vendor Operations Manager at Google - running a team of about 500 people around the world who make sure the advertising mechanisms and metrics of google partners’ websites are working as they should.
We delve into a lot of fascinating subjects in this interview - with particular focus on Conor’s time in Afghanistan.
When so much of what we hear about the events unfolding there is filtered through the media, it was a privilege for me to have a conversation with someone who’d seen it with their own eyes. Obviously no one perspective can be definitive - and the most important perspective would have to be that of Afghan people themselves - but nevertheless I really enjoyed hearing Conor’s very honest take on what he saw and experienced.
Episode guide:
0.00 Intro
4.00 Decision to train as an officer in British army as an Irish guy.
12.00 Relationship with fear. Incident involving one of his men being injured in Helmand Province. Injured man's later success.
22.45 Military training - is it as elite as general populace thinks? His time at Sandhurst and a vivid story from a training exercise. Do soldiers grumble to commanding officers?
40.50 Afghanistan. The mission. What has happened lately is no surprise to anyone who served there. A medieval world. Insider threat. Good people who wanted change. Agrees with Biden's point on the original intent being anti-terrorist. Lost their way. Is it ever appropriate for Western powers to intervene elsewhere?
1.01.17 Conversations with Afghan people. Poppy fields. Don't stand down wind of burning hash fields. The women of Afghanistan. Brief mention of the darkness involving children.
1.08.22 Post-Afghanistan life in the military. Forward Air Controller. Most fun he had in military. The strange phenomenon of military operatives feeling like they're in a video game. Adventure. His awkward moment of being an Irishman in the British army. Pisstakings - Captain Potato. Thoughts on UK and Ireland.
1.24.30 Decides to leave military. Trying to figure out what to do. Brexit made up his mind to leave UK. Tries out finance, not his cup of tea. MBA in Edinburgh. Opts against a career involving Saudi weaponry that's a little too evil. Gets job at Google.
1.31.15 Describes job at Google. Did being a former army officer make him shit hot at his job? Taking a leading role in preparing his teams to work from home around the world. Company culture. His thoughts on the controversial aspects of Google. Data etc.
1.50.10 Does he miss the military? Did he fire a gun in anger?
1.58.13 Outro.
Guest: Conor O'Shea
Host and producer: Donal Gallery
Artwork by Anna Obert https://www.instagram.com/annaobertillustration/
Music by Donal Gallery
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PathsPodcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PathsPodcast
Get in touch with stories of people who've lived unusual lives at [email protected]
Thanks for listening
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Episodes manquant?
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A conversation about Brad's life.
Born in Boston, he worked for giant Swiss bank UBS until 2005. Following his resignation, he blew the whistle to US authorities on practices enabling US citizens to evade billions of dollars in taxes. Though his whistleblowing caused UBS to pay huge sums of money to the IRS, and triggered large-scale reform of the Swiss banking industry, Brad was the only person involved who went to jail for these practices. He served 30 months in a prison nicknamed Camp Cupcake. Whilst incarcerated he discovered that (due to a law introduced in late 2006) the IRS were going to reward him with a percentage of the money he helped them recoup. He received $104m as a first payment. Today he lives between Malta and Italy and still rails against the corruption he believes is endemic in America and the world at large.
Those are the bare bones of the story. Discover much more in our interview.
Brad's website: https://lucifersbanker.com
Episode guide:
3.27-18.40 Ubringing, education, first finance job in State Street, Boston. Beginning his behaviour of standing up against employers. Brad is fired and decides to move to Switzerland.
18.40-32.20 His time and work in Switzerland and US before blowing the whistle.
32.20-42.29 The background of Swiss banking and how it related to the US. Tax evasion. Turning point - the three-page memo. Resigning and deciding to become a whistleblower.
42.49-54.20 Motives. Noble act/Revenge/Seeking reward? Thoughts on whistleblowers in contrast to criminals and how society feels about them.
54.20-1.01.59 Back to his story. Approaching different US Authorities. Deferred prosecution for UBS. Prison for Brad.
1.01.59-1.17.14 Time in prison. Whilst there discovering he would receive $104m. Thoughts on extreme wealth. Tax avoidance vs evasion. Being single. Charitable acts.
1.17.14-1.28.05 What changed in Swiss banking as a result of his actions? How he sees his role now. Thoughts on corporate corruption. How did UBS not see his whistleblowing coming?
1.28.05-1.42.44 What would it take to stop tax evasion in the world? More thoughts on corruption. US-Swiss relationship. Does he reflect happily on his journey? Has he ever feared for his life after upsetting these powerful people? Recommending his book.
Guest: Bradley Birkenfeld
Host and producer: Donal Gallery
Artwork by Anna Obert https://www.instagram.com/annaobertillustration/
Music by Donal Gallery
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PathsPodcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PathsPodcast
Get in touch with stories of people who've lived unusual lives at [email protected]
Thanks for listening
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A conversation about Pete's life. Pete has had a successful career as an author, writing numerous novels and non-fiction books on topics including the 1918 flu pandemic, women’s football, hurricanes and much more. He is most well-known for writing what is considered by many people to be the best book ever written about football, All Played Out, the story of Italia 90 for which he had extraordinary access to the England team with Gazza, Gary Lineker et al. After writing his books in all-consuming passionate bursts over the course of two decades, he burned out in 2002 and went to work in a Sainsburys store in his hometown of Huddersfield. In the last few years he has returned to writing, self-publishing his most recent novel Playlist. Join me to hear his amazing story.
Episode guide:
2.49-14.56 England vs Germany. His thoughts on the upcoming Euros tie and why England often struggle at tournaments.
14.56-27.50 How has football changed? It's safe. Other thoughts on modern game. The Qatar World Cup.
27.50-40.56 How he became a writer. First two unpublished novels. Third novel the breakthrough. Then the difficult second album.
40.56-57.00 All Played Out. Thoughts on football and culture at that time. Thoughts on the players. Paul Gascoigne.
57.00-1.03.07 Books written after All Played Out. 1918 Flu Pandemic. American plains. Hurricanes.
1.03.07-1.11.32 Burnout. Illness. Depression.
1.11.32-1.15.11 Working at Sainsburys. Realising that he has always seen people as material. Sainsburys taught him to genuinely get on with people.
1.15.11-1.24.05 Writing another book - Playlist. Finishing at Sainsburys and gratitude for time there. Self-publishing.
1.24.05-1.30.35 One of the themes of podcast. Artists leaving the arts for their own reasons. Or having a healthy relationship with it.
1.30.35-1.40.46 Greatest adventure? The characters that stood out? His Nostradamus quality and where we go from here.
Guest: Pete Davies
Host and producer: Donal Gallery
Recorded using Zoom between North London and Huddersfield
Artwork by Anna Obert https://www.instagram.com/annaobertillustration/
Music by Donal Gallery
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PathsPodcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PathsPodcast
Get in touch with stories of people who've lived unusual lives at [email protected]
Thanks for listening
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A conversation about Andrew’s life. Having trained in the same school as Dame Julie Walters and Steve Coogan, Andrew spent the first part of his adult life as an actor (known as Drew Thompson) with a career full of interesting highlights including working with his hero John Hewitt in the Lyric Theatre Belfast and sharing the screen with Dame Julie in the film Mo. In his thirties, having reflected deeply on what he wanted to do with his life, he decided to change direction and devote himself to his faith, training to become a minister in Church of Ireland. Today Andrew is a chaplain in the British Army, having served in Afghanistan shortly before we spoke.
Episode guide:
3.30-27.15 Childhood. Inspired by actor Northern Irish actor John Hewitt. Beginnings in acting, beginnings of faith. Getting a "proper degree" in engineering but all his focus on acting. MMU and the Hacienda. Assaulted by "The Plum" and leaves England.
27.15-53.22 In Belfast, working as an actor with Centre Stage. Works with hero John Hewitt. Time with him is thrilling but also lifts the curtain on reality of actors' lives and the sacrifices often entailed. Goes to Cambodia and discovers goal-setting and gets into great shape. Returns home. Highlights of his time as an actor. Meeting his wife Sharon. Working with Julie Walters. Magical film sets.
53.22-1.13.57 Then something changed. Wants to be a better person. Discovers spirituality. Goes from being non-religious to devoutly Christian. Asks himself 'Why am I acting?' The four needs. Seeing a clash and feeling like a puppet. Spat with director of Mo over profanity. Founds drama ministry with Sharon creating Christian-themed theatre.
1.13.57-1.41.01 How he becomes a priest. Talks about his faith and how he sees it all. 'What does a good life look like?' Becoming an Army Chaplain. Wanting to help people understand who they are. Was he worried about going into a war zone? Counselling soldiers who have killed people in combat.
1.41.01-1.58.30 Impressions of Afghanistan and Western presence there. Having a family. Not missing acting but appreciating the skills it gave him. His belief in the providence of God. Stories about the Gurkhas and what we can learn from them.
Guest: Andrew Thompson
Host and producer: Donal Gallery
Recorded in person in North London
Artwork by Anna Obert https://www.instagram.com/annaobertillustration/
Music by Donal Gallery
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PathsPodcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PathsPodcast
Get in touch with stories of people who've lived unusual lives at [email protected]
Thanks for listening
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A conversation about Enda’s life. This was an exciting one for me because Enda is both a perfect guest for this podcast - he initially set out on a career in accountancy but quickly realised that he should become a musician instead and is now really gathering steam in terms of public acclaim for his music - but also he is a relative of mine. We share a great great grandfather from Ennistymon in Co Clare. Before this interview we had literally never met or spoken before. You’ll hear more about our Gallery connection early in the interview and from there you’ll hear all about Enda’s genuinely inspiring story of leaving accountancy to study music, a bold move to Berlin to give it a crack in an exciting and artist-friendly city and much more about his trajectory since then including his thoughts on the fear people experience in trying to be creative, the effect of meditation on his life and how he set up his own music label.
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/R9Sg7ssqJSc
Episode overview:
2.40-10.18 Gallery connection, Ennistymon and Enda's family
10.18-17.25 Beginnings of passion for music, work ethic and youth
17.25-33.33 Moment of epiphany in Porto, time studying commerce, triathlon training, time in accountancy
33.33-54.55 Transition to music, reaction of others, his approach to creating music, choosing Berlin and early days there
54.55-1.13.21 Effect of meditation on his life, things feeling more solid, getting a job in an AI startup to pay artists he worked with, setting up his own label
1.13.21-1.41.05 Collaborations with other artists, Irish hip-hop, facing fears in creativity, the value of trying, how he feels in performance, closing out with more on Enda's family and the Gallery connection
Guest: Enda Gallery
Host and producer: Donal Gallery
Recorded using Zoom between North London and Kilfenora, County Clare, Ireland
Artwork by Anna Obert https://www.instagram.com/annaobertillustration/
Music by Donal Gallery
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PathsPodcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PathsPodcast
Get in touch with stories of people who've lived unusual lives at [email protected]
Thanks for listening
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A conversation about Spencer’s life. If one thing rings out from Spencer's story it's the amount of hard graft he always put in. Join me to hear how he managed to turn an overheard conversation whilst serving customers in Cafe Rouge into a corporate job offer in London and, later, how a chance encounter with stylist Stuart Weir - and Stuart’s death thereafter - dramatically changed his life and set him on the road to becoming a photographer, founding and running his own production company, Still Moving Media. We hear tales of having one pressurised minute to get a perfect portrait of Hillary Clinton, nearly being decapitated whilst shooting an elite snowboarder on top of a mountain and how despite his obvious success he still battles with regular doubts and fears in trying to grow his business.
Episode overview:
2.17-17.30 Recent assignment with Phil Vickery's fashion brand, parents, upbringing and deciding on Law at Swansea
17.30-49.09 The importance of his time at Cafe Rouge, conversation there leads to job at Lloyds in London, cut-throat environment, leaves Lloyds and London for St James Place Wealth Management, tells us about tax and trusts work, EIS etc
49.09-1.05.24 Transition to photography, nightclub photography, meeting stylist Stuart Weir, Stuart's death and the profound effect he had on Spencer's journey
1.05.24-1.39.52 An orderly withdrawal from finance to set up his own production company, juggling many major life events, highlights from career including shooting Hillary Clinton and more, plus the doubts and fears he still contends with despite outward appearance of success
Guest: Spencer McPherson
Host and producer: Donal Gallery
Recorded using Zoom between North London and Cheltenham
Artwork by Anna Obert https://www.instagram.com/annaobertillustration/
Music by Donal Gallery
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PathsPodcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PathsPodcast
Get in touch with stories of people who've had dramatic changes in their lives at [email protected]
Thanks for listening
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A conversation about Esh’s life. A classically trained and award-winning actor and simultaneously a fully fledged doctor who works in A&E whenever he’s not acting. We cover so many topics in this conversation including studying medicine at Cambridge, studying acting at Lamda, what it’s really like on the ground in the NHS, what it’s like working at the National Theatre and how the fearlessness of his acting colleagues there took him aback, winning the UK Theatre Award for his performance in Hobson’s Choice at the Royal Exchange, the internal experience of performance, being a successful person who suffers from depression, coming out to his parents as bi and how being a doctor during Covid has changed his relationship with the medical profession.
Recorded 15-03-21
Episode overview:
2.50-21.53 Parents, early life, school and early passion for performance
21.53-48.29 Time at Cambridge University, elective in Kenya and Tanzania, early days as a doctor, thoughts on the NHS
48.29-1.30.22 Esh' acting career from LAMDA to the National Theatre, winning a UK Theatre Award, mad stories of jumping out of actor mode into doctor mode and much more
1.30.22-1.54.26 Coping with depression, coming out as bi and how his experiences working through Covid have changed his relationship with the medical profession
Guest: Esh Alladi
Host and producer: Donal Gallery
Recorded using Zoom between North London and Manchester
Artwork by Anna Obert https://www.instagram.com/annaobertillustration/
Music by Donal Gallery
Additional editing by Seán Butler
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PathsPodcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PathsPodcast
Get in touch with stories of people who've had dramatic changes in their lives at [email protected]
Thanks for listening
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A conversation about Morris’ life. An All-American college football player for The Citadel - The Military College of South Carolina - he suffered the disappointment of not making it to the pro leagues and headed off to a job in corporate America instead. Almost a decade later, the opportunity arose to pursue his life-long passion for singing. Today Morris is one of the most sought-after bass opera singers in the world, performing at the Metropolitan, Carnegie Hall, The Royal Albert Hall, La Scala and the Sydney Opera House amongst many other great houses.
Join me to hear his incredible story and his thoughts on subjects as diverse as playing in front of giant college football crowds, how he handles operatic press nights, religious faith, race and how young men in military college learn to break the rules occasionally.
Guest: Morris Robinson
Host and producer: Donal Gallery
Recorded using Zoom between North London and Atlanta, Georgia.
Artwork by Anna Obert https://www.instagram.com/annaobertillustration/
Music by Donal Gallery
Additional editing by Seán Butler
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PathsPodcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PathsPodcast
Get in touch with stories of people who've had dramatic changes in their lives at [email protected]
Thanks for listening
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A conversation about Rose' life which took her from a marketing role in 1980s Silicon Valley to a PhD specialising in the Victory Gardens of the the World War Era - completing her doctorate just before her 50th birthday. Her expertise in the field of food systems and gardening has brought her all the way to the White House as an invited guest. Join me to hear about these stepping stones of Rose' journey along with many more.
Guest: Dr. Rose Hayden-Smith
Host and producer: Donal Gallery
Recorded using Zoom between North London and Ventura, California.
Find the video of interview at our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbtmnNyleHMC13O28gvnvhA
Artwork by Anna Obert https://www.instagram.com/annaobertillustration/
Music by Donal Gallery
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PathsPodcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PathsPodcast
Get in touch with stories of people who've had dramatic changes in their lives at [email protected]
Thanks for listening
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A conversation about Padraic's life which brought him from being the guitarist/bassist in platinum-selling band The Thrills - playing Glastonbury and Conan O'Brien, hanging out with people like Hulk Hogan and the Gallagher brothers - to working in managerial roles at Google, LinkedIn and Hubspot. As we discover in this, Padraic's first ever podcast interview, his career in tech had in fact begun before The Thrills ever released a record.
Guest: Padraic McMahon
Host and producer: Donal Gallery
Recorded using Zoom between North London and Dublin
Artwork by Anna Obert https://www.instagram.com/annaobertillustration/
Music by Donal Gallery
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PathsPodcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PathsPodcast
Get in touch with stories of people who've had dramatic changes in their lives at [email protected]
Thanks for listening
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A conversation about Sally's life which took her from a successful twenty-year career with Natwest Bank on Merseyside, where she eventually became manager of a branch. At age 36, the death of a friend and a cancer diagnosis for her mother was a moment of epiphany. She handed in her notice and decided to make her long-held passion for amateur theatre into a professional career. Twenty-two years later, Sally has achieved great success on stage and screen. We talk all about how she did it and highlights which include working with her hero Victoria Wood, appearing on Coronation Street and Little Britain and working with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Upcoming TV appearances for Sally:
Moving On https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00vt2q1 (airing the day after this is released, Tues 9th March 2021)
Angela Black https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13288904/
Close to Me https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6831266/
Guest: Sally Bankes
Host and producer: Donal Gallery
Recorded using Zoom between North London and Southport, Merseyside.
Artwork by Anna Obert https://www.instagram.com/annaobertillustration/
Music by Donal Gallery
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PathsPodcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PathsPodcast
Get in touch with stories of people who've had dramatic changes in their lives at [email protected]
Thanks for listening
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A conversation about John's life which brought him from being a professional boxer with a stellar record (31 fights, 29 wins, 18 KOs) to retiring suddenly in the midst of training for the biggest fight of his career, to becoming an actor performing on stage and screen, working with Robert De Niro and starring in an upcoming film A Bend in the River.
(Please note: this episode was originally released 22 Feb 2021. Owing to a glitch cutting off the ending first time round - and the correction not uploading across all platforms - now re-released in full 1 Mar 2021)
Guest: John Duddy
Host and producer: Donal Gallery
Recorded using Zoom between North London and New York City.
Artwork by Anna Obert https://www.instagram.com/annaobertillustration/
Music by Donal Gallery
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PathsPodcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PathsPodcast
Get in touch with stories of people who've had dramatic changes in their lives at [email protected]
Thanks for listening
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A conversation about Mark's life which took him from living out his childhood dream of being a top level football player in England to being convicted and serving time for drug trafficking, then to the present day as he works for a water treatment company purifying water for dialysis machines in hospitals.
Mark's book Hammered https://www.waterstones.com/book/hammered/mark-ward/9781843582724
Highlights from West Ham days https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX8WnL374C0
Goodison debut against Arsenal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeP1HJyuKrM
Scoring in Merseyside derby victory https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjrRudw8KC4
Episode index:
0.00-2.47 Intro
2.47-7.50 Premier Inn in Wrexham and his present-day job with a water treatment company working in hospitals around the UK and Ireland
7.50-9.09 Irish connection
9.09-10.13 Childhood in Huyton and first footballing lesson taught by an Alsatian
10.13-13.05 Did he realise he had a special talent as a child? More time with the ball than other kids.
13.05-17.38 Being let go by Everton. Not giving up. Signing for Northwich Victoria.
17.38-20.55 Running 14 miles to training, scoring a hat-trick and never looking back. Birth of daughter lights a fire underneath him.
20.55-27.25 Move to Oldham Athletic. Up into the Football League. Still the best player in the team. Great playing with quality players.
27.25-31.19 Move to West Ham. "John Lyall will be at your house in an hour." Whirlwind. Now in the top league in English football.
31.19-33.55 First time he felt possibly out of his depth. Elegant central defenders. Shit himself. But John Lyall put his faith in him.
33.55-37.57 A few questions about playing football in front of big crowds. What does it feel like? What is home advantage all about really? Are some players great in training but can't do it in front of thousands of people?
37.57-39.35 Upton Park - the crowd will either make you or break you. Mark breaks Kevin Moran's fingers.
39.35-40.18 Mark's goals a bit like Paul Scholes' goals.
40.18-42.19 The greatest season of his career with West Ham. Came third in the league. So close. Still hurts.
42.19-46.09 Nearly goes to Spain. "Don't go there, son. It's shit." Signs for Howard Kendall at Man City.
46.09-49.00 Having a pint in his ancestral home Cork when he gets word he'll be returning to his footballing home Everton. Shaking when he gets the news.
49.00-54.45 Playing for Everton. Goodison debut. In the tunnel. The Zcars music. Every hair on his body stood up. Greatest game of his career. After that, scoring in Merseyside derby victory.
54.45-56.00 His last game in football. A lonely night in Altrincham.
56.00-57.30 Mark's sister battling motor neurone disease. Generosity from footballing community for charity fundraiser.
57.30-59.36 How did he go from his football career to winding up in prison? Admits he was indisciplined with money during football career. Going into pub trade a big mistake. Drinking too much and involved with the wrong people.
59.36-1.00.45 Goes to Australia but having scored in the derby wasn't enough to get a visa.
1.00.45-1.03.32 Returns to Liverpool. Puts his name on a property which was being used for drug trafficking. Police were surveilling. Arrested. Couldn't tell police who he was involved with and tells us why.
1.03.32-1.05.30 Reflections on conviction and effect on family. Biggest regret of his life.
1.05.30-1.12.04 His time in Walton prison. A very dangerous and brutal place. Mark had the mentality to be able to handle it. Becomes the number one prisoner in The Bronx. "Ladbrokes" in his cell. Looking after vulnerable prisoners. Becoming fittest man in the prison. Having things to focus on. Comparison of football culture and prison culture. Intervening in a fight.
1.12.04-1.14.34 How could prison system be reformed? Help
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A conversation about Andy's life, which took him from being an actor, graduate of Mountview Drama School, performing plays in Vienna and Lagos amongst other places to being the head chef and founder of his own London restaurant, Alter, which specialises in vegan food done in a new and exciting way.
Episode index:
0.00-9.50 Intro, Andy's childhood in Yeovil and beginnings in drama
9.50-19.05 Drama School - Mountview
19.05-26.00 Leaving Mountview, life as an actor in the real world
26.00-29.53 First gig, Vienna's English Theatre and time in Austria
29.53-34.02 Doing a play in Nigeria, time in Lagos
34.02-36.48 Time as a struggling actor
36.48-41.23 Dropped by agent before going onstage, leaving acting and looking for ideas
41.23-43.33 Gravitates into kitchen, works for free
43.33-45:40 Takes plunge, starts from the bottom as a chef, Claude's Kitchen
45:40-50.09 The theatrical aspect of food
50.09-52.10 Rising up the ranks in Claude's Kitchen
52.10-53.24 Makes the move to a Michelin Star kitchen
53.24-54.27 Trial shifts
54.27-56.45 Culture of Michelin Star restaurants and comparison to West End theatre
56.45-1:03:31 Bullying culture in kitchens, where does that come from?
1:03:31-1:09:51 How did he start up his own project? Talks about inspirations for Alter including Simon Amstell's Carnage, veganism and Anthony Bourdain
1:09:51-1:12:41 Guessing he's not a believer in cultural appropriation of food? No, he isn't. Explains why his restaurant is more global than that.
1:12:41-1:15:35 I wonder will the world go vegan or is the vegan world an echo chamber? Andy thinks about this differently, it's about expanding our palette not competing with nostalgia.
1:15:35-1.23.30 Trace the steps from Som Saa to founding his own restaurant.
1.23.30-1.24.42 His style as a head chef in the kitchen
1.24.42-1.27.56 We go back to his time as an actor. Why does he think that career didn't work out? Creative fulfilment and how it comes in different guises.
1.27.56-1.28.53 His wife, actor Mona Goodwin, and their soon to arrive baby
1.28.53-1.31.29 Seems like he's reached a good point in life. The Swans legs are kicking hard under the water. Final thoughts.
1.31.29-1.33.01 Outro
Guest: Andy Hogben
Links to Alter and other media Andy has done:
https://www.alterldn.com/about-1
https://www.lockeliving.com/en/features/chef-andy-hogben-is-on-a-mission-to-make-vegan-vibrant
Host and producer: Donal Gallery
Recorded using Cleanfeed between our houses in North and South London
Artwork by Anna Obert https://www.instagram.com/annaobertillustration/
Music by Donal Gallery
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PathsPodcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PathsPodcast
Get in touch with stories of people who've had dramatic changes in their lives at [email protected]
Thanks for listening
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A conversation about Josh's life, from being lead singer in blues rock band Sal Vitro whose highlights included playing supporting slots to Jeff Beck, Thin Lizzy and Status Quo, whom they supported in the O2 in Dublin (now 3 Arena) to a crowd of 10,000 people. They also released an album and moved to London - four band members sharing a two-bed flat for a year. Now Josh is a primary school teacher in George Eliot Primary School in North London, a job that he loves, whilst still writing music and singing.
Episode index:
00.00 Intro
01:22 Interview begins with background and context
06:40 Growing up in Dublin and musical beginnings
14:25 Forming a band
15:07 Being a shy person performing onstage
17:56 First phase of the band as Roadrunner - Dime Store in Sweeneys etc
19:35 Sex, drugs and rock'n'roll?
23:22 Parting ways musically with a good friend
25:33 New drummer, new name Sal Vitro
26:32 Dreaded question: what was their style of music?
27:43 Rick Beato and songwriting
32:47 Sal Vitro moves up a gear
34:15 Did he ever see it as a career? Chat about idea of making your passion your career.
38:25 Supporting Jeff Beck, Thin Lizzy and Status Quo
41:36 Playing the O2 in Dublin (now 3Arena) to 10,000 people
42:55 Best gigs he ever played?
45:58 Can never predict how you'll feel onstage
46:43 G leaves the band to concentrate on engineering career
48:32 Making the album
49:23 Moving to London - four band members to two-bed flat
56:00 Differences between Dublin and London
59:20 Corley getting naked
1:00:27 Blues rock no longer considered cool?
1:01:10 Crisis of confidence
1:04:30 The album, response to it and reflections since
1:08:09 The end of the band
1:11:09 Took it further than they ever could have dreamed
1:11:35 Theme of podcast - the majority of artists we never hear from at large
1:13:39 The other side of life - degree and jobs along the way
1:14:45 Becoming a teacher
1:17:55 Froebel College inspires him
1:19:06 How rewarding teaching is
1:21:06 Style of teaching
1:23:09 Teaching kids about mental health - George Eliot a brilliant school
1:25:46 Still playing music
1:29:44 Working with Bres from Republic of Loose
1:31:00 Chat about creativity
1:34:40 Thoughts on being a teacher in 2020/21
1:38:02 His other passion - bouldering
1:39:42 Goodbye and thanks
1:40:15 Outro
Guest: Josh Dunford
Links to Sal Vitro and Josh's music:
https://youtu.be/ik0wsKiFzkM
https://youtu.be/xSjQDhz26UU
https://youtu.be/8l0dTNDbXw4
https://youtu.be/w6Fs5EqgDHc
Host and producer: Donal Gallery
Recorded using Cleanfeed between our houses in North London
Artwork by Anna Obert https://www.instagram.com/annaobertillustration/
Music by Donal Gallery
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PathsPodcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PathsPodcast
Get in touch with stories of people who've had dramatic changes in their lives at [email protected]
Thanks for listening
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A conversation about Ray's life which led him from working in the carpet trade in and around Sheffield between the ages of 15 to 60 then, in response to a breakdown, pursuing his long-held desire to study drama at University. Now, aged 72, Ray is a professional actor and prolific, acclaimed playwright.
Episode index:
0.00 Episode intro and opening of conversation
6.15 Time at school and starting out in carpet trade
9.38 Pays tribute to his brother David
11.03 How he came to run his own business
14.19 Miners and steelworkers - strikes
15.47 Amateur Dramatics
19.18 A day at work for Ray as business owner
21.28 His breakdown
30.30 Going to university and selling business
40.35 Ray's dissertation on theatres as places of adult education
42.58 Career as actor and playwright begins
47.24 Speaks about the conditioning of low expectations
49.22 Talks about the different aspects of new career he enjoys
53.15 Family's reaction to it all
54.34 Writing - description of different plays, themes and process
1.05.39 Ray's youth and influences at that time, tv, film, theatre, music
1.10.17 How he met his wife Linda
1.11.39 Future ideas
1.13.35 Coronation St and his agent
1.18.43 Meeting hero Freddie Davies at audition and bringing him for coffee
1.20.20 Final thoughts
1.23.29 Outro
Guest: Ray Castleton
Ray's twitter: https://twitter.com/raycastleton?lang=en
Ray's Spotlight page including showreel: https://www.spotlight.com/2214-1279-0398
Host and producer: Donal Gallery
Recorded using 'double-end' method and phone between London and Sheffield, 7th December 2020.
Artwork by Anna Obert https://www.instagram.com/annaobertillustration/
Music by Donal Gallery
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PathsPodcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PathsPodcast
Get in touch with stories of people who've had dramatic changes in their lives at [email protected]
Thanks for listening
-
A conversation about Alex's life which brought him from being an actor, graduate of the Atlantic School of Acting in NYU to an Astronomer, on the verge of completing his PhD in Columbia University where his research focused on the search for exomoons - moons in other solar systems - which are as yet undiscovered by humankind.
Guest: Alex Teachey
Host and producer: Donal Gallery
Recorded 1st Oct 2019 in the Department of Astronomy, Pupin Building, Columbia University, New York
Episode can broadly be divided into two chapters:
Start - 41:00 We mainly talk about Alex's time as an actor
41:00 - End Mainly about Alex's time as an astronomer
Artwork by Anna Obert https://www.instagram.com/annaobertillustration/
Music by Donal Gallery
If you think you have a story like this yourself or know someone who does, please contact the podcast at [email protected]
If you enjoy the podcast and would like to contribute to keep it running, you can do so at Patreon.com/pathspodcast
Find us on twitter https://twitter.com/PathsPodcast
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A conversation about Elise' life, which took her from being a graduate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) and performing Twelfth Night in India to being the Senior Director of Film at Kickstarter in NY.
Guest: Elise McCave
Produced and hosted by Donal Gallery
Recorded in Kickstarter offices in Greenpoint, Brooklyn 4th October 2019.
Broadly episode can be divided into two chapters.
Start - 29:45 we talk about Elise' youth, her time training and being an actor.
29:45 - End we talk about her new career and how that led to Kickstarter.
Artwork by Anna Obert https://www.instagram.com/annaobertillustration/
Music by Donal Gallery
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pathspodcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PathsPodcast
Get in touch with stories of people who had dramatic changes in their lives at [email protected]
Thanks for listening
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A conversation about Jono's life, which led him from being an actor working with people like Sarah Kane, Susan Sarandon and James McAvoy to being the CEO of the British Pharmacological Society.
Guest: Jono (Jonathan) Bruun
Broadly episode can be divided into two chapters:
Mainly talking about Jono's acting career Start - 45:45
Mainly talking about career since 45:45 - End
Hosted and produced by Donal Gallery
Recorded 11-07-19 in the offices of the British Pharmacological Society, North London.
Artwork by Anna Obert https://www.instagram.com/annaobertillustration/
Music by Donal Gallery
Twitter https://twitter.com/PathsPodcast
Patreon https://www.patreon.com/PathsPodcast
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