Mad About Herself

Alannah Kerrigan

For the woman becoming ✨her✨again Conversations about confidence with real, inspiring women.

  1. Oct 13

    S2 E07: Myllena O'Keefe: Becoming a Mum at 16, Love, Addiction & Finding Herself

    This week on Mad About Herself, I'm joined by Myllena O'Keefe, who was born and raised in Brazil before moving to Ireland as a young girl and becoming a mum at just 16. Myllena opens up about finding out she was pregnant so young, the reality of growing up while raising a child of her own, and the teenage years and experiences she missed along the way. We also talk about her relationship with her husband, local musician Jordan O'Keefe, and what it's like being the muse behind his amazing new music. Myllena speaks honestly about one of the most difficult periods of their lives, when they separated, Jordan's struggles with addiction, and the journey they've been on to get to where they are today. We explore the difficult lesson that no matter how much you love somebody, you can't make those changes for them. Myllena also shares her experience of postpartum depression after having her daughter, as well as living with PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder). We talk about the impact of mental health struggles, the importance of asking for help, and how easy it can be to lose sight of yourself when you're trying to look after everyone else. During her recovery from postpartum depression, Myllena took up working with clay as a creative outlet, which eventually grew into her own business, Nena's Clays. We chat about the joy of creating something for yourself and having an identity outside of motherhood and relationships. And towards the end of the episode, Myllena shares a beautiful message to her younger, present and future selves that I think so many women will relate to. It's a conversation about growing up too quickly, motherhood, love, addiction, mental health, creativity and learning to believe in yourself, even when you're still finding your way. Mad About Herself. New episodes every Tuesday. For the woman becoming her again. 🩷 Follow Myllena: https://www.instagram.com/myllenaokeefe https://www.tiktok.com/@myllenaokeefe Follow Alannah: https://www.instagram.com/alannahkerrigan_ https://www.tiktok.com/@alannahkerrigan_

  2. Oct 6

    S2 E06: Jayne Gilmore (Stable Lane): Building a Business While Building a Life

    What does it really look like to build a business while you’re also building a home, getting married, raising a family and trying to keep all the plates spinning? This week on Mad About Herself, I’m joined by Jayne Gilmore, founder of Stable Lane, to talk about the journey from spotting an empty building and thinking, “that would be a great place for a shop,” to creating a growing family business that has become such a huge part of her life. Jayne takes us right back to 2017, when she was preparing to get married, building a house and opening a shop within the space of a few months. We talk about taking risks, backing yourself when you don’t have everything figured out and what it takes to keep going when life and business are both demanding so much from you. Jayne also opens up about motherhood, the flexibility and pressure that come with being self-employed, and why it matters to her that her children grow up seeing their mum doing something she genuinely loves. Stable Lane has been part of their lives from the beginning, and Jayne hopes she’s creating something that could one day become part of their future too. We also get into something I think so many women will recognise: looking like everything is grand above the surface while underneath you’re absolutely flapping just trying to keep everything going. And towards the end of the episode, Jayne looks back at the woman she was in 2017 and shares what she would tell her now:A really lovely conversation about business, motherhood, ambition, family and building something you’re proud of, even when you’re figuring it out as you go. Mad About Herself with Alannah Kerrigan . New episodes every Tuesday.

  3. Sep 29

    S2 E05: Niamh Smyth: The Life I Thought I’d Have by Now - Infertility, IVF & Hope

    This week on Mad About Herself, I’m joined by Niamh Smyth, who shares her life online through her love of travel, lifestyle content and her very honest TTC journey. Niamh got married at 21, straight after university, and believed that starting a family would naturally be the next chapter. But almost ten years later, after years of trying to conceive and four unsuccessful rounds of IVF, becoming a mum is something she is still waiting and hoping for. We talk about what it’s really like to live with infertility for such a long period of your life. The appointments, the treatments, the disappointment, the questions from other people and the emotional toll of watching life move forward around you. Niamh also shares why she has been campaigning for fertility services to be separated from maternity services wherever possible. After experiencing the heartbreak of receiving devastating news about her own fertility while surrounded by pregnant women and expectant families, she wants greater consideration given to the environment in which people undergoing fertility investigations receive their care. But this conversation is also about everything that happens in the meantime. Niamh talks about travelling, her marriage, sharing such a personal journey online and learning that continuing to live a full and happy life doesn’t mean giving up on the future she still desperately wants. It’s an incredibly open conversation about womanhood, infertility, resilience, hope and making sure you don’t lose yourself while waiting for the next chapter to begin. 💗 🎙️ Mad About Herself with Alannah Kerrigan New episodes every Tuesday. If Niamh’s story resonates with you, please share the episode with someone who might need to hear it. Follow Niamh here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niamhjanesmyth TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nsmyth17 Follow Alannah here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alannahkerrigan_ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alannahkerrigan_

  4. Sep 15

    S2 E03: Christopher Ferry: Gerry Adams, Controversy & the Story Behind Ferry Clever

    Christopher Ferry is the man behind one of Derry's most recognisable brands - Ferry Clever - and in this episode, we're getting to know the man behind the cards, the comedy and the controversy. Christopher joins Alannah for a funny, honest and at times deeply personal conversation about building Ferry Clever, his love of Derry and Derry humour, supporting local businesses and causes, and why he isn't afraid to stand up for what he believes in. He also speaks openly about the devastating loss of his first child, Christian, to stillbirth, fatherhood, his decision to give up alcohol and his determination to become the healthiest and best version of himself. And then, of course, there are the controversies. Christopher talks about the cease-and-desist letters he's collected along the way, his feelings about Conor McGregor, and, for the first time in a long-form interview, tells his side of the story behind the controversial Ferry Clever Christmas video featuring Gerry Adams. He reflects on the backlash and intense media attention that followed, the mistakes he believes he made, and why he regrets the hurt the video caused. From accidental business names and Derry humour to grief, sobriety, controversy, community and getting things spectacularly wrong sometimes, this is the story of Christopher Ferry beyond Ferry Clever. Mad About Herself with Alannah Kerrigan - Season 2, Episode 3. Hosted by Alannah Kerrigan. Produced by Simon Dobbins. Jingle composed by Chipzel. Title Animation by Korie Campbell.

About

For the woman becoming ✨her✨again Conversations about confidence with real, inspiring women.

You Might Also Like