Ready To Be Real by Síle Seoige

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 rem...

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...

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 ‘Pa...

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 bril...

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...

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 pr...

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...

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 multifo...

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...

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...

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 healt...

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 gir...

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 speak...

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 togeth...

Topics covered : Feeling ignored and unheard, suffering, honouring how you feel, acceptance, expectation, disappointment, judgment, jealousy and envy, controlling what we can control, compassion. This week I speak to chartered psychologist, Allison Keating. We spoke on Monday and we wanted to record something that might help those who are in the thick of it right now, many are still without power...

Topics covered : Imbolc and the symbolism and significance of Brigid. In this episode, I speak to historian and artist Shelly Mooney who runs the brilliant Instagram page ‘Tales from the Wood’ which explores the history and mythology of Ireland. She lives in the countryside in County Wexford with her husband Kev, their baby Ferdia and Lola their dog. After several years of campaigning, St Brigid’s...

Topics covered : Climate crisis, capitalism, activism, Gaza, LA wildfires, Iran, community care, resistance, joy.     Raeeka (they/she) is a British-Iranian social & climate justice activist and poet. They work for Parents For Future UK, a group focused on empowering parents and carers into the climate movement. Raeeka is also on the Stop Rosebank team, working to...

Topics covered : Gaza, parenting, co-sleeping, attachment, worthiness, cancer, thyroid, compassion.  In my first episode of 2025, my guest is the one and only Dr. Gabor Maté. He is a retired physician and bestselling author known and loved for his ground-breaking medical work and writings.  His most recent book, ‘The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture’ , has b...

Topics covered : Life in Gaza, living under occupation, murder, grief, trauma, injustice. In my final episode in 2024, I speak to Palestinian mother Hala Sourani. In October 2023, Hala was married to Mohammad and they had 2 girls Shahd who was 6 and Rahaf who was 5 and they lived in Gaza. In November of that year, they tried to flee but, in the process, both Mohammad and Rahaf were murdered by Isr...

Topics covered : Motherhood, grief, loss of identity, birth trauma, breastfeeding, shedding shame, celebrity culture, awakening, humanity. In this episode I speak to Matrescence coach Jacqueline Kelly. She lives in Dublin with her husband Stuart and their two children Fionn and Molly. And in this conversation she talks to us about Motherhood, her own personal experience of it, the loss of her own...

Topics covered : Sleep, food, exercise, connection, sex, health appointments, past traumas. This is the third episode with Menopause coach and author, Catherine O’Keeffe known online as Wellness Warrior and once again she covers a multitude! Topics like sleep, food and exercise are discussed. The importance of checking in with yourself and going for appointments like a DEXA scan or a visit to a wo...

Topics covered : HRT, early menopause, supplements. This episode was recorded over 3.5 years ago but is still as relevant as ever. I speak to Menopause coach and author, Catherine O’Keeffe, known online as Wellness Warrior. When I recorded this conversation with Catherine, I was 41 and hoping to have another baby. Now, I’m 45 with very fortunate to have 2 young kids but I’m also now in perimenopau...

Topics covered : Anxiety, brain fog, flooding, hot flushes, night sweats, weight gain, aches and pains, urinary incontinence, vaginal atrophy, pelvic physio, the impact of stress, sleep. This episode was recorded over 3.5 years ago but it's still as relevant as ever. I speak to Menopause coach and author, Catherine O’Keeffe, known online as Wellness Warrior. When I recorded this conversation, I wa...

Topics covered : Purpose, self and collective care, connection, values, non-negotiables, balance, legacy.  Gerry Hussey otherwise known as 'The Soul Coach' is a performance psychologist who has been working in the fields of health and performance for almost twenty years. I have huge respect for him and am lucky enough to call him a friend. Gerry and his wife Miriam are the founders of we...

Topics covered : Cancer, red flags, coercive control, faith, resilience. This week I speak to the incredible Nicola Hanney. Nicola lives in Dublin with her son   and she’s been through hell and back. Her book,  ‘Stronger -what didn’t kill me, made me’  is out now and in this conversation, we cover elements of her story. She comes from a large family and works as a hairdresser, and 8...