How's Your Ma Podcast

Leanne Ryan & Orla Lynch
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Our podcast explores women’s relationships—from mother-daughter to leadership—and how they shape lives, aiming to support and empower women across all relationship experiences.

  1. 1d ago

    How's Your Ma: Episode 20

    This week, Orla and Leanne are joined by two women from the Handmaids of Ireland for a powerful conversation about domestic abuse, child protection and their experiences of the Irish family court system. Remaining anonymous as Handmaid One and Handmaid Two, they share their experiences of leaving abusive relationships, trying to protect their children, navigating Gardaí, Tusla and the courts, and why they believe major changes are needed within the system. They also discuss coercive control, children’s voices, access and custody, the impact of not being believed, and why the Handmaids of Ireland movement was formed to support survivors and campaign for greater transparency and reform. Content note: This episode includes discussion of domestic abuse, coercive control, rape and sexual violence, child sexual abuse allegations, suicidal thoughts, threats and attempted murder. Timecodes [00:00] – Sponsor message: Kitchens by Act Fast[01:17] – Introducing the Handmaids of Ireland[02:04] – Handmaid One shares her story[03:18] – Concerns around possible child sexual abuse[05:39] – Reporting concerns to Tusla and Gardaí[07:20] – Children making disclosures[08:18] – Safety orders, harassment and family court[10:13] – Section 20 reports and children’s voices[11:10] – Child protection case conferences[13:19] – The court assessor becomes involved[14:07] – When the case begins to turn against Handmaid One[16:46] – Handmaid Two shares her experience[17:10] – Why survivors feel unheard in family court[19:18] – Domestic abuse versus “high conflict”[20:55] – Coercive control and parenting[22:16] – Recognising sexual violence and rape[24:10] – When trauma is used against victims[26:20] – “Do I have to die for my children to be protected?”[28:30] – Court-ordered access and protecting children[30:44] – Why protection should come first[32:48] – The Handmaids as a support network[35:33] – When abuse is weaponised against survivors[38:45] – Why the Handmaids of Ireland was formed[40:47] – Children growing up and speaking for themselves[43:50] – Calls for wider family law reform[45:50] – Handmaid One returns to her court assessor experience[47:12] – The impact on her daughter[50:59] – Feeling that asking for help caused further trauma[53:49] – The financial cost of fighting a family court case[55:19] – Asking the public to start asking questions[57:32] – How to support the Handmaids of Ireland[59:19] – Final thoughts and thanks

  2. Sep 3

    How's Your Ma: Episode 19

    This week, Orla and Leanne sit down for an honest conversation about friendship, childhood, parenting and how much life has changed. After reconnecting with childhood friend Jill, they reflect on old friendships, growing up, the loss of community, and how childhood today compares with their own. From funny memories to heavier conversations around the Magdalene laundries, social media, parenting pressures and loneliness, the episode ultimately comes back to one thing: connection. **Content note:** This episode includes discussion of the Magdalene laundries, violence, child protection concerns, discrimination against Traveller families and a brief reference to self-harm. Timecodes[00:00] – Intro: Friendship, childhood and memories from last week’s episode[01:24] – Reconnecting with old friends[02:14] – How easily years can pass without seeing people[03:24] – Nights out, friendship and mam guilt[04:40] – Childhood expectations then versus now[05:12] – Electric Picnic and time with friends[06:11] – How friendship groups change over time[07:09] – Growing up beside a Magdalene laundry[08:19] – Remembering the women who lived and worked there[09:11] – Looking back and understanding it differently as adults[10:24] – What happened after the laundries closed?[11:57] – Growing up near a convicted murderer[13:27] – Dark realities in the background of childhood[14:19] – Connolly Station and childhood adventures[15:07] – Rainbow Rapids and getting stranded without train fare[17:11] – Childhood independence then versus now[18:06] – The dangerous games they somehow survived[19:48] – Why children text instead of knocking on doors[20:49] – Read receipts, anxiety and instant replies[21:46] – Putting the phone away and being present[22:34] – Watching concerts through phone screens[23:22] – Social media versus reality[24:12] – When being grounded actually felt like punishment[24:57] – Youth clubs, summer projects and community[26:06] – How youth workers supported vulnerable children[26:54] – Teaching basic life skills[28:00] – Childhood school mornings and family routines[29:27] – Creating positive mornings for your own children[30:14] – Children arriving at school after chaos at home[31:39] – The importance of emotional regulation before school[33:10] – Mitching school before apps and notifications[34:38] – Pressure on parents, teachers and schools[35:08] – Traveller families and the realities children faced[36:18] – Discrimination within the education system[37:16] – Why many problems facing children are systemic[38:21] – Housing, overcrowding and loss of community space[39:06] – Remembering community life in Ballymun[40:03] – Planning decisions and listening to communities[42:01] – Building spaces without asking what families need[42:25] – Expensive experiences versus simple childhood fun[44:34] – Cousins, summer projects and family days out[45:19] – Simple days out and sharing a bag of chips[46:00] – Electric Picnic bringing back old memories[47:16] – Recreating childhood memories with the next generation[49:04] – Busy lives, loneliness and lost connection[49:31] – Has social media changed friendship?[50:38] – Thinking of an old friend? Send the text[51:22] – Not wanting funerals to be the only reunion[52:18] – Friendship as chosen family[53:35] – Social media and young people[54:17] – Entitlement, expectations and family pressures[55:48] – “Kids have forgotten how to be kids”[56:49] – How birthdays have changed[57:34] – Christmas Eve boxes, Halloween boxes and more[58:27] – Remembering old Halloween traditions[59:05] – Bring back fun, friendship and connection[59:30] – Final thoughts: make time for real human connection

  3. Aug 27

    How's Your Ma: Episode 18

    In this episode of How's Your Ma, hosts Orla and Leanne welcome Gillian, one of Leanne's childhood best friends, for an honest and often emotional conversation spanning growing up in Dublin's inner city, class and community, resilience, love, and loss. Gillian reflects on being raised on Sean McDermott Street — a historic, tight-knit but disadvantaged community — and shares difficult experiences of harassment and assault she endured as a child and teenager, and how those experiences shaped her self-esteem into adulthood. The conversation shifts to lighter, joyful territory as she recounts meeting her husband Robert, a Romanian immigrant, in the late 1990s, their whirlwind romance, and the challenges they faced as a mixed-nationality couple navigating immigration bureaucracy and cultural stigma. Gillian also opens up about the sudden loss of her father in 2018 — the same week her father-in-law passed away in Romania — and how that loss became the catalyst for her decision to go back to college in her 40s and retrain as a secondary school teacher. The episode closes with reflections on motherhood, female friendship, and powerful advice for young people who've faced similar experiences of harassment or hardship. Content note: This episode includes candid discussion of childhood sexual harassment and assault. Listener discretion advised. Timecodes 00:00 – Welcome & introducing guest Gillian00:29 – Gillian's background: growing up on Sean McDermott Street, family of six00:50 – Gillian's own kids, becoming a grandmother01:57 – History of the area — "the Monto" and its red-light district legacy02:41 – Legacy of poverty, deprivation, and addiction in the community03:09 – Comparing poverty then vs. now; economic vs. social disadvantage04:08 – Growing up without "hunger," but recognizing systemic disadvantage05:08 – Lack of access to education and college as a kid06:30 – Reflecting on privilege and economic differences between the two friends07:04 – (Content note: harassment/assault) First childhood incident of indecent exposure08:02 – Second and third incidents in the same laneway09:04 – Discussion of lack of child protection responses at the time10:32 – A stranger's attempted abduction near her nan's flat12:09 – How repeated incidents shaped her self-esteem and sense of shame12:50 – Harassment continuing into her teenage years14:09 – Her mother confronting a harasser15:07 – Going to teen discos and nightlife as a young teenager16:45 – Moving on to bars and clubs as a young adult17:00 – A violent groping incident in a nightclub at 16–1718:42 – Bystander apathy and normalized harassment in the 90s19:36 – Internalized shame and how it affected her self-image for years20:39 – Rebuilding confidence — "nobody would mess with me now"21:00 – Meeting Robert, the love of her life22:08 – Their first meeting on a night out24:13 – The language barrier and early courtship25:01 – "Fated" repeated run-ins around Dublin26:14 – Hiding the relationship from her family at first27:09 – Falling seriously in love; getting married secretly29:49 – Immigration interviews and scrutiny over the marriage31:03 – Discovering Robert's family's religious background31:15 – Telling her parents about the marriage after the fact32:04 – Her father's precautions before her trip to Romania33:09 – Robert's family life and background in Romania34:01 – Stigma on both sides of the relationship34:13 – 26 years of marriage and raising three sons35:19 – Comparing family upbringings — Gillian's vs. Leanne's households37:03 – Childhood hustling and earning money young38:10 – Family holidays and shared childhood memories39:34 – Reflecting on how the neighborhood has changed over the years41:16 – Her father's quiet generosity within the community42:20 – Her father's cancer diagnosis and rapid decline43:12 – The devastating week both her father and father-in-law were dying simultaneously44:22 – The impossible choice she gave her sons45:41 – Sending her teenage sons to Romania alone46:45 – Her father's final days and passing47:48 – News of his death spreading on social media before she could tell her sons49:02 – Her father's advice that inspired her to become a teacher50:07 – The staffroom conversation that changed her path51:08 – Going back to college as a mature student52:07 – Completing her teaching qualification through Trinity, disrupted by Covid53:02 – Finding support from colleagues as a new teacher54:14 – Distinguishing genuine kindness from performative niceness54:36 – How marriage and being "chosen" affected her confidence56:37 – Leaning on each other through grief56:56 – Updates on her three sons' lives and paths58:25 – Career path: becoming an EAL (English as an Additional Language) teacher1:01:05 – On educational inequality and encouraging students' potential1:02:27 – Advice for young women and men on harassment and respect1:04:12 – Advice on building strong female community and support1:05:34 – Reflections on Gillian's transformation and growth1:06:00 – The song that describes her: "This Is Me" from The Greatest Showman1:06:36 – Closing thanks and appreciation1:07:37 – Encouragement for anyone considering going back to college later in life1:07:57 – Outro, sponsor thanks (Act Fast Construction & Kitchen World), and sign-off

  4. Aug 20

    How's Your Ma: Episode 17

    This week Orla and Leanne sit down with Claire Malone — singer, actress and frontwoman of hit wedding band Gossip (Wedding Band of the Year 2023, Wedding Singer of the Year 2024). Claire takes us from her earliest days in Dublin's National Performing Arts School and the Gaiety Theatre box office, through Kenny Live, Abba Gold, the Spice Girls tribute circuit, and nine wild years touring the world as lead singer of The Commitments. But this episode goes way deeper than showbiz stories. Claire opens up about losing her mum to a brain tumour at 27, two abusive relationships that nearly broke her, the fertility struggles and surprise pregnancy that led to her two kids, a brutal postpartum year isolated in the countryside, and the devastating story of her wedding day — getting married while her dad was too sick to leave hospital, and losing him just six weeks later. It's honest, it's emotional, and it's very, very funny in between. Grab a cuppa (or something stronger) for this one. ⚠️ Contains strong language and discussion of sexual harassment, abusive relationships, grief, pregnancy loss/complications, and mental health — listener discretion advised. Timestamps 00:00 – Intro with Orla & Leanne, meeting Claire Malone00:58 – Growing up in Dublin, school and early love of drama01:19 – National Performing Arts School & the Digges Lane days02:08 – Factory Studios, dancing and acting02:28 – Discovering she could actually sing03:12 – First TV gigs at 16/17 on Kenny Live04:13 – The tribute band boom: Abba Esque & Abba Gold05:02 – Touring as a fake Spice Girl05:54 – Joining Abba Gold full time (age 17–21)07:10 – Leaving Abba Gold over her 21st birthday08:02 – Working in the Gaiety Theatre box office from age 1508:47 – Speaking up about sexual harassment at the theatre13:08 – Moving to LA to study acting16:06 – The call that changed everything: joining The Commitments17:55 – Nine years touring the world with the band18:26 – Wild life on the road, big gigs and bigger nights out20:11 – Burning out on the touring lifestyle23:16 – Her mum's brain tumour diagnosis and death24:52 – Grief, anger, and falling apart on tour25:24 – Leaving The Commitments for good27:15 – Singing at weddings begins almost by accident29:08 – Buying the name and building her own band, Gossip30:07 – Meeting her husband Paddy31:37 – Two abusive relationships back to back33:44 – Therapy, healing, and finding her way out38:28 – Settling down with Paddy and deciding to try for kids38:43 – Fertility struggles and starting IVF39:53 – The surprise pregnancy that beat the odds40:43 – Moving in with her dad while pregnant41:04 – Working through pregnancy and a brutal birth43:11 – A dark, isolating postpartum year in Louth45:56 – Second pregnancy and welcoming Teddy47:17 – Juggling motherhood, marriage and gigging non-stop47:32 – Acting in "The Spin" and the London premiere52:02 – Her dad's cancer battle and caring for him54:59 – The days before her wedding as his health declined56:23 – Her wedding morning — and the call from the hospital58:56 – Reflecting on the most emotional day of her life59:24 – Losing her dad six weeks after the wedding59:47 – On grief, survival, and learning to feel instead of think1:03:58 – Wrap up and thanks

  5. Aug 13

    How's Your Ma: Episode 16

    In this episode of How's Your Ma?, Arla and Leanne sit down with Brendan Power, a man with over 40 years off drink and 20 years off drugs, who now dedicates his life to helping others through AA. Brendan opens up about a childhood marked by early exposure to alcohol, trouble with the courts at just 13, corporal punishment and abuse in school, and a "double life" battling addiction while raising a family. He speaks candidly about relapsing after 12 years sober, the difference between treatment centres and AA, the importance of asking for help without shame, and how honesty and connection changed his life. A raw, honest, and ultimately hopeful conversation about recovery, trauma, and redemption. Timecodes: 00:00 – Intro & welcoming Brendan Power01:10 – Brendan introduces himself: "recovering alcoholic and addict"01:33 – 40 years sober from drink, 20 from drugs02:11 – Relapsing after 12 years clean02:39 – First "drink" as a child & drinking heavy by age 1304:13 – First time in court at 13, introduced to AA07:13 – The judge who changed his path09:19 – First AA meeting at 1310:47 – Time in Saint Patrick's Institution as a teen12:07 – Going back to drugs after 12 years sober12:53 – Unpacking childhood trauma and undealt-with "shadows"14:14 – Abuse and corporal punishment in school25:05 – The power of "carrying the message" in AA26:29 – Explaining other recovery programs and key workers27:35 – Breaking down the 12 steps29:25 – Relationship with Carol & family life32:15 – Living a "double life"37:44 – How communities and drugs have changed over 40 years47:22 – "Treatment centers are for discovery, AA is for recovery"48:20 – On wanting recovery for yourself, not others50:02 – Family, Al-Anon, and the impact on loved ones53:29 – Brendan's best days in recovery: being confronted by his kids58:39 – The song that represents his life1:01:13 – Final words: "Let people know what's going on in your head"1:02:10 – Closing thoughts & outro

  6. Aug 6

    How's Your Ma: Episode 15

    In this episode of How's Your Ma?, hosts Orla and Leanne sit down with engaged couple Cathal and Rebecca, founders of the awareness project Different Minds, Same Heart (Project DMs). Based in County Westmeath and set to marry in February 2028, Cathal and Rebecca open up about discovering they were both neurodivergent, and how they're using their wedding journey to spark conversations around autism, ADHD, and mental health. Cathal shares his story of being flagged for autism as a child, being placed in a "special class," years of being misunderstood, and eventually getting an official autism diagnosis in his mid-20s — plus how martial arts and MMA became an outlet for him growing up. Rebecca talks about masking as the "good kid," a burnout at 21 that led to a borderline personality disorder misdiagnosis, and finally getting her ADHD and (likely) Asperger's diagnosis just months before this recording. Together they discuss self-diagnosis and TikTok, complex trauma vs. neurodivergence, sensory sensitivities (fireworks, balloons, noise), medication and therapy (including EMDR), how they met on Plenty of Fish, and their plans for an accessible, sensory-friendly wedding. A warm, honest conversation about masking, late diagnosis, family reactions, and building a life — and a wedding — around acceptance. Time Codes / Chapters 00:00 – Intro: meet Cathal & Rebecca, Different Minds Same Heart, their February 2028 wedding00:53 – Why they're using their wedding as a platform for awareness01:56 – Five tips for a neurodivergent-friendly wedding (itinerary sharing, sensory needs, no balloons/fireworks)04:11 – Cathal's childhood: flagged for autism at school, placed in a "special class"05:16 – Family and teachers noticing signs early on06:16 – Complex PTSD, years of being told to "go get tested"06:57 – Official diagnosis: autism, and the ADHD misdiagnosis question08:02 – Getting diagnosed at 26 — "it answered everything"10:11 – Telling his parents; his late father's likely undiagnosed autism10:55 – Growing up in an era of "special classes" and harmful labels12:18 – How casual stigma and slurs shaped attitudes toward disability decades ago14:39 – Introducing Rebecca's story — "the flip side"15:11 – Masking as a "people pleaser" and perfectionist as a child15:54 – Burnout in her early 20s, leaving work due to anxiety and depression18:41 – GP visit, misdiagnosed with borderline personality disorder19:56 – Discovering ADHD through social media — "it's like they read my mind"20:20 – How ADHD presents differently in girls vs. boys21:24 – Barriers to diagnosis in Ireland — cost, waitlists, GP process22:02 – Being the eldest child navigating this alone24:09 – Getting the official diagnosis and the sense of validation25:40 – Assessment reveals likely Asperger's too26:24 – Cathal coming off complex-PTSD medication — the hard withdrawal28:20 – Discussing therapy, EMDR, and access/cost barriers to services30:33 – What ADHD medication actually does (and doesn't do) for Rebecca33:28 – Neurodivergence in their wider families34:42 – Childhood trauma vs. ADHD — how they can look alike35:37 – Self-diagnosis, TikTok, and the difference between traits and being "on the spectrum"39:39 – How Cathal and Rebecca matched on Plenty of Fish41:06 – Their first date story (and the chiropractor mix-up)44:13 – Shared interests: wrestling, superhero movies, staying playful46:53 – Friends' reactions to their diagnoses48:02 – Sensory sensitivities: balloons, fireworks, noise-cancelling ear defenders49:46 – Introducing Project DMs (Different Minds, Same Heart) and its mission51:10 – Fighting online stigma and misinformation around neurodivergence54:00 – Their relationship story — moving in together, saying "I love you"55:04 – Wedding details: February 2028, County Louth, rustic barn venue56:21 – Cathal's MMA and boxing background — coaching, sensory overload in the cage1:01:01 – Rebecca's childhood hobbies — sports, Westlife, wrestling, John Cena1:02:12 – Closing reflections on labels, masking, and acceptance1:03:37 – Where to find Project DMs and how to get involved1:04:51 – Final thoughts and sign-off

  7. Jul 30

    How's Your Ma: Episode 14 (Ciara Jones)

    This week, Orla and Leanne are joined by Ciara Jones — mother, full-time carer, and one of Ireland's most tireless autism advocates. Ciara is mam to three and a half children (as she puts it) including Gavin, who is autistic, intellectually disabled and preverbal. In 2018 she left a 20-year career to become his full-time carer. Ciara opens up about her happy childhood in Cabra, her parents' quiet strength, and the devastating loss of her own mother — a moment that pushed her to finally open the autism support hub she'd always dreamed of. She shares the story of volunteering in a Russian orphanage in her twenties, meeting her husband Mick and building their family, and the early, lonely days of parenting a non-speaking autistic child. From there, Ciara talks through the extraordinary advocacy work she's built: the AsIAm 5K, the Autism Support Hub she runs with her friend Caroline, the Sparkle for Autism Ball (which has raised almost €400,000 towards a goal of half a million), and her role as founder of Chasing Justice — a group supporting over 200 families whose autistic children have been abused or secluded in Irish schools. She speaks candidly about the day Gavin ran from her at school, what daily life with him looks like now, the guilt she carries about what lies ahead for her other two children as young carers, and what keeps her and Mick going as a couple. It's a raw, funny, and deeply moving conversation about grief, resilience, community, and refusing to let anyone feel alone. Content note: this episode discusses child illness/death (stillbirth, cancer, end-of-life care), and later touches on the abuse and seclusion of autistic children in schools. Timecodes 00:00 – Intro: Orla and Leanne welcome Ciara Jones00:14 – Ciara introduces herself: mum of three and a half, full-time carer to Gavin (16), Dara (12) and Éabha/her youngest, plus stepson Michael01:24 – Who Ciara was before "mummy" — growing up in Cabra02:08 – Life as a young carer; her dad the grafter, her mam "the most wonderful mother"03:04 – Her mother's history — printing family, a stillborn baby never spoken of, and Ciara's own birth (an 11.5lb baby!)03:51 – Her mam's two cancer diagnoses and quiet resilience07:07 – The day her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at 69 — and her mam's dark sense of humour through it09:16 – Volunteering in a Russian orphanage in 2004 — meeting Debbie Deegan, the inspiration behind her advocacy13:30 (approx.) – Meeting Mick, becoming a mum, and Gavin's early years18:25 – Trying for more children, Dara's birth, and the isolation of early autism parenting20:04 – Fundraising for Gavin's school and finding a sense of purpose20:48 – Her 20 years working in Aer Lingus and building an autism community there21:50 – 2018: leaving her career to become Gavin's full-time carer22:25 – Stepson Michael's journey — from meeting Adam Harris to working at AsIAm24:05 – Founding the AsIAm 5K — "we're not an island"25:22 – Realising Gavin deserved to be asked about his day too — communicating with a non-speaking child28:15 – Her mother's death during Covid, told through the glass at the nursing home29:27 – "I'm begging you, don't let her die alone" — being with her mam at the end34:47 – The moment she decided to open the Autism Support Hub35:18 – The Autism Support Hub with Caroline — DCA forms, carer supports, and a free, all-voluntary service36:55 – The origin of the Sparkle for Autism Ball43:30 – Nearly half a million euro raised — and how people can support the cause (Instagram: Ciara Jones — Reaching Out to Autism)45:03 – A day in Gavin's life — his routines, his independence, and his joy47:23 – Orla and Dara as young carers, and the guilt of what the future holds for them49:25 – The day Gavin ran from the car — a story about unpredictability and vigilance54:59 – What it's really like for her and Mick as parents and as a couple57:23 – The power of community — "nobody needs to be alone"59:50 – Founding Chasing Justice — supporting over 200 families whose autistic children have been abused in school1:00:44 – The pattern of blaming the child, not the adults in the room1:01:33 – Seclusion is illegal — but it's still happening1:03:59 – A small win: new child protection guidelines in schools, shaped by Ciara's own case1:06:07 – Final words of wisdom: "find your community... you need to feel you belong"1:09:08 – Closing thoughts and thanks

  8. Jul 23

    How's Your Ma: Episode 13

    In this episode, hosts Leanne and Orla sit down with Courtney — a PhD scientist who walked away from academia to become a Pilates instructor and digital entrepreneur. As the eldest of five, Courtney opens up about the pressure to prove herself, the quiet burnout that came with "achieving and achieving," and the moment she handed in her notice to build a business instead. The conversation moves through her working-class roots and what it meant to carry them into an academic world that didn't always feel like hers, the toxic competitiveness of PhD life and the grief of losing friendships along the way, and the joy of rebuilding a support system through Pilates, business, and community. Courtney also shares the story of her ten-year relationship, her growing "Aligné" brand (Pilates, digital tools for wellness professionals, and a book club), and her honest advice for young women weighing big life choices: know your why, take the risk, and design a life on your own terms. Timecodes 00:00 – Intro: meet Courtney, PhD-turned-Pilates-instructor00:37 – Courtney's story: years chasing a PhD, then walking away01:44 – "Who did you do it for?" — proving herself as the eldest of five02:46 – The turning point: Pilates training and telling her boyfriend she's leaving academia03:47 – Class, poverty, and staying true to her roots in academia06:49 – No pause button: school straight through to PhD with no break08:32 – Starting the business alongside mixed reactions from others09:36 – Why the work is about people, not just the job12:07 – Family life: laid-back parents, five siblings, "the whole family has ADHD"14:04 – Naming the business "Aligné" and quitting the postdoc for good15:53 – Finding her soul's purpose: helping people directly17:39 – Learning to look after herself after academic burnout19:51 – How she met her partner — school sweethearts, ten years together22:45 – Teaching at the Wellness Center and the story behind "Keith's Elephant"26:41 – Her boyfriend's life: marching band and the sousaphone28:15 – Launching Aligné Digital — finance tools for wellness professionals31:14 – Courtney's Corner book club and always chasing the next idea31:56 – Looking ahead: marriage, no kids, and a love of travel34:23 – Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: take the risk, fake it till you make it37:02 – Her parents' unconditional support in building the business38:39 – Friendship in academia vs. the new, supportive friendships she's found43:32 – The grief of losing friendships in a toxic, competitive environment46:14 – Could she ever go back to academia?49:12 – Movement as her emotional outlet and coping tool51:02 – Her closest friends, Sarah and Shannon52:46 – What would her friends say about her?55:07 – Final advice for young women figuring out their path57:24 – Wrap-up and where to find Courtney

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About

Our podcast explores women’s relationships—from mother-daughter to leadership—and how they shape lives, aiming to support and empower women across all relationship experiences.

Information

  • Creator
    Leanne Ryan & Orla Lynch
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Leanne Ryan & Orla Lynch

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