In this episode, Laura sits down with Síle Seoige to talk about a period in her early thirties when everything changed at once. Síle speaks about being diagnosed with thyroid cancer, the impact that had on her work and personal life, and how it forced her to stop and reassess in a way she hadn’t before.
She talks about anxiety from the inside, not recognising it at the time, only later, and how listening to other people’s stories during the making of her documentaries made her re-examine her own experiences. The conversation also moves through parenting, work, and the practical decisions Síle has made around boundaries, time away from home, and what she will and won’t say yes to now.
The discussion is closely tied to Síle’s new documentary series Séalaí le Síle, filmed over several months and exploring three major themes: parenting, anxiety, and bullying. The series airs on TG4 on Wednesday nights, beginning on Wednesday 11 February, with each episode focusing on one topic. Drawing on conversations with families, experts, and people sharing their own lived experiences in Ireland and abroad, Síle describes the project as an attempt to better understand why so many people are struggling in the world as it is now.
A year that changed everything
Síle speaks about a period when illness, work, and personal life collided, forcing her to stop and take stock in a way she hadn’t before.
Living with anxiety without naming it
She describes experiencing anxiety for years without recognising it at the time, only understanding it later through hindsight and listening to others.
Illness as a line in the sand
A thyroid cancer diagnosis brought clarity about what mattered, what didn’t, and what could no longer be ignored.
Parenting in a pressured system
The conversation looks at how modern parenting is shaped by time, money, childcare, and expectation.
Learning to set boundaries
Síle talks about becoming more boundaried around work, travel, and time away from home, and why saying no has become necessary.
Listening to other people’s experiences
Making the documentaries prompted Síle to reconsider parts of her own life she hadn’t fully examined before.
Bullying beyond childhood
Bullying is discussed as something that affects adults too, particularly in workplaces and public-facing roles.
Questioning what we call ‘normal’
The episode repeatedly returns to the idea that many struggles make sense when placed in the context of modern life.
04:20 – The documentaries and why these topics mattered
06:30 – Parenting, pressure, and guilt
08:10 – Parenting today and the pressure parents are under
17:00 – Anxiety and missing language
25:10 – Illness, shock, and being forced to stop
37:20 – Parenting decisions and limits
44:00 – Media exposure and public life
52:10 – Identity and reflection
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.
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