What's The Craic Podcast

“If you choose a path… go all in. That’s where the growth happens.” In this episode of What’s the Craic Podcast, I sit down with Sam Carter, former Wallabies lock, to unpack the reality behind a professional rugby career and the lessons that come from the highs, the setbacks, and everything in between. We talk about: 🏉 Going from an “average” school player to earning a contract with the Brumbies 📈 Thriving in the right environment and how culture shaped his career 🇦🇺 The nerves and pressure behind his Wallabies debut 🌍 Moving overseas to Ulster, dealing with injury, isolation, and COVID while starting a family 🤝 Why committing fully to a decision matters more than getting it perfect 📉 The reality of tough environments and losing enjoyment in the game 🌅 Rediscovering his love for rugby at the Western Force 💼 Transitioning out of professional sport and starting again in a new career This one is honest, grounded, and full of perspective. It’s about backing yourself, committing to the path you choose, and understanding that growth comes from leaning in when things get tough. 🎧 Now live on Spotify, Apple, and wherever you listen.

“Change happens at the speed of trust.” In this episode of What’s the Craic Podcast, I sit down with Louise Zawada, executive coach and transformation strategist, to unpack what it really takes to lead through change while balancing career, family, and everything in between. We talk about: 👩‍👧‍👧 Life as a mum of two and navigating 25 years as a FIFO wife 🎓 Completing a Master’s degree while working full-time and raising a family 💼 Nearly 20 years working across mining, government, aged care, and agribusiness 🧠 Coaching senior leaders through complex change and high-pressure environments 🚀 The decision to leave a stable career and build her own consultancy 🤝 Why trust is the foundation of every successful transformation ❤️ Giving back through the Hero Hunter Foundation supporting families facing childhood cancer ⚖️ Balancing ambition, family, and showing her daughters what’s possible This one is grounded, real, and full of perspective. It’s about leadership in the real world, building trust, and creating a career that aligns with the life you actually want. 🎧 Now live on Spotify, Apple, and wherever you listen.

“At some point, you realise Plan A isn’t going to happen… and that’s where everything changes.” In this episode of What’s the Craic Podcast, I sit down with Zaymn, Group General Manager of Finance and Sales at John Hughes Group, to unpack the journey from chasing a professional cricket career to leading one of WA’s largest automotive businesses. We talk about: 🏏 Growing up chasing the dream of playing cricket for Australia and the moment he realised it wasn’t going to happen 👨‍🍳 Starting from the bottom as a pot washer and building discipline through a chef apprenticeship 🚪 Getting rejected from his first role in automotive before finding an unexpected opportunity at John Hughes 📈 Rising quickly through the ranks to become one of the youngest business managers in the state 🧠 Overcoming early setbacks, learning challenges, and building confidence in a high-pressure environment 🚗 What it actually takes to run a business selling thousands of cars a month ✈️ Finding new challenges outside of work, including becoming a pilot This one is about resilience, backing yourself after setbacks, and understanding that the path you didn’t plan can end up being the one that defines you. 🎧 Now live on Spotify, Apple, and wherever you listen.

“Leadership isn’t about you. It’s about the environment you create for others to thrive.” In this episode of What’s the Craic Podcast, I sit down with Trent Cotchin, former Richmond captain and three-time premiership winner, to unpack the real story behind leadership, pressure, and what it takes to build a winning culture. We talk about: 🏉 Being drafted young, dealing with injuries, and carrying early expectations 📉 Hitting rock bottom in 2016 and the lessons that came from it 🏆 The shift that led Richmond from 13th to a premiership the following year 🤝 Why vulnerability and storytelling became a competitive advantage 🧠 Separating identity from performance and removing the pressure of the role 📈 The challenge of sustaining success and evolving beyond what once worked 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Life after football, family, and building a new path beyond the game This one is honest, reflective, and packed with lessons on leadership, resilience, and performing under pressure. It’s about doing it for the people who believe in you and building something bigger than yourself. 🎧 Now live on Spotify, Apple, and wherever you listen.

“It’s not just what you eat. It’s how you store it, cook it, and prepare it.” In this episode of What’s the Craic Podcast, I sit down with Dr Amelia Harray - a dietician, nutritionist, and clinical researcher from the UWA Medical School, to unpack the hidden impact plastics and food marketing have on our health. We talk about: 🥗 Why protein-fortified products and supplements are often more marketing than science 📊 The importance of evidence-based nutrition instead of chasing trends 🧪 How chemicals from plastic packaging can leach into the food we eat 🍽️ Why diet is one of the biggest sources of human exposure to plastic chemicals 🔬 The challenges of running a world-first low-plastic diet research study 🍳 Simple changes like switching cookware, avoiding heating food in plastic, and using glass storage 🧠 Why the future of nutrition isn’t just about what you eat but how you prepare and store it This one is eye-opening, practical, and grounded in real science. It’s about cutting through the noise, understanding what’s actually happening in our food system, and learning the small changes that can make a real difference to your health. 🎧 Now live on Spotify, Apple, and wherever you listen.

“We’re not just building houses… we’re building people’s dreams.” In this episode of What’s the Craic Podcast, I sit down with Andy Kearns, director and owner of Perway Construction, to unpack the journey from leaving Ireland during the recession to building a successful residential construction company in Perth. We talk about: 🇮🇪 Leaving Ireland in 2011 during the recession and landing in Perth with a one way ticket 🛠️ Starting with maintenance work before growing Perway Construction into a residential building business 🏗️ Why he believes building homes is really about building memories for families 📈 How business coaching changed the way he runs projects, profit, and client experience 🚫 Becoming alcohol free and the personal growth that followed ❤️ Launching Build It Forward, a charity initiative renovating homes for families in need 🤝 Men’s work, family healing, and reconnecting family 🧠 Supporting mental health in the construction industry and learning how to truly listen This one is about far more than construction. It’s about personal transformation, giving back, and using success to lift the people around you. 🎧 Now live on Spotify, Apple, and wherever you listen.

In the first episode of the newly rebranded What’s the Craic Podcast, I sit down with fellow Irishman man George Harrington, an engineer and project delivery specialist who moved from Ireland to Perth and built a career across some of the toughest and most interesting projects around the world. We talk about: 🇮🇪 Growing up in Cork with a strong work ethic installed from his father 🎓 Studying engineering and building a career that took him from Ireland to Australia 🏗️ Working on major infrastructure projects including Australia’s largest private hospital redevelopment and remote mining projects in the Great Sandy Desert 🌍 Jumping head first into engineering work in the Democratic Republic of Congo at the world's largest lithium mine ☘️ Becoming chairman of Perth’s St. Patrick’s Day Festival and Parade 🎉 The vision to make Perth’s celebration the greatest St. Patrick’s Day event in the Southern Hemisphere This one is a brilliant mix of professional expertise, adventure, community, and the Irish spirit that connects people across the world. 🎧 Now live on Spotify, Apple, and wherever you listen.

After years as The Elite Executive, the podcast is getting a new name. In this episode, we explain the thinking behind the rebrand to What’s The Craic, where the name comes from, and why it better reflects the conversations we’ve always wanted to have. “What’s the craic?” is a simple Irish question. It means what’s going on, how’s life, what’s new. And that’s exactly how every conversation on this podcast will start. Same honest conversations. Same interesting people. Just a name that feels more like us. Welcome to What’s The Craic.

“Success means nothing if you lose yourself in the process.” In this episode, I sit down with Yasmin Cooper, former telecommunications executive turned health and wellness entrepreneur, to unpack the journey from running a high-pressure corporate business to building a life rooted in movement, mindset, and meaning. We talk about: 📞 Building and leading an Optus Business Centre from the ground up 👩‍💼 Navigating leadership as a woman in a male-dominated industry ⚖️ The cost of ambition when ego and drive start impacting family life 🧠 How her mother’s 10-year battle with Alzheimer’s reshaped her priorities 🧘 Meditation, therapy, and rebuilding mental resilience after divorce and burnout 🏋️ Becoming a certified Pilates instructor and launching The Cooper Method 🌿 Helping women navigate perimenopause, menopause, and motherhood through movement, nutrition, and mindset This one is honest, reflective, and deeply practical. It’s about redefining success, rebuilding from adversity, and creating a version of life that actually feels aligned. 🎧 Now live on Spotify, Apple, YouTube and wherever you listen.

“I just try to be a good use of people’s time.” In this episode, I sit down with Brian Briscoe, founder of Briscoe Search, to unpack his journey from Irish backpacker to respected executive recruiter in Perth and how a cancer diagnosis at 24 shaped everything that came after. We talk about: ✈️ Landing in Australia and falling into recruitment (armed with only Yellow Pages and a phone) 🧬 Getting four wrong diagnoses before discovering he had cancer and how that rewired his priorities 👂 Why being a world-class listener beats being a good talker in business 👨‍👧‍👦 Teaching his kids resilience without shielding them from life’s hard stuff 💼 How he built a high-trust executive search business with no marketing, just referrals 🧠 Why most leaders don’t need more charisma they need more self-awareness This one’s full of grounded wisdom from someone who’s seen real adversity, stripped away the ego, and built a career by doing “a thousand things well over time.” 🎧 Now live on Spotify, Apple, and wherever you listen.

“I didn’t want to look back in 10 years and regret not taking the chance.” In this episode, I sit down with Bryan Johnson, an institutional stockbroker and co‑founder of Wallabi Group, to unpack two decades of career decisions... and the moment he realised his health needed the same discipline as his work. We talk about: 📈 Building a finance career inspired by Wall Street and forged at firms like JP Morgan 🌍 Moving cities, and countries, to avoid stagnation and chase growth 🤔 Trusting gut instinct when making big life and career calls 🏗️ The leap into co‑founding his own firm after years in institutional finance ⚖️ Why accountability matters more than motivation 💪 Losing 12kg through strength training, daily movement, and disciplined nutrition 🧠 How the gym became a form of stress relief , not another chore This one’s honest, grounded, and full of perspective from someone who’s played the long game in business, and finally decided to do the same with his health. 🎧 Now live on Spotify, Apple, and wherever you listen.

“I would sooner shut the business down than do it the way everyone else does.” In this episode, I sit down with Niamh Murphy, founder of Cailin Mining and Civil, to unpack a journey that’s anything but conventional... From arriving in Australia to fund acting school, to taking on one of the most broken parts of the mining industry. We talk about: 🚜 Breaking into a male-dominated industry as a machine operator 💥 Building, and losing, her first labour hire business in Sydney 🔁 Starting again from scratch in Perth during COVID 🧱 The dangerous reality of “dodgy tickets” and poor operator training 🛠️ Why live-site, experience-first training actually saves lives 🔥 The backlash that comes with challenging a corrupt system, and refusing to back down This one is raw, confronting, and deeply principled. It’s about resilience, integrity, and what happens when you care more about doing things right than fitting in. 🎧 Now live on Spotify, Apple, YouTube and wherever you listen.

From Club Pro to Coaching With Purpose: Glenn Paul’s Journey in Golf and Business In this episode, Odhran sits down with Glenn Paul, a seasoned golf coach with over two decades in the game, to explore how sport, family, and business collide in real life. From early inspiration watching pro tournaments as a kid to chasing the tour life in the U.S., Glenn shares how his journey through the PGA system eventually led him to build a career in coaching across some of WA’s most recognisable courses. But this conversation isn’t just about golf. It’s about navigating a saturated market, reinventing your model post-COVID, and building a hybrid business that balances technology, family life, and still chasing your own goals on the course.

“Not every business works... but every one teaches you something.” We’re kicking off 2026 with a full-circle moment: my first-ever client in Perth, Eoin Byrne, joins me on the mic to share 20+ years of real-world business lessons... from beach cafés to biotech. We talk about: 🍦 How an ice cream truck evolved into a beachside café 🌯 The hard (and painful) lessons from a failed Mexican food franchise 🤝 Spotting business opportunities in everyday interactions 🚪 Why exiting a business isn’t always the fairy tale it’s sold as 🔥 How Hey Sister! is shaking up the women’s health space with pain relief innovation This one is raw, honest, and full of insights from a guy who’s built, failed, grown, exited... and is still building.

“You can’t do it all — and you shouldn’t. Leadership starts with learning to say no.” In this episode, I sit down with Gillian Forde, Operations Director at Aurecon for Western Australia and the Northern Territory, to unpack her journey from Ireland to the top of one of Australia’s most respected engineering consultancies. We talk about: 🛫 Leaving post-GFC Ireland to restart in Perth 🔧 From structural engineer to leading 460+ people across WA & NT 💡 The shift from technical work to executive leadership 👩‍💼 Why women hesitate to apply unless they meet 100% of the brief 🇮🇪 The Irish business network in Perth — and how Gillian helped relaunch the St. Patrick’s Day parade 🏉 Playing rugby for Western Force, board work with Rugby WA, and breaking barriers 🙅‍♀️ How “strategic no-saying” protects energy and impact 👶 Balancing executive work and motherhood with real honesty If you lead teams, work in engineering, or are navigating high performance with family life — this one’s for you. 🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you tune in.

If you’re willing to move to the other side of the world… you’ve already proven you can succeed.” In this episode, I sit down with John O’Donnell, Group Business Manager at Kilmore Group - one of Western Australia’s fastest-growing construction firms, now employing over 110 people. We talk about: 🏗️ How Kilmore grew by doing the work other builders avoid 🇮🇪 John’s journey from post-GFC Ireland to building in WA 🧱 From facades to full builds: evolving from subcontractor to principal contractor 💼 Why perception, presentation, and paperwork matter more than you think 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 What it’s really like raising 3 kids under 5 with no family nearby 🌍 The immigrant mindset... and how community drives momentum If you’re in business, construction, or chasing growth in a new country, this episode is packed with grounded wisdom, no fluff. 🎧 Tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your edge.

🎯 From Burnout to Beast Mode: Gian's 20kg Transformation Story Join us for an incredible journey with Gian, a cybersecurity leader at Telstra, who lost 20 kilos in 12 months while juggling a high-pressure executive role and raising a 2-year-old. Key Talking Points: ✅ The COVID Wake-Up Call - How Melbourne lockdowns destroyed his fitness routine and led to unhealthy eating habits ✅ Finding Your "Why" - Why motivation isn't enough and how becoming a new father sparked his transformation journey ✅ The November Start - Why he didn't wait for New Year's and tackled Christmas party season head-on ✅ Systems Over Motivation - Building bulletproof habits that work around demanding work schedules and family commitments ✅ Identity Shift - How changing from someone who "eats for pleasure" to someone who "prioritizes protein" changed everything Perfect listen for executives struggling to balance career success with personal health. Real talk about the challenges of leadership roles, new parenthood, and creating lasting change when life gets hectic. #ExecutiveHealth #WeightLoss #Leadership #FatherFitness #Transformation

“I never had ambitions to be a CEO. I think I probably just fell into it.” In this episode, I sat down with Niamh O’Connor, the accidental CEO of Western Force, whose journey from growing up in Ireland to leading a professional rugby organisation is anything but conventional. We dive into: 🏉 Why her path to CEO wasn’t linear — and why that’s her strength 🚨 The misconceptions people have about leadership roles in elite sport ⚖️ The weight of responsibility when your decisions affect real lives and families 🇮🇪 How growing up in Ireland shaped her work ethic, humility, and resilience 🧠 Why self-awareness — not status — defines great leadership This episode peels back the curtain on leadership in high-performance environments — and why the best leaders are often the ones who never chased the title. Follow Niamh on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niamh-o-connor-a4128531/

How do you know when it’s time to make a change? Tracy Fryer lives by the “3 signs” rule — and it’s guided her through business, branding, and massive personal transformation. In this episode, Tracy pulls back the curtain on her journey through corporate life, business building, and a powerful personal reset — from faith to fitness. We dive into: 🔁 Her “Three Signs” framework for spotting when something in your life is off 🏷️ How your personal brand is built in the quiet moments — not just the logos and taglines ⚖️ The deep mindset shifts that finally unlocked long-term weight loss 🙏 Why faith became the foundation for navigating uncertainty and realigning her values 💡 Rebuilding self-trust after burnout and learning to listen earlier (not just when it’s loud) Tracy doesn’t just talk transformation — she lives it. Connect with Tracy at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandingperth/

Book your Executive Health Audit here --> https://link.systemisedtoscale.com/widget/bookings/consult-call-30mins Join your host Odhran McCorry on The Elite Executive Podcast as he interviews Alex Harper, Chief Development Officer at Perth Children's Hospital Foundation. Join us as we discuss: - Swapping war stories of uni life in Liverpool - The vital fundraising done by PCHF to ensure the Perth Children's hospital has the equipment and research needed to get sick kids healthy again - Breaking ground on WAs first hospice for sick kids - The upcoming Give For Kids Day on September 19th. Plus MUCH more... Connect with Alex - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexharperperth/