25 July 2022
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
Two Norries Receive July Cork Persons of the Month Awards
The creators of the Two Norries podcast have been awarded the July Cork Person of the Month award to honour their podcast’s success, and the contribution they have made to community life in Cork and Ireland by speaking about difficult social issues on their show.
The Two Norries podcast is hosted by two boyhood friends from the Northside of Cork City, James Leonard and Timmy Long. James and Timmy speak about their own experiences with drug addiction, childhood trauma and homelessness, and invite experts on to their show to join them in these discussions, in order to help destigmatize these social issues and help listeners and viewers understand and overcome them.
They have produced over 100 podcasts to date, and regularly host their podcasts for live audiences around the country in theatres. They have also been guests themselves on various Irish media shows, such as the Late Late Show on RTÉ. In fact, Ryan Tubridy was the guest interview on their Podcast this month.
“Timmy Long and James Leonard can talk the talk because they walked the walk, so they have great empathy with young people. These lads survived time in prison and serious addiction problems so their powerful communication is listened to”, said awards organiser Manus O’Callaghan.
- James Leonard currently works in the Cork Education & Training Board’s Youth Services Division, and sits on the Board of Directors for the Cork Simon Community. He is a Ph.D. candidate at UCC’s Department of Sociology and Criminology, and has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Youth & Community Work, and a Master’s Degree in Criminology. James spent over 10 years in addiction, which meant time spent homeless and in prison.
- Timmy Long has also recovered from addiction and rebuilt his life through education. At the age of 31, Timmy experienced a spiritual awakening during an alcohol and drug fuelled binge which began a new life journey built on the pillars of education, meditation and personal growth. He completed FETAC Level 5 award in Furniture Making and Restoration, and a Level 6 in Sustainable Technologies, while also completing his carpentry apprenticeship in between. He then went onto third level education to complete an honours degree in Construction Management (FETAC 8). Timmy currently runs his own property maintenance and construction company and employs people who are in recovery.
James and Timmy use their academic qualifications, treatment centres and down-to-earth advice on the podcast to help people break the downward cycle of addiction and other social and health problems.
Broadcaster John Creedon, one of the nominators of the Two Norries for the award, said “These two men are a tour-de-force and a real force for change”.
Timmy and James’ names will now go forward for possible selection as Cork Persons of the Year at the 30th Annual Gala Awards Lunch on 27 January 2023.