Constipation : Why you can’t go and what you can do about it

Topics covered : Alopecia Universalas, positive birth story, empowerment, inequality, activism, allyship, grief, miscarriage, still birth, episiotomy, PRIDE, colonisation. This week I speak to celebrant and director of Entheos Ireland, Karen Dempsey, also known as The Bald Priestess. Karen lives in Dublin, with her husband Liam, their son Beineán (18), daughter Róisín (5) and their dog Milo. In this conversation Karen talks about Alopecia Universalas; coming to terms with it and how she doesn't miss her hair at all anymore. She speaks about why she set up 'Entheos', an inclusive organisation founded to serve people outside traditional faith paths and her work as a celebrant, which she is so passionate about. She shares her extraordinary home birth experience with Róisín during the chat, her thoughts on taking part in ancient pilgrimage Lough Derg, and why activism and allyship are very important to her. To connect with Karen go to…. Entheos | Community • Ceremony • Change The article I mentioned during the chat… Sile Seoige - My Lough Derg Diary: darkness before dawn | Irish Independent 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.

Topics covered : Palestine, Sinéad O’Connor, patriarchy, patriarchal feminine, family dynamics, wellness industry, grief, activism, midlife, decolonisation, liberation for all. This week I speak to author and teacher, Sarah Durham Wilson, known on Instagram as Sarah of Magdalene. She lives in Maine with her young daughter Avalon, her cat Odin and dog Riley. She previously worked as an Arts and music writer with the likes of Rolling Stone, GQ and Vanity Fair. And in this conversation she talks about Palestine and the impact the devastation in Gaza has had on her, the patriarchy, patriarchal women, the wellness industry and the importance of decolonisation. This conversation helped me enormously and I think it could for you too. Books : ‘Maiden to Mother’ by Sarah Durham Wilson ‘The Great Cosmic Mother’ by Monica Sjöö and Barbara Mor ‘God is a Black Woman’ by Christena Cleveland If you like this conversation, other episodes to listen to… Ruth Smith : Love and Justice Daniel Mate : Dismantling blindspots Dr Myriam François : Speaking truth to power Caoimhe Butterly : Collective Care Róisín El Cherif : Palestinian pride Alana Kirk : Midlife coach Holly Cairns : Politics is Personal 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.

Topics covered : Politics, Gaza, threat of the Far-right, people power. This week I speak to farmer, scientist, feminist and leader of the Social Democrats, Holly Cairns. She lives in West Cork on her family farm with her partner Barry, her dog Hei Hei and her cat Blaze. And in this conversation she talks about growing up in a blended family, her bond with her mother, how she got into politics, her stance on the devastating situation in Gaza, the threat of the Far-right and the importance of unity, now, more than ever. I have wanted to sit down and chat to Holly for a very long time as she's someone I really admire so I am delighted that we made it happen. We met in 2019 for the first time and I liked her instantly. She was genuine, down to earth and great company and I for one, am so glad that she decided to venture into politics, as her voice is so badly needed in the Dáil. ​Political quiz 2024 Political Quiz (isidewith.com) checktheregister.ie 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.

Topics covered : Failure, faith, religion, awareness, meditation, death, compassion, love.  This is a re-release of an episode I recorded with author, playwright, podcaster, poet and all-round wonderful human being, Michael Harding in December 2022. Michael is someone I had wanted to speak to for years so it was an absolute pleasure to speak with him. In this enlightening conversation we talk about his love of religion, the power of failure and finding the extraordinary in the ordinary. His latest book ‘All the things left unsaid – confessions of love and regret’ is a stunning collection of letters he wrote for the people who deeply affected him over the years and it’s available now in all good bookshops. He's charmingly self-deprecating, reflective and his voice is one I could listen to forever.  I hope you enjoy our conversation. 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.

Shelly Mooney is a historian and artist who lives in County Wexford with her husband Kev, their sonFerdia and Lola their dog and she runs the brilliant Instagram page ‘Tales from the Wood’ which explores the history and mythology of Ireland. In this bite-sized episode she talks to us about the ancient Celtic festival of Bealtaine. She speaks of the importance of the Hill of Uisneach, the tradition of handfasting at this time, and the significance of the Hawthorn tree.  The Hill of Uisneach - The Sacred Centre of Ireland. 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.