Untold with Niamh Buffini

About Untold with Niamh Buffini

Welcome to Untold with Niamh Buffini! In this podcast, we sit down with some of the nation’s most well-known faces, and dive deep into their journey to where they are now and what is next for them. We get to grips with some of the untold stories never shared before. You heard it here first!

Publisher

niamhbuffini

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

16 Jun 2026

Latest episode

16 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

14 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   16 Oct 2026

   What It Really Takes to Build a Media Career with Shane Beatty

   Shane Beatty has been on air practically every day since 2006. In this episode, he explains how a teenage Saturday job in local radio led to national news, the White House and Newstalk's Breakfast Briefing. Shane knew from the age of six or seven what he wanted to do for a living. He talks about how he got there and what the job is really like, including the early mornings, the pressure and the on-air mistakes, but that the genuine love for it is what keeps him going. What you'll take away: Finding work you love makes even the hardest days easier. Starting early and taking small opportunities can lead to big things. Being consistent matters more than being perfect. Putting yourself forward and introducing yourself can open doors. Pressure and criticism are part of any high-profile job, and you can learn to manage them. Stamina and a strong work ethic matter as much as talent. Connect with Niamh Buffini: LinkedIn  Website  Instagram Connect with Shane Beatty  Instagram X

2. 

   9 Oct 2026

   Maura Rath on Making Mistakes & Building your own Brand

   This week on Untold, Niamh sits down with yoga teacher and online studio founder Maura Rath. She talks about leaving a well-paid corporate job, travelling to India in 2017 to find her passion, and coming home to build a career in yoga with no guarantee it would work. Maura shares the biggest lesson of her career, and how it shaped who she has become. Now expecting her first baby, she reflects on the community she has built, why she protects it so fiercely, and how she plans to stay connected during maternity leave. In this episode, you'll discover: Why you don't need a business plan to start a business. How a financial safety net can give you the freedom to take a risk on a career change. The warning signs of burnout when you're working for other people, and why building multiple revenue streams matters. Why doing your research and keeping your ego in check matters before a big investment and why taking risks is vital to business growth. How to handle the emotional toll of a costly mistake and start again from scratch. Why trusting people on face value, and people-pleasing with big companies, can work against you. How to build an online community that feels supportive rather than toxic, and why in-person events and retreats deepen it. Connect with Niamh Buffini: LinkedIn  Website  Instagram Connect with Maura Rath TikTok Website Instagram

3. 

   1 Oct 2026

   Orla Cusack on Turning a Passion into a Thriving Business

   Welcome to season 2 of Untold! Our first guest this season is none other than Orla Cusack of Practical & Precious. Orla shares the story behind her savvy-shopping brand that grew from a spur-of-the-moment Instagram account into a business to call her own. Orla spent 17 years as a Garda before ill health and chronic pain forced her to retire at 40. After years in survival mode, a phone call from her best friend led her onto Instagram, where a single viral reel changed everything overnight. Now, at 51, she's launching her own website and first digital product, and in this episode, opens up honestly about imposter syndrome, trusting yourself, and what it really takes to turn a hobby into a career. In This Episode, You'll Discover: How to rebuild a career and sense of purpose after a health setback forces you to step away from a job you loved The mindset shift needed to take a hobby seriously enough to risk turning it into a business Why having your partner's backing can make a big leap feel less scary Practical, no-judgment tips for smarter grocery shopping, planning ahead, shopping with intent, and "resetting" after an off week without guilt How patience and timing can get you far more value for your money Why imposter syndrome doesn't disappear with success Connect with Niamh Buffini: LinkedIn  Website  Instagram Connect with Orla Cusack TikTok Website Instagram

4. 

   7 Aug 2026

   Davina Devine on Working Hard & Manifesting Success

   We're closing out our first season of Untold with an incredible conversation with Irish drag icon Davina Devine. Davina joined us during a hectic and busy Pride month, to talk to us about her almost 3 decades in the industry, the highs and lows of building a career in drag, and what Pride means to her today. Davina opens up about her very first Pride, how the community has changed since she started, and why she believes Pride is about celebrating everyone's differences. In this episode, you'll discover: Why loving what you do is the real secret to career longevity How to build a career in an industry that doesn't exist yet Why Pride is about celebrating everyone's differences, not just one community Why saying no can be just as powerful as saying yes Why manifesting only works when you back it up with action How resilience is built, not born That's a wrap on Season 1! Thank you for joining us on this journey, we'll be back soon with more untold stories from some of Ireland's most well-known faces. Connect with Niamh Buffini LinkedIn Website Instagram

5. 

   31 Jul 2026

   Lara Casey on Building an Empire but Always Choosing Herself

   In this episode, Niamh sits down with Irish stylist Lara Casey, who's spent 25 years dressing everyone from Boyzone to Katie Price. She opens up about starting out on Grafton Street as a teenager who "hated school but loved drawing," working her way up through some of Dublin's most iconic boutiques, and eventually opening her own store in a former record shop on Dame Lane. From the glamour of running multiple stores across Ireland and the UK, to the toll of juggling three shops in two countries while raising kids, to deliberately stepping back and rebuilding her business around what actually works for her now, Lara offers us a transparent insight into her incredible life and career so far. She also gets candid about being pulled toward media and styling work while resisting the pressure to chase publicity, and about finding steadier ground in a new relationship and business partnership. In this episode, you'll discover: Why chasing every opportunity isn't the same as building something sustainable, and how to tell the difference How stepping back from "doing it all" can actually make a business (and a life) run better, not worse Why protecting your energy sometimes means saying no to attention, even when it's handed to you How going against the crowd instead of following trends can become your biggest strength Why having just a handful of people who truly have your back matters more than a wide circle Connect with Niamh Buffini LinkedIn Website Instagram

6. 

   24 Jul 2026

   Sophie Becker on Racing Through Uncertainty

   In this episode, Niamh sits down with Irish 400m sprinter Sophie Becker, fresh from the gym mid-season. Sophie opens up about the constant uncertainty of life as a professional athlete, injuries, funding, qualification, and how she's learned to hold that uncertainty while still fully committing to the sport. Sophie also gets candid about the toughest stretch of her career, and how she used discipline and passion to push through and get back out on the track. In this episode, you’ll discover: How to keep showing up for something even when the results aren't there yet, and why that's often exactly when the real progress happens. Why uncertainty never fully goes away, once you "make it" What a major setback can teach you about who actually shows up for you. How to tell the difference between pushing yourself and working against yourself. Why being "selfish" about your goals doesn't have to mean abandoning the people who matter to you, and how to find the balance Connect with Niamh Buffini LinkedIn Website Instagram

7. 

   17 Jul 2026

   Daithí Ó Dronai On The Secrets of His Success

   In this episode, Niamh sits down with musician Daithí Ó Dronai. He opens up about his roots in County Clare's traditional music scene, his teenage rebellion into rock and bass guitar, and how discovering loop stations led him back to the fiddle in a whole new way. He traces his path through a viral talent show appearance, gritty open-mic "boot camp" gigs in Galway, and the explosive success of his breakout track "Mary Keane's Introduction". Danny shares his evolution from touring dance musician to founder of the band Houseplants, to composer scoring acclaimed film and TV projects. In this episode, you’ll discover: How childhood environment and family influence can shape a creative path in ways you don't even realise Why loving what you do often comes after years of grinding, not before How to find what makes you uniquely interesting as a creator - even if your story feels "ordinary" Why patience and time matter more than talent when it comes to building something meaningful How shifting your mindset from "what can I get" to "what can I give" can change your relationship with your work How to turn a personal or emotional moment into something that genuinely connects with others Connect with Niamh Buffini LinkedIn Website Instagram

8. 

   10 Jul 2026

   Audrey O’Connor: The Quiet Burnout That Changed Her Career

   In this episode, Niamh sits down with Audrey O'Connor, Reiki master, sound bath facilitator, and breathwork practitioner, to talk about her unlikely career path from quantity surveying into the wellness world. Audrey opens up about burnout, trusting your body's signals before your brain catches up, the fear of judgment that comes with a big career pivot, and what she's learned facilitating sound healing sessions for clients working through stress, grief, and life transitions. In this episode, you’ll discover: The slow-burn decision to leave a "safe" career. How to recognise burnout in an unconventional form. Learning to pivot without permission. Reiki, sound baths, and how energy work actually feels. Grief, culture, and emotional avoidance. What people are really searching for. Connect with Niamh Buffini LinkedIn Website Instagram

9. 

   2 Jul 2026

   Alan McGarry: The Person Behind the Personality

   Welcome to Untold with Niamh Buffini! In this podcast, we sit down with some of the nation’s most well-known faces, and dive deep into their journey to where they are now and what is next for them. We get to grips with some of the untold stories they’ve never shared before. You heard it here first! In this week’s episode, Niamh sits down with Irish TV personality and social media star Alan McGarry for a candid conversation about their journey through reality TV, self-acceptance, and life behind the scenes. From their early days chasing casting directors to appearing on the US show Plastic Surgery Rewind alongside Kim Zolciak, Alan opens up about the highs and lows of building a career in entertainment, their identity as a non-binary person, and the very private reality of caring for their mother, the untold side of their life. In this episode, you’ll discover: How Alan got their first TV break on Body Fixers in the UK, and why Alan thinks they handled it all wrong The moment they turned down Catfish UK and what it taught them about trusting their instincts What it was really like landing on a US show alongside Kim Zolciak, without knowing who the host was when they signed up How a knock on their bedroom door from Kim changed everything for them on set Their journey to identifying as non-binary and what that means to them today Why they’re stepping back from social media, and why that's actually a business decision What Pride Month means to Alan and why they believe it's for everyone The untold story of their mum's serious diabetes diagnosis, her two-month hospital stay, and the role Alan plays caring for her behind the scenes Connect with Niamh Buffini LinkedInWebsiteInstagram

10. 

    25 Jun 2026

    Grief, Graft and Truth with Norma-Jean O’Reilly

    Welcome to Untold with Niamh Buffini! In this podcast, we sit down with some of the nation’s most well-known faces, and dive deep into their journey to where they are now and what is next for them. We get to grips with some of the untold stories they’ve never shared before. You heard it here first! In this week’s episode, Niamh sits down with Norma-Jean O’ Reilly, one of Ireland's most sought-after hairdressers and a familiar face behind the scenes of some of the country's biggest TV productions. Norma-Jean opens up about a career built on graft, honesty, and a lifelong love of transforming how women feel about themselves. She shares the story of becoming a mother at 16, the defining moment that launched her career, the media storm that became a masterclass in resilience, and the devastating loss of her sister and how she looked to being busy for comfort. This is a raw, honest, and uplifting conversation about rebuilding yourself, and falling in love with your life again. This Episode Will Teach You: Why brutal honesty is the foundation of a long and respected career How to turn a very public professional setback into a growth mindset moment Why saying yes to everything, even unpaid work, is still one of the best career strategies going The real cost of skipping grief and going straight back to work How manifestation can look in practical, everyday terms (morning alarms, notes, letters to your future self) Why showing your unpolished self on social media is more powerful than you think Connect with Niamh Buffini LinkedInWebsiteInstagram

11. 

    23 Jun 2026

    Untold podcast Intorduction

    Careers and the future

12. 

    22 Jun 2026

    Ray Shah: Burnout, Identity & Starting Over

    Welcome to Untold with Niamh Buffini! In this podcast, we sit down with some of the nation’s most well-known faces, and dive deep into their journey to where they are now and what is next for them. We get to grips with some of the untold stories they’ve never shared before. You heard it here first! Our very first guest is TV personality, broadcaster, and fitness entrepreneur Ray Shah. Ray opens up about growing up mixed-race in Ireland and how embracing what makes you different can become your greatest strength. From navigating identity and belonging, to learning hard lessons in public and rediscovering passion after burnout, Ray's story is a reminder that our careers are rarely linear, and that the curveballs life throws at us are often what shape us most. This episode will teach you: Why being the odd one out can be your biggest advantage - and how to stop seeing difference as something to overcome. The real cost of reacting before thinking - what happens when emotion drives your public voice, and how to find the line between authenticity and oversharing. How to recognise burnout before it does the damage for you - and why stepping back from something you built takes more courage than pushing through. That it's okay to fall out of love with a career you worked hard for - and how to find your way back to passion, even if it looks completely different the second time around. Why the rules change as you get older - and how shifting from working harder to working smarter might be the most underrated transition of all. Connect with Niamh Buffini LinkedInWebsiteInstagram

13. 

    19 Jun 2026

    intro

    This podcast is a deep dive into the lives of genuine trailblazers—the people who didn’t just meet the norms, but completely reshaped them to create lasting greatness and fundamentally alter how we view the world. If you are someone driven to maximize your success, both professionally in your chosen career and socially, these are the blueprints you need. Each episode offers actionable lessons from their remarkable journeys, showing you how to study their path and adopt their strategies to achieve your own goals faster and with greater efficiency.

14. 

    16 Jun 2026

    Ray Shah: Burnout, Identity and starting fresh

    Welcome to Untold with Niamh Buffini! In this podcast, we sit down with some of the nation’s most well-known faces, and dive deep into their journey to where they are now and what is next for them. We get to grips with some of the untold stories they’ve never shared before. You heard it here first! Our very first guest is TV personality, broadcaster, and fitness entrepreneur Ray Shah. Ray opens up about growing up mixed-race in Ireland and how embracing what makes you different can become your greatest strength. From navigating identity and belonging, to learning hard lessons in public and rediscovering passion after burnout, Ray's story is a reminder that our careers are rarely linear, and that the curveballs life throws at us are often what shape us most. This episode will teach you: Why being the odd one out can be your biggest advantage - and how to stop seeing difference as something to overcome. The real cost of reacting before thinking - what happens when emotion drives your public voice, and how to find the line between authenticity and oversharing. How to recognise burnout before it does the damage for you - and why stepping back from something you built takes more courage than pushing through. That it's okay to fall out of love with a career you worked hard for - and how to find your way back to passion, even if it looks completely different the second time around. Why the rules change as you get older - and how shifting from working harder to working smarter might be the most underrated transition of all. Connect with Niamh Buffini LinkedIn Website Instagram

Contact Untold with Niamh Buffini

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.