The Pear Pod

Phil Donnelly jumps on the pod to discuss balancing parenthood while growing a business.

Let's talk about yesterday's episode..

Delighted and honoured to be joined by  MalakiI started listening to his music back before COVID and had dreamed of having him on the podcast someday so this is a big deal for me. I guarantee you'll enjoy this.Please please like and subscribe

00:00 – The Chaos Behind the CameraWhat really happens when content creation goes wrong — from lost footage to bad audio and broken mics. The painful side of the grind that no one sees.03:22 – Welcome to The Pear PodMeet Paul & John from Is It Worth It? — the duo turning everyday meals into viral content. Find out how their journey began.06:05 – From Holidays to Honest ReviewsHow Paul’s love for filming memories on lads’ trips evolved into one of Ireland’s most authentic review channels.09:48 – Building a Brand on Brutal HonestyWhy “Is It Worth It?” refuses to fake positivity — and how being too honest cost Paul some friendships.12:37 – The Pressure of Being RecognisedWhat happens when restaurants realise a reviewer has walked in? Bigger portions, fresher food, and the psychology behind it all.15:28 – “Not You!” – The Pizza Shop ConfrontationPaul shares the story of the viral moment when a Dublin pizza owner told him, “I don’t want your review.” The shocking reality behind that clip.18:15 – Authenticity vs. InfluenceCan small creators stay honest when money enters the picture? The team reveals how they’ve resisted paid reviews and stayed independent.22:41 – When Integrity Costs You WorkPaul talks about turning down easy cash and why taking the high road might mean slower growth — but lasting respect.26:50 – Dublin’s Hidden Food GemsThe best dishes and restaurants in the city you need to try — including Michelin-level meals that won’t break the bank.30:10 – The Struggles of Reviewing RestaurantsWhat really happens when you film in a busy restaurant? The intimidation, fake friendliness, and staged “empty” reviews explained.34:52 – Overpriced or Overhyped?Paul and the host debate luxury dining — from disappointing €200 steak dinners to why cheaper meals sometimes taste better.39:05 – The Salt Bae ExperienceBehind the scenes of reviewing London’s most infamous restaurant — and the shocking £630 steak story.42:33 – Going Global (Without Selling Out)The dream of taking Is It Worth It? international — from London to LA — and the challenge of growing while staying true to their roots.47:15 – The YouTube vs. TikTok DilemmaWhy content that explodes on social media doesn’t always succeed on YouTube — and how the duo plans to master both.50:10 – The Search for the Right SponsorPaul reveals the brands they’ve turned down and what kind of partnership would actually make sense for their audience.54:40 – Real Impact: When Reviews Change LivesThe powerful stories of local takeaways going viral — and how one review had queues wrapping around the block.57:22 – The Future of Honest Food ReviewsHow fake reviews dominate the scene — and how you can spot creators who aren’t telling the truth.01:02:15 – What Food Wins the Internet?Discover the secret: it’s not pizza. Paul breaks down which dishes perform best online and why Irish audiences are obsessed with spice bags.01:07:45 – Hate Comments & HumourThe host opens up about the “Make podcasts cheaper” trolls — and how creators stay sane online.01:10:12 – The Travel Dream: Chalk & CheesePaul’s second channel idea — how a travel job led him to create a platform for honest experiences across Ireland and beyond.01:14:40 – Why They Quit the 9-to-5From business degrees to bold decisions — Paul and John prove that following your passion can actually pay off.01:18:00 – Closing Thoughts: Doing What You LoveA genuine conversation about purpose, patience, and why doing what feels right is always worth it.

Back with another interview for you all today. Delighted to welcome the founder of Naze, Niall Keogh onto the podcast where we discuss everything from starting a business with his mates, my journey quitting green and how Naze helped him tackle his social anxiety.Enjoy people! And subscribe ffs

Wanted to give you guys an update about where I've been..

Delighted to welcome Irish music producer Ev Wilde back onto the podcast. So happy to be able to learn more about the man outside of the music and understand where his drive and passion comes from.

Ciaran O'Connor is a 23 year old Irish entrepreneur. We discuss his rise through the food industry in Ireland as a chef, starting his first company 'Soul Food' and how he navigates life as a young entrepreneur with more employees every year. One of my favourite and most impactful episodes we've done so far. I hope you enjoy!

A couple of weeks back I saw a TikTok of this Irish rapper freestyling and decided I had to get him on the podcast. Fast forward two weeks and here we are. Graham was also decent enough to drop a freestyle for us at the end of the episode. Don't Miss It.

Delighted to welcome on the UHUO lads to discuss all things comedy. We're thinking of making this a series called "Protect Our Pears" so let us know if you enjoy this little threesome. x