James O'Connor kissed his family goodbye and headed off on what was meant to be the adventure of a lifetime, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to celebrate his 40th birthday in December 2023.

He never came home.

Just 100 metres from the summit, James passed away, leaving behind his wife Grace and their three young children.

In one of the most emotional conversation Grace opens up about the moment she received the phone call that changed her life forever, the unbearable pain of losing the love of her life, and the reality of becoming a widow at just 35 years old.

This is a heartbreaking story of love, loss, grief and survival, but it is also a story of courage, resilience and a mother's determination to keep going for her children when her world fell apart.

If this story resonates with you, please leave a comment and hit that subscribe button, it really helps.

🎧 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 on the podcast, Brenda sits down with Rachel Forde for one of the most honest and powerful conversations we've had on the podcast.

Many people may remember the headlines surrounding Rachel several years ago, but few know the story behind them.

What started as an addiction to codeine-based painkillers spiralled into a nightmare that saw Rachel taking up to 90 tablets a day, experiencing drug-induced psychosis, and ultimately finding herself at the centre of a Garda raid on her home.

In this deeply personal conversation, Rachel speaks openly about addiction, motherhood, shame, fear, recovery, and the long road back from rock bottom. She shares the devastating impact addiction had on her life and family, and how she fought her way back when everything seemed lost.

Today, Rachel is rebuilding her life, helping others in recovery, and proving that no matter how far someone has fallen, there is always a way back.

If this story resonates with you, please leave a comment and hit that subscribe button, it really helps.

🎧 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.

From working from the age of 12, to building businesses, losing almost €1.3 million, Colin Tobin's story is one of resilience, hard work, and determination.

Despite the setbacks and failed ventures along the way, there is no bitterness. Instead, Colin believes the secret to life is giving back, helping others, and expecting nothing in return.

We chat about business, loss, work ethic, welfare, community, and why he believes what you put out into the world comes back tenfold.

A fascinating conversation with a man who simply refuses to give up.

🎧 This episode is proudly sponsored by ADHD Now. For ADHD assessments and support across Ireland, visit adhdnow.com.

In this powerful conversation, Brian Pennie opens up about trauma, addiction, hitting rock bottom and the remarkable journey that took him from using heroin during his Leaving Cert to becoming Dr Brian Pennie, neuroscientist and author.

He speaks honestly about being €50,000 in debt, falling asleep at work because his body was shutting down, suffering a violent seizure during detox, and the moment he realised he could not continue living the way he was.

But more than anything, this episode is about hope. It's about resilience, healing and proving that no matter how broken someone feels, there is always a way back.

If this episode resonates with you, please follow, rate and share it. Your support helps these important stories reach more people.

🎧 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.

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

This week Brenda is joined by Mags Harty for a deeply moving and powerful conversation.

Mags opens up about the heartbreak of eight miscarriages, losing her mum at the same time, and the toll it took on her mentally, physically and emotionally.

There were moments she felt she couldn’t go on, but she kept fighting.

And after everything, Mags got her miracle baby, Isla.

A raw and honest story of loss, resilience and never giving up.

Please note: there are some minor sound issues in parts of this episode, but we hope you stay with it as Mags’ story is incredibly powerful.

🎧 This episode is proudly sponsored by ADHD Now, the online clinic transforming ADHD assessment and care across Ireland.
For more information, visit adhdnow.com.

From the outside, Eimear Coffey had the kind of life people dream of - until everything came crashing down.

A young mum at 23, she grew up alongside her son Daniel, building a life that looked full of love and promise. Years later, with the arrival of her second son Ollie in 2018, everything seemed complete.

But behind closed doors, her world was falling apart.

Betrayal. Narcissistic abuse. The fear of her child facing life-changing disabilities.

And then, in the middle of it all - a breast cancer diagnosis.

This is a raw and powerful story of heartbreak, survival, and finding strength when you have nothing left.

If this episode resonates with you, please leave a comment and hit subscribe, it really helps.

🎧 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.