Ready To Be Real by Síle Seoige

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.

Topics covered : authenticity, self-worth, the power of play, fear, love, relationships, family dynamics, anxiety, triggers, trauma, expectations, suicidal thoughts, purpose, forgiveness, change, personal responsibility, healing, being in flow.  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 wonderful children, Elijah who’s a toddler and their baby girl Bethany, they split their time between Ireland and Portugal and I’m proud to call them my friends.   I spoke to both of them back in 2019 at the very beginning of Ready to be Real and recently I sat down with Gerry and had this heart opening conversation.In it, he shares some of his darkest times with us and explains how used his past trauma to step into his power, he talks non-negotiables, triggers and the impact that a letter can have on someone.He gives us so much to think about for the year ahead and I hope you take as much from it as I did. Gerry’s book is ‘Awaken Your Power Within’ and it’s a powerful read. Another book mentioned during the conversation is ‘Man's Search For Meaning’ by Victor Frankl.Gerry's questions to ask yourself :Who am I?What do I stand for?What do I believe in?What does the greatest version of me look like?And if I truly loved myself, if I didn't worry about what other people thought and I backed myself, what would I do? Am I being honest?Am I being truthful?Am I listening to my heart?Am I stepping in the direction of my dreams? 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 : The Law of Attraction, taking action, letting go, inner critic, inner cheerleader, victimhood, gratitude, self-talk, beliefs, power of intention, change, difficulty, ah-ha moments, persistence, growth, transformation, awareness, awakening.I’m back with a brand-new episode and I speak to author, musician and wellness guru, Dr Joe. Vitale.Once homeless, Joe is now one of the world’s best known personal development experts and was also one of the main contributors on the hit movie ‘The Secret’.He's written over 80 books and in this conversation, we talk about The Law of Attraction and how important taking action is to achieve our goals, the beliefs we have about ourselves and how they impact us in our lives and he also gives great advice on how best to navigate challenging times too.Dr. Joe will be one of the speakers at the Pendulum Summit in the Convention centre in Dublin on the 25th and 26th of January and there are some tickets still available, go to…Tickets - PendulumSummitIf 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 : Sexual confidence, connection, shame, blame, self-pleasure, communication, fantasies, desire, dirty talk, sex toys, orgasm.This episode with holistic sex educator Jenny Keane was a big hit with listeners in 2022 which is why I am sharing it again.She talks about sexual confidence, the importance of connection, self-pleasure, shame, blame and dirty talk.She also answers your questions on fantasises, sex toys and she gives us a fascinating insight into orgasm too.She’s so knowledgeable and great craic and as you’d imagine this is a conversation for adult ears only, so something to be mindful of as you listen.I loved it and I think you will 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 : Anxiety, the inner critic, anorexia, bulimia, attempted suicide, cancer diagnosis, baking, starting a business, success, wellbeing. 2022 was a massive year for Una Leonard.She turned 30 on Christmas day and she used to joke to her family and say..."I’ll have a cookbook before I’m 30!" ...and she did exactly that! Her book 'Sweet Therapy – The Joy of Baking' released this September. We sat down and chatted in June this year and the episode was released 3 months later.It was one of the most powerful conversations I've ever had on the podcast, not alone this year but since Ready to be Real started in 2019.And I've re-released the episode today.She has come such a long way since her darkest days and even since our conversation this summer...and it's fantastic to see her thrive.Her wonderful Mam recently got some great news too so this Christmas really has been a time to celebrate in the Leonard household. This is what I said at the time of it's release....Una Leonard is the owner and founder of 2210 Patisserie, a very successful bakery business and she has a gorgeous, upbeat personality that at one point, hid a deep unhappiness.In this conversation we get a beautiful insight into her relationship with her Mam, the bond she also had with her Granny, fondly known as Dotie; and how baking and opening up her bakery, ultimately became her saviour. I learnt so much from listening to her….about the power our words can have on children in particular, and how our attitude to food can impact those around us.It was one of the most moving conversations I have ever had and I’m so grateful to Una for her willingness to speak about such difficult times in her life and I know she’ll help so many who’ll listen.But it’s an extremely challenging listen at times as we don’t shy away from the reality of her experience of attempted suicide, so please be aware before you play it.Resources :BodywhysBodywhys | The Eating Disorders Association of IrelandPietaPieta | Preventing Suicide and Self HarmSamaritansSamaritans IrelandBook: Sweet Therapy – The Joy of BakingIf 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 : Meditation, fears, regrets, acceptance, death, present moment awareness, compassion.I hope you’re having a lovely Christmas break and I’ll be back with a brand new episode on the 13th of January but over the coming weeks I’m going to re-release some episodes that resonated with listeners.Starting with this one…with Brother Richard Hendrick.Brother Richard has been a priest-friar for over 20 years and during the Covid 19 pandemic he wrote a poem called ‘Lockdown’ which went viral.In this conversation he gives us a fascinating insight into the life of a monk, he explains the difference between having purpose in life and finding meaning, he speaks of Celtic spirituality, the power of apologising…and death, in the most beautiful way.It’s an episode that will make you reflect on your own life and hopefully enrich it, as it has for me.Book mentions: ‘Still Points – A guide to living the mindful, meditative way’‘The Top Five Regrets of The Dying’ by Bronnie WareIf 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 : Failure, faith, religion, awareness, meditation, death, compassion, love. In this episode I speak to author, playwright, podcaster, poet and all-round wonderful human being, Michael Harding.Michael is someone I’ve wanted to speak to for years and I’m so happy to be releasing this episode in time for the Christmas break.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.

Topics covered : Boundaries, the power of NO, core values, toxic relationships, gaslighting, red flags, people pleasing, narcissism, inner work, breaking a negative cycle of behaviour, positive change.    In this episode I speak to life coach Jennifer Davy, about boundaries.Jennifer is married to Wayne and they have two boys Oliver who’s 8 and Freddie who’s 5 and they live in County Waterford.And in this conversation she breaks down what a boundary is and how to implement one, how to manage toxic relationships and how to spot gaslighting.Hopefully it might help you to navigate the often tricky Christmas period with friends and family.Some questions to ask yourself -What does a boundary look like for me?What are my core values, what matters to me?What am I no longer going to tolerate?What actions can I take that will protect my energy? You can find Jennifer on Instagram…Intuitive Life Coach for Women | Jennifer (@wellbeingwarrior.ie) • Instagram photos and videosIf 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 : Space, childhood dreams, possessions, freedom, starting over.  In this episode I speak to engineer, scientist, writer and performer, Niamh Shaw who is dedicating her life to fulfilling a 40 year old dream – to become an Irish space explorer on a real life mission.Today, she divides her time between Strasbourg, home of the International Space University, Ireland and the US, where she is building up contacts in the space community.You’ll find her on Instagram @dr_niamh_shaw and her book ‘Dream Big: An Irishwoman's Space Odyssey’ is available in all good book shops.She is absolutely lovely and so inspiring and it’s an episode that will make you think and hopefully encourage you to follow your dreams. 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 : Drug use, teenage pregnancy, motherhood, death, grief, further education, stereotyping, privilege, creativity, authenticity, philosophy, visualisation, Miriam Margolyes.Senator Lynn Ruane is my guest this week.She lives in Killinarden in Tallaght with her two daughters, Jordanne who’s 22 and Jaelynne who’s 15.And in this conversation she talks about her childhood; experimenting with drugs from the age of 12, finding out she was pregnant at 15 and how a community education initiative called ‘An Cosán’ developed by Katherine Zappone and the late Ann Louise Gilligan helped her massively in life.She’s been a senator for 6 years now and recently completed a masters in creative writing and she was the dream to chat to.She cares deeply, she’s inquisitive, authentic and refreshingly honest and I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did.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 : Living without money, social media/technology, sustainability, being in flow, climate change, economy, marketing, community, vasectomy and toilets! Originally from Donegal, Mark made a life changing decision to give up money entirely in 2008 and he lived completely without it for 3 years.He's the author of four books including ‘The Moneyless Man’ and ‘The Way Home; Tales from a Life without technology’.And this conversation is a fascinating insight into his life and the reasons why he decided on such a radical life change.We talk about living sustainability and in tune with the seasons and why he decided to get a vasectomy when he was only 30!It's an episode that will make you think about your own life and perhaps encourage us all, to make some positive changes.Book mention -‘The Shock Doctrine’ by Naomi KleinIf you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this bonus episode I speak to international numerologist Gráinne Tyndall about 1111.It’s being released on Friday the 11th of November, the day that my baby girl Clíodhna turns one so obviously it means a lot to me personally, but I asked Grainne to share her thoughts on 1111.If you’d like a personal reading with Gráinne, feel free to reach out to her.HOME - Numbers 4 SuccessAnd 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 : Sexual confidence, connection, shame, blame, self-pleasure, communication, fantasies, desire, dirty talk, sex toys, orgasm. Holistic sex educator Jenny Keane is my guest this week.It's an episode I had been looking forward to recording for ages and it did not disappoint.She talks about sexual confidence, the importance of connection, self-pleasure, shame, blame and dirty talk.She also answers your questions on fantasises, sex toys and she gives us a fascinating insight into orgasm too.She’s so knowledgeable and great craic and as you’d imagine this is a conversation for adult ears only, so something to be mindful of as you listen.I loved it and I think you will 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 : Childhood, starting a business/brand, taking chances, creating, success, failure, conflict, motherhood, gardening.In this episode I speak to trailblazing entrepreneur Marissa Carter.Marissa lives in Dublin with her husband Ronan and their kids; Charlie who’s 10 and Isabelle who’s 7 and their much loved dog Cherry.Her brand ‘Cocoa Brown’ was born 10 years ago this month and like all successful entrepreneurs she’s not afraid of taking chances.The past few years have been particularly challenging for her professionally and this is her first interview in 3 years.She tells us about her upbringing and how she became the business woman she is today, the women who helped her along the way, meeting Kim Kardashian and conflict.She’s a homebird who loves gardening and she’s also a great laugh to be around.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.

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 : Confidence, being in flow, authenticity, integrity, music, style, love, grief.In this episode I speak to Cork powerhouse Lyra, who’s a singer-songwriter known for her distinctive voice, striking outfits and electrifying live shows.In this conversation we speak about confidence and staying true to yourself, the special bond she had with her Nan Kitty and the absolute joy she feels when she’s performing.She’s independent, great craic and full of integrity and it was brilliant to chat to her.Her new single ’29 box’ is out now and for a full list of tour dates, check out Lyra Singer | The Official Website Of LyraCheck out my Instagram page for some photos that relate to this conversation.𝗦í𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗼𝗶𝗴𝗲 (@sileseoige) • Instagram photos and videosIf 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 : parental separation, abandonment, depression, violence, racism, homelessness, shame, teenage pregnancy, suicide, grief, independence, support, resilience, representation, forgiveness, compassion.In this episode I speak to the phenomenal Deborah Somorin.Deborah, or Debbie as she’s better known as, has experienced so much in her life; she was in and out of care homes from a very young age, at 13 she became homeless and at 14 she found out she was pregnant.  In this conversation we hear about the complicated relationship she had with her mother and the reality of years spent in care in Ireland. But we also hear about the people who helped her along the way to achieve more in her life than she ever knew was possible.Today she’s a management consultant, a qualified chartered accountant and the founder of ‘Empower the Family Ireland’, a charity that helps single parents further their education and she’s also mother to Liam, who’s now 13.She’s just released two books, her memoir ‘Believing in Me’ and her children’s book ‘I Believe in You’.Resources :SamaritansSamaritans IrelandBooks : Deborah Somorin – ‘Believing in Me’ and ‘I Believe in 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.

Topics covered : Anxiety, the inner critic, anorexia, bulimia, grief, attempted suicide, cancer diagnosis, baking, starting a business, success, wellbeing. Una Leonard is the owner and founder of 2210 Patisserie, a very successful bakery business and she has a gorgeous, upbeat personality that at one point, hid a deep unhappiness.In this conversation we get a beautiful insight into her relationship with her Mam, the bond she also had with her Granny, fondly known as Dotie; and how baking and opening up her bakery, ultimately became her saviour. I learnt so much from listening to her….about the power our words can have on children in particular, and how our attitude to food can impact those around us.It was one of the most moving conversations I have ever had and I’m so grateful to Una for her willingness to speak about such difficult times in her life and I know she’ll help so many who’ll listen.But it’s an extremely challenging listen at times as we don’t shy away from the reality of her experience of attempted suicide, so please be aware before you play it.Check out my Instagram post about the episode which includes photos that will make sense when you hear it.𝗦í𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗼𝗶𝗴𝗲 (@sileseoige) • Instagram photos and videosResources :BodywhysBodywhys | The Eating Disorders Association of IrelandPietaPieta | Preventing Suicide and Self HarmSamaritansSamaritans IrelandBook: Sweet Therapy – The Joy of BakingIf 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 : Meditation, fears, regrets, acceptance, death, present moment awareness, compassion.Brother Richard Hendrick has been a priest-friar for over 20 years and during the Covid 19 pandemic he wrote a poem called ‘Lockdown’ which went viral.In this conversation he gives us a fascinating insight into the life of a monk, he explains the difference between having purpose in life and finding meaning, he speaks of Celtic spirituality, the power of apologising…and death, in the most beautiful way.It’s an episode that will make you reflect on your own life and hopefully enrich it, as it has for me.Book mentions: ‘Still Points – A guide to living the mindful, meditative way’‘The Top Five Regrets of The Dying’ by Bronnie WareIf 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 : Menstrual cycle, pelvic floor, heart disease.In this episode I speak to doctor, nutritionist and best-selling author Dr, Hazel Wallace, aka The Food Medic.Originally from Dundalk, Hazel lives in London and currently has over half a million followers on Instagram.Her third book – The Female Factor is a deep dive into women’s health and in this conversation she answers things like….why we crave chocolate before our period and what our pelvic floor is and why it’s so important?Book :‘The Female Factor - Making women’s health count – and what it means 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.

Topics covered : Self-worth, the legal system in Ireland, rehabilitation.In this episode I speak to one of Ireland’s first female judges; Gillian Hussey.When she started out little did she know that she would deal with some of the most notorious criminals in Ireland, the likes of the Kinahans, the Cahills, ‘The Monk’ and John Gilligan.In this conversation she gives us an insight into her courtroom, her reflections on the legal system in Ireland and the importance she places on rehabilitation.We also talk about the relationship she had with her father and how she struggled with feeling worthy, especially early in her career.Unsurprisingly, she made a big impression on viewers when she appeared on The Tommy Tiernan show last year on RTÉ and having a number of mutual friends, I always knew she’d be a wonderful guest for Ready to be Real.Book :’Lessons from the bench – reflections on a career spent in Ireland’s criminal courts’ and it’s out 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 : Launching a brand, clothing sizes, vulnerability, body acceptance, confidence.This week I speak to makeup artist and influencer, Aideen Kate.Aideen lives in Dublin with her boyfriend Dave, she currently has 158 thousand followers on Instagram and is Stellar magazine’s cover girl for the month of July.This conversation is an insight into the life of an influencer/content creator as we talk about her rise to fame and launching her own makeup brand earlier this year (True Beauty); and we also talk about her Instagram content on body acceptance which includes honest outfit try-on’s which I love!* This chat is where I wrap up the conversations until September.You can dive back into over 100 Ready to be Real episodes whenever you want and I’ll chat to you all again in the Autumn.Have a gorgeous summer! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Manifestation, embracing change, impact of the pandemic, surrogacy journey, pregnancy.In this episode I catch up with powerhouse couple Brian Dowling Gourounlian and his husband Arthur.They live in Kildare and will soon be parents for the very first time and this conversation picks up where we left off when we last spoke in January 2020 (released March 2020).So much has happened in their lives since then and if you haven’t heard our earlier chat I highly recommend you check it out as you really get a good sense of them and their relationship.In this conversation we follow on from where we left off the last time.We hear all about their journey to parenthood, their bond with Brian’s sister Aoife (also their surrogate), Arthur packing up their home in LA at the height of pandemic restrictions to move to Ireland with their friends, chef Dónal Skehan and his wife Sofie and family, and then him going on to become a judge on hit TV show Dancing with the Stars.We also talk rumours, the significance of an orange cup and how Aoife got the nickname Effidy!It's an inspiring, heart-warming and often hilarious chat that I hope you enjoy as much as I did.And 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 : animal welfare, conservation, having a baby during Covid restrictions, heart condition, major surgery, scar, healing.  In this episode I speak to Killian and Katie McLaughlin who run a wildlife sanctuary in Donegal called ‘Wild Ireland’.They met in college when they were both studying law and they’re now married and are parents to Rígan who’s almost 2.In this conversation we talk about their love of animals, their passion for what they do and their plans for the future.We also talk about the highs and lows of the past 2 years, including having a baby during Covid restrictions and Katie having to undergo heart surgery.They’re an amazing couple who have had so much to deal with but are stronger than ever today.* Series 2 of ‘Return of the Wild : The Bearman of Buncrana’ will be broadcast on RTE in the coming months so keep an eye out for it.And to find out more about/ get tickets for Wild Ireland, click here...Wild 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 : Anorexia, grief, shame, perfectionism, recovery, gratitude, the inner critic, CBT, social media, filters, boxing, meditation, femininity, spirituality, letting go.In this episode I speak to one of the most impressive people I’ve ever met, boxer Mary Kate Slattery.Originally from Dublin, Mary Kate spent parts of her childhood in Lahinch in Co. Clare.She’s the eldest of three girls, a law graduate from Trinity College Dublin and when she was only 9 she developed anorexia. She spent time in and out of Crumlin children’s hospital in Dublin and eventually had to go to London to receive treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.In this conversation we speak about her battle with anorexia, perfectionism, therapy, meditation, femininity, letting go and her love of boxing.It’s such an inspiring yet challenging conversation in parts, so please be aware before you listen.Also as you can hear in this episode, Mary Kate is very thankful to her psychiatrist Fiona McNicholas for helping her recover from anorexia and if you're worried about yourself or someone you love, you can reach out for help here...Bodywhys | The Eating Disorders Association of Ireland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Dancing with the Stars, life during lockdown, their relationship.In this episode I speak to couple Jake Carter and Karen Byrne.They live in Dublin with their dog Lenny and they started dating after they won series 2 of Dancing with the Stars in Ireland.Jake is a singer songwriter whose brother Nathan is also in the business. He’s outgoing and optimistic and Karen is a professional dancer with her own dance studio who’s a straight shooter and naturally more introverted by nature. In this conversation we talk about first impressions, what annoys them about each other and how friendship is the foundation of their relationship.If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Hurling, diversity, inclusion, religion.In this episode I speak to Abood Al Jumaili who also goes by the name Bonnar O’Loinsigh.He lives in Dublin and his nickname is based on two hurling greats, the Bonnar Maher from Tipperary and former player Colin Lynch from Clare.He left his home in Baghdad when he was only 9 years old and came to Ireland with his family, five years after the American invasion of Iraq in 2003.When he arrived here, he had no English but soon developed the distinctive accent he has today.And in this conversation we talk about his passion for hurling, his deep faith, his role as a GAA ambassador promoting diversity and inclusion, the culture clashes he’s encountered over the years and his dream of becoming an Irish diplomat someday.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 : Drug trip, drug induced psychosis, suicidal thoughts, breakdown, mania, bi-polar disorder, shedding shame, early onset Alzheimer’s, grief, regrets, recovery, self care, power of movement, pole-dancing.In this episode I speak to writer and podcaster, Sophie White.She lives in Dublin with her husband Seb and their 3 sons who are 2, 5 and 8.She graduated from the National College of Art and Design in Dublin with a first class honours degree in sculpture, she’s been a chef and she’s written 5 books so far.And in this conversation we talk about mental breakdowns, regrets, the juggle of being a working mother, the unfixable pain of grief, her latest book ‘The Snag List’ and pole-dancing!If you like this conversation, you might enjoy my episode with Alastair Campbell from January 2021 in which similar topics are explored.And if you are a fan of my pod, 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 : Cancer, smear tests, holistic treatments, medical procedures, trauma, therapy, grief, healing, belief, trusting your gut instinct, health.In this episode I speak to the inspirational Lynsey Bennett.She lives in Longford with her daughters Zoë who’s 13 and Hailee who’s 8 and in 2019 she found out she was one of the women caught up in the cervical check scandal brought to public attention by Vicky Phelan.In this conversation, we talk about the powerful bond she had and still has with her mother Lesley, undergoing a hysterectomy at just 28, dealing with a terminal diagnosis and arranging her own funeral and trusting her gut instinct.She’s been getting alternative cancer treatment in Mexico and Germany over the past year and a half to help strengthen her immune system and support her mindset; and thankfully, it’s yielding good results so far despite being told a few years ago, that she probably wouldn’t live this long.I was honoured to meet her and have this conversation.Book mention : ‘Radical Remission, surviving cancer against all odds’ by Kelly A. TurnerAnd if you are a fan of my pod, 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 : Motherhood, career, ageing, menopause. In this episode I speak to actor, comedian, TV presenter and podcaster, the multi-talented Deirdre O’Kane.She lives in Dun Laoghaire in Dublin with her husband, writer and director Stephen Bradley and their teenage kids, Holly who’s 17 and Daniel who’s 13.She describes herself as an optimist who can be competitive and self-critical.And in this conversation we talk about motherhood, menopause, her fascinating career, the story behind the making of the film ‘Noble’ and the contentment she feels at this stage of her life.Her latest stand up show called ‘Demented’ is currently on a nationwide tour so check out her site for a list of dates and locations and to buy a ticket!And if you enjoyed this conversation, 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 : Dancing with the Stars, her racing career, motherhood, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, fear of failure.In this episode I speak to retired jockey and Dancing with the Stars champion Nina Carberry.She’s regarded as one of the greatest amateur riders of all time and after an almost 17-year career in the saddle, she retired in 2018.She’s married to Ted and they have 2 daughters, Rosie who’s 5 next month and Hollie who’s 2.5.She is incredibly hard working, grounded and naturally shy, and in this conversation we talk all things DWTS….including her gruelling training schedule and being out of her comfort zone; her friendship with Rachael Blackmore, life at home with her family and her horses and all that it entails, and how winning DWTS compares to winning a Grand National or at Cheltenham!* A special thanks to Barbara White for all her help with this episode.And if you enjoyed this conversation, 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.