Ordinary Extraordinary

Karen O’ Sullivan
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Society & Culture

Ordinary, Extraordinary is a motivational podcast celebrating stories of kindness, courage, service, and purpose from local communities to national and global impact. Each episode highlights how small steps can create meaningful change and powerful results, reminding us that good news truly exists in the world. Launching in 2026.

  1. Oct 17

    HOT COLD

    The Cold Is Your Teacher: Recalibration, Breath & Connection In this episode of Ordinary Extraordinary, host Karen sits down with Steve and Becky, the owners of Hoco Sauna in Cork City, to explore the powerful world of heat, cold, breath and connection. We get to know the people behind Hoco Sauna — who Steve and Becky are, why they chose the name Hoco (Hot + Cold), and what inspired them to create a space centred around sauna, cold therapy and community. Steve shares his journey to a Wim Hof retreat, including the experience of meeting Wim himself, while Becky talks about her training with Dr. Susanna Søberg at the Søberg Institute in Denmark and what she learned about the benefits of cold exposure. Together, we explore the idea of recalibration — stepping away from the noise, returning to the breath and reconnecting with ourselves. We talk about the physical and mental benefits of sauna and ice baths, the lessons the cold can teach us, and the importance of connection. The conversation also takes us to Norway, where Steve and Becky recently travelled and found inspiration in the country's sauna culture. Along the way, they share some memorable sauna stories, funny moments and even a rather unexpected experience involving cold food in the morning! A conversation about getting uncomfortable, slowing down, breathing, reconnecting and discovering what happens when we step outside our comfort zone. “The cold is your teacher.” Follow Hoco Sauna: @hocosaunaWebsite: hocosauna.com

    HOT COLD

  2. Oct 8

    Healing, ADHD & Addiction From Survival to Self-Discovery

    In this episode of Ordinary Extraordinary, Karen O’ Sullivan chats with Lisa Keohane, founder of Nua Tú Coaching & Holistics, a life coach and holistic practitioner based in West Cork. Lisa shares an honest and deeply personal conversation about her own healing journey, long-term recovery from addiction, ADHD and neurodivergence, and her experience of being a parent and carer. She talks about how these experiences inspired her to return to education, continue her professional training, and create Nua Tú — a space where people can feel safe to be themselves and reconnect with the courage, wisdom and potential they already carry within. Lisa is currently undertaking ADHD Practitioner and Advanced ADHD Coach training, and the conversation explores ADHD, neurodivergence, addiction, caring for others, self-discovery and the courage it can take to begin again. At the heart of Lisa’s message is the reminder that you matter too. Behind all the roles we carry — parent, carer, partner, professional or simply the person others depend on — there is still you. It’s okay to want more for yourself, to explore what makes you happy, and to make space for your own hopes and dreams. Lisa encourages listeners to become curious about themselves and to ask: What else might be possible for me? What do I enjoy? What have I yet to discover about myself? She believes there is always more within us than we realise — courage, wisdom, magic and potential. As Lisa says: “Plant a seed within yourself.” A conversation about healing, possibility, self-discovery and remembering that the person behind all the roles you carry deserves care and attention too. Find Lisa:Instagram: @nua.tu.with.lisaFacebook: Lisa Keohnae Nua Tu Coaching

    Healing, ADHD & Addiction From Survival to Self-Discovery

  3. Sep 23

    The Survival of the Nurtured

    ORDINARY EXTRAORDINARY PODCAST with Karen O’SullivanEpisode: “The Survival of the Nurtured” — with Michelle Gupta of Embody Harmony What if survival isn’t about being the fittest… but about being nurtured? Karen O’Sullivan meets holistic therapist, Tai Chi and meditation teacher Michelle Gupta for a wonderfully honest and uplifting conversation recorded in the beautiful grounds of Blackrock Castle in Cork. Michelle takes us back more than a decade to her life as a high-flying Fashion Buyer in London — long commutes, 12-hour days and a healthy bank balance, but a seriously depleted “health-wealth account”. That realisation became the beginning of a very different journey: learning to listen to her body, quieten her manic mind and discover the healing power of touch, massage, craniosacral therapy Tai Chi, Chi Kung and meditation. Together, Karen and Michelle explore self-care, inner wisdom, energy and the question: “Where am I? How am I?” They also revisit how they first met on stage — and ask a bigger question: What role are you playing in the theatre production of your own life? With Michelle’s wonderfully simple reminder that emotion is energy in motion, this conversation is an invitation to pause, check in and nurture the person at the centre of your own story. And there’s more… Michelle shares why an image of the Earth saying “YOU ARE HERE” has such profound meaning for her, including a story connected to meeting the Dalai Lama. So perhaps it’s time to rethink the old idea of survival of the fittest… Could it be the survival of the nurtured? 🌍✨ Find Michelle and her upcoming events at embodyharmony.com, and on Instagram @embody.harmony.holistics and Facebook Embody Harmony – Holistic Therapies, Tai Chi & Meditation.

    The Survival of the Nurtured

  4. Sep 17

    Living With More Vitality

    What does it really mean to live with more vitality — to not simply add years to our life, but to add more life, energy, purpose and meaning to our years? In this episode of Ordinary Extraordinary, Karen O’Sullivan is joined by Dr. Mark Rowe, GP, Lifestyle Medicine pioneer, author, speaker and wellbeing advocate, for a fascinating and inspiring conversation about health, happiness, resilience and living well. Dr. Mark Rowe graduated as a GP, achieving first place in the 1995 MICGP examination. His own journey has included extraordinary challenges, including an arson attack that destroyed his first practice premises. From that experience came a remarkable new chapter, leading Mark to establish The Waterford Health Park, an innovative multidisciplinary primary care centre which went on to receive a Global Health Improvement Award, A Place to Flourish, in 2013. Mark was among the early cohort of medical professionals to become certified in Lifestyle Medicine, an evidence-based, lifestyle-first approach to preventing and managing chronic health conditions. For many years he has shared this message with healthcare professionals, medical students, organisations and audiences around the world. He has also lectured UCD medical students on Lifestyle as Medicine and delivered his TEDx talk, The Doctor of the Future: Prescribing Lifestyle as Medicine. As the author of bestselling books including Things Your Future Self Will Thank You For, The Vitality Mark, A Prescription for Happiness and The Men’s Health Book, Mark encourages us to think differently about our health and our future selves. In this conversation, Karen and Mark explore what vitality really means and the simple but powerful ways we can take greater responsibility for our own wellbeing — through movement, nutrition, sleep, relationships, purpose, resilience, mindfulness and our connection with nature. They also talk about change, starting again and the importance of remaining curious throughout life. One of the messages Mark shares is one that is particularly worth carrying with us: “It’s never too late to start again. Never stop starting. Never stop learning and growing.” Because wherever we are in life, there is always an opportunity to begin again, make a different choice, learn something new and take another step towards becoming the healthiest and happiest version of ourselves. To discover more about Mark’s work, books, wellbeing programmes, keynote talks, coaching and upcoming events, visit his website: Dr. Mark Rowe — drmarkrowe.com You can also explore his wellbeing coaching and Lifestyle Medicine programmes, as well as his speaking and workplace wellbeing work. For details of upcoming events and programmes, visit Mark’s website regularly for the latest information. This is a conversation about more than health. It’s about how we choose to live, how we respond to change, and how we can continue to grow at every stage of life. Because it’s never too late to start again.Never stop starting.Never stop learning and growing. Connect with Dr. Mark Rowe

    Living With More Vitality

  5. Sep 10

    Do It While You Can

    In this episode of Ordinary Extraordinary, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down in person with the incredible Joe Murphy — a true legend in my eyes, and someone I know many people in both the running and photography communities admire greatly. Joe’s running journey began more than 40 years ago, and along the way he has completed numerous marathons, including some seriously impressive times. But Joe is much more than his running achievements. He is an absolute gent, a fantastic coach and someone with a wealth of knowledge and advice to share. Joe is also an incredibly talented photographer. Over the years, he has captured countless moments at running events and many other occasions, often working quietly behind the scenes to capture those natural, authentic photographs that tell a story. These days, Joe is still running, still taking photographs, doing plenty of parkruns and continuing to travel with his running and photography. In our conversation, we talk about how his journey began, what has kept him involved for so many years, photography, coaching and some of the memorable stories and experiences he has picked up along the way. We also chat about some of the more challenging moments, the happiest memories, and the lessons that come from a life spent doing the things you love. One of the messages Joe shared really stayed with me: Do things while you’re in good health and while you can. It’s simple advice, but incredibly powerful. This was a genuinely beautiful conversation, recorded in the amazing Ballincollig Regional Park in Cork, Ireland, and I feel truly humbled to have had the opportunity to sit down with Joe and hear his story. Joe is not a man of airs and graces — he’s full of stories, experience, wisdom, encouragement and some brilliant advice. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. If you’d like to follow Joe and see more of his photography, you can find him on Facebook under Joe Anne Photos. 🎙️ Ordinary Extraordinary — because sometimes the most extraordinary stories belong to ordinary people.

    Do It While You Can

  6. Sep 4

    The Great Potential in Boys, Men & Teams

    This conversation with Stephen Feeney, The Flourishing Man, was recorded in person in Tramore Valley Park in Cork — and, fittingly, it was lashing rain! So we found a shelter, set up, and had a brilliant conversation about boys, men, sport, potential and flourishing. Stephen is, first and foremost, a special class teacher working with infants in a DEIS school, so we had some great conversations about the work I do with the boys there and the experiences that shape young boys as they grow. Through The Flourishing Man, Stephen also delivers workshops with boys around positive masculinity, drawing on positive psychology, and works with sports teams through performance coaching and positive psychology techniques. But what I found most interesting was Stephen's own story. We talked about the man he was, the man he is becoming, and the realisation that he hadn't always reached his full potential. That personal journey is at the heart of why he now wants to help others — particularly boys and men — recognise and develop their own potential. We explored what positive masculinity can look like, how we can support boys to flourish, what sport and teams can teach us about ourselves, and how positive psychology can help people see possibilities that they might otherwise miss. Two ideas from Stephen really stayed with me: “Everyone is doing the best with the resources they have.” And: “Allow yourself to think of the positive opportunities that are out there for you.” This was a conversation full of honesty, hope and possibility — and a reminder that flourishing isn't about becoming someone else. It's about discovering what is already possible within you. Stephen Feeney — The Flourishing Man🌱 Positive masculinity | Positive psychology | Boys | Men | Sport | Performance | Teams 🌐 theflourishingman.com📸 Instagram: @the_flourishingman🎵 TikTok: The Flourishing Man Listen to Ordinary Extraordinary with Karen O’Sullivan.

    The Great Potential in Boys, Men & Teams

  7. Aug 27

    Finding Calm, Connection & Your Life’s Purpose

    What a beautiful setting for this conversation — we recorded this episode in Inchydoney, West Cork, after a morning T’ai Chi session on the beach. With the sound and energy of the ocean around us, this felt like the perfect place to explore slowing down, reconnecting with ourselves and finding greater harmony in life. In this episode, I’m joined by Carmel O’Connor, a lifelong educator and passionate advocate for health and wellbeing. Carmel began her career as a secondary school teacher before becoming a Guidance Counsellor. In 2000, she began her own journey into T’ai Chi, Chi Kung and meditation with Daoist Master Jason Chan, founder of Infinite T’ai Chi. For more than 20 years, Carmel has taught T’ai Chi, Chi Kung and meditation throughout Ireland, helping people discover the benefits of movement, mindfulness, connection and stillness. We talk about: 🌿 The calming and restorative energy of T’ai Chi🌿 Why slowing down can change the way we experience life🌿 T’ai Chi as a moving meditation🌿 The physical, emotional and spiritual benefits of T’ai Chi🌿 The power of coming together in community with a shared purpose🌿 Carmel’s own transformative journey and the moments that changed her perspective🌿 Learning to trust ourselves, life and the guidance we receive🌿 Why asking for help can be such a powerful practice🌿 Feeling connected to ourselves, to others and to something greater🌿 Carmel’s seven principles for living a more fulfilling life Carmel shares seven principles that have become important to her: 1. Alignment2. Ask for help3. Open yourself to love and life4. Trust5. Discipline6. Slow down — mindfulness, meditation and stillness7. Wisdom We also had a beautiful little moment during the recording when a sudden gust of wind meant we had to briefly relocate — a moment that Carmel interpreted as a reminder to trust and to listen to the signs around us. One of the most powerful messages Carmel shares is that you are hugely important in this world. Your presence matters. You are connected to everyone around you, and you have something unique to contribute. If you are feeling lost or unsure of your direction, Carmel offers a beautifully simple practice: pause, breathe in and out, and ask, “Please help me.” Then become still and allow what is right for you to reveal itself. As Carmel reminds us, we each have the potential to bring out the very finest in ourselves — and to make a meaningful difference in the world. “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one single step.” Sometimes that first step is simply to pause, breathe and begin. 🌐 Website: Carmeloconnor.com📧 The Great Way T’ai Chi Academy: thegreatwaytaichiacademy@gmail.com Carmel is also involved in teacher training in T’ai Chi, Chi Kung and meditation, helping more people become qualified to share these practices with others. Come with us to Inchydoney, take a breath, slow down and join the conversation. 🌊🌿

    Finding Calm, Connection & Your Life’s Purpose

  8. Aug 20

    Behind Burnout: You Are Enough

    What if burnout isn’t just about how much you’re doing, but about what you believe you have to prove? In this episode of Ordinary Extraordinary, Karen O’Sullivan is joined by Gillian O’Gorman, The Burnout Coach, for an honest and deeply relatable conversation about stress, overwhelm, burnout and the pressure so many of us put on ourselves to keep going. Gillian shares her own experience of burnout and the realisation that, beneath the workload and constant striving, was a much deeper belief:  earn worth. We talk about the difference between everyday stress and chronic stress, what happens when we continually push beyond our capacity, and the often-hidden reality of “functioning burnout” — when you may look fine on the outside while feeling exhausted, detached or overwhelmed on the inside. Gillian explains our instinctive fight, flight, freeze and fawn responses, and why understanding our nervous system can help us recognise when we’re asking more of ourselves than we have the capacity to give. We also explore the mental load we carry, the culture of hustle, why asking for help can feel like a weakness, and how easily exhaustion can become something we wear as a badge of honour. At the heart of the conversation is our relationship with ourselves. If you were feeling depleted, tired, alone, misunderstood or exhausted, would you speak to yourself with the same compassion you would offer someone you love? Because sometimes the most important question isn’t “How can I keep going?” but “How can I take care of myself?” A reminder that awareness is the first step, asking for help is not failure, and there is always a pathway out. You deserve more. You are enough. Find Gillian and explore her work, women’s circles, online groups and upcoming events at theburnoutcoach.ie. Contact: gillian@theburnoutcoach.ieInstagram: @theburnoutcoach.ieFacebook: The Burnout CoachLinkedIn: Gillian O’Gorman #OrdinaryExtraordinary #BehindBurnout #Burnout #Stress #Wellbeing #SelfWorth #MentalHealth #GillianOGorman

    Behind Burnout: You Are Enough
See All (36)

Trailer

About

Ordinary, Extraordinary is a motivational podcast celebrating stories of kindness, courage, service, and purpose from local communities to national and global impact. Each episode highlights how small steps can create meaningful change and powerful results, reminding us that good news truly exists in the world. Launching in 2026.

Information

  • Creator
    Karen O’ Sullivan
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Karen O’ Sullivan
  • Show Website
    Ordinary Extraordinary