Martina Tierney Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this week’s episode of The Martina Tierney Podcast, I sit down with Helen Hughes, Chief Executive of Patient Safety Learning, alongside our own Dearbhaile Mulholland, whose passion for safer care sparked this powerful conversation.

Helen’s work shines a light on something many of us feel deeply but rarely articulate, that patient safety is everyone’s responsibility, and that real change only happens when we share learning openly, honestly and without fear. From global systems thinking to the everyday realities faced by frontline staff, Helen brings a rare blend of clarity, compassion and courage to a topic that affects every patient, every carer and every clinician.

🔍 In this episode, we explore:

Why avoidable harm remains one of healthcare’s biggest challenges

How collaboration, culture and shared learning can transform safety

The story behind The Hub, now the world’s largest patient-safety knowledge platform

Why seating, posture and equipment need to be part of the safety conversation

What it truly means to move from blame to learning, and from isolated practice to collective responsibility

This episode is an honest, energising and deeply hopeful reminder that safer care isn’t just possible, it’s achievable when we empower the people who know their patients best, listen to those closest to harm, and give teams the tools and trust they need to do the right thing.

Whether you work in healthcare, leadership, quality improvement or simply believe in the dignity every person deserves, Helen’s insight will stay with you long after you finish listening.

🎧 Thank you for joining us. I’d love to hear your thoughts or reflections, you can reach me at martina.tierney@seatingmatters.com.

If this episode resonated with you, please rate, review and share, it helps spread this important message further.

In this week’s episode of The Martina Tierney Podcast, I sit down with Bel Youngson, Chief Operating Officer at Hertfordshire Independent Living Service (HILS), whose story beautifully illustrates what it means to lead with both heart and purpose.

From supporting vulnerable adults to transforming community services across the UK, Bel has spent her career turning compassion into action. Her journey is a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t about hierarchy - it’s about humanity, collaboration, and never losing sight of the people we serve.

🔍 What we cover in this episode:

* How Bel’s early experiences shaped her commitment to person-centred care

* The impact of small, consistent acts of kindness in creating large-scale change

* What true leadership looks like in the face of challenge, growth and service transformation

* The balance between operational excellence and emotional intelligence

* How HILS is redefining independence, dignity and connection for thousands across the UK

Whether you work in health, social care or leadership, or you simply want to be reminded of the difference one person can make, Bel’s story will leave you feeling inspired, grounded and hopeful about the future of care.

🎧 Thanks for tuning in - I’d love to hear what resonated with you. You can reach me at martina.tierney@seatingmatters.com

(Be sure to rate, review and share if this episode spoke to you — your support helps this message reach more people.)

🚲 The paediatrician said he’d never ride a bike, they were sure of it.But Maureen Clements wasn’t... Instead of focusing on what her son couldn’t do, she got him on a horse and painted the reins red and green to help him learn right and left.And eventually, she got him on a bike. She ran behind him with a video camera and tears in her eyes because this boy, once written off, went on to win cycling medals at the Special Olympics.🥇Maureen, a Community OT with Glasgow City Council, brings heart, ingenuity, and an unshakable belief in her clients.🎧 Hear her incredible story in this latest episode of The Martina Tierney Podcast

🎥Also on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MartinaTierneyOT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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I’d love to hear what you think of this episode — your feedback helps shape future episodes. And if you know a healthcare professional with a powerful story to share, I’d love to connect.

Drop me an email at ⁠⁠⁠martina.tierney@seatingmatters.com⁠⁠⁠.

If you like what you've heard i'd be really grateful if you could share it with your friends and networks.

Thanks so much for listening and supporting the show!⁠⁠

Martina ⁠

Some stories don’t just stay with you - they shift how you see the work we do.

I sat down with two incredible Occupational Therapists and lecturers at Ulster University: Anna O’Loughlin and Clare McMonagle (also an Equine Specialist OT) for a conversation that was equal parts science, soul, and lived experience.

We talked about real lives - about Ruby, whose journey with cerebral palsy took an unexpected turn the day she met a horse. About the moment when Anna’s Aunt Sarah was finally able to lift her head thanks to a gadget invented by the family.

This episode is about the moments that matter. The kind that remind you why you do this work in the first place.

🎧 Episode 7: A deep dive into purpose-driven practice - from early intervention to the power of movement, motivation, and meaningful connection.

If you work in therapy, education, or just care deeply about dignity and possibility - this one’s for you.

🎧 Watch / listen now:

🎥Also on YouTube: ⁠⁠https://youtu.be/AV9n8my-gnY

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I’d love to hear what you think — your feedback helps shape future episodes. And if you know a healthcare professional with a powerful story to share, I’d love to connect.

Drop me a email anytime at ⁠⁠martina.tierney@seatingmatters.com⁠⁠.

Thanks so much for tuning in and supporting the show!

⁠Martina

Recorded in early 2025, we learn about Norma Findlay's fascinating work in the medico-legal field and her passion for postural management.

“I have yet to find another profession that’s truly this holistic.” 💬

In this powerful moment from The Martina Tierney Podcast, Norma Jane Findlay reflects on the unique and vital role of Occupational Therapists — especially when it comes to understanding the whole person.

From home adaptations to energy conservation, from 24-hour care needs to what really brings joy and meaning to someone’s life — OTs go beyond tasks.

They ask:

🧠 “How can we help you preserve energy… so you still have some left for the things that matter most?”

💡 It's not just about what you can do, but how you live well doing it.

🔗 During the episode Norma talks about the 7-point toolbox for postural management, find some learning about postural management along with resources https://learn.nes.nhs.scot/60811

Watch the full episode now and rediscover the true power of OT.

Also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tL58gQclUtU

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Look out for the Bonus Episode 6, Part 1 which is what happened when the cameras stopped rolling... or so they thought!

This special conversation between Martina and guest Norma, was after they had finished recording their podcast episode in early 2025. They both thought the cameras and mics had stopped filming and had a really relaxed chat.

They talked openly about their special connection, about vibrational energy and what they believe happens after a loved one passes from this life.

There were goosebump moments and tears of joy! We felt the conversation was too insightful not to publish, so we're really grateful to both of them for agreeing to share this private chat.

*** 

I’d love to hear what you think — your feedback helps shape future episodes. And if you know a healthcare professional with a powerful story to share, I’d love to connect.

Drop me a email anytime at ⁠⁠⁠martina.tierney@seatingmatters.com⁠⁠⁠.

Thanks so much for tuning in and supporting the show!

⁠⁠Martina

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: This is what happened when the cameras stopped rolling... or so they thought!

This special conversation between Martina and guest Norma Findlay, was after they had finished recording their podcast episode in early 2025. They both thought the cameras and mics had stopped filming and had a really relaxed chat.

They talked openly about their special connection, about vibrational energy and what they believe happens after a loved one passes from this life.

There were goosebump moments and tears of joy! We felt the conversation was too insightful not to publish, so we're really grateful to both of them for agreeing to share this private chat.

Look out for Episode 6, Part 2 which is the main podcast recorded in early 2025, where we learn about Norma Findlay's fascinating work in the medico-legal field and her passion for postural management.

*** 

I’d love to hear what you think — your feedback helps shape future episodes. And if you know a healthcare professional with a powerful story to share, I’d love to connect.

Drop me a email anytime at ⁠⁠martina.tierney@seatingmatters.com⁠⁠.

Thanks so much for tuning in and supporting the show!

⁠Martina

Martina interviews Deborah Harrison, Nurse, Founder and Clinical Director at A1 Risk Solutions and they talked about:

✨ ‘Single Handed Care’ vs ‘Proportionate Care’ – what’s the difference?

✨ How people think that Proportionate Care is just about saving money

✨ The training courses and other services provided by A1 Risk Solutions

✨ Deborah’s role as an honorary university lecturer

✨ Why A1 Risk Solutions encourage advice requests for complex challenges in Moving and Handling

✨ Deborah’s personal connection with Occupational Therapists

✨ The connection that united Martina and Deborah when A1 Risk Solutions was acquired from Deborah by the Tierco Healthcare Group (the group of caring companies run by Martina's family) in 2024

👉 WIN! This was one of the earliest podcasts we recorded and in the video you can see that we’ve hidden an ‘easter egg’ that doesn’t feature in the other podcasts. If you think you’ve found it email me with your answer and I’ll send you a little gift! 💫

🎧 Watch / listen now:
🎥Also on YouTube: ⁠https://youtu.be/RLKby5LWRbc

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I’d love to hear what you think of this episode — your feedback really helps shape future episodes. And if you know a healthcare professional with a powerful story to share, I’d love to connect.

Drop me a email anytime at ⁠martina.tierney@seatingmatters.com⁠.

Thanks so much for listening and supporting the show!

Martina

"A long-haul flight is a strain on the body because an airline seat is not made to measure. Those of us who are able, can change position, get up from our seats and walk around to stretch. Many patients and residents in hospitals and care facilities are unable to do this without assistance. This means that for many, their seating experience is the equivalent of a long-haul flight and most have to do it day after day after day, living in pain and discomfort."

***

My son Jonathan interviewed me earlier in the series and in this episode I have turned the tables and got to interview him about his role as Seating Matters Commercial Director.

Jonathan talks passionately of the human impact of being able to access suitable healthcare equipment and the reality of working with his two brothers and his mother!

We talked about:

✨ Joining the business aged 17

✨ How a patient should be treated equally whether in a bed or a chair

✨ Innovative use of enhanced seating in Accident & Emergency Rooms

✨ Travelling to support customers and distributors around the world

✨ And he takes us behind the scenes of a family-run business

🎧 Watch / listen now:

🎥Also on YouTube: ⁠https://bit.ly/4cgxB2B⁠

*** 

I’d love to hear what you think — your feedback helps shape future episodes. And if you know a healthcare professional with a powerful story to share, I’d love to connect.

Drop me a email anytime at ⁠martina.tierney@seatingmatters.com⁠.

Thanks so much for tuning in and supporting the show!

Martina

Martina interviews Odeth Richardson, Head of Service for Occupational Therapy in Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals and Chair of Council for RCOT and BAOT.

Odeth has a quiet strength and a thoughtful perspective. We talked about:

✨ The current challenges facing Occupational Therapists

✨ The important work of the RCOT and how it supports its members

✨ The transformative Equality, Diversity and Belonging policy

✨ Why OTs should be more involved in supporting women and girls in sheltered accommodation

✨ And… we discovered her hidden talent — poetry! 💫

👉 Watch the full episode and stay to the end to hear Odeth read her beautiful poem, inspired by Maya Angelou and the RCOT’s phoenix symbol.

🎧 Listen now:

🎙️Spotify: https://bit.ly/4jaMdTk
🎙️Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3E7aQBm
🎥Watch on YouTube: https://bit.ly/4cgxB2B

I’d love to hear what you think — your feedback helps shape future episodes. And if you know a healthcare professional with a powerful story to share, I’d love to connect.

Drop me a email anytime at martina.tierney@seatingmatters.com.

Thanks so much for tuning in and supporting the show!

Martina

Is this the healthcare podcast for you?!

Hi, I'm Martina Tierney, an Occupational Therapist, educator and founder of 'Seating Matters'.

I'm passionate about transforming the world of healthcare with better seating, better education and better access to research for therapists, clinicians and caregivers.

In this podcast I hear uplifting and moving patient stories from around the world when I interview contributors from my book "The Power of OT."

My goal for the podcast is to inspire millions of people from all over the world to think differently about posture, seating and healthcare.

I welcome all feedback and would love to hear your suggestions for future guests or topics - email me martina.tierney@seatingmatters.comI hope you enjoy!! Martina