The Women's Podcast

Concerns about the rise and rapid development of artificial intelligence often tend to focus on AI's threat to jobs or its potential to influence politics and elections. But what about the very real threat that AI poses to women? In her new book, The New Age of Sexism, feminist writer Laura Bates explores how the ever-evolving world of technology has become a danger to women and how the expanding scope of what's possible online is “reinventing misogyny.” In this episode, Bates talks to Róisín Ingle about the real harm caused by pornographic deepfakes, the alarming rise of AI girlfriends, and her eye-opening visit to a cyber brothel in Berlin.But first Irish Times journalist Niamh Towey is here to talk about some of the biggest stories of the week including the new Women's Aid report showing the rise in domestic violence disclosures, the latest in the Annie McCarrick case and the furore over the Bezos wedding in Venice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last weekend our Book Club gathered for a live event at Kildare Village to discuss the very best reads for summer 2025. Róisín Ingle, Bernice Harrison and Ann Ingle were joined by special guest bestselling author Marian Keyes and a room full of Women's Podcast listeners. There were recommendations to suit everyone and every mood, including a gripping crime thriller, a “life-changing” self help book and But before we bring you that recording, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O'Connel is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including the unveiling of the creator behind toxic gossip site Tattle Life. For the full list of summer reading recommendations, click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The tradition of women taking their husband's surname stems from a time when marriage effectively erased a woman's legal identity and she would become her husband's property. While this is no longer the case and society has thankfully moved on, the practice of women changing their last name upon marriage still persists today. But why?In a recent feature for The Irish Times, journalist Áine Kenny poses the question: “If changing one's name isn't a big deal and isn't sexist, why don't we see more men taking their wife's surname?”To explore this further, Kenny joins Róisín Ingle on the latest episode of the podcast, alongside parenting columnist Jen Hogan. Together, they discuss why they did and didn't keep their own names after marriage. But first Ingle and Kathy Sheridan are in the studio together to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including the long awaited excavation of the Tuam babies site, which is to begin on Monday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was a bright afternoon in April 2015 when Mary Ann Kenny, a university lecturer, received a call that changed her life in an instant. Her husband John, with whom she had two young sons, had collapsed while out jogging and died at the age of 60. Struggling to cope with the sudden loss and the loneliness that engulfed her life in the aftermath, Kenny's grief soon turned to depression, which later progressed into psychotic delusions.In her new memoir, The Episode, Kenny details her descent into psychosis, her hospitalisation, and her journey back to health and happiness. In this episode, she talks to Róisín Ingle about the impact of her husband's death, the trauma of her psychiatric treatment, and how she has made sense of her mental health crisis.But first, Irish Times reporter Ella Sloane joins us to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including Greta Thunberg's aid mission to Gaza and what new research has revealed about the happiness levels of Irish teenagers.To enter our live book club event, go to Irishtimes.com/events Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do you really know about the menstrual cycle? Can you tell your follicular from your luteal phase? Can masturbation ease period pains and why do so many women get the dreaded ‘period poo'? To answer all these questions and more we're joined this week by Dr Hazel Wallace, medical doctor, nutritionist, and author of Not Just A Period, a groundbreaking new book that seeks to understand the entire menstrual cycle, not just the few days each month we bleed. In this episode, Dr Wallace tells Róisín Ingle why periods are still so poorly understood, the benefits of tracking each phase of your cycle and when to seek advice from your doctor. She also talks about her own experience with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), her decision to freeze her eggs and why she left the NHS to focus on nutrition and female health. But first, Bernice Harrison is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including the viral shove of French President Emmanuel Macron by his wife Brigette. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we're joined by the brilliant Kit de Waal novelist, memoirist, and fierce advocate for working-class voices in literature. In conversation with Roisin Ingle, de Waal discusses her powerful new novel The Best of Everything, set in 1970s and 1980s England, which follows the interwoven lives of a single mother, her son, and their neighbours as they navigate grief, love, and survival.Best known for her acclaimed debut My Name is Leon, de Waal also shares insights from her 2022 memoir Without Warning and Only Sometimes, where she recounts her unconventional upbringing as the daughter of a Caribbean father and an Irish Jehovah's Witness mother. From the fear of a prophesied Armageddon in 1975 to the complexities of faith, identity, and family, the writer reflects on the experiences that shaped her and how they now shape her fiction.This is a moving, sharp, and sometimes darkly funny conversation about resilience, storytelling, and what it means to find your place in the world. Also on today's episode, Niamh Towey joins us to discuss the stories of the week including Gaza, where the UN has said the lives of thousands of children are at risk due to malnutrition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2016, Clodagh Hawe and her three sons, Liam (13), Niall (11) and Ryan (6) were murdered in their Co Cavan home, by their husband and father Alan Hawe, who took his own life shortly after. It was and still is Ireland's largest murder-suicide and the brutal killings sent shockwaves throughout the country. In her book, Deadly Silence, Clodagh's younger sister Jacqueline Connolly, gives her account of the circumstances leading up to the mass murder and how her brother-in-law, Hawe, coercively controlled and manipulated her unsuspecting sister. In this episode, Connolly talks to Róisín Ingle about the person Clodagh was, the relationship the pair had growing up and how their bond changed when Hawe entered their lives. She also talks about her family's painful search for answers in the aftermath of the killings and the critical failures in the initial Garda investigation. But first, Irish Times Opinion editor Jennifer O'Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including the conviction for sexual assault of actor Gérard Depardieu. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two years ago this month, Tina Turner died at the age of 83 at her home in Switzerland. The global superstar and rock icon had a career spanning more than five decades. Although she retired from performing in her late 60s, one of her final projects was to collaborate on Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, which debuted in London's West End in 2018. This month the show comes to Dublin's Bord Gáis Energy Theatre for a two week run and in this episode Róisín Ingle speaks to some of the cast members, Jochebel Ohene MacCarthy who plays the role of Tina Turner and choreographer Simone Mistry Palmer. But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O'Connoll is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including the camogie skorts row, the latest from the papal conclave and Prince Harry's recent security woes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In March, a group of secondary school students from Co Offaly made history when they became the first ever all-female team to win the VEX IQ All-Ireland Robotics Competition. ‘The Steminists' will now represent Ireland at the World Championships in Texas this month. The team consists of five students aged between 12 and 14 years old, from the Sacred Heart School in Tullamore. In today's episode, two team members, Alice Duffy (12) and Rachel Ebenezer (13), along with their teachers Sindy Meleady and Aisling Burke join Róisín Ingle to discuss the upcoming competition and how they created their winning robot ‘Agatha Trunchball'. Later on we'll be learning all about Luail, Ireland's first all-island national dance company with creative director Liz Roche. But first, Irish Times podcast presenter Bernice Harrison is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including the Satchwell trial and why US immigration have detained Irish woman Cliona Ward. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

According to the latest European State of the Climate Report, 2024 was the hottest year on record for Europe and the fourth warmest year ever recorded in Ireland. As part of the global fight against climate change, Ireland has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030 — but are we really on track to meet that goal?In today's episode, we hear from three climate activists: CEO of the climate change NGO Opportunity Green Aoife O'Leary, marine environmentalist Flossie Donnelly and Catherine Cleary, co-founder of Pocket Forests. They discuss the changes needed at the top, the reasons to remain hopeful about the climate and why individual efforts, even small ones, still matter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Seven years after Amanda Knox was definitively acquitted of the 2007 murder of Meredith Kercher, she flew to Italy to meet the man who had led the prosecution's case against her, Giuliano Mignini. The now 37-year-old mother of two wanted to ask her former prosecutor why he had identified her as the chief suspect, pursued a murder conviction against her, and whether he felt any remorse for putting the wrong person in prison.In her new memoir, Free: My Search for Meaning, Knox details this emotional meeting, the years leading up to it, and the shadow her wrongful conviction cast over her life. The book explores the power of acceptance and forgiveness, and how to cope with life's most challenging moments.In this conversation with Róisín Ingle, Knox talks about the fear and confusion of being accused of such a serious crime, how she reclaimed her identity when she finally walked free, and why what happened to her made her the person she is today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bookshops and libraries are bursting with books on parenting and what to expect when you're expecting, but there aren't nearly as many guidebooks out there on how to be a good grandparent. That's why family psychologist Terri Apter has written her latest book all about the topic. Grandparenting: On Love and Relationships Across Generations offers readers an expert guide on modern grand parenting and how to overcome tricky family dynamics that might occur along the way. Apter talks to Róisín Ingle about how the first grandchild changed her family, the different types of grandmothers and how important a grandparent is in building a child's identity. But first, Irish Times journalist Ella Sloane is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including new research from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre examining attitudes towards victims of sexual assault, why only half of fathers in Ireland are taking paternity leave and how pottery fever is catching in Dublin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Adolescense arrived on Netflix last month, it was streamed nearly 25 million times in just four days and sparked a global conversation on the dark side of social media and the lives of teenage boys. But what is it really like to be a teenage boy in 2025? How much attention do they really pay to masculinity influencers? What kind of pressures do they face? And what do they wish adults would understand about them? To discuss all this and more, Róisín Ingle is joined by three teenagers, Dylan O'Malley, Chester Ryan and Daniella Tetteh. We also hear from Jamie Carrick, a facilitator with The Soar Foundation, which delivers wellbeing workshops for teenagers in schools around Ireland. But first, Irish Times reporter Niamh Towey is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including the arrest of eight protestors from the Mothers Against Genocide group outside Leinster House, why the head of Primark resigned this week after making “an error of judgement” and why one reader of the Irish Times is suffering from wedding and baby shower fatigue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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On Friday March 28th, the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) will celebrate Daffodil Day. It's the charity's biggest fundraising event and aims to raise millions of euros to support cancer patients and progress cancer research. In this episode, Kathy Sheridan is joined by Daffodil Day Ambassador Tara Doonan, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 at 36 years-old. Tara lives in Cavan but travelled to the Mater Hospital in Dublin for her treatment. In today's episode she talks about the shock of her diagnosis, the road to recovery and the financial impact of cancer, from travel and parking expenses, to the loss of income. Amy Nolan, Director of Clinical Affairs at ICS also joins the conversation to explain how the charity supports patients financially and what needs to change in order to limit costs for those undergoing treatment. But first Irish Times podcast presenter Bernice Harrison is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including a frightening encounter at a Dublin hotel for influencer Chloe Koyce, the harassment of a University of Limerick student at her campus accommodation and the latest in the rumoured feud between Gwyneth Paltrow and Meghan Markle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sarah Corbett Lynch was just eight-years-old when her father Jason was killed at their home in North Carolina by her stepmother Molly Martens and her father Tom Martens in 2015. Over the next decade, the Martens, who claimed self defence, were put on trial for murder, had their convictions quashed and later took a plea bargain for voluntary manslaughter which saw each of them spend less than five years in prison.For all of that time, Corbett Lynch and her older brother Jack had to remain silent on the case, but now, in her new memoir ‘A Time For Truth', she tells her story for the first time. In this episode, she joins Róisín Ingle to discuss the heartbreak and loss that has defined her young life and shares her account of the events leading up to the night her father was killed.But first, Irish Times podcast presenter Bernice Harrison is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including the Dublin Rape Crisis centre's response to Conor McGregor at the White House, Millie Bobby Brown's plea to the media and why everyone's talking about the new Netflix show Adolescence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Ireland, more than 5,500 children are currently in foster care. This could be because of illness in the child's family, the death of a parent, neglect, abuse or violence in the home, or simply because the parent or family is not coping. Whatever the reason, foster carers are there to take care of children who cannot live with their own family, either on a short-term or long-term basis. In today's episode, we hear from two foster carers Sinead O'Donnell and Sharon Kelly. O'Donnell, who lives in Donegal, began fostering during Covid and has welcomed two young girls (sisters) into her home. Kelly, who lives in Kilkenny has fostered children for more than a decade and has provided foster care to two children since birth. They tell Róisín Ingle about why they wanted to open up their homes, the challenges involved and what advice they'd give to anyone considering becoming a foster carer. But first Irish Times Opinion editor Jennifer O'Connell is here to discuss some of the stories making headlines this week including American comedian Rosie O'Donnell's decision to move to Ireland, why girls are getting their periods earlier and why Dublin City Council might elevate the Molly Malone statue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To celebrate International Women's Day, the book club gathered with a handful of podcast listeners for a live event at Kildare Village on Saturday morning. Niamh Towey, Ann Ingle, Bernice Harrison, and Roisin Ingle, explored the books by women that have challenged and changed them and that they think every woman should read.Book Club Choices: Ann Ingle: The Women's Room by Marilyn French & Anne Tyler novelsBernice Harrison: Heartburn By Nora Ephron & Country Girls by Edna O'BrienRóisín Ingle: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott & How To Be A Woman by Caitlin MoranNiamh Towey: Claire Keegan's novels and Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

International Women's Day is on Saturday the 8th March and there are lots of events happening all around the country to celebrate the occasion. Irish Times features writer Ella Sloane joins Róisín Ingle on the podcast today to tell us about some of them, including a free guided tour exploring how women are represented in a selection of works at the National Gallery and a ​​march against gender violence taking place in Dublin city. She'll also be telling us about a new report from Nasc, which highlights the barriers that migrant women face accessing employment. Later on, we'll be hearing from three impressive women who have carved out careers in male-dominated industries. Engineer Susan McGarry, horticulturist Rebecca Geraghty and laboratory technician Bronwyn Villis explain why they went into their chosen career, what obstacles they have met along the way and why they would encourage more women to take the leap into jobs that have historically been dominated by men. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Born and bred in New York, the last place that Rosie Schaap thought she'd end up, was living in a rural village in Northern Ireland, miles away from the bustling city she once called home. But that's exactly where she's found herself. Five years ago, the writer and journalist moved from NYC to the tiny town of Glenarm in Co Antrim, in search of a new life. The writer and journalist was grieving the death of her husband and her mother - who died just one year apart - and was also looking for a new way to heal. In her new memoir, The Slow Road North, Schaap details her personal story of loss and the unexpected solace she found in a small seaside village in Northern Ireland. She tells Róisín Ingle all about it on today's episode. But first, Irish Times podcast producer Aideen Finnegan is here to discuss some of the stories making the headlines this week, including the lifting of a travel ban on controversial influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate, the new domestic violence register being proposed by Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan and why an Oscar could finally be on the cards for veteran actress Demi Moore. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After lengthy government formation talks and a chaotic first week in the Dáil, the new Government is finally settling into it's first few weeks of a new term. There's a whole host of new faces in Leinster House, including 10 new women TDs. We wanted to hear what life is like for three of those women, so we've invited Labour's Marie Sherlock, Fianna Fail's Erin McGreehan and Social Democrats' Jen Cummins to tell us their first impressions of the Dáil, their background in politics and what issues they'll be focusing on in their term.But first, Irish Times reporter Niamh Towey is here to discuss some of the stories making the headlines this week including the results of a new survey which found an “alarming” incidence of rooms being advertised in exchange for sex, the decision to grant planning permission to rebuild Creeslough service station and the long fight for justice for murdered backpacker Danielle McLaughlin.Email for International Women's Day live event entries: thewomenspodcast@irishtimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Valentine's Day, we've decided to shift the focus away from love and relationships and onto the joy and excitement of the single experience. If you're single and sick of dating apps, Irish Times relationships columnist Roe McDermott is here with some new dating ideas, from singles running clubs to mindful dating events. Later on, Róisín Ingle is joined by Nicola Slawson, an author who has literally written the book on the single life. Slawson shares her advice for living a complete and full life on your own and details her unconventional path to motherhood. But first, Irish Times podcast presenter Bernice Harrison is here to discuss some of the news stories that have caught her eye this week. She tells Róisín Ingle about the latest details coming from the Omagh Bombing inquiry, the three new Irish restaurants awarded Michelin stars this week and why the civil service is trying to crack down on working from home arrangements. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

America might be rowing back on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, but one woman who is fighting to keep interculturalism at the forefront of people's minds is Mamobo Ogoro, the CEO of Irish social enterprise GORM. Ogoro is a Nigerian-Irish Social Psychologist and multi-award-winning social entrepreneur, who is “on a personal mission to unify the world”. Through her work with GORM, she helps organisations in Ireland and around the world develop intercultural leaders. In this episode, Ogoro talks to Róisín Ingle about growing GORM from an idea into a movement, how she works to bridge the gap between diversity and inclusion and how she's become Ireland's first Echoing Green Fellow. But first, Irish Times podcast producer Aideen Finnegan is here to discuss some of the biggest stories from the week, including a dramatic fashion statement at the Grammys, the sexual assault trial taking place in Spain over that infamous World Cup kiss and how Ireland's ambassador to the USA, Geraldine Byrne Nason, is running diplomatic relations in the Trump era. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Blue Road: The Edna O'Brien story is the brand new documentary by Irish filmmaker Sinéad O'Shea. It's a portrait of one of Ireland's finest writers, featuring extracts from O'Briens journals, contributions from the likes of Gabriel Byrne and Anne Enright and a remarkable final interview with O'Brien shortly before her death aged 93 last year. In this episode, O'Shea tells Kathy Sheridan about the late-writer's extraordinary life and legacy and how the film came about after a chance encounter at a wedding. But first, Irish Times podcast producer Suzanne Brennan is here to discuss some of the biggest stories from the week including a review into maternity services at Portiuncula Hospital in Galway, why Caroline Kennedy made a last minute plea to the US Senate this week and how the gender balance row in government has intensified in recent days. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yoga teacher and wellness coach Kerry White was 48 years old when she finally decided to pursue her long-held dream to become a mother. As a single woman, who had just entered perimenopause, White used donor sperm and donor eggs to become pregnant. Then, in 2020, two months shy of her 50th birthday, her baby girl Freya was born. In this episode, White talks to Róisín Ingle about going it alone, the reaction from those closest to her and how she didn't want to live with the regret of having never tried. She also talks about the process of choosing donors, the options available for solo parents and how her work now focuses on helping other women navigate their path to motherhood. But first, Irish Times journalist Bernice Harrison is here to talk through some of the stories making the headlines this week, including Bishop Mariann E. Budde's brave plea to President Donald Trump, the sexual assault allegations facing author Neil Gaiman and a new archaeological study which shows that in Celtic Britain, women held the power in society.Kerry White Ted Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQNqIxj8Se4 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

These days, we're hearing a lot more about ultra processed foods and the dangers of over eating these highly industrialised food products. But what exactly are UPFs, how bad are they really and how can you spot them when out doing the grocery shop? In this episode, nutrition consultant Sophie Morris joins Róisín Ingle to answer all these questions and to explain why she's joined the growing movement away from ultra processed foods. Morris has amassed more than 300 thousand followers on her Instagram account, where she spreads the word about healthy eating, educates people on ingredient lists and suggests ‘clever supermarket swaps' to her followers. In this conversation, we hear about her move from finance into food, her concerns about the hot school lunches scheme being rolled out across the country and what's next for her in 2025.But first, Irish Times journalist Niamh Towey is here to talk through the stories that caught her eye this week, including the disappointing results of a national childcare survey, why Nikita Hand has brought Conor McGregor back to court and how Mark Zuckerberg's is bringing a new “masculine” energy to Meta. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a brand new year and to celebrate we've got a brand new segment to kick off the podcast each week. It's our weekly news wrap covering the stories that affect women in Ireland and around the world. This week, Róisín Ingle is joined by Irish Times podcast producer Aideen Finnegan to talk about some of the stories that caught her eye this week and what she's been watching and listening to. They'll be discussing Meghan Markle's new lifestyle series for Netflix (With Love, Meghan), the choice words that Pope Francis used to describe an order of nuns and why Elon Musk has been spewing hate and vitriol towards Britain's safeguarding Minister Jess Philips over an historic grooming scandal in the UK. Later on, Ingle is joined by pharmacist and presenter of the Wonder Care podcast Sheena Mitchell to talk about the “frustrating” delay in the Government's roll-out of free HRT. Despite the scheme being labeled as “free”, Mitchell says women will still face many other associated costs when it finally launches. Finally, Irish Times columnist Brianna Parkins fills us in on what's hot and not for 2025 and shares how life has been since moving back to Australia last summer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2024 was the year Americans chose a convicted felon as their next president, Afghanistan banned women from speaking or singing in public, and the slaughter of innocent women and children continued in Gaza.In Ireland, a record number of female candidates stood in November's general election, but only seven additional women were elected to the next Dáil.A brave young woman called Natasha O'Brien, used her voice to condemn the leniency of her attacker's suspended sentence, while a jury in a civil court found Conor McGregor guilty of raping Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel in 2018.Irish boxer Kellie Harrington brought home gold from the Paris Olympics, Taylor Swift finally returned to Ireland, and we bade farewell to some exceptional Irish women, including Nell McCafferty and Enda O'Brien.To discuss some of these pivotal moments from the year and their impact on women in Ireland and around the world, Kathy Sheridan is joined by journalists Niamh Towey and Alison O'Connor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Each week on The Women's Podcast, we hear from women from all walks of life who come on to talk about their lived experiences, their life stories, their passions and their challenges. This week, it's the turn of podcast presenter Róisín Ingle, who in October 2023 received a life-changing breast cancer diagnosis. This is the first time she has spoken about it on the podcast. In this conversation with co-presenter Kathy Sheridan, Ingle talks about the shock of the diagnosis and how the subsequent weeks and months unfolded. We also hear about the joyful parts of her year, including a proposal and a wedding with a very striking pink dress, a summer holiday that her daughters described as the best of their lives and a glorious few hours spent dancing to Taylor Swift at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. For more information about breast cancer visit materfoundation.ie, cancer.ie, mariekeating.ie, breastcancerireland.com, breastcancerresearch.ie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For many people, alcohol and the festive season go hand in hand. It's the season of excess when normal rules around eating and drinking seem to go completely out the window and a mimosa for breakfast becomes perfectly normal. But now, more and more people are deciding to cut down on their alcohol consumption over Christmas or are opting to go completely sober. In this episode, we hear three different perspectives of drinking at Christmas. Writer and recovery advocate Mary-Kate Harrington talks about her personal experience with alcohol addiction and how she is navigating her second sober Christmas. Podcast producer Suzanne Brennan talks about becoming more mindful of drinking and explains what non-alcoholic alternatives are on offer, while presenter Róisín Ingle talks about her decision to give up drinking one year ago and how it's brought much joy to her life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Housewife of the Year competition ran for almost three decades, from 1969 to 1995. Thousands of women from all around Ireland entered, hoping to win a cash prize along with some home appliances, such as a luxury gas cooker. In later years, the competition was broadcast on RTÉ, featuring footage of contestants taking part in domestic duties at home, followed by a glitzy finale where the finalists were interviewed by Gay Byrne. Last month, the Housewife of the Year documentary was released in Irish cinemas. In the film, former contestants share their (mostly positive) experiences of taking part in the contest and speak about what Irish society was like for women during that time. In this episode, Róisín Ingle is joined by two former winners, Ena Howell (1992) and Margaret Carmody (1978). The pair share their own personal stories and reflect on what it was like to take part and eventually win. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you're looking for a new book to curl up with over the festive period or to give as a Christmas gift, The Irish Times Women's Podcast is here to help.We've gathered our book clubbers Niamh Towey, Bernice Harrison, Róisín and Ann Ingle in studio to share their favourite reads of 2024.Their recommendations include a comedy-crime novel, a “surprisingly good” western and a book for the people in our lives that are impossible to buy for. Whether it's a gift for family, friends or even for yourself, we hope there's something for everyone here.You can find the full list of recommendations here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, following the withdrawal of US troops, the lives of women and girls across the country changed almost overnight. Under Taliban rule, women and girls are removed from almost every aspect of daily life, are denied access to education and even face restrictions going out alone, speaking or singing in public. Not long after the takeover, Arezo Rahimi, a 21 year-old journalist and photographer, arrived in Ireland with her mother, leaving behind the life she once knew in Kabul. She joins Róisín Ingle today to talk about what life was like for women in Afghanistan before the Taliban seized power, how that's changed and why she ultimately made the journey to Ireland. We also hear about her involvement with Daricha School, an organisation which runs an underground network of schools for girls who are denied education. The classes take place either online or in secret locations across Afghanistan. Rahimi explains how this movement forms one part of the resistance against the Taliban, but that the international community needs to do so much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the General Election campaign in full swing and just over a week to go until polling day, political parties are making all sorts of promises to garner votes and ensure they make it into the next Government. On the campaign trail, the focus has been put on housing, the cost of living crisis and immigration, but what promises have each party made in their manifestos regarding women? What has been said about women's healthcare, the childcare crisis, or how to address record levels of domestic violence? Orla O'Connor, Director of the National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI) joins Róisín Ingle to discuss the issues and to also outline the NWCI's own election manifesto for women. In this episode, we're also focusing on women's participation in politics. The last Daíl had 37 women TDs, out of a total of 160. That's 23 per cent female representation. Katie Deegan, Communications coordinator from Women for Election joins Ingle and O'Connor to talk about the barriers facing women entering politics, the importance of women's voices at the decision making table and the biggest election issues facing young women today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode, Chelsey Goodan aka the “teenage whisperer” joins Róisín Ingle to talk about her new book Underestimated: The Power and Wisdom of Teenage Girls. It's an empowering guide to better understand our teen daughters, stemming from Goodan's 16 years spent mentoring young people from all different backgrounds. Goodan talks about the challenges that teenage girls face today, and discusses how mothers can deepen their relationships with their daughters by listening and giving them the tools to find their own solutions. We also hear from Ingle's 15-year-old twin daughters, Joya and Priya, who shed light on what it's really like to be a teenage girl in 2024 and what they think their mum is doing right and what she's doing wrong. But first, Irish Times journalist Ella Sloane joins Ingle to talk about her essay which won Ireland's Sarah Cecilia Harrison Essay Prize this week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yesterday, in what for many of us is an utterly depressing turn of events, the American people voted for Donald Trump to become the next President of the United States. It's an historic development, as he becomes the first-ever convicted felon to be elected to office. He is also the first president-elect to have a civil conviction for sexual assault, and the first to have been impeached twice. The Trump campaign has been rife with misogyny, hatred, and racist rhetoric, yet despite it all, he was elected. So, how did this happen, and what does it mean for women in America and around the world? Kathy Sheridan joins Róisín Ingle for a post-election debrief.Later in the podcast, poet Donna Ashworth joins us to talk about her upcoming trip to Dublin. The Scottish poet will be flying over to appear as a special guest at Jan Brierton's Wild Words, an evening of poetry and spoken word at the Ambassador Theatre on November 28th. In this conversation, Ashworth also reacts to yesterday's election result and reads a poem from her latest collection, Growing Brave: Words to Soothe Fear and Let in More Light. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the US election just days away, Irish Times columnist and co-presenter of The Women's Podcast Kathy Sheridan joins Róisín Ingle to talk about how the election has become a battle of the sexes, with Donald Trump pulling strong support from male voters and Kamala Harris enjoying a comparable edge with female voters. Later on, broadcasters and podcasters Jenny Kelly and Mairéad Ronan join the podcast to talk about their brand new book What We Know Now: Lessons on Life, Loss, Love and Friendship. Inspired by their own life experiences, the book explores failures, successes and mess-ups and offers advice on how to navigate life's ups and downs. In this conversation, the pair share the secrets to their 20-year friendship, explain how their relationship with alcohol has evolved through the years and they go through their top ten list for living a happier life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Simone Gannon is a content creator, digital marketing expert and the new beauty writer at the Irish Times. Since the beginning of the new year, she's been entertaining us with her weekly beauty column, where she experiments with the latest trends, imparts her wisdom on all things skincare and makeup and shares her favourite beauty buys. In this episode, Gannon speaks to Róisín Ingle about how to look after your skin at any age, the must have items for the ultimate skin care routine and the beauty products she purchases time and time again. This episode was originally published in April 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month on The Women's Podcast Book Club, Bernice Harrison, Niamh Towey, Róisín Ingle, and Ann Ingle discuss Sally Rooney's long-awaited fourth novel, Intermezzo.The novel centres on the lives of two brothers: Peter, a lawyer, and Ivan, a chess prodigy, as they come to terms with the recent death of their father and navigate the complex relationships in their lives.Some of our book clubbers adored the book, devouring it in “just a couple of days,” while others found it to be a rather “unsatisfactory read.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, Trinity College announced that the main library in its city centre campus has been renamed after Irish poet Eavan Boland. It will be the first building on Trinity's grounds to be named after a woman. This week, in more good news for Irish female writers, the Mary Lavin Place will also be publicly unveiled in Wilton Park, in Dublin's south side. It's a public plaza to commemorate the famous writer who lived nearby on Lad Lane with her three daughters. In today's episode, Róisín Ingle is joined by Lavin's granddaughter Kathleen MacMahon to talk about the writer's extraordinary life and what this commemoration means to the family. We're also joined by historian, lecturer, and Director of Gender Studies at UCD Mary McAuliffe who campaigned in 2013 for the Rosie Hackett bridge to be named after the Irish revolutionary activist. McAuliffe explains why so few Irish streets or spaces are named after women and what can be done to change this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bella Mackie's debut novel, How to Kill Your Family, sold over one million copies, and now she's back with her second book, What a Way to Go. It's a hilariously dark ‘whodunnit' that centres on the death of an extremely rich yet extremely unpleasant man, Anthony Wistern. In this conversation with Róisín Ingle, Mackie talks about the online sleuths and armchair detectives who inspired one of her main characters and how her relationship with true crime has evolved over the years.We also hear about her 2018 memoir, Jog On, which focuses on running and mental health and she reflects on how that book marked "the beginning of the rest of her life". Later on, Mackie also talks about her quick proposal to her “current husband”, BBC's Greg James, about the upcoming Netflix adaptation of her first novel and about her experience of being stalked by a man she'd never met. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Róisín Ingle is joined by author, content creator and veteran fashion model Ruth Crilly. In her new memoir, How Not to be a Supermodel, Crilly lifts the lid on her days spent working as a model in one of the biggest talent agencies in the world. Told with Crilly's undeniable wit, it's a humorous and touching reflection on the highs and lows of the early noughties fashion scene.In this wide-ranging conversation, Crilly talks about her Irish roots, the influence of her safety-conscious father and what prompted her to enter her name into a national model search while studying law at Birmingham University. She reflects on her days as a fledgling model, selling car insurance on the weekends to keep herself afloat and all the hilarious situations she found herself in along the way. With her life-long love of writing, Crilly explains how a move into blogging and content creation came as a natural progression, after an eventful twelve years mastering how not to be a supermodel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.