Some listeners may remember Cindy Gallop from 2009 when she did a hugely popular Ted Talk in which she shared her experience of how hardcore pornography had distorted the way a generation of young men thinks about sex - and now she's fighting back. This was the genesis of her social sex company Make Love Not Porn, a user-generated video-sharing platform where people can submit videos of themselves having “real world” sex. Make Love Not Porn has been positively thriving during the pandemic and Ga...
Jun 18, 2020•53 min
It feels like a lifetime ago, but it was only March when Morning Ireland presenter and best-selling author Rachael English came in to the Irish Times studio talk to us about her fifth novel The Paper Bracelet. The gripping story centres around a fictional Mother and Baby home in the West of Ireland and the paper bracelets that were used to identify the babies born there who were then sent away for adoption. Each bracelet contains details of the lives of the young women incarcerated in these home...
Jun 15, 2020•48 min
It was not on the agenda at her career guidance meetings at school, but somehow in Lockdown 17-year-old schoolgirl Hannah McSorley has ended up as a "Tik Tok Tadpole Influencer". The tens of thousands of tadpoles in her garden have earned more than half a million followers on the platform and a US Influencer agent has come calling, so it looks like tadpoles are going to be this teenager's lucrative new career. You can see why we needed to get her on the podcast. We also had to talk about women's...
Jun 11, 2020•42 min
Our fifth Big Night In happened on Zoom in front of an audience of 250 on Saturday June 6th with author, playwright and Irish Times columnist Hilary Fannin. She spoke about her debut novel The Weight of Love, her early childhood memoir Hopscotch and about life in lockdown with her sons, partner and long suffering cat. Fannin also reflected on her decision to become a college student - doing a masters in creative writing in Trinity College - for the first time in her fifties. She spoke with warmt...
Jun 08, 2020•1 hr 8 min
The year 2020 will not just be remembered for the pandemic. It will also be remembered for George Floyd and his final words 'I can't breathe' as he lay dying, the knee of a Minnesota police officer on his neck. The incomprehensible killing of Floyd, a father of two, shone a light yet again on the pervasive racism experienced by the black community all over the world. The protests in America saw people express collective outrage and solidarity. In Dublin thousands gathered to do the same, kneelin...
Jun 04, 2020•56 min
The sex in the TV adaptation of Sally Rooney's novel Normal People became a huge national talking point. It was praised for its authenticity and complained about on Liveline for very different reasons. In this episode Ita O'Brien, intimacy coordinator, talks to Roisin Ingle about why her job choreographing the sex scenes between Marianne and Connell was akin to the role of a choreographer brought on set to oversee a fight scene. Nothing was left to chance from consent to safe words, which meant ...
Jun 01, 2020•54 min
We were joined by almost 300 listeners, readers and Irish Times subscribers last Saturday night for our fourth Big Night In on Zoom. This one was with acclaimed singer and musician Lisa Hannigan. It was a magical night of conversation between podcast host Roisin Ingle and Hannigan who shared her thoughts on creativity in a pandemic and life in lockdown with her 14 month old child. This episode includes snippets of the songs she sang and a lengthy back and forth between the singer and the fans wh...
May 28, 2020•48 min
It's two years since 64.66 per cent of us voted to Repeal the 8th Amendment. Roisin Ingle reads her column looking back on that important day. Also on this episode, we hear from the author of a brilliant debut novel Exciting Times. Naoise Dolan spoke about her writing life and launching a book in Lockdown. And finally, Geraldine Quigley is a writer from a working class background who was helped by the Write Now scheme run by Penguin Random House. The scheme is open to people resident in the Repu...
May 25, 2020•1 hr 3 min
Jane Casey is one of the most successful crime writers of recent times, blazing a trail in a genre that has been dominated recently by Irish women such as Liz Nugent and Tana French. Originally from Ireland she is based in London and married to a criminal barrister, which comes in handy for gruesome plotlines. Her latest novel starring her kickass detective Maeve Kerrigan is called The Cutting Place and it follows the murky goings on in one of London’s most elite gentlemen’s clubs. In the episod...
May 21, 2020•29 min
There's something in the air. A tiny bit of longed for freedom. The timeline for the gradual lifting of lockdown restrictions has been released and we want to celebrate. Over the past few weeks and months we've been collecting stories from our guests and from listeners. We asked them one simple question: what are you most looking forward to when lockdown is lifted? The answers were funny, warm and sometimes surprising and we heard from a whole range of people from Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDon...
May 18, 2020•20 min
Welcome to our 400th episode! We never imagined when we started the podcast back in September 2015 that we'd still be here 400 episodes later telling women's stories and delving into the issues that are important to us. Over those nearly five years we've had many well known guests such as Margaret Atwood, Samantha Power, Marian Keyes and Caitlin Moran. In today's special ep we are joined by actor, writer and all-round joy bringer Amy Huberman. Amy (and more than 250 of our closest friends) came ...
May 14, 2020•1 hr 2 min
In this episode, Róisín Ingle was joined by MEP and former Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald. In a recent article for The Irish Times, Fitzgerald wrote about the impact this pandemic is having on women and the need to document their stories for future generations. “Women are so rarely written about in these global events, much less so when their work is behind the scenes.” In this conversation, they reflect on the women who make up nearly 80% of the healthcare workers across Europe, the domestic viole...
May 11, 2020•34 min
In this episode, comedians Alison Spittle and Joanne McNally join Róisín Ingle to discuss the highs and lows of the London lockdown life. From living with housemates who refuse to socially distance, yearning for life back at home and waiting for the tsunami of single guys from all the lockdown divorces, this conversation with two of Ireland’s funniest comedians will hopefully bring a bit of joy to your day. We’ve also just announced our next guest for The Women’s Podcast Big Night In - it’s Amy ...
May 07, 2020•36 min
In today’s episode, Róisín Ingle is joined by journalist Jenn Gannon and author Emer McLysaght for a discussion about Normal People, the Irish TV show that has everyone talking. It’s the small screen adaptation of Sally Rooney’s best selling novel, which was released just eighteen months ago. Lenny Abrahamson and Hettie McDonald directed the new series from Element Pictures, which was filmed last summer in Dublin and Sligo. It’s already been the topic of a heated discussion on Liveline (it’s the...
May 04, 2020•30 min
In today's episode, Róisín Ingle is joined by three of Ireland’s newest authors, Michelle Gallan (Big Girl, Small Town), Niamh Campbell (This Happy) and Rachel Donohue (Temple House Vanishing). 2020 will be a milestone year for each of these authors, as it marks the release of their debut novels. This conversation was recorded before the coronavirus outbreak, when all three women were able to come into studio and speak to Róisín about their new books and the inspiration behind them.Today is also...
Apr 30, 2020•1 hr 16 min
In the second of our ‘Big Night In’ zoom events, Róisín Ingle was joined by comedian and actor Deirdre O’Kane. In front of an audience of 250 podcast listeners, Deirdre spoke about lockdown life at home with her family in Dublin and about her new quarantine hobbies, which include painting pebbles and running into Ryan Tubridy on her daily walks along Dun Laoghaire pier. O'Kane also revealed how the installation of a “gin altar” in her kitchen has made the lockdown a bit more bearable. Check out ...
Apr 27, 2020•57 min
In this episode, Róisín Ingle spoke with president and leader of Sinn Fein, Mary Lou McDonald. Earlier this month, McDonald received a positive diagnosis of Covid-19, after waiting sixteen days for her test results. She spoke openly and honestly about her experience with the illness and the immediate sense of connection she felt with everyone who has also contracted the virus. In this conversation, the party leader reveals what it’s like finally getting back to work, her hopes for post pandemic ...
Apr 23, 2020•48 min
In this episode, Róisín Ingle spoke with entrepreneur, CEO and keynote speaker Margaret Heffernan. In her latest book ‘Uncharted: How to navigate the future’, Margaret explores the people and organisations who aren’t daunted by uncertainty. The timing of this book is remarkable given that we are in the midst of a global crisis nobody saw coming. In this conversation, Margaret reveals how the idea for the book came about, why creative thinking is a must have in times of crisis and what we, as a s...
Apr 20, 2020•46 min
This episode is the live recording taken from the first ever Zoom event for The Women's Podcast. Last Saturday night, Marian Keyes joined Róisin Ingle and a whole host of podcast listeners on Zoom for a virtual get-together. In this conversation, Marian spoke about lockdown life, grocery shopping for her elderly mother, her new found obsession with cosmetics and how cooking "proper fancy dinners out of a book" helps take her mind off things. There's also some great listener questions at the end ...
Apr 16, 2020•1 hr 3 min
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, who have some great recommendations to help us through this long period of lockdown. From old relia...
Apr 13, 2020•1 hr 2 min
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 patients and how, when news of the pandemic first broke, she didn’t sleep properly for three weeks.Al...
Apr 09, 2020•1 hr 14 min
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 home in London which she shares with her husband Roy and their two year old daughter Ruby. She spok...
Apr 06, 2020•49 min
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 Mater Hospital and the Mercy Hospital.Also, Irish Times restaurant critic Catherine Cleary spoke to...
Apr 02, 2020•47 min
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 over ninety young Irish doctors back to Ireland to work in hospitals around the country. Also Irish Tim...
Mar 30, 2020•46 min
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 experience so far: “Covid-19 is trying to make us sad, but we just turn it around and say, well we just get to...
Mar 26, 2020•46 min
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 Netflix are helping her in these strange times. Róisín also caught up with 82 year old Rosemary Smith. ...
Mar 23, 2020•1 hr
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 to Róisin about surviving these surreal times as an older woman on her own. Finally, Romana Testese...
Mar 19, 2020•58 min
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@irishtimes.com even if it’s just to let us know how you are getting on. We'd love to hear from you....
Mar 16, 2020•39 min
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 government; Sinn Féin’s Claire Kerrane, Fine Gael’s Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Holly Cairns from the Soc...
Mar 12, 2020•1 hr 13 min
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 Izzy’s Wheels, spoken word artist Sasha Terfous and CEO of IDA Ireland Martin Shanahan. Thanks to eve...
Mar 08, 2020•29 min
