The Comeback with Brenda Dennehy

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 take you further than any job title.Julie’s message is simple and powerful. Stop waiting for permission. It is not coming. Give it to yourself.🎤 The Comeback Live is coming to the Cork Podcast Festival on March 21st at St Luke’s - you can get tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-comeback-with-brenda-dennehy-tickets-1977022103331✨ This week’s sponsor is Dazzled Venus, jewellery that truly moves with you. Waterproof, non-tarnish, 18-karat gold plated, and proudly Irish owned 🇮🇪 💛 Enjoy 40 percent off sitewide for a limited time. Check out their site here: dazzledvenus.ie

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.

This week on The Comeback, I am joined by my good friend Alan Clarke.Many of you will know Alan from his social media sketches and his hugely successful podcast Big News Coming Soon, but for the first time, he shares his full story on a podcast.In this episode, Alan speaks openly about the breakdown he faced, the weeks he spent unable to leave the house with the blinds closed, and the role therapy played in helping him find his way back. It is an honest conversation about mental health, resilience, and the work that happens long before a comeback is visible.And of course, we also speak about the true love of his life, his Springer Spaniel, Kookie, who was never actually meant to be Alan’s dog, yet was always meant to find her way to him.Alan reflects on the many paths that shaped his journey, from washing cars and filling petrol as a teenager, to working as a carpenter, DJ, and social media manager, before becoming the voice so many people recognise today.SponsorThis episode is proudly sponsored by ADHD Now, the online clinic transforming ADHD assessment and care across Ireland. Visit adhdnow.com for support and assessment.

All good things, in time.Some returns look different than departures.

This week’s episode is a more relaxed and honest conversation recorded in Tenerife. I am joined by my friend Chris, who called over for a chat about his story and the role he has played in supporting me through recovery. There are plenty of laughs, alongside some very real moments.I also answer the most asked question of the last three weeks, have I moved to Tenerife.There are some changes coming to the podcast, which I will explain next week, along with an exciting new venture.🎧 This episode is proudly sponsored by ADHD Now, the online clinic transforming ADHD assessment and care across Ireland. For ADHD assessments and support, visit adhdnow.com.

New Year can be a difficult time.In this special episode, I revisit the final three questions I ask every guest on the podcast. Not the polished answers, but the honest ones. The words shaped by grief, addiction, illness, loss, recovery, and survival.This episode opens with a tribute to Natasha O’Byrne, who passed away last week. Natasha was one of the very first people to reach out when this podcast launched, and her words felt especially important to share at the start of a new year.What follows are reflections from guests across the year, offering perspective, resilience, and hope. This episode is a reminder that no matter how heavy things feel, there is always a comeback.This episode contains themes of mental health, addiction, suicide, and grief. Please listen with care.This episode is proudly sponsored by ADHD Now, the online clinic transforming ADHD assessment and care across Ireland. For ADHD assessment or support, visitadhdnow.com