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IT IS WHAT IT IS!

itiswhatitiska

IT IS WHAT IT IS! is hosted by radio presenter Katie Sheehan and Aisling Unfiltered.

Katie is a radio presenter known for honest, straight talking conversations about real life as it actually happens. Aisling is a well known TikTok creator with over 120,000 followers, recognised for saying what others are thinking and refusing to sugar coat lived experience.

This podcast is about real life as it really is. The messy bits. The hard lessons. The things you only learn by going through it.

They talk openly about what they have lived through, what has worked for them, what has not, and what they wish they knew sooner. They also sit down with real people to talk about real experiences, without filters or pretending.

Nothing is off limits. No stone is left unturned. If people are living it, we are talking about it.

Because sometimes the only honest thing you can say is it is what it is.

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21 episodes
weekly
Avg 34 min
English

Episodes 21

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S2 · E1
Wednesday · 29 min
WE’RE BACK! Aisling Tells All 👀
Katie and Aisling are BACK! 🎙️ After a summer break, the girls return for Season 2 of It Is What It Is with plenty to catch up on. From what they’ve been up to over the summer to what’s coming next, nothing is off limits. Aisling shares a wild experience that almost completely changed her mind about having her summer home in Lithuania, before opening up about her plans for the future, life, aesthetics and the exciting launch of her brand new business. And, of course, it wouldn’t be It Is What It Is without the usual tangents, oversharing and plenty of laughs. Season 2 has officially landed… and the girls have a LOT to talk about. 👀
#24
June 18 · 33 min
A Trip Down Memory Lane
Katie and Aisling are back together and by popular demand, they’re firing random questions at each other once again. What starts as a simple game quickly turns into hilarious debates, unexpected stories, and a trip down memory lane. From things that instantly send them over the edge, to whether ketchup belongs in the press or the fridge, to reminiscing about their favourite perfumes as teenage girls, absolutely nothing is off limits. Along the way, stories about airport drug wipe tests and other questionable life moments make this one of their most random episodes yet. Funny, nostalgic, relatable, and guaranteed to make you laugh. This one will take you back.
#23
June 10 · 39 min
The Symptoms Women Are Told To Ignore
This week on It Is What It Is, Katie sits down with Nicola Ryan, women’s hormone health specialist, menopause advisor, and pharmacist from Tipperary, for an eye opening conversation about the realities of women’s health. Together, they discuss PCOS, endometriosis, PMDD, perimenopause, menopause, surgical menopause, and the impact a full hysterectomy and oophorectomy can have on a woman’s life. Katie shares her own experiences and gets expert advice from Nicola along the way. They also explore why more women are being diagnosed with ADHD later in life and how hormonal changes can affect symptoms and overall wellbeing. Packed with practical advice, expert insight, and honest conversation, this is an episode every woman should hear.
#22
June 3 · 38 min
We Started Talking About Ibiza And Ended Up Here
Katie is back from Ibiza and reunited with Aisling for a long overdue catch up. From funny holiday stories and unexpected moments abroad to life lessons, reflections, and everything that has happened since they last sat down together, this episode feels like catching up with your best friend over a coffee. The pair chat about the highs, the laughs, and some of the things Katie learned while away. What starts as a simple catch up soon turns into conversations about life, perspective, and the lessons that often show up when you least expect them. As always, there are plenty of laughs, honest moments, and a few tangents along the way. In true It Is What It Is fashion, the conversation takes a completely unexpected turn towards the end, leading to a discussion neither of them planned on having. No script, no filter, just two friends catching up and seeing where the conversation takes them.
#21
May 27 · 21 min
It Is What It Is Looking Back
This week, Katie and Aisling are taking a look back at some of the funniest, most chaotic, most honest moments from It Is What It Is so far. From friendship debates and oversharing to stories that completely spiralled off the rails, this episode is a collection of clips and conversations that listeners have loved since the podcast began. Whether you have been here from the start or are only discovering the podcast now, this episode gives you a taste of exactly what It Is What It Is is all about. Expect nonstop laughing, unfiltered chats, questionable opinions, accidental therapy sessions, and moments that probably should have stayed private. Basically… pure chaos.
#20
May 20 · 28 min
Serious Secrets Were Spilled
Katie and Aisling are back this week and this episode completely goes off the rails from the very beginning. Between reliving the chaos of their recent photo shoot, uncontrollable laughing fits, oversharing, and accidentally exposing secrets that probably should have stayed private, neither of them can keep it together. Aisling also finds out that Katie may have lied to her before, The girls chat about meaningful birthday gifts, why clutter can completely affect your mindset, and play a hilarious game of “Who’s More Likely To” that quickly turns Funny. This episode is pure friendship chaos, nonstop laughing, and honestly… the girls have decided they genuinely need to be studied.
#19
May 13 · 36 min
Is Loves & Likes On Social Media Crossing a line?
Katie and Aisling are back for another honest and unfiltered episode of It Is What It Is. This week, the girls dive into fears, insecurities, and the limitations people place on themselves without even realising it. They also unpack relationship boundaries online and ask the questions everyone secretly debates. Is liking pictures harmless? Are private love hearts crossing a line? And at what point does social media become disrespectful? The conversation gets very real as they open up about inappropriate messages, people overstepping boundaries online, and how they deal with it personally. Katie also sits down with Aisling for a deeper conversation around confidence, self image, filters, and the real reason she struggles to post videos of herself online. Raw, relatable, funny, uncomfortable at times, and full of the kind of chats everyone’s already having behind closed doors.
#18
May 6 · 40 min
The Truth Behind “I’m Fine"
Aisling and Katie are back with a new episode of It Is What It Is. Katie opens up about her recent trip away and the truth behind how she was really feeling. What should have been a break brought up more than expected, as she shares how her nervous system has quietly shaped her reactions for years and why feeling calm can sometimes feel unfamiliar. Aisling reflects on how these thoughts are more common than people admit, before opening up about her own recent struggles. She shares how things in her life have crashed and burned, how outside family situations have affected her, and how it left her lying in bed all day, knowing that is not who she is, but still feeling stuck. They talk honestly about acceptance, the things you cannot control, and the real work it takes to feel okay with being happy.
#17
April 22 · 34 min
Repeating Our Parents Pattern's "We Swore we would never repeat"
Katie and Aisling are back with another episode of It Is What It Is and this one goes deep. They open up about family dynamics and the unspoken roles so many people grow up with. From the golden child to the black sheep, the overlooked one to the one expected to hold everything together, nothing is off limits. They talk honestly about control, pressure, and the impact it can have long after childhood ends. This episode gets personal as both Katie and Aisling reflect on their own upbringings, the hurt they carried, and how it shaped them. They also face the harder side of things, opening up about the ways they feel they may have passed some of that pain on, and what they have done to break those patterns. It is reflective, and full of moments that will make you stop and think about your own story.
#16
April 15 · 33 min
Katie Gets Real: Enough Was Enough
Katie is flying solo in this episode of It Is What It Is as Aisling takes a step back, and this one goes deep. Katie opens up about her relationship with alcohol, addiction, and the patterns that can quietly take hold before you even realise it. She speaks honestly about the darker moments, the turning points, and what it actually takes to make real change when you feel stuck. This episode is raw and personal, with Katie sharing parts of her story she hasn’t fully explored before. From recognising habits that no longer serve you, to pulling yourself out of difficult places, she talks through the mindset shifts and practical steps that helped her move forward. It is an open, real conversation about accountability, growth, and proving to yourself that change is possible, even when it feels out of reach.
#15
April 8 · 32 min
Miss Mac Fit on Dating, Life and Starting Over
Katie and Aisling are back and this week, they are not holding back. They are joined by their first ever guest, Maria McCarthy, also known as Miss Mac Fit, and they get straight into it. Maria opens up about what it is really like to be single in 2026, sharing some of the most shocking dating stories you will hear. The kind that make you laugh, cringe, and question everything. The girls unpack it all, from red flags to situationships, in a conversation so many women will relate to. Maria also shares her experience of living in Australia, with honest and funny insights for anyone thinking of making the move. Plus, she opens up about how she became a personal trainer after gaining weight following pregnancy and losing it again, sharing what actually worked and how that journey shaped her.
#14
April 1 · 33 min
The Questions People are too Afraid to Ask Them self's
In this episode of It Is What It Is, Katie walks in with nothing but ten questions. No plan, no structure, just ten hard, thought provoking questions that open the door to real, honest conversation. What starts as a simple idea quickly unfolds into something much bigger. From uncomfortable truths to the things we usually avoid saying out loud, nothing is off limits. Katie and Aisling bounce between laughter and real moments, asking each other the kind of questions most people would dodge. The result is genuinely reflective. This episode is less about answers and more about what comes up when you actually stop and think. It might make you question things. It might hit a nerve. It might even change how you see yourself.
#13
March 25 · 33 min
Friends or Just Acquaintances? Let’s Be Honest
This week on It Is What It Is, Katie and Aisling dive into what a real glow up actually looks like and why it is not just about appearances. They get into how relationships shape us, the difference between real friends and acquaintances, and Aisling opens up about something many people struggle with, learning to actually enjoy your own company. Katie throws out some outrageous questions that lead to genuinely hilarious answers, and they even put Chat GPT to the test with a question that somehow gets a very logical reply. They wrap things up with a chaotic round of Would You Rather that says more about them than it probably should. Honest, funny, and very real.
#12
March 18 · 37 min
Mother’s Day, Co Parenting and The Things We Don’t Say
This week on It Is What It Is, Katie and Aisling sit down for a Mother’s Day special. What starts as a conversation about what Mother’s Day means to them quickly turns into a deeper and very honest discussion about Co parenting and the emotional realities that come with it. They speak openly about the challenges many parents face after separation, the pressure that can come with trying to do your best for your children, and the strength it takes to keep going through the difficult moments. Katie becomes emotional during the conversation, and both women share personal stories from their own lives and how they have learned to cope with the ups and downs along the way. This episode is a reminder that so many women and men are navigating the same struggles, even if it often feels like you are doing it alone.
#11
March 11 · 32 min
A Listener's Message Had us in Tears
This week on It Is What It Is with Katie and Aisling, we’re catching up on the week that was and there is plenty to unpack. We talk about our first week of personal training in the gym, the shock to the system, the sore muscles, and a few hilarious moments along the way. Katie also shares the excitement around her upcoming trip to Lithuania and the chaos that comes with trying to prepare for it. But the conversation takes a more serious turn when we receive a message we simply could not ignore. A young person who recently came out as gay is now facing horrible abuse at home, and we talk honestly about how heartbreaking and complicated situations like that can be. Aisling also shares the story of a 65 year old woman currently living in a deeply difficult situation. As always, this episode moves between laughter and real life conversations, because sometimes it just is what it is.
#10
March 4 · 38 min
Things We Thought Were Normal
This week on It Is What It Is, Katie and Aisling start with their usual catch up before diving into two documentaries that sparked much bigger conversations than expected. Being Gordon Ramsay leads to an honest chat about ambition, guilt and the time we sometimes miss while chasing success. Then they unpack the America’s Next Top Model documentary and the shows they grew up watching as teenagers. From resurfaced Nickelodeon clips starring Ariana Grande to moments that now feel wildly inappropriate in 2026, they question what was normalised back then and why we never noticed. They also touch on the internet, the recent Epstein files and how awareness around power and exploitation has shifted. It is thoughtful, nostalgic and full of laughs along the way, including a few unexpected singing moments from Katie. Plus, they share a family safety app they believe every parent should know about.
#9
February 25 · 46 min
Weight Loss & What We Know Now
Katie and Aisling are back for another episode Katie opens up about her dramatic weight loss. What she actually did. The pressure she felt. The parts that were harder than anyone saw. And what she understands now that she wishes she knew then. Aisling shares her experience trying the Ozempic pen and why it quickly turned into something that didn’t feel right. She also tells a frightening story about a close friend who underwent surgery and the irreversible outcome she witnessed first hand. The girls also speak openly about their own surgeries in Lithuania and the reality behind making life altering decisions in pursuit of change. This episode is not about judgement. It is about truth. The good, the bad and the consequences we do not always see coming. It is what it is.
#8
February 18 · 27 min
When Staying Silent Isn't a option
This week on It Is What It Is, things get very real. Aisling, known to her 140k plus followers as the girl who never entertains negativity, finally speaks about something she has stayed silent on for a long time. After becoming the subject of a major discussion on Tattle Life, she felt she had no choice but to address it. She opens up about how damaging these forums can be, the rumours that were circulating, and how it actually feels to see your name picked apart online. Katie shares her perspective on how harsh and damning these spaces can be for this generation. As someone nearing 40, she admits she finds the fake pages and anonymous discussions hard to process, and questions how a teenager is expected to cope with that level of scrutiny. The conversation goes deeper into the psychology behind fake accounts on TikTok, why people feel the need to hide in order to criticise or tear someone down, and what that says about online culture today. Most importantly, Katie and Aisling offer honest advice on how to navigate being talked about online, how to protect your mental health, and how to stay grounded when your name is being discussed by strangers. It is open, reflective, uncomfortable at times, but necessary.
#7
February 11 · 33 min
Lets Talk About Sex
Katie and Aisling are back with episode six of It Is What It Is and this one starts with a listener’s message that opens a much bigger conversation. What begins with a chat about orgasms quickly turns into an honest, funny and at times eye opening discussion about sex, relationships and the things we were never really taught growing up. Along the way, the girls share some of their own personal stories, the awkward bits included. They touch on pleasure, communication and the lasting impact of growing up in a Catholic era where sex was often surrounded by shame and silence. There are laughs, a few surprises and some seriously interesting stats thrown into the mix too. You might laugh, you might cringe, but you might also take a lot from today’s episode. As always, it is real, relatable and unfiltered.
#6
February 4 · 35 min
Story Time
Katie and Aisling are back with a brand new episode of It Is What It Is. In this week’s episode, the girls get chatting about psychic mediums and the experiences that left them questioning what is real and what is coincidence. They each share very different stories from their past, and from those stories the conversation naturally turns into advice and reflections on what has worked for them through different stages of life. As always, the chat is honest, open, blending personal experiences with practical takeaways and real talk.

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