Rory Smith Email & Phone Number

Hi! I'm Rory - a very proud Irishman from a rural village in County Down, Ireland. I've always wanted to get people's stories out there so I moved to England in 2011 to become a journalist. l worked for a number of years in TV as a producer and journalist for ITV before becoming a newsreader for BBC, Times Radio and Virgin Radio. But after leaving a job in the summer of 2023 I took some time out for myself away from work for the first time in my life. In early 2024 I hit a brick wall in my life. I realised I spent 30 years chasing things I thought would fill the dark empty hole inside me. I got caught up in trying to be somebody or something that wasn't me, hoping that when I get 'there' I would be magically fixed or healed. And it was after all of this when I decided something had to change because I couldn't go on wasting my life chasing external things to find the light in my darkness or the next thing to make me happy. And that change would begin with me.​Despite having on/off therapy for many years, in early 2024 I started my journey of accepting my mental health issues; anxiety and depression to name a few. And I started working on myself in ways I never did before.​During this time I also set up my podcast 'Be My Guest with Rory Smith' as something to keep me occupied and have a purpose in my days. Through my dark times, even as a child, I've always been comforted by human interest interviews on TV and radio. The guests made me feel I'm wasn't alone in my darkness. It's why I've always wanted to help people to get their stories, particulary of overcoming adversity, out there - because I’ve been through it too. I know how it feels to have that much pain built up inside. It's why I've come to realise the reason why I've always known the true power and impact of sharing stories.I always say to my guests 'My measure of a successful episode is that it helps one person'. What I didn't realise at the time was that in some episodes, I was that person.I hope to build on my podcast in creating a space and community for people to be open about their struggles and challenges in life so people see their story in others and not feel so alone.I live in a gorgeous village in rural Kent, England and I surround myself with everything I love most; my amazing husband who is my rock and my absolute best mate, my mum, my family, my friends and also the things I've been unable to do for many years due to my challenges like gardening and baking. To me, all of life's most important things that keep me grounded, humble and grateful.E: team@rorysmith.org

Listed skills include Research, Broadcast Journalism, Broadcast Television, Public Speaking, and 2 others.

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  London South Bank University

  Journalism