
Unbound | Conversations Without Limits
Discover how the highest performers push beyond limitations in this up-and-coming no. 1 Irish podcast.
Host and high-performance consultant Stephen McDonnell, speaks deeply with world-class performers, revealing secrets to their success. The podcast features several series across high-performing industries, including business, sports, entertainment and more.
These conversations are real, honest, courageous and great fun. Each episode is designed to provoke, educate, inspire and empower you to achieve the impossible.
Previous guests include Jordan Harbinger, Damian Browne, Mark Divine and many more.
Latest episodes

Apr 8, 2025 • 52min
#41: Karen Eber | How to Influence & Inspire Through Storytelling
Karen Eber breaks down the science of storytelling and why it’s the secret weapon for influence, connection, and driving real change.Karen shares how the right story can shape teams, inspire action, and build stronger relationships. Whether you're leading a company, managing a team, or just want to communicate more effectively, this conversation is packed with insights you can apply instantly.Join us to explore:How childhood shaped Karen’s storytellingKey ingredients of a relatable storyWhy our brains crave great storiesTurning data into engaging narrativesLeadership lessons through storytellingPlease email stephen@liveunbound.com if you have any questions about what we discussed today.Like this show? Please subscribe and leave us a five-star rating and review. It’s a chance to tell us what you love about the show, and it helps others discover it too. Consider leaving your Instagram handle so we can thank you personally, and feel free to follow ours.

Mar 26, 2025 • 6min
Unbound Tool #10 The Mental Cost of Constant Virtual Connectivity with Sarah McKay
What happens when technology takes the place of real-world interactions? In this Unbound Tool, Sarah McKay reveals the impact of digital life on our well-being, touching on everything from social media addiction to the loss of authentic communication. As our reliance on virtual connections grows, Sarah warns of the mental health consequences and the decline of meaningful face-to-face relationships.Check the full episode here: https://www.liveunbound.com/podcasts/27-neuroscience-managing-tech-consumption-digital-overload

Mar 19, 2025 • 3min
Unbound Tool #9 How to Create and Maintain Powerful Connections with Jordan Harbinger
What if you could build a network based on trust and mutual respect, without ever asking for anything in return? Jordan Harbinger breaks down the art of relationship-building in a way that is both practical and meaningful. Tune in to learn how you can use these techniques in your own life to cultivate deeper connections and open doors you didn’t even know existed.Check the full episode here: https://www.liveunbound.com/podcasts/using-psychological-tactics-to-win-in-life

Feb 26, 2025 • 1h 10min
#40: Robin Dunbar | The Science of Human Connection and Evolution
Robin Dunbar, a renowned anthropologist and evolutionary psychologist, delves into human connection and the evolution of social structures. He is widely known for devising "Dunbar’s Number," which explores how early life in culturally diverse environments shaped his understanding of the social complexities in monkeys, apes, and humans.From his groundbreaking studies on sociability in primates to human evolution, Robin illuminates the parallels between our primate cousins and contemporary human society, revealing how these insights contribute to our understanding of relationships today. Join us to explore:Human vs. primate social structuresDunbar’s Number and its SignificanceEndorphins, bonding, and social successThe 7 Pillars of FriendshipEvolution’s role in future socialisationPlease email stephen@liveunbound.com if you have any questions about what we discussed today.Like this show? Please subscribe and leave us a five-star rating and review. It’s a chance to tell us what you love about the show, and it helps others discover it too. Consider leaving your Instagram handle so we can thank you personally, and feel free to follow ours.

Feb 6, 2025 • 5min
Unbound Tool #8 123 Days Alone: Finding Joy in the Struggle
In this Unbound Tool, we explore the profound power of inner dialogue and how it shapes our mental and emotional well-being. Woniya Thibeault shares her unique experience of spending months in complete solitude, confronting the thoughts and stories that surfaced in her mind. Tune in to discover how small wins, rituals, and intentional positivity can transform the way we navigate life's challenges.Check the full episode here: https://www.liveunbound.com/podcasts/lessons-from-the-edge-of-life

Jan 24, 2025 • 56min
#39: Marc Brackett | Harnessing Emotional Intelligence in Life and Leadership
Marc Brackett discusses the impact of negativity bias, extroversion vs. introversion, and the key role of emotional intelligence in leadership. He dives deep into the effects of social comparison on mental health, advocating for self-compassion and empathy to tackle these emotional challenges.Drawing from personal and professional experiences, Marc shares actionable insights for breaking negative emotional loops, fostering emotional awareness, and redefining societal biases around success and happiness.Join us to explore:Social media’s impact on anxietyBalancing introversion and extroversionTools for emotional healingLeadership through emotional intelligenceStrategies to manage emotionsPlease email stephen@liveunbound.com if you have any questions about what we discussed today.Like this show? Please subscribe and leave us a five-star rating and review. It’s a chance to tell us what you love about the show, and it helps others discover it too. Consider leaving your Instagram handle so we can thank you personally, and feel free to follow ours.

Jan 9, 2025 • 6min
Unbound Tool #7 Mastering the “Five Mountains” in 2025 with Mark Divine
Mark Divine, former Navy SEAL commander, reveals how mastering physical, mental, emotional, intuitional, and spiritual aspects, which make up the "Five Mountains", can lead to extraordinary resilience and self-mastery. Mark’s insights have reshaped the way many perceive personal transformation and leadership.Check the full episode here: https://www.liveunbound.com/podcasts/feeding-the-courage-wolf

Jan 2, 2025 • 4min
Unbound Tool #6 Harvest your learnings from 2024 with Rupal Patel
Rupal Patel, a former CIA intelligence analyst, has developed an annual tradition called the "Capture Your Year" exercise. This method helps to recognise unacknowledged achievements and identify areas for improvement. Plus, we’ll discuss the importance of sharing these insights with others for mutual growth and reinforcement. Make sure to listen in for actionable tips that can transform how you approach your yearly goals and planning.Check the full episode here: https://www.liveunbound.com/podcasts/the-cia-toolkit-for-life

Dec 19, 2024 • 51min
#38: Dr. Alia Bojilova | Increase your Resilience with former SAS Psychologist
Dr. Alia Bojilova, former special forces psychologist and resilience expert, unpacks human behaviour and psychological resilience. Discover how Dr. Alia Bojilova uses psychological profiling, micro observations, and interviews to predict individuals' capabilities and how she’s redefining resilience through her book ‘The Resilience Toolkit’.Join us to explore:Predicting behaviour in high-stress settingsThe four pillars of resilienceAchieving a balanced perspectiveSelf-worth and personal values"Bouncing forward" and redefining resiliencePlease email stephen@liveunbound.com if you have any questions about what we discussed today.Like this show? Please subscribe and leave us a five-star rating and review. It’s a chance to tell us what you love about the show, and it helps others discover it too. Consider leaving your Instagram handle so we can thank you personally, and feel free to follow ours.

Dec 11, 2024 • 6min
Unbound Tool #5 Rebuilding from Rock Bottom with Megan Henry
Megan Henry is a lifelong athlete playing two Division 1 sports, field hockey and track, who faced an unexpected health crisis that abruptly ended her competitive career. She shares her journey through isolation, depression, and identity loss and how she built mental resilience and used visualisation and routine to get through the darkest days. Whether you're facing a personal setback or searching for tools to strengthen your mindset, this episode offers actionable strategies to rebuild yourself in whatever situation you find yourself in.Check the full episode here: https://www.liveunbound.com/podcasts/the-power-of-the-mind
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