The Louise Clarke Podcast

After a week of diving headfirst into routine resets, cultural crossovers, and a raw look at the digital noise filling our feeds, I’m back with an episode that balances top-tier couch comfort with an honest conversation about protecting our mindsets as we grow. This episode moves seamlessly from cheering on our favorite Irish contestants on the telly to a deeply personal conversation about the reality of modern beauty standards, and why true health comes from nutrition and strength over quick-fix restrictions.In this episode, we’re catching up on:The Love Island Villa & Reality TV CrossoversThe villa is officially heating up, and we are firmly rooting for our Irish contestants because they are doing an absolutely amazing job. We're celebrating Galway's own Seán "Fitzy" Fitzgerald passing his first major loyalty test with flying colours—plus, I've got the clip of his and Lola's latest re-coupling speech to share! We’re also chatting about the gorgeous Victoria from Kildare turning heads left, right, and centre, breaking down the first major villa dumping, and diving into the rumour mill surrounding whether or not influencer Charleen Murphy is waiting in the wings to make an explosive entrance.Tractors, Snails, & Clarkson’s Farm Season 5I am not usually the type of person who would be glued to farming programmes, but the brand-new fifth season of Clarkson’s Farm on Amazon Prime is just something completely different. I'm breaking down my favorite moments so far, including a hilariously painful farmyard cameo where Formula One driver Oscar Piastri spends 40 minutes failing to reverse a tractor trailer. Plus, we look at the unexpected skincare crossover happening on Diddly Squat farm as Jeremy's partner Lisa starts a snail-mucin breeding enterprise, and we check in on a very special baby camel with a hilarious name.The Danger of "Skinny Tok" & My Green Tanning DisasterThe real heart of the show this week comes from a much more serious place. Lately, my social feeds have been completely flooded with toxic, extreme weight-loss trends. It feels like an eerie flashback to the dangerous "heroin chic" media obsession of the 90s, and I wanted to open up a real conversation about how detrimental this digital noise is to young people. As someone who has spent years on the cycle of weekly weight clubs and standing on the "sad step," I'm sharing why we desperately need food and strength education over restriction. But because we love a bit of light-hearted balance, I’m also sharing my latest DIY beauty disaster—where a bottle of oxidized tanning liquid turned me into a walking, green version of the Incredible Hulk just in time for summer!Spill the Tea: Venice Ditchers & Vinted Wardrobe ThievesThe Spill the Tea inbox is officially hopping, and I am jumping straight in to handle two massive listener dilemmas. First, an anonymous listener is devastated after her boyfriend canceled a romantic Venice trip they’ve been planning all year to go on a work stag do—despite having a history of cheating on stags in the past. Then, we tackle a shocking roommate betrayal from a listener who opened up Vinted only to find her housemate actively selling her brand-new Zara tops right out of the clean laundry basket! I'm giving you my straight-talking, unfiltered verdicts on how both of these listeners need to handle these situations immediately.If you’ve ever had to block out the noise of a toxic social media algorithm, needed a warning to step away from old fake tan, or want to know how to confront a laundry thief, I hope this episode feels like a cozy chat with a good friend this week.Connect With MeI’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Come say hi, drop your favorite simple healthy recipes, or share your own beauty disasters here:Instagram: @thisislouiseclarkeTikTok: @thisislouiseclarkeWork With Me / SponsorshipInterested in sponsoring the podcast or collaborating? I’d love to hear from you.Email: louiseclarkemedia@gmail.com

After a sunny bank holiday weekend of fresh sea air and deep reflection, I’m back with an episode that balances the ultimate cozy couch comfort with a raw, honest look at the heavy things we carry as we grow. This episode moves seamlessly from cheering on local Galway stars on the telly to a deeply personal conversation about the reality of grief, and how it completely shapes the way we appreciate the people still with us.In this episode, we’re catching up on:I’m taking you along on my bank holiday escape to Salthill, a place I used to call home for a number of years, for a much-needed soul reset. Packed up with the dog, the gorgeous weather, and a walk along the prom, it was the perfect weekend tonic. I'm also sharing a massive foodie find—the incredible "Sunrise Bowl" from Alainn at their gorgeous new location right on the prom—and giving you an honest update on my daily movement challenge to protect my mental health, alongside my ongoing, unapologetic freezer gyoza obsession.Then, we’re chatting about what’s on the telly. I’ve been completely binging the brand-new second season of The Four Seasons on Netflix, starring Tina Fey and Steve Carell, and I’ve got a brilliant clip from season one to share that will convince you to start watching immediately. Plus, we have to talk about the summer return of Love Island and the absolute pride of seeing Galway's very own Seán "Fitzy" Fitzgerald walk into the villa, and immediately have to defend the pronunciation of his Irish nickname to the UK.The real heart of the show, though, comes from a much deeper, personal place. Marking ten years since the passing of my beloved Mum, and having lost my Dad when I was just eleven, I wanted to open up a real conversation about the club that absolutely nobody wants to join: the grief club. We’re talking about why grief isn't linear, why time doesn't magically "heal" the void, and why I want to urge anyone listening to book that family trip, make that phone call, and fiercely cherish the imperfect, ordinary moments with your parents while they are still here.Plus, the Spill the Tea inbox is officially hopping, and I am jumping straight in to handle two massive relationship dilemmas. First, an anonymous listener is trapped in a hilarious love triangle with her boyfriend's rescue cat, Ralph, who insists on sleeping directly in the middle of the bed every single night and killing the romance. Then, we tackle a heavy-hitting dilemma from Mona, whose partner of five years has quit a lucrative construction job to become an influencer—leaving her to carry the entire financial load, do all the chores, and put their house-buying dreams completely on hold.If you’ve ever had to set a firm boundary with a partner, needed a virtual hug through a wave of grief, or just want to celebrate a sunny day in Galway, I hope this episode feels like a cozy chat with a good friend this week.Connect With MeI’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Come say hi and follow the journey here:Instagram: @thisislouiseclarkeTikTok: @thisislouiseclarkeWork With Me / SponsorshipInterested in sponsoring the podcast or collaborating? I’d love to hear from you.Email: louiseclarkemedia@gmail.com

After a week of heavy lifting and garden chores, I’m back with a look at the unglamorous realities of adulting, the absolute chaos of online shopping, and a long-awaited return to the listener inbox. This episode moves from the literal back-breaking labor of DIY maintenance to an honest, hilarious chat about the modern boundaries we have to set—both online and in our closest relationships.In this episode, we’re catching up on:I’m taking you along on my stay-at-home weekend, where I finally forced myself to finish a massive task I started two weeks ago. Armed with a newly purchased power washer and misguided confidence from TikTok, I learned the hard way that power washing is not as easy as it looks on the internet. I’m sharing the reality of my post-DIY back pain, a genius fence-painting sponge hack, and why stepping away from the laptop for some fresh air was exactly what my brain needed.Then, we’re chatting about what’s on the telly. I've been diving into the brand-new second season of Rivals on Disney+, which brings back a brilliant fun fact from my own career: getting an advanced screening to interview the show's stars, Aidan Turner and Victoria Smurfit, in a super-fancy Dublin hotel. I’m sharing the behind-the-scenes reality of that high-stakes, ten-minute countdown interview, the crippling imposter syndrome of being a country bumpkin in the big smoke, and the eye-watering shock of a twelve-euro hotel coffee. Plus, I'll give you a completely spoiler-free synopsis of the wild corporate warfare in the new 12-episode series.We are also falling down the Vinted rabbit hole to explore the booming cross-border marketplace between Ireland and France. I’m venting about the absolute soul-destroying frustration of dealing with buyers demanding exact measurements for a three-euro top, but balancing it with the ultimate positive vintage experience: scoring an incredible vintage handbag from the exact year I was born, and snagging some gorgeous summer-ready Scamp & Dude jackets. I'll also share my top two personal tips for selling more and staying sustainable without losing your mind.To wrap things up, I am introducing a brand-new feature called Rant of the Week, where I give out about how badly designed AI bots are completely destroying human customer service. And most importantly, Spill the Tea is officially BACK! I am jumping straight back into the inbox to tackle two massive listener dilemmas: Stephanie’s high-stakes wedding etiquette drama with an overseas Maid of Honour, and Ruth’s living nightmare down in Galway involving paper-thin walls and two housemates who have secretly started sleeping together.If you’ve ever been victimised by an online buyer, felt the sting of a Dublin price tag, or had to navigate a messy friendship boundary, I hope this episode makes you laugh and gives you a bit of comfort this week!Connect With MeI’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Come say hi and follow the journey here:Instagram: @thisislouiseclarkeTikTok: @thisislouiseclarkeWork With Me / SponsorshipInterested in sponsoring the podcast or collaborating? I’d love to hear from you.Email: louiseclarkemedia@gmail.com

After a weekend of fresh air and road trips, I’m back with a look at how we spend our time—and who we actually spend it with. This episode moves from the simple joy of a Sunday morning ritual to a much more honest chat about the "edit" we all eventually have to make in our adult friendships.In this episode, we’re catching up on:I’m taking you along on my Sunday morning at Mountain View Market in Kilkenny. It was a gorgeous spot for a "soul reset," even if it’s just for the fresh air and a chance to use my favorite Stanley flask. I’m also sharing my latest kitchen obsession—the gyoza "fakeaway" that has saved my life this week (and yes, I’ve finally settled the debate on which ones are actually the best).Then, we’re chatting about what’s on the telly. I’ve been finally getting through the new series of Euphoria—which feels so much more grown-up and intense this year—and I’ve been completely gripped by the moral dilemma in Should I Marry a Murderer?. It’s been a heavy week for drama, but I’ve got some thoughts on why we’re all so obsessed with these stories.The real heart of the show, though, comes from a bit of a "wake-up call" I had at my cousin’s birthday dinner. A relative made a comment about how lovely it was to be together for something that wasn't a funeral, and it really stuck with me. It got me thinking about how we treat our friendships as we get older—why we need to stop waiting for "big events" to see our favorite people and why it’s actually okay if your inner circle starts to get a little smaller.Plus, I have a very exciting announcement: Spill the Tea is officially coming back! I’ve missed the gossip and the listener stories so much, and I’ve got all the details on how you can get involved again.If you’ve ever felt like you’re struggling to make time for the people who truly matter, or if you’ve noticed your own circle shifting lately, I hope this episode feels like a bit of a friendly nudge to reach out to your important people today.Connect With MeI’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Come say hi and follow the journey here:Instagram: @thisislouiseclarkeTikTok: @thisislouiseclarkeWork With Me / SponsorshipInterested in sponsoring the podcast or collaborating? I’d love to hear from you.Email: louiseclarkemedia@gmail.com

The Devil Wears Prada, birthdays, and the science of reality TV! After a busy and fun weekend in London, I’m marking a major milestone on the pod today—my birthday.In this episode, I’m catching you up on my whirlwind trip to the city, from the chaos of Borough Market to a "pinch-me" moment at the Dominion Theatre for the last show of a true icon. I’m also diving deep into my obsession: Reality TV. We’re looking at the actual science behind why we love the drama and taking a nostalgic trip through the shows that shaped me—from rock-star chaos in the 2000s to the local legends that were debated in the Seanad.In this episode, we talk about:The Privilege of Aging: Why I’m choosing to celebrate growing older and why I’m thankful for every new year and every new wrinkle.London Calling: My birthday weekend highlights, including those iconic Borough Market strawberries and catching Vanessa Williams in her final performance of The Devil Wears Prada.The Science of the "Silly": Insights on why reality TV is actually a "master class" in human behavior.The Nostalgia Timeline: Revisiting The Osbournes, The Simple Life, and the moment an Irish win on Big Brother Local Legends & "The Egg Quota": A look back at the cultural reset that was Tallafornia and why Irish reality TV hits differently.My Desert Island Top 5: My ultimate list of must-watch shows, including Southern Charm, Married at First Sight, and the gold standard: The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.Whether you’re a fellow "Bravoholic" or you’re just looking for a bit of birthday escapism, I hope this episode reminds you that sometimes, the best way to handle the "real world" is to dive into someone else’s.Connect With Me I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Come say hi and follow the journey here:Instagram: @thisislouiseclarke TikTok: @thisislouiseclarkeWork With Me / Sponsorship Interested in sponsoring the podcast or collaborating? I’d love to hear from you.Email: louiseclarkemedia@gmail.com

I’m back! After a significant break and a lot of life happening behind the scenes, I’m finally stepping back up to the mic.In this episode, I’m catching you up on why I decided to walk away from a 15-year career in radio, the reality of navigating a season of heavy personal loss, and the joy of finding a new balance. This isn’t just an update—it’s a conversation about knowing your worth, trusting your gut, and finally choosing yourself.In this episode, we talk about:The Big Pivot: Why I left the world of live radio to step behind the scenes in the podcast industry.Knowing Your Worth: Working with a career coach to rebuild confidence and recognise when it's time to move on.The Season of Loss: Navigating the grief of losing my grandad, a dear friend, and my dog of 14 years.Life as an Auntie: Finding joy in the "small" moments I used to miss because of a rigid work schedule.The Road Ahead: What you can expect from the podcast moving forward (including two new interviews dropping very soon!).If you’ve ever felt like you were "stuck" in a role that no longer fits, or if you’re navigating your own season of change, I hope this episode reminds you that it’s never too late to take a chance on yourself.Connect With MeI’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Come say hi and follow the journey here:Instagram: @louiseclarkeradioTikTok: @thisislouiseclarkeWork With Me / SponsorshipInterested in sponsoring the podcast or collaborating? I’d love to hear from you.Email: louiseclarkemedia@gmail.com

This week on the podcast, I’m catching you up on all the bits — from my visit to Old Barracks Coffee Roasters in Tipperary (yes, the place with the €15 coffee!) to MCing a fab event at the Clayton Hotel where I got to hear from some amazing speakers about AI and navigating modern life.Then I’m joined by the incredible Laura Hannon — Irish racing driver and passionate advocate for young women in motorsport. We chat about smashing stereotypes, what it’s really like behind the wheel, and how she’s helping pave the way for the next generation of female drivers.Coffee, fast cars, inspiring women — what more could you want? ☕🏎️✨

This week on The Louise Clarke Podcast, I'm joined by Sandra Madden — founder of The 925 Fit, mum, fitness lover, and entrepreneur on a mission to help busy women find time for movement. We chat about the reality of juggling work, kids, workouts, and self-care, and how Sandra built a business designed to support women doing it all. From carving out small moments for fitness to launching her own range of walking pads, Sandra shares practical tips and honest insights on finding balance and making wellness work — even on the busiest days.