Cillian Murphy talks 'getting in the zone' on Dermot Whelan's new podcast

THE Mind Full podcast is a new mindfulness focused podcast by Dermot Whelan, Limerick native and radio and comedy star.

His first episode has just recently launched, with none other than Golden Globe winner and Oscar nominee, Cillian Murphy as his first guest.

Limerick's Blindboy is also set to feature on an upcoming episode of the new podcast.

Dermot and Cillian are old friends of over 20 years, and in episode one Cillian discusses his unique perspective on the challenges that he overcame to give winning performances in hit productions like Peaky Blinders and Oppenheimer, nominated for 13 Oscars in 2024. 

The world-renowned actor and Cork native gives an insightful interview regarding how he ‘gets in the zone’ while starring on various movie sets, and says that he works well by being ‘slightly nervous’ to do a role.

Speaking about Oppenheimer and his protagonist role, Cillian said: “I tend to enjoy the really really immersive characters and stuff where I really go at it on an intense level - I suppose I never played a real life character before, or an iconic 20th century figure [J. R Oppenheimer]  - so that added to the pressure of the performance.

“If you feel totally relaxed going in to a gig or a job then it is not going to be at the level you want it to be - For me, the best work I’ve ever done is when I read a script and go ‘how the f*ck am I going to do this?,” Cillian said. 

READ MORE: WATCH: Dermot Whelan named Limerick Person of the Month

Reflecting on a conversation that the two had five years previously, podcast presenter Dermot played a nostalgic clip from that time, where they discuss being ‘in the zone’ when it comes to work.

“Sometimes it’s like you’re totally lost within the performance and you feel the audience is there watching you and the next, you can mechanically do everything the same, but it just won’t be there… that’s what makes it so addictive, trying to recreate the performance.”

The Mind Full podcast is available on most platforms and is running for 12 weeks.

Season one will feature global high profile guests such as rugby international Keith Earls, podcast sensation Blindboy, along with Irish comedy and podcast stars like Doireann Garrihy, The 2 Johnnies and many more.