This conversation was first released in 2018 and re-edited in 2026.

Rosemary MacCabe is an Irish writer, journalist, and podcaster known for her honest, funny and often self-deprecating commentary on modern life, relationships, and mental health. Originally from Kildare, Rosemary now lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana. 

She began her career as a journalist, writing for major Irish publications including The Irish Times, The Irish Independent, IMAGE, and Stellar. In the mid-2010s, Rosemary became one of Ireland’s original "honest influencers," using platforms like Snapchat and Instagram to discuss topics that were then considered taboo, from body image to clinical depression.

Her debut book, This Is Not About You was released in 2023, chronicles her life through the lens of the men she dated. It explores the search for self-worth and the societal pressures placed on women to find "The One." Rosemary remains a prolific essayist through her Substack, "Anchor Baby," where she writes candidly about motherhood, the reality of living as an emigrée in the American Midwest, and her personal journey with ADHD and debt. She also has a long-running podcast, "Not Without My Sister," which she co-hosts with her sister, Beatrice MacCabe.

In this episode, Rosemary talked to me about what it’s like finding people talking about you in Reddit forums, the time a stranger left a threatening package at her front door and the importance of knowing your worth.

Follow Rosemary’s newsletter here and her Instagram here. And while we’re at it, my Instagram page is here and my newsletter In Bits, is here.

Thanks so much for listening!

Peace and love,

Esther

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-80-with-esther-omoore-donohoe.

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This episode was first released in 2017 and re-edited in 2026.

It was around this time eight years ago when I first met Sophie White. We’d only just become Instagram friends then but I wasted no time sliding into her DMs asking if she’d come on the pod. And because it was the very beginning of my podcasting journey, I was still learning how to use the equipment hence the crackly audio during our conversation. 

If you're not familiar with Sophie and her incredible work, she is a novelist, essayist and podcaster from Dublin. She has written several best-selling popular fiction books and in 2022 won the Shirley Jackson Award for best novel for sixth book, Where I End (Tramp Press, 2022). Sophie is currently writing the screenplay for an adaption of one her first book Recipes for a Nervous Breakdown which will start filming in summer 2026.

In this conversation Sophie and I talked about everything from the pill at a festival that changed her life, Rice Krispie penis cakes and the mind-bending headf*ck that is motherhood. 

Follow Sophie here and listen to her podcast here. . My Instagram page is here and my newsletter In Bits, is here.

I hope you love it. 

Peace and love,

Esther

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-80-with-esther-omoore-donohoe.

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

This conversation was first recorded in 2019 and was episode number 66 from season 5 of The 80%.

In 2025, Anna Haugh was announced as one of the latest hosts of BBC's Masterchef but she has been a TV regular for years. From Ready, Steady, Cook to Saturday Kitchen and even Pointless Celebrities on Channel 4, Anna has done it all. Starting out with Derry Clarke in L'Ecrivain in Dublin, Anna has also worked for the acclaimed Gualtiero Marchesi’s in Paris, Pied à Terre in London, Gordon Ramsey at London House and Bob Bob Ricard.

I chatted to Anna in 2019, the same year she opened her first restaurant Myrtle in Chelsea, London. Since then she has gone on to open wine bar Little Sister, right next door which stocks Anna's very own wine label. We love to see it.

If you like this episode, please leave a review and if you like it, why not share the link with some friends you think might enjoy it too.

Listen to her brilliant talk on mental health in her Food on the Edge talk here https://foodontheedge.ie/video/anna-haugh/

For all the latest updates on my fascinating life follow me on Instagram and subscribe to my newsletter here.

Peace and love,

Esther

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-80-with-esther-omoore-donohoe.

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

Brendan Courtney was my 26th guest on The 80% way back in 2017.

Years later, I went on to produce a podcast for Brendan and Sonya Lennon for many seasons and we eventually became real friends.

When we met 8 years ago, Brendan had a lot going on. His dad died less than 3 months before, his sisters were both sick but true to his character, Brendan didn't stop engaging with life and making the most of things even when there were challenges all around.

If you like this episode, please leave a review and if you like it, why not share the link with some friends you think might enjoy it too.

For all the latest updates on my fascinating life follow me on Instagram and subscribe to my newsletter here.

Thank you so much for listening. You've made me 80% happier by lending me your ears.

Peace and love,

Esther

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-80-with-esther-omoore-donohoe.

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

This episode was recorded in 2019 and re-edited in 2026.

Geraldine Carton is now a contemporary artist known for her expressive figurative and portrait work in oils. She explores themes of human connection, vulnerability and social identity but when I spoke to her in 2019 she was in a very different space. At the time Geraldine was working with Taz Kellehar on The Useless Project having pivoted previously from social work and writing.

This conversation will be inspiring to anyone who feels stuck or feels like they’re searching for new horizons. What I love and admire about Geraldine is her fearlessness in changing her mind.

Reinvent yourself. 

Follow Geraldine here and Mother Art house here. My Instagram page is here and my newsletter In Bits, is here.

Peace and love,

Esther

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-80-with-esther-omoore-donohoe.

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

This conversation was recorded in 2018 and re-edited in 2026. 

I met Emer in the old Library Bar in Central Hotel on Exchequer Street in Dublin (click here for the hotel update). Back then we were strangers who had no idea we’d go on to, not only become friends, but also become carvery's and roast dinners investigators and create our very own podcast called Emer and Esther’s Sunday Roast with Emer and Esther.

At the time, Emer was promoting the first book in the Aisling series she wrote with friend and collaborator Sarah Breen. Oh My God What A Complete Aisling was a huge success and in 2020 was ranked in the top five selling Irish fiction books of the decade. Their latest novel Our Deadly Summer will be out in May 2026. Here is a pre-order link to it if you want to get your hands on it. 

During our wide ranging conversation we talked about everything from drying tights, archeology, working with Ryan Tubridy and how she and Sarah got their big publishing break.

Peace and love and happy listening!

Esther 

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-80-with-esther-omoore-donohoe.

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

Oh hi there!

Last time I saw yo, living in fear of contracting a debilitating virus was the stuff of nightmares and now look at us! Good times guys, amirrrrriiight?

After a long pandemic induced break, I am so glad to start this new series with the brilliant talent that is Nathan Foad.

Nathan is a writer, comedian, performer, expert present wrapper and definitely not a hockey player. Nathan’s star is rising which of course, I am 80% happy for, 20% full of loathing for.

Before the first lockdown Nathan executive produced a Channel 4 taster pilot for his original sitcom ‘Newark, Newark’ named after his home town Newark on Trent. But the success and achievement does not stop there which leaves me fuming. He has written for the BBC3/RTE production The Young Offenders, The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice for Channel 4 as well as being under commission from BBC Comedy and Comedy Central. If you haven’t see his brilliant online series Comedians in Quarantine, just click here baybuh. And if you’re looking for even more hilarity from Nathan, read his essays on his website and make sure you you follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Reader, je love him - he is a joy. 

NOW WITH ALL THAT SAID, if you want to support the podcast which I’m sure between 1 and 3 of you do, then please sign up to my Patreon here For just over €3 a month I record two audio diaries and various other little bits. Recording an audio diary this year has been particularly brilliant seeing as we've all been trapped in our homes and I've done sh*t all,but we have a laugh mates. You can also show your support for free by clicking five stars in iTunes and leaving a short review, something casual along this line of ‘I AM SIGNING THE DEEDS OF MY HOUSE OVER TO ESTHER AS THIS IS THE FINEST PIECE OF AUDIO I HAVE EVER HEARD. WHAT A TALENT.’ I don’t want to put words in your mouth but something like that would be more than adequate. 

Follow me on Insta here too while you’re at it.

Until next Tuesday my little fruit of the looms!

Peace and love, 

EO'MD.

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-80-with-esther-omoore-donohoe.

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

During the first lockdown my guest this week, Zoe Quinn kept me thoroughly entertained. I’d look forward to her daily One Outfit One Exercise Instagram account and I’d watch her run all over Howth exercising as I’d tuck into another Twirl. I’d muse to myself, as Amy Poehler once said ,‘Good for you, not for me.’ In this episode Zoe talked to me about her Z Talk series, her former life in fashion and lessons she’s taken from this unique time in history we’re all living through.

Now, here comes the science part. The 80% is always free to listen to but not free to make. If you would like to support making it you could sign up to my Patreon here For €3 a month I record two audio diaries and various other little bits that are designed to make you LOL. If money is an issue - don’t worry about it. Instead you can also show your support for free by clicking five stars in iTunes and leaving a short review, something casual along this line of ‘WOWEE. ESTHER - WHAT A TALENT.’ I don’t want to put words in your mouth but something like that would be more than adequate. Not only that but you can follow me on Insta here too if you feel like it too. Sure why not Marion?

Have a great Christmas break and let’s see what 2021 has in store for us all.

Peace and love, 

EO'MD.

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-80-with-esther-omoore-donohoe.

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

What’s the tooth, I mean truth behind dentist sisters Lisa and Vanessa Creavens huge success? Over the past (almost) five years, they have built their brand from zero to heroes of oral healthcare. Not only have the made a huge dent in the Irish market but their brand is now also stocked in a teeny tiny American store called TARGET! They are top of their game and I for one, of course, am 80% happy for them. You want the tooth? You can’t handle the tooth etc. But hopefully you can handle my chat with Lisa and Vanessa. 

WITH ALL THAT SAID, if you want to support the podcast which I’m sure between 1 and 3 of you do, then please sign up to my Patreon here For just over €3 a month I record two audio diaries and various other little bits. Recording an audio diary this year has been particularly brilliant seeing as we've all been trapped in our homes and I've done shag all,but we have a laugh mates. 

If money is an issue - don’t worry about it. Instead you can also show your support for free by clicking five stars in iTunes and leaving a short review, something casual along this line of ‘WOWEE. ESTHER - WHAT A TALENT.’ I don’t want to put words in your mouth but something like that would be more than adequate. Not only that but you can follow me on Insta here too if you feel like it too. Sure why not Marion?

Until next Tuesday my little fruit of the looms!

Peace and love, 

EO'MD.

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-80-with-esther-omoore-donohoe.

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

Ahoy Hoy!

Welcome to another The 80% Podcast, the podcast where I am 80% happy for the success of my guests.

This week, it's Hannah Saunders!

Hannah Saunders founded her PR company when she was just 25. It’s a business she knows inside out, her dad being a superstar in the same field. Hannah has been determined to carve her own path though and achieve success on her own terms and on the back of her own hard work. There is no coat tail riding here.

Aside from building her business and representing both emerging and established Irish brands, Hannah has also built up her own personal fandom on Instagram with 31.7k followers wanting to know what’s she’s wearing, where she's holidaying as well looking to her for hair and beauty advice. 

WITH ALL THAT SAID, if you want to support the podcast which I’m sure between 1 and 3 of you do, then please sign up to my Patreon here For just over €3 a month I record two audio diaries and various other little bits. Recording an audio diary this year has been particularly brilliant seeing as we've all been trapped in our homes and I've done shag all,but we have a laugh mates. 

If money is an issue - don’t worry about it. Instead you can also show your support for free by clicking five stars in iTunes and leaving a short review, something casual along this line of ‘WOWEE. ESTHER - WHAT A TALENT.’ I don’t want to put words in your mouth but something like that would be more than adequate. Not only that but you can follow me on Insta here too if you feel like it too. Sure why not Marion?

Until next Tuesday my little fruit of the looms!

Peace and love, 

EO'MD.

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-80-with-esther-omoore-donohoe.

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