Scratching The Surface

I am a tiny bit obsessed with energy! I hope to instill abit of that enthusiasm into my listeners as it affects us all! The only reason we are here, that life is possible on earth, is because of the sun's energy. I'm no scientist and I just want to share my experience of healing energy that has got me to this point. All the learnings and teachings about earth energy, balanced masculine and feminine energy (every human is only here as a result of a man and a woman sharing their DNA remember?), atmospheric energy, and protecting yourself from other people's negative energy. As always, feel free to contact me on my Instagram @lifebehindtherainbow. Big love and healing hugs 🤗

It is only when we know better that we can do better- and I do bloody know better! Yet I still find myself needing little treats. I still slip into toxic stress and go on that loop of berating myself as a result. But I am now hyper aware of these decisions, consequences, and really strive to find the balance in nurturing my body as a whole, while allowing myself the bloody dessert sometimes if it’s going to make me happy dance in my seat. (Stephen says it’s one of funny/cute/quirky things that he loves about me- the ‘this food is so delicious it makes me giddy and need to dance In appreciation’ dance 😂) Dis- ease over a long time, eventually causes disease in the body. My toxic stress, not listening to or honouring my body, and never taking self care seriously, caused me to develop the most deadly and incurable type of brain cancer at age 28- Please let my words sink in, I don’t want to scare anyone but this life is too damn precious to spend a couple of your years really, really sick! ❤️‍🩹 I share my little titbits that are getting me through- What are yours? Let me know on my Instagram @lifebehindtherainbow

Tara’s Tao - Just me and my thoughts, shared with you, my lovely listeners.

I really hope to share my experience, strength and positive view on healing, listening to and then tuning in to answer your OWN BODY, can empower you to shift your mindset to CURIOSITY, GROWTH, HOPE, HEALING.

I’m just an ordinary girl with an unordinary diagnosis and prognosis for my age- I want you to live a full, joyous life with minimal fear, and taking exciting risks. Life is for living, so we need to get open and honest about our health, our communication, our mind, our desires…

Please feel free to contact me on my Instagram @lifebehindtherainbow

Local man Andy Lofthouse encourages listeners to live out their dreams while they are young and able. This episode Scratches the Surface of becoming a high-level ski instructor in a matter of years, and choosing an alternative lifestyle of joy, fun and adventure in the great outdoors. I've been excited to record this episode since joining Andy on in his white water rafting excursion last summer in Jasper, Canada. I'm in awe of anyone who is brave enough to choose a lifelong passion over the rat race of life, even if just for a few years.

I have an absolute hoot with my talented, hard-working, inspiring, conscious friend Cliona Gormley, an Environmentalist with global experience. In this open, informative, truth-sharing chat, we Scratch the Surface of renewable energy, the climate crisis, and the importance of striving for your goals. Cliona is a dear friend of mine, over the years I’ve been blessed to learn about some of her wind and solar projects as they were going on; the real struggles and setbacks of working in the industry; and the ‘red tape’ that gets both of us riled up as we put the world’s to right on our regular catch-up walks or deep sofa chats. My intention is to invite my listeners along for the learning and awareness; the reality of OUR shared situation; how hard some people are working for ALL OUR BENEFIT; and ultimately hope. I hope this episode inspires you to be a little more aware and conscious in your daily life in regards to the environment, especially your energy consumption- this crisis cannot be tamed by Cliona Gormley and David Attenborough alone.

Local woman Ciara McLaughlin is very open and honest about having many times of dark thoughts and depression throughout her life as she faced with many traumatic events. We Scratch the Surface of Ciara’s late father having a serious accident in her early life, which paved the way for ‘feeling different’, ‘isolated’, and unfortunately bullying. Ciara very bravely tells us about the lead up to her shock in discovering she had Myotonic Dystrophy and Autism, when she was actually a carer herself. Ciara hopes to spread awareness and light especially with her newfound passion of poetry, and I think through this podcast she does just that- Very Brave!

I connected with Lovely Ciara from Wee Care Packages after a mutual friend sent me her page on Instagram just in time for Brain Cancer Awareness Month. Although we have been diagnosed with different types of terminal brain cancer, our story and journey over recent years has been freaky similar! It was so cathartic and humbling to have this open conversation with someone who really gets it.. Ciara and I are the same age; we both have big dreams for our future; we love travel and know we are blessed to have had the experiences thus far; but most importantly, we are both positive, bubbly, and able to find the hilarity in our dire situation. In this episode we Scratch the Surface of enduring gruelling cancer treatment during the 2020 pandemic; the felt power and healing from the support from others; and how our amazing men got way more than bargained for when they decided to stick with us through this hellish time (Disclaimer: we may get too honest and graphic for the faint hearted*). We end the episode with Ciara telling us about her amazing little passion venture of creating inspired, thoughtful @weecarepackages with everything you would ever need to get through a cancer diagnosis. Ciara has thought of it all, she now offers general care packs and has branched out to serve specific annual occasions such as Mothers and Fathers Day. Be sure to give her a follow on Facebook and/or instagram.

Joanna O’Neill is sure to brighten your day- she openly tells us her story of trials and tribulations throughout adulthood life since we met in school. We Scratch the Surface of living in the countryside; our mum’s diagnosis of MS; and overcoming self-doubt. I was interested to know if Joanna still had a big passion for singing and drama, and to learn about The Young Farmers Community, in which Joanna is now a leader in. We laughed and bounced off each other throughout the episode, as Joanna shares her vulnerability and hilarious stories.

This was live on Instagram, and the recording is on my grid @lifebehindtherainbow for better sound recording.

I chat with the lovely Shannon Traphagen, host of Game on Glio podcast, who lost her lovely husband to this deadly, incurable disease Glioblastoma that I was diagnosed with in 2020. Shannon feels like supporting awareness, fundraising, and research in the field is her life purpose- it was so humbling to hear how raw, open and authentically she speaks about something so painful for her.

We just Scratch the Surface of the reality of Brain Cancer, what it is really like to be a carer for a loved one, and how nature truly can be a healer.

You can listen to Shannon’s podcast Game on Glio on any major platform, and she is on Instagram and has a website TheGameonGliopodcast with recent stories and upcoming news. If you are in the U.S, Shannon organises Traphagen’s Trail Ride 4 brain cancer. Any support will go towards finding a cure for this currently terminal diagnosis.

Joan’s life story of many up’s and down’s is captured here in an open, lighthearted chat. I bet you can feel the positivity oozing from Joan’s bubbly voice as we Scratch the Surface of growing up with eleven siblings; nursing in Iran when war broke out; losing her beloved husband; and overcoming a terrifying home break-in. You won’t want this one to end! If you are in or around Ballycastle area, be sure to pre-book into Joan’s beauty salon ‘Vanity’, right in the centre of our beachside town, where she offers an array of treatments, a bit of craic, and makes you feel very comfortable.