The Happy Pear Podcast

Mary is a reformed internationally acclaimed landscape designer turned revolutionary who launched her career at the Chelsea flower show in 2002, being the youngest contestant to win gold. The story of which was made into a 2016 movie called “Dare to be Wild”.She is a bestselling author, inspirational speaker, occasional television presenter and founder of the global movement “We are the ARK”, a practical groundswell movement who’s aim is to shift the environmental game in nature’s favour.“The time for gardens as canvases for our creative pleasure is over. Everything must change and if we are to save the planet, then we must start with our own patches of it. It’s time to reimagine our work as gardeners, to become leaders in the race to save our beautiful planet, to save ourselves.”"We need to stop thinking of ourselves as gardeners of the land and start becoming guardians of the land"We had the privilege of recording this episode in person, it was truly inspiring, chilling and brilliant. Mary is wonderful!Enjoy!Lots of Love,Dave & SteveTo find our more about Mary, her book and her work, visit: https://marymary.ie/Produced by Sean Cahill & Sara Fawsitt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We have an amazing guest on today's episode, Mary-Frances O'Connor, a psychologist and author of "The Grieving Brain: The Surprising Science of How We Learn from Love and Loss."Mary-Frances conducts studies to better understand the grief process both psychologically and physiologically. She is a leader in the field of prolonged grief, a clinical condition in which people do not adjust to the acute feelings of grief and show increases in yearning, avoidance, and rumination. Her work primarily focuses on trying to tease out the mechanisms that cause this ongoing and severe reaction to loss. In particular, she is curious about the neurobiological, immune, and cardiovascular factors that vary between individual responses to grief.In this episode we explore the different facets of grief, how it affects our brain, how to deal with it and how we can support others. A heavy topic, and we are complete novices here but we learnt a lot and hope that you did to.This episode is sponsored by Vivobarefoot Footwear. Vivobarefoot Footwear have given our listeners an exclusive 15% discount when you enter the code HAPPYPEAR15 Genuinely these are the only shoes you will see Dave & Steve wearing!Lots of Love,Dave & SteveProduced by Sean Cahill and Sara Fawsitt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we have a special guest joining us, the one and only George Monbiot. George is an award-winning journalist, author, and environmental activist, and we're so excited to have him here to chat with us.In this episode, we dive deep into some really interesting topics with George, such as the importance of rewilding and how it can help combat climate change. He shares some amazing insights on how rewilding can not only benefit the environment, but also our mental health and well-being. It's fascinating stuff!We also discuss some of the challenges we face in creating a more sustainable future, and how we can work together to overcome them. George has such a positive and hopeful outlook, and it's really inspiring to hear his thoughts on this.Throughout the conversation, we all share stories and anecdotes from our own lives, and it really feels like a friendly chat between old friends. Dave is so impressed with George's ideas that he even asks him out to lunch the following week!So if you're interested in hearing some great insights on environmental activism and sustainability, this is definitely the episode for you. George is such an amazing guest, and this conversation is packed full of insightful nuggets.Enjoy!Lots of love,Dave & SteveTo find out more about George, check out his latest book: “Regenisis: Feeding the World without devouring the Planet”This episode is sponsored by Vivobarefoot Footwear. Vivobarefoot Footwear have given our listeners an exclusive 15% discount when you enter the code HAPPYPEAR15  Genuinely these are the only shoes you will see Dave & Steve wearing!Produced by Sean Cahill & Sara Fawsitt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Nitu Bajekal is back with a special episode for National Women's Health Day! An expert in women's health and menopause. This is the second time she's joined us on the podcast, and we're thrilled to be launching our online menopause course with her. Get ready for an informative and lively conversation full of takeaways that both men and women of all ages should listen to.Key takeaways:Menopause is a natural part of aging for women, and it's essential to recognise and manage its symptoms, including hot flashes, mood swings, and vaginal dryness.Hormonal changes during menopause can also lead to an increased risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, and other health conditions, making it vital to take care of overall health and well being.Lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and stress management can play a significant role in managing menopause symptoms and reducing health risks.Dr. Nitu emphasis's the importance of self-care and self-compassion during menopause, as it can be a challenging time both physically and emotionally.The hosts and Dr. Nitu discuss common misconceptions and stigmas surrounding menopause and encourage open and honest conversations about women's health.The most important takeaway of all, let's start talking more openly and honestly about women's health! Enjoy!Lots of love,Dave & SteveCheckout our Happy Menopause Course https://offers.thehappypear.ie/happy-menopauseWe're currently offering the course for €75 (usually €150) as we'd like to get the information to as many people as we can as we think it's such an important discussion that isn't thought enough. We hope it helps you or a loved one become more informed on all stages of the menopause and we can help de-stigmatize the menopause and make it as normalized a part of life as it's supposed to be. Produced by Sean Cahill & Sara Fawsitt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"No fungi no forest no future. Fungi are as important as oxygen and yet we only think of them as icky things”The mycelium network, is vast, diverse, intelligent and everywhere! In this episode, we're thrilled to have Fungi Guy, the popular YouTuber, as our special guest.Fungi Guy, also known as Ali, is a passionate forager and mushroom enthusiast with a wealth of knowledge and experience. He has been foraging for over a decade and has a deep appreciation for the incredible diversity, importance and beauty of mushrooms.In this episode, Fungi Guy shares his vast knowledge on mushrooms, his approach to foraging, from identifying different species to selecting the best specimens for cooking. He also shares some of his favorite mushrooms and explains why they're so special to him.One of the things we love about Fungi Guy is his infectious enthusiasm for mushrooms and his commitment to sustainable foraging practices. He truly embodies the spirit of The Happy Pear, and we're honored to have him as our guest.So, if you're a mushroom lover or just curious about the world of foraging, this episode is not to be missed! Tune in to hear from Fungi Guy and learn more about the fascinating world of mushrooms.Lots of love,Dave & SteveTo find out more about Fungi Guy check out his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/thefungiguyProduced by Sean Cahill & Sara Fawsitt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Slow aging and improve your health with water!This week we speak to holistic doctor and author of Quench, Dr Dana Cohen.For over two decades, Dr. Dana Cohen has been on the leading edge of integrative and functional medicine, guiding thousands of patients through protocols that initiate cellular repair and restore balance to the body.Her unyielding devotion to her patients has helped countless patients on the brink of giving up hope to finally improve, recover, or completely heal from a variety of severe and chronic health issues.We jump straight into her recent research and book Quench and discuss in detail the magical healing power of water.“Proper hydration is the key to unlocking optimal health. But we need to start looking at hydration for what it is: the very essence of your health.”The benefits of proper hydration can have a dramatic effect on your health, your vitality, and your overall quality of life, according to Dr Dana. Quench will help you determine how to hydrate the right way (hint: it doesn’t involve chugging a gallon of water every day), and then how to get the water you do drink deep into your muscles, cells, and fascia (the connective tissue of your body), where it’s needed most.A brilliant episode, that will leave you stuffing your face with fruit, veg and lemon infused water!Lots of love,Dave & SteveThis episode is sponsored by Vivobarefoot Footwear. Vivobarefoot Footwear have given our listeners an exclusive 15% discount when you enter the code HAPPYPEAR15  Genuinely these are the only shoes you will see Dave & Steve wearing!Produced by Sean Cahill & Sara Fawsitt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“A life not reflected is a life not worth living.”This is the second time we have had our friend and very own life coach, Gerry Hussey on the podcast.Gerry is a performance psychologist and also in more recent times been coined ‘The Soul Coach’. He has been in the human health and performance Field for almost 20 years.Gerry has been at the forefront of building high performance teams and individuals in Olympic and Professional, sport and corporate organisations. His vast experience has seen him prepare and lead teams for success at Olympic Games, Heineken cups, World cups, and World and European championships.He has worked and currently works with some of the world’s leading sport and business teams as well as coaching for high performing individuals.Gerry is a leading voice that is challenging us to rethink health and performance in a whole new way and his integrated approach is one of honesty, simplicity and authenticity.Another brilliant episode with Gerry, he really is the modern day sage! Lots of love,Dave & SteveThis episode is sponsored by Vivobarefoot Footwear. Vivobarefoot Footwear have given our listeners an exclusive 15% discount when you enter the code HAPPYPEAR15  Genuinely these are the only shoes you will see Dave & Steve wearing!Produced by Sean Cahill & Sara Fawsitt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you feel optimistic about the future? When a class of 200 graduates were asked to raise their hand if they felt optimistic about the future - No one did. Are you surprised?This week we speak to Matthijs Schouten, the biologist, ecologist, lecturer and author of Nature’s mirror; the image of nature in a cultural-historical perspectiveMatthijs G.C. Schouten B.Sc., M.Sc. D.Sc. studied biology and comparative religion at the University of Nijmegen and Celtic studies at the University of Amsterdam (the Netherlands).He has worked as lecturer at the University of Nijmegen and as ecological project leader for the Wildlife Service (Dublin). He was the leader of the international campaign for the conservation of Irish bogs. Since 1992 he is senior ecological officer at the National Forest Service of the Netherlands; since 1995 he also is a visiting professor of nature and landscape conservation at University College Cork and University College Galway (Ireland); in 1999 he furthermore accepted the chair of restoration ecology at Wageningen University (the Netherlands).In 1990 he was awarded the International Award for Conservation Merit by the World wide Fund for Nature and in 1992 the National University of Ireland granted him a honorary doctorate.He has published widely in the fields of ecology and nature philosophy. His latest book Spiegel van de natuur; het natuurbeeld in cultuurhistorisch perspectief  (Nature’s mirror; the image of nature in a cultural-historical perspective) has formed the basis for the exhibition World Nature Art in the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam.In this episode we explore the meaning of nature, how we have become detached and obsessed with the individual, driven by ego, how we need to reinstate rituals of contemplation, the power we all posses to make change, the importance of enchantment, connection and falling in love. “Unless we accept how destructive we can be we can’t move ahead constructively.”We loved this episode so much, Dave has already booked a trip to have lunch with Matthijs!Enjoy!Lots of Love,Dave & SteveThis episode is sponsored by Vivobarefoot Footwear. Vivobarefoot Footwear have given our listeners an exclusive 15% discount when you enter the code HAPPYPEAR15  Genuinely these are the only shoes you will see Dave & Steve wearing!Produced by Sean Cahill & Sara Fawsitt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do we get you to keep scrolling?This is the aim of the applications on your phone. The more they can steal your focus and attention the more profitable they are.So how can you take advantage of the benefits of technology whilst not letting it take advantage of you?This week we speak to Johann Hari, the author of the New York Times bestseller: Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention. Johann is an author, executive producer and Tedtalk speaker. His books have been translated into 40 languages, and been praised by a broad range of people, from Oprah to Noam Chomsky, from Elton John to Naomi Klein.Johann’s first book, ‘Chasing the Scream: the First and Last Days of the War on Drugs’, was adapted into the Oscar-nominated film ‘The United States Vs Billie Holiday’. His second book, ‘Lost Connections: Uncovering The Real Causes of Depression – and the Unexpected Solutions’ was described by the British Journal of General Practice as “one of the most important texts of recent years”, and shortlisted for an award by the British Medical Association.Johann’s TED talks have been viewed more than 93 million times. He has written over the past decade for some of the world’s leading newspapers and magazines, including the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Guardian, the Spectator, Le Monde Diplomatique, the Sydney Morning Herald, and Politico. He has appeared on NPR’s All Thing Considered, HBO’s Realtime With Bill Maher, The Joe Rogan Podcast, the BBC’s Question Time, and many other popular shows.Johann was twice named ‘National Newspaper Journalist of the Year’ by Amnesty International. He has also been named ‘Cultural Commentator of the Year’ and ‘Environmental Commentator of the Year’ at the Comment Awards.A fascinating person who lives half the year in London, and spends the other half of the year traveling to research his books. We caught up with Johann one sunny afternoon and delved deep into what it means to loose focus, the effects it has on the brain, how our children are being affected by technology, and how we can regain focus and become more present.A great episode!Enjoy!Lots of love,Dave & SteveProduced by Sean Cahill & Sara Fawsitt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it mean to be an explorer?What are the sacrifices one must take?What are the benefits of putting yourself through such hard physical challenges?This week we speak to Damian Browne, an extreme adventurer, peak performance athlete and International keynote speaker from Galway, Ireland. For the last 25 years Damian has pursued his human potential, relentlessly pushing his body & mind to their perceived limits; forging himself & his character in what he deems “a crucible life”. During a 16-year career as a professional rugby player, Damian donned the colours of some of rugby’s European elite, including Northampton Saints & Leinster; where he won club rugby’s biggest prize, The Heineken Cup. Since retirement from professional rugby, Damian has become one of the World’s foremost extreme adventurers; undertaking some of the most demanding physical and mental challenges on the planet, including the 257km Sahara Desert ultra marathon, The Marathon des Sables,  climbed 5 of the 7 Summits, a renowned mountaineering feat & most recently created history by becoming the first person ever to row from New York City to Galway, taking 112 days and in the process become one of only a handful of people to have rowed the Atlantic in both directions.Damian's drive to explore his physical & mental limits is not exclusive to ultra endurance events and he is a multi-time Irish indoor rowing champion, holding all-time, all-category records for the 500m and 1000m distance.We were lucky to have had Damian in the studio with us for this episode, a brilliant and deep character, we hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did.Lots of love,Dave & Steve Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.