Gillian Scahill

Gillian is a Galway-based conscious parenting coach, mum and former HSE environmental health officer. She trained in conscious parenting with Dr. Shefali and now supports mothers to understand their triggers, let go of perfectionism and build more compassionate, connected relationships with their children.

Her own journey into motherhood was anything but straightforward. After struggling to conceive, Gillian finally became a mother to her son Matthew, but only days after his birth she became critically ill with sepsis, septic shock and multi-organ failure. She spent weeks in hospital and came extraordinarily close to losing her life.

WHAT is this episode about?

This episode is about much more than parenting.

We talk about:

• Gillian’s own childhood and the pressure many of us grew up with to be the “good” child
• Her fertility journey and becoming a mother
• Surviving sepsis shortly after Matthew’s birth and the emotional impact of being separated from her newborn baby
• The bond between mother and child, even through physical separation
• How our own childhood experiences can show up in the way we parent
• Why our children’s behaviour can trigger feelings of powerlessness, inadequacy and fear in us
• The difference between reacting to a child’s behaviour and becoming curious about what is underneath it
• Why mothers so often put themselves last and why self-care is not selfish
• The pressure on modern parents to get everything “right”
• Why children may be over-scheduled and need more time simply to be
• Letting go of the need to mould our children into who we think they should become
• Why connection matters more than perfection

One of the biggest themes is that conscious parenting is not really about controlling your child. It is about becoming aware of what is happening inside you when your child triggers something. Gillian describes recognising feelings of powerlessness and “not good enough” beneath some of her own reactions.

WHY LISTEN?

Listen if you are a parent who has ever lost your patience and then felt guilty afterwards.If you have ever wondered why certain behaviours in your child affect you so deeply and listen if you need the reminder that being a good parent does not mean being a perfect parent.

Sometimes the greatest gift you can give your child is becoming more aware of yourself, tending to your own needs and allowing them the freedom to become who they actually are.

This is a conversation about motherhood, survival, self-compassion, identity and learning to meet our children with curiosity instead of fear.

If enjoyed this episiode or other episodes in this series, you can show your appreciation by subscribing and sharing this podcast.

You can also support me in my work by buying me a coffee (or a cocktail :) buymeacoffee.com/nourishyouc

Born in London and raised in the Connemara Gaeltacht, Marian shares how Gaeilge, nature, community and Seán-Nós dancing shaped her sense of identity and connection from an early age.

We explore some of the defining moments of her life, including her father’s serious accident, her own health challenges and a later car accident that became another major turning point. Marian speaks openly about spending years overthinking, analysing and pushing forward before learning that understanding ourselves intellectually is not always enough.

We talk about grief, resilience, breathwork, suppressed emotions, movement and why Marian now believes that real change happens in the body.

She also shares the precious final chapter she spent with her father, the simple moments that taught her about presence, and why learning to listen to our bodies and treat ourselves with kindness can profoundly change the way we live.

Marian’s work today brings together breathwork, coaching, movement and Gaeilge through Thrive Within - Filleadh ort féin, meaning returning to yourself.

A conversation about slowing down, listening inward and remembering that sometimes the journey forward is really a journey back to ourselves.

In this episode of Soul Sessions with Emma, I welcome Steve Dawe back to the podcast for an open and thought-provoking conversation about masculinity, vulnerability, responsibility and what it means to become the man you actually want to be.

Steve shares the story behind The Warrior Within, a 12-week men’s personal development programme inspired by the work of author and BAFTA winner Jeff Thompson. But this conversation goes far beyond the programme itself.

We explore why so many men can appear successful on the outside while quietly feeling disconnected, stuck or unfulfilled. We talk about the masks men wear, the power of male community, pornography, alcohol, social media and other forms of distraction, and why radical honesty is often the first step towards real change.

Steve also opens up about his own journey over the past year, including leaving education, building a new career and supporting his wife through breast cancer treatment. He shares what this experience has taught him about staying centred, asking for support and living according to your values when life becomes difficult.

At the heart of this conversation is a simple question:

Are you the person you say you want to be?

Because real strength isn’t about looking like a warrior on the outside. It’s about how you show up for yourself and the people around you when it matters most.

An honest conversation about men, relationships, vulnerability, self-mastery and doing the work.

Michelle talks openly about why menopause is not just an individual experience, but something that can deeply affect relationships, communication, intimacy and connection. Drawing on conversations with men from different backgrounds, she shares what partners often misunderstand, why so many relationships struggle during this stage of life, and how greater awareness, compassion and communication can help couples move through it together.

We also talk about Michelle’s own journey of reinvention, the unexpected opportunities that followed the book, and what can happen when you trust an idea before you know exactly where it will lead.

A conversation about relationships, change, intuition, and the courage to begin again.

To explore more of Michelle's work go to https://michellehardwick.com/

and find her on instagram @menopausewingman.com.

Don't forget to check out episode 8 of the podcast to hear Michelle's complete life journey.

Using the repeated line, “Brutus is an honourable man,” Emma reflects on how easily we can confuse status with wisdom, confidence with character, and influence with integrity.

Short reflection episode inspired by William Shakespeare's play. 'Juilius Caesar'

This episode is an invitation to think more critically about who we admire, who we trust, and what real success might look like. Perhaps, in a world that encourages us to build influence, the greater challenge is to build character.

Image credits: included image from a modern edition of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, located via Goodreads. Additional Roman scene is a contemporary digital illustration inspired by Mark Antony’s funeral speech. Original creators could not be independently verified.

Owen shares how his career began almost by accident, from joining a small online comedy project with friends to becoming part of one of Ireland’s best-known cult comedy shows. He reflects on stand-up, acting, writing and the pressure that can come with being recognised as the funny character people already know.

The conversation also explores Owen’s life beyond Hardy Bucks, including his time living in Mexico, his love of travel, his hopes to create more personal vlogs and his ambition to take on more serious acting roles in the future.

Along the way, they talk about creativity, identity, improvisation, gardening, birdwatching, crisp sandwiches and the importance of continuing to try things that challenge you.

A warm and entertaining conversation with the man behind Buzz.

In this episode of Soul Sessions, I sit down with capacity coach and breathwork facilitator Kieron Sauboorah to explore the accident that transformed his life, and the man he became because of it.

We talk about resilience, rebuilding after trauma, healthy masculinity, nervous system awareness, purpose, spirituality and why true strength has less to do with performance and more to do with presence.

If you've ever questioned who you are after life knocked you down, this conversation is for you.

In our conversation, we explore:

• Siobhán’s journey from nursing and midwifery into acupuncture, herbalism and holistic fertility work

• How growing up in nature shaped her understanding of life, cycles and conception

• The connection between suppressed emotions, stress and physical symptoms

• What may sit “under the diagnosis” when it comes to fertility challenges

• The role of ancestral patterns and epigenetics in our health

• Why modern pressure and expectation can block conception

• The importance of softening, connection and trusting your body

• Her Oneness principle — bringing your energy back inward and living from truth

This conversation moves between science and intuition, fertility and spirituality, personal story and practical insight.

If you’re navigating fertility, hormonal health, stress — or simply trying to reconnect with yourself — I hope this episode gives you hope and reminds you that your body is not working against you. It may just be asking you to listen.

If you would like to contact Siobhan, you can find her online at www.fertilitytreatment.ie or on instagran @siobhankehoefertilityexpert

Please comment & share to help me grow this podcast.

Follow my journey as an educator, thought leader & a woman who is finally finding the confidence to bring her tre self into the world in order to help & guide others like her.

@nourish_your_soul_with_emma

I spoke with Saoirse Rafferty, a young woman from Co. Clare, Ireland. Founder of 'A Good Kind of Scary', whose creative writing workshops and authentic voice has inspired many. Speaking about the loss of her brother Rohan who passed away at the age of 28 and how this challenge reminded her to focus on her own authentic expression and dreams.

Sam shares the realities of pursuing a creative career, the courage it takes to create your own opportunities, and the lessons he learned while navigating the unpredictable world of acting.

The conversation also dives into the inspiration behind The Manny, a dark comedy that examines modern masculinity, dating culture, and the pressure many men feel to “make it” by a certain stage in life.

Together, Emma and Sam explore vulnerability, identity, mental health, and the ways men are navigating changing expectations in relationships today.

This is an honest conversation about risk, creativity, and redefining what success really means.

Saint Brigid of Kildare was born in Ireland around 451 AD, the daughter of a chieftain and an enslaved woman. From the very beginning, she lived between worlds .. status and humility, power and compassion.

She went on to found a monastery in Kildare, leading both women and men, and became known as a healer, protector of the poor, a woman kings listened to, and a spiritual force rooted in care rather than control.

Her story is layered with legend ..woven from older Celtic traditions where Brigid was a goddess of fire, healing, poetry, and renewal , and later embraced into the Christian tradition. The flame remained.

Today, Brigid stands as a powerful symbol for women:of leadership without domination,of strength without hardening,of nurturing without shrinking.

Her story reminds us that feminine power has always existed ..steady, wise, and necessary.

May we continue to honour that fire.
Go raibh tine Bhríde inár gcroíthe

This isn’t about having life figured out, hitting milestones, or following someone else’s version of success. It’s an honest, grounded conversation about what actually helps when you want change but feel unsure, overwhelmed, or stuck.

I reflect on the importance of re-evaluating my life honestly, getting clear on what I want (not what I’m supposed to want), and building confidence through action rather than waiting to feel ready. I talk about why investing in myself through courses, retreats, and support is never wasted, how accountability creates momentum, and why it matters who I listen to along the way.

I also explore letting go of comparison, protecting my energy and focus in a distracted world, and learning to trust the process even when I don’t know the outcome yet.

If you’re entering 2026 craving clarity, momentum, and a more intentional way of living, this episode shares practical ideas, gentle encouragement, and a reminder that small, conscious choices really do add up.

He reflects on his teenage years, the importance of playfulness, and the challenges of transitioning from a corporate job to pursuing his true calling.

Cormac discusses the impact of his initiatives, including the Living Cert program and the Thresholds project, aimed at providing rites of passage for young men. He emphasizes the need for emotional connection and the role of education in addressing societal issues, while also expressing his excitement for the future as he prepares for fatherhood.

Together, we explore what it truly feels like to leave behind an old identity, slow down after decades of nonstop busyness, and create space for a new version of yourself to emerge. Steve opens up about his four month sabbatical, the challenges and unexpected gifts of redefining purpose, and the integration work that comes with such a big transition.

He also reflects on his recent inspiration trip to South Africa, reconnecting with nature, meeting experienced coaches, gaining perspective, and finding a deeper sense of trust in his path. We discuss identity, loss, courage, self belief, and the emotional roller coaster of building a life that aligns with your soul.

This episode is an honest look at transformation, rooted in nature, presence, slowing down, and believing in what is possible , even when the next step feels uncertain.

If you haven’t heard it yet, go back and listen to Episode 4, “Healing Beyond Medicine”, where Fiona shares her incredible and deeply inspiring story of surviving cancer and how holistic healing and detox played a life changing role. It’s one of the most powerful episodes I’ve recorded.

In today’s episode, we move forward from Fiona’s story into what she’s most passionate about now: the power of detox, and why supporting the liver matters more than ever in modern life.

We talk about:

• Why the liver is so central to energy, hormones, digestion and blood sugar
• Detox as an “oil change” for the body
• How to prepare before a cleanse, what to expect during it, and how to support your body afterwards
• The emotional side of detox too — and why cleansing can feel like a reset in more ways than one

• Fiona’s upcoming 5 day liver detox group programme, including the support, structure and community element

If you’re curious about cleansing, feeling sluggish, overwhelmed, inflamed, or you simply want to support your health in a practical way, this episode will give you a really grounded starting point.

Links to Fiona and her work are below.

https://natureworx.com/

or go to the Facebook group:

https://natureworx.com/product/detox-to-radiance-5-day-liver-cleanse-energetic-reset-copy/?fbclid=IwdGRjcAPomidjbGNrA-iaIGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHuY3QzNzZzagAEql_PnRLExDs_6cZrlg-0AkEEeK_YNRajAEggwYN2F4t71q_aem_INXmkE4ugOvDVZi34l56Aw

Have you ever known exactly what you wanted to do, only to find yourself talking yourself out of it?

In this episode, I explore the role of the ego and how it often disguises fear as logic, caution, and realism. I share my own experience of leaving a career in teaching after nearly 20 years, questioning my decisions, comparing myself to others, and feeling like I was moving backwards while everyone else seemed to be moving forward.

Together we'll explore:

✨ Why the ego cares more about safety than happiness
✨ How comparison can pull us away from our authentic path
✨ The difference between the "ego timeline" and the "soul timeline"
✨ Why confidence is built through action, not before it
✨ How breathwork, nature and self-awareness can help quiet the noise
✨ The courage it takes to choose possibility over familiarity

If you've been standing at a crossroads, questioning a decision, or feeling stuck between who you've been and who you're becoming, this episode is for you.

Because perhaps the life you're longing for isn't waiting somewhere in the future. Perhaps it's waiting on the other side of a decision you're scared to make today.

We talk about modern dating, loneliness, and why so many people are craving deeper connection but struggling to find it.

Sinéad shares her own journey into this work, the patterns we carry into relationships, and what it really takes to build something healthy and meaningful.

It’s an honest, grounded conversation that I think a lot of people will relate to.

To find out more about Sinead's offerings and Conscious relating you can search her website on www. consciousconnectionevents.com

*Follow me on INSTAGRAM @soul.sessions.with.emma

Intuitive Mindset Coach

Padraig shares his deeply personal journey , growing up with ADHD and dyslexia, leaving school early, experiencing hardship and trauma, and ultimately finding his way back to education, purpose, and meaningful work.

What unfolds is a powerful, honest conversation about empathy, healing, and what it really means to live a meaningful life.

Together, we explore why anxiety and loneliness are becoming so prevalent, especially among young people; how modern life, technology, and lack of community are shaping our nervous systems; and why movement, creativity, boredom, and real connection are essential for wellbeing.

Padraig offers grounded, compassionate insights into neurodivergence, parenting, education, and regulation , without labels or quick fixes.We also reflect on the difference between happiness and meaning, the importance of sitting with discomfort, and how gratitude, purpose, and small daily choices can radically shift how we experience life.

This episode is a gentle invitation to slow down, tune in, and ask yourself: What actually matters to me , and how do I want to live?

Find more information on Padraigs work on his website

https://www.theotcoach.ie/

or checkout his instagram @the_ot_coach_

I’d describe myself as a bit adventurous, I love chatting to people, and I’ve always been someone who takes a risk or two… and starting this podcast was definitely one of them.But really, my whole motivation was to share real stories from real people who’ve been through tough times and come out the other side.

I only started this a few months ago with zero experience, so please excuse the editing ... it’s the conversations that matter here.

I hope there’s something in each episode that speaks to you.

And if you enjoy any of them, let me know, leave a comment, or follow along for more.

if you would like to follow my journey you can find me on Instagram @soul.sessions.with.emma

❤️

We talk about loss, resilience, and how travel and Jiu-Jitsu continue to shape his outlook on life.

He offers a refreshing perspective on pain -not just as something physical, but as an emotional and psychological experience - and reminds us that healing begins with awareness, acceptance, and humility.

A thoughtful, grounded conversation about strength, vulnerability, and what it really means to rebalance your life.

Michael’s journey has taken him from cooking for rock stars, to working in Zambia, to teaching yoga, meditation and breathwork, and now guiding men through his Nature of Man retreats. But more than anything, this conversation is about what shaped him along the way.

We talk about pain as a catalyst for growth, why so many men are feeling disconnected right now, the rise of the feminine, and the importance of facing the parts of ourselves we often avoid.

It’s a deep conversation around shadow work, relationships, and the world we’re living in today, and how real change might start much closer to home than we think.

If you’ve ever felt like something is missing, or that you’re being called to look a little deeper, this one is for you.

Check out MIchael's work on natureofman.ie or find him on Instagram @michaelryan_thewayhome

If you feel called to work with me or simply find out more about me, you can find me also on instagram @soul.sessions.with.emma

After years of building a life that looked right on the outside, I found myself feeling disconnected underneath it all. This episode is a reflection on that journey - what it really means to start over, and why it’s not about creating a new life, but returning to yourself.

I share three key lessons that changed everything for me:
• Why fear, not change, is what keeps us stuck
• How repeating patterns follow us until we face them
• And how starting over builds a deeper kind of self-trust

If you’re at a crossroads, feeling lost, or questioning your next step, this episode is here to ground you and remind you - you’re not behind, you’re being redirected.

If something resonates, I’d love to hear from you.

@soul.sessions.with.emma

In this conversation, Sarah Beirne, known as 'Astara Healing', shares her transformative journey from a corporate career to becoming a Reiki master and spiritual guide. She discusses her early sensitivity, the challenges of her marriage, and the awakening that followed. Sarah's story includes her experiences with pregnancy, job loss, and a life-threatening brain tumor, leading to profound insights about healing, resilience, and the importance of community support. Through her journey, she emphasizes the need for compassion and understanding in the face of adversity. In this conversation, Sarah shares her profound journey of overcoming personal struggles, including a life-threatening health issue, and how it led her to explore astrology and healing. She discusses the importance of understanding birth charts, the role of energy work, and the need for collective healing in today's society. The conversation also touches on the challenges of modern relationships and the necessity for a shift in education to support emotional and spiritual growth. Sarah emphasizes the power of hope and the importance of helping others on their healing journey.

In this episode of Soul Sessions, Emma shares how the Irish Times best seller, Johnny Magory books grew from handwritten stories tucked away in a biscuit tin into a publishing success enjoyed by families around the world.

We explore:

• How creativity often begins in childhood
• Overcoming self-doubt and imposter syndrome
• The courage to back your own ideas
• Self-publishing versus traditional publishing
• Why Irish folklore and storytelling still matter
• Writing for children's wellbeing and grief
• Building a meaningful business from a passion project

Whether you've dreamed of writing a book, starting a business, or simply following an idea that won't leave you alone, this conversation will remind you that you don't need permission to begin.

Sometimes all it takes is writing down the first page.

Find her books here and more info on Emma:

https://johnnymagory.com/

Like many of us, Oisín believed that happiness existed somewhere beyond the horizon. But when he finally returned home, he discovered something heartbreaking and deeply human: the place he longed for no longer existed.

As I look back on my own journey of living abroad, starting over, searching for purpose, love, and belonging, I explore how this ancient tale mirrors the modern experience of always chasing the next thing. The next relationship. The next career. The next version of ourselves.

Along the way, I reflect on lessons from 30 conversations with guests who have faced heartbreak, illness, self doubt, loss, reinvention, and extraordinary growth.

This episode is about the search for belonging, the illusion of "somewhere better," and the possibility that what we're really looking for has been within us all along.

If you've ever wondered where you belong, felt behind in life, or found yourself searching for something just out of reach, this conversation is for you.

Thank you for being part of these first 30 episodes.

Until next time, take care of yourself and take care of each other.

It’s a story many of us have known since childhood, but this year it landed differently for me. Not as a Christmas tale about ghosts and redemption, but as a deeply human story about what happens when life hardens us, and what becomes possible when we soften again.

In this reflection, I explore the character of Scrooge, the world Dickens was writing into, and the quiet but powerful moment at the end of the novel when Scrooge begins to chuckle. Not loudly. Not for show. But with a sense of relief, as if a lifetime of bitterness has finally been laid down.

This episode is an invitation to pause, to reflect on what the year has asked of you, and to consider what you might be ready to release as you move into Christmas and the year ahead.

No big lessons. No fixing. Just a few minutes of quiet reflection, compassion, and space to soften.

From my soul to yours, I’m really glad you’re here.

In this episode of Soul Sessions, host Emma speaks with Steve Doar, who shares his transformative journey from a 20-year career in international education to pursuing a new path in breathwork and coaching. Steve discusses the impact of travel and cultural experiences on his identity, the importance of mentorship, and the challenges of making significant life changes. He also delves into the concept of transpersonal coaching, the financial considerations of transitioning careers, and his vision for future retreats that combine breathwork with nature. The conversation emphasizes the power of journaling for self-discovery and the idea that it's never too late to start anew, ultimately aiming to make personal development accessible and meaningful for others.

In this deeply moving episode of Soul Sessions with Emma, I sit down with therapist, cognitive behavioural coach and poet Conall O'Sullivan to explore healing, identity, courage and the power of truly being witnessed.

We talk about Conall’s journey from living with a serious heart condition to becoming a therapist, and how his own life experiences shaped the way he now supports others. We also explore his beautiful poetry collection Healing Witness, a body of work that weaves together therapeutic insight, lived experience and reflection.

In this conversation, we explore:

• why pain, anxiety and difficult emotions often have something important to tell us
• the turning points in life that ask us to choose change
• the connection between hindsight and insight in the healing journey
• how poetry can help us understand ourselves more deeply
• the courage it takes to face what hurts and grow through it
• the idea that healing is not about being fixed, but about being witnessed with compassion

Conall also reads several of his poems throughout the episode, including The Bravest Step, Turning Points, Six Emotions Visit in a Dream, This Too Shall Pass, and A Parting Blessing.

This is a rich, thoughtful and hope-filled conversation about what it means to be human, to heal, and to move through life with more awareness, self-compassion and meaning.

In this episode of Soul Sessions with Emma, I sit down with positive psychology practitioner, wellbeing consultant and speaker Siobhán Connolly Hogan to explore the powerful connection between self-awareness, self-compassion and personal growth.

Together we discuss:

✨ Why self-awareness is the foundation for change
✨ Understanding and managing the inner critic
✨ The role of self-compassion in emotional wellbeing
✨ Rewriting the stories we tell ourselves
✨ Letting go of perfectionism and unrealistic expectations
✨ Why acceptance can be more powerful than happiness
✨ Finding growth through life's challenges and transitions

This conversation is full of wisdom, warmth and practical insights for anyone navigating self-doubt, change, or the messy middle of life.

If you've ever been hard on yourself, questioned your path, or felt stuck between who you were and who you're becoming, this episode is for you.

We talk about Caitriona's upbringing in Donegal, becoming a mother at a young age, her passion for learning, homeschooling, and how she found her way into the world of healing, hypnotherapy and personal development.

We also touch on topics such as narcissistic relationships, coercive control, emotional awareness, spirituality, the education system, and some of the wider changes many people feel are happening in society today.

This episode is very much an introduction to Caitriona, her story, and the perspectives that influence her work. While we briefly explore topics such as narcissism and toxic relationships, we only scratch the surface. We'll be inviting Caitriona back for a future episode to dive much deeper into those subjects and answer questions from listeners.

If you enjoy honest conversations that explore life beyond the surface and challenge you to think differently, I hope you'll enjoy this one.

As always, thank you for listening. If something resonates with you, I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments, and don't forget to follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode.