Healing Gals Podcast

This week I'm joined by accredited psychotherapist and co-author of the international bestselling book You're Not the Problem, Katie McKenna, to explore the concept of the wounded healer.
This conversation is particularly personal for me. I worked in mainstream residential care for 12 years and identify as with this role. Looking back, I can see how some of my own childhood experiences and unmet needs influenced the way I showed up in caring roles.
Katie and I explore the kinds of childhood experiences that can lead someone towards caring professions such as social care, social work, nursing and psychotherapy, and how we can become so attuned to other people's needs that we lose touch with our own.
We talk about the "empath", growing up with a narcissistic parent, identifying our own needs, the difference between helping and rescuing, and what happens when being needed becomes part of our identity.
We also discuss the nervous system and Katie's quiz, available on her website, which can help you identify your number and understand more about how your nervous system is functioning.
Find Katie & take the quiz:
www.katiemckenna.ie
• The wounded healer
• Childhood and caring professions
• Unmet needs and adult careers
• Social care, social work and nursing
• The "empath"
• Narcissistic parents
• Identifying our own needs
• Helping vs rescuing
• The nervous system
• Being needed as an identity
• Molly's 12 years in residential care
• Evolving away from that role of the wounded healer
• Learning to care without abandoning yourself.
Season 6 of the Healing Gals Podcast is proudly sponsored byDARA Mats — luxury yoga mats designed to support your wellness journey both onand off the mat. You can explore the full collection at ⁠www.daramats.com⁠and follow along on Instagram at @daramats for wellness inspiration, newlaunches, and more. There’s also a special discount code exclusively forHealing Gals listeners shared in every episode.
Healing Gals Podcast is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, therapy or mental health support.
If this episode brings up anything difficult for you, please reach out to a qualified healthcare professional or trusted support service.
Remember, you are good enough exactly as you are. 💛

This week is Part 2 of my conversation with The Mindful Physio, Caoimhe Gibney.
In Part 1, we explored the science of intergenerational trauma and epigenetics. This week, we turn our attention to the stories passed down through generations that shape what women believe about themselves, relationships, motherhood, ageing and belonging.
Together we discuss inherited beliefs about womanhood, honouring older women, calling people in instead of calling them out, the Maiden, Mother and Crone archetypes, embodiment as resistance, weight gain, healthy masculinity, lessons from nature and much more.
Season 6 of the Healing Gals Podcast is proudly sponsored by DARA Mats. Visit www.daramats.com to explore their luxury yoga mats and don't forget the exclusive listener discount shared at the end of Episode 1.
Healing Gals Podcast is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, therapy or mental health support.
If this episode brings up anything difficult for you, please reach out to a qualified healthcare professional or trusted support service.
Ireland Support Services
• Samaritans – 116 123
• Pieta – 1800 247 247 or text HELP to 51444
• Text About It – Text HELLO to 50808
• HSE Mental Health Services
Remember, you are good enough exactly as you are.

Can trauma be inherited?
In this episode of the Healing Gals Podcast, Molly sits down with somatic specialist physiotherapist Caoimhe Gibney to explore how intergenerational trauma shapes our bodies, relationships and everyday lives—and how we can begin to heal.
Together they discuss what somatics really is, why our nervous systems hold onto stress long after danger has passed, and why so many women struggle with over-giving, people pleasing, asking for help and setting boundaries.
Molly also reflects on the legacy of Ireland's Mother and Baby Homes, including Bessborough and Tuam, and the profound impact these institutions continue to have on generations of Irish women.
Topics include:
• Intergenerational trauma
• Somatics
• Trauma stored in the body
• Nervous system regulation
• Healthy anger
• Boundaries
• Women's resilience
• Being judged
• Breaking generational cycles
• Caoimhe's journey into somatic healing
At the end of the episode Molly recommends the RTÉ documentaries Missing Children and Testimony for anyone wishing to understand more about Ireland's institutional trauma and its lasting impact.
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a rating and share it with someone who would benefit from the conversation.

Season 6 of the Healing Gals Podcast is proudly sponsored byDARA Mats — luxury yoga mats designed to support your wellness journey both onand off the mat. You can explore the full collection at ⁠www.daramats.com⁠and follow along on Instagram at @daramats for wellness inspiration, newlaunches, and more. There’s also a special discount code exclusively forHealing Gals listeners shared at the end of Episode 1.
Healing Gals Podcast is intended for entertainment andinformational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medicaladvice, diagnosis, therapy, or mental health support. If this episode brings upanything difficult for you, please reach out to a qualified healthcareprofessional or trusted support service.
Ireland Support Services: • Samaritans – Call 116 123 (24/7support) • Pieta – Call 1800 247 247 or text HELP to 51444 • Text About It –Free text HELLO to 50808 • HSE Mental Health Supports: ⁠HSEMental Health Services⁠
Remember, you are good enough exactly as you are.

Award-winning Irish comedian Sophia Wren joins Molly for a funny, honest and heartwarming conversation about life on and off the stage.
From winning Show Me The Funny within two years of starting stand-up to becoming a finalist in So You Think You're Funny?, Sophia shares how she found comedy, the challenges of being a woman in the industry, dealing with hecklers, and why therapy and living according to your values have shaped both her career and her life.
The conversation also explores motherhood, postnatal depression, protecting your children's privacy while using personal stories in your work, and the lessons Sophia wishes she'd learned sooner. Naturally, there's plenty of laughter along the way, finishing with some fun quick-fire questions.
• How Molly and Sophia met
• Getting started in stand-up comedy
• Female comedians and misogyny
• Therapy and personal growth
• Values-based decision making
• Handling hecklers
• Comedy audience etiquette
• Young motherhood
• Postnatal depression
• Margot's Got Money Problems
• Sharing personal stories while respecting family privacy
• Advice for aspiring female comedians
• Quick-fire questions
🎟️ Sophia's new stand-up show, The Luckiest Girl in the World, is on sale now.
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a rating and share it with a friend—it really helps more people discover the show.
Season 6 of the Healing Gals Podcast is proudly sponsored byDARA Mats — luxury yoga mats designed to support your wellness journey both onand off the mat. You can explore the full collection at ⁠www.daramats.com⁠and follow along on Instagram at @daramats for wellness inspiration, newlaunches, and more. There’s also a special discount code exclusively forHealing Gals listeners shared at the end of Episode 1.
Healing Gals Podcast is intended for entertainment andinformational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medicaladvice, diagnosis, therapy, or mental health support. If this episode brings upanything difficult for you, please reach out to a qualified healthcareprofessional or trusted support service.
Ireland Support Services: • Samaritans – Call 116 123 (24/7support) • Pieta – Call 1800 247 247 or text HELP to 51444 • Text About It –Free text HELLO to 50808 • HSE Mental Health Supports: ⁠HSEMental Health Services⁠
Remember, you are good enough exactly as you are.

Part two of Molly's conversation with psychotherapist, sociology lecturer and accidental activist Karen Sugrue explores one question that affects thousands of women every year: What happens when women complain?
Karen shares the research behind When Women Complain, a University of Limerick project investigating workplace misogyny, sexism, harassment and the way complaints procedures often retraumatise the very people they're meant to protect.
Together, Molly and Karen discuss why speaking up can come at such a personal cost, how patriarchy continues to shape workplaces, and why making complaints is one of the most important forms of activism available to women.
In this episode we discuss:
The When Women Complain research project
Workplace misogyny, sexism and harassment
Bullying and toxic workplace cultures
How complaints procedures can become another form of abuse
The impact of workplace discrimination on women's health
Why women experience higher levels of retaliation after speaking up
The Women of Honour movement
How patriarchy divides women
The role of activism in creating change
Beauty standards and rejecting impossible expectations
Books and ideas from Sarah Ahmed and Caitlin Moran
Karen's message is simple:
"Make more complaints."
If you have experience you'd like to contribute to the research, you can contact Karen at:
📧 whenwomencomplain@gmail.com
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a rating and share it with someone who needs to hear it.
Season 6 of the Healing Gals Podcast is proudly sponsored byDARA Mats — luxury yoga mats designed to support your wellness journey both onand off the mat. You can explore the full collection at ⁠⁠www.daramats.com⁠⁠and follow along on Instagram at @daramats for wellness inspiration, newlaunches, and more. There’s also a special discount code exclusively forHealing Gals listeners shared at the end of Episode 1.
Healing Gals Podcast is intended for entertainment andinformational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medicaladvice, diagnosis, therapy, or mental health support. If this episode brings upanything difficult for you, please reach out to a qualified healthcareprofessional or trusted support service.
Ireland Support Services: • Samaritans – Call 116 123 (24/7support) • Pieta – Call 1800 247 247 or text HELP to 51444 • Text About It –Free text HELLO to 50808 • HSE Mental Health Supports: ⁠⁠HSEMental Health Services⁠⁠
Remember, you are good enough exactly as you are.