This week on IMAGE The Motherload, Dominique sits down with LGBTQI+ rights campaigner, speaker, CEO and proud mum-of-three, Ranae von Meding, for a powerful, moving, and deeply personal conversation.Nearly a decade on from Ireland’s Marriage Equality referendum, Ranae reflects on the wins, the gaps that still remain, and the emotional toll of raising a family that isn’t yet fully recognised under the law. They talk about the joys of queer motherhood, the realities of burnout, the vulnerability of advocacy, and the hope that drives her forward.With heart and honesty, Ranae reminds us that the most radical thing we can do is raise our voices… and our children… with love.IMAGE The Motherload is powered by Peugeot and sponsored by its4women, Avoca, Revive Active and Liffey Valley Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
--------
57:32
--------
57:32
Charlene Flanagan - Softness, success and burnout
Charlene Flanagan thought she had to do it all. She co-founded beauty brand Ella & Jo, raised two children and ran herself into burnout.In this episode of IMAGE The Motherload, Charlene joins Dominique McMullan to talk about surviving that season, her mental health struggles and how they led her to redefine everything.She shares why kindness and soundness are her business superpowers, how she’s building a workplace that supports mothers, and why success isn’t worth it if it costs you yourself.This conversation is a reminder that you’re allowed to build your life differently.IMAGE The Motherload is powered by Peugeot and sponsored by its4women, Avoca, Revive Active and Liffey Valley Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
--------
53:41
--------
53:41
Emma Doran - On humour, identity and the messy beauty of parenthood
Emma Doran became a mum at 18. At 30, she started a stand-up career. Now a mother of three and one of Ireland’s most loved comedic voices, she joins Dominique to talk about the journey in between.Emma talks about what it was like to become a mum at 18, to sit the Leaving Cert pregnant, and to raise three children while building a career as one of Ireland’s most loved comedic voices.Emma also opens up about using humour to reclaim her identity after years of putting her kids first, why maternal rage is so very real, and what she’s learned from parenting across two very different decades of her life.This episode is honest in a way you don’t often see with Emma, and of course it’s laugh-out-loud funny too. IMAGE The Motherload is powered by Peugeot and sponsored by its4women, Avoca, Revive Active and Liffey Valley Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
--------
1:10:35
--------
1:10:35
Ali Deasy - Multiples and the truth about mum guilt
What’s it really like raising triplets? Ali Deasy joins Dominique McMullan for an episode that’s as hilarious as it is heart-wrenching.Ali talks about the shock of a triplet pregnancy, the chaos of raising four kids, surviving potty training three at once, and why asking for help as a mother still feels *so* hard.This is a conversation about the beautiful mess of family life – and how to soften your inner critic when motherhood feels overwhelming.IMAGE The Motherload is powered by Peugeot and sponsored by its4women, Avoca, Revive Active and Liffey Valley Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
--------
55:47
--------
55:47
Dr Colman Noctor - Smartphones, Childhood and The Cost of Connection
In this episode, Dominique is joined by renowned psychotherapist Dr Colman Noctor to explore the impact of smartphones and technology on childhood, parenting and how we connect as humans.Together, they unpack the mental health trends of the past decade, the loss of offline play, and the subtle shifts happening in how our children (and we) are developing emotionally and socially. But this isn’t about guilt. It’s about awareness. From opportunity cost to dopamine traps, Colman gives us the tools to think critically, build resilience, and take back some control… without shame or scaremongering. IMAGE The Motherload is powered by Peugeot, and sponsored by Revive Active, its4women, Avoca, and Liffey Valley Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Motherload is a space where modern motherhood is explored with honesty, humor, and heart. Each week, join host Dominique McMullan as she invites inspiring mums you know and love, experts, and friends to share stories, laugh at the chaos, and dive into the real talk about working motherhood, and everything it entails. Because let's be real... we hold hands, hold meetings, and hold it together (sometimes brilliantly, sometimes barely) but we don't do it alone. The Motherload Podcast is your new village -- we’re here, to lighten the load.The IMAGE Motherload is powered by Peugeot and sponsored by its4women, Liffey Valley, and Avoca. Visit our Motherload Hub to follow weekly updates including interviews, events, videos and podcast episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ireland