The Delusional Optimist

Diana Bunici
  • 5.0 (3)
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  • Updated weekly

The Delusional Optimist is a podcast for anyone ready to rewrite their story - or simply seeking a little inspiration to take the next step. Hosted by Diana Bunici, it’s a space for real stories and honest conversations about fresh starts - from big life pivots and career leaps to finding light in hard moments. A reminder that even when the path isn’t clear, there's always another way.

  1. EP 12 The Redundancy That Changed Bestselling Author Andrea Mara's Life

    2 days ago

    EP 12 The Redundancy That Changed Bestselling Author Andrea Mara's Life

    What do you do when the career you’ve spent 17 years building suddenly disappears? When bestselling author Andrea Mara was made redundant from her job in financial services, she had a choice: find another “sensible” job or take a chance to build something new. In this episode, Andrea shares the story behind that life-changing decision and how an unexpected redundancy gave her the time to discover whether writing could become a career. Today, she’s one of Ireland’s bestselling crime authors, with multiple hit novels and All Her Fault adapted into a major TV series. We talk about the reality of changing careers in your 40s, forging a new career while raising three children, overcoming self-doubt, and why the biggest risks are often the ones worth taking. We also chat about: why redundancy became the turning point she never saw comingthe career coach who helped her stop searching for another “safe” jobthe realities of life as a full-time authorwhere the ideas for her bestselling psychological thrillers come fromthe long journey from All Her Fault becoming a bestselling novel to a Sky TV adaptationwhy success is often far less glamorous - and far more hard work - than people imagineWhether you’re dreaming of changing careers, writing a book, or simply wondering if it’s too late to start again, Andrea’s story is a reminder that sometimes the biggest setbacks become the beginning of something even better. Support the show If you’ve been enjoying the podcast and would like to show your support, you can buy me a coffee at the link below. Every contribution helps me keep creating honest, uplifting conversations about reinvention, self-belief and the messy middle. Thank you for being here 🤍 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2545407/support Stay up to date with The Delusional Optimist Podcast on Instagram, here. You can follow host Diana Bunici on Instagram here - expect lots of cute pics of her dogs Benny & Charlie!

    59 min
  2. EP 11 Author & Broadcaster Lucy Kennedy on Finding Happiness in Your 50s

    30 Jun

    EP 11 Author & Broadcaster Lucy Kennedy on Finding Happiness in Your 50s

    She’s one of Ireland’s best-loved broadcasters, but Lucy Kennedy is proving it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. In the first episode of Season 2, Lucy joins me for a warm, funny and honest conversation about taking risks, embracing change and finding more confidence with age. We chat about writing her bestselling novel The Mini Breakers on her phone while on holiday, the leap from broadcasting to fiction, and why sometimes the bravest thing you can do is simply back yourself. We also talk about perimenopause, female friendships, raising teenagers, the reality of working in television, and what Lucy has learned after spending years interviewing and living with some of the world’s most famous faces. I hope you'll love this conversation as much as I did recording it! Support the show If you’ve been enjoying the podcast and would like to show your support, you can buy me a coffee at the link below. Every contribution helps me keep creating honest, uplifting conversations about reinvention, self-belief and the messy middle. Thank you for being here 🤍 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2545407/support Stay up to date with The Delusional Optimist Podcast on Instagram, here. You can follow host Diana Bunici on Instagram here - expect lots of cute pics of her dogs Benny & Charlie!

    1hr 2min
  3. EP10 Corina Gaffey on Styling Celebs, Going Freelance & Making it in Fashion

    6 May

    EP10 Corina Gaffey on Styling Celebs, Going Freelance & Making it in Fashion

    Fashion might look glamorous on Instagram but behind every red carpet moment is a LOT of chaos, spreadsheets, sourcing, fittings, returns, early mornings, and problem-solving that nobody talks about. For the season one finale of the podcast, I’m joined by celebrity stylist and fashion journalist Corina Gaffey for a really honest conversation about building a career in Irish fashion, freelancing, backing yourself, and figuring things out as you go. Corina shares how she went from magazine life at KISS and Stellar to styling major names like Vogue Williams and Joanne McNally, and what fashion styling actually looks like behind the scenes. We also talk about: • “faking it till you make it” and learning on the job • the reality of freelance life when the inbox goes quiet • the pressure behind red carpet styling • confidence, personal style, and social media trends • why copying someone else’s style never really works • rejection, resilience, and building relationships in the industry It’s an insightful and honest chat about creativity, career pivots, self-belief, and finding your place in a competitive industry. I hope you enjoy! Support the show If you’ve been enjoying the podcast and would like to show your support, you can buy me a coffee at the link below. Every contribution helps me keep creating honest, uplifting conversations about reinvention, self-belief and the messy middle. Thank you for being here 🤍 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2545407/support Stay up to date with The Delusional Optimist Podcast on Instagram, here. You can follow host Diana Bunici on Instagram here - expect lots of cute pics of her dogs Benny & Charlie!

    1hr 13min
  4. EP 09 Paralympian Ellen Keane on Winning Gold, Self-Worth & What Comes Next

    28 Apr

    EP 09 Paralympian Ellen Keane on Winning Gold, Self-Worth & What Comes Next

    Winning a Paralympic gold medal is supposed to be the happy ending… but for Ellen Keane, it was only part of the story. From becoming Ireland’s youngest Paralympian at 13 to winning gold in Tokyo, Ellen shares what we don’t see - the pressure of being “the good girl”, the mental crash after big highs, and the loneliness that can follow even your proudest moments. We talk identity, self-worth, and the voice in your head that can be your biggest critic. Ellen opens up about growing up with a limb difference, learning to stop hiding, and building a mindset rooted in self-belief... even when it feels “delusional”. We also get into the reality of what comes next: retiring, losing a sense of identity, and having the courage to start again - stepping into media and using her voice for disability advocacy and representation. This is a conversation about resilience, reinvention, and being kinder to yourself along the way. Support the show If you’ve been enjoying the podcast and would like to show your support, you can buy me a coffee at the link below. Every contribution helps me keep creating honest, uplifting conversations about reinvention, self-belief and the messy middle. Thank you for being here 🤍 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2545407/support Stay up to date with The Delusional Optimist Podcast on Instagram, here. You can follow host Diana Bunici on Instagram here - expect lots of cute pics of her dogs Benny & Charlie!

    1hr 15min
  5. EP08: After the Storm - Ryan Tubridy on Love, Life & Starting Over

    21 Apr

    EP08: After the Storm - Ryan Tubridy on Love, Life & Starting Over

    In this episode of The Delusional Optimist, I sit down with broadcaster and former Late Late show host Ryan Tubridy for a thoughtful and deeply human conversation about navigating a very public storm, finding contentment in its aftermath, and what it means to start over.  From career highs and intense scrutiny to love, reinvention, and the quiet power of perspective, Ryan reflects on the chapters that shaped him - and the ones still unfolding. This is a conversation about resilience, identity and life beyond the headlines, with a refreshing honesty about what it takes to build and move forward. Want to spend an evening in Ryan's company? Keep up with The Bookshelf Podcast LIVE tour dates and tickets here. Support the show If you’ve been enjoying the podcast and would like to show your support, you can buy me a coffee at the link below. Every contribution helps me keep creating honest, uplifting conversations about reinvention, self-belief and the messy middle. Thank you for being here 🤍 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2545407/support Stay up to date with The Delusional Optimist Podcast on Instagram, here. You can follow host Diana Bunici on Instagram here - expect lots of cute pics of her dogs Benny & Charlie!

    56 min
  6. EP07 The Final Chapter - Steve Garrigan on Kodaline's Farewell, Anxiety & Life on the Road

    14 Apr

    EP07 The Final Chapter - Steve Garrigan on Kodaline's Farewell, Anxiety & Life on the Road

    The night before Kodaline release their first single in six years, I sit down with someone I know better than anyone else - my husband, Steve Garrigan - for a bittersweet conversation about the band's final chapter.  With a final album and farewell tour on the horizon, we talk honestly about what it means to close a chapter that has spanned over 20 years - from pub gigs and rejection letters to global tours, billions of streams, and global crowds singing back ever word. We go deeper than the music too. We chat about anxiety, panic attacks, and the years Steve spent feeling ashamed and “broken.”  We talk about how therapy, fitness, and learning to understand his mind have helped him build a life that is no longer defined by anxiety and we explore  the pressure of releasing music today, his passion for songwriting, and the unseen work that goes into every record, from the first lyric to final master... If you’ve ever wondered what a “dream career” really looks like behind the scenes, this is that conversation. Enjoy! Support the show If you’ve been enjoying the podcast and would like to show your support, you can buy me a coffee at the link below. Every contribution helps me keep creating honest, uplifting conversations about reinvention, self-belief and the messy middle. Thank you for being here 🤍 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2545407/support Stay up to date with The Delusional Optimist Podcast on Instagram, here. You can follow host Diana Bunici on Instagram here - expect lots of cute pics of her dogs Benny & Charlie!

    56 min
  7. EP06 Planning the Dream: Weddings, Budgets & Taking the Leap with Martina O

    7 Apr

    EP06 Planning the Dream: Weddings, Budgets & Taking the Leap with Martina O

    What actually makes a wedding unforgettable? This week on The Delusional Optimist, I'm joined by wedding planner Martina O'Riordan (Martina O), who helped plan my own wedding, to talk about the reality behind those "perfect" days - from timelines slipping to behind-the-scenes chaos you never see. We get into budgets, suppliers, and the pressure to create a Pinterest-perfect wedding, plus the small, intentional details that guests actually remember. Martina shares her honest advice for newly engaged couples - where to start, what to prioritise, and how to let go of perfection without losing the magic. We also chat about her journey from corporate events in Australia to building her business in Ireland, the leap of faith it took, and how she navigated the uncertainty of lockdown to keep it all going. Whether you're planning a wedding or building something of your own, this episode is a reminder that the most meaningful moments are rarely the most perfect ones.  You can follow Martina on Instagram here and see her work on her website here.  Support the show If you’ve been enjoying the podcast and would like to show your support, you can buy me a coffee at the link below. Every contribution helps me keep creating honest, uplifting conversations about reinvention, self-belief and the messy middle. Thank you for being here 🤍 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2545407/support Stay up to date with The Delusional Optimist Podcast on Instagram, here. You can follow host Diana Bunici on Instagram here - expect lots of cute pics of her dogs Benny & Charlie!

    1hr 10min
  8. EP05 'I Quit the Music Industry to Start My Skincare Brand' - Sara Stokes, SKN to SKN Founder

    31 Mar

    EP05 'I Quit the Music Industry to Start My Skincare Brand' - Sara Stokes, SKN to SKN Founder

    She quit the music industry to build a skincare brand now stocked in 183 Boots stores - and it all started with one confusing pregnancy moment. This week I sit down with Sara Stokes, founder of SKN2SKN, to talk about leaving behind a glamorous career that no longer felt right, navigating burnout and a quarter-life reset, and building a brand from scratch with no roadmap. We get into the reality of the music industry, moving to London young, and how pregnancy became the turning point - sparking the idea for a pregnancy-safe skincare brand.  Sara shares the practical side too: finding formulators, pitching to Boots, bootstrapping, protecting equity, and managing the pressure of early growth. This is a conversation about trusting your instincts, starting before you feel ready, and building something meaningful from a moment of uncertainty... Enjoy! Support the show If you’ve been enjoying the podcast and would like to show your support, you can buy me a coffee at the link below. Every contribution helps me keep creating honest, uplifting conversations about reinvention, self-belief and the messy middle. Thank you for being here 🤍 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2545407/support Stay up to date with The Delusional Optimist Podcast on Instagram, here. You can follow host Diana Bunici on Instagram here - expect lots of cute pics of her dogs Benny & Charlie!

    1hr 2min
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Delusional Optimist is a podcast for anyone ready to rewrite their story - or simply seeking a little inspiration to take the next step. Hosted by Diana Bunici, it’s a space for real stories and honest conversations about fresh starts - from big life pivots and career leaps to finding light in hard moments. A reminder that even when the path isn’t clear, there's always another way.

Information

  • Creator
    Diana Bunici
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Delusional Optimist
  • Show Website
    The Delusional Optimist

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