Episódios
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Trigger warning : Disordered eating
A few years ago I spoke to Aoife O’Brien about life with and after an eating disorder. Aoife now lives in Co. Clare with her fiance Damian and their 2 little boys, Liam (5) and Samuel (2). She is a Nutritionist (MSc), Body Image and Wellbeing Coach with a specialist interest in disordered eating and through AOB Coaching, she helps women develop a healthy, balanced and peaceful relationship with food and their bodies.
For years she was controlled by an eating disorder which went unnoticed for a long time. Now having fully recovered she is passionate about getting the message out that life after disordered eating, is very much possible.
In this conversation, we discuss diet culture, the signs of eating distress and how best to address it.
Helpful questions for journaling…
1. What did I do well today?
2. What did I learn?
3. What would I do differently?
To connect with Aoife...
Home
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Topics covered : Anorexia, grief, shame, perfectionism, recovery, gratitude, the inner critic, CBT, social media, filters, boxing, meditation, femininity, spirituality, letting go.
In this episode I speak to one of the most impressive people I’ve ever met, boxer Mary Kate Slattery.
Originally from Dublin, Mary Kate spent parts of her childhood in Lahinch in Co. Clare.
She’s the eldest of three girls, a law graduate from Trinity College Dublin and when she was only 9 she developed anorexia. She spent time in and out of Crumlin children’s hospital in Dublin and eventually had to go to London to receive treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.
In this conversation we speak about her battle with anorexia, perfectionism, therapy, meditation, femininity, letting go and her love of boxing.
It’s such an inspiring yet challenging conversation in parts, so please be aware before you listen.
Also as you can hear in this episode, Mary Kate is very thankful to her psychiatrist Fiona McNicholas for helping her recover from anorexia and if you're worried about yourself or someone you love, you can reach out for help here...
Bodywhys | The Eating Disorders Association of Ireland
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Topics covered : Body acceptance, shedding shame, diet culture, disordered eating, body image, unlearning, motherhood, loss of identity, blended family, love, responding over reacting, self-talk, respect, bouncing forward, self-worth, stretch marks, regret, healing, empowerment.
In this episode I speak to the truly wonderful Sarah Nicole Landry. She’s a body acceptance advocate, a speaker, a writer, an occasional model and podcaster and she’s better known online as ‘The Birds Papaya’.
Sarah Nicole is married to Shane and she’s the mother of 4 kids, she has 3 teenagers from her previous marriage and their daughter Lemmie is 2.
She’s one of the most important voices right now on diet culture and body acceptance and her Instagram page alone has 2.3 million followers!
In this conversation she covers a multitude on the topic, so if you want a feel-good episode that will potentially give you goosebumps (as it did for me!) this is the pod for you.
If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.
And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Topics covered : Traumatic childhood, abandonment, disappointment, pain, breaking negative cycles, self-worth, sport, faith.
Last year I sat down to speak to my next guest and I’m finally releasing our conversation.
I spoke to Irish professional athlete and coach at Oberstown Children’s Detention Centre, Ger Redmond.
He’s married to Pauline, who he describes as his rock and they have 5 kids together, 4 girls and a boy.
A childhood of neglect and dysfunction led him on a destructive path in life which involved joining a gang for nearly 20 years.
He turned to a life of criminality when his dream of becoming a professional footballer came to a cruel end due to an event that had devastating consequences for his family and another.
He’s not comfortable talking through the details of it during our conversation, out of respect to all involved.
Many years later Ger himself spent a couple of years in prison but becoming a father to a son was the catalyst for change.
When his son Ross was born in 2016, he completely changed his life. He threw himself into sport and set about breaking the negative cycles of behaviour that had caused so much harm to him and his siblings and today, his life’s work is about helping and motivating others.
To connect with Ger, go to…
Ger Redmond
You can also scroll back and listen to my conversation with Ray Goggins (released 22nd of October 2021) who is mentioned during our chat.
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Topics covered : Feeling ignored and unheard, suffering, honouring how you feel, acceptance, expectation, disappointment, judgment, jealousy and envy, controlling what we can control, compassion.
This week I speak to chartered psychologist, Allison Keating.
We spoke on Monday and we wanted to record something that might help those who are in the thick of it right now, many are still without power around the country and suffering as a result of the damage caused by Storm Éowyn and this is also an episode for anyone who is experiencing difficulty in their lives at the moment.
During this conversation she covers the importance of truly honouring how we feel and how acceptance (as difficult as it can be) is so beneficial. She also talks about expectation and judgement, the difference between jealousy and envy and how important it is to have compassion for ourselves and others.
Find Allison on Instagram
Allison Keating | thepractical.psychologist (@thepractical.psychologist) • Instagram photos and videos
Book -
‘It’s all too much – practical ways to pause panic attacks, reduce anxiety and overwhelm and rediscover everyday joy’
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Topics covered : Imbolc and the symbolism and significance of Brigid.
In this episode, I speak to historian and artist Shelly Mooney who runs the brilliant Instagram page ‘Tales from the Wood’ which explores the history and mythology of Ireland.
She lives in the countryside in County Wexford with her husband Kev, their baby Ferdia and Lola their dog.
After several years of campaigning, St Brigid’s Day has finally become a public holiday in Ireland and it’s the first one to be named after a woman.
In this conversation Shelly talks about the ancient pagan festival heralding the beginning of Spring called ‘Imbolc’ and the significance of Brigid and her resurgence in recent times, including the story behind her cloak and the cross of St. Brigid.
If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Topics covered : Climate crisis, capitalism, activism, Gaza, LA wildfires, Iran, community care, resistance, joy.
Raeeka (they/she) is a British-Iranian social & climate justice activist and poet. They work for Parents For Future UK, a group focused on empowering parents and carers into the climate movement. Raeeka is also on the Stop Rosebank team, working to stop new oil and gas in the UK. Raeeka amplifies the feminist revolution of their Iranian siblings in the fight for a free Iran. They have a special focus on intersectional collective liberation as a framework for how we build the world we need. They have recently self-published a poetry book: BELOVED: Words for the new way.
In this conversation we talk about the climate crisis and how finding out what your skill is and leaning into that, is key with heart centered activism.
To connect with Raeeka…
Raeeka | climate justice & social justiceBritish Iranian (@raeekayassaie) • Instagram photos and videos
RaeekaYassaie.com | Poetry for collective liberation
Resources they mentioned…
ParentsForFuture Ireland instagram - great landing place for climate for any parents listening
ParentsForFuture UK
Stop Rosebank - learn about stopping new oil and gas in the UK
Climate Defiance
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Topics covered : Gaza, parenting, co-sleeping, attachment, worthiness, cancer, thyroid, compassion.
In my first episode of 2025, my guest is the one and only Dr. Gabor Maté.
He is a retired physician and bestselling author known and loved for his ground-breaking medical work and writings.
His most recent book, ‘The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture’, has been and continues to be a bestseller worldwide.
n this conversation we talk about Gaza and as a Holocaust survivor what he has to say is so valuable. We also explore parenting, we talk about illness and the lessons to be learnt through these often very difficult experiences and he also shares his insights regarding Ireland.
He has been top of my dream guest list for years now so to have him on the podcast really is as good as it gets.
A heartfelt thank you to Catherine for all her help in connecting me with Gabor.
Books
Scattered Minds: The Origins and Healing of Attention Deficit Disorder 1999
When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress 2003
Hold onto your kids : Why Parents need to matter more than Peers 2005
In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction 2007
The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture 2022
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Topics covered : Life in Gaza, living under occupation, murder, grief, trauma, injustice.
In my final episode in 2024, I speak to Palestinian mother Hala Sourani.
In October 2023, Hala was married to Mohammad and they had 2 girls Shahd who was 6 and Rahaf who was 5 and they lived in Gaza.
In November of that year, they tried to flee but, in the process, both Mohammad and Rahaf were murdered by Israelis.
As you can imagine, this is a harrowing account of that time so please be aware before you listen but I really hope you do stay with this conversation as intense as it is and that you allow yourself to connect with Hala and the pain and injustice that she and so many have been, and continue to be, subjected to.
She came to Ireland with her daughter Shahd in February and has been working as a volunteer here and remarkably she completed a MBA last month too.
I wish we never had to have this conversation.
I wish she was still in Gaza with her husband and girls, but that is unfortunately not the case.
This is without a doubt one of the most important conversations I’ve ever had on Ready to be Real and I am honoured that she trusted me with it.
She’s not comfortable speaking about the Go Fund Me that has been set up to help her but I’m going to ask you to please consider donating what you can so that she and her daughter can try and rebuild their lives here in Ireland.
They need and deserve our support. Any and all donations would be gratefully received.
Fundraiser by Sarah Costello : Urgent Help For Halla & Chahd (Gazans in Ireland)
Go raibh mile maith agaibh.
A special word of thanks to the wonderful Kate O’Dwyer, the founder of 'Pals for Palestine' for all her help in connecting Hala and I and for all her love and guidance behind the scenes.
I’ll be back in the New Year with more episodes and thanks for your support as always.
Until then, tabhair aire agus Nollaig Shona dhaoibh go léir.
Saoirse don Phailistín.
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Topics covered : Motherhood, grief, loss of identity, birth trauma, breastfeeding, shedding shame, celebrity culture, awakening, humanity.
In this episode I speak to Matrescence coach Jacqueline Kelly.
She lives in Dublin with her husband Stuart and their two children Fionn and Molly.
And in this conversation she talks to us about Motherhood, her own personal experience of it, the loss of her own mother and coming to terms with her absence and the importance of recognising all mothers.
At times it’s a challenging conversation as we deal with topics such as birth trauma, breastfeeding and grief so please be aware before you listen.
Resources :
Alexandra Sacks on Matrescence…
A new way to think about the transition to motherhood | Alexandra Sacks - YouTube
The article I wrote sharing my own struggles with breastfeeding…
Síle Seoige: My first weeks with Cathal... and why I stopped breastfeeding - Her.ie
Pals for Palestine…
(@palsforpalestine_ireland) • Instagram photos and videos
And to connect with Jac, go to…
BRAVE Hearts - Our Brave Hearts
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Topics covered : Sleep, food, exercise, connection, sex, health appointments, past traumas.
This is the third episode with Menopause coach and author, Catherine O’Keeffe known online as Wellness Warrior and once again she covers a multitude! Topics like sleep, food and exercise are discussed. The importance of checking in with yourself and going for appointments like a DEXA scan or a visit to a women’s health physio; past traumas that can revisit you during your perimenopausal years and life after menopause.
Catherine's 6 M’s of Menopause – MOT, Menu, Movement, Mingle, Meaning, Minding you.
There are no quick fixes when it comes to treating symptoms of menopause and regarding vitamins, herbs etc, find what works for you personally and remember to always check with your doctor before taking any supplements.
If you want to reach out to Catherine, you can email her directly on [email protected]
Her book : ‘All You Need to Know About Menopause’ is available on her website Wellness Warrior
Find her our Instagram
Catherine O Keeffe (@wellnesswarrior.ie) • Instagram photos and videos
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Topics covered : HRT, early menopause, supplements.
This episode was recorded over 3.5 years ago but is still as relevant as ever.
I speak to Menopause coach and author, Catherine O’Keeffe, known online as Wellness Warrior.
When I recorded this conversation with Catherine, I was 41 and hoping to have another baby. Now, I’m 45 with very fortunate to have 2 young kids but I’m also now in perimenopause and listening to this chat once again, I took so much from it.
So I’ve been experiencing things like changes to my period and brain fog and a number of other typical symptoms for about 6-8 months now and this pod is full of information as Catherine delves into the physical, mental and emotional aspects of perimenopause and it’s a must listen!
The conversation is split in two, to allow you to absorb the information as it’s such a complicated and sensitive topic and the experience of menopause is so different for every woman.
This is the second part where talks about HRT, early menopause and she also answers a selection of your questions that were sent in on Instagram, including advice on supplements.
And Part 3 is coming next week!
Mentioned during the conversation
* None of the brands mentioned during the conversation are sponsored and of course there are plenty of other brands on the market too.
Find what works for you personally and remember to always check with your doctor before taking any supplements.
Supplements B Vitamins, Omega 3, Vitamin D, Magnesium, Maca, Camu Camu, Sage and Rhodiola. Brands 'Cleanmarine MenoMin' Magnesium supplement 'MAG365' Maca capsules and powder 'Sarah's choice' Sage 'Menosan A.Vogel' Omega 3 & Vitamin D3 'MorEPA Platinum Elite' Vitamin D 'One Nutrition' or 'SOMEGA' Rhodiola 'Terranova' Camu Camu 'Sarah's Choice' Tulsi 'Pukka Tulsi Clarity Tea'
If you want to reach out to Catherine, you can email her directly on [email protected]
Her book : ‘All You Need to Know About Menopause’ is available on her website Wellness Warrior
Find her our Instagram
Catherine O Keeffe (@wellnesswarrior.ie) • Instagram photos and videos
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Topics covered : Anxiety, brain fog, flooding, hot flushes, night sweats, weight gain, aches and pains, urinary incontinence, vaginal atrophy, pelvic physio, the impact of stress, sleep.
This episode was recorded over 3.5 years ago but it's still as relevant as ever.
I speak to Menopause coach and author, Catherine O’Keeffe, known online as Wellness Warrior.
When I recorded this conversation, I was 41 and hoping to have another baby. Now, I’m 45 and I'm very fortunate to have 2 young kids but I’m also now in perimenopause and listening to this chat once again, I took so much from it.
So I’ve been experiencing things like changes to my period and brain fog and a number of other typical symptoms for about 6-8 months now and this pod is full of information as Catherine delves into the physical, mental and emotional aspects of perimenopause and it’s a must listen!
Menopause is such a complicated and sensitive topic and the experience of it is so different for every woman.
If you want to reach out to Catherine, you can email her directly on [email protected]
Her book : ‘All You Need to Know About Menopause’ is available on her website Wellness Warrior
And find her on Instagram
Catherine O Keeffe (@wellnesswarrior.ie) • Instagram photos and videos
Mentioned during the conversation: Prof Myra Hunter & CBT Techniques:
02-WHC-FACTSHEET-CBT-WOMEN-FEB-2023-A.pdf
Products :
‘Yes organics’ Natural vaginal moisturiser
‘Olive & Bee’ Natural lubricant
* 24 patch testing is very important before applying any product internally
‘Vagifem’ – prescription only, from your GP
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Topics covered : Purpose, self and collective care, connection, values, non-negotiables, balance, legacy.
Gerry Hussey otherwise known as 'The Soul Coach' is a performance psychologist who has been working in the fields of health and performance for almost twenty years. I have huge respect for him and am lucky enough to call him a friend.
Gerry and his wife Miriam are the founders of wellness platform ‘Soul Space’ and they are bringing their show ‘Coming Home’ to the National Concert Hall on the 10th of November and I know it will be an incredibly powerful day for all who attend.
In this conversation he invites us to ask ourselves some important questions to help us discover what our values are, he talks about the importance of dropping judgement and he shares practical tips on how to stay regulated during challenging times.
Questions to ask ourselves :
What am I here to do?
Who am I here to be?
What’s the legacy I am going to dare leave behind?
What is the business I’m in?
What would love do?
Books :
‘The Hero’s Journey’ by Joseph Campbell
Gerry’s books ‘Awaken your power within’ and ‘The Freedom Within’
Coming Home, 10th November, NCH.
SOUL SPACE presents Coming Home with Gerry & Miriam Hussey| NCH | Live Music & Events | National Concert Hall
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Topics covered : Cancer, red flags, coercive control, faith, resilience.
This week I speak to the incredible Nicola Hanney.
Nicola lives in Dublin with her son and she’s been through hell and back. Her book, ‘Stronger -what didn’t kill me, made me’ is out now and in this conversation, we cover elements of her story.
She comes from a large family and works as a hairdresser, and 8 years ago, when she was 36 she was first diagnosed with cancer. She then went on to meet a man called Paul Moody, a former member of An Garda Síochána who terrorised her until he was convicted in 2022.
Over a 14 hour period in July 2018, she received 652 messages from him. That’s one roughly every 90 seconds. The mental, emotional and physical abuse he subjected Nicola to, led him to be one of the first people in Ireland to be convicted of coercive control.
And she gave up her anonymity to share her harrowing story in the hope of empowering others who find themselves in similar situations, and to highlight the early signs of abuse.
If you have been affected by this episode, please go to Ireland helplines and hotlines (findahelpline.com) for a list of resources that might be beneficial.
Women's Aid - Listening. Believing. Supporting. Empowering. (womensaid.ie)
Home - Men's Aid (mensaid.ie)
‘Taking back control’ documentary available to watch on the RTÉ Player.
Taking Back Control - RTÉ Player (rte.ie)
If you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places.
Thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Topics covered : Uncovering blind spots, racism, overwhelm, anxiety, panic attacks, burnout, regulation and dysregulation, consumerism, community and collective care, self-care, rupture and repair, glimmers.
This week I speak to chartered psychologist, Allison Keating and it was wonderful to be in her company.
She is married to Thomas and they have 3 daughters, Alannah is 15, Hayley is 12 and Brooke is 9 and they live in Dublin.
And in this conversation, she talks about anxiety, overwhelm and panic attacks. How important cultivating a sense of community and connection is and how embracing ‘glimmers’ can be hugely beneficial to our lives.
Her new book ‘It’s all too much’ has just launched and it is full of brilliant, practical advice including how to disrupt a panic attack and it’s a gamechanger!
Find Allison on Instagram
Allison Keating | thepractical.psychologist (@thepractical.psychologist) • Instagram photos and videos
Book mentions -
'Man’s search for meaning' by Viktor E. Frankl
'White Women – everything you already know about your own racism and how to do better' by Regina Jackson and Saira Rao.
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Topics covered : George Floyd, Black Lives Matter movement, trauma, racism, empathy, capitalism, celebrity culture, social media, privilege, colonialism, photography, power of film and music, Palestine, injustice, grief, social justice, community.
My guest this week is photographer, filmmaker, entrepreneur and social activist, the wonderful Misan Harriman.
He is married to Camilla and they have 2 young daughters and they live in Surrey.
He was born in Nigeria and came to England when he was a young boy to attend boarding school and the last few years in particular, have been transformative for him.
On his 40th birthday he picked up a camera and his gift behind the lens has led him to photograph some of the most influential people in the world from Harry and Megan, who are good friends of his; Kate Winslet, Harrison Ford and Angelina Jolie to name but a few.
He is also the chair of cultural hub, the Southbank Centre, and an ambassador for Save The Children and he was the first black man to shoot the cover of British Vogue in its 104 year history.
In this conversation, he talks about George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement, celebrity culture, the power of the arts and his love of film and music, his debut short film ‘The After’ which is currently on Netflix, and how children everywhere, must be our priority.
Watch :
The After
Triangle of Sadness
White Nanny Black Child
Listen :
On the nature of daylight by Max Richter
Other podcasts to listen to are...
Farah Nabulsi : Award winning filmmaker
Sarah Durham Wilson : Rebel with a cause
Róisín El Cherif : Palestinian pride
Caoimhe Butterly : Collective Care
Dr Myriam François : Speaking truth to power
Daniel Maté : Dismantling blindspots
Ruth Smith : Love and Justice
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Topics covered : Confidence, courage, anxiety, affirmations, bullshitting, self-talk.
In this episode I speak to Professor Ian Robertson about confidence.
Ian is a clinical psychologist and neuroscientist and he is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading researchers in neuropsychology and he’s also the author of several best-selling books, including ‘How Confidence Works’.
In this conversation he tells us what confidence is, what makes someone confident, how we can improve it, the differences between men and women in terms of confidence and why that is; the art of bullshitting and the power of positive self-talk.
If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Topics covered : Poverty, heroin addiction, neglect, abuse, childhood rape, dysfunction, shame, positive influences, kindness, breaking negative cycles, therapy, recovery, attachment, opportunities, motherhood, education, academia, love, compassion, forgiveness, healing.
Please read the full list of topics covered before you listen.
I speak to the phenomenal Dr. Katriona O’Sullivan and it's an eye opening and challenging conversation at times but I highly recommend you stay with it until the end.
Katriona lives in Blanchardstown in Dublin and is married to Dave and she has 3 boys, John who’s 30, Seán who’s 18, and Tadhg who’s 15 and she’s also a proud grandmother.
She is a senior lecturer in Maynooth University in the department of Psychology and is the author of bestselling memoir ‘Poor’.
Katriona’s childhood growing up in Coventry was often chaotic; as one of 5 kids to Irish parents living in a home shaped by heroin addiction, she experienced extreme trauma from an early age, which included being raped as a 7 year old and being pregnant and homeless, as a teenager.
In this conversation she speaks about the extreme neglect she experienced in childhood, the people who were a positive force in her life, the importance of opportunities and education, and the power of healing.
Book – ‘Poor’ is available in all good bookshops and online and is also available as an audio book.
If you’re a fan of my pod, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places. And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Topics covered : Childhood cancer, grief, perspective, gratitude.
In this episode I speak to Roseanna Ruane about her wonderful daughter Saoírse who sadly passed away in March this year.
We spoke a few weeks ago and in this heart-breaking conversation she talks about Saoirse, the kind and wise girl that she was, from her first cancer diagnosis when she was only 7 years old and how devastating life has been since she passed away.
She talks about how much she believes in being grateful for what we have in life, and the importance in making memories.
Saoirse was only 12 years old when she left this world but she left her mark in the most beautiful way.
Roseanna lives in Galway with her husband Ollie, their daughter Farrah Rose and their much loved dog Willow.
If you have been affected by this episode, please go to Grief & loss helplines in Ireland (findahelpline.com) for a list of resources that might be beneficial.
And if you want to contact Roseanna, you can find her on Instagram (@saoirseandmamma) or if you want her to speak at an event, you can email her [email protected]
Roseanna uses their page to spread awareness about childhood cancer, limb loss, fertility and grief and her wish is to continue to speak about their experience in the hope that it might give people perspective on what's important in life.
I’ll be taking a quick break from the pod but I'll be back again with more conversations in September. In the meantime, you can dive back into over 180 episodes and if you’re a fan of what I do, please follow, rate and review in all the usual places, I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real.
Enjoy the rest of the summer agus tabhair aire.
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