The Laura Dowling Experience

Laura sits down with MEP Maria Walsh for a wide-ranging conversation about women, power and what is shifting in Europe right now. Maria has just returned from the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York, where for the first time in seventy years member states could not agree a final text on access to justice for women.She talks honestly about online misogyny, the deepfakes already circulating in Irish secondary schools, conversion therapy, and the website created about her during the 2019 election that is still live today. Alongside that, she opens up about internalised homophobia, the loneliness of political life, and growing up as the gay Rose of Tralee at a time when Ireland was shifting on marriage equality.The conversation also moves through period poverty, FGM, the underfunding of women's healthcare, the pink tax, and what it would take to close the gap on cardiovascular care, menopause and reproductive health. It is a frank look at the work still ahead and the toll it takes on the women trying to do it.🔑 Key PointsThe UN couldn't agree on access to justice for women — For the first time in seventy years the Commission on the Status of Women failed to find consensus, after the US tabled eight late amendments including the definition of a woman.Deepfakes are already in Irish secondary schools — 99% of generated deepfakes are pornographic and 96% of victims are women and young girls, with nudification apps making explicit content from a single photo.Online attacks follow women in politicsA website created during the 2019 election is still live, and Coco's Law catches those who share content but not those who build or host the apps.Conversion therapy is still legal in most of the EUOnly eight EU countries have banned it, and Ireland's commitment sits inside the programme for government.Women's healthcare is underfundedMore research funding has gone into male baldness than endometriosis, and there are only six menopause clinics across Ireland.Cardiovascular care is still built around menHeart attack symptoms are taught through male presentation, leaving women under-treated when it matters.The pink tax keeps quietly costing womenRazors, dry cleaning and a 23% VAT rate on sunscreen all add up across a lifetime.Politics takes a real personal tollMaria speaks openly about loneliness, comfort eating, and learning to take up space in Brussels.📚 ResourcesUN Commission on the Status of WomenCoco's LawILGA-EuropeBelong ToWomen for ElectionSee Her ElectedRileyHope FoundationRuhamaEsker HouseHer Last Search (Croí)⏱️ Timestamps03:39 — Back from the UN Commission on the Status of Women07:33 — Why the US tabled eight amendments at the eleventh hour12:37 — Deepfakes, disinformation and the 90% statistic15:04 — Conversion therapy and the EU debate19:23 — The Burke website that is still live27:38 — Deepfakes in Irish secondary schools35:43 — What policy needs to do, and Ireland's chance to lead40:53 — Cardiovascular care and Her Last Search45:06 — Pink tax, menopause clinics and the funding gap49:29 — Why women are still underrepresented in politics53:01 — Period poverty, Riley and Any Time of the Month58:25 — Loneliness and learning to take up space59:30 — Calcutta, Hope Foundation and human trafficking

🎧 Episode DescriptionIn this episode, Michelle Flynn shares her deeply personal and professional insight into birth trauma, and why it’s not always about what happens, but how it’s experienced.Drawing on her own journey through pregnancy anxiety and her work as a perinatal psychotherapist, Michelle explains how trauma can live in the nervous system, showing up long after the moment has passed. From hypervigilance and intrusive thoughts to sensory triggers that bring the body straight back into the experience, she breaks down why these reactions happen and what they actually mean.Together, Michelle and Laura unpack the importance of feeling safe, seen and supported, both for patients and for healthcare professionals. This really comes back to understanding your body and how trauma can show up differently for each of us.📚 Mentioned in this EpisodePostnatal DepressionA type of depression that can occur after childbirth, affecting mood, energy, and ability to care for yourself or your baby.Postnatal AnxietyA condition involving excessive worry, fear, or intrusive thoughts during the postpartum period.Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)A mental health condition involving intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviours, which can present during pregnancy or postpartum.Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)A condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, including childbirth.Perinatal Mental HealthMental health during pregnancy and the early years after birth, typically up until a child is around two years old, when individuals may be more vulnerable to anxiety and mood disorders.Somatic Experiencing (Peter Levine)A body-based trauma therapy focused on how the nervous system stores and processes traumatic experiences.The Body Keeps the Score - Dr Bessel van der KolkA widely recognised book exploring how trauma is stored in the body and how it can be treated.EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)A psychotherapy approach used to help people process and recover from traumatic memories.Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)A structured therapy that focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought and behaviour patterns.MBRRACE-UK ReportA UK report examining maternal deaths and inequalities, including higher risks among Black and ethnic minority women.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 - What is birth trauma02:00 - Michelle’s personal pregnancy experience04:00 - Pregnancy anxiety and early fears07:30 - Feeling dismissed and unsupported10:30 - Who is more vulnerable to trauma20:00 - PTSD in healthcare professionals24:00 - Communication and consent in care28:00 - Can trauma be prevented36:00 - The lemon experiment and body response45:00 - Understanding somatic therapy50:00 - Why CBT may not work for trauma

🎧 Episode DescriptionHow many women have been told that pain is just part of being a woman?For many women, painful or heavy periods become something they learn to live with. In this conversation, periods are reframed as something far more important - a vital sign that reflects what’s happening across the whole body, not just a monthly inconvenience.Through real clinical stories, we hear how women can spend years feeling exhausted, run down, or unwell without ever realising the root cause. These symptoms are normalised, when in reality they need to be recognised and supported much earlier.Drawing on decades of clinical experience, Mary shares how early intervention can prevent long-term conditions like PCOS and endometriosis. The discussion also expands into menopause, hormone therapy, and the importance of lifestyle - from nutrition and sleep to stress and daily habits - in supporting the body.Alongside the science, the episode reflects on modern life - the pressure to do too much, the importance of boundaries, and the need to delegate and share the load.At its core, this episode is about listening to your body, questioning what doesn’t feel right, and giving yourself permission to take your health seriously.🔑 Key PointsYour period is a vital signYour menstrual cycle reflects overall health, yet many women are never taught what is normal and what isn’t.Severe pain and heavy bleeding aren’t normalSymptoms like prolonged periods, extreme pain, or vomiting are often dismissed, but they signal underlying imbalance that should be investigated.Early intervention changes everythingAddressing irregular periods in teenage years can prevent long-term conditions like PCOS and endometriosis.Hormones affect the whole bodyImbalances don’t just impact periods - they influence energy, mood, weight, skin, and long-term health outcomes.Lifestyle is the foundation of hormone healthNutrition, sleep, exercise, and gut health all play a key role in regulating hormones and supporting the body.Conditions like PCOS are often missedWeight gain, acne, and irregular cycles are common early signs, yet many women go undiagnosed for years.Hormonal support can restore balanceTreatments like progesterone and metformin can help regulate cycles and improve symptoms when used appropriately.Women are doing too muchChronic stress, over-responsibility, and lack of boundaries can impact hormone health and overall wellbeing.📚 Mentioned in this EpisodeIt’s Probably Your Period by Mary RyanMary’s book focused on understanding menstrual health and early interventionPolycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)A hormonal condition that can affect periods, weight, skin, and fertilityEndometriosisA condition where tissue similar to the womb lining grows outside the uterus, often causing severe painHormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)Treatment used to relieve symptoms of menopause by replacing hormonesProgesteroneA hormone involved in regulating the menstrual cycle and supporting pregnancyMetforminA medication commonly used for type 2 diabetes, also used in managing PCOSInsulin ResistanceA condition where the body doesn’t respond properly to insulin, often linked to PCOSProstaglandinsHormone-like substances that can cause inflammation and menstrual cramps⏱️ Timestamps01:00 – Periods as a vital sign02:30 – What a normal period looks like04:00 – Severe pain and inflammation06:30 – Early intervention and prevention08:30 – PCOS, weight gain and acne11:30 – Treatment and metformin14:30 – Hormone balance and long-term health16:30 – Menopause and progesterone18:30 – Spotting, flooding and hormone changes20:30 – HRT and hormone therapy22:30 – Testosterone and brain fog24:00 – Fibroids and prevention25:30 – Women doing too much27:00 – Delegation and sharing the load28:30 – Relationships, stress and health impact30:00 – Raising resilient children31:30 – Loss, grief and perspective33:30 – Life lessons and self-worth35:00 – Final advice for young people

🎧 Episode DescriptionHannah Daly talks openly about the long path to understanding her brain. Growing up, she knew she experienced the world differently, but dyslexia and dyspraxia seemed to explain enough at the time. It wasn’t until much later that she began to question whether there was more to it.A period of intense physical and cognitive symptoms during perimenopause became a turning point. As her ability to cope and mask began to unravel, it led her to seek answers - and eventually to diagnoses of ADHD and autism. What follows is a process of looking back, reinterpreting her life, and starting to understand herself in a completely different way.🔑 Key PointsGrowing up feeling different without the language for itHannah describes always experiencing the world differently, but early diagnoses of dyslexia and dyspraxia seemed to explain enough at the time.Masking and the effort of trying to fit inMuch of her life was shaped by adapting to environments and expectations, often suppressing her own needs.Perimenopause as a turning pointA sudden wave of physical and cognitive symptoms made it harder to cope and brought everything to the surface.The link between hormones and neurodivergenceHormonal changes intensified underlying ADHD and autistic traits, including memory issues, overwhelm, and sensory sensitivity.Late diagnosis of ADHD and autismThrough seeking answers, Hannah went through an assessment process and received both diagnoses.Looking back with new understandingShe began to reinterpret her life, recognising patterns that had always been there but previously misunderstood.Unmasking and redefining identityDiagnosis allowed her to move away from people-pleasing and start living more in line with who she is.Understanding your brain as self-compassionLearning how her brain works helped her develop better strategies and a more supportive way of living.📚 Mentioned in this EpisodeADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)A neurodevelopmental condition affecting attention, impulse control, and energy regulation.Autism (Autism Spectrum Condition)A lifelong condition affecting communication, sensory processing, and social interaction.PerimenopauseA hormonal transition phase that can impact mood, cognition, and physical wellbeing.ADHD, Autism, and Hormones (Emerging Research Area)Growing research explores how hormonal changes can intensify neurodivergent traits.ADHD Ireland - Support & U-Map ProgrammeResources and support for ADHD in Ireland.Autism and Menopause (Further Reading)Explores how menopause can affect autistic individuals.Odd Girl Out - Laura James (Book)A memoir about late autism diagnosis.Dr Mary Doherty - Autistic Doctors InternationalAdvocate and founder supporting autistic professionals.Wim Hof MethodBreathing and cold exposure techniques.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Asking for accommodations and sensory needs02:30 – What masking looks like in everyday life04:00 – Growing up feeling “othered”07:00 – Finding purpose through occupational therapy10:30 – Writing her book and sharing her story11:30 – Sudden health episode and onset of symptoms14:30 – Perimenopause, HRT, and turning point17:00 – ADHD and autism diagnosis19:00 – Reframing her life after diagnosis23:00 – Sensory needs, routines, and daily coping27:00 – ADHD traits, focus, and conversation style31:00 – Energy, burnout, and pacing36:00 – Managing overwhelm and regulation strategies42:00 – Sleep, routines, and nervous system support47:00 – Parenting, relationships, and support systems52:00 – Medication, exercise, and what helps56:00 – Final reflections and helping other women

🎧 Episode DescriptionThis conversation with Ger Killian offers a thoughtful and honest look at what it really means to feed children in today’s world. As co-founder of The Lunch Bag, Ger has spent years navigating the realities of school meals - from supply chains and budgets to the emotional responses of parents and children alike.What emerges is a story not just about food, but about trust. Trust from parents who want reassurance their child will eat. Trust from children learning to try new things. And trust in a system that is still evolving, trying to balance immediate needs with long-term impact.This episode gently challenges assumptions, reminding us that meaningful change takes time. It invites us to think more deeply about how we support children - not just nutritionally, but emotionally and socially too.🔑 Key PointsWhy “safe foods” matterRemoving familiar foods like chicken goujons revealed how important predictable meals are for children, especially those under stress.The complexity of feeding children at scaleDelivering meals involves logistics, cost pressures, regulations, and nutritional standards that most people never see.The unintended consequences of a welfare modelTargeting meals at certain children can create stigma and affect how children engage with food in school.The role of culture in what children eatHistorical and cultural influences shape how children respond to unfamiliar foods and new meals.Parental instinct and food securityParents often send extra lunches not out of distrust, but from a deep instinct to ensure their child is fed.The importance of education around foodWithout teaching children what they are eating, meals can feel unfamiliar and disengaging rather than supportive.A long-term opportunity for changeSchool meals have the potential to improve not just nutrition, but equality, behaviour, and future outcomes.📚 Mentioned in this EpisodeThe Lunch BagA leading Irish school meal provider delivering fresh, nutritionally balanced lunches to schools nationwide.Website - https://www.thelunchbag.ie/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thelunchbag_/Healthy Ireland GuidelinesNational nutritional standards that define what a balanced school meal should include in terms of protein, vegetables, and overall health.World Food ProgrammeA global organisation that highlights how access to school meals, particularly for girls, can improve education and long-term outcomes.EU Child GuaranteeA European initiative focused on ensuring children have access to essential services, including nutritious food and education.BallymaloeAn Irish food producer and cookery school that supported the development of nutritious sauces for school meals.Spice of Life (Cork)A food supplier that helped create large-scale, nutritionally balanced sauces for school meal programmes.Willowbrook (Belfast)A supplier providing fresh fruit and vegetables used in school meals across Ireland.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 - Introduction to Ger and The Lunch Bag03:00 - Building a school meal service from scratch07:00 - The rollout of free school meals10:00 - Welfare vs progressive school meal models13:00 - Why children disengage from meals over time18:30 - How school meals are produced and delivered27:00 - Food culture and food neophobia in Ireland32:00 - The chicken goujon controversy36:00 - Reformulating “safe foods” for children40:00 - Nutrition, lentils, and hidden improvements48:00 - Food waste and misunderstanding the system54:00 - What needs to change moving forward

🎧 Episode DescriptionThis episode traces Dr Andy Hogan’s path into immunology, from a childhood curiosity to a career exploring how the immune system shapes our health. Growing up in a challenging environment, the Access Programme gave him a route into higher education - highlighting the impact of support and opportunity.Alongside his story, Andy explains the immune system not just as a defence against illness, but as something deeply involved in everyday health. He explores how obesity, ageing, and chronic inflammation affect immune function, and how these links connect to conditions like diabetes, cancer, and infection.There’s also reflection on COVID-19, vaccines, and the future of medicine - from why pandemics were expected to how immunity develops over time. It’s a conversation that blends scientific insight with real-world impact.🔑 Key PointsA single opportunity can reshape a futureThe Access Programme gave Andy a pathway into higher education.A childhood moment led to a scientific careerEarly curiosity about genetics sparked a lifelong interest in biology.The immune system shapes everyday healthIt regulates metabolism, tissue health, and overall balance - not just infection.Obesity and immune ageing are linkedObesity can accelerate immune decline and affect disease response.COVID-19 exposed immune vulnerabilitiesThe pandemic showed how differently populations respond to new threats.Medical research is opening new possibilitiesImmunology is unlocking new treatments for complex diseases.Vaccines protect communities, not just individualsThey play a key role in protecting the most vulnerable.📚 Mentioned in this EpisodeAccess Programme – Supports students from underrepresented backgrounds into higher education.Donal O’Shea – Endocrinologist focused on obesity and metabolic health.Fiona Walsh – Researcher in antibiotic resistance and global health.GLP-1 medications – Drugs that regulate appetite and blood sugar.NK cells & macrophages – Immune cells that destroy threats and clear debris.CAR-T therapy & CRISPR – Technologies advancing cancer treatment and gene editing.HPV – Virus linked to several cancers; preventable through vaccination.Spanish flu, SARS, MERS, H1N1 – Major outbreaks shaping our understanding of pandemics.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Andy’s work in immunology01:30 – Obesity and immune health02:30 – GLP-1 therapies04:00 – Early life and biology06:00 – Access Programme10:30 – Finding immunology14:30 – Immune system basics18:30 – COVID-19 insights21:00 – Age and immune response24:00 – Vaccines28:00 – Future of medicine