『How's Your Ma Podcast』のカバーアート

How's Your Ma Podcast

How's Your Ma Podcast

著者： Leanne Ryan & Orla Lynch
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Our podcast explores women’s relationships—from mother-daughter to leadership—and how they shape lives, aiming to support and empower women across all relationship experiences.© 2026 Leanne Ryan & Orla Lynch 社会科学
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  • How's Your Ma: Episode 15

    How's Your Ma: Episode 15
    2026/08/06
    In this episode of How's Your Ma?, hosts Orla and Leanne sit down with engaged couple Cathal and Rebecca, founders of the awareness project Different Minds, Same Heart (Project DMs). Based in County Westmeath and set to marry in February 2028, Cathal and Rebecca open up about discovering they were both neurodivergent, and how they're using their wedding journey to spark conversations around autism, ADHD, and mental health.Cathal shares his story of being flagged for autism as a child, being placed in a "special class," years of being misunderstood, and eventually getting an official autism diagnosis in his mid-20s — plus how martial arts and MMA became an outlet for him growing up. Rebecca talks about masking as the "good kid," a burnout at 21 that led to a borderline personality disorder misdiagnosis, and finally getting her ADHD and (likely) Asperger's diagnosis just months before this recording. Together they discuss self-diagnosis and TikTok, complex trauma vs. neurodivergence, sensory sensitivities (fireworks, balloons, noise), medication and therapy (including EMDR), how they met on Plenty of Fish, and their plans for an accessible, sensory-friendly wedding.A warm, honest conversation about masking, late diagnosis, family reactions, and building a life — and a wedding — around acceptance.Time Codes / Chapters00:00 – Intro: meet Cathal & Rebecca, Different Minds Same Heart, their February 2028 wedding00:53 – Why they're using their wedding as a platform for awareness01:56 – Five tips for a neurodivergent-friendly wedding (itinerary sharing, sensory needs, no balloons/fireworks)04:11 – Cathal's childhood: flagged for autism at school, placed in a "special class"05:16 – Family and teachers noticing signs early on06:16 – Complex PTSD, years of being told to "go get tested"06:57 – Official diagnosis: autism, and the ADHD misdiagnosis question08:02 – Getting diagnosed at 26 — "it answered everything"10:11 – Telling his parents; his late father's likely undiagnosed autism10:55 – Growing up in an era of "special classes" and harmful labels12:18 – How casual stigma and slurs shaped attitudes toward disability decades ago14:39 – Introducing Rebecca's story — "the flip side"15:11 – Masking as a "people pleaser" and perfectionist as a child15:54 – Burnout in her early 20s, leaving work due to anxiety and depression18:41 – GP visit, misdiagnosed with borderline personality disorder19:56 – Discovering ADHD through social media — "it's like they read my mind"20:20 – How ADHD presents differently in girls vs. boys21:24 – Barriers to diagnosis in Ireland — cost, waitlists, GP process22:02 – Being the eldest child navigating this alone24:09 – Getting the official diagnosis and the sense of validation25:40 – Assessment reveals likely Asperger's too26:24 – Cathal coming off complex-PTSD medication — the hard withdrawal28:20 – Discussing therapy, EMDR, and access/cost barriers to services30:33 – What ADHD medication actually does (and doesn't do) for Rebecca33:28 – Neurodivergence in their wider families34:42 – Childhood trauma vs. ADHD — how they can look alike35:37 – Self-diagnosis, TikTok, and the difference between traits and being "on the spectrum"39:39 – How Cathal and Rebecca matched on Plenty of Fish41:06 – Their first date story (and the chiropractor mix-up)44:13 – Shared interests: wrestling, superhero movies, staying playful46:53 – Friends' reactions to their diagnoses48:02 – Sensory sensitivities: balloons, fireworks, noise-cancelling ear defenders49:46 – Introducing Project DMs (Different Minds, Same Heart) and its mission51:10 – Fighting online stigma and misinformation around neurodivergence54:00 – Their relationship story — moving in together, saying "I love you"55:04 – Wedding details: February 2028, County Louth, rustic barn venue56:21 – Cathal's MMA and boxing background — coaching, sensory overload in the cage1:01:01 – Rebecca's childhood hobbies — sports, Westlife, wrestling, John Cena1:02:12 – Closing reflections on labels, masking, and acceptance1:03:37 – Where to find Project DMs and how to get involved1:04:51 – Final thoughts and sign-off
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    1 時間 5 分
  • How's Your Ma: Episode 14 (Ciara Jones)

    How's Your Ma: Episode 14 (Ciara Jones)
    2026/07/30
    This week, Orla and Leanne are joined by Ciara Jones — mother, full-time carer, and one of Ireland's most tireless autism advocates. Ciara is mam to three and a half children (as she puts it) including Gavin, who is autistic, intellectually disabled and preverbal. In 2018 she left a 20-year career to become his full-time carer.Ciara opens up about her happy childhood in Cabra, her parents' quiet strength, and the devastating loss of her own mother — a moment that pushed her to finally open the autism support hub she'd always dreamed of. She shares the story of volunteering in a Russian orphanage in her twenties, meeting her husband Mick and building their family, and the early, lonely days of parenting a non-speaking autistic child.From there, Ciara talks through the extraordinary advocacy work she's built: the AsIAm 5K, the Autism Support Hub she runs with her friend Caroline, the Sparkle for Autism Ball (which has raised almost €400,000 towards a goal of half a million), and her role as founder of Chasing Justice — a group supporting over 200 families whose autistic children have been abused or secluded in Irish schools. She speaks candidly about the day Gavin ran from her at school, what daily life with him looks like now, the guilt she carries about what lies ahead for her other two children as young carers, and what keeps her and Mick going as a couple.It's a raw, funny, and deeply moving conversation about grief, resilience, community, and refusing to let anyone feel alone.Content note: this episode discusses child illness/death (stillbirth, cancer, end-of-life care), and later touches on the abuse and seclusion of autistic children in schools.Timecodes00:00 – Intro: Orla and Leanne welcome Ciara Jones00:14 – Ciara introduces herself: mum of three and a half, full-time carer to Gavin (16), Dara (12) and Éabha/her youngest, plus stepson Michael01:24 – Who Ciara was before "mummy" — growing up in Cabra02:08 – Life as a young carer; her dad the grafter, her mam "the most wonderful mother"03:04 – Her mother's history — printing family, a stillborn baby never spoken of, and Ciara's own birth (an 11.5lb baby!)03:51 – Her mam's two cancer diagnoses and quiet resilience07:07 – The day her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at 69 — and her mam's dark sense of humour through it09:16 – Volunteering in a Russian orphanage in 2004 — meeting Debbie Deegan, the inspiration behind her advocacy13:30 (approx.) – Meeting Mick, becoming a mum, and Gavin's early years18:25 – Trying for more children, Dara's birth, and the isolation of early autism parenting20:04 – Fundraising for Gavin's school and finding a sense of purpose20:48 – Her 20 years working in Aer Lingus and building an autism community there21:50 – 2018: leaving her career to become Gavin's full-time carer22:25 – Stepson Michael's journey — from meeting Adam Harris to working at AsIAm24:05 – Founding the AsIAm 5K — "we're not an island"25:22 – Realising Gavin deserved to be asked about his day too — communicating with a non-speaking child28:15 – Her mother's death during Covid, told through the glass at the nursing home29:27 – "I'm begging you, don't let her die alone" — being with her mam at the end34:47 – The moment she decided to open the Autism Support Hub35:18 – The Autism Support Hub with Caroline — DCA forms, carer supports, and a free, all-voluntary service36:55 – The origin of the Sparkle for Autism Ball43:30 – Nearly half a million euro raised — and how people can support the cause (Instagram: Ciara Jones — Reaching Out to Autism)45:03 – A day in Gavin's life — his routines, his independence, and his joy47:23 – Orla and Dara as young carers, and the guilt of what the future holds for them49:25 – The day Gavin ran from the car — a story about unpredictability and vigilance54:59 – What it's really like for her and Mick as parents and as a couple57:23 – The power of community — "nobody needs to be alone"59:50 – Founding Chasing Justice — supporting over 200 families whose autistic children have been abused in school1:00:44 – The pattern of blaming the child, not the adults in the room1:01:33 – Seclusion is illegal — but it's still happening1:03:59 – A small win: new child protection guidelines in schools, shaped by Ciara's own case1:06:07 – Final words of wisdom: "find your community... you need to feel you belong"1:09:08 – Closing thoughts and thanks
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    1 時間 10 分
  • How's Your Ma: Episode 13

    How's Your Ma: Episode 13
    2026/07/23

    In this episode, hosts Leanne and Orla sit down with Courtney — a PhD scientist who walked away from academia to become a Pilates instructor and digital entrepreneur. As the eldest of five, Courtney opens up about the pressure to prove herself, the quiet burnout that came with "achieving and achieving," and the moment she handed in her notice to build a business instead. The conversation moves through her working-class roots and what it meant to carry them into an academic world that didn't always feel like hers, the toxic competitiveness of PhD life and the grief of losing friendships along the way, and the joy of rebuilding a support system through Pilates, business, and community. Courtney also shares the story of her ten-year relationship, her growing "Aligné" brand (Pilates, digital tools for wellness professionals, and a book club), and her honest advice for young women weighing big life choices: know your why, take the risk, and design a life on your own terms.


    Timecodes

    • 00:00 – Intro: meet Courtney, PhD-turned-Pilates-instructor
    • 00:37 – Courtney's story: years chasing a PhD, then walking away
    • 01:44 – "Who did you do it for?" — proving herself as the eldest of five
    • 02:46 – The turning point: Pilates training and telling her boyfriend she's leaving academia
    • 03:47 – Class, poverty, and staying true to her roots in academia
    • 06:49 – No pause button: school straight through to PhD with no break
    • 08:32 – Starting the business alongside mixed reactions from others
    • 09:36 – Why the work is about people, not just the job
    • 12:07 – Family life: laid-back parents, five siblings, "the whole family has ADHD"
    • 14:04 – Naming the business "Aligné" and quitting the postdoc for good
    • 15:53 – Finding her soul's purpose: helping people directly
    • 17:39 – Learning to look after herself after academic burnout
    • 19:51 – How she met her partner — school sweethearts, ten years together
    • 22:45 – Teaching at the Wellness Center and the story behind "Keith's Elephant"
    • 26:41 – Her boyfriend's life: marching band and the sousaphone
    • 28:15 – Launching Aligné Digital — finance tools for wellness professionals
    • 31:14 – Courtney's Corner book club and always chasing the next idea
    • 31:56 – Looking ahead: marriage, no kids, and a love of travel
    • 34:23 – Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: take the risk, fake it till you make it
    • 37:02 – Her parents' unconditional support in building the business
    • 38:39 – Friendship in academia vs. the new, supportive friendships she's found
    • 43:32 – The grief of losing friendships in a toxic, competitive environment
    • 46:14 – Could she ever go back to academia?
    • 49:12 – Movement as her emotional outlet and coping tool
    • 51:02 – Her closest friends, Sarah and Shannon
    • 52:46 – What would her friends say about her?
    • 55:07 – Final advice for young women figuring out their path
    • 57:24 – Wrap-up and where to find Courtney
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    1 時間 2 分
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