Dr. Katriona O’Sullivan​ : The many meanings of hunger

Topics covered: Body image, diet culture, good girl conditioning, life under patriarchy, poverty, trauma, hypervigilance, affirmations, self-belief, healing, ageing, motherhood, connection​, privilege.

In this episode I sit down once again with Professor of Psychology and bestselling author​, the extraordinary Dr. Katriona O’Sullivan.

When Katriona first joined the podcast in November 2023, her memoir Poor had been released and since then, the book has become a phenomenon; winning Biography of the Year and Newcomer of the Year at the Irish Book Awards, remaining in Ireland’s top-ten nonfiction chart for two years, being translated into seven languages and adapted into a sold-out stage production at Dublin’s Gate Theatre.

Now Katriona is back to talk about her powerful new book 'Hungry: A Biography of my Body.'

In this deeply honest conversation, Katriona reflects on growing up in the 80s and 90s​ and the culture of shame around women’s bodies​ and the lasting impact of ​extreme poverty​.

​She also speaks about hypervigilance, self-worth, privilege and learning how to exist in your body with greater compassion.

About Katriona:

Born in Coventry to Irish parents, ​her early life was marked by poverty, addiction, teenage pregnancy and homelessness. In 1998 she moved to Dublin, where she entered Trinity College through the access programme and went on to earn a PhD in psychology. She is now a professor at Maynooth University and is a passionate advocate for inclusion and opportunity through education.

She ​is married to Dave and has 3 sons: John​, Seán and Tadhg​ and she​'s also a proud grandmother.

Books:

'Poor' and 'Hungry: A Biography of my Body'

Other related episodes include conversations with Sarah Nicole Landry and Mary Kate Slattery.

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