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How do you learn to back yourself when self-doubt shows up — especially when performance, identity, and reputation are on the line? In this special episode of The Lead Well Podcast, recorded live at Fitvision's International Women's Day breakfast, Mark O'Reilly sits down with three exceptional Irish leaders — Lorraine Heskin (CEO & Founder of Gourmet Food Parlour), Professor Maura McAdam (Professor of Management and Director of Entrepreneurship at DCU), and Elizabeth Bradley (Partner in the Finance Group at DLA Piper) — for an honest conversation about confidence, self-doubt, and growth. They discuss why self-doubt tends to show up exactly when we're growing, the shift from "imposter syndrome" to imposter moments, and how to navigate the identity tensions that come with stepping into something new. The panel also explores claiming your space without feeling arrogant, the power of mentorship and supportive networks, why comparing your inside to someone else's outside holds you back, and the simple habit of keeping a record of what you've already achieved.

In this week’s episode of The Lead Well Podcast, Mark O'Reilly speaks with Professor Alan Smeaton from DCU, one of Ireland's leading voices in artificial intelligence, about what leaders, coaches, and organisations need to understand about AI right now. They explore why human leadership cannot be replaced by AI, how hallucinations are built into the technology by design, and why the way most people are using AI tools is leaving them dangerously exposed. The conversation covers the stages of grief leaders go through when confronting AI, what Estonia is doing nationally that Ireland is not, agentic AI and what it means in practice, and why curiosity is the most important leadership skill in an AI-driven world.

How do you build confidence in uncertain times—especially when performance, pressure, and identity are shifting? In this episode of The Lead Well Podcast, Mark O’Reilly speaks with Andrew Conway about transitioning from elite sport into business and what uncertainty teaches us about performance. They explore managing pressure, designing the life you want to live, turning values into behaviours, and why energy management matters more than time management. Andrew shares practical insights on career pivots, staying consistent, simplifying focus, and having the courage to be a beginner when building something new. This episode is for leaders, high performers, and professionals navigating change while trying to protect long-term wellbeing.

What does a truly healthy workplace look like—and how can you spot issues before they turn into problems? In this episode of The Lead Well Podcast, Mark O’Reilly sits down with John Ryan from Healthy Place to Work to unpack what really drives sustainable performance inside organisations. They dig into the difference between lead vs lag indicators, why traditional employee surveys often miss the real story, and how companies can measure the early warning signs of burnout, cultural drift, and declining performance before they become crises. The conversation explores psychological safety, values that are actually lived, the line between normal stress and chronic stress, and why a genuine culture of care isn’t just “nice to have”—it’s a strategic advantage.

How do you build a culture where people thrive? In this episode of The Lead Well Podcast, Mark O’Reilly sits down with Lorraine Heskin, CEO and Founder of Gourmet Food Parlour, to explore leadership, culture, and sustainable business growth. Lorraine shares her journey from corporate life and working in the US to building one of Ireland’s best-known hospitality brands over nearly two decades. They discuss mentorship and peer networks, imposter syndrome, founder wellbeing, and how to build a culture that drives retention, pride, and long-term performance. The conversation also covers diversification, using data and intuition to make decisions, protecting brand identity, and the turning points that helped Gourmet Food Parlour scale sustainably. This episode is ideal for founders, leaders, and professionals looking to grow their businesses without sacrificing wellbeing or culture.

How can internal communications drive employee engagement, trust, and performance at work? In this episode of The Lead Well Podcast, Mark O’Reilly speaks with Kate Fitzmaurice, Head of Internal Communications & Employee Engagement at Vodafone, and Paul Cauley, Communications at Boots Ireland. They discuss leadership communication, employee engagement, building trust at work, and how effective internal communications supports performance and wellbeing in large organisations.

In this episode of the Lead Well Podcast, I’m joined by Professor Robert Kelly, a consultant cardiologist who’s become one of the clearest voices in Ireland on heart health. Robert trained in cardiology in Ireland and the UK, before completing specialist training in the US in interventional cardiology, the world of stents and emergency treatment. But years in clinic showed him something uncomfortable: many patients were getting “fixed” medically, then returning with the same symptoms because the behaviours that drove the problem never really changed. That insight led him into lifestyle medicine and coaching, where the focus shifts from “here’s your prescription” to “how do we actually make change stick?” He’s since built a reputation for a more human, whole-person approach to cardiovascular health, one that includes sleep, stress, movement, nutrition, and social connection, not as nice-to-haves, but as core treatment. In our conversation, we unpack: Why 15-minute appointments aren’t designed for lasting behaviour change The executive trap: sacrificing health to climb, then paying for it later How “small steps” outperform big goals (and why January plans often collapse) Stress, sleep quality, and the hidden risk of always-on work culture A simple but powerful practice Robert has adopted: embodying gratitude as a daily habit to support emotional health Practical, straight-talking, and especially timely if you’re heading into the New Year wanting change that actually lasts. You can learn more about Robert and his work at drrobertkelly.com.

In this episode I sit down with Dan Campion, director and founder of Prymal Productions, a podcast and media-growth studio helping businesses and creators get their message heard through strategic audio and video content. Dan is also the host of The Prymal Podcast, where he explores the human side of performance, business and personal development, and shares real-world lessons on content, connection and community building. prymal.ie We dive into how you can leverage social media tools and platforms to get your company message out there, the right ways to build a personal brand that resonates, and the types of content that actually engage your audience. Dan brings both strategy and mindset to the conversation, from practical tactics you can use this week, to the deeper why behind building trust online. Whether you’re a coach, business leader or creator, this episode breaks down the how and why behind content that converts and communities that stick.

In this solo episode, I explore one of the biggest barriers to leadership and team performance: avoiding tough conversations. The truth is, the biggest problem in communication is often the illusion that it is happening. When difficult conversations are handled poorly, or not at all, we see misunderstandings, low morale, stalled innovation, and a breakdown of trust. I share insights from psychology and neuroscience on why people shut down or get defensive under stress, and how leaders can shift conversations from threat to trust. We look at the difference between healthy debate and destructive conflict, and why creating psychological safety is the foundation of open dialogue and collaboration.

Why do some leaders inspire action, while others struggle to get their message across? In this solo episode, Mark O’Reilly unpacks the real reason: stories beat stats every time. Drawing from the science of memory, the psychology of influence, and years of hands-on experience, Mark explores why even the best ideas get lost in translation unless they’re wrapped in a compelling narrative. He breaks down: The What–So What–Now What framework: a simple way to structure your message so it actually lands How to use presence—voice, body language, and energy—to become instantly more engaging The pitfalls of jargon, data-dumping, and assuming you’ve been understood How the “Hero’s Journey” applies to everyday leadership (and customer conversations) Using SCARF and the STATE model to handle resistance, objections, and tough conversations Practical ways to hook any audience—whether you’re presenting to your team, your board, or that one stakeholder who never listens If you want to influence, not just inform, this episode will help you rethink the way you communicate—so your ideas actually make an impact.

Today on Lead Well, I’m joined by Barbara Louise Brennan a seasoned mental health advocate, trainer, speaker, and consultant who has spent close to two decades leading the charge on stigma reduction and inclusion across Ireland. Barbara has led Ireland’s national programme to reduce mental health-related stigma, worked with major organisations like An Post, Boots, IBEC, and the HSE, and lectured in leading universities including Trinity, UCC, Maynooth, and DCU. She’s also the founder of Mentis One—a platform focused on helping companies move beyond one-off wellbeing initiatives and embed meaningful, lasting cultural change. In today’s conversation, we’re going to explore the current state of workplace mental health and the gap that inspired Barbara's entrepreneurial journey. We also dive into Barbara's lived experience with mental health, having been a suicide survivor herself, she delves into the daily non negotiables for managing our mental health.

In this short episode, I explore stress tolerance as a critical skill for leaders navigating the pressures of modern work. With nearly 60% of employees reporting they feel stressed most of the time, the cost of ignoring stress in leadership is rising. But this isn’t about pushing through or waiting for the next break. I unpack why expanding your Window of Tolerance—a concept from Dr. Dan Siegel—is key to staying composed, thinking clearly, and leading effectively under pressure. We also dig into simple, practical ways to build stress tolerance through goal setting, daily planning, and visualisation—tools that sharpen focus, reduce overwhelm, and keep you grounded in purpose.

In this first episode of The Leadership Paradox series, I introduce the core idea: why today’s most effective leaders are increasingly at risk of burnout — and why achieving both high performance and personal wellbeing is not a given, it’s a skillset. I’ll share why I believe this is one of the most urgent leadership challenges of our time, based on research and what I see in boardrooms, coaching conversations, and leadership teams. We’ll explore the key tension at the heart of the paradox: the more trusted, capable, and high-performing you become, the greater the risk to your own energy, clarity, and wellbeing — unless you consciously develop new habits and skills. And I’ll outline the roadmap for this series: the core skills transformational leaders need to master to thrive sustainably — not just perform, but grow and stay well while leading. If you’re a leader who wants to scale your impact without sacrificing yourself in the process, this series is for you.

Today on the Lead Well podcast my guest is David Crimmins, a seasoned leader with a deep track record in health-tech, scaling businesses, and securing investment for high-growth companies. As the former CEO of WebDoctor—now Medihive—David led the company through two major investment rounds, growing its valuation to over €60 million and strengthening its position in the digital healthcare space. Before that, he was a key player in the success of GloHealth, helping to build one of Ireland’s most innovative health insurance providers. His leadership journey also includes earlier roles at Tesco and Citibank, where he honed his skills in marketing, sales, and commercial strategy. In this conversation, we’re diving into what it takes to scale a business, make tough leadership decisions, and stay resilient under pressure. We’ll talk about: The biggest lessons David learned transitioning into the CEO role. How to balance growth and culture while leading in a high-stakes industry. His personal strategies for handling pressure, maintaining focus, and leading through uncertainty. Whether you’re a CEO, an aspiring leader, or just interested in how high-growth businesses succeed, there’s a lot to take away from this conversation.

Today, on the Lead Well podcast I am joined by Professor Maura McAdam, a globally recognised expert on entrepreneurship, gender, and leadership. Maura is a Professor of Management at Dublin City University (DCU) and Director of Entrepreneurship at the university. She has spent her career challenging traditional narratives around entrepreneurship, examining how gender, identity, and power dynamics shape access to funding, networks, and leadership opportunities. Her research has covered everything from women’s entrepreneurship and venture accelerators to business model innovation and entrepreneurial identity. Maura has been named among the top 2% of global researchers for impact and is a sought-after voice on how we need to redefine success in leadership and business. In today’s conversation, we’ll explore: The myth of the ‘underperforming female entrepreneur’—why the real issue isn’t capability, but systemic bias. How start-up culture and venture accelerators reward a narrow, hyper-competitive leadership style—excluding those who don’t fit the mould. Why success in entrepreneurship shouldn’t always be measured by rapid scaling and aggressive growth. How leaders can sustain high performance without burning out. If you’re an entrepreneur, a leader, or someone who wants to challenge outdated leadership models, this episode is for you.