We’ve had some unique guests on this podcast—but never one like this. I don’t even know his real name. He goes by the name of Art Riddler, he wears a mask, and until now, no one knew the story behind it. This is the first time he’s shared his personal journey and wow, what a journey it is. It’s one of grief, heartbreak, and despair, but also hope, creativity, and a deep desire to help others.

You might know him as the anonymous philanthropist supporting emerging Irish artists with generous prizes and exhibitions but behind that mystery is a man who lost the love of his life, and somehow turned that pain into something truly beautiful.

We talk about grief, healing, the power of art, and why Irish people still get weird about kindness. It’s raw, real, and one of the most moving conversations I’ve had on The Mind Full Podcast.

As discussed in this episode, Art Riddler’s Exhibition is taking place from Thursday 16th to Sunday 19th of October at 1 Charlemont Square, Dublin and I highly recommend it!

If you're new to the series, why not take the time to go back and catch up on the wonderful interviews that you may have missed!

Visit www.dermotwhelan.com for more information and don't forget my new book Busy and Wrecked is out now!

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

This week, my incredible guest is the warm, wise, and wonderfully relatable Dr Clodagh Campbell - psychologist, bestselling author, podcast host, and proud Irish woman on a mission to help us all quiet that nagging inner critic. You know the one, the voice that tells you you’re not enough, you’ve messed it all up, or you’re getting notions.

Clodagh is the brilliant mind behind The Steps, a book that breaks down big therapy ideas into 10 simple, powerful tools you can actually use: like when you’ve just roared at your kid or inhaled a pile of KitKats because you “had a feeling.”

We chat about Irish shame, inner critics, World Book Day panic, and why self-compassion isn’t soft fluff,it’s essential psychological first aid. She’s open, honest, hilarious, and so reassuring for anyone who’s ever forgotten the school costume. (bin bags can be magic.)

Find out more about Clodagh at thewellnesspsychologist.ie

If you're new to the series, why not take the time to go back and catch up on the wonderful interviews that you may have missed!

Visit www.dermotwhelan.com for more information and don't forget my new book Busy and Wrecked is out now!

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

Pat Shortt’s laugh is one of the most famous in Ireland, and you’re in for a treat in this episode as you’ll hear plenty of it! From his legendary double act D'Unbelievables alongside the late Jon Kenny to his role as the bumbling Garda in Killinaskully, Pat has been a constant in Irish comedy for decades as both a writer and performer.

Pat has tackled everything from playing a saxophonist in a pub band to a lonely petrol station worker in Garage, a performance that earned him an IFTA and international acclaim. In this conversation, Pat opens up about the joy and the pressure of being funny, the power of the stage, and the way laughter can coexist with pain.

We talk nerves, nostalgia, and the weight that comes with making people laugh. This episode is full of insight, heart, and, of course, plenty of laughs.

Pat and Faye are on the road with their new nationwide tour ‘Shortt Stuff’ from October 3rd and tickets are available from www.patshortt.com

If you're new to the series, why not take the time to go back and catch up on the wonderful interviews that you may have missed!

Visit www.dermotwhelan.com for more information and don't forget my new book Busy and Wrecked is out now!

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

In this season finale of The Mind Full Podcast, we dive deep into one of my all-time favourite topics: relationships - how they shape us, challenge us, and ultimately help us grow. From romantic bonds to work dynamics and the tricky relationship we have with ourselves, it’s all on the table. And who better to explore this rich terrain with than psychologist, leadership coach, and literal rock star, Louize Carroll!

Louize makes a welcome return to The Mind Full Podcast to discuss her powerful 12-week course Wisely Attached, which helps people rewire unhelpful relationship patterns. Together, we talk about the big questions: Why do we keep repeating the same arguments? Why doesn’t passive-aggressive self-help book placement work? And when is it time to walk away?

This warm, honest, and often hilarious conversation offers real insights for anyone who’s ever loved, lost, or just wondered why people can’t say what they’re bloody well feeling! Strap in, it’s a brilliant way to wrap up the season!

If you're new to the series, why not take the time to go back and catch up on the wonderful interviews that you may have missed!

Visit www.dermotwhelan.com for more information and don't forget my new book Busy and Wrecked is out now!

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

This week’s guest is absolutely flying, but it’s been one hell of a ride getting here. Mark Mehigan is a comedian, author, podcaster, and former BBC social media guru, with a backstory that reads like six lifetimes packed into one. From writing songs with Westlife’s Mark Feehily to late-night benders in London, Mark’s journey has been anything but dull.

These days, he hosts Mark Mehigan’s Weekly Roast, one of Ireland’s top comedy podcasts. But behind the laughs is a deeply honest story of addiction, anxiety, ADHD, and the kind of quiet desperation that can hide behind a smile. We talk about how his Monday-night wine habit spiraled, why hitting rock bottom might be the best thing that ever happened to him, and what he calls “the silence between the ears.”

Mark’s chasing what so many of us are - peace of mind. In this funny, vulnerable, and no-nonsense conversation, we explore the messy path to clarity, recovery, and self-acceptance - with plenty of laughs along the way.

If you're new to the series, why not take the time to go back and catch up on the wonderful interviews that you may have missed!

Visit www.dermotwhelan.com for more information and don't forget my new book Busy and Wrecked is out now!

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

In this week’s episode, we ask ‘how do we handle that person who seems to have a knack for getting under our skin at work?’

I'm joined by Dr Richard Hogan, a Psychotherapist who sees this kind of thing all the time. He’s a bestselling author, the star of RTÉ’s Raised by The Village, and co-host of the hit podcast They F**k You Up with Dr Ciara Kelly. In this conversation, we explore how to navigate challenging relationships at work (but, of course, this can be applied in many environments!). We talk about managing stress, setting boundaries, and avoiding burnout - all while keeping your cool and doing your best.

Richard helps us rethink those difficult people in our lives, encouraging us to view them not as tyrants, but as potential teachers. Whether you're dealing with a work bully or just someone who causes you stress, this conversation offers practical advice for surviving and thriving in challenging relationships.

You can find Richard on www.therapyinstitute.ie. Pick up his books Parenting the Screenager & Home is Where the Start is and don’t forget to check out his podcast with Dr Ciara Kelly They F**k You Up.

If you're new to the series, why not take the time to go back and catch up on the wonderful interviews that you may have missed!

Visit www.dermotwhelan.com for more information and don't forget my new book Busy and Wrecked is out now!

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

Please note: This episode contains references to sexual abuse, which some listeners may find triggering.

My guest this week is the best-selling author & psychologist Katriona O’Sullivan. Not only does Katriona have a life-story that is nothing short of exceptionally powerful, she is the author of the phenomenal book Poor, which spent over 40 weeks at No.1 on the Irish non-fiction charts, won Biography of the Year and the Listeners' Choice Award at the Irish Book Awards, and is now being adapted for the stage at the Gate Theatre during the Dublin Theatre Festival from Sep 26.

Katriona speaks openly about her childhood journey, which was marked by extreme poverty, neglect, and abuse, to becoming a respected academic and advocate for educational equity. In this fascinating conversation we look at healing from trauma (with a big and little ‘t’) , how mindfulness can be harmful if not approached correctly, and Katriona shares her own healing journey through therapy and much more. This is a powerful conversation about compassion, purpose, and how just surviving isn’t enough - we need to build a world where more people don’t have to.

If you're new to the series, why not take the time to go back and catch up on the wonderful interviews that you may have missed!

Visit www.dermotwhelan.com for more information and don't forget my new book Busy and Wrecked is out now!

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

Chat Shows, Donald Trump & Unruly Roommates!

This week I’m joined by comedy legend, bestselling author, and mindfulness teacher Ruby Wax.

From HBO to Oxford, chat shows to silent retreats, Ruby has done it all and brought her razor-sharp wit with her. She’s faced down depression (or her “unruly roommate,” as she calls it), taken on fame, and even once roasted Donald Trump at 33,000 feet!

Ruby’s no stranger to the chaos of the mind, and in this episode we dive into how she’s learned to manage hers with humour, honesty, and a Master’s Degree in Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy from Oxford. We chat about mental breakdowns, people-pleasing, 30-day silent retreats and much more.

If you're new to the series, why not take the time to go back and catch up on the wonderful interviews that you may have missed!

Visit www.dermotwhelan.com for more information and don't forget my new book Busy and Wrecked is out now!

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