In this episode, I’m joined by Natasha O’Byrne, or as she’s fondly known, Tasha - a 25-year-old mum of two from Cork who is currently undergoing chemotherapy for bowel cancer.

Tasha shares her powerful story of facing cancer as a young mother, after losing her own mum to cancer at just 46. She is now the third generation in her family to be diagnosed, and her courage and clarity shine through as she opens up about life in the midst of treatment.

* The early symptoms that were missed

* Life with cancer as a young mum in her 20s

* The physical and emotional toll of chemo side effects

* The importance of mental health and staying strong

* A family history of genetic cancer

* Her incredible fundraising work for the Irish Cancer Society

Tasha has also organised the upcoming Concert for Hope, taking place at Cork City Hall on July 30, headlined by country star Nathan Carter - all in aid of the Irish Cancer Society.

Tickets are available now at eventbrite.ie - just search “Concert for Hope Cork” or follow the link below.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/concert-for-cancer-nathan-carter-tickets-1361732441389?aff=ebdsoporgprofile&keep_tld=1

This episode is proudly sponsored by ADHD Now, the online clinic transforming ADHD assessment and care across Ireland. ADHD Now empowers people by providing access to ADHD assessments, expert clinicians, and personalised support. If you’re looking for an ADHD assessment or seeking support, visit adhdnow.com today.

[00:00:00] – Intro & Tasha’s powerful email

[00:03:00] – Family cancer history & early exposure

[00:07:00] – Losing her mum during COVID

[00:12:00] – Diagnosis & hearing the word ‘cancer’

[00:18:00] – Staying positive for her kids

[00:24:00] – First scan results & mindset shift

[00:29:00] – Gratitude & daily routines

[00:33:00] – Chemo days & support on the ward

[00:38:00] – Advice for the newly diagnosed

[00:42:00] – Concert for Cancer & giving back

Instagram: @thecomebackwithbrenda @brendasbits

Email: [email protected]

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

In this episode, I sit down with Sophie Cole, a special education teacher from Carrigaline whose life changed overnight after a classroom assault left her with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) – one of the world’s most painful and incurable conditions.

Sophie opens up about living with chronic nerve pain, the trauma of PTSD, and the many surgeries she’s endured – from spinal cord stimulators to discussions around amputation. Just nine weeks before her wedding, she underwent major surgery, spending her recovery in bed while preparing to walk down the aisle. Through it all, her husband Shane has been a rock of support.

I’m in awe of Sophie’s strength and resilience – despite everything, she continues to push forward and advocate for change. She also shares how her Bernese Mountain Dog, Murphy, has helped her cope on the hardest days.

Sophie speaks so openly about the isolation of dealing with an invisible illness, the lack of disability support, and the broken system around public sector sick leave and state benefits in Ireland.

Her story is powerful, painful, and important - please give this one a listen and share.

This episode is proudly sponsored by ADHD Now, the online clinic transforming ADHD assessment and care across Ireland. ADHD Now empowers people by providing access to ADHD assessments, expert clinicians, and personalised support. If you’re looking for an ADHD assessment or seeking support, visit adhdnow.com today.

[00:00:00] – Intro & Sophie’s background

[00:01:00] – Dream job & the classroom incident

[00:04:00] – Perfect life before the injury

[00:06:00] – Diagnosis: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

[00:10:00] – Realising it’s lifelong

[00:12:00] – Financial shock & campaign begins

[00:16:00] – Living with chronic pain

[00:20:00] – Petition, politics & slow progress

[00:24:00] – Treatment setbacks & pre-wedding crisis

[00:30:00] – The wedding & resilience

[00:33:00] – Career loss & grief

[00:36:00] – Love, support & future hope

[00:40:00] – Final message: you will get through it

Instagram: @thecomebackwithbrenda @brendasbits

Contact: [email protected]

👉 Follow Sophie at @special_education_muinteoir

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

In this episode, I sit down with Joe McCaul, who many of you will remember for representing Ireland in the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest alongside his sister Donna. Joe's journey took him nationwide after the song "You're a Star," but his life took unexpected turns, including his time in the spotlight and the challenges that followed. This is Joe’s very first podcast, as he’s shied away from the media following difficult times in his life.

I was deeply moved by his story, especially when he shared how the media made a fool of him, how he was harassed, and even verbally abused while walking down the street. Joe opens up about one of his lowest moments while on tour with Westlife and how Caroline Flack came to his aid during that incredibly hard time. Joe is incredibly engaging, and we really hit it off - there were so many laughs, and I truly hope you enjoy this podcast as much as I did.

This episode is proudly sponsored by ADHD Now, the online clinic transforming ADHD assessment and care across Ireland. ADHD Now empowers people by providing access to ADHD assessments, expert clinicians, and personalised support. If you’re looking for an ADHD assessment or seeking support, visit adhdnow.com today.

00:00 – Joe’s chaotic energy and why he finally said yes

03:30 – Childhood in Athlone, fear of abandonment, and being HSP

07:45 – Early suicidal thoughts and hiding his pain

10:20 – Fame after You’re a Star and tour with Westlife

13:40 – Verbal abuse in public and substance misuse

16:00 – Emotional dysregulation, therapy, and DBT tools

21:50 – Shame and trauma after The X Factor

28:30 – Multiple sclerosis diagnosis and fighting back

35:10 – Finding peace, love, and purpose as a teacher

39:00 – Advice for anyone struggling with mental health

If you’ve been affected by any of the topics discussed, you’re not alone. Please reach out:

• Pieta House – 24/7 Crisis Support
• 📞 1800 247 247 | 📱 Text ‘HELP’ to 51444 | 🌐 pieta.ie
• Samaritans Ireland – 24/7 Listening Service
• 📞 116 123 | 🌐 samaritans.org/ireland
• HSE YourMentalHealth – Mental health support and services
• 🌐 yourmentalhealth.ie
• LGBT Ireland – Support for LGBTQ+ individuals
• 📞 1800 929 539 | 🌐 lgbt.ie

Instagram: @brendasbits

Email: [email protected]

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

The Comeback with… Nicola Fitzgerald

This week, I sit down with the incredible Nicola Fitzgerald, also known as All Things Dogs and Home on Instagram. Nicola’s story is one of extraordinary resilience and transformation.

At just 16, she rebelled, turning to drugs, and became a teen mother. Her journey led her to become addicted to heroin. Despite the hardships, Nicola’s amazing mother, Sally, never gave up on her, and her grandmother, Peggy, helped her wean off heroin to get into treatment.

Now, a proud mother of 6, Nicola has dedicated her life to her kids. She is a qualified personal trainer, care assistant, and thriving content creator. She has been sober for 17 years and considers herself lucky, as she reflects on how many of the people she used to be with have sadly passed away.

Nicola’s inspiring story is a testament to strength, determination, and the power of family.

You can follow her journey on Instagram at @all_things_kids_dogs_and_home

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Nicola’s early life and teenage rebellion

06:00 – Her descent into addiction and becoming a teen mum

15:00 – Hitting rock bottom and losing custody

25:00 – Treatment, relapse, and recovery

35:00 – The turning point: a call to her grandmother

40:00 – Life in Coolmine Recovery Centre

47:00 – Life today: motherhood, sobriety, and purpose

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or mental health, here are some confidential support services in Ireland:

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Ireland

📞 Phone: +353 1 842 0700

🌐 Website: alcoholicsanonymous.ie

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Ireland

📞 Helpline: 1800 624 262

🌐 Website: na-ireland.org

Pieta House – Suicide and self-harm support

📞 24/7 Crisis Helpline: 1800 247 247

📱 Text ‘HELP’ to: 51444

🌐 Website: pieta.ie

Instagram: @brendasbits

Contact: [email protected]

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

In this episode I’m joined by the incredible Ashling Thompson, a GAA camogie star with six All-Ireland titles and four All-Stars to her name. Ashling is one of the most accomplished athletes in the sport.

In this conversation, Ashling opens up about her journey, including hitting rock bottom at just 19, experiencing coercive control, losing a close friend to suicide, and captaining Cork to an All-Ireland victory just a year after facing these challenges. Ashling also shares her personal story of facing rock bottom again in 2019 after an incident on a night out, and how she picked herself up to play the best camogie of her career at 35.

This episode is a testament to Ashling’s unbreakable spirit. I left this conversation feeling on top of the world, and I’m sure you will too.

Trigger warning: Death by suicide, grief and coercive control.

[00:00:00] – Intro & childhood

[00:03:00] – First rock bottom

[00:06:00] – Abusive relationships

[00:10:00] – Substance use & control

[00:13:00] – Suicidal thoughts & escape

[00:16:00] – Recovery through sport

[00:19:00] – Partner’s suicide

[00:23:00] – Support from Frankie

[00:26:00] – Cork captaincy & media

[00:30:00] – Mental health advocacy

[00:34:00] – Second rock bottom

[00:38:00] – Acceptance & forgiveness

[00:41:00] – Social media break

[00:44:00] – Comeback & focus

[00:47:00] – Final reflections

If you’ve been affected by any of the topics discussed in this episode — including abuse, mental health struggles, or suicidal thoughts — please know you’re not alone.

You can reach out to Pieta for free, 24/7 support in Ireland:

📞 Call 1800 247 247

💬 Text HELP to 51444 (standard message rates apply)

🌐 Visit www.pieta.ie for more information

Pieta provides professional support for those in crisis and for anyone impacted by suicide.

Instagram: @thecomebackwithbrenda @brendasbits

Contact: [email protected]

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

Delighted to have Neil Prendeville as the very first person to feature on my podcast. For anyone who knows my story, you might guess why Neil was such an important choice. He gave me my first break in radio — and later, when I needed it most, a second chance.

This episode sets the tone for The Comeback — sharing my story through an open, honest conversation with someone who’s played a key part in it. Neil brings a depth and warmth that captures what this podcast is all about.

[00:00:00] – Intro

[00:01:00] – Rock bottom & job loss

[00:04:00] – Public relapse

[00:08:00] – Childhood patterns

[00:12:00] – Early recovery

[00:20:00] – Career rebuild

[00:24:00] – Relapse & denial

[00:26:00] – Gratitude & mindset

[00:30:00] – Running & sobriety

[00:32:00] – Grief & resilience

[00:36:00] – Family & independence

[00:40:00] – Self-worth & closure

Instagram: @brendasbits

Contact: [email protected]

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