Journeying

An impromptu New Year's Eve episode to check in on the podcast, and make the most of my multiple subscriptions that I've continued to pay since June!! Wishing you all a wonderful New Year! And hopefully, I return to some sort of regular routine with the pod in 2022! When I work out the work-life-home-family-leisure-wellness-exercise-projects etc balance ...

This week I share my Summer Solstice musings, Nineties Reminiscing, and hope for an Education Renaissance!RESOURCES MENTIONED: The Consilience Project: https://consilienceproject.org/Louise Nealon, author of Snowflake: https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/louise-nealon-there-is-an-overwhelming-silence-and-shame-in-irish-culture-1.4552316_______________________________________________________Subscribe to Journeying YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3jLTdaqRate & review Journeying podcast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826Like Journeying Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bUVisit the Journeying website: https://journeying.me/Instagram: @journeyingpodcast

This week I am joined for a chat with Brian O'Loughlin, one of the founders of Movement 101. I joined up to their online programme last year after having a few different injuries, and just getting fed up with one injury leading on to another! So it was great to chat in person with Brian and hear more about the ethos behind the movement!Brian and his business partner Rob recognised the need for people, in general, to first learn to move their bodies better before they then go on to engage in whatever sport or activity they choose. Their thinking is that we can overcome most pain and injury if we work on the daily movement of our body first. As opposed to maybe working 5 days a week sat slouched over a computer and then wonder what is wrong with us when our back gives way when we go say, surfing on the weekend. We've gone from 0 to 90 and then feel let down by our body when it can't cooperate with the rapid transition!  Importantly, Movement101 advocates that rather than letting that back pain (or whatever pain) define what we can continue to do (or not do) in the future, they propose we can return to active sport, once we have integrated daily movement and preparation of the back, spine or whatever body part, first.   The chat moves on to introduce a new men's only platform that they are launching this week, called Telos. I think this is a very interesting development in their journey to integrate learning more about the body, the mind, and personal development holistically. Brian explains why they chose to make it a men's only space, and what they have in store for the Telos journey. TOPICS DISCUSSED:The 3 Principals of Movement 101: Responsibility; Empowerment; EducationMovement 101 helps people to do what they want to do with their body A modern, sedentary lifestyle does not require us to physically move to surviveWhat is your 'why' when you show up to exercise? Recognising the relationship between physical pain and stress in our livesMovement101 (M101) take a multifaceted approach to clients presenting with painChallenge there is any such as thing as a "wrong" movementImplementing rituals, systems, and beliefs to build the life you really want  Telos personal development platform launches this week - M101 men's only mentorship frameworkHow mentors help him to achieve his personal and professional goalsAs an entrepreneur, advocates for 'Money, Impact, & Freedom' M101 works with high-profile sportspersons to include professional world adventurer, Damian BrowneMen, social media, and body ideals Journalling - "Read to learn more, Write to learn more about yourself"RESOURCES MENTIONED:Movement101 website: https://movement101.com/_______________________________________________________Subscribe to Journeying YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3jLTdaqRate & review Journeying podcast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826Like Journeying Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bUVisit the Journeying website: https://journeying.me/Instagram: @journeyingpodcast

I'm mixing things up a little this week and turning the mic on me! I am sharing a chat I had on the Paper Tuesdays podcast a few months ago with Michael Dwyer and Marc Halpin. TOPICS DISCUSSED: Learning about ourselves through sports competition - pushing out of our comfort zones and battling the egoPower structures and society Is social media and technology the new religion? Why we need Emotional Intelligence & Self-Awareness Social media distracting us from living a more meaningful lifeThe hollowness of consumerism Nature & Higher PowerChallenging the traditional working life model in the modern western world The Joy of the SeaHow can I be in the marketing education space, and also challenge overconsumption, and champion sustainability? New retail opportunities in the Circular Economy Karl Marx's Commodity Fetishism, the fashion industry & modern-day slavery  The necessity of critical thinking for all people in current times The problem with stereotyping masculine and feminine traits Care and the emotional loadImagining a dystopian world where all women were wiped out! The overwhelming role of parenthood and the necessity of sharing the workloadPerpetual learning for building continued self-awareness and deeper thinking RESOURCES:About the Paper Tuesdays podcast and hosts: https://wexfordweekly.com/2021/02/21/paper-tuesdays-podcast/_______________________________________________________Subscribe to Journeying YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3jLTdaqRate & review Journeying podcast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826Like Journeying Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bUVisit the Journeying website: https://journeying.me/Instagram: @journeyingpodcast

I am joined this week by Aidan McCullen, a former professional rugby player, who played with Ireland, Leinster, and Toulouse during his rugby career. Aidan has since reinvented himself in a number of different career transformations. But I came across him first in his capacity as host of The Innovation Show podcast about 4 years ago. I actually would say it was one inspiration behind me starting this podcast.Aidan has now written a book, ‘Undisruptable, A Mindset of Permanent Reinvention for Individuals, Organisations, and Life’. The book, I would say, is inspired by the culmination of all the phenomenal guests Aidan has attracted to his show over the last six years - some of the key strategic thinkers of the 21st century. But for every interview, he actually reads each guest’s book before they come on his show. So, I would say his book could be described as a distillation of all this acquired knowledge, filtered through Aidan’s creative mind to arrive at, Undisruptable, Aidan’s own take on how we need to do business in an increasingly changing, volatile business landscape. For anyone with an interest in new ideas, or in doing business in VUCA times (that is under Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous times), or who is just a fellow fan of The Innovation Show, this episode is for you! TOPICS DISCUSSED:Starting podcasts and creating habits! The Innovation Show podcast - currently booked up until 2024!Mental models and learning: how to consume contentInspiration behind writing his new book, 'Undisruptable'Idea behind The Permanent Reinvention Mindset? Explaining S-curves, and the need to learn in permanence Return on Capabilities (RoC), and 'Assets in the Ashes' Walt Disney's career - perfect example of a permanent reinvention mindest where he continually pushed boundaries and jumped S-curves The science behind visualisation boards, journaling and practicing gratitude Reticular Activation System (RAS): filtering system in our brain to attract that which we have told our brain is importantWriting your goals, and remember to be grateful when you achieve your goals - gratitude attracts more great things (RAS in action) The Immortal Jellyfish and Fujifilm: permanent reinvention in nature and business! RESOURCES MENTIONED: The Innovation Show website https://theinnovationshow.io/Aidan McCullen's 'Undisruptable: A Mindset of Permanent reinvention' book: https://theinnovationshow.io/undisruptable-book/Barbara Oakley and learning how to learn: https://barbaraoakley.com/ R. Buckminster Fuller: https://www.bfi.org/about-fullerClayton Christensen, world's top management thinker: https://claytonchristensen.com/Joe Dispensa: https://drjoedispenza.com/_______________________________________________________Subscribe to Journeying YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3jLTdaqRate & review Journeying podcast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826Like Journeying Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bUVisit the Journeying website: https://journeying.me/Instagram: @journeyingpodcast

My guest this week is the charismatic Kathleen Duffy, psychotherapist, dream analyst, and author of Awaken to the Wisdom of your Dreams. Kathleen is well-known in the field of dreamwork within psychotherapy practice and regularly runs workshops to share her own wisdom and experience on this fascinating topic. I had the privilege of chatting regularly with Kathleen over the years about analysing dreams, and I’ve always been drawn to the curiosity of this other realm and all that we don’t fully understand in our conscious mind.  So, when Kathleen agreed to join me on the podcast, I was so delighted.We get personal as Kathleen unpacks my dream! We don’t go too deep as it was a pretty vivid and personal dream, but it helps to demonstrate the process of how to recall your dream in the morning, and then how to figure out the message your subconscious mind is trying to resolve for you. Kathleen demonstrates how Gestalt therapy works by asking me to move from describing a favourite pair of pants, to me becoming the pair of pants! Sounds odd, but it works! The exercise really hit home for me as it pinpointed so many significant symbols that were relevant to me this week in particular. I don’t share them all, but you can hear from our interaction, the exercise hit home! TOPICS DISCUSSED:The first person to bring psychotherapy to Mayo!Letting go of the conscious mind (ego, left-brain), into the subconscious dream world (creative, right-brain)We need to listen to our dreams, information is trying to bypass our busy, distracted, conscious mind "Sleep on it" ... bringing balance to the (rational) left & (irrational) right side of the brain The function of dreams is to bring balance to the psycheTheorists of the dreamworld: Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung and then Fritz Perls & Gestalt Therapy The 'wisdom' of our dreams - our dreams are more than the limitations of our conscious mind Connecting Jung's dream symbolism and free associations with a LEGO Serious Play Workshop!Bert Hellinger's group work: Family constellations and the wisdom of the collective unconscious - stepping into an intuitive realm Guiding steps from Kathleen's book to help you recall your dreamsKathleen demonstrates how we can analyse our dreams, using a dream I shared from the previous nightDreams brings to us whatever it is we are denying during the day, to balance our psycheWhy do we have recurring dreams? Jung's Universal and Personal Archetypes or SelvesThe dreaded 'Leaving Cert' dream!!Is Deja Vu connected to the dream world? Linear versus non-linear time "I am a purple pair of pants!" ... Kathleen demonstrates Gestalt therapy on meRESOURCES MENTIONED:Kathleen's book website: http://www.awakentoyourdreams.com/aboutFamily Constellations Ireland: https://www.familyconstellationsireland.com_______________________________________________________Subscribe to Journeying YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3jLTdaqRate & review Journeying podcast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826Like Journeying Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bUVisit the Journeying website: https://journeying.me/Instagram: @journeyingpodcast

My guest this week is Orla Finn, a local business owner in our village and very well known to so many locally – she is the founder of Mojo Fitness, an award-winning outdoor Bootcamp which she started 6 years ago. By designing training classes and programmes to accommodate in particular the lives of busy parents, Mojo Fitness has been an absolute lifeline for many here in Donabate. Often it is difficult for parents with young kids to get out to exercise, socialise, or even engage in an adult conversation all day, and it can be very isolating. Which of course can have a knock-on effect on our mental health and wellbeing. But Orla designs her programmes with that ‘busy mum’ or ‘time-strapped dad’ in mind, to get out and get a really good session in, while also building a community and forging friendships Orla has designed a realistic training programme for relatively novice runners to train & complete a half-marathon, and with this, she has helped people who never dreamed of running 5km to instead experience the achievement of crossing a finishing line of a half marathon. TOPICS DISCUSSED:Pivoting roles from the career we "should" have, to the career we actually loveBuilding a community-driven outdoor fitness group  Mini-goals to give clients a training focus Supporting clients to go from zero kms to completing half marathonsIf you have the want, you can do anything Designed a more realistic marathon training plan for busy parents Training & early motherhood ... Buggy Bootcamp!"Mojo saved my life" - the importance of community, friendship & camaraderieWhat does a PT (Personal Trainer) look like?Voted 'Best Bootcamp in Ireland' at the Irish Fitness Industry (IFI) Awards 2019Exercise & movement gets us through the mentally & emotionally tough timesHow to keep young girls in sport?Setting personal goals - next up, 6km sea-swim from Lambay Island to Tower Bay, Portrane to support new local social enterprise, EggHeadz Mojo Fitness: http://www.mojofitness.eu/_______________________________________________________Subscribe to Journeying YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3jLTdaqRate & review Journeying podcast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826Like Journeying Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bUVisit the Journeying website: https://journeying.me/Instagram: @journeyingpodcast

Solocast musings with your host, Dr. Dee DuffyTOPICS THIS WEEK:"Shed not a clout, till May is out" ... I should have listened to my mammy!Re-learning self-care practicesAchieving a personal goal and hitting all of Glasser's 5 Basic Needs (Choice Theory)The 'Yes Day' Essay: swapping out the 7 Deadly HabitsWhat are we sending kids to school for? To do what they are told? Or to be creative, imaginative, and innovative thinkers?Darkness Into Light 2021: what we planned versus how it happened RESOURCES MENTIONED:Mobility training:  https://movement101.com/Swim Ireland: https://www.swimireland.ie/news/return-to-open-water-april-2021William Glasser's 5 Basic Needs: https://wglasser.com/quickstart-guide-to-choice-theory/#basic-needsSir Ken Robinson "Do Schools Kill Creativity?" TED talk:  https://youtu.be/iG9CE55wbtYDarkness Into Light: https://www.pieta.ie/_______________________________________________________Subscribe to Journeying YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3jLTdaqRate & review Journeying podcast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826Like Journeying Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bUVisit the Journeying website: https://journeying.me/Instagram: @journeyingpodcast

This week I chat with Mark Donnelly, founder of the clothing brand HUH, standing for How’s Your Head? I’ve been following Mark’s journey with interest since he launched the business last year as he was a former retail degree student of mine. So, of course, I was delighted to see him braving a new business venture. The brand has really taken off over the last year so that now it really has created its very own brand community. In a chaotic consumer society, so many people more and more want to align themselves with brands that have a purpose or a meaning. The sentiment behind this brand is really compelling. But Mark also donates 10% of all his sales to mental health charities – that’s a very significant share and adds the feelgood factor to the brand. And as an added bonus, his jumpers are sustainably made, with the GOTS standard logo – Global Organic Textile Standard. I’m happy to report firsthand I invested in a HUH crewneck at the weekend, and I love it. Super-fast delivery, the jumper is like a big hug it’s so soft! And to top it all off they arrive with handwritten thank you notes, and a packet of Haribo jellies! What’s not to love about this brand?!In our chat, I ask Mark perhaps a controversial question about college, and whether he thinks 4-years of studying for a degree is necessary for someone who wants to go the entrepreneurial route. Maybe an awkward question given I was once his lecturer! And of course, I assured him I would not take his answer personally! But this is a question I am always curious to explore with graduates after they have left college. It can be hard to know why you are in college when you are doing the 4-year grind. So, I love chatting about this with graduates who have worked a couple of years and have had some time to reflect on their choice to go to college. Mark shares his take on this question during our chat. So in the vein of the HUH brand’s message, if you’re not already moving while listening to this, grab your earphones and listen in to our chat while you’re out getting fresh air, taking in nature, and getting your exercise in! Take care of your mental health this month of all months – May is mental health awareness month – a great time to lift the spirits with summer coming in, and lockdown restrictions lifting. Plenty to be hopeful for! TOPICS INCLUDES:A day in the life of a new start-up entrepreneur Why a mental health clothing brand?Becoming an advocate for mental health How the HUH brand can open the discussion - How's Your Head?The power of brand community - people buying into brand meaning, not the clothingTotally transparent journey showcasing the evolution of the HUH brand through social mediaThe pro's & con's of social media How Mark decided to "just go for it" with his business idea Dropshipping as a means to get your business started Leadership styles - how putting trust in your people will encourage them to thrive What do 4 years of college really teach you? Next steps for the HUH brand HUH Clothing website: https://huhclothing.com/_______________________________________________________Subscribe to Journeying YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3jLTdaqRate & review Journeying podcast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826Like Journeying Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bUVisit the Journeying website: https://journeying.me/Instagram: @journeyingpodcast

My guest this week is entrepreneur and podcast host, Gary Fox of The Entrepreneur Experiment. I have been following Gary’s podcast for well over a year now and admire his podcast format. He typically has one interview per week with either an established entrepreneur or one coming up through the ranks. Plus, he puts out a shorter Ideas Lab episode weekly where he shares tips, tools, and ideas for aspiring entrepreneurs. I think he adds tremendous value to his listeners week in and week out, and that is why the podcast has stayed prominent on my own playlist. But recently one particular episode caught my attention, which Gary aptly labeled ‘The Worst Year of my Life’. And sure enough, Gary shares in this episode how the last year decimated his business in the travel industry, and the ensuing toll this took on this own physical health and mental wellbeing. I just think it was a brave decision to share this honest account of how tough the last year has been, and caution others to be aware of how stress and anxiety will take their toll on your physical body. Even when you think you are able to distract your mind from the worries, as Gary says, he tried to adopt a ‘stoic’ attitude to the demise of his business, but your body will eventually start to exhibit these feelings through physical or biological illness, which can then exasperate the mental unwellness when our bodies perceivably ‘let us down'.  You will hear us chat about this particular story, and the steps Gary took to get back on a healthier track. TOPICS DISCUSSED:Podcasting - the highs & the lowsUsing podcasting for own learning & knowledge What podcasters can learn from YouTubersMeandered into entrepreneurship, no master planWhat is the entrepreneur mindset? What fuels an entrepreneur to keep growing?The science and art of building your team in businesses How do you find good people for your business? What makes a good work culture?What motivates staff to do their best work? Balancing workload with personal & emotional wellbeingEmployers increasingly supporting their employees physical and mental health"The Worst Year of my Life" podcast episodeHow going to counseling helps to become more open and honest about lifeThe importance of talking through our problems - everything is not 'grand'!! The Entrepreneur Experiment community: building a community of entrepreneursRESOURCES MENTIONED: The Entrepreneur Experiment website: https://www.mrgaryfox.com/podcastEPISODE 112: 'The Worst Year of My Life' podcast: https://www.mrgaryfox.com/podcast/2021/4/8/ee-112-the-worst-year-of-my-lifeFall: the Mystery of Robert Maxwell book by John Preston:  https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/312/312953/fall/9780241388679.html_______________________________________________________Subscribe to Journeying YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3jLTdaqRate & review Journeying podcast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826Like Journeying Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bUVisit the Journeying website: https://journeying.me/Instagram: @journeyingpodcast

My guest this week is Carrie Ann Moran, Sustainability and Circular Business Professional, Partner Success Manager for Thriftify, and Country Coordinator for Fashion Revolution Ireland.   TOPICS DISCUSSED:Retro-shopping in Dublin 'back in the day' Drinking coffee in Temple Bar in the 90s - notions!The emerging fast fashion brands arriving in the mid-nineties'Capsule wardrobes' and 'the sharing economy' were just the norm Designing her fashion collection from waste materials was frowned upon in the noughtiesHeading up the Rediscover Fashion programme at the Rediscovery Centre, BallymunHow the Rediscovery Centre at the boiler house in Ballymun came to be Building a connection and relationship with our clothes Living more sustainably in a mass consumption society is very difficult for any individualSpearheading the first Circular Economy Conference at the Rediscovery CentreWorking with Thriftify, an e-commerce platform for charity shops to retail online Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy being implemented in IrelandWhat's happening for Ireland's Fashion Revolution Week 2021 RESOURCES MENTIONED:Carrie Ann Moran and Fashion Revolution Ireland:  https://www.fashionrevolution.org/europe/ireland/The Rediscovery Centre: http://www.rediscoverycentre.ie/Emma Gleeson: https://emmagleeson.com/First Circular Fashion Conference: http://www.rediscoverycentre.ie/rediscover-fashion/circular-fashion-conference/Thriftify: https://www.thriftify.ie/ The Ellen MacArthur Foundation: https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/4221c-waste-action-plan-for-a-circular-economy/#Textile Mountain: The Hidden Burden of our Fashion Waste: https://www.textilemountainfilm.com/

This week it's a solocast with me, Dr. Dee Duffy with some thoughts and ideas around having fun, and the science of happiness. TOPICS INCLUDED:The Science of HappinessGlasser's Five Basic Human NeedsThe Importance of FunEphemeral Fun versus Ongoing HappinessThe Perils of Perfectionism"Nothing good in life comes easy"Connecting modern lifestyles and modern illnesses Are we making ourselves sick for false states of happiness? RESOURCES MENTIONED:Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI), The Science of Health and Happiness course: https://www.rcsi.com/dublin/about/faculty-of-medicine-and-health-sciences/centre-for-positive-psychology-and-health/science-of-health-and-happinessThe Pavel Wheel: file:///Users/451367/Downloads/RCSI%20Science%20of%20Happiness%20-%20PAVING%20the%20Path%20to%20Wellness%20(2).pdfWilliam Glasser's 5 Basic Needs: https://wglasser.com/quickstart-guide-to-choice-theory/#basic-needsProfessor Brendan Kelly's book 'The Science of Happiness':https://www.gillbooks.ie/mind-body-spirit/the-science-of-happinessWorld Happiness Report 2020: https://worldhappiness.report/ed/2020/_______________________________________________________Subscribe to Journeying YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3jLTdaqRate & review Journeying podcast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826Like Journeying Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bUVisit the Journeying website: https://journeying.me/Instagram: @journeyingpodcast

This week’s guest is Sustainability and Climate Advisor, Ali Sheridan. And for those of you thinking environmental issues are not really of interest to me, I really do encourage you to listen in, because if there is one person who can impress on you the understanding that climate action is critical to every single citizen, I think it could be today’s guest.  I met Ali Sheridan 2 years ago when she joined a panel discussion I hosted at my university where we asked the question: Was Sustainability – A fashionable trend, or a social movement? It was a really great evening with a fantastic panel of speakers. I remember being so impressed by Ali’s endless knowledge of sustainability in business supply chains. At the time she was working with IKEA as their Country Sustainability Leader. She is now independently consulting for a variety of businesses and projects; she hosts her own podcast show Climate Allies, and she is doing a Ph.D. exploring sustainability leadership at Maynooth University. What I really like about Ali is that she is an absolute font of knowledge on this subject matter of climate change, and she just delivers her message in a very clear, practical & pragmatic manner. She doesn’t preach what she knows, she just shares the facts and figures as they are. And even though the statistics can make for grim listening, she injects a lot of hope and sees a lot of opportunity in how we could develop a healthier society overall, if we just act now – If we could maybe collectively act with the urgency of someone who realises their house is indeed on fire.  TOPICS DISCUSSED:Interest in the environment - every citizen's concern Connecting wellness & nature with wider environmental & climate change issuesOpportunities for real change - in slow tourism, preloved fashion systems, a vibrant nighttime economy, etcWhy is the groundwork left to consumers to decipher what has been produced ethically? Businesses realising the need to calculate climate change risk into their business opsDesigning for the circular economy - designing products with the end in mind Customer experience - designing a circular lifecycle for garments & take-back models for worn clothingRetrofitting homesGardening & Growing connects us to the natural cycle of life & nature There's no 'perfect sustainability' Sulitest questionnaire & sustainable literacy Climate literacy -how to embed sustainability into business modelsWe need the next generation sitting at the decision-making table - let them decide what future they wantNeed an intergenerational & interdisciplinary approach to address climate changeThe biggest fight of our lives RESOURCES MENTIONED: Ali's podcast Climate Allies: https://www.climateallies.ie/ Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland: https://www.seai.ie/ Grow It Yourself with Mick Kelly: https://giy.ie/Sulitest.org: https://www.sulitest.org/en/index.html _______________________________________________________Subscribe to Journeying YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3jLTdaqRate & review Journeying podcast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826Like Journeying Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bUVisit the Journeying website: https://journeying.me/Instagram: @journeyingpodcast

This week it was my pleasure to meet with consumer culture researcher and sustainable influencer, Carys Egan-Wyer. I reached out to Carys after I came across her blog and social media brand, Buy Less Be More. I was intrigued from the get-go. I have been researching the area of consumer culture for many years, and in particular, exploring the issue of sustainability within the retail sector. And when you do start to explore this area in any depth, it is very difficult to ever return to a life of mindless consumption. You just cannot ignore the stark facts and shocking stories behind the clothes we wear.  So when I heard Carys had made a pledge to become a non-consumer for one-year, I was intrigued to hear her backstory. I wanted to know what compelled her to take this drastic step, and especially, was it possible? Was it possible to live in our current consumer society, and not consume? We discuss it all and Carys shares her tips for anyone who might be inspired to test themselves to live outside of our consumption-oriented world, even for a month! Take a listen!  TOPICS DISCUSSED:The accumulation of 'stuff' in a consumption-oriented societyPledge to become a non-consumer - is it possible? Abstaining from the instant gratification of consumption can quench your desire for the material object over time Interesting preloved Swedish site, Sellpy  Upcycling projects - fun, creative, learning new skillsSwapping consumption time, for more quality timeGift-giving, swapping material gifts for experiential giftingShowing love through consumption Swedish society supporting family lifestyles and gender equalityMicro-rental platform sites for short-term rental of everyday items in Sweden"Why is it so hard to stop shopping?"Clothing to perform our identity Neoliberal democracies put the responsibility on citizens to make 'the right choice'  Non-consumer versus Anti-consumer? 5 Tips for anyone who wants to make an anti-consumption pledge! RESOURCES MENTIONED: Carys's Buy Less Be More blog: https://buylessbemore.squarespace.com/About Carys's research at Lund University, Sweden: https://portal.research.lu.se/portal/en/persons/carys-eganwyer(4a88974d-838f-4824-a730-75f2ba20c926).htmlSellpy -preloved clothes Swedish website: https://www.sellpy.se/ Hygglo - Swedish short-term rentals website: https://www.hygglo.se/_______________________________________________________Subscribe to Journeying YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3jLTdaqRate & review Journeying podcast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826Like Journeying Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bUVisit the Journeying website: https://journeying.me/Instagram: @journeyingpodcast

This week I chat with Niamh Gallagher – Niamh has many skillsets, she is a Reiki Master & Teacher, a Healing Practitioner, a Meditation Teacher, & Yoga Nidra Facilitator – but the qualification she lists that I like most of all is her listing of Life Experience! It is clear Niamh has faced challenges in her life, but she has also had the courage to explore what it all means and to explore the fictional version of life we are often sold by family, society, and popular culture. We can often be offered truths in our younger life that transpire to be fiction, or do not correspond to how our lives are going – and that can be detrimental to our sense of self, identity, and belonging. It can feel like the rug being pulled out from underneath you. And you are left alone to make sense of this adult version of life. This is what led Niamh to explore alternative medicines like Reiki to find support, healing, and renewed strength.  TOPICS DISCUSSED:Do we have coping mechanisms for when life doesn't follow the idyllic life trajectory?Recognising life as a series of cyclical seasons, rather than one linear process Niamh shares how family trauma and subsequent health problems led her to explore alternative medicines How stress as a young child replayed out in her body in her twenties - the body remembersReiki likened to a bubble of care, calm, and relaxationA spiritual connection to something Higher awakened a curiosity to question all aspects of her life What does Reiki 'feel' like?Mirroring back one's 'Essential Self', not who we think we are supposed to be  Connecting body organs and illness to particular unresolved emotions in our body Shift in parenting/teaching to be more honest with children and admit our mistakesThe isolation of new motherhood - a traumatic, unsupported shift in life for mothersWhere are the communities supporting new mothers? "It takes a village to raise a child" .... so where is our village?!We all need to think creatively about how we can raise children and continue to participate in the workforceThe penalties women pay once children come along The silencing of so many of women's rites of passage throughout life - the tyranny of shameReclaiming women's power and celebrating women's bodies Caring work and healing work has been undervalued in societyReclaiming women's intuition and wisdom - validating our gifts and place in the world A need to build a network of female support and mentorship Important to honour the feminine and masculine within one body RESOURCES MENTIONED:Niamh Gallagher's website: https://niamhgallagher.com/Reclaim Leadership programme: https://niamhgallagher.com/reclaim/Elizabeth Lesser: https://www.elizabethlesser.org/about_______________________________________________________Subscribe to Journeying YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3jLTdaqRate & review Journeying podcast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826Like Journeying Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bUVisit the Journeying website: https://journeying.me/Instagram: @journeyingpodcast

Norah Finn is a psychotherapist and faculty member of the William Glasser Institute Ireland. Norah delivered my first introductory session in choice theory psychology and shared with us the ideas and concepts developed by psychiatrist, William Glasser. The training attracts people in psychotherapy and counselling fields, but also educators – teachers & academics, and lead managers – HR & Business leaders. The training is very much a self-awareness and personal wellbeing journey, you cannot help but learn about yourself and how you interact with others in the world. It is designed in such a way, through case studies, journaling, reflective writing, and presentations, to help you apply Glasser’s theories, in practice, to your daily life. Norah is inspirational in that she leads by ‘doing’, or maybe ‘being’ is a better word, a choice theorist. She believes in what she is teaching, and I think that is the magic – to be taught by someone who eats, sleeps, and breathes their subject matter – in a living way and not just an abstract, or academic way. You can’t help but be inspired! TOPICS DISCUSSED:We are internally motivated people living in an external control world"Unhappy people evaluate others, happy people evaluate themselves"The importance of self-evaluation in our lives"The greatest gift we can give to another human being is to help them to help themselves"Choices & consequences: good choices: good consequences..."Nobody can insult me without my consent" - Eleanor RooseveltWilliam Glasser, a trained psychiatrist, never medicated even one of his patients - he said, mental health issues were that person's best response to what was happening to them at that timeWhat are the qualities of a good listener? .... 2 magic words!!!People don't need advice, they just need to be heardThe importance of Fun in our lives Necessary to positively stimulate the learner's mind to release happy hormones in the brain - this allows them to be receptive to the learning Glasser's 'revolutionary' approach to parenting, particularly with teenagers"Children don't do what they're told, they do what they see"We need to equip young adults to make their own decisions and support them to accept responsibility for their choices, without criticism or judgmentTaking on ourselves as a case study: "Who Am I?""Our psychology becomes our biology"Outside of the body, near-death experience, Awareness, and the question, "What is Consciousness?"RESOURCES MENTIONED:Norah Finn on Choice Theory: https://www.alethea.ie/choice-theory/ William Glasser Institute Ireland:https://wgii.ie/Norah Finn Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NorahFinnTherapy/Online Choice Theory for Children: https://www.alethea.ie/online-choice-theory-for-children/_______________________________________________________Subscribe to YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3jLTdaqRate & review Journeying podcast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826Like Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bUVisit the Journeying website: https://journeying.me/Instagram: @journeyingpodcast

This week I pay tribute to International Women's Day by sharing some of my own thoughts, observations, and experience of gender disparity. I am primarily focusing on the experience of working mothers in this podcast, as this is what I can talk to. I can’t speak on behalf of all women’s experiences, just my own experience, and observations. But I do know there are many commonalities in my own experience and numerous other women I have spoken to. I draw on the research of Professor Linda Scott in her recent publication, The Double X Economy, and from the writing of Melinda Gate's The Moment of Lift to highlight how my experience is not unique, but there are so many parallels between working mother's experiences globally. How women around the world carry the parental load and often fall behind in their career trajectory for the greater good of their children and family. And yet the world over, we don't recognise, celebrate or fully appreciate this unpaid care work. TOPICS INCLUDE:The insanity of motherhood in the 21st century for working women Current society and workplace has been slow to adapt to the changing needs of employees with young families Our childcare routines for full-time working parents are just not conducive to a healthy family lifestyleBusy, tired mothers of young children do not have the time or energy to be at the decision-making tables (in their current format) There is currently less than 25% female representation in the Irish Government When women leave their work to raise children, they lose their financial independence and become economically vulnerable Insufficient recognition or remuneration for care work carried out in our societyWe need to challenge archaic systems and modes of operation that no longer serve all of societyThe provision of a state-funded, quality childcare system for all children would help achieve gender parityEqual partnership with a similar division of labour is as good for romantic partnerships as it is for a business relationship RESOURCES INCLUDE:The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World by Melinda Gates: https://www.amazon.com/Moment-Lift-Empowering-Women-Changes-ebook/dp/B07FCJPWSTThe Double X Economy by Professor Linda Scott: https://www.doublexeconomy.com/_______________________________________________________Subscribe to YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3jLTdaqRate & review Journeying podcast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826Like Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bUVisit the Journeying website: https://journeying.me/Instagram: @journeyingpodcast

This week I talk with Labour Councillor, Seána Ó’ Rodaigh. Seána calls herself an ‘accidental politician’. I find this a really interesting aspect of her journey into politics.In Ireland, we are familiar with parties practising nepotism and supporting political family dynasties. Yet this can perpetuate a narrower perspective of what Irish citizens actually want. Seána however is not from such a background. She never envisioned a life in politics. Until she was approached to run for the Labour Party in 2019. And we chat about this in the podcast today. How so many of us don’t ‘see’ ourselves in key community roles, yet only by being politically active and engaged, can we instigate the change we wish to see and be in the world. We talk about the male-dominated space of politics, and how it is still not set up for female representation – currently, Ireland does not have legal provisions for elected members of parliament to take maternity leave. We discuss the consequences of low female representation in Irish politics. One issue is the ongoing lack of adequate childcare in Ireland. We make the unfortunate connection between Mother & Babies Homes in Ireland’s recent past, and the continuing lack of adequate childcare today. Research tells us it is only through childcare that women can be empowered to continue to work and provide a decent quality of life for their family. All these years later, it is still single mothers in particular that are left vulnerable if they cannot access childcare. I can’t help but deduce if there were more female representation, such issues would be prioritised. I am grateful to women like Seána who are stepping up to level the game and bring a female lens to the political arena. TOPICS DISCUSSED INCLUDE: The male lens applied to policy-making is not going to reflect or represent women's perspectives on key issues Gender quotas Women re-envisioning senior leadership roles Co-founder of Be-Well Do-Well, mental health training programmes Gender equality and policy-making The exhaustive pace of life pre COVID-19Casual sexism in politics 'Women for Election' training. The report launches 1st MarchInternational Women's Day, 8th March RESOURCES MENTIONED:Seána Ó'Rodaigh's website page: https://www.labour.ie/seanaorodaighBe-Well Do-Well mental health & well-being training programmes: https://bewell-dowell.com/ 'Women for Election' training programmes: https://womenforelection.ie/ Women's Participation in Politics Report (2009) found that the obstacles to women’s equal participation in politics can be described as ‘the five Cs’ – Cash, Childcare, Confidence, Culture and Candidate selection procedures: https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/committee/dail/32/joint_committee_on_justice_and_equality/reports/2009/2009-11-05_women-s-participation-in-politics_en.pdf________________________________________________________Subscribe to YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3jLTdaqRate & review Journeying podcast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826Like Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bUVisit the Journeying website: https://journeying.me/

This week is a good one for anyone interested in the current state of the fashion industry. I chat with my wonderful colleague, Katriona Flynn. Katriona is a fashion designer and educator, a graduate of the National College of Art & Design (NCAD) here in Dublin, and Central St Martins in London. She went on to design with brands as diverse as Urban Outfitters and the luxury brand Burberry, before joining our fashion buying programme team at TU Dublin over 3 years ago now. Katriona is an absolute tonic to work with, full of enthusiasm and energy, and she loves chatting fashion. So I wanted to pick up with Katriona a conversation I had contributed to a couple of weeks ago with an RTE journalist, about the future of high street fashion, post-Covid and post-Brexit. In the end, we go down various rabbit holes, but it’s all fashion-related, so if you want to hear an academic take on an oft-thought frivolous matter, listen in! TOPICS INCLUDE: Is fashion brand, Topshop relevant anymore? Will we miss these high street stores on the physical high street? Why are the less design-led brands surviving the fashion fallout?Channel 4's 'Inside Missguided: Made in Manchester' - a sad reflection of what the fashion industry is becoming - more focused on social media & marketing, than product and designDresses for 8 pence on Pretty Little Things on Black Friday - demeaning to fashion design The price war is to the detriment of the fashion industry Why are we still over-consuming even in a pandemic when we have nowhere to go?Are we addicted to the consumption of fashion?Do this generation of fashion consumers just accept low-quality clothing as the norm?Should it be up to the consumer to change the retail industry?I manage to align fast-fashion garments with frozen convenience food?!! Future of Fashion: People, Planet & ProfitWill we care more about the fashion industry after this pandemic? Care where our clothes came from, and care who made them?Fashion: all an illusion, concealing a nightmare - All Smoke & MirrorsOpportunity for digital technology to reduce waste in the sampling & developing process in luxury brandsCheck your care labels!!Garments made to become obsolete - hard-wearing clothing seen as unprofitable to the fashion industryUltimately, there is a need for regulation in the fashion industry to instigate the urgent change we need to save our environment and planet Is the meaning of 'sustainability' and 'luxury' lost in fashion?Chats about our preferred brands right nowIs fashion all a little soulless right now? You are what you wear - fashion & identity People dress how they would like to be attended to Karl Marx and commodity fetishism - the problematic separation of consumption from production Future of the high street store? Brands with a point of difference will surviveMarket share and brand personas RESOURCES MENTIONED:The Psychology of Fashion by Dr. Carolyn Mair: https://www.apa.org/research/action/speaking-of-psychology/fashionChannel 4's Inside Missguided: Made in Manchester:https://www.channel4.com/programmes/inside-missguided-made-in-manchester/episode-guide/

This week’s guest is Samantha Kelly (aka Tweeting Goddess), a female entrepreneur who has impressively turned her life around for herself and her family. Samantha openly shares her personal journey of being a single mother of 2 girls and reliant on social welfare for a very long time. She began to turn her life around when she chose to cut alcohol out of her life 13 years ago and took the brave step to try and become financially independent through entrepreneurial endeavours. This led to her becoming a contestant on RTE’s Dragon Den, and to many other exciting opportunities, including giving a TED talk in 2015. Samantha came to realise her great strength was in building social networks and business communities, connecting small business owners and offering them a variety of business supports through her networks. Samantha now runs the Women Inspire Network (WIN) and has over 420 active members. I think these support networks are an invaluable way for women to empower other women, through even simple things like sharing advice, making an introduction, or just lending a supportive ear. I enjoyed hearing Samantha’s story – she is down to Earth and honest about the highs and the lows of both her business and personal life. I always find it so shockingly refreshing when people share their vulnerabilities – so I really thank Samantha for this. TOPICS DISCUSSED:Building supportive communities for small & medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)Turning 40 and a succession of life-changing events, motivated Samantha to just go for it and set up her own business, which led her to participate in the tv show, Dragon's DenFemale entrepreneurship and business support networks - encourages all SMEs to seek out mentorship through business networksBuilding relationships and networking through social mediaBe kind and give back in business, people will rememberThe importance of being human and real in businessMoving out of social welfare and into business helped Samantha to feel more of a "useful member of society" now that she "can contribute and add value" Never underestimate the power of a useful introduction in business Recognises the importance of having a great team to build her businessAmbassador for Sober St Patrick's Day as Samantha shares she is 13 years sober RESOURCES MENTIONED:Women's Inspire Network (WIN): https://www.womensinspirenetwork.com/The Tweeting Goddess Little Book of Twitter Magic by Samantha Kelly: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tweeting-Goddess-Little-Twitter-Magic/dp/1912328399Samantha Kelly's new podcast Twitter Tales: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4GkFMg01NETGrBpDqKhXOR?si=GRVa2ikRRWqp0Nsw0W-HmQThe Double X Economy book by Prof. Linda Scott: https://www.doublexeconomy.com/ Sober St Patrick's Day: https://www.soberstpatricksday.org/ ___________________________________________________________Subscribe to YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3jLTdaqRate & review Journeying on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826Like Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bUVisit the Journeying website: https://journeying.me/

Second solo podcast with Dr. Dee Duffy ... musings from the month of January 2021 and Lockdown 3:0. Topics discussed include: A continuing proposition for integrating a Human Hibernation in January The possibility that humans once hibernated!Struggling to beat my own circadian rhythm this month Why do we accept ideas such as 'Seasonal Affective Disorder'? Home-schooling developments in my own home ...Are 8 years old too young to start cooking their own breakfast?? My discontent with our new home guest ... Amazon's Alexa - a helpful home gadget, or an archaic, antiquated handmaid?! Ideas mentioned:Can People Hibernate? on NewsTalk's Futureproof with Jonathan McCrea and Professor Kelly Drew from the University of Alaska: https://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/futureproof-with-jonathan-mccrea/can-people-hibernate-2Weaving Wellness and Fiona Forman on the Journeying podcast, Episode #20: https://bit.ly/38UcmVi_________________________________Subscribe to YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3jLTdaqRate & review Journeying on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826Like Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bUVisit the Journeying website: https://journeying.me/

This week’s chat is a very personal and very real, maybe even surreal story, of one man’s efforts to turn his life around. A series of events led Ger Redmond into a life of criminal activity. It was not his first choice. At the age of 16, he was on a very different life trajectory, forging a professional soccer career in the UK. However, his father’s actions led Ger to leave his dream behind him, and instead take up the role as head of the household when his father was sent to prison. As so often happens, after years of crime, Ger followed his father’s footsteps and was sent to prison himself, leaving behind his own young family. The intergenerational transmission of crime is well researched with one recent UK report stating that 65% of sons of prisoners end up in the criminal justice system themselves. Ger tells how he became aware, partially through attending counselling, that he was treating his kids and family as he had been treated. And he knew it was down to him, and only him, to break the cycle. This is not easy, and it takes strength of character to break away from old patterns and habits. Not only did Ger go on the straight and narrow, but he found an outlet to channel his energies in a healthier way – he took up triathlon racing and became a pro-triathlete. He was determined to make his family proud of him and give his children a father they could look up to and be proud of. Ger is now a highly regarded coach in Dublin training many athletes to achieve their personal goals. I would highly recommend listeners to take a look at his website, gerredmond.com to check out all his achievements to date. The website also highlights the community talks Ger offers to youth centres, schools, and prisons, sharing his story to show vulnerable young adults that there is another route in life. I think Ger’s story is one that needs to be shared widely to protect another at-risk generation from falling through the cracks. Topics discussed include:Scouted at 16 years of age to play soccer with Falkirk - living the dream An unfortunate turn of events forced Ger to return home to take care of his family Generational patterns of abuse & neglect"Manning up" - what does that mean?Embarking on a life of criminal gang activity and recreational drug useThe stark realities of serving a 2-year prison sentence Pivotal life moment when his friend overdosed on drugs, leaving his son fatherless Counseling helped him to work through all his weaknesses to make him a stronger person Hurdles to move out of criminal lifestyle into a mainstream job Believes if you change and persist, over time, people's perception of you can change too Becoming a pro-athlete - completing an Iron Man in 9hrs 26mins, in spite of all the doubters!Giving back - talks in schools and prisons to show people it is possible to take another pathSeeking sponsorship to support his community development work, talks and training Mentions:Ger Redmond website: https://gerredmond.com/RTE Hell Week: https://presspack.rte.ie/2019/04/18/special-forces-ultimate-hell-week-new-series/

My guest today is entrepreneur Sheelin Conlon of The Kind Ethical Lifestyle Store. I was an admirer of The Kind brand before realising it was the lovely Sheelin behind this new sustainability store. We had shared an office in a previous life, both starting on a Ph.D. doctoral research journey over a decade ago. Our paths diverted as Sheelin chose a creative direction into digital advertising before going the entrepreneurial route, setting up The Kind in 2018. I was so keen to chat with her and hear how the store came to be. She was so busy before Christmas that we had to postpone our chat, but I am so glad to share her story here today. I believe there will be a need for people to create their own business opportunities and revive the retail scene in the coming years. Both on account of COVID-19, and the need to build more sustainable and ethical alternatives. And so I was grateful that Sheelin was willing to share the highs and the lows of starting out in business. She shares honest and practical advice that may well encourage any aspiring entrepreneurs listening in, to take the brave next step and just go for it! TOPICS DISCUSSED:Female EntrepreneurshipPivoting in business - listening to your consumer's needs and wantsThe practicalities of investing in your business ideaThe necessity of Instagram and other social media tools for online retail - substitute for the in-store experience and personal relationship with customers Personal Branding The perils of shelving in retail! Storytelling - sharing 'behind the scenes' in retail - gives personality to the brand Customer feedback & reviews are keyFinding 'the right' business - a series of ideas before The Kind came to beThe pitfalls of an entrepreneur'Search Inside Yourself' Asking yourself, 'What is my passion?' Local Enterprise Office supports and mentors Offering mentorship to aspiring entrepreneurs Growth Mindset and The Entrepreneur Virtual Workshops & Events: building The Kind community "Career satisfaction doesn't come from what you do, it comes from who you get to be when you do it" RESOURCES MENTIONED: Search Inside Yourself: https://siyli.org/aboutLocal Enterprise Office: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Discover-Business-Supports/Training-Programmes/Tony Robbins: https://www.tonyrobbins.com/_________________________________Subscribe to YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3jLTdaqRate & review Journeying on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826Like Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bU

Today's episode is for all those parents out there who are looking for tips & tools to survive Lockdown 3.0! My guest is Fiona Forman, a Well-Being and Positive Psychology facilitator and trainer with an M. Sc. in Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP). She is an author and a primary school teacher with over 30 years of classroom experience. She reassuringly advises us to practice self-compassion and to trust our own instincts with our children. I took comfort from her advice in this chat and I hope you do too! TOPICS DISCUSSED:Coping in Lockdown 3.0Parents should not feel they are substituting their child's teacher Prioritise children's emotional wellbeing over academic curriculum Irish Education Department specifically requested a focus on Emotional Wellbeing this yearSupporting children's emotional wellbeing sets the foundation for their learning and development The 'community' of school life Need a holistic view of education"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire" WB Yeats Real learning does not necessarily come from a textbook Child-led play and learning is invaluable to their own growth Trust your own instinct with your childHow can parents ensure they are mindfully supporting their child's emotional wellbeing?The power of listening, without offering advice!Micro-moments of positivity The Positivity Ratio Negativity Bias Building resiliency Ann Masten's "Ordinary Magic" and children's resilience Family meetings & involving the child15-minute slots of full connection and presence with your child in the dayParents need to practise self-compassion and prioritise their own wellbeing! 'Connection not Content' RESOURCES MENTIONED:Fiona Forman's Weaving Wellbeing Programme: https://weavingwellbeing.com/ Fiona Forman's Resources: https://fionaformanwellbeing.com/'Ordinary Magic' by Ann Masten: https://www.guilford.com/books/Ordinary-Magic/Ann-Masten/9781462523719/reviewsGlennon Doyle: https://momastery.com/Dr Kristen Neff and Self-compassion: https://self-compassion.org/_________________________________Subscribe to YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3jLTdaqRate & review Journeying on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826Like Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bU

Welcome to my first "solocast"!I pushed myself out of my comfort zone for this one, and drew on my old Ph.D. mantra to resist a tendency toward procrastination ... "Just Do It!" Musings include: Goal-setting versus Taking a Break!Weak versus Rest'Human Hibernation'Generational behaviour traits in my family An Irish stampede for a 2021 paperback diary?! I would love to hear any feedback on this episode or indeed any others. And also if you have any suggestions for suitable guests in 2021, please do get in touch:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdeeduffy/Email: dee.eva.duffy@gmail.com __________________________________Subscribe to YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3jLTdaqRate & review Journeying on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826Like Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bU

This is a very special and personal conversation, and I feel very honoured to be able to share my guest’s story with you this week. I knew I wanted to do a podcast around the rising popularity of sea-swimming before 2020 came to a close. I just wasn’t sure how I would like to cover it, or who I would like to talk to. As with most things this year, I’ve been learning to trust the universe and allow things to happen as they are meant to. And sure enough, through a series of serendipitous events, I crossed paths with today’s guest. Annmargaret Nolan is a lecturer, Mindfulness & Positive Psychology therapist, Leadership Coach, and more recently, a daily sea swimmer! We are now both part of a sea-swimming group in our local community. I had noticed Annmargaret was swimming at least once a day, if not twice. I was intrigued by how committed she was – especially as she is in a similar boat to myself, juggling work and young kids. Eventually, she shared with us that she had made a quiet commitment to herself to swim for 100 consecutive days. I really admired her subtle dedication. And I was delighted to be one of a tribe of brave, strong women from our community who came out on possibly the iciest cold December morning of this month so far to support her 100th day of sea-swimming. One woman’s quiet promise culminated in a joyous, community-oriented occasion that also raised over €3.5k for Focus Ireland. But I still was curious to know what drove Annmargaret to be so committed to her personal goal. And I am so pleased that she was willing to share her story here with me. I believe Annmargaret’s motivation to share her story is to help normalise these conversations for us all and accept that these thoughts are ok. That 'it’s ok not to feel ok'. We just need to learn the language to ask for help. I hope this episode does take another step toward normalising tough conversations around loss, grief and finding help. And a deeply sincere thank you to Annmargaret for her honesty and bravery. TOPICS DISCUSSED:Loss and allowing time to grieveSuicide ideation - normalising the understanding that 'it's ok not to be ok'Committed actionSuffering and forming deeper connection The tyranny of positivity - need to embrace our dark shadow side alsoBuilding strength and resilience through sea-swimmingEmbodiment, and self-care in the act of sea swimmingMotherhood and unhealthy perfectionism - seeking approval externally100 days consecutive sea-swimming - a quiet promise to herselfA relaxed mind is a creative mindHer impromptu sea-swimming fundraiser raised €3.5k for Focus IrelandThe importance of listening when someone expresses suicidal thought"where there's great love, there's great longing" SOME RESOURCES MENTIONED:Charlie Mackesy's book: The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse': https://www.kennys.ie/bestsellers/the-boy-the-mole-the-fox-and-the-horse-1Susan David - Emotional Agility: https://www.susandavid.com/new-indexDr Brendan Kelly, Psychiatrist: https://www.tcd.ie/medicine/staff/KELLYB19__________________________________ Subscribe to YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3jLTdaqRate & review Journeying on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826Like Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bU

This week I chat with filmmaker Gerry Nelson about his new documentary about Cork’s hurling legend Christy Ring. I would be lying if I was to say I have a deep affinity to Cork hurling, and to the legend that is Christy Ring. I have nothing against him either, or Cork hurling. But what I am interested in, is the history of the Gaelic Athletic Association, and how this mighty sporting institution weaves its way into the lives and communities of almost every parish on the island of Ireland. And that is how I crossed paths with Gerry earlier in the year – when he was carrying out research for this documentary. I love Gerry’s energy and enthusiasm for his art – the art of filmmaking. And I was curious to learn more about how to weave a story through the medium of film. From our chats I realised that I never really appreciated the thousands of hours of research and unseen work that goes on behind the scenes of say a 1hr documentary. I really have to say hats off to all those involved. And I am very much looking forward to seeing the final edit on RTE TV in a couple of weeks (Thursday 17th December). TOPICS DISCUSSED:Narrative Arcs & StorytellingGraham Norton's interviewing skillsLimited career options in 1980s IrelandDiscuss the merits of learning their skill on the job, versus a university degreeThe art of editing - team's creative effortThe evolution of stories, from cavemen times to fireside storytelling The documentary 'makes itself' after a point - the director 'impels' things to happenEvery great story has the human emotional elementDeveloping the compelling story around GAA hurling hero, Christy RingEmbedding your storyline in the era it occurred The story of Christy Ring, an ordinary guy that did an extraordinary thing The Game: The Story of Hurling 4-part documentary (2018-19)The female voice in his GAA documentariesNew documentary on Christy Ring out on Thursday 17th December 2020 RESOURCES MENTIONED: About Christy Ring documentary: https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-40072805.htmlMore about Gerry Nelson: https://www.gerrynelson.com/selected-scenesCross the Line Productions and The Game: The Story of Hurling: http://ctlfilms.com/recent-production/2019/6/7/the-game-the-story-of-hurling.htmlLen Gaynor autobiography:https://www.omahonys.ie/chiselled-from-ash-an-autobiography-p-10484240.html________________________________ Subscribe to YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3jLTdaqRate & review Journeying on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826Like Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bU

This week on the Journeying podcast I chat with Eamonn Toland about his debut book, The Pursuit of Kindness. In it, Eamonn argues that there is compelling evidence from evolutionary biology, psychology and archaeology that for 95% of the time that sapiens have walked the earth, Survival of the Fittest for our species has meant survival of the kindest.This is a really interesting argument, one that gives a narrative to the possibility of us returning to a way of life where we could once again collaborate together and show kindness to one another. While this book is 30-years in the making (as Eamonn had the idea to write it when he was a student of Modern History & Economics at the University of Oxford 30 yrs ago!), I thought it couldn't have arrived at a more opportune time. Just this week here in Ireland we saw an overwhelming outpouring of kindness and generosity on our beloved The Late Late Toy Show where the nation donated €5.2 million EURO in the space of 2 hours to help children in need. We know we have the capacity for kindness, maybe this book will give us reassuring historical and evolutionary evidence that it is also our more natural default! TOPICS DISCUSSED: A 30-year journey to write this book Argues human beings are not inherently selfish and predisposed to acts of violence, but actually, we had an incentive to COLLABORATE and BE KIND. Puppetry experiments with infants show their innate attraction to the 'good' puppetsToolkit of hunter-gathers - to be kind and collaborate The Trolley Problem test by Joshua Green - moral dilemmas and calculationThe Fertile Crescent, human settlement and agriculture developmentWarfare and violence increases as human beings settle in territories Patriarchy as mechanism to enforce Kin Altruism - a story we tell ourselves for societal organization Evolved our conscience over thousands of years Cognitive Dissonance The Tragedy of Capitalism Justification of slavery in the US to persuade the moral conscience The Irony of Thomas Jefferson, (the "Apostle of Liberty") and his 400 slaves Use cognitive bias to persuade ourselves we are goodWho voted the Nazis into power? Instilling the fearful story of immigrants - a similar anti-immigrant narrative spun during Brexit campaign in UK Minority groups tend to support efforts for social change The Hunger Plan and the Nazis Dehumanizing other individuals allows us to commit atrocities Rejecting other group's narratives - dangerous dynamicUS Republican versus Democrats: polarizing viewpoints is dangerous for societyNeed to accept other's points of view, find a compromise to live together Need for Self-Awareness Need to move from Passion, to Compassion SOURCES MENTIONED: The Pursuit of Kindness website: http://thepursuitofkindness.org/The Pursuit of Kindness book at Liberties Press: https://libertiespress.com/product/the-pursuit-of-kindness/________________________________ Subscribe to YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3jLTdaqRate & review Journeying on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826Like Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bU

My guest this week, Dr Caroline Sheedy, researches gender inequalities in the area of technology workplaces . Caroline is a recipient of the very prestigious Fulbright Tech Impact Scholarship, and is also a member of INGENICS, The Irish Network for Gender Equality in Computing. Caroline talks about the importance of creating inclusive, supportive workspaces for all members of society, including our young men. And that we need to reimagine our overall work-life-caring roles for the benefit of everyone’s wellbeing, as oppose to viewing ourselves always in a productive manner, here solely to serve a workforce.As we conclude in our chat today, this is a conversation of many conversations that need to persist until we all find a healthier solution to toxic workspaces and unbalanced work lives. TOPICS DISCUSSED: Caroline’s motivation to study STEM subjects as a young girl –engaging teachers who encouraged girl’s participation in STEM Recognises a distinct minority of female lecturers in STEM subjects The Art of Cryptography! The trajectory of women in technology & the importance of social inclusion “You can’t be, what you can’t see” applies to women working within the tech industrySense of Belonging so important in the workplace‘The right to reply’ Technochauvinism / “Hi-tech is Guy-tech” Universal Design in Technology Technology facilitating social connectionUnconscious Bias Fertility – women putting off starting families due to precarious working conditions Women carrying the carer’s burden in societyLack of adequate, affordable childcare the major factor in carers dropping out of full-time workforceFailing future generations by not providing them adequate and equal early education opportunities All caring professions need to be valued more in our society We need to invest more in our own wellbeing, rather than serving the workforce The pace of change in tech – rapidly changes our pace of social change SOURCES MENTIONED:Fulbright Irish Scholar Awards: https://www.fulbright.ie/going-to-the-usa/fulbright-irish-scholar-awards/Code: Debugging the Gender Gap movie: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code:_Debugging_the_Gender_GapWork Equal - a campaign to raise awareness of workplace gender inequalities and related issues: https://workequal.ie/Dr Mary L. Gray, (MacArthur Fellow) Anthropologist & Media Scholar: https://www.macfound.org/fellows/1061/Prof Nicola Ingram: https://www.shu.ac.uk/about-us/our-people/staff-profiles/nicola-ingramDr Theresa O'Keefe (UCC) research on gender inequality and precarious work situations in academia as referenced in The Journal.ie : https://www.thejournal.ie/academic-uncertainty-pt2-5265743-Nov2020/________________________________ Subscribe to YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3jLTdaqRate & review Journeying on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826Like Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bU

TOPICS DISCUSSED: Growing up in a sport-oriented family – fosters interest and commitment The GAA – bringing communities together particularly now, in lockdown Limited structure and systems in place to facilitate women continuing in sport at a range of levels Huges pressure on teenage girls 20x20 campaign: improving women’s visibility in sport but a long way to go Life transitions: Motherhood & Exercising Gender Equality & Gender Pay Gap: Women’s lost years in the workforce Working in sport: a traditionally male-dominated arena Freedom to make mistakes and accept the humanity of it Jacqui’s first book ‘Girls Play Too’ – wrote the book she wished she had growing up Book shortlisted for the An Post Irish Book AwardsRESOURCES MENTIONED:Girls Play Too: https://irishacademicpress.ie/product/girls-play-too-inspiring-stories-of-irish-sportswomen/An Post Irish Book Awards: https://www.irishbookawards.irish/award/specsavers-childrens-book-of-the-year-senior-2020/20x20 If She Can't See It, She Can't Be It Campaign: https://20x20.ie/_________________________________ Subscribe to YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3jLTdaqRate & review Journeying on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826Like Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bU

My guest this week has been listed as one of the ‘Wonder Women shaping 2020’ by the Irish Country Woman magazine, and I definitely agree. Dr Caroline West is passionate about creating spaces for calm, informed conversations about sex, and wants to banish shame and stigma from the bedroom. It is shocking to think sex education has not evolved all that much since I was a teenager in the 90s. We didn’t have access to the internet, so we remained clueless about all our unanswered questions. The legacy of that ignorance is that parents today still do not have the language to speak openly with their teenagers about sex. But rather than stay clueless like us 90s kids, today’s teens can just fill in the gaps by going online and finding a minefield of information on sex, including porn. And this often how they are ‘educating’ themselves on how to have sex. Caroline is on a mission to stop the cycle of ignorance, and to introduce positive sex education for all young people in Ireland. Topics discussed include: Sex education in the 1990s – EuroTrash and Cosmopolitan magazines contrasted with religious-led sex education classes Lad Culture of the nineties – in hindsight, not actually empowering for women Ireland – are we still a sex-negative society? Sex-Ed - should it be the domain of school teachers and religious orders? Need for independent workshops to normalize language around sex education Is pornography being used as a sex education tool for young people? Teaching Porn Literacy How to normalize the conversation around sex Evoke.ie ‘Agony Aunt’ / Sexpert Sigmund Freud on female orgasms From Ballybrack in Dublin to the Porn Awards in Las Vegas!Motives to enter the porn/sex work/sugar baby industryOnlyFans Performers ‘A hierarchy of sex workers’ Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act of 2017 – has led to increased violence toward sex workers in IrelandDecriminalisation of sex work Sugar Daddy & Sugar Baby sites … popular option for Irish university students over stacking shelves in TescoSex Toy Industry unregulated Need to move toward encapsulating sex with personal wellbeing & health Caroline’s GlowWest Podcast: amazing resource for calm, informative conversations around sex Sources:Dr Caroline West's website: https://iamcarolinewest.com/glow-westabout Glow West podcast: https://tortoiseshack.ie/glow-west-podcast/Caroline's sex column on Evoke.ie: https://evoke.ie/author/caroline-west_________________________________ Subscribe to YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3jLTdaqRate & review Journeying on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826Like Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bU

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has - Margaret MeadMy guest, Dublin Firefighter Neil McCabe is a prime example of one person who has made tremendous impact on both the immediate, and wider community around him. His story starts in a Dublin Fire Station 12 years ago. Neil wanted to boost morale in his unit and introduced energy-saving initiatives to give the crew a sense of purpose and community. As you will hear, the well-intentioned idea grew arms & legs taking Neil to The White House in America, to designing the multiple-award winning Green Plan accreditation initiative; to being awarded the very prestigious Ashoka Fellowship. And to say this is the tip of the iceberg is an understatement. We chat about his ethical clothing company and his new venture into forestry. Neil is the ultimate social entrepreneur. And all this while still holding down the day job with the Dublin Fire Brigade. TOPICS DISCUSSED:Journey into role as firefighter with Dublin Fire Brigade in Kilbarrack, to becoming a social entrepreneur and environmental activist with global impact Developed 'The Green Plan' initiative – 2 core principles: behavioural change and then, emissions reduction. Achieved world’s first carbon neutral fire station in 5 years – Kilbarrack Fire Brigade, Dublin. The initiative has since been implemented worldwide. Ring-fenced their energy-saving costs to roll out across other fire stations. Saved €11 million EURO of tax payers money by following his Green Plan initiative Awarded an Ashoka Fellowship for his work on The Green Plan “Going Green, For Social Good” Corporate Social Responsibility Greenwashing for corporate brand image Plastic waste in the oceans “How can we stimulate behavioural change?” Textile industry – second highest pollutant in the world GROWN Clothing – ethically-sourced clothing brand Building brand community and followers rather than customers GROWN - Ireland’s first certified Fair Trade clothing company, and members of '1% for the Planet' (alongside Patagonia)Challenges developing a transparent supply chain Supports collaboration for innovative ideas Social Entrepreneurship Won Irish Product of the Year in 2017 at the Irish Green Awards GROWN Forest – new company born out of the clothing company. Plant native Irish trees and creating forestry Gifting a tree instead of buying ‘stuff’ people don’t actually want “What can I do to make a difference?”RESOURCES MENTIONED:The Green Plan: http://thegreenplan.ie/GROWN Clothing: https://www.grown.ie/GROWN Forest: http://grownforest.com/Ashoka: https://www.ashoka.org/en1% for the Planet: https://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org/Irish Green Awards: https://www.greenawards.ie/2018-winners_________________________________ Subscribe to YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3jLTdaqRate & review Journeying on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826Like Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bU

This week I chat with the very charismatic Pat Divilly. Pat is a well-known and respected name in the personal development arena. He is a high performance coach, speaker and author. I think his painfully honest stories about the highs & lows of his successes and failures makes him seem very real and relatable. We’ve all hit low times in our lives. It is refreshing when someone has the bravery to share them with us. Link to Pat Divilly's free 14-day journalling & meditation programme:https://www.patdivilly.com/offers/f6mJTXFu/checkoutTopics discussed:· Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for sense of community, deep connection and personal development - helps to live in the present, and teaches humility · Motivation versus Consistency· Applying academic learning to everyday life experiences – deeper learning· Talk spirituality, religiosity and psychedelics – searching for meaning!· The attraction of sea swimming / wild swimming · Frances Thornton 13km swim in Galway · Men’s retreats and men’s coaching groups – place of support, non-judgement & accountability · Ice-man, Wim Hof & Self-Care – ice baths and breath retentions· Masculine and feminine energies · Movember Ambassador – November, month to recognise men’s health issues · Winter lockdown – Pat shares tips & tools to empower our mental and physical energy, & choose where we give our focusResources mentioned: Anthony deMello: https://www.demellospirituality.com/Ram Dass: https://beherenownetwork.com/category/ram-dass/Timothy Leary: https://www.npr.org/2020/10/21/926181349/father-of-the-psychedelic-movement-timothy-leary?t=1603663075263Norman Vincent Peale: https://www.guideposts.org/better-living/positive-living/positive-thinking/10-things-to-know-about-norman-vincent-pealeEarl Nightingale: https://www.nightingale.com/authors/earl-nightingale.htmlBrian Tracy: https://www.briantracy.com/Zig Ziglar: https://www.ziglar.com/Napoleon Hill: https://www.naphill.org/Tony Robbins: https://www.tonyrobbins.com/William Glasser and Choice Theory: https://wglasser.com/Viktor Frankl: https://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/history-of-happiness/viktor-frankl/Movember Ireland: https://ie.movember.com/story/view/id/12108_________________________________ Subscribe to YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3jLTdaqRate & review Journeying on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826Like Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bU

TOPICS DISCUSSED:How she became enthralled with horror in childhood reading The Brother’s Grimm Horror can act as a buffer or escapism from the actual horror in real lifeThe adrenaline rush of horror!Gothic literature and the Marquis de Sade – “the necessary fruit of revolutionary tremors”Horror “shakes us awake”!The Momo Challenge – biggest hoax of the 21st centuryIrish people’s fascination with horror connected to our long literary history with Gothic literature (Sheridan LeFanu, Bram Stoker) and our history of storytelling Origins of our celebration of Samhain / Halloween Horror as a form of cultural commentary ‘Hauntology’ – Jacques Derrida … “mourning a future that will never happen” ...refers to the haunting image of fashion mannequins dressed for a 2020 summer season that never happenedFashion & clothing as a trope used in horror movies e.g. ‘The Final Girl’ “What’s the scariest film of all time?!” … any movie that replicates our own fearsThroughout history, horror does really well in times of political and social unrest Cancel Culture & Censorship – HBO pulling iconic movie Gone with the Wind on the basis of racism Media effects, moral panics and censorship – essentially ghost stories Upcoming publication ‘The Myth of Harm’ with Bloomsbury Publisher – 100 years of horror1990s Jamie Bolger murder case connect with Child’s Play movie character Chucky – a ghost story we in society tell ourselves to protect ourselves from the horror of the truth Thanksgiving – perceivably a horrific moment in history yet is continually celebrated in the USChildren as the 'emotional button' to ‘justify’ cancel culture/censorship/media blame Video Nasty Era with the rise of VHS video culture: late 1970s-1984 LINKS TO TOPICS MENTIONED:Marquis de Sade: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/who-was-marquis-de-sade-180953980/Sheridan LeFanu: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sheridan-Le-Fanu Bram Stoker: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bram_Stoker Irish storyteller, Eddie Lenihan: https://eddielenihan.weebly.com/ Irish Times article observing ‘hauntology’ playing out in S/S 2020 fashion season: https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/fashion/summer-dresses-is-there-not-still-room-for-a-little-joy-1.4264980#.X4N0cJ_mdsQ.mailtoRobert Egger’s The VVitch movie recommendation: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_witch_2016Dr Sarah Cleary’s Deadly Doses Podcast: https://spoti.fi/34ZQYKY Sunday Business Post article on censorship: https://www.businesspost.ie/life-arts/all-in-the-frame-why-we-shouldnt-cancel-problematic-art-6d38686d _________________________________ Subscribe to YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3jLTdaqRate & review Journeying on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826Like Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bU

TOPICS DISCUSSED: Building his retail consortium – The Thomas Ennis Group, with an awareness it was a team effort ‘Asked’ to leave school at 15 years of age, Thomas started an apprenticeship with FX Buckley butchers in Moore Street in the heart of Dublin cityWillingness to learn when you enjoy the learning environment Regales his story of rising up through the retail ranks while outlining the evolution of supermarket retailing in Ireland over the past 30 years In the year 2001, came under the mentorship of the retail legend, Feargal Quinn of Superquinn, and Pat Kelly The great debate – theory (academia) versus practice (doing the job!) when it comes to learning your trade! Retail – fast-moving, dynamic environment where each day brings a new challenge and never boring Only 2 things you can control in your business – waste & wagesOpened first retail store, SPAR Merrion Row in 2005 through a ‘creative’ negotiation with the banks in the Celtic Tiger years! Last year their flagship store, SPAR Merrion Row won the prestigious IGD Global Award over 964 other stores globally Key to retail: Listen to your customer, give them what they wantDetail in Retail is key – his key people in the retail team are women – better eye for detail His biggest retail mistake was his best business lesson – didn’t listen to best advice and his gutFollows the old retail adage: ‘Sales is vanity; Margin is sanity’ [also goes ‘turnover is vanity, profit is sanity’] Work-life Balance: he realised he needed to get a better balance for his family and his own quality of life Marathons & Ironman races – his distraction from the busyness of working life – we need personal goalsMental health is key – quality working hours over quantity of hours Energy creates energy – believes participation in sport is imperative for a healthy body/healthy mind Advocate for sport – particularly champions boxing as a sport that builds character, discipline and stamina. Thomas was coached under two time Olympic boxer Mick Dowling in his teens at his local boxing club in Tallaght. Sport – teaching skills for life Importance of mentorship in life/sport/career. His closest mentor, Walter O’Hara Jr, an American philanthropist from the Bronx, NYC. O’Hara’s advice – build your team; don’t look down on anybody; give backManagement versus Leadership SOME SOURCES & RESOURCES MENTIONED:IGD Awards: https://www.igd.com/events/igd-awards/2019-winnersFeargal Quinn retail story, told by colleagues including his regional manager Pat Kelly:https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2019/0429/1046239-feargal-quinn-irelands-retail-legend/About philanthropist Walter O'Hara Jr.: https://thecurrency.news/articles/11465/walter-ohara-jr-a-quiet-hero-working-on-irelands-behalf/Two time Olympic medalist Mick Dowling: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mick_Dowling___________________________________ Subscribe to YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqa2toscxF6xiFPslXxUtZw?view_as=subscriberRate & review Journeying on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826 Like Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bU

Teachers & students surviving September back at school in this new COVID-19 world Increasing levels of anxiety in young children in the classroomDeveloped their Be Well – Do Well Mental Fitness Programme initially to support students and teachers to look after their mental health Gaping hole in our education system to support student’s mental health How to ‘validate’ children’s emotions “The Fast Food Rule” – validation tool GoZen Reeny Jane “The Irish Band-Aid” – how we offer anecdotes to try ‘fix’ a person, rather than allow person to just feel their emotion 4 Pillars of Emotional Fitness Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) “An Emotional Blindfold” We need to invest in preventative approaches to mental health Need to develop an Awareness of what is happening in our body Social Anxiety Building Resilience in young people Self-Awareness “Mental Fitness Warriors” Be Well-Do Well ‘Mental Fitness For All’ online programme for both children and adults Resources mentioned: https://bewell-dowell.com/about/ - Be Well-Do Well with Aoife Hughes and Seána Ó' Rodaigh https://emmacahill.ie/ - Under the Mask children's book by Emma Cahill https://thefamilyedit.ie/ - The Family Edit http://drmaliecoyne.ie/ - Dr Malie Coyne https://brenebrown.com/ - Brene Brownhttps://drchatterjee.com/ - Rangan Chatterjeehttps://www.drdansiegel.com/ - Dr Dan Siegelhttps://www.drharrybarry.com/ - Dr Harry Barry https://www.mentalhealthandwellbeingsummit.com/ - The Wellbeing Summit https://gozen.com/about/ - GoZen! with Renee Jain

Next month is Black History Month. I have been taking some time to educate myself on racial issues, and attempt to understand the ongoing struggle and frustration of people living with racism. This week’s chat with Áine Mulloy is insightful for anyone interested in living in a more equal and just society. A society where the colour of skin does not define or exclude people from identifying as a proud, Irish citizen. Áine Mulloy, Diversity & Inclusion advocate and TEDx speaker, talks growing up black, and Irish. Topics include: Personal experiences of racism in Ireland Lack of support from authorities including An Garda Síochána (police) Protected and accepted in small, rural community versus racism experiences escalated in anonymous, urban cities Sense of relief to finally make friends in adulthood with another black person ‘Yes, I’m Irish!’ …. Yes, but where are you really from? Who is actually, ‘Irish’? Sport a great equaliser. The Gaelic Athletic Association doing a lot of work to improve diversity and inclusion in local communities. Experience of hair as part of black identity and history Idea of time being ‘spent/wasted’ in Western society, versus in African societies where a task takes as long as it takes – not dictated by time: an alternative, calmer way of perceiving time #Black Lives Matter – recent protests in Ireland Grassroot movements in Ireland – appetite for change Discuss what white Irish people can do to become anti-racist Educate ourselves! Books, podcasts, TED talks, Instagram sites Useful links:Áine Mulloy TEDx talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/aine_mulloy_insert_female_speaker_here?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshareNobel Prize in Literature, Toni Morrison: https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/literature/1993/morrison/biographical/ ‘Don’t Touch My Hair’ byEmma Dabiri: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/apr/23/dont-touch-my-hair-emma-dabiri-review RTÉ documentary ‘New Gaels’: https://www.gaa.ie/news/new-gaels-documentary-shows-where-we-all-belong/ Black and Irish Instagram: @black_andirishKimberle Crenshaw TED talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/kimberle_crenshaw_the_urgency_of_intersectionality?language=en Ibram Kendi: https://www.ibramxkendi.com/ Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People about Race by Reni Eddo Lodge http://renieddolodge.co.uk/books/ White Fragility by Robin diAngelo: https://www.robindiangelo.com/Subscribe to YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqa2toscxF6xiFPslXxUtZw?view_as=subscriberRate & review on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826 Like Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bU

THIS WEEK I CHAT WITH EXERCISE SCIENTIST TURNED ENTREPRENEUR DR SARAH KELLY. THE TOPICS WE HIT ARE WIDE-RANGING BUT THERE IS AN OVERARCHING THREAD THROUGHOUT OF PHYSICAL HEALTH, FITNESS & WELLBEING! TOPICS INCLUDE: CLUB BASKETBALL - DCU MERCY DROPOUT RATE OF YOUNG IRISH GIRL'S PARTICIPATION IN SPORTEXERCISING THROUGHOUT PREGNANCYCOMMUNITY SPIRIT / CAMARADERIE IN SPORT CROSSFIT TRAINING / WEIGHTLIFTING SARAH COMPETING IN CROSSFIT OPENS WHILE OVERDUE WITH HER 3RD BABY! PELVIC FLOOR HEALTH & EXERCISE"PREGNANCY M.O.T" FINDING TIME TO EXERCISE WITH KIDSCHILDHOOD OBESITY - CAN LEAD TO LIFELONG DISEASE: PREVENTION BETTER THAN CUREDEVELOPING HEALTHY EATING HABITS OBESITY PREVALENT IN LOWER SOCIO-ECONOMIC AREASIRISH LIFE SCHOOL'S FITNESS CHALLENGE - ELITE SCHOOLS EXCEL OVER DISADVANTAGED SCHOOLSCARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE GUT HEALTH / FIBRE / CIRCLE OF LIGHT PRODUCTSRESOURCES MENTIONED INCLUDE:Helen Keeble, Specialist Pelvic Health Physiotherapist: https://helenkeeble.co.uk/Emma Dowling, Pre & Post Natal Fitness: https://www.empowered-mama.com/trainer/emma-dowling Prof Donal O'Shea, Clinical Lead for Obesity: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/media/pressrel/hse-appoints-professor-donal-oshea-as-clinical-lead-for-obesity.html Irish Life Schools Fitness Challenge: https://www.irishlifehealth.ie/fitnesschallenge/about-the-challengeCircle of Light health drinks: https://www.circleoflight.ie/Subscribe to YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqa2toscxF6xiFPslXxUtZw?view_as=subscriberRate & review on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826 Like Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bU

Episode title: Dr. Rebecca Scott on ‘Paying for Pain’ through the Experience of Extreme Adventure RacingEpisode summary introduction: Through Dr. Scott’s research on Tough Mudder adventure racing, we consider what motivates people to put their bodies through pain for ‘fun’; we consider the increased participation in outdoor activities during lockdown; and the interconnection of body and mind in nature. Topics discussed in this episode: The ‘Cubicle-bound Masses’ – knowledge workers caught up in sedentary lifestyle, like battery chickens! Escapism from monotony of modern, urban society Extreme adventure races – the commercialised and more socially-acceptable version of Brad Pitt’s Fight Club! Self-directed health & lifestyle changesResourceful Residents –making the most of natural, local landscapes & mountainscapes“Experiential Resume/CV” Putting one’s body on the line in the name of research… ethnographic immersion in Tough Mudder adventure races! Body & Mind Dualism Nature, natural habitats and water reviving our bodies & mindsThe Artist’s Way Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (EHS) and potential harmful effects of electromagnetic fields to our bodiesResources mentioned in this episode: Rebecca Scott, Julien Cayla, Bernard Cova, Selling Pain to the Saturated Self, Journal of Consumer Research, Volume 44, Issue 1, June 2017, Pg 22-43, https://doi.org/10.1093/jcr/ucw071 Adventure race: https://toughmudder.com/Introduces French Anthropologist David Le Breton - pain as an agent for body metamorphosis: BRETON, D. L. (2000). Playing Symbolically with Death in Extreme Sports. Body & Society, 6(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1177/1357034X00006001001Anat Keinan, Ran Kivetz, Productivity Orientation and the Consumption of Collectable Experiences, Journal of Consumer Research, Volume 37, Issue 6, 1 April 2011, Pages 935–950, https://doi.org/10.1086/657163Swimrun events: https://otilloswimrun.com/The Wim Hof Method: https://www.wimhofmethod.com/https://www.doterra.com/US/en/about-our-storyhttps://drjoedispenza.com/pages/abouthttps://www.abraham-hicks.com/https://juliacameronlive.com/the-artists-way/ Subscribe to the Journeying podcast YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqa2toscxF6xiFPslXxUtZw?view_as=subscriber Rate & review on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826 Like our Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bU

Recovery Month in an international initiative ran each September to promote awareness and understanding of addiction and recovery. Addiction therapist and Mindfulness-Bases Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher, Austin Tuohy chats about addiction and recovery. Topics discussed in this episode: - Choice Theory Psychology - September as Recovery Month - Addiction as a creative coping mechanism for stress - The continuum of substance abuse - Trauma, Pain & Addiction - Is addiction in a person’s nature, or an outcome of a circumstance? - Gabor Maté - Humans need a sense of community & belonging - Social capital / ‘Recovery’ capital- Difficulty of lockdown for those in recovery - Drugs are great! The consequences and outcomes of the addictive behaviours are bad! - Are drugs a working-class problem? - Heroin, a derivative of the poppy flower (like morphine), used as an (emotional) pain-killer - “Addiction is Park Ave to park bench” - Adam & Paul movie (and Dublin Oldschool movie on Netflix) - Addiction – a brain disease? An emotional disorder? Or just a bad coping mechanism? - Increase of antidepressant Xanax during lockdown - Babette Rothschild & Patricia Bourke D’Souza – Somatic Trauma & the Body- “Emotional Archaeology” – replaying trauma repeatedly in our minds can be more damaging, hardwiring it into our psyche - Know what lifts your human spirit – tap in to this as a positive, alternative coping mechanism - Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Resources mentioned in this episode: William Glasser Institute Ireland & Choice Theory Psychology: https://wgii.ie/ Gabor Maté: https://drgabormate.com/ Babette Rothschild: http://www.somatictraumatherapy.com/the-body-remembers-an-interview-with-babette-rothschild/Patricia Bourke D’Souza: https://www.somatictraumatherapy.org/aboutCheck out Austin’s full range of services workshops at his website: http://www.austintuohy.com/Recovery Race 2019:https://dublinpeople.com/news/northsidewest/articles/2019/10/05/local-services-show-support-for-irelands-first-recovery-run/Subscribe to the Journeying podcast YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqa2toscxF6xiFPslXxUtZw?view_as=subscriberRate & review on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826Like our Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/33kp4bU

Treasa Fitzgibbon, Life Coach & Career Strategist on core life values, goal-setting and career plans. We ask the daunting question – do your core life values actually align with the life you are currently living? This was the pivotal question that pushed Treasa Fitzgibbon to leave a 20-year banking career, to instead create a more nomadic, entrepreneurial lifestyle for herself. - “You are killing yourself for a job that would replace you within a week if you dropped dead. Take care of yourself” -Jet Li- Work-Life Balance- Core Life Values- Mid-Life Gap Year- ‘The Top Five Regrets of the Dying’ book by Bronnie Ware- The role of a Life Coach- Body Positivity- Health Coaching- ‘The Myth of Motivation & The Power of Habits’ workshop run by Treasa Fitzgibbon- Best Foot Forward Seminar Series by Treasa Fitzgibbon and Nicole Meyer- Self-promotion in the workplace- Gender Inequality in the Workplace- Gender Pay GapConnect with Treasa on LinkedIn to learn more about her upcoming 6-week seminar series: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/treasa-fitzgibbon-b376499_after-the-phenomenal-feedback-from-our-first-activity-6706239841358659584-Qzb9Check out her full range of services and events at: https://www.treasafitzgibbon.com/ Subscribe to the Journeying podcast YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqa2toscxF6xiFPslXxUtZw?view_as=subscriberRate & review on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/journeying/id1529912826

On this week when we would traditionally be celebrating the Rose of Tralee festival here in Ireland, I interview Helena Hughes a former Rose, and also a former student of mine. I was really surprised when Helena told me she was doing it. I say that as Helena is an outspoken, feisty young feminist – not your stereotypical Rose! In our chats we compare the event with tv reality show, Love Island and RuPaul’s Drag Race?!; We explore the benefits of a quarter life assessment’; We discuss “Millennial Burnout”; and finally Helena speaks honestly about overcoming her parent’s divorce at a young age, and now embracing her modern, non-nuclear family.

On this very first episode of the Journeying Podcast I talk to Aisling Daly, Ireland’s First MMA World Champion and my Jiu-Jitsu coach. Along with Aisling’s amazing sporting journey, we also chat about the insufficient recognition given to women’s sport in Ireland; the sexualization of sportswomen’s bodies; and the ridiculousness of the Tampax advert ban in Ireland!

“Welcome to the Journeying podcast with me, Dr Dee Duffy. This is a podcast where I will connect with real people and hear their stories on this journey, so far. I became a bit of a podcast junkie in the past year, and sometimes felt there was a limited selection of voices, narratives and opinions doing the rounds. But we all have fascinating stories to tell. So Journeying is a space for a variety of different voices and ideas to come to the fore. As an academic, I’m pre-dispositioned to digging deep, researching widely and asking many questions! I’m innately curious about people and how we manoeuvre our way through our often peculiar society. I hope the stories you hear on the Journeying podcast will inspire you! amuse you! and perhaps motivate us all to live more consciously and with meaning, in today’s chaotic world.”