In Episode 29, Joe and Sherin sit down with the brilliant Dean Kenny — a Dublin man originally from Ballymun who has one of the most raw, honest, and inspiring stories you'll hear. From growing up in the flats of Ballymun and Finglas, to falling deep into cocaine addiction in his teens and twenties, Dean holds nothing back. He opens up about the chaos addiction brought into his life — the paranoia, the broken relationships, the falling off and climbing back on the wagon — and the turning point that changed everything.

Dean is now on an incredible mission — running 5K every single day and raising money for Our Lady's Children's Hospital. With over 700 days of consecutive runs clocked, he talks about how running became his recovery, his mental health lifeline, and his purpose. He also shares the deeply personal story of his son's serious illness and the operation that shook his world, and how that fuelled everything he's doing today.

This one is honest, funny, emotional, and motivating in equal measure. If you're going through something tough or just need a reminder that it's never too late to turn things around — this is the episode for you.

⏱ Timecodes

00:00 | Intro & banter — welcome to Episode 29
01:00 | Introducing Dean Kenny
02:00 | Denture stories & classic craic
05:00 | Getting the full background — where Dean is from
05:40 | Born in 1988 — growing up in Ballymun & Finglas
06:45 | Life in the flats — tight-knit community memories
08:00 | Family life — four kids, relationships
09:00 | The addiction story begins — first experiences with cocaine
10:30 | Addiction escalating — everyday use
11:40 | Leaving school at 16 & deeper into addiction
12:30 | Paranoia, money problems, relationships falling apart
13:10 | Moving to England — trying to escape it all
13:50 | Coming back to Dublin, getting his first apartment
27:20 | Dean's son's illness — the operation and the fear
28:30 | Shout out to the surgeons & the child's mother
29:40 | The 5K a day challenge begins — running for Our Lady's Hospital
30:35 | 714 days in — the numbers don't lie
31:30 | Relapse — falling off the wagon and being honest about it
33:00 | Recovery isn't linear — guilt, shame, and getting back up
34:20 | What "falling off" actually looked like — missed days, letting people down
35:20 | Getting back on track — accountability and the mission
36:10 | Responsibilities as an anchor in recovery
37:00 | Social media accountability — how posting keeps you honest
39:40 | 714 days, 5K a day = raising funds for Our Lady's
48:15 | Rise Above It boxing & the finger snap story 😬
50:00 | Where Dean is now — PT course, lifeguard training, college
52:00 | What keeps Dean in recovery — running & mental health
52:40 | "Recovered" vs "in recovery" — a real honest debate
53:15 | Sherin on manifestation and the Law of Attraction
55:10 | Cold water/sea swimming as part of the routine
57:00 | Advice to anyone struggling — reach out, take accountability
58:30 | Come join a run — Saturday mornings!
01:00:00 | Belfast trip chat & signing off
01:01:50 | Final shoutouts — crew, family, fans & barbers union!

Conor and Jeff — the lads from U Havin Us On — join Joe Irish and Sherin as guests for one of the most unhinged episodes yet — car crash stories, dodgy decisions, stand-up comedy chat, and pure Dublin humour throughout.

From robbing a car "for the laugh" to near-death driving stories and the reality of starting out in comedy, this episode swings between madness and genuinely real moments.

Expect dark humour, wild tangents, and zero structure… just how we like it.

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⏱️ TIMECODES
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00:00 – Podcast kicks off (pure chaos immediately)
00:40 – Joe's mad "car robbery" story
02:30 – Discombobulated chaos & nonsense chat
05:00 – Sponsor shoutout + crash story
06:00 – Nursing home crash incident
08:00 – Car crash stories (it gets worse)
11:30 – Wild teenage crash story (car flips 😳)
15:30 – More crash talk + close calls
17:00 – Emotional story turns dark
20:30 – Back to chaos & random tangents
21:00 – Joe & Sherin background / how they met
24:00 – Starting the podcast journey
25:00 – Stand-up vs podcasting
27:00 – Comedy scene chat (sketches vs stand-up)
33:00 – Guests, comedy influences & favourites
38:00 – Viral moments & wild guest stories
46:00 – Growing the podcast & audience insights
50:00 – Social media strategy & TikTok growth
54:00 – Comedy mindset & different "versions" of yourself

From the start, the energy is high with laughs, stories, and excitement about upcoming guests — including a big name from Mrs. Brown’s Boys. The conversation quickly moves into hilarious encounters with celebrities, awkward photo moments, and what it’s really like behind the scenes in entertainment.

Sherin then gets real about confidence, appearance, and the pressure of social media, opening up on how it affects mindset — especially in a world where everything is on camera. The episode blends humor with honesty as the pair dive into podcasting, content creation, and how social media has completely changed the game for comedians and creators.

As things progress, the chat shifts deeper — covering identity, professionalism, and the different “hats” people wear in life. There’s also plenty of raw discussion on current issues, from rising costs and daily stress to media influence and the constant noise of modern life.

It’s funny, real, and unpredictable — a mix of banter, personal insight, and genuine moments that capture exactly what this podcast is all about.

00:00 – Intro & Chaos Opening
High-energy start, jokes, and introduction to Episode 27.

00:10 – Podcast Welcome & Hosts Intro
Welcoming listeners and introducing the crew.

00:35 – Teasing Upcoming Guest
Discussion about a long-awaited guest and excitement around it.

01:00 – Mrs. Brown’s Boys Story
Behind-the-scenes chat about how the show started and its success.

04:00 – Celebrity Encounter Story
Joe shares a story about meeting an actor from a major film/TV production.

06:40 – Networking & Guests
Talking about reaching out to potential guests and growing the podcast.

07:40 – Social Media & Appearance Pressure
Sherin opens up about insecurities, filters, and how podcasts expose reality.

10:40 – Photo Culture & Vanity
Funny discussion about how everyone only checks themselves in group photos.

11:50 – Awkward Selfies with Celebrities
Relatable stories about bad photos with famous people.

13:20 – Meeting Comedians Story
A hilarious story about meeting a well-known comedian and taking photos.

15:30 – VIP Party with Coldplay
Story about attending an exclusive event and phone restrictions.

16:30 – Empowerment Speaking & Career Talk
Sherin talks about her work and public speaking.

17:40 – Comedy Career & Industry Changes
How social media has changed the comedy scene and opportunities.

19:30 – Purpose of the Podcast
Why they moved beyond just comedy guests to broader conversations.

21:00 – Professional vs Personal Identity
Balancing different “roles” in life and being yourself in different spaces.

24:00 – Content Creation Reality
Honest talk about likes, followers, and why people care.

26:00 – Consistency & Growth on Social Media
Challenges of maintaining content while juggling life.

30:00 – Audience Engagement Debate
Discussion about asking people to follow/subscribe.

32:00 – Traffic & Fuel Crisis Talk
Real-life frustrations and current issues affecting daily life.

36:00 – Cost of Living & Taxes
Deep dive into fuel prices and financial pressure.

38:30 – Conspiracies & Media Influence
Debate around news, perception, and “scaremongering.”

42:00 – Mental Health & Avoiding News Overload
Choosing peace over constant negative information.

45:00 – Favourite Podcast Guests
Reflecting on past guests and standout moments.

49:00 – Emotional Guest Story
Discussion about a powerful and emotional previous episode.

51:00 – Future Plans & Podcast Growth
Ideas for improving content, clips, and bringing guests back.

In this episode, Joe sits down with shamanic practitioner Matthew Stevens for a deep, raw, and eye-opening conversation about spirituality, healing, and altered states of consciousness.

Matthew shares his personal journey from corporate life and deep grief into the world of shamanism, including powerful experiences with ayahuasca in Ireland and Peru. The lads dive into everything from DMT, mushrooms, and plant medicine to meditation, soul retrieval, and the idea of multiple spiritual realms.

This episode balances curiosity, skepticism, and real-life experience—covering both the potential benefits and serious risks of these practices. It’s a fascinating listen for anyone interested in mental health, spirituality, or exploring consciousness beyond the everyday.

⏱️ Timecodes

00:00 – Intro & Welcome Back
High-energy intro, Joe sets the tone and introduces Episode 26.

00:10 – Meet Matthew Stevens
Introduction to Matthew, his work as a shamanic practitioner, and how Joe discovered him.

01:00 – Joe’s Curiosity About Ayahuasca
Joe talks about learning from YouTube and his fascination with plant medicine.

02:30 – What Ayahuasca Actually Is
Matthew explains ayahuasca, DMT, and how the brew works in the body.

04:00 – Matthew’s Origin Story
Losing both parents, depression, and the start of his spiritual journey.

05:30 – The “Calling” & First Ceremony
How a chance encounter led Matthew to his first ayahuasca experience.

06:45 – First Ayahuasca Experience (Intense Story)
Fear, “splitting,” and being guided through the experience by a shaman.

08:15 – Other Realms Explained
Introduction to shamanic journeying, drumming, and altered states without drugs.

09:30 – Life Transformation After Ayahuasca
How that one experience changed Matthew’s direction completely.

10:30 – Training & Peru Experience
Trips to the Amazon, working with shamans, and differences between traditions.

12:00 – What Is Shamanism Really?
Breaking down misconceptions—spiritual practice vs religion.

13:00 – Do You Need Plant Medicine?
Why most shamans don’t actually rely on psychedelics.

14:00 – The Three Worlds (Shamanic Cosmology)
Middle world, lower world, upper world explained.

16:00 – Joe on Wanting the Experience
Joe opens up about wanting to try ayahuasca himself.

17:30 – Real-Life Transformation Stories
Stories of people healing relationships and addictions through ceremonies.

19:00 – Risks & Warnings
Matthew discusses bad experiences and why guidance is crucial.

20:30 – Different Types of DMT Experiences
Ayahuasca vs smoked DMT vs frog medicine.

22:00 – Set, Setting & Safety
Why environment and intention matter massively.

23:30 – Meditation & Daily Practice
How meditation can reach similar states over time.

25:00 – Stress, Health & Modern Life
Discussion on stress, illness, and disconnect from nature.

27:00 – Matthew’s Background
Growing up in Ballyfermot, early spiritual experiences as a child.

29:00 – Corporate Life vs Spiritual Calling
Balancing a pharma career with shamanic work.

30:00 – Leaving the Job & Taking the Leap
Matthew opens up about walking away from corporate life.

31:30 – Why More People Are Getting Sick
Stress, diet, modern lifestyle discussion.

33:00 – Psychedelics & Society
Why substances like LSD were suppressed historically.

35:00 – Death, DMT & the Afterlife Concept
Deep discussion on death, consciousness, and crossing over.

37:00 – Shared DMT Experiences
Why so many people report seeing the same entities.

40:00 – Retreats & Real-Life Practice
What actually happens on Matthew’s retreats.

41:30 – Shamanic Tools (Hapé Explained)
Breakdown of the tobacco snuff and how it’s used.

44:00 – Soul Retrieval Explained
One of the most powerful concepts—recovering lost parts of yourself.

47:30 – Healing, Grief & Letting Go
Emotional healing and processing trauma.

48:30+ – Death, Dying & Spiritual Support
Working with people at end-of-life and emotional closure.

🎙️ Joe Irish & Shirin Podcast — Episode Description

Guest: Shane McCarty aka "takelife.back"

In this brilliant first episode of the Joe Irish and Shirin podcast, the lads are joined by the one and only Shane McCarty — better known as the takelife.back — for a rollercoaster of a chat that goes from hair transplants and toupees to heartbreaking stories of the care system, addiction, loss, and community advocacy. Shane opens up like never before, sharing raw, emotional and at times hilarious stories from his life. This one has it all — laughs, tears, and real talk. Don't miss it.

⏱️ Timecodes

00:00 — Welcome to the Joe Irish & Shirin Podcast! Introducing special guest Shane McCarty aka "takelife.back"

01:30 — Hair chat begins — Joe's hair transplant, Shane's toupee ("hair replacement system"), and the lads comparing their follicle journeys

05:00 — Shane's toupee revealed: what it is, how it works, and why it looks so good ("20 years younger!")

08:00 — The feedback and trolls after going public with the hair system; why Shane did it

10:30 — Joe talks about his own hair transplant and the reaction from people around him

11:20 — Mushrooms, mental health, and medicinal conversations — Joe opens up about struggling with anxiety before the podcast

13:00 — Shane talks about his work with the Red Door Project and how he found a way out of the cycle of drink and drugs

16:00 — Shane's proposal story: getting down on one knee in Bosnia (hungover!) and the video that only caught the last two seconds

24:00 — Shane & Shirin discuss what it means for men to speak openly about trauma — and why it matters

28:00 — The care system: Shane shares he went into a boys' home at 15, the last stop after foster homes didn't work out

31:00 — The heartbreaking moment Shane found out his sister had passed while he was in care — and the fear that he might have the same illness

34:00 — Shane on turning pain into power: why he speaks out and what keeps him going

35:00 — Generational trauma, coping mechanisms, and creating an "alternative reality" to survive

36:00 — Shane talks about his mother and forgiving without always getting answers

38:00 — Life inside the boys' home: the abuse, the punishments, sitting upright for hours, and standing up to authority as a teenager

41:00 — The school incident: being grabbed by the throat in front of his entire class and told to say he fell down the stairs

49:00 — Shane's relationship with his dad and visiting him in the nursing home in later years

54:00 — Community, politics, and why people from disadvantaged backgrounds make the best advocates for change

56:00 — Could Shane run for councillor? The lads debate politics and accountability in government

57:00 — What is Shane's vision? His dream of an aftercare project for young adults leaving the care system

59:30 — The lack of community and role models in today's society vs. growing up on the streets with neighbours looking out for each other

01:01:30 — Respect, devilment, and the difference between generations — Shane gets emotional reflecting on how far he's come

01:03:00 — Wrapping up: Shane reflects on his mental health journey and what he's achieved against all the odds

01:04:10 — Shoutouts, future plans for the podcast, and a mention of their first sponsor Sister Sheds 🎉

01:07:15 — Follow Shane! Find him as "Take Back Your Life" on Instagram and TikTok

01:08:40 — Sign off with co-host Jamie and a big thank you from the whole crew

In this episode of the Joe Irish Podcast, Joe sits down with comedian and content creator Stephen “Cowboy” Kelly for a hilarious and honest conversation about comedy, social media fame, controversy, and life behind the camera.

Stephen shares the story of how Three Bucks Left started, his connection to the cult Irish series The Hardy Bucks, and how his viral “creamy pints” videos took off online. He talks about dealing with social media backlash, navigating cancel culture, and why sometimes the best response to controversy is to stand your ground.

They also dive into touring internationally, appearing on reality TV, performing comedy across the world, and Stephen’s charity marathon challenges supporting mental health and community causes.

From comedy and politics to Irish culture and viral content, this episode is packed with laughs, stories from the road, and a real look at the life of one of Ireland’s most talked-about online comedians.

Timecodes

00:00 – Podcast intro
00:10 – Welcoming Stephen “Cowboy” Kelly
01:50 – The story behind Three Bucks Left
03:10 – Moving on from The Hardy Bucks
04:30 – Irish influencers and online creators
06:00 – Viral videos and social media controversies
07:20 – Handling backlash online
08:40 – Refusing to apologise and doubling down
10:00 – Starting a podcast and creating content
11:30 – Viral comedy sketches and audience reactions
12:00 – The “Dry January” viral video
13:20 – Family life and kids
14:00 – Appearing on Dinner With The Enemy
16:00 – Reality TV debates and controversial moments
18:00 – Comedy boundaries and offending people
19:00 – The challenge of filming content regularly
20:00 – How the “Creamy Pints” series started
21:00 – Going viral internationally
22:00 – Guinness jokes and Irish humour
23:00 – Talking politics and world events
25:00 – Social media and attention spans
26:00 – Touring and live comedy shows
27:00 – The origin of “French Toast”
28:00 – The early days of The Hardy Bucks
30:00 – Working in TV vs online content
31:00 – Theatre acting and stage performances
32:00 – Comedy tours and hair transplant jokes
34:00 – Travel stories from gigs abroad
35:00 – Marathon training and running challenges
36:00 – Charity runs and fundraising
37:00 – Supporting mental health charities
39:00 – Healthcare struggles in Ireland
41:00 – Running across Ireland and the Wild Atlantic Way
44:00 – Irish tourism and hidden gems
45:00 – Travelling the world as a comedian
47:00 – Performing in Australia and the US
49:00 – Politics and public opinion
50:00 – Running for politics?
51:00 – Comedy around the world
52:00 – Conspiracy theories and random debates

This week on the Joe Irish Podcast, Joe sits down with legendary Irish DJ and radio presenter Al Gibbs for a brilliantly chaotic, funny, and inspiring conversation.

From pirate radio days to prime-time slots, from carrying crates of vinyl to playing alongside global dance icons, Al opens up about his journey through decades in the music industry. He shares behind-the-scenes radio stories, festival moments, Ibiza memories, and how a brutal hangover sparked the creation of his electrolyte drink brand, Electro Wave.

The episode also dives into cancel culture, generational differences in comedy, balancing family life with a demanding career, DJing in the digital era, and what it really takes to stay relevant in an ever-changing industry.

Expect nostalgia, motivation, laugh-out-loud stories, and plenty of classic Joe & Al banter.

⏱️ Timecodes

00:00 – Chaotic intro & calendar confusion
01:07 – Sleep struggles & hair transplant chat
02:07 – Remote working & escaping Ireland for a month
03:21 – Balancing gigs, radio & family life
04:54 – “Am I being kidnapped?” – arriving at the studio
07:11 – Cancel culture & comedy in 2025
10:21 – The Ibiza hangover that led to Electro Wave
12:22 – Creating an electrolyte drink from scratch
14:30 – Retail deals, festivals & scaling the brand
16:29 – DJ Academy & mentoring beginners
19:43 – Vinyl vs USB: how DJing has changed
21:36 – How live radio actually works behind the scenes
26:05 – Playing alongside Roger Sanchez
27:24 – Space Ibiza memories & dance music legacy
30:27 – Fame, guest lists & industry politics
35:05 – Winning Young Entrepreneur at 16
36:00 – Pirate radio beginnings
38:18 – Prime-time radio & longevity in broadcasting
40:03 – Finding your “radio voice”
44:02 – Festival season plans & Beyond The Pale

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of the Joe Irish Podcast, Joe and the crew sit down with Independent Senator Lynn Ruane for an unfiltered conversation about authenticity, addiction, violence, and the real meaning of community.

Lynn opens up about staying true to herself in politics — from wearing runners into Leinster House to refusing to adopt a “politician persona.” The conversation moves into her groundbreaking work on drug policy reform, decriminalisation, and violence intervention strategies inspired by work in Newark and LA.

From stories about growing up in Dublin communities to tackling intergenerational trauma and challenging “tough on crime” narratives, this episode blends humour, honesty, and hard truths. It’s a conversation about healing, prevention, and building safer communities from the inside out.

Raw. Insightful. Necessary listening.

⏱️ Timecodes

00:00 – 02:30
Intro chaos, laughs & welcoming Lynn Ruane – why authenticity matters in politics.

02:30 – 06:30
Staying true to yourself in Leinster House – resisting the “politician uniform” and representing your community honestly.

06:30 – 11:30
Drug policy explained: Decriminalisation vs legalisation – why criminalising addiction doesn’t work.

11:30 – 14:30
The history of prohibition – America’s influence, racism, and how drug laws evolved.

14:30 – 18:00
Poverty, drug dealing & systemic drivers – Lynn’s early research into exit strategies for dealers.

18:00 – 21:00
Trips to Newark & New York – learning from violence intervention programmes in the US.

21:00 – 24:00
Perception vs reality of safety – understanding community fear and media narratives.

24:00 – 28:30
Growing up in Dublin communities – loyalty, friendship, and what “community” really means.

28:30 – 31:30
Can community events reduce violence? Reimagining prevention beyond policing.

31:30 – 36:00
Victim assistance & intergenerational trauma – why healing must be part of justice.

36:00 – 39:30
Reducing retaliation & stopping the rumour mill – lessons from US intervention models.

39:30 – 42:00
“Hard on crime” politics vs real solutions – what actually reduces violence?

42:00 – 45:30
Carb funding, pilot programmes & building real change in Irish communities.

45:30 – End
Leadership, listening, and why real change starts inside the community.