Bras off and Breathe

Style, Confidence & Ignoring The Rules

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by stylist extraordinaire Cathy O'Connor, an expert in her field with years of experience and a wealth of knowledge when it comes to all things fashion and personal style. We sit down for an honest conversation about style, self-confidence, and learning to dress for who you are rather than simply following trends. From finding your own voice through fashion to embracing the beauty of becoming your own woman, this episode is full of warmth, wisdom, and empowering insights. Cathy O'Connor https://www.instagram.com/cathyocstylist?igsh=MWcwNGRlMWV5cXU0eA== [https://www.instagram.com/cathyocstylist?igsh=MWcwNGRlMWV5cXU0eA==] Lisasvistas https://www.instagram.com/lisasvistas?igsh=dXEzZDR4cGxreXZx [https://www.instagram.com/lisasvistas?igsh=dXEzZDR4cGxreXZx] Audio & Media Production by Ben Lawless A podcast for women navigating midlife, change, relationships, health worries and the parts of life nobody really prepares you for. Contact us Lisa@brasoffandbreathe.com ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Surviving The School Run

Welcome back to Bras Off and Breathe, the podcast where we say what everyone’s thinking but rarely out loud.  This episode, Surviving the School Run, is all about the chaos, cliques, and quiet judgments of the school gate. I’m chatting with Leonie and Rachael about everything from awkward hellos to the full-blown drama of the cake baking competition (honestly, who knew it could get that serious?).  We also dig into a bigger question, why Ireland still seems to favour third-level college over trades and practical paths, and what that pressure means for us as parents trying to steer our kids in the right direction. It’s real, it’s relatable, and it might just make you feel a bit less alone in the madness. A podcast for women navigating midlife, change, relationships, health worries and the parts of life nobody really prepares you for. Contact us Lisa@brasoffandbreathe.com ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Surviving Grief. Loss, how it reshapes us, and how we find meaning after heartbreak.

On this episode of my podcast with Molly, we explore the deeply human themes of life and death through an honest and heartfelt conversation. We talk about how loss reshapes our understanding of what it means to live, and how grief isn’t something to “move on” from, but something we learn to carry. Molly opens up about the emotional complexity of losing someone so central to her world, and how that experience has changed her perspective on time, relationships, and what truly matters. Together, we reflect on the fragility of life, but also the quiet strength that can emerge in the face of profound sorrow. Molly shares how the loss of her beloved mother has left a lasting imprint on her day-to-day life, from small routines to major life decisions. She speaks candidly about the ways she copes, through memory, connection, and allowing herself space to feel everything as it comes. Rather than presenting grief as something linear, Molly describes it as evolving, sometimes heavy, sometimes gentle, but always present in some form. Her story is not just about loss, but about resilience, love that continues beyond absence, and the ongoing process of finding meaning after heartbreak. Molly Ryan https://www.instagram.com/supermol/ [https://www.instagram.com/supermol/] Lisasvistas https://www.instagram.com/lisasvistas/ [https://www.instagram.com/lisasvistas/] Audio & Media production by Ben Lawless https://www.instagram.com/benjiiiiee/ [https://www.instagram.com/benjiiiiee/] A podcast for women navigating midlife, change, relationships, health worries and the parts of life nobody really prepares you for. Contact us Lisa@brasoffandbreathe.com ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Becoming Visible

In this episode, I’m joined by writer, broadcaster, and mentor Maria McHale for an honest and inspiring conversation about what it really means to start over. After a major life shift her divorce and her children leaving for college Maria made the bold decision to leave her hometown and begin a new chapter in Dublin. We explore the emotional and practical challenges of stepping into the unknown, from rebuilding a sense of identity to navigating loneliness and self-doubt. Maria shares how pushing beyond her comfort zone opened the door to unexpected growth, new opportunities, and a deeper understanding of herself. This is a powerful conversation about resilience, reinvention, and the courage it takes to move on even when it feels uncertain Maria McHale https://www.instagram.com/themariamchale?igsh=ZWhlMGVuamZtZGZ2 [https://www.instagram.com/themariamchale?igsh=ZWhlMGVuamZtZGZ2] Lisasvistas https://www.instagram.com/lisasvistas/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/lisasvistas/?hl=en] Audio & Media production by Ben Lawless https://www.instagram.com/benjiiiiee/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/benjiiiiee/?hl=en] A podcast for women navigating midlife, change, relationships, health worries and the parts of life nobody really prepares you for. Contact us Lisa@brasoffandbreathe.com ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Chameleon

This week on Bras Off and Breathe, we sit down with Orla Diamantino for an intimate and deeply reflective episode titled Chameleon. Orla opens up about her coming out journey, sharing the quiet moments, the ruptures, and the courage it took to step into her truth. Through her story, she explores what it means to live many lives within one lifetime, shedding old skins, rebuilding from within, and embracing the constant evolution of self. It’s a conversation about identity, resilience, and the beauty (and discomfort) of becoming someone new, again and again. Orla Dimantino https://www.instagram.com/orladiamantino?igsh=MWJkeW41bjB2NDB5bg== [https://www.instagram.com/orladiamantino?igsh=MWJkeW41bjB2NDB5bg==] Lisasvistas https://www.instagram.com/lisasvistas/ [https://www.instagram.com/lisasvistas/] Audio & Media by Ben Lawless https://www.instagram.com/benjiiiiee/ [https://www.instagram.com/benjiiiiee/] A podcast for women navigating midlife, change, relationships, health worries and the parts of life nobody really prepares you for. Contact us Lisa@brasoffandbreathe.com ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.