Trigger Warning: This episode contains open conversations about addiction, suicide ideation, and loss.

Episode 20 welcomes Robert Farrell, a deeply thoughtful and unassuming man whose story is one of survival, honesty, and never giving up.

Rob grew up in Trim, Co. Meath, in a loving family, but bullying in secondary school changed the course of his life. Feeling like an outsider, he searched for belonging, which eventually brought him into the rave scene of the 90s and into heroin addiction — a drug he describes as his “medicine” at a time when pain and not belonging felt overwhelming.

In this powerful two-hour conversation, Rob speaks openly about:

• addiction and recovery outside traditional programmes

• living with clinical depression and suicide ideation

• the devastating impact of suicide on families and communities

• losing friends and loved ones, and continuing to choose life

• fatherhood, love, and the grounding force of his daughter Mya and partner Tanya

• running, nature, and how endurance sport became a pathway to healing

Rob shares honestly about relapse, sobriety, and becoming his own higher power — and how today he sees himself simply as a good person who keeps moving forward, even when life is heavy.

This episode is raw, compassionate, and deeply human. It reminds us that healing doesn’t always look perfect — but connection, honesty, and hope can keep us alive.

If this conversation brings up anything for you, please know you don’t have to carry it alone.

Pieta House: Freephone 1800 247 247

Text HELP to 51444

Talking really does help.