SatNaving Life

What is it really like to live with schizophrenia?

For years, Cathal O'Gara struggled with hearing voices, paranoia, anxiety and depression, often hiding what he was experiencing from the people around him.

In this incredibly honest episode of SatNaving Life, Cathal speaks to Carol McGirl about living with schizophrenia, experiencing psychosis from a young age and the terrifying mental health crisis he experienced while returning home from a trip to Canada.

Cathal opens up about his journey towards a schizophrenia diagnosis, the impact of severe anxiety and depression, his experiences of psychiatric hospital care and the challenges of finding the right treatment and support.

Cathal hopes that by sharing his story, he can challenge misconceptions about schizophrenia and help others understand that a diagnosis does not define the person living with it.

This is a powerful real-life story about courage, acceptance, love and hope. Because behind every mental health diagnosis is a person with a life, a family and a story worth hearing.

After losing his three little boys, Enda McCabe faced further unimaginable heartbreak when his wife Claire suffered a seizure.

In Part 2 of this deeply emotional SatNaving Life conversation, Enda speaks to Carol McGirl about Claire's cancer diagnosis and her courage throughout her illness.

Enda shares openly about coping with bereavement, the emotional impact of losing loved ones and the strength he found through the support of family, friends and the wider community.

He also reflects on their journey towards parenthood through surrogacy, the dreams he and Claire shared and finding hope and purpose after unimaginable loss.

Together, they explore terminal brain cancer, grief, surrogacy, family, resilience and the importance of supporting one another through life's most difficult moments.

This is a powerful real-life story about love, heartbreak and the courage to keep moving forward.

Because even when life doesn't turn out the way we hoped, it doesn't mean our story is over.

Enda McCabe and his wife Claire dreamed of building a family together. But their journey through IVF would bring unimaginable heartbreak with the devastating loss of their three baby boys, Ciaran, Sam and Peter.

In Part 1 of this deeply emotional SatNaving Life conversation, Enda speaks to Carol McGirl about meeting Claire, falling in love, their fertility journey and the grief they experienced after losing their children.

Enda shares openly about the emotional impact of baby loss, coping with parental grief, the challenges of IVF and the love and strength that helped him and Claire support one another through some of life's darkest moments.

Together, they explore love, family, fertility struggles, bereavement, resilience and the importance of remembering the children and loved ones who are no longer with us.

This is a powerful real-life story about love, loss and the lasting bond between parents and their children.

Because even when someone is no longer with us, the love and memories we shared never leave us.

At just 41 years old, Finbarr Daly was fit, active and out for a run when he suddenly collapsed from a heart attack. What followed was a life-changing journey through heart disease, multiple coronary stents, a second heart attack and eventually double heart bypass surgery.

In this episode of SatNaving Life, Finbarr speaks to Carol McGirl about surviving two heart attacks, living with heart disease and the physical and psychological challenges of cardiac recovery.

Finbarr shares how his experience affected his health, family and everyday life, and why understanding your family history of heart disease, recognising potential heart attack warning signs and knowing your cardiovascular risk factors are so important.

Together, they explore heart health, coronary artery disease, heart attack recovery, cardiac surgery, mental health and resilience.

This is an inspiring real-life story about survival, family, recovery and the importance of heart disease awareness.

Because heart disease doesn't always look the way we expect it to, and recognising the signs and seeking help when something feels wrong could save a life.

He lost his home. He lost contact with his children. He almost lost his life.

For years, alcohol addiction took almost everything from Francis Shiels. What began as a way of coping with childhood trauma developed into a struggle with alcohol that affected his relationships, his family and his sense of identity.

In this moving episode of SatNaving Life, Francis speaks to Carol McGirl about growing up in a home affected by alcohol, the lasting impact of childhood trauma and his personal battle with alcohol addiction.

Francis shares openly about homelessness, losing contact with his children, the emotional toll of addiction and the moment he realised he needed to ask for help before it was too late.

Together, they explore alcoholism, addiction recovery, mental health, family breakdown, the stigma surrounding addiction and the importance of compassion and support.

This powerful real-life story highlights how unresolved trauma can contribute to harmful coping behaviours and why recognising the need for help can be such an important turning point.

Above all, Francis's story is about hope, recovery and second chances.

Because no matter how far someone has fallen, they deserve the opportunity to ask for help and begin again.

A heart attack can happen when we least expect it. Knowing the signs and knowing what to do could make all the difference.

In this educational episode of SatNaving Life, Carol McGirl takes us through the cardiovascular system and explains in simple terms what happens during a heart attack.

She also explains what to do if someone becomes unresponsive and stops breathing, including when to start CPR and use an AED.

This episode is about understanding your body, recognising when something is wrong, and having the confidence to act when it matters most.

Because knowing what to do in an emergency could help save a life.

At just 25 years old, Chris Redhead entered addiction treatment, beginning a life-changing journey towards recovery. Nine years on, Chris is sober, has rebuilt his relationships, started a family of his own and now helps others struggling with addiction.

In Part 2 of this SatNaving Life conversation, Chris speaks to Carol McGirl about overcoming addiction, his journey through treatment and the emotional challenges of getting sober.

Chris shares how he began facing the feelings and pain he had spent years trying to avoid, learned to accept help and started rebuilding his life and relationships with his family.

Together, they explore addiction recovery, mental health, emotional healing, long-term sobriety, family support and the importance of asking for help.

This is an inspiring real-life story about recovery, resilience, hope and second chances.

Because no matter how difficult life becomes, asking for help can be the first step towards building a different future.

At just 18 years old, Chris Redhead lost his father. Struggling with grief, he turned to alcohol to numb the pain, beginning a journey through alcohol addiction, homelessness and mental health struggles.

In Part 1 of this powerful SatNaving Life conversation, Chris speaks to Carol McGirl about losing his father, coping with grief and how alcohol gradually took over his life.

He shares openly about his experience of addiction, the impact it had on his mental health and relationships, and the difficult moments that followed.

This is an honest and emotional conversation about grief, bereavement, alcohol addiction, homelessness and mental health, but above all, it is a story about hope.

Because even when Chris couldn't see a way forward, his story was far from over.

What started as an ordinary summer swim turned into a life-or-death emergency when Dzintra McConnon spotted a teenage boy disappearing beneath the water.

In this episode of SatNaving Life, Dzintra speaks to Carol McGirl about the dramatic water rescue, trusting her instincts, raising the alarm and performing lifesaving CPR alongside fellow rescuer Johnny as they fought to save the young boy's life.

Dzintra shares what happened that day, the emotional impact of responding to a traumatic emergency and the unforgettable moment she discovered that the boy she had helped rescue was alive.

Together, they explore the importance of water safety, CPR training, drowning prevention, recognising an emergency and acting quickly when someone's life is at risk.

This is an extraordinary real-life rescue story about courage, quick thinking, community and the importance of knowing lifesaving skills.

Because sometimes trusting your instincts and knowing what to do in an emergency can make all the difference.

When Julieanne Lynch's daughter Kelly stopped answering messages and phone calls, a mother's worst nightmare began. What followed was the devastating news of Kelly's death and a heartbreaking journey through grief, trauma and the search for answers.

In Part 2 of this SatNaving Life conversation, Julieanne speaks to Carol McGirl about the days following her daughter's disappearance, the moment she learned Kelly had died and the unimaginable pain of losing a child.

Julieanne shares the emotional impact of sudden loss, the unanswered questions surrounding Kelly's death and her determination to seek truth, accountability and justice for her daughter.

Together, they explore parental grief, bereavement, family trauma, resilience and the strength it takes to keep going after a devastating loss.

This is a deeply moving story of a mother's love, a family's heartbreak and the determination to keep Kelly's memory alive.

Because even in the face of unimaginable grief, a mother's love and her search for answers never fade.

One ordinary goodbye at the front door. Then came a phone call that would change Julieanne Lynch's life forever.

In Part 1 of this emotional SatNaving Life conversation, Julieanne speaks to Carol McGirl about her beloved daughter Kelly, the devastating events that changed her family's life and her ongoing search for truth, answers and justice.

Julieanne remembers Kelly as a much-loved daughter, sister, granddaughter and friend, sharing the love and memories that will always remain with her family.

Together, they explore the difficult realities of coercive control, domestic abuse, emotional abuse, mental health and the warning signs of unhealthy or controlling relationships that can sometimes go unnoticed.

This powerful real-life story raises awareness of domestic abuse, the emotional impact of family trauma and the importance of recognising warning signs, supporting loved ones and staying connected.

Above all, this is a story of a mother's love, a family's heartbreak and the strength it takes to keep going after unimaginable loss.

Because sometimes an ordinary goodbye becomes a memory you'll carry forever.

He was only three years old.

Drinking litres of water. Losing weight. Clinging to his mum.

Everyone knew something wasn’t right and what Ruth noticed early may have saved her son’s life.

In this episode of SatNaving Life, Carol McGirl speaks with Ruth and her son, Fiachra, about his diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes at just three and a half years old and the challenges, fears, and resilience that followed.

From recognising the warning signs to navigating injections, hospital stays, school, sport, and independence, this episode combines a deeply personal story with practical information that every parent, teacher, and caregiver should know.

This is a conversation that could help someone spot the signs before it's too late.

Just a normal bank holiday Monday.

Then one question changed everything: “Where’s Therese?”

What followed was a race against time, a fight for life, and moments no family could ever prepare for.

In this deeply emotional episode of SatNaving Life, Melinda Hickey speaks to Carol McGirl about the day her 18-month-old daughter was pulled lifeless from a garden pond - and the extraordinary chain of events that followed.

This powerful conversation explores trauma, survival, faith, CPR, and the reality of living in fight-or-flight long after the crisis ends.

It’s a story about resilience and the life-saving importance of knowing what to do when every second counts.

He told his dad he’d walk home.

45 minutes later… his life was gone.

What happened that night changed Barry Aughey’s life forever.

In this deeply powerful episode of SatNaving Life, Barry talks to Carol McGirl about the moment no parent should ever face - losing his 16-year-old son, Luke.

This episode blends real-life experience with practical tools to help you recognise when someone is struggling, and what to do next.

This is a conversation that could help save someone’s life.

Welcome to SatNaving Life - the podcast that helps you navigate whatever road life puts you on.

Some days feel bright and easy. Others feel stressed, overwhelmed, or just plain heavy. No matter where you are, we all move through different “roads” in life, and each one teaches us something.

In this podcast, Carol McGirl, a qualified nurse and health and safety trainer, speaks to people who’ve faced tough, unexpected, and life-changing moments. Along the way, you’ll pick up simple, practical skills to help you stay calm, think clearly, and handle whatever comes your way.

It’s about building confidence, resilience, and knowing what to do when life doesn’t go to plan.

So… wherever you are right now - let’s figure it out together