Ryan sits down with Seamus McDaid, the fourth-generation Irish entrepreneur behind McDaid’s Football Special, the craft soda from Donegal that’s been part of local celebrations for decades.

The McDaid family turned a small family business into one of Irelands most iconic drinks, poured into trophy cups across generations and forever linked with Donegal heritage and community pride.

Seamus shares what it’s like to carry a four-generation legacy, to modernise a brand without losing its heart, and to balance innovation with authenticity. From stories of his childhood around the family factory to his reflections on leadership, identity, and tradition, this conversation uncovers the human side of building something that truly lasts.

We also dive into how McDaid’s continues to compete with global powerhouses like Coca-Cola, the challenges of staying independent in a market dominated by giants, and the importance of storytelling, resilience, and purpose in sustaining a local Irish brand on a global stage. It’s a story about legacy, family, and what it means to build something that outlives you, a true story with lessons for anyone chasing their own dream.

It was an honour to sit down with Terry Crossan, a man whose life is deeply entwined with the modern history of Derry and the Troubles in Northern Ireland.Born on William Street in 1952, Terry grew up at what would later be dubbed “Agro Corner” by the British Army, a hotspot during the Battle of the Bogside. As a young man, he found himself on the frontlines of the civil rights movement, navigating a city filled with tension, inequality, and daily conflict.Terry was present at the peaceful march that became one of the darkest days in Irish history, Bloody Sunday. When the British Army opened fire, killing 13 unarmed civilians, Terry ran for his life. That moment, and its trauma, would shape everything that followed.Terry reflects on the chaos and complexity of those years, the loss of life, the blurred lines between resistance and survival, and the human cost of the conflict. We speak openly about the murders of IRA volunteers, British soldiers, and innocent civilians.Following a truce that was broken by the British Army, Terry went on the run. Just 12 weeks after marrying his wife, he was arrested alongside Martin McGuinness and charged with conspiracy to cause explosions with intent to endanger life. Eight weeks into his detention, he received word that his wife was pregnant.He was sentenced to 22 years in prison, ultimately serving 6 years, one of the most infamous prisons of the time. While incarcerated, Terry used the time to educate himself, learning Irish and developing a deeper understanding of the culture and history he was fighting to preserve.Before politics, Terry was also a talented footballer, playing alongside future international star Martin O’Neill at youth level, earning an Ulster Colleges medal in GAA and representing Derry in both Gaelic and soccer.This episode goes beyond headlines. It’s not just the story of a man, it’s the story of a city, a conflict, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of division and oppression.

In this honest and down-to-earth conversation, Ryan talks with Barbara Doherty about travel, healing, and figuring out life along the way.Barbara shares her journey from the chaos of Rio’s Carnival to quiet moments in the Amazon jungle — where she explored plant medicine, nature, and the idea of finding balance. She opens up about how these experiences changed the way she sees herself and the world.They talk about:• How plant medicine opened her eyes to connection and surrender• What nature teaches us about peace and perspective• Why the sound of birds makes us feel safe• The search for meaning and how it all comes back to love• Letting go of old versions of ourselves and learning to just beBarbara’s story is about slowing down, paying attention, and realizing that every moment — even the hard ones — can wake us up to who we really are.