E178: James Lumumba - Don't Be Afraid to Talk

Pauline McKeown, CEO of Coolmine, joins me to talk about addiction, treatment, recovery, and the power of hope and connection. Pauline has worked with Coolmine for over 20 years, and we chat about the work being done by an organisation that has supported people and families affected by addiction for more than 50 years. We also talk about Sober October and how taking 31 days away from alcohol can benefit your own wellbeing while supporting addiction treatment and recovery services across Ireland. 🍂 Sign up for Sober October (https://www.soberoctober.ie/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) 💙 Learn more about Coolmine (https://www.coolmine.ie/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

James Lumumba joins The Sober Mess Podcast for an honest conversation about mental health, vulnerability, healing, and the power of speaking openly. We explore resilience, recovery, and why meaningful conversations can change lives.Be sure to check out James' podcast, Don't Be Afraid to Talk, and follow him on Instagram: @dontbeafraidtotalk

Jonathan Miller is a leadership coach, team facilitator, and Managing Director of Human Engineering. With over 20 years of experience working with leaders and teams around the world, he helps people improve communication, performance, self-awareness, and leadership effectiveness. We discuss leadership, Carl Jung personal growth, mindset, and what it takes to create lasting change.

Lisa Doolan is a wellbeing coach, speaker, and founder of Healing Hikes. She helps people improve their mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing through nature, movement, community, and personal development.We discuss wellbeing, healing, faith, nature, eating disorders, sobriety and why your past does not have to define your future.Follow Lisa: @thewellbeingqueenx

Denis O’Reilly is a runner, Pilates instructor, and mental health advocate who rebuilt his life after a serious car crash that forced him to confront trauma, anxiety, and deep self-doubt. Through running, Pilates, therapy, and honest conversations about mental health, Denis now helps others reconnect with themselves and find strength through vulnerability.Denis is currently taking on a charity run to raise funds for an important cause, using his journey to give back and inspire others who may be struggling.Follow Denis on Instagram:📲 @pommpilateshttps://www.instagram.com/pommpilates/Support Dennis’ charity run:🏃‍♂️ https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/denisoreilly

In this episode, I sit down with Ciara, who is 22 years old and is celebrating two years sober today! Ciara shares honestly about how her drinking started when she was around 15. What began as typical teenage drinking slowly became more and more problematic, and over time alcohol and other substances started to take over her life. She talks about how she was living for the weekends, where drinking became the centre of everything and nothing else really mattered. After an honest conversation with a friend, Ciara realised something needed to change. Around that time a member of AA noticed she was struggling and offered to bring her to a meeting. That decision ended up being one of the most important turning points in her life.We talk about what it’s like getting sober at such a young age, how Alcoholics Anonymous helped her rebuild her life, and the pride she feels today in the person she’s becoming. We also talk about Irish Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous (IREYPAA). IREYPAA is a community for young people in recovery across Ireland that organises events, conventions and gatherings where young people in sobriety can connect, support each other and show that recovery can still be full of life and fun. The next convention, IREYPAA 8, will take place at the Shearwater Hotel & Spa from 27–29 March 2026. 📍 Location: Marina Point, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway, Ireland (H53 F5P9) If you want to learn more about IREYPAA or find upcoming events, you can visit:https://ireypaa.org/⁠

In this episode of The Sober Mess Podcast, I sit down with my good friend Sean, who shares his powerful story of addiction, recovery, and rebuilding his life.Sean opens up about his struggles with both substance use and a serious gambling problem, and how these challenges affected his relationships, mental health, and sense of self. He speaks honestly about the battles he faced along the way, the turning points that helped him change direction, and the support that helped him stay on the path of recovery.Now six years sober, Sean reflects on the lessons he’s learned, the importance of connection and community, and how recovery has given him a new outlook on life.It’s a raw and honest conversation about addiction, resilience, and the possibility of change — a reminder that no matter how difficult things get, recovery is always possible.If you are struggling with addiction and would like support, you can find more information here:Cocaine Anonymous Ireland –https://cocaineanonymous.ie⁠Gamblers Anonymous Ireland –https://gamblersanonymous.ie⁠

In this episode, I’m joined by my sister Lisa Doolan, a wellness specialist, for a deep and open conversation about sobriety, self-love, and emotional health. We talk about how the work we do on ourselves shapes the relationships in our lives, the importance of community, and how to stay grounded in a fast-changing world — including the role AI now plays in our daily lives.This is a reflective, practical, and honest chat about finding balance, staying connected, and learning to live well. Find Lisa on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thewellbeingqueenx/

In this episode of The Sober Mess Podcast, I’m joined by my good friend Collie Mac — a trail runner, explorer, and someone who truly lives for the outdoors.Collie opens up about stepping away from alcohol, finding peace in the mountains, and how getting outside completely changed his outlook on life. We talk about early morning hikes, chasing sunrises and sunsets, and why those quiet moments in nature can be so powerful for the mind.Known on Instagram as @colimac_explores, Collie uses social media to inspire others to simplify life, embrace adventure, and reconnect with the outdoors. This conversation is a reminder that sometimes the answers we’re looking for aren’t found online — they’re found outside.

Today I sit down with my good friend Ciarán McIvor, the creator of Boxing Bants. Ciarán spent six years travelling around Ireland covering professional boxing, before stepping away to focus on a much deeper journey of self-discovery. In this episode, we talk openly about mental health, ADHD, and the challenges of understanding yourself later in life. Ciarán shares how plant medicine shifted his entire perspective, how social media shaped his identity, and what it’s been like trying to find inner peace in a noisy world. We also touch on his role as chairperson of the Deirdre Gogarty Statue Committee, how purpose can change a person, and why connection and community matter now more than ever.