

Unbound | Conversations Without Limits
Stephen McDonnell
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.
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 29, 2024 • 4min
Unbound Tool #4 Overcoming Fear with Damian Browne
In facing immense challenges, Damian Browne teaches us to be aware of ourselves and get out of the victim mentality. Tune into this week’s Unbound Tool to discover how to starve fear and feed courage.Check the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSjHus7MpoM

Nov 20, 2024 • 57min
#36: Chris Voss | Good Things Happen When You Run To Trouble
Chris Voss, a former FBI hostage negotiator, unpacks high-stakes hostage negotiations and effective communication strategies in life and leadership.Chris has taught negotiation courses at Harvard and Georgetown Universities and is the author of “Never Split the Difference”. Chris explains how to use empathy, specific key questions, proactive listening, emotional processing and more to ensure you reach the best possible outcome in any complicated conversation. We even explored how Chris would navigate a negotiation with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin!Chris also shares the magic of why showing up – no matter the chaos – is what life is all about.Join us to explore:Negotiating a peace deal between Ukraine and RussiaApplying tactical empathy techniquesFBI communication tipsUnderstanding Inherent Human BehaviourReal peace through collaborationPlease 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.

Nov 13, 2024 • 5min
Unbound Tool #3 Design Conditions that Drive Team Performance with Ruth Wageman
Ruth Wageman is among the foremost scholars and practitioners studying and working with teams, especially leadership teams. In this clip, we share the three essential conditions for team effectiveness, drawing on research and practical examples from diverse fields including healthcare, aviation, and emergency services.Check the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IE7Tdp0cCc

Nov 6, 2024 • 55min
#35: Tim Fletcher | Redefining Connection, Trauma and Healing
A pioneer in the addictions and mental health treatment profession, Tim Fletcher delves into the journey of trauma, healing and self-discovery.We'll unpack “Big T" and "Little t" traumas, the power of feeling inherently valued, generational trauma, and discuss the importance of authentic connection, both with ourselves and others.Whether you're dealing with trauma, seeking deeper connections, or striving for personal growth, this episode offers invaluable wisdom.Join us to explore:What is 'Big T' and 'Little t' Trauma?Generational trauma Why connection is crucial for developmentUnderstanding subconscious programmingThe toll of a performance-based identityMindfulness practices to process traumaPlease 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.

Oct 30, 2024 • 7min
Unbound Tool #2 Lessons from a CIA Agent: The Best Way to Lead with Rupal Patel
As a CIA officer, Rupal's job was to analyse intelligence and brief high-level officials, from Presidents to generals. It taught her the power of communicating complex information to a whole range of audiences. Tune in to this clip, as Rupal shares why it’s not about having all the answers but seeking them out and how to be direct with others about your knowledge gaps.Check the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcsKIk02W7Y

Oct 14, 2024 • 5min
Unbound Tool #1 Your Toolkit for Psychological Safety
In these minisodes, I pick key tools from previous episodes. This clip comes from episode 33 with Dr David Burkus, author and renowned organisational psychologist. Tune in as he unpacks how to build psychological safety in teams, and his recommended toolkit with where to begin. Listen to the full episode here: https://www.liveunbound.com/podcasts/33-dr-david-burkus-how-to-build-a-high-performing-team

22 snips
Sep 25, 2024 • 1h 7min
#34: Amy Edmondson | Creating High-Performance Cultures
Amy Edmondson, an expert leadership scholar and author of 'Teaming' and 'The Fearless Organization', dives into the essentials of psychological safety in teams. She discusses toxic positivity and the necessity of balancing realism with optimism in leadership. The conversation highlights overcoming imposter syndrome using the 'Stop, Challenge, Choose' model. Edmondson shares insights on mentorship's impact on leadership values and emphasizes creating supportive work environments to enhance collaboration and performance.

Sep 11, 2024 • 50min
#33: Dr David Burkus | How to Build a High-Performing Team
Renowned organisational psychologist Dr David Burkus unpacks how to enhance team performance and create meaningful work environments.Tune in as David shares invaluable insights on the importance of collecting stories of impact, conducting the "It's a Wonderful Life" test, and fostering a sense of value and belonging within teams. We'll also dive into the challenges of hybrid work models, understanding cultural differences, and the significance of psychological safety.Join us to explore:Having a ‘Prosocial’ purposeBuilding psychological safety in teams“It's a Wonderful Life" TestCollecting stories of impactGlobal collaboration in the modern workplacePlease 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.

Aug 21, 2024 • 54min
#32: Nuala Walsh | How to Make World Class Decisions
In a fast-paced, noisy, and overloaded world, Behavioral Scientist Nuala Walsh explains why we tune out what matters and how we can "tune in" and leverage the insights we need to become more decisive and impactful leaders.Nuala shares her framework for identifying and overcoming the 200+ biases that can sabotage even the most seasoned leaders. From power-based traps to ego-based biases, you'll discover 18 science-backed techniques to "outsmart your own mind" and make better choices under pressure.Join us to explore:Strategies for decisive leadershipHigh achievers, happiness and the OlympicsCutting through the friction of decision-makingOutsmart your own mindThe psychology of winning Please 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.

Jul 24, 2024 • 53min
#31: George Kohlrieser | Applying hostage negotiation tactics in leadership
Hostage negotiator, clinical psychologist, and leadership expert George Kohlrieser has an unconventional approach to developing high-performing leaders - one that explores the impact of fear, loss, and personal transformation.George shares how his experiences on the front lines of crisis negotiation have given him a perspective into the power of communication and strong connections in effective leadership.Join us to explore:Avoid holding yourself hostage to fears and limiting beliefsPsychological safety in effective leadershipPain as a pathway to high performanceAddressing loss and griefApplying the principles of hostage negotiationPlease 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.


