The Comeback with Brenda Dennehy is a powerful podcast that delves into the most inspiring stories of resilience, transformation, and triumph. Hosted by Brenda Dennehy, the podcast shares the journeys of real people who have faced some of life’s toughest challenges—hitting rock bottom, navigating through personal battles, and emerging stronger than ever.
Every episode brings an honest and raw conversation about turning adversity into strength, showing that it's not just about bouncing back, but about thriving after hardship. Through heartfelt interviews, Brenda uncovers the moments that changed lives and the lessons learned along the way.
From overcoming addiction to achieving personal breakthroughs, The Comeback explores the human capacity for resilience and how people tap into their inner strength to rebuild their lives. Each guest offers a unique perspective, leaving listeners with hope, inspiration, and the belief that, no matter the obstacles, a powerful comeback is always possible.
Whether you’re seeking motivation or simply want to hear incredible stories of perseverance, The Comeback is a must-listen.
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 played a key part in it. Neil brings a depth and warmth that captures what this podcast is all about.
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 captaining Cork to an All-Ireland victory just a year after facing these challenges. Ashling also shares her personal story of facing rock bottom again in 2019 after an incident on a night out, and how she picked herself up to play the best camogie of her career at 35.
This episode is a testament to Ashling’s unbreakable spirit. I left this conversation feeling on top of the world, and I’m sure you will too.
Trigger warning: Death by suicide, grief and coercive control.
Timestamps:
[00:00:00] – Intro & childhood
[00:03:00] – First rock bottom
[00:06:00] – Abusive relationships
[00:10:00] – Substance use & control
[00:13:00] – Suicidal thoughts & escape
[00:16:00] – Recovery through sport
[00:19:00] – Partner’s suicide
[00:23:00] – Support from Frankie
[00:26:00] – Cork captaincy & media
[00:30:00] – Mental health advocacy
[00:34:00] – Second rock bottom
– Acceptance & forgiveness
The Comeback with… Nicola Fitzgerald
Season 1 · Episode 3
Monday, June 2, 2025 • Duration 52:08
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, never gave up on her, and her grandmother, Peggy, helped her wean off heroin to get into treatment.
Now, a proud mother of 6, Nicola has dedicated her life to her kids. She is a qualified personal trainer, care assistant, and thriving content creator. She has been sober for 17 years and considers herself lucky, as she reflects on how many of the people she used to be with have sadly passed away.
Nicola’s inspiring story is a testament to strength, determination, and the power of family.
06:00 – Her descent into addiction and becoming a teen mum
15:00 – Hitting rock bottom and losing custody
25:00 – Treatment, relapse, and recovery
35:00 – The turning point: a call to her grandmother
40:00 – Life in Coolmine Recovery Centre
47:00 – Life today: motherhood, sobriety, and purpose
💛 You’re Not Alone:
The Comeback with.... Christine Kavanagh
Episode 11
Wednesday, July 23, 2025 • Duration 40:12
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 is immeasurable, but Christine has chosen to speak out, not stay silent.
In this deeply emotional and powerful episode, Christine shares her story of grief, addiction, and resilience. She opens up about the devastating impact of heroin addiction, the lack of mental health support, and the urgent need for harm reduction services like supervised injection centres in Ireland - services she believes could have saved her sons.
We also talk about her ongoing strength: returning to work just three days after her sons' funeral, raising her grandchildren, and becoming an advocate for overdose prevention and addiction recovery.
Christine’s voice is one of love, pain, and fierce determination - and her story is one I will never forget.
This episode is dedicated to Dillon, Damien, Leon, and Ross.
This episode is proudly sponsored by Old Mill Confectionery - Handmade Irish cakes and treats, established in Cork over 40 years ago. Christine shared how their team went above and beyond while catering her sons’ funeral - a gesture she’ll never forget. You can find them on Instagram: @oldmillconfectionary
Timestamps
[00:00:28] – This Pain Will Never Leave Me
[00:01:26] – Why I Keep Going for My Family
[00:01:54] – Losing Ross to Epilepsy
[00:03:13] – Leon’s Struggle With Addiction
[00:08:34] – Campaigning for an Injection Centre
The Comeback with....Nicola Guilfoyle
Season 1 · Episode 10
Monday, July 14, 2025 • Duration 52:31
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 friend - after he died from sepsis.
Nicola shares what it’s like to raise a child with autism, lose nearly 13 stone, and train for two marathons - all while navigating deep loss.
This episode is about bereavement, autism, addiction, weight loss, and finding your way through the darkest days.
This week’s sponsor is AutismCare — an Irish organisation offering neuroaffirming assessments and lifelong supports, co-designed with Autistic individuals. Their team is grounded in lived experience, compassion, and genuine inclusion. You can visit them at autismcare.ie.
Timestamps
00:00 – Intro: grief, addiction, autism
01:15 – Brother’s addiction
03:15 – Mum’s cancer diagnosis
06:30 – Christmas family conflict
09:25 – Brother’s death
14:00 – Autism diagnosis journey
19:30 – Dad’s sudden illness
25:50 – Coping with loss
30:10 – Marathon training
32:00 – Weight loss + sobriety
Support
If you're struggling with grief, addiction, mental health, or family trauma, here are some trusted Irish support services you can contact:
Connect
The Comeback with… Dessie Fitzgerald
Season 1 · Episode 9
Monday, July 7, 2025 • Duration 39:16
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 purpose.
We talk about:
- Mental health and depression
- Life after a spinal cord injury
- Grief, trauma, and recovery
- Finding peace and post-traumatic growth
- How Dessie now supports others as a coach
Dessie’s story is full of honesty and hope - and a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is a way forward.
This episode is proudly sponsored by Queen B Athletics
Premium sportswear for women.
A sustainable Cork brand and proud partners of Cork Camogie and Hockey Ireland.
Follow them on Instagram at @queenBathletics.
And if you ever need help or have a question, just drop them a message -
Customer service is their obsession, and they genuinely love to help.
Timestamps
[00:01:00] – Childhood & Hurling
[00:07:30] – Mike’s Death
The Comeback with Melanie O’Sullivan (Rio’s Story)
Season 1 · Episode 8
Monday, June 30, 2025 • Duration 52:02
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 pushing for answers - and she was right.
In this powerful and emotional conversation, we talk about:
The early brain tumour symptoms in children that often go unnoticed
Why parental instinct can be life-saving
Rio’s journey through proton beam therapy, stem cell transplant, and countless MRI scans
Life inside Crumlin Children’s Hospital and the strength required to keep going
The emotional toll of chemo hair loss and the reality of pausing your life to support your child
How Melanie stood by Rio’s side through every test, treatment and sleepless night
This is a powerful story about a mother’s love and instinct. A reminder that even when the odds feel overwhelming, determination, hope, and connection can shine through.
This episode is proudly sponsored by ADHD Now
ADHD Now is an online clinic transforming ADHD assessment and care across Ireland. They empower people with fast, affordable access to ADHD assessments, expert clinicians, and personalised support.
To learn more or to book your own assessment, visit adhdnow.com today.
Timestamps
[00:00:00] – Intro: Meet Mel & setting the context for Rio’s story
[00:02:00] – First symptoms: Rio’s headaches, vomiting & GP visits
The Comeback with… Andy Goulding
Season 1 · Episode 7
Monday, June 23, 2025 • Duration 53:42
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 today, he shares his raw, honest, and powerful story of what it took to rebuild.
Andy opens up about:
* Spending over a decade in denial that his drug use was destroying his life
* The terrifying moment he experienced psychosis
* How his father had to step in, bail him out, and beg him to get help
* The pain his addiction caused to those around him -especially his wife Sarah, who spent weeks alone during Covid while Andy sought treatment
* His time in rehab at Cuan Mhuire and what true recovery looks like
Now clean and thriving, Andy’s story is one of strength, vulnerability, and the power of choosing to live.
Whether you’ve struggled with addiction, depression, or simply want to hear an inspiring comeback, this episode is a must-listen.
This episode is proudly sponsored by AND Hair & Co, a vibrant salon in Glanmire run by best friends Aoife McGrath and Donna Kelleher. With over 15 years of experience, they opened the salon they always dreamed of in 2019 after returning home from Australia.
📲 Book via Instagram: @andhairnco or call +353 21 482 2545
Timestamps
[00:00:00] – Childhood, hurling, and identity
The Comeback with… Natasha O’Byrne
Season 1 · Episode 6
Thursday, June 19, 2025 • Duration 37:46
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 as she opens up about life in the midst of treatment.
We talk about:
* The early symptoms that were missed
* Life with cancer as a young mum in her 20s
* The physical and emotional toll of chemo side effects
* The importance of mental health and staying strong
* A family history of genetic cancer
* Her incredible fundraising work for the Irish Cancer Society
Tasha has also organised the upcoming Concert for Hope, taking place at Cork City Hall on July 30, headlined by country star Nathan Carter - all in aid of the Irish Cancer Society.
Tickets are available now at eventbrite.ie - just search “Concert for Hope Cork” or follow the link below.
This episode is proudly sponsored by ADHD Now, the online clinic transforming ADHD assessment and care across Ireland. ADHD Now empowers people by providing access to ADHD assessments, expert clinicians, and personalised support. If you’re looking for an ADHD assessment or seeking support, visit today.
Timestamps:Connect With Me:
The Comeback with... Sophie Cole
Season 1 · Episode 5
Monday, June 16, 2025 • Duration 46:33
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 to discussions around amputation. Just nine weeks before her wedding, she underwent major surgery, spending her recovery in bed while preparing to walk down the aisle. Through it all, her husband Shane has been a rock of support.
I’m in awe of Sophie’s strength and resilience – despite everything, she continues to push forward and advocate for change. She also shares how her Bernese Mountain Dog, Murphy, has helped her cope on the hardest days.
Sophie speaks so openly about the isolation of dealing with an invisible illness, the lack of disability support, and the broken system around public sector sick leave and state benefits in Ireland.
Her story is powerful, painful, and important - please give this one a listen and share.
This episode is proudly sponsored by ADHD Now, the online clinic transforming ADHD assessment and care across Ireland. ADHD Now empowers people by providing access to ADHD assessments, expert clinicians, and personalised support. If you’re looking for an ADHD assessment or seeking support, visit adhdnow.com today.
If you’ve been affected by any of the topics discussed in this episode — including abuse, mental health struggles, or suicidal thoughts — please know you’re not alone.
You can reach out to Pieta for free, 24/7 support in Ireland:
📞 Call 1800 247 247
💬 Text HELP to 51444 (standard message rates apply)
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