Illuminating Women

Today I'm talking with Loretta Dignam, founder of the world's first menopause clinic. Following a bewildering and disappointing experience when menopause hit, Loretta realised that she was not alone in having little clarity about what menopause entailed, what symptoms can/should be treated and how, or which parts of this under-discussed experience women just have to suck up. Having started her research in her front room, she went on to discover that hundreds of the women she met had little reliable information on it. Not only that, a whole generation of health care professionals had been misled on the benefits and risks of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).  In this very frank chat, Loretta fills us in on her personal experiences along with her groundbreaking work to champion access to informed menopause treatment. For further links to further information on Menopause, see: Menopause Matters www.menopausematters.co.uk The Menopause Hub www.themenopausehub.ie British Menopause Society www.bms.org.uk Primary Care Women's Forum www.pcwf.co.uk

Given that half of the 7.95 billion people on the planet are women, you might think it reasonable that women would also make up half of the board directors and senior executives in the world. Sadly we know that's not the case. But progress is definitely being made.  Join me for an interview with Gillian Harford, the CEO for Ireland of a global organisation called the 30% club, which is aiming to ensure that at least 30% (if not 50%) of these roles are filled by women.

Women were facing discrimination and under-representation in most publicly funded Irish theatres, especially the biggest and most well known ones. Women's stories and female artists were being given less space, continuing the myth that a male-dominated culture is both normal and acceptable. WakingTheFeminists was a campaign by group of men and women,  who together spoke out for equality for women working in all aspects of theatre in Ireland. Only intended as a 12-month grassroots campaign, #WakingTheFeminists took on a life of its own, leading to a revolution for equality that garnered global attention, including Hollywood star Meryl Streep. Along with the #MeToo movement, it formed a vital piece of the jigsaw in the struggle for towards equality for women in the arts. In this episode we hear from Lian Bell, the woman who lit the spark under this fire. Reading links:  www.wakingthefeminists.org www.lianbell.org    

The inspiring story behind Food Cloud: an organisation founded by two students that today provides 1.5 million meals a week to people in need  For more details on Food Cloud go to food.cloud

In this episode I am thrilled to be speaking with the hugely talented Marina Carr – winner of multiple international awards, a member of Aosdána and regarded by many as Ireland's leading playwright. Marina delves deep into the power behind the characters she creates and her writing approach, as well as fascinating insights on how she views history, men, women, and the future of humanity. And having just completed the final script for her latest play, the cast at The Abbey Theatre goes into rehearsals this week for the worldwide debut of Audrey or Sorrow - grab your tickets now!  

In this episode I'm chatting with the journalist, documentary maker and author Manchán Magan about unearthing stories of the knowledge and power wielded by women – both real and mythical – in Ireland of old. Manchán also shares with me a treasure trove of Irish words used to describe women's sexuality and bodies.

My guest in Episode 3 is Dr. Emily Harris, a psychologist and researcher from the University of Melbourne. We shine a light on work she and her colleagues are doing on the link between The Invisible Job* (of parenting and running a home) and low sexual desire in women.  Just to add, Dr Harris is an expert on female orgasm frequency, so for all you ever need to know about orgasms, the clitoris and equality in relationships, listen up!!

Award-winning novelist Claire Kilroy's new book 'Soldier Sailor' may just be her best yet. Kilroy's personal experience of being denied the freedom to resume professional writing for 10 years since becoming a mother has given birth to 'Soldier Sailor' – an unflinchingly honest account of the frustration, tedium, loneliness and resentment many mothers endure when looking after a baby/toddler full time. In this very frank interview, Claire talks openly about the relationship struggles this leads to, women's yearning for a life and identity they fear may be gone forever, anger and disbelief at the ongoing existence of patriarchy and the distinct worlds it catapults mothers vs. fathers into, all juxtaposed with a maternal love so profound she would kill for her child. Buckle in!!  

Nadiane Kruk was Professor of Engineering at a top university in Brazil. As she was completing her PhD, she became a mother and discovered the challenges of trying be a good parent and a successful academic. Having lived and worked in Brazil and in Germany, Nadiane realised that social policies in both countries made life almost impossible for working parents. In this interview she proposes a way to reform the working week, which could make life better, and more equal, for men and women everywhere.