Sinéad O’Leary : Fighting Spirit

A quick update about Ready to be Real...I'm taking a break for the summer, but I’ll be back again in the autumn.Thanks so much for your continued support, it means so much to me and thanks also to my amazing guests who made these conversations possible. The past ten months have been intense — full of meaningful work (I've been working on a documentary series) and the juggle of modern life — so I haven’t been as consistent with the pod as I would’ve liked. That said, the episodes I have released have been powerful.With over 200 conversations available, there’s plenty to revisit — from thought-provoking, emotional discussions to unforgettable chats with incredible guests like photographer and activist Misan Harriman and the one and only Dr. Gabor Maté.We’ve tackled everything from grief, addiction, and coercive control, to menopause, adolescence, and the ongoing genocide in Gaza.These are honest, human conversations — some might challenge you, and many will stay with you long after you’ve listened to them.If you have any feedback for me, guest suggestions, or topics you'd love me to explore when I'm back, please do get in touch — DM me on Instagram 𝗦í𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗼𝗶𝗴𝗲 (@sileseoige) • Instagram photos and videos or drop an ema​il to hello@readytobereal.comHave a lovely summer, and I’ll chat to you again in September — more organised than ever, with weekly episodes you can rely on.And as always...Saoirse don Phalaistín. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27 Juni 1min

Topics covered : Identity crisis, bullying, self-worth, addiction, alcohol, drugs, money laundering, court case, self-sabotage, Covid, homelessness, taking responsibility, rebuilding her life. In this episode I sit down with DJ Nikki Hayes — whose real name is Eimear O’Keeffe. Eimear or Nikki as she’s better known, rose to fame as a hugely popular voice on radio stations like 2FM and Spin 1038 but behind the mic, she was struggling. Her battle with addiction, eventually led her to lose everything — her family, her job, her home, and her sense of self. For three harrowing months, she lived on the streets of Dublin, sleeping rough. In this raw and moving episode, she talks openly about hitting rock bottom, facing legal battles, taking ownership of her actions and finding the strength to rebuild her life. Today, she's back doing what she loves, working in radio again on East Coast FM. But most importantly, she’s restoring her life with her daughter Farah who she adores. If you’ve been affected by this conversation, please know that there is help available… Urgent help - HSE.ie Tiglin Challenge Limited If you’re a fan of what I do, 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.

20 Juni 46min

Topics covered : Activism, social justice, betrayal, family estrangement, patriarchy, responsibility, grief, regrets, forgiveness, love, business. In this episode, I sit down with mother and daughter — Rosita and Chupi Sweetman.Rosita is a trailblazing activist and one of the founding members of the Women’s Liberation Movement of the 1970's, a time when speaking out for women’s rights — including the right to contraception — was radical and urgently needed.Her daughter Chupi is a hugely successful entrepreneur who runs her own luxury jewellery brand and is someone who passionately believes that business can be a powerful force for good.She's married to Brian and they have a daughter together. Aya is almost 5 and the light of their lives.Chupi was homeschooled as a child, raised in a loving and creative environment — one shaped by her mother’s values, courage, and conviction.But behind the strength and warmth of their story lies a great deal of pain — and it’s captured in Rosita’s powerful new memoir, Girl with a Fork in a World of Soup.While much of the book focuses on the turbulent years of her marriage, the emotional heart of the story begins in childhood — when Rosita, at just nine years old, was sent off to boarding school, and shortly after, her younger sister died from a heart condition, just shy of her seventh birthday.That devastating loss shattered her family, and without support or counselling, grief pulled them apart in ways that would echo through the decades.The memoir also delves into Rosita’s deeply dysfunctional relationship with her ex-husband — Chupi’s father — who ultimately had an affair with one of Rosita’s sisters and was involved with other members of her family too. The betrayal was devastating and led to family estrangement, but in writing the book she is telling the truth of her experience with integrity and heart.It takes real courage to speak so honestly, and I’m so grateful for the depth and heart they brought to this conversation.Buy Rosita's book hereWomen's Aid - Listening. Believing. Supporting. Empowering.Chupi Jewellery | Engagement Rings, Wedding Rings & Fine JewelleryIf you’re a fan of what I do, 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.

13 Juni 1h 23min

Topics covered : Imposter syndrome, vulnerability, shedding shame, triggers, self-sabotage, apologising, blocks, boundaries, self-worth, ADHD, conditioning, reclaiming. This episode originally aired on the 6th of October 2023 and feels eerily resonant now, given how much has shifted since. I speak to body-based visibility and business coach, Kate O’Dwyer.She lives in Dublin with her partner Jim and their son, Ned.She is the senior guest booker on The Tommy Tiernan Show on RTÉ and her passion is in supporting women to step into their fullest self-expression so that they can share their work, their words, and their wisdom.She believes that our visibility can heal and embolden each other to build the world we all want to live in.And in this conversation she shares her own experience with us, she speaks about visibility blocks and what they might look like and shows us how to step into our power.Since we recorded this pod, Kate has created the ever-growing Pals for Palestine Ireland community - her heart and leadership continue to inspire me deeply.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.

6 Juni 1h 5min

Topics covered : Mental health, homophobia, same-sex marriage referendum in Ireland, rejecting shame. This week marks 10 years of the marriage equality referendum in Ireland when the country overwhelmingly voted 'yes' and in doing so became the first country in the world to grant equal marriage rights to same-sex couples by popular vote.3 years ago I spoke to bar owner, drag queen and activist, Rory O’Neill aka Panti Bliss.Originally from Ballinrobe in Mayo, Rory lives in Dublin city with his husband Anderson and their dog Penny.We spoke in late February 2022 and at times there is an eerie poignancy to our conversation as it happened as Covid restrictions were being lifted here in Ireland, but before the invasion of Ukraine.In this conversation we speak about his now iconic Noble call in the Abbey Theatre and the events which led to it, he speaks about the impact the pandemic had on him, the freedom his alter ego Panti gives him, how he rejects shame of any kind and how he would like to be remembered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

23 Maj 55min

Topics covered : Hurling career, All Ireland Finals (2017 & 2018), growing up, learning from failure, resilience, criticism, coping with fame, love, loss, proposal story, becoming a Dad.This week, I’m joined by All-Ireland winning hurler and businessman Joe Canning.He’s a proud Galway man who now lives in Limerick with his wife Meg and their baby daughter Josie.In the first part of our conversation, we dive into his hurling career — focusing on the highs and lows of All-Ireland finals, especially those unforgettable matches in 2017 and 2018. Later, we move into more personal territory.Joe opens up about family — the loss of his much-loved Mam, proposing to Meg, and what fatherhood means to him.Naturally more introverted as a person, he’s honest about how he sees the world — from having no time for people-pleasing to how he turns criticism into motivation. Joe’s book : ‘Joe Canning: My Story’ is available online and in all good bookshops.And keep an eye out for his upcoming episode of ‘Unchartered’ with Ray Goggins — airing in the coming weeks time — where he and Olympic athlete Thomas Barr will embark on a gruelling adventure through Colombia. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with friends, family, or on social media.And if you’d like to support what I do, you can follow the podcast, leave a rating, or drop a comment — it all makes a big difference.And thanks, as always, for your support of Ready to be Real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

16 Maj 1h 23min

Topics covered : Sexual abuse, grooming, domestic violence, rape, incest, sexual assault, coercive control, manipulation, gaslighting, guilt, shame, recovery.Charlene Masterson was subjected to horrific sexual abuse at the hands of her father, David, for over 7.5 years.The abuse started at 18 and the details of which are truly shocking, but her ability to talk about what she went through, is remarkable.This summer, she made the brave decision to waive her right to anonymity in the hope of helping others who find themselves in controlling, abusive situations.Now in her early 30’s she is getting back to what she loves to do and is finding herself again.And in this conversation we talk about so much, including the bond she has with her mother, the damage of pity and the importance of friendships.She is a gorgeous person, inside and out and deserves all the best that life can bring her.To support her, please consider donating here...https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-charlene-masterson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10 Maj 1h 21min

Topics covered : Childhood sexual abuse, grooming, secrecy, shame, self-harm, intense flashbacks, suicide attempts, therapy, consent.Jack is an extraordinary person who bravely shares his experience of surviving childhood sexual abuse. The abuse lasted for five years during his early life and left lasting scars that led to self-harm and multiple suicide attempts.While he chooses not to disclose the identity of his abuser, his insights offer a rare and important glimpse into the lasting effects of trauma.In this episode, he speaks with incredible honesty about the impact it had on him — the shame he carried, the ways he tried to hide his pain, and the long road to healing.He also shares important reflections on the need to teach young people about consent and body safety.This conversation is raw and inspiring and I’m truly honoured that Jack chose to speak to me.Support :One In FourSupport – Mental Health IrelandAnd if you’d like to support Jack’s brilliant "Mountains of Change" fundraiser — a seven-day hike in aid of One in Four, you can sign up to hike on Sunday May 25th or donate to help support survivors of childhood sexual abuse.Mountains of Change | Home - Mountains of ChangeBook mention : 'Respect : Consent, Boundaries and Being in Charge of YOU' by Rachel BrianI am adding this in as there have been so many questions about the book I mention during our chat.I bought it here...Respect: Consent, Boundaries and Being in Charge of YOU – Genius Juniors Children's Books and Educational ResourcesIf you’re a fan of what I do, 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.

1 Maj 1h 44min