Laura O’Mahony on Motherhood, Finding Her Voice & Redefining Success

“This is the boldest thing I’ve ever done .” This week, I’m joined by Laura O’Mahony - and this conversation felt like sitting down with someone who tells the truth about life exactly as it is. Laura is an actor, comedian, writer, and the host of the award-winning Red Raw Podcast. You might know her from The Young Offenders, Bridget and Eamonn, Republic of Telly, or her regular appearances on RTÉ’s Today - but behind the humour is someone with a huge amount of emotional depth, honesty, and self-awareness. In this episode, we talk about everything from feeling out of place in college, navigating the entertainment industry, and becoming a mother, to burnout, identity shifts, people pleasing, and the pressure women feel to constantly “do it all.” Laura speaks so openly about motherhood and how it changed her priorities, her relationship with herself, and even her definition of success. We also talk about social media, loneliness, creativity, ambition, and why learning how to slow down can sometimes be the hardest thing of all. This conversation is funny, chaotic, vulnerable, and deeply relatable in all the best ways. ✨ In this episode: Growing up in Cork and always feeling creative Studying drama and feeling out of place in college Comedy, acting & finding confidence through performance Difficult experiences in theatre training The entertainment industry and rejection Becoming a mother and identity changes Burnout, overwhelm & trying to do everything Starting Instagram during motherhood & loneliness Social media, connection & community Learning to slow down and let go of perfectionism Parenting, pressure & finding joy in ordinary moments The success of the Red Raw Podcast Why humour can be both coping mechanism and connection You can find Laura here:   / redrawpodcast   |   / lauralolslots   ____ 🕒 YouTube Chapters & Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 01:22 - Laura O’Mahony joins the podcast 02:30 - Growing up in Cork 08:30 - Knowing she wanted to be an actor from childhood 15:00 - Why college felt lonely & not what she expected 27:20 - Meeting her husband Shane & finding stability 39:20 - Leaving the bookshop to finally pursue acting 43:20 - Starting stand-up comedy & first gigs 51:20 - Getting the breakfast radio opportunity 58:00 - The behind-the-scenes reality of radio 01:05:20 - Why the podcast changed everything 01:16:00 - Hustle culture, comparison & learning to slow down 01:19:10 - What success means to Laura now ____ BeBelle is a podcast hosted by Sian Horn that dives into the stories of remarkable people behind their businesses. BeBelle is not a business podcast, it's about uncovering the moments of resilience, creativity and determination that have shaped these entrepreneurs. Sian is dedicated to empowering individuals in all aspects of life and believes in the importance of self-care, which manifests differently for everyone. Guests share their own self-care practices, offering listeners fresh perspectives on nurturing their well-being. Tune in to BeBelle for inspiring stories, actionable advice and thoughtful reflections on what it means to navigate life today. Join the BeBelle Community: https://www.bebelle.ie/ | / bebelle_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/sian_horn?i... | ‪@sianhorn228‬ ____ This episode is brought to you by Skin Formulas, an Irish skincare brand created by skin experts and trusted by thousands of customers and skin clinics. Built on science, results and a deep understanding of skin health, Skin Formulas is designed to help you feel confident in your skin. Discover more at http://skinformulas.ie