The 1% Podcast hosted by Shay Dalton

Nuala Walsh is a Behavioural Scientist, TEDx Speaker, Non-Executive Director, and award-winning former Executive with three decades in investment management, banking and consulting. She is the Founder and CEO of MindEquity and holds appointments as President of the Harvard Club of Ireland, Chair of the Innocence Project London and Founding Director of the Global Association of Applied Behavioral Scientists. Recognised among the Top 100 Most Influential Women in Finance, she held positions at Merrill Lynch, BlackRock, PA Consulting Group and Standard Life Aberdeen. She also served as Non-Executive Director at British & Irish Lions, former Vice-Chair at UN Women (UK), Deputy Chair of The Football Association’s Inclusion Advisory Board, and as an Advisor at World Athletics. In her new book ‘Tune In: How to Make Smarter Decisions in a Noisy World’, Nuala argues that the most underrated risk facing humanity today is not economic, political or even climate risk – it’s human decision risk. To combat that risk, we must “tune in”. Nuala provides us with the framework for how to do so.

Susan Rogers is an American professor, sound engineer, and record producer best known for her work with Prince, including on his iconic albums Purple Rain, Around the World in a Day, Parade, Sign o' the Times, and The Black Album. She also worked as a producer and sound engineer for artists such as David Byrne, Barenaked Ladies and Tricky. Rogers is a Professor of Music Production and Engineering at Berklee College of Music. She holds a doctorate of psychology from McGill University, where she studied music cognition and psychoacoustics. Her focus is on auditory memory, the perception of musical signals, and the influence of musical training on auditory development. In her book ‘This Is What It Sounds Like’, co-written with neuroscientist Ogi Ogas and released in 2022, she distils her lifetime of experience as a producer and professor to present a new theory of listening for everyday music fans, helping readers identify their own musical identity and discover what the music we love says about the people we are. In 2000, Susan decided to leave the music business to pursue a career in academia. She earned her doctorate in music cognition and psychoacoustics from McGill University in 2010 and is currently the director of the Berklee Music Perception and Cognition Laboratory, as well as being an associate professor at Berklee.

Mark Little attended Trinity College Dublin before becoming an award-winning foreign correspondent and TV anchor for the national TV station RTÉ. He also presented the network’s top-rated current affairs programme, Prime Time, and was its first Washington correspondent. He has covered some of the biggest stories of the 21st century, including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the election of Barack Obama. In 2010 he took a leave of absence to establish Storyful, a social news agency that pioneered new models of verification and collaboration. He sold Storyful to News Corp in 2013 and went on to work with Twitter (now X), first as VP of Media Partnerships in Europe and later as MD. In 2016, he left that position to set up the digital news venture Kinzen (originally NevaLabs). Kinzen provides data and research to trust and safety professionals, content moderators and public policymakers, helping them deal with threats such as dangerous misinformation, hateful content, violent content, violent extremism and dangerous organisations. Kinzen was acquired by Spotify in 2022.

Daniel Levitin is a neuroscientist, cognitive psychologist, bestselling author and musician whose work encompasses music, the brain, health, productivity and creativity. He is the Founding Dean of Arts & Humanities at Minerva University in San Francisco and Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Neuroscience at McGill University in Montreal. He is the author of the best-selling books This Is Your Brain on Music, The World in Six Songs, The Organized Mind, A Field Guide to Lies and Successful Aging (published in the UK as The Changing Mind). He has published more than 300 articles, in publications that include Science, Nature, PNAS, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and The Wall Street Journal. As a musician, he has performed with the likes of David Byrne and Sting, has released two solo albums, produced and consulted on albums by artists including Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan and Joni Mitchell, and has been awarded 17 gold and platinum records.

Matt Abrahams is a leading expert in communication with decades of experience as an educator, author, podcast host, and coach. As a Lecturer in Organizational Behavior at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, he teaches popular classes in strategic communication and effective virtual presenting. He hosts the award-winning podcast Think Fast, Talk Smart. In his new book ‘Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot’, he offers six steps to help improve your spontaneous speaking skills, including how to think faster, manage your anxiety, and structure everything from feedback to small talk to make it more engaging and productive for everyone involved.

Dr André Martin is an organisational psychologist and author of the book ‘Wrong Fit, Right Fit – Why How We Work Matters More Than Ever’. It seeks to solve the crisis of commitment in the modern workplace, positing that the issue isn’t good or bad culture, but the fit between our ideal way of working day-to-day and that of the companies we join. He has spent over 20 years as the Chief Talent Officer of iconic brands such as Mars, Nike, Google, and Target. Now, acting as an operating advisor, coach, and consultant, André continues to counsel leaders and founders to peak performance.

That’s a wrap! Season 16 of the One Percent Podcast is now on all podcast platforms. We pulled together a recap episode for you this week, featuring short clips from some of the great moments in the podcast’s twelfth season. We were fortunate to have incredible leaders from across industries, disciplines, and fields share their stories and perspectives – and we wanted to share them with you as we wrap up Season 17 and look ahead to the next season. Here are some of the guests featured in this wrap-up episode: Niall ‘Bressie’ Breslin: one of Ireland’s most formidable and inspiring mental health advocates Simon Horton: the founder of Negotiation Mastery, a centre of excellence in the world of negotiation Níall Ó Murchú: wellness expert, author and certified Level 3 Wim Hof Method instructor Dr Karen Weekes: adventurer, sports psychologist, university lecturer, corporate consultant, and first Irish woman to row solo 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean in 80 days Dan Pontefract: leadership strategist, author, and keynote speaker We’re hard at work planning Season 17, and as always we would love your feedback and perspective.

Dan Pontefract is a renowned leadership strategist, author, and keynote speaker with over two decades of experience in senior executive roles at companies such as SAP, TELUS, and Business Objects. Since then, he has worked with organizations worldwide, including Salesforce, Amgen, the State of Tennessee, Nestlé, Canada Post, Autodesk, BMO, the Government of Canada, Manulife, Nutrien, and the City of Toronto, among others. As an award-winning and best-selling author, Dan has written five books: Work-Life Bloom, LEAD. CARE. WIN., Open To Think, The Purpose Effect, and Flat Army. Dan also writes for Forbes, Harvard Business Review, and other outlets. Dan is a renowned keynote speaker who has presented at four TED events and has delivered over 600 keynotes. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business and has received over 25 industry, individual, and book awards. Dan’s career is interwoven with corporate and academic experience, coupled with an MBA, B.Ed, and multiple industry certifications and awards. Notably, Dan is listed on the Thinkers50 Radar, HR Weekly’s 100 Most Influential People in HR, PeopleHum’s Top 200 Thought Leaders to Follow, and Inc. Magazine’s Top 100 Leadership Speakers.

Dr. Karen Weekes, a distinguished adventurer, sports psychologist, and university lecturer, Corporate Consultant etched her name in history in February 2022. She not only became the first Irish woman but also the 20th woman globally to undertake a solo oceanic row, covering an impressive 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean in a span of 80 days. With a career spanning three decades, Karen has guided elite and non-elite individuals and teams, equipping them with proactive cognitive and practical coping strategies. Her deep dive into research unveils insights into motivation and endurance-based coping mechanisms— insights she seamlessly integrates into both the athletic and corporate realms. Endurance challenges have consistently fueled her spirit, and Karen's exploits encompass a plethora of adventures, both on water and land.

Níall Ó Murchú is a wellness expert with over 20 years of experience. He teaches people all over the world how to use breathing, the cold, and nature to feel calm, reduce stress, improve their health, and much more. Níall also works with clients around the world to improve the wellness of their customers and staff, using scientifically proven methods to enhance their health and happiness. He is a certified Level 3 Wim Hof Method instructor – the highest level of expertise one can attain – and a former international athlete. His previous book, The Blissful Breath, helped readers harness the power of their breath to heal their bodies and minds with just 10 minutes of practice a day. His new book, The Power of Cold: How to Embrace the Cold and Change Your Life, explores how we can use the cold to release tension and anxiety, deal with everyday pressures such as stress, grief, and fear, and ultimately make us whole again.

Simon Horton is the founder of Negotiation Mastery, a center of excellence in the world of negotiation. He has taught the subject of negotiation all around the globe, to hostage negotiators, top banks, law firms and many other blue chip global players. He is a Visiting Lecturer at Imperial College and at the Royal College of Art, and has taught at Oxford University, Birkbeck, and the Skolkovo School of Management in Moscow. His long list of famous clients includes Goldman Sachs, Nike, Pepsi and Lloyds amongst many, many others. His first book, 'The Leader's Guide to Negotiation' was published in April 2016 by The Financial Times and his most recent book, ‘Change Their Mind: 6 steps to persuade anyone anytime’ won a 'Highly Commended' award at the Business Book Awards 2023.

Niall Breslin, or ‘Bressie’ to many of us, is one of Ireland’s most formidable and inspiring mental health advocates. Niall holds an MSc in mindfulness-based intervention, bachelor’s degrees in economics and sociology and is an honorary fellow of both the Royal College of Surgeons and the IADT. He is currently undertaking a PhD in psycho/social interventions. He is also a bestselling author, musician, philanthropist and former professional athlete. His work as founder and Creative Director of the mental health advocacy charity A Lust for Life have earned him numerous social entrepreneurship awards including the prestigious Social Entrepreneur Ireland Impact award, The Social Innovation Fund and the Google Impact Award.

That’s a wrap! Season 15 of the One Percent Podcast is now on all podcast platforms. We pulled together a recap episode for you this week, featuring short clips from some of the great moments in the podcast’s twelfth season. We were fortunate to have incredible leaders from across industries, disciplines, and fields share their stories and perspectives – and we wanted to share them with you as we wrap up Season 15 and look ahead to the next season. Here are some of the guests featured in this wrap-up episode: Daniel Davey: Performance Nutritionist BSc MSc and Bestselling Author Dr Colin O’Gara: Consultant Psychiatrist and Clinical Associate Professor at University College Dublin Jess Remington: Accomplished strategist focused on designing ethical, resilient systems for our future economy Nick Littlehales: sleep coach who has worked with some of the world’s top sports teams including Manchester City and Liverpool FC Lars Schmidt: well-known expert and practitioner in the field of HR and talent acquisition We’re hard at work planning Season 16, and as always we would love your feedback and perspective.

Lars Schmidt is a well-known expert and practitioner in the field of HR and talent acquisition. He is the founder of Amplify, a consulting firm that helps organizations build more inclusive and effective workplaces. Prior to founding Amplify, Lars served in senior HR leadership roles at companies such as Ticketmaster and NPR. He is also the co-founder of the HR Open Source (HROS) movement, which is a global community of HR professionals dedicated to sharing knowledge and resources to advance the practice of HR. Lars is a regular speaker at conferences and events and has been featured in numerous media outlets, including Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and Fast Company. He is the author of ‘Redefining HR’ and host of the Redefining HR podcast and media series.

Nick Littlehales is a sleep coach who has worked with some of the world's top athletes, including Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham. As the former International Sales and Marketing Director of the Slumberland Group and UK Sleep Council Chairman, Nick has spent over 20 years studying the science of sleep and recovery. His international best-selling book ‘Sleep’ is a game-changer for those looking to achieve marginal gains, manage stress, or sleep better. In this podcast, we dive deep into his revolutionary R90 Recovery Technique and explore how it can be applied to everyday life. Through his experiences working with Real Madrid, Manchester United, and the England men's national football team, Nick knows what success looks like and what it takes to get there. He puts the power of agency back in your hands by focusing on what you can control, from when you wake up to when you go to bed. With his holistic approach to sleep, Nick seeks to inspire interconnected ripples concerning recovery, performance, and mood. His philosophies are not just beneficial for world-class athletes but for anyone involved in high-demanding professional fields such as business. Get ready to be inspired as Nick shares his insights and strategies on how to weaponize sleep as a critical competitive advantage. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the world's leading experts on sleep and recovery.

It's a pleasure to speak this week with Jess Remington, an accomplished strategist focused on designing ethical, resilient systems for our future economy. Through her unique blend of historical analysis and imaginative experimentation, Jess challenges us to reconsider the way we work and participate in our economic systems. Jess served as a visiting scholar at Stanford University's Global Project Center, where she co-facilitated the grassroots research initiative known as Beloved Economies. This project sought answers to fundamental questions about her current modes of work and the potential to innovate beyond them. Engaging over 200 collaborators in a rich seven year discourse, Jess and her team uncovered seven principles to start a practice and commitment to reimagining how we work. The culmination of this deep dive is the acclaimed book, ‘Beloved Economies: Transforming How We Work’. Jess and her co-research Joanna Levitt Cray have received notable recognition for their work, capturing a fresh and compelling perspective on the evolution of our workplaces and economic structures. Jess is also the driving force behind the Beloved Economy's campaign and movements to reshape narratives around our economy and work systems. Join us as we delve into this exciting conversation with Jess and explore the possibilities of building economies that we can all love and thrive in.

Content warning: this episode covers the topic of addiction. If you need resources or support, talk to your GP or a relevant health practitioner. Dr Colin O’Gara is a Consultant Psychiatrist and Clinical Associate Professor at University College Dublin. He is a graduate of University College Cork medical school (1999) and has postgraduate qualifications from the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB, UK) in General Adult Psychiatry and Substance Misuse Psychiatry. He trained within the NHS Maudsley Hospital rotational schemes at registrar and specialist registrar levels (2000-2006), attaining membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2003. During this time he also researched addiction genetics at the Institute of Psychiatry, London. He was awarded a PhD from King's College London in 2010. He is a Consultant Psychiatrist and head of addiction services at Saint John of God Hospital since 2007, leading clinical activities, service development, research and teaching programmes in addiction. During this time, he has worked with a wide range of talented multidisciplinary clinical and management colleagues, building holistic non-confrontational detoxification and rehabilitation services. His recent academic and service development work has been featured in international journals and medical publications.

Daniel Davey is known for his vast experience with top-tier athletes from Leinster Rugby and the Dublin senior footballers, Daniel has etched his name prominently in the landscape of nutrition and its role in fostering peak performance. We discussed an array of topics, including Daniels's latest perspectives on nutrition, wellness, longevity, and the complexities of nurturing a fulfilling, healthy holistic lifestyle. We delved into Daniel's recent book, "Eat Up: The Next Level", unpacking his expertise in crafting personalized nutrition plans aimed at achieving specific lifestyle and performance goals. Our conversation also expanded to explore Daniel's philosophy and approach to life, performance, overcoming setbacks, and how to follow your passions with a sense of curiosity.

That’s a wrap! Season 14 of the One Percent Podcast is now on all podcast platforms. We pulled together a recap episode for you this week, featuring short clips from some of the great moments in the podcast’s twelfth season. We were fortunate to have incredible leaders from across industries, disciplines, and fields share their stories and perspectives – and we wanted to share them with you as we wrap up Season 14 and look ahead to the next season. Here are some of the guests featured in this wrap-up episode: Scott Shute: a keynote speaker, coach, executive, and author whose work combines the knowledge of ancient philosophical teaching with the practicality of work Reed Maltbie: ‘Coach Reed’ has set up training programs within various highly successful sporting organisations, including the Gaelic Games Association, US Sailing, USA Swimming, the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and the Pro Golf Association of Canada Christian Straka: a mental performance coach and has been working in professional sports for over 30 years Francis Valloor: an author, international speaker and professional trainer who creates and conducts mindfulness and awareness workshops, seminars and courses in Ireland, India, the UK and USA Paul Hughes: an internationally acclaimed artist, former co-founder of the renowned, multi-Cannes-winning creative agency Rothco We’re hard at work planning Season 15, and as always we would love your feedback and perspective.

Paul Hughes is an individual whose unconventional life journey has been marked by numerous successes in various fields. From his early days as a promising young athlete to becoming an entrepreneur and co-founder of the renowned, multi-Cannes-winning creative agency Rothco, which was later acquired by Accenture in 2017, Paul has consistently demonstrated a unique and innovative approach to life. Today, he is an internationally acclaimed artist. Paul's artwork is characterised by a fusion of the post-World War II New York City abstract art movement and his own uniquely expressive techniques, showcasing his adaptability and creative prowess. With an ever-growing international reputation and a series of successful exhibitions in cities like London, Hong Kong, and Dublin, Paul is now preparing for his upcoming show in New York. This exciting event promises to be yet another significant milestone in his remarkable artistic journey.