The Women's Podcast

In this episode, Kathy Sheridan is joined by Clodagh O’Hagan, who is now over twenty weeks pregnant with her first child. In late 2018, Clodagh made the decision to have a baby on her own using artificial insemination. Despite being given just a 2-5% chance of becoming pregnant, Clodagh defied the odds and is now looking forward to her new arrival this May. She spoke to Kathy about deciding to go it alone, choosing a donor (which she compares to online dating) and the medical process behind the successful pregnancy. We also hear from Irish Times Social Affairs Correspondent Kitty Holland who spoke to Róisín Ingle about her recent piece on the homeless crisis in Dublin. Kitty visited a free food stall in the city centre and spoke with lots of different people using the service, including a family with five children and an eighty year old woman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever wondered why there’s always a long queue in the women’s toilets, while men just seem to waltz in and out? Why do some public toilets charge you for the pleasure of emptying your bladder? And what’s with the lack of decent public toilets in nearly every city around the world? These are the kind of questions that occupy the mind of Canadian journalist & author Lezlie Lowe. In her brand new book No Place To Go: How Public Toilets Fail Out Private Needs, Lezlie takes a look at the many ways that public bathrooms just don’t work. Lezlie spoke to Kathy Sheridan about becoming Canada’s ‘Toilet Lady’ and why the queue for the women’s bathroom is ultimately a feminist issue. Also joining the discussion is Fóra.ie journalist Zuzia Whelan, who has written about Ireland’s dreadful approach to women’s toilets for the Dublin Inquirer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we’re exploring the complex world of female friendships: why do some friends come and go? How to go from acquaintance to best pal? And what are friendship apps like Bumble BFF really like? To discuss this and more, Róisín Ingle was joined by American comedian Erin McGathy, London based journalist Laura Kennedy and Irish Times columnist Hilary Fannin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Róisín Ingle is joined by Dr. Niamh Shaw who’s on a mission to make it into outer space. As a young girl, Niamh dreamed of becoming an astronaut, but never thought of it as an achievable ambition. That all changed in her early forties when she finally decided to believe in herself and pursue her long held childhood dream. In her new book, Dream Big (out this March) Niamh documents her space journey so far, which includes taking a zero gravity flight, simulating a mission to Mars in the Utah desert and getting to watch a live rocket launch. She spoke to Róisín about her next ambitious plan and how we can encourage young women to choose careers in STEM. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode Róisín Ingle spoke to Jane Goodall, the woman who devoted her life to the study of chimpanzees. In this fascinating conversation, Jane describes how her African adventure started in 1957 when she travelled to Kenya by boat (it took over a month). With no formal training or scientific background, Jane became a chimp researcher under the supervision of archaeologist Louis Leakey. She told Róisin about how her mother’s unwavering support enabled her to reach her goals, what it’s really like to live amongst chimps in the wild and how her unusual methods of research annoyed the senior academics who thought they knew better. She also talks about the ways each one of us can contribute as the world grapples with climate crisis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Women’s Christmas or as it’s known in Ireland Nollaig na mBan and it’s also the Feast of the Epiphany. To mark the occasion The Irish Times Women’s Podcast been collecting Epiphanies or as Oprah calls them “a-ha moments” from women. In this special episode women recount the lightbulb moments that influenced and in some cases transformed their lives. You’ll hear epiphanies from lots of inspiring women including the award winning author Margaret Atwood, musician and writer Andrea Corr, former United States Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power, fashion designer Sonya Lennon and podcast presenters Kathy Sheridan and Róisín Ingle. A New Year brings with it a feeling of hope, change and motivation. We hope this episode is just what you need to get that New Year’s spring in your step. It might even lead to an epiphany of your own. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2020 is finally here, but what has the year in store for women around the world? In today’s episode Kathy Sheridan is joined in studio by Syrian born journalist Razan Ibraheem, Irish Times social affairs correspondent Kitty Holland and Irish Examiner columnist Alison O’Connor. Together, they took a look at how women will be making waves around the world in the coming year; including which Irish female authors will be making their debut, what the year has in store for women in sport and how the world of politics will be shaped by strong females. They also revealed their own goals for 2020. Get ready to be inspired. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2019: It was the year of fanny flutters, Brexit & Borris. The year that Finland elected the youngest ever female prime minister, America won The Women’s World Cup, a new royal baby was born, Wagatha Christie had everyone talking and the fight for women’s rights escalated across the world. To review the very best and worst bits of the last year with Kathy Sheridan are journalists Jennifer O’Connell, Alison O’Connor and Syrian born journalist Razan Ibraheem. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tererai Trent, an academic from Zimbabwe, was in Dublin recently for the Simmons Leadership Conference. As a young girl born into poverty, Tererai was not allowed to attend her local school. Despite this, she went on to obtain a degree in agricultural education, a Masters in public health and in 2009, she completed her PhD. Oprah Winfrey once described Tererai as her all time favourite guest and from this inspiring conversation with Róisín Ingle, it’s easy to see why. Also in this episode: The Grass Ceiling is a short film created by Iseult Howlett. The film explores female participation in sport and looks at how being physically active and part of a team can benefit you in all aspects of life. Also in the discussion, is Irish Times restaurant critic Catherine Cleary, who along with Iseult has joined a soccer team in recent years. They spoke to Róisín Ingle about the strong female athletes featured in the film and the joy of returning to team sports. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, Psychotherapist and mindfulness teacher Padraig O’Morain is on hand to help bring a little calmness into our lives this festive season. With the constant rushing around, the frantic shopping and the pressure to achieve the "perfect" Christmas, it’s important to take some time to look after yourself too. He spoke to Róisín Ingle about preparing yourself for stressful family gatherings and the easy mindfulness techniques you can use to inject some calm into your Christmas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.