Hold My Drink with Charleen and Ellie

Keep your dilemmas coming in - we love to answer them in our bonus episodes every Monday! This week, Charleen and Ellie are giving advice as to how to deal with having little luck with anyone you start to catch feelings for. What should you do if you can't seem to get close to your boyfriend's friend's girlfriends? Should you wait and see if a counsellor will solve your partner's mental health issues, or will it just end up hurting you? And do you drop a friend who uses you as an emotional punching bag?

This week, Charleen and Ellie are chatting with the insanely talented and very lovely, Niall Horan! Niall chats about the inspiration behind his new single, 'Meltdown', and reveals what we can expect from his upcoming album, 'The Show', which is going to be released on June 9th. He also talks us through his drink of choice on a night out, his skincare routine, his favourite podcasts (asides from Hold My Drink, of course) and tells us his biggest ick and red flag. The girls are answering your dilemmas in Secrets From The Stalls. Should you hold out for a situationship that has drifted apart when you are a hopeless romantic? And is it unhealthy to not want your best friend to grow closer to another friend of yours?

If you're in need of some advice, Charleen and Ellie are ready and waiting! How do you completely cut ties with a toxic friendship group when they won't leave you alone? Should your boyfriend's family member come between your futures? How can you save a relationship where your partner has completely distanced themselves from you? And have you made a mistake for leaving your boyfriend who doesn't want the same things as you?

Have you ever played hard to get? How do you do it? Leaving messages unopened for a while, or not viewing their stories too quickly? Charleen and Ellie tell of times where they have played hard to get. They discuss whether it's a smooth move, or if and when it works at all. The girls are answering some tricky dilemmas this week. What should you do if your boyfriend has asked you to delete all your social media and stop going to the gym for fear that you'll cheat on him? Do you chase someone who's not bothered messaging you or meeting up with you again? And should you be worried about your partner sending flirty messages to someone that he's only met once before?

We've got lots more dilemmas to answer! Should you get back with someone who got with other people so soon after your break-up, or just let them go? Do you continue to text someone who has made no action to meet up with you again after your brilliant first date? How do you deal with your boyfriend's sister who uses you as a weapon? And what's the best thing you can do when you don't receive proper closure from someone you were seeing?

You know those situations that have made you question whether you are the asshole or not? You've sent Charleen and Ellie your scenarios to discuss this week! German Word of the Week has been officially retired (RIP) and replaced with a brand new, and very funny, segment. Sip or Skip is also on a break, so the girls debate on an interesting Would You Rather question in place! Secrets From The Stalls remains, as always. Do you go back to or bin the boy who's been looking up and meeting girls he was previously with? And how to you cope with seeing an old friend group doing things together after you were forced out of the group by one of them?

This week, we've got an update on a previously answered dilemma about a friend's girlfriend keeping her away from a friend group. We hear some listener advice about people being approached by strangers in the gym. And, of course, fresh new dilemmas to help you out with. Once you fall out of love with someone, can you fall back in again? What do you do if your best friend has suddenly stopped talking to you for no particular reason? And is seeing your ex on dates making you think that you don't see a future with anyone else?

Is it a good or bad idea to go back to an ex? Charleen and Ellie have very differing experiences and opinions on the topic, in which they discuss in this week's episode. They talk about whether they have regrets about either of their decisions, or if they would change anything about how they went about things in previous (or current) relationships. The girls are answering dilemmas about a boy who has suggested meeting up with a girl, but has ghosted her now. Another about a guy that is pretty much just a "pen-pal", and what can you do if you feel you don't have any best friends or a proper group of friends?

There's updates, there's listener advice and, of course, there's brand new dilemmas in today's bonus episode. Should you move to Australia with your work "friend" who is showing red flags? What can you do if you feel as if you don't have a best friend within your friend group?

IT'S LIVE SHOW DAY! But we still bring you a brand new episode of the podcast, where Charleen and Ellie discuss some very ordinary things that shockingly they (and you!) have never done before - from eating a Big Mac and braking bones, to having a cup or tea or having a boyfriend. The girls are answering some tricky dilemmas this week too. Should you wait around for a guy you really like and can't stop thinking about, although he broke up with you because of college? How do you stop comparing yourself to your other half's ex? And should you be anxious that your boyfriend now wants to go to nightclubs with his single friends and without you?

We've got updates! We've also got brand new dilemmas to help you out with! Should you give a past fling another chance, even though he's got a girlfriend and kids now? How do you put a stop to a guy texting your boyfriend lies about you? Where should you start with research about a nose job? And how do you find confidence in your relationship, even when your partner has never given you a reason to not trust them?

Charleen and Ellie have made some big-girl decisions this week - could the girls be moving out of home for the very first time? They talk about their longest time spent living away from their family house, lessons learned from their past experiences, their feelings about potentially moving out now and what they think they will be like as housemates. The girls are also helping out with your dilemmas. How do you become confident in yourself when chatting with boys and potentially meeting up with them? What should you do if your boyfriend has ghosted you for 13 days after an amazing Valentines? And should you tell your friend that she's not going to be a bridesmaid for your other friend, when she's been led to think that she is?

Ready to hear some more dilemmas? Charleen and Ellie are ready to answer them! How should you feel about videos of "half-naked" girls appearing on your boyfriend's fyp as a result of his co-worker sending them to him? What should you do if your friends are making no effort to see you anymore? Is it materialistic to want a gift from your other half for your birthday, or should you absolutely expect to get something every year? And is the guy your seeing with someone else and trying to hide it from you?

TikTok sensation, Lauren Whelan is this week's special guest on the podcast. Lauren has 1.6 million followers on TikTok and talks about when she began posting videos online and her first viral video on the platform. She also gives us the inside scoop about the infamous GOAT House, and reveals some TikTok drama she was involved in. Lauren also helps out with your dilemmas this week, alongside Charleen and Ellie. Why is your other half going quiet on text and calls in the lead up to coming home to see you? Should you call it quits with your long-term partner after finding out they've been texting other people? And what should you do or say if you found porn on your boyfriend's phone?

We've got updates! Always keep us posted if we answer your dilemma because we love to hear how your situation is working out! Of course, there's plenty of new dilemmas to help out with too this week. Should you believe the whole "he's not ready for a relationship" when you think he might be showing you otherwise? What do you do if your best friend is making no time or effort with you since getting a boyfriend? And how do you grieve over the loss of a pet?

No, Ellie hasn't gotten married. This week, we've got one of the most special guests we've ever had on the podcast before - Ellie's mam, Mrs Kelly! She spills the beans about Ellie as a child, her most memorable stories of their family, what she thinks of a career as an influencer and the secret to a long-lasting marraige. Mrs Kelly also helps us with some of your dilemmas, including what you should do if you're not really over someone who was never fully yours and should you trust someone with a "billy big bollox" attitude?

Ready to hear some more dilemmas? Charleen and Ellie are ready to answer them! How do you confront a girl who's in your friend group but puts you down in every situation? Is it suspicious if the person you're seeing won't let you see his phone at all? Advice for when you're feeling lost and upset after a breakup? And is it a red flag if the guy you're dating only brings you to hotels and hasn't even told his mother about you?

What is a thirst trap? What kind of content is it, who posts it and who are they for? Charleen and Ellie discuss in this week's episode, and also reveal whether or not they have ever posted a thirst trap online and if they got their desired outcome from it. But is there also some toxicity in thirst trapping? As well as answering the thirst trapping questions, the girls are answering your dilemmas too. Is it okay for you to tell your friends everything about your partner? Do you keep pursuing a friendship with a someone who is never actively trying to uphold your conversations? And should you meet up with someone from Tinder when you are afraid they will get back with their ex if you don't?

We've got updates in this bonus episode! One is a shocking revelation! Of course, there are still plenty of new dilemmas to get through this week. How do you get over your ex breaking up with you out of the blue and disrespecting you? Is there anything to fix a controlling relationship? And what boundaries can you set with a friend so that you will remain friends only?

Charleen and Ellie are talking about some of the most well-known conspiracies, and some of their own superstitions, from magpies, to black cats and more. Charleen received amazing news this week, so you'll hear about that. And, of course, there's dilemmas to be helped with. Do you say something if you're boy-friend's girlfriend doesn't seem to like you? Should your boyfriend still be doing accounts for his ex's sister? How do you deal with past resentment in your healed relationship? And should you forget someone who you isn't giving you the attention and communication that you need?

Charleen and Ellie are back to answer even more of your dilemmas this week! What do you do when you find out that your boy-friend has caught feelings for you, but he hasn't told you himself? Do you bring up your drunken night of fun to your work colleague who you might be into? And how do you bring up a tough conversation with your partner who's not ready to be a father yet, but you are pregnant?

When two podcasts collide! The hilarious Grace Keeling, aka GK Barry from the Saving Grace Podcast is our very special guest this week! Grace talks about going viral on TikTok during lockdown, starting a podcast (which she didn't want to do), her favourite guests and dealing with trolls online. She also tries to pronounce Irish names, which goes...well, you'll hear for yourself. Grace gives her honest advice as she helps Charleen and Ellie with your Secrets From The Stalls? Should you let your brother's girlfriend (who you really don't think) come on a family holiday to visit you in Australia? Is your relationship just routine and toxic? And has your latex-loving boyfriend just become the biggest walking red flag?

Ellie and Sean are answering some extra dilemmas this week! Should you quit the job that you thought was your dream career? Do you confront the girl who drunkenly told you that she had slept with your boyfriend? How can you get your "mammy's boy" boyfriend to start doing things for himself? And how can you be more confident in the bedroom?

Wondering why this episode is out earlier than usual? It's because the presale for our live show in Vicar Street, Dublin on Tuesday, 4th of April is ON HAPPENING NOW! General sale will be happening this Friday, 17th of February, so make sure you get your tickets as soon as possible to avoid disappointment! This week, the wonderful Sean Phipps co-hosts with Ellie to talk about things that feel illegal, but aren't. Walking around barefoot, chewing loudly, clapping when the plane lands, mayonnaise...the list seems to go on. Sean is also helping Ellie give advice to a few of your dilemmas. Should you break up with your boyfriend when he's done nothing wrong, but you feel like you need time on your own? Is the boy with the girlfriend really flirting with you? And why is your supposed best friend acting sly and making remarks towards you all of a sudden?

The dilemmas keep coming, and Charleen and Ellie keep helping! On this episode, we give some advice on how to get over your ex who dumped you out of nowhere. Should you confront your friends if you think they are not making an effort to see you when you're living abroad? How do you deal with your in-denial boyfriend who's been looking up girls in lingerie outfits on Instagram? What should you do if your partner if a few chapters ahead of you in life, and you feel like they want you to catch up? And hear some advice for going through a raw breakup.

Do you need to ask someone to be your Valentine? If you're only seeing someone recently, do you get them something for Valentines Day? What are some gift ideas for your significant other to mark the occasion? What is a good date idea? Should you post about it on social media? Or is Valentines just a load of commercial nonsense? Charleen and Ellie are discussing all things Valentines (and Galentines) this week! We are also helping out with your dilemmas in Secrets From The Stalls. This week, it's advice for a girl who's boyfriend got her best friend pregnant, and what do to if your partner is always too tired to have sex?

*Trigger warning: There are mentions of sexual assault in this episode* We've got more updates this week! Of course, there are new dilemmas that Charleen and Ellie are helping you out with too. What advice do you need to hear if your self-confidence is ruined and you feel like you will never trust again? Are you being toxic in your relationship? And is it okay to feel annoyed about your partner lying about losing their virginity?

This week, we are joined by the lovely and super talented band, New Rules. Nathan, Alec and Ryan talk about the origins of the group, life in the band, song-writing, fan mail, icks, red flags and so much more. You can find them on social media @newrules (or @newrulestweets on Twitter). Charleen and Ellie help out with a dilemma about a "friend" pushing you out of your group, and advice for a girl who found out her boyfriend was cheating on her via an Instagram DM from a random person.

As much as giving advice to your dilemmas, we LOVE hearing updates, and there's three updates today! Disclaimer: one of them may or may not have made Charleen and Ellie cry... This week, the girls are helping out a girl who feels like she's missing out on opportunities because her boyfriend does not want to go on holidays because they are "not worth it". Should you give your ex the time to better himself and get back to the old him, or should you stop romanticising his potential and accept that things will never be the same? And how do you deal with a really bad texter?

This new TikTok trend is "the belief that you can attract good things into your life by asserting that you deserve them and that assuming you are lucky will bring you good fortune". But is it a load of waffle or is it a real thing? Charleen and Ellie talk about 'Lucky Girl Syndrome', how it is practiced and what it can do for you, and we hear some of your opinions on this new manifestation trend. In Secrets From The Stalls, the girls help out with advice for a girl who is with her boyfriend for 5 years, but keeps thinking back to an old fling. How do you bring up the "what are we" conversation to the person you're seeing? And should you reach out to the guy who told you he wanted a relationship with you, but then it turned out that he was in it for the sex?

It's that time of the week, where Charleen and Ellie help out with answering even more of your dilemmas! How do you tell your boyfriend that his mother is too involved in your relationship? Do boys come clean about cheating or do you have to investigate into it? What can you do to open yourself up for a relationship when you're scared of the heartbreak it might bring? And is your personal trainer the person that a medium told you that you would meet?

There's lots of questions that we all have but you don't know who to ask or where to go to find the answers. They are the questions that you might feel awkward or scared to ask, or think that you should already know the answer to, so you don't ask at all. That is what this episode is for! From birth control, tampons, and shaving to first time doing the deed, consider Charleen and Ellie your 'big sisters' to answer your questions! Not only are the girls answering these questions, but, as always, they are also answering your dilemmas in Secrets From The Stalls. What can you do if you think that guys see you as "easy" to get with, and you're not making any real connections with anyone? Should you confront your boyfriend if he's following and storing content from provocative accounts on social media? And is it time to hand in your notice if you're hating your job, but it's keeping you there for experience and money?

We're deep-diving into more of your dilemmas on today's bonus episode! How do you tell your friends that they need to start paying for services that you're providing as part of your business? What should you do if your boyfriend is making no effort to see you or to prioritize your relationship? And should you stick it out with a boy that keeps blowing hot and cold a lot, or just cut all contact and move on?

The girls mentioned Dry January as a potential New Year's Resolution on last week's episode. Charleen is determined to complete it. Ellie, not so much. Our producer, Leanne is on to talk about the fact that she has NEVER DRANK in her life, her reasons why and how she can go on nights out and to social events without alcohol. If you are attempting Dry January right now, or are still wanting to give it a go, the girls have some tips on how you can successfully complete it! Also on this episode, Charleen tells all about her exciting news (which you may have seen on Instagram)! There are dilemmas to be answered, as always, in Secrets From The Stalls. Should you stay friends with your ex-boyfriend got with another girl in the same college course as you? And do you cut contact with the person who dumped you out of the blue, or do you try to fight for what you once had?

Let's jump straight into some extra dilemmas for this week's bonus episode! Is there a reason why you and your sneaky link seem to keep coming back to each other? Should you give your partner another chance, even when you're family won't accept him again? And do you slowly remove yourself from your friend group if they are not making an effort to keep the friendship up now that you've moved abroad?

It may be a New Year, but it's still your favourite girls on your favourite pod, ready for a big 2023! Charleen and Ellie are chatting through the New Year's Resolutions that they have made for this year, and deciding which of them they actually think they'll stick to - from career goals, to personal improvements and buying a house?! There's plenty to digest in this episode. It's also a New Year but the same favourite segment of Secrets From The Stalls, and there's already plenty of dilemmas to help out with. Should you let your boyfriend go on a course holiday, when a girl he's gotten with in the past will be on the same trip? If an old flame keeps texting and flirting with you, should you send screenshots of the messages to his current girlfriend? And how can you feel good within yourself when you feel like you're constantly the 'single friend'?

New Year? New dilemmas! Should you continue dating a guy from Tinder if he's still seeing other people after you've have 6+ dates together? Is there any point in continuing to invite the girl who never shows? And do you have a valid reason to not get back together with your ex after you both handled your breakup so differently?

We LOVE talking red flags, but sometimes, certain things can actually be green flags. Other times, it can be difficult to differentiate the two, so this week, Charleen and Ellie are helping you to navigate the two! Liking other girls Instagram photos, when he's a mommy's boy, when they're rude to a waiter, when he buys you flowers, when they post very often on social media...are these red flags or green flags to you? Find out what the girls had to say in this episode. There are some dilemmas that need answering this week in Secrets From The Stalls. Should you keep trying for a friendship when your friends are leaving you out of things since getting with your boyfriend? Has the fella you were talking to actually split with his girlfriend (after he told you he was going to), or was it a cop out to try and cheat on her but keep it a secret? And what should you do if your boyfriend says he needs to to himself "to find himself again"?

It's the days between Christmas and New Years now, where you don't know what day it is, what time it is, or who you are anymore. What better way to keep the brains active than hearing and helping with some juicy dilemmas? Should you stay friends with a girl who's pushing you away from a friend group you introduced her to? What's the best advice if you are your siblings don't have a good relationship at all? And does it mean something when you find yourself attracted to a guy in your course, as you admit that your current relationship is boring?

This week it's our Christmas Special, and we are playing a game called 'Hold My Drink's Christmas Crackers'! There are 12 Christmas crackers that Charleen and Ellie have to pull, and whoever draws the shorter side has to pick a mystery card to answer - it could be a question to answer, a truth to reveal, a dare to do - and the girls have no idea what they could be! Even though it's the most wonderful time of the year, there are still plenty of your dilemmas that need answering. Do you wait for the boy you're texting to ask you out or how could you hint it yourself? How do you handle the feeling that nothing is going well for you in life right now? What do you do if your best friend's ex keeps trying to contact her after he got blocked? And should you resort to hacking the phone of the guy you're seeing if you don't trust him?

Ready to hear even more Secrets From The Stalls this week? Charleen and Ellie are ready to answer! Should you call out a friend after she painted you out to be a bad person, but you know she will have an answer back? How can you have confidence doing you're own thing and not suffering with FOMO, when all your friends are going out and partying? And is the reason why you were ghosted to do with a problem the boy you were talking to had within himself, or was he not attracted to you all along?

Between trips away and projects, It's been a while since Charleen and Ellie have sat down, chatted and answered some of your questions. Also, we've realised that the girls have done individual Q&As, but never one together on the podcast - so here you go! Get ready to hear about their favourite guests so far, best holiday ever, Ellie's house-hunting update and a potential soft launch of a "bae-friend" from over the weekend? It's a busy episode for Charleen and Ellie, as they are also answering your dilemmas. Do you tell the girlfriend of a man who's trying to chat you up? Should you be worried about your boyfriend *potentially* having messaged his ex on Snapchat? And is it "normal" to go through phases of feeling off in your relationship?

Our weekly bonus episode is the place to get your extra fix of the podcast. It's also the place where Charleen and Ellie get to help out with more dilemmas, because there are LOADS to get through each week! On this episode, what should you do it you're finding college really stressful? How do you bring up the conversation about the lack of intimacy in your relationship with your boyfriend? And do you have feelings for your boyfriend's best friend now?

This is an episode dedicated to the Swindlers and Spoofers. Ladies, what is the wildest lie a man has ever told you? We got you to send in yours...from pretending his child is his sibling, to getting chlamydia from a sunbed, these lies are INSANE. Charleen and Ellie help out with some of your dilemmas for Secrets From The Stalls. Should you be concerned about your boyfriend following lingerie models on social media? Are you "too protective" over your friends and partners by mistaking chatting for cheating? Which should you choose in a sticky situation, your friend's feelings or your boyfriend's feelings? And how do you deal with your partner telling you constant white lies?

It's time to dive head-first into some of your dilemmas, in the hopes of helping you out with them! Should you message the guy that's moved abroad when you left things on pretty bad terms? Has your boyfriend not had enough time to be single since his last relationship? How should you react if your partner calls you their ex's name? And is your boyfriend's bad headspace a valid excuse for messaging other girls?

The mornings are darker, the evenings are longer, the weather is colder, which means cuffing season is officially here! If you've never heard of the term before, you'll find out all about what "cuffing" is, what is involves and why it happens. Cuffing can ultimately lead to a winter boyfriend, another concept we chat about this week. Charleen and Ellie are filling you in on their recent travels to New York. Finally, there are some sticky dilemmas to try help out with. What do you do if your partner is making no effort in your relationship? How do you approach a friend that doesn't make time for you since getting a boyfriend? And should you stick out seeing a guy just because he's nice, but you're not sure if you're feeling it?

Charleen and Ellie are ready to answer some extra dilemmas on this week's bonus episode! How can you make friends as an adult? What to do if your views on life are different to your partners and you keep having the same arguments over again? Do you confront your boyfriend for putting photos of him and his ex back up on Instagram? And should you tell your best friend's brother that you have feelings for him when he's in a relationship?

Charleen and Ellie are going undercover to pull off a big surprise for one of their best friends, Caoimhe, in New York City. They talk about how they are hoping to pull it off and the feelings that come with surprising something. The girls also talk about surprises that have been done for them in the past, and surprises they would like done for them in the future - babies, dogs, engagements...! There's another boot disaster in Wait Til I Tell You, as well as a public plea from Charleen to find her missing ring. We've also got plenty of dilemmas to help out with - how to approach a friend giving you the cold shoulder for no reason? Should you get back together with your ex who seems to have grown up in your time apart, but where you still have reservations? And is a German man really THAT intense, or is it just the German culture?

We love answering your dilemmas, so keep them coming in. On this week's bonus episode, there's some tricky situations that Charleen and Ellie are helping out with. Do you try to get back together with your partner after cheating on them? Would somebody having chlamydia turn you off them? And is being drunk and stupid an excuse for night-out behavior with the lads?

*Trigger warning: There are conversations around abuse in this episode* 1 in 5 young women aged 18-25 have been subjected to abuse by a current or former male partner, and 1 in 3 of them never told anyone about the abuse. Because we know that a huge number of you that listen to Hold My Drink are within this bracket, we want to raise awareness and spread the word about supports that are available, so you don't have to suffer in silence. We are kindly joined by Mary Hayes of Women's Aid for a really important conversation about spotting the signs of abuse in relationships. Mary talks to us about how abuse happens and what you can do if you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship. She explains the different forms of abuse, such as gaslighting and love-bombing. Mary also speaks about Women's Aid's new campaign, #TooIntoYou. Chat to Women’s Aid and take the relationship quiz at toointoyou.ie If you are affected by anything you have heard on this episode, you can call the Women’s Aid 24hr National freephone helpline on 1800 341 900 or chat online at toointoyou.ie for information and support. As well as this conversation, Charleen and Ellie are answering your Secrets From The Stalls - how do you unfriend someone without the drama? Should you trust a random text message saying that your boyfriend has cheated on you? And what to do if your partner's parents heard you having sex in their house?"