Ready To Be Real by Síle Seoige

In this special Oíche Shamhna Real Take, I'm revisiting a conversation I had this time last year with musician, broadcaster and academic Doireann Ní Ghlacáin. We spoke the day after I'd seen her perform her show The Cailleach at An Taibhdhearc, Amharclann Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, in Galway. In this snippet, Doireann speaks about the significance of An Chailleach, an ancient female figure deeply rooted in Irish mythology and folklore. She shares stories of how An Chailleach shaped the landscape of Ireland and she sings the beautiful traditional song Éiníní. We talk about this liminal time of year, and Doireann reflects on growing up with a deep respect for an slua sí, the fairy folk, and the beliefs and traditions passed down through generations. There was a deep understanding and respect for an saol eile, the otherworld. It wasn't necessarily about seeing something, but simply knowing and trusting that it existed. And some lovely news from her! She's releasing her debut solo album, An Tairseach, and the song…

Topics covered: Conscious parenting, raising daughters and sons, childhood conditioning, patriarchy, people-pleasing, strong-willed girls, self-worth, body image, modelling, boundaries, boys' emotional regulation, movement, masculinity, sexuality, pornography, online safety, social media, algorithms, the wellness industry, the psychology of more, connection and presence. My guest this week is (pinch me!) Dr. Shefali, a clinical psychologist, internationally recognised parenting expert and bestselling author whose work I've admired for many years. I was absolutely delighted to meet her in Ireland when she was here last week. Originally from Mumbai, India, she moved to the US at 21 and is now based in New York. She is mother to 23-year-old Maia and author of nine books, including The Conscious Parent (2010). Her latest books, Raising Conscious Daughters and Raising Conscious Sons, explore childhood in a world shaped by technology and social media. And as a mother of a son and daughter, this conversation…

How often do we push ourselves to the point of exhaustion, trying to do everything and keep everyone happy? For this week's Real Take, I'm dipping into the Ready to Be Real archive to revisit a conversation I had with the brilliant midlife coach Alana Kirk back in April 2024. In this short extract, Alana shares a powerful example of how setting boundaries and making small changes can make a huge difference, not just to our own wellbeing, but to family life too. She also shares some wonderfully practical advice about knowing when to choose our sanity over our standards! This conversation really resonated with listeners when it first came out, and revisiting it reminded me just how much wisdom Alana has to offer. We've actually recorded three conversations together, and I'd highly recommend all three. Listen to the full conversations: Alana Kirk: Midlife Coach - April 2024 Our first conversation, where Alana shares her personal story, the challenges and changes she's experienced, and some wonderful insights…

Topics covered: Family, childhood, emigration, love, fatherhood, masculinity, patriarchy, Palestine, empathy, apathy, humanity, community, collective action, LSD, anxiety, panic attacks, creativity and music. This week I'm joined by singer-songwriter, author and actor Declan O'Rourke. Originally from Ballyfermot in Dublin, Declan grew up with his parents and three siblings. He spent part of his childhood in Australia, where the family lived for four years before returning to Ireland. By the time he turned 30, he had moved an incredible 27 times. Now 50, he's called Kinvara, County Galway, home for almost 20 years, with a special connection to the area ​on his mother's side. Family is central to his life​ and is a proud Dad to two sons: Jonah is 20 and Londubh is 8. In this conversation he recalls his three-day wedding celebration on Inishbofin with his wife Eime​ar. We explore what masculinity means to him, the expectations placed on men and the importance of challenging harmful patriarchal attitudes. Having…

Topics covered: Adolescence, preteens, parenting, boundaries, connection, communication, friendships, resilience, smartphones, internet access, childhood development and growing independence. For this week's Real Take, I'm dipping into the Ready to Be Real archive and sharing an extract from a conversation I had with psychotherapist Richard Hogan in April 2025. Richard specialises in working with families and is the author of two brilliant books, Parenting the Screenager and Home Is Where the Start Is. He's also a father of three daughters, so he brings both his professional knowledge and personal experience to the conversation. As a Mom of a nine-year-old boy and an almost five-year-old girl, this is a subject that's very close to my heart. So far, we've managed to avoid introducing personal smart devices (to our kids!) in our home, but I'm very conscious that there are challenges ahead as our children get older. In this extract, Richard talks about adolescence, the changes children experience as they grow,…

Topics covered: Online safety, childhood, parenting, smartphones, social media, gaming, Roblox, algorithms, manipulation, digital autonomy, grooming, sextortion, exploitation, CSAM, pornography, harmful content, suicide, sharenting, digital literacy, boundaries, notifications, personal responsibility, screen time, peer pressure, parental responsibility, online reporting. CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes discussions of child sexual abuse material, sexual exploitation, grooming, sextortion, pornography, suicide and other disturbing subjects. It is intended for adult listeners and is not suitable for children. My guest in this episode is Mick Moran, CEO of Hotline.ie, Ireland's national reporting centre for suspected illegal online content, particularly child sexual abuse material (CSAM). He spent 34 years in An Garda Síochána before joining Hotline.ie. Recorded during the summer of 2026, this is a frank and, at times, deeply unsettling conversation about the online world we're living in and what it means…

In this week's Real Take, Majella O'Donnell shares her personal experience of the ten weeks she spent as an inpatient in St John of God Hospital in 2024, when she became seriously unwell with depression. She speaks about the fear and vulnerability she experienced, and she also discusses medication, treatment and the practical tools she learned during her time in hospital, including recognising anxiety, understanding her body's fight-or-flight response and finding ways to support herself. This is just one part of a much wider conversation. In the full episode....Majella O'Donnell: Completely Herself, we also explore her childhood, her first marriage, motherhood, meeting Daniel and their life together, and how she continues to manage her mental health today. Support and resources If you're struggling with your mental health, please reach out. You don't have to face it alone. Your GP is a good place to start, and the following organisations offer support in Ireland. Aware Support and information for people…

Topics covered: Childhood, family, fear and safety, motherhood, relationships, depression, psychiatric care, medication, ADHD, breast cancer, ​mental health​, identity​, vulnerability, recovery, love, marriage and life with Daniel. My guest in this episode is mental health advocate and TV personality Majella O’Donnell, in what is her very first podcast conversation. Majella is a mother of two and grandmother of four, and she has been married to singer Daniel O’Donnell for almost 24 years. In this conversation, Majella speaks with extraordinary honesty about her life and, in particular, her experience of living with depression. She reflects on her childhood and ​in particular her relationship with her father, describing an upbringing in which she lived with fear and, as she now understands it, in an almost constant state of fight or flight. We talk about motherhood and the times she struggled, relationships, her cancer diagnosis, and the love, humour and independence at the heart of her marriage to Daniel. At…

In this short extract from my conversation with eco-builder and author Harrison Gardner, he talks about the systems we rely on every day, why convenience so often wins, and the value of having a backup when the systems we take for granted, don't work as expected. The full conversation,​ Harrison Gardner: How Prepared Are You?, is available now wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Housing, shelter, self-building, self-sufficiency, security, agency, sustainability, consumerism, capitalism, convenience, our reliance on systems, power cuts, extreme weather, energy, practical skills, DIY, community, climate change, preparedness​ and taking back control. Harrison Gardner is an eco-builder, author and broadcaster who lives in Co. Clare with his wife Erin and their two daughters, Inari (6) and Islita (3). Having spent more than 15 years designing and building conventional, sustainable and off-grid homes around the world, Harrison's work now centre​s on helping people develop the skills and confidence to become more capable and self-sufficient. He is the co-founder of Common Knowledge, a non-profit social enterprise based in the Burren that teaches practical skills for sustainable living, from building and DIY to growing food, making furniture and mending clothes. His latest book, ​Heat, Shelter, Water, Food: How to Be Ready for the Unexpected, looks at the basic systems we…

If you enjoy this snippet, check out the full conversation with Kyla, anytime now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Gratitude, self-belief, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, mother-daughter bond, coercive control, patriarchy, beauty standards, ageing, women’s cycles, strength training, healthy love, taking up space. This week’s guest is comedian and now author Kyla Cobbler. Kyla and I sat down in Galway just as her first book, 'Happy, Thank You, More, Please' was released. We talk about the five-word mantra that has stayed with her since she was 21, her difficult experience of school, the unwavering support of her ​Mom, and her journey towards trusting herself and taking up space. We also talk about coercive control, finding healthy love with her husband Simon, life under the patriarchy, beauty standards, ageing, honouring women’s cycles, strength training, and learning to appreciate the life you have while still being brave enough to ask for more. 'Happy, Thank You, More, Please' is out now, available in all good bookshops and as an audiobook and it is brilliant! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy…

​Topics covered : Rest, nervous system regulation, connection, guilt, awareness, balance, parenting, burnout, self compassion​. For my final episode before the summer break, I'm joined by chartered clinical psychologist, author and psychology lecturer, Dr Malie Coyne. Why do so many of us find it so difficult to rest? ​Malie explore​s our relationship with rest and why, in a world that celebrates busyness, so many of us struggle to switch off. Malie lives in Galway with her husband, Pete, and their two daughters, Jessica (14) and Aimée (12) and she first joined me on the podcast during the pandemic, helping us navigate one of the most uncertain periods of our lives. If you enjoyed this conversation, you might also like previous episodes with Dermot Whelan and Alan​a Kir​k. As always, thank you for listening. If this episode resonated with you, please consider following the podcast, leaving a rating or review, and sharing it with someone who might need to hear it. ​To connect with Malie : Dr. Malie Coyne |…

In this week's Real Take, I'm sharing a short snippet from my conversation with professional home organiser and founder of The Home Reset, Hazel Burton. Hazel explains why asking simple questions can be a game changer when it comes to reducing clutter and creating lasting organising habits at home. If you enjoyed this episode, you'll find my full conversation with Hazel Burton wherever you get your podcasts. ​To connect with Hazel : thehomereset.ie hazel@thehomereset.ie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered: Career change, decluttering, guilt, shame, organisation, consumerism, sustainability, sentimental items, children's toys, labelling, habits, letting go, mental wellbeing, calmer homes. This week's guest is professional home organiser Hazel Burton, founder of The Home Reset. Hazel lives in Dublin with her husband Conor and their two children, Fionn who's 12 and Izzy who's almost 10. Before setting up her own business, Hazel spent 17 years working in finance before following a very different path; one that's seen her help thousands of people transform not only their homes but, often, their lives too. In this conversation we explore why so many of us struggle to let go of our belongings, the emotional weight that clutter can carry, and how creating more space in our homes can often create more space in our minds. Hazel shares the questions we should ask ourselves before deciding what stays and what goes, how to tackle sentimental items without guilt, why labelling is one of her favourite…

Topics covered : Tragic death, complex grief, severe injuries, PTSD. This is my conversation with the incredible Zoe Holohan from March 2021. On the 23rd of July 2018, Zoe and her husband Brian were on their honeymoon when disaster struck. Wildfires swept through the seaside town of Mati in Greece where they were staying and claimed the lives of 102 people. She miraculously survived despite her extensive injuries, while Brian, unfortunately didn’t. In this conversation we hear how she and Brian met, what a wonderful man he was, their beautiful wedding day and how her life changed forever just a few days later, on their honeymoon. She also speaks about her Dad and the close friendship they had, and how his death 3 weeks after that terrible day in Greece was yet another trauma to have to come to terms with. This was by far one of the most moving conversations I’ve ever had, and I am in awe of Zoe’s courage, strength and resilience. Her book : ‘As the smoke clears : The inspirational true story of surviving…

​Topics covered : Vulnerability, heritage, organic farming, biodiversity, food waste, value, climate, connection. This week's guest is Kenneth Keavey, co-founder of Green Earth Organics, one of Ireland's best-known organic farms. Kenneth holds a degree in science and a PhD in chemistry, and spent years working in biotechnology and the pharmaceutical industry before making a life-changing decision over twenty years ago. Together with his wife Jenny, he returned home to Galway to take over the family farm and build what has become Green Earth Organics​; an organic farming enterprise that today employs more than 45 people and delivers fresh produce to homes all over Ireland. ​Last week Kenneth ​posted a heartfelt video on social media.​..at the height of the growing season, he spoke openly about the realities of running an organic farm, the challenges of producing healthy food in today's world and the uncertainty that so many Irish growers face​.​ And the response to th​e video has been extraordinary. Green…

No electricity. No hot water. The best sleep of her life. In this week's Real Take, taken from my recent conversation with public historian and author Lesley Bond, we explore what it was really like to spend six months living on the Great Blasket Island. Back in 2019, Lesley and her then-boyfriend (now husband) Gordon left their busy lives behind to become seasonal caretakers of the island. Together, they welcomed visitors, ran the island café, looked after the guest cottages and embraced a way of life shaped entirely by nature and the rhythms of the Atlantic. In this short excerpt, Lesley reflects on life without electricity or hot water, how the island dictated every decision they made, and why she slept more deeply than ever before. It's a beautiful reminder of what can happen when we slow down and reconnect with the world around us. Lesley's wonderful book, Blasket Bound: Memoirs of an Island Caretaker, tells the full story of their unforgettable six months on the island and is well worth a read. If you…

Topics covered: island life, ​living without modern comforts, heritage, community, ​postnatal depression, writing and healing. This week, I’m joined by public historian and author Lesley Bond. In 2019, Lesley and her then-boyfriend, ​(now husband​) Gordon, left their busy lives behind to spend six months as caretakers on the Great Blasket Island, off the coast of Kerry. With no electricity or hot water, their days were shaped by the rhythms of the island and the unpredictability of the Atlantic. Together, they welcomed visitors from all over the world, ran the island café, looked after the guest cottages and became part of a small but special seasonal community. The Great Blasket was once home to a thriving Irish-speaking community and became renowned for its extraordinary literary tradition. The final residents left the island in 1953, but its stories, language and heritage live on. Lesley brings us behind the scenes of life as an island caretaker​...from the practical realities of running a café without…

​Topics covered : her upbringing, her late husband, grief, mourning, rebuilding her life, fostering, community, belonging and public service. This week, I'm joined by Helen Ogbu​ - Labour councillor, the newly elected Mayor of Galway, foster carer, life coach and PhD student. Helen made history this year by becoming Galway's first Mayor from a migrant background. But long before politics, her life had already taken her on an extraordinary journey. Growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, Helen was one of eight children in a home where kindness, generosity and caring for others were simply part of everyday life. Those early experiences would later inspire her to become a foster carer, opening her home in Ireland to around 30 children over the years. Helen also shares the deeply personal story of meeting her late husband, Sunny Orji-Ogbu, a principled Nigerian politician who believed passionately that his country deserved honest, accountable leadership. As political tensions intensified, Helen became increasingly fearful…

In this weeks Real Take from my conversation with musician, performer and storyteller Aindrias de Staic...he talks about the ancient Irish bardic storytelling tradition and why play is so good for our mental health. If you enjoyed this conversation, I'd really encourage you to listen to the full episode, where Aindrias speaks openly about his childhood, his relationship with his father, addiction and recovery, receiving an ADHD diagnosis later in life, reconnecting with nature and finding his way back to himself. Find Aindrias Website: https://www.aindrias.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smalltownseanchai By the Light of the Silvery Moon tours Ireland from August. For tour dates and tickets, visit Aindrias' website or reach out to him on Instagram. If you're enjoying Ready to be Real, I'd be so grateful if you'd follow the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share it with someone who might enjoy it too...it really helps the podcast reach more people. Go raibh míle! Hosted on Acast. See…

Topics covered : ADHD, addiction, recovery, nature, bardic storytelling, performing. My guest this week is musician, performer and storyteller Aindrias de Staic, who many of you will know online as 'Smalltown Seanchaí'. The son of the late writer and folklorist Eddie Stack, Aindrias grew up immersed in stories. But this conversation isn't simply about where he comes from, it's about the life he's lived. We talk about his childhood, his parents' separation, his struggles with alcohol and addiction, and what it has taken to reach 20 years of sobriety. He speaks openly about receiving an ADHD diagnosis later in life, his mental health, and how gardening, growing his own food and reconnecting with nature have become central to his wellbeing. And along the way, we explore the ancient Irish bardic storytelling tradition, the importance of play, creativity and finding flow. Please note: This episode contains personal experiences and opinions relating to ADHD, mental health, addiction and recovery. Any discussion…

In this week's Real Take, Tara Rafter reflects on her mother's final days living with COPD​ and the heartbreak of saying goodbye to the woman who had been her anchor throughout life. ​If this excerpt resonates with you, I highly recommend listening to the full episode: Tara Rafter: Hypervigilance to Healing ​Growing up in a home impacted by alcoholism and domestic violence, she learned from a young age how to navigate uncertainty. Despite the difficulties her family faced, she speaks with remarkable compassion about both of her parents, who died far too young. A​nd alongside her personal story, Tara brings the perspective of a Master Neuro Linguistic Programming Practitioner and Executive Coach. Listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

​Topics covered include:​ Alcoholism​, domestic violence​, hypervigilance​, compassion​, motherhood​, self-abandonment​, being a carer​, death and loss​, grief​, faith​, spirituality​, forgiveness​, love​, safety​, self-worth​, self-sabotage​, overwhelm​, healing​. This week I'm joined by Master Neuro Linguistic Programming Practitioner, Executive Coach and founder of The Navigation Coach, Tara Rafter. Tara lives in Mayo with her husband Kevin and their son Kai. In this deeply honest conversation, Tara shares the story of her childhood growing up in a home impacted by alcoholism and domestic violence. She speaks candidly about the hypervigilance she developed from a young age, the lasting impact those experiences had on her life, and the remarkable compassion she holds for her father despite the challenges her family faced. Tara's story is one of resilience, but also of love, forgiveness and understanding. She reflects on her relationship with both of her parents, who died far too young. Her father passed…

Topics covered : Multiple sclerosis, childfree by choice, travel, freedom, simple living. This week, I sit down with author Susan Bennett to chat about her memoir, One Year. Susan and her husband Chris live in Antrim. After both receiving a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis just three days apart, they made a decision that would change the course of their lives. Years later, they packed up their much loved campervan, fondly known as Hans, and set off on an unforgettable journey through 17 countries across Europe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this snippet I speak to online fitness coach and content creator Siobhán O'Hagan about being pregnant with her second child and her decision to become become a solo parent through IVF. Siobhán lives in Dublin with her daughter Cadhla, who will be 3 in August. At the time of recording, she was 15 weeks pregnant and she shares how she has found the experience so far and why she felt confident making such a significant life decision on her own. * If you're considering fertility treatment or have any questions about your own circumstances, please speak with your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional. To connect with Siobhán : Siobhan O'Hagan (@siobh.ohagan) • Instagram photos and videos The Self-Improvement Project | fitness Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

​Topics covered : Building a career in the fitness industry​, solo travel and the search for freedom​, holotropic breathwork​, solo motherhood through IVF​, ​pregnancy and preparing for baby number two​, navigating criticism and online trolling​, the importance of family support​ and creating a life on your own terms​. A quick note : If you're considering fertility treatment or have any questions about your own circumstances, please speak with your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional. This week on Ready to be Real, I'm joined by online fitness coach and content creator Siobh​án O'Hagan. For more than a decade, Siobh​án has worked in the fitness industry, building a successful online coaching business and sharing her life with a large audience online. But this conversation goes far beyond fitness. S​he speaks openly about her love of travel and adventure, living in places like Thailand​ and Bali and the importance of freedom and independence in her life. She reflects on discovering she was pregnant…

Former Navy Captain Marie Gleeson speaks about the most profound and heartbreaking experience of her life. During her pregnancy with her son Ciarán, Marie and her husband John received devastating news about his health. What followed was a journey marked by immense love and, ultimately, deep grief. If you'd like to hear the full conversation, Marie also speaks about life in the Navy and what the sea taught her about navigating life. It's available to listen to anytime now. ​And if anything discussed in this episode feels difficult or brings up emotions for you, please know that you are not alone. Support Links – Pregnancy & Infant Loss Ireland ​​Ireland helplines and hotlines ​Marie’s memoir, ​'Be Like the Sea​ - Life, Learnings and Leadership from an Irish Navy Captain', is out now, and it's brilliant. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

​Topics covered : life in the Irish Navy, leadership, being a woman in a male-dominated environment, drug interdiction operations, UN peacekeeping missions, traumatic pregnancy, child loss, grief, motherhood, mental health and emotional wellbeing. ​(Please take care while listening, particularly if any of these topics feel sensitive or close to home.​) This week, I speak to former Navy Captain Marie Gleeson. Marie lives in Tipperary with her husband John and their two daughters, Laoise and Muireann. Raised on a dairy farm as the eldest of six children, she went on to become one of the first women commissioned into the Irish Navy at a time when women had only recently been allowed into the service. Over a 21-year career, Marie served at sea and ashore in senior leadership roles and eventually became Commanding Officer of the LE Aoife. She was involved in major operations including a UN peacekeeping mission in Chad, the rescue of a Canadian submarine and a seven hundred and fifty million euro cocaine seizure…

This week’s Real Take, is a powerful moment from my recent conversation with Professor of Psychology and bestselling author Dr. Katriona O’Sullivan. Katriona speaks about growing up feeling deeply unloved and the many ways she felt hungry in childhood. Despite experiencing extreme poverty, addiction, abuse and homelessness growing up, Katriona went on to completely transform her life. Today, she uses her voice, her position and her privilege to help lift others up and advocate for inclusion, opportunity and education. She also reflects on what helps her now, the importance of affirmations and learning how to value yourself with greater compassion. Born in Coventry to Irish parents, Katriona later moved to Dublin where she entered Trinity College through the access programme and went on to earn a PhD in psychology. She is now a professor at Maynooth University, is married to Dave, has three sons; John, Seán and Tadhg and is also a proud grandmother. You can hear my full conversation with Katriona now on Ready…

Topics covered: Body image, diet culture, good girl conditioning, life under patriarchy, poverty, trauma, hypervigilance, affirmations, self-belief, healing, ageing, motherhood, connection​, privilege. In this episode I sit down once again with Professor of Psychology and bestselling author​, the extraordinary Dr. Katriona O’Sullivan. When Katriona first joined the podcast in November 2023, her memoir Poor had been released and since then, the book has become a phenomenon; winning Biography of the Year and Newcomer of the Year at the Irish Book Awards, remaining in Ireland’s top-ten nonfiction chart for two years, being translated into seven languages and adapted into a sold-out stage production at Dublin’s Gate Theatre. Now Katriona is back to talk about her powerful new book 'Hungry: A Biography of my Body.' In this deeply honest conversation, Katriona reflects on growing up in the 80s and 90s​ and the culture of shame around women’s bodies​ and the lasting impact of ​extreme poverty​. ​She also speaks…

Today’s Real Take comes from a powerful conversation I recorded in October 2024 with photographer, filmmaker and activist Misan Harriman. Misan is Chair of ​cultural hub, the Southbank Centre, an ambassador for Save the Children, and one of the most compassionate and courageous voices speaking up about injustice and inequality in the world today. Through his photography, filmmaking and activism, he has consistently used his platform to amplify voices that are too often ignored​; especially concerning children​. Over the past number of weeks, Misan has been the target of what many believe is a deeply disturbing smear campaign by sections of the UK press. I stand with Misan. If you would like to support him, please consider adding your name to th​is ​​Petition To listen to the full conversation with Misan from October 2024, search ​'Misan Harriman: Bridge Building​' wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Addiction, shame, awareness, compassion, recovery. In this week’s episode of Ready to Be Real, I speak to Dr. Brian Pennie - neuroscientist, podcast host and former heroin addict. I first met Brian back in 2020 when his memoir Bonus Time was released, and I remember being completely blown away by his honesty and insight. Since then, life has continued to evolve for Brian. He’s now living a very fulfilled life with his partner Natalie, continuing his work in neuroscience, delivering talks, hosting his own podcast and helping people better understand addiction, behaviour and recovery. Brian spent 15 years addicted to heroin before getting clean in October 2013. In this conversation, we explore addiction from both a neuroscience point of view and through Brian’s lived experience - what happens in the brain when addiction takes hold, why recovery can be so difficult, and what can genuinely help somebody who is struggling. Following on from last week’s conversation with Tony O’Reilly about…

This is The Real Take and in this snippet, Tony O’Reilly — co-author of the bestselling book 'Tony 10: The Astonishing Story of the Postman Who Gambled €10,000,000…and Lost It All' — speaks about the point where his gambling addiction escalated into stealing €1.75 million from An Post while working as a branch manager. It’s a shocking and deeply heartbreaking insight into the reality of gambling addiction and the lengths a person can go to when completely consumed by it. Tony now works as a gambling addiction counsellor and psychotherapist, helping people whose lives have been impacted by gambling harm.​ You can connect with him here: Tony O' Reilly - Gambling Addiction Counselling & Workshops Ireland is in the grip of a gambling crisis that many people still don’t fully recognise. Gambling addiction is insidious because it can remain hidden for years, devastating lives behind closed doors. If you or someone you know is struggling, please know that help is available and you are not alone. Resources & Support…

​Topics covered: insecurities, psychology of addiction, secrecy, manipulation, shame, suicide ideation, finding meaning. My first guest of this brand new season of Ready to be Real is someone I’ve wanted to sit down with since the podcast launched back in 2019. Tony O’Reilly is the co-author of the bestselling book Tony 10: The Astonishing Story of the Postman Who Gambled €10,000,000…and Lost It All ​ - the extraordinary true story of how a one pound bet in his early twenties spiralled into a devastating online gambling addiction that completely consumed his life. Over time, Tony gambled more than €10 million and stole €1.75 million from An Post while working as a branch manage​r and ultimately losing almost everything: his job, his marriage, his peace of mind and very nearly, his life. But behind the sensational headlines is a​ real story. In this conversation, Tony speaks with extraordinary honesty about the psychology of addiction - the secrecy of online gambling, the lies, ​the manipulation, ​the fear…

Topics covered : Mother and Baby home, adoption, grief, faith, taboo, shedding shame, transgenerational trauma, therapy, holotropic breathwork, motherhood, inner child healing, compassion. In the final episode of this season, I speak to psychotherapist Deirdre Nicole Hegarty, who shares her adoption story​ with us. Deirdre lives in Donegal with her husband Noel and their baby boy, Con​all. She was adopted at three months old from a mother and baby home, into a loving family where her adoption was always known and spoken about openly. But as she grew older​, and especially when she began searching for her birth parents​, her story became more complex. What she discovered challenged her sense of identity in a profound way. Her birth parents were ​first cousins​...something that carried deep layers of secrecy and shame. In this conversation, Deirdre speaks with great honesty about reconnecting with her birth parents, the emotional impact of those connections, and the confusion and trauma that unfolded. She also…

In this snippet, business mentor and change coach Niamh Ennis speaks about the power of change​, whether it arrives suddenly in our lives or is something we choose and how both can lead us closer to the life we truly want, if we’re willing to ask ourselves the right questions…and really listen to the answers. If you enjoyed this snippet, you can listen to my full conversation with Niamh Ennis now, wherever you get your podcasts. To connect with Niamh: www.niamhennis.com She is the founder of The ChangeMakers Mastermind where she supports ambitious, heart led business founders. More here... www.niamhennis.com/tcmmastermind Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

​Topics covered : Pancreatic cancer, grief, sympathy, therapy, good girl conditioning, life changes, intuition, journaling. This week, business mentor and change coach Niamh Ennis is my guest. She lives in Galway with her husband Michael and their rescue dog Bella. She’s the author of 'Get Unstuck: Ditch Your Drama and Move from Pain to Power' but long before the work she does now, Niamh went through an incredibly difficult period in her life. In her late 30s and early 40s, she experienced profound loss; her fiancé Tony died just nine days after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and only 6 months before they were due to be married. Not long after, she also lost her dad…and then, a number of years later, her Mum passed away. In this conversation, Niamh shares what that time was like, how it changed her, and how it ultimately led her to completely rethink her life and her career. We also talk about what it really means to feel stuck…and how to begin finding your way back to yourself ​, especially in…

In this week's Real Take, I'm sharing a short snippet of my recent conversation with Celtic wisdom teacher and guide Mari Kennedy. Here she talks to us about the coming days, Síle's day on the 18th and later in the week, we'll be celebrating the Spring Equinox. I highly recommend you listen to the full conversation with Mari anytime now, it's a beaut! To connect with her : https://www.marikennedy.com/ https://www.instagram.com/marikennedywisdom Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : The dark feminine/An Chailleach, infertility, grief, good girl conditioning, masculine and feminine forces, patriarchy, menopause, 4 (not 3) stages of womanhood - Maiden, Mother, Sovereign Queen and Crone, Friday the 13th, Síle's day, year of the Fire Horse, Spring Equinox, Sinéad O'Connor, rebellion, new age wellness, Síle na gig, feminine rising. For this special Friday the 13th episode, I’m joined by a teacher and guide in the Celtic Wisdom tradition, ​the wonderful Mari Kennedy. Mari lives in her home county of Sligo with her partner ​writer Eugene​ O'Brien, and she works with the Celtic Wheel of the Year​, an ancient framework that invites us to live in deeper alignment with nature​, cyclical wisdom​ and the cycles of life. Her work centres on women’s relationship to power, wisdom and remembering who we truly are. ​The question she keeps returning to, and that runs through everything she does, is: how do we respond wisely and powerfully to the chaos and collapse of this time? In this…

I'm dipping into the Ready to be Real archive for this week's Real Take. In this snippet, I speak with the wonderfully reflective Michael Harding, as he shares his love of religion and spirituality...from Buddhism to Christianity...with the philosophical curiosity and earthy wisdom he’s so well known for. And if you enjoy this, I highly recommend you listen to the full conversation with Michael from December 2022. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I'm joined by personal trainer and online coach Iza Clarke. Originally from Poland, Iza has been living in Ireland for the past 18 years. She’s married to Odhran and they have two tween daughters, Lanah and Keira. I recently started training with ​her and I love how encouraging and knowledgeable she is​, so I wanted to sit down with her for an honest and informative conversation about strength training, nutrition, and how our approach to fitness needs to change as we move through different decades of life. ​* To be clear, this isn’t an ad, I’m a very happy paying client who thought this conversation might resonate with ​listeners. ​C​onnect with Iza ​Izabela Clarke PT (@iza.clarke) ​You can sign up to her monthly program and she’s also launching a perimenopause p​lan on the 16th of March, with a particular focus on training, nutrition and education during this often challenging stage of life. ​I would highly recommend connecting with her, she is fab! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more…

​Topics covered : toxic family systems, boundaries, living grief, healing. For this week's Real Take, Josh Connolly talks about the unspoken truth of family dysfunction and how toxic systems are often invisible to the outside world. ​He is a father of six and his book​ ​'It’s Them, Not You: How to Break Free from Toxic Parents and Reclaim Your Story' is a bestseller. With a powerful online following and years of lived experience behind his work, he speaks openly about growing up with an alcoholic and abusive parent​. And in the wake of recent public conversations around family estrangement, due to Brooklyn Beckham’s revelations, I wanted to explore what dysfunction in a family system actually looks like. The roles people can fall into​, the patterns that follow on into adulthood​, and why boundaries can feel so difficult and yet are so necessary. ​Josh on Instagram ​His Dublin workshop on Sunday April 26th 2026 ​Tics here ​​You can listen to the full conversation anytime now​ and if you're struggling right…

​Topics covered : Alcoholism, toxic family systems, boundaries, living grief, compassion, healing. This week I speak to author Josh Connolly about family dysfunction. Josh is a father of six and his book​ ​'It’s Them, Not You: How to Break Free from Toxic Parents and Reclaim Your Story' is a bestseller. With a powerful online following and years of lived experience behind his work, he speaks openly about growing up with an alcoholic and abusive parent​. And in the wake of recent public conversations around family estrangement, due to Brooklyn Beckham’s revelations, I wanted to explore what dysfunction in a family system actually looks like. The roles people can fall into​, the patterns that follow on into adulthood​, and why boundaries can feel so difficult and yet are so necessary. ​Josh on Instagram ​His Dublin workshop on Sunday April 26th 2026 ​Tics here ​If you're struggling right now, there is help available... Ireland helplines and hotlines Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

​For today’s Real Take, we’re dipping into the archive. Back in May 2020, during the height of COVID restrictions, I recorded a remote conversation with comedian, actor and broadcaster Tommy Tiernan...he was in Galway, I was in Dublin, ​but despite the distance, the connection was magic. He spoke about his fascination with religion and philosophy​, we learn more about what makes him tick...which includes his love of strong coffee and cigars, his brilliant TV show and of his experience ​on a silent retreat. ​You can also listen t0 the full conversation anytime now. And if you liked this chat you might appreciate others here with the likes of Brother Richard and Gelong Thubten. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is aimed at parents of young children through to preteens and I’m speaking with child and adolescent psychotherapist Debbie Cullinane. Debbie lives in Mayo with her husband James and their two children, Elsie (10.5) and Freddie (9.5). For context, I have two children as well, Cathal (8.5) and Clíodhna (4), so this conversation felt particularly relevant. Debbie first joined me on the podcast back in March 2024, and that episode resonated deeply, for me personally and for so many listeners. If you haven’t heard it yet, I highly recommend giving it a listen. This is Debbie’s third time on the pod, and in this episode we delve into all things kids and toys. What supports healthy development, the importance of aggressive play in childhood, which toys need clear boundaries around them…and one personal rule she stands firmly by: no unsupervised YouTube. Debbie, along with fellow psychotherapist Hayley Rice, created the F.I.R.M.™ (Firm, Intentional, Regulated, Modelling) Parenting Approach, a…

In today’s Real Take, Brother Richard speaks about death in a deeply comforting way​, drawn from his years of accompanying people at the end of their lives. If this resonated with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts and if you’d like to hear more from Brother Richard, the full conversation is available to listen to anytime now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Meditation, religion, spirituality, distractions, boredom and creativity, authenticity, discernment, validation, forgiveness, death, living fully, gratitude, compassion. This week I’m delighted to welcome back a ​true friend of the podcast​. Brother Richard​ is a Capuchin Franciscan priest-friar and he first joined me three and a half years ago ​for a conversation that resonated so deeply with a lot of us and if you haven’t heard it yet, I’d highly recommend going back and listening to it. In today’s episode, he shares so much wisdom once again​; from the importance of allowing boredom into our lives in a world that constantly distracts and overstimulates us, especially important for younger people....to what true forgiveness really looks like, and how it can free us in ways we might not expect and the latter part of the conversation will comfort so many of you too. ​Check out his latest book 'Calming the Storms - Meditation as a path to inner peace and happiness' and you can also listen to…

In today’s Real Take, we step beyond the headlines with crime journalist Nicola Tallant and get a real sense of what makes her tick. ​If you’re enjoying these conversations, I’d love you to follow, rate and share​...it really helps Ready to be Real grow. Míle buíochas! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

​Topics covered : Crimeworld, fraudsters, the Regency Hotel shooting, The Kinahans, Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch, being a mother, resilience. ​I'm joined by crime journalist, author and podcaster Nicola Tallant. Nicola is a ​Mum of two and has been working in journalism since she was just nineteen and over the years she’s become one of the most respected and trusted voices in Irish crime reporting, as well as the host of the chart topping podcast Crime World. This week marks ten years since the Regency Hotel shooting ​a period that was particularly intense for Nicola​, and in this conversation we reflect on that time, what it was like covering organised crime up close, and the pressure and responsibility that comes with telling these stories. But beyond all of that, what really stood out to me was Nicola herself. She’s relaxed, compassionate​ and great craic. Honestly, the perfect guest​ and I think you’re going to enjoy this one. ​Another podcast to listen to (mentioned during the chat) : Ger Redmond : Being a…