Evanne Ní Chuilinn Talks Women’s Sports, Sharing and Grief
We sat down with the Irish sports journalist and television presenter for an honest, heartfelt chat. Let's dive in!
This week, we were thrilled to have Evanne Ní Chuilinn on the podcast! First things first, the episode is available on Apple and Spotify. If you haven’t already, give us a follow while you’re there!
This was a conversation we were waiting to have for a while, and it exceeded all expectations. Irish listeners know Evanne as a sports journalist and television presenter, but we started the conversation talking about her book, The Great Irish Book of Gaelic Games.
As Evanne explained, writing a book while having a full time job was a challenge and a bit of a side path, but she’s “all about the side tracks.”
I love being challenged and I work under pressure, and I always have. So I always look around to see what else I can do. Because I don’t think we can be defined by what we do for a living, or what we do day to day. I think there’s always more.
The RTÉ broadcaster talked with Alan about women’s sports finally getting some of the recognition they deserve, and a sense of disbelief at how long it has taken.
Speaking of women’s sports, Alan and Evanne mentioned two athletes that Alan has previously interviewed.
Alan brought up his interview with Aisling Maher for The Player’s Voice podcast - in which they talked about unlearning the language we grew up with.
Evanne mentioned the amazing footballer Leanne Kiernan, who is not only from Alan’s hometown, but who spoke with Alan on a previous episode of the Real Talks podcast, in which they discussed grief, taking care of your mental health and her career as a footballer for Liverpool FC.
Alan and Evanne both spoke about times they chose to share hard experiences. Alan mentioned a 2018 article penned by Evanne titled “You Never Really Know,” about her experience with grief after her brother’s death. They talked about sibling loss, returning to work after and starting therapy.
Evanne said it well - that sometimes she wishes she wasn’t a sharer, that it’s something she thinks hard about, because in a way it makes you more vulnerable. But she knows it helps others going through the same thing. This is true of times she’s shared her experiences with grief, and opened up about her IVF journey, and also in sharing her experience with hyperemesis during her pregnancies.
The talk with Evanne was a reminder of how much we can help each other feel less alone just by sharing our stories with one another - and we’re so grateful for everything Evanne shared with us.
This was not only our first episode recorded virtually (thank you as always to our amazing editor Jack,) but it was also recorded while we were visiting MK’s parents. Please enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at Alan’s setup, including the Mr. Potato Head box propping up his iPad.
And thank you to our niece Quinn for letting us rummage through her toy box and borrow her toys.
On to some housekeeping! This is the last week to enter our giveaway! We’re so happy to be partnering with Connemara Marble. We’ll be picking a winner this week to receive their stunning silver and green marble Triskele pendant, pictured above. To enter, you just need to do two things!
Follow heyrealtalks on Instagram
Subscribe to our newsletter
Check out Connemara Marble’s jewelry, and good luck to everyone who enters! You’ll be hearing about a winner soon.
Real Recommendations:
What we’re listening to:
Alan: This week’s Webworm newsletter features a 7 minute snippet of a 7-year-old reviewing Lord of the Rings, and it’s amazing.
Mary Kate: Starburster by Fontaines D.C.
What we’re watching:
Alan and Mary Kate: We finished Baby Reindeer on Netflix over two days. It’s difficult to watch at times, and please head the trigger warnings. The acting is astonishing. The way they tell stories of trauma with nuance and a realistic messiness is something we haven’t really seen. Highly recommend.
What we’re reading:
Alan: Still reading Holding!
Mary Kate: Just took I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jeannette McCurdy out from the library. I’ve wanted to read it for a while, and have heard the best things about the writing of a tough story, so I’m looking forward to reading it.
What we’re scrolling:
Alan: Deleted Instagram off my phone this week, so less scrolling for me!
Mary Kate: This is currently my favorite Instagram account.
Other things mentioned in the episode:
Since we mentioned mentioned therapy in the episode:
If you’re listening in Ireland, Samaritan’s Ireland is a 24/7 mental health helpline that can be reached at 116 123, for free, day or night.
SOSAD Ireland provides free counseling, helpline and messaging services to those in need in Ireland.
Pieta provides a wide range of mental health services across Ireland free of charge, no referral needed.
Solace House provides free counseling for those in need in the US.
For listeners in the US, MK always recommends searching for a therapist on Psychology Today - you can search by location, services and insurance provider. And you can get a good sense of the therapists by the descriptions they write.
In the US, Crisis Text Line is a free 24/7 service that can be accessed by texting HOME to 741741.
Help is also available in the US by dialing 988
That’s us for this week! We’re taking next week off for a wee vacation - so you’ll hear from us in two weeks. Thanks as always for listening, we’re so glad you’re all here.
- Alan and Mary Kate