The Laura Dowling Experience

🎧 Episode Description

What does it really take for women to enter politics today?

In this special edition from the European Parliament, Laura Dowling speaks with MEPs Kathleen Funchion and Cynthia Ní Mhurchú on International Women’s Day about their experiences of political life and the wider landscape for women entering leadership roles.

Through personal stories and candid reflections, they discuss how they each found their way into politics and why there is no single blueprint for women who want to lead. The conversation explores the growing issue of online misogyny, the importance of representation in shaping policy on issues such as domestic violence, and the role Irish political parties must play in supporting more women to participate and progress into leadership positions.

Together, they reflect on the resilience required to remain in public life and why creating a more inclusive political culture matters not only for women, but for democracy itself.

🔑 Key Points

The reality of online misogyny in politics
Both guests speak openly about the misogynistic abuse female politicians face online and how social media harassment has become a serious barrier discouraging women from entering public life.

There is no single path into politics
Kathleen Funchion and Cynthia Ní Mhurchú reflect on their personal journeys into politics, showing that women often arrive through very different life experiences and career paths.

Why representation in politics matters
The conversation highlights how having more women in political leadership influences the issues that receive attention, including policies that directly affect women’s lives.

The impact of abuse on families and future candidates
Online harassment does not only affect politicians themselves - many women hesitate to run for office because they worry about the impact on their families and children.

Turning experience into political action
Rather than ignoring abuse, the guests discuss how they channel these experiences into advocacy and policy work aimed at addressing misogyny and harassment.

The role of political parties in supporting women
Irish political parties, they argue, must do more to actively encourage and support women who want to enter politics and progress into leadership roles.

Domestic violence and policy responsibility
The discussion touches on how political representation can shape legislation and awareness around issues such as domestic violence and safety for women.

Resilience in public life
Remaining in politics often requires resilience and support networks, especially for women navigating hostility in public spaces.

⏱️ Timestamps

05:10 - Kathleen and Cynthia share how they first entered politics
11:40 - Why there is no single blueprint for women entering political life
14:10 - Confidence, opportunity, and why women hesitate to run
19:20 - Online misogyny and the abuse women face on social media
28:10 - The impact of online harassment on families and future candidates
36:50 - The importance of representation in politics and policymaking
49:00 - Domestic violence and the role of policy leadership
55:00 - Encouraging more women to participate in political leadership
59:20 - Resilience, public service, and the future of women in politics
Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎧 Episode Description

Laura sits down with comedian Aoife Dunne for an honest and humorous conversation about everything from grief and fear to the unexpected turns life can take.

Aoife opens up about the sudden loss of her mum while she was backpacking in her early twenties - a moment that changed the course of her life. After spending time in therapy and trying to make sense of the fear she carried, she eventually travelled to Brazil and took part in an ayahuasca ceremony with the hope of letting go of something she felt was holding her back.

Alongside moments of humour, Aoife speaks candidly about fear, self-doubt, and what can happen when we stop trying to control every step of the journey. She shares how her unusual route into comedy emerged from years of searching, reflection, and gradually learning to trust where life might lead her.

🔑 Key Points

Losing her mum while travelling
Aoife reflects on receiving the news of her mother’s death while backpacking in her twenties and the shock of navigating grief far from home.

Learning to live with loss
Aoife talks about how grief shaped her twenties and how it continued to influence the way she approached life and relationships.

The fear that held her back
Aoife talks about the deep sense of fear she carried for many years - something she felt stopped her from fully pursuing the things she wanted in life.

Travelling to Brazil for an ayahuasca ceremony
Aoife explains why she eventually chose to take part in the ceremony and what she hoped to release.

An unusual route into comedy
Aoife reflects on how she ended up performing comedy despite never initially seeing it as her path.

A new perspective on what matters
Aoife reflects on how grief and reflection helped her appreciate the deeper value of love, relationships and everyday life.

📚 Mentioned in this Episode

Aoife Dunne – Official Website & Tour Dates
Find Aoife’s upcoming shows, including her stand-up show Good Grief, and buy tickets here:
https://aoifedunnecomedy.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGncw1_OANO5trgzPuPL8lgOyBgmPgZt5OmJPMsxM0zj5P22v0kv5jsSqtynaw_aem_CrTmYABNtRBRDzzKsiU62g

Aoife Dunne on Instagram
Follow Aoife for updates, clips and tour announcements:
https://www.instagram.com/aoife_is_never_dunne/

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction and meeting Aoife Dunne
06:00 – Growing up, family stories and humour
12:30 – “Aoife Dunne is a slut”
18:40 – Losing her mum while travelling in South America
27:00 – The lasting impact of grief
33:10 – Argentinian men vs Irish men
44:00 – Deciding to try ayahuasca in Brazil
50:30 – The emotional experience during the ceremony
58:20 – A new way of seeing her life
01:11:40 – An unusual path into comedy
01:28:00 – Not needing a perfect life plan
01:45:30 – The pressure of expectations in your thirties
Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎧 Episode Description

Arriving in Ireland from Somalia as a child after years of displacement, Nadia grew up watching her mother sacrifice everything to create stability through education. That path led her into finance and onto a trading floor surrounded by high earners and high pressure — a version of success that looked impressive but never fully felt aligned.

What began with selling her own 08 BMW after a disappointing dealer offer gradually turned into something bigger. From selling cars on her drive to leasing a yard just before the pandemic, Nadia shares the discipline, doubt, criticism and resilience behind building Ashford Motors.

🔑 Key Points

Displacement and Determination
Nadia shares how early instability and migration shaped her resilience.

The Weight of Expectation
Growing up with a mother who sacrificed everything created both pressure and motivation.

Success That Didn’t Feel Like Success
Despite qualifying as a stockbroker, something felt missing.

An Accidental Entrepreneurial Spark
Selling her own BMW revealed a different path.

Building From Her Own Drive
Before Ashford Motors, she was learning, reinvesting, and doing everything herself.

The Shock of the Pandemic
Opening a yard just before lockdown threatened the business before it had momentum.

Visibility Through Social Media
Turning to TikTok became a lifeline when no one knew who she was.

Choosing Belief Over Approval
Receiving SIMI accreditation marked a turning point in confidence.

📚 Mentioned in this Episode

Ashford Motors – Founded by Nadia, a luxury and premium car dealership.
https://www.ashfordmotors.ie/

Ashford Approved (AM Approved) – Nadia’s second garage, offering more affordable and accessible vehicles alongside her premium range.
https://www.amapproved.ie/

SIMI (Society of the Irish Motor Industry) – The official representative body for the motor industry in Ireland, providing accreditation and governance standards for dealerships and motor businesses.
https://www.simi.ie/

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – From Somalia to Ireland
06:30 – Education and the Path Into Finance
13:00 – Inside the High-Pressure Trading Floor
21:00 – Reselling the 08 BMW
29:00 – Reinvesting Profits and Learning the Trade
36:00 – Opening Ashford Motors
41:00 – Lockdown Shock
46:00 – Marketing Through Social Media
54:00 – Reputation, Criticism and Credibility
01:01:00 – SIMI Accreditation
01:08:00 – Building a Business With Discipline
Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎧 Episode Description

Eating disorders are complex, layered, and often hidden in plain sight. In this episode, psychiatric nurse Laura Casey helps us understand the difference between disordered eating and a clinically diagnosed eating disorder - and why that distinction matters.

Drawing on years of frontline experience, Laura explores the psychological roots of anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and ARFID. She explains how these illnesses are not about vanity, but instead are coping mechanisms linked to trauma, anxiety, perfectionism, grief, and the need for control. She also sheds light on the physical risks - from refeeding syndrome to bone density loss - and why early intervention dramatically improves the chances of full recovery.

Alongside clinical insight, this episode gives voice to the lived experience of those struggling in silence. It addresses stigma within healthcare, the pressure of social media, the rise in cases during COVID, and the heartbreaking reality that Ireland currently has only three public adult inpatient beds.

🔑 Key Points

1. When Food Becomes an Internal Battle

Eating disorders often involve a powerful internal voice that overrides rational thinking and drives secrecy, rigidity, and isolation.

2. ARFID and Neurodivergence

Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder is increasingly recognised, particularly in neurodivergent individuals, and deserves equal seriousness and support.

3. The Role of Trauma and Anxiety

Experiences such as grief, bullying, family breakdown, or suppressed emotions can contribute to the development of disordered eating behaviours.

4. The Hidden Physical Toll

Malnourishment affects cognition, heart function, bone health, sleep, fertility, and digestion - and purging behaviours can cause serious internal damage.

5. Why Families Matter

Family dynamics can influence recovery - both positively and negatively - and family therapy can play a crucial role in long-term progress.

6. Relapse Is a Blip, Not a Failure

Recovery can include setbacks. Early warning signs and relapse prevention planning are key to sustaining progress.

7. Stigma Within Healthcare

Many people feel dismissed or reduced to their diagnosis when seeking treatment - highlighting the need for holistic, compassionate care.

📚 Mentioned in This Episode

DSM-5 - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

ICD Codes - International Classification of Diseases

Eating Disorders
Anorexia nervosa/Bulimia nervosa/Binge Eating Disorder/Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder - ARFID
https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/anorexia-nervosa/

Refeeding Syndrome

CBT - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

DBT - Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

Bodywhys - The Eating Disorders Association of Ireland
https://bodywhys.ie/
+353 01 210 7906

Samaritans Ireland
[email protected]
Freephone: 116 123

Pieta House
Freephone: 1800 247 247
0818 111 126

HSE Eating Disorder Teams (Public Health)
1800 111 888
(Referral must be made through GP)

Lois Bridges (Private/Self pay/HSE funding)
[email protected]
www.loisbridges.ie
+353 87 653 9747

CARED Ireland
(Caring About Recovery from an Eating Disorder)
[email protected]

Supporting Families
[email protected]

Family Therapist
Lana Galkovskaja
[email protected]

⏱️ Timestamps

03:00 – Disordered Eating vs Eating Disorders
07:00 – ARFID and Sensory Restriction
13:00 – Trauma, Perfectionism and Control
18:30 – Medical Risks and Refeeding
24:00 – Specialist Therapies and Medication
29:30 – The Gap in Irish Services
34:00 – What Parents and Friends Can Do
40:00 – Relapse Prevention and WRAP Planning
46:00 – Hope at Any Stage of Life
Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎧 Episode Description

Liz Dwyer joins the podcast to discuss what life looks like when separation doesn’t bring closure. Still legally married six years on, she reflects on the gaps in Ireland’s divorce process and the contradictions of being asked to co-parent calmly while fighting legal battles behind the scenes.

Beyond the courtroom, Liz talks about the coping tools that kept her going, from the books that helped her make sense of what she was living through to the unexpected fun of dating again.

Liz also speaks about later marriage and family-building in Ireland, and her work on the Future Fertility Show, which focuses on education, access, and support around fertility and reproductive health.

Key Points

Honest discussion about cosmetic and pelvic health treatments — what works and what doesn’t
Why pelvic floor strength matters more than cosmetic procedures
How Ireland’s divorce system is slow, opaque, and outdated
The emotional and financial toll of being stuck in long-term legal limbo
Lack of transparency and consistency in family court decisions
Being forced to co-parent while legally positioned as adversaries
Total absence of structured support for people going through divorce
Comparison with faster, more straightforward divorce systems abroad
Dating after separation as an unexpected source of healing and perspective
The need for real support networks around divorce, fertility, and family change

📚 Mentioned in this Episode

Broken Open – Elizabeth Lesser
A reflective book about how major life upheavals such as divorce, loss, or illness can break familiar structures and open the door to growth, meaning, and change. It explores resilience, identity, and rebuilding after rupture.

Future Fertility Show
A fertility-focused event covering education, clinics, talks, and support services.
📍 Location: RDS, Dublin
📅 Dates: March 21–22
🎟️ Tickets: https://www.futurefertilityshow.com/

Future Beauty Show
A medical-led beauty and health event focused on hormones, wellbeing, and evidence-based education.
📍 Location: RDS, Dublin
📅 Dates: March 21–22
🎟️ Tickets: https://futurebeautyshow.com/

Future Men’s Health Show
An event dedicated to men’s health, hormones, longevity, and wellbeing, developed in response to growing demand for accessible expert-led information.
📍 Location: RDS, Dublin
📅 Dates: March 21–22
🎟️ Tickets: https://www.futuremenshealth.com/

⏱️ Timestamps

03:10 – Trying beauty treatments to give honest advice
06:05 – Why divorce in Ireland is so difficult
14:10 – Court delays and legal limbo
17:45 – Co-parenting pressures
26:30 – Psychological toll of uncertainty
31:10 – Lack of support structures
36:45 – Books and coping tools
45:50 – Dating after separation
50:40 – Future Fertility Show
Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.