The Comeback with Brenda Dennehy

Lisa O'Sullivan Shaw's life has been anything but ordinary.Born with a heart condition, she underwent open heart surgery as a baby before growing up to become Miss Universe Ireland. But behind the glamour were years of relentless bullying, a life changing health battle, and the fear of facing open heart surgery again while raising four young boys.In this episode of Lisa shares the moments that shaped her, the lessons she's learned, and why she no longer lets other people's opinions define her.A powerful conversation about resilience, motherhood, and finding strength through life's toughest moments.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, Brenda sits down with Rachel Forde for one of the most honest and powerful conversations we've had on the podcast.Many people may remember the headlines surrounding Rachel several years ago, but few know the story behind them.What started as an addiction to codeine-based painkillers spiralled into a nightmare that saw Rachel taking up to 90 tablets a day, experiencing drug-induced psychosis, and ultimately finding herself at the centre of a Garda raid on her home.In this deeply personal conversation, Rachel speaks openly about addiction, motherhood, shame, fear, recovery, and the long road back from rock bottom. She shares the devastating impact addiction had on her life and family, and how she fought her way back when everything seemed lost.Today, Rachel is rebuilding her life, helping others in recovery, and proving that no matter how far someone has fallen, there is always a way back.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.

In this powerful conversation, Brian Pennie opens up about trauma, addiction, hitting rock bottom and the remarkable journey that took him from using heroin during his Leaving Cert to becoming Dr Brian Pennie, neuroscientist and author.He speaks honestly about being €50,000 in debt, falling asleep at work because his body was shutting down, suffering a violent seizure during detox, and the moment he realised he could not continue living the way he was.But more than anything, this episode is about hope. It's about resilience, healing and proving that no matter how broken someone feels, there is always a way back.If this episode resonates with you, please follow, rate and share it. Your support helps these important stories reach more people.🎧 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. 

Welcome to the first Comeback Confidential, a bonus episode of The Comeback with Brenda Dennehy, where anonymous listener stories are shared in a safe and supportive space.In this episode, Brenda is joined by Psychotherapist Lauren Golden to explore the reality of loving someone with addiction.We hear from one woman who survived years of abuse while living with an addict, and another who is currently navigating relapse, heartbreak, and the emotional toll on her family.Together, they unpack the complexity of addiction, the impact on partners and children, and the balance between compassion and accountability.A raw and honest conversation about life on the other side of addiction.🎧 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.If you’d like to share your story anonymously, emailthecomebackwithbrenda@gmail.com

From the outside, Eimear Coffey had the kind of life people dream of - until everything came crashing down.A young mum at 23, she grew up alongside her son Daniel, building a life that looked full of love and promise. Years later, with the arrival of her second son Ollie in 2018, everything seemed complete.But behind closed doors, her world was falling apart.Betrayal. Narcissistic abuse. The fear of her child facing life-changing disabilities.And then, in the middle of it all - a breast cancer diagnosis.This is a raw and powerful story of heartbreak, survival, and finding strength when you have nothing left.If this episode resonates with you, please leave a comment and hit subscribe, 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.

Leona Macken’s story will stop you in your tracks.A young mum of two, she trusted the system. She had two smear tests, in 2016 and 2020, both reported as normal. But they should not have been. That delay led to a cervical cancer diagnosis in 2023.After major surgery and intensive treatment, Leona was told in 2025 that her cancer had returned and progressed to stage four.In this episode, she speaks about the moment everything changed, the heartbreak, and the reality of living with a diagnosis that should never have happened.Now on a trial drug that is already showing signs of working, her story is one of strength, resilience, and hope.🎧 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.

Cork poet and writer Daragh Fleming joins Brenda for the first episode of the new series of The Comeback.In this episode, he shares his journey into writing, from a young age to putting his work out into the world. He also reads two of his most powerful pieces, If I Ever Have Boys and If I Ever Have Girls.Daragh speaks openly about living with depression without realising it, describing a time when he felt completely numb and thought that was normal.A deeply emotional part of the conversation focuses on the loss of his best friend, Erbie, and how that moment changed his life, becoming a turning point that led him to speak more openly about mental health through his writing.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a comment, it really helps.🎧 This episode is proudly sponsored by ADHD Now, the online clinic transforming ADHD assessment and care across Ireland.Visit adhdnow.com for more.

Cork TikTok creator Richie Herlihy (Richie’s Food and Nature) joins Brenda for a powerful and honest conversation about the reality behind his viral food reviews.Richie opens up about the recent devastating loss of his close friend Ryan Dunphy, learning about his death while he himself was in hospital. He also clears up online rumours about his health and explains what really happened.Richie also speaks openly about his gambling addiction, the impact it had on his life, and the road to recovery.We also revisit the controversy around his Electric Picnic food truck and the realities of running a food business at major festivals.A raw, emotional and eye opening episode that reveals the real Richie behind the viral videos.The Comeback Live comes to the Cork Podcast Festival, March 21st at St Luke’s. Limited tickets available here https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-comeback-with-brenda-dennehy-tickets-1977022103331🎧 Sponsored by ADHD Now, the online clinic transforming ADHD assessment and care across Ireland. Visit adhdnow.com.

This week, I sit down with Danny Buckley for a powerful and honest conversation about grief, addiction and recovery.Raised in Knocknaheeny on Cork’s northside, Danny shares the unimaginable loss of his wife Simone, his childhood sweetheart, and how her final words changed the way he lives his life today.From heartbreak came purpose, leading Danny to understand his own ADHD and create ADHD Now, helping others access the support he once struggled to find.A story of loss, resilience and learning how to live again.The Comeback Live comes to the Cork Podcast Festival on March 21st at St Luke’s. Tickets available here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-comeback-with-brenda-dennehy-tickets-1977022103331.🎧 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s bonus episode tells an extraordinary story that unfolds in a matter of hours.Eimir Burke had no idea she was pregnant until the day she gave birth. Having previously been told she had polycystic ovaries, she believed having children might not be possible. There were no obvious signs, and everything felt completely normal, until sudden pain led to a scan that changed everything.By the end of that same day, her life had completely changed.Eimir sat down with me in London to share a raw and emotional account of shock, disbelief, and becoming a mum overnight to her daughter Harriett.🎟️ The Comeback Live comes to the Cork Podcast Festival on March 21st at St Luke’s. Tickets are available now on Eventbrite.🎧 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I sit down with Irish comedian Stephen “Cowboy” Kelly for a powerful and honest conversation.Best known for his comedy, online sketches, and appearances on Hardy Bucks, Stephen has built a strong following across stand-up, live shows, and social media. In this episode, he goes beyond the laughs to share a much deeper story.Stephen speaks openly about nearly dying three times, including suffering a heart attack in his twenties and collapsing with a bleed to the brain. He reflects on being rushed to ICU, being medically dead, and the moments that forced him to reassess his life and priorities.This episode explores survival, resilience, and the mindset required to come back when everything is on the line.A very big thank you to Legacy Studios for hosting the recording of this episode.🎧 Proudly sponsored by ADHD Now. For ADHD assessment and support across Ireland, visit adhdnow.com.🎟️ The Comeback Live comes to the Cork Podcast Festival on March 21st at St Luke’s. You can buy tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-comeback-with-brenda-dennehy-tickets-1977022103331 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Comeback, I sit down with Jason Byrne.Jason grew up in Ballymun, Dublin, and first encountered drugs at 16. What began as curiosity escalated and shaped many years of his life. Now almost three years sober, he reflects honestly on addiction, recovery, and change.Jason is the founder of Rise Above It, a community built around movement, connection, and support through running, hiking, and sea dips. We talk about why recovery is something you do together, not alone.Despite the seriousness of the topic, there is warmth, humour, and real joy throughout this episode.The Comeback Live comes to the Cork Podcast Festival on March 21st at St Luke’s. Tickets are available here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-comeback-with-brenda-dennehy-tickets-1977022103331This 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All good things, in time.Some returns look different than departures. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.