The Laura Dowling Experience

🎧 Episode Description

This conversation with Ger Killian offers a thoughtful and honest look at what it really means to feed children in today’s world. As co-founder of The Lunch Bag, Ger has spent years navigating the realities of school meals - from supply chains and budgets to the emotional responses of parents and children alike.

What emerges is a story not just about food, but about trust. Trust from parents who want reassurance their child will eat. Trust from children learning to try new things. And trust in a system that is still evolving, trying to balance immediate needs with long-term impact.

This episode gently challenges assumptions, reminding us that meaningful change takes time. It invites us to think more deeply about how we support children - not just nutritionally, but emotionally and socially too.

🔑 Key Points

Why “safe foods” matter
Removing familiar foods like chicken goujons revealed how important predictable meals are for children, especially those under stress.

The complexity of feeding children at scale
Delivering meals involves logistics, cost pressures, regulations, and nutritional standards that most people never see.

The unintended consequences of a welfare model
Targeting meals at certain children can create stigma and affect how children engage with food in school.

The role of culture in what children eat
Historical and cultural influences shape how children respond to unfamiliar foods and new meals.

Parental instinct and food security
Parents often send extra lunches not out of distrust, but from a deep instinct to ensure their child is fed.

The importance of education around food
Without teaching children what they are eating, meals can feel unfamiliar and disengaging rather than supportive.

A long-term opportunity for change
School meals have the potential to improve not just nutrition, but equality, behaviour, and future outcomes.

📚 Mentioned in this Episode

The Lunch Bag
A leading Irish school meal provider delivering fresh, nutritionally balanced lunches to schools nationwide.
Website - https://www.thelunchbag.ie/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thelunchbag_/

Healthy Ireland Guidelines
National nutritional standards that define what a balanced school meal should include in terms of protein, vegetables, and overall health.

World Food Programme
A global organisation that highlights how access to school meals, particularly for girls, can improve education and long-term outcomes.

EU Child Guarantee
A European initiative focused on ensuring children have access to essential services, including nutritious food and education.

Ballymaloe
An Irish food producer and cookery school that supported the development of nutritious sauces for school meals.

Spice of Life (Cork)
A food supplier that helped create large-scale, nutritionally balanced sauces for school meal programmes.

Willowbrook (Belfast)
A supplier providing fresh fruit and vegetables used in school meals across Ireland.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction to Ger and The Lunch Bag
03:00 - Building a school meal service from scratch
07:00 - The rollout of free school meals
10:00 - Welfare vs progressive school meal models
13:00 - Why children disengage from meals over time
18:30 - How school meals are produced and delivered
27:00 - Food culture and food neophobia in Ireland
32:00 - The chicken goujon controversy
36:00 - Reformulating “safe foods” for children
40:00 - Nutrition, lentils, and hidden improvements
48:00 - Food waste and misunderstanding the system
54:00 - What needs to change moving forward
Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎧 Episode Description

This episode traces Dr Andy Hogan’s path into immunology, from a childhood curiosity to a career exploring how the immune system shapes our health. Growing up in a challenging environment, the Access Programme gave him a route into higher education - highlighting the impact of support and opportunity.

Alongside his story, Andy explains the immune system not just as a defence against illness, but as something deeply involved in everyday health. He explores how obesity, ageing, and chronic inflammation affect immune function, and how these links connect to conditions like diabetes, cancer, and infection.

There’s also reflection on COVID-19, vaccines, and the future of medicine - from why pandemics were expected to how immunity develops over time. It’s a conversation that blends scientific insight with real-world impact.

🔑 Key Points

A single opportunity can reshape a future
The Access Programme gave Andy a pathway into higher education.

A childhood moment led to a scientific career
Early curiosity about genetics sparked a lifelong interest in biology.

The immune system shapes everyday health
It regulates metabolism, tissue health, and overall balance - not just infection.

Obesity and immune ageing are linked
Obesity can accelerate immune decline and affect disease response.

COVID-19 exposed immune vulnerabilities
The pandemic showed how differently populations respond to new threats.

Medical research is opening new possibilities
Immunology is unlocking new treatments for complex diseases.

Vaccines protect communities, not just individuals
They play a key role in protecting the most vulnerable.

📚 Mentioned in this Episode

Access Programme – Supports students from underrepresented backgrounds into higher education.
Donal O’Shea – Endocrinologist focused on obesity and metabolic health.
Fiona Walsh – Researcher in antibiotic resistance and global health.
GLP-1 medications – Drugs that regulate appetite and blood sugar.
NK cells & macrophages – Immune cells that destroy threats and clear debris.
CAR-T therapy & CRISPR – Technologies advancing cancer treatment and gene editing.
HPV – Virus linked to several cancers; preventable through vaccination.
Spanish flu, SARS, MERS, H1N1 – Major outbreaks shaping our understanding of pandemics.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Andy’s work in immunology
01:30 – Obesity and immune health
02:30 – GLP-1 therapies
04:00 – Early life and biology
06:00 – Access Programme
10:30 – Finding immunology
14:30 – Immune system basics
18:30 – COVID-19 insights
21:00 – Age and immune response
24:00 – Vaccines
28:00 – Future of medicine
Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎧 Episode Description

Occupational therapist Martina Tierney joins the podcast to share how something as ordinary as a chair can profoundly shape a person’s health, independence and dignity.

After witnessing older people being sold expensive but inappropriate equipment, Martina set out to change the system. What followed was the creation of Seating Matters, a company grounded in clinical evidence, compassion and respect. In this conversation, she explains how posture affects breathing, swallowing, pressure injuries, cognition and even a person’s sense of self.

From the woman who could finally lift her head and make eye contact, to the man who believed he would die in bed until he was helped into a supportive chair and wheeled outside, this episode is a powerful reminder that dignity is often found in the smallest details.

🔑 Key Points

From Frustration to Innovation
Martina recognised that people were being sold expensive equipment without proper assessment, sparking the creation of Seating Matters.

The Woman Who Could Finally Lift Her Head
A properly fitted chair restored eye contact, safety and dignity to someone previously slumped and disengaged.

“I Thought I Was Going to Die in Bed”
A hospice patient’s simple wish to sit outside highlighted how seating can transform end of life experience.

The Psychological Power of Sitting Upright
Being out of bed shifts someone from passive patient to active participant in their own care.

Reframing Dementia Behaviours
What is labelled as aggression may be sensory disorientation. Understanding this changes how we respond.

Health Consequences We Overlook
Poor seating can contribute to pressure injuries, swallowing difficulties and recurrent urinary infections.

Equity in Equipment
People of size deserve equipment that fits them properly and respectfully.

Family, Loss and Perspective
Martina reflects on building the business with her husband and the importance of not postponing life.

📚 Mentioned in this Episode

Seating Matters - A global seating and posture company founded by occupational therapist Martina Tierney, focused on improving dignity, independence and clinical outcomes through proper supportive seating.
https://seatingmatters.com/gb-ie

Pressure Injuries - National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP) - Also known as bed sores, pressure injuries occur when prolonged pressure reduces blood flow to skin and underlying tissue, most commonly around bony areas such as the sacrum and coccyx.
https://npiap.com/page/PressureInjuryStages

World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) - The international body representing occupational therapists worldwide, promoting the role of OT in enabling independence, participation and meaningful daily life.
https://wfot.org/

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 - From Frustrated OT to Founder
06:00 - “What Matters to You?” The OT Philosophy
12:00 - A Family Business Is Born
15:10 - The Man Who Thought He Would Never See Outside Again
18:45 - The Woman Who Could Finally Lift Her Head
21:10 - Why Getting Out of Bed Changes Everything
27:20 - Understanding Dementia Differently
33:00 - Designing Chairs for People of Size
40:45 - Losing James and Rethinking Work
51:10 - What Really Matters in Life
Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎧 Episode Description

What does it really take for women to enter politics today?

In this special edition from the European Parliament, Laura Dowling speaks with MEPs Kathleen Funchion and Cynthia Ní Mhurchú on International Women’s Day about their experiences of political life and the wider landscape for women entering leadership roles.

Through personal stories and candid reflections, they discuss how they each found their way into politics and why there is no single blueprint for women who want to lead. The conversation explores the growing issue of online misogyny, the importance of representation in shaping policy on issues such as domestic violence, and the role Irish political parties must play in supporting more women to participate and progress into leadership positions.

Together, they reflect on the resilience required to remain in public life and why creating a more inclusive political culture matters not only for women, but for democracy itself.

🔑 Key Points

The reality of online misogyny in politics
Both guests speak openly about the misogynistic abuse female politicians face online and how social media harassment has become a serious barrier discouraging women from entering public life.

There is no single path into politics
Kathleen Funchion and Cynthia Ní Mhurchú reflect on their personal journeys into politics, showing that women often arrive through very different life experiences and career paths.

Why representation in politics matters
The conversation highlights how having more women in political leadership influences the issues that receive attention, including policies that directly affect women’s lives.

The impact of abuse on families and future candidates
Online harassment does not only affect politicians themselves - many women hesitate to run for office because they worry about the impact on their families and children.

Turning experience into political action
Rather than ignoring abuse, the guests discuss how they channel these experiences into advocacy and policy work aimed at addressing misogyny and harassment.

The role of political parties in supporting women
Irish political parties, they argue, must do more to actively encourage and support women who want to enter politics and progress into leadership roles.

Domestic violence and policy responsibility
The discussion touches on how political representation can shape legislation and awareness around issues such as domestic violence and safety for women.

Resilience in public life
Remaining in politics often requires resilience and support networks, especially for women navigating hostility in public spaces.

⏱️ Timestamps

05:10 - Kathleen and Cynthia share how they first entered politics
11:40 - Why there is no single blueprint for women entering political life
14:10 - Confidence, opportunity, and why women hesitate to run
19:20 - Online misogyny and the abuse women face on social media
28:10 - The impact of online harassment on families and future candidates
36:50 - The importance of representation in politics and policymaking
49:00 - Domestic violence and the role of policy leadership
55:00 - Encouraging more women to participate in political leadership
59:20 - Resilience, public service, and the future of women in politics
Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎧 Episode Description

Laura sits down with comedian Aoife Dunne for an honest and humorous conversation about everything from grief and fear to the unexpected turns life can take.

Aoife opens up about the sudden loss of her mum while she was backpacking in her early twenties - a moment that changed the course of her life. After spending time in therapy and trying to make sense of the fear she carried, she eventually travelled to Brazil and took part in an ayahuasca ceremony with the hope of letting go of something she felt was holding her back.

Alongside moments of humour, Aoife speaks candidly about fear, self-doubt, and what can happen when we stop trying to control every step of the journey. She shares how her unusual route into comedy emerged from years of searching, reflection, and gradually learning to trust where life might lead her.

🔑 Key Points

Losing her mum while travelling
Aoife reflects on receiving the news of her mother’s death while backpacking in her twenties and the shock of navigating grief far from home.

Learning to live with loss
Aoife talks about how grief shaped her twenties and how it continued to influence the way she approached life and relationships.

The fear that held her back
Aoife talks about the deep sense of fear she carried for many years - something she felt stopped her from fully pursuing the things she wanted in life.

Travelling to Brazil for an ayahuasca ceremony
Aoife explains why she eventually chose to take part in the ceremony and what she hoped to release.

An unusual route into comedy
Aoife reflects on how she ended up performing comedy despite never initially seeing it as her path.

A new perspective on what matters
Aoife reflects on how grief and reflection helped her appreciate the deeper value of love, relationships and everyday life.

📚 Mentioned in this Episode

Aoife Dunne – Official Website & Tour Dates
Find Aoife’s upcoming shows, including her stand-up show Good Grief, and buy tickets here:
https://aoifedunnecomedy.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGncw1_OANO5trgzPuPL8lgOyBgmPgZt5OmJPMsxM0zj5P22v0kv5jsSqtynaw_aem_CrTmYABNtRBRDzzKsiU62g

Aoife Dunne on Instagram
Follow Aoife for updates, clips and tour announcements:
https://www.instagram.com/aoife_is_never_dunne/

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction and meeting Aoife Dunne
06:00 – Growing up, family stories and humour
12:30 – “Aoife Dunne is a slut”
18:40 – Losing her mum while travelling in South America
27:00 – The lasting impact of grief
33:10 – Argentinian men vs Irish men
44:00 – Deciding to try ayahuasca in Brazil
50:30 – The emotional experience during the ceremony
58:20 – A new way of seeing her life
01:11:40 – An unusual path into comedy
01:28:00 – Not needing a perfect life plan
01:45:30 – The pressure of expectations in your thirties
Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.