In the final episode of this season, I speak to psychotherapist Deirdre Nicole Hegarty, who shares her adoption story​ with us.

Deirdre lives in Donegal with her husband Noel and their baby boy, Con​all.

She was adopted at three months old from a mother and baby home, into a loving family where her adoption was always known and spoken about openly.

But as she grew older​, and especially when she began searching for her birth parents​, her story became more complex.

What she discovered challenged her sense of identity in a profound way. Her birth parents were ​first cousins​...something that carried deep layers of secrecy and shame.

In this conversation, Deirdre speaks with great honesty about reconnecting with her birth parents, the emotional impact of those connections, and the confusion and trauma that unfolded.

She also shares the work that has helped her make sense of her experience​, particularly inner child healing​, and how she’s come to understand the impact of transgenerational trauma, and the importance of breaking patterns and releasing shame.

This is a deeply personal conversation, and I’m really grateful to her for sharing it so openly.

​​T​o connect with Deirdre : 

Email: slanudeirdrehegarty@gmail.com

Instagram: @slanu_deirdrehegarty

​* This is the final episode of this season, but I’ll be back with a new batch of conversations on the 8th of May.

In the meantime, you can dive into the archive and listen to over 200 episodes anytime and thanks so much for listening to Ready to be Real.

Tá mé fíor-bhuíoch!

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If you enjoyed this snippet, you can listen to my full conversation with Niamh Ennis now, wherever you get your podcasts.

To connect with Niamh:

www.niamhennis.com

She is the founder of The ChangeMakers Mastermind where she supports ambitious, heart led business founders.

More here...

www.niamhennis.com/tcmmastermind

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This week, business mentor and change coach Niamh Ennis is my guest.

She lives in Galway with her husband Michael and their rescue dog Bella.

She’s the author of 'Get Unstuck: Ditch Your Drama and Move from Pain to Power' but long before the work she does now, Niamh went through an incredibly difficult period in her life.

In her late 30s and early 40s, she experienced profound loss; her fiancé Tony died just nine days after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and only 6 months before they were due to be married. Not long after, she also lost her dad…and then, a number of years later, her Mum passed away.

In this conversation, Niamh shares what that time was like, how it changed her, and how it ultimately led her to completely rethink her life and her career.

We also talk about what it really means to feel stuck…and how to begin finding your way back to yourself ​, especially in midlife, when so many of us are questioning what we want and what comes next.

To connect with Niamh:

www.niamhennis.com

She is the founder of The ChangeMakers Mastermind where she supports ambitious, heart led business founders.

More here...

www.niamhennis.com/tcmmastermind

If you enjoyed this episode, please do share it, rate it or leave a review...it really helps the podcast to grow.

And you can find the pod on Instagram ​@readytoberealpodcast

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Here she talks to us about the coming days, Síle's day on the 18th and later in the week, we'll be celebrating the Spring Equinox.

I highly recommend you listen to the full conversation with Mari anytime now, it's a beaut!

To connect with her :

https://www.marikennedy.com/

https://www.instagram.com/marikennedywisdom

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For this special Friday the 13th episode, I’m joined by a teacher and guide in the Celtic Wisdom tradition, ​the wonderful Mari Kennedy.

Mari lives in her home county of Sligo with her partner ​writer Eugene​ O'Brien, and she works with the Celtic Wheel of the Year​, an ancient framework that invites us to live in deeper alignment with nature​, cyclical wisdom​ and the cycles of life.

Her work centres on women’s relationship to power, wisdom and remembering who we truly are.

​The question she keeps returning to, and that runs through everything she does, is: how do we respond wisely and powerfully to the chaos and collapse of this time?

In this conversation we cover a lot​...from Mari’s own personal story​ that is so powerful, to conversations around feminine and masculine energies, the impact of living under patriarchy​ and unlearning the 'good girl' conditioning, along with the different stages of womanhood.

We also explore the magic of Friday the 13th, ​Síle's day and the ​Spring ​Equinox​.

I adored this conversation and I hope you do too.

The magic of Friday the 13th - 46 mins approx

Síle's Day, Spring Equinox, the balance of the masculine and feminine - 1 hour 11 mins approx

​To connect with Mari :

https://www.marikennedy.com/

​Instagram 

https://www.instagram.com/marikennedywisdom

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In this snippet, I speak with the wonderfully reflective Michael Harding, as he shares his love of religion and spirituality...from Buddhism to Christianity...with the philosophical curiosity and earthy wisdom he’s so well known for.

And if you enjoy this, I highly recommend you listen to the full conversation with Michael from December 2022.

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Originally from Poland, Iza has been living in Ireland for the past 18 years. She’s married to Odhran and they have two tween daughters, Lanah and Keira.

I recently started training with ​her and I love how encouraging and knowledgeable she is​, so I wanted to sit down with her for an honest and informative conversation about strength training, nutrition, and how our approach to fitness needs to change as we move through different decades of life.

​* To be clear, this isn’t an ad, I’m a very happy paying client who thought this conversation might resonate with ​listeners.

​C​onnect with Iza

​Izabela Clarke PT (@iza.clarke)

​You can sign up to her monthly program and she’s also launching a perimenopause p​lan on the 16th of March, with a particular focus on training, nutrition and education during this often challenging stage of life.

​I would highly recommend connecting with her, she is fab!

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For this week's Real Take, Josh Connolly talks about the unspoken truth of family dysfunction and how toxic systems are often invisible to the outside world.

​He is a father of six and his book​ ​'It’s Them, Not You: How to Break Free from Toxic Parents and Reclaim Your Story' is a bestseller.

With a powerful online following and years of lived experience behind his work, he speaks openly about growing up with an alcoholic and abusive parent​.

And in the wake of recent public conversations around family estrangement, due to Brooklyn Beckham’s revelations, I wanted to explore what dysfunction in a family system actually looks like.

The roles people can fall into​, the patterns that follow on into adulthood​, and why boundaries can feel so difficult and yet are so necessary.

​Josh on Instagram

​His Dublin workshop on Sunday April 26th 2026

​Tics here

​​You can listen to the full conversation anytime now​ and if you're struggling right now, there is help available...

Ireland helplines and hotlines

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This week I speak to author Josh Connolly about family dysfunction.

Josh is a father of six and his book​ ​'It’s Them, Not You: How to Break Free from Toxic Parents and Reclaim Your Story' is a bestseller.

With a powerful online following and years of lived experience behind his work, he speaks openly about growing up with an alcoholic and abusive parent​.

And in the wake of recent public conversations around family estrangement, due to Brooklyn Beckham’s revelations, I wanted to explore what dysfunction in a family system actually looks like.

The roles people can fall into​, the patterns that follow on into adulthood​, and why boundaries can feel so difficult and yet are so necessary.

​Josh on Instagram

​His Dublin workshop on Sunday April 26th 2026

​Tics here

​If you're struggling right now, there is help available...

Ireland helplines and hotlines

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Back in May 2020, during the height of COVID restrictions, I recorded a remote conversation with comedian, actor and broadcaster Tommy Tiernan...he was in Galway, I was in Dublin, ​but despite the distance, the connection was magic.

He spoke about his fascination with religion and philosophy​, we learn more about what makes him tick...which includes his love of strong coffee and cigars, his brilliant TV show and of his experience ​on a silent retreat.

​You can also listen t0 the full conversation anytime now.

And if you liked this chat you might appreciate others here with the likes of Brother Richard and Gelong Thubten.

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Debbie lives in Mayo with her husband James and their two children, Elsie (10.5) and Freddie (9.5).

For context, I have two children as well, Cathal (8.5) and Clíodhna (4), so this conversation felt particularly relevant.

Debbie first joined me on the podcast back in March 2024, and that episode resonated deeply, for me personally and for so many listeners. If you haven’t heard it yet, I highly recommend giving it a listen.

This is Debbie’s third time on the pod, and in this episode we delve into all things kids and toys. What supports healthy development, the importance of aggressive play in childhood, which toys need clear boundaries around them…and one personal rule she stands firmly by: no unsupervised YouTube.

Debbie, along with fellow psychotherapist Hayley Rice, created the F.I.R.M.™ (Firm, Intentional, Regulated, Modelling) Parenting Approach, a therapist-designed, research-driven framework that supports parents in raising emotionally healthy, resilient children.

You can join their parenting hub, you’ll find more information on both of their Instagram pages.

If you enjoy what I do, please follow, rate and review the podcast in all the usual places.

Go raibh míle maith agat.

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If this resonated with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts and if you’d like to hear more from Brother Richard, the full conversation is available to listen to anytime now.

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This week I’m delighted to welcome back a ​true friend of the podcast​.

Brother Richard​ is a Capuchin Franciscan priest-friar and he first joined me three and a half years ago ​for a conversation that resonated so deeply with a lot of us and if you haven’t heard it yet, I’d highly recommend going back and listening to it.

In today’s episode, he shares so much wisdom once again​; from the importance of allowing boredom into our lives in a world that constantly distracts and overstimulates us, especially important for younger people....to what true forgiveness really looks like, and how it can free us in ways we might not expect and the latter part of the conversation will comfort so many of you too.

​Check out his latest book 'Calming the Storms - Meditation as a path to inner peace and happiness' and you can also listen to his podcast 'The Daily Meditation', which is really beautiful.

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real​, tá mé fíor-bhuíoch.

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​If you’re enjoying these conversations, I’d love you to follow, rate and share​...it really helps Ready to be Real grow. 

Míle buíochas!

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​I'm joined by crime journalist, author and podcaster Nicola Tallant.

Nicola is a ​Mum of two and has been working in journalism since she was just nineteen and over the years she’s become one of the most respected and trusted voices in Irish crime reporting, as well as the host of the chart topping podcast Crime World.

This week marks ten years since the Regency Hotel shooting ​a period that was particularly intense for Nicola​, and in this conversation we reflect on that time, what it was like covering organised crime up close, and the pressure and responsibility that comes with telling these stories.

But beyond all of that, what really stood out to me was Nicola herself.

She’s relaxed, compassionate​ and great craic.

Honestly, the perfect guest​ and I think you’re going to enjoy this one.

​Another podcast to listen to (mentioned during the chat) : Ger Redmond : Being a good role model 

It's a powerful listen about turning your life around. 

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In this episode, I’m joined by men’s coach and author Gavin Meenan.

Originally from Donegal, Gavin has been living in Sligo for the past sixteen years and is a father of two. Ariana is fifteen and Mason is eight.

In this conversation, Gavin speaks with remarkable honesty about some of the most challenging and painful experiences of his life. When he was just eighteen, he was involved in a fatal car accident. He was driving too fast, and the person in the other car died at the scene.

What followed, particularly the response of the woman’s family, is extraordinary. Their capacity for compassion, forgiveness and humanity is deeply moving, and it is a story that will genuinely take your breath away.

Gavin also opens up about his struggle with porn addiction in the first half of the conversation. He speaks about the moment webcam footage of him was exposed, the shame and fear he experienced, and the long road towards facing himself and moving beyond it.

This is a conversation about responsibility and consequence, but it is also about healing, forgiveness, and learning how to step out of shame and guilt in order to truly own your life.

To connect with Gavin:

​Click here

If you or someone you know is struggling, please know you are not alone.

Help is available...

​​Ireland helplines and hotlines

Live Podcast Announcement

I’m hosting a live Ready to be Real podcast on Saturday 31st January at 2pm as part of Brigit: Dublin City Celebrating Women, presented in partnership with Acast.

I’m delighted to say my special guest will be poet, activist and healer Laura Murphy. Laura featured in RTÉ’s documentary Finding Brigid and campaigned successfully to make Brigid’s Day a national holiday.

Together, we’ll explore themes rooted in the spirit of Brigid, and we’d love to see you there.

​Buy tickets here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you enjoy this and you’d like to hear more, the full conversation with ​Clare is available to listen to anytime now.

Announcement : I'm hosting a live podcast show on Saturday 31st of January at 2pm Abbey Presbyterian church as part of Brigit : Dublin City Celebrating Women presented in partnership with Acast and I'm delighted to say that my special guest is poet, activist, and healer Laura Murphy.

Our conversation will be rooted in the spirit of Brigid and we'd love to see you so bigí linn!

Buy tickets here

(Laura featured in RTÉ's documentary Finding Brigid and campaigned successfully to make Brigid’s Day a national holiday.)

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In this episode, I’m joined by broadcaster Clare McKenna for a conversation all about wellness.

(Announcement : I'm hosting a live podcast show on Saturday 31st of January at 2pm as part of Brigit : Dublin City Celebrating Women presented in partnership with Acast. And I'm delighted to say that my special guest is poet, activist, and healer Laura Murphy.

Buy tickets here

(Laura featured in RTÉ's documentary Finding Brigid and campaigned successfully to make Brigid’s Day a national holiday.)

Together, we'll explore themes rooted in the spirit of Brigid - renewal, inner fire and feminine wisdom.

We'd love to see you so please join us!)

Clare is married to Jonathan (who is better known as Ronnie) and they have two children, Flynn who’s 14 and Lois who’s 12. Since 2019, she’s been the voice behind Alive and Kicking the health and wellness show on Newstalk, and she’s also just written her first book, 'Would You Be Well? – Cut Through the Overwhelm to Find a Happier You.'

Clare really is the epitome of calm, someone who truly walks her talk and we cover so much in this conversation around what wellness actually means in real life. She speaks about the challenges of the last few years in particular, moving house and her father's decline with dementia and his passing. She also speaks about the time she walked on fire at a Tony Robbins event!

She has a retreat coming up inspired by her book 'Would you be well?' and it'll be taking place in The Deerstone in Wicklow from the 20th to the 22nd of February. It sounds like it's going to be a gorgeous weekend. For more information head to wouldyoubewell.ie

Other book mentions :

Still me by Dr. Sabrina Brennan 

Man's Search For Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

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(Her Mum Maria died suddenly of a heart attack in December 2010)

If you connect to this moment, I highly recommend you go back and listen to it in full. 

It's a gorgeous conversation.

Also I'm hosting a live podcast show on Saturday 31st of January at 2pm as part of Brigit : Dublin City Celebrating Women presented in partnership with Acast.

And I'm delighted to say that my special guest is poet, activist, and healer Laura Murphy.

(Laura featured in RTÉ's documentary Finding Brigid and campaigned successfully to make Brigid’s Day a national holiday.)

Together, we'll explore themes rooted in the spirit of Brigid...change, inner fire and feminine wisdom.

Please join us!

Buy tickets here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I cannot tell you how much I loved this conversation. It made me belly laugh…and it made me cry.

​I’m joined by comedian, poet, storyteller, and truth-teller​ - the absolute powerhouse that is Aoife Dunne.

In this conversation ​we talk about her incredible rise over the past few years, the joy and the pressure that comes with being so visible, and the abuse she receives online for speaking up.

She also openly ​discusses her decision not to have children​, a part of the conversation that I​'m sure will bring a lot of comfort to many listening.

But at the heart of this chat is Aoife’s relationship with her ​Mum Maria, who died suddenly of a heart attack, 15 years ago. The way she speaks about love​ and loss is raw and deeply moving​ and the funeral story will also have you in absolute stitches.

Aoife’s live show ​'Good Grief​' is touring from March to May.​ Go see it!

And I’d love it if you'd follow the new Instagram page for the pod

@readytoberealpodcast

Go raibh míle maith agaibh!

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Content creator and Garda Fiona Morgan Coleman lives with an incurable form of cancer but thankfully she continues to live life fully, due to ongoing treatment.

​In this snippet she offers a powerful dose of perspective as we step into a new year

And if you’d like to hear more, the full conversation with ​Fiona is available to listen to anytime now.

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For my first episode back in 2026, I’m joined by content creator, businesswoman, Garda and breast cancer survivor Fiona Morgan Coleman.

Originally from Nenagh in Tipperary, she now lives in Shrule, Mayo with her husband David and their two boys, Callum (11) and Pearse (9).

In this episode we talk about her cancer journey since 2019 and how, despite living with an incurable form of cancer, she is managing her symptoms with medication and continuing to live life fully and well.

She has also built a loyal online community that support her every step of the way.

In this conversation, we speak about the importance of staying on top of health checks, dealing with online trolls, and dancing on a stage in New York!

It's a reminder to us all to truly mind ourselves this year.

Book in for those bloods, go for that scan, organise that trip away, whatever it is.

Life really is for living!

She's a ball of sunshine and is the perfect guest to kick off the new season.

If you're worried about yourself or someone you love, please reach out for professional help.

You're not alone.

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In this snippet I speak to online sensation Garron Noone who shares powerful insights on how he navigates comments online, both the positive and the negative.

We also reflect on the year gone by, look ahead to Christmas, and he offers genuinely solid advice for anyone who might be struggling right now.

If you’d like to hear more, the full conversation with Garron is available to listen to anytime now.

And I'll be back with brand new episodes on the 9th of January.

​Nollaig Shona!

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In my final episode of 2025, I’m joined by the one and only Mr. Garron Noone.

He has built an incredibly loyal — and ever-growing — online community, with 2.5 million followers on Instagram and 2.2 million on TikTok.

But behind the viral videos is someone with real depth and in this conversation, we go far beyond the comedy.

Garron speaks openly about his mental health and his struggles with anxiety, and the impact it had on him through his teens and early twenties in particular. He also shares the tools and perspectives that help him navigate life today — offering genuinely grounding wisdom for anyone finding things tough.

We also look back on the year gone by — including one massive highlight: performing with Robbie Williams in Croke Park in front of 80,000 people this summer. And we chat about his plans for Christmas…and what he has in store for the year ahead.

I hope you enjoy it!

Also, I’ll be back on the 9th of January with a brand-new season.

Until then, feel free to dip into the archive, and ​thanks for the support all year.

I’ll chat to yee again soon and look after yourselves.

Nollaig Shona, agus athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh go léir. 

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In this snippet I chat to sex educator, author and podcaster Grace Alice O'Shea about sexual compatibility and role play.

And if you’d like to hear more, the full conversation with Grace Alice is available to listen to anytime now.

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This week, I’m joined by sex educator, author and podcaster, the brilliant Grace Alice O’Shea.

She lives in Limerick with her boyfriend Ivan and their two dogs, and in this episode she answers your questions (I put up a question box on Instagram)— on everything from libido, gaining sexual confidence, sex toys, role play, and so much more.

But before we got into all of that, she began by sharing her own story and her past struggles with vaginismus.

There is so much in this episode and as always with the topic of sex we easily could have talked for another hour.

The first 20 minutes - her own story and we discuss THAT Kylie tweet of mine from 14 years ago.

Don't worry if you know nothing about it, I explain it. Wild!

Grace answering questions from 20 mins onwards -

We spent a long time on libido.

50 mins onwards - sexual confidence, faking orgasm, sex toys, anal sex, role play, sexual compatibility, dirty talk.

If you'd like to hear more conversations about sex here on Ready to be Real check out the following episodes :

Sex educator Jenny Keane ​(2022) and Sexologist Emily Power Smith (2021​).

And definitely listen to Grace's pod 'The G spot' too. 

Please listen, like, follow, share and all the other stuff...I really appreciate the support.

Next week will be my last episode of 2025!

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I am revisiting this conversation as the incredible Hala Sourani was honoured at the Shine Mental Health Media Awards today in Dublin.

She won the Special Recognition award for th​is podcast and ​everyone in the room w​ere on their feet ​for her.

A truly deserving standing ovation for her courage, her dignity and her truth.

This conversation was my last of 2024 and yet heartbreakingly, a year on, Gaza is still being attacked.

(Her mother and her sister and her children are still in Gaza.)

In October 2023, Hala was married to Mohammad and they had 2 girls, Shahd who was 6 and Rahaf who was 5 and they lived in Gaza.

In November of that year, they tried to flee but, in the process, both Mohammad and Rahaf were murdered by Israelis.

As you can imagine, this is a harrowing account of that time so please be aware before you listen but I really hope you do stay with this conversation as intense as it is and that you allow yourself to connect with Hala and the pain and injustice that she and so many have been, and continue to be, subjected to.

She came to Ireland with her daughter Shahd in February​ 2024 and has been working as a volunteer here and remarkably she completed a MBA ​that year too.

I wish we never had to have this conversation.

I wish she was still in Gaza with her husband and girls, but that is unfortunately not the case.

This is without a doubt one of the most important conversations I’ve ever had on Ready to be Real and I am honoured that she trusted me with it.

She’s not comfortable speaking about the Go Fund Me that has been set up to help her but I’m going to ask you to please consider donating what you can so that she and her daughter can try and rebuild their lives here in Ireland.

They need and deserve our support. Any and all donations would be gratefully received.

Fundraiser by Sarah Costello : Urgent Help For Halla & Chahd (Gazans in Ireland)

Go raibh mile maith agaibh.

A special word of thanks to the wonderful Kate O’Dwyer, the founder of 'Pals for Palestine' for all her help in connecting Hala and I and for all her love and guidance behind the scenes.

Saoirse don Phailistín.

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I’m speaking with Vanessa Ogbonna, one of the winners of the very first series of The Traitors Ireland.

She once chased a bright future in football until injury and illness forced a dramatic change of course.

In this snippet she speaks about her experience of racism in Ireland — starting with how she felt during the Dublin riots in 2023.

If you’d like to hear more, the full conversation with Vanessa is available to listen to anytime now.

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This week, I’m joined by one of the winners of the very first series of The Traitors Ireland — Vanessa Ogbonna.

But her story stretches far beyond reality TV.

Vanessa once chased a bright future in football until injury and illness forced a dramatic change of course.

In this conversation, while she touches briefly on her time on The Traitors, she mainly opens up about the moments that shaped her life: navigating a lupus diagnosis that altered everything, losing her father, growing up in Direct Provision, and her experience of racism in Ireland.

You can catch her every week on United FC on RTÉ alongside Jordan Conroy, and you can also catch up with episodes on the RTÉ Player.

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Topics covered : Unpacking 'calm' parenting, navigating meltdowns (for adults and kids)​, the power of play in building connection with kids, dropping the threats, slapping, resilience building, unlearning, rupture and repair, positive modelling.

This week, I’m speaking with child and adolescent psychotherapist Debbie Cullinane.

Debbie lives in Mayo with her husband James and their two children, Elsie (10.5) and Freddie (9.5). She joined me on the podcast back in March 2024, and that episode resonated deeply — for me personally, and for so many listeners. If you haven’t heard it yet, I highly recommend giving it a listen.

In today’s conversation, Debbie shares practical, compassionate guidance on becoming as regulated as we can as parents; what our children truly need to thrive (it may surprise you); how to navigate stressful moments with more ease; the power of play in building connection; and why unlearning certain old habits is such vital work.

Debbie, along with fellow psychotherapist Hayley Rice, created the F.I.R.M.™(Firm, Intentional, Regulated, Modelling) Parenting Approach — a therapist-designed, research-driven framework that supports parents in raising emotionally healthy, resilient kids.

You can join their parenting hub - you’ll find more information on both of their Instagram pages.

If you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review the podcast in all the usual places.

And thank you, as always, for supporting Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, I’m revisiting a conversation I recorded six years ago with the incredible Seán Boylan — a fifth-generation herbalist and a true sporting legend.

During his 23 years as Meath Football Manager, he led the county to four All-Ireland titles and cemented his reputation as an iconic leader.

In this clip, he reflects on holding training sessions at the ancient and sacred Hill of Tara — the seat of the High Kings of Ireland.

​If you’d like to hear more, the full conversation with the truly brilliant Seán Boylan is available to listen to anytime now.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I speak to technology consultant and author Joanne Griffin.

She's married to Mark, they have two teenage boys, and they live in Navan.

She left the mainstream corporate world just before Covid to pursue a career in tech, and a few years later, she wrote a book called “Humology – How to Put Humans Back at the Heart of Technology.”

In our conversation, we talk about the reality of living in an increasingly tech-reliant world, the overwhelm that can often come with it, the importance of being mindful of our AI use, and why technology itself isn’t the enemy — if we use it with intention.

Human-Centric Technology Design | Humology

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This episode is in partnership with giveblood.ie — a service that truly saves lives.

I speak with Laura Murphy, whose husband Dave was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia eleven years ago.

Throughout his treatment, he needed multiple blood transfusions and a bone marrow transplant — and the most difficult time of all came when Laura was pregnant with their son.

Together, they’ve faced enormous challenges, but today, Dave is thriving, and they’re soaking up family life with their three-year-old, Joshua.

Their story is one of resilience and deep gratitude for the donors who made his recovery possible.

If this conversation resonates with you, please rate it, leave a comment, or share with a friend who needs to hear it.

Míle buíochas.

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Bláthnaid Raleigh is from Mullingar, and her world changed forever after a night out in Galway in July 2019, when she was attacked and raped by a man from her hometown, Johnny Moran.

As you can imagine, this conversation is intense at times, so please take care while listening.

For five long years, as Bláthnaid tried to rebuild her life, he continued to live his, as normal — while she and her family were left in limbo, waiting for justice.

Finally, in July 2024, he was sentenced to eight years in prison, without ever showing an ounce of remorse.

Bláthnaid’s book Aftermath is a powerful and devastating account of what it means to survive — and of the failings of a system that left her feeling forgotten and silenced. But it’s also a story of extraordinary strength, courage, and the slow process of reclaiming herself.

If you’ve been affected by what you’ve heard, please know that you’re not alone and there is help available.

Sexual Assault Treatment Units (SATUs) - Rape Crisis Ireland

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In it, I speak to folklorist, artist and musician Dr. Billy Mag Fhlionn (Pagan Rave) about Samhain and the old Irish traditions that still shape how we celebrate Halloween today.

Billy lives in Dingle with his wife Muireann and their daughters, Sadhbh and Líse.

In this conversation, he shares the deeper meaning behind our Halloween customs — the stories of old, the sense of connection to our ancestors, and the games that have stood the test of time.

We talk about trick or treating, 'bobbing for apples', 'shave the fryer' (the flour mountain), and 'snap apple' and he reveals what was originally hidden inside the báirín breac (you might be surprised!).

Resources :

https://tradition.ie

https://www.duchas.ie/en

https://www.muireann.ie/

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In this special Oíche Shamhna episode, I speak with musician, broadcaster, academic and podcaster Doireann Ní Ghlacáin.

Doireann is the daughter of TG4 political correspondent Sorcha Ní Riada (and granddaughter of legendary Irish composer Seán Ó Riada) and fiddle player and retired Garda Kevin Glackin of the renowned Glackin musical family. 

Between podcasting (How to Gael), TV presenting, MC'ing, playing music, having a string of live shows and being awarded a PhD in oral Irish poetry recently, she is an incredibly impressive and productive woman.

She currently splits her time between New York and Ireland, and we spoke ​last week, the day after I saw her perform on stage in An Taibhdhearc, the National Irish Language Theatre, with her show The Cailleach.

In our chat, we talk about the rich heritage​ she has on both sides of her family, and about An Chailleach — and this reflective​, liminal time of year.

We also discuss the moment on Virgin Media’s Six O’Clock Show in February 2024, when former TD Ivan Yates said he “couldn’t be arsed” in reference to the Irish language — and one of the presenters stood up to shake his hand in agreement.

We explore how deeply insulting that was to Irish speakers, how it reflects a colonised mindset, and how passionately Doireann feels about being a Gael.

A self-confessed girls’ girl, she describes herself as introspective — and simply put, I loved chatting to her.

Bainigí sult as!

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​This is a re-release of a conversation I recorded with business woman Denise Phillips back in April 2021 when she had just come from an appointment in the Coombe hospital where she found out she was 29 weeks pregnant!

It's the most incredible story.

Now 4.5 years on, her daughter Beth is 10 and her son Jude is 4 and she just announced that she is pregnant again!

So I thought it was the perfect time to reshare this gorgeous conversation that is sure to resonate with a lot of you.

Original shownotes...

Denise Phillips lives in Newbridge, Co. Kildare with her husband Mark, their 6 year old daughter Beth and she’s also step mother to 16 year old Ellie.

She’s hugely successful in her career as the owner of Pelo hairdressing and the co-owner of Irish hair brand Voduz and last week she got the surprise of her life when she found out she was over 6 months pregnant!

For the past 10 years, she had lived with unexplained infertility, no periods, no ovulation and the lining of her womb was very thin.

On their 9th cycle of IVF she went on to have their little girl and when Beth was a baby, she also took part in TV documentary ‘The Babymakers’, which followed the lives of couples for over a year, who were trying to conceive and showed the reality of IVF.

This was one of my favourite chats ever on the podcast, it’s full of wisdom and practical advice, especially for those who are navigating the often-challenging road to parenthood. She speaks about acceptance and gratitude and the importance of staying in your own lane.

And when we spoke on Tuesday when she had just come from all her pregnancy appointments in the Coombe hospital, where she found out she was almost 29 weeks pregnant!

Book mentions:

Deepak Chopra’s The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success

Vishen Lakhiani’s The Code of the Extraordinary Mind

If you enjoyed this chat please show your support by leaving a rating or a little comment on Apple and by clicking follow on Spotify, I’d be so thankful.

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This is the second part of my conversation with multi award-winning Irish actor — and all-round gorgeous human — Denise Gough.

In this episode, Denise speaks openly about the painful experiences of grooming and abuse in her childhood — experiences that led to her being homeless in London as a teenager, addicted to drugs and alcohol.

Since getting sober at 27, she’s gone on to thrive — both in her acting career and in life.

She's an incredibly strong, open-hearted woman, and her story is one of survival, strength, and deep healing.

If you haven’t yet listened to Part 1, I really encourage you to go back and do so.

You might also want to hear my conversations with Gabor and Daniel Maté, Róisín El Cherif, Farah Nabulsi, and Hala Sourani, as well as the episode I released in May with Jack Fitzgerald, where he speaks so bravely about surviving childhood sexual abuse.

These stories aren’t easy to hear, but they are necessary and they remind us of the strength of the human spirit.

Book mentions:

'Perfect Victims' (and the Politics of Appeal) by Mohammed El-Kurd

'The Message' and 'Between the World and Me' by Ta-Nehisi Coates

If you need support, please reach out — you are not alone, and help is available:

One In Four

Support – Mental Health Ireland

And if you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate, and review Ready to Be Real wherever you listen.

Míle buíochas, as always, for your support. 

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​In this snippet Irish actor Denise Gough speaks about her recent visit to The West Bank...she speaks about what she saw and how it has deepened her commitment to ​Palestine. 

​- you can hear the full episode with Denise ​anytime now.

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This week, I’m honoured to speak with award-winning Irish actor Denise Gough, who has gained a whole new audience thanks to her chilling and complex portrayal of the fascist officer Dedra Meero in the acclaimed Star Wars series Andor.

But Denise is so much more than a brilliant actor — she’s a deeply compassionate and courageous human being.

She has spoken openly about painful chapters of her life — including experiences of grooming and childhood abuse, and her struggle with addiction.

Now, almost two decades sober, she has built a career defined not by glamour, but by emotional truth, talent and integrity.

In this first part of our conversation (part two coming next week), Denise reflects on her recent visit to the West Bank — how witnessing life there challenged her, changed her, and deepened her commitment to the cause.

She also shares her thoughts on celebrity culture, the importance of connecting with like-minded people, and how she strives to use her public profile for good.

We also talk about the time she filmed a movie in Jordan — 'The Shooting of Thomas Hurndall' — which tells the story of a young British peace activist killed by the Israeli army, and how, even as a child, she was deeply affected by the Holocaust and wrote to world leaders like Saddam Hussein during the Gulf War.

These moments reveal a restless compassion and a lifelong instinct to speak up — even when it’s not easy.

If this episode resonates with you, please follow, subscribe, or share it with someone who might appreciate it.

Part 2 coming next week.

Míle buíochas agus ​Saoirse don Phalaistín. 

Makan - Education for liberation

Home - Makan

Pals for Palestine - resources

Resources

* You can also listen to other conversations exploring Palestine on Ready to Be Real from December 2023 onwards, with guests including Ruth Smith, Daniel Maté, Dr Myriam François, Caoimhe Butterly, Róisín El Cherif, Sarah Durham Wilson, Farah Nabulsi, Misan Harriman, Hala Sourani, Dr Gabor Maté, Raeeka Yassaie, Fintan Drury, Catherine Connolly, and more.

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Gabor’s words are a reminder to ​us to stay human — to stay connected, compassionate, and awake — even when the world feels overwhelming.

​If you’d like to hear more, you can listen back to my full conversation with him​ anytime ​here on Ready to be Real.

​* Dr. Gabor Maté is a retired physician and bestselling author known and loved for his ground-breaking medical work and writings. 

​In ​our full conversation we also explore parenting, we talk about illness and the lessons to be learnt through these often very difficult experiences and he also shares his insights regarding Ireland.

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This week, I sit down with the brilliant Laura Dowling — better known online as The Fabulous Pharmacist!

It’s Laura’s second time joining me on the pod, and I’m delighted to have her back. She lives in Dublin with her husband Frank and their three boys, and after working as a pharmacist for over 20 years, she’s now the founder and CEO of fabÜ nutritional supplements.

I absolutely love ​her — she’s smart, funny, and refreshingly honest — and in this chat we ​talk all things vulvas, as her brilliant new book ​'Love Your Vulva​' has just been released. It’s a celebration of women, our bodies, and the importance of understanding and embracing them.

A fun, empowering, and educational conversation about women’s health, body confidence, and breaking taboos.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

​You can hear the full conversation with ​C​atherine anytime now and make sure you're registered to vote —tomorrow the 7th of October is the deadline. 

It takes just 2 minutes to register :

Check the Register

Agus caith do vóta ar an 24ú!

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She lives in the Claddagh in Galway with her husband Brian, and they have two adult children.

Her life and work have been shaped by a deep sense of social justice, compassion, and conviction.

Before entering politics, Catherine worked as a cleaner, a nurse’s aide, a psychologist, a teacher, and a barrister — a truly diverse path that reflects her deep-rooted commitment to public service.

She’s one of 14 siblings, and in this episode, she speaks about losing her mother at the age of nine — a loss that shaped the rest of her life.

We talk about: the power of listening, her love for Gaeilge, her long-standing advocacy for equality, Palestine and the kind of President she hopes to be if elected.

It’s honest and grounded— very much like Catherine herself.

Make sure you're registered to vote — you still have a few days left:

Check the Register

Agus caith do vóta ar an 24ú!

If you enjoy Ready to be Real, please consider following, rating, and reviewing the podcast — it really helps!

And thank you, as always, for your support.

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In this mini-pod, I revisit my April 2024 conversation with Irish-Palestinian artist Róisín El Cherif. Here, she speaks about Zionism, the birth of Israel, and why solidarity and meaningful action matter now more than ever.

You can listen back to the full conversation with Róisín anytime — agus mar is iondúil…Saoirse don Phalaistín! 

There are also many other episodes on Ready to be Real from December 2023 onwards that explore Palestine and its ongoing struggle, with guests including Ruth Smith, Daniel Maté, Dr. Myriam François, Caoimhe Butterly, Sarah Durham Wilson, Farah Nabulsi, Misan Harriman, Hala Sourani, Dr. Gabor Maté, Raeeka Yassaie, and most recently, author and activist Fintan Drury.

If you enjoy Ready to be Real, please consider following, rating, and reviewing the podcast — it really helps others find the show.

Thank you, as always, for your support.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I sat down with author and activist Fintan Drury in mid August to speak about Palestine.

In this conversation he takes us through a brief history of Palestine and the relentless injustices that Palestinians have endured for decades.

Book :  'Catastrophe : Nakba II'

You can listen to other conversations that discuss Palestine on Ready to be Real from December 2023 onwards, episodes with guests like Ruth Smith, Daniel Maté, Dr Myriam François, Caoimhe Butterly, Róisín El Cherif, Sarah Durham Wilson, Farah Nabulsi, Misan Harriman, Hala Sourani, Dr Gabor Maté, Raeeka Yassaie and more. 

Links :

B'Tselem - The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories

HaMoked

Louis Theroux - The Settlers

RTÉ Player

If you enjoy Ready to be Real, please consider following, rating, and reviewing the podcast — it really helps!

And thank you, as always, for your support.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this mini pod I speak to Miriam Hussey about regulating our nervous systems especially in these turbulent times, spiritual bypassing and the power of collective care.

If you found this snippet helpful, you can hear the full conversation with Miriam anytime now and her book 'Light Up' will be available to buy from the 25th of September — and it’s definitely one to get!

Thanks so much for listening to Ready to be Real.

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In this episode, I speak to integrative health coach and co-founder of wellness platform 'Soul Space', Miriam Hussey.

She was a guest on one of my very first episodes of Ready to be Real back in 2019, alongside her husband Gerry — I love being in her company and I always take so much from listening to her speak.

She’s a mother of two, she spent 10 years working as a pharmacist, and she’s just written her first book: 'Light Up — Energise Your Body, Awaken Your Mind, Supercharge Your Soul.' 

In this conversation, we explore what true wellness really means — from how our nervous systems respond to stress, to the importance of honouring the full range of emotions we experience as humans.

If you enjoy Ready to be Real, please consider following, rating, and reviewing the podcast — it really helps!

And thank you, as always, for your support.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is The Real Take — a glimpse of the honesty, wisdom and connection you’ll find in every episode of Ready to be Real.

In this snippet I speak to Irish Examiner fashion editor and author, Annmarie O’Connor, about life with early-onset Parkinson’s disease.

The youngest of five girls, Annmarie grew up on Long Island, New York, before moving to Ireland at the age of twelve. With strong family roots here — her mother’s side is from Inishbofin — many of her childhood summers were spent on the island.

She went on to build a successful career in fashion styling, working in the industry for almost two decades, and has already published two books: The Happy Closet and The Happy Medium.

But in December 2021, her world changed dramatically when she was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease — a progressive neurological condition that affects movement, mood, motivation, and much more.

​Annmarie's memoir  ​'Twitch – My Life with Parkinson’s​', is out now and you can hear the full conversation anytime!

Any mention of medication is Annmarie’s personal experience only and should not be taken as medical advice.

The Michael J. Fox article referenced ​during our chat can be found here:

​'Pity is another form of abuse' - Michael J Fox on Parkinson's

If you enjoy Ready to be Real, please consider following, rating, and reviewing the podcast — it really makes a difference.

And thank you, as always, for your support.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I speak with Irish Examiner fashion editor and author, Annmarie O’Connor, about her experience of living with Parkinson’s disease.

The youngest of five girls, Annmarie grew up on Long Island, New York, before moving to Ireland at the age of twelve. With strong family roots here — her mother’s side is from Inishbofin — many of her childhood summers were spent on the island.

She went on to build a successful career in fashion styling, working in the industry for almost two decades, and has already published two books: The Happy Closet and The Happy Medium.

But in December 2021, her world changed dramatically when she was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease — a progressive neurological condition that affects movement, mood, motivation, and much more.

Her memoir, ​'Twitch – My Life with Parkinson’s​', has just been released, and in this conversation Annmarie speaks openly about the past few years, what the condition has taught her, and the realities of life now.

Any mention of medication in this episode is Annmarie’s personal experience only and should not be taken as medical advice.

The Michael J. Fox article referenced in our chat can be found here:

​'Pity is another form of abuse' - Michael J Fox on Parkinson's

If you enjoy Ready to be Real, please consider following, rating, and reviewing the podcast — it really makes a difference.

And thank you, as always, for your support.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this ​b​onus episode I speak to health food advocate and Instagram sensation Sophie Morris about food labels and what to be aware of when doing our food shop, health halos and how she deals with criticism.

​You can hear the full conversation with Sophie Morris now.

​Listen here

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​Welcome to my first episode back after the summer break, I’m joined by health food advocate and Instagram sensation, Sophie Morris.

S​he lives in Greystones, in Wicklow with her husband Robbie and their two boys, Wrio and Max.

And over the past year, her following online has skyrocketed thanks to her no-nonsense food videos — breaking down the tricks of the food industry and showing us how to make smarter choices.

She learned so much about the business of food when she ran her own cookie-dough company (Kooky Dough) back in 2009, and she’s now channelling all of that experience into her brand-new book 'Sophie’s Swaps' — a must-have for anyone who wants to shop and eat with more awareness.

In this conversation, Sophie explains how the food system really works, how we’re being manipulated in the supermarket aisles, what to watch out for on labels, and the clever swaps that can make a big difference​.

If you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thanks so much for your continued support, it means so much to me and thanks also to my amazing guests who made these conversations possible.

The past ten months have been intense — full of meaningful work (I've been working on a documentary series) and the juggle of modern life — so I haven’t been as consistent with the pod as I would’ve liked. That said, the episodes I have released have been powerful.

With over 200 conversations available, there’s plenty to revisit — from thought-provoking, emotional discussions to unforgettable chats with incredible guests like photographer and activist Misan Harriman and the one and only Dr. Gabor Maté.

We’ve tackled everything from grief, addiction, and coercive control, to menopause, adolescence, and the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

These are honest, human conversations — some might challenge you, and many will stay with you long after you’ve listened to them.

If you have any feedback for me, guest suggestions, or topics you'd love me to explore when I'm back, please do get in touch — DM me on Instagram 𝗦í𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗼𝗶𝗴𝗲 (@sileseoige) • Instagram photos and videos or drop an ema​il to hello@readytobereal.com

Have a lovely summer, and I’ll chat to you again in September — more organised than ever, with weekly episodes you can rely on.

And as always...Saoirse don Phalaistín.

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In this episode I sit down with DJ Nikki Hayes — whose real name is Eimear O’Keeffe.

Eimear or Nikki as she’s better known, rose to fame as a hugely popular voice on radio stations like 2FM and Spin 1038 but behind the mic, she was struggling. Her battle with addiction, eventually led her to lose everything — her family, her job, her home, and her sense of self. For three harrowing months, she lived on the streets of Dublin, sleeping rough.

In this raw and moving episode, she talks openly about hitting rock bottom, facing legal battles, taking ownership of her actions and finding the strength to rebuild her life.

Today, she's back doing what she loves, working in radio again on East Coast FM. But most importantly, she’s restoring her life with her daughter Farah who she adores.

If you’ve been affected by this conversation, please know that there is help available…

Urgent help - HSE.ie

Tiglin Challenge Limited

If you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I sit down with mother and daughter — Rosita and Chupi Sweetman.

Rosita is a trailblazing activist and one of the founding members of the Women’s Liberation Movement of the 1970's, a time when speaking out for women’s rights — including the right to contraception — was radical and urgently needed.

Her daughter Chupi is a hugely successful entrepreneur who runs her own luxury jewellery brand and is someone who passionately believes that business can be a powerful force for good.

She's married to Brian and they have a daughter together. Aya is almost 5 and the light of their lives.

Chupi was homeschooled as a child, raised in a loving and creative environment — one shaped by her mother’s values, courage, and conviction.

But behind the strength and warmth of their story lies a great deal of pain — and it’s captured in Rosita’s powerful new memoir, Girl with a Fork in a World of Soup.

While much of the book focuses on the turbulent years of her marriage, the emotional heart of the story begins in childhood — when Rosita, at just nine years old, was sent off to boarding school, and shortly after, her younger sister died from a heart condition, just shy of her seventh birthday.

That devastating loss shattered her family, and without support or counselling, grief pulled them apart in ways that would echo through the decades.

The memoir also delves into Rosita’s deeply dysfunctional relationship with her ex-husband — Chupi’s father — who ultimately had an affair with one of Rosita’s sisters and was involved with other members of her family too. The betrayal was devastating and led to family estrangement, but in writing the book she is telling the truth of her experience with integrity and heart.

It takes real courage to speak so honestly, and I’m so grateful for the depth and heart they brought to this conversation.

Buy Rosita's book here

Women's Aid - Listening. Believing. Supporting. Empowering.

Chupi Jewellery | Engagement Rings, Wedding Rings & Fine Jewellery

If you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode originally aired on the 6th of October 2023 and feels eerily resonant now, given how much has shifted since.

I speak to body-based visibility and business coach, Kate O’Dwyer.

She lives in Dublin with her partner Jim and their son, Ned.

She is the senior guest booker on The Tommy Tiernan Show on RTÉ and her passion is in supporting women to step into their fullest self-expression so that they can share their work, their words, and their wisdom.

She believes that our visibility can heal and embolden each other to build the world we all want to live in.

And in this conversation she shares her own experience with us, she speaks about visibility blocks and what they might look like and shows us how to step into our power.

Since we recorded this pod, Kate has created the ever-growing Pals for Palestine Ireland community - her heart and leadership continue to inspire me deeply.

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week marks 10 years of the marriage equality referendum in Ireland when the country overwhelmingly voted 'yes' and in doing so became the first country in the world to grant equal marriage rights to same-sex couples by popular vote.

3 years ago I spoke to bar owner, drag queen and activist, Rory O’Neill aka Panti Bliss.

Originally from Ballinrobe in Mayo, Rory lives in Dublin city with his husband Anderson and their dog Penny.

We spoke in late February 2022 and at times there is an eerie poignancy to our conversation as it happened as Covid restrictions were being lifted here in Ireland, but before the invasion of Ukraine.

In this conversation we speak about his now iconic Noble call in the Abbey Theatre and the events which led to it, he speaks about the impact the pandemic had on him, the freedom his alter ego Panti gives him, how he rejects shame of any kind and how he would like to be remembered. 

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This week, I’m joined by All-Ireland winning hurler and businessman Joe Canning.

He’s a proud Galway man who now lives in Limerick with his wife Meg and their baby daughter Josie.

In the first part of our conversation, we dive into his hurling career — focusing on the highs and lows of All-Ireland finals, especially those unforgettable matches in 2017 and 2018.

Later, we move into more personal territory.

Joe opens up about family — the loss of his much-loved Mam, proposing to Meg, and what fatherhood means to him.

Naturally more introverted as a person, he’s honest about how he sees the world — from having no time for people-pleasing to how he turns criticism into motivation.

Joe’s book : ‘Joe Canning: My Story’ is available online and in all good bookshops.

And keep an eye out for his upcoming episode of ‘Unchartered’ with Ray Goggins — airing in the coming weeks time — where he and Olympic athlete Thomas Barr will embark on a gruelling adventure through Colombia.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with friends, family, or on social media.

And if you’d like to support what I do, you can follow the podcast, leave a rating, or drop a comment — it all makes a big difference.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlene Masterson was subjected to horrific sexual abuse at the hands of her father, David, for over 7.5 years.

The abuse started at 18 and the details of which are truly shocking, but her ability to talk about what she went through, is remarkable.

This summer, she made the brave decision to waive her right to anonymity in the hope of helping others who find themselves in controlling, abusive situations.

Now in her early 30’s she is getting back to what she loves to do and is finding herself again.

And in this conversation we talk about so much, including the bond she has with her mother, the damage of pity and the importance of friendships.

She is a gorgeous person, inside and out and deserves all the best that life can bring her.

To support her, please consider donating here...

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-charlene-masterson

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Jack is an extraordinary person who bravely shares his experience of surviving childhood sexual abuse. The abuse lasted for five years during his early life and left lasting scars that led to self-harm and multiple suicide attempts.

While he chooses not to disclose the identity of his abuser, his insights offer a rare and important glimpse into the lasting effects of trauma.

In this episode, he speaks with incredible honesty about the impact it had on him — the shame he carried, the ways he tried to hide his pain, and the long road to healing.

He also shares important reflections on the need to teach young people about consent and body safety.

This conversation is raw and inspiring and I’m truly honoured that Jack chose to speak to me.

Support :

One In Four

Support – Mental Health Ireland

And if you’d like to support Jack’s brilliant "Mountains of Change" fundraiser — a seven-day hike in aid of One in Four, you can sign up to hike on Sunday May 25th or donate to help support survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

Mountains of Change | Home - Mountains of Change

Book mention :

'Respect : Consent, Boundaries and Being in Charge of YOU' by Rachel Brian

I am adding this in as there have been so many questions about the book I mention during our chat.

I bought it here...

Respect: Consent, Boundaries and Being in Charge of YOU – Genius Juniors Children's Books and Educational Resources

If you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Originally from Douglas in Cork, psychotherapist Richard Hogan lives in Dublin with his wife and their 3 daughters.

He writes a weekly column with the Irish Examiner and often appears on TV and radio and he specialises in working with families.

He’s also written two brilliant books ‘Parenting the screenager’ and ‘Home is where the start is’ and during this conversation he talks about affairs.

Why people have them, the heart-breaking impact of them on a relationship and if it’s possible to heal after betrayal.

Book mention : ‘The 5 love languages’ by Gary Chapman

If you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week psychotherapist Richard Hogan is back on the pod.

Originally from Douglas in Cork he lives in Dublin with his wife and their 3 daughters.

He specialises in working with families and he’s also written two brilliant books ‘Parenting the screenager’ and ‘Home is where the start is’.

During this conversation we talk about Adolescence on the back of the hit TV show. He talks about what to do in the preteen stage of life along with those challenging years during adolescence itself and he covers things like the importance of our kids having a wide friendship circle and why that is.

Cultivating a healthy home environment, one with good communication and boundaries.

He also discusses masculinity and what he has to say is well worth listening to.

There is so much in this episode!

Please sign Richard's petition calling on the government to act and implement legislation around pornographic material. Children should not be able to easily access it.

Petition · Protect Children from Pornographic Material - United States · Change.org

If you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

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Gerry Hussey is a performance psychologist who has been working in the fields of health and performance for almost twenty years.

He’s just released his 3rd book…‘I am, I can, I will. Silence your inner critic, wake up your inner coach and reclaim your confidence and power’ and in this conversation he tells us what it’s all about!

Gerry’s previous books are ‘Awaken your power within’ and ‘The Freedom Within’.

And you can catch up on previous conversations with him here on Ready to be Real.

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support.

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In this episode I speak to couple Jake Carter and Karen Byrne.

They live in Dublin with their dog Lenny and they started dating after they won series 2 of Dancing with the Stars in Ireland.

Jake is a singer songwriter whose brother Nathan is also in the business. He’s outgoing and optimistic and Karen is a professional dancer with her own dance studio who’s a straight shooter and naturally more introverted by nature.

In this conversation we talk about first impressions, what annoys them about each other and how friendship is the foundation of their relationship.

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I speak to Pat Divilly.

Originally from Limerick, Pat moved to Galway with his family when he was about 7 years old and for the past 15 years, he has been working in the areas of physical, mental and emotional wellness as a coach, facilitator and educator.

Currently living in Bali, we caught up when he was home recently to promote new book ‘Shadow work – a practical guide to embracing your shadow side, tackling shame and transforming pain into power’.

And in this conversation he explains what our shadow is, he speaks about how he used to suffer from imposter syndrome, the importance of self-compassion, his love of teaching and lots more.

If you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alannah Sheehan lives in Tipperary with her husband Martin and their 3 children, Finn (9), Luca (7) and Phoebe (5).

And 5 years ago when Phoebe was only a few months old, Alannah was diagnosed with Glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive type of brain cancer.

But today, 5 years on, she’s healthy and happy and even though she still has to go for regular scans and deal with the stress and anxiety that goes with that, ultimately, life is good.

We spoke 4 years ago but I wanted to chat to her again as she is so inspiring.

In this conversation she talks about the power of taking control over what you can control and nourishing your body and mind, every day.

Alannah was a chef before her diagnosis and food is her passion. Her go to juice is celery, cucumber and lemon and she drinks it every day.

You can subscribe to Alannah’s ‘Survive and Thrive’ membership to gain access to her delicious recipes, and you can also purchase her gorgeous wellness cards too.

Alannah Sheehan

Instagram

ALANNAH SHEEHAN (@worth_fighting4) • Instagram photos and videos

If you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alana Kirk is a coach, speaker and author who helps women find more balance, direction and joy in their lives. 

She is a mother to 3 girls, is divorced and is in a certain phase in her life of juggling motherhood, along with her career and her social life, and she also helps to look after her Dad who is unwell at the moment.

In this episode she zones in on the importance of having a strong friend circle and having fun.

Her current book is 'Midlife, redefined: Better, Bolder, Brighter' a guide to help yourself through the magic and mayhem of life.

She can be found at www.themidlifecoach.org and on Instagram @midlifecoach.  

And her next workshop is in March: The Overwhelm Breakthrough Session - Reclaim your time, energy and sanity.

Click here for more

https://www.themidlifecoach.org/overwhelm-session 

I hope you enjoyed this conversation with Alana and if you haven’t heard our previous episodes I recommend you go back and listen to them!

Book mention : ‘Bird by Bird’ by Anne Lamott

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This week I speak to an author and coach who helps women find more balance, direction and joy in their lives.

The wonderful Alana Kirk is back on the pod!

In this conversation Alana talks about the practical, invisible and emotional burden that women often carry and more importantly, how to change it!

Her current book is 'Midlife, redefined: Better, Bolder, Brighter' a guide to help yourself through the magic and mayhem of life.

She can be found at www.themidlifecoach.org and on Instagram @midlifecoach. 

And her next workshop is in March: The Overwhelm Breakthrough Session - Reclaim your time, energy and sanity.

Click here for more

https://www.themidlifecoach.org/overwhelm-session 

If you haven’t heard our first conversation together yet, I strongly recommend you listen to it.

Questions to ask ourselves…

Who are we doing it for?

Who is telling us to keep going?

If you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A few years ago I spoke to Aoife O’Brien about life with and after an eating disorder. Aoife now lives in Co. Clare with her fiance Damian and their 2 little boys, Liam (5) and Samuel (2). She is a Nutritionist (MSc), Body Image and Wellbeing Coach with a specialist interest in disordered eating and through AOB Coaching, she helps women develop a healthy, balanced and peaceful relationship with food and their bodies. 

For years she was controlled by an eating disorder which went unnoticed for a long time. Now having fully recovered she is passionate about getting the message out that life after disordered eating, is very much possible.

In this conversation, we discuss diet culture, the signs of eating distress and how best to address it.

Helpful questions for journaling…

1. What did I do well today?

2. What did I learn?

3. What would I do differently?

To connect with Aoife...

Home

If you like this podcast, please show your support by leaving a rating or a little comment on Apple and by clicking follow on Spotify, thank you.

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In this episode I speak to one of the most impressive people I’ve ever met, boxer Mary Kate Slattery.

Originally from Dublin, Mary Kate spent parts of her childhood in Lahinch in Co. Clare.

She’s the eldest of three girls, a law graduate from Trinity College Dublin and when she was only 9 she developed anorexia. She spent time in and out of Crumlin children’s hospital in Dublin and eventually had to go to London to receive treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.

In this conversation we speak about her battle with anorexia, perfectionism, therapy, meditation, femininity, letting go and her love of boxing.

It’s such an inspiring yet challenging conversation in parts, so please be aware before you listen.

Also as you can hear in this episode, Mary Kate is very thankful to her psychiatrist Fiona McNicholas for helping her recover from anorexia and if you're worried about yourself or someone you love, you can reach out for help here...

Bodywhys | The Eating Disorders Association of Ireland

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In this episode I speak to the truly wonderful Sarah Nicole Landry. She’s a body acceptance advocate, a speaker, a writer, an occasional model and podcaster and she’s better known online as ‘The Birds Papaya’.

Sarah Nicole is married to Shane and she’s the mother of 4 kids, she has 3 teenagers from her previous marriage and their daughter Lemmie is 2.

She’s one of the most important voices right now on diet culture and body acceptance and her Instagram page alone has 2.3 million followers!

In this conversation she covers a multitude on the topic, so if you want a feel-good episode that will potentially give you goosebumps (as it did for me!) this is the pod for you.

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last year I sat down to speak to my next guest and I’m finally releasing our conversation.

I spoke to Irish professional athlete and coach at Oberstown Children’s Detention Centre, Ger Redmond.

He’s married to Pauline, who he describes as his rock and they have 5 kids together, 4 girls and a boy.

A childhood of neglect and dysfunction led him on a destructive path in life which involved joining a gang for nearly 20 years.

He turned to a life of criminality when his dream of becoming a professional footballer came to a cruel end due to an event that had devastating consequences for his family and another.

He’s not comfortable talking through the details of it during our conversation, out of respect to all involved.

Many years later Ger himself spent a couple of years in prison but becoming a father to a son was the catalyst for change.

When his son Ross was born in 2016, he completely changed his life. He threw himself into sport and set about breaking the negative cycles of behaviour that had caused so much harm to him and his siblings and today, his life’s work is about helping and motivating others.

To connect with Ger, go to…

Ger Redmond

You can also scroll back and listen to my conversation with Ray Goggins (released 22nd of October 2021) who is mentioned during our chat.

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This week I speak to chartered psychologist, Allison Keating.

We spoke on Monday and we wanted to record something that might help those who are in the thick of it right now, many are still without power around the country and suffering as a result of the damage caused by Storm Éowyn and this is also an episode for anyone who is experiencing difficulty in their lives at the moment.

During this conversation she covers the importance of truly honouring how we feel and how acceptance (as difficult as it can be) is so beneficial. She also talks about expectation and judgement, the difference between jealousy and envy and how important it is to have compassion for ourselves and others.

Find Allison on Instagram

Allison Keating | thepractical.psychologist (@thepractical.psychologist) • Instagram photos and videos

Book -

‘It’s all too much – practical ways to pause panic attacks, reduce anxiety and overwhelm and rediscover everyday joy’

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I speak to historian and artist Shelly Mooney who runs the brilliant Instagram page ‘Tales from the Wood’ which explores the history and mythology of Ireland.

She lives in the countryside in County Wexford with her husband Kev, their baby Ferdia and Lola their dog.

After several years of campaigning, St Brigid’s Day has finally become a public holiday in Ireland and it’s the first one to be named after a woman.

In this conversation Shelly talks about the ancient pagan festival heralding the beginning of Spring called ‘Imbolc’ and the significance of Brigid and her resurgence in recent times, including the story behind her cloak and the cross of St. Brigid.

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Raeeka (they/she) is a British-Iranian social & climate justice activist and poet. They work for Parents For Future UK, a group focused on empowering parents and carers into the climate movement. Raeeka is also on the Stop Rosebank team, working to stop new oil and gas in the UK. Raeeka amplifies the feminist revolution of their Iranian siblings in the fight for a free Iran. They have a special focus on intersectional collective liberation as a framework for how we build the world we need. They have recently self-published a poetry book: BELOVED: Words for the new way.

In this conversation we talk about the climate crisis and how finding out what your skill is and leaning into that, is key with heart centered activism.

To connect with Raeeka…

Raeeka | climate justice & social justiceBritish Iranian (@raeekayassaie) • Instagram photos and videos

RaeekaYassaie.com | Poetry for collective liberation

Resources they mentioned…

ParentsForFuture Ireland instagram - great landing place for climate for any parents listening

ParentsForFuture UK 

Stop Rosebank - learn about stopping new oil and gas in the UK

Climate Defiance 

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In my first episode of 2025, my guest is the one and only Dr. Gabor Maté.

He is a retired physician and bestselling author known and loved for his ground-breaking medical work and writings. 

His most recent book, ‘The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture’, has been and continues to be a bestseller worldwide.

n this conversation we talk about Gaza and as a Holocaust survivor what he has to say is so valuable. We also explore parenting, we talk about illness and the lessons to be learnt through these often very difficult experiences and he also shares his insights regarding Ireland.

He has been top of my dream guest list for years now so to have him on the podcast really is as good as it gets.

A heartfelt thank you to Catherine for all her help in connecting me with Gabor.

Books

​Scattered Minds: The Origins and Healing of Attention Deficit Disorder 1999

​When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress 2003

Hold onto your kids : Why Parents need to matter more than Peers 2005

In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction 2007

The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture 2022

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In my final episode in 2024, I speak to Palestinian mother Hala Sourani.

In October 2023, Hala was married to Mohammad and they had 2 girls Shahd who was 6 and Rahaf who was 5 and they lived in Gaza.

In November of that year, they tried to flee but, in the process, both Mohammad and Rahaf were murdered by Israelis.

As you can imagine, this is a harrowing account of that time so please be aware before you listen but I really hope you do stay with this conversation as intense as it is and that you allow yourself to connect with Hala and the pain and injustice that she and so many have been, and continue to be, subjected to.

She came to Ireland with her daughter Shahd in February and has been working as a volunteer here and remarkably she completed a MBA last month too. 

I wish we never had to have this conversation.

I wish she was still in Gaza with her husband and girls, but that is unfortunately not the case.

This is without a doubt one of the most important conversations I’ve ever had on Ready to be Real and I am honoured that she trusted me with it.

She’s not comfortable speaking about the Go Fund Me that has been set up to help her but I’m going to ask you to please consider donating what you can so that she and her daughter can try and rebuild their lives here in Ireland.

They need and deserve our support. Any and all donations would be gratefully received.

Fundraiser by Sarah Costello : Urgent Help For Halla & Chahd (Gazans in Ireland)

Go raibh mile maith agaibh.

A special word of thanks to the wonderful Kate O’Dwyer, the founder of 'Pals for Palestine' for all her help in connecting Hala and I and for all her love and guidance behind the scenes.

I’ll be back in the New Year with more episodes and thanks for your support as always.

Until then, tabhair aire agus Nollaig Shona dhaoibh go léir.

Saoirse don Phailistín.

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In this episode I speak to Matrescence coach Jacqueline Kelly.

She lives in Dublin with her husband Stuart and their two children Fionn and Molly.

And in this conversation she talks to us about Motherhood, her own personal experience of it, the loss of her own mother and coming to terms with her absence and the importance of recognising all mothers.

At times it’s a challenging conversation as we deal with topics such as birth trauma, breastfeeding and grief so please be aware before you listen.

Resources :

Alexandra Sacks on Matrescence…

A new way to think about the transition to motherhood | Alexandra Sacks - YouTube

The article I wrote sharing my own struggles with breastfeeding…

Síle Seoige: My first weeks with Cathal... and why I stopped breastfeeding - Her.ie

Pals for Palestine…

(@palsforpalestine_ireland) • Instagram photos and videos

And to connect with Jac, go to…

BRAVE Hearts - Our Brave Hearts

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This is the third episode with Menopause coach and author, Catherine O’Keeffe known online as Wellness Warrior and once again she covers a multitude! Topics like sleep, food and exercise are discussed. The importance of checking in with yourself and going for appointments like a DEXA scan or a visit to a women’s health physio; past traumas that can revisit you during your perimenopausal years and life after menopause.

Catherine's 6 M’s of Menopause – MOT, Menu, Movement, Mingle, Meaning, Minding you.

There are no quick fixes when it comes to treating symptoms of menopause and regarding vitamins, herbs etc, find what works for you personally and remember to always check with your doctor before taking any supplements.

If you want to reach out to Catherine, you can email her directly on catherine@wellnesswarrior.ie

Her book : ‘All You Need to Know About Menopause’ is available on her website Wellness Warrior

Find her our Instagram

Catherine O Keeffe (@wellnesswarrior.ie) • Instagram photos and videos

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This episode was recorded over 3.5 years ago but is still as relevant as ever.

I speak to Menopause coach and author, Catherine O’Keeffe, known online as Wellness Warrior.

When I recorded this conversation with Catherine, I was 41 and hoping to have another baby. Now, I’m 45 with very fortunate to have 2 young kids but I’m also now in perimenopause and listening to this chat once again, I took so much from it.

So I’ve been experiencing things like changes to my period and brain fog and a number of other typical symptoms for about 6-8 months now and this pod is full of information as Catherine delves into the physical, mental and emotional aspects of perimenopause and it’s a must listen!

The conversation is split in two, to allow you to absorb the information as it’s such a complicated and sensitive topic and the experience of menopause is so different for every woman.

This is the second part where talks about HRT, early menopause and she also answers a selection of your questions that were sent in on Instagram, including advice on supplements.

And Part 3 is coming next week!

Mentioned during the conversation

* None of the brands mentioned during the conversation are sponsored and of course there are plenty of other brands on the market too.

Find what works for you personally and remember to always check with your doctor before taking any supplements.

Supplements B Vitamins, Omega 3, Vitamin D, Magnesium, Maca, Camu Camu, Sage and Rhodiola. Brands 'Cleanmarine MenoMin' Magnesium supplement 'MAG365' Maca capsules and powder 'Sarah's choice' Sage 'Menosan A.Vogel' Omega 3 & Vitamin D3 'MorEPA Platinum Elite' Vitamin D 'One Nutrition' or 'SOMEGA' Rhodiola 'Terranova' Camu Camu 'Sarah's Choice' Tulsi 'Pukka Tulsi Clarity Tea'

If you want to reach out to Catherine, you can email her directly on catherine@wellnesswarrior.ie

Her book : ‘All You Need to Know About Menopause’ is available on her website Wellness Warrior

Find her our Instagram

Catherine O Keeffe (@wellnesswarrior.ie) • Instagram photos and videos

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was recorded over 3.5 years ago but it's still as relevant as ever.

I speak to Menopause coach and author, Catherine O’Keeffe, known online as Wellness Warrior.

When I recorded this conversation, I was 41 and hoping to have another baby. Now, I’m 45 and I'm very fortunate to have 2 young kids but I’m also now in perimenopause and listening to this chat once again, I took so much from it.

So I’ve been experiencing things like changes to my period and brain fog and a number of other typical symptoms for about 6-8 months now and this pod is full of information as Catherine delves into the physical, mental and emotional aspects of perimenopause and it’s a must listen!

Menopause is such a complicated and sensitive topic and the experience of it is so different for every woman.

If you want to reach out to Catherine, you can email her directly on catherine@wellnesswarrior.ie

Her book : ‘All You Need to Know About Menopause’ is available on her website Wellness Warrior

And find her on Instagram

Catherine O Keeffe (@wellnesswarrior.ie) • Instagram photos and videos

Mentioned during the conversation: Prof Myra Hunter & CBT Techniques:

02-WHC-FACTSHEET-CBT-WOMEN-FEB-2023-A.pdf

Products :

‘Yes organics’ Natural vaginal moisturiser

‘Olive & Bee’ Natural lubricant

* 24 patch testing is very important before applying any product internally

‘Vagifem’ – prescription only, from your GP

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Gerry Hussey otherwise known as 'The Soul Coach' is a performance psychologist who has been working in the fields of health and performance for almost twenty years. I have huge respect for him and am lucky enough to call him a friend.

Gerry and his wife Miriam are the founders of wellness platform ‘Soul Space’ and they are bringing their show ‘Coming Home’ to the National Concert Hall on the 10th of November and I know it will be an incredibly powerful day for all who attend.

In this conversation he invites us to ask ourselves some important questions to help us discover what our values are, he talks about the importance of dropping judgement and he shares practical tips on how to stay regulated during challenging times.   

Questions to ask ourselves :

What am I here to do?

Who am I here to be?

What’s the legacy I am going to dare leave behind?

What is the business I’m in?

What would love do?

Books :

‘The Hero’s Journey’ by Joseph Campbell

Gerry’s books ‘Awaken your power within’ and ‘The Freedom Within’

Coming Home, 10th November, NCH.

SOUL SPACE presents Coming Home with Gerry & Miriam Hussey| NCH | Live Music & Events | National Concert Hall

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This week I speak to the incredible Nicola Hanney.

Nicola lives in Dublin with her son and she’s been through hell and back. Her book, ‘Stronger -what didn’t kill me, made me’ is out now and in this conversation, we cover elements of her story.

She comes from a large family and works as a hairdresser, and 8 years ago, when she was 36 she was first diagnosed with cancer. She then went on to meet a man called Paul Moody, a former member of An Garda Síochána who terrorised her until he was convicted in 2022.

Over a 14 hour period in July 2018, she received 652 messages from him. That’s one roughly every 90 seconds. The mental, emotional and physical abuse he subjected Nicola to, led him to be one of the first people in Ireland to be convicted of coercive control. 

And she gave up her anonymity to share her harrowing story in the hope of empowering others who find themselves in similar situations, and to highlight the early signs of abuse.

If you have been affected by this episode, please go to Ireland helplines and hotlines (findahelpline.com) for a list of resources that might be beneficial.

Women's Aid - Listening. Believing. Supporting. Empowering. (womensaid.ie)

Home - Men's Aid (mensaid.ie)

‘Taking back control’ documentary available to watch on the RTÉ Player.

Taking Back Control - RTÉ Player (rte.ie)

If you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

Thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

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This week I speak to chartered psychologist, Allison Keating and it was wonderful to be in her company.

She is married to Thomas and they have 3 daughters, Alannah is 15, Hayley is 12 and Brooke is 9 and they live in Dublin.

And in this conversation, she talks about anxiety, overwhelm and panic attacks. How important cultivating a sense of community and connection is and how embracing ‘glimmers’ can be hugely beneficial to our lives.

Her new book ‘It’s all too much’ has just launched and it is full of brilliant, practical advice including how to disrupt a panic attack and it’s a gamechanger!

Find Allison on Instagram

Allison Keating | thepractical.psychologist (@thepractical.psychologist) • Instagram photos and videos

Book mentions -

'Man’s search for meaning' by Viktor E. Frankl

'White Women – everything you already know about your own racism and how to do better' by Regina Jackson and Saira Rao. 

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My guest this week is photographer, filmmaker, entrepreneur and social activist, the wonderful Misan Harriman.

He is married to Camilla and they have 2 young daughters and they live in Surrey.

He was born in Nigeria and came to England when he was a young boy to attend boarding school and the last few years in particular, have been transformative for him.

On his 40th birthday he picked up a camera and his gift behind the lens has led him to photograph some of the most influential people in the world from Harry and Megan, who are good friends of his; Kate Winslet, Harrison Ford and Angelina Jolie to name but a few.

He is also the chair of cultural hub, the Southbank Centre, and an ambassador for Save The Children and he was the first black man to shoot the cover of British Vogue in its 104 year history.

In this conversation, he talks about George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement, celebrity culture, the power of the arts and his love of film and music, his debut short film ‘The After’ which is currently on Netflix, and how children everywhere, must be our priority.

Watch :

The After

Triangle of Sadness

White Nanny Black Child

Listen :

On the nature of daylight by Max Richter

Other podcasts to listen to are...

Farah Nabulsi : Award winning filmmaker

​Sarah Durham Wilson : Rebel with a cause

Róisín El Cherif : Palestinian pride

Caoimhe Butterly : Collective Care

Dr Myriam François : Speaking truth to power

Daniel Maté : Dismantling blindspots

Ruth Smith : Love and Justice

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In this episode I speak to Professor Ian Robertson about confidence.

Ian is a clinical psychologist and neuroscientist and he is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading researchers in neuropsychology and he’s also the author of several best-selling books, including ‘How Confidence Works’.

In this conversation he tells us what confidence is, what makes someone confident, how we can improve it, the differences between men and women in terms of confidence and why that is; the art of bullshitting and the power of positive self-talk.

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Please read the full list of topics covered before you listen.

I speak to the phenomenal Dr. Katriona O’Sullivan and it's an eye opening and challenging conversation at times but I highly recommend you stay with it until the end.

Katriona lives in Blanchardstown in Dublin and is married to Dave and she has 3 boys, John who’s 30, Seán who’s 18, and Tadhg who’s 15 and she’s also a proud grandmother.

She is a senior lecturer in Maynooth University in the department of Psychology and is the author of bestselling memoir ‘Poor’.

Katriona’s childhood growing up in Coventry was often chaotic; as one of 5 kids to Irish parents living in a home shaped by heroin addiction, she experienced extreme trauma from an early age, which included being raped as a 7 year old and being pregnant and homeless, as a teenager.

In this conversation she speaks about the extreme neglect she experienced in childhood, the people who were a positive force in her life, the importance of opportunities and education, and the power of healing.

Book – ‘Poor’ is available in all good bookshops and online and is also available as an audio book.

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I speak to Roseanna Ruane about her wonderful daughter Saoírse who sadly passed away in March this year.

We spoke a few weeks ago and in this heart-breaking conversation she talks about Saoirse, the kind and wise girl that she was, from her first cancer diagnosis when she was only 7 years old and how devastating life has been since she passed away.

She talks about how much she believes in being grateful for what we have in life, and the importance in making memories.

Saoirse was only 12 years old when she left this world but she left her mark in the most beautiful way.

Roseanna lives in Galway with her husband Ollie, their daughter Farrah Rose and their much loved dog Willow.

If you have been affected by this episode, please go to Grief & loss helplines in Ireland (findahelpline.com) for a list of resources that might be beneficial.

And if you want to contact Roseanna, you can find her on Instagram (@saoirseandmamma) or if you want her to speak at an event, you can email her theruane4@gmail.com

Roseanna uses their page to spread awareness about childhood cancer, limb loss, fertility and grief and her wish is to continue to speak about their experience in the hope that it might give people perspective on what's important in life.

I’ll be taking a quick break from the pod but I'll be back again with more conversations in September. In the meantime, you can dive back into over 180 episodes and if you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Enjoy the rest of the summer agus tabhair aire.

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This week I speak to Oscar nominated and BAFTA Award winning Palestinian British filmmaker and human rights advocate, Farah Nabulsi.

She lives in London with her husband and their 3 children and we spoke when she was recently in Galway for the Film Fleadh.

Farah's work includes 'Today They Took My Son', endorsed by British Director Ken Loach and screened at the United Nations. 'The Present', her directorial debut, which she also co-wrote and produced, went on to win over 50 International Film Festival Jury and Audience Awards, a BAFTA® award, and it scored an Oscar® nomination.

Her feature length film ‘The Teacher’ (which is outstanding by the way) won Best International Film at the Galway Film Fleadh and it will be released in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from the 27th of September.

We sat down to speak about shooting it exclusively in the West Bank, she also talks about how her life changed after a trip to Palestine as an adult, finding purpose in life, double standards, her Palestinian parents and so much more.

For more information about this powerful film and cinema locations, go to...

Home - The Teacher

​And if you like this conversation, other episodes to listen to are...

Ruth Smith : Love and Justice

Daniel Mate : Dismantling blindspots

Dr Myriam François : Speaking truth to power

Caoimhe Butterly : Collective Care

Róisín El Cherif : Palestinian pride

​Sarah Durham Wilson : Rebel with a cause

Galway Film Fleadh

36th Galway Film Fleadh | 9 - 14 July 2024

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And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

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In this bite-sized episode I chat to interior designer Tiffany Jones of Beach House Interiors.

Tiffany lives in Clare with her husband Wayne and their 3.5 year old son Guy.

If you’re following me on Instagram you might be aware that we recently moved into our forever home by the sea and Tiffany was, and still is, our interior designer and now friend.

In this conversation she talks about the role of an interior designer, how to figure out your personal style, the importance of budgeting and her expert opinion on trends!

To contact Tiffany...

Interior Designer | Beach House Interior Design | Ireland (beach-house.ie)

Beach House Interiors (@beachhouse.interiors) • Instagram photos and videos

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And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

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This week I speak to business owner, podcaster and personality, Laura Dowling, known online as the Fabulous Pharmacist.

Laura lives in Dublin, with her husband Frank, their 3 boys who are 16, 13 and 11 and their dog Carlo.

She worked as a pharmacist for over 20 years and is the founder & CEO of fabÜ nutritional supplements.

In this conversation she talks about women’s health and the importance of shedding shame when it comes to our bodies, motherhood, the ongoing genocide in Gaza and social media censorship.

fabÜ nutritional supplements – fabuwellness

If you liked this episode, others to check out are...

Alana Kirk : Midlife coach

Jenny Keane : Sex Education

Dr. Hazel Wallace : The Food Medic

Deirdre O'Kane : It only gets better

Sexologist Emily Power Smith : Sex Part 1 & 2

Menopause Part 1 & 2

Helena Tubridy :All things Fertility

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This week I speak to celebrant and director of Entheos Ireland, Karen Dempsey, also known as The Bald Priestess.

Karen lives in Dublin, with her husband Liam, their son Beineán (18), daughter Róisín (5) and their dog Milo.

In this conversation Karen talks about Alopecia Universalas; coming to terms with it and how she doesn't miss her hair at all anymore. She speaks about why she set up 'Entheos', an inclusive organisation founded to serve people outside traditional faith paths and her work as a celebrant, which she is so passionate about. She shares her extraordinary home birth experience with Róisín during the chat, her thoughts on taking part in ancient pilgrimage Lough Derg, and why activism and allyship are very important to her.

To connect with Karen go to….

Entheos | Community • Ceremony • Change

The article I mentioned during the chat…

Sile Seoige - My Lough Derg Diary: darkness before dawn | Irish Independent

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Registered dietitian Lorraine Cooney has just released her book ‘Why you can’t go and what you can do to find life changing relief from constipation’ and this conversation is all about that!

She talks about the importance of fibre, relaxation and routine when it comes to a healthy digestive system.

Why supporting our microbiome is crucial and the differences between pro, pre and post biotics.

I learnt a lot listening to Lorraine and I feel that my own habits have improved since we spoke.

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This week I speak to author and teacher, Sarah Durham Wilson, known on Instagram as Sarah of Magdalene.

She lives in Maine with her young daughter Avalon, her cat Odin and dog Riley.

She previously worked as an Arts and music writer with the likes of Rolling Stone, GQ and Vanity Fair.

And in this conversation she talks about Palestine and the impact the devastation in Gaza has had on her, the patriarchy, patriarchal women, the wellness industry and the importance of decolonisation.

This conversation helped me enormously and I think it could for you too.

Books :

‘Maiden to Mother’ by Sarah Durham Wilson

‘The Great Cosmic Mother’ by Monica Sjöö and Barbara Mor

‘God is a Black Woman’ by Christena Cleveland

If you like this conversation, other episodes to listen to…

Ruth Smith : Love and Justice

Daniel Mate : Dismantling blindspots

Dr Myriam François : Speaking truth to power

Caoimhe Butterly : Collective Care

Róisín El Cherif : Palestinian pride

Alana Kirk : Midlife coach

Holly Cairns : Politics is Personal

If you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

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This week I speak to farmer, scientist, feminist and leader of the Social Democrats, Holly Cairns.

She lives in West Cork on her family farm with her partner Barry, her dog Hei Hei and her cat Blaze.

And in this conversation she talks about growing up in a blended family, her bond with her mother, how she got into politics, her stance on the devastating situation in Gaza, the threat of the Far-right and the importance of unity, now, more than ever.

I have wanted to sit down and chat to Holly for a very long time as she's someone I really admire so I am delighted that we made it happen.

We met in 2019 for the first time and I liked her instantly.

She was genuine, down to earth and great company and I for one, am so glad that she decided to venture into politics, as her voice is so badly needed in the Dáil.

​Political quiz

2024 Political Quiz (isidewith.com)

checktheregister.ie

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And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

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This is a re-release of an episode I recorded with author, playwright, podcaster, poet and all-round wonderful human being, Michael Harding in December 2022.

Michael is someone I had wanted to speak to for years so it was an absolute pleasure to speak with him.

In this enlightening conversation we talk about his love of religion, the power of failure and finding the extraordinary in the ordinary.

His latest book ‘All the things left unsaid – confessions of love and regret’ is a stunning collection of letters he wrote for the people who deeply affected him over the years and it’s available now in all good bookshops.

He's charmingly self-deprecating, reflective and his voice is one I could listen to forever. 

I hope you enjoy our conversation.

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

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In this bite-sized episode she talks to us about the ancient Celtic festival of Bealtaine. She speaks of the importance of the Hill of Uisneach, the tradition of handfasting at this time, and the significance of the Hawthorn tree. 

The Hill of Uisneach - The Sacred Centre of Ireland.

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This week I speak to author and midlife coach, Alana Kirk.

Originally from Belfast, Alana lives in Dublin with her three teenage daughters, Daisy (18), Poppy (16) and Ruby (13), their 2 cats, Tiggy and Puka and their rescue dog Mojo.

She works as a midlife coach and is in the process of writing her third book.

And in this conversation she shares her own story with us which is really powerful. We also talk about how much our lives have changed in the 16 years since we first met, and throughout our conversation she shares nuggets of wisdom and practical tips to bring into our own lives.

Alana is a gorgeous person, she’s compassionate and quick witted and I took so much from this chat.

Her current book is ‘Midlife, redefined: Better, Bolder Brighter’, a self-guided exploration of you and your midlife, with exercises so the reader ends up with her own bespoke midlife (wo)manual.

She can be found at www.themidlifecoach.org and on Instagram @midlifecoach and for Alana's next online workshop Revive & Thrive, which is focussing on overwhelm, click https://www.themidlifecoach.org/revive&thrive

If you like this pod, you might appreciate previous episodes like the one I recorded with visibility coach Kate O’Dwyer from October 2023, and the Menopause episodes with Catherine O’Keeffe from April 2021.

If you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

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This week I speak to clinical hypnotherapist and bestselling author, Fiona Brennan.

She lives in Dublin with her husband and business partner Ciarán, teenage son Luca and their dog Rosie.

And in this conversation she explores some of the elements in her latest book ‘Sleep well - 8 habits to help you fall asleep, stay asleep and wake up refreshed’,

our individual chronotypes, the power of napping and what to do if we’re in a negative feedback loop when it comes to our sleep.

For Fiona’s one day retreat on the 19th of May in Wicklow, click here…

https://thepositivehabit.com/the-sleep-well-experience-one-day-retreat-wicklow/

And if you enjoyed this episode, please search previous sleep episodes with sleep coach Tom Coleman, from August 2020 along with a 7 minute sleep meditation I recorded also back in 2020.

If you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

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This week I speak to Irish Palestinian artist, Róisín El Cherif and it's a powerful conversation.

Her Mom is Irish and her father is from Gaza and she has lived in Galway for 18 years now.

She talks about growing up as an Irish-Palestinian and she shares her perspective on the past 6 months, in particular.

This month Róisín will also be releasing a very special song with all the proceeds going to Palestinians causes, so keep an eye out for that.

Book mention : Becoming Pro-Palestinian edited by Rosemary Sayigh

The song that Róisín sings at the end of the conversation :

Zahret El Madaen (Flower of cities ) Fairouz - 1967

‎لأجلك يا مدينة الصلاة أصلي

‎لأجلك يا بهية المساكن يا زهرة المدائن

‎يا قدس يا قدس يا مدينة الصلاة

‎عيوننا إليك ترحل كل يوم

‎تدور في أروقة المعابد

‎تعانق الكنائس القديمة

‎و تمسح الحزن عن المساجد

‎يا ليلة الأسراء يا درب من مروا إلى السماء

‎عيوننا إليك ترحل كل يوم و انني أصل​

​'It is for you O city of the prayer that I pray

It is for you O splendid home, O flower of the cities

O Jerusalem​, O Jerusalem​, O Jerusalem​, O city of the prayer

Our eyes are set out to you everyday

They walk through the porticos of the temples

Embrace of the old churches

And take the sadness away from the mosques

O night of Al asra O path of those who left for the sky

Our eyes are set out to you everyday and I pray​'

If you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

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This week I speak to child and adolescent psychotherapist Debbie Cullinane.

She lives in Mayo with her husband James and their two kids, Elsie and Freddie.  

And in this conversation, she talks about the power of play in building connection with our children and why positive modelling and apologising is so important.

It’s an episode full of practical advice. I loved it and I hope you will too!

To connect with Debbie…

Home - Debbie Cullinane

Debbie Cullinane Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist MA (@debbiecullinane_) • Instagram photos and videos

Book mention : Colleen Hoover ‘It ends with us’

If you like this episode, check out previous conversations with Richard Hogan and Sarah Nicole Landry (The Birds Papaya).

If you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

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This week I speak to Cat Lawlor, baker and owner of 'The Cake Cuppery' and it’s a gripping conversation.

Originally from Dublin, Cat now lives in Wexford with her girlfriend Louise and their two cats.

In this conversation we chat about listening to your gut instinct, overcoming challenges in life and ultimately finding joy.

Cat speaks openly about the end of her marriage, obviously from her perspective, and out of respect for her ex-husband, he is not named during the conversation as we fully appreciate how difficult hearing a conversation like this, might be for him.

To connect with Cat or Louise…

Cat L. Walsh (@thecakecuppery) • Instagram photos and videos

Email infothecakecuppery@gmail.com

Louise O Brien | Online Coach (@louise_badasscoaching) • Instagram photos and videos

Book mention : ‘Feel the fear and do it anyway’ by Susan Jeffers

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And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

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This week, my guest is Caoimhe Butterly who is an educator, a human rights activist, filmmaker & trained therapist, who has worked as a volunteer ambulance worker in Gaza, alongside Palestinian paramedics, and has also spent years in the West Bank.

She was born in Ireland to Irish parents who migrated to Canada when she was a baby, where she spent the first 10 years of her life and then she lived in Mauritius and Zimbabwe for 8 years.

She has worked with refugee and displaced communities for over 25 years in Palestine, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Mexico, Guatemala, Haiti, Ukraine, Greece, Calais and elsewhere & currently works in psychosocial and trauma support work, with humanitarian responders and refugee communities.

In this conversation she shares her perspective on the now which includes the global shift in consciousness, the power and benefit of connecting to liked minded people, Palestinian joy and the importance of collective care.

If you enjoyed this episode you might appreciate previous conversations with Ruth Smith, Daniel Maté and Dr. Myriam François.

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

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Originally from Douglas in Cork, psychotherapist Richard Hogan lives in Dublin with his wife and their 3 daughters.

He writes a weekly column with the Irish Examiner and often appears on TV and radio and he specialises in working with families.

He’s also written two brilliant books ‘Parenting the screenager’ and ‘Home is where the start is’ and during this conversation he talks about affairs.

Why people have them, the heartbreaking impact of them on a relationship and if it’s possible to heal after betrayal.

If you connected with Richard during this conversation, you can check out his previous episodes from last summer and the one he recorded earlier this year about anxiety, especially in kids and teenagers.

Book mention : ‘The 5 love languages’ by Gary Chapman

If you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

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This week, journalist, filmmaker, podcaster, presenter and writer, the remarkable Dr. Myriam François is my guest.

Myriam is a Londoner whose mother is Irish (she's from Leitrim), and her father is French. Her award-winning, directorial debut documentary is ‘Finding Alaa’ and her podcast is ‘We need to talk about whiteness’. She’s been a Muslim since she was 21 and when she was younger she also starred in a number of films, including acting alongside Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet in the Oscar winning ‘Sense and Sensibility’ when she played the role of younger sister Margaret.

In this conversation though, we talk about the recent Sky interview she did that went viral ('I'm so sorry your Amazon packages are delayed!'), the importance of indigenous languages, Palestine, Brené Brown’s recent statement on what’s happening there, and why she’s not really a fan of the word activist.

She’s a woman of integrity and intelligence and it was an absolute honour to speak to her.

Book mention : ‘Black faces, white masks’ by Frantz Fanon

And if you connected to this episode, other Ready to be Real podcast recommendations are :

'Daniel Maté : Dismantling blindspots', 19th January 2024 and 'Ruth Smith : Love and Justice', 15th December 2023.

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

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Life coach Mark Fennell is back on the pod!

Mark is married to Fiona and has spent over 20 years helping people through his coaching business.

His online following has grown massively over the past few years too and on Instagram, he currently has 160K followers and is known for his video content.

We last spoke over 2 years ago and his episodes are still hugely popular with listeners.

In this conversation, he talks about his brand new book ‘Breakthrough - practical steps for moving from stuck to unstoppable’.

Mark is speaking of his own experience in this episode and is certainly not advising not going to therapy.

If you're struggling, reach out and speak to a professional.

Mentions:

Book ‘Man's search for meaning’ by Viktor Frankl

Men in Black movie reference : Neuralyzer

Nick Vujicic

Home - Nick Vujicic

To contact Mark, go to…

https://markfennell.ie/

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

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This week I speak to TV presenter Karen Koster who lives in Dublin with her husband John, a retired businessman and their 3 kids, Finn who is 9, JJ who is 8 and their daughter Eve who is 5, along with their dogs Brownie and Nidge!

She has a degree in English literature and French from Trinity and she has been working in TV for the past 20 years.

In this conversation she talks about her decision to step away from her much loved presenting job with Virgin media’s The Six O Clock show late last year to spend more time with her family and explore new career options.

And she also speaks about her Mum Brenda, who died suddenly 2 years ago this May and she shares how she is coming to terms with her passing.

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

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This week I speak to stylist Fiona Hayes who lives in Limerick with her husband Trevor, their 2 boys Matthew and Ross, along with her Dad Nick. 

She has been dressing people for over 15 years, many who are well known. She also runs her own bespoke retail events company, and she has appeared on TV from Channel 4’s Queen of Frocks to TV3 and most recently RTÉ’s Today show.

And in this conversation she shares a lot of style tips with us, along with the importance of doing a wardrobe detox, the benefit of upcycling and what to spend your money on when it comes to your clothes.

You can find out more on her Instagram page @fhstyle or email her fiona@fhstyle

Resources :

Online apps /stores for vintage

https://www.vestiairecollective.com/

https://www.depop.com/

https://linktr.ee/thriftify.com

https://whackvintage.ie

Instagram - @corkclothesswap

Bra fitting services  

www.peachesandcream.ie

www.arnotts.ie 

Vamp Lingerie Limerick 

Sheer Elegance Lingerie Nenagh 

Rental  

www.theivorycloset.com

www.soha.ie

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Originally from Douglas in Cork, psychotherapist Richard Hogan lives in Dublin with his wife and their 3 daughters.

He writes a weekly column with the Irish Examiner and often appears on TV and Radio and he specialises in working with families.

He’s also written two books ‘ Parenting the screenager’ and ‘Home is where the start is’ and during this conversation he talks about anxiety in kids and teenagers, the importance of building resilience in our kids, the impact of mobile phones and the prevalence of porn use and how that is affecting the lives of young people. 

He covered so much and as always, I learnt so much by listening to him, especially on the importance of asking your kid questions.

If you found this conversation useful, I recommend you check out Richard's previous episode from last summer, if you haven’t heard it already.

And he’ll be back again soon, next time with a totally different topic.

Richard is pushing for legislation around pornographic material and limiting access to children which is the unfortunate current reality.

I’ve signed my name, I hope you will too, thanks.

Please sign this petition

If you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

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This week I speak to the brilliant Daniel Maté and it’s a conversation that has really helped me and I think you’ll feel the same when you listen to it.

Originally from Vancouver, Canada, he now lives in Brooklyn, New York and he’s an award-winning composer, lyricist, and playwright for musical theatre. Outside of music and theatre, he runs the world’s only “mental chiropractic” service, ‘Take a walk with Daniel’.

He also co-authored the New York Times bestselling book, ‘The Myth of Normal : Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture,’ with his father Dr. Gabor Maté and they have a second book in the works, ‘Hello Again: A Fresh Start for Parents and Their Adult Children’, based on their popular workshops of the same title.

For those who are not aware of Daniel's background, his great grandparents died in the Auschwitz concentration camp and his father Gabor was a holocaust survivor and a former Zionist.

He also went to a Zionist summer camp in childhood, so his perspective on what's currently happening, is really valuable.

In the first half of our conversation he talks about his work, his relationship with his father and how different they are as people.

And then later, we discuss Palestine and what he has to say is enlightening.

He talks about Zionism, privilege and what he learnt about himself during his time in a Mexican jail.

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Cork, Sunday March 24th

The Myth of Normal with Daniel Maté - www.pcpsi.ie

Galway, Thursday 28th March

Daniel Maté – monroesgalway

To take a ‘walk with Daniel’…

WALK WITH DANIEL: a mental chiropractic service

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In my first episode of 2024, I speak to Loretta Kennedy about money.

She's an accredited trauma informed money coach with a background in business, psychology and counselling. 

Originally from Mayo, Loretta lives in Cork with Ruairí, her soon to be husband, and partner of 20 years and their 3 daughters.

And in this conversation she covers a multitude, from the different types of money scripts that we operate from and our behaviour around money, what happens to us when we spend, money issues in relationships and she also shares practical tips on how best to approach our finances.

Resources :

The Century of the Self: The rise of consumerism

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnPmg0R1M04

Book mention - Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T Harv Eker

Money Script quiz:

https://www.bradklontz.com/moneyscriptstest

If you are in financial difficulty:

https://mabs.ie/

To contact Loretta https://loretta-kennedy.com/

https://www.instagram.com/itslorettakennedy/

Free masterclass she is running: Prosperity & Purpose Jan 18th

https://steep-cloud-220.myflodesk.com/l13w8flp8e

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

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Over the Christmas break, I’m re-releasing some powerful episodes from 2023 and in February, I spoke to Lebanese-Canadian author, poet, speaker, activist and educator, the incredible Najwa Zebian.

Najwa being a guest on ‘Ready to be Real’ is a dream come true for me as she is someone I have long admired.

She grew up in a conservative Muslim household and writing helped her process and heal from past pain.

Her voice is incredibly soothing, and she has a wonderful way of simplifying complex topics.

And in this conversation she speaks about being ‘wronged’ and how best to manage it, self-worth and sitting with your pain, gaslighting, the importance of boundaries and how to heal.

And at the end of the conversation, I ask her a question that has a profound impact on both of us.

You can find Najwa’s latest book ‘Trust Your Heart’ online and in audio form on her website Najwa Zebian | Author. Speaker. Creator | Author. Speaker. Creator

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

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I’m on a break over the Christmas period so I am re-releasing a few episodes over the next few weeks that really connected with listeners from 2023.

In September I spoke to dog lover and activist Niall Harbison.

If you’re an animal lover and you’re on social media, there is a strong possibility that you already follow Niall.

Originally from Co. Tyrone, he grew up in Brussels but never lost his Irish accent.

And over the past 21 months he has been devoting his time to help save street dogs in Thailand.

And to fully understand the man he is today; we need to go back through some of the experiences that have shaped him in his life. When he was 13, his parents separated, and his mother then had a relationship with an abusive partner which had a massive impact on him. He has been a private chef of Billionaires, a successful and at times controversial entrepreneur, and at his lowest point he found himself in ICU after a drink and drug fuelled binge.

He's been sober for about 3 years now and his mission is to half the population of stray dogs in the world over the next 20-30 years.

His book – ‘Hope - how street dogs have taught me the meaning of life’ was released this Autumn and it’s an incredible read.

I hope you feel inspired by our conversation as Niall is the perfect example of how it’s never too late to change your life.

For more information on the work he’s doing and if you’d like to donate…

Click here

Resources :

If you need to talk to someone, you can contact a Samaritan on Freephone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.ie

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

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In my final conversation of the year and one of the most important I’ve ever had, I speak to Ruth Smith.

Ruth is a multi-disciplinary artist, teacher and body worker who lives in Galway with her husband Fergal, her Mother-in-Love Marie and their pack of 3 schnauzer dogs and their 3 legged cat.

And during this topical conversation she speaks about her visit to the West Bank earlier this year and the impact it had on her, the importance of activism and visibility when it comes to the current situation in Gaza and the occupied territories, and how connecting with like-minded people is so important.

This is an episode for everyone and one I hope will be shared by those who listen.

We recorded it over 2 separate days, as so much had happened since our first chat, including the US vetoing a resolution calling for a ceasefire.

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real, it really means so much to me.

Grá mór X

Some links and resources: 

Here's a link to the movie 1948 Creation and Catastrophe https://www.1948movie.com

Here's a link to Gabor Maté's Q&A with SAND - Science and Non Duality https://youtu.be/NFmJpzBYCvI?si=QWeG-M61lg14LBED

There is another Q&A with him on Friday 15th at 17:00GMT if anyone wants to join live or you can watch it back on YouTube. 

Here's the link to join live https://scienceandnonduality.com/event/roots-run-deep-2/

Follow 

@wizard_bisan1 a young female journalist on the ground in Gaza

wizard_bisan1

@motaz_azaiza a young male photographer and journalist on the ground in Gaza

motaz_azaiza

@_kateodwyer_ for somatic practices and calls to action

_kateodwyer_

@maggiemckeeveryoga for trauma informed and community care yoga practices

maggiemckeeveryoga

@kitty_maguire_menstrual_mentor for sacred activism

kitty_maguire_menstrual_mentor

@raeekayassaie for social justice content

raeekayassaie

Raeeka - British Iranian Activist on Instagram and her Grieve. Integrate. Act. Rest. 

@irish.artists.for.palestine for information on cultural events across all art form all over the Island of Ireland

irish.artists.for.palestine

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In the penultimate episode of the year, I speak to Suzy Byrne about her Dad, legendary broadcaster, Gay Byrne.

Suzy is married to Ronan and they have three children Cia, Sadhbh and Saoirse.

Being the daughter of one of our best-known broadcasters, this conversation gives us an insight into the man Gay Byrne was at home, from one of the people who knew him best.

She also talks about a book she has complied called

‘Dear Gay- letters to the Gay Byrne show, a handwritten history of Ireland’.

Available in all good bookshops.

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last Friday in Galway, I sat down with dynamic duo Tadhg and Derry Fleming and had this wonderfully open conversation.

Tadhg and his Dad, Derry are part of the Fleming family that we know and love from Kerry, who shot to fame when a bat flew into the family home 6 years ago and the video went viral.

Mother Maureen and sisters Sadhbh and Maryanne, along with Tadhg’s wife Alannah and their much-loved dogs complete the extended Fleming family…for now!

Tadhg is open and grounded and 2023 was a big year for him as he and Alannah married in May, but next year will be an even bigger year as they’ll become parents.

Derry works in the credit union and is a deep soul, who wears his heart on his sleeve and I’ve had the pleasure of meeting the whole family and they are the real deal.

In this conversation we get a much better sense of who they really are, what matters to them, how important faith is in their lives and simply put ,what genuine, gorgeous people they are.

They don't do many podcasts, or interviews for that matter, so I felt incredibly lucky that they said yes to this chat.

Enjoy and let me know what you think!

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I caught up with comedian and radio presenter PJ Gallagher.

PJ lives in Clontarf in Dublin with his partner Kelly and their 12-week-old twins Milo and Stevie.

He presents the breakfast show on Nova with his friend Jim McCabe, he’s also currently working on a documentary for RTÉ and his book ‘Mad House – The naked truth about my chaotic childhood, losing my mind and finding a place to call home’ is out now and it’s a brilliant read.

We spoke back in the summer of 2021; and it was a chat that really resonated with listeners. (You can scroll back and listen if you’d like)

So this conversation picks up where we left off the last time, he speaks about his 3 month stay in St. Patricks Mental Health services, meeting his now partner Kelly, fatherhood, polyamory and knowing what works for his mental wellbeing.

If you like this podcast, please show your support by leaving a rating or a little comment on Apple and by clicking follow on Spotify, I’d be so thankful.

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This week I speak to the phenomenal Dr. Katriona O’Sullivan.

She lives in Blanchardstown in Dublin and is married to Dave and she has 3 boys, John who’s 30, Seán who’s 18, and Tadhg who’s 15 and she’s also a proud grandmother.

She is a senior lecturer in Maynooth University in the department of Psychology and is the author of bestselling memoir ‘Poor’.

Katriona’s childhood growing up in Coventry was often chaotic; as one of 5 kids to Irish parents living in a home shaped by heroin addiction, she experienced extreme trauma from an early age, which included being raped as a 7 year old and being pregnant and homeless, as a teenager.

In this conversation she speaks about the extreme neglect she experienced in childhood, the people who were a positive force in her life, the importance of opportunities and education, and the power of healing.

It is an eye opening and challenging conversation at times but I highly recommend you stay with it until the end.

Book – ‘Poor’ is available in all good bookshops and online and is also available as an audio book.

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gerry Hussey otherwise known as 'The Soul Coach' is a performance psychologist who has been working in the fields of health and performance for almost twenty years.

He and his wife Miriam are the founders of wellness platform ‘Soul Space’ and along with their son Eli who’s 3.5 and their daughter Bethany who recently turned 1, they split their time between Ireland and Portugal and they’re simply wonderful people.

We spoke in Galway on the 1st of November, the day his latest book ‘The Freedom Within’ was released.

During our conversation, he delves into family dynamics and emotional triggers, parenthood and the importance of repair, the current situation in Palestine and the power of forgiveness.

It’s a thought provoking and comforting episode but make sure you’re aware of the content before you listen.

Gerry’s show ‘The Freedom Within’ is happening this Sunday the 12th of November in the National Concert Hall in Dublin and there may be a few tickets still left.

Click on the link to find out…

The Freedom Within | NCH | Live Music & Events | National Concert Hall

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Historian and artist Shelly Mooney is back on the pod once again, this time to tell us all about Samhain.

Shelly lives in County Wexford with her husband Kev, their son Ferdia and Lola their dog and she runs the brilliant Instagram page ‘Tales from the Wood’ which explores the history and mythology of Ireland.

And in this bite-sized episode she talks to us about the ancient festival of Samhain and its connection to The Hill of Tara.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I catch up with Brian and Arthur on the release of their book, ‘Modern Family’.

This is the third time I’ve recorded a conversation with them both, and if you fancy tuning into the earlier episodes (released 20th March 2020 and 25th June 2022) feel free to listen back.

We sat down to speak a few weeks ago on the 4th of October and this is by far the most emotional and vulnerable they have both been in any conversation I have ever heard with them, as their book reveals more than they ever have before; including Arthur’s upbringing and being a refugee, and the difficult news they received on their path to parenthood.

And we also pick up where we left off the last time we spoke, as they talk us through the day Blake was born, life now as Fathers and their hopes to expand their family.

Prepare to laugh and cry.

Book : ‘Modern Family – Births, marriages, deaths and everything in between’ is available online and in all good bookshops now.

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I speak to author and relationship expert, Natalie Lue.

She lives in Surrey with her husband Emmon and teenage daughters, Saria (16) and Nia (14) and I’ve been a fan of her work for many years now.

When she was 10 she came to live in Ireland and when she was 23 she moved to London to go to University and she has lived there since.

We sat down in the summer, and she spoke about her upbringing and breaking up with her mother, yes you heard that right! And she also spoke about her book ‘ The Joy of Saying No’ which is a fantastic read. 

And I started the conversation by asking her about her brilliant blog ‘Baggage reclaim’ which covers topics like emotional unavailability, people pleasing and boundaries.

Her book : ‘The Joy Of Saying No’

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I speak to menstrual mentor Kitty Maguire.

Kitty lives in Dublin with her partner Sam, her two nephews, their dog Winnie Wagtail & Bertie the cat.

She has pioneered menstruality work in Ireland for almost 10 years, providing therapeutic sessions, rituals and circles for women, girls and people who want to nurture a healthier embodied connection to their womb and cycles.

She has held space for thousands of people through the years. Through her comprehensive training Red Alchemy, online or in schools she shares the wisdom of the cycle through the spirit, science and sacredness of menstruality and Irish spirituality.  

And she recently featured in Richie Sadlier’s brilliant documentary, ‘Let’s Talk About Sex’ on RTÉ.

Her Mother, playwright Jo Egan, was a highly respected and influential figure in the Northern Ireland arts scene. And last Christmas, she died, which came as a huge shock to all who knew and loved her.

At the time of her death, she had a project in development with the Abbey theatre in Dublin.

And during our conversation Kitty speaks about her Mam and shares how she’s been navigating life since her passing. She also speaks about her own work, the importance of healing and she gives us an overview of the menstrual cycle.

For more, go to 

http://www.kittymaguire.com

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I speak to body-based visibility and business coach, Kate O’Dwyer.

She lives in Dublin with her partner Jim and their 1.5 year old son, Ned.

She's been the senior guest booker on The Tommy Tiernan Show on RTE for the past 7 seasons and her passion is in supporting women to step into their fullest self-expression so that they can share their work, their words, and their wisdom.

She believes that our visibility can heal and embolden each other to build the world we all want to live in.

And in this conversation she shares her own experience with us, she speaks about visibility blocks and what they might look like and shows us how to step into our power.

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Historian and artist Shelly Mooney is back on the pod once again, this time to tell us all about the Autumn equinox.

Shelly lives in County Wexford with her husband Kev, their son Ferdia and Lola their dog and she runs the brilliant Instagram page ‘Tales from the Wood’ which explores the history and mythology of Ireland.

This year, the Autumn equinox will begin tomorrow, September 23rd, and will last until the winter solstice on the 21st of December.

And in this bite-sized episode she talks to us about the significance of the Autumn equinox, the Loughcrew cairns in county Meath, Newgrange and the powerful and ancient Irish goddess, An Chailleach.  

For more :

Loughcrew Cairns | Heritage Ireland

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In this episode I speak to Buddhist monk, the wonderful Gelong Thubten.

Gelong is a title meaning monk and Thubten is hugely respected for his work in the area of spiritual growth and personal development.

His first book ‘A Monks Guide to Happiness’  was a global bestseller and his latest book has just been released ‘Handbook for Hard Times: A monk's guide to fearless living.’

In this conversation we learn about his path to becoming a monk, he speaks about the importance of relishing micro moments in our day, reframing distractions when meditating and he also guides us through a wonderful mindful practice towards the end of the chat too.

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's great to be back after the summer break and what a perfect episode to kick off the new series!

If you’re an animal lover and you’re on social media, there is a strong possibility that you already follow Niall Harbison.

Originally from Co. Tyrone, he grew up in Brussels and over the past 18 months he has been devoting his time to helping to save street dogs in Thailand.

And to fully understand the man he is today; we need to go back through some of the experiences that have shaped him in his life. When he was 13, his parents separated, and his mother went on to have a relationship with an abusive partner which had a massive impact on him. He has been a private chef of billionaires, a successful and at times controversial entrepreneur, and at his lowest point he found himself in ICU after a drink and drug fuelled binge.

He has been sober for about 2 years and 9 months now and his mission is to half the population of stray dogs in the world over the next 20-30 years.

His book – ‘Hope - how street dogs taught me the meaning of life’ is just out and it’s an incredible read.

I hope you feel inspired by our conversation as Niall is the perfect example of how it’s never too late to change your life.

For more information on the work he’s doing and if you’d like to donate…

Click here

Resources :

If you need to talk to someone, you can contact a Samaritan on Freephone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.ie

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I speak to psychotherapist Richard Hogan about family dynamics.

Originally from Douglas in Cork he lives in Dublin with his wife and their 3 daughters.

He writes a weekly column with the Irish Examiner and often appears on TV and Radio.

He specialises in working with families and he’s just released his second book ‘ Home is where the start is’ and I found this conversation illuminating.

During it he shares elements of his own upbringing with us and gives us plenty of tips on how best to navigate our own family dynamics and ultimately help us to live healthier and more authentic lives. I loved it and I hope you will too.

You can also dive back into over 130 episodes of Ready to be Real to keep you going over the summer as this is where I’ll take a break.

I’ll be back in the Autumn with a brand new selection of thought-provoking episodes and as always I am so grateful for all the love and support I get here.

If you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

Have a gorgeous summer and thanks for listening to Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this conversation Human Design practitioner Nicole Crosbie explains what Human Design is and how to get your unique chart. She also gives us an overview of the chart which includes the energy types and the profile lines and she also touches on the centres…this is all stuff that will hopefully make sense once you listen to the episode.

And to get the most out of it, I’d recommend that you do your chart before you listen.

To get your chart, you’ll need the following information:

Your date, time and place of birth.

Click here for free or use one of the many free links found online to give you your own unique chart…

Get your chart here

* Nicole is giving all listeners of Ready to be Real, 30% off a reading with her until the end of August 2023

The code is SILE30

So if you’re interested, go to her website, www.nicolecrosbie.com or her Instagram page

or you can email her directly nicole@nicolecrosbie.com

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I speak to singer, manager, producer and psychotherapist, Yvonne Tiernan.

Originally from Dublin, Yvonne has lived in Galway with her husband Tommy for 20 years and they have 3 kids together.

She is such an impressive person (a label we unpack during the conversation) who is gifted in many different areas of life.

‘The Raines’, the folk trio she’s part of, have released their debut album ‘Reverie’ and are touring across the country this summer.

And during this conversation we get a sense of who she is and what’s important to her, as she speaks about her love of her work as a psychotherapist, her career in the entertainment industry, her relationship with her husband Tommy who she finds endlessly fascinating, and how minding others is really important to her.

The Raines play in Monroe’s as part of the Galway Folk Festival on the 17th of June and Matt Molloy’s in Westport on the 18th of June.

For a full list of tour dates and to buy tickets go to The Raines

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Professor Rose Anne Kenny has 35 years of experience at the forefront of ageing medicine and in this conversation she shares some of the proven adjustments we can all make regardless of our age, to live longer and happier lives.

Her book is ‘Age Proof: The New Science of Living a Longer and Healthier Life’ and it’s a fascinating read.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider following the pod wherever you listen. You can now rate it on Spotify and leave a little comment on Apple too.

Thanks a million!

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In this episode I speak to dancer and choreographer, event organiser and producer and recently wedding celebrant, the brilliant Bonnie Boux.

Bonnie is a nature lover who lives in Waterford and in this conversation she tells us how dance was a big part of her healing journey, she talks about her path to Burlesque, being a wedding celebrant and how she doesn’t let a chronic health condition hold her back.

She’s one of a kind and I was thrilled to connect with her.

You can catch Bonnie as part of Jenny Keane’s tour this September and her own show happening in Waterford on Valentine’s day, is one not to be missed!

Go to her Instagram page for more info and subscribe to her mailing list to never miss her events.

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I speak to high performance coach and author Enda McNulty.

Enda is married to Julia and they live in Dublin and when he played football for Armagh, he won an All-Ireland medal and an All-star Award.

Now he’s regarded as one of the top performance coaches and leadership experts in the country having worked with a who’s who of business and sporting leaders over the past 25 years.

His second book ‘Commit 2 Lead’ is out now and in this conversation he talks about finding true success in life and how to become a leader; the power of re-invention…and how he and his family used to holiday in my home village of Spiddal in Connemara.

I took a lot away from this episode and I hope you will too.

Other book recommendation – ‘The Inner Game of Tennis’ by W. Timothy Gallwey

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I am re-releasing one of the most listened to episodes ever of Ready to be Real.

Three years ago I spoke to someone who has since become a very good friend, the wonderful Kathie Stritch.

Kathie is from Cloonfad in Co. Roscommon but she lives in Galway with her soon to be husband Stephen and their little boy Freddie who’s 4.5 yrs.

9 years ago her world changed forever when her sister Elaine was diagnosed with a stage 4 brain tumour. Elaine was married to Pa and their two boys Adam and Jason were 1 and 4 at the time.

This episode will make you appreciate how precious being alive really is.

You’ll find Kathie on Instagram K A T H I E S T R I T C H (@kathiestritchpt) • Instagram photos and videos and she also runs the Grief Ireland page which hosts retreats and workshops. You’ll also find it on Instagram Grief Ireland - Support Community (@griefireland) • Instagram photos and videos

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In this episode I speak to the truly wonderful Sarah Nicole Landry. She’s a body acceptance advocate, a speaker, a writer, an occasional model and podcaster and she’s better known online as ‘The Birds Papaya’.

Sarah Nicole is married to Shane and she’s the mother of 4 kids, she has 3 teenagers from her previous marriage and their daughter Lemmie is 2.

She’s one of the most important voices right now on diet culture and body acceptance and her Instagram page alone has 2.3 million followers!

In this conversation she covers a multitude on the topic, so if you want a feel-good episode that will potentially give you goosebumps (as it did for me!) this is the pod for you.

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this bite-sized episode she talks to us about the ancient Celtic festival of Bealtaine. She speaks of the importance of the Hill of Uisneach, the tradition of handfasting at this time, and the significance of the Hawthorn tree. 

The Hill of Uisneach - The Sacred Centre of Ireland.

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I speak to musician, podcaster, author, activist and all-round great human, Niall ‘Bressie’ Breslin.

He lives in Wicklow with his girlfriend Louize and their new puppy Stevie and in this conversation we cover so much, it’s serious at times and lighter in other parts as he talks about things like emotional intelligence, shame, labelling, dealing with conflict, the benefits of meditation and embarking on a PHD. 

And if you want to go to Niall’s ‘Where is my mind’ podcast show next Friday, the 28th of April in the 3 Olympia, head to Ticketmaster to grab to last few tickets.

3Olympia Theatre, Dublin | Events & Tickets | Map, Travel & Seating Plan (ticketmaster.ie)

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I speak to author and mother, Anne Tiernan.

Anne is married to Matt and they have 3 kids, Molly who’s 17, Oscar who’s 14 and Jack who’s 13 and they’ve lived in New Zealand for the past 18 years.

Born in Zambia, she grew up in Navan from the age of 3 and is one of 4 kids and one of her brothers happens to be well known comedian and TV host Tommy Tiernan.

In this conversation, she talks about her childhood, her emotionally unavailable mother and the dramatic moment she found out that she had taken her own life.

Anne is a beautiful person and she’s just released her first book, a work of fiction called ‘The Last Days Of Joy’ which is available to buy in all good bookshops now.

Resources :

If you need to talk to someone, you can contact a Samaritan on Freephone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.ie

Pieta

Pieta | Preventing Suicide and Self-Harm since 2006

Or go to…

Mental health - HSE.ie

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I speak to New York Times best-selling author, Sarah Knight.

With more than 3 million copies in print, Sarah Knight’s ‘No Fucks Given’ guides have been published in thirty-one languages worldwide and her TEDx Talk on "The Magic of Not Giving a Fuck" has over 10 million views.

In this conversation she talks us through how best to live an authentic and fulfilling life by embracing the power of saying NO and having boundaries.

And as is often the case with Ready to be Real chats, the language in this episode as you’d imagine, isn’t always suitable for young or sensitive ears so please be mindful as you listen.

* Her new book ‘Grow the F*ck Up: How to be an adult and get treated like one’ is out on the 4th of April.

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shelly Mooney is a historian and artist who lives in County Wexford with her husband Kev, their baby Ferdia and Lola their dog and she runs the brilliant Instagram page ‘Tales from the Wood’ which explores the history and mythology of Ireland.

And in this conversation she talks to us about St. Patrick, the man he was before the title of Saint was bestowed upon him.

But even more interesting than that, she talks to us about Síle and her connection to Patrick and the often misunderstood symbol of ‘Sheela na Gig’.

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I speak to salon owner and entrepreneur Anna Hosty.

Anna is married to Dave and they live in Galway with their daughter Henrietta who is 6 next month and their dog Ozzie.

She’s also the co-owner of hairdressing group ‘Yourells’ and co-founder of the hair supplement for Mums called ‘The Hair Vitamin Company’.

And as you’ll hear at the beginning of our chat, I have known Anna for a long time but what I didn’t know until recently was what she had been through personally.

In this conversation she shares her experience of fertility and motherhood which includes the IVF process; joy, loss and trauma.

She is a brave and wonderful person and I am so grateful that she trusted me to help her tell her story.

It's an episode that will challenge some of you and I ask you to park your judgement and open your heart and mind to what you’re about to hear as unless you’ve experienced the same, you have no idea how you’d respond.

I am so grateful to Anna for speaking so honestly about her experience and I know it’ll help a lot of you who listen.

Resources :

If you need to talk to someone, you can contact a Samaritan on Freephone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.ie

Or go to…

Mental health - HSE.ie

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.

And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I speak to online sensation Louise Boyce, better known as Mama Still Got It.

Louise is a Mum of 3 who’s online content on motherhood is hilarious and her book Mama Still Got It is coming out on the 8th of June.

During our conversation we naturally speak about motherhood, the loss of identity that can often happen when becoming a mother…and finding yourself again, but we also talk about modelling, her struggles with an eating disorder early in her career, social media and her closeness to her sister.

Enjoy and let me know what you think, thanks!

Resources : Bodywhys | The Eating Disorders Association of Ireland

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I speak to Lebanese-Canadian author, poet, speaker, activist and educator, the incredible Najwa Zebian.

Najwa being a guest on ‘Ready to be Real’ is a dream come true for me as she is someone I have long admired.

She grew up in a conservative Muslim household and writing helped her process and heal from past pain.

Her voice is incredibly soothing, and she has a wonderful way of simplifying complex topics.

In this conversation she speaks about being ‘wronged’ and how best to manage it, self-worth, gaslighting, the importance of boundaries and how to heal.

And at the end of the conversation, I ask her a question that has a profound impact on both of us.

This was without a doubt one of the most powerful conversations that I’ve ever had and you can find Najwa’s latest book ‘Trust Your Heart’ online and in audio form on her website Najwa Zebian | Author. Speaker. Creator | Author. Speaker. Creator

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I speak to actor and mother Caroline Morahan.

Caroline lives in LA with her husband Dáithí 0r Doc as he’s better known and their 2 kids, Rowan who’s 3 and Ava who’s 2.

They moved to LA 15 years ago and at the time she left a very successful TV in Ireland to pursue acting.

Last month when she was back in Dublin, we sat down and spoke about her path to motherhood, being a Mom, her career to date, her love of acting, the sage advice given to her by her own mother and how baby brain is real!

** This episode does not feature any medical guidance so please consult your doctor if you are looking for fertility advice.

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.