Every wondered if you have what it takes to be a fashion writer in New York City? Freya Drohan, a Dublin native, moved to Manhattan four years ago in pursuit of her dreams in the fashion capital of the world. Freya talks about the struggles of coming to New York and starting her career from scratch, working for free just to get the experience, and how she ended up as a writer for The Daily Mail, Cosmopolitan, Coveteur, and more. Freya chats about what it’s been like covering dozens of shows between both New York and London Fashion Weeks and how living in Hollywood compares to New York. If you’re a budding writer, always dreamed of working in fashion or wondering how to build a network all by yourself, this one is for you. If you’re listening to this episode, let me know by tagging me on Instagram @StephanieOQuigley!

Episode 4 of The Wall Podcast features a chat with my own Mam, Margaret O’Quigley, a psychotherapist, on self-awareness and the role it plays in our relationship with ourselves and others. She also answers your questions at the end of this episode pertaining to anxiety, depression, self sabotage and more. My Mam is a qualified psychotherapist, a member of the Irish Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists and a long-time volunteer with Support After Homicide in Ireland. If you’re listening to this episode, let me know by tagging me on Instagram @StephanieOQuigley! 

Shane Finn is an Irish entrepreneur, motivational speaker and endurance athlete. 

I met Shane when he finished his American Ultra trip from The Golden Gate Bridge to the Brooklyn Bridge. Shane traveled, by running and cycling, over 5,000kms which took him 36 days - no rest days in between! The goal? To raise enough money for Spina Bifida Ireland to change the lives of those living with the condition and their families. The motivation? You'll have to listen to this episode to find out.

I was eager to get chatting to Shane. As an endurance athlete, what he does is all about the mind and I was so eager to hear, as a twenty-six-year-old man from Dingle in Co.Kerry, how he had learned so young to control his mind in such a way that allowed him to do extraordinary things. Was it that he was built to be an endurance athlete or does he believe that you or I can do what he does too? I had to find out.

In this podcast episode, I dug deep into what kept Shane going during the month and a half he traveled across America. What was running through his mind and how does he deal with it. Though running and cycling 5,000km's might not be everyone's cup of tea, the principle behind his work is something we can all learn from. 

*I mistakenly said in this episode that I haven't drank alcohol in twenty years. It's only been seven - oops!*

Have you ever wondered what its like to live in Manhattan? Moving to New York is an extremely unique experience and arguably unique when compared to moving to any other country in the world. Some would say New York is the hardest city to live in too. On this episode of The Wall, Eva Murphy Ryan, a fellow Irish in New York and a good friend of mine, came to chat about all of the hurdles we went through moving to the Big Apple. We’re talking real-life stuff: credit scores, finding a job, securing an apartment and how to make new friends. Eva and I both share our experiences and advice in a effort to share our learnings and help fellow Irish (and beyond) crack the concrete jungle. If you like this one, you can follow my daily life in New York on Instagram, @StephanieOQuigley. 

 On the first episode of The Wall Podcast, I got to sat down with bestselling author, Caroline Foran. Her book, Owning It: Your Bullsh*t-Free Guide to Living with Anxiety, was number 1 on the Irish book charts for sixteen consecutive weeks. Caroline recently launched both her books in the US, and while here in New York, came to share her journey with anxiety on The Wall. In this episode you will hear all about how Caroline identified her own anxiety patterns and how she overcame them - a true wall broken down. Caroline reflects on anxiety in her childhood, how anxiety separated her during her teenage years and how she has achieved being comfortable with vulnerability and how you can too Enjoy at let me know what you think of this episode on Instagram @StephanieOQuigley, 

This new podcast, hosted by award-winning blogger, Stephanie O'Quigley, is a refreshing take on the roads less traveled. The Wall podcast features a series of interviews with people, delving deep into their story, their mission, their motivations, their struggle and their own personal walls they've had to deal with to achieve greatness. Everyone has walls to get over, but it’s how they get over them, and what they learn from it that holds the most value. Contact Stephanie via Email: [email protected]. Instagram @StephanieOQuigley.