Becoming You - The Podcast with John Fleming

“I wake up every morning since my surgery and think: this is what life was meant to be like for me.” - Paige BehanAt just 27, Paige Behan has already walked a journey of extraordinary courage. Growing up in Dublin, she knew from an early age that something felt different. By 15, she was diagnosed as intersex, and soon after, she began her transition - in a world where understanding, acceptance, and adequate healthcare were often absent.In this conversation, Paige speaks with John about:Growing up intersex and discovering her diagnosis at 15What it really feels like to live with gender dysphoria and why it can be life-threatening if unsupportedNavigating transition as a teenager in Ireland and the fight for healthcareThe profound relief of undergoing gender reassignment surgery in GermanyThe role of her mother’s unconditional support in her survivalFacing stigma and transphobia — and why education mattersHow she has learned to stop seeking validation from others and live in peace with herselfPaige’s words are filled with wisdom born of resilience. This is not just a story about gender identity,  it’s about what it means to finally meet yourself, to survive, and to step fully into life.If you want to better understand gender identity, the intersex experience, or simply what it means to live aligned with who you are, this episode is for you.Connect with Paige on social media: @paigebehan on InstagramWould you like to explore the idea of uncovering your authentic self?Join Our Next Online Workshop: https://www.becomingyou.ie/workshops/Download your free self led workbook: https://www.becomingyou.ie/#workbookFollow Becoming You on Social Media:Instagram: @becoming_you_TikTok: @becoming_you_Share Your Story:John would love to hear from you! If this episode resonated with you, send an email to john@becomingyou.ieVisit the website at www.becomingyou.ieDisclaimer: The content shared in this podcast represents the personal experiences, opinions, and insights of the host, guests, and contributors. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, whether medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or financial. If you are experiencing mental health challenges, emotional distress, or require professional support, we strongly encourage you to seek guidance from a qualified professional or relevant support services.

What role has race had in your life?In this conversation on Becoming You - the podcast, John speaks with Dr. Claire Stewart Hall - a researcher, practitioner, coach, and educator to explore how whiteness shapes identity, leadership, and belonging. They discuss masking, silence, systemic power, and why noticing your own racialisation is the first step in meaningful personal growth. Claire spent 20 years as a qualified teacher and head teacher, and for the last 10 years has studied race and whiteness in leadership settings.Claire now designs programmes and coaches people to understand systemic injustice - how it shows up in their lives, their settings, and themselves. Together, John and Claire explore:How whiteness functions as a structure not just skin colourWhy masking, silence, and “looking away” uphold racismHow fear and the nervous system influence our response to raceWhat it means to be racialised as white, and how to begin noticing itThe potential for growth when white people create spaces to run towards these conversationsClaire also reflects on her personal journey navigating her identity, family, and her work as a leader and researcher, and why she continues to examine her own relationship with whiteness.If you’re curious about what “uncovering your whiteness” really means, and how race shapes identity, leadership, and belonging, this episode offers an open and honest entry point.Listen to the podcast Whiteness at work: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/whiteness-at-work/id1782561091Check out Dr Claire Stewart-Halls website & programs: https://equitablecoaching.com/Would you like to explore the idea of uncovering your authentic self?Join Our Next Online Workshop: https://www.becomingyou.ie/workshops/Download your free self led workbook: https://www.becomingyou.ie/#workbookFollow Becoming You on Social Media:Instagram: @becoming_you_TikTok: @becoming_you_Share Your Story:John would love to hear from you! If this episode resonated with you, send an email to john@becomingyou.ieVisit the website at www.becomingyou.ieDisclaimer: The content shared in this podcast represents the personal experiences, opinions, and insights of the host, guests, and contributors. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, whether medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or financial. If you are experiencing mental health challenges, emotional distress, or require professional support, we strongly encourage you to seek guidance from a qualified professional or relevant support services.

What does it mean to uncover your spirituality?In this episode of Becoming You - The Podcast, John sits down with Cathair Curran - known to many online as Kegs - to explore his journey of transformation, spirituality, and identity.From growing up in Tyrone feeling disconnected, to living the party lifestyle abroad, to experiencing profound awakenings through travel, sobriety, and spiritual practices, Cathair shares the pivotal moments that helped him peel back the layers of who he thought he was and step into who he is becoming.You’ll hear:The power of listening to your intuition, heart, and soul even when it’s scaryThe first “heaven on earth” moment that began his own spiritual awakening What listening to your heart actually feels like (and how he uses it to make hard decisions)A mirror-moment that ended his relationship with alcoholIdentity in transition: moving from “Kegs” (persona) to Cathair (essence) and protecting what stays privateWhere he is now: living in his van in Ireland, documenting his journey online and reconnecting with his rootsThis is a raw, open, and inspiring conversation about identity, authenticity, and the ongoing process of becoming.About Cathair (“Kegs”)Creator and traveler documenting life and growth; currently transitioning from the online persona “Kegs” back to his given name, Cathair, while sharing more value-led, heart-first work.Connect with Cathair (Kegs) on Instagram: @kegs97Would you like to explore the idea of uncovering your authentic self?Join Our Next Online Workshop: https://www.becomingyou.ie/workshops/Download your free self led workbook: https://www.becomingyou.ie/#workbookFollow Becoming You on Social Media:Instagram: @becoming_you_TikTok: @becoming_you_Share Your Story:John would love to hear from you! If this episode resonated with you, send an email to john@becomingyou.ieVisit the website at www.becomingyou.ieDisclaimer: The content shared in this podcast represents the personal experiences, opinions, and insights of the host, guests, and contributors. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, whether medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or financial. If you are experiencing mental health challenges, emotional distress, or require professional support, we strongly encourage you to seek guidance from a qualified professional or relevant support services.

In this episode of Becoming You - the podcast, John Fleming sits down once again with Martin Duffy - former psychiatric nurse and director of the Irish Centre for Shamanic and Transpersonal Studies.With 35 years in mental health in the HSE, training in humanistic and Jungian psychotherapy, and decades learning directly from indigenous shamans around the world, Martin brings a rare blend of clinical insight and experiential, transpersonal wisdom. This conversation bridges the structures of mainstream psychiatry with the soul-centred practices of shamanic healing, exploring what it truly takes to evolve both individually and collectively.In this episode, Martin and John explore:Why shadow work matters: Jung’s view that the hard work of bringing the shadow into the light is the path to real change.Jung vs. Freud: How Jung’s inclusion of the psychospiritual was a turning point for Martin.Beyond the medical model: the limitations he witnessed first-hand in psychiatry and why he founded an alternative centre for healing.The Wetiko mind virus: Martin's story of working with a young man listening to the “voice” in his headTelepathy as normal: why some non-verbal autistic children could be showing us the future of humanity.The Yuga cycles: why our current era of upheaval may be a necessary purging before a shift in human consciousness.Learn more about Martin Duffy and his work:Irish Centre for Shamanic and Transpersonal Studies – www.shamanismireland.comElements of Shamanism – Online Course – Explore the course hereBooks & resources mentioned in the episode:Adventures in the Psychotic Mind – Jerry MarzinskySpirit Releasement Therapy – Dr. William J. BaldwinThe Yuga Shift – Bepin Behari (on Vedic Yuga cycles)Would you like to explore the idea of uncovering your authentic self?Join Our Next Online Workshop: https://www.becomingyou.ie/workshops/Download your free self led workbook: https://www.becomingyou.ie/#workbookFollow Becoming You on Social Media:Instagram: @becoming_you_TikTok: @becoming_you_Share Your Story:John would love to hear from you! If this episode resonated with you, send an email to john@becomingyou.ieVisit the website at www.becomingyou.ieDisclaimer: The content shared in this podcast represents the personal experiences, opinions, and insights of the host, guests, and contributors. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, whether medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or financial. If you are experiencing mental health challenges, emotional distress, or require professional support, we strongly encourage you to seek guidance from a qualified professional or relevant support services.

What if the story you live by isn’t actually yours? And what if you could reclaim authorship of that story today?In this episode of Becoming You, the Podcast, John Fleming sits down with Transactional Analyst and Rosemary Napper to explore the idea of the "life script" which is the unconscious story we begin writing in early childhood that continues to shape how we live, love, age, and define ourselves.Rosemary Napper is a Transactional Analyst Trainer & Supervisor based in Oxford, UK. In this conversation, she shares practical insights and reflections about how early decisions and assumptions form a blueprint for who we think we should be. You'll hear:How ageing can become a radical act of freedomThe pressure to stay youthful in personal development cultureWhat life script is and why it mattersHow early childhood experiences form our unconscious storiesHow Transactional Analysis helps us update outdated narrativesThe power of authorship in personal growthWhy noticing your patterns is the first step in reclaiming your storyWould you like to explore the idea of uncovering your authentic self?Join Our Next Online Workshop: https://www.becomingyou.ie/workshops/Download your free self led workbook: https://www.becomingyou.ie/#workbookFollow Becoming You on Social Media:Instagram: @becoming_you_TikTok: @becoming_you_Share Your Story:John would love to hear from you! If this episode resonated with you, send an email to john@becomingyou.ieVisit the website at www.becomingyou.ieCheck out TA Works: Transactional Analysis Training and Education: https://www.taworks.co/Connect with Rosemary Napper on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosemarynapper/Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast represents the personal experiences, opinions, and insights of the host, guests, and contributors. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, whether medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or financial.If you are experiencing mental health challenges, emotional distress, or require professional support, we strongly encourage you to seek guidance from a qualified professional or relevant support services.Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast represents the personal experiences, opinions, and insights of the host, guests, and contributors. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, whether medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or financial. If you are experiencing mental health challenges, emotional distress, or require professional support, we strongly encourage you to seek guidance from a qualified professional or relevant support services.

In this episode of Becoming You - The Podcast, John Fleming welcomes autistic author, researcher, and international speaker Kieran Rose to explore autism, masking, identity, and how we start to uncover who we are.Kieran is a published mainstream and academic author, international public speaker, trainer, researcher and consultant to organisations worldwide. His work focuses on Autistic Masking, Burnout and Identity. Diagnosed as autistic in 2003, he’s also a proud dad to three autistic children.Together, John and Kieran dive into what masking really means, how it differs from everyday context switching, and why unmasking isn’t as simple as taking something off. It's about years of survival, stigma, and learning to feel safe in your own identity, especially within the current education systems and environments.What You’ll Hear in This Episode:• The hidden ways autistic masking begins unconsciously and why it’s wired into survival• How stigma, invalidation, and other people’s expectations shape your identity as an autistic person• The meaning of unmasking and why it’s not as simple as “just be yourself”• John’s experience of growing up in the Irish education system and its flaws in recognising • How education systems are built one way and what happens to autistic people who don’t fit that mould• Why professionals must question their frameworks and what becoming a reflective practitioner really meansWould you like to explore the idea of uncovering your authentic self?Join Our Next Online Workshop: https://www.becomingyou.ie/workshops/Download your free self led workbook: https://www.becomingyou.ie/#workbookFollow Becoming You on Social Media:Instagram: @becoming_you_TikTok: @becoming_you_Share Your Story:John would love to hear from you! If this episode resonated with you, send an email to john@becomingyou.ieVisit the website at www.becomingyou.ieCheck out Kieran's Course: The Inside Of Autism: https://kmrtraining.teachable.com/a/aff_sc33dh6r/external?affcode=903653_mwf27ja9Connect with Kieran Rose:Visit his website: theautisticadvocate.comDisclaimer: The content shared in this podcast represents the personal experiences, opinions, and insights of the host, guests, and contributors. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, whether medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or financial.If you are experiencing mental health challenges, emotional distress, or require professional support, we strongly encourage you to seek guidance from a qualified professional or relevant support services.Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast represents the personal experiences, opinions, and insights of the host, guests, and contributors. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, whether medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or financial. If you are experiencing mental health challenges, emotional distress, or require professional support, we strongly encourage you to seek guidance from a qualified professional or relevant support services.

In this episode of Becoming You - The Podcast, John Fleming sits down once again with Moira Geary, also known as The Recombobulator, to explore vulnerability, authenticity, shadow work, and how to reconnect with the forgotten parts of you.Moira is a former nurse and midwife, holds an MA in Psychotherapy and a Postgrad Diploma in Positive Health, Moira is dedicated to creating awareness and transformational change to evolve human awareness and consciousness.Together, they strip back the glossy ideas of authenticity and get real about what it actually means to uncover the version of yourself you’ve buried under life, protection, and old beliefs.What You’ll Discover in This Episode:The uncomfortable truth about vulnerability​​Why most people think they’re being authentic and how it’s often just anger or fear in disguiseHow to spot where you’re living from with the Four Levels of ConsciousnessThe language you use every day and how one small change can completely shift your mindsetWhy playfulness, curiosity, and even a little “fairy energy” are essentialWhat happens when you finally stop running from the shadow — and start welcoming it inMoira also leaves you with two powerful questions to sit with (tune in till the end to find out)Would you like to explore the idea of uncovering your authentic self?Join Our Next Online Workshop: https://www.becomingyou.ie/workshops/Download your free self led workbook: https://www.becomingyou.ie/#workbookFollow Becoming You on Social Media:Instagram: @becoming_you_TikTok: @becoming_you_Share Your Story:John would love to hear from you! If this episode resonated with you, send an email to john@becomingyou.ieVisit the website at www.becomingyou.ieConnect with Moira GearyVisit her website: https://www.moirageary.com/Visit her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moirageary_Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast represents the personal experiences, opinions, and insights of the host, guests, and contributors. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, whether medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or financial.If you are experiencing mental health challenges, emotional distress, or require professional support, we strongly encourage you to seek guidance from a qualified professional or relevant support services.Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast represents the personal experiences, opinions, and insights of the host, guests, and contributors. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, whether medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or financial. If you are experiencing mental health challenges, emotional distress, or require professional support, we strongly encourage you to seek guidance from a qualified professional or relevant support services.

To open Season 2 of Becoming You – The Podcast, John takes the guest seat to explore the personal and ongoing journey of uncovering who he really is - starting from a powerful moment at eight years old, when he looked in the mirror and saw himself for the first time.In conversation with Sarah Spoule, John speaks openly about his experience with internalised ableism, what it took to move from being “a head with legs” to listening to his body and learning to recognise his physis or life force.What You’ll Discover in This Episode:What John has been uncovering recently on his own journey The role of internalised ableism in shaping his relationship with capacityThe moment at age eight that marked the first time he truly saw himselfWhy asking for help, both then and now, has been a defining part of uncovering himselfThe power of naming his life force - his physis - and trusting it The messy and uncomfortable truth about the journey of uncovering yourselfWould you like to explore the idea of uncovering your authentic self?Join Our Next Online Workshop: https://www.becomingyou.ie/workshops/Download your free self led workbook: https://www.becomingyou.ie/#workbookFollow Becoming You on Social Media:Instagram: @becoming_you_TikTok: @becoming_you_Share Your Story:John would love to hear from you! If this episode resonated with you, send an email to john@becomingyou.ieVisit the website at www.becomingyou.ieConnect with the Guest Sarah SprouleWebsite: https://sarahsproule.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamsarahsproule/Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast represents the personal experiences, opinions, and insights of the host, guests, and contributors. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, whether medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or financial.If you are experiencing mental health challenges, emotional distress, or require professional support, we strongly encourage you to seek guidance from a qualified professional or relevant support services.Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast represents the personal experiences, opinions, and insights of the host, guests, and contributors. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, whether medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or financial. If you are experiencing mental health challenges, emotional distress, or require professional support, we strongly encourage you to seek guidance from a qualified professional or relevant support services.

Welcome to Season 2 of Becoming You – The Podcast with John Fleming.This season, John is exploring the theme of Uncovering You.We’re going to explore how people come to uncover who they are, what supported them, what blocked them, what challenged them, and what continues to help them.These are real, layered conversations that move beyond surface-level mindset talk. Expect episodes that touch the head, heart, body, and spirit and open up a space that feels less performative and more real.What to expect this season: ➤ Stories of support, self-advocacy, and asking for help ➤ Unmasking autism and embracing neurodivergence ➤ Exploring identity, sexuality, and belonging ➤ Engaging with whiteness and reclaiming abundance ➤ Revisiting and rewriting the life scripts we’ve inheritedWith every episode, you’ll be gently invited to reflect, reconnect, and explore the process of becoming more you.New episodes drop every SaturdayFollow Becoming You – The Podcast with John Fleming wherever you get your podcasts.Would you like to explore the idea of uncovering your authentic self?Join Our Next Online Workshop: https://www.becomingyou.ie/workshops/Download your free self led workbook: https://www.becomingyou.ie/#workbookFollow Becoming You on Social Media:Instagram: @becoming_you_TikTok: @becoming_you_Share Your Story:John would love to hear from you! If this episode resonated with you, send an email to john@becomingyou.ieVisit the website at: www.becomingyou.ieDisclaimer: The content shared in this podcast represents the personal experiences, opinions, and insights of the host, guests, and contributors. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, whether medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or financial.If you are experiencing mental health challenges, emotional distress, or require professional support, we strongly encourage you to seek guidance from a qualified professional or relevant support services.Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast represents the personal experiences, opinions, and insights of the host, guests, and contributors. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, whether medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or financial. If you are experiencing mental health challenges, emotional distress, or require professional support, we strongly encourage you to seek guidance from a qualified professional or relevant support services.

What if your sexuality wasn’t something to figure out — but something your body already knows?In this season finale of Becoming You – The Podcast, John sits down with Sarah Sproule — a late-diagnosed autistic ADHDer, occupational therapist, sexuality educator, and Internal Family Systems (IFS) practitioner — to explore the unspoken links between neurodivergence, sexuality, shame, and coming home to the body.Growing up undiagnosed and unsure, she says she “absolutely grew up feeling too embarrassed to talk about anything to do with sex at all.”Diagnosed later in life, Sarah shares how autistic burnout shattered the façade she’d held together for years — and how it became a portal back to her body, her truth, and her who she is today.Together, John and Sarah navigate everything from neurodivergence, sensory identity, sexuality, queerness, trauma, and joy — all through the lens of someone discovering herself again, one moment at a time.What You’ll Discover in This Episode:How burnout brought Sarah back into relationship with her bodyThe moment she stopped apologising for her needs and sat on the floor with a yoga matWhy growing up without the words for queerness or neurodivergence shaped her early shameJohns reflections on sex education growing up in rural Ireland How John’s diagnosis reframed his relationship to the gay community and his own identitySarah shares a gentle way for you to explore sexuality through sensations (not labels)Follow Becoming You on Social Media:Instagram: @becoming_you_TikTok: @becoming_you_Share Your Story:John would love to hear from you! If this episode resonated with you, send an email to john@becomingyou.ieVisit the website at www.becomingyou.ieConnect with Sarah Sproule:Website: https://sarahsproule.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamsarahsproule/Would you like to explore the idea of uncovering, embracing and being your true self?Download your free self led workbook: https://www.becomingyou.ie/#workbookDisclaimer: The content shared in this podcast represents the personal experiences, opinions, and insights of the host, guests, and contributors. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, whether medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or financial. If you are experiencing mental health challenges, emotional distress, or require professional support, we strongly encourage you to seek guidance from a qualified professional or relevant support services.