​For today’s Real Take, we’re dipping into the archive.

Back in May 2020, during the height of COVID restrictions, I recorded a remote conversation with comedian, actor and broadcaster Tommy Tiernan...he was in Galway, I was in Dublin, ​but despite the distance, the connection was magic.

He spoke about his fascination with religion and philosophy​, we learn more about what makes him tick...which includes his love of strong coffee and cigars, his brilliant TV show and of his experience ​on a silent retreat.

​You can also listen t0 the full conversation anytime now.

And if you liked this chat you might appreciate others here with the likes of Brother Richard and Gelong Thubten.

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This episode is aimed at parents of young children through to preteens and I’m speaking with child and adolescent psychotherapist Debbie Cullinane.

Debbie lives in Mayo with her husband James and their two children, Elsie (10.5) and Freddie (9.5).

For context, I have two children as well, Cathal (8.5) and Clíodhna (4), so this conversation felt particularly relevant.

Debbie first joined me on the podcast back in March 2024, and that episode resonated deeply, for me personally and for so many listeners. If you haven’t heard it yet, I highly recommend giving it a listen.

This is Debbie’s third time on the pod, and in this episode we delve into all things kids and toys. What supports healthy development, the importance of aggressive play in childhood, which toys need clear boundaries around them…and one personal rule she stands firmly by: no unsupervised YouTube.

Debbie, along with fellow psychotherapist Hayley Rice, created the F.I.R.M.™ (Firm, Intentional, Regulated, Modelling) Parenting Approach, a therapist-designed, research-driven framework that supports parents in raising emotionally healthy, resilient children.

You can join their parenting hub, you’ll find more information on both of their Instagram pages.

If you enjoy what I do, please follow, rate and review the podcast in all the usual places.

Go raibh míle maith agat.

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In today’s Real Take, Brother Richard speaks about death in a deeply comforting way​, drawn from his years of accompanying people at the end of their lives.

If this resonated with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts and if you’d like to hear more from Brother Richard, the full conversation is available to listen to anytime now.

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Topics covered : Meditation, religion, spirituality, distractions, boredom and creativity, authenticity, discernment, validation, forgiveness, death, living fully, gratitude, compassion.

This week I’m delighted to welcome back a ​true friend of the podcast​.

Brother Richard​ is a Capuchin Franciscan priest-friar and he first joined me three and a half years ago ​for a conversation that resonated so deeply with a lot of us and if you haven’t heard it yet, I’d highly recommend going back and listening to it.

In today’s episode, he shares so much wisdom once again​; from the importance of allowing boredom into our lives in a world that constantly distracts and overstimulates us, especially important for younger people....to what true forgiveness really looks like, and how it can free us in ways we might not expect and the latter part of the conversation will comfort so many of you too.

​Check out his latest book 'Calming the Storms - Meditation as a path to inner peace and happiness' and you can also listen to his podcast 'The Daily Meditation', which is really beautiful.

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​, tá mé fíor-bhuíoch.

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In today’s Real Take, we step beyond the headlines with crime journalist Nicola Tallant and get a real sense of what makes her tick.

​If you’re enjoying these conversations, I’d love you to follow, rate and share​...it really helps Ready to be Real grow. 

Míle buíochas!

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​Topics covered : Crimeworld, fraudsters, the Regency Hotel shooting, The Kinahans, Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch, being a mother, resilience.

​I'm joined by crime journalist, author and podcaster Nicola Tallant.

Nicola is a ​Mum of two and has been working in journalism since she was just nineteen and over the years she’s become one of the most respected and trusted voices in Irish crime reporting, as well as the host of the chart topping podcast Crime World.

This week marks ten years since the Regency Hotel shooting ​a period that was particularly intense for Nicola​, and in this conversation we reflect on that time, what it was like covering organised crime up close, and the pressure and responsibility that comes with telling these stories.

But beyond all of that, what really stood out to me was Nicola herself.

She’s relaxed, compassionate​ and great craic.

Honestly, the perfect guest​ and I think you’re going to enjoy this one.

​Another podcast to listen to (mentioned during the chat) : Ger Redmond : Being a good role model 

It's a powerful listen about turning your life around. 

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Topics covered: Addiction, porn, car accident, death, family dynamics, shame, guilt, grief, forgiveness, therapy, support, compassion, healing.

In this episode, I’m joined by men’s coach and author Gavin Meenan.

Originally from Donegal, Gavin has been living in Sligo for the past sixteen years and is a father of two. Ariana is fifteen and Mason is eight.

In this conversation, Gavin speaks with remarkable honesty about some of the most challenging and painful experiences of his life. When he was just eighteen, he was involved in a fatal car accident. He was driving too fast, and the person in the other car died at the scene.

What followed, particularly the response of the woman’s family, is extraordinary. Their capacity for compassion, forgiveness and humanity is deeply moving, and it is a story that will genuinely take your breath away.

Gavin also opens up about his struggle with porn addiction in the first half of the conversation. He speaks about the moment webcam footage of him was exposed, the shame and fear he experienced, and the long road towards facing himself and moving beyond it.

This is a conversation about responsibility and consequence, but it is also about healing, forgiveness, and learning how to step out of shame and guilt in order to truly own your life.

To connect with Gavin:

​Click here

If you or someone you know is struggling, please know you are not alone.

Help is available...

​​Ireland helplines and hotlines

Live Podcast Announcement

I’m hosting a live Ready to be Real podcast on Saturday 31st January at 2pm as part of Brigit: Dublin City Celebrating Women, presented in partnership with Acast.

I’m delighted to say my special guest will be poet, activist and healer Laura Murphy. Laura featured in RTÉ’s documentary Finding Brigid and campaigned successfully to make Brigid’s Day a national holiday.

Together, we’ll explore themes rooted in the spirit of Brigid, and we’d love to see you there.

​Buy tickets here

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

In this snippet I speak to broadcaster and author Clare McKenna about wellness.

If you enjoy this and you’d like to hear more, the full conversation with ​Clare is available to listen to anytime now.

Announcement : I'm hosting a live podcast show on Saturday 31st of January at 2pm Abbey Presbyterian church as part of Brigit : Dublin City Celebrating Women presented in partnership with Acast and I'm delighted to say that my special guest is poet, activist, and healer Laura Murphy.

Our conversation will be rooted in the spirit of Brigid and we'd love to see you so bigí linn!

Buy tickets here

(Laura featured in RTÉ's documentary Finding Brigid and campaigned successfully to make Brigid’s Day a national holiday.)

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Topics covered : Moving house, dementia, grief, diet culture, anxiety, privilege, breathwork.

In this episode, I’m joined by broadcaster Clare McKenna for a conversation all about wellness.

(Announcement : I'm hosting a live podcast show on Saturday 31st of January at 2pm as part of Brigit : Dublin City Celebrating Women presented in partnership with Acast. And I'm delighted to say that my special guest is poet, activist, and healer Laura Murphy.

Buy tickets here

(Laura featured in RTÉ's documentary Finding Brigid and campaigned successfully to make Brigid’s Day a national holiday.)

Together, we'll explore themes rooted in the spirit of Brigid - renewal, inner fire and feminine wisdom.

We'd love to see you so please join us!)

Clare is married to Jonathan (who is better known as Ronnie) and they have two children, Flynn who’s 14 and Lois who’s 12. Since 2019, she’s been the voice behind Alive and Kicking the health and wellness show on Newstalk, and she’s also just written her first book, 'Would You Be Well? – Cut Through the Overwhelm to Find a Happier You.'

Clare really is the epitome of calm, someone who truly walks her talk and we cover so much in this conversation around what wellness actually means in real life. She speaks about the challenges of the last few years in particular, moving house and her father's decline with dementia and his passing. She also speaks about the time she walked on fire at a Tony Robbins event!

She has a retreat coming up inspired by her book 'Would you be well?' and it'll be taking place in The Deerstone in Wicklow from the 20th to the 22nd of February. It sounds like it's going to be a gorgeous weekend. For more information head to wouldyoubewell.ie

Other book mentions :

Still me by Dr. Sabrina Brennan 

Man's Search For Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

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In this snippet comedian Aoife Dunne brings us back to her mothers funeral, 15 years ago.

(Her Mum Maria died suddenly of a heart attack in December 2010)

If you connect to this moment, I highly recommend you go back and listen to it in full. 

It's a gorgeous conversation.

Also I'm hosting a live podcast show on Saturday 31st of January at 2pm as part of Brigit : Dublin City Celebrating Women presented in partnership with Acast.

And I'm delighted to say that my special guest is poet, activist, and healer Laura Murphy.

(Laura featured in RTÉ's documentary Finding Brigid and campaigned successfully to make Brigid’s Day a national holiday.)

Together, we'll explore themes rooted in the spirit of Brigid...change, inner fire and feminine wisdom.

Please join us!

Buy tickets here

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