Afleveringen
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No electricity. No hot water. The best sleep of her life.
In this week's Real Take, taken from my recent conversation with public historian and author Lesley Bond, we explore what it was really like to spend six months living on the Great Blasket Island.
Back in 2019, Lesley and her then-boyfriend (now husband) Gordon left their busy lives behind to become seasonal caretakers of the island. Together, they welcomed visitors, ran the island café, looked after the guest cottages and embraced a way of life shaped entirely by nature and the rhythms of the Atlantic.
In this short excerpt, Lesley reflects on life without electricity or hot water, how the island dictated every decision they made, and why she slept more deeply than ever before. It's a beautiful reminder of what can happen when we slow down and reconnect with the world around us.
Lesley's wonderful book, Blasket Bound: Memoirs of an Island Caretaker, tells the full story of their unforgettable six months on the island and is well worth a read.
If you enjoy this snippet, I'd really encourage you to listen to the full conversation with Lesley, where we delve into the history of the Great Blasket, the practical realities of island life, heritage, community and the lasting impact those six months have had on her life.
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Topics covered: island life, living without modern comforts, heritage, community, postnatal depression, writing and healing.
This week, I’m joined by public historian and author Lesley Bond.
In 2019, Lesley and her then-boyfriend, (now husband) Gordon, left their busy lives behind to spend six months as caretakers on the Great Blasket Island, off the coast of Kerry.
With no electricity or hot water, their days were shaped by the rhythms of the island and the unpredictability of the Atlantic. Together, they welcomed visitors from all over the world, ran the island café, looked after the guest cottages and became part of a small but special seasonal community.
The Great Blasket was once home to a thriving Irish-speaking community and became renowned for its extraordinary literary tradition. The final residents left the island in 1953, but its stories, language and heritage live on.
Lesley brings us behind the scenes of life as an island caretaker...from the practical realities of running a café without electricity and carrying out the daily housekeeping, to wild weather and the unexpected joy of sleeping more deeply than she ever had before.
She also reflects on what it felt like to step away from the constant noise and distraction of modern life, how time seemed to move differently on the island and the lessons she carried home with her.
Now living in Kildare with Gordon and their almost two-year-old son, Naoise, Lesley also speaks openly about experiencing postnatal depression and how revisiting her memories of the Great Blasket through writing became a source of comfort and escape during a difficult time.
This is an immersive conversation about slowing down, connecting with nature and the places that stay with us long after we leave them and her beautiful book, 'Blasket Bound: Memoirs of an Island Caretaker', captures the magic, challenges and everyday realities of those extraordinary six months and is well worth a read.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Topics covered : her upbringing, her late husband, grief, mourning, rebuilding her life, fostering, community, belonging and public service.
This week, I'm joined by Helen Ogbu - Labour councillor, the newly elected Mayor of Galway, foster carer, life coach and PhD student.
Helen made history this year by becoming Galway's first Mayor from a migrant background. But long before politics, her life had already taken her on an extraordinary journey.
Growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, Helen was one of eight children in a home where kindness, generosity and caring for others were simply part of everyday life. Those early experiences would later inspire her to become a foster carer, opening her home in Ireland to around 30 children over the years.
Helen also shares the deeply personal story of meeting her late husband, Sunny Orji-Ogbu, a principled Nigerian politician who believed passionately that his country deserved honest, accountable leadership. As political tensions intensified, Helen became increasingly fearful for his safety. She moved to Ireland with their young daughter, ChiChi, hoping he would follow. Tragically, in 2010, Sunny was assassinated while returning home from a political meeting. Helen speaks with extraordinary honesty about navigating unimaginable grief, raising her daughter as a young widow, and slowly rebuilding her life in Galway.
Today, alongside her work in public service, Helen holds a Master's degree in History and Diplomacy, is currently completing a PhD, and continues to champion community, inclusion and belonging in everything she does.
Connect with Helen:
Instagram: Helen Ogbu (@iamhelenogbu) • Instagram photos and videos
Labour Party profile: Helen Ogbu
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In this weeks Real Take from my conversation with musician, performer and storyteller Aindrias de Staic...he talks about the ancient Irish bardic storytelling tradition and why play is so good for our mental health.
If you enjoyed this conversation, I'd really encourage you to listen to the full episode, where Aindrias speaks openly about his childhood, his relationship with his father, addiction and recovery, receiving an ADHD diagnosis later in life, reconnecting with nature and finding his way back to himself.
Find Aindrias
Website: https://www.aindrias.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smalltownseanchai
By the Light of the Silvery Moon tours Ireland from August.
For tour dates and tickets, visit Aindrias' website or reach out to him on Instagram.
If you're enjoying Ready to be Real, I'd be so grateful if you'd follow the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share it with someone who might enjoy it too...it really helps the podcast reach more people.
Go raibh míle!
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Topics covered : ADHD, addiction, recovery, nature, bardic storytelling, performing.
My guest this week is musician, performer and storyteller Aindrias de Staic, who many of you will know online as 'Smalltown Seanchaí'.
The son of the late writer and folklorist Eddie Stack, Aindrias grew up immersed in stories. But this conversation isn't simply about where he comes from, it's about the life he's lived.
We talk about his childhood, his parents' separation, his struggles with alcohol and addiction, and what it has taken to reach 20 years of sobriety. He speaks openly about receiving an ADHD diagnosis later in life, his mental health, and how gardening, growing his own food and reconnecting with nature have become central to his wellbeing.
And along the way, we explore the ancient Irish bardic storytelling tradition, the importance of play, creativity and finding flow.
Please note: This episode contains personal experiences and opinions relating to ADHD, mental health, addiction and recovery. Any discussion around medication, herbs or other approaches reflects Aindrias' personal experience and should not be taken as medical advice.
To connect with Aindrias :
Aindrias de Staic | Ireland's Musical Storyteller
And on Instagram :
Aindrias de Staic (@smalltownseanchai) • Instagram photos and videos
Support :
If anything discussed in this episode has affected you, or if you're struggling with your mental health or addiction, support is available.
Ireland
• Samaritans – Call 116 123 (free, 24 hours a day) or visit www.samaritans.ie
• Pieta – Call 1800 247 247, text HELP to 51444, or visit www.pieta.ie
• Alcoholics Anonymous Ireland – www.alcoholicsanonymous.ie
• HSE Mental Health Services – www.yourmentalhealth.ie
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In this week's Real Take, Tara Rafter reflects on her mother's final days living with COPD and the heartbreak of saying goodbye to the woman who had been her anchor throughout life.
If this excerpt resonates with you, I highly recommend listening to the full episode:
Tara Rafter: Hypervigilance to Healing
Growing up in a home impacted by alcoholism and domestic violence, she learned from a young age how to navigate uncertainty. Despite the difficulties her family faced, she speaks with remarkable compassion about both of her parents, who died far too young.
And alongside her personal story, Tara brings the perspective of a Master Neuro Linguistic Programming Practitioner and Executive Coach.
Listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts.
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Topics covered include: Alcoholism, domestic violence, hypervigilance, compassion, motherhood, self-abandonment, being a carer, death and loss, grief, faith, spirituality, forgiveness, love, safety, self-worth, self-sabotage, overwhelm, healing.
This week I'm joined by Master Neuro Linguistic Programming Practitioner, Executive Coach and founder of The Navigation Coach, Tara Rafter.
Tara lives in Mayo with her husband Kevin and their son Kai.
In this deeply honest conversation, Tara shares the story of her childhood growing up in a home impacted by alcoholism and domestic violence. She speaks candidly about the hypervigilance she developed from a young age, the lasting impact those experiences had on her life, and the remarkable compassion she holds for her father despite the challenges her family faced.
Tara's story is one of resilience, but also of love, forgiveness and understanding. She reflects on her relationship with both of her parents, who died far too young. Her father passed away at the age of 58, while her beloved mother, who was her anchor throughout life, lived with COPD for several years before she died.
We also explore motherhood, self-abandonment, self-worth, self-sabotage, overwhelm and what it means to truly feel safe in yourself.
Alongside the more difficult chapters, this conversation is full of warmth and humour. Tara talks about her love of music and heading off to gigs on her own, her deep faith and the practices that have helped her navigate life's challenges.
You can connect with Tara here:
Website: thenavigationcoach.com
Email: [email protected]
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Topics covered : Multiple sclerosis, childfree by choice, travel, freedom, simple living.
This week, I sit down with author Susan Bennett to chat about her memoir, One Year.
Susan and her husband Chris live in Antrim.
After both receiving a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis just three days apart, they made a decision that would change the course of their lives.
Years later, they packed up their much loved campervan, fondly known as Hans, and set off on an unforgettable journey through 17 countries across Europe.
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In this snippet I speak to online fitness coach and content creator Siobhán O'Hagan about being pregnant with her second child and her decision to become become a solo parent through IVF.
Siobhán lives in Dublin with her daughter Cadhla, who will be 3 in August.
At the time of recording, she was 15 weeks pregnant and she shares how she has found the experience so far and why she felt confident making such a significant life decision on her own.
* If you're considering fertility treatment or have any questions about your own circumstances, please speak with your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional.
To connect with Siobhán :
Siobhan O'Hagan (@siobh.ohagan) • Instagram photos and videos
The Self-Improvement Project | fitness
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Topics covered : Building a career in the fitness industry, solo travel and the search for freedom, holotropic breathwork, solo motherhood through IVF, pregnancy and preparing for baby number two, navigating criticism and online trolling, the importance of family support and creating a life on your own terms.
A quick note : If you're considering fertility treatment or have any questions about your own circumstances, please speak with your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional.
This week on Ready to be Real, I'm joined by online fitness coach and content creator Siobhán O'Hagan.
For more than a decade, Siobhán has worked in the fitness industry, building a successful online coaching business and sharing her life with a large audience online. But this conversation goes far beyond fitness.
She speaks openly about her love of travel and adventure, living in places like Thailand and Bali and the importance of freedom and independence in her life. She reflects on discovering she was pregnant with her daughter Cadhla, becoming a single mother, and more recently making the decision to have a second child through IVF as a solo parent.
At the time of recording, Siobhán was 15 weeks pregnant and shares how she has found the experience so far, the reactions she has received, and why she felt confident making such a significant life decision on her own.
We also discuss the realities of sharing your life online, dealing with criticism and trolling, the role her parents play in supporting her, and the lessons she has learned through motherhood.
This is an empowering conversation about trusting yourself, creating a life that feels right for you, and having the courage to make unconventional choices.
We talk about : her career in fitness, pregnancy and early motherhood with Cadhla, solo pregnancy and IVF, trolling.
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Former Navy Captain Marie Gleeson speaks about the most profound and heartbreaking experience of her life. During her pregnancy with her son Ciarán, Marie and her husband John received devastating news about his health. What followed was a journey marked by immense love and, ultimately, deep grief.
If you'd like to hear the full conversation, Marie also speaks about life in the Navy and what the sea taught her about navigating life.
It's available to listen to anytime now.
And if anything discussed in this episode feels difficult or brings up emotions for you, please know that you are not alone.
Support Links – Pregnancy & Infant Loss Ireland
Ireland helplines and hotlines
Marie’s memoir, 'Be Like the Sea - Life, Learnings and Leadership from an Irish Navy Captain', is out now, and it's brilliant.
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Topics covered : life in the Irish Navy, leadership, being a woman in a male-dominated environment, drug interdiction operations, UN peacekeeping missions, traumatic pregnancy, child loss, grief, motherhood, mental health and emotional wellbeing.
(Please take care while listening, particularly if any of these topics feel sensitive or close to home.)
This week, I speak to former Navy Captain Marie Gleeson.
Marie lives in Tipperary with her husband John and their two daughters, Laoise and Muireann. Raised on a dairy farm as the eldest of six children, she went on to become one of the first women commissioned into the Irish Navy at a time when women had only recently been allowed into the service.
Over a 21-year career, Marie served at sea and ashore in senior leadership roles and eventually became Commanding Officer of the LE Aoife. She was involved in major operations including a UN peacekeeping mission in Chad, the rescue of a Canadian submarine and a seven hundred and fifty million euro cocaine seizure during a high-stakes drug interdiction mission at sea.
But behind the extraordinary career was profound personal heartbreak.
In this conversation, Marie speaks openly and honestly about the devastating loss of her baby son Ciarán and how grief completely altered her understanding of strength and leadership.
Marie’s memoir, 'Be Like the Sea - Life, Learnings and Leadership from an Irish Navy Captain', is out now and it's fantastic.
Helplines :
Ireland helplines and hotlines
Support Links – Pregnancy & Infant Loss Ireland
You can connect with Marie on LinkedIn, Instagram or you can email her :
And if this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone you think might connect with it and don’t forget to follow Ready to be Real so you don't miss an episode.
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This week’s Real Take, is a powerful moment from my recent conversation with Professor of Psychology and bestselling author Dr. Katriona O’Sullivan.
Katriona speaks about growing up feeling deeply unloved and the many ways she felt hungry in childhood.
Despite experiencing extreme poverty, addiction, abuse and homelessness growing up, Katriona went on to completely transform her life.
Today, she uses her voice, her position and her privilege to help lift others up and advocate for inclusion, opportunity and education.
She also reflects on what helps her now, the importance of affirmations and learning how to value yourself with greater compassion.
Born in Coventry to Irish parents, Katriona later moved to Dublin where she entered Trinity College through the access programme and went on to earn a PhD in psychology. She is now a professor at Maynooth University, is married to Dave, has three sons; John, Seán and Tadhg and is also a proud grandmother.
You can hear my full conversation with Katriona now on Ready to be Real, where we discuss body image, hypervigilance, self-worth, privilege, diet culture, life under patriarchy and Katriona’s powerful new book Hungry: A Biography of my Body.
You can also listen back to our first conversation together from November 2023.
Books:
Poor
Hungry: A Biography of my Body
Follow Ready to be Real on Instagram:
@readytoberealpodcast
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Topics covered: Body image, diet culture, good girl conditioning, life under patriarchy, poverty, trauma, hypervigilance, affirmations, self-belief, healing, ageing, motherhood, connection, privilege.
In this episode I sit down once again with Professor of Psychology and bestselling author, the extraordinary Dr. Katriona O’Sullivan.
When Katriona first joined the podcast in November 2023, her memoir Poor had been released and since then, the book has become a phenomenon; winning Biography of the Year and Newcomer of the Year at the Irish Book Awards, remaining in Ireland’s top-ten nonfiction chart for two years, being translated into seven languages and adapted into a sold-out stage production at Dublin’s Gate Theatre.
Now Katriona is back to talk about her powerful new book 'Hungry: A Biography of my Body.'
In this deeply honest conversation, Katriona reflects on growing up in the 80s and 90s and the culture of shame around women’s bodies and the lasting impact of extreme poverty.
She also speaks about hypervigilance, self-worth, privilege and learning how to exist in your body with greater compassion.
About Katriona:
Born in Coventry to Irish parents, her early life was marked by poverty, addiction, teenage pregnancy and homelessness. In 1998 she moved to Dublin, where she entered Trinity College through the access programme and went on to earn a PhD in psychology. She is now a professor at Maynooth University and is a passionate advocate for inclusion and opportunity through education.
She is married to Dave and has 3 sons: John, Seán and Tadhg and she's also a proud grandmother.
Books:
'Poor' and 'Hungry: A Biography of my Body'
Other related episodes include conversations with Sarah Nicole Landry and Mary Kate Slattery.
Follow Ready to be Real on Instagram: @readytoberealpodcast
Ready to be Real (@readytoberealpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos
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Today’s Real Take comes from a powerful conversation I recorded in October 2024 with photographer, filmmaker and activist Misan Harriman.
Misan is Chair of cultural hub, the Southbank Centre, an ambassador for Save the Children, and one of the most compassionate and courageous voices speaking up about injustice and inequality in the world today. Through his photography, filmmaking and activism, he has consistently used his platform to amplify voices that are too often ignored; especially concerning children.
Over the past number of weeks, Misan has been the target of what many believe is a deeply disturbing smear campaign by sections of the UK press.
I stand with Misan.
If you would like to support him, please consider adding your name to this Petition
To listen to the full conversation with Misan from October 2024, search 'Misan Harriman: Bridge Building' wherever you get your podcasts.
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Topics covered : Addiction, shame, awareness, compassion, recovery.
In this week’s episode of Ready to Be Real, I speak to Dr. Brian Pennie - neuroscientist, podcast host and former heroin addict.
I first met Brian back in 2020 when his memoir Bonus Time was released, and I remember being completely blown away by his honesty and insight. Since then, life has continued to evolve for Brian. He’s now living a very fulfilled life with his partner Natalie, continuing his work in neuroscience, delivering talks, hosting his own podcast and helping people better understand addiction, behaviour and recovery.
Brian spent 15 years addicted to heroin before getting clean in October 2013. In this conversation, we explore addiction from both a neuroscience point of view and through Brian’s lived experience - what happens in the brain when addiction takes hold, why recovery can be so difficult, and what can genuinely help somebody who is struggling.
Following on from last week’s conversation with Tony O’Reilly about gambling addiction, this feels like a really important companion episode.
You can find Brian online BrianPennie.com – Change is Possible and through his podcast Change is Possible.
And as always, thank you so much for supporting the podcast.
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate and review Ready to Be Real wherever you get your podcasts - it really helps.
Watch Brian's documentaries :
Hooked: How Addiction Hijacks Your Brain - RTE Player
Other episodes to listen to on addiction : Tony O'Reilly, Nikki Hayes and Gavin Meenan.
Books :
Bonus Time - A true story of surviving the worst and discovering the magic of every moment by Brian Pennie
In the realm of hungry ghosts by Dr. Gabor Maté
Dopamine Nation by Dr. Anna Lembke
Tony 10: The Astonishing Story of the Postman Who Gambled €10,000,000…and Lost It All
Resources & Support
If you’re concerned about yourself or someone you love, please know that support is available and you are not alone.
Support links:
Samaritans Ireland
Ireland helplines and hotlines
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This is The Real Take and in this snippet, Tony O’Reilly — co-author of the bestselling book 'Tony 10: The Astonishing Story of the Postman Who Gambled €10,000,000…and Lost It All' — speaks about the point where his gambling addiction escalated into stealing €1.75 million from An Post while working as a branch manager.
It’s a shocking and deeply heartbreaking insight into the reality of gambling addiction and the lengths a person can go to when completely consumed by it.
Tony now works as a gambling addiction counsellor and psychotherapist, helping people whose lives have been impacted by gambling harm.
You can connect with him here:
Tony O' Reilly - Gambling Addiction Counselling & Workshops
Ireland is in the grip of a gambling crisis that many people still don’t fully recognise.
Gambling addiction is insidious because it can remain hidden for years, devastating lives behind closed doors.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please know that help is available and you are not alone.
Resources & Support
If you’re concerned about yourself or someone you love, please know that support is available and you are not alone.
Support links:
Extern Problem Gambling - Free Counselling for Problem Gambling
Gamblers Anonymous Ireland
Home - Cuan Mhuire
Samaritans Ireland
Ireland helplines and hotlines
Follow the pod on Instagram
@readytoberealpodcast
To hear the full two-hour conversation with Tony O’Reilly, listen anytime now.
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Topics covered: insecurities, psychology of addiction, secrecy, manipulation, shame, suicide ideation, finding meaning.
My first guest of this brand new season of Ready to be Real is someone I’ve wanted to sit down with since the podcast launched back in 2019.
Tony O’Reilly is the co-author of the bestselling book Tony 10: The Astonishing Story of the Postman Who Gambled €10,000,000…and Lost It All - the extraordinary true story of how a one pound bet in his early twenties spiralled into a devastating online gambling addiction that completely consumed his life.
Over time, Tony gambled more than €10 million and stole €1.75 million from An Post while working as a branch manager and ultimately losing almost everything: his job, his marriage, his peace of mind and very nearly, his life.
But behind the sensational headlines is a real story.
In this conversation, Tony speaks with extraordinary honesty about the psychology of addiction - the secrecy of online gambling, the lies, the manipulation, the fear and the chaos happening quietly behind closed doors - and the moments that still haunt him today.
We also discuss recovery, accountability and understanding the “why” behind addiction, along with the enormous amount of work Tony has done on himself in recent years. He also shares how his teenage daughter has become his greatest motivation to stay on track and keep moving forward.
This is a powerful and deeply important conversation about addiction, shame, and healing.
Tony now works as a gambling addiction counsellor and psychotherapist, helping people whose lives have been impacted by gambling harm.
You can connect with him here:
Tony O' Reilly - Gambling Addiction Counselling & Workshops
Resources & Support
If you’re concerned about yourself or someone you love, please know that support is available and you are not alone.
Support links:
Extern Problem Gambling - Free Counselling for Problem Gambling
Gamblers Anonymous Ireland
Home - Cuan Mhuire
Samaritans Ireland
Ireland helplines and hotlines
Book :
Tony 10: The Astonishing Story of the Postman Who Gambled €10,000,000…and Lost It All
Documentaries :
All bets are off/RTÉ
All Bets Are Off Baz and Tony
Finné/TG4
Finné Sr 2 Ep 2 Tony O'Reilly | TG4 | Súil Eile |
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Topics covered : Mother and Baby home, adoption, grief, faith, taboo, shedding shame, transgenerational trauma, therapy, holotropic breathwork, motherhood, inner child healing, compassion.
In the final episode of this season, I speak to psychotherapist Deirdre Nicole Hegarty, who shares her adoption story with us.
Deirdre lives in Donegal with her husband Noel and their baby boy, Conall.
She was adopted at three months old from a mother and baby home, into a loving family where her adoption was always known and spoken about openly.
But as she grew older, and especially when she began searching for her birth parents, her story became more complex.
What she discovered challenged her sense of identity in a profound way. Her birth parents were first cousins...something that carried deep layers of secrecy and shame.
In this conversation, Deirdre speaks with great honesty about reconnecting with her birth parents, the emotional impact of those connections, and the confusion and trauma that unfolded.
She also shares the work that has helped her make sense of her experience, particularly inner child healing, and how she’s come to understand the impact of transgenerational trauma, and the importance of breaking patterns and releasing shame.
This is a deeply personal conversation, and I’m really grateful to her for sharing it so openly.
To connect with Deirdre :
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @slanu_deirdrehegarty
* This is the final episode of this season, but I’ll be back with a new batch of conversations on the 8th of May.
In the meantime, you can dive into the archive and listen to over 200 episodes anytime and thanks so much for listening to Ready to be Real.
Tá mé fíor-bhuíoch!
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In this snippet, business mentor and change coach Niamh Ennis speaks about the power of change, whether it arrives suddenly in our lives or is something we choose and how both can lead us closer to the life we truly want, if we’re willing to ask ourselves the right questions…and really listen to the answers.
If you enjoyed this snippet, you can listen to my full conversation with Niamh Ennis now, wherever you get your podcasts.
To connect with Niamh:
www.niamhennis.com
She is the founder of The ChangeMakers Mastermind where she supports ambitious, heart led business founders.
More here...
www.niamhennis.com/tcmmastermind
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