The raw, harrowing account of losing a child to reckless driving collides with a mother's fierce determination to seek justice in this powerful conversation with Catherine Killalee. Catherine takes us through the life of her son Dylan – a football-loving, energetic young man who was just six weeks away from completing his electrical apprenticeship when tragedy struck. With disarming honesty, she recounts the night she received the devastating phone call, rushing to the scene at the Red Cow inter...
Apr 14, 2025•50 min•Season 9Ep. 6
Hayley Joyce opens up about her remarkable journey from the Ballymun flats to becoming a respected chef and social media creator with a passion for making weight loss accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Growing up in Shangan flats created lasting memories for Hayley – the community spirit, the chip vans outside their block, and the distinctive warmth rising through the building that her mother still misses today. These formative years shaped her down-to-earth approach to life and cooking, cre...
Apr 07, 2025•45 min•Season 9Ep. 5
Every single thing in his life I've had to fight for." These words cut to the heart of Jodie's experience raising Caelan, her five-year-old son with autism and developmental delays. In this raw conversation, Jodie takes us through her journey from a complicated pregnancy at 19 to her current desperate search for a school placement for her son. The system's failings become painfully clear as Jodie recounts the endless waiting lists, denied services, and bureaucratic obstacles that have defined he...
Mar 31, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 9Ep. 4
Raw honesty hits like a thunderbolt when Brenda Dennehy opens up about the relentless washing machine of anxiety that spun in her head since childhood. Her journey from a loving Cork family to the depths of addiction offers profound insights into how mental health struggles can silently shape our lives long before we understand what's happening. Brenda's story shatters the stereotype of alcoholism only affecting older men, revealing how at just 25, she was secretly battling withdrawal symptoms w...
Mar 24, 2025•1 hr 31 min•Season 9Ep. 3
Raw, resilient, and refreshingly real – Stephanie Simons opens up for the first time about the extraordinary journey that shaped the woman behind Bowie Stacks beauty empire. From her first breaths, born into homelessness with a teenage mother battling addiction, Stephanie's path was never going to be ordinary. The Ballybough Flats provided a backdrop of community amid poverty, where childhood games existed alongside the harsh realities of Dublin's drug epidemic. With unflinching honesty, she rev...
Mar 18, 2025•52 min•Season 9Ep. 2
Rising from the Ashes tells the incredible story of Louise’s journey from hardship to a life of purpose and hope. Growing up surrounded by addiction, violence, and loss, she endured unimaginable challenges, including the devastating impact of losing her partner to drugs and navigating life as a young mother. Yet, against all odds, she made the courageous decision to turn her life around. Now, driven by a deep determination to help others, Louise works tirelessly within her community to inspire c...
Mar 10, 2025•1 hr 52 min•Season 9Ep. 1
How does one navigate the tumultuous journey from a long-term relationship to personal independence? Tracy O'Keefe from Dunamid shares her transformative life story, from her vibrant childhood in Kilbarrick to the emotional challenges of separating in her early 40s. Tracy opens up about her upbringing, her early marriage, and the complex feelings surrounding her separation, offering an honest look at emotional numbness, guilt, and the impact of life's transitions on personal growth. Tracy’s cand...
Sep 16, 2024•58 min•Season 8Ep. 4
What does it take to remain resilient amidst life's toughest challenges? Our guest, Shauna Rice from Ballyferma, has experienced more than her fair share of trials, and her story is nothing short of inspiring. Through laughter and memories, Shauna opens up about her childhood filled with warmth and the unbreakable bond with her mother and sisters. This episode is a heartfelt exploration of family dynamics and the power of community connections. When faced with a cancer diagnosis, how do you jugg...
Sep 09, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Season 8Ep. 3
What happens when your childhood is shaped by both Egyptian and Irish cultures and then disrupted by a sudden move across borders? Join us, Sherin and Rachel, as we share the candid and emotional stories of our upbringing, family separation due to religious conflict, and the profound bonds that have shaped our lives. Our reflections on growing up with strong maternal figures, navigating the loss of a parent, and confronting the bittersweet nature of lost friendships offer a heartfelt look into t...
Aug 26, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Season 8Ep. 2
What happens when life's challenges seem insurmountable, yet you find the strength to keep moving forward? Join us for an intimate conversation with Niamh O'Shaughnessy as she shares her deeply personal journey of resilience and hope. Growing up in the tight-knit community of Darndale, Niamh opens up about the strict household rules, childhood trauma, and mental health struggles that shaped her adolescence. From experiencing OCD and substance experimentation to the pain of psychiatric admission,...
Aug 18, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 8Ep. 1
Have you ever wondered what it takes to leave a stable job and chase your dreams? Robyn, an emerging influencer, shares her incredible journey of leaving her ten-year career at the HSE to pursue her passion full-time. With the support of her best friend Dean and her loyal French bulldog George, Robyn navigates the emotional and financial challenges of this life-changing decision. Get ready to be inspired by her story of resilience and determination that breaks free from societal expectations. Th...
Jun 08, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 7Ep. 13
Ever found yourself reminiscing about those good old days when life was less about deadlines and more about the next laugh? Well, pull up a chair, because on our latest episode, we're catching up with Hughie Legget, the man who took the leap from Coolock to New Hampshire, and our delightful guest Natalie, straight from the courts. We're tearing open the scrapbook of our youth, reliving the trials of twinhood, the comedy of our schoolyard antics, and the intricacies of navigating friendships acro...
May 25, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Season 7Ep. 12
Facing the unimaginable, Erica Tierney of Rathcoole, Dublin, opens up about her poignant journey through pregnancy while battling cancer. Her vivid recollection transports us into the heart of a small village where childhood memories intertwine with the resilience required to confront life's harshest trials. The laughter of Dublin's quirky traditions and the unwavering support of a close-knit community lay the foundation for Erica's extraordinary narrative—a testament to the human spirit in the ...
May 20, 2024•59 min•Season 7Ep. 11
Have you ever walked through the streets of your hometown and felt the weight of a thousand stories pressing in around you? Our guest Shauna Finnegan knows this sensation intimately, sharing with us his journey from the humble beginnings in Tallaght to overcoming the obstacles of family life marred by addiction. Her stories of local landmarks, the trials of reuniting with separated siblings, and the resilience required to face a parent's substance abuse offer a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the r...
May 13, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Season 7Ep. 10
As the embers of a campfire illuminate the faces of a family bound by song and story, Sharyn Ward steps forward to share a melody that has echoed through generations of her Traveller heritage. In our latest episode, Sharyn, a beacon of hope from the Traveller community, lets us into her world, revealing the strength and beauty of her culture, the resilience required to face societal challenges, and the profound power of music in her life. The heart of this conversation beats to the rhythm of Sha...
May 06, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 7Ep. 9
When the echoes of a childhood steeped in music blend with tales of stage and screen, you get the captivating story of Johnny Ward. From the streets of Walkinstown, Dublin, Johnny has danced through life's highest highs and its lowest lows, all while maintaining a tune that's uniquely his own. This episode promises an emotional symphony as we explore Johnny's beginnings in a home vibrating with the sounds of Beethoven, the silence that followed his father's passing, and the thrill of his first s...
Apr 09, 2024•1 hr 35 min•Season 7Ep. 8
As the strains of a troubled marriage echo through the threads of Paula Johnston's life story, we're reminded that the journey to healing is as complex as the heart itself. In an episode layered with raw emotion, Paula peels back the layers of her past, revealing the resilience forged in the Strand Flats of North Strand and the fierce love of a widowed mother in 1960s Catholic Ireland. Through her eyes, we witness the transformative power of vulnerability as she navigates the silent battles of p...
Mar 30, 2024•1 hr 51 min•Season 7Ep. 7
Finding 'home' can often be a journey paved with trials and self-discovery. Shauna's tale takes us from the winding streets of Drimnagh to the cozy nooks of Kingswood in Tally, where the echoes of her past, marked by bullying and the ongoing quest for self-identity, collide with her present. She bravely opens up about the scars left by her childhood bullies and how these experiences shaped her mental landscape, inviting us to reflect on our own stories of resilience. As a parent, few things weig...
Mar 25, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Season 7Ep. 6
When the screen turns against you, where do you turn? Our courageous guest, Paloma from Peer Street, opens up about the dark side of social media. She recounts the whirlwind of online trolling that ensued after posting a simple gym video, revealing the emotional toll such unexpected backlash can take. Through her story, we peel back the curtain on the all-too-real impacts of cyber harassment, exploring both the struggles and the steadfast perseverance needed to push forward in the face of advers...
Mar 11, 2024•59 min•Season 7Ep. 5
When we extend a hand of friendship, we can unintentionally become a lifeline. Our latest episode features a raw and moving conversation with Caitlin, who bravely shares her journey of escaping the shadows of domestic violence and childhood trauma. Our talk begins with a chance encounter that flourished into an alliance, offering Caitlin a sanctuary of support and understanding as she navigated her harrowing past. Through her story, we witness the painful realities of grooming and abuse—a chilli...
Feb 25, 2024•53 min•Season 7Ep. 4
Louise's return to our podcast brings a profound exploration of life's unpredictable challenges and the transformative power of community support. Through her heartfelt narrative, she guides us from the joyous moments of family life by the coast to the harrowing experiences of sudden loss, illness, and the murky depths of grief. The tapestry of her journey is woven with threads of humor amidst pain, offering a raw and genuine look at the dualities of human experience. Our conversations unfurl a ...
Feb 19, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Season 7Ep. 3
When Suzanne and Fiona, the dynamic duo from Dublin, decided to combine mismatched socks and pitas, little did we know we'd be in for such a rollicking ride. Step into the world of Slice Of Naples, where these two entrepreneurs share infectious laughs, recount viral mishaps involving sunglasses and an enigmatic Craig, and reveal the often comedic trials of crafting the online content that catapulted them to social media fame. This episode is peppered with the kind of nostalgia that stitches toge...
Feb 12, 2024•59 min•Season 7Ep. 2
Imagine waking up every few years to a different backdrop, speaking a new language, and making new friends. Orla has lived this life, and she joins us to weave a narrative of her multicultural upbringing, revealing the profound effects of her nomadic childhood on her family dynamics and personal identity. As we journey through Orla's experiences, from adapting to French schools to the longing for stability amid constant change, we gain insight into the resilience and adaptability that come with ...
Feb 05, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 7Ep. 1
Have you ever wondered how individuals navigate the bumpy road of grief and sorrow? Have you ever felt the urge to discover stories of resilience and heartbreak, stories that reveal the human spirit's incredible ability to heal and find connection amidst the most profound pain? If so, tune in as we, your hosts, engage in an intimate conversation on grief and loss with our guests Louise, Audrey, Sharon, Marie, and Fiona, who share their personal journeys of dealing with the death of loved ones an...
Nov 06, 2023•2 hr•Season 6Ep. 19
Have you ever wondered what stories we tell ourselves to shield from pain? Join us as we sit down with Yasmin Coakley, who shares her riveting journey from a playful childhood in Eastwell, to facing the trials of teen motherhood and bullying. Yasmin opens up about the impact of her father's abandonment, the profound influence of her mother’s unwavering strength, and how the vibrant community around her shaped her resilience. Our conversation delves into the intricate layers of Yasmin's life, as ...
Sep 20, 2023•1 hr•Season 6Ep. 18
Ever wondered what it's really like to be a funeral director? Ever pondered about the process of arranging a funeral? Meet Grace, our guest today, who's not only a female funeral director but also a comforting pillar for grieving families at Stafford's funeral home. In her world, dealing with varying cultural and religious practices, planning funerals, and preparing the deceased for burial is all in a day's work. Our candid talk with Grace takes us on a journey through the evolution of the funer...
Sep 11, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Season 6Ep. 17
Brace yourselves as we journey alongside Amy, a brave soul who lifts the veil on her two-decade-long secret of childhood sexual abuse. Amy takes us on an inspiring journey, sharing her resilience and determination in overcoming the most harrowing moments of her life. With an open heart, she shares how she found strength within herself, reshaping her mindset to avoid the clutches of harmful substances while embracing the therapeutic effects of positive thinking, walking, and discussing her mental...
Aug 28, 2023•48 min•Season 6Ep. 16
Picture yourself as a young girl navigating the painful realities of a parental split, a mother's severe health crisis, and the turmoil of adolescence all at once. Now, imagine sharing this deeply personal journey with the world in hopes of shedding light on the urgent need for improved mental health resources. That's exactly what our guest, Lauren, does in this revealing and heartrending conversation. Lauren takes us through her tumultuous childhood in Dublin, marked by her parents' separation ...
Aug 14, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Season 6Ep. 15
We invite you to join us on a remarkable journey through the life of Lisa Wallace, a woman who has faced and overcome significant challenges and adversity. From growing up in a family with a deep passion for horses and harness racing to dealing with dyslexia and a traumatic event that forever changed her family dynamics, Lisa's story is an inspiring testament to resilience, love, and the strength of family bonds. Lisa shares her family's unique history and connection to the world of horses, trot...
Jul 31, 2023•2 hr 26 min•Season 6Ep. 14
On this weeks episode I sit down with Claire Clarkson, Claire’s story will break your heart, a revelation after her mothers death saw her abandoned by those she loved the most, to meeting the man of her dreams for it quickly to turn into a nightmare that luckily enough she got away from, others have not been so lucky. These past two months alone 3 women have lost their life to domestic violence. There is always a way out, don’t suffer in silence reach out people are here to help. Hosted on Acast...
Jul 17, 2023•1 hr 43 min•Season 6Ep. 13
