Ready To Be Real by Síle Seoige

Topics covered : Motherhood, grief, loss of identity, birth trauma, breastfeeding, shedding shame, celebrity culture, awakening, humanity.In this episode I speak to Matrescence coach Jacqueline Kelly.She lives in Dublin with her husband Stuart and their two children Fionn and Molly.And in this conversation she talks to us about Motherhood, her own personal experience of it, the loss of her own mother and coming to terms with her absence and the importance of recognising all mothers.At times it’s a challenging conversation as we deal with topics such as birth trauma, breastfeeding and grief so please be aware before you listen.Resources :Alexandra Sacks on Matrescence…A new way to think about the transition to motherhood | Alexandra Sacks - YouTubeThe article I wrote sharing my own struggles with breastfeeding…Síle Seoige: My first weeks with Cathal... and why I stopped breastfeeding - Her.iePals for Palestine…(@palsforpalestine_ireland) • Instagram photos and videosAnd to connect with Jac, go to…BRAVE Hearts - Our Brave Hearts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Sleep, food, exercise, connection, sex, health appointments, past traumas.This is the third episode with Menopause coach and author, Catherine O’Keeffe known online as Wellness Warrior and once again she covers a multitude! Topics like sleep, food and exercise are discussed. The importance of checking in with yourself and going for appointments like a DEXA scan or a visit to a women’s health physio; past traumas that can revisit you during your perimenopausal years and life after menopause.Catherine's 6 M’s of Menopause – MOT, Menu, Movement, Mingle, Meaning, Minding you.There are no quick fixes when it comes to treating symptoms of menopause and regarding vitamins, herbs etc, find what works for you personally and remember to always check with your doctor before taking any supplements.If you want to reach out to Catherine, you can email her directly on [email protected] book : ‘All You Need to Know About Menopause’ is available on her website Wellness WarriorFind her our InstagramCatherine O Keeffe (@wellnesswarrior.ie) • Instagram photos and videos Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : HRT, early menopause, supplements.This episode was recorded over 3.5 years ago but is still as relevant as ever.I speak to Menopause coach and author, Catherine O’Keeffe, known online as Wellness Warrior.When I recorded this conversation with Catherine, I was 41 and hoping to have another baby. Now, I’m 45 with very fortunate to have 2 young kids but I’m also now in perimenopause and listening to this chat once again, I took so much from it.So I’ve been experiencing things like changes to my period and brain fog and a number of other typical symptoms for about 6-8 months now and this pod is full of information as Catherine delves into the physical, mental and emotional aspects of perimenopause and it’s a must listen!The conversation is split in two, to allow you to absorb the information as it’s such a complicated and sensitive topic and the experience of menopause is so different for every woman.This is the second part where talks about HRT, early menopause and she also answers a selection of your questions that were sent in on Instagram, including advice on supplements.And Part 3 is coming next week!Mentioned during the conversation* None of the brands mentioned during the conversation are sponsored and of course there are plenty of other brands on the market too.Find what works for you personally and remember to always check with your doctor before taking any supplements.Supplements B Vitamins, Omega 3, Vitamin D, Magnesium, Maca, Camu Camu, Sage and Rhodiola. Brands 'Cleanmarine MenoMin' Magnesium supplement 'MAG365' Maca capsules and powder 'Sarah's choice' Sage 'Menosan A.Vogel' Omega 3 & Vitamin D3 'MorEPA Platinum Elite' Vitamin D 'One Nutrition' or 'SOMEGA' Rhodiola 'Terranova' Camu Camu 'Sarah's Choice' Tulsi 'Pukka Tulsi Clarity Tea'If you want to reach out to Catherine, you can email her directly on [email protected] book : ‘All You Need to Know About Menopause’ is available on her website Wellness WarriorFind her our InstagramCatherine O Keeffe (@wellnesswarrior.ie) • Instagram photos and videos Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Anxiety, brain fog, flooding, hot flushes, night sweats, weight gain, aches and pains, urinary incontinence, vaginal atrophy, pelvic physio, the impact of stress, sleep. This episode was recorded over 3.5 years ago but it's still as relevant as ever.I speak to Menopause coach and author, Catherine O’Keeffe, known online as Wellness Warrior.When I recorded this conversation, I was 41 and hoping to have another baby. Now, I’m 45 and I'm very fortunate to have 2 young kids but I’m also now in perimenopause and listening to this chat once again, I took so much from it.So I’ve been experiencing things like changes to my period and brain fog and a number of other typical symptoms for about 6-8 months now and this pod is full of information as Catherine delves into the physical, mental and emotional aspects of perimenopause and it’s a must listen!Menopause is such a complicated and sensitive topic and the experience of it is so different for every woman. If you want to reach out to Catherine, you can email her directly on [email protected] Her book : ‘All You Need to Know About Menopause’ is available on her website Wellness Warrior And find her on Instagram Catherine O Keeffe (@wellnesswarrior.ie) • Instagram photos and videos Mentioned during the conversation: Prof Myra Hunter & CBT Techniques: 02-WHC-FACTSHEET-CBT-WOMEN-FEB-2023-A.pdf Products : ‘Yes organics’ Natural vaginal moisturiser ‘Olive & Bee’ Natural lubricant * 24 patch testing is very important before applying any product internally ‘Vagifem’ – prescription only, from your GP Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Purpose, self and collective care, connection, values, non-negotiables, balance, legacy. Gerry Hussey otherwise known as 'The Soul Coach' is a performance psychologist who has been working in the fields of health and performance for almost twenty years. I have huge respect for him and am lucky enough to call him a friend.Gerry and his wife Miriam are the founders of wellness platform ‘Soul Space’ and they are bringing their show ‘Coming Home’ to the National Concert Hall on the 10th of November and I know it will be an incredibly powerful day for all who attend.In this conversation he invites us to ask ourselves some important questions to help us discover what our values are, he talks about the importance of dropping judgement and he shares practical tips on how to stay regulated during challenging times.   Questions to ask ourselves :What am I here to do?Who am I here to be?What’s the legacy I am going to dare leave behind?What is the business I’m in?What would love do?Books :‘The Hero’s Journey’ by Joseph CampbellGerry’s books ‘Awaken your power within’ and ‘The Freedom Within’Coming Home, 10th November, NCH.SOUL SPACE presents Coming Home with Gerry & Miriam Hussey| NCH | Live Music & Events | National Concert Hall Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Cancer, red flags, coercive control, faith, resilience.This week I speak to the incredible Nicola Hanney.Nicola lives in Dublin with her son and she’s been through hell and back. Her book, ‘Stronger -what didn’t kill me, made me’ is out now and in this conversation, we cover elements of her story.She comes from a large family and works as a hairdresser, and 8 years ago, when she was 36 she was first diagnosed with cancer. She then went on to meet a man called Paul Moody, a former member of An Garda Síochána who terrorised her until he was convicted in 2022.Over a 14 hour period in July 2018, she received 652 messages from him. That’s one roughly every 90 seconds. The mental, emotional and physical abuse he subjected Nicola to, led him to be one of the first people in Ireland to be convicted of coercive control. And she gave up her anonymity to share her harrowing story in the hope of empowering others who find themselves in similar situations, and to highlight the early signs of abuse.If you have been affected by this episode, please go to Ireland helplines and hotlines (findahelpline.com) for a list of resources that might be beneficial.Women's Aid - Listening. Believing. Supporting. Empowering. (womensaid.ie)Home - Men's Aid (mensaid.ie)‘Taking back control’ documentary available to watch on the RTÉ Player.Taking Back Control - RTÉ Player (rte.ie)If you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.Thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Uncovering blind spots, racism, overwhelm, anxiety, panic attacks, burnout, regulation and dysregulation, consumerism, community and collective care, self-care, rupture and repair, glimmers. This week I speak to chartered psychologist, Allison Keating and it was wonderful to be in her company. She is married to Thomas and they have 3 daughters, Alannah is 15, Hayley is 12 and Brooke is 9 and they live in Dublin.And in this conversation, she talks about anxiety, overwhelm and panic attacks. How important cultivating a sense of community and connection is and how embracing ‘glimmers’ can be hugely beneficial to our lives.Her new book ‘It’s all too much’ has just launched and it is full of brilliant, practical advice including how to disrupt a panic attack and it’s a gamechanger!Find Allison on InstagramAllison Keating | thepractical.psychologist (@thepractical.psychologist) • Instagram photos and videosBook mentions -'Man’s search for meaning' by Viktor E. Frankl'White Women – everything you already know about your own racism and how to do better' by Regina Jackson and Saira Rao.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : George Floyd, Black Lives Matter movement, trauma, racism, empathy, capitalism, celebrity culture, social media, privilege, colonialism, photography, power of film and music, Palestine, injustice, grief, social justice, community.My guest this week is photographer, filmmaker, entrepreneur and social activist, the wonderful Misan Harriman.He is married to Camilla and they have 2 young daughters and they live in Surrey.He was born in Nigeria and came to England when he was a young boy to attend boarding school and the last few years in particular, have been transformative for him.On his 40th birthday he picked up a camera and his gift behind the lens has led him to photograph some of the most influential people in the world from Harry and Megan, who are good friends of his; Kate Winslet, Harrison Ford and Angelina Jolie to name but a few.He is also the chair of cultural hub, the Southbank Centre, and an ambassador for Save The Children and he was the first black man to shoot the cover of British Vogue in its 104 year history.In this conversation, he talks about George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement, celebrity culture, the power of the arts and his love of film and music, his debut short film ‘The After’ which is currently on Netflix, and how children everywhere, must be our priority.Watch :The AfterTriangle of SadnessWhite Nanny Black ChildListen :On the nature of daylight by Max RichterOther podcasts to listen to are...Farah Nabulsi : Award winning filmmaker​Sarah Durham Wilson : Rebel with a causeRóisín El Cherif : Palestinian prideCaoimhe Butterly : Collective CareDr Myriam François : Speaking truth to powerDaniel Maté : Dismantling blindspotsRuth Smith : Love and Justice Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Confidence, courage, anxiety, affirmations, bullshitting, self-talk.   In this episode I speak to Professor Ian Robertson about confidence.Ian is a clinical psychologist and neuroscientist and he is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading researchers in neuropsychology and he’s also the author of several best-selling books, including ‘How Confidence Works’.In this conversation he tells us what confidence is, what makes someone confident, how we can improve it, the differences between men and women in terms of confidence and why that is; the art of bullshitting and the power of positive self-talk.If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Poverty, heroin addiction, neglect, abuse, childhood rape, dysfunction, shame, positive influences, kindness, breaking negative cycles, therapy,  recovery, attachment, opportunities, motherhood, education, academia, love, compassion, forgiveness, healing.   Please read the full list of topics covered before you listen. I speak to the phenomenal Dr. Katriona O’Sullivan and it's an eye opening and challenging conversation at times but I highly recommend you stay with it until the end.Katriona lives in Blanchardstown in Dublin and is married to Dave and she has 3 boys, John who’s 30, Seán who’s 18, and Tadhg who’s 15 and she’s also a proud grandmother.She is a senior lecturer in Maynooth University in the department of Psychology and is the author of bestselling memoir ‘Poor’.Katriona’s childhood growing up in Coventry was often chaotic; as one of 5 kids to Irish parents living in a home shaped by heroin addiction, she experienced extreme trauma from an early age, which included being raped as a 7 year old and being pregnant and homeless, as a teenager.In this conversation she speaks about the extreme neglect she experienced in childhood, the people who were a positive force in her life, the importance of opportunities and education, and the power of healing.Book – ‘Poor’ is available in all good bookshops and online and is also available as an audio book.If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Childhood cancer, grief, perspective, gratitude. In this episode I speak to Roseanna Ruane about her wonderful daughter Saoírse who sadly passed away in March this year.We spoke a few weeks ago and in this heart-breaking conversation she talks about Saoirse, the kind and wise girl that she was, from her first cancer diagnosis when she was only 7 years old and how devastating life has been since she passed away.She talks about how much she believes in being grateful for what we have in life, and the importance in making memories.Saoirse was only 12 years old when she left this world but she left her mark in the most beautiful way.Roseanna lives in Galway with her husband Ollie, their daughter Farrah Rose and their much loved dog Willow.If you have been affected by this episode, please go to Grief & loss helplines in Ireland (findahelpline.com) for a list of resources that might be beneficial.And if you want to contact Roseanna, you can find her on Instagram (@saoirseandmamma) or if you want her to speak at an event, you can email her [email protected] uses their page to spread awareness about childhood cancer, limb loss, fertility and grief and her wish is to continue to speak about their experience in the hope that it might give people perspective on what's important in life.I’ll be taking a quick break from the pod but I'll be back again with more conversations in September. In the meantime, you can dive back into over 180 episodes and if you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places, I'd really appreciate it.Thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.Enjoy the rest of the summer agus tabhair aire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Resistance, solidarity, grief, finding purpose, empathy and selective empathy, creativity, racism, colonisation, injustice, double standards, hypocrisy, soft power.   This week I speak to Oscar nominated and BAFTA Award winning Palestinian British filmmaker and human rights advocate, Farah Nabulsi.She lives in London with her husband and their 3 children and we spoke when she was recently in Galway for the Film Fleadh.Farah's work includes 'Today They Took My Son', endorsed by British Director Ken Loach and screened at the United Nations. 'The Present', her directorial debut, which she also co-wrote and produced, went on to win over 50 International Film Festival Jury and Audience Awards, a BAFTA® award, and it scored an Oscar® nomination. Her feature length film ‘The Teacher’ (which is outstanding by the way) won Best International Film at the Galway Film Fleadh and it will be released in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from the 27th of September.We sat down to speak about shooting it exclusively in the West Bank, she also talks about how her life changed after a trip to Palestine as an adult, finding purpose in life, double standards, her Palestinian parents and so much more.For more information about this powerful film and cinema locations, go to...Home - The Teacher​And if you like this conversation, other episodes to listen to are...Ruth Smith : Love and JusticeDaniel Mate : Dismantling blindspotsDr Myriam François : Speaking truth to powerCaoimhe Butterly : Collective CareRóisín El Cherif : Palestinian pride​Sarah Durham Wilson : Rebel with a causeGalway Film Fleadh36th Galway Film Fleadh | 9 - 14 July 2024If 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.

Topics covered : Interior design, discovering your own style, trends. In this bite-sized episode I chat to interior designer Tiffany Jones of Beach House Interiors.Tiffany lives in Clare with her husband Wayne and their 3.5 year old son Guy.If you’re following me on Instagram you might be aware that we recently moved into our forever home by the sea and Tiffany was, and still is, our interior designer and now friend.In this conversation she talks about the role of an interior designer, how to figure out your personal style, the importance of budgeting and her expert opinion on trends!To contact Tiffany...Interior Designer | Beach House Interior Design | Ireland (beach-house.ie)Beach House Interiors (@beachhouse.interiors) • Instagram photos and videosIf 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.

Topics covered : Women’s health – sex, miscarriage, perimenopause, incontinence, shedding shame; motherhood and Mum guilt, Gaza and social media censorship. This week I speak to business owner, podcaster and personality, Laura Dowling, known online as the Fabulous Pharmacist.Laura lives in Dublin, with her husband Frank, their 3 boys who are 16, 13 and 11 and their dog Carlo.She worked as a pharmacist for over 20 years and is the founder & CEO of fabÜ nutritional supplements.In this conversation she talks about women’s health and the importance of shedding shame when it comes to our bodies, motherhood, the ongoing genocide in Gaza and social media censorship.fabÜ nutritional supplements – fabuwellnessIf you liked this episode, others to check out are...Alana Kirk : Midlife coachJenny Keane : Sex EducationDr. Hazel Wallace : The Food MedicDeirdre O'Kane : It only gets betterSexologist Emily Power Smith : Sex Part 1 & 2Menopause Part 1 & 2Helena Tubridy :All things FertilityIf 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.

Topics covered : Alopecia Universalas, positive birth story, empowerment, inequality, activism, allyship, grief, miscarriage, still birth, episiotomy, PRIDE, colonisation.This week I speak to celebrant and director of Entheos Ireland, Karen Dempsey, also known as The Bald Priestess.Karen lives in Dublin, with her husband Liam, their son Beineán (18), daughter Róisín (5) and their dog Milo.In this conversation Karen talks about Alopecia Universalas; coming to terms with it and how she doesn't miss her hair at all anymore. She speaks about why she set up 'Entheos', an inclusive organisation founded to serve people outside traditional faith paths and her work as a celebrant, which she is so passionate about. She shares her extraordinary home birth experience with Róisín during the chat, her thoughts on taking part in ancient pilgrimage Lough Derg, and why activism and allyship are very important to her.To connect with Karen go to….Entheos | Community • Ceremony • ChangeThe article I mentioned during the chat…Sile Seoige - My Lough Derg Diary: darkness before dawn | Irish IndependentIf 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.

Topics covered : Fibre, relaxation, routine, sleep, gut-brain axis, impact of stress, IBS, microbiome, biotics.Registered dietitian Lorraine Cooney has just released her book ‘Why you can’t go and what you can do to find life changing relief from constipation’ and this conversation is all about that!She talks about the importance of fibre, relaxation and routine when it comes to a healthy digestive system.Why supporting our microbiome is crucial and the differences between pro, pre and post biotics.I learnt a lot listening to Lorraine and I feel that my own habits have improved since we spoke. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Palestine, Sinéad O’Connor, patriarchy, patriarchal feminine, family dynamics, wellness industry, grief, activism, midlife, decolonisation, liberation for all.This week I speak to author and teacher, Sarah Durham Wilson, known on Instagram as Sarah of Magdalene.She lives in Maine with her young daughter Avalon, her cat Odin and dog Riley.She previously worked as an Arts and music writer with the likes of Rolling Stone, GQ and Vanity Fair.And in this conversation she talks about Palestine and the impact the devastation in Gaza has had on her, the patriarchy, patriarchal women, the wellness industry and the importance of decolonisation.This conversation helped me enormously and I think it could for you too.Books :‘Maiden to Mother’ by Sarah Durham Wilson‘The Great Cosmic Mother’ by Monica Sjöö and Barbara Mor‘God is a Black Woman’ by Christena ClevelandIf you like this conversation, other episodes to listen to…Ruth Smith : Love and JusticeDaniel Mate : Dismantling blindspotsDr Myriam François : Speaking truth to powerCaoimhe Butterly : Collective CareRóisín El Cherif : Palestinian prideAlana Kirk : Midlife coachHolly Cairns : Politics is PersonalIf 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.

Topics covered : Politics, Gaza, threat of the Far-right, people power.This week I speak to farmer, scientist, feminist and leader of the Social Democrats, Holly Cairns.She lives in West Cork on her family farm with her partner Barry, her dog Hei Hei and her cat Blaze.And in this conversation she talks about growing up in a blended family, her bond with her mother, how she got into politics, her stance on the devastating situation in Gaza, the threat of the Far-right and the importance of unity, now, more than ever.I have wanted to sit down and chat to Holly for a very long time as she's someone I really admire so I am delighted that we made it happen.We met in 2019 for the first time and I liked her instantly.She was genuine, down to earth and great company and I for one, am so glad that she decided to venture into politics, as her voice is so badly needed in the Dáil.​Political quiz2024 Political Quiz (isidewith.com)checktheregister.ieIf 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.

Topics covered : Failure, faith, religion, awareness, meditation, death, compassion, love. This is a re-release of an episode I recorded with author, playwright, podcaster, poet and all-round wonderful human being, Michael Harding in December 2022.Michael is someone I had wanted to speak to for years so it was an absolute pleasure to speak with him.In this enlightening conversation we talk about his love of religion, the power of failure and finding the extraordinary in the ordinary.His latest book ‘All the things left unsaid – confessions of love and regret’ is a stunning collection of letters he wrote for the people who deeply affected him over the years and it’s available now in all good bookshops.He's charmingly self-deprecating, reflective and his voice is one I could listen to forever. I hope you enjoy our conversation.If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shelly Mooney is a historian and artist who lives in County Wexford with her husband Kev, their sonFerdia and Lola their dog and she runs the brilliant Instagram page ‘Tales from the Wood’ which explores the history and mythology of Ireland.In this bite-sized episode she talks to us about the ancient Celtic festival of Bealtaine. She speaks of the importance of the Hill of Uisneach, the tradition of handfasting at this time, and the significance of the Hawthorn tree. The Hill of Uisneach - The Sacred Centre of Ireland.If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Illness, grief, miscarriage, motherhood, divorce, diet culture, overcoming challenges, self-regulation, thriving.  This week I speak to author and midlife coach, Alana Kirk.Originally from Belfast, Alana lives in Dublin with her three teenage daughters, Daisy (18), Poppy (16) and Ruby (13), their 2 cats, Tiggy and Puka and their rescue dog Mojo.She works as a midlife coach and is in the process of writing her third book.And in this conversation she shares her own story with us which is really powerful. We also talk about how much our lives have changed in the 16 years since we first met, and throughout our conversation she shares nuggets of wisdom and practical tips to bring into our own lives.Alana is a gorgeous person, she’s compassionate and quick witted and I took so much from this chat.Her current book is ‘Midlife, redefined: Better, Bolder Brighter’, a self-guided exploration of you and your midlife, with exercises so the reader ends up with her own bespoke midlife (wo)manual.She can be found at www.themidlifecoach.org and on Instagram @midlifecoach and for Alana's next online workshop Revive & Thrive, which is focussing on overwhelm, click https://www.themidlifecoach.org/revive&thriveIf you like this pod, you might appreciate previous episodes like the one I recorded with visibility coach Kate O’Dwyer from October 2023, and the Menopause episodes with Catherine O’Keeffe from April 2021.If you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : the factors that impact our sleep, the benefits of good sleep and how to improve it.This week I speak to clinical hypnotherapist and bestselling author, Fiona Brennan.She lives in Dublin with her husband and business partner Ciarán, teenage son Luca and their dog Rosie.And in this conversation she explores some of the elements in her latest book ‘Sleep well - 8 habits to help you fall asleep, stay asleep and wake up refreshed’,our individual chronotypes, the power of napping and what to do if we’re in a negative feedback loop when it comes to our sleep. For Fiona’s one day retreat on the 19th of May in Wicklow, click here…https://thepositivehabit.com/the-sleep-well-experience-one-day-retreat-wicklow/ And if you enjoyed this episode, please search previous sleep episodes with sleep coach Tom Coleman, from August 2020 along with a 7 minute sleep meditation I recorded also back in 2020. If you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Palestinian heritage, injustice, speaking up, Zionism, artwashing.This week I speak to Irish Palestinian artist, Róisín El Cherif and it's a powerful conversation.Her Mom is Irish and her father is from Gaza and she has lived in Galway for 18 years now.She talks about growing up as an Irish-Palestinian and she shares her perspective on the past 6 months, in particular.This month Róisín will also be releasing a very special song with all the proceeds going to Palestinians causes, so keep an eye out for that.Book mention : Becoming Pro-Palestinian edited by Rosemary SayighThe song that Róisín sings at the end of the conversation :Zahret El Madaen (Flower of cities ) Fairouz - 1967‎لأجلك يا مدينة الصلاة أصلي‎لأجلك يا بهية المساكن يا زهرة المدائن‎يا قدس يا قدس يا مدينة الصلاة‎عيوننا إليك ترحل كل يوم‎تدور في أروقة المعابد‎تعانق الكنائس القديمة‎و تمسح الحزن عن المساجد‎يا ليلة الأسراء يا درب من مروا إلى السماء‎عيوننا إليك ترحل كل يوم و انني أصل​​'It is for you O city of the prayer that I prayIt is for you O splendid home, O flower of the citiesO Jerusalem​, O Jerusalem​, O Jerusalem​, O city of the prayerOur eyes are set out to you everydayThey walk through the porticos of the templesEmbrace of the old churchesAnd take the sadness away from the mosquesO night of Al asra O path of those who left for the skyOur eyes are set out to you everyday and I pray​'If you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : The power of play in building connection with kids, touch, secure attachment, body acceptance, positive modelling, rupture and repair, breaking negative behaviours, resilience building.This week I speak to child and adolescent psychotherapist Debbie Cullinane.She lives in Mayo with her husband James and their two kids, Elsie and Freddie.  And in this conversation, she talks about the power of play in building connection with our children and why positive modelling and apologising is so important.It’s an episode full of practical advice. I loved it and I hope you will too!To connect with Debbie…Home - Debbie CullinaneDebbie Cullinane Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist MA (@debbiecullinane_) • Instagram photos and videosBook mention : Colleen Hoover ‘It ends with us’If you like this episode, check out previous conversations with Richard Hogan and Sarah Nicole Landry (The Birds Papaya).If you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Perfectionism, people pleasing, the impact of the Covid pandemic, anxiety, loneliness, marriage breakdown, grief, guilt, therapy, change, freedom, same-sex relationship, rumours, finding joy, childfree by choice.This week I speak to Cat Lawlor, baker and owner of 'The Cake Cuppery' and it’s a gripping conversation.Originally from Dublin, Cat now lives in Wexford with her girlfriend Louise and their two cats. In this conversation we chat about listening to your gut instinct, overcoming challenges in life and ultimately finding joy.Cat speaks openly about the end of her marriage, obviously from her perspective, and out of respect for her ex-husband, he is not named during the conversation as we fully appreciate how difficult hearing a conversation like this, might be for him.To connect with Cat or Louise…Cat L. Walsh (@thecakecuppery) • Instagram photos and videosEmail [email protected] O Brien | Online Coach (@louise_badasscoaching) • Instagram photos and videos Book mention : ‘Feel the fear and do it anyway’ by Susan JeffersIf 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.

Topics covered : Palestine, protests, social justice, community, paradigm shift, hope.This week, my guest is Caoimhe Butterly who is an educator, a human rights activist, filmmaker & trained therapist, who has worked as a volunteer ambulance worker in Gaza, alongside Palestinian paramedics, and has also spent years in the West Bank.She was born in Ireland to Irish parents who migrated to Canada when she was a baby, where she spent the first 10 years of her life and then she lived in Mauritius and Zimbabwe for 8 years.She has worked with refugee and displaced communities for over 25 years in Palestine, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Mexico, Guatemala, Haiti, Ukraine, Greece, Calais and elsewhere & currently works in psychosocial and trauma support work, with humanitarian responders and refugee communities.In this conversation she shares her perspective on the now which includes the global shift in consciousness, the power and benefit of connecting to liked minded people, Palestinian joy and the importance of collective care.If you enjoyed this episode you might appreciate previous conversations with Ruth Smith, Daniel Maté and Dr. Myriam François.If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 heartbreaking impact of them on a relationship and if it’s possible to heal after betrayal.If you connected with Richard during this conversation, you can check out his previous episodes from last summer and the one he recorded earlier this year about anxiety, especially in kids and teenagers.Book mention : ‘The 5 love languages’ by Gary ChapmanIf 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.

Topics covered : Palestine, people power, social justice, privilege, culture, indigenous languages, Gaeilge, patriarchy, oppression, being Muslim, Brené Brown, whiteness, female empowerment.   This week, journalist, filmmaker, podcaster, presenter and writer, the remarkable Dr. Myriam François is my guest.Myriam is a Londoner whose mother is Irish (she's from Leitrim), and her father is French. Her award-winning, directorial debut documentary is ‘Finding Alaa’ and her podcast is ‘We need to talk about whiteness’. She’s been a Muslim since she was 21 and when she was younger she also starred in a number of films, including acting alongside Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet in the Oscar winning ‘Sense and Sensibility’ when she played the role of younger sister Margaret.In this conversation though, we talk about the recent Sky interview she did that went viral ('I'm so sorry your Amazon packages are delayed!'), the importance of indigenous languages, Palestine, Brené Brown’s recent statement on what’s happening there, and why she’s not really a fan of the word activist.She’s a woman of integrity and intelligence and it was an absolute honour to speak to her.Book mention : ‘Black faces, white masks’ by Frantz FanonAnd if you connected to this episode, other Ready to be Real podcast recommendations are :'Daniel Maté : Dismantling blindspots', 19th January 2024 and 'Ruth Smith : Love and Justice', 15th December 2023.If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Fear, regret, fertility journey, acceptance, career change, anxiety, toxic positivity, triggers, comparisons, peak performance.Life coach Mark Fennell is back on the pod!Mark is married to Fiona and has spent over 20 years helping people through his coaching business.His online following has grown massively over the past few years too and on Instagram, he currently has 160K followers and is known for his video content.We last spoke over 2 years ago and his episodes are still hugely popular with listeners.In this conversation, he talks about his brand new book ‘Breakthrough - practical steps for moving from stuck to unstoppable’.Mark is speaking of his own experience in this episode and is certainly not advising not going to therapy.If you're struggling, reach out and speak to a professional.Mentions:Book ‘Man's search for meaning’ by Viktor FranklMen in Black movie reference : NeuralyzerNick VujicicHome - Nick VujicicTo contact Mark, go to…https://markfennell.ie/If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : TV presenting, change, leaving on her terms, her Mum Brenda, grief, parenting, family life, synchronicities and signs.This week I speak to TV presenter Karen Koster who lives in Dublin with her husband John, a retired businessman and their 3 kids, Finn who is 9, JJ who is 8 and their daughter Eve who is 5, along with their dogs Brownie and Nidge!She has a degree in English literature and French from Trinity and she has been working in TV for the past 20 years.In this conversation she talks about her decision to step away from her much loved presenting job with Virgin media’s The Six O Clock show late last year to spend more time with her family and explore new career options.And she also speaks about her Mum Brenda, who died suddenly 2 years ago this May and she shares how she is coming to terms with her passing.If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Accountability, acceptance, action, hoarding, guilt, repetition, transformation. This week I speak to stylist Fiona Hayes who lives in Limerick with her husband Trevor, their 2 boys Matthew and Ross, along with her Dad Nick. She has been dressing people for over 15 years, many who are well known. She also runs her own bespoke retail events company, and she has appeared on TV from Channel 4’s Queen of Frocks to TV3 and most recently RTÉ’s Today show.And in this conversation she shares a lot of style tips with us, along with the importance of doing a wardrobe detox, the benefit of upcycling and what to spend your money on when it comes to your clothes.You can find out more on her Instagram page @fhstyle or email her fiona@fhstyleResources :Online apps /stores for vintagehttps://www.vestiairecollective.com/https://www.depop.com/https://linktr.ee/thriftify.comhttps://whackvintage.ieInstagram - @corkclothesswap Bra fitting services  www.peachesandcream.iewww.arnotts.ie Vamp Lingerie Limerick Sheer Elegance Lingerie Nenagh  Rental  www.theivorycloset.comwww.soha.ieIf 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.

Topics covered : Overcorrection, parenthood, perfectionism, overwhelm, labelling, resilience, smart phones, porn, the importance of setting boundaries.Originally from Douglas in Cork, psychotherapist Richard Hogan lives in Dublin with his wife and their 3 daughters.He writes a weekly column with the Irish Examiner and often appears on TV and Radio and he specialises in working with families.He’s also written two books ‘ Parenting the screenager’ and ‘Home is where the start is’ and during this conversation he talks about anxiety in kids and teenagers, the importance of building resilience in our kids, the impact of mobile phones and the prevalence of porn use and how that is affecting the lives of young people. He covered so much and as always, I learnt so much by listening to him, especially on the importance of asking your kid questions.If you found this conversation useful, I recommend you check out Richard's previous episode from last summer, if you haven’t heard it already.And he’ll be back again soon, next time with a totally different topic.Richard is pushing for legislation around pornographic material and limiting access to children which is the unfortunate current reality.I’ve signed my name, I hope you will too, thanks.Please sign this petitionIf 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.

Topics covered : his relationship with his Dad Gabor, Zionism, privilege, Jewishness, Palestinians, heartbreak, perspective, purpose.This week I speak to the brilliant Daniel Maté and it’s a conversation that has really helped me and I think you’ll feel the same when you listen to it.Originally from Vancouver, Canada, he now lives in Brooklyn, New York and he’s an award-winning composer, lyricist, and playwright for musical theatre. Outside of music and theatre, he runs the world’s only “mental chiropractic” service, ‘Take a walk with Daniel’.He also co-authored the New York Times bestselling book, ‘The Myth of Normal : Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture,’ with his father Dr. Gabor Maté and they have a second book in the works, ‘Hello Again: A Fresh Start for Parents and Their Adult Children’, based on their popular workshops of the same title.For those who are not aware of Daniel's background, his great grandparents died in the Auschwitz concentration camp and his father Gabor was a holocaust survivor and a former Zionist.He also went to a Zionist summer camp in childhood, so his perspective on what's currently happening, is really valuable.In the first half of our conversation he talks about his work, his relationship with his father and how different they are as people.And then later, we discuss Palestine and what he has to say is enlightening.He talks about Zionism, privilege and what he learnt about himself during his time in a Mexican jail.If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Cork, Sunday March 24thThe Myth of Normal with Daniel Maté - www.pcpsi.ieGalway, Thursday 28th MarchDaniel Maté – monroesgalwayTo take a ‘walk with Daniel’…WALK WITH DANIEL: a mental chiropractic service Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Money scripts - avoidance, vigilance, status seeker, worshipper; scarcity, self-sabotage, ancestral trauma, financial infidelity, secret spending, sales, marketing, dopamine, advice.In my first episode of 2024, I speak to Loretta Kennedy about money.She's an accredited trauma informed money coach with a background in business, psychology and counselling. Originally from Mayo, Loretta lives in Cork with Ruairí, her soon to be husband, and partner of 20 years and their 3 daughters.And in this conversation she covers a multitude, from the different types of money scripts that we operate from and our behaviour around money, what happens to us when we spend, money issues in relationships and she also shares practical tips on how best to approach our finances.Resources :The Century of the Self: The rise of consumerismhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnPmg0R1M04Book mention - Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T Harv EkerMoney Script quiz:https://www.bradklontz.com/moneyscriptstestIf you are in financial difficulty:https://mabs.ie/To contact Loretta https://loretta-kennedy.com/https://www.instagram.com/itslorettakennedy/Free masterclass she is running: Prosperity & Purpose Jan 18thhttps://steep-cloud-220.myflodesk.com/l13w8flp8eIf 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.

Topics covered : her childhood, the power of journaling, self-worth, being wronged, sitting with pain, authenticity, gaslighting, boundaries, growth, inner child, healing.  Over the Christmas break, I’m re-releasing some powerful episodes from 2023 and in February, I spoke to Lebanese-Canadian author, poet, speaker, activist and educator, the incredible Najwa Zebian.Najwa being a guest on ‘Ready to be Real’ is a dream come true for me as she is someone I have long admired.She grew up in a conservative Muslim household and writing helped her process and heal from past pain.Her voice is incredibly soothing, and she has a wonderful way of simplifying complex topics.And in this conversation she speaks about being ‘wronged’ and how best to manage it, self-worth and sitting with your pain, gaslighting, the importance of boundaries and how to heal.And at the end of the conversation, I ask her a question that has a profound impact on both of us.You can find Najwa’s latest book ‘Trust Your Heart’ online and in audio form on her website Najwa Zebian | Author. Speaker. Creator | Author. Speaker. CreatorIf 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.

Topics covered : Parents separating, trauma, guilt, alcoholism, addiction, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, success, rock bottom, hope, finding meaning, love, purpose.  I’m on a break over the Christmas period so I am re-releasing a few episodes over the next few weeks that really connected with listeners from 2023.In September I spoke to dog lover and activist Niall Harbison.If you’re an animal lover and you’re on social media, there is a strong possibility that you already follow Niall.Originally from Co. Tyrone, he grew up in Brussels but never lost his Irish accent.And over the past 21 months he has been devoting his time to help save street dogs in Thailand.And to fully understand the man he is today; we need to go back through some of the experiences that have shaped him in his life. When he was 13, his parents separated, and his mother then had a relationship with an abusive partner which had a massive impact on him. He has been a private chef of Billionaires, a successful and at times controversial entrepreneur, and at his lowest point he found himself in ICU after a drink and drug fuelled binge.He's been sober for about 3 years now and his mission is to half the population of stray dogs in the world over the next 20-30 years.His book – ‘Hope - how street dogs have taught me the meaning of life’ was released this Autumn and it’s an incredible read.I hope you feel inspired by our conversation as Niall is the perfect example of how it’s never too late to change your life.For more information on the work he’s doing and if you’d like to donate…Click hereResources :If you need to talk to someone, you can contact a Samaritan on Freephone 116 123 or email [email protected] 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.

Topics covered : Gaza and the occupied territories, Palestine, occupation, Gabor Maté, trauma, visibility, activism, grief, social media, compassion, truth, change.In my final conversation of the year and one of the most important I’ve ever had, I speak to Ruth Smith.Ruth is a multi-disciplinary artist, teacher and body worker who lives in Galway with her husband Fergal, her Mother-in-Love Marie and their pack of 3 schnauzer dogs and their 3 legged cat.And during this topical conversation she speaks about her visit to the West Bank earlier this year and the impact it had on her, the importance of activism and visibility when it comes to the current situation in Gaza and the occupied territories, and how connecting with like-minded people is so important.This is an episode for everyone and one I hope will be shared by those who listen.We recorded it over 2 separate days, as so much had happened since our first chat, including the US vetoing a resolution calling for a ceasefire.If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real, it really means so much to me.Grá mór XSome links and resources:  Here's a link to the movie 1948 Creation and Catastrophe https://www.1948movie.com Here's a link to Gabor Maté's Q&A with SAND - Science and Non Duality https://youtu.be/NFmJpzBYCvI?si=QWeG-M61lg14LBEDThere is another Q&A with him on Friday 15th at 17:00GMT if anyone wants to join live or you can watch it back on YouTube. Here's the link to join live https://scienceandnonduality.com/event/roots-run-deep-2/ Follow @wizard_bisan1 a young female journalist on the ground in Gazawizard_bisan1 @motaz_azaiza a young male photographer and journalist on the ground in Gazamotaz_azaiza @_kateodwyer_ for somatic practices and calls to action_kateodwyer_ @maggiemckeeveryoga for trauma informed and community care yoga practicesmaggiemckeeveryoga @kitty_maguire_menstrual_mentor for sacred activismkitty_maguire_menstrual_mentor @raeekayassaie for social justice contentraeekayassaie Raeeka - British Iranian Activist on Instagram and her Grieve. Integrate. Act. Rest.  @irish.artists.for.palestine for information on cultural events across all art form all over the Island of Irelandirish.artists.for.palestine Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Gay Byrne, nostalgia and memories, the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s in Ireland, love and grief.In the penultimate episode of the year, I speak to Suzy Byrne about her Dad, legendary broadcaster, Gay Byrne.Suzy is married to Ronan and they have three children Cia, Sadhbh and Saoirse.Being the daughter of one of our best-known broadcasters, this conversation gives us an insight into the man Gay Byrne was at home, from one of the people who knew him best.She also talks about a book she has complied called‘Dear Gay- letters to the Gay Byrne show, a handwritten history of Ireland’.Available in all good bookshops.If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Fame, trolling, overwhelm, mental health, faith, spirituality, pregnancy announcement, joy, self-care. Last Friday in Galway, I sat down with dynamic duo Tadhg and Derry Fleming and had this wonderfully open conversation.Tadhg and his Dad, Derry are part of the Fleming family that we know and love from Kerry, who shot to fame when a bat flew into the family home 6 years ago and the video went viral.Mother Maureen and sisters Sadhbh and Maryanne, along with Tadhg’s wife Alannah and their much-loved dogs complete the extended Fleming family…for now!Tadhg is open and grounded and 2023 was a big year for him as he and Alannah married in May, but next year will be an even bigger year as they’ll become parents.Derry works in the credit union and is a deep soul, who wears his heart on his sleeve and I’ve had the pleasure of meeting the whole family and they are the real deal.In this conversation we get a much better sense of who they really are, what matters to them, how important faith is in their lives and simply put ,what genuine, gorgeous people they are.They don't do many podcasts, or interviews for that matter, so I felt incredibly lucky that they said yes to this chat.Enjoy and let me know what you think!If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Secrecy, shame, alcoholism, depression, anxiety, friendship, recovery, honesty, grief, love, polyamory, fatherhood. This week I caught up with comedian and radio presenter PJ Gallagher.PJ lives in Clontarf in Dublin with his partner Kelly and their 12-week-old twins Milo and Stevie.He presents the breakfast show on Nova with his friend Jim McCabe, he’s also currently working on a documentary for RTÉ and his book ‘Mad House – The naked truth about my chaotic childhood, losing my mind and finding a place to call home’ is out now and it’s a brilliant read.We spoke back in the summer of 2021; and it was a chat that really resonated with listeners. (You can scroll back and listen if you’d like)So this conversation picks up where we left off the last time, he speaks about his 3 month stay in St. Patricks Mental Health services, meeting his now partner Kelly, fatherhood, polyamory and knowing what works for his mental wellbeing.If you like this podcast, please show your support by leaving a rating or a little comment on Apple and by clicking follow on Spotify, I’d be so thankful. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Poverty, heroin addiction, neglect, abuse, childhood rape, dysfunction, shame, positive influences, kindness, breaking negative cycles, therapy,  recovery, attachment, opportunities, motherhood, education, academia, love, compassion, forgiveness, healing.   This week I speak to the phenomenal Dr. Katriona O’Sullivan.She lives in Blanchardstown in Dublin and is married to Dave and she has 3 boys, John who’s 30, Seán who’s 18, and Tadhg who’s 15 and she’s also a proud grandmother.She is a senior lecturer in Maynooth University in the department of Psychology and is the author of bestselling memoir ‘Poor’.Katriona’s childhood growing up in Coventry was often chaotic; as one of 5 kids to Irish parents living in a home shaped by heroin addiction, she experienced extreme trauma from an early age, which included being raped as a 7 year old and being pregnant and homeless, as a teenager.In this conversation she speaks about the extreme neglect she experienced in childhood, the people who were a positive force in her life, the importance of opportunities and education, and the power of healing.It is an eye opening and challenging conversation at times but I highly recommend you stay with it until the end.Book – ‘Poor’ is available in all good bookshops and online and is also available as an audio book.If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Human emotions, family dynamics, emotional triggers, trauma, expectation, spirituality, parenthood, attachment, regulating emotions, the importance of repair, change, evolving, current situation in Gaza, shame, guilt, forgiveness.Gerry Hussey otherwise known as 'The Soul Coach' is a performance psychologist who has been working in the fields of health and performance for almost twenty years.He and his wife Miriam are the founders of wellness platform ‘Soul Space’ and along with their son Eli who’s 3.5 and their daughter Bethany who recently turned 1, they split their time between Ireland and Portugal and they’re simply wonderful people.We spoke in Galway on the 1st of November, the day his latest book ‘The Freedom Within’ was released.During our conversation, he delves into family dynamics and emotional triggers, parenthood and the importance of repair, the current situation in Palestine and the power of forgiveness.It’s a thought provoking and comforting episode but make sure you’re aware of the content before you listen.Gerry’s show ‘The Freedom Within’ is happening this Sunday the 12th of November in the National Concert Hall in Dublin and there may be a few tickets still left.Click on the link to find out…The Freedom Within | NCH | Live Music & Events | National Concert HallIf 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.

Topics covered : Celtic calendar, Samhain, An Chailleach, Fionn Mac Cumhaill, The Hill of Tara.Historian and artist Shelly Mooney is back on the pod once again, this time to tell us all about Samhain.Shelly lives in County Wexford with her husband Kev, their son Ferdia and Lola their dog and she runs the brilliant Instagram page ‘Tales from the Wood’ which explores the history and mythology of Ireland.And in this bite-sized episode she talks to us about the ancient festival of Samhain and its connection to The Hill of Tara. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Divine timing, hope, fear, trolling, homophobia, birth experience, surrogacy, legal process, parenthood, grief, social media, manifesting, destiny.   In this episode I catch up with Brian and Arthur on the release of their book, ‘Modern Family’.This is the third time I’ve recorded a conversation with them both, and if you fancy tuning into the earlier episodes (released 20th March 2020 and 25th June 2022) feel free to listen back. We sat down to speak a few weeks ago on the 4th of October and this is by far the most emotional and vulnerable they have both been in any conversation I have ever heard with them, as their book reveals more than they ever have before; including Arthur’s upbringing and being a refugee, and the difficult news they received on their path to parenthood. And we also pick up where we left off the last time we spoke, as they talk us through the day Blake was born, life now as Fathers and their hopes to expand their family. Prepare to laugh and cry.  Book : ‘Modern Family – Births, marriages, deaths and everything in between’ is available online and in all good bookshops now. If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Gut instinct, emotional unavailability, people pleasing, boundaries, toxic relationships, fear, conditioning, perimenopause, health concerns, parenting, breaking the cycle of dysfunction.In this episode I speak to author and relationship expert, Natalie Lue.She lives in Surrey with her husband Emmon and teenage daughters, Saria (16) and Nia (14) and I’ve been a fan of her work for many years now.When she was 10 she came to live in Ireland and when she was 23 she moved to London to go to University and she has lived there since.We sat down in the summer, and she spoke about her upbringing and breaking up with her mother, yes you heard that right! And she also spoke about her book ‘ The Joy of Saying No’ which is a fantastic read. And I started the conversation by asking her about her brilliant blog ‘Baggage reclaim’ which covers topics like emotional unavailability, people pleasing and boundaries.Her book : ‘The Joy Of Saying No’If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Grief, trauma, legacy, divine timing, signs, menstruality, spirituality, shedding shame, woman wound, trauma resolution, healing, honouring the stages of life, power of retreat.In this episode I speak to menstrual mentor Kitty Maguire.Kitty lives in Dublin with her partner Sam, her two nephews, their dog Winnie Wagtail & Bertie the cat.She has pioneered menstruality work in Ireland for almost 10 years, providing therapeutic sessions, rituals and circles for women, girls and people who want to nurture a healthier embodied connection to their womb and cycles.She has held space for thousands of people through the years. Through her comprehensive training Red Alchemy, online or in schools she shares the wisdom of the cycle through the spirit, science and sacredness of menstruality and Irish spirituality.  And she recently featured in Richie Sadlier’s brilliant documentary, ‘Let’s Talk About Sex’ on RTÉ.Her Mother, playwright Jo Egan, was a highly respected and influential figure in the Northern Ireland arts scene. And last Christmas, she died, which came as a huge shock to all who knew and loved her.At the time of her death, she had a project in development with the Abbey theatre in Dublin.And during our conversation Kitty speaks about her Mam and shares how she’s been navigating life since her passing. She also speaks about her own work, the importance of healing and she gives us an overview of the menstrual cycle.For more, go to http://www.kittymaguire.comIf 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.

Topics covered : Imposter syndrome, vulnerability, shedding shame, triggers, self-sabotage, apologising, blocks, boundaries, self-worth, ADHD, conditioning, reclaiming.  In this episode I speak to body-based visibility and business coach, Kate O’Dwyer.She lives in Dublin with her partner Jim and their 1.5 year old son, Ned.She's been the senior guest booker on The Tommy Tiernan Show on RTE for the past 7 seasons and her passion is in supporting women to step into their fullest self-expression so that they can share their work, their words, and their wisdom.She believes that our visibility can heal and embolden each other to build the world we all want to live in.And in this conversation she shares her own experience with us, she speaks about visibility blocks and what they might look like and shows us how to step into our power.If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Celtic calendar, Autumn equinox, Loughcrew cairns, equinox stone, Megalithic Ireland, Newgrange, An Chailleach. Historian and artist Shelly Mooney is back on the pod once again, this time to tell us all about the Autumn equinox. Shelly lives in County Wexford with her husband Kev, their son Ferdia and Lola their dog and she runs the brilliant Instagram page ‘Tales from the Wood’ which explores the history and mythology of Ireland.This year, the Autumn equinox will begin tomorrow, September 23rd, and will last until the winter solstice on the 21st of December.And in this bite-sized episode she talks to us about the significance of the Autumn equinox, the Loughcrew cairns in county Meath, Newgrange and the powerful and ancient Irish goddess, An Chailleach.  For more :Loughcrew Cairns | Heritage Ireland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Mindful awareness, meditation, reframing distractions, depression, anxiety, long covid, recovery, technology, smart phones, overcoming suffering, spiritual growth, personal development, reflection, wisdom. In this episode I speak to Buddhist monk, the wonderful Gelong Thubten. Gelong is a title meaning monk and Thubten is hugely respected for his work in the area of spiritual growth and personal development. His first book ‘A Monks Guide to Happiness’  was a global bestseller and his latest book has just been released ‘Handbook for Hard Times: A monk's guide to fearless living.’ In this conversation we learn about his path to becoming a monk, he speaks about the importance of relishing micro moments in our day, reframing distractions when meditating and he also guides us through a wonderful mindful practice towards the end of the chat too. If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Parents separating, trauma, guilt, alcoholism, addiction, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, success, rock bottom, hope, finding meaning, love, purpose.   It's great to be back after the summer break and what a perfect episode to kick off the new series!If you’re an animal lover and you’re on social media, there is a strong possibility that you already follow Niall Harbison.Originally from Co. Tyrone, he grew up in Brussels and over the past 18 months he has been devoting his time to helping to save street dogs in Thailand.And to fully understand the man he is today; we need to go back through some of the experiences that have shaped him in his life. When he was 13, his parents separated, and his mother went on to have a relationship with an abusive partner which had a massive impact on him. He has been a private chef of billionaires, a successful and at times controversial entrepreneur, and at his lowest point he found himself in ICU after a drink and drug fuelled binge.He has been sober for about 2 years and 9 months now and his mission is to half the population of stray dogs in the world over the next 20-30 years.His book – ‘Hope - how street dogs taught me the meaning of life’ is just out and it’s an incredible read.I hope you feel inspired by our conversation as Niall is the perfect example of how it’s never too late to change your life.For more information on the work he’s doing and if you’d like to donate…Click hereResources :If you need to talk to someone, you can contact a Samaritan on Freephone 116 123 or email [email protected] 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.