What's The Craic Podcast

Odhran McCorry
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Weekly

What’s The Craic with host Odhran McCorry is a podcast about the journeys behind success. Every episode starts with a simple Irish question: What’s the craic? From there, the conversation goes wherever the story leads. The risks people took. The lessons they learned. The failures that shaped them. The moments that changed everything. You’ll hear from founders, leaders, athletes and operators talking honestly about the road that got them to where they are today. Real conversations. Real stories. No script. Where the craic flows and the stories get told. Welcome to What’s The Craic. 🍀

  1. 1d ago

    82. Tom Tierney - The Irishman Building Jurien’s Future

    “Success means nothing if you don’t bring people with you.” From helping build one of Perth’s biggest Irish community events to delivering a major resort development on the WA coast, Tom Tierney has spent his career backing people, building businesses, and taking the road less travelled. In this episode, I sit down with Tom to discuss entrepreneurship, community leadership, property development, family, and the lessons learned from both success and adversity. We talk about: ☘️ How the Irish community in Perth helped shape his journey and his role in growing Perth’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations into one of the largest Irish festivals in the Southern Hemisphere 🏗️ The story behind Seashells Jurien Bay, a 110-unit modular resort development designed to challenge traditional construction and push the boundaries of sustainability 📈 The highs and lows of entrepreneurship, including losing heavily during the Global Financial Crisis and rebuilding his confidence to take risks again 🚀 Why modular construction, renewable energy, and smarter development models could transform the future of Australian housing and tourism 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The life lessons learned through raising children, coaching junior sport, and why legacy is about character far more than business success 🤝 The power of networking, mentorship, volunteering, and helping others without expecting anything in return This is a conversation about resilience, leadership, community, family, and having the courage to keep backing yourself when others won’t. 🎧 Now live on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and everywhere else you get your podcasts.

    1h 17m

  2. Jun 3

    81. Arlene Malone - Should You Leave Ireland for Australia?

    “We packed up our lives, left everything behind… and started again in Perth.” Moving countries sounds exciting. In reality, it can be equal parts opportunity, uncertainty, homesickness, and hope. In this episode, I sit down with Arlene, founder of The Relocation Expo, to talk about her family’s journey from County Louth, Ireland, to Perth, Western Australia, and how that experience inspired her to help other families navigate the same path. We talk about: 🇮🇪 Why they walked away from a successful business, family support networks, and a comfortable life in Ireland to start over in Australia ✈️ The reality of arriving in Perth, navigating homesickness, and adapting to life on the other side of the world 🏖️ How the Perth lifestyle, outdoor living, and opportunities for their children confirmed they’d made the right decision 👷 The career opportunities that helped her husband Stephen’s transition from local builder in Ireland to managing major construction projects in Australia 🤝 The power of networking, community, and building relationships when starting from scratch in a new country 🌏 Why Arlene launched The Relocation Expo to connect skilled Irish and UK professionals with Australian employers looking for talent Whether you’re considering a move yourself, recruiting overseas talent, or simply curious about what it really takes to build a new life abroad, this is a conversation packed with practical insights and honest reflections. 🎧 Now live on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere else you get your podcast

    43 min

  3. May 25

    80. Justin Scanlan - From Dublin Rugby to Leading 1,200 Staff

    “The best opportunities in life usually come from backing people, building trust, and playing the long game.” In this episode of What’s the Craic Podcast, I sit down with Justin Scanlan, CEO of APM Group’s Allied Health Portfolio, to unpack the journey from growing up in rural North Dublin to leading one of Australia’s largest allied health networks. We talk about:🇮🇪 Growing up in Skerries and moving to Australia for what was meant to be a two-year stint🏉 How rugby, team culture, and sport shaped his leadership philosophy🏌️ Why golf became his outlet for mindfulness, flow state, and mental reset👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Becoming a father at 21 and how responsibility gave him purpose and direction💼 Building a consulting career through PwC and Deloitte during WA’s mining boom📈 Scaling high-performing teams while balancing culture, quality, and growth❤️ Leading 1,200 allied health professionals focused on improving outcomes for vulnerable families🌏 Why Australia rewards people who invest deeply in relationships and community🎶 Music, Irish identity, and the importance of staying connected to your roots This one is reflective, grounded, and packed with lessons on leadership, purpose, culture, and building a meaningful life far from home. 🎧 Now live on Spotify, Apple, and wherever you listen.

    1h 3m

  4. May 6

    79. Mairead Breen - Culture & Leadership In Construction

    “Building a business is hard… but building a culture people actually want to be part of is even harder.” In this episode of What’s the Craic Podcast, I sit down with Mairead Breen, co-founder and Executive General Manager of FSC Civils, to unpack the journey from rural Ireland to helping build one of WA’s leading civil construction businesses. We talk about:🇮🇪 Growing up in a tiny Irish village before taking the leap to Australia 🛣️ Moving all over Australia before eventually making Perth home 🏗️ Building FSC Civils from scratch alongside her husband Sean 📉 The sleepless nights, pressure, and uncertainty of starting a business 🚆 Scaling rapidly through major infrastructure projects like Metronet 👷 Why culture, mentoring, and psychosocial safety matter in construction 🏆 Creating FSC’s award-winning “Safe Assign” safety system 👩‍🔧 Launching initiatives to help more women enter the civil construction industry 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Raising independent kids while balancing leadership, business, and family life This one is honest, funny, and packed with lessons on resilience, leadership, and creating a business culture that people genuinely want to be part of. 🎧 Now live on Spotify, Apple, and wherever you listen.

    50 min

  5. Apr 19

    78. Sam Carter - Insights From A Pro Rugby Career

    “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.

    46 min

  6. Apr 12

    77. Louise Zawada - Why Trust Drives Every Transformation

    “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.

    52 min

  7. Apr 5

    76. Zaymn Chapman Ryan - From Setbacks to Senior Leadership

    “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.

    50 min

  8. Mar 29

    75. Trent Cotchin - Leadership Lessons From AFL Royalty

    “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.

    48 min
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About

What’s The Craic with host Odhran McCorry is a podcast about the journeys behind success. Every episode starts with a simple Irish question: What’s the craic? From there, the conversation goes wherever the story leads. The risks people took. The lessons they learned. The failures that shaped them. The moments that changed everything. You’ll hear from founders, leaders, athletes and operators talking honestly about the road that got them to where they are today. Real conversations. Real stories. No script. Where the craic flows and the stories get told. Welcome to What’s The Craic. 🍀

Information

  • Creator
    Odhran McCorry
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    82
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Odhran McCorry
  • Show Website
    What's The Craic Podcast

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