Conversations with Parents

Ivan Yates is known for his controversial views on all manner of issues, and parenting is no different. The broadcaster admits the number of nappies he has changed in his time are in single digits and that 'learned helplessness' served him well. But Yates shares a more thoughtful side to him in this conversation with Jen Hogan. He speaks about how a lack of emotional warmth in his own childhood influenced how we would parent his own children, how he was determined they would be in no doubt how much he loves them and how is outspoken beliefs are not always well received by his sons and daughter.Produced by Aideen Finnegan.

Victoria Smurfit believes to get by in life, "you need kindness, comedy and grit." The Hollywood actor, writer and producer has three children and tells them they must lead with kindness, find the funny in every situation and be prepared to work hard. She tells host Jen Hogan about the huge challenges that have come her way on her parenting journey including; her eldest daughter Evie's bid to save her sight, an attempted gun attack on her school in LA, moving countries after the break up of her marriage and dealing with crippling postpartum depression following the birth of her third child. In this episode, she also discusses her latest role in the 'Rivals' - the TV adaptation of the 1980s Jilly Cooper novel - out now on Disney+.Produced by Aideen Finnegan

Maïa Dunphy had never thought it was the right time to have a baby until, she jokes, her ex-husband told her at nearly 40 "it was time to 'do something' or get off the pot." The writer and TV star speaks to host Jen Hogan about becoming a mum later in life, fearing lone parenthood upon the break-up of her marriage and the conundrum of letting her son Tom make his holy communion, when she herself is an atheist. After losing her mum to cancer two years ago, she urges everyone to participate in family photo opportunities, lamenting that Tom has few pictures with his granny. Though, Dunphy reveals, he has her hilarious cameo appearances on her noughties TV production - Podge and Rodge's 'A Scare at Bedtime' - to look back on.Produced by Aideen Finnegan

Having a son and a daughter has given comedian, Tony Cantwell, the opportunity to explore some of life’s big questions. Things like, is gender just a social construct? What’s it like raising children when you're neurodivergent? How do you gentle parent? And how much time spent pooing is deemed acceptable in the quest for me-time? Host, Jen Hogan, sits down with Cantwell who created, and stars in, the new RTE comedy series, Good Boy. He discusses the extreme lengths he’ll go to, to avoid needing to change vomit soaked bedsheets, co sleeping, and how scheduling “the ride” becomes a necessary evil when you’re parenting young children. Cantwell is also open about the difficult early months when he wondered if he had male post-partum depression, and what later became a diagnosis of ADHD.Produced by Aideen Finnegan

Brendan O’Connor is used to being the one who asks the questions on his radio show. But in the very first episode of Conversations with Parents, the tables are turned on the RTÉ broadcaster, as host Jen Hogan queries him on all things parenting and discovers he is suffering with a touch of Imposter Syndrome. He's the proud father of Anna and Mary and husband to journalist, Sarah Caden. We're not used to seeing such a personal side to O'Connor, who opens up about the realities of raising two teenage girls, his attempts at 'teachable moments' and how parenting a child with Down Syndrome has changed him.Produced by Aideen Finnegan.

Conversations with Parents is coming next week and Jen Hogan has some information about her first few guests. Conversations with Parents is a new podcast from The Irish Times. Host Jen Hogan talks to interesting people about the biggest challenge of their lives: parenthood. What have they learned about how to raise kids and how have they grown themselves from doing it? What are their parenting strategies - or are they making it up as they go along? Episode one is coming on Tuesday, October 8th.