Show Notes
In this deeply reflective episode of the Still I Rise Podcast, Orla returns to the studio to talk honestly about rebuilding after loss, the hidden grief we don’t always name, and how moments of crisis force us to re-evaluate what truly matters. From experiencing a house fire just before Christmas, to reflections on safety, community, parenting, legacy, and representation, this conversation explores resilience without romanticising it - and progress without demanding perfection.
What You Will Learn:
How loss can show up beyond death - including grief for homes, routines, and safety Why community and connection matter most in moments of crisis
How experiences of trauma can shift our relationship with fear, legacy, and purpose
Why progress in representation (like the autistic Barbie) doesn’t need to be perfect to be meaningful
How to hold space for nuance, discomfort, and growth in conversations about inclusion Reflections on parenting, identity, and navigating change as children grow
Who This Video Is For: Parents, educators, and caregivers navigating change, loss, or uncertainty Anyone reflecting on purpose, legacy, and what really matters
People interested in inclusion, neurodiversity, and representation
Those working with children and young people in education or community settings
Anyone seeking thoughtful, honest conversations about resilience, grief, and progress
About Still I Rise Stories: Still I Rise Stories delivers workshops, training, and storytelling designed to amplify diverse voices and promote inclusion. Our mission is to support individuals and communities in creating environments where every child feels valued, heard, and respected.
Stay Connected: 🌐 www.stillirisestories.org 📬 Join our community mailing list 🎧 SUBSCRIBE to Still I Rise Stories wherever you get your podcasts 📱 Follow us on social platforms @stillirise.voices
👤 Follow Orla: @orlamckeating 🌈 For collaborations, workshops, or bookings, visit www.stillirisestories.org 📧 For podcast partnerships or speaking opportunities: [email protected] 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations, learning sessions, and resources
More from Still I Rise Podcast
This week we are joined by Sam Langley Swain, award-winning children’s author and founder of Owlet Press, to explore representation, inclusive publishing, and the power of storytelling to create change. Sam shares his journey from a working-class background to becoming a self-published author, publisher, and advocate for inclusive children’s literature. Together, Orla and Sam discuss why representation matters in books for children, the barriers faced by LGBTQ+ authors and marginalised voices in publishing, and how small independent publishers are often the ones taking the biggest creative risks. This episode dives into:Inclusive children’s books and why representation matters LGBTQ+ visibility in publishing and education Neurodiversity, adoption, single-parent families, and belonging Writing from lived experience and authentic storytelling Climate themes in children’s literature The realities of running a purpose-led publishing house Book bans, censorship, and the future of inclusive publishing
Introduction:In this episode, Orla chats with children’s author Ian Eagleton about his journey from primary school teacher to bestselling author, the stories that shaped him, and why representation matters. We talk about The Woodcutter and the Snow Prince, Glitter Boy, Nana and the Lonely Fisherman, and more , how Ian’s books centre LGBTQ+ inclusion , how writing became a way to process grief, and the unforgettable (and hilarious) Mariah Carey campaign that helpe dput Glitter Boy on the map. Along the way, Ian shares honest reflections on childhood bullying, adoption and fatherhood , the long road to publication, and the urgent need to protect diverse voices in children’s publishing.What You Will Learn:🌪️ Ian’s path into writing: teaching children, eight years of rejections, and the breakthrough with Violet’s Tempest. 🏰 How inclusive storytelling - two-dad families, queer characters, non-traditional fairy tales - help children see themselves and can be life-changing. 💌 Writing as therapy: how grief and family memories find their way into stories like The Boy Who Cried Ghost. 🎭 Practical examples of representation in action — from World Book Day photos of kids dressing as Glitter Boy to parents saying books “saved” their child. 🚫 The realities facing inclusive authors today: worries about book bans, publishers’ commercial pressures, and why small presses give us hope. 🌟 Ian’s advice for young people struggling with identity: stubbornness, finding community , and never giving up.
🇮🇪 Orla’s back after a whirlwind few weeks (and a couple of cancelled guests 🤧), but it was worth the wait because this week she’s chatting to the incredible Tura Arutura — actor, speaker, dancer, and all-round legend. 🇮🇪
Episode 13: Leon Diop – Being Mates with the President, Adopting Seals & Black Irish Identity
In this empowering solo episode of Still I Rise, host Orla McKeating 🌿 opens up about her personal journey through burnout 😓, motherhood 🤱, and perimenopause 🌸 while balancing the demands of career 💼 and family life ❤️.