Ready To Be Real by Síle Seoige

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

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 th​is ​​Petition To listen to the full conversation with Misan from October 2024, search ​'Misan Harriman: Bridge Building​' wherever you get your podcasts.

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 PlayerOther 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 PennieIn the realm of hungry ghosts by Dr. Gabor MatéDopamine Nation by Dr. Anna LembkeTony 10: The Astonishing Story of the Postman Who Gambled €10,000,000…and Lost It AllResources & SupportIf 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

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 & WorkshopsIreland 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 & SupportIf 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 GamblingGamblers Anonymous IrelandHome - Cuan MhuireSamaritans Ireland​Ireland helplines and hotlinesFollow the pod on Instagram@readytoberealpodcastTo hear the full two-hour conversation with Tony O’Reilly, listen anytime now.

​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 manage​r 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 & WorkshopsResources & SupportIf 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 GamblingGamblers Anonymous IrelandHome - Cuan MhuireSamaritans Ireland​Ireland helplines and hotlinesBook :Tony 10: The Astonishing Story of the Postman Who Gambled €10,000,000…and Lost It AllDocumentaries​ :​​All bets are off​/RTÉAll Bets Are Off Baz and Tony  ​Finné/TG4 ​Finné Sr 2 Ep 2 Tony O'Reilly | TG4 | Súil Eile |

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, Con​all.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.​​T​o connect with Deirdre : Email: slanudeirdrehegarty@gmail.comInstagram: @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!

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.comShe is the founder of The ChangeMakers Mastermind where she supports ambitious, heart led business founders.More here...www.niamhennis.com/tcmmastermind

​Topics covered : Pancreatic cancer, grief, sympathy, therapy, good girl conditioning, life changes, intuition, journaling. This week, business mentor and change coach Niamh Ennis is my guest.She lives in Galway with her husband Michael and their rescue dog Bella.She’s the author of 'Get Unstuck: Ditch Your Drama and Move from Pain to Power' but long before the work she does now, Niamh went through an incredibly difficult period in her life.In her late 30s and early 40s, she experienced profound loss; her fiancé Tony died just nine days after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and only 6 months before they were due to be married. Not long after, she also lost her dad…and then, a number of years later, her Mum passed away.In this conversation, Niamh shares what that time was like, how it changed her, and how it ultimately led her to completely rethink her life and her career.We also talk about what it really means to feel stuck…and how to begin finding your way back to yourself ​, especially in midlife, when so many of us are questioning what we want and what comes next.To connect with Niamh:www.niamhennis.comShe is the founder of The ChangeMakers Mastermind where she supports ambitious, heart led business founders.More here...www.niamhennis.com/tcmmastermindIf you enjoyed this episode, please do share it, rate it or leave a review...it really helps the podcast to grow.And you can find the pod on Instagram ​@readytoberealpodcast

In this week's Real Take, I'm sharing a short snippet of my recent conversation with Celtic wisdom teacher and guide Mari Kennedy.Here she talks to us about the coming days, Síle's day on the 18th and later in the week, we'll be celebrating the Spring Equinox.I highly recommend you listen to the full conversation with Mari anytime now, it's a beaut!To connect with her :https://www.marikennedy.com/https://www.instagram.com/marikennedywisdom