Podcast Summary: My Therapist Ghosted Me – MTGM EXTRA! "I Miss Home So Much."

Hosts: Vogue Williams & Joanne McNally
Date: January 21, 2026
Episode Theme: Navigating homesickness, the realities of living abroad, and candid takes on beauty, surgery, and personal growth—all with the trademark honesty and wit of Vogue and Joanne.

Episode Overview

This bonus episode explores feelings of homesickness while living away from Ireland, with hosts Vogue and Joanne tackling dilemmas sent in by listeners. The conversation meanders through beauty "tweakments," plastic surgery trends, and honest discussions about self-image before delving into heartfelt advice for homesick expats and people exploring their sexuality. As always, the hosts infuse the chat with irreverent humor and sharp observations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Age, Beauty Trends, and Procedures (00:14–11:00)

• Blepharoplasty and Brow Lifts: The pair start off humorously discussing aging eyelids and misconceptions around surgical procedures.

• Joanne shares:

  "Now when I wake up as a 42-year-old woman, my eyelids are preparing me for death—I have to kind of wind them open." (02:18, Joanne)

• Vogue elaborates on the rising trend in brow lifts, mentioning celebrities (Emma Stone, Kendall Jenner) and the pressure created by before-and-after photos online (03:34).

• Both stress the importance of thoroughly thinking through invasive surgery:

  "It's not a throwaway thing... It's not like going in and getting Botox." (04:37, Vogue)

• Social Media and Beauty Pressures: The hosts question the “normalizing” of plastic surgery in younger people, noting how influencers and celebrities navigate the topic by not disclosing tweaks.

  "If someone doesn't want to talk about getting plastic surgery... that's totally fine. It took me ages to say that I got Botox because I didn't want to be labelled 'Botox girl.'" (05:19, Vogue)

• Home Beauty Gadgets & Ice Bath Trends: They banter about beauty gadgets like face-icing units, sharing stories of childhood trauma related to water and swimming lessons (06:41).

  "It was the most traumatic... like I was getting waterboarded." (07:13, Vogue)

• Surgery Ethic & Young Listeners: The ethics around surgeons performing procedures on people as young as 32 is explored, with Vogue and Joanne expressing concern (08:46–09:08).

2. Childhood Mishaps & Risky Adventures (11:04–12:15)

• The hosts swap vivid stories about hazardous childhood games—darts to the eye, fishing mishaps, golf net accidents—underscoring how dangerous play can be growing up.

3. Listener Dilemma: "I Miss Home So Much" (12:15–18:35)

(12:15–17:27) Anxious in Dubai

A listener, in her mid-20s, seeks advice about whether to stay in Dubai for career and lifestyle opportunities or follow her heart and return home to Ireland, where her family and emotional comfort lie.

• She describes deep homesickness, a supportive family, career questions, and the unique opportunities Dubai offers, balanced against the lack of financial benefit compared to working in Ireland.

Vogue & Joanne’s Advice

• Vogue is direct:

  "Well, then you should move home. That's it. You should move on. Because you just—you can't be using the stuff they have out there." (14:28, Vogue)

• Joanne is empathetic:

  "This feels like she wants to move home... You don't have to force yourself to stay for another year." (14:39, Joanne)

• Both discuss how “settling” doesn’t have to be permanent, and the importance of not missing family moments if that’s where your heart is.
• Real talk about finances: If Dubai isn't delivering a financial advantage, there's little reason to stay if you miss home so much.
• Joanne sums up the freedom of your 20s:

  "You always feel like you've less time than you have... In your early 20s and 30s, this is the time to explore. But don't put yourself through any hardship you don't need to." (16:21, Joanne)

Empowerment & Perspective

• Both emphasize there's no shame in moving home and that it's "all to play for" at a young age—Dubai isn't going anywhere, opportunities can always be found elsewhere.

4. Mini Dilemmas: Coming Out & Sexuality (18:40–21:13)

(18:40–20:43) Listener: Coming Out as Gay

• A listener writes in about realizing her sexuality and finding love with a woman, after long believing she was straight. She expresses a mix of tears, excitement, and nerves about coming out.

• Joanne on not fancying every lesbian friend:

  "I feel sorry for lesbians who have female friends. They're like, I do not fancy you. And we're all like, why not me? 'Yeah, cause you're in bits!'" (19:25, Joanne)

• Supportive words:

  "The first step is realizing you're gay...you'll feel more comfortable. The next step is telling your mates and then tell your family... you'll just realize that it's better everyone knows and you'll feel so good about yourself." (20:19, Vogue)

• Joanne speculates, only half-joking:

  "I'd say half the husbands in Ireland are gay." (21:12, Joanne)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Age & Self-talk:

  "I'm gonna stop referring to my age...I'm not doing it anymore. It hammers home too much." (02:29, Joanne)

• On Social Pressure:

  "We're all gorgeous the way we are... especially with all the extra bits." (08:29, Joanne)

• On Moving Home:

  "There's no failure in going home... Dubai's not going anywhere. You can go back." (16:52, Joanne)

• Classic Banter:

  "Are you gay? He's my husband. That means nothing!" (21:46, Joanne)
  "Joanne just lurks around the gym looking over men's shoulders to see that they're on Grinder." (21:40, Vogue)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:14–11:00 | Beauty, Surgery, and Social Pressures
• 11:04–12:15 | Childhood Disasters and Family Antics
• 12:15–17:27 | Dubai Homesickness Dilemma & Advice
• 18:40–21:13 | Coming Out & Support for LGBTQ+ Listeners

Tone & Style

The episode is warm, irreverent, brutally honest, and deeply genuine—balancing practical advice with playful self-deprecation and the uniquely supportive friendship dynamic between Vogue and Joanne.

In summary:
This episode is a heartfelt but hilarious look at how self-image, homesickness, and personal decisions can shape our lives, with the hosts offering candid, empathetic advice that makes listeners feel seen and supported—even if sometimes they're laughing through the tears.