On this week’s episode I sit down with Olivia Fitzsimons. Olivia came to my attention when she did an Instagram live with her brother Andrew with Luke, her beautiful baby on her lap as they discussed what pregnancy was like during Covid.

Olivia talks to me about her and her partners plans to have a baby and when she conceived quickly how their dreams came true but, with maternity restrictions over the year it wasn't until her 22 weeks scan and a brief but heart-breaking shock that the loneliness of her appointments sank in and at seven months waking up to realise she was going to be very much alone in her journey through labour in covid and choosing the option to be induced in the hope that I would have time to get Gary to delivery suite. 

As a mother this episode broke my heart I just wanted to hug Olivia as she cried her heart literally sings as she talks about Luke and to have to love and joy gained by the silent trauma after giving birth Gary is sent one way and olive to the lonely ward to look after her baby.

As Olivia said she didn’t have the strength to fight when she was pregnant but she wants to fight now for all the mammies coming after her.

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On this weeks episode I sit down with Ruth Leonard. Her totally Ruthless videoed have amassed millions of viewers around the world. But behind this very funny persona is a story filled with great sadness and immense bravery.

Ruth talks to me about growing up in Drogheda and how unfortunately your childhood was far from a safe haven as she watched her father violently beat her mother and at just 13 years as of age witnessed a beating that would surely end her mothers life.

We chat through the devastating effects this has had on her not only as a child but as an adult too, We chat through the effects it has had on her relationship with her mother, Siblings, Husband and even her father.

We talk about how over a celebratory dinner. We and drinks totally Ruthless was born 

We talk about her children Jessica and Joe and about Joe’s recent diagnosis.

Ruth thank you for being so open and honest, domestic violence is a global problem of enormous proportions and you Ruth are one of the bravest people I know 

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On this weeks episode I sit down with the stars of Gogglebox Ireland the Cabra Girls Lindsay, Ashley, Grainne and Jamie. 

They worry they have nothing to say but the conversation come easy with each of them as quick witted as the other. Their friendship is a force to be reckoned with and is a result of being truly there for each other through thick and thin. 

The girls talk about growing up in Cabra, Their no-nonsense mothers and nannies who with a gang of women would take them off every year to Pwllheli and the likes every year.

We talk about the loss of Ashley and Lindsays mother at a young age and the things she has missed out on through the years. 

We talk about how they joined the cast of goggle box Ireland and Jamie’s recent loss of her granddad during Covid.

I don’t think these girls realise how enchanting they actually are. Be prepared for a lot of laughs and maybe a couple of tears...

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On this weeks episode I sit down with Alison Murphy. Alison has the most infectious laugh but behind this laugh lies tragedy, while dancing away to the last song Alison’s sister Lisa fell to the floor and unfortunately passed away.

Alison tells me of their dysfunctional upbringing that lead to not only a break up between husband and wife but to broken relationships that will never be mended.

She tells me the effect of finding her fathers secret children and the impact it had on her own relationships. She tells me she would be lost without her family and friends and how her mother is her biggest supporter. 

Alison is a tonic, a warm hug as her friend tells me never whines never complains and just gets on with it being through so much but still can laugh and what a laugh she has. 

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Trigger warning. This week’s episode is about miscarriage with graphic details about a miscarriage experience.

On this week’s episode I sit down with Melissa Gearon, as a mother this was an extremely painful listen. It is the longest individual episode to date but the sad reality is one in five pregnancies end miscarriage. 

Melissa was born with only 7 fingers, a limb birth defect that lead to a life of bullying and anxiety, through this anxiety Melissa feared she would never get pregnant so when she did after a short relationship she started to plan for her future.

Unfortunately anticipation turned to heartbreak and when she got pregnant for the second time she experienced heartbreak all over again. 

I need to say that Melissa’s experience was horrific and left me lost for words with some things staying with me forever but I learned so much from her. 

Melissa you are a very special person you will be forever in my thought no one should have to endure that you did but the reality is that they will.

I want to thank you for sharing your experience to help others. My sincere condolences to anyone who has been affected by miscarriage.

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Trigger warning on this weeks episode we talk about suicide with descriptions of someone dying by suicide.

On this weeks episode I sit down with Ian Kinsella, Ian talks to me about his brother Jonathan this year will be Jonathan’s 10yr anniversary. Jonathan died by suicide. 

Ian tells me what it is like being left behind after suicide and how a loss through suicide is like no other and tells me in his own way how the grief and be complex and even traumatic, experiencing his own suicidal thoughts for the immediately after Jonathan’s death. 

He tells me how he would be lost without the support of his wife Stacey, his and her family and his fantastic group of friends.

He shares some fond memories of Jonathan and tells me of their mutual love of Dublin, Celtic and the odd ballad.

This episode was very difficult it is very raw, very honest. Ian you are an absolute credit to Jonathan, how you are keeping his memory alive is a testament to the love you have for him.

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On this weeks episode I sit down with Sarah Brogan also known as the Ballymun Hun. With a handle like the Ballymun Hun, Sarah is one of the biggest personalities on Instagram, Her hilarious badass videos have amassed over 100,000 views but in spite of this public persona there is a certain vulnerability about Sarah.

She tells me about growing up in Ballymum and the horrific murder of her father and the many incidents that left her so angry. 

We talk about how a surprise doctors appointment let to counselling to overcome this anger, it was from this the Ballymum hun was born.

What started as a laugh on Instagram developed into an account on the polished world of Instagram. We talk about the clip and edit culture and how she maintains her mantra of a normal girl in a filtered world and how she is grateful for her loyal followers and the support from her community.

Sarah is as articulate as she is funny and it is an absolute honour to share her story!!

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On this week’s episode I sit down with Stacy O'Shaughnessy.

We talk about growing up in Coolock, the suicide of her brother, hiding her teenage pregnancy and the death of her beloved nanny.

Stacy laughs with her nerves as she tells me about finding out her nanny had cancer and the years after gripped with anxiety that cancer was going to get her too.

So when pregnant on her 3rd child she discovers some abnormalities in her breast, she fears the worse and then to have her worst nightmare confirmed with a diagnosis of inflammatory breast cancer.

A rush Inducement to start treatment she puts her full trust in her doctors as she was simply too busy to have cancer.

You can’t feel sorry for Stacy she won’t let you, she was going to beat this she was going to live, she is an inspiration, a warrior, determined to live for her children and Stephen. 

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On this weeks episode i sit down with I sit down with Kizzy, I have known Kizzy a long time but Covid has made it difficult to keep in touch, when i noticed Kizzy share a post about mothers day i reached out to see what was going on.

Kizzy tells me her lovely Mam Ev has been diagnosed with Dementia and how her sisters had started to notice Ev's normal behaviour changed and how the devastating diagnoses has triggered a range of emotions for the family including the question of Why my Mam.

At just 35 years of age Kizzy feels she has been robbed of her mammy in a time she should be bringing her off, spoiling her and simply enjoying her time with her mammy.

Kizzy tells me about the help her Mam and Dad receive and the Later Life program in Kilkenny. I truly want to thank Kizzy for giving me her time this week of all weeks with Virgin media donate for dementia week, There are currently 64,000 with Dementia in Ireland and if Kizzy's story can help but one of these families we have done well.

Kizzy your strength and love know no bounds you will forever be in my thoughts and Ev in my prayers.

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On this weeks episode i sit down with Nicole Gaffey, at the start of the pandemic Nicole decided to journal her weight loss journey and her page has blossomed since, 

We chat through all things social media the good the bad the ugly and why she thinks Instagram and Facebook should be held accountable for their users. We talk about her responsibilities as an influencer and more importantly to her younger followers and why there should be an age limit to TikTok and Instagram.

We talk about the loss of her friend and the crippling anxiety that comes with grief and how a doctors appointment led her down the path of exercise to help with her mental health. 

Nicole is an all round girl next door, a fantastic role model for young women, she puts everything into her page with her followers at the forefront of everything she does, Its the reason she has amassed over 10,000 followers in one year. 

In a world full of influencers be like Nicole. 

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