Main content

'I'm lucky to be alive' Barber Jason 'Jay' Millar on trauma, survival and faith

Belfast barber Jason 'Jay' Millar on recovering from a brain injury, faith and helping others. Anna also looks ahead to the Women's Rugby World Cup and chats film sequels.

Belfast barber Jason ‘Jay’ Millar nipped out for a coffee earlier this year and woke up in hospital three weeks later, having suffered seizures and a head injury requiring life-saving brain surgery. It’s a trauma many would struggle to come to terms with, but Jay is more resilient than most. His alcoholic mother died when he was five, and a few years later, his younger brother was knocked down and killed while the pair were running away from a children’s home. Jay, who struggled with addiction as a young adult, talks to Anna about his recovery, faith, and why he now helps others in need through his work.

As the Ireland women’s rugby team prepare for the opening of the world cup, Anna talks to Ulster referee Glenda Mellon and former Ulster and Ireland player Stacey Lea Kennedy about their predictions and how to attract more women to the game.

Ahead of his Belfast gig next month, 8 out of 10 Cats panellist Josh Jones tells Anna how dyslexia didn’t hold him back as he rose to prominence as a comedic writer and stand-up performer.

‘I’ll be back’ is the famous quote from Terminator 2… arguably better than the first film? With the release in recent weeks of Happy Gilmore 2 and Freakier Friday, Anna discusses the best and worst film sequels with critics Brian Henry Martin and Mollie Egan Crossan.

And as Lady Gaga’s song Abracadabra is nominated for a coveted VMA (Video Music award), we hear from our own ‘Top Woman’, Belfast-born Mary Florence Brown, who worked as an art director on the video.

Plus tracks from the Songbook, the perfect soundtrack to your Sunday.

17 days left to listen

1 hour, 54 minutes

Last on

Sun 10 Aug 2025 11:03

Music Played

  • Bagatelle

    Second Violin

  • Elkie Brooks

    Sunshine After The Rain

  • The Beatles

    In My Life

  • The Beautiful South

    Dream A Little Dream

  • UB40

    Kingston Town

  • Nancy Sinatra

    You Only Live Twice

  • Boy Meets Girl

    Waiting For A Star To Fall

  • Billy Joel

    My Life

  • The Chicks

    Landslide

  • Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

    Ain't No Mountain High Enough

  • David Bowie

    Changes

  • Elton John

    I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues

  • Tina Turner

    What's Love Got To Do With It

  • ABBA

    One Of Us

  • Kate Bush

    Wuthering Heights

Broadcast

  • Sun 10 Aug 2025 11:03