In this episode of The JoeIrish Podcast, Joe and Sherin sit down with David Dowling — professor, mediator, lawyer, and proud member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
From growing up in Ballymun to building a successful life in California, David shares powerful insights on faith, conflict resolution, family, identity, and the choices that shape who we become.
This episode is raw, hilarious, warm, and full of wisdom about communication, expectations, religion, and life’s unexpected turns.
00:00 – 00:26
The chaos begins — Joe tries to figure out what episode number they’re actually on.
Guest introduction: Who is David Dowling?
00:26 – 01:07
How a Mormon professor ended up on an Irish podcast — and why Joe insists on calling him “his favourite.”
01:07 – 02:15
David’s early years: growing up in Ballymun, moving to LA at 7, leaving school at 16, and taking the long route back to education.
02:15 – 03:04
Joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 20 — and how his path led him to England, California, and a career in law and mediation.
03:04 – 04:05
What a mediator actually does. The difference between court cases, conflict resolution, and why mediation can save years of stress.
04:05 – 07:01
The big question: Why become a Mormon?
David opens up about missionaries, personal beliefs, and the “Sliding Doors moment” that changed his life.
07:01 – 08:36
The differing paths of two brothers growing up side-by-side. Childhood dreams, class systems, and how opportunity shifts depending on where you live.
08:36 – 10:13
Moving to California as an illegal immigrant, marriage, restarting education at 28, and becoming a lawyer against all odds.
10:13 – 12:14
Irish privilege in the US, funny run-ins with police, and how the Irish charm can get you out of (almost) anything.
12:14 – 14:31
Life as a Mormon missionary — Italy, Paraguay, service projects, and the reality behind the white shirts and name tags.
14:31 – 17:07
What missions really mean: structure, discipline, volunteering, and the difference between religious culture and Irish culture.
17:07 – 20:37
Religion, family, and identity: how David balances his faith with Irish traditions, and how his family supports each other despite differences.
20:37 – 23:10
Do Mormons believe non-Mormons go to hell? David gives a heartfelt explanation about judgement, mercy, and intentions.
23:10 – 27:03
The Ten Commandments, morality, and how modern life turns simple expectations into complicated frustrations.
27:03 – 29:31
Polygamy, splinter groups, and what Mormonism actually teaches vs. what reality shows portray.
29:31 – 32:33
The dangers of resentment, how anger harms only you, and the communication habits that destroy relationships.
32:33 – 36:36
Why unspoken expectations ruin families, couples, and friendships — and how to fix it with one simple skill.
36:36 – 39:05
Teaching, travelling, working with law students, and balancing academic life in Malibu with Irish roots.
39:05 – 42:40
California life: sunshine, surfing as PE, Disneyland, culture shocks, and how different the world can be from Ballymun.
42:40 – 45:36
Growing up on food vouchers, remembering hard times in Ireland, and reflecting on modern poverty and homelessness.
45:36 – END
A powerful close: faith, charity, community, and why helping others should always come before judgement.
In this powerful and deeply honest episode of the WORD Podcast, the hosts sit down with the incredible Jen Healy — spiritual mentor, manifestation coach, and former “Yin Yang Yoga Jen.”
Jen opens up about her transformative healing journey, from early trauma and addiction recovery to becoming a guide who helps others manifest purpose, abundance, and emotional freedom.
This episode is raw, real, emotional, and inspirational — a must-listen for anyone on a healing or spiritual journey.
🕒 Timecodes / Chapters
00:00 – 00:01 — Opening Banter
The hosts kick off with jokes, chaos, and welcoming listeners back after a week off.
00:01 – 00:03 — Introducing Guest Jen Healy
Who she is, how she arrived, and the story behind her former brand “Yin Yang Yoga Jen.”
00:03 – 00:05 — Reinventing Identity & Moving Beyond Labels
Why Jen dropped the yoga-only identity and stepped into coaching, energy work, and personal development.
00:05 – 00:07 — What Reiki Really Is
Energy transfer, levels of attunement, and what makes someone a Reiki master.
00:07 – 00:09 — Jen’s First Experiences with Healing
Receiving Reiki during incredibly dark years, trauma, emotional release, and the first feeling of safety.
00:09 – 00:12 — Addiction, Anxiety & Entering Cocaine Anonymous
How addiction showed up, blackout drinking, and discovering spiritual awakening through CA.
00:12 – 00:15 — Empaths, Intuition & Frequency
Understanding empath energy, audience energy, and intuition awakening.
00:15 – 00:18 — Manifestation Explained Simply
Bob Proctor, visualisation, the mind as energy, and why imagination is the key.
00:18 – 00:21 — When Your Brain Blocks Your Manifestation
Why people can’t attract what they want and the tool Jen uses to break the pattern.
00:21 – 00:24 — The Universe, Parallel Selves & Higher Consciousness
How Jen personally defines “the universe” and how it links to identity and purpose.
00:24 – 00:27 — The Science of Energy & Mushrooms
DMT, consciousness, elements of the universe, and healing through psychedelics and microdosing.
00:27 – 00:31 — Microdosing, Mental Health & Rewiring the Brain
A raw discussion about mushrooms, emotional numbness, and reconnecting to joy.
00:31 – 00:34 — Lifelong Healing & Ancestral Work
Why healing never fully ends and what changes after the personal layer is cleared.
00:34 – 00:41 — The Big Question: Are You Always “An Addict”?
A powerful conversation on the identity of addiction and whether you can ever truly outgrow it.
00:41 – 00:45 — Trauma, Generational Wounds & Learning to Feel Love
Jen’s emotional breakthrough where she felt maternal love for the first time.
00:45 – 00:50 — Shadow Work: The Part Nobody Talks About
What shadow work is, why it's essential, and how it changes identity and behaviour.
00:50 – 00:55 — Abuse in Healing Spaces
A vulnerable reveal: predatory behaviour she experienced from a therapist during early recovery.
00:55 – end — Closing Thoughts
Join Joe and Sherin Hughes as they welcome the one and only Mary Byrne - the Tesco worker who became an X Factor sensation and captured the hearts of Ireland!
In this powerful episode, hosts Joe and Sherin Hughes sit down with Úna Ennis, founder of Archie's Army and mother to 8-year-old Archie, who was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy just ten months ago.
About Archie's Army:
Archie's Army has raised €1.2 million towards the €3.5 million needed for gene therapy treatment in America. But the fight continues - not just for Archie, but for 110 boys in Ireland who need Translarna approved and available through the HSE.
GoFundMe:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/4s5t9y-please-help-our-boy
Sponsored by: Active Lams (10/10 party tray review!)
This is a story of hope, community, and a mother's unwavering determination to save her son's life. 💚
#ArchiesArmy #DuchenneMuscularDystrophy #Ireland #RareDisease #Community #Hope
In this episode, Sherin and Joe sit down with Jason Byrne — founder of Rise Above It and Ballymun Running Club — to talk about his powerful journey through addiction, recovery, and how he’s now helping others through fitness, mindset, and community work.
Jason opens up about his 16-year struggle with addiction, the moment that changed everything, and how he’s now inspiring people across Ireland to “rise above it” — literally and figuratively. There are plenty of laughs too, from stories of wild nights to jokes that close the episode with a smile.
Welcome to Episode 11 of The Joe Irish Podcast with Sherin Hughes.
In this episode, Sherin chats with Kiera Dignam, the talented singer and daughter of the late Christy Dignam, frontman of Aslan.
Kiera opens up about her life growing up in Finglas, her journey as a musician, becoming a mother at 17, balancing family and career. She also speaks candidly about her father’s illness, his passing, and how she continues to honour his legacy through her own music.
This episode is full of laughter, emotion, and raw honesty - a heartfelt conversation about life, family, and finding your voice.
#JoeIrishPodcast #KieraDignam #ChristyDignam #Aslan #IrishPodcast #IrishMusic #DublinPodcast #MusicPodcast #Ireland #FemaleArtists
🎙️ The JoeIrish Podcast with Sherin Hughes – Episode 10: Coach Ken
Welcome to a powerful and unfiltered episode featuring Coach Ken from the Cherry Orchard Running Club. From childhood in Bluebell to addiction, crime, and redemption, Ken shares his journey with brutal honesty, humour, and heart. This one’s a story of survival, community, and transformation.
🔔 Subscribe for more real conversations
💬 Let us know in the comments what part of Ken’s story hit you hardest.
📢 Follow us for more episodes that dig deep into real lives and real Dublin stories.
#JoeIrishPodcast #CoachKen #DublinStories #AddictionRecovery #CherryOrchard #IrishPodcast #SherinHughes #RealTalk #FestivalLife #StreetHustle #Bluebell #Ballyfermot
In this episode, Joe Irish and Sherin Hughes welcome Shauna “Mama B” Bannon - the Dublin-born strawweight contender in the UFC - for an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about life inside and outside the cage.
In this episode, Joe chats with Sherien Hughes, CEO and co-founder of Sister Sheds. Sherien talks about starting Sister Sheds with her cousin Rachel during lockdown and how they created a space to help women look after their mental health.
In this episode, Joe is joined by comedian Al Porter and the lads from U Havin Us On Podcast for a fun and lively chat. They talk about comedy, life stories, and plenty of laughs along the way.
In this episode, Joe is joined by the lads from U Havin Us On Podcast for some great chat and plenty of laughs. They talk about Joe’s recent trip to Turkey for his hair transplant and new Turkey teeth, and swap stories about their first jobs and how it all began.
In this episode, Joe sits down with comedian Gary Lynch for a chat full of laughs, stories, and straight talk. They get into life on the comedy scene, what inspires Gary’s humour, and how he finds light even in dark times.
A funny, honest, and down-to-earth conversation you won’t want to miss.
In this episode, Joe chats with Munchie Fella, a fellow homeless man and foodie content creator. The two first met back in 2022 while staying in emergency accommodation during the height of Ireland’s housing crisis.
They talk openly about what it’s really like being homeless, how it can feel like a prison sentence, and how tough it is to keep going when the system feels stacked against you.
It’s an honest and raw chat about life on the streets, the small moments of hope that keep you going, and why neither of them would wish homelessness on anyone.
Real talk, real stories, and a real look at what’s happening in Ireland today.
In this episode joeirish has the dublin duo social media sensation [ AHHHWOYAAA ] Lads , Keith and Charlie are flying on all platforms with a combining folowing of over 60K in a short time , have a nosey and give em a folow if ye dont alread
joeirish is joined this week with two of his comedy comrads Patser Murray and Dan Stephens
joeirish has banter with the lads from u having us on podcast
they talk about holidays , love and pub jokes