Ever wondered what it's really like to be a funeral director? Ever pondered about the process of arranging a funeral? Meet Grace, our guest today, who's not only a female funeral director but also a comforting pillar for grieving families at Stafford's funeral home. In her world, dealing with varying cultural and religious practices, planning funerals, and preparing the deceased for burial is all in a day's work.

Our candid talk with Grace takes us on a journey through the evolution of the funeral industry and how it's made room for women like her. Grace shares insights into the importance of discussing death, the transformation of funeral arrangements through social media, and the detailed steps involved in funeral preparation - right from the first contact with the funeral home to the service. Get ready to grasp the nitty-gritty of options for burials and cremations, considerations when choosing a coffin, and the identity tag process that ensures your loved ones' ashes are indeed theirs.

In our conversation, we also delve into how humor can alleviate tense moments and why it's crucial for families to plan and document their funeral wishes in advance. Grace helps us understand the importance of paying respects at funerals and how the Irish culture supports this through refreshments. Additionally, we discuss the services a funeral director can provide, the changing role of women in the industry, and how a celebrant can add a personal touch to the funeral. As we wrap up, listen for why education around funerals and staying informed are significant to make funerals a meaningful experience. Join us in this enlightening episode that's bound to change your perspective on funerals.

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Brace yourselves as we journey alongside Amy, a brave soul who lifts the veil on her two-decade-long secret of childhood sexual abuse. Amy takes us on an inspiring journey, sharing her resilience and determination in overcoming the most harrowing moments of her life. With an open heart, she shares how she found strength within herself, reshaping her mindset to avoid the clutches of harmful substances while embracing the therapeutic effects of positive thinking, walking, and discussing her mental health.

Amy's narrative takes a pivotal turn as she addresses the impact of loss in her life. The passing of her beloved aunt, her refuge from her traumatic childhood, sets the stage for some profound insights into her healing process. She talks about her decision to remove herself from her familiar surroundings to heal better, an audacious yet necessary step. Listen closely as she navigates through her family's reaction to her bold move, and the invaluable advice she has for those battling similar demons or those who know someone who is.

The episode concludes with an intimate conversation about saying goodbye to loved ones, finding security within oneself, and embracing new opportunities. Amy's journey is a testament to the power of healing and the importance of speaking out. Join us in this riveting episode as we unravel Amy's story, immersing ourselves in her resilience, wisdom, and courage. This episode is not just a chronicle of Amy's journey; it's a beacon of hope for anyone who's been through the unimaginable, reinforcing the notion that it's okay to speak out and seek help.

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Picture yourself as a young girl navigating the painful realities of a parental split, a mother's severe health crisis, and the turmoil of adolescence all at once. Now, imagine sharing this deeply personal journey with the world in hopes of shedding light on the urgent need for improved mental health resources. That's exactly what our guest, Lauren, does in this revealing and heartrending conversation. Lauren takes us through her tumultuous childhood in Dublin, marked by her parents' separation and her mother's health decline, leading to the difficult transition into her aunt's home.

From family crisis to emotional support, in the second part of our conversation, Lauren doesn't shy away from the painful topic of living with an alcoholic parent. She opens up about her father's battle with liver failure and alcoholism, as well as the tragic suicide of her sister Danielle, who wrestled with depression and self-harm. Despite these unbearable losses, we also touch on how an unexpected pregnancy gave Lauren's family a glimmer of hope during an otherwise dark time. 

In the final segment, we broaden our discussion to societal implications of these personal tragedies. We delve into the stark reality of suicide among young individuals in Ireland and Lauren's remarkable efforts to raise awareness about mental health. Lauren shares her inspiring journey of creating a documentary about mental health in Ireland, following the tragic passing of her sister. This episode serves as a poignant reminder of the human resilience, the power of sharing your story, and the urgent need for mental health resources, all brought to life through Lauren's brave and candid sharing.

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We invite you to join us on a remarkable journey through the life of Lisa Wallace, a woman who has faced and overcome significant challenges and adversity. From growing up in a family with a deep passion for horses and harness racing to dealing with dyslexia and a traumatic event that forever changed her family dynamics, Lisa's story is an inspiring testament to resilience, love, and the strength of family bonds.

Lisa shares her family's unique history and connection to the world of horses, trotting, and harness racing, a sport with deep roots in North America, Europe, and Canada, but surprisingly little presence in Ireland. We hear about her struggles growing up with dyslexia, the incredible support she received from her family, and how her dyslexia unexpectedly became a source of strength following a terrifying incident — a robbery in which her father was shot and left paralyzed. Listen in as Lisa recounts how her father's unwavering resilience and joy in the face of adversity have shaped her own outlook on life.

Lisa's story takes us through her personal journey of mental health struggles, from self-harm to an abusive relationship and a desperate act that led to a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. She opens up about her experiences with mental health treatment, the healing process, and how she has used her experiences to help others. Furthermore, Lisa touches on her work in setting up a charity in Bangladesh, focused on helping children in dire need of assistance. It’s an emotional ride filled with powerful stories of resilience, forgiveness, and unwavering family strength. Come along with us as we navigate the highs and lows of Lisa's life.

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On this weeks episode I sit down with Claire Clarkson, Claire’s story will break your heart, a revelation after her mothers death saw her abandoned by those she loved the most, to meeting the man of her dreams for it quickly to turn into a nightmare that luckily enough she got away from, others have not been so lucky.

These past two months alone 3 women have lost their life to domestic violence. There is always a way out, don’t suffer in silence reach out people are here to help.

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

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

On this weeks episode I sit down with Daniel Bradley, Danny.

I came across Danny on Instagram and the first thing I noticed about him was this big grin across his face. His smile is so uplifting and contagious and I honestly couldn’t believe the story behind this.

Danny talks to me about growing up being fostered, how he dealt with that and the life that soon followed that even his own family couldn’t believe, from addiction, to drug dealing and ending up in mount joy prison, homelessness to the man he is today.

The love Danny has for his partner Nicola throughout the podcast is palpable, the resilience she showed through Daniels journey is no doubt one of the reasons he sits in front of me today. This one is worth the watch to get a true sense of the smile i reference above.

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I had another podcast scheduled for this week but after the horrific death of Anna Mooney I felt the need to bring this weeks episode,SAFE, forward.

This week I sit down with Ainie and Priscilla Grainger, who run Stop Domestic violence Ireland, we run through the first steps victims should be taking and we talk through the processes of court and put the quite frankly intimidating procedures in layman’s terms! We talk about the daunting dolphin house and talk about the support or lack thereof from

Government and sometimes the Gardaí . If you think you might need help please please please reach out to the ladies who are here to navigate you to freedom.

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

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

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