The Women's Podcast

The Irish Times

The Women's Podcast, hosted by Róisín Ingle & Kathy Sheridan. Producers: Róisín Ingle and Suzanne Brennan. By women, for everyone. Produced in association with Kildare Village. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Fact to fiction: Jen Bray and Tanya Sweeney on becoming novelists

    For journalists Tanya Sweeney and Jen Bray, 2026 has been a very exciting year so far. In January, Sweeney published her debut novel, Esther is Now Following You, while Bray published her debut crime thriller, The Lies Between Us in February. Since then it’s been a whirlwind of publicity for the pair, who are still working as busy journalists in two separate Irish newspapers.. In today’s episode, the two ambitious women join Roisin Ingle to talk about their move from reporting on facts to writing fiction. They talk about the road to publication, what inspired their two very different stories and what they’ve learned about themselves along the way. We also hear about three of Bray's novels that never saw the light of day and how Sweeney found the time to write between multiple house moves and becoming a mother. But first podcast host Róisín Ingle brings us some stories of the week including Jessie Buckley's historic Oscar win and concerning news about the rise of "creepshots" being taken of women on nights out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 3m

  2. 12 MAR

    Joanne McNally on midlife, monogamy and making history at the 3Arena

    In today’s episode, Róisín Ingle is joined by the brilliant Joanne McNally. The comedian and podcaster dropped by the studio to talk about her newly announced date at Dublin’s 3Arena and how she’s made history as the first ever Irish female comedian to headline two shows at the venue. In this hilarious and wide-ranging conversation, McNally also talks about living with fame, why she’s taken a sabbatical from dating and about her desire to become a mother.  But first Irish Times opinion editor is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including a shocking report about the state of Ireland’s only female prison, plus a powerful piece in the New York Times by Daryl Hannah. Tickets to Pinotphile at the 3Arena go on sale on Friday morning at 11am. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 24m

  3. 5 MAR

    The digital war on women (and how to fight back)

    This Sunday 8th March is International Women’s Day and to mark the occasion, The Women’s Podcast hosted a live podcast recording at Chapters Bookstore in Dublin this week. On the night, Róisín Ingle was joined by DCU Professor Debbie Ging, human rights lawyer Caoilfhionn Gallagher and 5th year student Orla Hanratty to discuss how bias against women and girls has been built into the technologies shaping our world and crucially, what can be done about it. From deepfakes and nudification tools to AI girlfriends, the panel identified all the ways in which misogyny has been baked into evolving technology. They explored the ways to tackle the issue, the progress being made and shared practical ways to build safer, fairer online platforms. Singer Róisín O also joined us on the night to perform her new single Magic. Written as a tribute to her mother Mary Black, it’s out this Friday 6th March. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 8m

  4. 1 MAR

    The Book Club: Heart the Lover by Lily King

    This month on The Women’s Podcast Book Club, Bernice Harrison, Niamh Towey, Róisín Ingle, and Ann Ingle are discussing Heart the Lover by American author Lily King.  The story follows ‘Jordan’, a bright, ambitious college student who finds herself caught up in a complicated love triangle, with best friends and fellow students Sam and Yash.  Decades later, Jordan is living the life she dreamed of, and the vulnerable days of her youth seem comfortably behind her. But when a surprise visit and unexpected news brings the past crashing into the present, Jordan returns to a world she left behind and is forced to confront the decisions and deceptions of her younger self. The next book club pick is A Beautiful Loan by Mary Costello.  The group will be discussing it in April.  Lily King writing about the teenage love that "changed her life" in Vogue: https://www.vogue.com/article/lily-king-teenage-love-essay Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    23 min

  5. 26 FEB

    Is Wuthering Heights any good? / The Irish Times Debate

    This week, the grand final of the Irish Times Debate will take place in Dublin, where teams will debate the motion: This house believes the United Nations has had its day. The debating competition was founded in 1960 and counts many distinguished alumni among the ranks of its participants and winners, including comedian Dara O’Briain and the late broadcaster Marian Finucane. In today’s episode, Róisín Ingle is joined by this year’s debate convenor and former winner Ciara McLoughlinn, plus Clíodhna McHugh, who won the individual speaker prize in 2024. Both work in the legal profession and say this debating experience was crucial in building their confidence and public speaking skills, before leaving university.  But first Irish Times features writer Nadine O’Regan is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including Katie Taylor’s retirement announcement, the latest in the disappearance of US pensioner Nancy Guthrie and the backlash that followed a proposal to reduce the number of special needs assistants (SNAs) in Irish schools. She also shares her thoughts on the new Wuthering Heights movie, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    53 min

  6. 19 FEB

    U2’s new feminist EP / Inside America’s Next Top Model

    When America’s Next Top Model arrived on our screens in 2003, it was an instant hit with viewers around the world. The reality TV competition, hosted by supermodel Tyra Banks, saw young aspiring models compete for the chance to win a lucrative modelling contract. Although the show ended almost a decade ago, it’s back on our screens in Netflix’s new documentary series, Inside America’s Next Top Model. The three-part show revisits the modelling competitions' most shocking moments and includes interviews with former contestants and judges that paint a picture of a toxic and harmful filming environment. In today’s episode, Irish Times contributor Rachel O’Dwyer and model and actress Amber Jean Rowan join Róisín Ingle to share their thoughts on the show and how the young women who took part were treated. Rowan also discusses her experience on The Model Agent, an Irish reality show which she took part in at just 15 years old.   But first Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including the newly released EP by U2, the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and the ongoing search in Co Wicklow for missing Irish women JoJo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 11m

  7. 12 FEB

    The Epstein files / Grieving an estranged parent

    In today’s episode, we’re covering a topic that isn’t often spoken about, but is estimated to affect around one in four families: family estrangement. It’s a subject that writer and Irish Times contributor Laura Kennedy wrote about recently in her Substack, detailing the complicated grief she experienced following the death of her father late last year - a man she hadn’t seen in over a decade. In today’s episode, Kennedy joins Róisín Ingle to reflect on the strange, unsettling reality of losing a parent whose death changes almost nothing in her daily life. You can find her piece on family estrangement on Substack here https://lkennedy.substack.com/ But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including France’s ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ moment and a revealing confession made by an Olympic athlete at the winter games this week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47 min

  8. 5 FEB

    Is Lucy Letby innocent? / The challenges facing lone migrant parents

    Last month, Action Aid Ireland published a new report highlighting the challenges that lone migrant parents, mainly women, experience when they leave state accommodation. Many face discrimination, unaffordable rents and inadequate supports, leaving them effectively trapped between direct provision and homelessness. In today’s episode, Deborah Oniah and Owodunni Mustapha (Ola) - two Nigerian women who have made the move from direct provision into secure housing - share their experience of finding accommodation as single parents in the middle of a housing crisis. We also hear from Karol Balfe, CEO of ActionAid Ireland, who explains what recommendations have come from the report and why for lone migrant parents, the barriers to securing housing are often multiplied.  But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including the latest tranche of Epstein files released last Friday and a new Netflix documentary which questions the guilt of the UK’s “most prolific child killer” Lucy Letby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 16m
See All (583)

Hosts & Guests

4.5
out of 5
363 Ratings

About

The Women's Podcast, hosted by Róisín Ingle & Kathy Sheridan. Producers: Róisín Ingle and Suzanne Brennan. By women, for everyone. Produced in association with Kildare Village. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

More From The Irish Times

You Might Also Like