Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB) marked International Women’s Day 2026 with a special two‑part series of the Get Lit Podcast. These episodes celebrate women who focus on promoting leadership, confidence-building and lifelong learning specifically targeting potential female leaders within industry. Through these inspiring conversations released on March 6th and March 8th, the podcast spotlighted female empowerment, adult literacy, and the importance of accessible education across communities.
Hosted by Róisín Egan, Regional Literacy Coordinator with Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB) and Founder of the Get Lit Podcast, the series features two exceptional women: Siobhán Magner, Manager of the Apprenticeship & Enterprise Skills Unit at MSLETB, and Breda McCague, Leadership & Transformation Coach, TED Talk Speaker, Author of Operation Growth and facilitator of the Women Who Lead programme.
Episode 1 – Women Who Lead-Finding Your Voice Through Learning with Siobhán Magner
This episode of the Get Lit Podcast features Siobhán Magner who speaks about the exciting new accredited Women Who Lead programme, which is designed to support women to build confidence, strengthen their leadership skills and develop their personal brand. This episode explores why programmes like this matter, how they can transform confidence, provide opportunity, and how further education & training and empowerment go hand in hand.
Siobhán’s commitment to learners, communities, and lifelong education set the tone for this International Women’s Day series, showcasing women who lead with purpose and passion.
Episode 2 – When the Spark Becomes a Step: Building Literacy Confidence with Breda McCague
On March 8th, the Get Lit Podcast released a special International Women’s Day edition featuring Breda McCague, who had a powerful conversation about adult literacy, confidence, and the real, everyday courage it takes to change your life – especially when confidence is low and the first step feels like the hardest one. Breda McCague is an Irish transformation specialist, leadership coach and keynote speaker with extensive experience in business transformation, global financial services and the Irish Defence Forces.
Breda spoke about taking baby steps, finding the right support, changing your internal narrative, and surrounding yourself with people who lift you up instead of holding you back. This discussion explored what it means to start a learning journey later in life, how to stay the course, how to recognise and celebrate small wins, and why you are not alone if you’re struggling with reading, writing, numbers, digital skills, or confidence.
Róisín Egan, Regional Literacy Coordinator with Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB) and Founder of the Get Lit Podcast, commented:
“I was truly honoured to speak with someone of Breda McCague’s calibre, a woman whose work in empowerment and leadership has transformed so many lives, and with Siobhán Magner, an exceptional leader in further education and training. Hearing their expertise, passion and belief in adult learners shines a powerful light on what is possible when support meets courage.”
A Celebration of Women Who Lead
Together, Siobhán Magner and Breda McCague offer two distinct but complementary perspectives on leadership, education, and empowerment. Their conversations reflect the core of International Women’s Day; women uplifting women, sharing wisdom, and opening doors for others.
Both women also highlight the impact of MSLETB’s Women Who Lead programme, designed to elevate and support women in their personal and professional journeys. Want to find out more about this course? Contact the MSLETB Skills to Advance team to find out when the next date is scheduled by emailing [email protected].
Listen Now
The International Women’s Day special episodes are available to stream on the Get Lit Podcast via Spotify and LinkedIn. Follow on Instagram at @adult_literacy_for_life_msletb to keep up with the latest episodes of the Get Lit Podcast.
