Bras off and Breathe

Fiona Tuomey is the founder and CEO of HUGG (Healing Untold Grief Groups), a national Irish charity that supports people bereaved by suicide.Her work is deeply personal. In 2016, Fiona lost her 11-year-old daughter, Milly, to suicide. In the aftermath, she actively searched for support from others who truly understood that specific kind of grief, but couldn’t find any peer-led groups in Ireland.HUGG Websitehttps://hugg.ie/Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/huggireland?igsh=MWFwZGtpMGM1NXp2eQ==Lisasvistas https://www.instagram.com/lisasvistas/Audio & Media by Ben Lawless

Founded by leading beauty educator and entrepreneur Karen Grehan, Secret Warehouse Dublin was created with one mission, to give people the tools, space, and support they need to unlock their true potential.I sit down and chat to Karen about her life growing up, where her ambition comes from and what's next for lash dolls and secret warehouseLash Dollshttps://www.instagram.com/lashdolls_ireland?igsh=MWVocGdmZGN4dHM5Mw==Secret Warehouse Dublin https://www.instagram.com/secretwarehousedublin?igsh=MzlnOWs0eGQzMmtkLisasVistas https://www.instagram.com/secretwarehousedublin?igsh=MzlnOWs0eGQzMmtkAudio & Media Production by Ben Lawless

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by stylist extraordinaire Cathy O'Connor, an expert in her field with years of experience and a wealth of knowledge when it comes to all things fashion and personal style. We sit down for an honest conversation about style, self-confidence, and learning to dress for who you are rather than simply following trends. From finding your own voice through fashion to embracing the beauty of becoming your own woman, this episode is full of warmth, wisdom, and empowering insights.Cathy O'Connor https://www.instagram.com/cathyocstylist?igsh=MWcwNGRlMWV5cXU0eA==Lisasvistas https://www.instagram.com/lisasvistas?igsh=dXEzZDR4cGxreXZxAudio & Media Production by Ben Lawless

Welcome back to Bras Off and Breathe, the podcast where we say what everyone’s thinking but rarely out loud. This episode, Surviving the School Run, is all about the chaos, cliques, and quiet judgments of the school gate. I’m chatting with Leonie and Rachael about everything from awkward hellos to the full-blown drama of the cake baking competition (honestly, who knew it could get that serious?). We also dig into a bigger question, why Ireland still seems to favour third-level college over trades and practical paths, and what that pressure means for us as parents trying to steer our kids in the right direction. It’s real, it’s relatable, and it might just make you feel a bit less alone in the madness.

On this episode of my podcast with Molly, we explore the deeply human themes of life and death through an honest and heartfelt conversation. We talk about how loss reshapes our understanding of what it means to live, and how grief isn’t something to “move on” from, but something we learn to carry. Molly opens up about the emotional complexity of losing someone so central to her world, and how that experience has changed her perspective on time, relationships, and what truly matters. Together, we reflect on the fragility of life, but also the quiet strength that can emerge in the face of profound sorrow.Molly shares how the loss of her beloved mother has left a lasting imprint on her day-to-day life, from small routines to major life decisions. She speaks candidly about the ways she copes, through memory, connection, and allowing herself space to feel everything as it comes. Rather than presenting grief as something linear, Molly describes it as evolving, sometimes heavy, sometimes gentle, but always present in some form. Her story is not just about loss, but about resilience, love that continues beyond absence, and the ongoing process of finding meaning after heartbreak.Molly Ryanhttps://www.instagram.com/supermol/Lisasvistas https://www.instagram.com/lisasvistas/Audio & Media production by Ben Lawless https://www.instagram.com/benjiiiiee/

In this episode, I’m joined by writer, broadcaster, and mentor Maria McHale for an honest and inspiring conversation about what it really means to start over. After a major life shift her divorce and her children leaving for college Maria made the bold decision to leave her hometown and begin a new chapter in Dublin.We explore the emotional and practical challenges of stepping into the unknown, from rebuilding a sense of identity to navigating loneliness and self-doubt. Maria shares how pushing beyond her comfort zone opened the door to unexpected growth, new opportunities, and a deeper understanding of herself.This is a powerful conversation about resilience, reinvention, and the courage it takes to move on even when it feels uncertainMaria McHalehttps://www.instagram.com/themariamchale?igsh=ZWhlMGVuamZtZGZ2Lisasvistas https://www.instagram.com/lisasvistas/?hl=enAudio & Media production by Ben Lawless https://www.instagram.com/benjiiiiee/?hl=en

In this week’s episode, Funny Girl, I sit down with Margaret McAuliffe, actress, writer, comedian, and the creative force behind The Humours of Bandon, her critically acclaimed one-woman show.We talk about her journey from the early days to building a career in Ireland’s creative scene, and what it really takes to sustain a life in the arts. Margaret shares the story behind The Humours of Bandon, performing solo on international stages, and the resilience, humour, and honesty that fuel her work.We also get into the personal side, motherhood, balance, and how having her daughter reshaped her perspective on creativity and ambition.A warm, funny, and refreshingly honest conversation about the realities of being a creative in Ireland.Margaret McAuliffe Agenthttps://sovrancarey.com/actors/margaret-mc-auliffeVoiceover agenthttps://www.voicebank.ie/artist/rd - margaret-mcauliffeSpotlighthttps://www.spotlight.com/0451-3424-3944Emma Dodd for the poem recitedhttps://www.instagram.com/emmadoddartistandillustrator?igsh=b3lzbDdxNXFuZXY4Lisasvistashttps://www.instagram.com/lisasvistas/Audio & Media by Ben Lawless https://www.instagram.com/benjiiiiee/

This week on the podcast: Autism and Us.Michelle and her daughter Kate share their powerful journey through Kate’s late autism diagnosis at 20. Together they speak openly about the challenges they faced, the frustrations with a system that too often overlooks young people, and the emotional moment when Kate finally felt truly seen after receiving her diagnosis. Now moving forward with a new understanding of themselves and each other, Michelle and Kate are using their voices to advocate for change, greater awareness, and stronger support for young people with autism. It’s an honest, heartfelt conversation about identity, resilience, and turning lived experience into meaningful change.Juzt2girlshttps://www.instagram.com/juzt2girls?igsh=YWJwM2JjZDRkdzBzLisasvistashttps://www.instagram.com/lisasvistas?igsh=dXEzZDR4cGxreXZxAudio & Media Production by Ben Lawless https://www.instagram.com/benjiiiiee?igsh=MXR4eHk1NGh1bGE0cw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr