Busy, Wrecked & Ready for Change – Dermot Whelan on Anxiety, Purpose & Finding Space
Do you ever put on a brave front while feeling stressed, wrecked, and broken inside? That was Dermot Whelan. On the surface, he was thriving — a TV show, a hit radio gig, and a rising stand-up career — but behind it all, he was anxious, exhausted, sleepless, and struggling with self-belief. Alcohol became his go-to coping tool until a panic attack and a drunken fall forced him to change. He had heard about meditation, decided to give it a shot, and has never looked back! In this episode, Dermot opens up about how anxiety shaped his early life, why performers chase the “flow state,” and how alcohol became an unhealthy comfort. With humour and practical wisdom, he shares how he rebuilt his nervous system, reconnected with his values, embraced silence, and started following his gut instinct toward change. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or burned out, this conversation is packed with simple, grounded insights to manage stress, break unhelpful habits, make clearer decisions, and finally get unstuck.Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome & Introductions01:12 – Dermot’s lowest moment: the fall, concussion & the wake-up call05:04 – Exhaustion, drinking culture & risky behaviour in Ireland08:40 – Anxiety without awareness: recognising it only in hindsight11:58 – Turning points, shame & the fear of being judged15:46 – Alcohol programming, generational patterns & why we reach for numbing19:33 – Addiction as a temporary solution: reframing judgment23:27 – Finding space: noticing breath, gaps & the nervous system26:55 – The recurring golf-ball dream & discovering “pockets of space”30:42 – Performers, anxiety & chasing the flow state34:14 – People-pleasing, responsibility & becoming the mood-setter38:28 – Leaving Irish radio after 20 years: fear, risk & identity42:15 – Catastrophic thinking: journaling the inner critic45:58 – Recklessness, childhood patterns & family beliefs49:21 – Life changes, side hustles & starting small52:47 – The Indiana Jones moment: how to know when to jump56:18 – Busy & wrecked: how busyness becomes avoidance59:33 – The power of silence: why insights show up in the shower or car1:03:09 – Values changing over time: realigning your inner compass1:06:44 – Updating your “inner platoon”: communicating new values to yourself1:10:12 – Inner peace, energy & recognising friction in your life1:13:28 – Creating space to ask “What do I want now?”1:16:22 – Final reflections & closing messagesFollow Dermot: Dermot Whelan is a broadcaster and meditation teacher who was, for more than two decades, co-host of Today FM’s breakfast show, Dermot & Dave. He retired from radio in 2023 to commit fully to his wellness brand, Mind Full, with its live shows, podcast and book of the same name. InstagramLinkedInChange is Possible with Brian Pennie: ⬛ Get FREE access to Brian’s online courses ⬛ Buy Brian’s memoir, Bonus Time⬛ Follow Brian on Instagram⬛ Follow Brian on LinkedInSponsors: The Kyne Foundation Imagine having a sponsor whose only interest is creating positive ripple effects of change around the world. I first met Jacqueline and David Kyne from the Kyne Foundation when they introduced me to Dr Gabor Mate in 2024, an incredible “pinch myself” moment in my own life. With a focus on nurturing youth wellbeing and empowering education, The Kyne Foundation's belief is simple: kindness is powerful, practical, and worth paying forward. Over the next few episodes, we’ll be sharing weekly challenges inspired by their work and ethos: small actions create big ripples. Our simple ask? Go be kind to yourself, to others, and your community. Because kindness is contagious.
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