Alive and Kicking with Clare McKenna
282 episodes - English - Latest episode: 30 days ago - ★★★★★ - 2 ratingsClare McKenna looks at ‘health’ in the widest sense of the word. From mindfulness to skin problems, from personal health journeys to tips for better exercise, Clare tries to bring you a dose of happy and healthy living.
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Episodes
Keelin Shanley- A Light that Never Goes Out
October 11, 2020 10:05 - 43 minutes - 2.57 KBKeelin Shanley the award winning journalist and broadcaster with RTE passed away in February, she had begun writing a memoir mainly for her kids to document her life and her reflections, Clare is joined by her husband Conor Ferguson to discuss “A Light That Never Goes Out’. Plus Clare also chats about Bladder Health and the large number of people who have OAB; Over Active Bladder. Clare is joined by Dr James Forde who is a consultant urologist at the Blackrock Clinic
Amanda Byram on the Switch she made.
October 04, 2020 13:19 - 44 minutes - 2.62 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna chats to Amanda Byram about her new book The Switch and how at 47 she’s in the best shape mentally and physically of her life after ditching destructive dieting and replacing it with a focus on health and happiness. The Fabulous Pharmacist will give her tips on how to mind yourself as we say goodbye to Summer and the colder months come. Plus psychologist Dr Derek Smyth on how to really listen
Girls Play Too
September 27, 2020 10:00 - 43 minutes - 2.54 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna chats to sports broadcaster Jacqui Hurley on encouraging gender equality and why she’s just written the book 'Girls Play Too' something she wished had been around when she was growing up. Clare talks to singer Aimee on how song writing is her stress-relieving saviour particularly from online bullying. Plus Professor Nic Palmarini Director of the National Innovation Centre for Ageing in the Newcastle on taking part in a global study into our ageing...
How Fear Drives Fake News
September 20, 2020 10:00 - 45 minutes - 2.64 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna talks to Dr Helena Boschi about what happens to our brain when it’s fearful and how it makes us more vulnerable to fake news. Jonathan Garner of Mind over Tech on how to keep yourself grounded in a sea of technology. Plus as it's Eczema Awareness Months Clare chats to Dr Nikki Ralph about the body’s largest organ and how to keep it healthy.
The Big Friendship
September 13, 2020 10:00 - 44 minutes - 2.6 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna chats to author and podcaster Ann Friedman on the Big Friendships that shape our lives when she chats about her book 'Big Friendship, How We Keep Each Other Close'. She talks to Nutritionist Denise Kelly on eating your way to a more energy filled life. PLus Cara McAdam launches the Great Pink Run for Breast Cancer Ireland and talks to Clare about recovering from a shock diagnosis months after her wedding.
Gay Hendricks on Taking the Great Leap
September 06, 2020 10:00 - 44 minutes - 2.62 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna chats to world renowned psychologist Gay Hendricks about his many books and living your best life. Plus TV Presenter Lucy Kennedy chats about her new children's book 'The Friendship Fairies Go to School' as well as the surprising aspects of Parenthood.
The Secret of Gut Health
August 30, 2020 10:00 - 44 minutes - 2.63 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna chats to Dr Alan Desmond about why we don't need Colonic Irrigation for a Healthy Cut. The pandemic has fueled a surge in antidepressants and other medicines being issued to patients with mental health concerns, Clare will be joined by psychologist Allison Keating to discuss this and talk through some coping skills. Plus Niall O'Flionn on the health benefits of Tai Chi.
Clare goes Forest Bathing.
August 23, 2020 10:00 - 44 minutes - 2.62 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare visits the Healing Forest in Dublin in the company of Luke Walsh to hear all about the healing powers of spending time in the woods. Clare chats to Amy Kelly the host of 'Gutcast' which is a podcast that was created with the Irish Society of Colitis and Crohn’s Disease in response to national research that looked at the issues people with IBD face. Plus on her latest Health Check-Up Clare gets a bit of a surprise.
The Power of Seaweed
August 16, 2020 10:00 - 46 minutes - 2.73 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna talks to Mark Walton of Voya about the health benefits of Seaweed. She chats to policy advisor Andrew Wear about his book 'Solved|! How Other Countries Have Cracked the World's Biggest Problems and We Can Too'. Plus with the kids returning to school soon Clare chats with President of the Infectious Disease Society of Ireland Prof Karina Butler to find out if classroom clusters really are inevitable.
Living & Thriving with MS
August 09, 2020 10:15 - 53 minutes - 3.12 KBClare is joined by chef, Ben Whale to chat about his menu favourites from 'The Bodycamp', a fitness & wellness retreat in Ibiza and Mallorca that has just reopened its doors. Clare heads out to the The Axe Club to try her hand at the exciting sport of axe throwing. Jamie Crawford joins Clare to discuss being diagnosed with MS at 32 years of age and how this helped him to take up running years later and lead a healthier lifestyle. Listen and subscribe to Alive and Kicking with Clare McKenna on...
The Evolving World of Skincare Medicine
August 02, 2020 10:05 - 57 minutes - 3.38 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna talks to Dr. Helena Boschi about her book 'Why We Do What We Do: Understanding Our Brain To Get The Best Out of Ourselves and Others'. Eoin McCluskey of Bread 41 in Dublin stops in to chat to Clare about the benefits of simple ingredients and sourdough bread. Dr. Laura Lenihan joins Clare to talk about skincare and the ever evolving wolrd of skincare medicine. Listen and subscribe to Alive and Kicking with Clare McKenna on Apple Podcasts, Google Po...
Should Our 5 A Day actually be 7?
July 26, 2020 10:00 - 53 minutes - 3.16 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna talks to Dietician Orla Walsh about how our intake or Vegetables has increased and it's mostly thanks to young people. Clare also chats to Personal Development Coach Claire McGrath about micro traumas and how even negative experiences we deem as small in our life can effect us for years later and how to deal with them. Plus Brian Dowling on his podcast 'Death Becomes Him' which looks at how people deal with grief.
The Power of the Sea
July 19, 2020 10:00 - 50 minutes - 2.97 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna chats to Rachel Lee of Ocean-Breakers about the power of the sea and how to respect it. She’s also joined by Irish actress Leigh Arnold who talks about moving to Ibiza and embracing wellness. Plus, the incredibly brave Shannon Joyce talks about dealing with Cancer for the third time as well as some shocking online trolling.
Men and Babies
July 11, 2020 14:16 - 43 minutes - 2.53 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna discusses male infertility, it’s not often you hear from the Dad’s on the topic of struggling to start a family. Clare hears from Garth on the journey he and his wife Leona have been on and we hear expert information from Medical Director and Consultant Fertility Specialist Dr Hans Arce, She's also be joined by Sport psychologist Dr Niamh Flynn to find out how hypnotherapy can help everything from chronic pain to reducing food craving.
How Not to Die
July 04, 2020 17:15 - 45 minutes - 2.64 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna talks to Dr Michael Gregor on how not to die and the lifestyle choices that can help you avoid some of the world’s biggest health issues. She is also joined by Ella Mills of 'Deliciously Ella' who talks about life behind her growing empire. Plus Clare speaks to Glen, who works with the Simon Community on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community who find themselves without a home.
How to Fall Apart and Pick Up the Pieces with Liadán Hynes
June 26, 2020 13:45 - 57 minutes - 3.38 KBOn this week's 'Alive & Kicking' Trisha Lewis, Executive Head Chef at 'Jacobs on the Mall' in Cork, who has a new book titled 'Trisha's Transformation' joined Clare to discuss her incredible weight-loss journey, and how changing her mindset led her to making better, more healthy decisions. Dr Lisa Mosconi chats to Clare about how watching her grandmother deteriorate as a result of dementia inspired her to to study degenerative neurological diseases and brain health, particularly in relation t...
Susan Jane White on Growing and Cooking Your Own Food.
June 13, 2020 15:32 - 44 minutes - 2.59 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna chat to well known foodie Susan Jane White about the fascinating food experiments she's been cooking up in her kitchen over the last few months. Clare chats to the incredible Jonathan Ranson who 6 years on from an accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down recently completed a hand cycle marathon, Plus she meets Mum of 3 Kim Berg who felt compelled to design a range of sustainable, eco-friendly children's wear range.
The Magic of Temple Street
June 06, 2020 14:53 - 8 minutes - 506 BytesThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna speaks the Head Porter of Temple Street Children's University Hospital John Doyle on what makes the magic in a place doing such important and sometimes tough work. Clare talks to Daniella Moyles about why it’s good to take a leap and her new memoir 'Jump. Plus Sile Seoige chats to Clare about getting real.
Mastering Your Hormones
May 30, 2020 13:49 - 41 minutes - 2.46 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna hears about the effect of stress on our hormones and how you can keep yours in check with endocrinologist Dr Mary Ryan. We also hear about the latest fermented food research from Co. Cork. Plus Clare meets the author of a new book ‘You Vs You’ Adam Corcoran who credits mixed martial arts with saving him
The Race for a Vaccine
May 23, 2020 15:34 - 45 minutes - 2.64 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna talks to Professor Adam Finn about the wait for a vaccine and why the this race needs to take its time. Clare also chats to Roz Purcell and her trainer John O’Regan on their virtual race 'Together Apart We Run'. Plus former magazine editor Ellie Balfe on why lockdown became her launch time for her new online platform 'Hey Day' aimed at women in their midlife.
Men Talking
May 17, 2020 12:41 - 5 minutes - 357 BytesThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna is be joined by Conor Creighton of The Dublin Boys Club and artist Maser to discuss healthy masculinity. Andy Ramage of 'One Year No Beer' shares everything he knows about Motivation. Plus living with asthma, beating breathlessness and calming Covid concerns.
Having a Baby During Lockdown
May 09, 2020 15:57 - 52 minutes - 3.09 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna chat about having a baby in the middle of a global pandemic and how maternity services have changed with a doctor, doula and a new Mum. What it feels like to be a trainer on the other side of the Zoom workout having moved your fitness business online; Clare talks to Fiona Opperman of Dublin Sports Clinic. Plus Dietitian Orla Walsh gives her no nonsense opinion on the latest food fads.
Managing Our Mental Health in Lockdown
May 02, 2020 16:14 - 46 minutes - 2.75 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna speaks to relationship specialist David Kavanagh to discuss how we can improve our communications skills with our partners as we continue our lives under the Covid-19 restrictions. Stephen Weinmann, owner of BikeRowSki and Performance Therapy Ireland speaks to Clare about his attempt - along with his BikeRowSki followers - to remotely travel around the coast of Ireland (all 3,171 kilometers of it) in 24 hours in aid of front-line workers currently ...
The Healing Power of Nature in Your Garden
April 26, 2020 13:14 - 44 minutes - 2.62 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna hears about the healing power of Nature with Shirley Gleeson from Eco Wellness. Are you trying to wrap your head around having a head plan at the moment? We hear from Denise Kenny on why goals shouldn’t be forgotten. Plus Noeline Blackwell of The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre on teaming with Tik Tok to start a conversation around consent. Listen and subscribe to Alive and Kicking with Clare McKenna on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. ...
Finding Space with Gerry Hussey
April 19, 2020 10:46 - 44 minutes - 2.63 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna talks to the inspirational Gerry Hussey of Soul Space on how you can mind yourself and focus on the now during uncertain times, Child psychologist Dr Mary O’Kane on how restrictions on socialising and schooling will impact on our children and GP Eleanor Galvin on how life in her surgery has changed.
Quarantine Cuisine
April 11, 2020 14:46 - 47 minutes - 2.79 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna talks to Fiona Staunton from Fiona’s Food for Life as she gives her tips for Quarantine Cuisine. Could you go 24 hours without your smartphone? Siobhan O’Hagan recently returned to Ireland from Bali and is in self isolation and she turned her phone off for a day and a night and the results were profound. And If your job has been affected by Covid 19 could you use this time as an opportunity to start something new? We hear from the Integrative Coac...
A View from the Frontline
April 04, 2020 14:43 - 45 minutes - 2.67 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna talks to Frontline workers who give their account of life during Covid 19 and also talk about the power of people coming together both to volunteer and to stay apart and how that’s making a massive difference.
Meditating Your Way Through Covid
March 28, 2020 14:27 - 45 minutes - 2.68 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna learns why meditation can really help at the moment and how to do it with Dermot Whelan. Performance nutritionist Daniel Davey talks about the importance of keeping your fitness and nutrition on point. And could you be a surrogate for your struggling to conceive friends? Clare meet Becky Loftus who did just that and now continues to help potential parents on their surrogacy journey
Celebrating Mothers Now More than Ever
March 22, 2020 10:39 - 43 minutes - 2.53 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna talks to Kathy Millican of ‘Bump Baby and Me’ all about modern motherhood. Clare chats to Karen Finnerty an Irish Woman living in Hong Kong about what we can learn about social distancing from the Hong Kong experience. Plus Caroline Foran on managing anxiety levels in these strange times.
The Truth about Surrogacy
March 14, 2020 15:51 - 45 minutes - 2.66 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna talks about surrogacy when she meets the Irish solicitor Tracy Horan who has helped many struggling to conceive and become parents.. Clare chats to Aoife Kane about how her time in a hospital bed led her to stress management and yoga. Plus we hear all the time about calories in and calories out being the secret to getting to a healthy weight but is it that simple? Clare meets two body building champions who’ve turned their back on weighing and obs...
Clare throws Punches
March 08, 2020 11:04 - 44 minutes - 2.6 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna tries her hand at KO Boxing and meets it’s Dublin founder Shane Collins to ask why he thinks it’s taken London by storm. Dr Harry Barry Author and Shining light on mental health helps us understand suicide. Plus Clare is joined in studio by CEO of Breast Cancer Ireland Aisling Hurley and cancer survivor Eimear Cregg who on International Women’s Day want to empower women to take control of their health and not wait until there is a problem
Sudden Adult Death Syndrome
March 01, 2020 09:06 - 45 minutes - 2.68 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna chats to Dr Joe Galvin, Consultant Cardiologist in the Mater Hospital about Sudden Adult Death Syndrome and how it can be avoided. Clare chats to Joseph Devlin who is a neuro-muscular physical therapist and hears all about the importance of our ‘fascia’. It’s Eating Disorder Awareness Week and Clare chats to Sophie Freeman about coming out the other side of disordered eating.
The Breath Guy
February 23, 2020 10:59 - 44 minutes - 2.58 KBOn Alive and Kicking with Clare McKenna this week–Richie Bostock also known as The Breath Guy' on why he’s made it his life’s work to make sure you use your lungs correctly. Spirituality is recognised by the world health orgransation as an important element of our overall health but what exactly is it and how do you make sure you are getting it into your life, especially if you’re not religious? Clare is joined by Susannah Healythe author of 'The Seven-Day Soul'. Plus Natasha Rocca Devine on...
Man's Search for Meaning
February 16, 2020 11:36 - 42 minutes - 2.47 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna is joined by Andrea Hayes and David Gillick who return to give their verdict 'Man’s Search for Meaning' by Viktor E Frankl – a survivor of Auschwitz who says we can choose how we feel. Clare chats to Clinical psychologist Elzan Mernane on a workshop she is running helping women break free of imposter syndrome. Plus Professor Niall Moyna on the fitness of secondary school students and with anxiety on the rise how we need to talk more about the link...
Campaigning and Living with Alzheimer's
February 02, 2020 10:29 - 44 minutes - 2.58 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna speaks to the inspirational Helen Rochford Brennan who campaigns to have Alzheimer’s recognized as a disability while also living with the condition. She speaks to adventurer John Burke about his campaign to get better mental health services for the young people of Clare. Plus Clare does a boogie bounce class.
Getting Old-Deal With It
January 24, 2020 19:02 - 45 minutes - 2.64 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna discusses the realities of getting old with 80 year old Lee Janogly who still works as a personal trainer and has just published 'Getting Old: Deal With It'. – Clare also discusses interesting new research on what the father should be thinking of 3 months before conceiving a baby. Plus Clare begins an exciting new journey of her own when she has her body scanned and she tells you the results.
Give yourself a Life Audit
January 19, 2020 11:09 - 44 minutes - 2.6 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking talks to the inspirational Michelle Moroney about her new book The Life Audit and why we should take some time to answer the big questions. If thinking about Climate Change has been blighting your wellness Clare asks what can we really do to make a difference. Plus Dr Eleanor Galvin on the virus that almost ruined Xmas and what you should do for your health at the start of a new year.
Feel the Burren
January 12, 2020 11:23 - 44 minutes - 2.62 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna chats to the inimitable force that is Hector O’hEochagain about the power of connecting to the land and encouraging you to Feel the Burren next weekend. She chats to Artist Ciara Rodgers about how giving back is amazing for our wellbeing and why we shouldn’t write off older people. Plus Newstalk's Dr Ciara Kelly on being 12 days into '100 Days of Walking'.
Cooking Up a Batch with Susan Jane White
January 05, 2020 10:44 - 46 minutes - 2.75 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking with Clare McKenna if you’re looking to save time, money and patience in your kitchen in 2020, Susan Jane White is in studio with her tips on how to batch cook like a boss. The power of saying Yes to things in your life with actress Clelia Murphy and you'll have serious 'life-envy' when Clare talks wellness retreats with Dervla Louli the founder of 'Compare Retreats'.
Jo Wood on Her Journey to Good Health
December 30, 2019 10:02 - 44 minutes - 2.61 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking, Clare McKenna sits down to chat with Jo Wood the ex-wife of Rolling Stones Guitarist Ronnie Wood and founder of ‘Jo Wood Organics’ to talk about her own health scare and her new book ‘Stoned’. Clare also chats to Suzanne Leydon, Nutrition, Health & Wellness Coach and co-founder of the Well Now Company about what wellness really is. Plus Clare chats to Wellness Therapist Tara O’Rourke about the challenges of keeping your skin fresh and your mind fresh during th...
How to deal with the anxiety of Christmas? Author Caroline Foran shares her experience
December 21, 2019 14:49 - 44 minutes - 2.63 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna was joined by MD and pharmacist Oonagh O'Hagan of Meagher's Pharmacy, David Brady, who has run 900 marathons - and is on his way to 70 - and Caroline Foran, author and podcaster talks about how to deal with the anxiety of Christmas.
How to Have a Plant-Based Christmas
December 15, 2019 12:30 - 44 minutes - 2.6 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna is joined by Chris Peare of Green Lemon Nutrition to give tips and recipes for a more plant based Christmas. Clare is also joined by consultant cardiologist Dr john Barton to discuss how you can keep your heart healthy and did you know iron plays a major role?
Why is loneliness such a common issue among middle-aged men?
December 11, 2019 10:42 - 10 minutes - 2 BytesThis week on Alive and Kicking we heard the fairy inspirational story of Kayla’s Kitchen a nationwide nutritious food delivery service which was born from a family’s realisation that when times are tough, good food can help. For people who suffer from migraines, Esther Tomkins, Clinical Nurse Specialist at the Migraine Clinic in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin was here to give you all the insights and loneliness in middle aged men is said to be more of a health risk than diabetes or heart diseas...
Focus on obesity and diabetes with Dr. Donal O'Shea and Stephen Weinman of BikeRowSki
December 09, 2019 10:44 - 10 minutes - 2 BytesThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna was joined by operator and Head Coach of BikeRowSki, Stephen Weinman and Dr. Donal O'Shea to discuss obesity and diabetes.
How to Have a Green Christmas
November 30, 2019 17:55 - 44 minutes - 2.63 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna talks to Sheelin Conlon who has helped set up a Sustainable Christmas store in Dublin called 'The Conscious Christmas Store'. She's also joined by young Chef Flynn McGarry who helped launched 'The Connected Restaurant' which allows family and friends on opposite sides of the Atlantic to come together to share Christmas dinner. Plus she's joined by Sinead Glesson who has just won an award for her compelling book 'Constellations' who is a selection...
Life after Loss
November 24, 2019 12:01 - 42 minutes - 2.5 KBLoss is something that is inevitable in life but the grief after losing a loved one can be difficult to overcome. This week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna talks through the topic of grief with a very special lady named Sinead Higston who lost her husband on their honeymoon talks through her advice to people facing a similar situation along with psychologist Mark Harold. Also should we be taking supplements or is it literally money down the drain? Clare is joined by Dietician Orla Walsh
I Want This In My Backyard
November 17, 2019 11:38 - 45 minutes - 2.69 KBMost people say not in my back yard but why does designer and TV presenter Brendan Courtney want a medically supervised injecting centre in his neighbourhood? Clare McKenna finds out on this week's Alive and Kicking. Clare talks to a listener Claire Hogan who wants to challenge the stereotyping of small people. Plus children’s author Sarah Webb on her new book which introduces kids to Irish dreamers and heroes.
No One Needs A Perfect Parent
November 10, 2019 11:04 - 43 minutes - 2.56 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking with Clare McKenna chats to Philosopher Alain de Botton on the advice from his School of Life and he tells Clare why there's no such thing as a perfect life, parent, job or anything. We hear from Dr Frances Dokery, a specialist in bone health, about what really keeps your bones healthy. Plus we meet the woman behind the family run vegetarian restaurant in Dublin 'Cornucopia' – 30 years on from opening the doors, what does Deirdre McCafferty make of the changes...
Does the Universe Really Have Your Back?
October 27, 2019 10:38 - 45 minutes - 2.65 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna turns to 'Well Read' her health and wellness book review and this time she takes a look at 'The Universe Has Your Back' by Gabrielle Bernstein and she's joined by author and presenter Andrea Hayes and Olympian David Gillick to review. She also meets Dr. Ranbir Kaulsey who when his twin daughters were born one had severe allergies and other didn’t so he changed his training path from trauma neurosurgeon to allergy expert. Plus, is there a place fo...
The Dirt Birds on their Human View of Parenting
October 20, 2019 11:02 - 44 minutes - 2.59 KBThis week on Alive and Kicking Clare McKenna chats to comedy Duo ‘The Dirt Birds’ who give their honest and hilarious account of parenting. Clare also chats to Performance Nutritionist for Dublin Senior Footballers and Leinster Rugby Daniel Davey on why the right food choices can improve health and performance for anybody. Plus, as the clocks go back next week and we all think it’s wonderful that we have an extra hour in bed but is changing our clocks for daylight savings time detrimental to...