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The Laura Dowling Experience

The Laura Dowling Experience

By: Laura Dowling
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About this listen

 Conversations about health, science, wellness, life, love, sex and everything in-between. Laura is a Pharmacist who loves to talk to interesting people about their unique life and work experiences. See @fabulouspharmacist on instagram for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

© 2025 The Laura Dowling Experience Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Sciences
Episodes
  • The Power of Posture: Dignity in Later Life

    The Power of Posture: Dignity in Later Life
    Mar 26 2026
    🎧 Episode DescriptionOccupational 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 PointsFrom Frustration to InnovationMartina recognised that people were being sold expensive equipment without proper assessment, sparking the creation of Seating Matters.The Woman Who Could Finally Lift Her HeadA 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 UprightBeing out of bed shifts someone from passive patient to active participant in their own care.Reframing Dementia BehavioursWhat is labelled as aggression may be sensory disorientation. Understanding this changes how we respond.Health Consequences We OverlookPoor seating can contribute to pressure injuries, swallowing difficulties and recurrent urinary infections.Equity in EquipmentPeople of size deserve equipment that fits them properly and respectfully.Family, Loss and PerspectiveMartina reflects on building the business with her husband and the importance of not postponing life.📚 Mentioned in this EpisodeSeating 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-iePressure 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/PressureInjuryStagesWorld 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/⏱️ Timestamps00:00 - From Frustrated OT to Founder06:00 - “What Matters to You?” The OT Philosophy12:00 - A Family Business Is Born15:10 - The Man Who Thought He Would Never See Outside Again18:45 - The Woman Who Could Finally Lift Her Head21:10 - Why Getting Out of Bed Changes Everything27:20 - Understanding Dementia Differently33:00 - Designing Chairs for People of Size40:45 - Losing James and Rethinking Work51:10 - What Really Matters in LifeThanks 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.
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Women in Politics: Online Misogyny and the Fight to Be Heard

    Women in Politics: Online Misogyny and the Fight to Be Heard
    Mar 19 2026
    🎧 Episode DescriptionWhat 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 PointsThe reality of online misogyny in politicsBoth 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 politicsKathleen 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 mattersThe 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 candidatesOnline 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 actionRather 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 womenIrish 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 responsibilityThe discussion touches on how political representation can shape legislation and awareness around issues such as domestic violence and safety for women.Resilience in public lifeRemaining in politics often requires resilience and support networks, especially for women navigating hostility in public spaces.⏱️ Timestamps05:10 - Kathleen and Cynthia share how they first entered politics11:40 - Why there is no single blueprint for women entering political life14:10 - Confidence, opportunity, and why women hesitate to run19:20 - Online misogyny and the abuse women face on social media28:10 - The impact of online harassment on families and future candidates36:50 - The importance of representation in politics and policymaking49:00 - Domestic violence and the role of policy leadership55:00 - Encouraging more women to participate in political leadership59:20 - Resilience, public service, and the future of women in politicsThanks 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.
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    1 hr
  • Aoife Dunne: Ayahuasca, Grief and an Unexpected Route into Comedy

    Aoife Dunne: Ayahuasca, Grief and an Unexpected Route into Comedy
    Mar 12 2026
    🎧 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.
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    2 hrs and 9 mins
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