The Comeback with Brenda Dennehy

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.

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of domestic abuse, coercive control and violence.
In this deeply emotional, Brenda sits down with Eleanor Doyle, a woman many people will recognise from her positive, funny and uplifting social media presence.
But behind the smile is a story very few knew.
Eleanor opens up about years of domestic abuse, coercive control, fear and survival while trying to protect her three young children. She shares the reality of living in an abusive relationship, from physical violence and threats, to believing she was “nothing” and would never cope alone.
In this episode, Eleanor speaks about:
• Living with domestic abuse and coercive control
• Fear, court proceedings and raising children through trauma
• Her nine year old son trying to protect her during violence at home
• Feeling broken, isolated and unable to see a future
• Rebuilding her confidence and finding strength again
• Life after abuse and helping others who may be struggling
This conversation is raw, heartbreaking and at times difficult to listen to, but above all, it is a story of survival, resilience and hope.
If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode, support is available:
Women’s Aid 24hr National Freephone Helpline: 1800 341 900
Text service: 087 959 7980
In an emergency, call 999 or 112.
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.