A Good Kind of Scary

This episode is really just me piecing together some ponderings that have been on my mind lately. I chat about writers' block, mindfulness, breathwork, 'who am I', losing ourselves in narratives, coming back to values, and so on. It's a bit of a meandering flow of thoughts. Vast and moving fast. Enjoy!   

On today's episode of the podcast, I chat about all things Irish: why some people are interested in learning our native language whereas others aren't, why culture matters and what it means, my experience of attending a bunscoil in Armagh, the division between communities in the north, why I think Kneecap can be therapeutic for many. I also talk about the repressed emotions so many of us carry from our history of colonialism on this small island. I explain how tools like breathwork, somatic movement, and physical touch can be beneficial for these blocked emotions and shamed experiences. Listen in to hear me web all of the above topics together (AND MORE!) - Grá Mór 

A big theme of today's episode is taking space to yourself away from the busy world. I recorded this episode a month ago. I explore what it was like spending the first two weeks of this year alone catsitting in Germany. I also chat about my experience of being forced into a blackout for a week after a storm hit Ireland at the end of January.   Follow @agoodkindofscary for more  

Today's episode is a special one. I'm joined by someone who has helped me feel less alone during challenging times and who I am grateful to call a friend. Jess is a neuroscience coach & reiki practitioner with a love of creative expression. She talks about how her outlook on life has changed since losing her dad John. We delve deep into finding purpose during grief, the importance of self expression, and the challenges faced when you're on a 'self-development' journey. Jess chats about why sharing online feels different to what it used to be.   You can follow Jess at @jw.healing   Download her 'Thriving Through Change' Ebook here

On this episode, I read out a letter I wrote to the version of me at the start of 2024 filling them in on what's happened since. This was a new way to reflect on the year and was surprisingly therapeutic. Listen in for a vulnerable journal entry.  Best wishes to all of you in this coming year!

This episode explores how we can encourage/discourage behaviours and the reason why some people find it more challenging to stay motivated than others. I chat about the different ways our body keeps the score and why particular painful experiences can leave wounds. I also cover how attachment styles impact our romantic relationships. I'll share some helpful words of wisdom for staying motivated when developing new habits or making personal development changes!   Check out @agoodkindofscary for more

On this week's podcast episode, I explore the meaning of 'freedom'. What is the difference between individual freedom VS collective freedom? Are people more likely to fight for freedom when something has been taken from them? Is freedom something we have to fight for or is it all about letting go? Is it about chasing dreams or is it about detaching?  Listen in to hear more!   Message me @agoodkindofscary to let me know your thoughts on 'freedom'.

Today's episode is all about the benefits of taking yourself on dates. I chat about the beauty of learning to spend time on your own and how to romanticize your daily life. I give suggestions for easing yourself into trying new things and doing things solo. Fear, discomfort and uncertainty are all a part of the process. Listen to this episode for more! Share your thoughts on Instragrm @agoodkindofscary  

On today's episode I talk about how consuming art can be helpful for: -Healing painful experiences -Nurturing parts of yourself -Calming emotions -Feeling less alone -Personal growth I foucs on books, tv series, movies, music & other art forms. I share my personal experience of how art has helped me throughout life. I also reflect on why words can only help so much during difficult times. Share your own experiences of healing through art with me @agoodkindofscary     

Today I'm talking to James Lindsay all about his experience of being diagnosed as 'schizoaffective'. He explains more about his own experience of having a psychotic episode as well as what it was like recovering afterwards. James has a lovely way of looking at his painful experiences and explains how they have changed his life in a positive way. He is passionate about breaking mental health stigmas and he has also written a book 'Befriending my Brain'! We talk about how creativity can be healing but also the importance of having a balance in all areas of life. Follow James @jameslindsay_23 on Instagram Message me @agoodkindofscary with any feedback on today's episode.

On today's episode I chat about the 'shadow self'. Many of us shame the unwanted parts of ourselves into the shadows. I discuss an activity I did at a workshop recently to explore and have fun with these neglected parts of who we are. Many of us are oblivious to our 'shadows', but once you become aware of them, you can start healing them through love, compassion and acceptance. Listen for more! 

On this week's podcast, we confront imposter syndrome. Have you ever felt like no matter what you do, your efforts are never 'enough'? Do you struggle to take credit or accept help? Then you might be familiar with the feeling of 'imposter syndrome'. There are five sub-categories which came as a surprise to me. I give a run down on each and chat about how I can relate to some.   Follow @agoodkindofscary for more.

  On today's episode, I welcome someone who gave me a lot of guidance when I won a free birth chart reading. Caitríona (@caitrionaastro) and I sat down to chat more about astrology and her own personal story. She works as a teacher during the day and a karmic astrologer in her free time. She is a nature-lover with a hiking page (@caitrionani_anluain) and also has an MA of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. We talk about what it's like to choose an unconventional path in life, the stigmas linked to spirituality, and the fear that comes alongside sharing online & offline Check out Caitríona's website: https://www.caitrionaastro.eu/ Message me at @agoodkindofscary with any feedback on today's show.  

Today I chat about some of the harmful impacts of putting people on pedestals and how we can navigate this tendency. I have been becoming more aware recently of my own tendency to put particular people on pedestals and exploring where this emerged from. Here's a breakdown of some topics covered: Romanticizing partners Glorifying celebrities and politicians Putting high expectations on ourselves Separating who people are from what they do Figuring out what you value in people and in yourself Societal influence of how we view the world If you enjoyed today's episode, you can support the show through buying a cup of coffee here. Never any pressure as you are already doing a lot by listening

On this week's episode, I'm chatting with Orla Bredin. Orla is a cofounder of @anamyogaandmeditation. She is passionate about traveling and trying new things but also values where she comes from and the Irish culture. We chat about her love of being in nature and how healing this can be. Something else we kept coming back to was the power of the story we tell ourselves and how important it is to push past our limiting beliefs and just take the first step. I had the joy of going to school with Orla so we were like giddy teenagers again throughout this episode. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Sign up to the guided Himalayas Yoga & Trek Retreat to Nepal Oct 2024 here    

In this week's episode, I chat about how you can make your mornings more enjoyable. I delve into some habits I found useful for motivating me to wake earlier. I explain the benefits of waking up early and having space to yourself in the morning. If you have any questions or feedback please message me @agoodkindofscary Thank you for listening!

Welcome back! After a bit of time away from podcasting, I explore the difference between expressing from a place of creativity & authenticity vs sharing for validation and a need to fit in. I also talk about a range of random stuff in between. Enjoy! Message me @agoodkindofscary for more.

In this week's episode, I talk about how meditating regularly has transformed my life. I give different examples of what meditation means to me and discuss the benefits of it. I compare what we believe meditation should be VS what it actually is.  Message me @agoodkindofscary with any feedback or quesitons around this topic. If you enjoyed today's episode, you can support the show through buying a cup of coffee here.  Never any pressure as you are already contributing a lot by listening

This week's episode is all about being brave. I take a look at what many of us are raised to believe 'bravery' is and how some beliefs can be toxic/unhelpful. I explain my own personal defintion of bravery while examining others'. I also question if we ever really 'overcome' fears and I talk about why feeling nervous can be a good thing. If you enjoyed today's episode, you can support the show through buying a cup of coffee here. No pressure as you are already doing a lot by listening

In today's episode, we are talking about love. Not just romantic love, but how you can let yourself feel more love in your everyday life. Last weekend was super sunny and I find the Irish are great at soaking in the good weather when it's here - the shift in mood is very obvious and understandable! But I also discuss ways we can find more sunshine in our life without just relying on the weather.  I also talk about birthdays (considering mine has just passed), my experience at the 'Where Is My Mind' live podcast, & the power of letting go. If you enjoyed today's episode, you can support the show through buying a cup of coffee here. No pressure as you are already doing a lot by listening

In today's episode, I am joined by Ciara Meere, the founder of SAOR. SAOR is a wellness community that creates a space for people to feel free within themselves. Ciara and I discuss anything and everything including: - What it's like to create a new community - The low points on the road to success and why it's important to speak about setbacks when trying new things - Pushing past the need to be liked and learning to show up as your authentic self instead - The benefits of sea swimming - Setting boundaries as a people pleaser - Overcoming the fear of failure by embracing risk-taking! - The September SAOR weekend retreat that I'll be taking part in Check out @saor_free to hear more from Ciara, upcoming saor events or to book onto the September retreat!   **Note: apologies that my sound system isn't up to scratch. My usual high quality microphone wasn't working, but you will be able to hear Ciara's lovely voice clearly! Promise it's worth sticking with.  

In this episode, I share some challenges that have come up while adjusting back home to Ireland after living abroad and how I have faced them. I also chat about the pressure to be constantly living it up in this fast-paced yolo world & why it's okay to feel this and not follow what everyone else is doing. We may feel a need to be doing more with our lives than what we already are, but sometimes just being here is enough. If you enjoyed today's episode, you can support the show through buying a cup of coffee here. Never any pressure as you are already doing a lot by listening

In this episode, I talk about crying. Ever wonder why one friend cries easily and will openly share their problems, then another friend will never tell you what they are feeling let alone show it? There's a bit of a social shame and awkwardness attached to crying, especially in situations that feel 'unsafe' like social gatherings. I chat about the benefits of crying, alongside how each of our individual upbringings can shape how comfortable this feels. I also delve into how discouraging men from crying can lead to internal struggles. If you enjoyed today's episode, you can support the show through buying a cup of coffee here. Never any pressure as you are already doing a lot by listening

Today's episode was a go with the flow Q&A. Topics Include: - Is the obsession with needing to turn hobbies and interests into careers/business healthy - Playing for the sake of playing VS always just doing and producing - How I played as a child as well as joyful childhood memories/ambitions - Taking pictures for showing off what you are doing VS capturing moments for the memories - The year I won so many raffles I began to dread entering competitions - Feeling like a little kid trying Muay Thai, but learning more about myself after the session  - Revelations I had in Thailand - Times where I felt proud  - Using your pain to help others - Lessons we can learn from the BFG - Shibby the cat and his new girlfriend    If you enjoyed today's episode, you can support the show through buying a cup of coffee here. Never any pressure as you are already doing a lot by continuing to listen

In this episode, I delve into what being a 'teacher' means: the textbook definition of a teacher VS my definition of a teacher. The expectations placed on teachers in classrooms to be a superhuman parent and how there is always more than one teacher in every child's life. I talk about how teaching has impacted my own life and how I believe you don't just have to work in a school to be a teacher. Let me know your thoughts on this @agoodkindofscary    

I recorded this week's episode over ONE YEAR ago when I was living at home in Ireland. I am currently living abroad & this episode reminded me of things I love about home. The episode focuses on things I appreciate about Ireland and includes some ridiculous impersonations as well as anecdotes. If you want to listen to a casual chat about all things Irish, this one is for you. Follow @agoodkindofscary for more

This week's episode is a visualization meditation I wrote to help you feel grounded and embrace gratitude in your life.   Follow @agoodkindofscary for more.

This episode left me feeling like an insecure teenager all over again! I chat about what it was like being socially anxious as a teen in Ireland and why alcohol was a convenient normalized social crutch. I explore my relationship with alcohol: the rebellious teenage years, college nights, the bad hangovers, and how my relationship with alcohol has changed throughout the years. What was most difficult while recording this was sharing how much I used to isolate and criticize myself after a night of drinking. Please let me know if you find this episode useful, helpful, or relatable. Always open to feedback at @agoodkindofscary or email saoirserafferty@agoodkindofscary.com Heads up: the episode, like many of my others, is personal and touches on topics like death, grief, and anxiety.    

Social media is a tool used to share stories: stories of our personal lives, stories of the world around us, stories of what can benefit and harm us. What story is your social media sharing? Or do you use it to consume stories rather than create stories? And is the story you are portraying accurate to the life you are living? In today's episode, I talk about how what we use social media for has changed in many ways and stayed the same in other ways. I explore the impact on our mental health. I chat about the power of visualisation meditation and taking time away from your phone, sharing why I never go on social media in the moring. I also discuss how social media has saved my life in many ways: how it can be used as a comfort when the world around you is bleak. But why is it now becoming the responsibility of everyday humans to share the truth and can this be a good thing? The world is waking up to the corruption of governments and the horror of what's happening in Palestine because we are seeing footage on our social media.  Message me with any thoughts, ideas or comments on Instagram @agoodkindofscary  

In this episode, I start off by reflecting on my upbringing and question if the way we are raised can influence our ability to spend time alone and travel. Further into the episode, I chat about why I like to solo travel, what I do and don't like doing when I travel & how I make it affordable. I also give some personal tips on what you can do to ease yourself into solo traveling if it's new to you. As well as this, I speculate: Are we attracted to people who have the traits we desire for ourselves?  Do we need to tick off a to-do list and see every part of a city to truly experience it? I'd love to hear your opinions on this. Send me a message on Instagram @agoodkindofscary or email saoirserafferty@agoodkindofscary.com Thank you for listening!

I am so excited to share today's discussion with award-winning writer Kit De Waal. Kit shares what it was like growing up in Birmingham with an Irish mother and an African-Caribbean father, and the process of rewriting her story in a memoir. We discuss the struggles of being from a working-class background when pursuing a career as a writer and how a key component to wellbeing is having someone believe in you and your ambitions. We chat about the multiple ways that stories can be told aside from writing and how snobbery to this is what prevents people from ever trying. How do you find the persistence to keep going when there's no guarantee of being published? Are you willing to start over, let go of a novel that isn't working and try something new? We talk about all of the above and more in today's episode. Check out her website & books here Follow Kit on Instagram here Follow Kit on Twitter here

In this week's episode, I chat with Michael Pedersen about his memoir 'Boy Friends'. We discuss the importance of having close friendships in life and why he chose to write about this in his book. We also delve into how to find a balance between solitude & socialising, particularly when you are a writer. This conversation flowed in many directions so I hope you enjoy it! Check out Michael's website here. Follow him on Instagram here.    

Today's episode is with spiritual coach, podcaster, and blogger MaryRose Shanahan. Mary Rose is passionate about bridging the gap between self-help and spirituality. She left a high-paying career & relationship to travel afar and connect more with herself. We chat about what it's like to step outside your comfort zone, using your gut as a compass for where to go next, and how to figure out who you are outside of everyone around you. (Also - happy 50th anniversary to the podcast!!)   Check out Mary's Instagram page @alignwithmaryrose_  

In the first episode of 2024, I question the commercialised 'new year, new me' mentality. I chat about the benefits of slowing down VS speeding up, when we can find value from each and how they've both benefited me in my life. I also touch on how we can navigate when it's worth staying stilent VS speaking up.   You can follow @agoodkindofscary for more.   Sign up for a free life coaching discovery call here   Sign up to my 'writing for wellbeing' course here

On this podcast, I reflect on five questions when looking back at 2023.  I focus on what I learnt, what you can take from it and how to navigate the below questions: What were my most interesting moments and unique experiences? What challenges did I face, professionally and personally? How did I grow from these? What new skills did I develop/improve last year? What have I learnt about myself, how I work, and what I need to be at my best? What am I most proud of?   p.s. apologies for the few random dog barking disturbances

Listen to me chat away about all the books I read throughout 2023. The books I finished, the books I half-finished and the ones still sitting on my shelf. I delve deep into what I learnt about myself from reading. Have a browse through my Goodreads account for the full list because it's too long to put here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/37152334    

On today's podcast, I chat about the 3 Cs that I believe are crucial for wellbeing: Community, Cuddles & Connection. (And of course, creativity too, but that's another day's episode) Follow @agoodkindofscary for more.   

In this week's episode, I welcome addiction counsellor Justin Campbell. Justin played hurling with Galway for years so is passionate about the GAA. We chat about how the community can be an excellent safety net for a lot of people, but also how the binging/gambling culture can be detrimental for our mental wellbeing. We explore different types of addiction, how we can become aware of addictive behavior & the impact on loved ones. Justin talks about how recovery can be an exciting time and we should celebrate the possibility of turning your life around. We brainstorm how we can improve as a society, particularly in normalizing talking about our mental health or just talking in general. Book a session with Justin or contact him here: https://justincampbell.ie/ Read more about Movember & the 'Ahead of the Game' program here: https://aheadofthegame.movember.com/

This week is anti-bullying week. I chat with Chris Sherlock about his personal experience of being bullied, which led to him dropping out of school at thirteen. Chris now speaks openly about his story to help spread awareness. We talk about different forms of bullying, how we can spot it & ways we can help those around us. Throughout the conversation, Chris refers back to the importance of kindness in life. Read more about Chris below: Instagram: click here LinkTree: click here Order Mental Health for Milennials Vol 4 & Vol 6

On this week's podcast, I'm sharing a visualization meditation I recorded to help you access your inner creative child. I take you along a journey to your personal safe space of joy. This is part of my four-week course 'Writing for Wellbeing' (click the link below to sign up). I explain the reasoning behind including visualizations at the start of the podcast so skip ahead to 4.30 minutes if you want to get straight into the meditation! Course website: Writing for Wellbeing Course Course sign-up link: Sign up here Instagram: @agoodkindofscary Email for more information: saoirserafferty@agoodkindofscary.com

It's World Mental Health Day so I am sharing a conversation with a passionate mental health advocate — Daragh Fleming. Daragh is an award-winning blogger at 'thoughtstoobig' and a published writer. He writes to help people feel less alone in hopes of reducing the risk of suicide. We chat about his story but also how we can help ourselves and those around us when we're having a bad day. Daragh has published several books which we mention throughout the episode. You can find a list of them here. Lonely Boy is practically Daragh's personal journal where he documented his own challenges with depression, grief and what it means to be a man in Irish society. You can follow him on Instagram @thoughts2big

In today's episode, I share my story of how a medium approached me on a night out with messages from deceased loved ones. This happened at a time when I was manifesting in the midst of grief, wanting proof of an afterlife. This experience changed my beliefs & it's one I was reluctant to podcast about, but hopefully you find the whole thing as fascinating as I did.   Follow @agoodkindofscary for more

This week's episode is all about what I've learnt from minding dogs and being single. I chat about the difference between experiencing things & people/pets VS owning things & people/pets (calling them yours). I also chat about my reaction after looking back on a vision board I made last year.    Follow @agoodkindofscary for more

It's suicide prevention month which means talking even more about mental health & wellbeing. In this episode I chat about my own personal experience in therapy & how it can be beneficial. But I also go into the stigmas around it in Irish society and around talking about it. Why is there still a shame around asking for help?  I know therapy is generally expensive but if you look around your local area there may be some free services available you don't know about! I found ones at a cancer support centre and a bereavement support group.

On this week's episode I talk with triathlete, motivational speaker & aspiring coach Josh Landmann. The trajectory of Josh's life shifted at 18 after he'd an accident in Ibiza & was left with a spinal chord injury.  We talk about how to find a positive mindset through bad situations and where people find the strength to keep going. Alongside this, we discuss the language around stigmatized topics and how we can break stigmas. A main goal of Josh's is to encourage more people with any disability to get out and about, to train in public gyms and be open to having conversations with those around them.   Find more out about Josh & follow his journey on his instagram @joshlandmann  

Today I discuss how questions can help us in many areas of our life: being open to learning and listening, connecting with others, breaking negative thinking patterns & refocusing your attention on what matters. I provide a range of questions to journal on & explain how each can benefit your life.  If you found this helpful message me @agoodkindofscary or visit agoodkindofscary.com for more. 

This episode is my most vulnerable and personal one yet — probably because my pain is a core focus of it. In the last few years, a lot of people in my life died: two of them were very young and meant the world to me. I chat about how my views of life and death have significantly changed, but also how I have learnt to hold myself and carry on after losing people I love, and how I have had to let myself be held by others when the pain was too much. I hope that listening to this can help you find your inner resilience to keep going when life feels hard. Creating art & helping others can be the most therapeutic form of coping with pain; I talk about the different people I met who turned to service during times of hardship to help them carry on.

In this week's episode, I share my experience in Bali and how I discovered far more about myself and life than what I initially expected! Keep an eye out on @modernwomenbali  where I'll be sharing my regular column 'Branch out in Bali' very soon.

What's Your version of 'normal'? In this episode I go deep into my own personal beliefs & what I am passionate about. I chat about how & why labels can feel very limiting to me : especially the label 'normal'.  The power of language continues to surprise me everyday as I catch myself using words that can dramatically change my mood & I notice when I am triggered by particular words that other people use. Listen to this episode for more on mental health, the limitations of labels, how to set boundaries & what I feel it means to be selfish vs how to take care of yourself and set personal boundaries. (Apologies if the sound quality isn't up to scratch: the downside of moving about while traveling!) As always, send a message with any feedback at @agoodkindofscary on Instagram. For more information on the work that I am doing, click the link below: https://linktr.ee/saoirserafferty    

This week's episode is one I will always hold close to my heart. I chat with Aoife Butler about the pain of losing a brother & how we can all find reasons to 'hold on' when life feels painful. We both share our personal struggles of learning to live a life without someone who has always been in it. Aoife lost her brother Matthew to suicide in 2016 and continues to honor him in her everyday life. Aoife is a mental health nurse - someone who is very passionate about helping others & advocates the importance of kindness. We look at ways we can all be kinder to ourselves and delve into our imperfections. Aoife is this year's Sydney Rose of Tralee but believes there is no 'perfect person' or idealized rose on a stage. She is inspired to share this message as well as the importance of holding on when life is difficult because she never thought she would be standing on a stage as a Sydney Rose. Listen to this episode to hear a very genuine, emotional & honest conversation.  Follow @agoodkindofscary on Instagram or 'A Good Kind of Scary' on Facebook.   More information on Aoife: @sydneyroseoftralee Podcast episode on @acountydownunder

In this week's episode, I reminisce on my teenage years where I spent a lot of time at school and on the bus, looking forward to the next disco. I analyze the behavior that was considered the norm during this time and the challenges of learning to socialise in anti-social environments. I also touch on how being in anti-social settings can impact our ability to socialize as adults and heighten our insecurities. I chat a bit about the benefits of sea swimming, especially in regulating our stress levels. Sign up to my newsletter below for regular updates and more info on my new course:   Click Here.