BeBelle Podcast with Sian Horn

"At some point you have to stop climbing the mountain... and enjoy the view."

This week, Sian is joined by broadcaster, health coach and author Clare McKenna for a refreshing conversation about ambition, burnout, wellness and what it really means to build a life you don't need a break from.

Clare shares her journey from marketing to broadcasting, the years of saying yes to every opportunity, juggling live radio with motherhood, and the moment she realised that constantly chasing "more" wasn't bringing her any closer to happiness.

Together, they explore why wellness has become so complicated, how social media has changed our relationship with ourselves, and why feeling well matters so much more than looking a certain way.

If you've ever felt like you're constantly striving, comparing or wondering if you're doing enough, this episode is a gentle reminder that maybe success isn't about climbing higher - maybe it's about finally enjoying where you are.

✨ In this episode:

• Growing up in Howth and finding confidence through creativity
• Why she never felt she fit the traditional school system
• Taking the leap into broadcasting
• How asking for help changed the course of her career
• The reality of freelancing and building a media career
• Juggling motherhood, live radio and burnout
• Why saying yes to everything isn't sustainable
• Redefining success in midlife
• Learning to stop chasing "more"
• What wellness really means
• Letting go of diet culture and food rules
• Raising children with a healthier relationship to body image
• Small daily habits that genuinely improve wellbeing
• Why self-compassion is the foundation of good health

You can find Clare here: Website | Instagram 

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BeBelle is a podcast hosted by Sian Horn that dives into the stories of remarkable people behind their businesses. BeBelle is not a business podcast, it's about uncovering the moments of resilience, creativity and determination that have shaped these entrepreneurs. 

Sian is dedicated to empowering individuals in all aspects of life and believes in the importance of self-care, which manifests differently for everyone. Guests share their own self-care practices, offering listeners fresh perspectives on nurturing their well-being. Tune in to BeBelle for inspiring stories, actionable advice and thoughtful reflections on what it means to navigate life today.

Join the BeBelle Community: bebelle.ie | @bebelle_podcast | ​@sian_horn | YouTube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"We don't talk about ageing with children - but children notice everything."

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, ageing, memory loss, caregiving, grief, and family illness.

This week's conversation is a deeply moving one about family, memory, love and the difficult realities that so many families quietly navigate behind closed doors.

I'm joined by primary school teacher and dementia advocate Aimee Owens, who shares her family's journey after her father was diagnosed with vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

As a teacher of over 20 years, Aimee sees first-hand how important grandparents are in children's lives. Yet when dementia enters a family, many children are left trying to make sense of confusing emotions and changes without the language or support they need.

We talk about growing up in Monaghan, the pressure of perfectionism, family life, music, teaching and the life-changing moment when Aimee realised something wasn't quite right with her dad.

This is a conversation about compassion, resilience and why we need to create more space for honest conversations about dementia - especially with children.

✨ In this episode:

• Growing up in Monaghan with three older sisters
• Music, competitions and the pressure of perfectionism
• Becoming a primary school teacher
• Missing out on her dream college course and learning resilience
• Why failure isn't really failure
• The early signs of her father's dementia
• Living with vascular dementia and Alzheimer's
• How dementia affects family relationships
• Supporting a parent who no longer recognises you
• The role grandparents play in children's lives
• Why we need to talk to children about ageing and illness
• Caring for loved ones with dignity and compassion
• The emotional impact on spouses and caregivers
• Writing a children's book about dementia
• Learning to be kinder to yourself

You can find Aimee here: Instagram | Interview with Claire Bryne on Newstalk 

You can find Aisling Ní Domhnaill here and Sound Quality Gifts here.

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BeBelle is a podcast hosted by Sian Horn that dives into the stories of remarkable people behind their businesses. BeBelle is not a business podcast, it's about uncovering the moments of resilience, creativity and determination that have shaped these entrepreneurs. 

Sian is dedicated to empowering individuals in all aspects of life and believes in the importance of self-care, which manifests differently for everyone. Guests share their own self-care practices, offering listeners fresh perspectives on nurturing their well-being. Tune in to BeBelle for inspiring stories, actionable advice and thoughtful reflections on what it means to navigate life today.

Join the BeBelle Community: bebelle.ie | @bebelle_podcast | ​@sian_horn | YouTube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"You need to be training in your 50s for your 60s."

This week's episode is a little different - and one I thoroughly enjoyed.

I'd been following Frank Murphy online for quite some time before inviting him onto the podcast. His videos are practical, encouraging and full of simple advice about staying healthy as we age. What I wasn't expecting was the story behind the man.

Frank is a longevity fitness coach, former Taekwondo World Champion, Tai Chi instructor and lifelong student of movement. But this conversation goes far beyond exercise.

We talk about growing up in Cork, the environments that shape us, the impact of violence and rejection, how one life-changing assault led him into martial arts, and why his passion today is helping people stay strong, mobile and independent as they age.

At 70 years old, Frank is still training, still learning and still proving that ageing doesn't have to mean slowing down.

This is a conversation about resilience, curiosity, purpose, movement and making the small daily choices that shape our future.

• Growing up in Cork in the 1950s and 60s
• The power of environment and community
• "Crab mentality" and why people resist change
• Working as a carpenter and navigating drinking culture
• A violent assault that changed the course of his life
• Discovering Taekwondo and becoming a champion
• The role revenge played in his early motivation
• Why success isn't about money
• Self-worth, authenticity and comparison culture
• Living and working in the UK during the Troubles
• Why wellness is more than fitness
• Strength training, mobility and ageing well
• Building independence as we get older
• The importance of staying curious and continuing to learn
• His philosophy: Stay Strong, Eat Well & Move Better

You can find Frank here: Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

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BeBelle is a podcast hosted by Sian Horn that dives into the stories of remarkable people behind their businesses. BeBelle is not a business podcast, it's about uncovering the moments of resilience, creativity and determination that have shaped these entrepreneurs. 

Sian is dedicated to empowering individuals in all aspects of life and believes in the importance of self-care, which manifests differently for everyone. Guests share their own self-care practices, offering listeners fresh perspectives on nurturing their well-being. Tune in to BeBelle for inspiring stories, actionable advice and thoughtful reflections on what it means to navigate life today.

Join the BeBelle Community: bebelle.ie | @bebelle_podcast | ​@sian_horn | YouTube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“This is me. If you don't like it, here it is. I'm not changing.” 

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of domestic abuse, suicide, grief and mental health.

This week's guest is someone who embodies resilience, authenticity and the courage to start again.

I'm joined by Lisa Lawless - content creator, entrepreneur, podcast host, wife, mother and the voice behind Bras Off and Breathe. Through her work, Lisa encourages women to let go of what no longer serves them, embrace who they truly are, and live with more freedom, confidence and joy.

In this deeply honest conversation, Lisa shares her journey through domestic abuse, grief, menopause, entrepreneurship and self-discovery. We talk about the devastating loss of her brother, the healing power of community, and why showing up authentically online has become such an important part of her mission.

This episode is ultimately about courage - the courage to leave, to begin again, to grieve, and to finally become yourself.

• Growing up in Dublin as one of five siblings
• Leaving school at 16 and becoming self-employed
• Starting her first business in fashion
• Surviving an abusive and controlling relationship
• The moment she knew she had to leave
• Meeting her husband and building a life together
• Entrepreneurship, childcare and family businesses
• Losing her brother to suicide
• Grief, counselling and navigating loss
• Menopause and feeling unseen
• Why she started Lisa's Vistas
• Social media, authenticity and belonging
• Learning to stop people-pleasing
• The importance of showing women what's real
• Her plans for the Bras Off and Breathe podcast and future projects

You can find Lisa here: Instagram | TikTok | Listen to Bras Off and Breathe on all major podcast platforms including Acast and Spotify | Email

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BeBelle is a podcast hosted by Sian Horn that dives into the stories of remarkable people behind their businesses. BeBelle is not a business podcast, it's about uncovering the moments of resilience, creativity and determination that have shaped these entrepreneurs. 

Sian is dedicated to empowering individuals in all aspects of life and believes in the importance of self-care, which manifests differently for everyone. Guests share their own self-care practices, offering listeners fresh perspectives on nurturing their well-being. Tune in to BeBelle for inspiring stories, actionable advice and thoughtful reflections on what it means to navigate life today.

Join the BeBelle Community: bebelle.ie | @bebelle_podcast | ​@sian_horn | YouTube

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This episode is brought to you by Skin Formulas, an Irish skincare brand created by skin experts and trusted by thousands of customers and skin clinics. Built on science, results and a deep understanding of skin health, Skin Formulas is designed to help you feel confident in your skin.

Discover more at skinformulas.ie.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of mental health struggles and pornography addiction.

What happens when the version of yourself the world ‘loves’… isn’t really you?

This week on BeBelle, Sian sits down with wellness coach and retreat facilitator Gavin Meenan for one of the most raw and powerful conversations of the season.

From childhood bullying and deep sensitivity to addiction, shame, performance and self-hatred, Gavin opens up about the years he spent hiding behind a carefully constructed persona - becoming the “funny”, “confident” and “entertaining” version of himself that he thought people would accept.

But beneath it all was someone struggling deeply.

Gavin shares the life-changing moments that forced him to confront who he really was, including a tragic car accident at 18, addiction, public humiliation, fatherhood, therapy, and the healing journey that eventually brought him back to himself.

In this episode:

• Growing up highly sensitive and being bullied throughout school
• Creating a “fake” personality to feel accepted
• Why vulnerability felt dangerous
• The pressure of performing masculinity
• Addiction, shame and using alcohol to numb pain
• The tragic car accident that changed everything
• Fatherhood, self-worth and losing his identity
• Public exposure, humiliation and rebuilding himself
• Therapy, healing and learning to stop hiding
• Why suffering can become the doorway to transformation

You can find Gavin here: Website | Instagram | TikTok 

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BeBelle is a podcast hosted by Sian Horn that dives into the stories of remarkable people behind their businesses. BeBelle is not a business podcast, it's about uncovering the moments of resilience, creativity and determination that have shaped these entrepreneurs. 

Sian is dedicated to empowering individuals in all aspects of life and believes in the importance of self-care, which manifests differently for everyone. Guests share their own self-care practices, offering listeners fresh perspectives on nurturing their well-being. Tune in to BeBelle for inspiring stories, actionable advice and thoughtful reflections on what it means to navigate life today.

Join the BeBelle Community: bebelle.ie | @bebelle_podcast | ​@sian_horn | YouTube

____

This episode is brought to you by Skin Formulas, an Irish skincare brand created by skin experts and trusted by thousands of customers and skin clinics. Built on science, results and a deep understanding of skin health, Skin Formulas is designed to help you feel confident in your skin.

Discover more at skinformulas.ie.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“I was like, I’ll just start it. Why not?”

This week, I’m joined by Siobhan Lam - founder of April and the Bear and judge on RTÉ’s Home of the Year - for a conversation about creativity, business, motherhood and trusting yourself enough to take the leap.

Siobhan opens up about growing up between London and Kildare, feeling different as a mixed-race child in Ireland, meeting her husband at 17, leaving a banking job she hated, trying acting in London, and eventually building one of Ireland’s most-loved interiors brands after renovating their first fixer-upper home.

We also chat about entrepreneurship, perfectionism, juggling motherhood and business, Home of the Year, remembering Hugh Wallace, and why your home should reflect you - not trends or other people’s opinions.

This conversation is warm, honest, funny and deeply inspiring.

✨ In this episode:

• Growing up between London and Kildare
• Feeling different as a mixed-race child in Ireland
• Leaving a banking career that didn’t feel right
• Trying acting in London
• Working in fashion buying at Arnotts
• Renovating their first home
• Starting April and the Bear
• Motherhood and entrepreneurship
• Joining Home of the Year
• Why your home should feel like you
• “What’s the worst that can happen?”

You can find Siobhan here: Website | Instagram | April and the Bear IG

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BeBelle is a podcast hosted by Sian Horn that dives into the stories of remarkable people behind their businesses. BeBelle is not a business podcast, it's about uncovering the moments of resilience, creativity and determination that have shaped these entrepreneurs. 

Sian is dedicated to empowering individuals in all aspects of life and believes in the importance of self-care, which manifests differently for everyone. Guests share their own self-care practices, offering listeners fresh perspectives on nurturing their well-being. Tune in to BeBelle for inspiring stories, actionable advice and thoughtful reflections on what it means to navigate life today.

Join the BeBelle Community: bebelle.ie | @bebelle_podcast | ​@sian_horn | YouTube

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This episode is brought to you by Skin Formulas, an Irish skincare brand created by skin experts and trusted by thousands of customers and skin clinics. Built on science, results and a deep understanding of skin health, Skin Formulas is designed to help you feel confident in your skin.

Discover more at skinformulas.ie.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“This is the boldest thing I’ve ever done .” 

This week, I’m joined by Laura O’Mahony - and this conversation felt like sitting down with someone who tells the truth about life exactly as it is.

Laura is an actor, comedian, writer, and the host of the award-winning Red Raw Podcast. You might know her from The Young Offenders, Bridget and Eamonn, Republic of Telly, or her regular appearances on RTÉ’s Today - but behind the humour is someone with a huge amount of emotional depth, honesty, and self-awareness.

In this episode, we talk about everything from feeling out of place in college, navigating the entertainment industry, and becoming a mother, to burnout, identity shifts, people pleasing, and the pressure women feel to constantly “do it all.”

Laura speaks so openly about motherhood and how it changed her priorities, her relationship with herself, and even her definition of success. We also talk about social media, loneliness, creativity, ambition, and why learning how to slow down can sometimes be the hardest thing of all.

This conversation is funny, chaotic, vulnerable, and deeply relatable in all the best ways.

✨ In this episode:

• Growing up in Cork and always feeling creative
• Studying drama and feeling out of place in college
• Comedy, acting & finding confidence through performance
• Difficult experiences in theatre training
• The entertainment industry and rejection
• Becoming a mother and identity changes
• Burnout, overwhelm & trying to do everything
• Starting Instagram during motherhood & loneliness
• Social media, connection & community
• Learning to slow down and let go of perfectionism
• Parenting, pressure & finding joy in ordinary moments
• The success of the Red Raw Podcast
• Why humour can be both coping mechanism and connection

You can find Laura here: Red Raw Podcast IG | Instagram 

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BeBelle is a podcast hosted by Sian Horn that dives into the stories of remarkable people behind their businesses. BeBelle is not a business podcast, it's about uncovering the moments of resilience, creativity and determination that have shaped these entrepreneurs. 

Sian is dedicated to empowering individuals in all aspects of life and believes in the importance of self-care, which manifests differently for everyone. Guests share their own self-care practices, offering listeners fresh perspectives on nurturing their well-being. Tune in to BeBelle for inspiring stories, actionable advice and thoughtful reflections on what it means to navigate life today.

Join the BeBelle Community: bebelle.ie | @bebelle_podcast | ​@sian_horn | YouTube

____

This episode is brought to you by Skin Formulas, an Irish skincare brand created by skin experts and trusted by thousands of customers and skin clinics. Built on science, results and a deep understanding of skin health, Skin Formulas is designed to help you feel confident in your skin.

Discover more at skinformulas.ie.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“We all want somebody who sees us and loves us.”

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of alcoholism and eating disorders

This week’s episode is such a beautiful reminder that sometimes the people who bring the most joy into the world have had to fight very hard to find it themselves.

I’m joined by Edgar Kirby, and from the moment we sat down, I knew this conversation was going to stay with me.

Edgar opens up about growing up with parents who struggled with alcoholism, and being raised by his older sister from the age of four. 

We talk about dance, creativity, food, binge eating disorder, body image, and the pressure so many people feel to constantly “keep going.” Edgar also shares how losing his dance studio during Covid unexpectedly became the beginning of a completely new chapter - one that led him into coaching, social media, and helping thousands of people change their relationship with food and themselves.

What I loved most about this conversation is Edgar’s honesty. He speaks with so much warmth, emotional intelligence, and compassion - not just for others, but finally for himself too.

✨ In this episode:

• Being raised by his older sister from age four
• Hyper independence and feeling “different” growing up
• Finding confidence through dance
• Building his own dance school
• Covid, losing his studio & starting over
• Gaining over 8 stone and struggling with binge eating disorder
• Food noise, emotional eating & body image
• Why weight struggles are never “just about food”
• Social media, coaching & helping others heal
• Building a career rooted in purpose and helping people
• Burnout, balance & learning to slow down
• Why success means nothing without peace

You can find Edgar here: Instagram | TikTok | K30 Programme | Edgar’s Real Life Recipes

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BeBelle is a podcast hosted by Sian Horn that dives into the stories of remarkable people behind their businesses. BeBelle is not a business podcast, it's about uncovering the moments of resilience, creativity and determination that have shaped these entrepreneurs. 

Sian is dedicated to empowering individuals in all aspects of life and believes in the importance of self-care, which manifests differently for everyone. Guests share their own self-care practices, offering listeners fresh perspectives on nurturing their well-being. Tune in to BeBelle for inspiring stories, actionable advice and thoughtful reflections on what it means to navigate life today.

Join the BeBelle Community: bebelle.ie | @bebelle_podcast | ​@sian_horn | YouTube

____

This episode is brought to you by Skin Formulas, an Irish skincare brand created by skin experts and trusted by thousands of customers and skin clinics. Built on science, results and a deep understanding of skin health, Skin Formulas is designed to help you feel confident in your skin.

Discover more at skinformulas.ie.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“I wasn’t prepared for what happened… no one tells you what it’s really like.”

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of miscarriage, baby loss, trauma, and mental health. 

This week I'm joined by Lorna Cronin, known online as @lorzylovey and while you might know her for her humour and relatability, this episode shares the story behind the laughter.

Lorna opens up about her experience of multiple miscarriages, including one deeply traumatic loss that changed everything for her. She speaks so honestly about the loneliness, the shock, and the reality of what women go through, often in silence.

We also talk about her journey with weight, body image, and her experience using GLP-1 medication, and how it’s impacted not just her body, but her mind.

What I loved most about this conversation is Lorna’s ability to hold both truth and humour at the same time, and how she uses comedy not to hide, but to cope.

This episode is raw, real, and incredibly important.

✨ In this episode:

• Growing up in Cork and feeling shy as a child
• ADHD and understanding herself later in life
• Early career, moving to London & homesickness
• Meeting her husband and building a life together
• Miscarriages and the emotional toll of loss
• The trauma of hospital experience 
• Loneliness, grief, and not feeling understood
• Using humour as a coping mechanism
• The pressure to “just get on with it”
• Her weight journey and body image struggles
• GLP-1 and how it changed her mindset
• Food noise, emotional eating & breaking patterns
• The stigma around weight loss medication
• Setting boundaries and starting to put herself first
• Social media, community & finding connection online
• Confidence vs courage and learning to back herself

You can find Lorna here: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 

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BeBelle is a podcast hosted by Sian Horn that dives into the stories of remarkable people behind their businesses. BeBelle is not a business podcast, it's about uncovering the moments of resilience, creativity and determination that have shaped these entrepreneurs. 

Sian is dedicated to empowering individuals in all aspects of life and believes in the importance of self-care, which manifests differently for everyone. Guests share their own self-care practices, offering listeners fresh perspectives on nurturing their well-being. Tune in to BeBelle for inspiring stories, actionable advice and thoughtful reflections on what it means to navigate life today.

Join the BeBelle Community: bebelle.ie | @bebelle_podcast | ​@sian_horn | YouTube

____

This episode is brought to you by Skin Formulas, an Irish skincare brand created by skin experts and trusted by thousands of customers and skin clinics. Built on science, results and a deep understanding of skin health, Skin Formulas is designed to help you feel confident in your skin.

Discover more at skinformulas.ie.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes the strongest women are the ones who had no choice but to be. 

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of grief, miscarriage, and loss of a parent.

This week, I’m joined by Geraldine Jones, founder and CEO of Skin Formulas, but more importantly, a woman whose story is rooted in resilience, courage, and backing herself every step of the way.

From growing up on a dairy farm in Tipperary to losing her mum at just 15, Geraldine shares the life experiences that shaped her work ethic, her drive, and her ability to keep going, even in the hardest moments.

We talk about building a business from the ground up, trusting your instincts, and navigating grief while still showing up. Geraldine also opens up about miscarriage, the pressure of holding everything together, and what it really takes to grow something meaningful – in business and in life.

This conversation is about more than success – it’s about strength, self-belief, and learning how to look after yourself along the way.

✨ In this episode:

• Growing up in Tipperary and learning the value of hard work
• Losing her mum at 15 and growing up quickly
• Finding purpose in making people feel good through beauty
• Starting her career early and building confidence
• Taking the leap into business and opening her first clinic
• Creating Skin Formulas from real client needs
• Backing yourself and trusting your instincts in business
• The reality of COVID - miscarriage, motherhood & pressure
• Pivoting her business and showing up online every day
• Building a brand with purpose, values, and community
• Why resilience is her greatest strength
• Learning to prioritise herself after
• Rediscovering joy, fun, and balance

You can find Geraldine here: Instagram |  Website | Skin Formulas Instagram 

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BeBelle is a podcast hosted by Sian Horn that dives into the stories of remarkable people behind their businesses. BeBelle is not a business podcast, it's about uncovering the moments of resilience, creativity and determination that have shaped these entrepreneurs. 

Sian is dedicated to empowering individuals in all aspects of life and believes in the importance of self-care, which manifests differently for everyone. Guests share their own self-care practices, offering listeners fresh perspectives on nurturing their well-being. Tune in to BeBelle for inspiring stories, actionable advice and thoughtful reflections on what it means to navigate life today.

Join the BeBelle Community: bebelle.ie | @bebelle_podcast | ​@sian_horn | YouTube

____

This episode is brought to you by Skin Formulas, an Irish skincare brand created by skin experts and trusted by thousands of customers and skin clinics. Built on science, results and a deep understanding of skin health, Skin Formulas is designed to help you feel confident in your skin.

Discover more at skinformulas.ie.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.