But this episode goes way deeper than showbiz stories. Claire opens up about losing her mum to a brain tumour at 27, two abusive relationships that nearly broke her, the fertility struggles and surprise pregnancy that led to her two kids, a brutal postpartum year isolated in the countryside, and the devastating story of her wedding day — getting married while her dad was too sick to leave hospital, and losing him just six weeks later. It's honest, it's emotional, and it's very, very funny in between. Grab a cuppa (or something stronger) for this one.

⚠️ Contains strong language and discussion of sexual harassment, abusive relationships, grief, pregnancy loss/complications, and mental health — listener discretion advised.

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Intro with Orla & Leanne, meeting Claire Malone
• 00:58 – Growing up in Dublin, school and early love of drama
• 01:19 – National Performing Arts School & the Digges Lane days
• 02:08 – Factory Studios, dancing and acting
• 02:28 – Discovering she could actually sing
• 03:12 – First TV gigs at 16/17 on Kenny Live
• 04:13 – The tribute band boom: Abba Esque & Abba Gold
• 05:02 – Touring as a fake Spice Girl
• 05:54 – Joining Abba Gold full time (age 17–21)
• 07:10 – Leaving Abba Gold over her 21st birthday
• 08:02 – Working in the Gaiety Theatre box office from age 15
• 08:47 – Speaking up about sexual harassment at the theatre
• 13:08 – Moving to LA to study acting
• 16:06 – The call that changed everything: joining The Commitments
• 17:55 – Nine years touring the world with the band
• 18:26 – Wild life on the road, big gigs and bigger nights out
• 20:11 – Burning out on the touring lifestyle
• 23:16 – Her mum's brain tumour diagnosis and death
• 24:52 – Grief, anger, and falling apart on tour
• 25:24 – Leaving The Commitments for good
• 27:15 – Singing at weddings begins almost by accident
• 29:08 – Buying the name and building her own band, Gossip
• 30:07 – Meeting her husband Paddy
• 31:37 – Two abusive relationships back to back
• 33:44 – Therapy, healing, and finding her way out
• 38:28 – Settling down with Paddy and deciding to try for kids
• 38:43 – Fertility struggles and starting IVF
• 39:53 – The surprise pregnancy that beat the odds
• 40:43 – Moving in with her dad while pregnant
• 41:04 – Working through pregnancy and a brutal birth
• 43:11 – A dark, isolating postpartum year in Louth
• 45:56 – Second pregnancy and welcoming Teddy
• 47:17 – Juggling motherhood, marriage and gigging non-stop
• 47:32 – Acting in "The Spin" and the London premiere
• 52:02 – Her dad's cancer battle and caring for him
• 54:59 – The days before her wedding as his health declined
• 56:23 – Her wedding morning — and the call from the hospital
• 58:56 – Reflecting on the most emotional day of her life
• 59:24 – Losing her dad six weeks after the wedding
• 59:47 – On grief, survival, and learning to feel instead of think
• 1:03:58 – Wrap up and thanks

Timecodes:

• 00:00 – Intro & welcoming Brendan Power
• 01:10 – Brendan introduces himself: "recovering alcoholic and addict"
• 01:33 – 40 years sober from drink, 20 from drugs
• 02:11 – Relapsing after 12 years clean
• 02:39 – First "drink" as a child & drinking heavy by age 13
• 04:13 – First time in court at 13, introduced to AA
• 07:13 – The judge who changed his path
• 09:19 – First AA meeting at 13
• 10:47 – Time in Saint Patrick's Institution as a teen
• 12:07 – Going back to drugs after 12 years sober
• 12:53 – Unpacking childhood trauma and undealt-with "shadows"
• 14:14 – Abuse and corporal punishment in school
• 25:05 – The power of "carrying the message" in AA
• 26:29 – Explaining other recovery programs and key workers
• 27:35 – Breaking down the 12 steps
• 29:25 – Relationship with Carol & family life
• 32:15 – Living a "double life"
• 37:44 – How communities and drugs have changed over 40 years
• 47:22 – "Treatment centers are for discovery, AA is for recovery"
• 48:20 – On wanting recovery for yourself, not others
• 50:02 – Family, Al-Anon, and the impact on loved ones
• 53:29 – Brendan's best days in recovery: being confronted by his kids
• 58:39 – The song that represents his life
• 1:01:13 – Final words: "Let people know what's going on in your head"
• 1:02:10 – Closing thoughts & outro

Cathal shares his story of being flagged for autism as a child, being placed in a "special class," years of being misunderstood, and eventually getting an official autism diagnosis in his mid-20s — plus how martial arts and MMA became an outlet for him growing up. Rebecca talks about masking as the "good kid," a burnout at 21 that led to a borderline personality disorder misdiagnosis, and finally getting her ADHD and (likely) Asperger's diagnosis just months before this recording. Together they discuss self-diagnosis and TikTok, complex trauma vs. neurodivergence, sensory sensitivities (fireworks, balloons, noise), medication and therapy (including EMDR), how they met on Plenty of Fish, and their plans for an accessible, sensory-friendly wedding.

A warm, honest conversation about masking, late diagnosis, family reactions, and building a life — and a wedding — around acceptance.

Time Codes / Chapters

• 00:00 – Intro: meet Cathal & Rebecca, Different Minds Same Heart, their February 2028 wedding
• 00:53 – Why they're using their wedding as a platform for awareness
• 01:56 – Five tips for a neurodivergent-friendly wedding (itinerary sharing, sensory needs, no balloons/fireworks)
• 04:11 – Cathal's childhood: flagged for autism at school, placed in a "special class"
• 05:16 – Family and teachers noticing signs early on
• 06:16 – Complex PTSD, years of being told to "go get tested"
• 06:57 – Official diagnosis: autism, and the ADHD misdiagnosis question
• 08:02 – Getting diagnosed at 26 — "it answered everything"
• 10:11 – Telling his parents; his late father's likely undiagnosed autism
• 10:55 – Growing up in an era of "special classes" and harmful labels
• 12:18 – How casual stigma and slurs shaped attitudes toward disability decades ago
• 14:39 – Introducing Rebecca's story — "the flip side"
• 15:11 – Masking as a "people pleaser" and perfectionist as a child
• 15:54 – Burnout in her early 20s, leaving work due to anxiety and depression
• 18:41 – GP visit, misdiagnosed with borderline personality disorder
• 19:56 – Discovering ADHD through social media — "it's like they read my mind"
• 20:20 – How ADHD presents differently in girls vs. boys
• 21:24 – Barriers to diagnosis in Ireland — cost, waitlists, GP process
• 22:02 – Being the eldest child navigating this alone
• 24:09 – Getting the official diagnosis and the sense of validation
• 25:40 – Assessment reveals likely Asperger's too
• 26:24 – Cathal coming off complex-PTSD medication — the hard withdrawal
• 28:20 – Discussing therapy, EMDR, and access/cost barriers to services
• 30:33 – What ADHD medication actually does (and doesn't do) for Rebecca
• 33:28 – Neurodivergence in their wider families
• 34:42 – Childhood trauma vs. ADHD — how they can look alike
• 35:37 – Self-diagnosis, TikTok, and the difference between traits and being "on the spectrum"
• 39:39 – How Cathal and Rebecca matched on Plenty of Fish
• 41:06 – Their first date story (and the chiropractor mix-up)
• 44:13 – Shared interests: wrestling, superhero movies, staying playful
• 46:53 – Friends' reactions to their diagnoses
• 48:02 – Sensory sensitivities: balloons, fireworks, noise-cancelling ear defenders
• 49:46 – Introducing Project DMs (Different Minds, Same Heart) and its mission
• 51:10 – Fighting online stigma and misinformation around neurodivergence
• 54:00 – Their relationship story — moving in together, saying "I love you"
• 55:04 – Wedding details: February 2028, County Louth, rustic barn venue
• 56:21 – Cathal's MMA and boxing background — coaching, sensory overload in the cage
• 1:01:01 – Rebecca's childhood hobbies — sports, Westlife, wrestling, John Cena
• 1:02:12 – Closing reflections on labels, masking, and acceptance
• 1:03:37 – Where to find Project DMs and how to get involved
• 1:04:51 – Final thoughts and sign-off

Ciara opens up about her happy childhood in Cabra, her parents' quiet strength, and the devastating loss of her own mother — a moment that pushed her to finally open the autism support hub she'd always dreamed of. She shares the story of volunteering in a Russian orphanage in her twenties, meeting her husband Mick and building their family, and the early, lonely days of parenting a non-speaking autistic child.

From there, Ciara talks through the extraordinary advocacy work she's built: the AsIAm 5K, the Autism Support Hub she runs with her friend Caroline, the Sparkle for Autism Ball (which has raised almost €400,000 towards a goal of half a million), and her role as founder of Chasing Justice — a group supporting over 200 families whose autistic children have been abused or secluded in Irish schools. She speaks candidly about the day Gavin ran from her at school, what daily life with him looks like now, the guilt she carries about what lies ahead for her other two children as young carers, and what keeps her and Mick going as a couple.

It's a raw, funny, and deeply moving conversation about grief, resilience, community, and refusing to let anyone feel alone.

Content note: this episode discusses child illness/death (stillbirth, cancer, end-of-life care), and later touches on the abuse and seclusion of autistic children in schools.

Timecodes

• 00:00 – Intro: Orla and Leanne welcome Ciara Jones
• 00:14 – Ciara introduces herself: mum of three and a half, full-time carer to Gavin (16), Dara (12) and Éabha/her youngest, plus stepson Michael
• 01:24 – Who Ciara was before "mummy" — growing up in Cabra
• 02:08 – Life as a young carer; her dad the grafter, her mam "the most wonderful mother"
• 03:04 – Her mother's history — printing family, a stillborn baby never spoken of, and Ciara's own birth (an 11.5lb baby!)
• 03:51 – Her mam's two cancer diagnoses and quiet resilience
• 07:07 – The day her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at 69 — and her mam's dark sense of humour through it
• 09:16 – Volunteering in a Russian orphanage in 2004 — meeting Debbie Deegan, the inspiration behind her advocacy
• 13:30 (approx.) – Meeting Mick, becoming a mum, and Gavin's early years
• 18:25 – Trying for more children, Dara's birth, and the isolation of early autism parenting
• 20:04 – Fundraising for Gavin's school and finding a sense of purpose
• 20:48 – Her 20 years working in Aer Lingus and building an autism community there
• 21:50 – 2018: leaving her career to become Gavin's full-time carer
• 22:25 – Stepson Michael's journey — from meeting Adam Harris to working at AsIAm
• 24:05 – Founding the AsIAm 5K — "we're not an island"
• 25:22 – Realising Gavin deserved to be asked about his day too — communicating with a non-speaking child
• 28:15 – Her mother's death during Covid, told through the glass at the nursing home
• 29:27 – "I'm begging you, don't let her die alone" — being with her mam at the end
• 34:47 – The moment she decided to open the Autism Support Hub
• 35:18 – The Autism Support Hub with Caroline — DCA forms, carer supports, and a free, all-voluntary service
• 36:55 – The origin of the Sparkle for Autism Ball
• 43:30 – Nearly half a million euro raised — and how people can support the cause (Instagram: Ciara Jones — Reaching Out to Autism)
• 45:03 – A day in Gavin's life — his routines, his independence, and his joy
• 47:23 – Orla and Dara as young carers, and the guilt of what the future holds for them
• 49:25 – The day Gavin ran from the car — a story about unpredictability and vigilance
• 54:59 – What it's really like for her and Mick as parents and as a couple
• 57:23 – The power of community — "nobody needs to be alone"
• 59:50 – Founding Chasing Justice — supporting over 200 families whose autistic children have been abused in school
• 1:00:44 – The pattern of blaming the child, not the adults in the room
• 1:01:33 – Seclusion is illegal — but it's still happening
• 1:03:59 – A small win: new child protection guidelines in schools, shaped by Ciara's own case
• 1:06:07 – Final words of wisdom: "find your community... you need to feel you belong"
• 1:09:08 – Closing thoughts and thanks

Timecodes

• 00:00 – Intro: meet Courtney, PhD-turned-Pilates-instructor
• 00:37 – Courtney's story: years chasing a PhD, then walking away
• 01:44 – "Who did you do it for?" — proving herself as the eldest of five
• 02:46 – The turning point: Pilates training and telling her boyfriend she's leaving academia
• 03:47 – Class, poverty, and staying true to her roots in academia
• 06:49 – No pause button: school straight through to PhD with no break
• 08:32 – Starting the business alongside mixed reactions from others
• 09:36 – Why the work is about people, not just the job
• 12:07 – Family life: laid-back parents, five siblings, "the whole family has ADHD"
• 14:04 – Naming the business "Aligné" and quitting the postdoc for good
• 15:53 – Finding her soul's purpose: helping people directly
• 17:39 – Learning to look after herself after academic burnout
• 19:51 – How she met her partner — school sweethearts, ten years together
• 22:45 – Teaching at the Wellness Center and the story behind "Keith's Elephant"
• 26:41 – Her boyfriend's life: marching band and the sousaphone
• 28:15 – Launching Aligné Digital — finance tools for wellness professionals
• 31:14 – Courtney's Corner book club and always chasing the next idea
• 31:56 – Looking ahead: marriage, no kids, and a love of travel
• 34:23 – Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: take the risk, fake it till you make it
• 37:02 – Her parents' unconditional support in building the business
• 38:39 – Friendship in academia vs. the new, supportive friendships she's found
• 43:32 – The grief of losing friendships in a toxic, competitive environment
• 46:14 – Could she ever go back to academia?
• 49:12 – Movement as her emotional outlet and coping tool
• 51:02 – Her closest friends, Sarah and Shannon
• 52:46 – What would her friends say about her?
• 55:07 – Final advice for young women figuring out their path
• 57:24 – Wrap-up and where to find Courtney

Together they walk through the statistics (1 in 3 women and 1 in 7 men affected), the intergenerational cycle of trauma, the exhausting reality of hypervigilance and "walking on eggshells," and the practical side of safety planning and support services. They also get into how modern dating — situationships, open relationships, age-gap relationships — is reshaping what abuse and healthy boundaries even look like today. It's a heavy topic handled with honesty, humor, and care, ending with a reminder: don't live with it alone, help is out there.

Content note: This episode discusses domestic violence, abuse, and trauma in detail. Listener discretion advised.

Timecodes:

• 00:00 – Intro: this week's topic is domestic violence; meet Leanne
• 00:38 – The many ways women reach out (helpline, refuge, WhatsApp, email)
• 01:32 – The stats: 1 in 3 women, 1 in 7 men
• 02:27 – Spotting the signs — a real-life example on a bus
• 03:27 – Internal coping and normalized abuse from childhood
• 04:19 – "It was just a slap" — normalization passed down from parents
• 05:06 – How people first reach out for help
• 06:03 – Living in chronic fear and constant risk-assessment
• 06:53 – Survival mode and hypervigilance after leaving
• 07:14 – Abuse affects every age group
• 07:41 – The 2014 study: relationships starting at 15, abuse lasting 20.5 years
• 08:42 – Culture, religion, and family "tradition" shaping the conversation
• 09:08 – Breaking the cycle — "boulders vs. pebbles" across generations
• 10:39 – Talking success stories
• 12:26 – Case study: a couple with clashing attachment styles
• 14:14 – Learned behavior and generational patterns of abuse
• 15:27 – Choice vs. conditioning — when abuse is a choice
• 16:11 – Childhood memories and the "house of horrors" hidden behind closed doors
• 17:26 – Ireland only began recording femicides in 1996
• 18:19 – Awareness campaigns: rural outreach and the 16 Days of Activism
• 19:06 – Psychological vs. physical abuse — "walking on eggshells"
• 20:15 – The exhaustion of trauma and constant vigilance
• 21:14 – How chronic fear changes the brain
• 22:50 – How to help someone and where to send them
• 23:43 – Safety planning and risk assessment
• 24:33 – Practical safety steps: documents, an emergency bag, a safe person
• 25:19 – Supporting someone who discloses abuse to you
• 26:04 – The podcast Leanne recorded in a nail salon
• 26:43 – Men, stigma, and asking for help
• 27:24 – Leanne's brother — a story about being protected
• 28:03 – "It's an epidemic" — why sharing this episode matters
• 28:33 – How many attempts it takes, on average, to leave
• 29:00 – Harrowing stories from the frontline
• 30:14 – Sacrificing safety to protect family members
• 30:57 – Watching survivors rebuild and grow
• 31:13 – Recovery is a long journey
• 31:40 – Free workshops and healthy relationships education
• 32:04 – How modern dating has changed — "seeing" someone vs. official
• 33:30 – Non-monogamy and shifting relationship norms
• 34:09 – Emotional safety in undefined relationships
• 34:35 – Dating again after divorce, later in life
• 35:14 – Age gaps and the "cougar" conversation
• 35:46 – LGBTQ+, open, and kink relationships — redefining what's abusive
• 36:49 – Advice: know who you are, don't settle
• 37:16 – Breaking the cycle for future generations
• 37:41 – Reminder: help is out there, don't carry it alone
• 38:24 – Closing thoughts and how to reach the podcast
• 38:49 – Sign-off

Timecodes

• 00:00 – Intro: no guest this week, just Leanne and Orla reflecting on the podcast so far
• 00:41 – Listener feedback on Asha, Georgia and Mikey's family — positivity, sibling relationships, and "showing up" through struggle
• 02:34 – What it might really be like behind the positivity; wanting to be witnessed rather than performing okay
• 03:44 – Respecting guests' boundaries — "lived stories vs. told stories" and not being entitled to more
• 04:06 – Feedback on Jackie's episode — a husband's reaction, "a tower of strength"
• 05:33 – Why so many male listeners connect with episodes exploring female relationships and vulnerability
• 06:38 – Feedback on Mandy's episode — soul retrieval, skepticism, and curiosity
• 07:33 – Fear vs. impulsiveness — roller coasters, theme parks, and masking fear from the kids
• 09:30 – Bungee jumps, parachutes, and facing fears (mostly not)
• 10:48 – "Resting bitch face," body language, and being read by people who've been through trauma
• 12:36 – Imposter syndrome — growing up mixed-race in Ireland and not knowing where you fit
• 16:15 – Rising racism, a roadside incident, and a partner's first real brush with it
• 17:16 – Racism in school — teachers, bullying, and a brother called names
• 17:53 – Orla's dad mistaken for a "foreigner" moving into his own house
• 20:12 – Her dad's story — army service, resilience, and being "a man full of stories"
• 21:52 – Turning inherited pain into purpose — choosing to help other people
• 23:18 – On healing being a choice, and why not everyone owes their story
• 23:43 – Leanne on going to her first Al-Anon meeting
• 26:32 – Realising she was never fully healed — codependency and being "addicted to chaos"
• 28:47 – The letter that finally pushed her toward healing
• 29:10 – Nerves, courage, and finding her voice in the room
• 31:46 – How she found the meetings, and the "slap of reality"
• 32:49 – Encouraging others affected by someone else's addiction to just try a meeting
• 33:31 – On bravery, survival mode, and a story about ayahuasca and total transformation
• 34:50 – Breaking free of the boxes other people put you in
• 36:16 – Fear of "big things" — driving, crashes, and playful banter about bravery
• 37:32 – A running joke about robbing a bank and being the getaway driver
• 38:14 – Worry about kids on scooters and safety on the roads
• 39:30 – Lighter chat: Take That, Robbie Williams, and Gary Barlow live
• 41:34 – A chaotic Luas ride home from a Wolfe Tones gig, surrounded by Take That fans
• 42:22 – Football talk and TikTok crushes
• 43:11 – Safety concerns on the Luas — women being harassed and attacked
• 44:29 – A racist incident in town — "go back to where you came from"
• 44:55 – Letting go of caring what people think, and choosing not to judge
• 45:37 – Choosing kindness over resentment — "it's hard to be a bitch"
• 46:27 – Grief and anger after losing her dad and brother
• 47:12 – Coming full circle — why they started the podcast in the first place
• 47:41 – Closing thoughts on acknowledging our stories and helping others be themselves
• 48:07 – Masking grief as a mum, daughter, and sister
• 49:42 – The "double bind" — mixed signals kids pick up on, and how it shapes them
• 50:34 – The cultural double bind of never quite belonging
• 51:09 – Sign-off — be kind, be open, and be guide

Mandy opens up about growing up as the middle child in a family of nine, feeling unseen and at war with herself from a young age. She shares the heartbreak of watching her sister Nicola get caught up in addiction and drugs, the raw grief of losing her, and the precious final year they shared together. She talks candidly about becoming a teenage mother at 16, struggling with postnatal depression, and the years she spent trying to survive rather than truly live — caught between bodybuilding, partying, and numbing pain she didn't yet have the tools to understand.

From a Buddhist quote on a door that helped her manifest her first home, to a Reiki session on New Year's Eve that cracked everything open, Mandy traces the winding road that led her to shamanic healing — and to herself. She speaks with honesty and warmth about soul retrieval, ancestral wounds, past life healing, mediumship, and how her own lived experience now powers her work helping others release trauma, break generational cycles, and find their way home.

A raw, real, and deeply human episode. Not one to miss.

Timecodes:

• 0:00 — Introductions: Meet Mandy, "Cher Mandy"
• 0:53 — Where to begin: Growing up one of nine children in Inchicore and Clondalkin
• 2:37 — Life as the middle child: feeling forgotten and at war with herself
• 3:33 — Family breakdown, tension, and learning to fight to survive
• 6:12 — Sister Nicola: addiction, loss, and the stolen soul
• 8:28 — Nicola's final days and the grief of letting go
• 12:46 — Becoming a teenage mother at 16: shock, isolation, and postnatal depression
• 17:32 — The search for space, peace, and belonging
• 21:41 — Spirituality enters: a Buddhist quote, a prayer, and getting her first home
• 24:20 — Joining the FCA and finding her fight
• 27:11 — Bodybuilding, anger, and trying to escape herself
• 31:41 — Love, loss, and looking for belonging in all the wrong places
• 33:10 — Childhood traumas: the scald, the haircut, and years of bullying
• 35:18 — Living in fear: a stalker, a threat to her son, and the moment she stood up
• 37:49 — Her first healing session: a spirit attachment and a turning point
• 39:26 — Getting into Reiki and beginning to heal
• 41:22 — A New Year's Eve call that changed everything
• 42:05 — Two years of isolation, meditation, and breakdown
• 43:07 — Meningitis, a full spiritual awakening, and a reset
• 43:24 — Getting sober and the relationship with alcohol
• 45:23 — Discovering mediumship and channelling messages
• 49:35 — Becoming a shamanic healer: soul retrieval explained
• 52:16 — Past life healing: the priestess, the barbed wire, and reclaiming her voice
• 53:13 — Ancestral healing and breaking generational cycles
• 55:34 — Returning a soul piece to her son Carl
• 57:08 — The twins arrive: trauma and joy collide on the same date
• 58:32 — How to find Mandy and what her events involve
• 59:42 — Understanding addiction as a search for wholeness
• 1:01:05 — Closing reflections: the soul screams until you listen
• 1:01:46 — Sign-off: walking through the fire to lead others through it

Jackie takes us through the moment she discovered she was pregnant with Abby, and the immediate unravelling of Tony's mask — from "that's what we always wanted" to "I don't believe you're pregnant" within days. What should have been a time of joy became another chapter of coercive control, fear, and isolation, compounded by the devastating news at Jackie's 20-week scan that her baby had a serious heart condition. Abby was born with a complex congenital heart defect — her organs on the wrong side, her heart with only two chambers and a large hole between them — and was rushed straight to Crumlin Children's Hospital from birth. Jackie describes the terror of bringing a medically fragile baby home with a 50% chance of not making it to her first birthday, learning CPR at the hospital door, and doing it all largely alone while living in fear of Abby's father.

As Abby grew, so did the abuse — escalating to the night Tony picked Jackie up and threw her across the room in front of Abby, telling her he would have her killed. That was Jackie's light bulb moment. She talks about the court process, the safety orders that were just pieces of paper to him, the guards who didn't take her seriously, and the slow, painful road to finally getting out. She also opens up about eventually finding support through Aoibhneas domestic violence services, being diagnosed with PTSD, and what it felt like to finally have her experience validated.

Jackie also speaks about her mother — learning at her deathbed that she likely had autism, and the grief and guilt that came a year later when everything finally made sense. And she speaks about her father, whom she cared for despite everything, and who told her she wasn't his.

This is an episode about survival — not just Jackie's, but Abby's. Today, Abby has finished a PLC with nine distinctions, is clued in, strong, and thriving. And Jackie, living in a beautiful little cottage by the sea, is a very different woman — one who doesn't take shit, points out red flags, and has her hand out to anyone who needs it.

Her closing words to anyone still in it: Don't ignore the red flags. Don't be afraid to talk. Believe in the experience that you're having.

Timecodes

00:00 – Intro: Leanne and Orla welcome listeners back for Part 2 of Jackie's story

00:25 – Recap: picking up from Part 1, moving into Abby's arrival and life from there

00:58 – Jackie calls Tony the moment she finds out she's pregnant — and wonders to this day why she did

01:19 – Tony's reaction: "That's what we always wanted" — followed within days by "I don't believe you're pregnant"

02:08 – Why Jackie didn't leave: living in constant fear, the body going into autopilot every time he walked through the door

02:51 – The roller coaster of Tony's responses to the pregnancy; and Jackie's sister passing away in the middle of it all

03:36 – The 20-week scan: the nurse takes too long, asks Jackie to come back — and Jackie's gut knows immediately something is wrong

04:48 – Returning for the follow-up scan: brought into a different room, a specialist, a team — "There's something wrong with your baby"

05:24 – The diagnosis: a serious heart condition, possibly linked to Down syndrome — Jackie's response: "I don't care if my baby has Down syndrome, I need to know if she'll live"

05:40 – Tony's reaction on finding out it's a girl: visible disgust — his only priority was a boy

06:32 – Scans at Crumlin Children's Hospital throughout the pregnancy; the surreal terror of being in a children's hospital before Abby is even born

07:13 – The cardiologist's bleak prognosis: Abby's organs on the wrong side, liver midline, heart central, two chambers with a large hole between them

08:05 – Jackie hiding away during the pregnancy, talking to Abby every day, willing her to just get through

08:41 – Abby goes into distress a week before her due date; emergency C-section

09:23 – Abby is born — purple, a mop of jet black hair, gorgeous — and immediately taken to Crumlin

09:44 – Jackie, post-surgery and unable to walk, left alone in a hospital room while Abby fights for life; Tony's family never once makes contact

10:41 – A control call from Tony's ex while Jackie is lying there unable to move — she cuts it short

11:32 – The next morning: Jackie discharges herself against medical advice to get to Crumlin; the first time she gets to touch Abby

12:21 – Crumlin: emergency blessings, Prostin to keep Abby's arteries open, MRI scans

12:53 – Abby's first open-heart surgery at three days old; Jackie describes seeing her baby connected to tubes, unrecognisable

13:33 – The abuse never stopped during the pregnancy — always there under the surface; keeping Tony happy just to survive

14:10 – Tony thriving off Abby's illness for sympathy; Jackie realises she was confiding in the wrong person

15:05 – Taking Abby home from hospital: learning CPR at the door, terrified of the "what ifs", 50% chance of not making it to her first birthday

16:05 – Home for three weeks, then Abby's second surgery at ten months old; she flies through it

17:03 – The ongoing reality: regular hospital admissions, needle trauma, Abby's fear of procedures — and Jackie navigating it all

18:13 – Tony always around, never a couple, but Jackie never left Abby alone with him

18:42 – Abby starts school early on cardiologist advice; she thrives and loves it

19:12 – The abuse escalates; Jackie's entire focus is Abby, running on fear and survival

19:47 – The night everything changed: Tony picks Jackie up and throws her across the room in front of Abby, tells her he'll have her killed — his eyes go black

21:08 – The new layer of fear: not just him, but the threat of an unknown person; Jackie believes him completely — "his own mother said she knew"

21:50 – Installing cameras, seeing shadows in the grass, barely functioning; her aunt visits and raises the alarm to her uncle Pat

23:20 – The court case: Jackie can't go into detail legally but describes the experience as surreal, watching Tony lie with confidence in front of a judge

24:42 – Why Jackie still allowed contact: not wanting Abby alone with him unsupervised, and the terrifying reality of guardianship laws

26:22 – Tony fights for guardianship — not for access, not for Abby — just for control and the piece of paper

27:25 – The light bulb moment: going to the GP, starting antidepressants, trying to hold herself together for the court process

28:34 – Surviving the court case; the system failing her — safety orders that were meaningless to him

29:44 – Abby at 9 or 10, coming out the door begging not to be sent back; Jackie sends the email and says she is not going back — and Tony never comes looking

31:01 – To...

Jackie speaks candidly about her marriage, her escape into what felt like freedom, and how a charming man she met at work turned her world upside down — love bombing, coercive control, physical abuse, and the terrifying experience of navigating the courts and family law system while pregnant and afraid. She shares the heartbreak of her baby Abby's serious heart condition diagnosis, the isolation she endured, and the years it took to finally break free.

But this isn't just a story of hardship. Jackie speaks with remarkable clarity, humour, and strength about where she is now — in a good place, learning to say no, and writing the next chapter of her life. She even has a book in her. This is Part 1 of a two-part episode.

If you or someone you know needs support, you can contact the Domestic Violence helpline SASH on 1800 911 221, or reach out to domestic violence services in your area.

Timecodes:

00:00 — Welcome & introducing Jackie; Orla and Leanne reflect on her story

01:46 — "Everybody has a story — and I'm holding the pen on this one" — Jackie on why she's sharing her truth

02:01 — Years of writing and deleting; finding the courage to stop being ashamed

04:00 — At 57, stepping into the next chapter; giving yourself permission

05:06 — Learning to say no; breaking the people-pleasing habit

07:43 — Jackie begins at the beginning: growing up one of eight children in poverty outside Lusk

09:01 — Memories of domestic abuse at home; flashes of fear

11:14 — The night her mum left through the back window

12:06 — Left to care for her younger siblings; feeding and minding babies as a young child

14:25 — Mum returns with the guards; taking the children to a refuge (Women's Aid)

14:48 — Placed in the orphanage; Sister Stella and a surprisingly safe, warm childhood

17:26 — Good memories: summers at the beach, donkeys, hot milk and bedtime stories

18:47 — The shame of school; hiding where she lived, feeling different

22:26 — Siblings being fostered out one by one; Jackie left behind, too old

27:39 — Running down the stairs to greet prospective foster families, hoping to be chosen

28:48 — Sister Stella gently suggesting she go live with her gran; Jackie's reluctance

32:35 — Moving to her grandmother's; her mum's alcoholism; feeling used, not loved

58:38 — Alan has a work accident; Jackie gets her first taste of freedom going to work

59:54 — Splitting from Alan in 2002; the loneliness and emotional isolation of that marriage

01:00:31 — Meeting her "nightmare" — a charming area manager, the love bombing begins

01:03:34 — "He was my Prince Charming — and then he flipped a switch"; the abuse begins

01:05:40 — The first attack; not seeing the signs; coercive control and isolation

01:07:33 — His sob stories and her empathy; confiding in his mother (his biggest enabler)

01:08:55 — The fear; walking on eggshells; the manipulation being worse than the physical abuse

01:10:17 — Breaking up in 2007; discovering she's pregnant with Abby

01:12:50 — Her sister passes away; the pregnancy continuing amid chaos

01:13:58 — The 20-week scan; devastating news about Abby's heart condition

01:15:17 — "It doesn't matter if she has Down Syndrome — I just need to know if she'll live"; his reaction to finding out it's a girl

01:33:41 — Mental health crisis; her uncle Pat's concern; going to the GP; anti-depressants and an upcoming court case

01:35:14 — Navigating family law; the system's failings for domestic abuse survivors

01:40:31 — Abby refuses to go back; Jackie stands firm — "She's not going back"

01:41:48 — Who he really is; the irony of his "career" in close protection

02:10:50 — Jackie today: a different person, a different strength

02:11:14 — What she'd do differently now; the strength she's found

02:12:06 — Abby thriving; the roller coaster of keeping her daughter held together

02:12:27 — Closing words: "Don't ignore the red flags. Don't be afraid to talk."

02:13:11 — Resources: SASH Domestic Violence Helpline 1800 911 221

02:13:54 — Orla and Leanne reflect on Jackie's journey; what a warrior she is

02:16:04 — Jackie's song: Celebrate Me by Sinéad O'Connor — "it sums up everything I've gone through and everything I'm about to embark on"

02:17:18 — Teaser for Part 2; wrap-up and outro

Ashling opens up about navigating life with not one, but two children with medical diagnoses — Jake, who was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis at just 20 months old, and Georgia, who was born with a visual impairment. From the moment Georgia arrived and Ashling knew something was different, to the hospital visits, the dismissals from doctors, the ICU, and ultimately the diagnosis — she tells it all with a strength and humour that will have you laughing one minute and wiping your eyes the next.

But this episode isn't just about the hard parts. It's about a family that rallies around each other. It's about a husband who texts to check in, a brother who carries his sister's bag home from school every day without being asked, and a little sister whose first instinct is always to help. And it's about Georgia herself — a confident, singing, rebel-song-loving, seagull-chasing force of nature who wants to be a singer (or a youth worker, just in case).

Georgia steals the show as she chats about school, independence, her love of Olivia Rodrigo AND Irish rebel songs, and what she'd say to other kids and parents going through something similar. Her wisdom at 11 years old will genuinely stop you in your tracks.

Ashling's advice to new parents facing a diagnosis — "just enjoy it, don't waste your time worrying" — and her message to couples navigating the stress of raising children with extra needs — "listen to each other, communicate" — are words every parent needs to hear.

This one is a banger. Don't miss it.

Timecodes

00:00 — Introductions: Orla and Leanne welcome Ashling and Georgia to the studio

01:52 — Ashling introduces herself: from Clane, Kildare, married to Mikey for 18 years, three kids

02:39 — Georgia introduces herself: 11 years old, loves singing, dancing and drumming — and reveals she is visually impaired

03:27 — Ashling's story begins: Jake's unusual crawling, four dismissed hospital visits, and finally getting someone to listen

04:25 — Jake is diagnosed with juvenile arthritis at 20 months old — while Ashling is pregnant with Georgia

05:33 — Ashling's own eye condition and the moment she knew something was different when Georgia was born

06:58 — The night Georgia was born: eyes not opening, the call to the doctor, and being whisked to the ICU

07:48 — Transferred to Temple Street Children's Hospital — Ashling returning to the same hospital she attended as a child

09:06 — Georgia put to sleep for investigation at just three days old

10:42 — Ashling reveals she had shingles during her pregnancy with Georgia

11:29 — Mikey's role: attending every hospital appointment, flying to England, being Georgia's constant

24:40 — Jake's relationship with Georgia: carrying her bag from school every day without being asked

25:22 — Little sister Essie: naturally understanding Georgia's needs from two years old, no explanation needed

26:40 — A funny moment: Orla and baby Essie's rocky start ("she just didn't like me")

30:04 — An important reflection: how Jake was sometimes overlooked when Georgia's diagnosis took centre stage

31:08 — The girls' trip to Tenerife: how Orla and Ashling first became friends over tears and laughter at a pub table

34:36 — Georgia on her day-to-day life: Ashling does her hair, makes her lunch, and Georgia makes the tea

35:16 — Georgia's general knowledge: obsessed with The Chase, knows everything about actors, singers and history

37:01 — Georgia's favourite music: Justin Bieber, Olivia Rodrigo — and Irish rebel songs. Her favourite? Grace and The Streets of New York

38:20 — Georgia sings a verse of The Streets of New York — and absolutely delivers

39:15 — Georgia's future plans: singer first, youth worker second

40:01 — Georgia's youth club: singing, drama, cooking, rock climbing — and the community it builds

52:03 — Georgia's advice to other kids who might feel different: "Be yourself. Don't let anyone change you."

52:58 — Georgia on navigating school independence: getting her coat herself, taking the extra time, not caring what others think

53:19 — On curious kids who stare: "They're just kids. They don't mean it."

54:01 — Georgia's advice to mums of children with additional needs: "Don't stop your kid from doing things — they can do anything they want to."

54:25 — Ashling on her early fears: "I thought she'd never cycle a bike." Georgia now cycles a bike.

56:18 — Ashling's advice to parents who've just received a diagnosis: "Enjoy it. Don't waste your time worrying. And never be afraid to stand up to the doctors."

59:55 — Ashling's advice to couples raising children with extra needs: listen to each other, communicate, and make time for yourself — even when Mikey has to push you out the door to the girls' trip

01:02:11 — On why the girls' trips matter: "You forget your responsibilities. All you have to worry about is what togs you're wearing to the pool."

01:03:18 — A raw moment: a recent trip to Crumlin Hospital where Georgia's infusion was cancelled after a full day's effort — and how Ashling handled it

01:06:22 — Closing reflections and final words of love for Georgia and Ashling

01:07:06 — Georgia and Ashling share the songs that lift them up

01:08:13 — Sign-off: Orla and Leanne wrap up, and Georgia gets the final word on the outro

Keith opens up about growing up as the eldest of five in a tight-knit Dublin community, the lessons his parents instilled in him, and how that shaped who he became as a father, friend, and coach. He talks candidly about co-parenting after a separation, the moment he found himself homeless and living in a hostel, dark thoughts that crept in during that time, and how movement, mindset work, and the right people helped pull him through.

The conversation takes in men's mental health, loneliness in modern life, the "manosphere" and its influence on young people, unrealistic body image pressures, emotional affairs, and the ripple effect of one person shaping another. Keith also reflects on the ten trainers he's sent out into the fitness world, his relationship with his brother and sisters, and what turning 50 really means to him.

Raw, real, and full of Dublin warmth — this one hits different.

Timecodes:

00:00 — Introductions: meet Keith Dixon, friend for 16 years and coach

01:28 — Growing up in Blanchardstown, the eldest of five

05:17 — Childhood holidays, community spirit & how times have changed

06:56 — Blanchardstown reality: salt of the earth people, hard lives, and the lads who made it through

09:29 — Co-parenting after separation — putting the boys first, always

10:15 — Quality time with Joshua and Zachary as they grow up

17:00 — Losing the gym: chains on the door and starting over

26:24 — Homeless and living in a hostel — the lowest point

27:03 — Dark thoughts, the window, and choosing to get up and walk

28:23 — Losing people to suicide — personal loss and community grief

33:17 — Men's mental health: meditation, breathwork, shadow work and doing the inner work

35:29 — Loneliness in crowds — the silent epidemic

36:06 — Emotional affairs and the real cost of disconnection in relationships

38:18 — Co-parenting done right: why the boys always came first

42:11 — His sisters, the family tribe, and the Irish mammy way

47:02 — Being best man for his brother — what it meant more than words could say

48:39 — The ripple effect: 10 trainers who started with Keith

50:50 — Mindset over body: why physical change starts in the head

55:43 — What he'd say to a daughter today — body image, safety & the world young women face

57:31 — What he'd say to young men — be your true self, do the work

59:15 — The manosphere, online influence, and guiding kids through it

01:01:20 — His son Joshua and not following the crowd

01:02:46 — Steroids, unrealistic fitness expectations, and the truth about body transformations

01:03:51 — The one song that's always kept him going (AC/DC — Thunderstruck)

01:04:30 — Reflections on turning 50 and how profoundly life has changed

01:05:15 — A heartfelt sign-off between old friends

Timecodes:
00:00 — Welcome & introducing guest Anita
00:49 — What this episode is about: how our experiences shape the relationships we carry forward
01:04 — Anita introduces herself: 57, five kids, six grandkids, works in domestic violence services
01:45 — Single parenthood, defying expectations & raising five professionals
02:19 — Running a preschool for 20 years, going to college, and earning her honours degree
03:07 — Losing her business during Covid & reinventing herself in domestic violence work
03:12 — What Anita's day-to-day work looks like: crisis support, refuge, housing & education
04:45 — Going back to the beginning: growing up in a traumatic home environment
05:03 — "If I'm ever a mammy, I'll never do this to my little girl" — Anita's earliest memory
05:13 — Domestic abuse and child abuse in the home — physical and emotional
05:50 — Anita as the eldest child: neglect began at nine when her mother returned to work full time
06:28 — Left at home with her father — a heavy drinker with his own history of trauma
07:40 — Money, food, and cigarette butts in the stew — the reality of growing up in that house
09:17 — Did her parents love her? Understanding her father's violence through his own childhood
09:49 — Her mother: idolised as a child, emotionally unavailable as a parent
10:44 — The middle child favourite & what Anita came to understand about her mother
12:23 — Nine years old, cooking dinners and running the washing machine
22:33 — Leaving home at 17 — and what life had been like until then
23:06 — Different outcomes for different siblings & the ACEs framework explained
24:15 — Repeating the cycle: ending up in a difficult marriage, just like home
25:10 — Bringing her mum to her college graduation — and the response she got
25:52 — Proudest moment: four of them sitting around the table doing their studies together
26:58 — Teenage pregnancy: finding out at five months, being given three days to leave home
32:19 — The neighbour who took her in and loaned her the deposit — "you only need one good person"
34:18 — The night her first baby was born — ringing her mother from the hospital
40:49 — Christmas Day and the cycle of violence at home — "we dreaded Christmas"
42:18 — Married, alone, no electricity for nine months — cooking on the fire for her kids
43:49 — He came back, they married — and she knew walking down the aisle it was wrong
44:46 — Moving the family to escape heroin hitting their area
45:14 — Discovering her husband was taking drugs; going missing for days
46:11 — Having baby number five and being sterilised — a friend's husband signed the papers
46:53 — The women who shaped her life at different stages
47:45 — Moving back to Dublin, starting over — first day at work and the fire incident that became the final catalyst
48:59 — Her mother's emotional unavailability — physically present, emotionally gone
50:17 — Getting a job on a CE scheme, moving up quickly to manager, starting to bloom
52:25 — "I can see you're getting strong" — her eldest daughter at 18
53:48 — Her mother's relationship with the grandkids — hilarious but harmful
55:19 — Song of her life: Be a Clown — singing in the beds with her brothers and sisters to drown it all out
56:30 — Wrapping up: what Anita gives back every day to the women she supports
57:14 — "You are an absolute queen. You are an absolute survivor."

• 00:00 Welcome back & a thank you to the anonymous listener
• 01:30 She sent a message: "It's nice to know I'm not alone"
• 02:50 The fear of betraying your mam by telling your story
• 04:25 Everyone remembers the same story differently
• 06:08 "How's your ma?" — what that question means for people without a mam
• 07:16 Becoming your mother without realising it
• 08:45 The generational gap: what mams knew that we didn't
• 09:19 Feeling like an alien around younger people
• 11:33 Reflecting on Katie and John's story
• 13:44 We need to talk slower (but we won't)
• 14:06 TikTok struggles & CapCut chaos
• 15:17 Orla can bake, but she cannot make soup
• 16:37 Social media, Instagram, and keeping up
• 18:28 Phone anxiety and anxious attachment in the mid-20s
• 19:13 Dopamine Nation & how we communicate now
• 21:10 Voice notes, blue ticks, and the pressure of instant replies
• 23:34 How Orla "manages" Ed's bank account (financial chaos)
• 25:24 "You're not just marrying Orla, you're marrying me" — mams and marriages
• 26:43 Orla's brilliant relationship with her son-in-law
• 29:11 He's showing your girls what a good man looks like
• 30:40 Wrapping up: stories, reflections, and gratitude for each other
• 34:33 Next episode teaser: a guest is coming in!

What starts as a light introduction quickly unfolds into a deeper chat about women’s connections, navigating life’s challenges, and the realities behind the conversations we don’t always have out loud.

Katie shares her personal experiences with warmth and openness, offering insight into relationships, resilience, and what it really means to support each other through different stages of life.

This episode is full of laughs, honesty, and moments that will resonate with anyone who’s ever leaned on friendship to get through the tough times.

⏱️ Timecodes

00:00 – 01:30
Introductions – Orla & Leanne welcome Katie and chat about how they met

01:30 – 03:30
First impressions, friendships, and settling into the conversation

03:30 – 06:00
Katie’s background and early life discussion

06:00 – 10:00
Relationships, marriage, and building connections

10:00 – 15:00
Conversations around having children and expectations

15:00 – 22:00
Deeper discussion on motherhood and personal experiences

22:00 – 30:00
Love, loss, and emotional challenges

30:00 – 40:00
Support systems, friendships, and coping mechanisms

40:00 – 50:00
Real talk: struggles, resilience, and honesty

50:00 – 60:00
Reflections, advice, and lessons learned

60:00 – End
Closing thoughts, final chats, and wrap-up

The girls talk about what it means to carry that kind of weight, the guilt and shame that comes with complex feelings toward a parent, and whether it's ever okay to say no. They introduce the concept of "lighthouses" — those rock-steady people in our lives who see us for who we truly are — and reflect on what it means to survive, to grow, and to finally be heard.

Orla also opens up about her own experience growing up as a mixed-race woman in Ireland in the 80s, facing racism and poverty, and the lighthouses who helped shape her into who she is today.

An honest, emotional, and ultimately empowering conversation. You are not alone.

Timecodes:

00:00 — Welcome & introducing this week's listener story

00:32 — The listener's story is read out — infidelity, neglect, and a childhood lost to responsibility

02:55 — "My ma is currently dying of cancer and I despise having to look after her"

03:27 — Orla & Leanne react — championing her strength and asking: is it okay to say no?

06:22 — Introducing the lighthouse concept — the people who are rock steady in our lives

07:28 — What it meant for her to finally get this off her chest

08:12 — Being the eldest daughter and the weight of responsibility

09:48 — Referencing Katrina O'Sullivan's Outside Mullingar — stories of poverty and resilience on stage

11:21 — These stories aren't unique — the hidden impact of adverse childhood experiences

12:52 — Stories lived vs. stories told — the importance of safety and no judgment

14:25 — Growth over comfort & giving yourself permission to say no

15:33 — Invitation to the listener to reach out or come on the show

17:20 — Survivors of life — what it means to watch people get over the hump

19:15 — We want to hear the real you — the difference between the smile you wore and what you truly felt

21:29 — Orla opens up about growing up mixed-race in 80s Ireland — racism, poverty, and identity

24:27 — Don't be quick to judge — you never know what someone is carrying

25:33 — Closing thoughts — a smile goes a long way

From mothers and daughters to friendships, loss, growth, and everything in between, they explore what it really means when someone asks, “How’s your ma?” — a simple question that can carry very different meanings depending on your story.

Leanne and Orla  share their own experiences of motherhood, friendship, grief, and personal growth, while opening the door for others to share their stories too — even anonymously. This is a space for honesty, empowerment, and connection, where no story is too complicated and no voice goes unheard.

Whether your relationships are strong, strained, or somewhere in between — this podcast is for you.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – 01:15
Introduction to Leanne & Orla and the idea behind How’s Your Ma?

01:15 – 02:02
The meaning behind the question “How’s your ma?” and why it can be complex

02:02 – 03:08
Different experiences of motherhood — loss, absence, and strong bonds

03:08 – 04:19
Creating a safe space for open, honest conversations

04:19 – 05:27
Anonymous storytelling and why sharing can feel safer

05:27 – 06:42
Empowering women and navigating today’s social pressures

06:42 – 08:16
Kindness, parenting, and raising the next generation

08:16 – 09:27
Life changes, growth, and finding stability in your 40s

09:27 – 10:21
Doing something for yourself and the joy of hearing people’s stories

10:21 – 11:44
Curiosity vs “being nosy” — the power of listening with care

11:44 – 12:48
Authenticity, honesty, and empowering others to grow

12:48 – 13:55
Self-worth, confidence, and not shrinking yourself

13:55 – 15:01
Making friends as adults & how Leanne and Oral met

15:01 – 16:22
Choosing friendship and building meaningful connections

16:22 – 17:31
Positivity, daily check-ins, and supporting each other

17:31 – 18:37
Personal growth and changing your mindset over time

18:37 – 20:02
Finding your voice and helping others through your work

20:02 – 21:27
Motherhood, influence, and raising confident children

21:27 – 22:36
Staying positive and creating a healthy mindset

22:36 – 23:31
Upcoming guests and sharing real-life stories

23:31 – 24:32
Women’s roles in society and changing expectations

24:32 – 25:35
Different perspectives within the same family

25:35 – 26:31
Encouraging listeners to share their stories — without judgment