<p>My guest in this podcast is John Evoy. John is someone I&apos;ve connected with at different times in the past due through my work in the community. I’ve always found him to be a deep thinker with a big heart. John lives in County Wexford, Ireland, and works as the General Manager of Grow Remote Ireland. He previously worked with social innovation funding body Rethink Ireland, and before that, he was the founder of the Irish Men’s Sheds movement. In this conversation, we talk about his work as well as his rural upbringing, bereavement, the importance of community, the challenges of addiction, the benefits of counselling, men’s mental health, and lots more. Thanks to Love and Courage podcast patrons for your support. <br/><br/></p>

The Love and Courage podcast features interviews with inspirational people who are making a real difference in the world today. Guests are typically people passionate about social justice, and who have demonstrated courage and conviction in their lives. Ruairí McKiernan is a multi award winning Irish social innovator, campaigner, writer and public speaker. He is the founder of the pioneering SpunOut youth organization, and helped set-up the Uplift and the A Lust For Life non-profits. In 2012 the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins appointed Ruairí to the Council of State, a constitutional advisory body whose members include all former leaders of the country. Ruairí is the recipient of numerous awards, including a Fulbright fellowship, and he contributes regularly to the media on youth, health, community and social justice issues.