Change is Possible

What happens when the pain you buried years ago starts speaking through your body, your anxiety, your depression, and your life?Brian sits down with Nicoline Walsh for an honest conversation about trauma, depression, energy healing, self-connection, Reiki, inner safety and the parts of ourselves we often leave behind.Nicoline shares how childhood sexual abuse, hidden pain and high-functioning depression shaped her life, even while she was succeeding in the corporate world and raising a family. She also speaks about the heartbreaking experience of supporting her daughter through suicidal thoughts while facing her own mental health struggles.Together, Brian and Nicoline explore what it means to reconnect with the younger parts of ourselves, how trauma can live in the body, why healing is not always easy to explain, and how practices like therapy, Reiki, body scans, forest bathing and energy work helped Nicoline find her way back to herself.They also discuss Brian’s own experience of working with Nicoline, the limits of language when talking about healing, the tension between science and mystery, and why self-connection, self-soothing and safety are at the heart of real transformation.This is a conversation about the pain we carry, the body’s quiet wisdom, and the courage it takes to finally listen.Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠ and subscribe for more conversations on transformation, recovery, resilience, and human potential. Connect with Nicoline and her work with eling Forest on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠Connect with Brian⬛ Get ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FREE access to Brian’s online courses⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⬛ Buy Brian’s memoir, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bonus Time⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⬛ Follow Brian on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⬛ Follow Brian on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sponsors: Founded by the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fabulous Pharmacist, Laura Dowling⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, I'm delighted to partner with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fabuwellness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a company dedicated to empowering your health with science-led, nature-inspired supplements. We're also delighted to continue our partnership with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Kyne Foundation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, with whom I'm closely collaborating on a special project that aligns with our joint mission to nurture youth well-being in Ireland.Chapters 00:00 Intro00:30 Holding pain as both mother and daughter05:00 Childhood trauma and the roots of depression09:00 Moving from corporate life into healing13:30 Understanding Reiki and energy work19:00 Brian’s experience of trauma held in the body24:30 How memories can carry emotion and belief33:30 Exploring evidence, scepticism and lived experience43:30 Why some healing is hard to put into words50:30 Reconnecting with younger parts of ourselves57:30 Body scans, self-soothing and feeling safe1:03:00 Stories of transformation and release1:11:00 Nicoline’s work and where to find herKeywords: Nicoline Walsh, Brian Pennie, Change Is Possible podcast, trauma healing, childhood trauma, inner child healing, Reiki healing, energy healing, depression recovery, suicidal thoughts, mental health, body keeps the score, somatic healing, self connection, inner safety, forest bathing, The Healing Forest, healing trauma, emotional healing, trauma and the body, anxiety, high functioning depression, spiritual healing, holistic healing, trauma recovery Ireland

What if the biggest risk to your health is not what you feel today, but what you keep ignoring over time?Brian sits down with Dr Paddy Barrett for an honest conversation about heart health, prevention, mortality, behaviour change, sleep, stress, and what it really means to live well.Paddy is a cardiologist, author of Heart: An Owner’s Guide, and a leading voice in preventative health. In this conversation, he explains why heart disease can develop silently for decades, why symptoms are often a poor warning system, and why the earlier we act, the more power we have to change the direction of our lives.Brian and Paddy explore the difference between risk factors, disease, and events, why time is one of the most misunderstood factors in health, and why prevention is not about fear... it is about creating the freedom to live with more energy, clarity, and choice.They also discuss Paddy’s idea of lifespan, healthspan, and soulspan, the problem with waiting for a wake-up call, why sleep is one of the foundations of health, and how mortality can sharpen our understanding of what really matters.This is a conversation about time, health, mortality, meaning, and learning to live before life forces you to pay attention.⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠ and subscribe for more conversations on transformation, recovery, resilience, and human potential. Connect with Dr Paddy Barrett on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and here's his website where you can join his amazing newsletter. Connect with Brian⬛ Get ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FREE access to Brian’s online courses⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⬛ Buy Brian’s memoir, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bonus Time⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⬛ Follow Brian on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⬛ Follow Brian on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sponsors: Founded by the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fabulous Pharmacist, Laura Dowling⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, I'm delighted to partner with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fabuwellness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a company dedicated to empowering your health with science-led, nature-inspired supplements. We're also delighted to continue our partnership with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Kyne Foundation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, with whom I'm closely collaborating on a special project that aligns with our joint mission to nurture youth well-being in Ireland.Chapters 00:00 Introduction00:30 Listening to instinct and following the right path06:00 Why heart disease can develop silently10:30 Understanding risk factors, plaque and heart events16:00 The four foundations of health21:30 Lifespan, healthspan and soulspan29:00 Why there are no guarantees in health34:00 What creates a true wake-up call39:00 Statins, risk and the long view of prevention45:30 Building your health pension over time50:00 Mortality, meaning and how we spend our time56:00 Paddy’s North Star and where to find his work59:00 Sleep, stress and the health trends worth questioningKeywords: Heart health, prevention, mortality, longevity, healthspan, soulspan, behaviour change, sleep, stress, exercise, cholesterol, purpose, meaning, living well.

Former MMA fighter Ryan “Chaos” Curtis joins me for one of the most powerful conversations I’ve had on Change is Possible.Ryan grew up in Dublin’s inner city, surrounded by hardship, addiction, violence, and the need to fight for himself from a young age. But when he walked into an MMA gym for the first time, everything changed. He was humbled, beaten up, and somehow left knowing one thing: he was going to become a world champion.Years later, while training for a major fight and with the UFC in sight, Ryan suffered a catastrophic spinal injury. His neck broke. He was instantly paralysed from the neck down. Doctors told him this was his new way of life.Ryan refused to accept that.In this episode, we talk about the accident, the pain, the fear, the discipline, and the mindset that helped him fight his way back. We also explore self-belief, failure, masculinity, gratitude, addiction, vulnerability, responsibility, and what it really means to become someone you can rely on.This is not just a story about recovery. It is a story about identity, discipline, and refusing to be beaten by life.Click here⁠ and subscribe for more conversations on transformation, recovery, resilience, and human potential. Connect with Ryan on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠.Listen to Ryan's Podcast: Made in Chaos.Connect with Brian⬛ Get ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FREE access to Brian’s online courses⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⬛ Buy Brian’s memoir, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bonus Time⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⬛ Follow Brian on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⬛ Follow Brian on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sponsors: Founded by the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fabulous Pharmacist, Laura Dowling⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, I'm delighted to partner with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fabuwellness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a company dedicated to empowering your health with science-led, nature-inspired supplements. We're also delighted to continue our partnership with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Kyne Foundation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, with whom I'm closely collaborating on a special project that aligns with our joint mission to nurture youth well-being in Ireland.Chapters 00:00 — Ryan’s life-changing moment04:12 — First MMA gym session08:46 — Becoming reliable13:35 — Growing up in Dublin 119:18 — Bullying and confidence25:40 — The psychology of MMA31:52 — Why Ryan chose fighting36:45 — The accident42:08 — Waking up paralysed47:35 — Refusing to accept it52:26 — Everything is psychological57:40 — The accident as a gift1:02:44 — Discipline over motivation1:09:38 — Gratitude and Made in Chaos

What happens when a restless mind becomes your greatest gift? In this raw conversation, pharmacist-turned-entrepreneur Laura Dowling opens up about her late ADHD diagnosis, how it shaped her restlessness, ambition, and self-doubt—and how she turned those traits into her greatest strengths. From struggling to accept her diagnosis to building a nationwide wellness brand, leading Viva La Vulva, and transforming conversations around women’s health and menopause, Laura’s story is equal parts honesty, hustle, and hope. You’ll hear how she balances business success with self-care, the lessons she learned from failure, and her mission to help women reclaim their health, confidence, and joy.👉 Topics include: ADHD acceptance, anxiety & hyperfocus, functional health & supplements, entrepreneurship fears, women’s empowerment, and living with purpose.Perfect for: Entrepreneurs, women in business, ADHD warriors, health professionals, and anyone chasing meaning over money.Timestamps:(0:00) – Intro: Why change is always possible(2:10) – Laura’s ADHD diagnosis: confusion, denial & relief(6:15) – Accepting her brain: anxiety, impulsivity & masking(9:40) – When ADHD becomes a superpower (and a kryptonite)(13:00) – Relationships, motherhood & hyperfocus gone too far(16:20) – From burnout to balance: learning to say no(19:00) – How pharmacy shaped her view on real healthcare(23:15) – Discovering Ayurvedic & preventative medicine in India(27:40) – Creating her first supplement formula & fighting fear(31:55) – “What will my peers think?” — launching anyway(35:10) – Mushrooms, menopause & the rise of functional health(39:00) – Building Viva La Vulva and breaking Irish taboos(43:25) – Empowering women to understand their bodies (47:40) – From Instagram stories to nationwide success(50:10) – EY Entrepreneur of the Year: imposter syndrome & lessons from Japan(54:20) – The mindset of abundance & giving back(57:00) – Advice for entrepreneurs: start now, fail fast, learn faster(1:00:10) – Finding joy, purpose & connection in the chaos(1:02:00) – Outro & reflectionFollow Laura: Also known as the Fabulous Pharmacist, Laura is a passionate women's health and wellness expert. With her engaging and relatable approach, she addresses a wide range of topics, including breaking down taboos in women's health, Perimenopause, Menopause and beyond and physical and mental well-being.⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Website⁠Change is Possible with Brian Pennie: ⬛ Get FREE access to ⁠Brian’s online courses ⁠⬛ Buy Brian’s memoir, ⁠Bonus Time⁠⬛ Follow Brian on ⁠Instagram⁠⬛ Follow Brian on ⁠LinkedIn⁠Sponsors: ⁠The Kyne Foundation⁠ Imagine having a sponsor whose only interest is creating positive ripple effects of change around the world. I first met Jacqueline and David Kyne from the Kyne Foundation when they introduced me to Dr Gabor Mate in 2024, an incredible “pinch myself” moment in my own life. With a focus on nurturing youth wellbeing and empowering education, The Kyne Foundation's belief is simple: kindness is powerful, practical, and worth paying forward. Over the next few episodes, we’ll be sharing weekly challenges inspired by their work and ethos: small actions create big ripples. Our simple ask? Go be kind to yourself, to others, and your community. Because kindness is contagious.

From becoming a mother at fifteen to navigating addiction risks, undiagnosed ADHD, and the armour built in a tough Dublin community, Senator Lynn Ruane reflects on the anger and shame cycles that shaped her, and the breakthroughs that set her free. Her ADHD diagnosis, the paradox of medication-induced “nothingness,” and a nine-month spiritual reckoning led to shedding self-loathing and rediscovering passion as a force for justice. For Lynn, real change comes through systemic levers such as social housing, universal healthcare, wealth taxes, and public health approaches to violence led by those with lived experience. Raw, vulnerable, and deeply human, this conversation shifts from personal survival to collective transformation, demonstrating how reframing our stories can create change not just for ourselves but for society. Change is possible — and Lynne’s story and work prove it.Timestamps:(00:00) Change Is Possible – Introduction (01:00) Anger, ADHD & Emotional Growth (06:00) Turning Anger Into Purpose (08:30) Growing Up in Dublin (12:00) Sensitivity and Strength (15:00) Teenage Motherhood & Recovery (19:00) Healing and Self-Awareness (23:00) Success and Emotional Reckoning (29:00) Spiritual Renewal and Authenticity (33:00) Letting Go of Validation (38:00) Reading, Thinking & Emotional Regulation (43:00) Systems of Power and Inequality (48:00) Collective Power & Radical Love (52:00) Violence Prevention & Prison Projects (55:00) Closing Reflections – Hope and ConnectionFollow Lynn: Lynn Ruane is an Irish Senator who has served as the deputy leader of the Civil Engagement Group in Seanad Éireann since 2016. Lynn is from Tallaght - a historically underserved and neglected community in Dublin. A long-time community and drugs worker, Lynn now champions the causes most close to her heart and community in Ireland’s parliament.Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/senator_lynn_ruane/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/senatorlynnruane/Change is Possible with Brian Pennie: ⬛ Get FREE access to Brian’s online courses - https://brian-pennie-pd.kit.com/a3bff3f22a⬛ Buy Brian’s memoir, Bonus Time - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bonus-Time/dp/B0882N4Y4G/⬛ Follow Brian on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/brianpennie78/⬛ Follow Brian on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-pennie/Sponsors: The Kyne Foundation https://www.kynefoundation.org/Imagine having a sponsor whose only interest is creating positive ripple effects of change around the world. I first met Jacqueline and David Kyne from the Kyne Foundation when they introduced me to Dr Gabor Mate in 2024, an incredible “pinch myself” moment in my own life. With a focus on nurturing youth wellbeing and empowering education, The Kyne Foundation's belief is simple: kindness is powerful, practical, and worth paying forward. Over the next few episodes, we’ll be sharing weekly challenges inspired by their work and ethos: small actions create big ripples. Our simple ask? Go be kind to yourself, to others, and your community. Because kindness is contagious.

Max Kennedy shares his journey from an uncertain 18-year-old on scholarship in the U.S. to a 23-year-old rising professional golfer with unshakable self-belief. He opens up about battling homesickness, handling self-doubt, and the intense competitiveness of elite sport. Max explains how undeniable facts, work ethic, and consistency have shaped his mindset—turning setbacks into resilience and belief into action. From his turning point in college to the pressures of competing against the world's best, he reveals the sacrifices, strategies, and competitive fire fueling his ambition to become the best golfer in the world. This conversation is about more than golf—it’s about how challenges forge strength, and how belief backed by hard work can change what’s possible.Follow Max: InstagramChange is Possible with Brian Pennie: ⬛ Get FREE access to Brian’s online courses ⬛ Buy Brian’s memoir, Bonus Time⬛ Follow Brian on Instagram⬛ Follow Brian on LinkedInSponsors: The Kyne Foundation Imagine having a sponsor whose only interest is creating positive ripple effects of change around the world. I first met Jacqueline and David Kyne from the Kyne Foundation when they introduced me to Dr Gabor Mate in 2024, an incredible “pinch myself” moment in my own life. With a focus on nurturing youth wellbeing and empowering education, The Kyne Foundation's belief is simple: kindness is powerful, practical, and worth paying forward. Over the next few episodes, we’ll be sharing weekly challenges inspired by their work and ethos: small actions create big ripples. Our simple ask? Go be kind to yourself, to others, and your community. Because kindness is contagious.0:00 — Moving to America at 18 & intense competition3:30 — Homesickness, pressure & self-doubt6:20 — Why challenges build resilience8:40 — Acknowledging doubt instead of avoiding it11:10 — Using evidence to fight negative thoughts13:40 — Work ethic as confidence16:10 — “I will become the best golfer in the world”18:30 — Self-belief vs ego21:00 — Actions follow identity23:30 — Saying no to friends & social life26:20 — Priorities and respect29:10 — The cost of chasing excellence31:20 — The turning point in college performance34:40 — From average results to world rankings37:00 — Talent vs hard work39:10 — What flow really is41:30 — Why routine creates performance44:00 — Consistency over motivation46:10 — Dealing with bad rounds & failure48:30 — Perspective & “cosmic irrelevance”50:10 — Controlling the controllables52:00 — Breathwork & meditation54:10 — Visualization & mental rehearsal56:00 — Performing under pressure57:30 — “Be borderline delusional”58:30 — The importance of a plan59:20 — Never quit high performance mindset, athlete psychology, self belief psychology, discipline habits, mental toughness, flow state performance, visualization training, resilience mindset, success habits, change is possible podcast