10forty

10forty

Dive into the realms of recruitment, business, and the diverse career paths individuals can embark on in life. Contact info@10forty for more information if you'd like to be a guest or sponsor the podcast Advertise open jobs or apply for a new role www.10forty.com Hosted by Conor Foster (Recruitment Professional)

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Ep 82 - Inside the Details: A Life in the Garda Technical Bureau

    In this week’s episode, we sit down with John Sweetman, author of Identity and host of the Lines of Enquiry podcast. John takes us inside a career shaped by detail — beginning with his first job in animation, his lifelong connection to art and the path that ultimately led him to An Garda Síochána. We talk about his early days in uniform, his first posting and the moment an incident involving a local publican being struck with a bottle quietly redirected the course of his career. That moment led John into the Garda Technical Bureau, where we explore the process of becoming a fingerprint expert and what it’s really like to attend crime scenes — and whether exposure to that world ever truly becomes normal. John also shares how he later transitioned into handwriting analysis, breaking down the training, responsibility and precision required to be recognised as an expert witness and what a life spent paying close attention can do to the way you see the world. To close, we ask John whether he’d still recommend the Garda as a career today and what advice he’d give to anyone considering stepping into that line of work This episode is proudly sponsored by: Top Drawer Talent — Supply Chain & Procurement Specialists, helping businesses hire top-tier talent across Ireland and internationally. Nesta Storage — secure, flexible storage solutions for businesses and individuals, offering modern facilities, short- and long-term options, and peace of mind when space matters. Get 25% off your first month’s storage using the code CS25 HERE WE GO! Are you interested in sharing your career journey on the podcast? Whether you're keen to talk about your path or promote a specific job or career route, we'd love to hear from you. Drop us a line at info@10forty.com — we’ll get the coffees in! ☕ Sponsorships: Want to partner? Reach out to us at info@10forty.com

    1h 25m
  2. 5 FEB

    Ep 81 - How One Young Man Built a Frontline Homeless Support Team

    This week on the 10forty Podcast, I’m joined by Brandon, founder of Dublin Homeless Awareness, a frontline non-profit supporting people experiencing homelessness across the city. We dive into Brandon’s journey — from leaving school early to finding purpose through community action, leadership and eventually founding Dublin Homeless Awareness in 2018. What started as a Transition Year project sleeping rough evolved into a fully operational non-profit providing emergency accommodation support, referrals to addiction servicesand on-the-ground crisis response. Brandon explains what the organisation actually does day to day: conducting welfare checks, calling doctors, supporting people during overdoses, administering life-saving medication, responding to stabbings and even carrying out river rescues as trained emergency first responders. We also talk about why they wear a uniform, how presence matters on the streets and the obstacles they face while working late into the night — often until 5am — to keep people safe. We discuss their role during the Dublin riots, navigating COVID-19 while changing in a garden shed and how strong relationships with the homeless community and local businesses have been built over time. Brandon also shares lessons from his early jobs — including directing traffic at the 3Arena — and how those experiences shaped his conflict resolution and de-escalation skills. The conversation covers his work experience with An Garda Síochána, Dublin Fire Brigade and the Ambulance Service, his long-standing ambition to work in emergency services, and why he’s now drawn to the social care and addiction support space. We talk about his decision to return to college to study addiction studies, what he’s learning around motivational interviewing and what’s next for Dublin Homeless Awareness. We also break down how the organisation recruits and onboards volunteers from colleges, how they’ve built a team of 20, the interview and training process and how they keep their team safe while operating on the streets. If you’re interested in volunteering or learning more, reach out to Dublin Homeless Awareness on social media. A powerful, honest conversation about purpose, service and making a real impact where it matters most. Download the Rough Sleeper App and report a rough sleep in need. Once reported, the Dublin Simon Community will be alerted and can get support to that person as quickly as possible. 👉 Download on Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.roughsleepers&hl=en_IE Follow the guys and the work they do TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dublinhomelessawareness/photo/7562300428612799766 Insta: https://www.instagram.com/p/DP7MEZljb4N/ This episode is proudly sponsored by: Top Drawer Talent — Supply Chain & Procurement Specialists, helping businesses hire top-tier talent across Ireland and internationally. Nesta Storage — secure, flexible storage solutions for businesses and individuals, offering modern facilities, short- and long-term options, and peace of mind when space matters. . HERE WE GO! Are you interested in sharing your career journey on the podcast? Whether you're keen to talk about your path or promote a specific job or career route, we'd love to hear from you. Drop us a line at info@10forty.com — we’ll get the coffees in! ☕ Sponsorships: Want to partner? Reach out to us at info@10forty.com

    1h 2m
  3. 29 JAN

    Ep 80 - Craft Over Classroom: A Real Path into Stonemasonry & Conservation

    In this week’s episode of the 10forty Podcast, we sit down with Gerard Edwards, a highly skilled stonemason and conservation specialist, to explore his journey into the trade, building a business and preserving history through his work. Gerard shares how he started his first business at just 20, how he landed his very first job and how one opportunity led to the next. We discuss how he became a stonemason, the different projects he’s worked on and how he grew his team to 18 people. We also dive into some of the prestigious conservation projects Gerard has been involved in, including work at Ashford Castle and Adare Manor and what it takes to work on some of Ireland’s most historic and high-profile buildings. Gerard speaks openly about his dyslexia, his decision not to return to school and how he built a successful career through hands-on learning, specialist training and experience in the field. We talk through the highs and lows of the recession, the challenge of getting back to work afterward and how that period ultimately led to the creation of his current business, Balance Conservation Ltd. The conversation also covers Gerard’s specialist conservation training in the UK, including being trained by a master craftsman with a doctorate in bricklaying. He explains why he enjoys the variety in his work and how, in his 30s, he developed a deep appreciation for history and art. We explore how buildings were constructed and plastered across different eras, comparing Victorian and Georgian architecture and what makes conservation work so unique. Gerard breaks down how to become a stonemason, the pathway into conservation work, what he looks for in an apprentice and how people can get started in the trade. We also discuss the SPAB course he completed in the UK and its importance in heritage conservation. Finally, we look ahead to the future—whether Gerard sees himself staying in business long term and how Ireland, the UK, Australia, and Canada are all competing for the same skilled workforce. A fascinating conversation about craftsmanship, resilience, and building a career outside the traditional education system. Connect with Gerard Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerard-edwards-946496122/ This episode is proudly sponsored by: Top Drawer Talent — Supply Chain & Procurement Specialists, helping businesses hire top-tier talent across Ireland and internationally. Nesta Storage — secure, flexible storage solutions for businesses and individuals, offering modern facilities, short- and long-term options, and peace of mind when space matters. IT.ie — trusted IT support and managed services, delivering reliable technology solutions that keep businesses connected, secure, and running smoothly. HERE WE GO! Are you interested in sharing your career journey on the podcast? Whether you're keen to talk about your path or promote a specific job or career route, we'd love to hear from you. Drop us a line at info@10forty.com — we’ll get the coffees in! ☕ Sponsorships: Want to partner? Reach out to us at info@10forty.com

    1h 3m
  4. 20 JAN

    Ep 79 - Unstoppable FM: Rewiring the Mind with a Former Army Sniper

    In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Martin Brady — former Army sniper, high-performance coach, keynote speaker, and mental performance expert. Martin shares his remarkable journey from a young boxer following a family tradition into the Defence Forces, joining the army just two weeks after his 17th birthday. Having left school after Transition Year, he spent 18 years in the Defence Forces, including overseas deployments — even celebrating his 18th birthday in Liberia. He reflects candidly on life overseas, early lessons in responsibility and the realities of military life, which he looks back on with genuine pride. We dive into: • Life in the army and the mindset required to perform under pressure • Advice for parents whose son or daughter is considering joining the Defence Forces • What to do if you’re thinking about leaving the army and transitioning to civilian life • How 90% of our actions are driven by the subconscious mind • Martin’s approach to coaching, business and becoming the person you want to be known as Martin also explains the inspiration behind writing his book Change Your Jacket, including the powerful moment that sparked it — a simple question about why someone wore a different jacket and what they had to do to earn it. We discuss the full process of writing the book, identity change and the mental shift required when moving from soldier to civilian. Other key topics include: • Why ideas “pick you” when you’re in the right state of mind • How Martin was selected as the face of a VW pickup truck ad (2026) from over 400 candidates • Sending out the right “vibrational frequency” • Practical steps to change your situation • Why you shouldn’t commit to an identity you’re no longer happy with • Getting yourself tuned into “Unstoppable FM” We also talk about Martin’s work today, his business and his mission to help others reinvent themselves mentally, physically and professionally. ________________________________________ 🔗 Connect with Martin Brady • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-brady-a219ba169/ • Podcast – Reinventing Yourself: https://open.spotify.com/show/2WMJItYWFdxSyJXqohnXkS • Book – Change Your Jacket: https://www.amazon.ie/Change-your-jacket-military-performance/dp/B0FGB5PBFY This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in mindset, personal transformation, military life, or becoming unstoppable in the next chapter of their life. This episode is proudly sponsored by: Top Drawer Talent — Supply Chain & Procurement Specialists, helping businesses hire top-tier talent across Ireland and internationally. Nesta Storage — secure, flexible storage solutions for businesses and individuals, offering modern facilities, short- and long-term options, and peace of mind when space matters. IT.ie — trusted IT support and managed services, delivering reliable technology solutions that keep businesses connected, secure, and running smoothly. HERE WE GO! Are you interested in sharing your career journey on the podcast? Whether you're keen to talk about your path or promote a specific job or career route, we'd love to hear from you. Drop us a line at info@10forty.com — we’ll get the coffees in! ☕ Sponsorships: Want to partner? Reach out to us at info@10forty.com

    1h 31m
  5. 13 JAN

    Ep 78 - Bobby Healy’s Moonshot Playbook: Hiring & Scaling

    In this episode of the 10forty Podcast, we sit down with Bobby Healy for what can only be described as a masterclass in entrepreneurship, hiring, and scaling a business from first principles. Bobby takes us right back to the beginning — his first-ever job at just 12 years old, learning to code, navigating school and ultimately dropping out of college because he had no interest in what was being taught. From there, we trace his unconventional path to becoming one of Ireland’s most respected tech founders. We go deep on Manna — how the operation actually works day to day, the global expansion plans and Bobby’s ambitious moonshot to make Manna the largest drone delivery business in the world. He openly shares what it’s like taking venture capital for the first time, why he decided to do it, the trade-offs involved and the current burn rate required to build something truly category-defining. This episode is packed with insight on hiring and firing at scale. Bobby explains his hiring philosophy, including his obsession with “downloading people’s brains” during final-round interviews, how he evaluates raw potential over credentials and whether he’d hire someone straight out of the Junior Cert. We also discuss boards, giving up shares and the real benefits strong governance can bring when done properly. One of the standout moments is Bobby’s story about running an incubator of 25 Leaving Cert students — and how several of those students still work with him today. It leads into a powerful conversation on what’s broken in the education system, what he would change and how he believes a more modern, skills-first approach should look for young people. We also ask the big questions: • Would he ever sell Manna? • What does he look for in people he wants to work for him? • How should founders think about capital, control, and ambition? To round things out, Bobby shares how he spends his downtime — often coding or “vibe coding”, constantly learning, building, and experimenting. If you’re interested in building businesses, hiring exceptional people, raising capital, or thinking differently about education and work, this episode is not to be missed. Connect with Bobby Twitter: https://x.com/realBobbyHealy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhealy?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app Manna: https://www.manna.aero/ This episode is proudly sponsored by: Top Drawer Talent — Supply Chain & Procurement Specialists, helping businesses hire top-tier talent across Ireland and internationally. Nesta Storage — secure, flexible storage solutions for businesses and individuals, offering modern facilities, short- and long-term options, and peace of mind when space matters. IT.ie — trusted IT support and managed services, delivering reliable technology solutions that keep businesses connected, secure, and running smoothly. HERE WE GO! Are you interested in sharing your career journey on the podcast? Whether you're keen to talk about your path or promote a specific job or career route, we'd love to hear from you. Drop us a line at info@10forty.com — we’ll get the coffees in! ☕ Sponsorships: Want to partner? Reach out to us at info@10forty.com

    1h 23m
  6. 6 JAN

    Ep 77 - 11Year Old Hustler Ray Cooke | Property, Business, Careers & Hiring

    This week I’m joined by Ray Cooke, one of Ireland’s best-known property entrepreneurs and the founder of Ray Cooke Auctioneers. We dive deep into Ray’s journey, starting with his very first job at just 11 years old, organising pre-debs parties and hustling from an early age. Ray shares how that early entrepreneurial mindset shaped everything that followed. We chat about his time travelling through Australia, the lessons he brought home, and how he landed his first role in real estate—before going on to set up Ray Cooke Estate Agents and open his first office in Clondalkin, a move that would become the foundation of a hugely successful business. Ray breaks down: • The different routes into becoming an estate agent • How to obtain your licence and what people often get wrong starting out • What it really takes to build and scale a property business • The roles he’s currently hiring for • And what he looks for when hiring A great-listen for anyone interested in property, entrepreneurship, sales, or building a career from the ground up. This episode is proudly sponsored by: Top Drawer Talent — Supply Chain & Procurement Specialists, helping businesses hire top-tier talent across Ireland and internationally. Nesta Storage — secure, flexible storage solutions for businesses and individuals, offering modern facilities, short- and long-term options, and peace of mind when space matters. IT.ie — trusted IT support and managed services, delivering reliable technology solutions that keep businesses connected, secure, and running smoothly. HERE WE GO! Are you interested in sharing your career journey on the podcast? Whether you're keen to talk about your path or promote a specific job or career route, we'd love to hear from you. Drop us a line at info@10forty.com — we’ll get the coffees in! ☕ Sponsorships: Want to partner? Reach out to us at info@10forty.com

    1h 44m
  7. 23/12/2025

    Ep 76 - Night Shifts to News Feeds: The Rise of Secret Abu Dhabi

    In this episode of the 10forty Podcast, Conor sits down with Andy Edwards, founder of Secret Abu Dhabi, to unpack an extraordinary journey of career transformation, entrepreneurship, and building a media brand in the UAE. Andy began his career working shifts as a healthcare assistant before moving to the UK to train as a nurse. Through relentless upskilling and discipline, he progressed into intensive care, working as an ICU nurse in one of the most demanding environments in healthcare. While working full-time in critical care, Andy began investing in UK property from abroad — learning how to build wealth remotely while living and working in the UAE. That same curiosity and drive eventually led him to launch Secret Abu Dhabi. What started as a content idea quickly grew into the go-to media platform for Abu Dhabi, covering food, lifestyle, culture, events, and hidden gems across the city. Today, Secret Abu Dhabi is a trusted voice for locals, expats, and visitors alike. In this episode, Andy shares: How working in ICU shaped his mindset and work ethic Making bold career moves and relocating internationally Investing in UK property while living in the UAE Building and scaling a media brand from the ground up What it really takes to spot opportunity and back yourself This conversation is a must-listen for anyone considering a career pivot, building a side hustle alongside a demanding job, or creating something meaningful in a new market. 🎙️ From night shifts to news feeds — this is the rise of Secret Abu Dhabi. Connect with Andy Connect with Andy Edwards on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-edwards-39a6aa187/Visit Secret Abu Dhabi: https://secretabudhabi.ae/Follow Secret Abu Dhabi on Instagram:👉 Search Secret Abu Dhabi on Instagram for daily food, lifestyle, events, and hidden gems across the capital This episode is brought to you by Top Drawer Talent — the Supply Chain & Procurement Specialists. HERE WE GO! Are you interested in sharing your career journey on the podcast? Whether you're keen to talk about your path or promote a specific job or career route, we'd love to hear from you. Drop us a line at info@10forty.com — we’ll get the coffees in! ☕ Sponsorships: Want to partner? Reach out to us at info@10forty.com

    51 min
  8. 31/10/2025

    Ep 75 - Baked to Death: Baking the Dream with David Judge

    In this episode of the 10Forty Podcast, we sit down with David Judge, founder of standout bakery Baked to Death and finalist in the 2025 Irish Food Awards — a business that’s shaking up the food scene with attitude, creativity, and unapologetically authentic cheese and chocolate biscuit cakes. David shares his journey and the path that led to Baked to Death: from a bold lockdown idea and a refusal to play by the rules, to building a cult following and carving out a unique space in the Irish food world. Drawing on lessons from his market stall beginnings and a typical Dublin upbringing, David brings raw honesty about the grit it takes to run a modern food business. This episode dives deep into brand building, resilience, and what it really takes to stand out in a crowded market. Whether you’re a founder, foodie, or just looking for inspiration to do things your own way — this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Contact David https://www.instagram.com/baked_to_death/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@baked_to_death?lang=en Drop In 353 Ballyfermot Rd, Cherry Orchard, Dublin 10, D10 WN70 This episode is brought to you by Top Drawer Talent — the Supply Chain & Procurement Specialists. HERE WE GO! Are you interested in sharing your career journey on the podcast? Whether you're keen to talk about your path or promote a specific job or career route, we'd love to hear from you. Drop us a line at info@10forty.com — we’ll get the coffees in! ☕ Sponsorships: Want to partner? Reach out to us at info@10forty.com

    55 min

About

Dive into the realms of recruitment, business, and the diverse career paths individuals can embark on in life. Contact info@10forty for more information if you'd like to be a guest or sponsor the podcast Advertise open jobs or apply for a new role www.10forty.com Hosted by Conor Foster (Recruitment Professional)

You Might Also Like