Stretch Marks

This weeks guest is a comedian, a poet, a storyteller - Aoife Dunne english_and_aoife Her observations and comedy of the Irish Mother are wildly accurate and so too are her expressions of grief, depression and finding her real identity that lay hidden under trauma for too long. It’s deep, intelligent, beautiful and it's Aoife - so it's funny.And I think it’s really important to hear.She talks about losing her mother, the shame of her dad's affair and growing up in Galway as she says - "poor".  We talk about life and a defining break up at 33 that stretched her to the point of finally acknowledging her depression.And the process back to happiness. We also talk about how her success in comedy often brings derogatory comments from men. This conversation was recorded BEFORE the announcement of Natasha O’Brien’s assault case. We did not know at the time how the rest of the week would roll out - and yet you’ll hear us talk about our fears on the rise of misogyny, violence and the degrading of women’s rights. Thank you to my NEW sponsor Dove Advanced Care Body Wash for bringing their support and for creating a body wash with 24 hour moisture straight from the shower.Hosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast I'd love to hear from you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NEW SEASON of Stretch Marks with Sinead O'Moore Kicking off another 10 weeks with my first guest Genevieve TurleyGenevieve is a make up artist in the rational, normal, you're doing great as you are babe sense of the word.She combines her wit with her natural beauty, her comfort with who she is and how she looks with informative, kind and hilarious content. She is doing us ALL a favour - and if you're not following her yet I encourage you to do so immediately. She is a mum of 2 in her 30's and we talk about growing to accept ourselves, getting excited about our 40's, ignoring the weight of expectation for how we are to look 24/7 and some really kind honest advice on how to stop bashing ourselves. Listen and you'll reemember that you are more than ENOUGH.Thank you for my NEW sponsor Dove Advanced Care Body Wash for bringing their support and for creating a body wash with 24 hour moisture straight from the shower. Hosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast I'd love to hear from you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Season 7 of Stretch Marks with Sinead O'Moore returns on Wednesday 19th June 2024Joined by inspirational guests, experts and friends, this podcast will help us to flow with whatever life is throwing at us and leave us feeling more empowered, excited and confident about the version of ourselves we are growing in to.Together let's celebrate our personal growth while acknowledging the physical, mental & emotional Stretch Marks we've earned. #AD - This season is supported by Dove Advanced Care Body Wash.Their best ever Dove body wash with 24 hour renewing micro-moisture regenerating the skin’s natural moisture from within. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Season Finale Holly Cairns - leader of the Social Democrats joins me to talk about her stretch as a women new to politics and what has motivated her to want positive change. I have admired Holly's ability to stand in the Dáil and speak on issues with empathy, humanity and an authenticity we don't always see.We talk about Gaza, how her view of politics and the world has changed - her experience of sexism, agism and intimidation - her rise through politics and why we need more women using their voices, their votes and their value for the world we all hope to see. Thank you Holly for giving me your time less than 48 hours after Leo resigned.So that's it. Another season of stretch marks is over.We talked about our bodies, our fertility, self worth, mental health, hyperemesis, nicu, the referendum, brain tumours, nervous system regulation and leadership. Big topics. Deep topics. But I hope conversations that have supported anyone in the depths of their own unique stretch. So for now - thank you for every listen, share and review. And to my sponsor of this Season Carriwell available at CleverClogs. Hosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast I'd love to hear from you.This episode is kindly supported by Carriwell - available from Cleverclogs.ie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5 days after giving birth at home - fashion stylist Justine King joins me to share her gorgeous natural home birth story. Making this empowered choice to birth at home wasn’t by accident - but an instinct that grew following her first lockdown baby - and his restricted birth. Instead this was within her control, within her safe 4 walls and within her capacity as she stretched her inner belief and goddess to meet her baby.Hosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast I'd love to hear from you.This episode is kindly supported by Carriwell - available from Cleverclogs.ie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For 5 years I’ve trusted Paul O’Regan founder of AcuDublin with my headspace, back pain, pregnancy preparation and postpartum recovery. Acupuncture and Anatomy in Motion with Paul is now firmly in my self care toolkit - and he has finally agreed to join me on the podcast to talk about my symptoms and how he treats so many women as stretched as me coming through his clinic.Mothers, trying to be all things to all people in this modern world with little regard for what our bodies actually go through in pregnancy, postpartum or just monthly, my symptoms, my story is so not unique - and that seeing so many women in this same boat has led him to create Aim to Recover a brand new multi disciplinary health hub in Drumcondra that focuses on every aspect of pregnancy and postpartum recovery. Plus he’s a dad of 3 young kids - he gets it. And you can follow Paul @acudublin on instagram or discover all the pregnancy and postpartum treatments at this new clinic Aim to RecoverHosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast I'd love to hear from you.This episode is kindly supported by Carriwell - available from Cleverclogs.ie Produced by The Brand StoryRecorded in Prymal Productions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One year ago, when her 1st born was 3 weeks old, Laura Mangan was diagnosed with a a brain tumour. From Limerick, now living in the UK with partner and Wrexham FC player Anthony Forde - club owner Ryan Reynolds stepped in and found answers. While Laura's story has been featured throughout media with and without her knowledge - this is Laura's story. A first time mother living away from home with a newborn standing in the hospital with an expressed bottle at home being told this news. And here for the first time she tells it in her own words. March is Brain Tumour Awareness Month and one year on almost to the day from her diagnosis, Laura is here and ready to use her voice to create more awareness. Follow more of Laura’s recovery, advocacy, wedding and gorgeous life on @livingwithljmShare this far and wide - talk to you again next week. Hosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast I'd love to hear from you.This episode is kindly supported by Carriwell - available from Cleverclogs.ie Thank you to Alan Breslin on SoundProduced by The Brand Story Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Friday, March 8th Ireland is being asked to vote on two referenda.There are two articles for us to vote on.1) The Family Article and 2)The Care ArticleI have written a full piece on the meaning of both on my substack - you can access that here. In this episode I speak with Sonya Lennon, founder of Work Equal and along with the Women's Council has been part of the process to get us to this point. Through her work with work equal she was called as witnesses to the joint Oireachtas committee on gender equality.She is a YES YES campaigner - however this episode explores the questions and concerns shared by my followers who participated in the polls.**I am open to learning. My opinions are not everyone's. My understanding is open to correction. I believe in the importance of debate and conversation. I am not a broadcaster with a responsibility to be neutral. I am a person trying to figure this out.Hosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast I'd love to hear from you.This episode is kindly supported by Carriwell - available from Cleverclogs.ie Thank you to Alan Breslin on SoundProduced by The Brand Story Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Maria Forde’s journey through motherhood has been a sequence of stretches that have tested her and offered her some of the greatest loves of her life. We are talking about:severe hyperemesisA very rare condition leading to emergency airways surgery.An emergency section.A newborn in nicu with a collapsed lung- an injury occured during birth Meningitis. Her uterus at risk of rupture. MiscarriageAnd this all in the last 5 years while also showing up, living life, working, mothering, coping with whatever life throws next - all the while deeply grateful with a resounding, “I'd do it all again for the children I am so fortunate to have” Women are incredible! This story of immense stretch is proof alone of that.Hosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast I'd love to hear from you.This episode is kindly supported by Carriwell - available from Cleverclogs.ie Thank you to Alan Breslin on SoundProduced by The Brand Story Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is a blend of the physical and the spiritual. The blend of the feminine body and the feminine rising.A story of endometriosis, ivf, fertility and faith. Not in the religious sense but in spiritual sense. My guest Sinead De Hora, is a an Angel Healer, a rahanni teacher, an author and a facilitator of spiritual ceremonies.She is also a woman who battled endometriosis and ivf to conceive the baby she is now carrying.This conversation takes us to new places on this pod, places some of us might not fully understand - but thats also whats so powerful about listening to human experiences. And surrendering to all the things in this life we do not know. Hosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast I'd love to hear from you.This episode is kindly supported by Carriwell - available from Cleverclogs.ie Thank you to Alan Breslin on SoundProduced by The Brand Story Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlene Flanagan co-founder of Ella and Jo is here for this gorgeous conversation about finding your light again. With Irish twins Charlene shares how necessary it was for her to find a way back to herself. She shares her toolkit for self regulation as she stretches beyond herself to create this business and life she loves. The darker moments - how we can all feel judged and how we can hold ourselves back, unsure of our real value.This episode has one giant hug of a message - FIND YOUR LIGHT AGAIN and shine bright. We need you. Hosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast I'd love to hear from you.This episode is kindly supported by Carriwell - available from Cleverclogs.ie Thank you to Alan Breslin on SoundProduced by The Brand Story Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Claire Walsh is a successful author & ted talker, the first person to represent Ireland at the Freediving World Championships in 2019 and she is in the messy middle of subfertility. Fertility is a very personal + private journey.But that can leave us at risk of only hearing some commercial promises and the good news. Where is the messy middle?? We talk about illusions being shattered, her relationship with hope, the indignity of the physical process and the power games between you and an industry who hold the keys to life. This is a moving conversation with a woman who doesn’t know how the story ends and who is being stretched between what could be and what this is. Hosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast I'd love to hear from you.This episode is kindly supported by Carriwell - available from Cleverclogs.ie Thank you to Alan Breslin on Sound Produced by The Brand Story Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This weeks guest Carla Piera Fitzgerald has lost 183 lbs, half her body weight. But don’t assume this is a weight loss episode - because our conversation goes deeper than that. This is about shedding the mental weight of negative self talk, trauma and the mental health cycle that kept Carla trapped in self sabotage and food addiction for most of her life. We talk about how everything changed when she stopped hating her body and started to love her soul.We talk about fertility and the choice she made to become a mother.The personal stretches she has gone through as her body halved in size.And her real goal - to empower as many people as possible to see beyond the scales and to begin to love themselves back to health. Carla’s conversation is personal, at times painful but incredibly inspiring. For more support visit halfofcarla.comHosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast I'd love to hear from you.This episode is kindly supported by Carriwell - available from Cleverclogs.ie Stretch Marks is owned and produced by the brand story - sound editing by Alan Breslin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Has motherhood made you feel smaller? Friendships stretched, identities stretched, career choice and opportunity stretched.It can be a real time of personal invisibility. Which is why I needed Visibility & Business coach Kate O’Dwyer to join me for this conversation. Kate is an advocate of authentic self expression & connection. Through her work, she supports her clients to feel regulated, resourced and rebellious in their personal and business visibility. She is an authentic support telling you that it’s hard, but to try your best anyway because the world needs you to be you, in all your glorious flawed and beautiful ways right now. Hosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast I'd love to hear from you.Stretch Marks is owned and produced by the brand story - sound editing by Alan Breslin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In season 3 I had one of the most listened to conversations with new mum Sinead De Butleir.She was 7 weeks postpartum. We talked about the 4th trimester, matrescense, childbirth, feeding decisions, feeding guilt, emotions, identities and the absolute life changing experience of new motherhood. It prompted to many other women to talk about their experiences online, with friends and even strangers that bumped into Sinead.From 7 weeks to 7 months, Sinead is back to talk about how some of those early stretches have eased - some have pulled tighter and some brand new ones have rocked up unexpectedly. This episode is proof that the stretches keep coming and there is no magic week when it all fits in to place. It all continues to pull us in all directions as we meet the needs of the women we are becoming. We keep stretching. Hosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast I'd love to hear from you. Stretch Marks is owned and produced by the brand story - sound editing by Alan Breslin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Life keeps coming and we gotta stretch to meet it. This weeks guest Giovanna Fletcher is no stranger to an honest conversation about life, motherhood, real experiences and seeking our happiest selves. And without the gloss - she accepts that it is a total stretch. An author, podcaster, actress & advocate Giovanna Fletcher changed the game for millions of parents in creating "Happy Mum Happy Baby" a community that gave us permission to say "I love them and it’s hard."We talk about her own personal stretches, how she avoids the snap, how her perspective on her body and life has changed through her work with Coppafeel and how with 3 energetic children, it’s simply essential to get outside.Giovanna has just launched her new Regatta Autumn Winter ’23 collection.This new collection features eight coats, with four of them crafted partially from recycled fabrics and designed with Regatta’s renowned Thermoguard insulation. Check out her collection so you can continue your wellbeing walks this winter. As always I’d love you to share this episode tagging @stretchmarkspodcast so I can read all of your messages and feedback.  Stretch Marks is on Substack with extra content, conversations, support and the Sunday Stretch, a weekly newsletter sharing the things I've leaned on each week supporting me or helping me to lean even deeper into the stretch.Hosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm so ready for the season 5 stretch! Kicking off with the beautiful, kind and soulful Sile Seoige as she shares her daughters experience of RSV, the signs, symptoms and actions we all need to know heading into winter 2023. RSV is a common and contagious virus that affects 90% of children before they are two years old. All infants are at risk of RSV.While most infections cause mild, cold-like symptoms, and clear up on their own within a few weeks, some cases can be more serious.for more information click here Plus follow stretchmarkspodcast on instagram where you’ll see I’m doing an Instagram Live with Dr. Maire Finn answering our questions on RSV. Stretch Marks is on Substack with extra content, conversations, support and the Sunday Stretch, a weekly newsletter sharing the things I've leaned on each week supporting me or helping me to lean even deeper into the stretch.Hosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It takes a village - well in 2023 the village is childcare.And the village is burning down!Leo, Micheal, Eamonn - send help and send it FAST!! Here I talk to Elaine Dunne the chairperson of the Federation of Early Childhood Providers to talk about the planned strikes & to understand what's really going on.STRIKE DATES: September 26th, 27th and 28thThe solution needs to be brave - not just expensive - and it needs leadership that accepts the reality of the current situation and joins to dots about how an accessible, flexible, affordable, quality childcare sector is essential if this country - this economy is to have a female workforce. Hosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast This season is supported by VitabioticsStretch Marks is owned and produced by the brand story - sound editing by Alan Breslin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With 10 months of my 30's left I'm hitting the "Almost 40 stretch"But I'm not alone - my amazing friend and beauty editor Simone Gannon (Simone Scribes) is right along side me.We go deep into the lessons learned, the sh!t that no longer serves us, peri-menopause and it's relentless pace towards us and Simone shares what we need to know about keeping our skin healthy as we age gracefully. It's a rant, it's liberating, it's excited, there's a touch of grief about fertility - it's all here if you are also in the almost 40 stretch.If you like what you hear please support the show and hit subscribe, rate or review.Every tiny bit of interaction helps.Hosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast This season is supported by VitabioticsStretch Marks is owned and produced by the brand story - sound editing by Alan Breslin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Time to meet Dr. Johanna Clancy and Dr. Marese McDonnell both qualified clinical psychologists and founders of Cradle Psychology - a dedicated clinic, focused on parental wellbeing, uniquely developed and delivered by clinical psychologists.Dr. Johanna is pregnant with her first baby and navigating the beginning of matresence while Dr. Marese has just had her second and now knows the true limitations mothers have to properly switching off. If you are experiencing any of the issues raised in the episode please know that there are so many sourced of support out there - you do not have to stay feeling what you are feeling. Contact: Cradle Psychology // InstaYour maternity team (you can asked to be linked with their mental health support service - often there will be a mental health midwife or psychologist available)Your GPYour local public health nurseYour local Primary Care Psychology teams and Community Mental Health Services can also be accessed where appropriate via your GP. Samaritans: Call 116123Pieta House: Call 1800247247Please always reach out for support.If this conversation supports you at all please support us back and hit subscribe, rate or review.Every tiny bit of interaction helps.Hosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast This season is supported by VitabioticsStretch Marks is owned and produced by the brand story - sound editing by Alan Breslin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where to even begin... this conversation covers so many stretches with lessons shared throughout. Denise Kenny Byrne is co-founder of The Head Plan, a life + wellness coach and a mother to 4 month old baby girl. Denise's business is about writing it down + making it happen - but in motherhood we need to build a mindset ready for the unexpected. We talk about IVF, pregnancy anxiety, an emergency C-Section, the mental load of breastfeeding, hormonal crashes and the 4 month sleep regression - plus the absolute success story of The Head Plan that is running parallel to this wild journey. Honest, wise and hopeful this episode is a must listen. **Special points for the amount of times we made reference to our 90's icon Anneka Rice. FREE DOWNLOAD - Get Started with The Head Plan todayIf this conversation supports you at all please support us back and hit subscribe, rate or review.Every tiny bit of interaction helps.Hosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast This season is supported by VitabioticsStretch Marks is owned and produced by the brand story - sound editing by Alan Breslin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Waiting for baby to arrive is a stretch.Watching your body for signs that's it time, nesting, prepping, waiting, hoping, loving.Jess Redden is waiting to welcome her first baby into the world with husband Rob Kearney.We talk about her pregnancy, the moment she found out, cravings, aversions, hopes and dreams.Plus we hear all about her brand new book - The Food Pharmacy out for preorder now.If this conversation supports you at all please support us back and hit subscribe, rate or review.Every tiny bit of interaction helps.Hosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast This season is supported by VitabioticsStretch Marks is owned and produced by the brand story - sound editing by Alan Breslin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the first generation of parents who are openly talking about their own mental health we need to advocate for our childrens too. The Mental Health Commission published their final report on Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and let me tell you if you’re not concerned - you should because they announced they "Cannot currently provide an assurance to all parents or guardians in all parts of Ireland that your children have access to a safe effective, and evidence-based mental health service.”So we have to talk about it. To help us understand whats going on, whats going wrong and what we can do to impact and create positive change I’m joined by Niall Breslin, Bressie, musician, mental health advocate, creator of where is my mind podcast, co-founder of a lust for life a charity that supports young people to be effective guardians of their mind -  Bressie, is a powerful and honest voice and the person I needed to have this conversation with. If this conversation supports you at all please support us back and hit subscribe, rate or review.Every tiny bit of interaction helps.Hosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast This season is supported by VitabioticsStretch Marks is owned and produced by the brand story - sound editing by Alan Breslin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This one is for anyone in the midst of a career stretch - with expert Career Consultant Angela Burke.I spoke about my own Career Stretch in season one and I know its a juggle for many.Angela burke is a career consultant who supports people to find clarity, to pivot and advance their career and their career wellbeing.From needing to advocate for your needs, to knowing its time to leave, from feeling the fear, to feeling the relief when you make the necessary changes - it’s a lot and I want an expert voice to help us out. It’s a highly valuable conversation that I know will help many who are in this right now so get in touch with your feedback, I love to read them. If this conversation supports you at all please support us back and hit subscribe, rate or review.Every tiny bit of interaction helps.Hosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast This season is supported by VitabioticsStretch Marks is owned and produced by the brand story - sound editing by Alan Breslin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This one is about the stretch of going from baby number 1 to baby number 2 - with Aisling Brennan.Aisling has a little boy Daibi, she’s a nurse and as she says herself, the pain in Carl Mullans left side.First time round Aisling’s pregnancy featured a lot of long covid complications. What followed was a depleted first time mother mentally and physically.With baby no2 days/weeks away, we talk about how different it feels going in to have your second.We talk about her miscarriage last year and how she approached trying again.And how going from 1 to 2 can be a stretch but a gift as you are doing this again with so much more knowledge, confidence and empowerment.If this conversation supports you at all please support us back and hit subscribe, rate - or review or share with other listeners tagging stretchmarkspodcast. Hosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast This season is supported by VitabioticsStretch Marks is owned and produced by the brand story - sound editing by Alan Breslin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TW: This episode compassionately talks about infant loss. Evie who showed the world her worth and thought us so much in her little lifetime. It's a stretch that many wont have lived.But it is one I know many will want to hear as almost 100k people have been following this families journey and have fallen in love and in awe of Evie and her worth. Evie’s mum Brana joins me this week and has trusted me with this chapter of her story.The chapter that includes Evie’s passing & her baby sister's arrival just 3 weeks later.Evie was born with a life limiting heart defect in 2021. Her prognosis in pregnancy was never secure but her fight and her spirit was never in doubt as her parents cared for her and advocated for her and the Down Syndrome community they were now a part of. In January 2023, Evie decided it was time to let go and fly home just before Brana gave birth to Riyah.I don’t know many women who could have lived this stretch and it is my greatest privilege to sit next to and listen to Brana as she shares her story. Hosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast This season is supported by Vitabiotics who have a supplement for every stretch of family life.Stretch Marks is owned and produced by the brand story - sound editing by Alan Breslin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The stretches keep coming - and so will this podcast. Season 4 is back with host Sinead O’Moore - supported by Vitabiotics. Ep1 and it's a huge stretch - the 4th trimester stretch.Sinead De Buitleir is in the midst of the 4th TrimesterWe talk about the perfect image of pregnancy that was so far from her reality.We talk about how even as a nurse she felt so vulnerable because of the unknown.We talk about the emotional toll when breastfeeding didn’t work out and the postpartum body we too often hide. Recording this episode i saw me in Sinead, i could feel that lump in her throat and the tears just on the edge of release as she tries to process the love, the exhaustion, the physical repair and the reality of the 4th trimester stretch. If this conversation supports you at all please support us back and hit subscribe, rate - or review or share with other listeners tagging stretchmarkspodcast. Hosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast This season is supported by VitabioticsStretch Marks is owned and produced by the brand story - sound editing by Alan Breslin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Season 4 of Stretch Marks with Sinead O'Moore returns on Wednesday 19th July 2023 - because when it comes to parenting/working/budgeting/living/loving/coping - we are still stretched to f@$* Joined by inspirational guests, experts and friends Sinead hopes to help us flow with whatever life is throwing at us, calling out the areas of over stretch and leaves us feeling more empowered, proud and confident about the versions of ourselves we are growing in to. This is the anti-bounce back. This is celebrating our physical, mental, emotional, intuitive Stretch Marks. Supported by Vitabiotics who have created a range of supplements to support us throughout every stretch of family life. Join me each week over on Stretch Marks Podcast Instagram and take part in the polls & questions boxes on the themes discussed in each episode sharing more voices, sharing more experiences, sharing more solutions to every single stretch from the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So here we are - episode 10. I wanted to leave you with a conversation with a woman who’s pulled me back to balance more times than I can remember. Suzy Reading is a Chartered Psychologist specialising in wellbeing, stress management and facilitation of healthy lifestyle change. She is an accredited yoga teacher and through her integrated work she supports people feeling frazzled, stressed, reactive tired and overwhelmed - so all of us then! The author of 9 books the latest of which REST to RESET The busy person’s guide to pausing with purpose, is exactly what we need as we head towards summer and all it brings. If I can leave you with one thing - its this episode. It’s the gift, the permission, no the demand that you go and rest to reset because the stretches are going to keep coming. Suzy InstaSuzy WebsiteSuzy Book Hosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast This season is supported by VitabioticsStretch Marks is owned and produced by the brand story - sound editing by Alan Breslin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I admire Aoibhín Garrihy so much - 3 under 3, projects that fuel her passion and always on the go. I compare myself (badly) to her and all it seems she can so effortlessly achieve. But ya know what... we are all the same. Women trying our best, doubting ourselves, comparing ourselves and feeling oh so stretched in this life we love.We talk about the stretch of 3 under 3, the road back to finding ourselves, the burden of comparison and the comfort found in creativity, business and collaboration with beo co-founder Sharon Connellan. And a whole lot of coming back to trusting ourselves as women and mothers.Honest, supportive and inspirational - another must listen.Hosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast This season is supported by Vitabiotics Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Business // Babies // Boundaries // Backing yourself - it's a stretch. I'm joined by Jane Asple Keating, founder and creator of Emma by Jane, the luxury Irish jewellery and accessories brand.With a 19 month old Jane knows the business and baby juggle. We talk about working in the labour ward, how the pressure of breastfeeding was a stretch too far and how important it is to back yourself, your goals and your dreams while still searching for the unattainable boundaries so many of us struggle with. Warm, inspiring and supportive - another must listen. Hosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast This season is supported by Vitabiotics Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Child behaviour//tantrums//dis-regulation//discipline This was a really highly requested episode.So I asked Dr. Claire Conlon, Senior Clinical Psychologist and founder of The Caterpillar Clinic to join me and to answer your questions. ​She holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Trinity College Dublin & works to support parents as well as children as she understands the pressures we face today without judgement. For us to support positive child behaviour we must also ask ourselves if our own needs are being met. There’s so much reassurance here with practical advice you can implement today as she answers listeners questions, For more support check out Dr. Claire's programmes here. Hosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast This season is supported by Vitabiotics Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kin Keeping // The Mental Load // Motherwhelmed The unseen work that goes on in our head is a very real and fraying stretch. Join editorial director of Image Magazine Dominique McMullan and I (your host Sinead O'Moore) as we have a bit of a mam-rant about it all being too much. New to Kin Keeping?? Read Dominique's article here https://www.image.ie/self/kin-keeping-excuse-me-while-i-scream-into-a-pillow-699468Hosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast This season is supported by Vitabiotics Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is an episode for anyone who is navigating the stretch of losing a parent. Trigger warning // grief // breast cancer Sarah Mc Ginn host of Life's Too Short podcast, joins me to tell her story of losing her mother and becoming a mother in the same week. We talk about breast cancer and birth. Life and death. We talk about her mother Anne and her daughter Annie. And we talk about how life is TOO short There are lots of really amazing reasons why I wanted to talk to Sarah for this particular episode - which you;ll hear as her story unfolds. But also because we both share a specific date - a day in October 2020 when both of our worlds changed but for different reasons. I want to extend a huge thank you to Sarah- please check out her podcast life’s too short if you are navigating grief. Hosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast This season is supported by Vitabiotics.With 50 Years of innovation in nutritional science, Vitobiotics has been pushing boundaries to help our families feel at their best.With products to suit all stages from preconception, pregnancy, postpartum and family life with Pregnacare WellKid, Wellwoman and Wellman, Vitabiotics have created a product to suit every stretch of family life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's International Women's Day & this episode is about the strength of women today, the courage of the women in our past and the protection of the women of the future.It's about being born in Bessborough Mother and Baby Home, the culture of silence that prevents connection and healing and how way the universe brought two women together.I'm joined by Nessa Hurley and Anne O'Connell as they share the gratitude they have to the woman who gave birth to them, the happiness they felt as children in their adoptive families and how becoming mothers themselves sparked a journey to need to find out more about who they are.What they didn't expect to find out, was that they had already found each other.If you are motivated to join the Contact Register - you can find more information through this link. https://www.birthinfo.ie/Hosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast This season is supported by Vitabiotics.With 50 Years of innovation in nutritional science, Vitobiotics has been pushing boundaries to help our families feel at their best.With products to suit all stages from preconception, pregnancy, postpartum and family life with Pregnacare WellKid, Wellwoman and Wellman, Vitabiotics have created a product to suit every stretch of family life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Micheál Brennan worked non-stop his whole life - until it no longer made sense. With fatherhood came perspective, options and the decision to step out of his career to be home with his girls. We talk about the stretch from a dad's perspective, mens mental health, having a laugh and being assessed for ADHD as an adult. If we are to stretch equally into our new selves//lives//roles we need to understand what the men we love are going through. None of this is easy but Micheál is showing men that there is more than just one way to parent in 2023 - and in doing he is championing the dad life stretch. Follow Donegal DaddyHosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast This season is supported by Vitabiotics.With 50 Years of innovation in nutritional science, Vitobiotics has been pushing boundaries to help our families feel at their best.With products to suit all stages from preconception, pregnancy, postpartum and family life with Pregnacare WellKid, Wellwoman and Wellman, Vitabiotics have created a product to suit every stretch of family life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Clémentine MacNeice is a hugely popular and successful fashion stylist. And a woman who privately dreamed of starting her family. In this episode we go deep into how miscarriage can stretch our hearts and our fears. *trigger warning of loss *Clémentine speaks beautifully and compassionately about her experience of a missed miscarriage at a scan, a second early loss shortly after and how her dreams suddenly became quiet worries. While she couldn't find the words at the time, she remembers feeling supported by hearing other people talk about loss and now at 30 weeks pregnant feels strong enough to trust us with the marks miscarriage left behind. Hosted by Sinead O'Moore Get in touch at @stretchmarkspodcast This season is supported by Vitabiotics.With 50 Years of innovation in nutritional science, Vitobiotics has been pushing boundaries to help our families feel at their best.With products to suit all stages from preconception, pregnancy, postpartum and family life with Pregnacare WellKid, Wellwoman and Wellman, Vitabiotics have created a product to suit every stretch of family life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

83% of our listeners have experienced separation anxiety.It's a very real - very normal thing.But one that can feel like a massive stretch at the time.PLUS: We have NEWS as we go through our own podcast host separation.Sinead X CarolineThis season is supported by Vitabiotics.With 50 Years of innovation in nutritional science, Vitobiotics has been pushing boundaries to help our families feel at their best.With products to suit all stages from preconception, pregnancy, postpartum and family life with Pregnacare WellKid, Wellwoman and Wellman, Vitabiotics have created a product to suit every stretch of family life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the last episode of season 2, proudly supported by Pregnacare. To wrap up, we're taking it back to you: the mother. What does self care look like for you? Have you time for it? Is it another stretch? Is it one thing too many on your to do list? How do we take care of ourselves? In this episode we also hear from listeners who share their most significant stretches so far and the micro moments of calm that bring them back to centre. Stay tuned for future episodes and follow us on @stretchmarkspodcast for more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The birth stretch: in this episode Sinead and Caroline finally share a similar experience and that's two very positive birthing experiences (or 3 if you count the number of kids between them). They recount their birth stories, the highs and lows, the contractions, the tears, the absolute overwhelm of coming out the other side and everything else. Of course, not everyone's experience of bringing their baby into the world is a positive one. For many, there's also trauma, panic, emergencies and that is certainly reflected in the polls and questions and DMs that are always weaved into the episode. This episode is supported by Pregnacare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is supported by Pregnacare. Here, Caroline and Sinead share their respective experiences with feeding: from boob to bottle and everything along the way. Feeding is perhaps the biggest stretch of all. One that brings a lot of stress (if you're having difficulty) and also plenty of other people's opinions. We hear from listeners about their baby feeding experiences in those first few formative months before solids are introduced and they're eating waffles off the floor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode, supported by Pregnacare, explores the trying to conceive stretch which can take such an emotional, physical and mental toll. Getting that positive result on the pregnancy test, wondering if it will ever happen for you, assuming it will happen the second time because it worked for you the first time. As always, with involvement from our listeners and instagram followers in our polls and questions, we try to voice the lived experience of Irish women on their varying journeys to motherhood. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Pregnancy Stretch: the mother of all stretches and where it all begins. This episode is proudly supported by Pregnacare, offering a range of supplements to see you through conception, pregnancy and beyond. For this episode, Caroline and Sinead once again share their experiences - both of which differ immensely, as per usual - while hearing from you about how your pregnancy/pregnancies went, from the joyous moments of first kicks to the worry and everything in between. For more, follow us at @StretchMarksPodcast on Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Stretch Marks, we are talking all things toddlers. The tantrums, the negotiating and how to keep sane through what can be a bumpy year or two (which, of course, can still be filled with so much love and countless gorgeous moments). Again, Carolines comes at this from the perspective of a first timer, while Sinead has learned by toddler number 2 to ride the waves. Follow us on @StretchMarksPodcast for more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tears packing away the 0-3 month old baby grows or tears on the first day of school - watching our children grow up is a massive stretch.This week, supported by DropChef (listen for our *discount code for 30% off your first 2 orders from DropChef), we're talking about how we wish away the day but don't want the years to pass. BRING TISSUES! With input from you we dive into which milestones break our hearts, why we get so emotional as they grow and how we can soothe the growing pains of the growing up stretch.Thank you to our episode sponsor, DropChef. We are always grateful for your input via our polls and questions over on Instagram @StretchMarksPodcast so do join us there.To discover more about why DropChef is a gift for busy families visit Dropchef.com*The discount code you'll hear in the podcast will give you 30% off your first 2 boxes with DropChef. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, supported by DropChef (listen for our *discount code), we're talking about judgement. The judgement we experience from others when we become parents. Unfortunately it's something we've ALL experienced. How do we handle that? Why do we experience that? We loved your input on this one. Caroline shares her experience of being trolled - never fun - while Sinead asks how much of the judgement we experience is real or perceived. Thank you to our episode sponsor, DropChef. We are always grateful for your input via our polls and questions over on Instagram @StretchMarksPodcast so do join us there and enter our competition to win a DropChef Family Subscription for 1 month! To discover more about why DropChef is a gift for busy families visit Dropchef.com*The discount code you'll hear in the podcast will give you 30% off your first 2 boxes with DropChef. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode, supported by DropChef (listen for our *discount code), is all about the career stretch.The going back to work stretch, the trying to juggle it with childcare stretch, the 'how do I pick up where I left off?' stretch, the 'is it really worth my while working when I have to pay so much for childcare?' stretch. The gender stretch. There's a HUGE amount of stretching in this part of parenting; maybe you don't want to go back to work. Maybe you have to. Maybe you really want to. Every situation is valid and worthy of support and as always, we have much to discuss.We have a lot of listener input on this one too; we are always grateful for your input via our polls and questions over on Instagram @StretchMarksPodcast so do join us there and enter our competition to win a DropChef Family Subscription for 1 month! To discover more about why DropChef is a gift for busy families visit Dropchef.com*The discount code you'll hear in the podcast will give you 30% off your first 2 boxes with DropChef. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been too long. Sinead and Caroline pop back into your ears for a catch up episode before returning with their full second season packed full of juicy discussions involving all of your input with polls and questions over on @StretchMarksPodcast Instagram. For now, they're debriefing after travelling with toddlers, talking about the various stretches they've had this summer and how Sinead's getting on since getting her sleep back and saying goodbye to breastfeeding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Parenting in a hotter location, hurrah! On this episode of Stretch Marks, Caroline - as per usual - opens up the contents of her forever fretful mind, this time it's all about taking that first trip with her 21 month old. Sinead talks through the reality of travelling with little ones, what's worked for her. As always, plenty of insight from Stretch Marks listeners on how they really feel about holidays with kids, whether they need a holiday after the holiday and what's made their adventures all the more enjoyable. Follow @StretchMarksPodcast for more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on @StretchMarksPodcast Caroline and Sinead are talking all things sleep. Their different approaches to and experiences of sleep since becoming parents. The go-with-the-flow style versus a more structured approach, what worked or is working for you? Listener participation covers topics such as co-sleeping, sleep training, and how a lack of sleep, especially in those early days, can impact us both physically and mentally. It's normal and to be expected for your sleep to take a hit, but what's possibly lacking is the support around that to help you rest and recharge when you can. Join us on Instagram to get involved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.