Episode One
Today marks the launch of the new season of the Real Talks podcast, and the first ever Real Talks newsletter!
Each week, we’ll use this space to dive deeper into each episode. We’ll provide any links, videos, sources, photos, and recommendations mentioned on the podcast.
We’re so excited for the start of this journey, and so happy you’re here for the ride!
More about Mary Kate and Alan
In this episode, you heard from host Alan and producer Mary Kate. It’s only fair that we tell you a little more about us.
As we mentioned in the episode, Alan’s journey with Real Talks started with his memoir, The Best Is Yet to Come.
From there, Alan created his company, Real Talks, and the Real Talks podcast followed soon after. Alan eventually made his way from Co. Cavan, Ireland to New York City where he met Mary Kate.
Mary Kate was working as a CBS News producer when she and Alan met. After nearly a decade with CBS, Mary Kate left for some creative and writing projects, so it only makes sense that she started producing Alan’s podcast.
Mary Kate and Alan are engaged and live on New York City’s Upper West Side, and are getting married this June in Cavan.
Mary Kate also performs as a harpist, and Alan is an incredible assistant for those events.
Mary Kate and Alan now produce Real Talks podcasts and videos from either their studio apartment (aka Real Talks HQ) or Stella & Fly.
Next Week’s Guest
We’re excited to announce our guest here for next week’s episode here!
This season’s first guest is comedian Katie Boyle!
Katie Boyle is an Irish comedian living in NYC. Her debut album “I’ll Do it Myself” dropped in June 2023 and hit number 1 in the iTunes charts. She tours all over the US and Ireland. She is the host of The Shift podcast and has been featured on Sirius XM.
Boyle is a weekly regular at New York Comedy Club. She’s been featured in the Hollywood Reporter, Irish Independent and The Irish Times. She has been selected for NY’s Funniest showcase in 2022 NY Comedy Festival, Laughing Skull and many more great festivals. She is currently touring her new hour “Terapy.”
We loved our conversation with Katie, and can’t wait for you to hear it.
Mentioned in the Episode
Alan’s book The Best Is Yet to Come
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Catch Up on Previous Episodes
If you’d like to hear some more Real Talks before next week, we recommend catching up on some of our previous episodes, including parts one and two of Alan’s interview with his childhood friend David Balfe, who performs as For Those I Love; Alan’s interview with Leanne Kiernan of Liverpool FC; and an interview with Rory O’Connor of Rory’s Stories.
The interviews in the Real Talks archives cover topics including addiction, grief and mental health, so please take care when listening.
Thank you so much for listening to the podcast subscribing to the Real Talks newsletter, and please spread the good word to your friends and family. We’ll be back next week, and until then, we’ll be in the comments!
-Alan and MK