Beauty, Bullying, and Bouncing Back: Stephanie's Untold Story

The raw, harrowing account of losing a child to reckless driving collides with a mother's fierce determination to seek justice in this powerful conversation with Catherine Killalee. Catherine takes us through the life of her son Dylan – a football-loving, energetic young man who was just six weeks away from completing his electrical apprenticeship when tragedy struck. With disarming honesty, she recounts the night she received the devastating phone call, rushing to the scene at the Red Cow intersection where Dylan had been fatally hit by a speeding driver going more than twice the legal limit. What follows is a gut-wrenching journey through Ireland's justice system that leaves more questions than answers. Catherine details the agonizing process of identifying her son's body, being prevented from touching him, telling his younger twin siblings what happened, and organizing a funeral where Dylan's football teammates formed a guard of honor despite the bitter cold. The most infuriating part of Catherine's story emerges when she describes the court proceedings. Despite the driver's excessive speed and fleeing the scene, he received just four years and four months – effectively serving around three years with standard reductions. Meanwhile, Catherine discovered her son suffered 65 fatal injuries, including amputated legs, only when it was read aloud in court, with the perpetrator sitting just feet away. Catherine's passionate call for reform resonates throughout as she fights to appeal what she sees as a grossly inadequate sentence. Her description of grief as "sneaky" and the ripple effect through her entire family creates a portrait of loss that's both universal and achingly specific. Through tears and determination, she represents countless families who feel betrayed by a system meant to deliver justice but instead compounds their pain. Ready to support change in how dangerous driving cases are handled? Share this episode and join the conversation about meaningful justice reform that truly values human life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hayley Joyce opens up about her remarkable journey from the Ballymun flats to becoming a respected chef and social media creator with a passion for making weight loss accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Growing up in Shangan flats created lasting memories for Hayley – the community spirit, the chip vans outside their block, and the distinctive warmth rising through the building that her mother still misses today. These formative years shaped her down-to-earth approach to life and cooking, creating a foundation for the relatable content she now shares with thousands. Her path to social media success wasn't planned but evolved naturally during lockdown. What started as simple Slimming World food posts for friends and family transformed into a platform where she shares calorie-counted meals and her popular "fakeaway" series – healthier versions of takeaway classics. "I want to make people's weight loss journey fun," she explains. "I don't want people just thinking they have to eat chicken and rice." This philosophy of making healthy eating accessible rather than restrictive resonates deeply with her followers. Behind the food content lies a story of profound resilience. Hayley speaks candidly about losing her school friend Jennifer to domestic violence and the sudden death of her best friend Leah last year. These losses changed her completely, temporarily derailing her content creation until she found the strength to continue, knowing her friend would have wanted her to carry on. Her ongoing relationship with Leah's daughter Heidi provides both healing and purpose. Currently navigating the challenges of house hunting with her boyfriend of nine years, Hayley maintains her characteristic optimism despite the frustrations of bidding wars in today's property market. Looking toward the future, she hopes for a home of their own and starting a family, approaching each new chapter with the same authenticity that defines her social media presence. Follow Hayley for simple, delicious recipes that prove weight loss doesn't have to be boring, and witness how someone can transform personal struggles into a platform that uplifts others. Her story reminds us that sometimes our greatest purpose emerges from our deepest pain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every single thing in his life I've had to fight for." These words cut to the heart of Jodie's experience raising Caelan, her five-year-old son with autism and developmental delays. In this raw conversation, Jodie takes us through her journey from a complicated pregnancy at 19 to her current desperate search for a school placement for her son. The system's failings become painfully clear as Jodie recounts the endless waiting lists, denied services, and bureaucratic obstacles that have defined her family's experience. Despite a formal autism diagnosis, Caelan has received virtually no public speech therapy or occupational therapy. Now, after applying to 18 different schools with autism classes, they've been rejected from nearly all - joining a growing community of families with nowhere to send their children come September. What makes this conversation so powerful is Jodie's unflinching honesty about both the joys and struggles of raising Caelan. She describes the sleepless nights that finally improved with melatonin, the meltdowns she couldn't understand because her son couldn't communicate what was wrong, and the beautiful moments of connection that make everything worthwhile. Through tears and determined advocacy, she reveals how parents are forced to become experts, fighters, and researchers when the systems meant to help them fail. This isn't just one family's story - it represents a national crisis affecting hundreds of children with autism across Ireland. As Jodie puts it: "It's constantly going around in circles." Join us for this essential conversation about what happens when children with special needs fall through the cracks, and the parents who refuse to let them be forgotten. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Raw honesty hits like a thunderbolt when Brenda Dennehy opens up about the relentless washing machine of anxiety that spun in her head since childhood. Her journey from a loving Cork family to the depths of addiction offers profound insights into how mental health struggles can silently shape our lives long before we understand what's happening. Brenda's story shatters the stereotype of alcoholism only affecting older men, revealing how at just 25, she was secretly battling withdrawal symptoms while maintaining the façade of a promising media career. The heart-wrenching moment she finally whispered "I need help" to her mother after a public breakdown at an All-Ireland Final marks just the beginning of a recovery path filled with unexpected turns. What makes this conversation extraordinary isn't just Brenda's unflinching account of her two rock bottoms – it's watching her remarkable resilience bloom into genuine self-love. After years of hating herself, losing dream jobs, and overdosing on prescription medication, she fought back with unwavering determination, ultimately manifesting her long-held dream of working in London television. The transformation from someone who couldn't go grocery shopping without crippling anxiety to a woman who proudly declares "I'm my own best friend" offers hope that's both realistic and deeply inspiring. Whether you've faced addiction yourself, supported someone who has, or simply want to understand the complex relationship between mental health and substance dependency, this conversation will change how you think about recovery. Brenda's powerful testament to staying sober through her father's sudden death reminds us that our greatest achievements aren't always visible to others – sometimes they're the quiet victories we win every single day when we choose to keep going. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rising from the Ashes tells the incredible story of Louise’s journey from hardship to a life of purpose and hope. Growing up surrounded by addiction, violence, and loss, she endured unimaginable challenges, including the devastating impact of losing her partner to drugs and navigating life as a young mother. Yet, against all odds, she made the courageous decision to turn her life around. Now, driven by a deep determination to help others, Louise works tirelessly within her community to inspire change, provide unwavering support, and advocate for a better future. In this podcast, she shares her personal story of resilience, the challenges her daughter faces following a late cerebral palsy diagnosis, and the extraordinary strength it takes to keep moving forward. Join Louise as she opens up about her journey of survival, healing, and the transformative power of giving back. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.