Inner Insights with Dr. Darragh Stewart

#26: Michael Ryan - The Crisis of Modern Men, the Path Back to Meaning & the Journey Home

What a wonderful episode with Michael for this week's episode of the Inner Insights podcast. If you enjoyed it make sure to subscribe to the channel and sign up to my mailing list here: https://innerwork.kit.com/7a6518f2f6. There’s so much noise online around masculinity right now, but this conversation goes deeper than performance, politics or identity. It’s about the parts of ourselves we avoid. The grief we carry. The tenderness underneath the armour.And the possibility of becoming more whole.We speak about: • Why so many men feel lost, numb or disconnected• The healing power of men’s circles and brotherhood • Shadow work, vulnerability and emotional suppression • Fatherhood, intimacy and masculine initiation• The spiritual vacuum in modern culture • God, meaning, nature and coming home to yourself• Why healing is not a quick fix, but a lifelong journey Michael brings over two decades of expertise as a dedicated yoga, breathwork, and meditation teacher. Through movement-based practices, breathwork, meditation, and tailored mentoring, Michael empowers men to cultivate healthier self-relationships and uncover deeper meaning in their lives. His workshops and retreats provide safe, transformative spaces to explore the layers of trauma carried by men—both intergenerational and collective—offering pathways toward healing and growth. Contact informationwww.natureofman.ie www.michaelryan.yoga insta: michaelryan_thewayhomewww.innerwork.iewww.inwardbound.nl

#25: Dr. Sue Redmond - Somatic Trauma Therapy, Ireland and Trauma, The Body Keeps the Score, How Trauma Lives in the Nervous System and healing it safely.

In this powerful episode of Inner Insights, I sit down with Dr. Sue Redmond, integrative somatic trauma therapist, EMDR practitioner and therapeutic yoga teacher, for a deep conversation on healing trauma through the body. We explore how unresolved emotions, stress and past experiences can become stored in the nervous system, why so many people feel disconnected from themselves, and how practices like somatic therapy, breathwork, movement, mindfulness and safe emotional release can help us return to balance.We also dive into anger, boundaries, people pleasing, intergenerational trauma, resilience, relationships, psychedelics, and the path back to joy. If you are interested in healing, emotional wellbeing, embodiment, or understanding yourself on a deeper level, this episode offers practical wisdom, hope and powerful insights for your journey.Dr. Sue Redmond is an Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapist, Somatic EMDR Practitioner, and Therapeutic Yoga Teacher with over 20 years of experience in the fields of wellbeing, leadership, and trauma healing. She holds a PhD in Youth Leadership, Resilience, and Social Support, alongside qualifications in health promotion, pharmacology, psychology, youth & community work, and coaching. Sue’s work spans one-to-one therapy, psychedelic-assisted somatic therapy, and group facilitation, as well as training and resource development for professionals working with children and young people. At the heart of her mission is creating safe spaces for healing, resilience, and transformation—blending science, somatic wisdom, and creativity to guide people and communities toward greater awareness, empowerment, and joy. Since this episode was recorded, Sue has been developing a new training programme a 1-year long Professional Certificate in Somatic Trauma Therapy. This brings together her background in trauma and embodied practice. The training focuses on helping practitioners work more confidently with the body and nervous system, beyond purely cognitive approaches. More information on her website sueredmond.comhttps://www.sueredmond.com/group/somatictherapytraininginstagram: dr.sueredmond

#24: Michaela -Wisdom of the Womb, Women's work, Ancestral healing, Female health and Pelvic care

Michaela is a pelvic care practitioner and women’s work guide offering a regenerative, woman-centred approach to the health of women’s bodies.She helps women understand their physiology, reconnect with their bodies, and remember their innate capacity for health.She offers whole-day care sessions and longer-term containers for women from her cabin in the north of Ireland.Her work is part of a much needed shift in how women are cared for, using hands-on manual therapy and warm, attuned support to pave a new way forward, of we tend to women’s bodies.Her space is a whole woman care space, for all women, through every stage of life.Rootedfemininewellness.com @rootedfemininewellnessIf you enjoyed it make sure to subscribe to the channel and sign up to my mailing list here: https://innerwork.kit.com/7a6518f2f6 [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbDM1TjNaRUxVWDhOOER4dWc5MmZXVEtiYkhLZ3xBQ3Jtc0trZ1kwcnJTb1VqV1h5RjJrQ2RLME9JTF8tUV9vajZtRi1QV1UxOWtld3pEdGFXdkhBRTk1VDIxMFlBOEFTYzFYTm03QTdJNG5pZ0hYSTFZcEZUaGhMR1VCcTFidUN0Y2N2bzN6OXh4X0EwdmV3c3Rrdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Finnerwork.kit.com%2F7a6518f2f6&v=2_7ZFMr1OS8].

#23: Eamon Armstrong - Aspirational Masculinity, Polarity of Play, Relationship dynamics, Healing through Kink, Meta-Modern Love and Life as a Game

Welcome to Season 3 of the Inner Insights podcast This Episode we recorded live from Ko Pha-ngan what an absolute honour to be joined by Eamon Armstrong Eamon is a podcast host and aspiring author, currently in Ko Pha-ngan to finish his first book. The memoir uses humorous stories to "open source some of the most impactful lessons" he's experienced, particularly on the subject of masculinity and maturation. He's the host of three shows: Life is a Festival (his longest-running and most personal show), The Psychedelic Therapy Podcast, and You Like It, a kink podcast he co-hosts with a New York dominatrix named Maline Prior. Eamon is also known as a "cultural collaborator" for Burning Man. In this episode, we dive into: * Aspirational Masculinity and Maturation: Eamon, who is moving out of his "hero phase" (the last archetype of boy psychology). * Boundaries and the Warrior Archetype: Eamon distinguishes between being nice (which often requires dishonesty) and being kind (which is never dishonest). He views boundaries as a kindness because they are a "presentation of reality" and refers to the word "no" as a gift.  We discuss how the Warrior archetype is the antidote to the "dangerous man" story, representing the healthy expression of anger, boundaries, and fighting for justice. Anger provides an "emotional north star" for boundary setting. * Sexuality, Kink, and Shame as Fuel: Eamon, who identifies as a Dom, discusses the idea of shame as "erotic rocket fuel" that requires proper containment. The foundational offering of kink is using "impeccable containers" to explore sexuality and fantasy through play, which can be "alchemizing" to one's sense of self. We discuss the perspective that "you don't heal the kink, the kink heals you" and the risk of medicalizing kink. * Meta-Modernism and Traditional Gender Roles: Eamon relates to gender dynamics through a meta-modern perspective, acknowledging that the polarity is real, but people have "more agency" in choosing how to relate to it. He shares his "choicefully" traditional gender role dynamic with his Swedish girlfriend, Alex, where he acts as the executive of the relationship, taking on the roles of protect, provide, and lead. * Life as a Game: Eamon embraces the view that "life is a game" and discusses the importance of the infinite game (played to play more games and invite more players) over the finite game (played to win). He suggests honesty allows for more fun because one is "dealing with reality". @eamonarmstrong www.eamonarmstrong.com @lifeisafestivalpodcast

Season 3 - #22: Dr. Brian Pennie - Addiction, Shame, Recovery, healing trauma & the Path Back to Presence & peace

Welcome to season 3. It was a real honour to open the season with the inspirational Brian Pennie. Brian spent 15 years addicted to heroin before completely turning his life around and going on to complete a PhD in neuroscience. His story is extraordinary, and a powerful testament to resilience, recovery, and the depth of the human spirit.We talk about anxiety, shame, addiction, masculinity, spirituality, the quieting of the inner voice and what success actually means when you strip it all back.This is a conversation about unlearning, about presence, about sitting with discomfort instead of running from it,.If you care about mental health, men’s work, recovery, or simply living with more peace and honesty, this one is for you.This was one of my favourite conversations to date, and I have no doubt you will take a huge amount from listening to it.About Brian:Dr Brian Pennie is neuroscientist and resilience specialist, and also works as an advisor and business coach to some of Ireland’s leading CEOs. Through a combination of his own inspiring story alongside the application of proven tools and techniques, he is determined to identify and unleash the hidden potential in others. From corporate programmes and keynote speaking to one-on-one coaching, Brian offers a range of services to companies and organisations of all sizes. His story will draw you in and inspire you.https://brianpennie.com/Instagram: @brianpennie78If you enjoyed it make sure to subscribe to the channel and sign up to my mailing list here: https://innerwork.kit.com/7a6518f2f6.