The Rise Up Podcast

In this unfiltered conversation with Cindy Gallop, we dive into the art of being unapologetically yourself - in life, work, sex, and love. Cindy opens up about personal branding rooted in radical honesty, the power of living by your own values, and why caring less about what others think is a pathway to freedom. We explore the joy of being single, her philosophy on dating younger men, and her wish to broaden the meaning of love. Cindy also pulls back the curtain on building MakeLoveNotPorn, the world’s first real-world, user-generated sex platform, and explains why the future of sex tech matters for connection, education, and destigmatisation.  A masterclass in confidence, courage, and rewriting the rules.

In this episode, Susan sits down with Lucy O’Keeffe, Co-Founder and CEO of CroíValve - a medtech company developing next-generation solutions for tricuspid valve disease.Lucy shares her founder journey and origin story: how she met her co-founders, why she left her role in ICON to step into the unfamiliar world of startups, and what it was like to navigate that leap.She brings us through her fundraising journey, raising €50 million from a wide range of investors - what she learned, what surprised her, and her advice for other founders preparing to fundraise.We also explore the power of sponsorship, the importance of having people advocate for you, and how critical her board of advisors has been to CroíValve’s growth. Lucy opens up about her leadership philosophy, hiring great people, and how she works to show up with presence and authenticity.A must-listen for founders, future fundraisers, and anyone navigating leadership in the startup world.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Sabina Brennan - leading neuroscientist, psychologist, and brain health expert, for a fascinating conversation about how to keep your brain thriving.Sabina shares her inspiring personal journey, from going back to college at 42 to study psychology and neuroscience, to becoming one of Ireland’s foremost voices in brain health. We explore how the brain functions, the science behind manifesting, and what drives human behavior and personality.We dive deep into the lifestyle factors that have a powerful impact on brain health — including exercise, diet, and sleep - and how simple, consistent habits can protect and even enhance brain function over time.  We also discuss risk factors to our brain and what to avoid if we want to keep a healthy brain for as long as possible. This episode is packed with science-based wisdom and practical advice to help you optimize your brain, unlock your potential, and live a healthier, more vibrant life.

In this episode, we sit down with Amy Neale, venture investor and champion of founders, to demystify the world of venture capital. Amy shares why she loves working with entrepreneurs so much and her own journey which led her to working in the investing and start up ecosystem. We talk about what makes a truly exceptional founder, the common mistakes to avoid when pitching, and how VC funds really work - including why they aren’t the right fit for every business. Amy also shares practical tips on raising capital, choosing the right investors, and crafting a powerful pitch deck. We explore the gender gap in funding, the need for more women in investing, and why now is such an exciting time to be building and investing in Ireland, especially with the rise of AI.  

In this episode, international bestselling author Cecelia Ahern opens up about her journey from growing up in Dublin to becoming one of the world’s most beloved storytellers. Cecelia shares how daydreaming and imagination shaped her childhood and sparked her passion for writing, leading to her debut novel PS, I Love You - a story that not only touched millions but completely changed the course of her life.She reflects on her whirlwind twenties, filled with travel, book tours, and writing more novels, and reveals her philosophy on life. From discipline and creativity, Cecelia gives a candid look at her writing process, her adventures in TV, and what she’s excited about next.