The Delusional Optimist

What do you do when the career you’ve spent 17 years building suddenly disappears? When bestselling author Andrea Mara was made redundant from her job in financial services, she had a choice: find another “sensible” job or take a chance to build something new. In this episode, Andrea shares the story behind that life-changing decision and how an unexpected redundancy gave her the time to discover...

She’s one of Ireland’s best-loved broadcasters, but Lucy Kennedy is proving it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. In the first episode of Season 2, Lucy joins me for a warm, funny and honest conversation about taking risks, embracing change and finding more confidence with age. We chat about writing her bestselling novel The Mini Breakers on her phone while on holiday, the leap from broadcasti...

Fashion might look glamorous on Instagram but behind every red carpet moment is a LOT of chaos, spreadsheets, sourcing, fittings, returns, early mornings, and problem-solving that nobody talks about. For the season one finale of the podcast, I’m joined by celebrity stylist and fashion journalist Corina Gaffey for a really honest conversation about building a career in Irish fashion, freelancing, b...

Winning a Paralympic gold medal is supposed to be the happy ending… but for Ellen Keane , it was only part of the story. From becoming Ireland’s youngest Paralympian at 13 to winning gold in Tokyo, Ellen shares what we don’t see - the pressure of being “the good girl”, the mental crash after big highs, and the loneliness that can follow even your proudest moments. We talk identity, self-worth, and...

In this episode of The Delusional Optimist, I sit down with broadcaster and former Late Late show host Ryan Tubridy for a thoughtful and deeply human conversation about navigating a very public storm, finding contentment in its aftermath, and what it means to start over.  From career highs and intense scrutiny to love, reinvention, and the quiet power of perspective, Ryan reflects on the chapters...

The night before Kodaline release their first single in six years, I sit down with someone I know better than anyone else - my husband, Steve Garrigan - for a bittersweet conversation about the band's final chapter.  With a final album and farewell tour on the horizon, we talk honestly about what it means to close a chapter that has spanned over 20 years - from pub gigs and rejection letters...

What actually makes a wedding unforgettable? This week on The Delusional Optimist, I'm joined by wedding planner Martina O'Riordan ( Martina O ), who helped plan my own wedding, to talk about the reality behind those "perfect" days - from timelines slipping to behind-the-scenes chaos you never see. We get into budgets, suppliers, and the pressure to create a Pinterest-perfect w...

She quit the music industry to build a skincare brand now stocked in 183 Boots stores - and it all started with one confusing pregnancy moment. This week I sit down with Sara Stokes, founder of SKN2SKN, to talk about leaving behind a glamorous career that no longer felt right, navigating burnout and a quarter-life reset, and building a brand from scratch with no roadmap. We get into the reality of...

This week, I’m joined by Sofia Jane Cunningham - fitness entrepreneur, musical muse, and founder of SoFit. We talk about building big dreams, creating freedom through your work, and using movement as a daily reset for your mind. From leaving a traditional job to growing an online business, Sofia shares what it really takes to stay consistent, back yourself, and keep going when growth feels slow. W...

What if you didn't have to choose just one version of your life?  This week on The Delusional Optimist, I'm joined by racing driver Laura Jordan O'Connell - a biochemist by day, and a competitor in one of the most demanding and expensive sports in the world. From growing up in Co. Clare with big dreams, to navigating life as a self confessed 'introverted extrovert,' Laura...

What if a single lunch meeting could flip your life? In this episode of The Delusional Optimist I sit down with internationally bestselling author Paige Toon to unpack how a casual conversation led to a two-book deal, why she still writes best under pressure, and how she keeps readers turning pages through heartbreak, longing, and hope.  From the first spark of Lucy In The Sky to three million cop...

What happens when you walk away from the "sensible" path... and bet on yourself instead?  In the very first episode of The Delusional Optimist, I'm joined by broadcaster, model and Six O'Clock Show presenter Katja Mia for an honest, unfiltered conversation about career pivots, backing yourself before it makes sense and the resilience it takes to build something bigger than your...

Welcome to The Delusional Optimist Podcast with Diana Bunici. Be sure to click the 'follow' button so you don't miss the first episode, coming soon! Support the show If you’ve been enjoying the podcast and would like to show your support, you can buy me a coffee at the link below. Every contribution helps me keep creating honest, uplifting conversations about reinvention, self-belie...