Walking This Way

Sinéad Laffan has lived a lot of lives. Irish girl, English teacher, corporate hire, freelancer, dog mum, stepmother, Hungarian resident, Bristolian, and now - somewhat unexpectedly - a wedding celebrant in the Midlands. But the thread running through all of it has been the same question: what are the conditions of my own wellbeing, and am I actually living in them?

This week, Lise is joined by Sinéad to explore the power of where you plant yourself, why ferocious self-compassion matters more than we think, the 'wedding industrial complex', and why the best ceremonies (and the best lives) are about everyone being in it together - not performing or being on show for each other.

STOP PRESS: The day before this episode was released, Hungary (Sinéad's former home) overwhelmingly voted to oust Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his right wing government from power, electing Péter Magyar's Tisza party in its place.

Join Lise and Sinéad to discover
  • How being "ferociously and aggressively compassionate" with yourself isn't soft, it's the hardest work there is
  • What an independent celebrant actually does and why ceremony is far more than a pretty moment
  • The philosophy behind Sinead's approach: making the couple the hosts, not the performance
  • The midlife pivot that brought it all together: coaching, storytelling, design and the art of being with people
Quote of the Episode

"All of these neural pathways in your brain for years have been laid down to tell you that you're not enough. You have to undo those. And the only way to undo those is to be ferociously and aggressively compassionate."
Sinéad Laffan

Follow Sinéad

Be a part of the show: Here's how to get in touch...
  • Follow the show and get all the links you need on LinkTree - https://linktr.ee/walking_this_way
  • Email us: walkingthisway@hotmail.com
  • Use the get in touch form HERE - https://tr.ee/r-ePylKE8H
  • Send us a voice message HERE- https://www.speakpipe.com/WalkingThisWay

Produced by The Good Studio - thegoodstudio.co.uk

Creators and Guests

Host
Lise Thorne
Host of Walking This Way and champion of midlife women
Guest
Sinéad Laffan
Wedding celebrant creating meaningful ceremonies for couples
Producer
Tim Beynon
Podcast producer and Founder of The Good Studio

What is Walking This Way?

Welcome to Walking This Way - the upfront, no-nonsense podcast about midlife for women who are done with pretending it’s all fine.

Join Lise Thorne for honest conversations, unfiltered stories and a good dose of humour as she explores what it really means to be a woman in midlife - from shifting priorities and changing bodies to rediscovering joy, purpose and self.

Real talk. Real women. Real midlife.

Because this isn’t about surviving midlife - it’s about walking it your way.

Walking This Way is produced by The Good Studio.