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How's Your Ma Podcast

How's Your Ma Podcast

Von: Leanne Ryan & Orla Lynch
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Our podcast explores women’s relationships—from mother-daughter to leadership—and how they shape lives, aiming to support and empower women across all relationship experiences.© 2026 Leanne Ryan & Orla Lynch Sozialwissenschaften
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  • How's Your Ma: Episode 9 (Jackie support and survival pt2)

    How's Your Ma: Episode 9 (Jackie support and survival pt2)
    Jun 25 2026
    In this raw and deeply moving second part of Jackie's story, Orla, Leanne and Jackie pick up where they left off — and what follows is one of the most honest and courageous conversations the pod has had.Jackie takes us through the moment she discovered she was pregnant with Abby, and the immediate unravelling of Tony's mask — from "that's what we always wanted" to "I don't believe you're pregnant" within days. What should have been a time of joy became another chapter of coercive control, fear, and isolation, compounded by the devastating news at Jackie's 20-week scan that her baby had a serious heart condition. Abby was born with a complex congenital heart defect — her organs on the wrong side, her heart with only two chambers and a large hole between them — and was rushed straight to Crumlin Children's Hospital from birth. Jackie describes the terror of bringing a medically fragile baby home with a 50% chance of not making it to her first birthday, learning CPR at the hospital door, and doing it all largely alone while living in fear of Abby's father.As Abby grew, so did the abuse — escalating to the night Tony picked Jackie up and threw her across the room in front of Abby, telling her he would have her killed. That was Jackie's light bulb moment. She talks about the court process, the safety orders that were just pieces of paper to him, the guards who didn't take her seriously, and the slow, painful road to finally getting out. She also opens up about eventually finding support through Aoibhneas domestic violence services, being diagnosed with PTSD, and what it felt like to finally have her experience validated.Jackie also speaks about her mother — learning at her deathbed that she likely had autism, and the grief and guilt that came a year later when everything finally made sense. And she speaks about her father, whom she cared for despite everything, and who told her she wasn't his.This is an episode about survival — not just Jackie's, but Abby's. Today, Abby has finished a PLC with nine distinctions, is clued in, strong, and thriving. And Jackie, living in a beautiful little cottage by the sea, is a very different woman — one who doesn't take shit, points out red flags, and has her hand out to anyone who needs it.Her closing words to anyone still in it: Don't ignore the red flags. Don't be afraid to talk. Believe in the experience that you're having.Timecodes00:00 – Intro: Leanne and Orla welcome listeners back for Part 2 of Jackie's story00:25 – Recap: picking up from Part 1, moving into Abby's arrival and life from there00:58 – Jackie calls Tony the moment she finds out she's pregnant — and wonders to this day why she did01:19 – Tony's reaction: "That's what we always wanted" — followed within days by "I don't believe you're pregnant"02:08 – Why Jackie didn't leave: living in constant fear, the body going into autopilot every time he walked through the door02:51 – The roller coaster of Tony's responses to the pregnancy; and Jackie's sister passing away in the middle of it all03:36 – The 20-week scan: the nurse takes too long, asks Jackie to come back — and Jackie's gut knows immediately something is wrong04:48 – Returning for the follow-up scan: brought into a different room, a specialist, a team — "There's something wrong with your baby"05:24 – The diagnosis: a serious heart condition, possibly linked to Down syndrome — Jackie's response: "I don't care if my baby has Down syndrome, I need to know if she'll live"05:40 – Tony's reaction on finding out it's a girl: visible disgust — his only priority was a boy06:32 – Scans at Crumlin Children's Hospital throughout the pregnancy; the surreal terror of being in a children's hospital before Abby is even born07:13 – The cardiologist's bleak prognosis: Abby's organs on the wrong side, liver midline, heart central, two chambers with a large hole between them08:05 – Jackie hiding away during the pregnancy, talking to Abby every day, willing her to just get through08:41 – Abby goes into distress a week before her due date; emergency C-section09:23 – Abby is born — purple, a mop of jet black hair, gorgeous — and immediately taken to Crumlin09:44 – Jackie, post-surgery and unable to walk, left alone in a hospital room while Abby fights for life; Tony's family never once makes contact10:41 – A control call from Tony's ex while Jackie is lying there unable to move — she cuts it short11:32 – The next morning: Jackie discharges herself against medical advice to get to Crumlin; the first time she gets to touch Abby12:21 – Crumlin: emergency blessings, Prostin to keep Abby's arteries open, MRI scans12:53 – Abby's first open-heart surgery at three days old; Jackie describes seeing her baby connected to tubes, unrecognisable13:33 – The abuse never stopped during the pregnancy — always there under the surface; keeping Tony happy just to survive14:10 – Tony thriving off Abby's illness ...
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    1 Std. und 5 Min.
  • How's Your Ma: Episode 8

    How's Your Ma: Episode 8
    Jun 18 2026
    In this powerful episode of How's Your Ma?, Orla and Leanne welcome Jackie — and from the very first minute, it's clear this is a story unlike any other. Jackie opens up about a lifetime shaped by survival: growing up in poverty and domestic violence, being placed in an orphanage as a young child, caring for her siblings well before she was old enough to care for herself, and eventually finding safety, warmth, and stability in ways she never expected.Jackie speaks candidly about her marriage, her escape into what felt like freedom, and how a charming man she met at work turned her world upside down — love bombing, coercive control, physical abuse, and the terrifying experience of navigating the courts and family law system while pregnant and afraid. She shares the heartbreak of her baby Abby's serious heart condition diagnosis, the isolation she endured, and the years it took to finally break free.But this isn't just a story of hardship. Jackie speaks with remarkable clarity, humour, and strength about where she is now — in a good place, learning to say no, and writing the next chapter of her life. She even has a book in her. This is Part 1 of a two-part episode.If you or someone you know needs support, you can contact the Domestic Violence helpline SASH on 1800 911 221, or reach out to domestic violence services in your area.Timecodes:00:00 — Welcome & introducing Jackie; Orla and Leanne reflect on her story01:46 — "Everybody has a story — and I'm holding the pen on this one" — Jackie on why she's sharing her truth02:01 — Years of writing and deleting; finding the courage to stop being ashamed04:00 — At 57, stepping into the next chapter; giving yourself permission05:06 — Learning to say no; breaking the people-pleasing habit07:43 — Jackie begins at the beginning: growing up one of eight children in poverty outside Lusk09:01 — Memories of domestic abuse at home; flashes of fear11:14 — The night her mum left through the back window12:06 — Left to care for her younger siblings; feeding and minding babies as a young child14:25 — Mum returns with the guards; taking the children to a refuge (Women's Aid)14:48 — Placed in the orphanage; Sister Stella and a surprisingly safe, warm childhood17:26 — Good memories: summers at the beach, donkeys, hot milk and bedtime stories18:47 — The shame of school; hiding where she lived, feeling different22:26 — Siblings being fostered out one by one; Jackie left behind, too old27:39 — Running down the stairs to greet prospective foster families, hoping to be chosen28:48 — Sister Stella gently suggesting she go live with her gran; Jackie's reluctance32:35 — Moving to her grandmother's; her mum's alcoholism; feeling used, not loved58:38 — Alan has a work accident; Jackie gets her first taste of freedom going to work59:54 — Splitting from Alan in 2002; the loneliness and emotional isolation of that marriage01:00:31 — Meeting her "nightmare" — a charming area manager, the love bombing begins01:03:34 — "He was my Prince Charming — and then he flipped a switch"; the abuse begins01:05:40 — The first attack; not seeing the signs; coercive control and isolation01:07:33 — His sob stories and her empathy; confiding in his mother (his biggest enabler)01:08:55 — The fear; walking on eggshells; the manipulation being worse than the physical abuse01:10:17 — Breaking up in 2007; discovering she's pregnant with Abby01:12:50 — Her sister passes away; the pregnancy continuing amid chaos01:13:58 — The 20-week scan; devastating news about Abby's heart condition01:15:17 — "It doesn't matter if she has Down Syndrome — I just need to know if she'll live"; his reaction to finding out it's a girl01:33:41 — Mental health crisis; her uncle Pat's concern; going to the GP; anti-depressants and an upcoming court case01:35:14 — Navigating family law; the system's failings for domestic abuse survivors01:40:31 — Abby refuses to go back; Jackie stands firm — "She's not going back"01:41:48 — Who he really is; the irony of his "career" in close protection02:10:50 — Jackie today: a different person, a different strength02:11:14 — What she'd do differently now; the strength she's found02:12:06 — Abby thriving; the roller coaster of keeping her daughter held together02:12:27 — Closing words: "Don't ignore the red flags. Don't be afraid to talk."02:13:11 — Resources: SASH Domestic Violence Helpline 1800 911 22102:13:54 — Orla and Leanne reflect on Jackie's journey; what a warrior she is02:16:04 — Jackie's song: Celebrate Me by Sinéad O'Connor — "it sums up everything I've gone through and everything I'm about to embark on"02:17:18 — Teaser for Part 2; wrap-up and outro
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    1 Std. und 11 Min.
  • How's Your Ma: Episode 7

    How's Your Ma: Episode 7
    Jun 11 2026
    This week, Orla and Leanne are joined by two very special guests — Ashling, a mum from Clane, Kildare, and her incredible 11-year-old daughter Georgia. What unfolds is one of the most honest, heartfelt and joyful conversations the girls have had in the studio.Ashling opens up about navigating life with not one, but two children with medical diagnoses — Jake, who was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis at just 20 months old, and Georgia, who was born with a visual impairment. From the moment Georgia arrived and Ashling knew something was different, to the hospital visits, the dismissals from doctors, the ICU, and ultimately the diagnosis — she tells it all with a strength and humour that will have you laughing one minute and wiping your eyes the next.But this episode isn't just about the hard parts. It's about a family that rallies around each other. It's about a husband who texts to check in, a brother who carries his sister's bag home from school every day without being asked, and a little sister whose first instinct is always to help. And it's about Georgia herself — a confident, singing, rebel-song-loving, seagull-chasing force of nature who wants to be a singer (or a youth worker, just in case).Georgia steals the show as she chats about school, independence, her love of Olivia Rodrigo AND Irish rebel songs, and what she'd say to other kids and parents going through something similar. Her wisdom at 11 years old will genuinely stop you in your tracks.Ashling's advice to new parents facing a diagnosis — "just enjoy it, don't waste your time worrying" — and her message to couples navigating the stress of raising children with extra needs — "listen to each other, communicate" — are words every parent needs to hear.This one is a banger. Don't miss it.Timecodes00:00 — Introductions: Orla and Leanne welcome Ashling and Georgia to the studio01:52 — Ashling introduces herself: from Clane, Kildare, married to Mikey for 18 years, three kids02:39 — Georgia introduces herself: 11 years old, loves singing, dancing and drumming — and reveals she is visually impaired03:27 — Ashling's story begins: Jake's unusual crawling, four dismissed hospital visits, and finally getting someone to listen04:25 — Jake is diagnosed with juvenile arthritis at 20 months old — while Ashling is pregnant with Georgia05:33 — Ashling's own eye condition and the moment she knew something was different when Georgia was born06:58 — The night Georgia was born: eyes not opening, the call to the doctor, and being whisked to the ICU07:48 — Transferred to Temple Street Children's Hospital — Ashling returning to the same hospital she attended as a child09:06 — Georgia put to sleep for investigation at just three days old10:42 — Ashling reveals she had shingles during her pregnancy with Georgia11:29 — Mikey's role: attending every hospital appointment, flying to England, being Georgia's constant24:40 — Jake's relationship with Georgia: carrying her bag from school every day without being asked25:22 — Little sister Essie: naturally understanding Georgia's needs from two years old, no explanation needed26:40 — A funny moment: Orla and baby Essie's rocky start ("she just didn't like me")30:04 — An important reflection: how Jake was sometimes overlooked when Georgia's diagnosis took centre stage31:08 — The girls' trip to Tenerife: how Orla and Ashling first became friends over tears and laughter at a pub table34:36 — Georgia on her day-to-day life: Ashling does her hair, makes her lunch, and Georgia makes the tea35:16 — Georgia's general knowledge: obsessed with The Chase, knows everything about actors, singers and history37:01 — Georgia's favourite music: Justin Bieber, Olivia Rodrigo — and Irish rebel songs. Her favourite? Grace and The Streets of New York38:20 — Georgia sings a verse of The Streets of New York — and absolutely delivers39:15 — Georgia's future plans: singer first, youth worker second40:01 — Georgia's youth club: singing, drama, cooking, rock climbing — and the community it builds52:03 — Georgia's advice to other kids who might feel different: "Be yourself. Don't let anyone change you."52:58 — Georgia on navigating school independence: getting her coat herself, taking the extra time, not caring what others think53:19 — On curious kids who stare: "They're just kids. They don't mean it."54:01 — Georgia's advice to mums of children with additional needs: "Don't stop your kid from doing things — they can do anything they want to."54:25 — Ashling on her early fears: "I thought she'd never cycle a bike." Georgia now cycles a bike.56:18 — Ashling's advice to parents who've just received a diagnosis: "Enjoy it. Don't waste your time worrying. And never be afraid to stand up to the doctors."59:55 — Ashling's advice to couples raising children with extra needs: listen to each other, communicate, and make time for yourself — even when Mikey has to push you ...
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    1 Std. und 9 Min.
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