A quick update about Ready to be Real...I'm taking a break for the summer, but I’ll be back again in the autumn. Thanks so much for your continued support, it means so much to me and thanks also to my amazing guests who made these conversations possible. The past ten months have been intense — full of meaningful work (I've been working on a documentary series) and the juggle of modern life — so I haven’t been as consistent with the pod as I would’ve liked. That said, the episodes I have released...
Jun 27, 2025•2 min
Topics covered : Identity crisis, bullying, self-worth, addiction, alcohol, drugs, money laundering, court case, self-sabotage, Covid, homelessness, taking responsibility, rebuilding her life. In this episode I sit down with DJ Nikki Hayes — whose real name is Eimear O’Keeffe. Eimear or Nikki as she’s better known, rose to fame as a hugely popular voice on radio stations like 2FM and Spin 1038 but behind the mic, she was struggling. Her battle with addiction, eventually led her to lose everythin...
Jun 20, 2025•47 min
Topics covered : Activism, social justice, betrayal, family estrangement, patriarchy, responsibility, grief, regrets, forgiveness, love, business. In this episode, I sit down with mother and daughter — Rosita and Chupi Sweetman. Rosita is a trailblazing activist and one of the founding members of the Women’s Liberation Movement of the 1970's, a time when speaking out for women’s rights — including the right to contraception — was radical and urgently needed. Her daughter Chupi is a hugely succes...
Jun 13, 2025•1 hr 23 min
Topics covered : Imposter syndrome, vulnerability, shedding shame, triggers, self-sabotage, apologising, blocks, boundaries, self-worth, ADHD, conditioning, reclaiming. This episode originally aired on the 6th of October 2023 and feels eerily resonant now, given how much has shifted since. I speak to body-based visibility and business coach, Kate O’Dwyer. She lives in Dublin with her partner Jim and their son, Ned. She is the senior guest booker on The Tommy Tiernan Show on RTÉ and her passion i...
Jun 06, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Topics covered : Mental health, homophobia, same-sex marriage referendum in Ireland, rejecting shame. This week marks 10 years of the marriage equality referendum in Ireland when the country overwhelmingly voted 'yes' and in doing so became the first country in the world to grant equal marriage rights to same-sex couples by popular vote. 3 years ago I spoke to bar owner, drag queen and activist, Rory O’Neill aka Panti Bliss. Originally from Ballinrobe in Mayo, Rory lives in Dublin city with his ...
May 23, 2025•55 min
Topics covered : Hurling career, All Ireland Finals (2017 & 2018), growing up, learning from failure, resilience, criticism, coping with fame, love, loss, proposal story, becoming a Dad. This week, I’m joined by All-Ireland winning hurler and businessman Joe Canning. He’s a proud Galway man who now lives in Limerick with his wife Meg and their baby daughter Josie. In the first part of our conversation, we dive into his hurling career — focusing on the highs and lows of All-Ireland finals, es...
May 16, 2025•1 hr 24 min
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 remarkable. This summer, she made the brave decision to waive her right to anonymity in the hope of hel...
May 10, 2025•1 hr 22 min
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 the identity of his abuser, his insights offer a rare and important glimpse into the lasting effects...
May 01, 2025•1 hr 44 min
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 ‘Parenting the screenager’ and ‘Home is where the start is’ and during this conversation he talks about affairs. Why pe...
Apr 25, 2025•33 min
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 brilliant books ‘Parenting the screenager’ and ‘Home is where the start is’. During this conversation we...
Apr 18, 2025•1 hr 20 min
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 tells us what it’s all about! Gerry’s previous books are ‘Awaken your power within’ and ‘The Freedom...
Apr 04, 2025•40 min
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 professional dancer with her own dance studio who’s a straight shooter and naturally more introverted by natu...
Mar 28, 2025•46 min
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 up when he was home recently to promote new book ‘Shadow work – a practical guide to embracing your ...
Mar 21, 2025•1 hr
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 multiforme, an aggressive type of brain cancer. But today, 5 years on, she’s healthy and happy and even though sh...
Mar 14, 2025•1 hr 1 min
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 the moment. In this episode she zones in on the importance of having a strong friend circle and having fun...
Mar 07, 2025•41 min
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 importantly, how to change it! Her current book is 'Midlife, redefined: Better, Bolder, Brighter' a guide to help you...
Feb 28, 2025•51 min
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 healthy, balanced and peaceful relationship with food and their bodies. For years she was controlled by an eating d...
Feb 27, 2025•58 min
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 girls, a law graduate from Trinity College Dublin and when she was only 9 she developed anorexia. She s...
Feb 26, 2025•1 hr 21 min
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 speaker, a writer, an occasional model and podcaster and she’s better known online as ‘The Birds Papaya’. Sarah Nico...
Feb 25, 2025•55 min
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 together, 4 girls and a boy. A childhood of neglect and dysfunction led him on a destructive path in life ...
Feb 14, 2025•1 hr 10 min
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 around the country and suffering as a result of the damage caused by Storm Éowyn and this is also an...
Feb 07, 2025•37 min
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 Day has finally become a public holiday in Ireland and it’s the first one to be named after a woman...
Jan 31, 2025•16 min
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 stop new oil and gas in the UK. Raeeka amplifies the feminist revolution of their Iranian siblings in the fight for a free Iran. They...
Jan 25, 2025•48 min
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 been and continues to be a bestseller worldwide. n this conversation we talk about Gaza and as a Holocaust surviv...
Jan 17, 2025•50 min
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 Israelis. As you can imagine, this is a harrowing account of that time so please be aware before you li...
Dec 23, 2024•1 hr 3 min
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 mother and coming to terms with her absence and the importance of recognising all mothers. At times ...
Dec 20, 2024•35 min
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 women’s health physio; past traumas that can revisit you during your perimenopausal years and life aft...
Dec 06, 2024•51 min
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 perimenopause and listening to this chat once again, I took so much from it. So I’ve been experiencing things l...
Nov 08, 2024•39 min
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 was 41 and hoping to have another baby. Now, I’m 45 and I'm very fortunate to have 2 young kids but I’...
Nov 04, 2024•1 hr 14 min
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 wellness platform ‘Soul Space’ and they are bringing their show ‘Coming Home’ to the National Concert Hall on the...
Oct 25, 2024•33 min
