**This interview by Alan O'Mara was first published as part of The Players Voice series.**

Kerry GAA goalkeeper Martin Stackpoole joined host Alan O’Mara to open up in great detail about his gambling addiction and his recovery. Martin talks about his struggle to reach out for help, what he learned from spending time in a treatment centre and how much he is enjoying living life on his own terms again. 

The Players’ Voice is brought to you by the Gaelic Players Association in collaboration with Real Talks. The podcast series is part of BEO 360, a GPA programme that empowers inter-county players across 4 key areas - life skills, wellbeing, dual career and transitions. Please go to beo360.gaelicplayers.com to learn more.  

Each episode is hosted by Alan O’Mara, a former Cavan goalkeeper who now works as a Performance and Wellbeing consultant. To find out more about his work with sports and business leaders around the world, please go to www.RealTalks.ie.

Martin Stackpoole - The Players Voice

In March 2024, the popular ‘Real Talks with Alan O’Mara’ podcast series announced its return, a new weekly format and a slate of brilliant Irish guests. 

The series, which originated in Ireland and is now based in New York, will celebrate leading figures from music, sport, art and life. Each episode will feature vulnerable discussions that empower listeners to live happier, healthier and more successful lives.

In a bonus episode released on Wednesday, March 6, O’Mara discussed the return of the podcast with Real Talks producer Mary Kate Boylan. New episodes drop every Wednesday and will inc

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

In this week’s episode, host Alan O'Mara and producer Mary Kate Boylan sit down to talk about topics including asking for help, how they feel about the word 'resilience' and turning awareness into action. Using last week’s interview with comedian Emman Idama as a jumping off point, Alan and Mary Kate chat through their reflections from the week.
Trigger warning for the episode: Emman is a brilliant comic, and we discuss his comedy career throughout the episode. We also talk about more difficult parts of Emman’s life - including the abuse he lived through as a child.
In Ireland, ⁠Samaritan’s Ireland⁠ is a 24/7 helpline that can be reached at 116 123, for free, day or night. If you’re listening in the US, help is available by dialing 988, and ⁠Crisis Text Line⁠ is a free 24/7 service that can be accessed by texting HOME to 741741. 
Subscribe to the Real Talks newsletter at www.realtalks.news, and follow us on social media @heyrealtalks to watch our videos, and to learn more about our current giveaway from Connemara Marble. 

Alan and Mary Kate talk asking for help

Emman Idama is a Nigerian Irish comedian, and a rising star on the comedy scene. Emman MC’s at In Stitches Comedy Club in Dublin, and has been seen on Comedy Central. He’s won Hot Press Irish Comedian of the Year twice, and was a Chortle Comedy Finalist in 2019. He co-hosts the Acting the Maggot podcast. 
We’re sitting down with Emman in person, while he’s in New York for his US debut, which was a sold out headline show, at New York City’s Dead Rabbit. 
Trigger warning for the episode: Emman is a brilliant comic, and we discuss his comedy career throughout the episode. We also talk about more difficult parts of Emman’s life - including the abuse he lived through as a child, and times he thought about or attempted to die by suicide. 
In Ireland, Samaritan’s Ireland is a 24/7 helpline that can be reached at 116 123, for free, day or night. If you’re listening in the US, help is available by dialing 988, and Crisis Text Line is a free 24/7 service that can be accessed by texting HOME to 741741. 
As always, please take care when listening to the episode, and thank you again, to Emman, for his honesty in sharing his story. 
Subscribe to the Real Talks newsletter at realtalks.news for more, and follow us on social media @heyrealtalks for video from the episode.

Comedian Emman Idama talks childhood trauma, dyslexia and finding comedy

During this week’s episode, host Alan O'Mara and producer Mary Kate Boylan sit down to talk about quitting. Using last week’s interview with musician Ciarán Moran as a jumping off point, Alan and Mary Kate chat through their reflections from the week.
We also have an exciting giveaway thanks to Connemara Marble. To enter, just make sure you subscribe to our newsletter and follow the @heyrealtalks Instagram page. 
Subscribe to the Real Talks newsletter at www.realtalks.news, and follow us on social media @heyrealtalks.

Alan and Mary Kate talk quitting!

In this week’s episode, we sat down with musician Ciarán Moran. 
Ciarán Moran is a rising star on the Irish music scene, and a native of North Inner City Dublin. The singer songwriter has toured and performed with Damien Dempsey, and gained praise from Irish music pioneers including Christy Moore, Glen Hansard and Finbar Furey. His 2023 single ‘It’s OK’ hit #1 on the Irish iTunes charts. 
We chatted with Ciarán in person as he made his sold-out New York City debut. 
The Real Talks podcast is hosted by Alan O'Mara and produced by Mary Kate Boylan. Audio and video are produced by Jack Deacon of Plural Video & Design. 
Click here to check out our weekly newsletter - the companion piece to each episode with links, videos, photos and more!
For more information about the podcast and Real Talks, click here.
Follow 'heyrealtalks' on Instagram and TikTok to get our best clips from each episode.
Listen to Ciarán Moran's music here. 


Ciarán Moran talks music, writing and 'It's OK'

In this week’s episode, Alan and producer Mary Kate sit down to talk self-compassion, journaling and the power of listening.
Using last week’s interview with Olympian Emmet Brennan as a jumping off point, Alan and Mary Kate chat through their reflections from the week.
Subscribe to the Real Talks newsletter at www.realtalks.news, and follow us on social media @heyrealtalks.



Martin Stackpoole - The Players Voice

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