‘Quiet Piggy’ / Katherine Zappone on life, love and politics
In today’s episode, former senator and government minister Katherine Zappone joins Kathy Sheridan to discuss her new memoir Love in a Time of Politics. In this wide-ranging conversation, Zappone charts her journey through Irish politics, from a fresh-faced senator appointed by then taoiseach Enda Kenny, right through to her tenure as minister for children and youth affairs. She speaks about the campaigns she’s most proud of and the scandals she’d rather forget. The 71-year-old also reflects on her relationship with her beloved wife, Dr Ann Louise Gilligan who died in 2017 and the grief that followed her devastating loss. She tells Sheridan how she eventually found love again with her South African partner Jennifer and what the future now holds for the pair. But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including Trump's unhinged behaviour aboard Air Force One and how and why the global skincare industry is targeting products towards children as young as four.Did you know The Irish Times Women’s Podcast is turning ten years old? To celebrate a decade of conversation, craic and captivating stories, we are hosting our ten year birthday bash at the Peacock Theatre in Dublin on Tuesday, December 2nd. For more information and to get tickets to the event, see here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Fiona Shaw on fame, feminism and falling in love
With a career spanning theatre, film and television, Irish actor Fiona Shaw has been a household name in Ireland for decades. The Cork native is known for her award-winning stage work, as well as her iconic roles in the Harry Potter films, Killing Eve, and Bad Sisters.Shaw’s latest project, Park Avenue, opened in Irish cinemas this week. Earlier this year, while in Dublin for the International Film Festival, she joined Kathy Sheridan in studio to talk about the film, in which she plays the glamorous and wealthy widow Kit.In this wide-ranging conversation, Shaw reflects on her early career and explains what led her to setting up a women’s group while working with the Royal Shakespeare Company in London. She also tells Sheridan about her friendship with Phoebe Waller-Bridge, why she turned down a move to Hollywood in the 1990s, and how she met her Sri Lankan wife, Sonali Deraniyagala. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Kim Kardashian’s acting debut / The day Iceland’s women went on strike
On the 24th October 1975, 90% of the women in Iceland went on strike. For the entire day, women refused to participate in waged work, domestic labour or childcare. Instead they took to the streets to protest, demanding fair employment, equal wages and the recognition of work done inside the home. To reflect on the impact of that historic day, the 50 years of progress since and the work still left to do, Róisín Ingle is joined by Hrafnhildur Gunnarsdóttir, producer of the documentary film, The Day Iceland Stood Still. Later on, anti-domestic violence campaigner Patricia McLean joins Ingle to talk about her organisation Finding Our Voices, which is hosting a series of online talks with Irish authors about their books involving domestic abuse. It’s free and open to all, starting with Irish author Roddy Doyle on November 18th 2025. You can find more information on the talks here: https://findingourvoices.net/book-clubBut first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including the record number of women giving birth past the age of 45 and the dismal reviews coming in for Kim Kardashian’s new legal drama ‘Alls Fair’. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Lily Allen’s new album / How Jane’s Place helps women
Since opening in 2024, Jane’s Place has become a sanctuary for some of Ireland’s most vulnerable women. The drop-in centre, located in the heart of Dublin city, is a space where those in need can access mental health support, addiction recovery services, and counselling, and even take part in yoga, art therapy, and mindfulness sessions.In today’s episode, co-ordinator of Jane’s Place, Susan Diffney, tells Róisín Ingle why a service like this was so badly needed and what invisible barriers women often face when trying to access help. We also hear from Christine, who is in recovery from addiction and visits Jane’s Place regularly. She explains how this female-focused support has been instrumental in her path to sobriety.But first, Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell joins us to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including the release of Lily Allen’s tell-all album Westend Girl, and the death of Mary “May” McGee, who changed the course of Irish social history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Naoise Dolan and Veronica O’Kane / Virginia Giuffre’s memoir
Last week, Irish author Naoise Dolan and psychiatrist Dr Veronica O’Keane arrived home to Ireland after spending five days in an Israeli prison. The pair were among more than one hundred activists including five other Irish citizens detained by Israeli forces earlier this month, as they made their way to Gaza as part of the Thousand Madleens flotilla. In today’s episode, Dolan and O’Keane tell Róisín Ingle about the gruesome conditions they were kept in, the violence and heavy-handedness used by members of the IDF and the relief they felt upon release. But first Irish Times opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including the government’s plans for a new domestic violence register and the posthumous publication of Virginia Giuffre’s tell-all memoir. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Women's Podcast, hosted by Róisín Ingle & Kathy Sheridan. Producers: Róisín Ingle and Suzanne Brennan.By women, for everyone.Produced in association with Kildare Village. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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