IMAGE The Check-in

In 1961, Finola Cassidy's mother was prescribed a new "wonder drug" for morning sickness. It contained thalidomide, which caused miscarriages and severe birth defects in babies around the world.
Weeks after Finola was born, it was withdrawn worldwide. In Ireland, no public warning was issued and the drug remained on shelves for years.
Sixty-five years on, in a moving conversation, Finola talks to Leonie Corcoran about growing up with a disability in 1960s Ireland, the 27 hospital stays of her childhood, the silent burden carried by the mothers who took thalidomide and the lesson in resilience her father gave her.
As spokesperson for the Irish Thalidomide Association, she also shares why Ireland's survivors are still waiting for a State apology and what she told a young mother she met by chance on a boat.
**This episode includes discussion of miscarriage and baby loss.

IMAGE The Check-in is empowered by Boots and in partnership with Samsung.

Hosted by Leonie Corcoran. Recorded in Living Room Dublin.

Longevity is much more than a trend - it is about optimising your health at every stage of life.

Recorded live at the recent IMAGE Women's Health Clinic event, this special episode features consultant dermatologist Professor Caitriona Ryan as she breaks down the exact science, nutrition, data tech, and daily lifestyle habits needed to live your best life at every age.

Key Takeaways:
Nurture vs. Nature: How genetics interact directly with your lifestyle habits.
Wearable Tech: Using health data to our advantage
Nutritional Optimisation: The key nutrients for evergreen health
Medical Evolution: The place for modern science in healthy aging.
Actionable Solutions: Best health protocols for every age

Professor Caitriona Ryan is a consultant dermatologist, co-founder of The Institute of Dermatologists, and co-founder of the soon-to-launch ID Formulas supplement range.

*Subscribe to IMAGE The Check-In on Apple Podcasts or Spotify*

IMAGE The Check-in is part of the IMAGE Women’s Health Clinic; proudly empowered by Boots and sponsored by Samsung and Waterstone Clinic.

In this episode of IMAGE The Check-in, recorded live at the IMAGE Women’s Health Clinic event at The Conrad Hotel, we unpack the ultimate blueprint to female longevity and optimum health. 
Host Melanie Morris sits down with three of Ireland’s leading health professionals – consultant dermatologist Professor Caitriona Ryan, preventive cardiologist Dr. Paddy Barrett, and performance coach John Belton—to discuss how lifestyle, medicine, and technology intersect to help you thrive into old age.
Key Takeaways:
Lifespan vs. Healthspan: The difference between living long and living well.

Biohacking vs. Reality: Separating toxic wellness fads from real, evidence-based habits.

Inflammation: Why it is the ultimate enemy of the body and how to manage it.

Smart Movement: Finding the right exercise routine for your specific life stage.

"Cowboy Country": How to spot and avoid unverified, over-hyped health trends.

Soul Span: Bringing deep meaning, purpose, and balance to physical wellness.

This is your blueprint to a great future.
Subscribe to IMAGE The Check-in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
IMAGE The Check-in is part of the IMAGE Women’s Health Clinic, proudly empowered by Boots, and sponsored by Samsung and Waterstone Clinic.

In the second half of our deep-dive conversation with medical doctor and neuroscientist Dr Michael Keane, we shift our focus inward. 
Dr Keane returns to show us how to master our mindset by making small, powerful adjustments to our daily routines and internal habits.
If you are ready to quieten a loud inner critic, overcome the secret fear of being exposed, and build a morning routine that actually sets you up for a fulfilling day, this is exactly what you need to hear.
Key Topics Covered
Tackling Anxiety: Practical, science-backed tools to calm your nervous system.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Breaking free from the self-doubt trap at work and in life.

Managing Self-Talk: How to stop negative inner dialogue and rewrite your narrative.

Improving Relationships: Using basic brain science to better connect with those around you.

Set for Success: How to build a genuinely effective start to your morning.

IMAGE The Check-in is part of the IMAGE Women’s Health Clinic and proudly empowered by Boots and sponsored by Samsung and Waterstone Clinic. 

Find out more about Dr Michael Keane's groundbreaking brain-mapping work at the Actualise Clinic or connect with him via his Official Website.

In the first part of this special two-episode series, we check in with neuroscientist Dr Michael Keane, co-founder and Chief Science Officer at Evolve Neuro.

Dr Keane specialises in how the brain functions under pressure, using advanced brain-mapping techniques to make neuroscience practical for everyday life. He’s worked with business leaders, elite athletes and people who want a bigger, better, happier life.

Dr Keane speaks with IMAGE contributing editor Melanie Morris about the daily habits, environmental factors, and brain chemistry quirks that shape how we feel, sleep, and function. If you want to stop feeling ruled by your mind and start working with it, this episode is your manual for change.
Key Topics Covered
Female Brain Chemistry: How your unique chemistry rules both body and mind.

Breaking the Doom-Scroll: Real work-arounds to stop the infinite scroll habit.

Attainable Sleep: The science behind making restorative sleep easy to achieve.

Beating Burnout: Recognizing the signs and protecting your mental health.

IMAGE The Check-in is part of the IMAGE Women’s Health Clinic and proudly empowered by Boots and sponsored by Samsung and Waterstone Clinic. 

Find out more about Dr Michael Keane's groundbreaking brain-mapping work at the Actualise Clinic or connect with him via his Official Website.