Digg Podcast

• E174: Funding, Storytelling and Disruptive Marketing: How The Harrison Became a Belfast Icon

  Melanie Harrison is the founder of The Harrison Chambers of Distinction, award winning and one of Belfast’s most distinctive 30-room boutique hospitality experiences. Melanie shares her remarkable journey from “accidental hotelier” to creator of a destination brand rooted in storytelling, culture and creativity. She opens up about the realities of building a business from the ground up: from transforming a single Airbnb room into an immersive hospitality concept, to navigating funding with WhiteRock and the British Business Bank, to learning when to trust her instincts rather than follow traditional industry rules. Melanie reveals how she uses storytelling to differentiate her brand, how collaboration with local creatives has shaped her unique spaces, and why playfulness, disruption and authenticity are essential for modern entrepreneurs. Her candid insights into scaling, risk-taking, customer experience, and staying connected to the heart of her brand make this episode a must listen for any founder or business owner looking to grow with purpose and originality. Plus, listeners can enjoy an exclusive 15% discount at The Harrison Chambers of Distinction using the code DIGG15 up until July 30th 2026.We loved recording there over the three days.Links from EpisodeThe Harrison Chambers of Distinctionhttps://www.chambersofdistinction.com/ Brought to you in Partnership with:Profile TreeUse link below to take the FREE ChatGPT Training Coursehttps://futurebusinessacademy.com/courses/chatgpt-course/ Timely CareersWebsite: https://timelycareers.com/ Place a FREE advert for your business by emailing [email protected] before the end of December 2025

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• E173: Building a Legacy in Newry: Rory McShane on Justice, Community and 50 Years in Business

  Rory McShane is one of Northern Ireland’s most respected solicitors, a man whose 50 year legal career, civil rights activism and deep roots in Newry have shaped generations of families, businesses and communities.Rory talks about building a law practice from nothing, navigating the challenges of Northern Ireland’s past, and the resilience that defines both his life and his hometown of Newry.From securing justice in court cases, to surviving personal threats and the bombing of his business, to becoming President of the Law Society, Rory reflects on the moments that shaped him,  and the values that guided him: courage, community, fairness and hard work.He also shares lighter stories, the humour that carried him through difficult times, his passion for golf, and the generational loyalty that has kept McShane & Co at the heart of Newry for five decades.This is a story about resilience, leadership, legacy and hope for the future of Northern Ireland,  told by a man who lived every chapter of it.Links from EpisodeMcShane & Co Solicitors, NewryWebsite - https://www.mcshaneandco.com/ Brought to you in Partnership with:Linwoods Health Foods.For 20% off use code Digg20 on link below. (Not available in conjunction with any other discount codes. Excludes sales items & reduced price bundles. Expires 31.12.25)https://bit.ly/4nBUl1r Location PartnerThe Harrison Chambers of Distinctionhttps://www.chambersofdistinction.com/ For 15% off use code Digg15 up until 30th July 2026

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• E172: The Business Behind Bellamianta: Linda Stinson on Growth, Grit and Building a Legacy

  Linda Stinson is the CEO and founder of Bellamianta and Iconic Bronze, two of Ireland’s leading tanning and beauty brands. Linda shares the raw, unfiltered story of building a multimillion-pound global business from her garage, navigating partnership challenges, surviving a wedding-day tanning disaster that sparked an idea, and creating products that disrupted a saturated market.She shares how influencer marketing changed everything, the truth about TikTok Shop margins, the power of rebranding, and what it really takes to scale a beauty empire while raising a family. Linda also reveals the next big move for the brand, including the first ever Bellamianta store and her mission to elevate other female-founded Irish businesses.This episode is packed with business strategy, brand-building insights, resilience, and straight-talking advice for entrepreneurs at any stage of their journey.Links from EpisodeBellamiantaWebsite - https://bellamianta.com/ Linda StinsonInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/lindastinson/?hl=en Brought to you in Partnership with:Profile TreeUse link below to take the FREE ChatGPT Training Coursehttps://futurebusinessacademy.com/courses/chatgpt-course/ Timely CareersWebsite: https://timelycareers.com/ Place a FREE advert for your business by emailing [email protected] before the end of December 2025Location PartnerThe Harrison Chambers of Distinctionhttps://www.chambersofdistinction.com/ For 15% off use code Digg15 up until 30th July 2026

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• E171: Surviving Domestic Abuse: Dr Julie-Ann Walkden’s Story & The Lifesaving Work of Women’s Aid

  Dr Julie-Ann Walkden courageously shares her domestic abuse survivor story for the very first time in this special episode.Julie-Ann recounts the night her partner violently attacked her, the red flags she missed, how coercive control escalated, and the impact the trauma had on her and her children. Her honest conversation shines a vital light on how abuse happens behind closed doors, even in families who seem “normal” from the outside.Noelle Collins, Project Manager at Women’s Aid, explains how domestic violence develops, why women often cannot “just leave,” how refuge support works, and the essential role charities play in keeping women and children safe in Northern Ireland.This special episode is produced in partnership with Digg Deep for Kids, a charity founded by Caroline that provides emergency essentials, Christmas support, and year-round help to organisations including Women’s Aid NI, Cash for Kids, Simon Community and Little Heroes NI.If you need support, please don't hesitate to reach out. Help is available.If you’d like to support this year’s Digg Deep for Kids Christmas Appeal, please donate or buy a raffle ticket at https://diggdeepforkids.com/  Every share, every ticket, every donation makes a real difference.

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• E170: Food Myths Debunked: Ultra-Processed Fear, Dairy Lies & Portion Size Truths with Sarah Keogh

  Sarah Keogh is one of Ireland’s leading dietitians, with more than 20 years’ experience helping families, workplaces and communities understand food, protect their long-term health and build a better relationship with what’s on their plate. She’s the founder of Eatwell, a consultant dietitian with the Coeliac Society of Ireland, and a trusted voice when it comes to cutting through nutrition noise.Sarah breaks down some of the biggest food and health questions people are struggling with right now. From portion sizes and fibre to children’s eating habits and the truth about ultra-processed foods, Sarah explains it all in a calm, practical way that genuinely changes how you think about food. She opens up a powerful conversation about alcohol, heart health, and the symptoms women cannot afford to ignore, revealing why so many women miss the signs of a heart attack and what we should all be watching for.Sarah talks about the documentary myths that have convinced millions to avoid dairy, the reality about E-numbers, and the small, easy changes that make the biggest difference to long-term health.Her approach is refreshingly human. There’s no fear-mongering, no perfectionism and no judgment, just real, evidence-based advice delivered in a way that feels manageable for busy families. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by nutrition content online, this episode will leave you clearer, calmer and far better informed.Links from EpisodeSarah KeoghWebsite - https://www.eatwell.ie/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sarahkeoghrd/?hl=en Brought to you in Partnership with:Linwoods Health Foods.For 20% off use code Digg20 on link below. (Not available in conjunction with any other discount codes. Excludes sales items & reduced price bundles. Expires 31.12.25)https://bit.ly/4nBUl1r Location PartnerThe Harrison Chambers of Distinctionhttps://www.chambersofdistinction.com/ For 15% off use code Digg15 up until 30th July 2026

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