The Ripple Effect
Welcome to The Ripple Effect—where real talk meets real life. Hosted by Katie Sheehan & Shane McCarthy, we dive deep into mindset, self-growth, belief systems, and the everyday challenges that shape us. No fluff, no filters—just raw, honest conversations that spark thought, challenge perspectives, and inspire action. Subscribe now and be part of the ripple! 🎙️💡 #UnapologeticallyUs
Episodes

Thursday Apr 10, 2025
Thursday Apr 10, 2025
In this episode, Katie’s just back from a powerful road trip to Germany with her partner Eoin and this wasn’t just a spin around the Nürburgring 🏁🇩🇪 It was a wake-up call. A much-needed pause. A chance to check in with herself and realise just how much she’s been running on empty.
She opens up to Shane about the emotional moment that hit her on the last day, the tears she didn’t expect, and what they really meant. This one's a deep dive into burnout, balance, and the non-negotiables Katie uses to stay grounded and what happens when those start slipping 💔🧠
Meanwhile, Shane shares the very cool AI projects he’s working on from voice cloning to building a digital archive of his dad’s music legacy. It’s a mad mix of tech and heart, as always ❤️🤖
Together, they chat about being present, slowing down, and building lives that actually feel good not just look good.
This is the reset we all need 🔄
#TheRippleEffect #Podcast #NürburgringFeels #Burnout #AIandWellbeing #LifeCheckIn #RealTalk #KatieAndShane #DigitalLegacy #PresentMoment #RoadTripReflection

Thursday Apr 03, 2025
Thursday Apr 03, 2025
This week, Katie and Shane dive into what feels like a powerful turning point—not just in the podcast, but in themselves. 🔄From the fiery energy of Episodes 8 & 9 🔥 to moments of deep self-reflection and unexpected emotional honesty 🧠💭, they explore how showing up for these conversations is helping them grow—right in front of you.
Expect truth bombs 💣, perspective shifts 👀, and real talk about what healing actually looks like when you’re still in the middle of it. 🌱

Thursday Mar 27, 2025
Thursday Mar 27, 2025
🚨 Trigger Warning: This episode includes open discussion about sexual assault, victim-blaming, and safety concerns for women. Please listen with care. 🚨
This week on The Ripple Effect, Katie and Shane pick up right where they left off – diving into one of the most important and emotional topics to hit Irish social media in recent weeks: the experience and brave testimony of Chloe Koyce.
Katie opens the episode with raw honesty about her own emotional reaction to Chloe’s video, while Shane calls out what really pissed him off – the blatant victim-blaming and the deeply embedded societal standards that force women to explain every single move they make just to feel safe… and still be doubted.
This isn’t just a “chat” – it’s a reckoning.💬 What does safety mean for women today?💬 Why are victims still expected to justify their trauma?💬 And how can we support women in a world that still doesn't always believe them?
This episode is powerful, emotional, and necessary.If you’re a parent, a partner, a friend, or simply someone who cares – you need to hear this.
Because silence helps no one. And being “on her side” isn’t enough – we need action. We need change.

Thursday Mar 27, 2025
Thursday Mar 27, 2025
🚨 Trigger Warning: This episode contains open discussion around themes of toxic masculinity, sexual assault, and suicide. Please take care while listening. 🚨
This week on The Ripple Effect, Katie and Shane go deep – and get vocal. 🎙️From dissecting the raw, emotional brilliance of Adolescents 🎭 and its message on toxic masculinity 💢, to the online backlash that led influencer Garron Noon to walk away from social media 📱💔 – this one hits hard.
They ask the big questions:❓ Who’s teaching our kids the difference between healthy and toxic masculinity?❓ Why are we afraid to speak our truth?❓ What happens when society puts you in a box you never signed up for?
Expect honesty ✨, disagreement 💬, passion ❤️🔥 and power 💥 – everything The Ripple Effect is about.

Thursday Mar 20, 2025
Thursday Mar 20, 2025
In this powerful episode of The Ripple Effect, host Katie Sheehan and co-host Shane McCarthy dive into an unfiltered conversation about surgical menopause—the realities, the misconceptions, and the challenges that come with it. 💭💡
Katie gets real about her journey, from dealing with PMDD, polycystic ovary syndrome, and endometriosis to making the life-changing decision to have a full hysterectomy at 32. She shares the unexpected struggles—from brain fog and night sweats to emotional shifts and the fight to reclaim her health and energy. 🧠🔥
Shane brings an important perspective as an ally, asking the questions many are too afraid to, and breaking down why men and society as a whole need to do better in understanding menopause. 💙✨
Expect raw honesty, a few laughs, and some hard-hitting truths about a topic that affects millions yet is still shrouded in stigma. 🤯 If you’ve ever wondered what menopause really feels like, why education is lacking, or how partners can better support the women in their lives, this episode is a must-listen. 🎧💬
👉 Tune in now and be part of the conversation that needs to happen! Let’s break the silence and create real change—one ripple at a time. 🌊💪

Thursday Mar 13, 2025
Thursday Mar 13, 2025
In this episode of The Ripple Effect, Shane and Katie dive deep into the complexities of blended families, relationships, and the evolving standards of what makes a strong partnership.
Shane opens up about his experience with his stepdad, reflecting on the lessons learned and challenges faced. Katie shares her personal journey of blending a family with her new partner, openly discussing the difficult decision to leave her marriage and how she ultimately made that choice.
Together, they explore the non-negotiables when looking for a partner and how their perspectives on love, commitment, and red flags have shifted over the past 20 years. They break down what’s truly toxic in a relationship versus what’s just tough love, and Katie shares what she hopes her kids will understand about choosing a life partner.
Plus, an honest conversation about having the hard but necessary discussions with your partner to build a solid foundation for an unshakable relationship.
A raw, insightful, and eye-opening episode—don’t miss it!

Thursday Mar 06, 2025
Thursday Mar 06, 2025
No Rulebook for Life – Lessons on Parenting, Sobriety & Self-Discovery
In this episode of The Ripple Effect, Shane and Katie dive deep into the complexities of self-growth, relationships, and the impact of social media on today’s generation. Shane opens up about his past, reflecting on how narcissistic tendencies shaped his younger years and how he learned to change through personal growth and relationships.
We also discuss what it truly means to be a man in today’s world, the victim mentality, and the lessons we’re all absorbing—consciously or not—from social media. Plus, we read messages from listeners and offer our honest feedback.
Katie shares her personal experience with criticism, how she handles negativity, and the challenges of motherhood—acknowledging that there’s no rulebook when it comes to parenting. She also reflects on her journey of giving up alcohol and how she’s been feeling in these first few weeks of sobriety.
It’s a raw, real, and reflective conversation you won’t want to miss. Tune in now!

Thursday Feb 27, 2025
Thursday Feb 27, 2025
A month in, and the ripple is only growing! In this episode, Katie and Shane dive deep into what it means to take the leap—whether it’s starting a podcast, embracing AI, or making personal changes that redefine your life. They reflect on their own journeys, discussing the power of passion, consistency, and pushing past fear to pursue what truly matters.
Katie shares her personal decision to step away from alcohol, breaking free from patterns that no longer serve her, while Shane challenges the idea of self-limiting beliefs and the lies we tell ourselves. They also explore the potential of AI—not just in business, but in transforming personal growth and even supporting trauma recovery.
From embracing change to confronting societal narratives around gender, this episode is filled with honest conversations, deep self-reflection, and a challenge to listeners: Are you living in fear, or are you taking control?
Key topics:🔥 The mindset shift needed to just start🤖 AI’s role in creativity, business, and personal development💭 The importance of self-honesty and breaking cycles🚫 Katie’s journey toward an alcohol-free life👀 Why people are afraid to talk about AI👩👩👧👧 Women supporting women – or not?🚹🚺 The growing debate: Are men really the victims?
This episode is raw, real, and packed with insights. Tune in, challenge your thinking, and as always, let the ripple effect continue. 💥

Thursday Feb 20, 2025
Thursday Feb 20, 2025
In this episode of The Ripple Effect, Katie and Shane dive deep into personal growth, self-awareness, and the power of honesty. They open up about their experiences with imposter syndrome, learning to manage emotions, and setting boundaries without guilt. Shane reflects on the role men must play in advocating for women’s rights, sharing his thoughts on true allyship and the need to challenge toxic behaviors.
Katie gets real about self-reflection, embracing confidence, and breaking free from old patterns. Together, they explore the balance between self-compassion and accountability—why it’s essential to own your actions while still being kind to yourself.
As always, expect raw, unfiltered conversation, plenty of laughs, and the kind of honest insights that make The Ripple Effect what it is.
💬 Let’s keep the conversation going! What’s your experience with self-awareness, boundaries, and personal growth? Drop us a message or share your thoughts online!
#TheRippleEffect #Podcast #Honesty #Growth #MensRole #SelfAwareness #Allyship

Thursday Feb 13, 2025
Thursday Feb 13, 2025
In this episode two of The Ripple Effect, Shane and Katie take on boundaries—the ones we set, the red flags we ignore, and the consequences of both. Katie opens up about something she has never shared publicly before, and Shane reminisces about a romantic story that shaped his view on communication. Plus, for the first time on the podcast, Shane and Katie actually have a real debate—challenging each other’s perspectives in a way that might just shift your own.
🚨 Real Talk. Raw Truth. No Apologies. This is Unapologetically Us.
🎧 Listen now & join the conversation!
#TheRippleEffectPodcast #BoundariesMatter #RedFlags #PersonalGrowth #RealTalk #PodcastDebate