How's Your Ma: Episode 7

How's Your Ma: Episode 7

This week, Orla and Leanne are joined by two very special guests — Ashling, a mum from Clane, Kildare, and her incredible 11-year-old daughter Georgia. What unfolds is one of the most honest, heartfelt and joyful conversations the girls have had in the studio. Ashling opens up about navigating life with not one, but two children with medical diagnoses — Jake, who was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis at just 20 months old, and Georgia, who was born with a visual impairment. From the moment Georgia arrived and Ashling knew something was different, to the hospital visits, the dismissals from doctors, the ICU, and ultimately the diagnosis — she tells it all with a strength and humour that will have you laughing one minute and wiping your eyes the next. But this episode isn't just about the hard parts. It's about a family that rallies around each other. It's about a husband who texts to check in, a brother who carries his sister's bag home from school every day without being asked, and a little sister whose first instinct is always to help. And it's about Georgia herself — a confident, singing, rebel-song-loving, seagull-chasing force of nature who wants to be a singer (or a youth worker, just in case). Georgia steals the show as she chats about school, independence, her love of Olivia Rodrigo AND Irish rebel songs, and what she'd say to other kids and parents going through something similar. Her wisdom at 11 years old will genuinely stop you in your tracks. Ashling's advice to new parents facing a diagnosis — "just enjoy it, don't waste your time worrying" — and her message to couples navigating the stress of raising children with extra needs — "listen to each other, communicate" — are words every parent needs to hear. This one is a banger. Don't miss it. Timecodes 00:00 — Introductions: Orla and Leanne welcome Ashling and Georgia to the studio 01:52 — Ashling introduces herself: from Clane, Kildare, married to Mikey for 18 years, three kids 02:39 — Georgia introduces herself: 11 years old, loves singing, dancing and drumming — and reveals she is visually impaired 03:27 — Ashling's story begins: Jake's unusual crawling, four dismissed hospital visits, and finally getting someone to listen 04:25 — Jake is diagnosed with juvenile arthritis at 20 months old — while Ashling is pregnant with Georgia 05:33 — Ashling's own eye condition and the moment she knew something was different when Georgia was born 06:58 — The night Georgia was born: eyes not opening, the call to the doctor, and being whisked to the ICU 07:48 — Transferred to Temple Street Children's Hospital — Ashling returning to the same hospital she attended as a child 09:06 — Georgia put to sleep for investigation at just three days old 10:42 — Ashling reveals she had shingles during her pregnancy with Georgia 11:29 — Mikey's role: attending every hospital appointment, flying to England, being Georgia's constant 24:40 — Jake's relationship with Georgia: carrying her bag from school every day without being asked 25:22 — Little sister Essie: naturally understanding Georgia's needs from two years old, no explanation needed 26:40 — A funny moment: Orla and baby Essie's rocky start ("she just didn't like me") 30:04 — An important reflection: how Jake was sometimes overlooked when Georgia's diagnosis took centre stage 31:08 — The girls' trip to Tenerife: how Orla and Ashling first became friends over tears and laughter at a pub table 34:36 — Georgia on her day-to-day life: Ashling does her hair, makes her lunch, and Georgia makes the tea 35:16 — Georgia's general knowledge: obsessed with The Chase, knows everything about actors, singers and history 37:01 — Georgia's favourite music: Justin Bieber, Olivia Rodrigo — and Irish rebel songs. Her favourite? Grace and The Streets of New York 38:20 — Georgia sings a verse of The Streets of New York — and absolutely delivers 39:15 — Georgia's future plans: singer first, youth worker second 40:01 — Georgia's youth club: singing, drama, cooking, rock climbing — and the community it builds 52:03 — Georgia's advice to other kids who might feel different: "Be yourself. Don't let anyone change you." 52:58 — Georgia on navigating school independence: getting her coat herself, taking the extra time, not caring what others think 53:19 — On curious kids who stare: "They're just kids. They don't mean it." 54:01 — Georgia's advice to mums of children with additional needs: "Don't stop your kid from doing things — they can do anything they want to." 54:25 — Ashling on her early fears: "I thought she'd never cycle a bike." Georgia now cycles a bike. 56:18 — Ashling's advice to parents who've just received a diagnosis: "Enjoy it. Don't waste your time worrying. And never be afraid to stand up to the doctors." 59:55 — Ashling's advice to couples raising children with extra needs: listen to each other, communicate, and make time for yourself — even when Mikey has to push you out the door to the girls' trip 01:02:11 — On why the girls' trips matter: "You forget your responsibilities. All you have to worry about is what togs you're wearing to the pool." 01:03:18 — A raw moment: a recent trip to Crumlin Hospital where Georgia's infusion was cancelled after a full day's effort — and how Ashling handled it 01:06:22 — Closing reflections and final words of love for Georgia and Ashling 01:07:06 — Georgia and Ashling share the songs that lift them up 01:08:13 — Sign-off: Orla and Leanne wrap up, and Georgia gets the final word on the outro

How's Your Ma: Episode 6

In this episode, Leanne and Orla sit down with Keith Dixon — personal trainer, coach, and friend for 16 years — for one of the most open and honest conversations yet. Born and raised in Blanchardstown, Keith has spent 25+ years in the fitness industry, but his story goes far deeper than the gym floor. Keith opens up about growing up as the eldest of five in a tight-knit Dublin community, the lessons his parents instilled in him, and how that shaped who he became as a father, friend, and coach. He talks candidly about co-parenting after a separation, the moment he found himself homeless and living in a hostel, dark thoughts that crept in during that time, and how movement, mindset work, and the right people helped pull him through. The conversation takes in men's mental health, loneliness in modern life, the "manosphere" and its influence on young people, unrealistic body image pressures, emotional affairs, and the ripple effect of one person shaping another. Keith also reflects on the ten trainers he's sent out into the fitness world, his relationship with his brother and sisters, and what turning 50 really means to him. Raw, real, and full of Dublin warmth — this one hits different. Timecodes: 00:00 — Introductions: meet Keith Dixon, friend for 16 years and coach 01:28 — Growing up in Blanchardstown, the eldest of five 05:17 — Childhood holidays, community spirit & how times have changed 06:56 — Blanchardstown reality: salt of the earth people, hard lives, and the lads who made it through 09:29 — Co-parenting after separation — putting the boys first, always 10:15 — Quality time with Joshua and Zachary as they grow up 17:00 — Losing the gym: chains on the door and starting over 26:24 — Homeless and living in a hostel — the lowest point 27:03 — Dark thoughts, the window, and choosing to get up and walk 28:23 — Losing people to suicide — personal loss and community grief 33:17 — Men's mental health: meditation, breathwork, shadow work and doing the inner work 35:29 — Loneliness in crowds — the silent epidemic 36:06 — Emotional affairs and the real cost of disconnection in relationships 38:18 — Co-parenting done right: why the boys always came first 42:11 — His sisters, the family tribe, and the Irish mammy way 47:02 — Being best man for his brother — what it meant more than words could say 48:39 — The ripple effect: 10 trainers who started with Keith 50:50 — Mindset over body: why physical change starts in the head 55:43 — What he'd say to a daughter today — body image, safety & the world young women face 57:31 — What he'd say to young men — be your true self, do the work 59:15 — The manosphere, online influence, and guiding kids through it 01:01:20 — His son Joshua and not following the crowd 01:02:46 — Steroids, unrealistic fitness expectations, and the truth about body transformations 01:03:51 — The one song that's always kept him going (AC/DC — Thunderstruck) 01:04:30 — Reflections on turning 50 and how profoundly life has changed 01:05:15 — A heartfelt sign-off between old friends

How's Your Ma: Episode 5

In this deeply moving episode, Leanne and Orla are joined in the studio by Anita — a 57-year-old mother of five, grandmother of six, and domestic violence support worker who reached out to share her extraordinary story. Growing up as the eldest of five in a home marked by domestic abuse, neglect, and emotional trauma, Anita became a little mother at nine years old and carried the weight of her family long before she had a family of her own. From teenage pregnancies and a difficult marriage to raising five children alone without electricity, to eventually building a career, getting her honours degree, and dedicating her life to supporting women fleeing abuse — Anita's story is one of raw honesty, hard-won resilience, and the profound power of even one good person showing up for you. This one will stay with you. Timecodes: 00:00 — Welcome & introducing guest Anita 00:49 — What this episode is about: how our experiences shape the relationships we carry forward 01:04 — Anita introduces herself: 57, five kids, six grandkids, works in domestic violence services 01:45 — Single parenthood, defying expectations & raising five professionals 02:19 — Running a preschool for 20 years, going to college, and earning her honours degree 03:07 — Losing her business during Covid & reinventing herself in domestic violence work 03:12 — What Anita's day-to-day work looks like: crisis support, refuge, housing & education 04:45 — Going back to the beginning: growing up in a traumatic home environment 05:03 — "If I'm ever a mammy, I'll never do this to my little girl" — Anita's earliest memory 05:13 — Domestic abuse and child abuse in the home — physical and emotional 05:50 — Anita as the eldest child: neglect began at nine when her mother returned to work full time 06:28 — Left at home with her father — a heavy drinker with his own history of trauma 07:40 — Money, food, and cigarette butts in the stew — the reality of growing up in that house 09:17 — Did her parents love her? Understanding her father's violence through his own childhood 09:49 — Her mother: idolised as a child, emotionally unavailable as a parent 10:44 — The middle child favourite & what Anita came to understand about her mother 12:23 — Nine years old, cooking dinners and running the washing machine 22:33 — Leaving home at 17 — and what life had been like until then 23:06 — Different outcomes for different siblings & the ACEs framework explained 24:15 — Repeating the cycle: ending up in a difficult marriage, just like home 25:10 — Bringing her mum to her college graduation — and the response she got 25:52 — Proudest moment: four of them sitting around the table doing their studies together 26:58 — Teenage pregnancy: finding out at five months, being given three days to leave home 32:19 — The neighbour who took her in and loaned her the deposit — "you only need one good person" 34:18 — The night her first baby was born — ringing her mother from the hospital 40:49 — Christmas Day and the cycle of violence at home — "we dreaded Christmas" 42:18 — Married, alone, no electricity for nine months — cooking on the fire for her kids 43:49 — He came back, they married — and she knew walking down the aisle it was wrong 44:46 — Moving the family to escape heroin hitting their area 45:14 — Discovering her husband was taking drugs; going missing for days 46:11 — Having baby number five and being sterilised — a friend's husband signed the papers 46:53 — The women who shaped her life at different stages 47:45 — Moving back to Dublin, starting over — first day at work and the fire incident that became the final catalyst 48:59 — Her mother's emotional unavailability — physically present, emotionally gone 50:17 — Getting a job on a CE scheme, moving up quickly to manager, starting to bloom 52:25 — "I can see you're getting strong" — her eldest daughter at 18 53:48 — Her mother's relationship with the grandkids — hilarious but harmful 55:19 — Song of her life: Be a Clown — singing in the beds with her brothers and sisters to drown it all out 56:30 — Wrapping up: what Anita gives back every day to the women she supports 57:14 — "You are an absolute queen. You are an absolute survivor."

How's Your Ma: Episode 4

Orla and Leanne are back for a heartfelt and hilarious reflection episode. They check in on the anonymous listener who bravely shared her story, share the beautiful message she sent back, and dig into the theme of feeling like you're "betraying" your mam by telling your story. From there, the girls get wonderfully side-tracked — covering generational gaps, social media anxiety, dopamine hits from our phones, soup disasters, family finances, and the son-in-law who arrived during Covid and never left. Real talk, big laughs, and a lot of love. * 00:00 Welcome back & a thank you to the anonymous listener * 01:30 She sent a message: "It's nice to know I'm not alone" * 02:50 The fear of betraying your mam by telling your story * 04:25 Everyone remembers the same story differently * 06:08 "How's your ma?" — what that question means for people without a mam * 07:16 Becoming your mother without realising it * 08:45 The generational gap: what mams knew that we didn't * 09:19 Feeling like an alien around younger people * 11:33 Reflecting on Katie and John's story * 13:44 We need to talk slower (but we won't) * 14:06 TikTok struggles & CapCut chaos * 15:17 Orla can bake, but she cannot make soup * 16:37 Social media, Instagram, and keeping up * 18:28 Phone anxiety and anxious attachment in the mid-20s * 19:13 Dopamine Nation & how we communicate now * 21:10 Voice notes, blue ticks, and the pressure of instant replies * 23:34 How Orla "manages" Ed's bank account (financial chaos) * 25:24 "You're not just marrying Orla, you're marrying me" — mams and marriages * 26:43 Orla's brilliant relationship with her son-in-law * 29:11 He's showing your girls what a good man looks like * 30:40 Wrapping up: stories, reflections, and gratitude for each other * 34:33 Next episode teaser: a guest is coming in!

How's Your Ma: Episode 3

Leanne and Orla are joined by Katie for a heartfelt and honest conversation about friendship, motherhood, love, and loss. What starts as a light introduction quickly unfolds into a deeper chat about women’s connections, navigating life’s challenges, and the realities behind the conversations we don’t always have out loud. Katie shares her personal experiences with warmth and openness, offering insight into relationships, resilience, and what it really means to support each other through different stages of life. This episode is full of laughs, honesty, and moments that will resonate with anyone who’s ever leaned on friendship to get through the tough times. ⏱️ Timecodes 00:00 – 01:30 Introductions – Orla & Leanne welcome Katie and chat about how they met 01:30 – 03:30 First impressions, friendships, and settling into the conversation 03:30 – 06:00 Katie’s background and early life discussion 06:00 – 10:00 Relationships, marriage, and building connections 10:00 – 15:00 Conversations around having children and expectations 15:00 – 22:00 Deeper discussion on motherhood and personal experiences 22:00 – 30:00 Love, loss, and emotional challenges 30:00 – 40:00 Support systems, friendships, and coping mechanisms 40:00 – 50:00 Real talk: struggles, resilience, and honesty 50:00 – 60:00 Reflections, advice, and lessons learned 60:00 – End Closing thoughts, final chats, and wrap-up