Too Into You

Women's Aid

The Too Into You podcast from Women’s Aid is here to explore the difference between love that lifts you up, and love that holds you back. With expert insights, real stories, and honest conversations, each episode will unpack red flags, celebrate green flags, and help you spot when someone is too into you. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. If you are worried about your own or a friend’s relationship: Call Women’s Aid 24Hr National Freephone Helpline on 1800 341 900. Chat for support at toointoyou.ie Both are completely free and confidential.

Episodes

  1. 10/06/2025

    Is It Love or a Trauma Bond? Unpacking Trauma & Shame

    Why do people stay in relationships that hurt them? This month on the Too Into You Podcast, we dive into the complex links between love, shame, and trauma.   Mary is flying solo for this episode while Madeline is away, but she’s joined by Suzanna Knight and Niamh Wilson from Women’s Aid’s Training Department. With over 30 years’ combined experience, they’re experts in coercive control and the impact of trauma in intimate relationships.   Together, we unpack what a trauma bond really is, how shame keeps people feeling stuck, and why leaving an abusive relationship is never as simple as “just walking away.”   We’ll explore: How trauma bonds are formed in abusive relationships. The role shame plays in keeping survivors silent. Why your brain and body respond the way they do. The antidote to trauma   If you’ve ever wondered “Why didn’t they leave?” or asked yourself “Why do I feel this way?”, this episode will give you real answers, and remind you that you’re not alone.   If you are worried about your own or a friend’s relationship you can: Call Women’s Aid 24Hr National Freephone Helpline on 1800 341 900. Chat for support at toointoyou.ie Take the Relationship Quiz at toointoyou.ie to see if yours is healthy or not.   Follow @toointoyou on TikTok and Instagram, and don’t forget to leave us a review and comment.   Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 03:19 – What is trauma? 06:49 - Fight, flight and freeze – Why Your Body Reacts This Way 16.45 – How abusers use shame to keep you trapped 25.51 – Trauma Bonds: Why Leaving Isn’t Simple 28.49 – Why do people control their partners? 31.48 – Healing: The antidote to trauma and shame

    40 min
  2. 09/01/2025

    The truth about her ‘sex tape’ ft Alexandra Ryan

    TW: Episode mentions suicide, suicidal ideation, image based sexual abuse, sexual abuse, coercive control.   In this powerful episode of Too Into You, host Mary Hayes sits down with Alexandra Ryan, award winning journalist, law graduate, founder and CEO of Goss.ie and survivor of image based sexual abuse.   When Ali was 25, she was filmed, without her knowledge or consent, having sex with a man she knew and trusted. She bravely shared her story on Goss.ie and has gone on to advocate for survivors of image based sexual abuse. Ali now acts as an Ambassador for the Department for the Justice and helped them launch a campaign to combat the sharing of intimate images without consent.   In this episode, we talk about: The real impact on victims — from shame and isolation to rebuilding trust. What does ‘revenge porn’ really mean? Coco’s Law and changes in Irish law that criminalise intimate image abuse. The pressures young women face to send nudes and sexually explicit imagery. Why it’s never your fault and what support is out there.   If someone shares or even threatens to share explicit images or videos of you without your permission, this is image based sexual abuse and it is a crime. If this has happened to you, you can: Learn more at: https://www.toointoyou.ie/get-help/sharing-of-intimate-images/ Report it at: https://hotline.ie/   Read Ali’s full story here: https://goss.ie/gallery/featured-2-the-truth-about-my-sex-tape-by-alexandra-ryan-232458-232458   If you are worried about your own or a friend’s relationship you can: Call Women’s Aid 24Hr National Freephone Helpline on 1800 341 900. Chat for support at toointoyou.ie Take the Relationship Quiz at toointoyou.ie to see if yours is healthy or not.   Follow @toointoyou on TikTok and Instagram, and don’t forget to leave us a review and comment.   Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 01:40 – Who is Ali Ryan? 09:23 – Ali’s story and the impact of image based sexual abuse 22:46 – The truth about ‘revenge porn’ 26:12 – Taking back control and going public 29:32 – Pressure, porn and consent  37:00 – Shifting the public conversation 47.29 – A message of hope for anyone affected 49:49 – Episode wrap up with Madeline Campbell

    57 min
  3. 07/07/2025

    Worried About Your Relationship and Scared to Reach Out? This Is What You Can Expect ft Women’s Aid

    Thinking about reaching out for help but not sure what to expect? In this episode, we chat Linda Smith, Head of National Helpline Services, and Eavan Ward, Head of Regional Services, from Women’s Aid to break down what actually happens when you ask for support.   We break down: What it’s like to call the Women’s Aid Helpline or use the chat service at toointoyou.ie What to expect from an appointment with Women’s Aid What it’s like to report abuse to the Gardaí How to gather evidence of abuse And much more Whether you’re in a relationship that feels off, worried about a friend, or just unsure if what you're experiencing is OK—this episode is for you. No judgment, no pressure—just honest answers.   TW: Episode mentions domestic abuse, emotional abuse, intimate partner abuse, physical abuse and financial abuse.   If you are worried about your own or a friend’s relationship: Call Women’s Aid 24Hr National Freephone Helpline on 1800 341 900. Chat for support at toointoyou.ie Both are completely free and confidential.   Take the Relationship Quiz at toointoyou.ie to see if yours is healthy or not.   Follow @toointoyou on TikTok and Instagram.   Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 04:35 Are the support services right for me? 07:53 “My situation isn’t bad enough” and “ I don’t want to take time from someone who really needs it.” 11:13 What are the things people ask about on the helpline? 13:18 Staying together for the kids? 17:17 If I call Women’s Aid, will they just tell me to break up? 18:30 What happens when I call the Helpline? What will I be asked? 23:18 What to expect from an appointment with Women’s Aid? 25:33 What is the Drop in Service? How to get a Protection Order? 28:28 What to expect when you go to the Gardaí? 31:03 How to gather evidence of abuse 34:54 A message of hope for you 37:27 Episode chat with Madeline Campbell

    42 min
  4. 04/07/2025

    “Does this feel good?” – Sex, Consent, and Boundaries ft We Consent

    On this episode, we chat to Sarah Monaghan from the We Consent. We-Consent is a long-term national campaign, run by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, to inform, educate and engage with all members of society about consent.   We’ll be chatting about things like: - What is consent? - How can consent make sex more enjoyable? - What is sexual violence? - What to do if it happens to you?   Take the Relationship Quiz at toointoyou.ie to see if yours is healthy or not.   Remember, if you are worried about your own or a friend’s relationship: Call Women’s Aid 24Hr National Freephone Helpline on 1800 341 900. Chat for support at toointoyou.ie Both are completely free and confidential.   Contact Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (available nationwide) Call 24hr Rape Crisis Helpline 1800778888 - free, confidential & non-judgmental Webchat is available at DRCC.ie Share your story anonymously, securely & safely at WeSpeak.ie Learn more at we-consent.ie Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:52 What is the WeConsent campaign? 04:04 What is consent? 06:08 Why is consent important in relationships? 08:14 Meaningful consent - It’s not just about ‘yes’ 10:00 Ways to talk to your partner about your preferences 13:06 ‘Consent ruins the mood’ - Misconceptions around consent 19:34 When sex turns to sexual violence 25:54 How do you know what your boundaries are? 30:04 What factors influence consent? 32:45 The power of little conversations 34:12 Navigating consent online 36:27 Need support? 38:00 One message on consent 39:04 Episode chat with Madeline Campbell

    49 min

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About

The Too Into You podcast from Women’s Aid is here to explore the difference between love that lifts you up, and love that holds you back. With expert insights, real stories, and honest conversations, each episode will unpack red flags, celebrate green flags, and help you spot when someone is too into you. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. If you are worried about your own or a friend’s relationship: Call Women’s Aid 24Hr National Freephone Helpline on 1800 341 900. Chat for support at toointoyou.ie Both are completely free and confidential.