The Laura Dowling Experience

Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Brian Pennie, an Irish neuroscientist, author, and resilience specialist, to explore his extraordinary journey from heroin addiction to academic success. Brian opens up about his 15-year struggle with addiction, the hidden battles he faced, and the pivotal seizure that became his turning point toward recovery. His story is a powerful testament to...

Send us a text This week we’re revisiting one of our most popular episodes from August 2023, with comedian Kyla Cobbler for an honest and powerful conversation about life, love, and healing. Kyla shares her journey to sobriety, the struggles she faced along the way, and how comedy became a lifeline in navigating challenges. We discuss the realities of dating while sober, the societal expectations...

Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with Nikki Dwyer, CEO of Future Beauty, to hear her powerful story of reinvention and resilience. Nikki opens up about breaking free from a toxic relationship, the emotional toll of narcissistic abuse, and how Ozempic reshaped her relationship with food, weight, and wellness. She also highlights the challenges of accessing weight-loss treatments and the s...

Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with Alexandra Ryan, founder and CEO of Goss.ie, for an eye-opening conversation about media, advocacy, and resilience. Alexandra shares her personal experience as a victim of non-consensual intimate image sharing and how it led her to speak out and advocate for change, playing a role in the introduction of Coco’s Law, Ireland’s legislation against online...

Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Grace O'Malley, a leading expert in childhood obesity, to explore the complex realities faced by children living in larger bodies. We discuss the societal prejudices they encounter, the challenges their families navigate, and the impact of food poverty. Dr O'Malley shares how obesity affects children's bone health and movement, ref...

Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with Professor Carel Le Roux, a leading obesity expert, to explore the science of obesity as a brain disease rather than a matter of willpower. We challenge the outdated "eat less, move more" mindset and discuss revolutionary treatments, including medications that are transforming how obesity is managed. We dive into the societal stigmas surroun...

Send us a text In this episode, I chat with Brittany Stewart, co-founder and COO of BURST Oral Care, about the journey behind the brand’s incredible success. From launching BURST in the Irish market to growing a community of over 40,000 dental professionals in the US, Brittany shares insights into leadership, innovation, and staying true to her vision. We also explore her personal story, from her...

Send us a text In this episode, I chat with Bianca Luykx, the editor of VIP Magazine, about her incredible journey in the media industry. With nearly two decades of experience at one of Ireland’s leading magazines, Bianca shares her insights into navigating an ever-evolving industry, including memorable moments like interviewing Beyoncé and Justin Timberlake. She also opens up about her early TV c...

Send us a text This week we’re revisiting our most popular episode from February 2024, with Dr. Deirdre Lundy, a specialist in women’s health and menopause, and author of The Menopause . Dr. Lundy shares her expertise on the physical and emotional changes of menopause, offering practical tips for managing symptoms like hot flushes, mood changes, weight gain, and vaginal health. We also tackle myth...

Send us a text This week we’re revisiting one of our most popular episodes from April 2023, with Dr. Sarah Callaghan, a GP specializing in women’s health and a true champion for women. In this episode, we dive into the big questions around perimenopause and menopause, including how to manage loneliness and anxiety, whether testosterone can boost libido, and what to do about the seemingly inevitabl...

Send us a text In this episode, I chat with Dr. Clare Cromwell, a leading menopause specialist and GP based in Cork, about empowering women to take charge of their midlife health. We discuss the role of muscle strength in cognitive health, how strength training can help prevent dementia, and why estrogen is vital for bone density. Dr. Cromwell offers practical advice on navigating perimenopause, m...

Send us a text In this episode, I’m joined by Sarah Benson, CEO of Women’s Aid, to have an open and vital conversation about gender-based abuse. We discuss the harsh realities of psychological and emotional abuse, physical and sexual abuse, and coercive control. We consider the societal norms that enable these issues, and the alarming rise in abuse during the holiday season. Our discussion highlig...

Send us a text In this episode, I chat with TJ Hegarty, founder and CEO of Breakthrough Maths, about the challenges and opportunities in making maths education more accessible and engaging. TJ shares his innovative approach, including small class sizes and personalised progress tracking, to help students build confidence and succeed in maths. We discuss why girls' performance in maths is decl...

Send us a text In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Brendan Daugherty, a child psychiatrist with a unique approach to mental health. Brendan shares his personal story of overcoming psoriasis through psychodynamic therapy, showing the powerful link between mental and physical health. We explore how mental health issues like anxiety and ADHD present differently in boys and girls, with Brendan offeri...

Send us a text In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Orla Ní Mhuircheartaigh, a consultant rheumatologist with experience spanning from the Mayo Clinic to acute medicine in London. Dr. Ní Mhuircheartaigh shares her insights on women’s bone health, the critical role of estrogen, and how Hormone Replacement Therapy can help prevent osteoporosis. We explore how diagnostics like DEXA scans and FRAX sco...

Send us a text In this episode, we’re joined by dietitian Josh Percival, to explore how to move beyond diet culture and shift the focus from weight loss to health gain. Josh shares how family mealtimes can support better nutrition and why it’s time to drop labels like “sin” from food choices. We also introduce continuum thinking to help create more sustainable eating habits. Josh offers practical...

Send us a text In this episode, we’re joined by Keith Barry, the world-famous hypnotist and mentalist, to explore the mindset behind his incredible career and his new book, Sleep Hacks . Keith shares how he uses brain hacking not only to wow audiences but also to help people grow in life and work. From taking news detoxes to the importance of quality sleep, Keith’s insights offer a fresh take on m...

Send us a text In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Orla Conlon, an expert in obstetrics and gynaecology, who brings over 25 years of experience to our conversation. We discuss the often-overlooked psychological impact of conditions like PMS and PMDD, and Dr. Conlon shares why empathy and understanding are so important in women’s healthcare. We dive into the struggles young women face with heavy a...

Send us a text In this episode, I’m joined by Suzie O’Neill, founder of AYU Cosmetics, who shares her journey from makeup artist and educator, to CEO. Suzie opens up about the ups and downs of building her brand, from recovering after a failed partnership to juggling work, family, and self-care. We chat about the self-care habits that boost confidence, especially for busy women—whether it’s puttin...

Send us a text In this episode, we’re joined by Albert Kehoe, a physiotherapist, who shares how movement can improve your health and well-being. With years of experience, Albert talks about helping people recover from injuries, manage pain, and stay mobile, while showing the long-term benefits of exercise. We chat about how modern life has changed our activity levels and what we can do to stay fit...

Send us a text In this episode, we chat with Dr. Paddy Barrett, a top cardiologist, about how small changes to your daily routine—like exercise, diet, sleep, and managing stress—can help lower your risk of heart disease. He shares handy tips on slowing down plaque build-up, inspired by centenarians who live longer, healthier lives. We also clear up some common myths about cholesterol, statins, and...

Send us a text In this episode, we chat with Dr. Sarah Carty about navigating ADHD, drawing from her experiences as both a mother and an expert in the field. Dr. Carty discusses how ADHD isn’t about a lack of attention but an overload, and why girls are often diagnosed later than boys. She breaks down how stimulant medications work to bring order to the chaos, and the challenges children with ADHD...

Send us a text In this episode, we chat with Paul Scanlon, a personal growth and leadership coach, about how to improve your communication by being more authentic and relatable.  Paul explains how simplifying what you say and cutting out confusing language can help you connect better with others. He also talks about how small daily habits can boost your confidence and self-awareness over time. We...

Send us a text In this episode, we chat with Eavanna Breen, a leading facialist with over 30 years in the aesthetics industry. Eavanna shares her journey from beauty school to owning a top salon on Leeson Street, navigating challenges like the 2008 recession and the pandemic. She also opens up about discovering pre-cancerous cells, the decision to have surgery, and how this changed her approach to...

Send us a text Ever wondered what it takes to build a successful international brand while juggling family life and moving around the world? Join us for a chat with Gary Lavin, the founder of VITHIT, an Irish vitamin drink company making waves in the beverage industry. Gary shares his journey, including a move to Dubai to give his kids a richer cultural experience and how playing sports shaped his...