Real Health with Karl Henry

The hidden health impact of Irish drinking culture 04.06.2026 32λ

Dr. Chris Luke, retired consultant in emergency medicine, medical columnist, and host of the Irish Medical Lives podcast, joins me on this week’s episode of The Real Health podcast. The retired emergency medicine consultant explains how drinking culture has evolved from the nightclub scene of the nineties to today’s rise in cocaine and drug use. He discusses binge drinking, poor decision making, injuries, sleep disruption, mental health, and long-term disease risk. Dr Luke also reflects on his pioneering work in clubbing medicine and how festival health services in Ireland have dramatically improved over the years. Why you can trust the Irish Independent We’d love to hear your thoughts on your overall listening experience, it only takes a minute, and your feedback helps us keep improving what we do. When you take part, you’ll also be in with a chance to win a €500 One4All Voucher Just head to mypodcastfeedback.com and enter code; CODE HERE Thank you for helping us shape the future of great content and partnerships.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to take control of your money and reduce stress 28.05.2026 28λ

On this week’s episode of The Real Health Podcast, I’m joined by John O'Driscoll, Managing Director of Blueprint Financial Planning and founder of financialfitness.ie, to explore the link between money stress and overall wellbeing. As the cost of living continues to rise, financial pressure is affecting sleep, mental health and everyday decision making. John explains why financial health is a key pillar of overall wellbeing, the simple budgeting mistakes people make, and how better financial literacy can help people feel more confident, secure and in control of their future. We’d love to hear your thoughts on your overall listening experience, it only takes a minute, and your feedback helps us keep improving what we do. When you take part, you’ll also be in with a chance to win a €500 One4All Voucher Just head to mypodcastfeedback.com and enter code; CODE HERE Thank you for helping us shape the future of great content and partnerships. Why you can trust the Irish Independent: learn about our editorial guidelines and AI useSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why calorie counting often fails and what works instead 21.05.2026 20λ

On this week’s episode of Real Health, I’m joined by registered dietitian Aisling Geary, who works within the NHS while also running her own clinic, AMG Nutrition. We’d love to hear your thoughts on your overall listening experience, it only takes a minute, and your feedback helps us keep improving what we do. When you take part, you’ll also be in with a chance to win a €500 One4All Voucher Just head to mypodcastfeedback.com and enter code; CODE HERE Thank you for helping us shape the future of great content and partnerships. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalismSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The convenience trap: how modern life is changing us 14.05.2026 26λ

On this week’s episode of The Real Health Podcast, I’m joined by Dr Dale Whelehan, assistant professor of psychology at Trinity College Dublin, to explore our modern relationship with discipline, time and convenience. Why you can Trust the Irish Independent: Learn about Editorial Guidelines and AI Use We’d love to hear your thoughts on your overall listening experience, it only takes a minute, and your feedback helps us keep improving what we do. When you take part, you’ll also be in with a chance to win a €500 One4All Voucher Just head to mypodcastfeedback.com and enter code;  CODE HERE Thank you for helping us shape the future of great content and partnerships.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beyond weight loss: a smarter approach to women’s health 07.05.2026 23λ

On this week’s episode of The Real Health Podcast, I sit down with Dr Ailis Brosnan, Midlife Wellness Coach. We’d love to hear your thoughts on your overall listening experience, it only takes a minute, and your feedback helps us keep improving what we do. When you take part, you’ll also be in with a chance to win a €500 One4All Voucher Just head to mypodcastfeedback.com and enter code; CODE HERE Thank you for helping us shape the future of great content and partnerships.  We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalismSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From teen training to takeaways: your top health questions answered 30.04.2026 24λ

Is protein powder safe for a 16-year-old starting the gym? On this week’s episode of The Real Health Podcast, I’m joined by producer JJ Clarke to answer listener questions. We’d love to hear your thoughts on your overall listening experience, it only takes a minute, and your feedback helps us keep improving what we do. When you take part, you’ll also be in with a chance to win a €500 One4All Voucher Just head to mypodcastfeedback.com and enter code; CODE HERE Thank you for helping us shape the future of great content and partnerships. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalismSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why gastric surgery is more successful than weight loss drugs 23.04.2026 23λ

On this week’s episode of The Real Health Podcast, Karl Henry sits down with Dr John Loy, consultant bariatric surgeon, to explore the science behind weight gain. We’d love to hear your thoughts on your overall listening experience, it only takes a minute, and your feedback helps us keep improving what we do. When you take part, you’ll also be in with a chance to win a €500 One4All Voucher Just head to mypodcastfeedback.com and enter code; CODE HERE Thank you for helping us shape the future of great content and partnerships. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalismSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Colour, frequency and shape: How your poo should look 16.04.2026 26λ

Consultant dietitian Sophie Medlin joins Karl Henry on this week’s episode of The Real Health podcast to cut through the noise around gut health, social media and modern diets. We’d love to hear your thoughts on your overall listening experience, it only takes a minute, and your feedback helps us keep improving what we do. When you take part, you’ll also be in with a chance to win a €500 One4All Voucher Just head to mypodcastfeedback.com and enter code; CODE HERE Thank you for helping us shape the future of great content and partnerships. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalismSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s never too late: how Orla Drumgoole turned passion into a cookbook 09.04.2026 24λ

Chef Orla Drumgoole, author of Irish Mammy Cooks, joins Karl Henry on this week’s episode of The Real Health podcast. We’d love to hear your thoughts on your overall listening experience, it only takes a minute, and your feedback helps us keep improving what we do. When you take part, you’ll also be in with a chance to win a €500 One4All Voucher Just head to mypodcastfeedback.com and enter code; CODE HERE Thank you for helping us shape the future of great content and partnerships. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalismSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Living by design instead of by default 02.04.2026 30λ

Caoimhe de Fréin, life design coach, joins Karl Henry on this week's episode of The Real Health podcast. We’d love to hear your thoughts on your overall listening experience, it only takes a minute, and your feedback helps us keep improving what we do. When you take part, you’ll also be in with a chance to win a €500 One4All Voucher Just head to mypodcastfeedback.com and enter code; CODE HERE Thank you for helping us shape the future of great content and partnerships. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalismSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spiders, snakes and flying: How phobias form and how to break them 26.03.2026 27λ

On this week’s episode of Real Health, Karl Henry is joined by clinical psychologist Dr Rebecca Quin to explore how phobias develop and why they persist. We’d love to hear your thoughts on your overall listening experience, it only takes a minute, and your feedback helps us keep improving what we do. When you take part, you’ll also be in with a chance to win a €500 One4All Voucher Just head to mypodcastfeedback.com and enter code; CODE HERE Thank you for helping us shape the future of great content and partnerships. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalismSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mood, gut and brain function: Why fibre does far more than help you poo 19.03.2026 22λ

On this week’s episode of Real Health, Karl Henry is joined by nutritionist and bestselling author Rhiannon Lambert to discuss her new book The Fibre Formula. We’d love to hear your thoughts on your overall listening experience, it only takes a minute, and your feedback helps us keep improving what we do. When you take part, you’ll also be in with a chance to win a €500 One4All Voucher Just head to mypodcastfeedback.com and enter code;  CODE HERE Thank you for helping us shape the future of great content and partnerships. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalismSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anxiety is rising, here is how to manage yours 12.03.2026 23λ

On this week’s episode of Real Health, Karl Henry is joined by Dr David Coleman, clinical psychologist, adjunct associate professor in the School of Psychology at UCD and author of the new book Fear Less. We’d love to hear your thoughts on your overall listening experience, it only takes a minute, and your feedback helps us keep improving what we do. When you take part, you’ll also be in with a chance to win a €500 One4All Voucher Just head to mypodcastfeedback.com and enter code;  CODE HERE Thank you for helping us shape the future of great content and partnerships. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalismSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Money anxiety: why we’re so stressed and how to take back control with Eoin McGee 05.03.2026 30λ

Eoin McGee, financial advisor and author of his new book How To Achieve Financial Freedom, joins Karl Henry on this week’s episode of Real Health Podcast. We’d love to hear your thoughts on your overall listening experience, it only takes a minute, and your feedback helps us keep improving what we do. When you take part, you’ll also be in with a chance to win a €500 One4All Voucher Just head to mypodcastfeedback.com and enter code;  CODE HERE Thank you for helping us shape the future of great content and partnerships. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalismSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why most people aren’t sleeping well and how to fix it 26.02.2026 22λ

Motty Varghese, respiratory and sleep physiologist, joins Karl Henry on this week’s episode of Real Health. We’d love to hear your thoughts on your overall listening experience, it only takes a minute, and your feedback helps us keep improving what we do. When you take part, you’ll also be in with a chance to win a €500 One4All Voucher Just head to mypodcastfeedback.com and enter code;  CODE HERE Thank you for helping us shape the future of great content and partnerships.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Time is brain: the life-saving signs of Stroke 19.02.2026 25λ

Professor Ronan Collins, HSE Lead at the National Stroke programme, joins Karl Henry on this week’s episode of the Real Health podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vaping: The health risks we’re only beginning to understand 12.02.2026 22λ

Martina Blake, national lead for the HSE Tobacco Free Ireland program, joins Karl Henry on this week’s episode of The Real Health podcast. For those affected by vaping the HSE website Vaping and Young People which covers signs of vaping, if your child vapes, how to quit vaping, nicotine pouches (snus), if you want to report vaping issues.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ozempic explained: What we’re getting wrong about obesity 05.02.2026 32λ

Aimee Donnellan, Reuters columnist and author of Off the Scales: The Inside Story of Ozempic and the Race to Cure Obesity, joins Karl Henry on this week’s episode of The Real Health podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Joy of Cooking (Again): Chef Eunice Power on Food That Nourishes 29.01.2026 24λ

Eunice Power, chef, entrepreneur and author of My Irish Kitchen Table, joins Karl Henry on this week’s episode of The Real Health Podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Professor David Keegan: ‘I was seeing these heartbreaking preventable cases of young people effectively going blind’ 22.01.2026 22λ

Professor David Keegan, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Mater Private Hospitals and Clinical Director for Diabetic RetinaScreen, joins Karl Henry on this week’s episode of The Real Health podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.