S6 E5 - Under The Influence

In this powerful double-feature episode of Insight: The Stripped Back Podcast, we bring you two deeply inspiring conversations that explore the highs, lows, and honest realities of life behind the scenes — both online and on the canvas.We kick things off with Jay Kavanagh, a Dublin-based digital creator and lifestyle influencer whose eye for fashion, love of travel, and authentic daily storytelling have earned him a loyal and growing audience across platforms.Jay takes us behind the filters to talk about his journey from working in the electrical industry to carving out a space for himself in the fast-moving world of content creation. He gets candid about the hustle of building a personal brand, the pressure to stay relevant, and the importance of staying true to yourself in a world full of curated perfection.In one of the most moving moments of the episode, Jay opens up about the sudden loss of his father — a moment that stopped him in his tracks and shifted his perspective on life, success, and what truly matters.Connect with Jay:Instagram: @jaykavanagh7TikTok: @jaykavanagh7Email: [email protected] the second half, we sit down with Andy Fraser, a gifted craftsman, artist, and designer whose story is a testament to grit, passion, and resilience.Andy shares his life’s journey — from a challenging childhood raised by a lone parent father, to sacrificing everything (including basic comforts and even shelter) to follow his artistic calling. With powerful vulnerability, Andy discusses what it took to survive emotionally and financially in the pursuit of his creative vision.He opens up about the darkest moments of his life, including thoughts of suicide, and the heartbreaking flood that devastated his studio in late 2024. But Andy didn’t quit. He fought back, and in 2025, he stands tall again — working out of a brand-new studio, reignited and more determined than ever.Connect with Andy:Instagram: @1GrádhThis episode is about more than careers or creativity — it’s about life. The pain, the passion, and the people who keep showing up, even when it gets hard.Subscribe to Insight: The Stripped Back Podcast for more unfiltered, unapologetically real conversations from the worlds of trade, creativity, and business.