The Women's Podcast

2022: It was the year that Russia launched their attack on Ukraine, the women of Iran and Afghanistan continued their fight for freedom and the entire country mourned the death of 24-year old Aisling Murphy in Tullamore. The Irish women’s football team won their place in the upcoming World Cup, Roe V Wade was overturned and the Wagatha Christy trial finally made it to court. To review the very best and worst bits of the last twelve months, Róisín Ingle is joined by Irish Times columnist Jennifer O’Connell, journalist Alison O’Connor and Iranian academic Mahya Ostovar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The build up to Christmas can leave many of us feeling frazzled and fried. What should really be a time of festive cheer and fun, often turns into a whirlwind of frantic shopping, decorating, cleaning and cooking. So what is the best way to navigate the shite before Christmas? Róisín Ingle talks to psychologist Allison Keating and comedian Deirdre O’Kane to find out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The final three episodes of Harry and Meghan’s tell-all documentary series on Netflix have finally been released. With new revelations about the couple’s life together and shocking accusations against the British press and the ‘institution’, the series has remained top of the most-watched list over the last seven days. To dissect the royal drama and the many twists and turns along the way, Róisín Ingle is joined by Irish Times columnist Jennifer O’Connell and broadcaster and host of The Bellissimo Files podcast, Sarina Bellissimo.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To help you out with the books you’re going to buy as gifts this Christmas, we’ve asked our book clubbers Bernice Harrison, Niamh Towey, Ann and Róisín Ingle to tell us about the books they’ve loved reading this year. Later on, author Maggie O’Farrell talks to us about her ninth novel, A Marriage Portrait, which is set in Renaissance Italy and inspired by the real and tragic tale of Lucrezia di Cosimo de’Medici. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Having a thoughtful, sustainable and more mindful Christmas does not have to be a buzzkill. With that in mind, this episode is full of tips for a more joyful and less wasteful festive season, that doesn’t banish the fun. Irish Times contributor and author of the Game Changers column Catherine Cleary came on to talk to us about some sustainable gift ideas, while author of soon-to-be-published book The Money Mentor Santis O’Garro gives us ideas for how to spend less this month including No Spend days out with the family. It’s not about being a Grinch, more about being thoughtful about the excessive splurging that can sometimes come with this time of year. So have yourselves a conscious little Christmas with The Women’s Podcast why don’t you? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the courageous shows of defiance against the misogynistic Islamic Republic in Iran and the rights of women and girls continuing to be eroded by the Taliban in Afghanistan, two women discuss the devastating, unjust situation in their countries. Mahya Ostovar, a lecturer at University of Galway left Iran ten years ago and Mahbooba Faiz, arrived in Ireland a few months ago from Afghanistan with her husband and young son. They spoke to Roisin Ingle about the wave of protest against the Islamic Republic in Iran since the death of Mahsa Amini while in custody of the ‘morality police’ and about the harsh Taliban regime in Afghanistan where women and girls are fighting for the right to an education and are now banned from parks, swimming pools and gyms. The women called for more support from the international community and solidarity from men and women everywhere in this feminist struggle for universal human rights. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was a chance meeting in 1992 which brought Ennis women Colette Reddington and Mary Fitzgerald together. When their paths crossed, both were seeking shelter for victims of domestic abuse, but were struggling to find local services. After realising there were no refuges available, not only in their hometown of Ennis, but in the entire county of Clare, the women decided to take action. Now, their incredible thirty year journey helping those fleeing abusive homes, is the subject of a new book Light On The Horizon, which details the establishment of Clare Haven refuge services and the charity Haven Horizons. In this episode, Róisín Ingle is joined by co-founder Colette and by Madeline McAleer, who is director of research, training and development. They speak about the humble beginnings of the refuge, the expansion in services over the years and why education is key to breaking the cycle of domestic abuse. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When her career stalled during the Covid lockdown, actor and writer Roise Holt moved back to her parents house in Somerset and began creating comedy videos from her old bedroom. The videos skewering British politicians went viral propelling her into newfound stardom as a parody MP. In this episode, Rosie talks to Róisín Ingle about the success of her satirical videos and why they resonated so well with her fans. They also talk about her new comedy show ‘The Woman’s Hour’ and the ever-entertaining state of British politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CervicalCheck campaigner Vicky Phelan died this week, at the age of 48. Over the years, Vicky has joined us on a number of occasions as a guest on the podcast, sharing her story and her journey through treatment. Today we celebrate the life of an extraordinary Limerick woman who fought for justice for so many. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Teresa Deevy may not be a familiar name to most people, but it should be. Born in 1894, the Waterford woman, who was deaf from the age of nineteen, was a successful dramatist and playwright. In the 1930s, six of her plays were performed on stage in the Abbey Theatre and her reputation as a brilliant and talented writer had critics referring to her as next Sean O'Casey and the ‘Irish Chekhov’. That was until, Ernest Blythe became artistic director of the Abbey in 1941 and declared his vision for the theatre to be incompatible with Deevy’s work, putting an abrupt end to her growing career. The story of this forgotten playwright will be told in a new RTE documentary, created by performance artist Amanda Coogan. In this episode, Coogan speaks to Róisín Ingle about Deevy's life and legacy and why she should be celebrated. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.