The Laura Dowling Experience

🎧 Episode DescriptionIn this episode, Laura sits down with Síle Seoige to talk about a period in her early thirties when everything changed at once. Síle speaks about being diagnosed with thyroid cancer, the impact that had on her work and personal life, and how it forced her to stop and reassess in a way she hadn’t before.She talks about anxiety from the inside, not recognising it at the time, only later, and how listening to other people’s stories during the making of her documentaries made her re-examine her own experiences. The conversation also moves through parenting, work, and the practical decisions Síle has made around boundaries, time away from home, and what she will and won’t say yes to now.The discussion is closely tied to Síle’s new documentary series Séalaí le Síle, filmed over several months and exploring three major themes: parenting, anxiety, and bullying. The series airs on TG4 on Wednesday nights, beginning on Wednesday 11 February, with each episode focusing on one topic. Drawing on conversations with families, experts, and people sharing their own lived experiences in Ireland and abroad, Síle describes the project as an attempt to better understand why so many people are struggling in the world as it is now.🔑 Key PointsA year that changed everythingSíle speaks about a period when illness, work, and personal life collided, forcing her to stop and take stock in a way she hadn’t before.Living with anxiety without naming itShe describes experiencing anxiety for years without recognising it at the time, only understanding it later through hindsight and listening to others.Illness as a line in the sandA thyroid cancer diagnosis brought clarity about what mattered, what didn’t, and what could no longer be ignored.Parenting in a pressured systemThe conversation looks at how modern parenting is shaped by time, money, childcare, and expectation.Learning to set boundariesSíle talks about becoming more boundaried around work, travel, and time away from home, and why saying no has become necessary.Listening to other people’s experiencesMaking the documentaries prompted Síle to reconsider parts of her own life she hadn’t fully examined before.Bullying beyond childhoodBullying is discussed as something that affects adults too, particularly in workplaces and public-facing roles.Questioning what we call ‘normal’The episode repeatedly returns to the idea that many struggles make sense when placed in the context of modern life.⏱️ Timestamps04:20 – The documentaries and why these topics mattered06:30 – Parenting, pressure, and guilt08:10 – Parenting today and the pressure parents are under17:00 – Anxiety and missing language25:10 – Illness, shock, and being forced to stop37:20 – Parenting decisions and limits44:00 – Media exposure and public life52:10 – Identity and reflection

🎧 Episode DescriptionIn this episode, Laura explores why dating so often feels exhausting, confusing, or discouraging, particularly when one person is ready for commitment and the other is not in the same place.Drawing on insight from Mairead the Matchmaker, the conversation looks at how timing, life stage, and emotional readiness shape modern relationships. It reflects on patterns that come up again and again, including men waiting until life feels secure before committing, women staying open to connection despite setbacks, and how early communication often sets the tone for what follows.Rather than offering quick fixes, this episode focuses on clarity and self understanding, recognising when a situation is not aligned with what you want, and trusting that dating should not require you to minimise yourself. It is a thoughtful, grounded conversation for anyone navigating modern dating with honesty and intention.🔑 Key PointsReadiness matters more than chemistryStrong attraction does not lead anywhere if two people are not emotionally or practically ready at the same time.Men and women often date differentlyMen often wait until life feels stable before committing, while women tend to stay open to connection.Communication sets the tone earlyHow someone communicates at the beginning usually reflects how they will communicate long term.Dating is a numbers game, without being unkindMeeting the right person requires consistency while still treating people with respect.Not every relationship should lastStaying in something unhealthy can be more damaging than leaving.The right relationship allows you to be yourselfA healthy partnership feels supportive rather than constraining.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Introduction and why dating feels difficult03:30 – Why people are marrying later in Ireland08:00 – Readiness and timing12:00 – When one person is ready and the other is not16:00 – Using dating apps properly19:30 – Communication patterns and early red flags26:00 – Dating as a numbers game33:30 – Confidence built through action39:30 – How the wrong relationship affects wellbeing43:00 – Five questions to assess a relationship49:30 – Knowing when to walk away56:00 – Staying open without burnout

🎧 Episode DescriptionLaura is joined by dental hygienist Eimear for a clear, practical conversation about oral health and why it connects to the rest of the body, not just your teeth. They talk about plaque, tartar and gum disease, what causes bleeding gums, and why brushing your teeth without brushing your gums misses half the problem.Eimear explains why interdental brushes work better than floss for most people, how electric toothbrushes remove far more plaque than manual ones, and why soft brushes are better than hard ones. She also talks about mouth breathing, tongue scraping, night guards for grinding, and what happens when plaque is left to harden under the gums.The conversation then moves into some of the less expected links between oral health and things like menopause, pregnancy, arthritis, diabetes and cancer treatment. Throughout it all, Eimear keeps coming back to prevention, showing how small, realistic habits can reduce risk and protect your teeth and gums over the long term.🔑 Key PointsMost people are not cleaning where it matters mostBacteria sits along the gumline and between the teeth, which is why brushing only the visible surfaces leaves disease behind.Plaque becomes harmful when it is left too longSoft plaque hardens into tartar and creates a protected space where more aggressive bacteria can grow and damage gums and bone.Tools matter more than people realiseElectric toothbrushes and interdental brushes remove far more bacteria than manual brushing and flossing.Saliva plays a major role in oral healthDry mouth, common during menopause, illness and medication use, changes the balance of bacteria and increases the risk of decay and gum disease.Gum disease is not just a mouth problemInflammation and bacteria are linked with conditions like diabetes, arthritis, pregnancy complications and Alzheimer’s.Grinding and clenching cause real damageNight-time grinding can shorten teeth, irritate gums and strain the jaw.Consistency beats perfectionRegular, simple habits protect the mouth better than occasional intense cleaning.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Why gum disease is linked to Alzheimer’s01:00 – Porphyromonas gingivalis and how it damages the brain02:00 – The vicious cycle between Alzheimer’s and oral health03:00 – Why dentists avoid scaring patients with the 70% statistic17:00 – Diabetes, arthritis and bidirectional gum disease22:00 – Menopause, hormones and dry mouth26:00 – Teeth grinding, night guards and jaw damage28:00 – Mouth breathing and gingivitis30:00 – Tongue scraping and bad breath bacteria45:00 – Mouthwash, chlorhexidine and staining56:00 – Adapting dental care for people with extra needs

🎧 Episode DescriptionIn this episode of The Laura Dowling Experience, Laura is joined by Ciara Mangan, founder of Beyond Surviving. Ciara reflects on the gaps in long-term trauma support, the challenges survivors face once formal services fall away, and why survival is so often treated as the endpoint rather than the beginning of healing.She speaks about navigating the justice process, the emotional toll of prolonged legal proceedings, and the ways trauma can ripple through families and relationships. Ciara also explores post-traumatic growth, describing how meaning, connection, and purpose became possible over time - without minimising the pain that came before.This episode centres on healing beyond crisis, the importance of survivor-led support, and the understanding that recovery is deeply personal and looks different for everyone.🔑 Key PointsSurvival is often treated as the finish lineCiara reflects on how recovery is expected to be complete once immediate danger has passed, even though healing is only beginning for many survivors.The gap in long-term trauma supportShe speaks about feeling lost once formal services fell away, highlighting how many survivors are left without guidance or connection after crisis support ends.The emotional toll of the justice processCiara shares the impact of navigating prolonged legal proceedings and how systems intended to protect can sometimes retraumatise survivors.How trauma ripples through families and relationshipsThe conversation explores the long-term effects of trauma on trust, intimacy, and family dynamics.Post-traumatic growth without minimising painCiara discusses growth as something that can emerge slowly over time, without pressure to reframe trauma as a positive experience.The importance of being believedValidation from family, professionals, and the justice system is shown to be central to rebuilding self-worth and safety.Why survivor-led support mattersCiara explains the value of spaces shaped by lived experience, where understanding, safety, and choice are prioritised.Turning lived experience into purposeThe episode closes on Ciara’s decision to found Beyond Surviving, using her experience to support others navigating life after trauma.📚 Mentioned in this EpisodeBeyond Surviving – Survivor-led charity supporting healing beyond crisis. https://beyondsurviving.ie/ Beyond Surviving – Survivors Hub – Resources + community support. https://beyondsurviving.ie/survivors-hub/ Rape Crisis Ireland – 24-hour helpline + links to local support. https://www.rapecrisisireland.ie/ Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) – Support services and info. https://www.drcc.ie/ ⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Opening reflections on survival and recovery06:20 – Reaching the end of crisis support12:40 – Workplace response and social fallout18:00 – Telling her parents what happened25:40 – Deciding to pursue justice30:10 – The trial process35:50 – Being believed and legal validation38:40 – Why survivor-led spaces matter44:10 – The origins of Beyond Surviving45:20 – Exploring post-traumatic growth50:30 – Relationships and rebuilding self-worth57:00 – Closing reflections on healing

🎧 Episode DescriptionThis episode offers an unflinching look at the realities of Irish healthcare - especially child and adolescent mental health - through the eyes of someone who’s been on the front line for decades. Laura is joined by Martin Daly, a rural GP in County Galway and a TD (Teachta Dála), to explore what it feels like to advocate for children and families inside systems that are overstretched, slow, and often unresponsive.Martin shares a deeply affecting account of a nine-year-old boy experiencing severe OCD, including the barriers faced when trying to access CAMHS - from repeat assessments, to letters being returned, to referrals being deemed “not appropriate”, even as the child’s distress escalates. The story becomes a window into the human cost of rigid thresholds and administrative dysfunction, where families are left carrying fear and uncertainty while clinicians try to push against closing doors.From there, the conversation widens into the bigger picture: the lack of digitisation in the HSE and how basic inefficiencies create real harm; why housing insecurity and “stuck” young adults ripple into mental health and relationships; and what Martin believes Ireland needs to do differently if it wants to protect wellbeing, not just respond to crisis. It’s warm, candid, and grounded in lived reality - ending with a reflective final stretch on kindness, purpose, and what it means to live a good life.⸻🔑 Key PointsAdvocating for children inside broken systemsMartin describes the emotional and professional strain of repeatedly trying to secure care for children while working within rigid, under-resourced structures.When mental health support depends on thresholdsThe conversation explores how eligibility criteria can exclude children who are clearly distressed but not yet deemed to be in crisis.A nine-year-old living with severe OCDA real case highlights how delayed intervention intensifies suffering for both the child and their family.The hidden burden placed on parentsFamilies are left holding fear, responsibility, and risk while waiting for services that may never arrive.Housing insecurity and mental healthMartin connects the housing crisis to rising anxiety, stalled independence, and a growing sense of hopelessness among young people and families.HSE digitisation and administrative failureBasic inefficiencies - from paper-based systems to disconnected services - are shown to cause real harm and delay care when timing matters most.Moral injury in clinical practiceMartin reflects on the ethical toll of knowing what care is needed, but being unable to access it for patients.Social media and youth mental healthConstant exposure and online pressure are discussed as compounding factors in rising anxiety and distress.⸻📚 Mentioned in this EpisodeMartin Daly – Rural GP and TD (Teachta Dála), sharing frontline experience of Irish healthcareChild and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) – Referral pathways, thresholds, and access issuesObsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – Childhood presentation and impact when left untreatedADHD – Diagnosis pathways and pressures on assessment servicesHealth Service Executive (HSE) – Structure, capacity issues, and lack of digitisationHousing crisis in Ireland – Links to anxiety, delayed independence, and mental wellbeingSocial media and youth mental health – Ongoing exposure and rising emotional distress⸻⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Martin’s opening reflections and background04:45 – Life as a rural GP on the frontline09:30 – Accessing child mental health services in Ireland15:10 – How CAMHS thresholds work in practice21:40 – A nine-year-old with severe OCD28:30 – Referrals returned and care denied35:20 – The emotional toll on families41:50 – HSE digitisation and systemic inefficiency48:10 – Housing insecurity and its impact on mental health54:30 – Social media, anxiety, and young people59:40 – Responsibility, kindness, and what a good life means

🎧 Episode DescriptionIn this reflective episode, Laura sits down with Kathryn Thomas to talk about change - the kind you choose, the kind that’s forced upon you, and the kind that quietly reshapes you over time. Kathryn shares her journey through career transitions, from national broadcasting to creative independence, and what it’s like to make bold decisions in midlife while balancing motherhood, identity, and self-trust.Much of the conversation centres on health and how our understanding of it has evolved. Kathryn speaks openly about her years on Operation Transformation, the backlash she faced, and why she felt compelled to explore the science and controversy around GLP-1 medications and Ozempic through documentary work. Together, they unpack how the obesity conversation has shifted, including the role of biology, food environments, and access in shaping long-term health.The episode also moves into ageing, menopause, sleep, aesthetics, and longevity. Kathryn reflects honestly on contradiction - wanting to age well while questioning the systems that profit from fear - and on the small, practical changes that have made the biggest difference to her wellbeing. Grounded, thoughtful, and deeply human, this is a conversation about agency, perspective, and learning when to let go of certainty.🔑 Key PointsChoosing change later in lifeKathryn reflects on making major career decisions in her mid-40s and stepping outside long-established systems.The cost of visibilityPublic scrutiny, online criticism, and resilience are explored through Kathryn’s lived experience.Operation Transformation revisitedA nuanced look back at the show’s evolution, cultural impact, and the stigma that surrounded it.Rethinking obesityThe conversation moves beyond willpower, focusing on biology, metabolic adaptation, and prevention.Food deserts and ultra-processed foodsKathryn and Laura discuss how access, environment, and the dominance of ultra-processed food shape health outcomes, particularly for children, highlighting why individual choice alone is an incomplete explanation.GLP-1 medications and OzempicKathryn explains why open, responsible discussion around these treatments matters.Health, hormones, and sleepMenopause, exhaustion, and the underestimated power of routine and rest are discussed honestly.Ageing, aesthetics, and contradictionFrom Botox to longevity science, the episode holds space for complexity rather than judgement.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Introductions and setting the tone03:00 – Career longevity and public visibility06:00 – Leaving RTÉ and taking a midlife leap09:30 – Operation Transformation and public scrutiny13:30 – How the weight conversation has changed18:00 – GLP-1 medications and Ozempic23:30 – Metabolic adaptation, food environments, and prevention30:30 – Food deserts, inequality, and access35:00 – Ageing, aesthetics, and contradiction40:00 – Longevity, medicine, and living well46:00 – Menopause, sleep, and routine

🎧 Episode DescriptionDonal O’Shea has spent a lifetime working at the sharp end of endocrinology- and in this conversation, he brings that perspective with clarity and honesty. Laura and Donal explore how dramatically medicine has changed, from early diabetes care rooted in fear and compliance to modern treatments that prioritise quality of life and long-term health.The discussion moves through hormones, obesity, and the rise of GLP-1 medications, examining how new treatments exposed long-held misconceptions about appetite, behaviour, and responsibility. Along the way, they confront stigma, access to care, and the cultural tendency to reduce complex conditions to willpower. Thoughtful and grounded, this episode invites a more humane way of thinking about health- one led by evidence, humility, and compassion.🔑 Key PointsHow diabetes care used to work - and why it didn’tDonal reflects on fear-based approaches from earlier in his career and contrasts them with today’s technology-driven, compassionate care.Hormones quietly run the showThe episode unpacks how chemical messengers regulate appetite, mood, energy, and long-term health.GLP-1s changed more than blood sugarOriginally developed for diabetes, these treatments revealed unexpected effects on appetite and behaviour.Why “eat less, move more” falls shortObesity is explored as a biologically regulated, chronic condition rather than a failure of willpower.When medicine collides with cultureLaura and Donal discuss how effective treatments risk being misunderstood in a thinness-obsessed world.Access isn’t equalCost and prescribing rules shape who receives care and who is left behind.Weight loss doesn’t erase identityThe psychological impact of changing bodies is often overlooked.📚 Mentioned in this EpisodeOSheaHoganLabs - Donal’s educational presence on TikTok and Instagram addressing medical misinformation⏱️ Timestamps00:00 - A lifetime inside changing medicine04:10 - Diabetes before technology07:30 - Why fear was never good healthcare12:00 - GLP-1 and a shift in understanding obesity17:45 - Appetite, behaviour, and biology23:30 - Stigma, thinness, and misuse of treatment30:15 - Identity after weight change36:40 - Menopause, hormones, and long-term thinking43:20 - Battling misinformation online50:00 - Who gets treatment - and who doesn’t57:00 - Looking to the next generation

🎧 Episode DescriptionThis conversation traces the path that brought Eoin Cluskey to where he is today- not only as the founder of Bread 41, but as someone who thinks deeply about community, responsibility, and the kind of impact a business can have. He talks openly about struggling through school, finding his footing in kitchens abroad, and eventually discovering purpose through business.Eoin also reflects on the parts of his story that don’t get talked about as often- the pressure of building something from nothing, the moment his partner told him the work was breaking their family, and the shift that followed. His stories from his work in prisons, schools, and the community show a consistent thread of noticing people who are often overlooked, and making small interventions that can have big impact.🔑 Key PointsSchool never fit, but it pushed him to think differentlyEoin explains how feeling behind in education stayed with him and later influenced how he approaches people who struggle in traditional systems.Finding belonging through craftFood became a place where he could build discipline, confidence, and a sense of identity.The personal cost of ambitionEoin names the moment he realised that relentless work was pulling him away from his family and needed to change.Understanding dignity through prison workHis experiences with incarcerated men opened his eyes to circumstance, accountability, and the meaning of opportunity.What teachers experience behind the scenesSpending time with educators gave him a clearer picture of the pressures and expectations they carry.Encouragement as a turning pointThe schoolboy who doubted his own ability shows how a few honest words can change someone’s trajectory.📚 Mentioned in this EpisodeBread 41 / Breaducation Programme⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Welcome & Eoin’s Background04:10 – Growing Up Outside the System08:20 – Finding Direction in Kitchens Abroad14:25 – Lessons from Ballymaloe18:40 – Starting Bread 41 from Scratch24:30 – A Family Wake-Up Call29:45 – Rethinking Ambition and Balance32:10 – Experiences Inside Mountjoy Prison42:30 – Teachers, Pressure & the Breaducation Programme48:25 – A Small Moment That Changed a Young Person’s Path54:10 – The Responsibility of Being a Business That “Sees” Peopl

🎧 Episode DescriptionThis episode is an emotionally rich, thoughtful exploration of motherhood, storytelling, friendship, and addiction. Sophie reflects on how her podcast began long before podcasting was popular- born out of frustration and a desire for honesty. Instead of curated perfection, she and co-host Jen offered chaos, humour, truth, and community and thousands of women saw themselves reflected, often for the first time.Sophie also shares deeply personal experiences with mental illness, alcoholism and self-loathing, describing how shame can follow us from childhood into adulthood until compassion interrupts the pattern. Through laughter, vulnerability, and storytelling, she shows how honesty can become a form of healing.⸻🔑 Key Points🎙 Podcasting with No Blueprint- A movement born from instinct, not strategy.👭 Friendship as Creative Foundation- Trust, humour, and emotional safety.👶 Motherhood Without Filters- Breaking away from curated Instagram motherhood.🧠 Postnatal Depression & Mental Health Struggles- Real emotional aftermath of motherhood.🍷 Addiction & The First Drink at 13- Relief, identity, and survival.✨ Compassion Through Seeing Children Clearly- Realising nothing was her fault.📢 Women’s Voices & The Power of Being Heard - Solidarity and storytelling.⸻📚 Mentioned in this EpisodeMother of Pod / Stop the Madness Podcast⸻⏱️ Timestamps00:00- How the podcast unexpectedly began05:10- “Be my pod wife” moment08:40- Building Patreon & creative freedom13:20- Irish storytelling culture18:10- Postnatal depression & emotional reality23:50- When listeners share their truth30:20- Addiction & first drink story33:00- Breastfeeding pressure & guilt40:00- Addiction, breakdown & survival52:30- Women’s safety & public space59:00- Parenting, screens & doing our best