logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2023
1h 3m

Niall Harbison : how street dogs taught ...

Síle Seoige
About this episode

Topics covered : Parents separating, trauma, guilt, alcoholism, addiction, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, success, rock bottom, hope, finding meaning, love, purpose.  


I’m on a break over the Christmas period so I am re-releasing a few episodes over the next few weeks that really connected with listeners from 2023.


In September I spoke to dog lover and activist Niall Harbison.

If you’re an animal lover and you’re on social media, there is a strong possibility that you already follow Niall.

Originally from Co. Tyrone, he grew up in Brussels but never lost his Irish accent.

And over the past 21 months he has been devoting his time to help save street dogs in Thailand.


And to fully understand the man he is today; we need to go back through some of the experiences that have shaped him in his life. When he was 13, his parents separated, and his mother then had a relationship with an abusive partner which had a massive impact on him. He has been a private chef of Billionaires, a successful and at times controversial entrepreneur, and at his lowest point he found himself in ICU after a drink and drug fuelled binge.

He's been sober for about 3 years now and his mission is to half the population of stray dogs in the world over the next 20-30 years.


His book – ‘Hope - how street dogs have taught me the meaning of life’ was released this Autumn and it’s an incredible read.

I hope you feel inspired by our conversation as Niall is the perfect example of how it’s never too late to change your life.


For more information on the work he’s doing and if you’d like to donate…

Click here


Resources :


If you need to talk to someone, you can contact a Samaritan on Freephone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.ie


If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Nov 21
Parenting : Regulation is the goal
<p>Topics covered :&nbsp;Unpacking 'calm' parenting, navigating meltdowns (for adults and kids)​,&nbsp;the power of play in building connection with kids,&nbsp;dropping the threats, slapping, resilience building, unlearning,&nbsp;rupture and repair,&nbsp;positive modelling.</p><b ... Show More
51m 52s
Nov 17
The Real Take - Seán Boylan on The Hill of Tara
<p>This is The Real Take — a glimpse into the honesty, wisdom and connection at the heart of every episode of Ready to be Real.</p><p>Today, I’m revisiting a conversation I recorded six years ago with the incredible Seán Boylan — a fifth-generation herbalist and a true sporting l ... Show More
5m 56s
Nov 14
Joanne Griffin : AI and humanity
Topics covered : AI in today's world, awareness.In this episode, I speak to technology consultant and author Joanne Griffin.She's married to Mark, they have two teenage boys, and they live in Navan.She left the mainstream corporate world just before Covid to pursue a career in te ... Show More
39m 26s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2021
#50. How To Help People Who Self-Sabotage & Struggle With Addiction with Dr. Robb Kelly
Robb Kelly, PhD is a renowned addiction consultant who believes in treating the problem of addiction, not the symptoms. He has worked for many years helping addicts and alcoholics to recover their lives from the disease of addiction. Based on his own experiences working with addi ... Show More
26m 34s
Jun 2025
Why So Many Men Are Lost—and How to Reclaim Yourself, w/ Kevin English, founder of Alpha Edge
<p>Join me on this episode of Unhooked as I welcome Kevin English, founder of Alpha Edge, who is on a mission to redefine aging for men as a rise into strength and authenticity. Kevin and I dive deep into what real masculinity means in today&apos;s world, discussing the five key ... Show More
51m 38s
Jun 2024
Languishing and the search for meaning in the modern world
If you’re feeling demotivated and aimless, but you’re not depressed, you might be languishing. But what exactly is languishing, and what can you do about it? Claudia Hammond talks to the sociologist Dr Corey Keyes, who coined the term. He has some solutions that could help you mo ... Show More
27m 40s
Jul 2025
Joe Williams - Concussion, Bipolar & Being a Dad
Approached by 5 NRL clubs by the time he was 13, Joe was a sporting prodigy. 💌 subscribe to our newsletter, my imperfect email, here - http://bit.ly/4lMOdTj Thrust into the spotlight Joe was introduced to a world of concussions, accolades and copious amounts of drugs and alcohol ... Show More
1h 26m
Nov 12
The Day I Met My Hero: Jon Bon Jovi on Finding Joy, Overcoming Adversity, Growing Old & Spirituality #594
Have you ever thought about meeting your own heroes and what you would actually say to them if you did? When I was growing up, I used to idolise Jon Bon Jovi. I had a huge flag of him up on my bedroom wall and would listen to every bit of music he released with his band, watch ev ... Show More
1h 22m
Aug 2024
A Candid Conversation With The Rapper Common On: Self-Worth, Fitness, Trauma, And The Evolution Of Vulnerability In Hip-Hop
<p><em>New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers.</em></p> <p><em>---</em></p> <p>This multi-hyphenate opens up about his four pillars of health and success</p> <p>Common is an Oscar, Golden Globe, Emmy, ... Show More
54m 40s
Nov 2024
#507 Resilience: It's Not What Happens, But How You Handle It
<p class="MsoNormal">Life throws curveballs. It's a fact. But what separates those who crumble from those who conquer? Resilience. In "<strong>Resilience: It's Not What Happens, But How You Handle It,</strong>" we delve into the art of bouncing back, adapting, and even thriving i ... Show More
14m 49s
Mar 2024
37. How do I dream again after tragedy and loss? with Richie Norton
Richie has the most incredible story of resilience after experiencing so much loss and tragedy. But he also gave us all so many practical tools for navigating grief, finding meaning, and moving forward with our lives even when things don't go as planned. Richie has a gift for dis ... Show More
1h 2m
May 2024
#481 Never Give Up: Finding Your Good Life
<p class="MsoNormal">Never Give Up: Finding Your Good Life</p> <p class="MsoNormal">This talk dives into the profound truth that a fulfilling life is possible, even after setbacks and difficult experiences. We'll explore the transformative power of hope and the importance of self ... Show More
13m 33s
Sep 2024
Nicky Jam Discusses Struggling with Panic Attacks, Drug Addiction, & PTSD
<p>SUMMIT OF GREATNESS IS DAYS AWAY! Have you saved your tickets yet? Get them before they sell out at <a href="https://lewishowes.com/tickets">lewishowes.com/tickets</a>.</p><p>I'm thrilled to welcome the iconic reggaeton superstar Nicky Jam to The School of Greatness! In this p ... Show More
1h 19m