Holly Cairns : Politics is Personal

​Topics covered : Crimeworld, fraudsters, the Regency Hotel shooting, The Kinahans, Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch, being a mother, resilience. ​I'm joined by crime journalist, author and podcaster Nicola Tallant. Nicola is a ​Mum of two and has been working in journalism since she was just nineteen and over the years she’s become one of the most respected and trusted voices in Irish crime reporting, as well as the host of the chart topping podcast Crime World. This week marks ten years since the Regency Hotel shooting ​a period that was particularly intense for Nicola​, and in this conversation we reflect on that time, what it was like covering organised crime up close, and the pressure and responsibility that comes with telling these stories. But beyond all of that, what really stood out to me was Nicola herself. She’s relaxed, compassionate​ and great craic. Honestly, the perfect guest​ and I think you’re going to enjoy this one. ​Another podcast to listen to (mentioned during the chat) : Ger Redmond : Being a good role model  It's a powerful listen about turning your life around.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered: Addiction, porn, car accident, death, family dynamics, shame, guilt, grief, forgiveness, therapy, support, compassion, healing. In this episode, I’m joined by men’s coach and author Gavin Meenan. Originally from Donegal, Gavin has been living in Sligo for the past sixteen years and is a father of two. Ariana is fifteen and Mason is eight. In this conversation, Gavin speaks with remarkable honesty about some of the most challenging and painful experiences of his life. When he was just eighteen, he was involved in a fatal car accident. He was driving too fast, and the person in the other car died at the scene. What followed, particularly the response of the woman’s family, is extraordinary. Their capacity for compassion, forgiveness and humanity is deeply moving, and it is a story that will genuinely take your breath away. Gavin also opens up about his struggle with porn addiction in the first half of the conversation. He speaks about the moment webcam footage of him was exposed, the shame and fear he experienced, and the long road towards facing himself and moving beyond it. This is a conversation about responsibility and consequence, but it is also about healing, forgiveness, and learning how to step out of shame and guilt in order to truly own your life. To connect with Gavin: ​Click here If you or someone you know is struggling, please know you are not alone. Help is available... ​​Ireland helplines and hotlines Live Podcast Announcement I’m hosting a live Ready to be Real podcast on Saturday 31st January at 2pm as part of Brigit: Dublin City Celebrating Women, presented in partnership with Acast. I’m delighted to say my special guest will be poet, activist and healer Laura Murphy. Laura featured in RTÉ’s documentary Finding Brigid and campaigned successfully to make Brigid’s Day a national holiday. Together, we’ll explore themes rooted in the spirit of Brigid, and we’d love to see you there. ​Buy tickets here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this snippet I speak to broadcaster and author Clare McKenna about wellness. If you enjoy this and you’d like to hear more, the full conversation with ​Clare is available to listen to anytime now. Announcement : I'm hosting a live podcast show on Saturday 31st of January at 2pm Abbey Presbyterian church as part of Brigit : Dublin City Celebrating Women presented in partnership with Acast and I'm delighted to say that my special guest is poet, activist, and healer Laura Murphy. Our conversation will be rooted in the spirit of Brigid and we'd love to see you so bigí linn! Buy tickets here (Laura featured in RTÉ's documentary Finding Brigid and campaigned successfully to make Brigid’s Day a national holiday.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Moving house, dementia, grief, diet culture, anxiety, privilege, breathwork. In this episode, I’m joined by broadcaster Clare McKenna for a conversation all about wellness. (Announcement : I'm hosting a live podcast show on Saturday 31st of January at 2pm as part of Brigit : Dublin City Celebrating Women presented in partnership with Acast. And I'm delighted to say that my special guest is poet, activist, and healer Laura Murphy. Buy tickets here (Laura featured in RTÉ's documentary Finding Brigid and campaigned successfully to make Brigid’s Day a national holiday.) Together, we'll explore themes rooted in the spirit of Brigid - renewal, inner fire and feminine wisdom. We'd love to see you so please join us!) Clare is married to Jonathan (who is better known as Ronnie) and they have two children, Flynn who’s 14 and Lois who’s 12. Since 2019, she’s been the voice behind Alive and Kicking the health and wellness show on Newstalk, and she’s also just written her first book, 'Would You Be Well? – Cut Through the Overwhelm to Find a Happier You.' Clare really is the epitome of calm, someone who truly walks her talk and we cover so much in this conversation around what wellness actually means in real life. She speaks about the challenges of the last few years in particular, moving house and her father's decline with dementia and his passing. She also speaks about the time she walked on fire at a Tony Robbins event! She has a retreat coming up inspired by her book 'Would you be well?' and it'll be taking place in The Deerstone in Wicklow from the 20th to the 22nd of February. It sounds like it's going to be a gorgeous weekend. For more information head to wouldyoubewell.ie Other book mentions : Still me by Dr. Sabrina Brennan  Man's Search For Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this snippet comedian Aoife Dunne brings us back to her mothers funeral, 15 years ago. (Her Mum Maria died suddenly of a heart attack in December 2010) If you connect to this moment, I highly recommend you go back and listen to it in full.  It's a gorgeous conversation. Also I'm hosting a live podcast show on Saturday 31st of January at 2pm as part of Brigit : Dublin City Celebrating Women presented in partnership with Acast. And I'm delighted to say that my special guest is poet, activist, and healer Laura Murphy. (Laura featured in RTÉ's documentary Finding Brigid and campaigned successfully to make Brigid’s Day a national holiday.) Together, we'll explore themes rooted in the spirit of Brigid...change, inner fire and feminine wisdom. Please join us! Buy tickets here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.