Scratching The Surface

John brings light to some sad facts about the state of our safe water on Earth, especially the scarcity of it! Those of us lucky enough to have clean, clear, running water right at our fingertips, really do need to be grateful. Listen here to learn about how both droughts and floods are affecting the planet that definitely does affect everyone. Think sea-level rises... oceans dramatically warming... coral reef death!

Fossil fuels are so last century! We need to see more renewables (natural alternatives) if we are going to stop climate change in it's tracks. But beware of greenwashing! John and I break down 'energy' (no pun intended), and we share some real time examples of devastation that is happening right on your doorstep.

To understand life on earth today, we have to think back to what has already happened to impact drastic change and ultimately the loss of entire species… 🦖 John and I look back at previous mass extinctions and discuss the scary reality of the quickest one yet… Happening right now before our sleepy eyes.

We didn’t want to be mean and go with “climate change for dummies”, but as we were researching, John and I realised just how much we did not know about our own planet and habitats! The stats are shocking and heartbreaking! So much so that we began recording at the start of the year and honestly it hurt my spirit to the point I’ve had to sit on it for a while before sharing. Come along for the learning journey with us… after all it does affect YOU.

DiscoBeard fans- you will love to hear Gareth’s back story about his other passions, hobbies, and creativity; and how the drummer became a two-piece act with singer and guitarist Ross Maguire, who was already on the local gigging scene of their shared hometown Newcastle. We hear about how the duo first met and formed their band; gigging throughout Europe and across the pond in the New York City; and how they broke into the Belfast scene with sheer confidence in their own ability and niche disco sound. It is clear to listeners that Gareth and Ross have an amazing partnership and friendship… Maybe we need to get Ross on next?!? 🤩 In this episode, we Scratch the Surface of shifting baseline syndrome in different areas of society right now; how understanding your own unique, busy brain can support hyperfocus, raw talent, and skill; and purposely planning downtime to avoid burn out. Gareth opens up about family life, his multi-faceted artistic flair, and the exciting time he was in the movie industry! Yes, It’s a long one, but I didn’t want to cut anything out- I had such a laugh recording this episode and I definitely learned a few new things about my friend Gareth, especially his emotional side 🥰 Tickets on sale now for Christmas event ‘A very Disco Christmas’ - contact them on their Instagram @discobeardmusic or email [email protected] to book them for your upcoming wedding or private event.

Christina Hamilton wanted to be a teacher since she was a child- in this episode she talks us through the long journey to achieve that dream. We Scratch the Surface of reluctantly moving away from home to a city she had never heard of; extra steps that are necessary in the days of entering the working world; and the challenges of supply teaching. This episode is as much for young people considering their career path ahead, as it is for all you mum’s out there running out of fun ideas to entertain your kids. Christina’s drive and determination has flourished to the point that she developed her own grass-roots sensory business for young children around her local glens of Antrim. Childhood experts believe that the early years are the springboard to life, so listen hear for messy-play ideas to encourage healthy brain development and autonomy in your beloved ‘Buzy Wee Bees’.

Embarking on a year journey to find my inner goddess- by learning about ancient goddesses and female healers, warriors, and givers of hope all over the world that too many of us have forgotten about. Check out Sophie Bashford on instagram for some heart-felt content and free webinars that she does throughout the year. I think the women of the early women’s rights movement would be proud to know women are still growing and their message and efforts to the point now that we want to claim back our personal power and wholeness. Women supporting women is not just a fad or a hashtag, it is deep rooted in our ancestral history and is so important for the future of currently masculine, materialistic world. We got this!

What a bubbly, inspiring chat with Ballycastle beautician Seainin McMullan, who recently opened her very own studio after years of hard work and dreaming. This conversation is sure to inspire anyone who, like me, let’s fear and self-doubt take over too often! Entrepreneur Seainin shares the highs and lows (and some hilarious memories) of her journey from leaving school to pursue a career in beauty, to opening the doors of Grace and Glamour after success in her garden cabin. We Scratch the Surface of overcoming fears; visioning your future self and creating small steps in-line with her; and how vital support from loved ones and community is for success. I just loved hearing that Seainin has created a little safe space for women to offload, to chat, to feel beautiful and feminine in their own skin. Find Seainin on Instagram at @graceandglam.beauty or on her website www.graceandglam.co.uk. She has lots of treatments as well as products for sale in her little haven on Castle Street, Ballycastle.

My heart is breaking.. I cannot sleep well.. but who am I to complain from my comfortable bed in a room filled with pointless things, with heat in the radiators and clean running water just steps away?! The absolute devastation that is going on in the world right now is too heavy for me to ignore. As an Early Childhood and Youth graduate I studied poverty, child soldiers, sweat shops, trauma and adverse childhood experiences over the years and my absolute passion and belief is that these beautiful, innocent, curious little humans just want to play, to learn, to be loved. ANYONE who agrees with the eradication of a whole people including CHILDREN AND BABIES, are obviously so hurt themselves that their heart is closed.. their logic is tampered.. and unfortunately peace is unrealistic, even impossible for them to imagine. We are living through extremely sad times for humanity right now.. Will we be watching documentaries and talking about these atrocities in years to come comparing them to the Holocaust? Will we eventually be able to safely visit the Holy lands again to marvel at even more graves? Will we walk around on a tour with head sets telling us about the horrors that are CURRENTLY going on in 2023?! I ask you to pray, to gather ANY healing, loving energy that you can muster and let it transcend to Isreal and Palestine.

EFT is my newest bow to my string … and this really works! It has been scientifically proven to release negative programming in the body (subconscious mind). While creating my own modality-Behind the Rainbow, a program for all to feel like their best, bright, shiniest self, I felt there was something physical missing to go alongside the affirmative positive mind work… and it was EFT Tapping… to literally stop negative, deeply rooted patterns in their tracks. A quick run through of what it is, but please get in touch for 1:1 specifically related to your most pressing issues.. fear, phobia, social anxiety, weight…. Whatever it is. My Instagram is @lifebehindtherainbow.. excited to work with you.