In this week s episode, we re talking about matrescence. That s the word used to describe the physical, emotional, hormonal and social transition to becoming a mother. Everyone understands that adolescence is an awkward phase, but during matrescence mothers are expected to be deliriously happy, while simultaneously losing control over the way they look and feel.
With Mother’s Day this weekend, we thought it would be the perfect time to find out more about this transformative time in many women’s lives. Layla O’Mara, a post partum doula, acupuncturist and mum of three, and Caroline Foran, the author of 3 bestselling books on the topics of anxiety, confidence and vulnerability, talk to Róisín about what the matrescence is and why it deserves more attention.
Produced by Jennifer Ryan and Suzanne Brennan
Marian Keyes talks to Róisín about her latest ‘selling-like-hotcakes’ book, ‘Again, Rachel’, the sequel to her much-loved novel Rachel’s Holiday, which was published 25 years ago.
For the day that’s in it, they also talk about what it means to be an Irish woman in 2022 and Marian tells us why she’s inspired by younger Irish women and their determination not to take any bulls t.
On Tuesday evening, The Women’s Podcast gathered together a group of women to take part in The Change , a special storytelling evening to mark International Women’s Day 2022. Hosted on Zoom by Róisín Ingle and Kathy Sheridan, our guests told their personal tales of transformation. The panel included Irish Times contributor and author Hilary Fannin, Miss Ireland Pamela Uba, activist Lavinia Kerwick, actor Philippa Dunne, journalist Brianna Parkins, recently arrived Ukrainian political researcher Angelika Sharygina and transition year students Maebh Jevens and Anita Sibi. In this episode you’ll hear a selection of those stories, but you can watch the entire event back on https://www.facebook.com/ITWomensPodcast
But first, Róisín is joined again by activist and human rights worker Nadia Dobrianska, who has crossed the border into Poland and will be travelling on to Ireland later this week. She tells Róisín Ingle about a very
Kyiv native Nadia Dobrianska fled her hometown early last Thursday morning, as Russia launched their first attacks on Ukraine. The human rights worker and lawyer is now in hiding with her family in the Ukrainian countryside, a few hours outside the city. In this episode, Dobrianska describes life in a time of war. She tells Róisín Ingle why she decided to evacuate immediately, how the family have prepared for the worst, and the outlook for the days ahead.
In the first book club episode of 2022, Bernice Harrison, Niamh Towey, Róisín and Ann Ingle are discussing The Herd by Emily Edwards. The Herd tells the story of a parent grappling with the decision whether or not to vaccinate their child, but it’s also an exploration of the trials and tribulations of modern motherhood. So what did our book clubbers make of this very topical story and would they recommend the book?
Our next pick is Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus and we ll be discussing it at the end of April.