Topics covered : Traumatic childhood, abandonment, disappointment, pain, breaking negative cycles, self-worth, sport, faith.

Last year I sat down to speak to my next guest and I’m finally releasing our conversation.

I spoke to Irish professional athlete and coach at Oberstown Children’s Detention Centre, Ger Redmond.

He’s married to Pauline, who he describes as his rock and they have 5 kids together, 4 girls and a boy.

A childhood of neglect and dysfunction led him on a destructive path in life which involved joining a gang for nearly 20 years.

He turned to a life of criminality when his dream of becoming a professional footballer came to a cruel end due to an event that had devastating consequences for his family and another.

He’s not comfortable talking through the details of it during our conversation, out of respect to all involved.

Many years later Ger himself spent a couple of years in prison but becoming a father to a son was the catalyst for change.

When his son Ross was born in 2016, he completely changed his life. He threw himself into sport and set about breaking the negative cycles of behaviour that had caused so much harm to him and his siblings and today, his life’s work is about helping and motivating others.

To connect with Ger, go to…

Ger Redmond

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Topics covered : Feeling ignored and unheard, suffering, honouring how you feel, acceptance, expectation, disappointment, judgment, jealousy and envy, controlling what we can control, compassion.

This week I speak to chartered psychologist, Allison Keating.

We spoke on Monday and we wanted to record something that might help those who are in the thick of it right now, many are still without power around the country and suffering as a result of the damage caused by Storm Éowyn and this is also an episode for anyone who is experiencing difficulty in their lives at the moment.

During this conversation she covers the importance of truly honouring how we feel and how acceptance (as difficult as it can be) is so beneficial. She also talks about expectation and judgement, the difference between jealousy and envy and how important it is to have compassion for ourselves and others.

Find Allison on Instagram

Allison Keating | thepractical.psychologist (@thepractical.psychologist) • Instagram photos and videos

Book -

‘It’s all too much – practical ways to pause panic attacks, reduce anxiety and overwhelm and rediscover everyday joy’

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Topics covered : Imbolc and the symbolism and significance of Brigid.

In this episode, I speak to historian and artist Shelly Mooney who runs the brilliant Instagram page ‘Tales from the Wood’ which explores the history and mythology of Ireland.

She lives in the countryside in County Wexford with her husband Kev, their baby Ferdia and Lola their dog.

After several years of campaigning, St Brigid’s Day has finally become a public holiday in Ireland and it’s the first one to be named after a woman.

In this conversation Shelly talks about the ancient pagan festival heralding the beginning of Spring called ‘Imbolc’ and the significance of Brigid and her resurgence in recent times, including the story behind her cloak and the cross of St. Brigid.

If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.

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Topics covered : Climate crisis, capitalism, activism, Gaza, LA wildfires, Iran, community care, resistance, joy.    

Raeeka (they/she) is a British-Iranian social & climate justice activist and poet. They work for Parents For Future UK, a group focused on empowering parents and carers into the climate movement. Raeeka is also on the Stop Rosebank team, working to stop new oil and gas in the UK. Raeeka amplifies the feminist revolution of their Iranian siblings in the fight for a free Iran. They have a special focus on intersectional collective liberation as a framework for how we build the world we need. They have recently self-published a poetry book: BELOVED: Words for the new way.

In this conversation we talk about the climate crisis and how finding out what your skill is and leaning into that, is key with heart centered activism.

To connect with Raeeka…

Raeeka | climate justice & social justiceBritish Iranian (@raeekayassaie) • Instagram photos and videos

RaeekaYassaie.com | Poetry for collective liberation

Resources they mentioned…

ParentsForFuture Ireland instagram - great landing place for climate for any parents listening

ParentsForFuture UK 

Stop Rosebank - learn about stopping new oil and gas in the UK

Climate Defiance 

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Topics covered : Gaza, parenting, co-sleeping, attachment, worthiness, cancer, thyroid, compassion. 

In my first episode of 2025, my guest is the one and only Dr. Gabor Maté.

He is a retired physician and bestselling author known and loved for his ground-breaking medical work and writings. 

His most recent book, ‘The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture’, has been and continues to be a bestseller worldwide.

n this conversation we talk about Gaza and as a Holocaust survivor what he has to say is so valuable. We also explore parenting, we talk about illness and the lessons to be learnt through these often very difficult experiences and he also shares his insights regarding Ireland.

He has been top of my dream guest list for years now so to have him on the podcast really is as good as it gets.

A heartfelt thank you to Catherine for all her help in connecting me with Gabor.

Books

​Scattered Minds: The Origins and Healing of Attention Deficit Disorder 1999

​When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress 2003

Hold onto your kids : Why Parents need to matter more than Peers 2005

In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction 2007

The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture 2022

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Topics covered : Life in Gaza, living under occupation, murder, grief, trauma, injustice.

In my final episode in 2024, I speak to Palestinian mother Hala Sourani.

In October 2023, Hala was married to Mohammad and they had 2 girls Shahd who was 6 and Rahaf who was 5 and they lived in Gaza.

In November of that year, they tried to flee but, in the process, both Mohammad and Rahaf were murdered by Israelis.

As you can imagine, this is a harrowing account of that time so please be aware before you listen but I really hope you do stay with this conversation as intense as it is and that you allow yourself to connect with Hala and the pain and injustice that she and so many have been, and continue to be, subjected to.

She came to Ireland with her daughter Shahd in February and has been working as a volunteer here and remarkably she completed a MBA last month too. 

I wish we never had to have this conversation.

I wish she was still in Gaza with her husband and girls, but that is unfortunately not the case.

This is without a doubt one of the most important conversations I’ve ever had on Ready to be Real and I am honoured that she trusted me with it.

She’s not comfortable speaking about the Go Fund Me that has been set up to help her but I’m going to ask you to please consider donating what you can so that she and her daughter can try and rebuild their lives here in Ireland.

They need and deserve our support. Any and all donations would be gratefully received.

Fundraiser by Sarah Costello : Urgent Help For Halla & Chahd (Gazans in Ireland)

Go raibh mile maith agaibh.

A special word of thanks to the wonderful Kate O’Dwyer, the founder of 'Pals for Palestine' for all her help in connecting Hala and I and for all her love and guidance behind the scenes.

I’ll be back in the New Year with more episodes and thanks for your support as always.

Until then, tabhair aire agus Nollaig Shona dhaoibh go léir.

Saoirse don Phailistín.

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Topics covered : Motherhood, grief, loss of identity, birth trauma, breastfeeding, shedding shame, celebrity culture, awakening, humanity.

In this episode I speak to Matrescence coach Jacqueline Kelly.

She lives in Dublin with her husband Stuart and their two children Fionn and Molly.

And in this conversation she talks to us about Motherhood, her own personal experience of it, the loss of her own mother and coming to terms with her absence and the importance of recognising all mothers.

At times it’s a challenging conversation as we deal with topics such as birth trauma, breastfeeding and grief so please be aware before you listen.

Resources :

Alexandra Sacks on Matrescence…

A new way to think about the transition to motherhood | Alexandra Sacks - YouTube

The article I wrote sharing my own struggles with breastfeeding…

Síle Seoige: My first weeks with Cathal... and why I stopped breastfeeding - Her.ie

Pals for Palestine…

(@palsforpalestine_ireland) • Instagram photos and videos

And to connect with Jac, go to…

BRAVE Hearts - Our Brave Hearts

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Topics covered : Sleep, food, exercise, connection, sex, health appointments, past traumas.

This is the third episode with Menopause coach and author, Catherine O’Keeffe known online as Wellness Warrior and once again she covers a multitude! Topics like sleep, food and exercise are discussed. The importance of checking in with yourself and going for appointments like a DEXA scan or a visit to a women’s health physio; past traumas that can revisit you during your perimenopausal years and life after menopause.

Catherine's 6 M’s of Menopause – MOT, Menu, Movement, Mingle, Meaning, Minding you.

There are no quick fixes when it comes to treating symptoms of menopause and regarding vitamins, herbs etc, find what works for you personally and remember to always check with your doctor before taking any supplements.

If you want to reach out to Catherine, you can email her directly on [email protected]

Her book : ‘All You Need to Know About Menopause’ is available on her website Wellness Warrior

Find her our Instagram

Catherine O Keeffe (@wellnesswarrior.ie) • Instagram photos and videos

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Topics covered : HRT, early menopause, supplements.

This episode was recorded over 3.5 years ago but is still as relevant as ever.

I speak to Menopause coach and author, Catherine O’Keeffe, known online as Wellness Warrior.

When I recorded this conversation with Catherine, I was 41 and hoping to have another baby. Now, I’m 45 with very fortunate to have 2 young kids but I’m also now in perimenopause and listening to this chat once again, I took so much from it.

So I’ve been experiencing things like changes to my period and brain fog and a number of other typical symptoms for about 6-8 months now and this pod is full of information as Catherine delves into the physical, mental and emotional aspects of perimenopause and it’s a must listen!

The conversation is split in two, to allow you to absorb the information as it’s such a complicated and sensitive topic and the experience of menopause is so different for every woman.

This is the second part where talks about HRT, early menopause and she also answers a selection of your questions that were sent in on Instagram, including advice on supplements.

And Part 3 is coming next week!

Mentioned during the conversation

* None of the brands mentioned during the conversation are sponsored and of course there are plenty of other brands on the market too.

Find what works for you personally and remember to always check with your doctor before taking any supplements.

Supplements B Vitamins, Omega 3, Vitamin D, Magnesium, Maca, Camu Camu, Sage and Rhodiola. Brands 'Cleanmarine MenoMin' Magnesium supplement 'MAG365' Maca capsules and powder 'Sarah's choice' Sage 'Menosan A.Vogel' Omega 3 & Vitamin D3 'MorEPA Platinum Elite' Vitamin D 'One Nutrition' or 'SOMEGA' Rhodiola 'Terranova' Camu Camu 'Sarah's Choice' Tulsi 'Pukka Tulsi Clarity Tea'

If you want to reach out to Catherine, you can email her directly on [email protected]

Her book : ‘All You Need to Know About Menopause’ is available on her website Wellness Warrior

Find her our Instagram

Catherine O Keeffe (@wellnesswarrior.ie) • Instagram photos and videos

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Topics covered : Anxiety, brain fog, flooding, hot flushes, night sweats, weight gain, aches and pains, urinary incontinence, vaginal atrophy, pelvic physio, the impact of stress, sleep.

This episode was recorded over 3.5 years ago but it's still as relevant as ever.

I speak to Menopause coach and author, Catherine O’Keeffe, known online as Wellness Warrior.

When I recorded this conversation, I was 41 and hoping to have another baby. Now, I’m 45 and I'm very fortunate to have 2 young kids but I’m also now in perimenopause and listening to this chat once again, I took so much from it.

So I’ve been experiencing things like changes to my period and brain fog and a number of other typical symptoms for about 6-8 months now and this pod is full of information as Catherine delves into the physical, mental and emotional aspects of perimenopause and it’s a must listen!

Menopause is such a complicated and sensitive topic and the experience of it is so different for every woman.

If you want to reach out to Catherine, you can email her directly on [email protected]

Her book : ‘All You Need to Know About Menopause’ is available on her website Wellness Warrior

And find her on Instagram

Catherine O Keeffe (@wellnesswarrior.ie) • Instagram photos and videos

Mentioned during the conversation: Prof Myra Hunter & CBT Techniques:

02-WHC-FACTSHEET-CBT-WOMEN-FEB-2023-A.pdf

Products :

‘Yes organics’ Natural vaginal moisturiser

‘Olive & Bee’ Natural lubricant

* 24 patch testing is very important before applying any product internally

‘Vagifem’ – prescription only, from your GP

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