The Delusional Optimist – Details, episodes & analysis

What if a single lunch meeting could flip your life? In this episode of The Delusional Optimist I sit down with internationally bestselling author Paige Toon to unpack how a casual conversation led to a two-book deal, why she still writes best under pressure, and how she keeps readers turning pages through heartbreak, longing, and hope. 

From the first spark of Lucy In The Sky to three million copies sold, Paige opens up about the messy middle of creativity and the grit behind those swoony, high-chemistry moments.

This conversation is part craft class, part pep talk. We chat about imposter syndrome, protecting your voice, and the power of writing what you love rather than what you think you should.

If you’ve ever stared down a blank page, questioned your timeline, or wondered whether your story matters, this one is for you. 

Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a nudge, and leave a review to help more curious, creative optimists find us. 

You can follow Paige Toon on Instagram here and pre-order her new book, Don't Fall in Love with Me, which lands in April, on Amazon here.

Support the show

If you’ve been enjoying the podcast and would like to show your support, you can buy me a coffee at the link below. Every contribution helps me keep creating honest, uplifting conversations about reinvention, self-belief and the messy middle. Thank you for being here 🤍

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2545407/support

Stay up to date with The Delusional Optimist Podcast on Instagram, here. You can follow host Diana Bunici on Instagram here - expect lots of cute pics of her dogs Benny & Charlie!

What happens when you walk away from the "sensible" path... and bet on yourself instead? 

In the very first episode of The Delusional Optimist, I'm joined by broadcaster, model and Six O'Clock Show presenter Katja Mia for an honest, unfiltered conversation about career pivots, backing yourself before it makes sense and the resilience it takes to build something bigger than your comfort zone. 

This episode is for anyone sitting in the "messy middle," feeling stuck, second-guessing themselves, or quietly dreaming of something more.

Loved this conversation? Follow Katja Mia's journey on Instagram here.

Support the show

If you’ve been enjoying the podcast and would like to show your support, you can buy me a coffee at the link below. Every contribution helps me keep creating honest, uplifting conversations about reinvention, self-belief and the messy middle. Thank you for being here 🤍

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2545407/support

Stay up to date with The Delusional Optimist Podcast on Instagram, here. You can follow host Diana Bunici on Instagram here - expect lots of cute pics of her dogs Benny & Charlie!

Welcome to The Delusional Optimist Podcast with Diana Bunici. Be sure to click the 'follow' button so you don't miss the first episode, coming soon!

Support the show

If you’ve been enjoying the podcast and would like to show your support, you can buy me a coffee at the link below. Every contribution helps me keep creating honest, uplifting conversations about reinvention, self-belief and the messy middle. Thank you for being here 🤍

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2545407/support

Stay up to date with The Delusional Optimist Podcast on Instagram, here. You can follow host Diana Bunici on Instagram here - expect lots of cute pics of her dogs Benny & Charlie!

In this episode of The Delusional Optimist, I sit down with broadcaster and former Late Late show host Ryan Tubridy for a thoughtful and deeply human conversation about navigating a very public storm, finding contentment in its aftermath, and what it means to start over. 

From career highs and intense scrutiny to love, reinvention, and the quiet power of perspective, Ryan reflects on the chapters that shaped him - and the ones still unfolding.

This is a conversation about resilience, identity and life beyond the headlines, with a refreshing honesty about what it takes to build and move forward.

Want to spend an evening in Ryan's company? Keep up with The Bookshelf Podcast LIVE tour dates and tickets here.

Support the show

If you’ve been enjoying the podcast and would like to show your support, you can buy me a coffee at the link below. Every contribution helps me keep creating honest, uplifting conversations about reinvention, self-belief and the messy middle. Thank you for being here 🤍

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2545407/support

Stay up to date with The Delusional Optimist Podcast on Instagram, here. You can follow host Diana Bunici on Instagram here - expect lots of cute pics of her dogs Benny & Charlie!

The night before Kodaline release their first single in six years, I sit down with someone I know better than anyone else - my husband, Steve Garrigan - for a bittersweet conversation about the band's final chapter. 

With a final album and farewell tour on the horizon, we talk honestly about what it means to close a chapter that has spanned over 20 years - from pub gigs and rejection letters to global tours, billions of streams, and global crowds singing back ever word.

We go deeper than the music too. We chat about anxiety, panic attacks, and the years Steve spent feeling ashamed and “broken.” 

We talk about how therapy, fitness, and learning to understand his mind have helped him build a life that is no longer defined by anxiety and we explore  the pressure of releasing music today, his passion for songwriting, and the unseen work that goes into every record, from the first lyric to final master...

If you’ve ever wondered what a “dream career” really looks like behind the scenes, this is that conversation. Enjoy!

Support the show

If you’ve been enjoying the podcast and would like to show your support, you can buy me a coffee at the link below. Every contribution helps me keep creating honest, uplifting conversations about reinvention, self-belief and the messy middle. Thank you for being here 🤍

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2545407/support

Stay up to date with The Delusional Optimist Podcast on Instagram, here. You can follow host Diana Bunici on Instagram here - expect lots of cute pics of her dogs Benny & Charlie!

What actually makes a wedding unforgettable? This week on The Delusional Optimist, I'm joined by wedding planner Martina O'Riordan (Martina O), who helped plan my own wedding, to talk about the reality behind those "perfect" days - from timelines slipping to behind-the-scenes chaos you never see.

We get into budgets, suppliers, and the pressure to create a Pinterest-perfect wedding, plus the small, intentional details that guests actually remember.

Martina shares her honest advice for newly engaged couples - where to start, what to prioritise, and how to let go of perfection without losing the magic.

We also chat about her journey from corporate events in Australia to building her business in Ireland, the leap of faith it took, and how she navigated the uncertainty of lockdown to keep it all going.

Whether you're planning a wedding or building something of your own, this episode is a reminder that the most meaningful moments are rarely the most perfect ones. 

You can follow Martina on Instagram here and see her work on her website here. 

Support the show

If you’ve been enjoying the podcast and would like to show your support, you can buy me a coffee at the link below. Every contribution helps me keep creating honest, uplifting conversations about reinvention, self-belief and the messy middle. Thank you for being here 🤍

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2545407/support

Stay up to date with The Delusional Optimist Podcast on Instagram, here. You can follow host Diana Bunici on Instagram here - expect lots of cute pics of her dogs Benny & Charlie!

She quit the music industry to build a skincare brand now stocked in 183 Boots stores - and it all started with one confusing pregnancy moment.

This week I sit down with Sara Stokes, founder of SKN2SKN, to talk about leaving behind a glamorous career that no longer felt right, navigating burnout and a quarter-life reset, and building a brand from scratch with no roadmap.

We get into the reality of the music industry, moving to London young, and how pregnancy became the turning point - sparking the idea for a pregnancy-safe skincare brand. 

Sara shares the practical side too: finding formulators, pitching to Boots, bootstrapping, protecting equity, and managing the pressure of early growth.

This is a conversation about trusting your instincts, starting before you feel ready, and building something meaningful from a moment of uncertainty... Enjoy!

Support the show

If you’ve been enjoying the podcast and would like to show your support, you can buy me a coffee at the link below. Every contribution helps me keep creating honest, uplifting conversations about reinvention, self-belief and the messy middle. Thank you for being here 🤍

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2545407/support

Stay up to date with The Delusional Optimist Podcast on Instagram, here. You can follow host Diana Bunici on Instagram here - expect lots of cute pics of her dogs Benny & Charlie!

This week, I’m joined by Sofia Jane Cunningham - fitness entrepreneur, musical muse, and founder of SoFit.

We talk about building big dreams, creating freedom through your work, and using movement as a daily reset for your mind. From leaving a traditional job to growing an online business, Sofia shares what it really takes to stay consistent, back yourself, and keep going when growth feels slow.

We also get a glimpse into life behind the scenes with her boyfriend, singer-songwriter Cian Ducrot - from creative inspiration at home to travelling the world, attending the Grammys, and navigating love, ambition and business side by side.

This episode is your reminder that small habits build big lives… and you don’t need to have it all figured out to start!

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who needs a little boost 🤍

And if you can, leaving a rating or review helps the podcast grow so much.

Support the show

If you’ve been enjoying the podcast and would like to show your support, you can buy me a coffee at the link below. Every contribution helps me keep creating honest, uplifting conversations about reinvention, self-belief and the messy middle. Thank you for being here 🤍

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2545407/support

Stay up to date with The Delusional Optimist Podcast on Instagram, here. You can follow host Diana Bunici on Instagram here - expect lots of cute pics of her dogs Benny & Charlie!

What if you didn't have to choose just one version of your life? 

This week on The Delusional Optimist, I'm joined by racing driver Laura Jordan O'Connell - a biochemist by day, and a competitor in one of the most demanding and expensive sports in the world.

From growing up in Co. Clare with big dreams, to navigating life as a self confessed 'introverted extrovert,' Laura shares how she keeps her dream alive - and the unexpected TikTok competition that changed everything.

We talk about what it's really like stepping onto a race track for the first time, competing in Le Mans, and the realities of building a career in motorsport - from securing sponsorship to handling setbacks, pressure and risk.

Laura opens up about the biggest misconceptions around the world of motor sport,  the mental strength required on race day, and the challenges women still face in the sport today...

Keep up to date with Laura on Instagram here and to chat about sponsorship opportunities, email laurajordan.oc@gmail.com.

Support the show

If you’ve been enjoying the podcast and would like to show your support, you can buy me a coffee at the link below. Every contribution helps me keep creating honest, uplifting conversations about reinvention, self-belief and the messy middle. Thank you for being here 🤍

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2545407/support

Stay up to date with The Delusional Optimist Podcast on Instagram, here. You can follow host Diana Bunici on Instagram here - expect lots of cute pics of her dogs Benny & Charlie!