Cliona Hagan | Never Let Fear Hold You Back

EPISODE SUMMARY Can you really spot a champion racehorse before anyone else does? Robson Aguiar joins Unfiltered with Sarah Jane Foster to reveal what it takes to identify, buy and develop a potential champion racehorse, and why even the most expensive horses don't always deliver. From working with horses at just five years old on a farm in Brazil to Group 1 success in Ireland, Robson has built his career around understanding horses and recognising their potential. In this episode, he takes us behind the scenes of the bloodstock industry, revealing why the fastest horse isn't necessarily the best, what he looks for at the sales, the financial risks involved and the expensive mistakes he's made along the way. He also opens up about arriving in Ireland without speaking English, competing at the highest level and his ambition to take on the world's biggest racing stages. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN

What does it really take to build a €500 million business, and what happens when everything you've spent decades building is suddenly destroyed? In this episode of Unfiltered, Sarah Jane Foster sits down with businessman and investor Philip Reynolds, son of former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds and former CEO of C&D Foods. Philip joined the family business at 18 and took over its leadership at just 25, when the company was generating approximately €10–15 million in turnover. He went on to oversee its expansion into a major European operation, with seven factories, nine international sales offices and €500 million in sales. But the journey was far from straightforward. Philip takes Sarah Jane inside the night a devastating factory fire left the business facing an uncertain future, the decisions that followed and what it takes to rebuild when everything is on the line. In a candid conversation, they explore leadership, family legacy, ambition, the loneliness of making difficult decisions and why Philip believes people can ultimately be the biggest disappointment in life. They also discuss the future of artificial intelligence, the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people and why, despite everything he has achieved, Philip still doesn't consider himself an entrepreneur. An Unfiltered conversation about business, resilience, people and the decisions that define a career.

Paddy Dunning joins Unfiltered with Sarah Jane Foster to share the entrepreneurial mindset behind some of Ireland's most iconic creative and entertainment businesses. From bringing Michael Jackson to Westmeath and building Grouse Lodge Recording Studios to creating The Button Factory, The National Wax Museum, The Irish Rock 'N' Roll Museum Experience and now the world's largest moving statue, Paddy shares the lessons he has learned from a lifetime of creativity, risk-taking and innovation. He opens up about entrepreneurship, reinvesting profits, spotting opportunities others miss, the future of music, the impact of AI, and why some of the best businesses are built by solving problems nobody else sees. Whether you're a founder, creator, entrepreneur or someone with a big idea, this episode is packed with practical lessons on vision, perseverance and building things that matter.

Dáithí Ó Sé joins Unfiltered with Sarah Jane Foster to share the lessons he learned from over 25 years in television, broadcasting and life. From being asked to leave school twice to becoming one of Ireland's most loved television presenters, Dáithí reflects on the opportunities, risks and mindset shifts that shaped his remarkable career. He opens up about taking chances when opportunities appeared, why he stopped caring what other people think, the reality of fame, fatherhood, the Rose of Tralee, social media, confidence and the importance of living without regret. Whether you're building a business, pursuing a dream or navigating criticism, this episode is packed with practical life lessons and perspective.

Nathan Carter joins Unfiltered with Sarah Jane Foster for one of his most honest interviews yet, opening up about fame, ambition, relationships, success and the pressure of always wanting more. From growing up in Liverpool and moving to Ireland at just 19 years old to becoming one of the biggest names in country music, Nathan reflects on the journey that changed his life. He shares the lessons he learned from success, the realities of life in the public eye and why he still finds it difficult to switch off. Nathan also discusses grief, songwriting, business, friendship, dating, managing change and what keeps him motivated after achieving more than most people dream of. Whether you're a founder, creator, entrepreneur, musician or someone striving for the next level, this episode is packed with insights on ambition, resilience and staying grounded while building a successful career. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN • Why success never feels quite enough • How Nathan built a career from a passion for music • The realities of fame and public perception • Why ambition can be both a gift and a curse • How to navigate change in business and life • The importance of staying grounded • Lessons from moving country at 19 to chase a dream • What grief taught him about life • Why relationships matter more than success • How to keep growing after achieving your goals TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Being Confident 00:54 Misconceptions About Nathan Carter 02:44 Nathan Carter As A Child 03:43 Nathan Carter's Favourite Foster & Allen Song 06:40 Wanting To Be A Musician In School 07:41 Growing Up In Liverpool 09:47 Being Close With His Nan 10:34 What Nathan Would Do If He Wasn't A Singer 12:47 Nathan's Love Of Cars 13:54 Buying A Mercedes For His Nan 16:23 Fame & How People Change 18:50 Moving To Ireland At 19 20:31 Building A Band 21:48 Why Change Can Be Healthy 24:59 Nathan's New Management Team 26:08 Writing Songs 30:36 Writing Wings To Fly 34:13 A Day In The Life Of Nathan Carter 38:13 Dating & Relationships 39:06 Nathan's Ideal Date 40:59 Philomena Begley & The Viral Music Video 44:25 Success At A Young Age 47:42 Managing Ceol 49:45 What Keeps Nathan Up At Night 50:53 How Nathan Wants To Be Remembered 52:01 Outro FOLLOW UNFILTERED Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/unfilteredwithsjf/ YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@unfilteredwithsjf TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unfilteredwithsjf FOLLOW SARAH JANE FOSTER Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/sarahjane_foster YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@sarahjanefoster TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@sarahjane_foster Websitehttps://sarahjanefoster.com JOIN THE GREEN ROOM https://www.sarahjanefoster.com/vault Get exclusive founder insights, business lessons, content strategies, podcast takeaways and behind-the-scenes access from Sarah Jane Foster. SPONSOR This episode was sponsored by Lakeland Interiors. https://lakelandinteriors.ie/