The Women's Podcast

In this episode, Róisín Ingle spoke with Shawna Scott from Sex Siopa about the recent increase in sex toy sales due to the Covid-19 lockdown. In their conversation, Shawna reveals the most in demand products, the best toys for beginners and why now, more than ever, is a great time to start experimenting. Róisín also caught up with our book club members, Niamh Towey, Bernice Harrison and Ann Ingle,...

In this episode, Róisín Ingle spoke with Dr Catherine Motherway, a Consultant Anaesthesiologist and Intensive Care Physician at University Hospital Limerick. In this open and honest conversation, Catherine reveals what life is really like working on the frontline in ICU. She spoke to Roisin about dealing with the emotional toll of the outbreak, preparing memory books for the families of Covid-19 p...

In this episode, Syrian born journalist Razan Ibraheem spoke to Róisín Ingle about adjusting to this new life under lockdown and the importance of maintaining a routine each day. With the first case of coronavirus confirmed in Syria nearly three weeks ago, Razan discusses the disastrous impact the outbreak may have on her home country. Also, Irish TV presenter Angela Scanlon joined Róisín from her...

Today’s episode is all about food, glorious food. Róisín Ingle caught up with food blogger Roz Purcell, to talk about her new fundraiser "Feasta: A Homecooking Collection of Recipes for the Mater and Mercy Hospitals". It's a gorgeous pdf cookbook available to download for €5, and it was specifically developed to help the frontline staff working to fight against Covid-19, with proceeds going to the...

In this episode, Róisín Ingle spoke with Dr. Zoë Lynch, a young Irish doctor who has just returned home to Ireland having spent the last two years living and working in Australia. After hearing the HSE’s plea for medical professionals to “be on call for Ireland”, Zoë dropped everything and set about trying to get the next flight home. Zoë was instrumental in organising the flight which brought ove...

In this episode, Róisín Ingle spoke with Precious Matumba who lives in direct provision in Mosney. Precious arrived in Ireland from Zimbabwe in 2018 with her two children, who are now in second and third class. She spoke to Róisín about Lockdown Life and her fears for those in the direct provision system. Also, Róisín’s 10 year old twin daughters Joya and Priya shared their homeschooling experienc...

In this episode, Róisín Ingle spoke to music legend Sinéad O’Connor, who is on lockdown at her home in Bray with members of her family including her sons and two grandchildren. Sinéad has just returned from the USA after her American tour was cancelled due to the pandemic. She spoke to Roisín from the cabin in her garden about corona beards, self isolation, her spiritual side and how music and Net...

In this episode, Róisín Ingle spoke to three women about how life has changed since the outbreak of the coronavirus. Irish Times journalist Jennifer O'Connell lives in Waterford and has all the latest statistics on Covid-19 in Ireland. She also shared some insights into the right and wrong way to do 'social distancing'. Meanwhile, MJ O'Brien is a 71 year old living in Dublin city centre, she spoke...

In the first of our episodes recorded remotely, Róisín Ingle catches up with her mother Ann, who is finding ways to keep herself busy during the coronavirus outbreak. “It’s all about trying to make life as normal as possible”. We’re also looking for your Pandemic Poems at this time to spread a bit of joy within the Women’s Podcast community. If you're feeling inspired, email us on thewomenspodcast...

In the words of Irish Minister for Health Simon Harris, we are now "in the delay phase". Schools, colleges and other public facilities are set to close in Ireland this evening for at least two weeks, in response to the spread of coronavirus. In this episode, Kathy Sheridan was joined in studio by three newly elected TD's who gave their reaction to the measures being introduced today by the governm...

Happy International Women’s Day. This episode was recorded live from The Convention Centre in Dublin, as part of Accenture’s International Women’s Day Celebrations. Kathy Sheridan hosted the ‘People Like Us’ panel which explored how speaking out and sharing challenging life experiences can have a positive impact on society. Joining Kathy on stage was Senator Lynn Ruane, Izzy Keane the Creator of I...

In this episode, our book clubbers got to grips with Motherwell: A Girlhood by Deborah Orr. It’s a fiery, honest memoir, which ultimately became the final piece of work from the late journalist and author. Irish Times journalists Niamh Towey and Bernice Harrison shared their views on the memoir alongside Róisín Ingle and her mother Ann. We had lots of differing opinions around the table, but one t...

The teenage years are a period of intense growth, both emotionally and physically. Add to that, the pressures of social media, school, relationships and sexuality and you’ve got a real parenting challenge on your hands. For this episode on raising teenagers, Róisín Ingle spoke to author and mum of seven Jen Hogan, Irish Times social affairs correspondent Kitty Holland and her seventeen year old da...

2020 is a leap year, meaning that we get an extra day, the 29th February. According to tradition, this is the day in which it’s “acceptable” for a woman to propose to a man. To celebrate this bonus day in the calendar, we invited comedian Erin McGathy and journalist Jenn Gannon to watch the movie ‘Leap Year’ starring Amy Adams and Mathew Goode. Also in this episode, Róisin Ingle spoke to Australia...

This episode of The Women’s Podcast was recorded live at Liberty Hall Theatre in Dublin with the award winning author Anne Enright as our special guest on the night. Anne has just released her much anticipated seventh novel, ‘Actress’. The Book follows the life of stage and screen star Katherine O’Dell as told through the eyes of her daughter Norah. Anne spoke to Kathy Sheridan in front of a packe...

Three years ago, Layla F. Saad began an Instagram challenge called #MeandWhiteSupremacy, which asked her followers to own up to their racist beliefs and behaviours, however big or small. Thousands of people took part in the challenge and discussed the ways in which their actions have damaged people of colour. This viral challenge became the inspiration behind Layla’s new book, Me and White Suprema...

In this episode, Róisín Ingle was joined by actress, activist and Cork woman Siobhan McSweeney. Best known for playing the legendary Sister Michael on Derry Girls, Siobhan spoke to Róisín about growing up in Cork, swapping science for acting & the upcoming third series (will it be the final series?). She also spoke candidly about the recent death of her father and the outpouring of love & support...

In this special Valentine's Day episode, we've got loads of lovely 'how I met my partner' stories from listeners and guests of The Women's Podcast. From workplace romances, to "swapping books and meaningful looks", sit back and enjoy listening to all the interesting and moving ways people have fallen in love. Also, Róisín Ingle spoke to Shiatsu practitioner and author Joanne Faulkner about her bra...

In this episode, Róisín Ingle was joined in studio by property manager and DIY Instagrammer Laura de Barra, who has just released her brand new book ‘Gaff Goddess’. The book is full of handy tips & tricks which will show you just how easy it is to remove mould growing in the bathroom or to fix that leaky tap. It will even show you how to hang that picture frame you swore you’d put up months ago. L...

In this episode, Bernice Harrison spoke to Irish author Marita Conlon McKenna about her new book, The Hungry Road. As with the author’s well known children’s book Under the Hawthorn Tree, this new novel is set in Ireland during the famine. Marita revealed the real life inspiration behind the characters and why she decided to revisit such a dark time in Irish History. Also, Róisín Ingle spoke to pr...

In this episode, Ciara Jordan and Áine Ryan joined Kathy Sheridan in studio to speak about their experience caring for parents with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Ciara’s mum Bernie was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s five years ago, while Áine’s father George developed Dementia around the same time. They spoke to Kathy about the early signs of the illness, what life is like for them now a few years down th...

In the run up to polling day on February 8th, we invited three inspiring women into The Women’s Podcast to examine the 2020 Irish General Election through a feminist lens. Which political parties and candidates supported Repeal, who is fighting for equal pay and how can we increase female representation and diversity in politics? In studio with Kathy Sheridan to discuss all of this was CEO of Wome...

In this episode Róisín Ingle was joined by former model, food blogger & influencer Roz Purcell, who has just released her third cookbook ‘No Fuss Vegan’. Roz spoke to Róisín about her early life growing up on a farm in Tipperary, learning to cook with her grandparents and the unlikely inspiration behind her latest book. They also took a look back at Roz’s journey into the modelling industry and th...

In this episode, Kathy Sheridan is joined by Clodagh O’Hagan, who is now over twenty weeks pregnant with her first child. In late 2018, Clodagh made the decision to have a baby on her own using artificial insemination. Despite being given just a 2-5% chance of becoming pregnant, Clodagh defied the odds and is now looking forward to her new arrival this May. She spoke to Kathy about deciding to go...

Have you ever wondered why there’s always a long queue in the women’s toilets, while men just seem to waltz in and out? Why do some public toilets charge you for the pleasure of emptying your bladder? And what’s with the lack of decent public toilets in nearly every city around the world? These are the kind of questions that occupy the mind of Canadian journalist & author Lezlie Lowe. In her brand...