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The Laura Dowling Experience

The Laura Dowling Experience

By: Laura Dowling
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About this listen

 Conversations about health, science, wellness, life, love, sex and everything in-between. Laura is a Pharmacist who loves to talk to interesting people about their unique life and work experiences. See @fabulouspharmacist on instagram for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

© 2025 The Laura Dowling Experience Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Hannah Daly | ADHD, Autism, and Being Diagnosed Later in Life

    Hannah Daly | ADHD, Autism, and Being Diagnosed Later in Life
    Apr 16 2026
    🎧 Episode DescriptionHannah Daly talks openly about the long path to understanding her brain. Growing up, she knew she experienced the world differently, but dyslexia and dyspraxia seemed to explain enough at the time. It wasn’t until much later that she began to question whether there was more to it.A period of intense physical and cognitive symptoms during perimenopause became a turning point. As her ability to cope and mask began to unravel, it led her to seek answers - and eventually to diagnoses of ADHD and autism. What follows is a process of looking back, reinterpreting her life, and starting to understand herself in a completely different way.🔑 Key PointsGrowing up feeling different without the language for itHannah describes always experiencing the world differently, but early diagnoses of dyslexia and dyspraxia seemed to explain enough at the time.Masking and the effort of trying to fit inMuch of her life was shaped by adapting to environments and expectations, often suppressing her own needs.Perimenopause as a turning pointA sudden wave of physical and cognitive symptoms made it harder to cope and brought everything to the surface.The link between hormones and neurodivergenceHormonal changes intensified underlying ADHD and autistic traits, including memory issues, overwhelm, and sensory sensitivity.Late diagnosis of ADHD and autismThrough seeking answers, Hannah went through an assessment process and received both diagnoses.Looking back with new understandingShe began to reinterpret her life, recognising patterns that had always been there but previously misunderstood.Unmasking and redefining identityDiagnosis allowed her to move away from people-pleasing and start living more in line with who she is.Understanding your brain as self-compassionLearning how her brain works helped her develop better strategies and a more supportive way of living.📚 Mentioned in this EpisodeADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)A neurodevelopmental condition affecting attention, impulse control, and energy regulation.Autism (Autism Spectrum Condition)A lifelong condition affecting communication, sensory processing, and social interaction.PerimenopauseA hormonal transition phase that can impact mood, cognition, and physical wellbeing.ADHD, Autism, and Hormones (Emerging Research Area)Growing research explores how hormonal changes can intensify neurodivergent traits.ADHD Ireland - Support & U-Map ProgrammeResources and support for ADHD in Ireland.Autism and Menopause (Further Reading)Explores how menopause can affect autistic individuals.Odd Girl Out - Laura James (Book)A memoir about late autism diagnosis.Dr Mary Doherty - Autistic Doctors InternationalAdvocate and founder supporting autistic professionals.Wim Hof MethodBreathing and cold exposure techniques.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Asking for accommodations and sensory needs02:30 – What masking looks like in everyday life04:00 – Growing up feeling “othered”07:00 – Finding purpose through occupational therapy10:30 – Writing her book and sharing her story11:30 – Sudden health episode and onset of symptoms14:30 – Perimenopause, HRT, and turning point17:00 – ADHD and autism diagnosis19:00 – Reframing her life after diagnosis23:00 – Sensory needs, routines, and daily coping27:00 – ADHD traits, focus, and conversation style31:00 – Energy, burnout, and pacing36:00 – Managing overwhelm and regulation strategies42:00 – Sleep, routines, and nervous system support47:00 – Parenting, relationships, and support systems52:00 – Medication, exercise, and what helps56:00 – Final reflections and helping other womenThanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • The Reality of School Meals in Ireland Today with Ger Killian

    The Reality of School Meals in Ireland Today with Ger Killian
    Apr 9 2026
    🎧 Episode DescriptionThis conversation with Ger Killian offers a thoughtful and honest look at what it really means to feed children in today’s world. As co-founder of The Lunch Bag, Ger has spent years navigating the realities of school meals - from supply chains and budgets to the emotional responses of parents and children alike.What emerges is a story not just about food, but about trust. Trust from parents who want reassurance their child will eat. Trust from children learning to try new things. And trust in a system that is still evolving, trying to balance immediate needs with long-term impact.This episode gently challenges assumptions, reminding us that meaningful change takes time. It invites us to think more deeply about how we support children - not just nutritionally, but emotionally and socially too.🔑 Key PointsWhy “safe foods” matterRemoving familiar foods like chicken goujons revealed how important predictable meals are for children, especially those under stress.The complexity of feeding children at scaleDelivering meals involves logistics, cost pressures, regulations, and nutritional standards that most people never see.The unintended consequences of a welfare modelTargeting meals at certain children can create stigma and affect how children engage with food in school.The role of culture in what children eatHistorical and cultural influences shape how children respond to unfamiliar foods and new meals.Parental instinct and food securityParents often send extra lunches not out of distrust, but from a deep instinct to ensure their child is fed.The importance of education around foodWithout teaching children what they are eating, meals can feel unfamiliar and disengaging rather than supportive.A long-term opportunity for changeSchool meals have the potential to improve not just nutrition, but equality, behaviour, and future outcomes.📚 Mentioned in this EpisodeThe Lunch BagA leading Irish school meal provider delivering fresh, nutritionally balanced lunches to schools nationwide.Website - https://www.thelunchbag.ie/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thelunchbag_/Healthy Ireland GuidelinesNational nutritional standards that define what a balanced school meal should include in terms of protein, vegetables, and overall health.World Food ProgrammeA global organisation that highlights how access to school meals, particularly for girls, can improve education and long-term outcomes.EU Child GuaranteeA European initiative focused on ensuring children have access to essential services, including nutritious food and education.BallymaloeAn Irish food producer and cookery school that supported the development of nutritious sauces for school meals.Spice of Life (Cork)A food supplier that helped create large-scale, nutritionally balanced sauces for school meal programmes.Willowbrook (Belfast)A supplier providing fresh fruit and vegetables used in school meals across Ireland.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 - Introduction to Ger and The Lunch Bag03:00 - Building a school meal service from scratch07:00 - The rollout of free school meals10:00 - Welfare vs progressive school meal models13:00 - Why children disengage from meals over time18:30 - How school meals are produced and delivered27:00 - Food culture and food neophobia in Ireland32:00 - The chicken goujon controversy36:00 - Reformulating “safe foods” for children40:00 - Nutrition, lentils, and hidden improvements48:00 - Food waste and misunderstanding the system54:00 - What needs to change moving forwardThanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • Dr Andy Hogan on How the Immune System Shapes Your Health

    Dr Andy Hogan on How the Immune System Shapes Your Health
    Apr 2 2026
    🎧 Episode Description


    This episode traces Dr Andy Hogan’s path into immunology, from a childhood curiosity to a career exploring how the immune system shapes our health. Growing up in a challenging environment, the Access Programme gave him a route into higher education - highlighting the impact of support and opportunity.


    Alongside his story, Andy explains the immune system not just as a defence against illness, but as something deeply involved in everyday health. He explores how obesity, ageing, and chronic inflammation affect immune function, and how these links connect to conditions like diabetes, cancer, and infection.


    There’s also reflection on COVID-19, vaccines, and the future of medicine - from why pandemics were expected to how immunity develops over time. It’s a conversation that blends scientific insight with real-world impact.



    🔑 Key Points


    A single opportunity can reshape a future

    The Access Programme gave Andy a pathway into higher education.


    A childhood moment led to a scientific career

    Early curiosity about genetics sparked a lifelong interest in biology.


    The immune system shapes everyday health

    It regulates metabolism, tissue health, and overall balance - not just infection.


    Obesity and immune ageing are linked

    Obesity can accelerate immune decline and affect disease response.


    COVID-19 exposed immune vulnerabilities

    The pandemic showed how differently populations respond to new threats.


    Medical research is opening new possibilities

    Immunology is unlocking new treatments for complex diseases.


    Vaccines protect communities, not just individuals

    They play a key role in protecting the most vulnerable.



    📚 Mentioned in this Episode


    • Access Programme – Supports students from underrepresented backgrounds into higher education.
    • Donal O’Shea – Endocrinologist focused on obesity and metabolic health.
    • Fiona Walsh – Researcher in antibiotic resistance and global health.
    • GLP-1 medications – Drugs that regulate appetite and blood sugar.
    • NK cells & macrophages – Immune cells that destroy threats and clear debris.
    • CAR-T therapy & CRISPR – Technologies advancing cancer treatment and gene editing.
    • HPV – Virus linked to several cancers; preventable through vaccination.
    • Spanish flu, SARS, MERS, H1N1 – Major outbreaks shaping our understanding of pandemics.



    ⏱️ Timestamps


    00:00 – Andy’s work in immunology

    01:30 – Obesity and immune health

    02:30 – GLP-1 therapies

    04:00 – Early life and biology

    06:00 – Access Programme

    10:30 – Finding immunology

    14:30 – Immune system basics

    18:30 – COVID-19 insights

    21:00 – Age and immune response

    24:00 – Vaccines

    28:00 – Future of medicine

    Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 27 mins
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