Ready To Be Real by Síle Seoige

Topics covered : Identity crisis, bullying, self-worth, addiction, alcohol, drugs, money laundering, court case, self-sabotage, Covid, homelessness, taking responsibility, rebuilding her life.     

In this episode I sit down with DJ Nikki Hayes — whose real name is Eimear O’Keeffe.

Eimear or Nikki as she’s better known, rose to fame as a hugely popular voice on radio stations like 2FM and Spin 1038 but behind ...

Topics covered : Activism, social justice, betrayal, family estrangement, patriarchy, responsibility, grief, regrets, forgiveness, love, business.  

In this episode, I sit down with mother and daughter — Rosita and Chupi Sweetman.

Rosita is a trailblazing activist and one of the founding members of the Women’s Liberation Movement of the 1970's, a time when speaking out for women’s rights — including the right to co...

Topics covered : Imposter syndrome, vulnerability, shedding shame, triggers, self-sabotage, apologising, blocks, boundaries, self-worth, ADHD, conditioning, reclaiming.  

This episode originally aired on the 6th of October 2023 and feels eerily resonant now, given how much has shifted since.

I speak to body-based visibility and business coach, Kate O’Dwyer.

She lives in Dublin with her partner Jim and their son...

Topics covered : Mental health, homophobia, same-sex marriage referendum in Ireland, rejecting shame. 

This week marks 10 years of the marriage equality referendum in Ireland when the country overwhelmingly voted 'yes' and in doing so became the first country in the world to grant equal marriage rights to same-sex couples by popular vote.

3 years ago I spoke to bar owner, drag queen and activist, Rory O’Neill a...

Topics covered : Hurling career, All Ireland Finals (2017 & 2018), growing up, learning from failure, resilience, criticism, coping with fame, love, loss, proposal story, becoming a Dad.

This week, I’m joined by All-Ireland winning hurler and businessman Joe Canning.

He’s a proud Galway man who now lives in Limerick with his wife Meg and their baby daughter Josie.

In the first part of our conversation, we dive into his hurling...

Topics covered : Sexual abuse, grooming, domestic violence, rape, incest, sexual assault, coercive control, manipulation, gaslighting, guilt, shame, recovery.

Charlene Masterson was subjected to horrific sexual abuse at the hands of her father, David, for over 7.5 years.

The abuse started at 18 and the details of which are truly shocking, but her ability to talk about what she went through, is remarkable.

This summer, she ...

Topics covered : Childhood sexual abuse, grooming, secrecy, shame, self-harm, intense flashbacks, suicide attempts, therapy, consent.

Jack is an extraordinary person who bravely shares his experience of surviving childhood sexual abuse. The abuse lasted for five years during his early life and left lasting scars that led to self-harm and multiple suicide attempts.

While he chooses not to disclose the identity of his abuser, his i...

Topics covered : Betrayal, heartbreak, breakdown, trust, prevention, repair, connection, healing. 

Originally from Douglas in Cork, psychotherapist Richard Hogan lives in Dublin with his wife and their 3 daughters.

He writes a weekly column with the Irish Examiner and often appears on TV and radio and he specialises in working with families.

He’s also written two brilliant books ‘Parenting the screenager’ and ‘Home ...

Topics covered : Connection, communication, boundaries, friendships, modelling, play dates, safety, brain development, true masculinity, the manosphere, porn, healthy eating, sleep.

This week psychotherapist Richard Hogan is back on the pod.

Originally from Douglas in Cork he lives in Dublin with his wife and their 3 daughters.

He specialises in working with families and he’s also written two brilliant books ‘Parenting the screenager’...

Topics covered : the power of the mind, our inner critic, inner coach, affirmations, consistency.

Gerry Hussey is a performance psychologist who has been working in the fields of health and performance for almost twenty years.

He’s just released his 3rd book…‘I am, I can, I will. Silence your inner critic, wake up your inner coach and reclaim your confidence and power’ and in this conversation he tells us what it’s all about!

...

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 d...

Topics covered : self-worth, being authentic, imposter syndrome, grief, plant medicine, healing.

This week I speak to Pat Divilly.

Originally from Limerick, Pat moved to Galway with his family when he was about 7 years old and for the past 15 years, he has been working in the areas of physical, mental and emotional wellness as a coach, facilitator and educator.

Currently living in Bali, we caught up when he was home recently to promot...

Topics covered : Cancer, Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), control the controllables, shift in perspective, healthy body and mind, affirmations, positive self talk, appreciation. 

Alannah Sheehan lives in Tipperary with her husband Martin and their 3 children, Finn (9), Luca (7) and Phoebe (5).

And 5 years ago when Phoebe was only a few months old, Alannah was diagnosed with Glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive type of brain...

Topics covered : Friendships, fun, rest, boundaries, loneliness, over-thinking.

Alana Kirk is a coach, speaker and author who helps women find more balance, direction and joy in their lives. 

She is a mother to 3 girls, is divorced and is in a certain phase in her life of juggling motherhood, along with her career and her social life, and she also helps to look after her Dad who is unwell at the moment.

In this episode she zo...

Topics covered : Overwhelm, ‘good girl’ conditioning, patriarchy, unlearning, importance of rest, empowerment.   

This week I speak to an author and coach who helps women find more balance, direction and joy in their lives.

The wonderful Alana Kirk is back on the pod!

In this conversation Alana talks about the practical, invisible and emotional burden that women often carry and more importantly, how to change it!

He...

Trigger warning : Disordered eating

A few years ago I spoke to Aoife O’Brien about life with and after an eating disorder. Aoife now lives in Co. Clare with her fiance Damian and their 2 little boys, Liam (5) and Samuel (2). She is a Nutritionist (MSc), Body Image and Wellbeing Coach with a specialist interest in disordered eating and through AOB Coaching, she helps women develop a healthy, balanced and peaceful relati...

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 Co...

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 mode...

Topics covered : Traumatic childhood, abandonment, disappointment, pain, breaking negative cycles, self-worth, sport, faith.

Last year I sat down to speak to my next guest and I’m finally releasing our conversation.

I spoke to Irish professional athlete and coach at Oberstown Children’s Detention Centre, Ger Redmond.

He’s married to Pauline, who he describes as his rock and they have 5 kids together, 4 girls and a boy.

A childhood ...