Ready To Be Real by Síle Seoige

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.

Topics covered : Family dynamics, dyslexia, addiction, alcoholism, inner critic, secrecy, shame, labels, attachment styles, genogram, parenting, healthy boundaries, position in the family, breaking negative patterns, positive and negative family legacies, forgiveness.In this episode I speak to psychotherapist Richard Hogan about family dynamics.Originally from Douglas in Cork he lives in Dublin with his wife and their 3 daughters.He writes a weekly column with the Irish Examiner and often appears on TV and Radio.He specialises in working with families and he’s just released his second book ‘ Home is where the start is’ and I found this conversation illuminating.During it he shares elements of his own upbringing with us and gives us plenty of tips on how best to navigate our own family dynamics and ultimately help us to live healthier and more authentic lives. I loved it and I hope you will too.You can also dive back into over 130 episodes of Ready to be Real to keep you going over the summer as this is where I’ll take a break.I’ll be back in the Autumn with a brand new selection of thought-provoking episodes and as always I am so grateful for all the love and support I get here.If you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.Have a gorgeous summer and thanks for listening to Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : What is Human Design, understanding your chart, energy types, profile lines, centres.In this conversation Human Design practitioner Nicole Crosbie explains what Human Design is and how to get your unique chart. She also gives us an overview of the chart which includes the energy types and the profile lines and she also touches on the centres…this is all stuff that will hopefully make sense once you listen to the episode.And to get the most out of it, I’d recommend that you do your chart before you listen.To get your chart, you’ll need the following information:Your date, time and place of birth.Click here for free or use one of the many free links found online to give you your own unique chart…Get your chart here* Nicole is giving all listeners of Ready to be Real, 30% off a reading with her until the end of August 2023The code is SILE30So if you’re interested, go to her website, www.nicolecrosbie.com or her Instagram page or you can email her directly [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 : Psychotherapy, music, management, her relationship with her husband Tommy, motherhood, self-acceptance, social media.  In this episode I speak to singer, manager, producer and psychotherapist, Yvonne Tiernan. Originally from Dublin, Yvonne has lived in Galway with her husband Tommy for 20 years and they have 3 kids together. She is such an impressive person (a label we unpack during the conversation) who is gifted in many different areas of life. ‘The Raines’, the folk trio she’s part of, have released their debut album ‘Reverie’ and are touring across the country this summer. And during this conversation we get a sense of who she is and what’s important to her, as she speaks about her love of her work as a psychotherapist, her career in the entertainment industry, her relationship with her husband Tommy who she finds endlessly fascinating, and how minding others is really important to her. The Raines play in Monroe’s as part of the Galway Folk Festival on the 17th of June and Matt Molloy’s in Westport on the 18th of June. For a full list of tour dates and to buy tickets go to The Raines If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Best foods to eat and when to eat them, genetics, blue zones, impact of Covid, exercise, sleep, sex, connections, engagement, laughter.Professor Rose Anne Kenny has 35 years of experience at the forefront of ageing medicine and in this conversation she shares some of the proven adjustments we can all make regardless of our age, to live longer and happier lives.Her book is ‘Age Proof: The New Science of Living a Longer and Healthier Life’ and it’s a fascinating read.If you enjoyed this episode, please consider following the pod wherever you listen. You can now rate it on Spotify and leave a little comment on Apple too.Thanks a million! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Boundaries, burlesque, reclaiming the past, safety, art, nature, balance, grounding, facing fears, sensuality, purpose, movement meditation, hypermobility, fibromyalgia, selfcare.In this episode I speak to dancer and choreographer, event organiser and producer and recently wedding celebrant, the brilliant Bonnie Boux.Bonnie is a nature lover who lives in Waterford and in this conversation she tells us how dance was a big part of her healing journey, she talks about her path to Burlesque, being a wedding celebrant and how she doesn’t let a chronic health condition hold her back.She’s one of a kind and I was thrilled to connect with her.You can catch Bonnie as part of Jenny Keane’s tour this September and her own show happening in Waterford on Valentine’s day, is one not to be missed!Go to her Instagram page for more info and subscribe to her mailing list to never miss her events.If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Authenticity, vulnerability, hard work, leadership, purpose, reflection, communication, effort, preparation, emotional intelligence, true success, meditation, trust, re-invention, mental health, responding instead of reacting, self-care.In this episode I speak to high performance coach and author Enda McNulty.Enda is married to Julia and they live in Dublin and when he played football for Armagh, he won an All-Ireland medal and an All-star Award.Now he’s regarded as one of the top performance coaches and leadership experts in the country having worked with a who’s who of business and sporting leaders over the past 25 years.His second book ‘Commit 2 Lead’ is out now and in this conversation he talks about finding true success in life and how to become a leader; the power of re-invention…and how he and his family used to holiday in my home village of Spiddal in Connemara.I took a lot away from this episode and I hope you will too.Other book recommendation – ‘The Inner Game of Tennis’ by W. Timothy GallweyIf 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 : Sister bond, Cancer, terminal diagnosis, freak accident, grief, perspective.This week I am re-releasing one of the most listened to episodes ever of Ready to be Real.Three years ago I spoke to someone who has since become a very good friend, the wonderful Kathie Stritch.Kathie is from Cloonfad in Co. Roscommon but she lives in Galway with her soon to be husband Stephen and their little boy Freddie who’s 4.5 yrs.9 years ago her world changed forever when her sister Elaine was diagnosed with a stage 4 brain tumour. Elaine was married to Pa and their two boys Adam and Jason were 1 and 4 at the time.This episode will make you appreciate how precious being alive really is.You’ll find Kathie on Instagram K A T H I E S T R I T C H (@kathiestritchpt) • Instagram photos and videos and she also runs the Grief Ireland page which hosts retreats and workshops. You’ll also find it on Instagram Grief Ireland - Support Community (@griefireland) • Instagram photos and videos Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Body acceptance, shedding shame, diet culture, disordered eating, body image, unlearning, motherhood, loss of identity, blended family, love, responding over reacting, self-talk, respect, bouncing forward, self-worth, stretch marks, regret, healing, empowerment. In this episode I speak to the truly wonderful Sarah Nicole Landry. She’s a body acceptance advocate, a speaker, a writer, an occasional model and podcaster and she’s better known online as ‘The Birds Papaya’.Sarah Nicole is married to Shane and she’s the mother of 4 kids, she has 3 teenagers from her previous marriage and their daughter Lemmie is 2.She’s one of the most important voices right now on diet culture and body acceptance and her Instagram page alone has 2.3 million followers!In this conversation she covers a multitude on the topic, so if you want a feel-good episode that will potentially give you goosebumps (as it did for me!) this is the pod for you.If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shelly Mooney is a historian and artist who lives in County Wexford with her husband Kev, their baby Ferdia and Lola their dog and she runs the brilliant Instagram page ‘Tales from the Wood’ which explores the history and mythology of Ireland.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 : Mental health, shame, judgement, Irish psychiatric system, progression, early intervention, social media, education, TV show The Voice, panic attack, values, gaslighting, dealing with conflict, labelling, music, podcasting, therapy, meditation, breathwork, emotional intelligence.   In this episode I speak to musician, podcaster, author, activist and all-round great human, Niall ‘Bressie’ Breslin.He lives in Wicklow with his girlfriend Louize and their new puppy Stevie and in this conversation we cover so much, it’s serious at times and lighter in other parts as he talks about things like emotional intelligence, shame, labelling, dealing with conflict, the benefits of meditation and embarking on a PHD. And if you want to go to Niall’s ‘Where is my mind’ podcast show next Friday, the 28th of April in the 3 Olympia, head to Ticketmaster to grab to last few tickets. 3Olympia Theatre, Dublin | Events & Tickets | Map, Travel & Seating Plan (ticketmaster.ie)If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Childhood, mother, alcoholism, complicated relationship, childbirth, loss of identity, suicide, numbness, grief, power of writing, compassion. In this episode I speak to author and mother, Anne Tiernan.Anne is married to Matt and they have 3 kids, Molly who’s 17, Oscar who’s 14 and Jack who’s 13 and they’ve lived in New Zealand for the past 18 years.Born in Zambia, she grew up in Navan from the age of 3 and is one of 4 kids and one of her brothers happens to be well known comedian and TV host Tommy Tiernan.In this conversation, she talks about her childhood, her emotionally unavailable mother and the dramatic moment she found out that she had taken her own life.Anne is a beautiful person and she’s just released her first book, a work of fiction called ‘The Last Days Of Joy’ which is available to buy in all good bookshops now.Resources :If you need to talk to someone, you can contact a Samaritan on Freephone 116 123 or email [email protected] | Preventing Suicide and Self-Harm since 2006Or go to…Mental health - HSE.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 : Authenticity, people pleasing, boundaries, compromise, visualisation, freedom. In this episode I speak to New York Times best-selling author, Sarah Knight. With more than 3 million copies in print, Sarah Knight’s ‘No Fucks Given’ guides have been published in thirty-one languages worldwide and her TEDx Talk on "The Magic of Not Giving a Fuck" has over 10 million views. In this conversation she talks us through how best to live an authentic and fulfilling life by embracing the power of saying NO and having boundaries. And as is often the case with Ready to be Real chats, the language in this episode as you’d imagine, isn’t always suitable for young or sensitive ears so please be mindful as you listen. * Her new book ‘Grow the F*ck Up: How to be an adult and get treated like one’ is out on the 4th of April. If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Patrick, historic and legendary; the myth of Síle and Sheela na Gigs.  Shelly Mooney is a historian and artist who lives in County Wexford with her husband Kev, their baby Ferdia and Lola their dog and she runs the brilliant Instagram page ‘Tales from the Wood’ which explores the history and mythology of Ireland.And in this conversation she talks to us about St. Patrick, the man he was before the title of Saint was bestowed upon him.But even more interesting than that, she talks to us about Síle and her connection to Patrick and the often misunderstood symbol of ‘Sheela na Gig’.If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Fertility, IVF, love, abnormalities, law in Ireland, disappointment, dilemma, termination, impact of covid restrictions, grief, loss, trauma, compassion, support, healing, acceptance. In this episode I speak to salon owner and entrepreneur Anna Hosty.Anna is married to Dave and they live in Galway with their daughter Henrietta who is 6 next month and their dog Ozzie.She’s also the co-owner of hairdressing group ‘Yourells’ and co-founder of the hair supplement for Mums called ‘The Hair Vitamin Company’.And as you’ll hear at the beginning of our chat, I have known Anna for a long time but what I didn’t know until recently was what she had been through personally.In this conversation she shares her experience of fertility and motherhood which includes the IVF process; joy, loss and trauma.She is a brave and wonderful person and I am so grateful that she trusted me to help her tell her story.It's an episode that will challenge some of you and I ask you to park your judgement and open your heart and mind to what you’re about to hear as unless you’ve experienced the same, you have no idea how you’d respond.I am so grateful to Anna for speaking so honestly about her experience and I know it’ll help a lot of you who listen.Resources :If you need to talk to someone, you can contact a Samaritan on Freephone 116 123 or email [email protected] go to…Mental health - HSE.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 : Motherhood, loss of identity, finding yourself again, modelling, eating disorder, social media.In this episode I speak to online sensation Louise Boyce, better known as Mama Still Got It.Louise is a Mum of 3 who’s online content on motherhood is hilarious and her book Mama Still Got It is coming out on the 8th of June.During our conversation we naturally speak about motherhood, the loss of identity that can often happen when becoming a mother…and finding yourself again, but we also talk about modelling, her struggles with an eating disorder early in her career, social media and her closeness to her sister.Enjoy and let me know what you think, thanks!Resources : Bodywhys | The Eating Disorders Association of IrelandIf 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.  In this episode I speak to Lebanese-Canadian author, poet, speaker, activist and educator, the incredible Najwa Zebian.Najwa being a guest on ‘Ready to be Real’ is a dream come true for me as she is someone I have long admired.She grew up in a conservative Muslim household and writing helped her process and heal from past pain.Her voice is incredibly soothing, and she has a wonderful way of simplifying complex topics.In this conversation she speaks about being ‘wronged’ and how best to manage it, self-worth, gaslighting, the importance of boundaries and how to heal.And at the end of the conversation, I ask her a question that has a profound impact on both of us.This was without a doubt one of the most powerful conversations that I’ve ever had and you can find Najwa’s latest book ‘Trust Your Heart’ online and in audio form on her website Najwa Zebian | Author. Speaker. Creator | Author. Speaker. 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 : Fertility, miscarriage, IVF process, fear, the power of words, motherhood, parental anxiety, shift in perspective, stage of life, acting, integrity. In this episode I speak to actor and mother Caroline Morahan.Caroline lives in LA with her husband Dáithí 0r Doc as he’s better known and their 2 kids, Rowan who’s 3 and Ava who’s 2.They moved to LA 15 years ago and at the time she left a very successful TV in Ireland to pursue acting.Last month when she was back in Dublin, we sat down and spoke about her path to motherhood, being a Mom, her career to date, her love of acting, the sage advice given to her by her own mother and how baby brain is real!** This episode does not feature any medical guidance so please consult your doctor if you are looking for fertility advice.If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Army life, body boarding accident, incomplete quadriplegia, recovery, controlling the controllables, perspective, gratitude, mindfulness.Billy Hedderman is married to Rita and they have 2 girls, Lana who’s 5.5 and Isobel who’s 3.5 and they live in Australia.Originally from Cork, he served in the Irish Defence Forces for 13 years which included successfully completing the Army Ranger Selection Process when he was only 20.And his greatest challenge came in the form of a body boarding accident on New Years Eve in 2014, in which he suffered immediate spinal cord damage, paralysing him from the neck down.But within 7.5 months he had ran a 10k and not too long after that he returned to one of his passions which is skydiving!This conversation is an amazing story of psychological resilience and determination when faced with a life changing quadriplegic diagnosis and I think you are going to take so much from it.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 : Impressions, talent, hard work, brain tumour, health, relationship with his wife Fiona, learning, thinking ahead, manifesting, business savvy, tour. It's Friday and time for another real chat, this time with impressionist Conor Moore aka Conor Moore (@conor_sketches) • Instagram photos and videos on Instagram.We sat down a couple of weeks ago and he spoke about something he rarely if ever speaks about...finding out he had a brain tumour 10 years ago, something that changed his outlook forever. In this conversation he also talks impressions and working with Tiger Woods, his work in Golf and Formula 1, his wife Fiona and he gives us his take on manifesting. He lives in Dublin with his wife Fiona and they’re currently in the process of building their forever home in his home town of Mullingar. And in the past 6.5 years he went from working in a call centre to being one of the most in demand entertainers on the scene right now.And along with his career in entertainment he also invested in a bar in New York a few years ago called ‘The Westbury’. He's sound, incredibly grounded and it was a joy to talk to him.And wait until you hear his impression of Roy Keane on the Tommy Tiernan show, so good!His tour started last night in the Olympia and for the last remaining tickets for his nationwide tour through February and early March, go to https://www.conorsketches.com/If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Imbolc and the symbolism and significance of Brigid. In this episode, I speak to historian and artist Shelly Mooney who runs the brilliant Instagram page ‘Tales from the Wood’ which explores the history and mythology of Ireland.She lives in the countryside in County Wexford with her husband Kev, their baby Ferdia and Lola their dog. After several years of campaigning, St Brigid’s Day has finally become a public holiday in Ireland and it’s the first one to be named after a woman.In this conversation Shelly talks about the ancient pagan festival heralding the beginning of Spring called ‘Imbolc’ and the significance of Brigid and her resurgence in recent times, including the story behind her cloak and the cross of St. Brigid. If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.