In our final episode, we're wrapping up the first season of the Plainly Queer Podcast, taking a moment to reflect on the enlightening journey we've shared together. We'll revisit pivotal discussions on sexuality, gender, mental health, and activism, sharing insights and key takeaways from our guests, listeners, and personal experiences.

A heartfelt thank you to our listeners for your support and invaluable feedback; stay tuned as we tease possible plans for season two! We're eager to continue these important conversations, challenging exclusion and fostering a space of understanding and inclusivity.

We remain plainly queer, and we wear it with pride. Join us in celebrating the end of a successful season, and here's to many more conversations to come!

Still Plainly Queer

Welcome to the penultimate episode of The Plainly Queer Podcast, season one! 

Ever wondered what it's like being a queer therapist navigating the diverse and intricate landscape of gender, sex, and relationships?

In this episode, we dive deep into these topics. Join us as Paul O'Beirne takes the hot seat. Paul, a budding sex and relationship therapist, offers a unique perspective on training and working with clients who identify as LGBTQIA+ and who have diverse and complex sexual and relational needs and the rewards of being a queer therapist in this field.

Paul is the founder of UdoU Therapy, a counselling and psychotherapy service that offers online and face-to-face sessions for individuals and couples. He is a pre-accredited member of the IACP Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and a student member of the COSRT College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists.

You can follow him on Instagram [@udou_therapy] or email him at udoutherapy@gmail.com.

We hope you enjoy this episode and find it informative. If you have any feedback, questions or comments, please get in touch with us at PlainlyQueer@gmail.com.

And don't forget to subscribe, rate and review our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks for listening!

Resources

 * Relationally Queer: A Pink Therapy Guide for Practitioners - co-edited by Silva Neves and Dominic Davies
 * Erotically Queer: A Pink Therapy Guide for Practitioners - co-edited by Silva Neves and Dominic Davies

These books are essential resources for anyone interested in gender, sex and relationship diversity.

Plainly Erotically and Relationally Queer

Trigger Warning: Topics include gun violence, miscarriage, and medical abortion. Listener discretion is advised.

Part 2 of my riveting talk with Sian Horn dives deeper into her life's challenges and triumphs. We pick up at a tense moment involving a gun and explore her emotional journey through miscarriages and a forced trip to the UK for a medical abortion due to Irish laws.

Don't miss this episode full of resilience and transformation.

Remember to like and follow The Trauma and Healing Podcast, helping us to share these essential discussions. Enjoy the episode!

You can learn more about Sian and her work through her social media platforms and website:

 * Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sian_horn
 * Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sian.horn
 * LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sian-horn-86270171
 * Website - https://sianhorn.com

You can also listen to her podcasts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or her website.

 * Straight-Talking with Sian Horn
 * BeBelle Podcast
 * Brainstorm in a Teacup

If you or someone you know is affected by domestic abuse, miscarriage or gun violence, please know that you are not alone and there is help available. Here are some helplines that you can contact for support:

 * For domestic abuse: National Domestic Abuse Helpline (UK) - 0808 2000 247 or online chat; National Domestic Violence Hotline (US) - 1-800-799-7233 or online chat; Women's Aid (Ireland) - 1800 341 900 or online chat
 * For miscarriage: Miscarriage Association (UK) - 01924 200799 or info@miscarriageassociation.org.uk; American Pregnancy Association (US) - 1-800-672-2296; Miscarriage Support Services (Ireland) - 01 8735702 or info@miscarriage.ie
 * For gun violence: Amnesty International (global) - online resources; APA (US) - online resources; ATF (US) - 1-800-ATF-GUNS or 1-800-283-4867; American Counseling Association (US) - online resources

As always, if you enjoyed the episode, please remember to like and follow to help promote these important discussions.

Sian Horn - Surviving & Thriving Part 2

In this week’s episode of The Trauma and Healing Podcast, I’m thrilled to share with you the first part of my conversation with Sian Horn, a podcaster, pilates instructor, business consultant and champion of women and small business. Sian has an amazing story of overcoming domestic abuse, surviving a gun threat, dealing with 7 miscarriages and living intentionally. She also talks about her podcasts, The Club and sianhorn.com, where she helps you grow and thrive in your business, plus your health and wellness. This episode is full of inspiration and empowerment, and you don’t want to miss it!

Remember to like and follow The Trauma and Healing Podcast, helping us to share these essential discussions. Enjoy the episode!

You can learn more about Sian and her work through her social media platforms and website:

 * Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sian_horn
 * Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sian.horn
 * LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sian-horn-86270171
 * Website - https://sianhorn.com

You can also listen to her podcasts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or her website.

 * Straight-Talking with Sian Horn
 * BeBelle Podcast
 * Brainstorm in a Teacup

If you or someone you know is affected by domestic abuse, miscarriage or gun violence, please know that you are not alone and there is help available. Here are some helplines that you can contact for support:

 * For domestic abuse: National Domestic Abuse Helpline (UK) - 0808 2000 247 or online chat; National Domestic Violence Hotline (US) - 1-800-799-7233 or online chat; Women’s Aid (Ireland) - 1800 341 900 or online chat
 * For miscarriage: Miscarriage Association (UK) - 01924 200799 or info@miscarriageassociation.org.uk; American Pregnancy Association (US) - 1-800-672-2296; Miscarriage Support Services (Ireland) - 01 8735702 or info@miscarriage.ie
 * For gun violence: Amnesty International (global) - online resources; APA (US) - online resources; ATF (US) - 1-800-ATF-GUNS or 1-800-283-4867; American Counseling Association (US) - online resources

As always, if you enjoyed the episode, please remember to like and follow to help promote these important discussions.

Sian Horn - Surviving & Thriving Part 1

Today’s episode is an ad hoc recording out of time of previous episodes but enjoyable nonetheless. Join us as we take a nostalgic trip into a previously unaired archive episode! Dive into discussions on Joe Biden, the peace process, and the ever-delightful politics of chicken fillet rolls from Gay’s Spar.

Enjoy folks!

Ad Hocly Queer

How did the LGBTQIA+ community become marginalised and persecuted throughout history? How did they resist and survive in the face of oppression and violence? In this episode, we dive into the ancient and modern roots of homophobia and transphobia and the stories that inspire us to have pride and continue to protest today and every day. Love is Love, and it always has been.

In this episode, we will:

 * Trace the origins of queerphobia in ancient civilisations such as Mesopotamia and Rome and how they influenced the later attitudes and laws of Christianity and Islam.
 * Examine the role of religion in shaping the social and legal norms that discriminated against and criminalised the LGBTQIA+ community, such as the Inquisition, the sodomy laws, and the death penalty.
 * Reflect on the tragic events that shocked and galvanised the queer community, such as the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, and the persecution of LGBTQIA+ people by ISIS in Iraq and Syria.

Don’t forget to leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends. If you want to get in touch and share your thoughts, email us at PlainlyQueer@gmail.com.

Thanks for listening!

If you found anything distressing in today's episode, please do reach out to supports. Below is a list of resources that may be of help to anyone listening:

Queer affirming counselling and psychotherapy services: https://www.insightmatters.ie/

LGBTQ+ community support in Ireland: https://lgbt.ie/

LGBTQ+ Youth Support in Ireland: https://www.belongto.org/

Transgender Equality Network Ireland: https://teni.ie/

The Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/ireland/samaritans-ireland/

Queer History Part 2: The Roots of Oppression and Resistance.

Did you know that Ireland was the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage by popular vote? How did that happen? In this episode, we talk about Queer Irish history and the hidden figures who made it possible.

In this episode, we will:

 * Pay homage to some of the inspirational figures who fought for the rights and dignity of the Queer community, such as David Norris and the Sexual Liberation Movement.
 * Discuss one of the key moments that led to the marriage referendum act in Ireland: the Noble Call speech by Rory O’Neill, also known as Panti Bliss, a drag queen and activist who spoke out against homophobia and discrimination.
 * Explore what challenges and opportunities lie ahead for the Queer community in their quest for equality and justice.
 * Look back at two Irish icons who lived authentically and courageously as themselves, known as the Ladies of Llangollen.

We hope you enjoy this episode, and we would love to hear your feedback and thoughts. Don’t forget to leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends. Thanks for listening!

If you found anything distressing in today's episode, please do reach out to supports. Below is a list of resources that may be of help to anyone listening:

Queer affirming counselling and psychotherapy services: https://www.insightmatters.ie/

LGBTQ+ community support in Ireland: https://lgbt.ie/

LGBTQ+ Youth Support in Ireland: https://www.belongto.org/

Transgender Equality Network Ireland: https://teni.ie/

The Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/ireland/samaritans-ireland/

Queer History Part 1: The Hidden Figures of Ireland.

On this episode of The Plainly Queer Podcast, we welcome Chris Sheridan a trans, masc, non-binary, neurodivergent psychotherapist. Chris specialises in gender, sexual and relationship diversity therapy and is the founder of The Queer Therapist, a UK online therapy service. They provides affirming therapy for GSRD and neurodivergent individuals and also serve as the lead psychotherapist and expert advisor for Voda, the LGBTQIA mental health app.

In the episode, we discuss the trans and non-binary experience from Chris’s unique lived perspective. We examine the current trends of transphobia against the backdrop of historical genocide and discuss how we can learn from the past to help us navigate towards a more inclusive future. Intersectionality and the sexy sounding concept of Neurospicy are also explored from a plainly Queer perspective.

You can learn more about Chris through their website at https://thequeertherapist.com/ or their Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/theqtherapist/

Below are some of the resources mentioned in the episode:

The Voda App: https://www.voda.co/

The Wheel of Power and Privilege: https://kb.wisc.edu/instructional-resources/page.php?id=119380

The Right is Laying the Foundation for Genocide article: https://www.theslateonline.com/article/2022/11/the-right-is-laying-the-foundation-for-genocide

Thank you for being part of our Plainly Queer community. We hope you enjoy this episode. Please note that it discusses potentially distressing topics, so engage mindfully and seek professional help if needed.

Here is a list of resources that may be of help to anyone listening:

Queer affirming counselling and psychotherapy services: https://www.insightmatters.ie/ and https://thequeertherapist.com [https://thequeertherapist.com/]

LGBTQ+ community support in Ireland: https://lgbt.ie/

LGBTQ+ Youth Support in Ireland: https://www.belongto.org/

Transgender Equality Network Ireland: https://teni.ie/

The Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/ireland/samaritans-ireland/



Special Guest Chris Sheridan - The Queer Therapist

On this episode of The Plainly Queer Podcast, we welcome our guests Anne Marie Toole and Dil Wickremasinghe. Both co-founds of Insight Matters, a Queer affirming therapy centre in Dublin which offers a range of holistic and therapeutic services.

In the episode, we discuss how and why Insight Matters came about and developed into the thriving centre, it is today with over a hundred therapists. We explore the social issues affecting Queer individuals in modern-day Ireland, such as the importance of intersectionality and individuality. The topics of Queer relationships and Queer parenting are also discussed through the unique and insightful perspectives of Anne Marie and Dil and their life experiences.

Be sure and listen to Dil’s mental health radio show ‘Tuning Inward with Dil’ every Wednesday on Dublin City FM or catch previous episodes via the Dublin City FM website. Thank you for being part of our Plainly Queer community.

Please note that this episode discusses potentially distressing topics. Engage mindfully and seek professional help if needed.

Below is a list of resources that may be of help to anyone listening:

Queer affirming counselling and psychotherapy services: https://www.insightmatters.ie/

LGBTQ+ community support in Ireland: https://lgbt.ie/

LGBTQ+ Youth Support in Ireland: https://www.belongto.org/

Transgender Equality Network Ireland: https://teni.ie/

The Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/ireland/samaritans-ireland/

Special Guest Anne Marie Toole and Dil Wickremasinghe

In this week's episode of The Trauma and Healing Podcast, we go back to a conversation from 2022 with mindfulness expert Orlaith O'Sullivan. This engaging discussion predates the podcast itself, harking back to a time when I was initiating thought-provoking dialogues on Instagram Live.

Orlaith's insights remain as profound and relevant today, shedding light on the transformative power of mindfulness and its role in personal healing. Listen in as Orlaith explores the nature of trauma, the importance of presence, and the role of inner companionship during challenging times.

This episode offers a thoughtful exploration of mindfulness and healing, a conversation as enlightening today as it was in 2022. Enjoy!

Remember to like and follow The Trauma and Healing Podcast, helping us to share these essential discussions. Enjoy the episode.

You can learn more about Orlaith and her work through her social media platforms and website:

 * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/orlaithos/]
 * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/orlaithMTC]
 * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/orlaithosullivan/]
 * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsRLMRQDTet0OroMywXz4Kg]
 * Website [https://www.orlaithosullivan.com/] www.orlaithosullivan.com

Orlaith's own  book "We Are All Flowers." You can explore and purchase her insightful work here [https://www.parallax.org/product/we-are-all-flowers/].

TRAINING - For any teachers interested in incorporating mindfulness into their professional and personal lives, Orlaith is offering a Summer Course for teachers or those working with children for the month of July 23. You can learn more and sign up for it here [https://www.orlaithosullivan.com/summer-course-for-teachers].

During our conversation, we mentioned books by Thich Nhat Hanh that delve into mindfulness and healing. You might find them insightful:

 * The Miracle of Mindfulness -
 * Reconciliation: Healing the Inner Child

Orlaith's meditations, which complement her teachings wonderfully, are available on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsRLMRQDTet0OroMywXz4Kg] and the Insight Timer app [https://insighttimer.com/orlaithsullivan].

As always, if you enjoyed the episode, please remember to like and follow to help promote these important discussions.

Orlaith O'Sullivan - Mindfulness 

Welcome to the Trauma and Healing Podcast, a space dedicated to understanding and navigating the difficult journey of healing from trauma. We invite experts in various fields, from psychology to the soma, to share their knowledge and experiences with us as we explore the ways in which trauma can affect an individual's physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

Join us as we explore the complexities of trauma and healing. Gain valuable insights and strategies for finding hope and healing in the aftermath of traumatic events through the different healing modalities available to us.

The Trauma & Healing Podcast

Two Queer therapists discuss issues effecting the LGBTQIA+ community and beyond. Highlighting that we are not obviously different; just plainly Queer. 

Clodagh McGrath

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