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The Starting Point – A Podcast Series

It starts with us! It starts with you!

The Starting Point is a compelling podcast series exploring how attitudes, behaviours, and influences shape our society and how each of us can play a role in ending violence against women and girls.

Through honest and thought-provoking conversations with voices from sport, media, leadership, and lived experience, the series challenges harmful norms, explores masculinity, and examines the real-world impact of violence.

This is about more than awareness.
It’s about responsibility, reflection, and change.

Because change doesn’t happen somewhere else.
It starts with us. It starts with you.

Meet Your Host: Thomas Niblock - Facilitating the Conversation for Change

Thomas Niblock is a Northern Irish sports broadcaster known for his thoughtful interviewing style and in-depth knowledge of sports. Thomas brings a journalistic approach to conversations with a wide-ranging audience.

For The Starting Point, podcast series Thomas Niblock brings a thoughtful and engaging approach, creating space for open, honest, and sometimes challenging conversations. With a strong commitment to social impact and community engagement, Thomas guides each discussion with sensitivity and purpose.

As host, he connects diverse voices and perspectives, encouraging reflection, accountability, and meaningful dialogue. His approach ensures each episode not only informs but invites listeners to consider their own role in shaping a safer, more respectful society.

Episode 1: Jonny Murphy - Influence, Platform & Responsibility

Known as The Hungry Hooker, Jonny Murphy is a former professional rugby player who has built a social media platform reaching hundreds of thousands of people.

After playing for Ulster and Connacht, Jonny was forced to retire early on medical grounds at the age of 30 due to concussion. What followed was a challenging period of transition, where he openly faced struggles with identity and mental health. Returning to a lifelong passion for baking became a turning point, helping him rebuild purpose and direction.

Today, Jonny uses his platform to share his journey and connect with over 700,000 followers across social media.

In this opening episode, Jonny reflects on the responsibility that comes with influence, particularly for men in sport and media — and how public voices can challenge harmful norms, model positive behaviours, and lead by example.

This is a conversation about visibility, accountability, and using your voice for good.

Episode 2: Daryl Clarke - Shaping Young Men Through Sport

Daryl Clarke, from Carrickfergus, is a Project Coordinator with Monkstown Boxing Club and a passionate youth worker dedicated to supporting young people.

Drawing from his own lived experience, Daryl understands the transformative power of sport. Through initiatives such as In Your Corner, he supports disenfranchised young people to re-engage with education, complete Prince’s Trust programmes, and build positive futures. Notably, 90% of participants achieved five GCSEs or more in the past year.

Daryl highlights the role of boxing clubs and community spaces in teaching respect, discipline, and positive behaviours, not only for young men, but also as empowering environments for young women to build confidence and self-esteem.

This episode explores how coaches and community leaders can challenge harmful attitudes, promote respect for women and girls, and influence the next generation where it matters most.

Episode 3: Tahnee McCorry - Preventing Violence Before It Starts

Violence does not begin with physical harm, it starts with attitudes, language, and behaviours that are often normalised.

Tahnee McCorry, CEO of White Ribbon NI, is at the forefront of prevention work aimed at ending violence against women and girls. White Ribbon focuses on engaging men and boys to drive meaningful cultural change through programmes in schools, prisons, and sporting organisations.

Tahnee also developed the Listen, Learn and Lead programme, introducing the “pyramid of violence” framework to demonstrate how everyday sexism underpins more serious forms of harm.

This episode focuses on prevention, early intervention, and the critical role men and boys must play in creating lasting societal change.

Episode 4: David Jeffrey MBE - Masculinity, Vulnerability & Leadership

This episode explores leadership, resilience, and vulnerability in the context of masculinity.

David Jeffrey MBE – For services to Association Football and to Community Relations in Northern Ireland – was born in Newtownards in 1962 and had a distinguished football career, including time with Manchester United during his apprenticeship years and later playing for Linfield, Ards, and Larne.

He went on to become one of Northern Ireland’s most successful football managers, leading Linfield to multiple league titles and cup victories, including the Setanta Cup in 2005.

Alongside his sporting career, David worked as a social worker with a strong focus on youth and community development.

In this conversation, David reflects on leadership, the pressures faced by men, and the importance of vulnerability, role modelling, and resilience in shaping positive identities.