Ready To Be Real by Síle Seoige

Topics covered : Acting, celebrity culture, Palestine, grief, Zionism, solidarity. This week, I’m honoured to speak with award-winning Irish actor Denise Gough, who has gained a whole new audience thanks to her chilling and complex portrayal of the fascist officer Dedra Meero in the acclaimed Star Wars series Andor. But Denise is so much more than a brilliant actor — she’s a deeply compassionate and courageous human being. She has spoken openly about painful chapters of her life — including experiences of grooming and childhood abuse, and her struggle with addiction. Now, almost two decades sober, she has built a career defined not by glamour, but by emotional truth, talent and integrity. In this first part of our conversation (part two coming next week), Denise reflects on her recent trip to the West Bank — how witnessing life there challenged her, changed her, and deepened her commitment to the cause. She also shares her thoughts on celebrity culture, the importance of connecting with like-minded people, and how she strives to use her public profile for good. We also talk about the time she filmed a movie in Jordan — 'The Shooting of Thomas Hurndall' — which tells the story of a young British peace activist killed by the Israeli army, and how, even as a child, she was deeply affected by the Holocaust and wrote to world leaders like Saddam Hussein during the Gulf War. These moments reveal a restless compassion and a lifelong instinct to speak up — even when it’s not easy. If this episode resonates with you, please follow, subscribe, or share it with someone who might appreciate it. Part 2 coming next week. Míle buíochas agus ​Saoirse don Phalaistín.  Makan - Education for liberation Home - Makan Pals for Palestine - resources Resources * You can also listen to other conversations exploring Palestine on Ready to Be Real from December 2023 onwards, with guests including Ruth Smith, Daniel Maté, Dr Myriam François, Caoimhe Butterly, Róisín El Cherif, Sarah Durham Wilson, Farah Nabulsi, Misan Harriman, Hala Sourani, Dr Gabor Maté, Raeeka Yassaie, Fintan Drury, Catherine Connolly, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this short clip, I revisit the powerful words of Dr. Gabor Maté — words that are resonating so deeply with me right now, especially in light of the devastating news of the murder of Palestinian journalist ​Salah Al Jafarawi yesterday. Gabor’s words are a reminder to ​us to stay human — to stay connected, compassionate, and awake — even when the world feels overwhelming. ​If you’d like to hear more, you can listen back to my full conversation with him​ anytime ​here on Ready to be Real. ​* Dr. Gabor Maté is a retired physician and bestselling author known and loved for his ground-breaking medical work and writings.  ​In ​our full conversation we also explore parenting, we talk about illness and the lessons to be learnt through these often very difficult experiences and he also shares his insights regarding Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Shedding shame, pubic hair, pelvic floor muscles, UTI's, periods, STI's, birth, constipation and the importance of fibre.  This week, I sit down with the brilliant Laura Dowling — better known online as The Fabulous Pharmacist! It’s Laura’s second time joining me on the pod, and I’m delighted to have her back. She lives in Dublin with her husband Frank and their three boys, and after working as a pharmacist for over 20 years, she’s now the founder and CEO of fabÜ nutritional supplements. I absolutely love ​her — she’s smart, funny, and refreshingly honest — and in this chat we ​talk all things vulvas, as her brilliant new book ​'Love Your Vulva​' has just been released. It’s a celebration of women, our bodies, and the importance of understanding and embracing them. A fun, empowering, and educational conversation about women’s health, body confidence, and breaking taboos. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this snippet I speak to ​Presidential candidate Catherine Connolly​ about how she feels about politics, what matters to her and what kind of President she hopes to be if elected. ​You can hear the full conversation with ​C​atherine anytime now and make sure you're registered to vote —tomorrow the 7th of October is the deadline.  It takes just 2 minutes to register : Check the Register Agus caith do vóta ar an 24ú! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a conversation I recorded on the 3rd of September with Independent TD and Presidential candidate, Catherine Connolly. She lives in the Claddagh in Galway with her husband Brian, and they have two adult children. Her life and work have been shaped by a deep sense of social justice, compassion, and conviction. Before entering politics, Catherine worked as a cleaner, a nurse’s aide, a psychologist, a teacher, and a barrister — a truly diverse path that reflects her deep-rooted commitment to public service. She’s one of 14 siblings, and in this episode, she speaks about losing her mother at the age of nine — a loss that shaped the rest of her life. We talk about: the power of listening, her love for Gaeilge, her long-standing advocacy for equality, Palestine and the kind of President she hopes to be if elected. It’s honest and grounded— very much like Catherine herself. Make sure you're registered to vote — you still have a few days left: Check the Register Agus caith do vóta ar an 24ú! If you enjoy Ready to be Real, please consider following, rating, and reviewing the podcast — it really helps! And thank you, as always, for your support. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.