The Comeback with Brenda Dennehy – Details, episodes & analysis

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.

In this episode, Jennifer speaks openly about losing everything she thought defined her, and the resilience it took to rebuild.

This is a powerful conversation about burnout, survival, identity loss and finding yourself again after life changes forever.

Jennifer is now passionate about resilience, health and wellbeing, and uses her lived experience to support others through change and rebuilding. You can follow her on Instagram @thehealthandwellbeingadvocate to see some of the amazing work she’s doing.

If this episode resonates with you, please follow, rate and share the podcast.

🎧 This 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 today.

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 currently navigating relapse, heartbreak, and the emotional toll on her family.

Together, they unpack the complexity of addiction, the impact on partners and children, and the balance between compassion and accountability.

A raw and honest conversation about life on the other side of addiction.

🎧 This 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 today.

If you’d like to share your story anonymously, email
thecomebackwithbrenda@gmail.com

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 women.

Now she’s using her platform to spread one very important message: don’t fear the smear.

Helena joins me to talk about the moment she got the news, how she stayed strong through treatment, and why something that takes just a few minutes could truly save your life.

And just a reminder, 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-1977022103331

🎧 This 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 today.

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, helping others access the support he once struggled to find.

A story of loss, resilience and learning how to live again.

The Comeback Live comes to the Cork Podcast Festival on March 21st at St Luke’s. Tickets available here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-comeback-with-brenda-dennehy-tickets-1977022103331.

🎧 This 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 today.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 about surviving domestic abuse, experiencing the heartbreak of seven miscarriages, and navigating grief, trauma, and emotional recovery. She shares what resilience truly looks like, how healing evolves over time, and how she rebuilt her life with intention after profound personal loss.

Together, they explore mental health, trauma recovery, women’s resilience, personal growth, and finding strength after adversity. This is a raw yet hopeful episode about healing, transformation, and the possibility of a comeback, even after life’s darkest chapters.

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-1977022103331

🎧 This 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 today.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 end of that same day, her life had completely changed.

Eimir sat down with me in London to share a raw and emotional account of shock, disbelief, and becoming a mum overnight to her daughter Harriett.

🎟️ The Comeback Live comes to the Cork Podcast Festival on March 21st at St Luke’s. Tickets are available now on Eventbrite.

🎧 This 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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, and the silence that surrounds eating disorders.

From the depths of illness to qualifying for the Irish triathlon team and competing in several Ironmans, Micheál’s journey is a remarkable comeback and a reminder that recovery is possible.

🎟️ 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-1977022103331.

🎧 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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, including suffering a heart attack in his twenties and collapsing with a bleed to the brain. He reflects on being rushed to ICU, being medically dead, and the moments that forced him to reassess his life and priorities.

This episode explores survival, resilience, and the mindset required to come back when everything is on the line.

A very big thank you to Legacy Studios for hosting the recording of this episode.

🎧 Proudly sponsored by ADHD Now. For ADHD assessment and support across Ireland, visit adhdnow.com.

🎟️ The Comeback Live comes to the Cork Podcast Festival on March 21st at St Luke’s. You can buy tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-comeback-with-brenda-dennehy-tickets-1977022103331

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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-1977022103331

This 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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.