Ready To Be Real by Síle Seoige

In this weeks Real Take from my conversation with musician, performer and storyteller Aindrias de Staic...he talks about the ancient Irish bardic storytelling tradition and why play is so good for our mental health.

If you enjoyed this conversation, I'd really encourage you to listen to the full episode, where Aindrias speaks openly about his childhood, his relationship with his father, addiction and recovery, receiving an ADHD diagnosis later in life, reconnecting with nature and finding his way back to himself.

Find Aindrias
Website: https://www.aindrias.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smalltownseanchai

By the Light of the Silvery Moon tours Ireland from August.
For tour dates and tickets, visit Aindrias' website or reach out to him on Instagram.

If you're enjoying Ready to be Real, I'd be so grateful if you'd follow the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share it with someone who might enjoy it too...it really helps the podcast reach more people.
Go raibh míle!
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Topics covered : ADHD, addiction, recovery, nature, bardic storytelling, performing.

My guest this week is musician, performer and storyteller Aindrias de Staic, who many of you will know online as 'Smalltown Seanchaí'.

The son of the late writer and folklorist Eddie Stack, Aindrias grew up immersed in stories. But this conversation isn't simply about where he comes from, it's about the life he's lived.

We talk about his childhood, his parents' separation, his struggles with alcohol and addiction, and what it has taken to reach 20 years of sobriety. He speaks openly about receiving an ADHD diagnosis later in life, his mental health, and how gardening, growing his own food and reconnecting with nature have become central to his wellbeing.
And along the way, we explore the ancient Irish bardic storytelling tradition, the importance of play, creativity and finding flow.

Please note: This episode contains personal experiences and opinions relating to ADHD, mental health, addiction and recovery. Any discussion around medication, herbs or other approaches reflects Aindrias' personal experience and should not be taken as medical advice.

To connect with Aindrias :
Aindrias de Staic | Ireland's Musical Storyteller
And on Instagram :
Aindrias de Staic (@smalltownseanchai) • Instagram photos and videos

Support :
If anything discussed in this episode has affected you, or if you're struggling with your mental health or addiction, support is available.

Ireland

• Samaritans – Call 116 123 (free, 24 hours a day) or visit www.samaritans.ie
• Pieta – Call 1800 247 247, text HELP to 51444, or visit www.pieta.ie
• Alcoholics Anonymous Ireland – www.alcoholicsanonymous.ie
• HSE Mental Health Services – www.yourmentalhealth.ie
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In this week's Real Take, Tara Rafter reflects on her mother's final days living with COPD​ and the heartbreak of saying goodbye to the woman who had been her anchor throughout life.

​If this excerpt resonates with you, I highly recommend listening to the full episode:
Tara Rafter: Hypervigilance to Healing

​Growing up in a home impacted by alcoholism and domestic violence, she learned from a young age how to navigate uncertainty. Despite the difficulties her family faced, she speaks with remarkable compassion about both of her parents, who died far too young.
A​nd alongside her personal story, Tara brings the perspective of a Master Neuro Linguistic Programming Practitioner and Executive Coach.

Listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts.
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​Topics covered include:​ Alcoholism​, domestic violence​, hypervigilance​, compassion​, motherhood​, self-abandonment​, being a carer​, death and loss​, grief​, faith​, spirituality​, forgiveness​, love​, safety​, self-worth​, self-sabotage​, overwhelm​, healing​.

This week I'm joined by Master Neuro Linguistic Programming Practitioner, Executive Coach and founder of The Navigation Coach, Tara Rafter.

Tara lives in Mayo with her husband Kevin and their son Kai.

In this deeply honest conversation, Tara shares the story of her childhood growing up in a home impacted by alcoholism and domestic violence. She speaks candidly about the hypervigilance she developed from a young age, the lasting impact those experiences had on her life, and the remarkable compassion she holds for her father despite the challenges her family faced.

Tara's story is one of resilience, but also of love, forgiveness and understanding. She reflects on her relationship with both of her parents, who died far too young. Her father passed away at the age of 58, while her beloved mother​, who was her anchor throughout life​, lived with COPD for several years before she died.

We also explore motherhood, self-abandonment, self-worth, self-sabotage, overwhelm​ and what it means to truly feel safe in yourself.

Alongside the more difficult chapters, this conversation is full of warmth and humour. Tara talks about her love of music​ and heading off to gigs on her own, her deep faith and the practices that have helped her navigate life's challenges.

You can connect with Tara here:
Website: thenavigationcoach.com
Email: tara@thenavigationcoach.com
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Topics covered : Multiple sclerosis, childfree by choice, travel, freedom, simple living.

This week, I sit down with author Susan Bennett to chat about her memoir, One Year.
Susan and her husband Chris live in Antrim.
After both receiving a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis just three days apart, they made a decision that would change the course of their lives.
Years later, they packed up their much loved campervan, fondly known as Hans, and set off on an unforgettable journey through 17 countries across Europe.
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