The Comeback with Brenda Dennehy

Welcome to Comeback Confidential, the bonus series 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 powerful stories submitted by listeners. Together, they discuss the realities of love bombing, domestic abuse, and the heartbreaking impact addiction can have...

What happens when years of bullying, shame and addiction convince you that you're not worthy of being yourself? In this episode, Humphrey O'Driscoll shares his remarkable journey of growing up gay in Carrigaline, the relentless bullying he endured, and how alcohol and cocaine became his way of escaping the pain. He opens up about losing the love of his life to addiction, hitting rock bottom, and t...

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 s...

James O'Connor kissed his family goodbye and headed off on what was meant to be the adventure of a lifetime, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to celebrate his 40th birthday in December 2023. He never came home. Just 100 metres from the summit, James passed away, leaving behind his wife Grace and their three young children. In one of the most emotional conversation Grace opens up about the moment she rec...

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 d...

From working from the age of 12, to building businesses, losing almost €1.3 million, Colin Tobin's story is one of resilience, hard work, and determination. Despite the setbacks and failed ventures along the way, there is no bitterness. Instead, Colin believes the secret to life is giving back, helping others, and expecting nothing in return. We chat about business, loss, work ethic, welfare, comm...

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...

Jennifer McCarthy spent years working in high pressure environments as a trauma nurse and later in response policing, supporting others through their darkest moments. But behind the uniform, Jennifer was facing battles of her own. Divorce. Betrayal. Critical illness. Medical retirement. Losing her identity. Becoming a single parent. And surviving moments where she genuinely believed she might die....

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 curr...

This week Brenda is joined by Mags Harty for a deeply moving and powerful conversation. Mags opens up about the heartbreak of eight miscarriages, losing her mum at the same time, and the toll it took on her mentally, physically and emotionally. There were moments she felt she couldn’t go on, but she kept fighting. And after everything, Mags got her miracle baby, Isla. A raw and honest story of los...

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 fe...

Ciarán O’Driscoll’s story is one of pain, loss, and ultimately, redemption. Sober since 2002, he opens up about growing up in a home shaped by alcoholism, and the devastating loss of his brothers, who were twins. From his first drink as a young teenager, to drug use, prison sentences, and deep self-hatred, his life spiralled quickly. In and out of Cork Prison, Mountjoy, and other institutions, add...

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 spe...

Have you ever wondered what actually happens behind the scenes on one of the biggest radio talk shows in the country? As a bonus episode this week, myself and producer Seamus, who I’ve been working alongside over the past few weeks, bring you inside The Neil Prendeville Show and how it all comes together. We chat about behind-the-scenes secrets, how Seamus may or may not have thrown me under the b...

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 w...

After an incredible live show at the Cork Podcast Festival, I’m taking a short break. Thank you so much for all the support, it truly means everything. This podcast would not exist without you. I’ll be back very soon with some amazing guests.

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 als...

On this week’s episode, I’m joined by Kerry fashion blogger and influencer Helena Brosnan, known to many as Super Betty. Last year, Helena received a shock diagnosis of cervical cancer after attending a routine smear test, despite having no symptoms at all. Throughout her treatment, she shared her journey openly with her followers, bringing honesty, positivity, and encouragement to thousands of wo...

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, h...

Trigger warning: This episode contains discussion of domestic abuse, miscarriage, and medical abortion. Please take care while listening. This week Brenda sits down with Sian Horn, a podcaster, Pilates instructor, and business consultant who advocates for women, wellbeing, and small businesses while sharing her own powerful healing journey. In this deeply honest conversation, Sian speaks openly ab...

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...

In this episode, I sit down with Kerry native Micheál Costello for a powerful and honest conversation. What began as a search for control through exercise slowly spiralled into anorexia and depression. Diagnosed in October 2020, Micheál’s illness carried deep family history, with his aunt having died from anorexia years earlier. We talk about stigma, especially for men, the danger of waiting lists...

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, inc...

This week, I am joined by Julie Burke, also known as @julesrulesirl on social media, for a conversation every woman who has ever felt underestimated needs to hear. Julie worked her way from retail to General Manager through grit, confidence, and backing herself when no one else did. Nothing was handed to her. We talk confidence, knowing your worth, navigating social media, and why personality will...

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, hik...