As we wrap up 2025, we’re delighted to share some reflections and highlights from our journey on the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast. It’s been a busy year, and we are so grateful for your continued support and engagement. For the final episode of the year, we sat down last week to discuss and reflect on some of the memorable moments from our episodes. We hope this will spark your curiosity and entice you to tune in and listen to an episode or two if you haven’t already.
While many of the podcast guests are health professionals, experts, others are advocates and people who kindly share their personal experiences with us. These guests’ courage in sharing their personal experiences has been incredible to listen to and will give our listeners authentic and meaningful information about a wide range of topics. We touch on just a few:
- Suicide Bereavement: Fiona Tuomey shares her story and lived experience on this topic, as well as the fantastic work of hugg.ie, an organisation she founded to support people who have been impacted by suicide bereavement.
- Organ Donation: Olivia Farrell’s heartfelt story about her daughter Lauren’s organ donation was very emotional and heartfelt and together with Dr. Anne Motherway, they powerfully emphasised the importance of organ donation.
- HIV and Stigma: Veda Lady and Dr. Robbie Lawler’s candid and joyful conversation about living with HIV and overcoming stigma was both inspiring and enlightening.
- Other topics we highlight include Balancing Stress, a new HSE online programme, Cultural Diversity in Healthcare and Physical Activity and a number of episodes for parents about supporting children’s emotional awareness, Digital wellbeing and Cyber safe kids.
Our guest’s authentic storytelling and expertise is vital to the podcast and their willingness to share their story and the work they do every day is what makes a real difference.
Looking forward to 2026
We’re excited to continue bringing you insightful conversations in the coming year. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s to come:
- Balancing Stress, we will be sitting down again with Dr. Niamh Clarke in New Year to record some episodes that break down stress components like anxiety, low mood and depression.
- We will be highlighting the work underway by the HSE Global Health programme, led by Dr. David Weakliam, who shares great insights from his own work overseas and how the HSE is working with health services in other countries who can benefit from our learning and expertise.
- We have an upcoming episode focussed on Loneliness and the important of social connection with colleagues from the Institute of Public Health and the Global Brain Health Institute in Trinity.
Thank you for being part of our journey. Your support, whether through listening, sharing, or engaging with us, we truly appreciate it. You can follow us on whatever podcast channel you use or subscribe to out mailing list to keep up to date, simply email [email protected].
Wishing you all a healthy and happy new year. Stay well and take care!
Warm regards,
Fergal, Noreen, and Eamon
Hosts of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast