The Comeback with Brenda Dennehy

This week’s episode is a little different, and one that is very close to my heart.
In support of Coolmine’s Sober October campaign, I’m joined by Lorraine Higgins and Caroline Dunne from Coolmine to have an open and honest conversation about addiction, recovery and the incredible work being done to support individuals and families across Ireland.
Later in the episode, we hear the powerful story of Bernard West, whose journey took him through heroin and crack cocaine addiction, prison, homelessness and relapse before ultimately finding recovery through Coolmine.
Today, Bernard is drug-free, has rebuilt his relationships with his children and family, and now uses his own lived experience to help others on their recovery journey.
This is an episode about addiction, but more importantly, it’s about recovery, hope, second chances and the possibility of rebuilding your life.
🎧 This episode is proudly sponsored by ADHD Now, the online clinic transforming ADHD assessment and care across Ireland. If you are seeking an ADHD assessment or support, visit adhdnow.com today.

In this episode, Shirley Keegan shares a deeply personal story of resilience, motherhood, shame, burnout and rebuilding.
From growing up in a very different Ireland, to becoming pregnant at just 15 and spending time in a mother and baby home, Shirley reflects on experiences that shaped her from a young age and stayed with her throughout her life.
She also opens up about the pressures of a long corporate career, the point at which everything became too much, and how that period led her to completely reassess her life.
This is an honest and powerful conversation about identity, healing and finding the courage to own your story.
If this story resonates with you, please leave a comment and hit that subscribe button. It really helps.
🎧 This episode is proudly sponsored by ADHD Now, the online clinic transforming ADHD assessment and care across Ireland. If you are seeking an ADHD assessment or support, visit adhdnow.com today.

This week on the podcast I sit down with 17-year-old Sarah Monaghan, who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at just 13.
Sarah speaks so openly about her diagnosis, undergoing an egg retrieval at 14, the isolation of radioactive iodine treatment and what life has been like in the four years since.
We also hear from Sarah’s sister Zoe, who becomes emotional talking about how much she wished she could take the cancer and the pain away from her little sister.
A huge thank you to Sarah’s parents, Sylvia and Brian, for trusting me with Sarah’s story, and to Sarah Burke O’Connor for introducing me to this gorgeous family.
Sarah is such a remarkable young lady and I am so glad she spoke with me and shared her story so openly. Please give her page a follow on Instagram, @sarah_monaghann.
If Sarah teaches us one thing, it’s to never take life for granted.
If this story resonates with you, please leave a comment and hit that subscribe button. It really helps.
🎧 This episode is proudly sponsored by ADHD Now, the online clinic transforming ADHD assessment and care across Ireland. If you are seeking an ADHD assessment or support, visit adhdnow.com today.

Bernard Westman shares the story of the darkest period of his life, the moment he felt there was no way out, and what happened when his family found him in Galway.
It is a deeply honest conversation about suicidal thoughts, shame, family, asking for help and finding your way back.
Bernard’s message is simple: the people who love you would rather walk through your darkest days with you than live without you.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, Pieta’s 24-hour Crisis Helpline is available on 1800 247 247, or text HELP to 51444.
🎧 This episode is proudly sponsored by ADHD Now, the online clinic transforming ADHD assessment and care across Ireland. Visit adhdnow.com.

Aoibhe Devlin opens up like never before about some of the most difficult periods of her life.
For the first time, she speaks publicly about experiencing postnatal depression, struggling in silence and eventually reaching out for help. She also talks about the online abuse she faced while heavily pregnant, going through a breakup and reaching a point where she questioned how much more she could take.
Aoibhe shares how her two children kept her going, how she began rebuilding her life and, on a lighter note, opens up about her new relationship, how they met and their first date.
A really open conversation about what can be happening behind the picture-perfect moments we see online.
If this story resonates with you, please leave a comment and hit that subscribe button, it really helps.
🎧 This episode is proudly sponsored by ADHD Now, the online clinic transforming ADHD assessment and care across Ireland. If you are seeking an ADHD assessment or support, visit adhdnow.com today.