Jody McHugh is an Atlanta storyteller and writer whose childhood changed abruptly after witnessing a fatal heroin overdose at eight years old, followed by violence, poverty and the collapse of his family’s once-stable home.

In this episode of Life by Misadventure, Jody recalls growing up around drugs and murder, the young hippies who stepped in when his family could not, and how those experiences eventually became stories he could share with others.

Jody has learned that talking about the darkest parts of his past can be a way of dealing with them, while choosing to focus on the kindness, humour and humanity that existed alongside them.

You can buy a digital copy of Jody's book, The Damage Done, on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Damage-Done-Jody-McHugh-ebook/dp/B00B6T246W

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About the Show

Life by Misadventure is hosted by David Brown and features honest, engaging conversations with interesting people about life, loss, resilience, ideas, and the experiences that shape us.

Connect with David on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/4dmbrown/

Watch on YouTube:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuZnxBLBaCFU7seF6CvslECdaNyjkRSgV&si=BqJzc0FX1FvuaBvJ

Grainne Canavan is a former resident of 9 Wellington Terrace in Cork whose teenage search for independence placed her alongside people who would later become central to a disturbing murder investigation.

In this episode of Life by Misadventure, Grainne remembers living with Fred Flannery, her friendship with missing man Cathal O'Brien, the disappearances connected to the house, and how she gradually came to understand what may have happened after she left.

Grainne reflects on the unsettling truth that people aren't simply good or bad, and how someone she remembers treating her with kindness could also be connected to events she has spent decades trying to understand.

Blog post with images can be found on the show website at https://www.lifebymisadventure.com/blog/i-lived-with-a-serial-killer-inside-corks-house-of-horrors/

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About the Show

Life by Misadventure is hosted by David Brown and features honest, engaging conversations with interesting people about life, loss, resilience, ideas, and the experiences that shape us.

Connect with David on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/4dmbrown/

Watch on YouTube:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuZnxBLBaCFU7seF6CvslECdaNyjkRSgV&si=BqJzc0FX1FvuaBvJ

Listen on Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/life-by-misadventure/id1782077287

Listen on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/6Z1MszCU19QglChFb11Pw2?si=98ab1a34db074b3d

Jagger Waters is a writer, storyteller and creative strategist whose life changed in an instant after a catastrophic car accident left them battling PTSD, cognitive impairment and the challenge of rebuilding both a career and a sense of self.

In this episode of Life by Misadventure, Jagger shares how months of insomnia, isolation and losing confidence in her own mind forced them to rethink everything they believed about success, relationships, work and healing, before finding a new path through community, creativity and learning to embrace change instead of resisting it.

This is a conversation about accepting life's interruptions, discovering that recovery cannot be rushed, and realising that sometimes the greatest growth comes not from becoming stronger, but from allowing yourself to become softer.

About the Show

Life by Misadventure is a podcast about the moments that change us. Hosted by David Brown, each episode features an honest conversation with someone who has faced an unexpected challenge, setback or turning point, and explores what they learned on the other side.

From survival and resilience to business, relationships, creativity and personal growth, these conversations reveal how life's biggest misadventures often become our greatest teachers. If you're fascinated by real stories, remarkable people and the experiences that shape who we become, you're in the right place.

Find guest profiles, social links, blog posts, merchandise and more at:

https://www.lifebymisadventure.com

Connect with David on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/4dmbrown/

Listen on Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/life-by-misadventure/id1805318350

Listen on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/1Q2wQOWQJzkOQwQk3kJjQj

Watch on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@lifebymisadventurepod

Andrew Clough set off on what was meant to be the trip of a lifetime, but after a vehicle breakdown in Egypt's Western Desert he found himself stranded with a nomadic guide, walking nearly 100 kilometres through extreme heat with almost no water in a desperate fight to stay alive.

In this episode of Life by Misadventure, Andrew recounts the journey from carefree backpacker to survival mode, sharing the mistakes that led him there, the hallucinations, exhaustion and impossible decisions along the way, and the remarkable rescue that allowed him to continue travelling the world for years afterwards.

It is a story about resilience, perspective and the extraordinary lengths people will go to when every step could be their last, reminding us that sometimes the only way through life's hardest moments is simply to keep moving forward.

About the Show

Life by Misadventure is hosted by David Brown and features honest, engaging conversations with interesting people about life, loss, resilience, ideas, and the experiences that shape us.

Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/4dmbrown/

Watch the UNCUT video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lifebymisadventurepod

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/life-by-misadventure/id1782077287

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Z1MszCU19QglChFb11Pw2?si=98ab1a34db074b3d

Danijela Čolić is an entrepreneur, strategist and Bosnian war refugee who has turned personal loss, displacement and hardship into a life built around business, community and helping others grow.

In this episode of Life by Misadventure, Danijela talks about the strength she draws from her family, the stories behind her tattoos, building Club Quantum and the lessons she has learned from running several businesses.

This is a conversation about using pain as fuel, letting go of what no longer serves you and having the courage to build a life that reflects who you really are.

About the Show

Life by Misadventure is hosted by David Brown and features honest, engaging conversations with interesting people about life, loss, resilience, ideas, and the experiences that shape us.

Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/4dmbrown/

Watch the UNCUT video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lifebymisadventurepod

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/life-by-misadventure/id1782077287

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Z1MszCU19QglChFb11Pw2?si=98ab1a34db074b3d

Liam shares the story of a business trip to Dubai that turned into a terrifying fight for safety after a drone was intercepted near the Palm and explosions started echoing through the city.

In this episode of Life by Misadventure, Liam talks about running from the Palm, hiding in a building site, leaving goodbye messages for his children, finding a way home, and trying to make sense of what happened afterwards.

His story is about fear, family, survival, friendship, and the moment you realise that the things you thought mattered most can change very quickly.

About the Show

Life by Misadventure is hosted by David Brown and features honest, engaging conversations with interesting people about life, loss, resilience, ideas, and the experiences that shape us.

Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/4dmbrown/

Watch the UNCUT video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lifebymisadventurepod

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/life-by-misadventure/id1782077287

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Z1MszCU19QglChFb11Pw2?si=98ab1a34db074b3d

David Thomson is the founder of Suada whose life was shaped by growing up mixed-race in 1970s Britain, poverty, violence at home, and the fight to build a different future.

In this episode of Life by Misadventure, David talks about racism at school, joining the army at 16, becoming a boxing champion, discovering sales, and using persuasion, self-education and discipline to change the direction of his life.

David shares how resilience can come from harsh beginnings, but also why young people need better systems, stronger communication skills, and people willing to teach them rather than write them off.

About the Show

Life by Misadventure is hosted by David Brown and features honest, engaging conversations with interesting people about life, loss, resilience, ideas, and the experiences that shape us.

Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/4dmbrown/

Watch the UNCUT video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lifebymisadventurepod

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/life-by-misadventure/id1782077287

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Z1MszCU19QglChFb11Pw2?si=98ab1a34db074b3d

Olivia Hamilton is the founder of Changing Minds Training, a mental health training company that helps professionals have better, more human conversations about mental health, crisis and suicide prevention.

In this episode of Life by Misadventure, Olivia talks openly about growing up in a chaotic home, struggling with self-harm from a young age, developing bulimia as a teenager, and living through suicide attempts, family breakdown and long waits for the right support. She also reflects on the shame, secrecy and confusion that often surround self-harm, and why people in pain are not usually looking for attention. They are often looking for help, connection and relief.

Olivia also shares practical insight into how parents, friends and professionals can respond when someone is struggling. Sometimes the most useful thing is not trying to fix the problem or deliver advice. It is staying calm, listening properly, asking what support they need, and helping them feel seen rather than judged.

Community note:

This episode includes open discussion of suicide, self-harm, bulimia, alcohol misuse, family trauma and mental health crisis.

Please take care while listening, especially if any of these subjects feel close to home.

Olivia-Louise shares her story with honesty and care, but the conversation is not intended as clinical advice. If you are struggling, please speak to someone you trust or contact a mental health support service in your area.

UK support:

Samaritans - Call 116 123 - Available 24 hours a day

SHOUT - Text SHOUT to 85258 - Free 24/7 crisis text support

Mind - mind.org.uk

Changing Minds Training - changingmindstraining.com

About the Show

Life by Misadventure is hosted by David Brown and features honest, engaging conversations with interesting people about life, loss, resilience, ideas, and the experiences that shape us.

Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/4dmbrown/

Watch the UNCUT video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lifebymisadventurepod

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/life-by-misadventure/id1782077287

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Z1MszCU19QglChFb11Pw2?si=98ab1a34db074b3d

Lyn Parent was born in Paris, raised in England, and built a life full of reinvention, risk, resilience and unexpected turns.

In this episode of Life by Misadventure, Lyn shares the story of being diagnosed with HIV in 1990, being told she had six months to live, moving to New Zealand, becoming a mother, facing stigma, surviving control and emotional abuse, and using her own experience to support other women.

Lyn’s story is about much more than one diagnosis. It is about refusing to be defined by fear, rebuilding a life from scratch, and turning personal pain into advocacy through Just Women Live.

About the Show

Life by Misadventure is hosted by David Brown and features honest, engaging conversations with interesting people about life, loss, resilience, ideas, and the experiences that shape us.

Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/4dmbrown/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lifebymisadventurepod

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/life-by-misadventure/id1782077287

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Z1MszCU19QglChFb11Pw2?si=98ab1a34db074b3d

Sonya Black is a psychotherapist and CBT specialist whose work focuses on trauma, anxiety, depression and helping people understand what happens when the brain’s alarm system gets switched on.

In this episode of Life by Misadventure, Sonya explains why trauma is not always about the event itself, but how the brain and body process what happened afterwards. She talks about safety, powerlessness, flashbacks, rumination, shame, post-traumatic growth and why some memories feel as if they are still happening now.

Sonya also shares practical insight into how people can support someone after a difficult experience. Sometimes the most useful thing is not trying to fix anything. It is asking, “How can I show up for you right now?” and giving someone space, safety and time to make sense of what happened.

About the Show

Life by Misadventure is hosted by David Brown and features honest, engaging conversations with interesting people about life, loss, resilience, ideas, and the experiences that shape us.

Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/4dmbrown/

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lifebymisadventurepod/

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/life-by-misadventure/id1782077287

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Z1MszCU19QglChFb11Pw2?si=98ab1a34db074b3d