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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
🎧 Episode Description
In this reflective episode, Laura sits down with Kathryn Thomas to talk about change - the kind you choose, the kind that’s forced upon you, and the kind that quietly reshapes you over time. Kathryn shares her journey through career transitions, from national broadcasting to creative independence, and what it’s like to make bold decisions in midlife while balancing motherhood, identity, and self-trust.
Much of the conversation centres on health and how our understanding of it has evolved. Kathryn speaks openly about her years on Operation Transformation, the backlash she faced, and why she felt compelled to explore the science and controversy around GLP-1 medications and Ozempic through documentary work. Together, they unpack how the obesity conversation has shifted, including the role of biology, food environments, and access in shaping long-term health.
The episode also moves into ageing, menopause, sleep, aesthetics, and longevity. Kathryn reflects honestly on contradiction - wanting to age well while questioning the systems that profit from fear - and on the small, practical changes that have made the biggest difference to her wellbeing. Grounded, thoughtful, and deeply human, this is a conversation about agency, perspective, and learning when to let go of certainty.
🔑 Key Points
Choosing change later in life
Kathryn reflects on making major career decisions in her mid-40s and stepping outside long-established systems.
The cost of visibility
Public scrutiny, online criticism, and resilience are explored through Kathryn’s lived experience.
Operation Transformation revisited
A nuanced look back at the show’s evolution, cultural impact, and the stigma that surrounded it.
Rethinking obesity
The conversation moves beyond willpower, focusing on biology, metabolic adaptation, and prevention.
Food deserts and ultra-processed foods
Kathryn and Laura discuss how access, environment, and the dominance of ultra-processed food shape health outcomes, particularly for children, highlighting why individual choice alone is an incomplete explanation.
GLP-1 medications and Ozempic
Kathryn explains why open, responsible discussion around these treatments matters.
Health, hormones, and sleep
Menopause, exhaustion, and the underestimated power of routine and rest are discussed honestly.
Ageing, aesthetics, and contradiction
From Botox to longevity science, the episode holds space for complexity rather than judgement.
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Introductions and setting the tone
03:00 – Career longevity and public visibility
06:00 – Leaving RTÉ and taking a midlife leap
09:30 – Operation Transformation and public scrutiny
13:30 – How the weight conversation has changed
18:00 – GLP-1 medications and Ozempic
23:30 – Metabolic adaptation, food environments, and prevention
30:30 – Food deserts, inequality, and access
35:00 – Ageing, aesthetics, and contradiction
40:00 – Longevity, medicine, and living well
46:00 – Menopause, sleep, and routine
Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
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Donal O’Shea has spent a lifetime working at the sharp end of endocrinology- and in this conversation, he brings that perspective with clarity and honesty. Laura and Donal explore how dramatically medicine has changed, from early diabetes care rooted in fear and compliance to modern treatments that prioritise quality of life and long-term health.
The discussion moves through hormones, obesity, and the rise of GLP-1 medications, examining how new treatments exposed long-held misconceptions about appetite, behaviour, and responsibility. Along the way, they confront stigma, access to care, and the cultural tendency to reduce complex conditions to willpower. Thoughtful and grounded, this episode invites a more humane way of thinking about health- one led by evidence, humility, and compassion.
How diabetes care used to work - and why it didn’t
Donal reflects on fear-based approaches from earlier in his career and contrasts them with today’s technology-driven, compassionate care.
Hormones quietly run the show
The episode unpacks how chemical messengers regulate appetite, mood, energy, and long-term health.
GLP-1s changed more than blood sugar
Originally developed for diabetes, these treatments revealed unexpected effects on appetite and behaviour.
Why “eat less, move more” falls short
Obesity is explored as a biologically regulated, chronic condition rather than a failure of willpower.
When medicine collides with culture
Laura and Donal discuss how effective treatments risk being misunderstood in a thinness-obsessed world.
Access isn’t equal
Cost and prescribing rules shape who receives care and who is left behind.
Weight loss doesn’t erase identity
The psychological impact of changing bodies is often overlooked.
OSheaHoganLabs - Donal’s educational presence on TikTok and Instagram addressing medical misinformation
00:00 - A lifetime inside changing medicine
04:10 - Diabetes before technology
07:30 - Why fear was never good healthcare
12:00 - GLP-1 and a shift in understanding obesity
17:45 - Appetite, behaviour, and biology
23:30 - Stigma, thinness, and misuse of treatment
30:15 - Identity after weight change
36:40 - Menopause, hormones, and long-term thinking
43:20 - Battling misinformation online
50:00 - Who gets treatment - and who doesn’t
57:00 - Looking to the next generation
Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
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🎧 Episode Description
This conversation traces the path that brought Eoin Cluskey to where he is today- not only as the founder of Bread 41, but as someone who thinks deeply about community, responsibility, and the kind of impact a business can have. He talks openly about struggling through school, finding his footing in kitchens abroad, and eventually discovering purpose through business.
Eoin also reflects on the parts of his story that don’t get talked about as often- the pressure of building something from nothing, the moment his partner told him the work was breaking their family, and the shift that followed. His stories from his work in prisons, schools, and the community show a consistent thread of noticing people who are often overlooked, and making small interventions that can have big impact.
🔑 Key Points
School never fit, but it pushed him to think differently
Eoin explains how feeling behind in education stayed with him and later influenced how he approaches people who struggle in traditional systems.
Finding belonging through craft
Food became a place where he could build discipline, confidence, and a sense of identity.
The personal cost of ambition
Eoin names the moment he realised that relentless work was pulling him away from his family and needed to change.
Understanding dignity through prison work
His experiences with incarcerated men opened his eyes to circumstance, accountability, and the meaning of opportunity.
What teachers experience behind the scenes
Spending time with educators gave him a clearer picture of the pressures and expectations they carry.
Encouragement as a turning point
The schoolboy who doubted his own ability shows how a few honest words can change someone’s trajectory.
📚 Mentioned in this Episode
Bread 41 / Breaducation Programme
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome & Eoin’s Background
04:10 – Growing Up Outside the System
08:20 – Finding Direction in Kitchens Abroad
14:25 – Lessons from Ballymaloe
18:40 – Starting Bread 41 from Scratch
24:30 – A Family Wake-Up Call
29:45 – Rethinking Ambition and Balance
32:10 – Experiences Inside Mountjoy Prison
42:30 – Teachers, Pressure & the Breaducation Programme
48:25 – A Small Moment That Changed a Young Person’s Path
54:10 – The Responsibility of Being a Business That “Sees” Peopl
Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
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This episode is an emotionally rich, thoughtful exploration of motherhood, storytelling, friendship, and addiction. Sophie reflects on how her podcast began long before podcasting was popular- born out of frustration and a desire for honesty. Instead of curated perfection, she and co-host Jen offered chaos, humour, truth, and community and thousands of women saw themselves reflected, often for the first time.
Sophie also shares deeply personal experiences with mental illness, alcoholism and self-loathing, describing how shame can follow us from childhood into adulthood until compassion interrupts the pattern. Through laughter, vulnerability, and storytelling, she shows how honesty can become a form of healing.
⸻
🎙 Podcasting with No Blueprint- A movement born from instinct, not strategy.
👭 Friendship as Creative Foundation- Trust, humour, and emotional safety.
👶 Motherhood Without Filters- Breaking away from curated Instagram motherhood.
🧠 Postnatal Depression & Mental Health Struggles- Real emotional aftermath of motherhood.
🍷 Addiction & The First Drink at 13- Relief, identity, and survival.
✨ Compassion Through Seeing Children Clearly- Realising nothing was her fault.
📢 Women’s Voices & The Power of Being Heard - Solidarity and storytelling.
⸻
Mother of Pod / Stop the Madness Podcast
⸻
00:00- How the podcast unexpectedly began
05:10- “Be my pod wife” moment
08:40- Building Patreon & creative freedom
13:20- Irish storytelling culture
18:10- Postnatal depression & emotional reality
23:50- When listeners share their truth
30:20- Addiction & first drink story
33:00- Breastfeeding pressure & guilt
40:00- Addiction, breakdown & survival
52:30- Women’s safety & public space
59:00- Parenting, screens & doing our best
Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
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What started as a simple moment in Lidl — noticing the word “style” on a yogurt label — turned into a viral movement. In this heartfelt conversation, Sophie Morris shares how her honest, practical videos helped people understand not just what’s in their food, but how to shop with confidence, protect their health, and even support small producers.
Sophie explains how clever swaps, label awareness, and small decisions can lead to powerful changes — physically, mentally, and emotionally. She shares real stories from families, teenagers, and everyday shoppers who say her content didn’t just change their eating habits, but changed how they feel. This is more than food education — it’s empowerment.
⸻
From Local Coaching to Viral Impact
Sophie began by helping confused shoppers understand food labels and trends.
Greek vs. Greek-Style — The Moment Everything Changed
Her first viral video showed how one tiny word can change the whole meaning of a product.
Clever Swaps, Not Shame
She believes in empowering people with realistic, often cheaper swaps — not food fear.
Profit vs. Nutrition
Big companies aren’t evil, but operate in a system built for profit, not health.
Food and Mental Wellbeing
People report better mood, clarity, and energy after reducing ultra-processed foods.
Responding to Criticism
Sophie explains why she avoids ingredient fearmongering and never singles out additives.
Consumer Power
Her audience helped small Irish producers thrive — proving demand drives change.
⸻
00:00 – Greek-style yogurt and how it all began
03:20 – When the videos went viral
06:00 – Clever Swaps explained
08:00 – Who really makes our food?
10:40 – Criticism, trust, and staying independent
15:00 – Why ingredient awareness matters
19:00 – Real stories: food and mental health
23:20 – KitKat, Activia & misleading marketing
28:00 – Policy, labeling & regulation
30:10 – The Sophie Effect: small brands rising
31:40 – Why she refuses sponsorships
40:00 – Protein hype and sugar sneaking
48:20 – Food access and affordability
49:50 – Where food awareness is headed
Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
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In this deeply moving and human conversation, Tammy Darcy opens up about the defining experiences that shaped her life- from the powerful bond with her sister Shona, her traumatic teenage years, bullying, and becoming a single mother at 18, to transforming pain into purpose by founding The Shona Project. She shares how her sister’s brain tumour, family breakdown, and years of emotional isolation shaped her desire to create a community of support for young girls- one rooted in courage, authenticity, and belonging.
With tenderness and honesty, Tammy reflects on self-worth, shame, resilience, and why young people don't just need motivation- they need community, compassion, and a strong sense of who they are. At its core, this episode is about showing up for one another, embracing vulnerability, and believing that our greatest pain may one day serve a greater purpose.
Trauma, Loss & a Sister’s Legacy
Tammy shares the life-changing impact of her sister’s brain tumour, the emotional fallout, and how the loss shaped her outlook on compassion, purpose, and human connection.
Turning Pain into Purpose
Instead of being defined by tragedy, Tammy built The Shona Project- a nationwide movement supporting young girls through workshops, festivals, and leadership programmes.
Bullying and Its Lifelong Effects
She describes years of bullying, hiding in school toilets, and losing trust in other girls, realising that relational harm can sometimes take longer to heal than trauma itself.
Courage Over Confidence
Tammy explains why we should focus on building courage rather than confidence because courage is what allows us to act even when we're unsure.
Why Values Matter More Than Achievements
She explores how helping teenagers identify their personal values gives them a lasting compass for decision-making, identity, and self-worth.
Authenticity as Freedom
Tammy reflects on how embracing her authentic self, rather than trying to be “perfect”, has been liberating and transformative in both life and leadership.
Creating Safe, Supportive Communities
She shares how The Shona Project helps girls recognise that they can both harm and heal and that change begins with accountability, compassion, and kindness.
00:00 – Introduction & Early Confidence
08:10 – Shona’s Diagnosis & Family Breakdown
13:00 – Trauma, Grief & Feeling Lost
16:00 – Becoming Pregnant at 18
23:00 – Bullying, Isolation & Self-Worth
30:00 – How The Shona Project Was Born
45:00 – 500 by 500 Vision & Community
51:00 – Talking to Young People About Values
57:00 – Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway
Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
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In this powerful and deeply human conversation, Breda O'Toole shares her extraordinary journey of trauma, survival, and ultimately, healing. Her life was marked by poverty, abuse, war-related family trauma, institutional mistreatment, and years of being misdiagnosed within psychiatric care. For 23 years, she was prescribed heavy medication, underwent 29 shock treatments, and spent time in psychiatric institutions — including being restrained in a straitjacket for 11 days. Yet none of it treated the real wound: trauma.
Breda explains how no professional ever asked about her life or experiences — only symptoms. She felt unseen, unheard, and misunderstood. The turning point came when a priest told her: “Take back control of your life.” That moment sparked her recovery journey — off medication, back to herself, and finally into true healing.
This episode is painful, inspiring, and illuminating — a moving reminder that trauma is not mental illness, and recovery is possible when we are truly seen, heard, and believed.
Trauma vs. Mental Illness
Her suffering was rooted in trauma, not a disorder.
Misdiagnosis & Overmedication
She lived under 8+ incorrect diagnoses and was on up to 15 tablets daily.
Electric Shock Therapy (ECT)
29 ECT sessions — each followed in her records by: “Still depressed.”
The Straitjacket
She was involuntarily restrained for 11 days — until her father rescued her.
Loss & Grief
She lost three baby boys — through negligence, miscarriage, and stillbirth.
The Words That Changed Everything
“Take back control of your life” — the moment her recovery truly began.
Recovery Begins With Being Heard
One doctor finally asked: “What happened to you?” — not “What’s wrong with you?”
• Unseen — Breda’s memoir
• St. Patrick’s Institution, St. Brigid’s, St. Vincent’s
• Valium, Lithium, Optimax
• Straitjacket institutional practices
• Father Walsh, Father Pat
• Tommy — Breda’s husband
00:00 – Introducing Breda & her story
01:00 – Childhood trauma: war, poverty, abuse
08:00 – First Valium prescription & addiction
10:00 – Misdiagnosis & medication spiral
13:00 – Shock therapy and lost identity
16:00 – Being detained & rescued by her father
24:00 – Loss of her babies & emotional impact
33:00 – Straitjacket and institutional trauma
40:00 – “What happened to you?” — turning point
46:00 – Coming off medication & reclaiming life
52:00 – Real recovery, healing, and hope
Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
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In this powerful and deeply human conversation, Miriam O’Callaghan opens up about the defining moments that shaped her life — from navigating high-pressure live television, to facing unimaginable personal loss, to raising eight children while working in the public eye.
Miriam speaks candidly about the ups and downs of her pregnancies and births, the chaos of live political debates, grief, resilience, menopause, and what it’s really like to live so much of her life under intense public scrutiny. She shares the heartbreaking story of losing her sister and father within weeks of each other, her legal fight against an online scam using her name, and the grounding philosophies that have kept her centred through it all.
This episode is raw, emotional and filled with wisdom — a rare look at one of Ireland’s most beloved broadcasters, beyond the headlines and beyond the studio lights.
Why Miriam avoided writing her book, the emotional weight of telling her own story, and what finally pushed her to begin.
Behind the scenes of major political debates, on-air confrontations, and the mental load of broadcasting to millions.
Losing her sister at 33, losing her father shortly after, and how grief reshaped her perspective on life and motherhood.
Candid reflections on secondary infertility, complex pregnancies, motherhood, and letting go of perfection.
Why she advocates openly for hormone therapy, vaginal oestrogen, and breaking the silence around women’s health.
How scammers used her name for years, how it affected her family, and what happened when she took Facebook to court — and won.
The philosophies that guide her relationships and keep her anchored through chaos.
• Life, Work, Everything — Miriam’s memoir (print & audiobook)
• Paul Read — the solicitor who represented Miriam in her Facebook/Meta scam case
• Holles Street Maternity Hospital & The Coombe
• Prof. Caher & Dr. Colm (Miriam’s obstetricians)
• Evorel Conti Patch & Vagifem (HRT mentioned)
• John Hume, Pantibliss (Rory O’Neill), Leo Varadkar, Tommy Tiernan, Roy Keane
• Ireland’s Marriage Equality referendum & key cultural moments
• “Implacable courtesy” — Seamus Heaney’s advice
00:00 – Introduction & Miriam’s Early Career
06:50 – The Loss of Her Sister & Father
12:30 – Navigating Motherhood & Raising Eight Children
16:45 – Pregnancy Complications & Birth Stories
22:10 – Handling Pressure in Live Broadcasting
27:55 – The Haemorrhage During Pregnancy
34:40 – Surviving Public Scrutiny & Balancing Family
38:10 – The Facebook Scam & Taking Meta to Court
43:30 – Gratitude, Faith & Daily Grounding Rituals
48:20 – Reflections on Resilience & What Truly Matters
Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
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In this fascinating and refreshingly honest conversation, Laura Dowling sits down with physiotherapist Siobhan O'Donovan, better known as The Boobie Physio, to unpack the hidden physical and emotional impact of breast weight on women’s lives.
From posture and pain to sport, confidence, and hormonal changes, Siobhan reveals why so many women — regardless of cup size — are living with discomfort that’s completely preventable. She explains the science behind breast support, the myths around bra sizing, and how simple changes in alignment can boost everything from performance to self-esteem.
This episode is part education, part revelation — and it might just change how you think about your body forever.
00:00 – Introduction: Who is The Booby Physio?
02:00 – Why posture still matters (and how gravity works against us)
06:00 – Bone health, hormones, and how movement can prevent osteoporosis
09:00 – The hidden weight women carry: breast movement in three planes
13:00 – How breast pain and embarrassment push teenage girls out of sport
17:00 – The psychology of confidence and body awareness
23:00 – Why so many women are wearing the wrong bra size
29:00 – How outdated measuring methods are still being used
35:00 – The physics of breast support: posture, shape, and comfort
43:00 – How to actually fit a bra properly — and why black ones feel tighter
49:00 – Caring for your bras: resting elastic, avoiding fabric softener
55:00 – Asymmetry, teabag tits, and why most lingerie models are wrong
1:00:00 – Why wired bras aren’t the enemy
1:05:00 – The link between back pain, confidence, and breast support
1:10:00 – How the right bra can literally improve your performance
1:15:00 – Final takeaways: lifting women up — physically and emotionally
Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
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Deirdre O’Kane joins Laura for a funny, honest and wide-ranging conversation about what it was really like being one of the few women in stand-up when she started out.
She talks about the early days of breaking through in a male-dominated industry, finding her own voice, the reality of long-term relationships, raising kids in the age of WhatsApp chaos, and using humour to get through tough times.
This is a brilliant mix of personal stories, cultural insight and big laughs.
00:00 — Pre-chat & setup: A warm, relaxed start as Laura and Deirdre banter about microphones, lighting, and jawlines.
04:00 — Wild beginnings: Boarding school, being part of “the bold gang,” and discovering performance through impersonating teachers and nuns.
06:00 — Acting vs. stand-up: Early love-hate relationship with stand-up and what made it so tough starting out.
08:20 — Women in comedy: Audience groans, breaking barriers, and how social media helped shift the landscape.
11:00 — Self-censorship: Why she avoided certain topics early on — and how that’s changed.
14:00 — Touring life: What it’s really like on the road as a comic, from long drives to late nights.
17:00 — Irish vs. UK audiences: How humour translates across borders and why Irish audiences are special.
20:00 — Long-term relationships: Honest reflections on discomfort, denial, and doing the work over decades together.
23:00 — Expectations in love: Balancing domestic reality with romantic ideals — and keeping individuality.
27:30 — The Magdalene Laundries bit: Taking on a taboo topic and walking a fine line between darkness and humour.
30:00 — Phone bans and stand-up: How comics protect their material from leaking online.
33:00 — Comedy as a lifeline: How stand-up kept her family afloat when her husband was ill.
36:00 — Motherhood & identity: Returning to stand-up after kids and why motherhood fuelled her next show.
43:00 — Modern motherhood rant: Emails, WhatsApp groups, class reps, and why it’s all too much.
48:00 — Quick fire: Worst gig ever, sharing the stage, favourite punchlines, and industry reflections.
53:00 — Politics & culture: A candid take on the current Irish political climate and cultural shifts.
Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
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In this powerful episode of The Laura Dowling Experience, Laura sits down with advanced nurse practitioner and child psychotherapist Deirdre Mellet to unpack what’s really going on for teenagers today.
From self-harm and emotional dysregulation to ADHD, anxiety, and the pressure of living in an overwhelming world, Dearbhla brings deep professional insight — and a lot of heart — to the conversation.
This episode is essential listening for parents, caregivers, teachers, and anyone who wants to better understand and support young people.
00:00 — “There’s no such thing as normal” — Why we need to rethink mental health
02:05 — Why so many young people are struggling today
03:30 — Understanding self-harm and emotional overwhelm
05:45 — Getting into CAMHS: criteria, challenges & real experiences
08:00 — Girls vs boys: how ADHD can present differently
10:00 — What anxiety really feels like for young people
12:00 — Accessing services: what parents can do while waiting for support
13:45 — How to teach emotional regulation (and why “fixing” doesn’t work)
17:00 — What’s really behind teen anger and emotional outbursts
23:00 — “Be the lighthouse, not the anchor” — A powerful parenting metaphor
29:00 — Why ADHD medication isn’t a quick fix (finding the sweet spot)
36:00 — Tools like ear loops & OT support that can make a difference
40:00 — Motivation struggles in teens with ADD/ADHD
42:00 — How to respond if your child shares or writes about dark thoughts
44:00 — The emotional weight of the world on young people
47:00 — How to find a qualified therapist you can trust
50:00 — Why therapist fit matters more than people think
53:00 — Misconceptions around “lack of empathy” in young people
55:00 — Sextortion & online risks: what parents need to know
58:00 — Final reflections: why connection is everything
Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
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In this podcast episode, host Laura Dowling interviews Andrew Dunne, a former professional rugby player turned physiotherapist and founder of a clinic in Rathmines, Dublin. Andy discusses his transition from rugby to physiotherapy, driven by his own injury experiences and a pivotal conversation with a team doctor. He shares insights into his clinic's work, which focuses on helping patients, particularly those with cancer and other serious health conditions, improve their quality of life through tailored exercise regimens and lifestyle changes. They also explore the broader healthcare system's challenges, the importance of attitude and connection in life, and the need for a holistic approach to patient care.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:19 From Rugby to Physiotherapy: Andy's Journey
01:21 Dealing with Injuries and Rehabilitation
02:47 Life After Rugby: Personal Reflections
07:08 Challenges in the Healthcare System
11:56 The Importance of Lifestyle Medicine
32:44 Exercise as a Standard of Cancer Care
36:14 Addressing Lifestyle in Cancer Treatment
36:45 Baseline Assessment and Fitness Trials
39:32 Understanding VO2 Max and Fitness Measurement
41:09 The Importance of Compassion in Healthcare
42:18 Role of Occupational Therapy
44:15 Health Coaching and Sustainable Change
46:26 Heart Rate Zones and Exercise Prescription
52:10 Challenges in Managing a Healthcare Clinic
55:15 Increasing Cancer Diagnoses in Younger Populations
57:50 Exercise and Neuroplasticity in Parkinson's
01:00:13 Sexual Dysfunction and Quality of Life
01:01:24 The Paving Wheel: A Tool for Wellness
01:03:25 Clinic Information and Social Media Presence
01:05:07 Advice for Young People and the Meaning of Life
Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
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In this episode, Eileen shares her powerful story of overcoming a challenging upbringing in Ballymun, Dublin, during the heroin epidemic of the 1980s and 90s. She discusses her 14-year struggle with drug addiction, her journey to recovery, and how she found solace and a new path in hairdressing. Eileen is now the founder of 'Hair Together,' an award-winning social enterprise that teaches hairdressing and barbering with integrated personal development and well-being programs to young people from challenging backgrounds and women exiting the prison service. Eileen talks about the impact of her programs, the importance of community and support, and her ongoing mission to help the next generation. She also touches on the challenges of running a social enterprise and her hopes for further expansion and community support.
Timestamps
00:00 – Opening Poem & Introduction
00:38 – Meeting at the PWC Women in Business Awards
00:48 – Eileen’s Work: Hair Together & Social Enterprise
01:21 – Focus on Young People & Women Exiting Prison
02:01 – Eileen’s Background: Growing Up in Ballymun
02:25 – Struggles with Addiction & Finding Hairdressing
03:47 – Recovery, Fashion Weeks, and Giving Back
04:50 – Starting Hair Together: The Early Days
06:09 – How the Program Works & Impact
08:41 – Staying Connected with Graduates
10:15 – Opening the New Salon & Academy
12:14 – Age Range & Types of Participants
13:12 – The Impact on Young People’s Lives
15:54 – Social Enterprise Model & Funding
18:39 – Eileen’s Childhood & First Experiences with Drugs
24:25 – Selling Drugs & Addiction Deepens
31:35 – Family Intervention & Going to Greece
34:00 – Detox, Rehab, and Recovery Journey
41:14 – Life After Rehab: Moving to Waterford
44:07 – Motherhood, Relapse, and Final Recovery
48:41 – Mental Health, Therapy, and Spirituality
54:46 – Advice for Young People
55:53 – The Meaning of Life & Closing Thoughts
Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
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In this engaging podcast episode, Miriam Hussey, a former pharmacist who transitioned from traditional pharmacy to holistic health, discusses her transformative journey. Miriam shares her 'aha moment' that led her to realise that true health goes beyond prescriptions and requires addressing lifestyle and preventative measures.
Highlighting the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and soul, Miriam elaborates on the concept of dis-ease, emphasising the need to look beyond mere symptoms to find the root causes of health issues. She outlines her approach through key pillars: physical health, mental well-being, and soul nourishment. She also offers insights into overcoming emotional eating, achieving balance in modern life, and the importance of self-love and care.
This episode underscores the necessity of holistic wellness in achieving a balanced, fulfilling life, and it encourages listeners to make meaningful changes to align with their true selves.
04:00 Introduction to Miriam Hussy's Journey
04:35 The Aha Moment: Realising the Need for Change
05:51 The Concept of Dis-ease and Its Roots
07:59 Exploring the Three Pillars of Wellness
09:20 The Importance of the Soul in Modern Wellness
13:19 Personal Struggles and Overcoming Challenges
14:14 The Impact of Early Life Experiences
16:31 The Role of Energy and Ancestral Trauma
17:48 Navigating Life's Difficult Decisions
18:59 The Butterfly Analogy: Embracing Transformation
19:47 The Power of Listening to Your Soul
21:57 Balancing Practicality and Passion
24:17 The Interconnectedness of Mind, Body, and Soul
35:40 Finding Joy and Regulating Your Nervous System
36:20 Choosing Your Path: Following Your Passion
37:11 Understanding Emotional Eating
39:22 The Vicious Cycle of Overeating
44:32 Healing Through Mirror Work
48:25 Balancing Primary and Secondary Foods
01:04:32 Advice for Young People: Staying True to Yourself
01:06:30 The Meaning of Life: Joy and Peace
Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
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In this episode of the Laura Dowling Experience, Matt Kaeberlein, a global leader in ageing science, discusses his mission to help people and animals live longer and healthier lives by modifying the biological mechanisms of ageing. Matt, CEO of Optisan, a healthcare technology company, talks about his transition from academia to entrepreneurship and highlights the importance of lifestyle factors—nutrition, exercise, sleep, and social connection—in maximising health span. The conversation explores emerging approaches to longevity, including hormone therapy, therapeutic plasma exchange, and the use of drugs such as rapamycin and SGLT2 inhibitors. Matt shares personal experiences with ageing-related health strategies and offers valuable insights into the role of love and altruism in achieving a fulfilling life.
02:48 – Introduction: Meet Matt Kaeberlein, global leader in ageing science
03:13 – What does Matt Kaeberlein do? Biological mechanisms of ageing
04:40 – The concept of health span vs. lifespan
06:55 – Four pillars of health span: Eat, Move, Sleep, Connect
09:04 – The importance of human and animal connection
11:06 – Beyond lifestyle: Hormones and health span
16:06 – Menopause, HRT, and women’s health
24:55 – Testosterone therapy for men: Risks and benefits
31:35 – Alcohol, lifestyle, and longevity
34:34 – Environmental exposures: Heavy metals, microplastics, and health
39:44 – Therapeutic plasma exchange and ageing research
47:09 – Rapamycin: The science, trials, and potential for longevity
59:46 – Diet, fasting, and inflammation: What Matt Kaeberlein eats
1:07:32 – Continuous glucose monitoring and behaviour change
1:14:07 – SGLT2 inhibitors and other promising drugs
1:19:07 – Final advice: Choose love, not fear; the meaning of life
Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
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In this episode, Laura welcomes Melissah, whose daughter Evie has Down Syndrome. Melissa shares her personal journey from pregnancy and the unexpected postnatal Down Syndrome diagnosis, to raising Evie and balancing life as a mother of three. The conversation highlights the importance of awareness and education about Down Syndrome, including Melissah's efforts through the annual Purple Run fundraiser. The discussion covers various aspects of Evie's life, from her rapid birth and initial health challenges to her school experience and relationship with her sisters. Melissa also discusses societal perceptions, the importance of inclusive language, and her hopes for Evie's future. Listeners are encouraged to support the Purple Run and Down Syndrome Ireland, organisations that have played a significant role in Melissah's journey.
00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Melissa
03:24 Discussing Down Syndrome Awareness and Fundraiser
04:59 Melissa’s Journey to Motherhood
05:40 Evie’s Birth and Diagnosis
09:48 Adjusting to Life with Down Syndrome
12:14 Evie’s Development and Family Dynamics
15:10 Navigating Education and Services
21:07 Language Sensitivity and Advocacy
24:03 Challenges and Triumphs of Parenting a Child with Down Syndrome
25:06 Community Support and Public Perception
26:25 Future Concerns and Independence
27:20 Educational Talks and Menopause Awareness
32:14 Fundraising and Support Services
35:08 Daily Life and Personal Stories
42:17 Final Thoughts and Advice
Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
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Keith Walsh is a broadcaster, writer, actor and mental heath advocate. We discuss how he self medicated with drugs, alcohol, exercise and food restriction until a diagnosis in his late forties of ADHD and autism.
We chat about his childhood trauma his mental health struggles and advocacy and how he is ok with having no friends.
This is a podcast for anyone who has ADHD or suspects that they or a loved one has ADHD. It is a podcast that shows you there is hope and light and love for us all. This is a podcast for anyone who is searching for something, but are unsure what that something is.
Keith has an upcoming show, Kinda Mental on Saturday April 22nd 2023 in the Whale theatre in Greystones. You should check it out!
The Laura Dowling Experience is brought to you by fabÜ R&R RELAX. A unique formulation of premium grade botanicals- ashwagandha, L-theanine from green tea, chamomile and melissa. These were blended together with magnesium and B vitamins for a less stressful day and a more restful sleep. Non-sedating and non-addictive. Read the reviews on www.fabuwellness.com. Available on www.fabuwellness.com and pharmacies and healthfood stores nationwide.
Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
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I’m taking a two-week break from the podcast to complete my new book, 'Love Your Vulva', and its audiobook, which will be released on September 23rd. In the meantime, explore the podcast archives with 133 episodes on topics like menopause, ADHD, sexual wellness, cardiology, physiotherapy, and more. For new listeners, I encourage you to start from the beginning to catch some great episodes. I'll be back with a new episode on September 11th. Stay fabulous!
Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
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Adam Harris, an influential autism advocate from Ireland, shares his personal journey from childhood through to establishing the organisation 'As I Am'. The discussion touches on his early life, the challenges he faced as a child with autism, his education experience, and the development of his advocacy to promote autism awareness and inclusion. Adam highlights the significant progress made in Ireland, the ongoing need for better support and services, and the various societal and personal challenges faced by autistic individuals and their families. He also talks about the impact of autism on family life, the intersectionality of being autistic and LGBTQ+, and the importance of continued advocacy and education in ensuring equality and acceptance for autistic people.
Find all the information on the upcoming Autism Europe International Congress, taking place in Dublin from 11th-13th September 2025, here: https://autismcongress2025.org/
00:00 Introduction and Welcoming
03:36 Early Childhood and Autism Diagnosis
04:58 Challenges in School and Social Life
06:51 Transition to Mainstream Education
09:16 Adolescence and Self-Advocacy
11:48 Founding 'As I Am' and Advocacy Work
13:44 Progress and Challenges in Autism Awareness
15:24 Autism Friendly Communities
21:19 The Importance of Data and Diagnosis
26:33 Support for Non-Verbal Autistic Individuals
28:39 Resources and Future Plans
29:14 Funding Challenges and Community Support
30:08 Addressing Misinformation About Autism
30:43 Public Attitudes and International Perspectives
34:43 Mental Health and Autism
35:57 Structural Discrimination in Healthcare
39:24 Personal Experiences with Autism
41:27 Financial Strain on Families
43:43 Supporting Autistic Families and Friends
44:59 Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism
46:01 Debunking Myths About Autism
47:58 Genetics and Autism
48:31 Intersectionality: Autism and LGBTQ+
51:17 Corporate Support and Advocacy
53:07 Upcoming Autism Europe Congress
54:12 Final Thoughts and Advice
Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
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Episode Description:
In this inspiring episode, Nicola shares her personal journey from being an anxious child and teacher to becoming a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) therapist. She explains the core principles of CBT and how it can help with anxiety, stress, low mood, menopause symptoms, parenting challenges, and more.
Nicola also discusses the power of self-compassion, mindfulness, and resilience, offering practical tips you can apply to everyday life. Whether you’re managing daily stressors, navigating parenting, or seeking strategies for better mental health, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you lead a healthier, more balanced life.
Key Topics:
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction and Welcoming Nicola
00:06 – Understanding CBT: Basics and Personal Experiences
02:18 – From Teacher to Therapist: Nicola’s Journey
06:00 – CBT Applications: Anxiety, Parenting, and More
06:37 – CBT for Menopause: Managing Symptoms and Strategies
09:13 – Techniques for Brain Health and Cognitive Function
12:33 – Practical CBT Techniques for Everyday Challenges
22:20 – Managing Sleep and Pain with CBT
34:57 – Addressing Libido and Relationship Dynamics
38:04 – Balancing Life’s Demands
38:50 – The Importance of Self-Care
39:52 – Navigating Relationships and Communication
43:48 – Understanding CBT and Low Mood
50:56 – Parent-Led CBT for Children
57:17 – Addressing Bullying and Anxiety in Children
01:09:38 – Building Resilience and Authenticity
01:14:37 – Final Thoughts and Advice
Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
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