The Comeback with Brenda Dennehy

Episode Description: In this episode I am joined by legendary Irish radio presenter Nikki Hayes - a voice many will remember from her days on RTÉ 2FM, Spin 1038, Classic Hits Radio, and now East Coast FM. Nikki bravely opens up about her journey through alcohol addiction, mental health struggles, bulimia, and depression, and how it all spiralled during the pandemic while she was broadcasting from...

Episode Description: From prison to personal trainer: Mikey Power’s raw story of addiction, arrests, and turning it all around On this week’s episode, I’m joined by Mikey Power, who shares the unfiltered truth about his addiction recovery, run-ins with the law, and the breakthrough moment that turned his life around. From teenage drinking to prison and multiple arrests, Mikey opens up about how gr...

This week I am joined by Christine Kavanagh, a mother from Cork who has lived through the unimaginable - losing four sons, three of them to drug-related causes. In January of this year, Christine lost two of her sons, Dillon and Damien, just fifteen days apart. They were laid to rest in a double funeral - one open coffin, one closed. Another son, Leon, died of a heroin overdose in 2021. Her pain i...

This week, I’m joined by Nicola Guilfoyle, a 40-year-old mum of three from Clonmel who’s lived through more than most - addiction in the family, the loss of her mother, brother, and father, and her own struggles with grief, mental health, and struggling with her weight. We talk about childhood trauma, losing her brother just weeks before giving birth, and saying goodbye to her dad - her best frien...

This week, I’m joined by someone whose courage, honesty, and strength will stay with you long after the episode ends — Dessie Fitzgerald. In 2011, Dessie’s world was turned upside down by a spinal cord injury, paralysis, and the loss of his brother. But instead of giving up, he chose to rebuild. Today, he’s a life coach, motivational speaker, and a powerful voice on resilience, healing, and p...

This week on the podcast, Rio Fennell’s incredible journey is told through the eyes of his amazing mother, Melanie O’Sullivan - a story of a 7-year-old boy’s fight against a brain tumour, and the love that carried them through it. When Rio began showing symptoms, they were dismissed as “probably viral.” But Melanie’s instincts told her something more serious was going on. She trusted her gut, kept...

This week on The Comeback, I sit down with Andy Goulding - a champion marathon runner, devoted husband and son, and someone whose story of addiction and recovery will stay with you long after you’ve heard it. Five years ago, Andy’s life was turned upside down by a crippling cocaine addiction that nearly cost him his life. In a moment that can only be described as miraculous, he survived - and&nbsp...

In this episode, I’m joined by Natasha O’Byrne, or as she’s fondly known, Tasha - a 25-year-old mum of two from Cork who is currently undergoing chemotherapy for bowel cancer. Tasha shares her powerful story of facing cancer as a young mother, after losing her own mum to cancer at just 46. She is now the third generation in her family to be diagnosed, and her courage and clarity shine through...

In this episode, I sit down with Sophie Cole, a special education teacher from Carrigaline whose life changed overnight after a classroom assault left her with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) – one of the world’s most painful and incurable conditions. Sophie opens up about living with chronic nerve pain, the trauma of PTSD, and the many surgeries she’s endured – from spinal cord stimulators...

In this episode, I sit down with Joe McCaul, who many of you will remember for representing Ireland in the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest alongside his sister Donna. Joe's journey took him nationwide after the song "You're a Star," but his life took unexpected turns, including his time in the spotlight and the challenges that followed. This is Joe’s very first podcast, as he’s shied away from the me...

The Comeback with… Nicola Fitzgerald This week, I sit down with the incredible Nicola Fitzgerald, also known as All Things Dogs and Home on Instagram. Nicola’s story is one of extraordinary resilience and transformation. At just 16, she rebelled, turning to drugs, and became a teen mother. Her journey led her to become addicted to heroin. Despite the hardships, Nicola’s amazing mother, Sally, neve...

In todays epiosde: In this episode I’m joined by the incredible Ashling Thompson, a GAA camogie star with six All-Ireland titles and four All-Stars to her name. Ashling is one of the most accomplished athletes in the sport. In this conversation, Ashling opens up about her journey, including hitting rock bottom at just 19, experiencing coercive control, losing a close friend to suicide, and captain...

In todays epiosde: Delighted to have Neil Prendeville as the very first person to feature on my podcast. For anyone who knows my story, you might guess why Neil was such an important choice. He gave me my first break in radio — and later, when I needed it most, a second chance. This episode sets the tone for The Comeback — sharing my story through an open, honest conversation with someone who’s pl...