The Comeback with Brenda Dennehy

This episode captures my live show, and quite honestly, the best night of my life.As this final episode of 2025 goes out, I want to thank every single person who has supported the podcast over the past six months. What this show has become is beyond anything I could have imagined, and that is entirely down to you, the listeners, and the incredible guests who shared their stories so openly and the sponsors.The live show took place in November and truly exceeded all expectations. Huge thanks to Nicola Fitzgerald, Joe McCaul, Nicola Guilfoyle, Andy Goulding, and our mystery guest Timmy Long for making it such a special night along with his brother Tommy.My deepest thanks go to my mother, Nora. There would be no comeback without her.A massive and heartfelt thank you as well to Autism Care, who so generously sponsored the show. This night simply could not have happened without their support. Autism Care is an Irish organisation offering neuroaffirming assessments and lifelong supports, co designed with Autistic individuals. Their work is grounded in lived experience, compassion, and genuine inclusion. You can find out more at autismcare.ie.

This week, I sit down with Timmy Long, whose story of addiction and recovery left the room in silence when he shared it at my live show in November.Timmy grew up in poverty on the north side of Cork City and experienced trauma from a young age. Years later, he fell into addiction and soon after served time in prison. While incarcerated, he received devastating news that his mother had died, a moment that became the turning point in his recovery journey.What followed were years of hard work and healing. Timmy learned to read and write in his thirties, committed to sobriety, and rebuilt his life. Today, he is a father, a husband, and a man deeply proud of who he has become.This is a raw, honest conversation about addiction, trauma, prison, recovery, and hope.This episode is proudly sponsored by ADHD Now - the online clinic transforming ADHD assessment and care across Ireland. If you’re seeking an ADHD assessment or support, visit adhdnow.com today.The Comeback Live returns on Saturday, March 21st, 2026 at St Luke’s following the success of my sold out show in November. It will be another night of honest conversations, powerful stories, and real hope. Tickets are available via Eventbrite and the link in my social media bio.Timestamps01:44 - Welcome & The Impact of Timmy's Live Show Appearance04:42 - Growing Up in Holly Hill: Poverty, Violence & No Father Figure09:57 - The Moment I Emotionally Shut Down as a Child11:37 - Wanting to Die at Six Years Old15:45 - Finding Drugs & Alcohol: Feeling Alive for the First Time23:15 - Relapse at 19 & Years of Chaotic Addiction32:40 - My Mother's Death While I Was in Prison38:52 - The Breakthrough: When I Stopped Fighting My Thoughts46:16 - Learning to Read & Write in Prison at 3658:58 - Final Questions: Advice for Anyone Who Feels They'll Never Make It OutConnect With Me:Instagram: @thecomebackwithbrenda @brendasbitsContact: Thecomebackwithbrenda@gmail.com

This week, Brenda sits down with her dear friend Joe Byrne for a raw and honest conversation about identity, addiction and healing. Joe talks about growing up gay, dealing with homophobia and Catholic guilt, and the long road toward self acceptance.He opens up about his struggles with alcohol addiction and Xanax addiction, his journey through addiction recovery, and the resilience that helped him rebuild his life.Joe also reflects on his decades of kindness. From giving free haircuts to the homeless to supporting struggling families in Cork, his compassion has touched countless lives and made him a pillar of the community.A powerful story of courage, generosity and hope.Sponsored by Fettle. Life gets messy, and Fettle makes getting support simple. Connect with accredited therapists online at fettle.ie.Timestamps:19:48 — Joe Builds a Life in Cork & Finds Community21:05 — The Party Years & Early Signs of Addiction21:50 — Loneliness, Vodka & the Emotional Spiral22:59 — Xanax Enters the Picture & the Secret Double Life25:09 — Meeting Darren & the Rollercoaster of Early Love26:53 — The Pain of Being Unreliable in the Relationship27:42 — Hidden Drinking, Secret Bottles & Denial28:54 — When Darren Begins to Struggle with Joe’s Drinking29:52 — The Fall in Douglas & Nearly Losing His Life31:10 — Choosing Help & Entering Rehab at St. John of God’sConnect With Me:Instagram: @thecomebackwithbrenda @brendasbitsContact: Thecomebackwithbrenda@gmail.com

Most of you will know her as Sarah Burke, now Sarah O’Connor after marrying the love of her life, Keith. Her road to happiness was anything but simple.In this episode, Sarah opens up about calling off her wedding six weeks before the date, going through IVF, and experiencing a devastating miscarriage. She also talks about the horrific trolling she faced and, for the first time, reads the threatening letter that was sent to her sister’s salon.Sarah reflects on her mental health journey, counselling, grief after losing Nana Betty, and the fear that came with her father Kieran’s end of life heart failure diagnosis. Today, she is happily married and a mum to three beautiful children, including her miracle babies Isabella and Gabbie.This episode is proudly sponsored by ADHD Now, the online clinic transforming ADHD assessment and care across Ireland. If you’re seeking an ADHD assessment or support, visit adhdnow.com today.Timestamps:[00:00:00] – Introduction & first meeting Sarah on 96 FM[00:01:40] – Weight loss journey & "Fat to Fab" Facebook page in Australia[00:05:13] – How social media culture around weight has changed[00:05:59] – Growing up on Cork's North side[00:08:01] – Moving to Australia & ending long-term relationship[00:10:49] – Learning self-worth through therapy[00:13:27] – Falling pregnant with Luke & starting Slimming World business[00:14:11] – Calling off wedding 6 weeks before the date[00:17:54] – Meeting Keith on Tinder during lockdown[00:21:52] – Online trolling & forum posts nearly ending relationship[00:26:36] – Starting IVF journey for second child[00:29:17] – Discovering miscarriage at 14-week scan[00:30:48] – Losing baby Jack & burying him at Nanny Betty's grave[00:35:10] – Dealing with cruel comments about miscarriage[00:37:50] – D&C procedure leading to miracle pregnancy with Isabella[00:41:22] – Pregnancy news leaked before telling family[00:44:51] – Nanny Betty's final days in Marymount hospice[00:49:29] – Getting married in Lanzarote with 101 guests[00:51:10] – Receiving threatening letter 8 weeks before wedding[00:59:45] – How Keith dealt with the harassment[01:02:46] – Why giving up isn't an option (for the kids)[01:03:21] – Surprise pregnancy with Gabby[01:06:47] – Dad's cancer diagnosis & heart failure[01:11:30] – Living with dad's end-of-life prognosis[01:13:24] – Final reflections on happiness & self-worthConnect With Me:Instagram: @thecomebackwithbrenda @brendasbitsContact: Thecomebackwithbrenda@gmail.com

Taking a tiny break this week… because my live show absolutely took over my life, in the best possible way. It turned out to be one of the greatest nights I have ever had - I am still floating. Thank you to everyone who showed up and supported me.Missed it? The full live show episode lands before Christmas.Back next Monday with an amazing guest.

At just 20 years old, Lou Hibbert’s world changed forever. Her dad Barry, a man who had gone from growing up in a council estate to becoming the CEO of a major company, took his own life.In this powerful conversation, Lou opens up about losing a parent to suicide, navigating bereavement, and how therapy and counselling helped her rebuild self-worth, self-love, and self-compassion.This Movember, as we focus on men’s mental health and suicide prevention, Lou’s story is a reminder that behind every strong man, there can be silent struggles - and behind every loss, someone learning how to live again.This week’s episode is sponsored by Damien Long Personal Training based in Glanmire, Cork. Damien helps people get stronger, fitter, and happier with a fun, balanced approach to training. He also featured on podcast earlier this year, sharing his own journey of grief, healing, and mental health awareness after the loss of his daughter Shauna. You can check him out @damienlongpersonaltraining. Timestamps00:00:00 — Introduction and how Lou and Brenda first met00:01:30 — Growing up in Cookham Dean and school experiences00:03:35 — Lou’s dad’s childhood, trauma and drive for success00:06:26 — The first business collapse and early signs of strain00:09:19 — 2022: escalating stress and emotional decline00:12:33 — Subtle changes at home and early warning signs00:16:01 — The day Lou was called out of work00:17:58 — The moment she learned her dad had died00:21:02 — Understanding “the surge” before suicide00:38:15 — Starting therapy and confronting anger00:46:21 — Life before and after grief: “living two lives”00:49:24 — Hope, healing and Lou’s final reflectionsConnect With Me:Instagram: @thecomebackwithbrenda @brendasbitsContact: Thecomebackwithbrenda@gmail.com

At just 20 years old, Harry Greaney was told he had synovial sarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer. He’s battled it not once, not twice, but three times. When doctors could no longer save his arm, Harry had to undergo an amputation - a life-changing moment that would break most people.But not Harry. Just weeks after surgery, he was already back training and even preparing for a powerlifting competition. His story is one of courage, resilience, and perspective - from managing phantom limb pain to finding motivation through fitness, and showing that discipline beats comfort every time.This is a powerful story about choosing gratitude, strength, and comeback energy - no matter what life throws your way.This episode is proudly sponsored by ADHD Now - the online clinic transforming ADHD assessment and care across Ireland. If you’re considering an ADHD assessment or need guidance, visit adhdnow.com today.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction & Harry’s Story  03:15 – First Symptoms and Cancer Diagnosis  07:40 – Facing Synovial Sarcoma & Life-Changing Decisions  12:25 – Radiation and Chemotherapy: Staying Active Through Treatment  17:10 – Choosing Amputation: How Harry Made the Call  21:45 – Recovery and Phantom Limb Pain  26:30 – Returning to Training with One Arm  32:05 – Powerlifting Goals and Adaptive Fitness  36:50 – Mental Health, Gratitude & Finding Purpose  41:20 – Advice for Anyone Going Through Hard Times  45:05 – Closing Thoughts & Where to Find HarryConnect With Me:Instagram: @thecomebackwithbrenda @brendasbitsContact: Thecomebackwithbrenda@gmail.com

Natasha McCarthy lost her dad, Tommy, in a tragic car fire the day before her 30th birthday in April 2024. In this powerful and deeply moving episode, she opens up about her grief journey, coping with loss, and healing after trauma as a single mother. She speaks honestly about the waves of bereavement, family trauma, and the long process of rebuilding life after such unimaginable pain.This is a story about love, resilience, and mental health awareness - about finding strength in the darkest moments and discovering hope again after loss. Above all, it’s a daughter’s mission to make sure her dad’s life is remembered not for tragedy, but for love.🎧 This episode is sponsored by ADHD Now - the online clinic transforming ADHD assessment and care across Ireland. If you’re seeking ADHD assessment or support, visit adhdnow.com today.Timestamps00:00 – Growing up in Mayfield 03:22 – Becoming a young mum 05:47 – Her dad’s reaction to the news 08:33 – Family loss and early grief 11:12 – The last day with her dad 13:42 – The call that changed everything 15:55 – After the car fire 20:28 – A funeral without a body 23:45 – The inquest and open verdict 28:17 – Living with grief Connect With Me:Instagram: @thecomebackwithbrenda @brendasbitsContact: Thecomebackwithbrenda@gmail.com