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Ready To Be Real by Síle Seoige
In Ready to Be Real, broadcaster Síle Seoige sits down with people from all walks of life for honest, open and thought-provoking conversations about the experiences that shape us.
From well-known faces to people with extraordinary stories, and experts offering fresh perspectives, these are conversations that go beyond the surface.
With warmth, curiosity and a willingness to explore difficult subjects, Síle creates a space for vulnerability, laughter, reflection and genuine connection.
Covering everything from relationships, parenting and mental health to identity, loss, personal growth and the wider issues affecting our communities, Ready to Be Real is about understanding ourselves, each other and the world we live in.
Some conversations will challenge you. Others will comfort, inspire or simply make you smile.
All are rooted in the belief that there is something powerful in sharing our stories, and that listening to others can change how we see our own lives.
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- 307 - Eoin Warner : We Are Nature
Topics covered: Nature, belonging, grief, childhood loss, the Whiddy Island disaster, family, fatherhood, night fishing, love, mortality, the healing power of nature, wildlife encounters, biodiversity, climate change, our relationship with the natural world, identity, ag foghlaim Gaeilge, slowing down, Manchán Magan.
My guest this week is Eoin Warner, an award-winning wildlife documentary presenter, naturalist and now author, whose work has introduced audiences to the extraordinary beauty and biodiversity of Ireland.
Originally from West Cork, Eoin now lives in Galway with his wife Ríona and their two sons, Tristan and Ferdia.
His beautiful debut book, Through the Long Grass: Love, Loss and Belonging in Nature, is so much more than a book about wildlife. It's a deeply personal exploration of life, love, grief and our connection to the natural world.
When Eoin was just two years old, his father David was killed in the Whiddy Island disaster in Bantry Bay in January 1979, when an oil tanker exploded, claiming 50 lives.
His mother Mary was left to raise three young boys, and Eoin speaks so movingly about her in this conversation. One particularly touching memory involves his teenage love of night fishing.
We talk about how nature has helped him make sense of some of life's most difficult experiences.
We also explore Eoin's relationship with the Irish language. Níor tógadh le Gaeilge é, ach tá Gaeilge álainn aige anois. He has presented numerous documentaries trí Ghaeilge, even though he didn't grow up speaking it. It wasn't until his twenties, when he experienced Irish as a living language in West Kerry, that everything changed.
We also discuss his friendship with the late Manchán Magan, some extraordinary wildlife encounters, and why Eoin believes we need to rethink our relationship with the natural world, moving away from dominance towards kinship and respect.
Eoin's book:
Through the Long Grass: Love, Loss and Belonging in Nature (Gill Books)
Wildlife documentaries:
TG4: Éire Fhiáin - An Cósta Thiar, Iontais na bhFarraigí Ceilteacha, Oileán Glas, Fásach Bán
RTÉ: Wild Conamara, Ireland's Wild Islands, A Wild Irish Year
Explore Eoin's documentaries and viewing links:
https://www.eoinwarner.com/videos
TG4 Player: https://www.tg4.ie/en/player/
RTÉ Player: https://www.rte.ie/player/
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Wed, 04 Nov 2026 - 50min - 306 - An Chailleach agus Samhain
In this special Oíche Shamhna Real Take, I'm revisiting a conversation I had this time last year with musician, broadcaster and academic Doireann Ní Ghlacáin.
We spoke the day after I'd seen her perform her show The Cailleach at An Taibhdhearc, Amharclann Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, in Galway.
In this snippet, Doireann speaks about the significance of An Chailleach, an ancient female figure deeply rooted in Irish mythology and folklore. She shares stories of how An Chailleach shaped the landscape of Ireland and she sings the beautiful traditional song Éiníní.
We talk about this liminal time of year, and Doireann reflects on growing up with a deep respect for an slua sí, the fairy folk, and the beliefs and traditions passed down through generations. There was a deep understanding and respect for an saol eile, the otherworld. It wasn't necessarily about seeing something, but simply knowing and trusting that it existed.
And some lovely news from her! She's releasing her debut solo album, An Tairseach, and the song Éiníní, which you'll hear her sing in this episode, is also the opening track on the album.
The album is available to pre-order, so do check out her music and support her work.
Find Doireann on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doireannnighlacain/
If you'd like to hear our full conversation, originally released on Oíche Shamhna 2025, you can find it here on Ready to Be Real.
And for more on the origins and traditions of Samhain, you might also enjoy my chat with folklorist Dr Billy Mag Fhloinn.
Bainigí sult as Oíche Shamhna!
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Sat, 31 Oct 2026 - 11min - 305 - Dr. Shefali : Parenting in a digital world
Topics covered: Conscious parenting, raising daughters and sons, childhood conditioning, patriarchy, people-pleasing, strong-willed girls, self-worth, body image, modelling, boundaries, boys' emotional regulation, movement, masculinity, sexuality, pornography, online safety, social media, algorithms, the wellness industry, the psychology of more, connection and presence.
My guest this week is (pinch me!) Dr. Shefali, a clinical psychologist, internationally recognised parenting expert and bestselling author whose work I've admired for many years. I was absolutely delighted to meet her in Ireland when she was here last week.
Originally from Mumbai, India, she moved to the US at 21 and is now based in New York. She is mother to 23-year-old Maia and author of nine books, including The Conscious Parent (2010).
Her latest books, Raising Conscious Daughters and Raising Conscious Sons, explore childhood in a world shaped by technology and social media.
And as a mother of a son and daughter, this conversation resonated deeply with me.
We begin talking about conscious parenting: understanding our own conditioning and triggers rather than trying to control who our children become.
With daughters, we explore the pressure to be "good girls", to please others and to silence their authentic voices. Dr. Shefali talks about raising our "dragons" - strong-willed girls who know their own minds - and why nurturing that independence is so valuable. We discuss self-worth, boundaries, body image and positive modelling.
Then we turn to raising sons. Dr. Shefali discusses boys' need for movement and physical outlets, what happens when their feelings and energy are shamed, and how we help them develop into emotionally healthy men. We talk about sexuality, consent and pornography, and why parents must begin age-appropriate conversations before the internet does it for them.
We also discuss the "psychology of more", the business of wellness and the pressure to keep improving ourselves.
Above all, this conversation is a reminder that it's never too late to change, show up and reconnect with our kids.
DR. SHEFALI - BOOKS AND COURSES
Website and books: https://www.drshefali.com
Courses: https://courses.drshefali.com
Instagram: @doctorshefali
The Talk 3.0 - masterclasses on consent, pornography and digital culture (29-30 October; replays included): https://courses.drshefali.com/thetalk
Conscious Parenting & Life Coach certification: https://coaching.drshefali.com
Conscious Coaching Institute discount code: $500OFF
SPECIAL THANKS
To Jacqueline Kyne and the Kyne Foundation for helping to bring Dr. Shefali to Ireland and making this conversation possible.
https://www.kynefoundation.org
Other episodes worth listening to on Ready to be Real :
Richard Hogan - Adolescence: Preteen and Teenager
Mick Moran - Protecting Our Children Online
USEFUL RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
CyberSafeKids - Irish online safety education and advice: https://www.cybersafekids.ie
Smartphone Free Childhood Ireland - helping families delay smartphones and social media: https://smartphonefree.ie
If this resonates, please share it with another parent.
And thanks, as always, for supporting Ready to Be Real.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh!
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Wed, 28 Oct 2026 - 49min - 304 - Overwhelmed? : Sanity Versus Standards
How often do we push ourselves to the point of exhaustion, trying to do everything and keep everyone happy?
For this week's Real Take, I'm dipping into the Ready to Be Real archive to revisit a conversation I had with the brilliant midlife coach Alana Kirk back in April 2024.
In this short extract, Alana shares a powerful example of how setting boundaries and making small changes can make a huge difference, not just to our own wellbeing, but to family life too.
She also shares some wonderfully practical advice about knowing when to choose our sanity over our standards!
This conversation really resonated with listeners when it first came out, and revisiting it reminded me just how much wisdom Alana has to offer.
We've actually recorded three conversations together, and I'd highly recommend all three.
Listen to the full conversations:
Alana Kirk: Midlife Coach - April 2024
Our first conversation, where Alana shares her personal story, the challenges and changes she's experienced, and some wonderful insights into navigating midlife.
Alana Kirk: The Practical, Invisible and Emotional Load - February 2025
A really important discussion about the invisible responsibilities women carry, overwhelm, expectations and how we can begin to change things.
Alana Kirk: Friendships and Fun, Why They're Important! - March 2025
A gorgeous reminder of the importance of friendship, connection, making time for ourselves and having fun!
A little note: Our first conversation was originally recorded in April 2024. During our chat, Alana speaks about caring for her father, who sadly passed away since we recorded. I just wanted to acknowledge that as we revisit this conversation.
Connect with Alana:
Website: https://www.alanakirk.com
Instagram: @alanakirkcoach
If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it with someone who might need to hear it.
Thanks, as always, for listening and for your support.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh!
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Sat, 24 Oct 2026 - 8min - 303 - Declan O'Rourke : Masculinity, Empathy & the Simple Life
Topics covered: Family, childhood, emigration, love, fatherhood, masculinity, patriarchy, Palestine, empathy, apathy, humanity, community, collective action, LSD, anxiety, panic attacks, creativity and music.
This week I'm joined by singer-songwriter, author and actor Declan O'Rourke.
Originally from Ballyfermot in Dublin, Declan grew up with his parents and three siblings. He spent part of his childhood in Australia, where the family lived for four years before returning to Ireland. By the time he turned 30, he had moved an incredible 27 times. Now 50, he's called Kinvara, County Galway, home for almost 20 years, with a special connection to the area on his mother's side.
Family is central to his life and is a proud Dad to two sons: Jonah is 20 and Londubh is 8.
In this conversation he recalls his three-day wedding celebration on Inishbofin with his wife Eimear.
We explore what masculinity means to him, the expectations placed on men and the importance of challenging harmful patriarchal attitudes. Having experienced life as an immigrant, he reflects on the importance of empathy and our shared humanity. We discuss his longstanding support for Palestine, his frustration with apathy and his belief in the power of communities coming together.
He also opens up about a frightening LSD (acid) experience at 19 and the years of fear, anxiety and panic attacks that followed. He explains why he kept his struggles to himself and how he eventually came to understand what was happening.
We talk about his eighth studio album, Oceanic, out now and recorded in Sydney, Australia. We also touch on his music and novels exploring the Great Irish Famine, and his acting role in Almost With You.
A self-confessed introvert, Declan loves the simple life: family, a bit of DIY, his dog, cat and chickens and he also dreams of spending more time in Italy.
MORE FROM DECLAN
Music, Oceanic and tour dates: https://declanorourke.com
His work on the Great Irish Famine:
- Chronicles of the Great Irish Famine (2017) - album
- The Pawnbroker's Reward (2021) - novel
- A Whisper from Oblivion (2023) - novel
Film: Almost With You (2026) - https://almostwithyou.com
Book mentioned: Essential Help for Your Nerves by Dr Claire Weekes, which Declan found helpful in understanding anxiety and panic attacks.
CONTENT NOTE & SUPPORT
This conversation discusses LSD (acid), a distressing drug experience, anxiety and panic attacks. Declan's experience of coping alone is personal to him and is not advice to manage mental health difficulties without help. If anything resonates or feels distressing, please speak to your GP or a qualified mental health professional. Support is available:
- HSE Your Mental Health: https://www2.hse.ie/mental-health/ | 1800 111 888 (24/7 information line)
- Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/ireland/ | 116 123 (24/7)
- Text About It: text HELLO to 50808 (24/7)
- HSE Drugs and Alcohol Helpline: 1800 459 459 (Mon-Fri, 9.30am-5.30pm)
You don't have to go through difficult times alone.
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Tue, 20 Oct 2026 - 1h 07min - 302 - Adolescence : Boundaries and Connection
Topics covered: Adolescence, preteens, parenting, boundaries, connection, communication, friendships, resilience, smartphones, internet access, childhood development and growing independence.
For this week's Real Take, I'm dipping into the Ready to Be Real archive and sharing an extract from a conversation I had with psychotherapist Richard Hogan in April 2025.
Richard specialises in working with families and is the author of two brilliant books, Parenting the Screenager and Home Is Where the Start Is. He's also a father of three daughters, so he brings both his professional knowledge and personal experience to the conversation.
As a Mom of a nine-year-old boy and an almost five-year-old girl, this is a subject that's very close to my heart. So far, we've managed to avoid introducing personal smart devices (to our kids!) in our home, but I'm very conscious that there are challenges ahead as our children get older.
In this extract, Richard talks about adolescence, the changes children experience as they grow, and the importance of maintaining a strong connection with them through those years.
He explains why boundaries are so important, shares some lovely personal stories about parenting his own daughters, and talks about helping children navigate friendships and the inevitable challenges of growing up.
One of the things that really stayed with me was his advice around encouraging children to have wide friendship circles and plenty of interests and activities outside the online world. It's such an important reminder of the value of real-world connection and giving our children a strong foundation as they grow.
Following on from my recent conversation with Mick Moran of Hotline.ie about protecting our children online, I thought this was a particularly relevant conversation to revisit.
Listen to the full conversation
Richard Hogan: Adolescence – Preteen and Teenager (April 2025)
In the full conversation, we explore adolescence and the preteen years in much greater detail, including communication, parenting boundaries, friendships, healthy habits, masculinity, online influences, pornography and the importance of creating a safe and supportive home environment.
Also highly recommended
Mick Moran: Protecting Our Children Online (October 2026)
More conversations from the Ready to Be Real archive
Richard Hogan: Anxiety in Kids and Teenagers (January 2024)
Debbie Cullinane: Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist (March 2024)
Useful resources for parents
CyberSafeKids
An Irish charity offering research, education and practical advice to help children and parents navigate the online world more safely.
Smartphone Free Childhood Ireland
A parent-led movement supporting families and school communities who want to delay access to smartphones and social media.
Webwise
Ireland's online safety awareness centre, offering information and advice for parents, teachers and young people.
If you found this conversation useful, please consider sharing it with another parent or someone who might benefit from hearing it.
And if you're enjoying Ready to Be Real, following the podcast and leaving a rating or review really helps.
Thanks so much, as always, for listening and for your support.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh!
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Fri, 16 Oct 2026 - 19min - 301 - Mick Moran : Protecting Our Children Online
Topics covered: Online safety, childhood, parenting, smartphones, social media, gaming, Roblox, algorithms, manipulation, digital autonomy, grooming, sextortion, exploitation, CSAM, pornography, harmful content, suicide, sharenting, digital literacy, boundaries, notifications, personal responsibility, screen time, peer pressure, parental responsibility, online reporting.
CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes discussions of child sexual abuse material, sexual exploitation, grooming, sextortion, pornography, suicide and other disturbing subjects. It is intended for adult listeners and is not suitable for children.
My guest in this episode is Mick Moran, CEO of Hotline.ie, Ireland's national reporting centre for suspected illegal online content, particularly child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
He spent 34 years in An Garda Síochána before joining Hotline.ie.
Recorded during the summer of 2026, this is a frank and, at times, deeply unsettling conversation about the online world we're living in and what it means for our children.
A significant part of our conversation focuses on parenting. When should children get their first smartphone? Are we putting them at a disadvantage by delaying access to them?
This isn't about judging parents or pretending there are easy answers. As a mother of two young kids, I'm very aware that many of these decisions are ahead of me too.
And if this episode resonated with you, I suggest you listen to my conversations with psychotherapist Richard Hogan, in particular the one on Adolescence.
Resources and support
Hotline.ie - Irish Internet Hotline
Ireland's national reporting centre where members of the public can securely, anonymously and confidentially report suspected illegal online content, especially child sexual abuse material.
CyberSafeKids
An Irish charity providing research, education and practical online safety resources for children, parents and schools.
Smartphone Free Childhood Ireland
A parent-led movement supporting families and school communities who want to delay children's access to smartphones and social media.
Webwise
Ireland's online safety awareness centre, offering information and educational resources on social media, gaming, cyberbullying, privacy and digital wellbeing.
ISPCC / Childline
Confidential support for children and young people, including those affected by harmful online experiences.
Childline: 1800 66 66 66 (24-hour support).
National Parents Council
Advice, education and support for parents, including guidance on children's online safety and wellbeing.
Irish Safer Internet Centre
Hotline.ie is a member of the Irish Safer Internet Centre alongside Webwise, ISPCC Childline and the National Parents Council.
https://hotline.ie/safer-internet-centre/
The 4 Cs of online risk
Mick refers to the CO:RE 4 Cs framework, which identifies four broad categories of online risk to children:
Content - Exposure to potentially harmful or inappropriate online material.
Contact - Harmful interactions with others online, including grooming and unwanted contact.
Conduct - Harmful online behaviour involving children, including cyberbullying, harassment and harmful peer interactions.
Contract - Commercial and transactional risks, including scams, fraud, data exploitation and manipulative marketing.
Books mentioned :
The Anxious Generation - Jonathan Haidt
Explores the impact of smartphones, social media and changes in childhood on young people's mental health and development.
The Amazing Generation - Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price
A companion book aimed at children aged approximately 9-12, encouraging healthier relationships with technology and more freedom, connection and adventure in the real world.
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Tue, 13 Oct 2026 - 1h 20min - 300 - Majella O'Donnell: My Ten Weeks in a Psychiatric Hospital
In this week's Real Take, Majella O'Donnell shares her personal experience of the ten weeks she spent as an inpatient in St John of God Hospital in 2024, when she became seriously unwell with depression.
She speaks about the fear and vulnerability she experienced, and she also discusses medication, treatment and the practical tools she learned during her time in hospital, including recognising anxiety, understanding her body's fight-or-flight response and finding ways to support herself.
This is just one part of a much wider conversation.
In the full episode....Majella O'Donnell: Completely Herself, we also explore her childhood, her first marriage, motherhood, meeting Daniel and their life together, and how she continues to manage her mental health today.
Support and resources
If you're struggling with your mental health, please reach out. You don't have to face it alone. Your GP is a good place to start, and the following organisations offer support in Ireland.
Aware
Support and information for people experiencing depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder, and for their loved ones.
Freephone: 1800 80 48 48
Available daily, 10am–10pm
Samaritans
Confidential, non-judgemental emotional support, available 24 hours a day.
Freephone: 116 123
Text About It
Free, confidential text support, available 24/7.
Text HELLO to 50808
Pieta
Support for people experiencing suicidal thoughts or self-harm, and those affected by suicide.
24-hour crisis helpline: 1800 247 247
Text HELP to 51444 (standard message rates apply)
HSE Mental Health Services
Information about mental health difficulties, treatment options and accessing support.
If you need urgent help :
Contact your GP or out-of-hours GP service. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 112 or 999 or attend your nearest Emergency Department.
A note about medication and treatment :
Majella shares her own experience of psychiatric care, including changes to medication during her hospital stay. This conversation reflects her personal experience and is not intended as medical advice. Please speak to your GP or treating clinician before making any changes to prescribed medication.
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Fri, 09 Oct 2026 - 18min - 299 - Majella O’Donnell: Completely Herself
Topics covered: Childhood, family, fear and safety, motherhood, relationships, depression, psychiatric care, medication, ADHD, breast cancer, mental health, identity, vulnerability, recovery, love, marriage and life with Daniel.
My guest in this episode is mental health advocate and TV personality Majella O’Donnell, in what is her very first podcast conversation.
Majella is a mother of two and grandmother of four, and she has been married to singer Daniel O’Donnell for almost 24 years.
In this conversation, Majella speaks with extraordinary honesty about her life and, in particular, her experience of living with depression.
She reflects on her childhood and in particular her relationship with her father, describing an upbringing in which she lived with fear and, as she now understands it, in an almost constant state of fight or flight.
We talk about motherhood and the times she struggled, relationships, her cancer diagnosis, and the love, humour and independence at the heart of her marriage to Daniel.
At the centre of our conversation is the severe depression Majella experienced and the ten weeks she spent as an inpatient in St John of God Hospital in 2024.
She describes what it felt like when depression took away her ability to function and make even the simplest decisions and what led her to seek professional help.
Majella also speaks openly about medication and the process, under medical care, of changing treatment and eventually finding a combination that worked for her.
One of the striking things about her experience is that depression didn't only appear when life was difficult. She talks about becoming unwell at a time when she was happy, loved and grateful for the life she had...a powerful reminder that mental illness doesn't always have an obvious explanation.
Today, Majella is in a much better place. She has a greater understanding of herself and what she needs to protect her mental health, and she is using her own experience to encourage more honest conversations about depression.
This is a deeply personal conversation about childhood, fear, love, illness, identity, getting help and finding your way back to yourself.
And above all, it's Majella...completely herself.
A note on this episode :
Majella discusses her personal experience of antidepressant medication. This is one person's lived experience and should not be taken as medical advice. If you have questions or concerns about your own medication or treatment, please speak to your GP, psychiatrist or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional. Do not stop or change prescribed medication without medical guidance.
Support and resources :
If anything discussed in this episode affects you, support is available.
Samaritans Ireland
Freephone 116 123, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Email: jo@samaritans.ie
Confidential, non-judgemental emotional support for anyone who is struggling to cope.
Text About It
Free-text HELLO to 50808, 24 hours a day.
A free, anonymous text service for anyone experiencing a mental health or emotional crisis.
Pieta
Freephone 1800 247 247, 24 hours a day.
Text HELP to 51444. Standard message rates may apply.
Support for people experiencing suicidal thoughts or self-harm, and for those bereaved by suicide.
Aware
Freephone 1800 80 48 48, seven days a week, 10am-10pm.
Information and support for people experiencing depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and other mood-related difficulties, as well as family and friends.
HSE - Your Mental Health
For information on mental health services and supports in Ireland, contact the Your Mental Health information line on 1800 111 888 or speak to your GP.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger or needs emergency medical assistance, call 112 or 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department.
Please reach out. You don't have to struggle alone.
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Tue, 06 Oct 2026 - 1h 34min - 298 - Harrison Gardner: Have a Backup
In this short extract from my conversation with eco-builder and author Harrison Gardner, he talks about the systems we rely on every day, why convenience so often wins, and the value of having a backup when the systems we take for granted, don't work as expected.
The full conversation, Harrison Gardner: How Prepared Are You?, is available now wherever you get your podcasts.
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Sat, 03 Oct 2026 - 6min - 297 - Harrison Gardner : Are you prepared?
Topics covered : Housing, shelter, self-building, self-sufficiency, security, agency, sustainability, consumerism, capitalism, convenience, our reliance on systems, power cuts, extreme weather, energy, practical skills, DIY, community, climate change, preparedness and taking back control.
Harrison Gardner is an eco-builder, author and broadcaster who lives in Co. Clare with his wife Erin and their two daughters, Inari (6) and Islita (3).
Having spent more than 15 years designing and building conventional, sustainable and off-grid homes around the world, Harrison's work now centres on helping people develop the skills and confidence to become more capable and self-sufficient.
He is the co-founder of Common Knowledge, a non-profit social enterprise based in the Burren that teaches practical skills for sustainable living, from building and DIY to growing food, making furniture and mending clothes.
His latest book, Heat, Shelter, Water, Food: How to Be Ready for the Unexpected, looks at the basic systems we rely on every day and asks a simple but increasingly important question: what happens when those systems stop working?
From storms and power cuts to food and water security, this conversation is ultimately about knowledge, skills and agency, and why becoming a little more capable can help us feel a lot more secure.
Harrison also authored Build Your Own and Our Homes and presents RTÉ's Build Your Own Home.
Find out more about Harrison and his work:
And if this conversation resonated with you, you might also enjoy these episodes from the Ready to Be Real archive:
Mark Boyle: The Moneyless Man
Kenneth Keavey of Green Earth Organics: The True Cost of Cheap Food
Raeeka Yassaie: Climate in Crisis
You'll find all three in the Ready to Be Real archive wherever you get your podcasts.
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Tue, 29 Sep 2026 - 1h 09min - 296 - Kyla Cobbler on Ageing & Premenstrual Rage
If you enjoy this snippet, check out the full conversation with Kyla, anytime now!
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Fri, 25 Sep 2026 - 12min - 295 - Kyla Cobbler: Taking up space
Topics covered : Gratitude, self-belief, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, mother-daughter bond, coercive control, patriarchy, beauty standards, ageing, women’s cycles, strength training, healthy love, taking up space.
This week’s guest is comedian and now author Kyla Cobbler.
Kyla and I sat down in Galway just as her first book, 'Happy, Thank You, More, Please' was released. We talk about the five-word mantra that has stayed with her since she was 21, her difficult experience of school, the unwavering support of her Mom, and her journey towards trusting herself and taking up space.
We also talk about coercive control, finding healthy love with her husband Simon, life under the patriarchy, beauty standards, ageing, honouring women’s cycles, strength training, and learning to appreciate the life you have while still being brave enough to ask for more.
'Happy, Thank You, More, Please' is out now, available in all good bookshops and as an audiobook and it is brilliant!
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Tue, 22 Sep 2026 - 53min - 294 - Why is it so hard to rest? : Dr. Malie Coyne
Topics covered : Rest, nervous system regulation, connection, guilt, awareness, balance, parenting, burnout, self compassion.
For my final episode before the summer break, I'm joined by chartered clinical psychologist, author and psychology lecturer, Dr Malie Coyne.
Why do so many of us find it so difficult to rest?
Malie explores our relationship with rest and why, in a world that celebrates busyness, so many of us struggle to switch off.
Malie lives in Galway with her husband, Pete, and their two daughters, Jessica (14) and Aimée (12) and she first joined me on the podcast during the pandemic, helping us navigate one of the most uncertain periods of our lives.
If you enjoyed this conversation, you might also like previous episodes with Dermot Whelan and Alana Kirk.
As always, thank you for listening. If this episode resonated with you, please consider following the podcast, leaving a rating or review, and sharing it with someone who might need to hear it.
To connect with Malie :
Dr. Malie Coyne | Clinical Psychologist, Author, Lecturer at NUI Galway
She is the co-author for the 'A Lust For Life' primary and secondary wellbeing school programmes and is also on their mental health advisory panel.
Book mentions :
'Love in, Love out : A compassionate approach to parenting your anxious child' Dr. Malie Coyne
'Rest is Resistance : Free yourself from grind culture and reclaim yoiur life' Tricia Hersey
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Thu, 30 Jul 2026 - 50min - 293 - Declutter & Organise : Real Take
In this week's Real Take, I'm sharing a short snippet from my conversation with professional home organiser and founder of The Home Reset, Hazel Burton.
Hazel explains why asking simple questions can be a game changer when it comes to reducing clutter and creating lasting organising habits at home.
If you enjoyed this episode, you'll find my full conversation with Hazel Burton wherever you get your podcasts.
To connect with Hazel :
hazel@thehomereset.ie
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Mon, 27 Jul 2026 - 10min - 292 - Hazel Burton : Declutter your home
Topics covered: Career change, decluttering, guilt, shame, organisation, consumerism, sustainability, sentimental items, children's toys, labelling, habits, letting go, mental wellbeing, calmer homes.
This week's guest is professional home organiser Hazel Burton, founder of The Home Reset.
Hazel lives in Dublin with her husband Conor and their two children, Fionn who's 12 and Izzy who's almost 10.
Before setting up her own business, Hazel spent 17 years working in finance before following a very different path; one that's seen her help thousands of people transform not only their homes but, often, their lives too.
In this conversation we explore why so many of us struggle to let go of our belongings, the emotional weight that clutter can carry, and how creating more space in our homes can often create more space in our minds.
Hazel shares the questions we should ask ourselves before deciding what stays and what goes, how to tackle sentimental items without guilt, why labelling is one of her favourite organising tools, the organising product she believes every home should have, and her golden rules for creating systems that actually last.
Whether you're planning a full house reset or simply looking for a little inspiration to tackle that overflowing drawer, there's something here for everyone.
To connect with Hazel :
hazel@thehomereset.ie
Other mention :
or myartbook.ie
No mentions are ads.
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also enjoy this conversation :
Fiona Hayes : Wardrobe detox, style advice and upcycling
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Fri, 24 Jul 2026 - 1h 00min - 291 - Zoe Holohan : Honeymoon tragedy (revisit)
Topics covered : Tragic death, complex grief, severe injuries, PTSD.
This is my conversation with the incredible Zoe Holohan from March 2021.
On the 23rd of July 2018, Zoe and her husband Brian were on their honeymoon when disaster struck. Wildfires swept through the seaside town of Mati in Greece where they were staying and claimed the lives of 102 people. She miraculously survived despite her extensive injuries, while Brian, unfortunately didn’t.
In this conversation we hear how she and Brian met, what a wonderful man he was, their beautiful wedding day and how her life changed forever just a few days later, on their honeymoon.
She also speaks about her Dad and the close friendship they had, and how his death 3 weeks after that terrible day in Greece was yet another trauma to have to come to terms with.
This was by far one of the most moving conversations I’ve ever had, and I am in awe of Zoe’s courage, strength and resilience.
Her book :
‘As the smoke clears : The inspirational true story of surviving Greece’s deadly wildfires, overcoming devastating loss and discovering a path to renewal.’
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Mon, 20 Jul 2026 - 1h 17min - 290 - The true cost of cheap food : Kenneth Keavey, Green Earth Organics
Topics covered : Vulnerability, heritage, organic farming, biodiversity, food waste, value, climate, connection.
This week's guest is Kenneth Keavey, co-founder of Green Earth Organics, one of Ireland's best-known organic farms.
Kenneth holds a degree in science and a PhD in chemistry, and spent years working in biotechnology and the pharmaceutical industry before making a life-changing decision over twenty years ago. Together with his wife Jenny, he returned home to Galway to take over the family farm and build what has become Green Earth Organics; an organic farming enterprise that today employs more than 45 people and delivers fresh produce to homes all over Ireland.
Last week Kenneth posted a heartfelt video on social media...at the height of the growing season, he spoke openly about the realities of running an organic farm, the challenges of producing healthy food in today's world and the uncertainty that so many Irish growers face. And the response to the video has been extraordinary. Green Earth Organics experienced its biggest week ever. While that's wonderful news, as Kenneth explains in this episode, one successful week isn't the answer. The bigger conversation is about creating a food system where local growers can thrive sustainably all year round.
He shares his journey from Cambridge-trained chemist to organic farmer, explaining why he walked away from a successful science career to return to the land that had been in his family for generations.
This conversation is an invitation to slow down, become more conscious consumers, and remember that every meal has a story behind it.
To learn more about Kenneth, Jenny and the team, visit:
Website: https://www.greenearthorganics.ie
You can order their organic fruit and vegetable boxes, browse their produce and find out more about how they farm.
Their farm shop is open every Saturday from 10am–5pm and they're also hosting their Sustainability Festival on Saturday, 12th September, celebrating sustainable food, farming and community.
A note from me:
This episode is not an ad for Green Earth Organics.
I simply wanted to share a conversation that I believe raises important questions about food, farming, health and the future we are creating.
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Fri, 17 Jul 2026 - 49min - 289 - Great Blasket island : Real Take
No electricity. No hot water. The best sleep of her life.
In this week's Real Take, taken from my recent conversation with public historian and author Lesley Bond, we explore what it was really like to spend six months living on the Great Blasket Island.
Back in 2019, Lesley and her then-boyfriend (now husband) Gordon left their busy lives behind to become seasonal caretakers of the island. Together, they welcomed visitors, ran the island café, looked after the guest cottages and embraced a way of life shaped entirely by nature and the rhythms of the Atlantic.
In this short excerpt, Lesley reflects on life without electricity or hot water, how the island dictated every decision they made, and why she slept more deeply than ever before. It's a beautiful reminder of what can happen when we slow down and reconnect with the world around us.
Lesley's wonderful book, Blasket Bound: Memoirs of an Island Caretaker, tells the full story of their unforgettable six months on the island and is well worth a read.
If you enjoy this snippet, I'd really encourage you to listen to the full conversation with Lesley, where we delve into the history of the Great Blasket, the practical realities of island life, heritage, community and the lasting impact those six months have had on her life.
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Mon, 13 Jul 2026 - 14min - 288 - Lesley Bond: Life on the Great Blasket
Topics covered: island life, living without modern comforts, heritage, community, postnatal depression, writing and healing.
This week, I’m joined by public historian and author Lesley Bond.
In 2019, Lesley and her then-boyfriend, (now husband) Gordon, left their busy lives behind to spend six months as caretakers on the Great Blasket Island, off the coast of Kerry.
With no electricity or hot water, their days were shaped by the rhythms of the island and the unpredictability of the Atlantic. Together, they welcomed visitors from all over the world, ran the island café, looked after the guest cottages and became part of a small but special seasonal community.
The Great Blasket was once home to a thriving Irish-speaking community and became renowned for its extraordinary literary tradition. The final residents left the island in 1953, but its stories, language and heritage live on.
Lesley brings us behind the scenes of life as an island caretaker...from the practical realities of running a café without electricity and carrying out the daily housekeeping, to wild weather and the unexpected joy of sleeping more deeply than she ever had before.
She also reflects on what it felt like to step away from the constant noise and distraction of modern life, how time seemed to move differently on the island and the lessons she carried home with her.
Now living in Kildare with Gordon and their almost two-year-old son, Naoise, Lesley also speaks openly about experiencing postnatal depression and how revisiting her memories of the Great Blasket through writing became a source of comfort and escape during a difficult time.
This is an immersive conversation about slowing down, connecting with nature and the places that stay with us long after we leave them and her beautiful book, 'Blasket Bound: Memoirs of an Island Caretaker', captures the magic, challenges and everyday realities of those extraordinary six months and is well worth a read.
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Thu, 09 Jul 2026 - 1h 18min - 287 - Helen Ogbu : Community is everything
Topics covered : her upbringing, her late husband, grief, mourning, rebuilding her life, fostering, community, belonging and public service.
This week, I'm joined by Helen Ogbu - Labour councillor, the newly elected Mayor of Galway, foster carer, life coach and PhD student.
Helen made history this year by becoming Galway's first Mayor from a migrant background. But long before politics, her life had already taken her on an extraordinary journey.
Growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, Helen was one of eight children in a home where kindness, generosity and caring for others were simply part of everyday life. Those early experiences would later inspire her to become a foster carer, opening her home in Ireland to around 30 children over the years.
Helen also shares the deeply personal story of meeting her late husband, Sunny Orji-Ogbu, a principled Nigerian politician who believed passionately that his country deserved honest, accountable leadership. As political tensions intensified, Helen became increasingly fearful for his safety. She moved to Ireland with their young daughter, ChiChi, hoping he would follow. Tragically, in 2010, Sunny was assassinated while returning home from a political meeting. Helen speaks with extraordinary honesty about navigating unimaginable grief, raising her daughter as a young widow, and slowly rebuilding her life in Galway.
Today, alongside her work in public service, Helen holds a Master's degree in History and Diplomacy, is currently completing a PhD, and continues to champion community, inclusion and belonging in everything she does.
Connect with Helen:
Instagram: Helen Ogbu (@iamhelenogbu) • Instagram photos and videos
Labour Party profile: Helen Ogbu
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Thu, 02 Jul 2026 - 56min - 286 - Bardic storytelling with Aindrias de Staic
In this weeks Real Take from my conversation with musician, performer and storyteller Aindrias de Staic...he talks about the ancient Irish bardic storytelling tradition and why play is so good for our mental health.
If you enjoyed this conversation, I'd really encourage you to listen to the full episode, where Aindrias speaks openly about his childhood, his relationship with his father, addiction and recovery, receiving an ADHD diagnosis later in life, reconnecting with nature and finding his way back to himself.
Find Aindrias
Website: https://www.aindrias.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smalltownseanchai
By the Light of the Silvery Moon tours Ireland from August.
For tour dates and tickets, visit Aindrias' website or reach out to him on Instagram.
If you're enjoying Ready to be Real, I'd be so grateful if you'd follow the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share it with someone who might enjoy it too...it really helps the podcast reach more people.
Go raibh míle!
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Mon, 29 Jun 2026 - 25min - 285 - Aindrias de Staic : The Wildness Within
Topics covered : ADHD, addiction, recovery, nature, bardic storytelling, performing.
My guest this week is musician, performer and storyteller Aindrias de Staic, who many of you will know online as 'Smalltown Seanchaí'.
The son of the late writer and folklorist Eddie Stack, Aindrias grew up immersed in stories. But this conversation isn't simply about where he comes from, it's about the life he's lived.
We talk about his childhood, his parents' separation, his struggles with alcohol and addiction, and what it has taken to reach 20 years of sobriety. He speaks openly about receiving an ADHD diagnosis later in life, his mental health, and how gardening, growing his own food and reconnecting with nature have become central to his wellbeing.
And along the way, we explore the ancient Irish bardic storytelling tradition, the importance of play, creativity and finding flow.
Please note: This episode contains personal experiences and opinions relating to ADHD, mental health, addiction and recovery. Any discussion around medication, herbs or other approaches reflects Aindrias' personal experience and should not be taken as medical advice.
To connect with Aindrias :
Aindrias de Staic | Ireland's Musical Storyteller
And on Instagram :
Aindrias de Staic (@smalltownseanchai) • Instagram photos and videos
Support :
If anything discussed in this episode has affected you, or if you're struggling with your mental health or addiction, support is available.
Ireland
• Samaritans – Call 116 123 (free, 24 hours a day) or visit www.samaritans.ie
• Pieta – Call 1800 247 247, text HELP to 51444, or visit www.pieta.ie
• Alcoholics Anonymous Ireland – www.alcoholicsanonymous.ie
• HSE Mental Health Services – www.yourmentalhealth.ie
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Thu, 25 Jun 2026 - 1h 26min - 284 - The Raw Reality of Grief : Tara Rafter
In this week's Real Take, Tara Rafter reflects on her mother's final days living with COPD and the heartbreak of saying goodbye to the woman who had been her anchor throughout life.
If this excerpt resonates with you, I highly recommend listening to the full episode:
Tara Rafter: Hypervigilance to Healing
Growing up in a home impacted by alcoholism and domestic violence, she learned from a young age how to navigate uncertainty. Despite the difficulties her family faced, she speaks with remarkable compassion about both of her parents, who died far too young.
And alongside her personal story, Tara brings the perspective of a Master Neuro Linguistic Programming Practitioner and Executive Coach.
Listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts.
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Mon, 22 Jun 2026 - 10min - 283 - Tara Rafter : Hypervigilance to Healing
Topics covered include: Alcoholism, domestic violence, hypervigilance, compassion, motherhood, self-abandonment, being a carer, death and loss, grief, faith, spirituality, forgiveness, love, safety, self-worth, self-sabotage, overwhelm, healing.
This week I'm joined by Master Neuro Linguistic Programming Practitioner, Executive Coach and founder of The Navigation Coach, Tara Rafter.
Tara lives in Mayo with her husband Kevin and their son Kai.
In this deeply honest conversation, Tara shares the story of her childhood growing up in a home impacted by alcoholism and domestic violence. She speaks candidly about the hypervigilance she developed from a young age, the lasting impact those experiences had on her life, and the remarkable compassion she holds for her father despite the challenges her family faced.
Tara's story is one of resilience, but also of love, forgiveness and understanding. She reflects on her relationship with both of her parents, who died far too young. Her father passed away at the age of 58, while her beloved mother, who was her anchor throughout life, lived with COPD for several years before she died.
We also explore motherhood, self-abandonment, self-worth, self-sabotage, overwhelm and what it means to truly feel safe in yourself.
Alongside the more difficult chapters, this conversation is full of warmth and humour. Tara talks about her love of music and heading off to gigs on her own, her deep faith and the practices that have helped her navigate life's challenges.
You can connect with Tara here:
Website: thenavigationcoach.com
Email: tara@thenavigationcoach.com
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Fri, 19 Jun 2026 - 1h 38min - 282 - Susan Bennett : 17 countries, One van, One year
Topics covered : Multiple sclerosis, childfree by choice, travel, freedom, simple living.
This week, I sit down with author Susan Bennett to chat about her memoir, One Year.
Susan and her husband Chris live in Antrim.
After both receiving a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis just three days apart, they made a decision that would change the course of their lives.
Years later, they packed up their much loved campervan, fondly known as Hans, and set off on an unforgettable journey through 17 countries across Europe.
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Thu, 11 Jun 2026 - 54min - 281 - Siobhán O'Hagan : Real Take (solo pregnancy)
In this snippet I speak to online fitness coach and content creator Siobhán O'Hagan about being pregnant with her second child and her decision to become become a solo parent through IVF.
Siobhán lives in Dublin with her daughter Cadhla, who will be 3 in August.
At the time of recording, she was 15 weeks pregnant and she shares how she has found the experience so far and why she felt confident making such a significant life decision on her own.
* If you're considering fertility treatment or have any questions about your own circumstances, please speak with your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional.
To connect with Siobhán :
Siobhan O'Hagan (@siobh.ohagan) • Instagram photos and videos
The Self-Improvement Project | fitness
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Wed, 10 Jun 2026 - 34min - 280 - Siobhán O'Hagan : Solo Motherhood
Topics covered : Building a career in the fitness industry, solo travel and the search for freedom, holotropic breathwork, solo motherhood through IVF, pregnancy and preparing for baby number two, navigating criticism and online trolling, the importance of family support and creating a life on your own terms.
A quick note : If you're considering fertility treatment or have any questions about your own circumstances, please speak with your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional.
This week on Ready to be Real, I'm joined by online fitness coach and content creator Siobhán O'Hagan.
For more than a decade, Siobhán has worked in the fitness industry, building a successful online coaching business and sharing her life with a large audience online. But this conversation goes far beyond fitness.
She speaks openly about her love of travel and adventure, living in places like Thailand and Bali and the importance of freedom and independence in her life. She reflects on discovering she was pregnant with her daughter Cadhla, becoming a single mother, and more recently making the decision to have a second child through IVF as a solo parent.
At the time of recording, Siobhán was 15 weeks pregnant and shares how she has found the experience so far, the reactions she has received, and why she felt confident making such a significant life decision on her own.
We also discuss the realities of sharing your life online, dealing with criticism and trolling, the role her parents play in supporting her, and the lessons she has learned through motherhood.
This is an empowering conversation about trusting yourself, creating a life that feels right for you, and having the courage to make unconventional choices.
We talk about : her career in fitness, pregnancy and early motherhood with Cadhla, solo pregnancy and IVF, trolling.
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Thu, 04 Jun 2026 - 1h 09min - 279 - Marie Gleeson on baby Ciarán : Real Take
Former Navy Captain Marie Gleeson speaks about the most profound and heartbreaking experience of her life. During her pregnancy with her son Ciarán, Marie and her husband John received devastating news about his health. What followed was a journey marked by immense love and, ultimately, deep grief.
If you'd like to hear the full conversation, Marie also speaks about life in the Navy and what the sea taught her about navigating life.
It's available to listen to anytime now.
And if anything discussed in this episode feels difficult or brings up emotions for you, please know that you are not alone.
Support Links – Pregnancy & Infant Loss Ireland
Ireland helplines and hotlines
Marie’s memoir, 'Be Like the Sea - Life, Learnings and Leadership from an Irish Navy Captain', is out now, and it's brilliant.
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Mon, 01 Jun 2026 - 19min - 278 - Marie Gleeson : Be like the sea
Topics covered : life in the Irish Navy, leadership, being a woman in a male-dominated environment, drug interdiction operations, UN peacekeeping missions, traumatic pregnancy, child loss, grief, motherhood, mental health and emotional wellbeing.
(Please take care while listening, particularly if any of these topics feel sensitive or close to home.)
This week, I speak to former Navy Captain Marie Gleeson.
Marie lives in Tipperary with her husband John and their two daughters, Laoise and Muireann. Raised on a dairy farm as the eldest of six children, she went on to become one of the first women commissioned into the Irish Navy at a time when women had only recently been allowed into the service.
Over a 21-year career, Marie served at sea and ashore in senior leadership roles and eventually became Commanding Officer of the LE Aoife. She was involved in major operations including a UN peacekeeping mission in Chad, the rescue of a Canadian submarine and a seven hundred and fifty million euro cocaine seizure during a high-stakes drug interdiction mission at sea.
But behind the extraordinary career was profound personal heartbreak.
In this conversation, Marie speaks openly and honestly about the devastating loss of her baby son Ciarán and how grief completely altered her understanding of strength and leadership.
Marie’s memoir, 'Be Like the Sea - Life, Learnings and Leadership from an Irish Navy Captain', is out now and it's fantastic.
Helplines :
Ireland helplines and hotlines
Support Links – Pregnancy & Infant Loss Ireland
You can connect with Marie on LinkedIn, Instagram or you can email her :
marie@navmarleadership.ie
And if this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone you think might connect with it and don’t forget to follow Ready to be Real so you don't miss an episode.
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Thu, 28 May 2026 - 1h 42min - 277 - Katriona O’Sullivan : Real Take
This week’s Real Take, is a powerful moment from my recent conversation with Professor of Psychology and bestselling author Dr. Katriona O’Sullivan.
Katriona speaks about growing up feeling deeply unloved and the many ways she felt hungry in childhood.
Despite experiencing extreme poverty, addiction, abuse and homelessness growing up, Katriona went on to completely transform her life.
Today, she uses her voice, her position and her privilege to help lift others up and advocate for inclusion, opportunity and education.
She also reflects on what helps her now, the importance of affirmations and learning how to value yourself with greater compassion.
Born in Coventry to Irish parents, Katriona later moved to Dublin where she entered Trinity College through the access programme and went on to earn a PhD in psychology. She is now a professor at Maynooth University, is married to Dave, has three sons; John, Seán and Tadhg and is also a proud grandmother.
You can hear my full conversation with Katriona now on Ready to be Real, where we discuss body image, hypervigilance, self-worth, privilege, diet culture, life under patriarchy and Katriona’s powerful new book Hungry: A Biography of my Body.
You can also listen back to our first conversation together from November 2023.
Books:
Poor
Hungry: A Biography of my Body
Follow Ready to be Real on Instagram:
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Tue, 26 May 2026 - 16min - 276 - Dr. Katriona O’Sullivan : The many meanings of hunger
Topics covered: Body image, diet culture, good girl conditioning, life under patriarchy, poverty, trauma, hypervigilance, affirmations, self-belief, healing, ageing, motherhood, connection, privilege.
In this episode I sit down once again with Professor of Psychology and bestselling author, the extraordinary Dr. Katriona O’Sullivan.
When Katriona first joined the podcast in November 2023, her memoir Poor had been released and since then, the book has become a phenomenon; winning Biography of the Year and Newcomer of the Year at the Irish Book Awards, remaining in Ireland’s top-ten nonfiction chart for two years, being translated into seven languages and adapted into a sold-out stage production at Dublin’s Gate Theatre.
Now Katriona is back to talk about her powerful new book 'Hungry: A Biography of my Body.'
In this deeply honest conversation, Katriona reflects on growing up in the 80s and 90s and the culture of shame around women’s bodies and the lasting impact of extreme poverty.
She also speaks about hypervigilance, self-worth, privilege and learning how to exist in your body with greater compassion.
About Katriona:
Born in Coventry to Irish parents, her early life was marked by poverty, addiction, teenage pregnancy and homelessness. In 1998 she moved to Dublin, where she entered Trinity College through the access programme and went on to earn a PhD in psychology. She is now a professor at Maynooth University and is a passionate advocate for inclusion and opportunity through education.
She is married to Dave and has 3 sons: John, Seán and Tadhg and she's also a proud grandmother.
Books:
'Poor' and 'Hungry: A Biography of my Body'
Other related episodes include conversations with Sarah Nicole Landry and Mary Kate Slattery.
Follow Ready to be Real on Instagram: @readytoberealpodcast
Ready to be Real (@readytoberealpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos
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Thu, 21 May 2026 - 1h 14min - 275 - Misan Harriman : Real Take
Today’s Real Take comes from a powerful conversation I recorded in October 2024 with photographer, filmmaker and activist Misan Harriman.
Misan is Chair of cultural hub, the Southbank Centre, an ambassador for Save the Children, and one of the most compassionate and courageous voices speaking up about injustice and inequality in the world today. Through his photography, filmmaking and activism, he has consistently used his platform to amplify voices that are too often ignored; especially concerning children.
Over the past number of weeks, Misan has been the target of what many believe is a deeply disturbing smear campaign by sections of the UK press.
I stand with Misan.
If you would like to support him, please consider adding your name to this Petition
To listen to the full conversation with Misan from October 2024, search 'Misan Harriman: Bridge Building' wherever you get your podcasts.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mon, 18 May 2026 - 6min - 274 - Brian Pennie : The neuroscience of addiction
Topics covered : Addiction, shame, awareness, compassion, recovery.
In this week’s episode of Ready to Be Real, I speak to Dr. Brian Pennie - neuroscientist, podcast host and former heroin addict.
I first met Brian back in 2020 when his memoir Bonus Time was released, and I remember being completely blown away by his honesty and insight. Since then, life has continued to evolve for Brian. He’s now living a very fulfilled life with his partner Natalie, continuing his work in neuroscience, delivering talks, hosting his own podcast and helping people better understand addiction, behaviour and recovery.
Brian spent 15 years addicted to heroin before getting clean in October 2013. In this conversation, we explore addiction from both a neuroscience point of view and through Brian’s lived experience - what happens in the brain when addiction takes hold, why recovery can be so difficult, and what can genuinely help somebody who is struggling.
Following on from last week’s conversation with Tony O’Reilly about gambling addiction, this feels like a really important companion episode.
You can find Brian online BrianPennie.com – Change is Possible and through his podcast Change is Possible.
And as always, thank you so much for supporting the podcast.
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate and review Ready to Be Real wherever you get your podcasts - it really helps.
Watch Brian's documentaries :
Hooked: How Addiction Hijacks Your Brain - RTE Player
Other episodes to listen to on addiction : Tony O'Reilly, Nikki Hayes and Gavin Meenan.
Books :
Bonus Time - A true story of surviving the worst and discovering the magic of every moment by Brian Pennie
In the realm of hungry ghosts by Dr. Gabor Maté
Dopamine Nation by Dr. Anna Lembke
Tony 10: The Astonishing Story of the Postman Who Gambled €10,000,000…and Lost It All
Resources & Support
If you’re concerned about yourself or someone you love, please know that support is available and you are not alone.
Support links:
Ireland helplines and hotlines
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Thu, 14 May 2026 - 42min - 273 - Tony 10 : Real Take
This is The Real Take and in this snippet, Tony O’Reilly — co-author of the bestselling book 'Tony 10: The Astonishing Story of the Postman Who Gambled €10,000,000…and Lost It All' — speaks about the point where his gambling addiction escalated into stealing €1.75 million from An Post while working as a branch manager.
It’s a shocking and deeply heartbreaking insight into the reality of gambling addiction and the lengths a person can go to when completely consumed by it.
Tony now works as a gambling addiction counsellor and psychotherapist, helping people whose lives have been impacted by gambling harm.
You can connect with him here:
Tony O' Reilly - Gambling Addiction Counselling & Workshops
Ireland is in the grip of a gambling crisis that many people still don’t fully recognise.
Gambling addiction is insidious because it can remain hidden for years, devastating lives behind closed doors.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please know that help is available and you are not alone.
Resources & Support
If you’re concerned about yourself or someone you love, please know that support is available and you are not alone.
Support links:
Extern Problem Gambling - Free Counselling for Problem Gambling
Ireland helplines and hotlines
Follow the pod on Instagram
To hear the full two-hour conversation with Tony O’Reilly, listen anytime now.
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Mon, 11 May 2026 - 22min - 272 - Tony O'Reilly : Gambling €10 million and losing everything
Topics covered: insecurities, psychology of addiction, secrecy, manipulation, shame, suicide ideation, finding meaning.
My first guest of this brand new season of Ready to be Real is someone I’ve wanted to sit down with since the podcast launched back in 2019.
Tony O’Reilly is the co-author of the bestselling book Tony 10: The Astonishing Story of the Postman Who Gambled €10,000,000…and Lost It All - the extraordinary true story of how a one pound bet in his early twenties spiralled into a devastating online gambling addiction that completely consumed his life.
Over time, Tony gambled more than €10 million and stole €1.75 million from An Post while working as a branch manager and ultimately losing almost everything: his job, his marriage, his peace of mind and very nearly, his life.
But behind the sensational headlines is a real story.
In this conversation, Tony speaks with extraordinary honesty about the psychology of addiction - the secrecy of online gambling, the lies, the manipulation, the fear and the chaos happening quietly behind closed doors - and the moments that still haunt him today.
We also discuss recovery, accountability and understanding the “why” behind addiction, along with the enormous amount of work Tony has done on himself in recent years. He also shares how his teenage daughter has become his greatest motivation to stay on track and keep moving forward.
This is a powerful and deeply important conversation about addiction, shame, and healing.
Tony now works as a gambling addiction counsellor and psychotherapist, helping people whose lives have been impacted by gambling harm.
You can connect with him here:
Tony O' Reilly - Gambling Addiction Counselling & Workshops
Resources & Support
If you’re concerned about yourself or someone you love, please know that support is available and you are not alone.
Support links:
Extern Problem Gambling - Free Counselling for Problem Gambling
Ireland helplines and hotlines
Book :
Tony 10: The Astonishing Story of the Postman Who Gambled €10,000,000…and Lost It All
Documentaries :
All bets are off/RTÉ
Finné/TG4
Finné Sr 2 Ep 2 Tony O'Reilly | TG4 | Súil Eile |
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Thu, 07 May 2026 - 2h 05min - 271 - Deirdre Nicole Hegarty : An adoption story
Topics covered : Mother and Baby home, adoption, grief, faith, taboo, shedding shame, transgenerational trauma, therapy, holotropic breathwork, motherhood, inner child healing, compassion.
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, Conall.
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.
To 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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Fri, 27 Mar 2026 - 1h 20min - 270 - Change and answers with Niamh Ennis : Real Take
In this snippet, business mentor and change coach Niamh Ennis speaks about the power of change, whether it arrives suddenly in our lives or is something we choose and how both can lead us closer to the life we truly want, if we’re willing to ask ourselves the right questions…and really listen to the answers.
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:
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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Mon, 23 Mar 2026 - 6min - 269 - Niamh Ennis : How grief changes you
Topics covered : Pancreatic cancer, grief, sympathy, therapy, good girl conditioning, life changes, intuition, journaling.
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:
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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Fri, 20 Mar 2026 - 1h 06min - 268 - Sheela's (Síle's) Day and the Divine Feminine : The Real Take
In this week's Real Take, I'm sharing a short snippet of my recent conversation with Celtic wisdom teacher and guide Mari Kennedy.
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.instagram.com/marikennedywisdom
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mon, 16 Mar 2026 - 7min - 267 - Mari Kennedy : Sovereign Queen
Topics covered : The dark feminine/An Chailleach, infertility, grief, good girl conditioning, masculine and feminine forces, patriarchy, menopause, 4 (not 3) stages of womanhood - Maiden, Mother, Sovereign Queen and Crone, Friday the 13th, Síle's day, year of the Fire Horse, Spring Equinox, Sinéad O'Connor, rebellion, new age wellness, Síle na gig, feminine rising.
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 :
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/marikennedywisdom
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Fri, 13 Mar 2026 - 1h 18min - 266 - Michael Harding : Real Take
I'm dipping into the Ready to be Real archive for this week's Real Take.
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mon, 09 Mar 2026 - 22min - 265 - Iza Clarke : Strength training, nutrition and recovery
This week I'm joined by personal trainer and online coach Iza Clarke.
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.
Connect with Iza
Izabela Clarke PT (@iza.clarke)
You can sign up to her monthly program and she’s also launching a perimenopause plan 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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Fri, 06 Mar 2026 - 41min - 264 - Family Dysfunction : Real Take
Topics covered : toxic family systems, boundaries, living grief, healing.
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.
His Dublin workshop on Sunday April 26th 2026
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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Mon, 02 Mar 2026 - 16min - 263 - Josh Connolly : Family Dysfunction
Topics covered : Alcoholism, toxic family systems, boundaries, living grief, compassion, healing.
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.
His Dublin workshop on Sunday April 26th 2026
If you're struggling right now, there is help available...
Ireland helplines and hotlines
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Fri, 27 Feb 2026 - 1h 06min - 262 - Tommy Tiernan : The Real Take
For today’s Real Take, we’re dipping into the archive.
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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Mon, 23 Feb 2026 - 39min - 261 - Toys and Aggressive Play : What's healthy for kids?
This episode is aimed at parents of young children through to preteens and 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).
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Fri, 20 Feb 2026 - 32min - 260 - The Real Take : Brother Richard on dying
In today’s Real Take, Brother Richard speaks about death in a deeply comforting way, drawn from his years of accompanying people at the end of their lives.
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mon, 16 Feb 2026 - 18min - 259 - Brother Richard : Calming the Storms
Topics covered : Meditation, religion, spirituality, distractions, boredom and creativity, authenticity, discernment, validation, forgiveness, death, living fully, gratitude, compassion.
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Fri, 13 Feb 2026 - 1h 30min - 258 - The Real Take : Nicola Tallant
In today’s Real Take, we step beyond the headlines with crime journalist Nicola Tallant and get a real sense of what makes her tick.
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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Mon, 09 Feb 2026 - 15min - 257 - Nicola Tallant : True Crime Insider
Topics covered : Crimeworld, fraudsters, the Regency Hotel shooting, The Kinahans, Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch, being a mother, resilience.
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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Fri, 06 Feb 2026 - 56min - 256 - Gavin Meenan : Actions Have Consequences
Topics covered: Addiction, porn, car accident, death, family dynamics, shame, guilt, grief, forgiveness, therapy, support, compassion, healing.
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:
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Fri, 30 Jan 2026 - 1h 06min - 255 - The Real Take : Wellness with Clare McKenna
In this snippet I speak to broadcaster and author Clare McKenna about wellness.
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!
(Laura featured in RTÉ's documentary Finding Brigid and campaigned successfully to make Brigid’s Day a national holiday.)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mon, 26 Jan 2026 - 18min - 254 - Clare McKenna : What is Wellness?
Topics covered : Moving house, dementia, grief, diet culture, anxiety, privilege, breathwork.
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.
(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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Fri, 23 Jan 2026 - 56min - 253 - The Real Take : Aoife Dunne
In this snippet comedian Aoife Dunne brings us back to her mothers funeral, 15 years ago.
(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!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mon, 19 Jan 2026 - 5min - 252 - Aoife Dunne : Love, loss and belly laughs!
Topics covered : Grief, love, sudden death, comedy, trolling, ADHD, childfree by choice.
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
Go raibh míle maith agaibh!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Fri, 16 Jan 2026 - 1h 03min - 251 - The Real Take : Fiona Morgan Coleman
This is The Real Take, a moment of honesty and wisdom from the heart of Ready to be Real.
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mon, 12 Jan 2026 - 13min - 250 - Fiona Morgan Coleman : Life is for living
Topics covered : Stage 3 aggressive breast cancer diagnosis, mastectomy, axillary clearance, chemotherapy, radiation, recurrence, ovaries and fallopian tubes removed, treatment, living well.
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Fri, 09 Jan 2026 - 1h 16min - 249 - The Real Take : Garron Noone
This is The Real Take — a glimpse into the honesty and connection at the heart of every episode of Ready to be Real.
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!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mon, 15 Dec 2025 - 22min - 248 - Garron Noone : Delicious
Topics covered : Anxiety, panic attacks, agoraphobia, family, music, fame.
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Fri, 12 Dec 2025 - 1h 07min - 247 - The Real Take : Sexual role play
This is The Real Take — a glimpse into the honesty and connection at the heart of every episode of Ready to be Real.
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mon, 08 Dec 2025 - 6min - 246 - Grace Alice : Sex talk
Topics covered : vaginismus, shame, libido, faking orgasm, sexual compatibility, body image, acceptance, masturbation, sexual confidence, sex toys, anal sex, role play, freedom, pleasure.
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!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Fri, 05 Dec 2025 - 1h 19min - 245 - Real Revisit : Hala Sourani
Topics covered : Life in Gaza, living under occupation, murder, grief, trauma, injustice.
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 this podcast and everyone in the room were 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 timeso 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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Wed, 03 Dec 2025 - 1h 03min - 244 - The Real Take - Vanessa Ogbonna on racism
This is The Real Take — a glimpse into the honesty, wisdom and connection at the heart of every episode of Ready to be Real.
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mon, 01 Dec 2025 - 30min - 243 - Vanessa Ogbonna - The Traitors Ireland
Topics covered : The Traitors, growing up in Direct Provision, football career, injury, grief, Lupus diagnosis, faith, 2023 Dublin riots, racism.
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Fri, 28 Nov 2025 - 1h 35min - 242 - Parenting : Regulation is the goal
Make sure little ears aren't listening!
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.
Fri, 21 Nov 2025 - 51min - 241 - The Real Take - Seán Boylan on The Hill of Tara
This is The Real Take — a glimpse into the honesty, wisdom and connection at the heart of every episode of Ready to be Real.
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.
Mon, 17 Nov 2025 - 5min - 240 - Joanne Griffin : AI and humanity
Topics covered : AI in today's world, awareness.
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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Fri, 14 Nov 2025 - 39min - 239 - Laura Murphy : Why blood donors matter
Topics covered : Leukaemia, blood transfusions, bone marrow transplant, pregnancy, birth story, positive mindset, exercise, faith, gratitude.
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mon, 10 Nov 2025 - 55min - 238 - Bláthnaid Raleigh : Aftermath
Topics covered : rape, trauma, living in fear, self harm, PTSD, reclaiming.
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.
Resources and support :
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
Organisations that provide mental health supports and services
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Fri, 07 Nov 2025 - 1h 06min - 237 - Real Revisit : Samhain
This is a Ready to be Real revisit from 2020 — recorded during the height of the Covid restrictions.
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 :
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mon, 03 Nov 2025 - 47min - 236 - Doireann Ní Ghlacáin: The Cailleach
Topics covered: Gaeilge, music, heritage, culture, shame, colonisation, Irish Americans, Samhain, An Chailleach.
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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Fri, 31 Oct 2025 - 1h 05min - 235 - Denise Phillips : Miracles Do Happen (re-release)
Topics covered : Fertility, multiple rounds of IVF, miscarriage, acceptance, magic.
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tue, 28 Oct 2025 - 1h 31min - 234 - Denise Gough: Part 2 — Speaking from the scar
Topics covered : Grooming, childhood sexual abuse, shame, addiction, survival, recovery, therapy, healing, acting, Palestine, censorship, collective care, Andor.
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:
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Fri, 24 Oct 2025 - 48min - 233 - The Real Take - Denise Gough on Palestine
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 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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mon, 20 Oct 2025 - 11min - 232 - Denise Gough: Part 1 — Acting, Celebrity Culture and the West Bank
Topics covered : Acting, celebrity culture, Palestine, grief, Zionism, solidarity.
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
Pals for Palestine - 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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Thu, 16 Oct 2025 - 41min - 231 - The Real Take - Dr. Gabor Maté on humanity
In this short clip, I revisit the powerful words of Dr. Gabor Maté — words that are resonating so deeply with me right now, especially in light of the devastating news of the murder of Palestinian journalist Salah Al Jafarawi yesterday.
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 hisground-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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mon, 13 Oct 2025 - 3min - 230 - Laura Dowling : Love your vulva!
Topics covered : Shedding shame, pubic hair, pelvic floor muscles, UTI's, periods, STI's, birth, constipation and the importance of fibre.
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.
Thu, 09 Oct 2025 - 50min - 229 - The Real Take - Catherine Connolly
In this snippet I speak to Presidential candidate Catherine Connolly about how she feels about politics, what matters to her and what kind of President she hopes to be if elected.
You can hear the full conversation with Catherine 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 :
Agus caith do vóta ar an 24ú!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mon, 06 Oct 2025 - 11min - 228 - Catherine Connolly — Presidential Hopeful
This is a conversation I recorded on the 3rd of September with Independent TD and Presidential candidate, Catherine Connolly.
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:
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Thu, 02 Oct 2025 - 1h 05min - 227 - The Real Take - Róisín El Cherif
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 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.
Sun, 28 Sep 2025 - 9min - 226 - Fintan Drury : Catastrophe : Nakba II
Topics covered : a brief history of Palestine, Israeli mindset, racism, dehumanisation, solidarity.
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
Louis Theroux - The Settlers
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.
Thu, 25 Sep 2025 - 37min - 225 - The Real Take : Miriam Hussey
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 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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sun, 21 Sep 2025 - 10min - 224 - Miriam Hussey : True wellness
Topics covered : Nervous system responses to stress, chakras, spiritual bypassing, self and collective care, motherhood, gratitude.
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.
Thu, 18 Sep 2025 - 49min - 223 - The Real Take : Parkinson's Disease
Topics covered: Early-onset Parkinson’s disease, anger, grief, acceptance, adapting.
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.
Sun, 14 Sep 2025 - 22min - 222 - Annmarie O’Connor : Life with Parkinson’s
Topics covered: Early-onset Parkinson’s disease, symptoms, pain, denial, grief, acceptance, adapting.
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.
Thu, 11 Sep 2025 - 1h 14min - 221 - The Real Take : Sophie Morris
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 bonus 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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mon, 08 Sep 2025 - 16min - 220 - Sophie Morris : The Sophie effect
Topics covered : Understanding food labels, ultra processed food, the psychology of supermarket shopping, clever food swaps, health halos and handling criticism.
Welcome to my first episode back after the summer break, I’m joined by health food advocate and Instagram sensation, Sophie Morris.
She 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.
Thu, 04 Sep 2025 - 53min - 219 - Update and feedback, míle buíochas
A quick update about Ready to be Real...I'm taking a break for the summer, but I’ll be back again in the autumn.
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 email 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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Fri, 27 Jun 2025 - 1min - 218 - DJ Nikki Hayes : Behind the name
Topics covered : Identity crisis, bullying, self-worth, addiction, alcohol, drugs, money laundering, court case, self-sabotage, Covid, homelessness, taking responsibility, rebuilding her life.
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…
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.
Fri, 20 Jun 2025 - 46min - 217 - Rosita and Chupi Sweetman : Love, Loss, Liberation
Topics covered : Activism, social justice, betrayal, family estrangement, patriarchy, responsibility, grief, regrets, forgiveness, love, business.
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.
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.
Fri, 13 Jun 2025 - 1h 23min - 216 - Kate O'Dwyer : Visibility and why it's important (re-release)
Topics covered : Imposter syndrome, vulnerability, shedding shame, triggers, self-sabotage, apologising, blocks, boundaries, self-worth, ADHD, conditioning, reclaiming.
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.
Fri, 06 Jun 2025 - 1h 05min - 215 - Rory O'Neill : Shameless (re-release)
Topics covered : Mental health, homophobia, same-sex marriage referendum in Ireland, rejecting shame.
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Fri, 23 May 2025 - 55min - 214 - Joe Canning : Straight shooter
Topics covered : Hurling career, All Ireland Finals (2017 & 2018), growing up, learning from failure, resilience, criticism, coping with fame, love, loss, proposal story, becoming a Dad.
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.
Fri, 16 May 2025 - 1h 23min - 213 - Charlene Masterson : A Survivors Voice (re-release)
Topics covered : Sexual abuse, grooming, domestic violence, rape, incest, sexual assault, coercive control, manipulation, gaslighting, guilt, shame, recovery.
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
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sat, 10 May 2025 - 1h 21min - 212 - Jack Fitzgerald: One in four
Topics covered : Childhood sexual abuse, grooming, secrecy, shame, self-harm, intense flashbacks, suicide attempts, therapy, consent.
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 :
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...
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.
Thu, 01 May 2025 - 1h 44min - 211 - Richard Hogan : Affairs (re-release)
Topics covered : Betrayal, heartbreak, breakdown, trust, prevention, repair, connection, healing.
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.
Fri, 25 Apr 2025 - 33min - 210 - Richard Hogan : Adolescence - preteen and teenager
Topics covered : Connection, communication, boundaries, friendships, modelling, play dates, safety, brain development, true masculinity, the manosphere, porn, healthy eating, sleep.
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Fri, 18 Apr 2025 - 1h 19min - 209 - Gerry Hussey : Our inner voice
Topics covered : the power of the mind, our inner critic, inner coach, affirmations, consistency.
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Fri, 04 Apr 2025 - 39min - 208 - Jake Carter and Karen Byrne : Love on the dancefloor (re-release)
Topics covered : Dancing with the Stars, life during lockdown, their relationship.
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.
Fri, 28 Mar 2025 - 45min
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