Grief, Anger & Sandwiches: Colm’s Raw Story

This Aftershow might just break your heart and make you laugh out loud. Rebecca dives headfirst into intrusive thoughts, Justin preaches that happiness is “an inside job,” and Colm — raw as ever — opens up about finding comfort in grief and guilt in joy. From Taylor Swift’s provocative new album to a young girl in Gaza teaching resilience through food, the trio weave laughter, life, and loss into one of their most honest Aftershows yet. Get ready to question what happiness really means — and maybe, just maybe, breathe a little deeper. 🎥 Now streaming in Video on Spotify 🎧 Available on Apple, Acast and all podcast platforms. Time Chapter: 00:00 - Welcome to The Aftershow – “Voices in Our Heads” 01:05 - Taylor Swift, Intrusive Thoughts & Showgirl Energy 02:40 - TV Anxiety, Death in Media & the Comfort of Familiar Grief 04:00 - Survival vs Happiness – Tattoo-Worthy Quotes 06:00 - Is Happiness an Inside Job? 08:30 The Myth of Constant Joy 10:30 - Excitement, Expectations & Flat Afternoons 12:00 - Finding Joy in the Pizza Moments 14:10 - Gaza, Guilt & the Girl Who Pickled Olives 17:00 - Resilience, Loss & The Magic Shop 19:30 - Breathing, Intrusive Thoughts & Being Present 20:50 - Final Thoughts & Recommendations 21:10 - Like, Follow & See You Thursday! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all wake up at 3 a.m. sometimes — heart racing, thoughts racing faster. In this week’s episode of Not So Christian Brothers, Justin and Colm tackle the 3 a.m. spiral head-on. Colm talks about what happens when your mind won’t stop running imaginary arguments and worst-case scenarios. Justin explains why the brain does this — from primitive wiring to stress hormones — and how to interrupt the loop with a proven paper-and-pen trick that calms the nervous system. Rebecca joins the brothers to ask the questions everyone’s thinking: are intrusive thoughts ever useful, and why do we keep feeding them with our screens? It’s an honest, funny, and surprisingly comforting listen for anyone who’s ever stared at the ceiling wondering why can’t I just stop thinking? 🎥 Now streaming in video on Spotify 🎧 Available on Apple, Acast, and all podcast platforms. 00:00 – Irish politics, PR fails & Sharon Stone’s tweet 03:30 – Intrusive thoughts: why we overthink at night 06:40 – The 3:28 a.m. wake-up and anxiety loops 10:00 – Naming your inner critic and calming the noise 14:00 – When overthinking turns into rumination 17:00 – Doom-scrolling, dark TV, and anxiety triggers 20:00 – How what you consume affects your sleep 24:00 – The myth of constant happiness 27:00 – Journaling, reflection, and tracking your progress 32:00 – Therapy stories & finding humour in the process 34:30 – Closing thoughts: small daily tools for calmer minds Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Aftershow continues one of the most moving conversations we’ve ever had. Colm has returned to the studio after sharing the story of losing his wife, Anne — and now, the brothers and Rebecca go deeper into what comes next: rebuilding, reconnecting, and getting help. This time, the laughter mixes with vulnerability. The three talk about the importance of therapy, the fear of showing emotions, and the funny, messy truth of trying to heal. Justin opens up about his own experiences with therapy — including the time his grief was “too complex” for a therapist — while Colm shares how he’s finally ready to face his emotions head-on. It’s honest, warm, and at times hilarious, but beneath it all lies one message: we need to talk more about men’s mental health, therapy, and the courage it takes to ask for help. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the Aftershow of Not So Christian Brothers, released every Saturday. This week, Rebecca, Justin, and Beatrice continue the conversation about loss, legacy, and the powerful traditions that make Irish funerals so unique. After honoring Anne in Thursday’s main episode, the Aftershow dives deeper into the “four objects” tradition, exploring how everyday items — a blanket, a dog lead, a football boot, or even a coffee cup — can capture a person’s life in ways words sometimes cannot Ep 9 aftershow .From showbiz glamour to meditation pillows, Bill Clinton’s listening trick to why Irish wakes were once the best place to meet a partner, this Aftershow balances raw honesty, humor, and reflection. Nobody does funerals like the Irish — and nobody leaves without a laugh. 🙏 Remembering Anne, with love to Colm, Alex, and Holly. The Aftershow drops every Saturday. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t miss Thursday’s main episodes + Saturday’s Aftershow. ⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Welcome to the Aftershow 01:00 – What objects represent Rebecca? Watch, makeup bag & showbiz chaos 05:00 – The Irish wake tradition: community, gambling, and meeting partners 08:00 – What objects represent Beatrice & Justin? Shoes, meditation pillows & coffee cups 14:00 – How people remember us: warmth, hugs & how you make others feel 16:00 – Bill Clinton’s listening trick at the Ritz & lessons in presence 18:30 – Monica Lewinsky’s reinvention & resilience 19:00 – Closing: remembering Anne & looking ahead to Colm’s return Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s episode opens on a heartfelt note. Sadly, Colm’s wife Anne passed away last week after a long battle with cancer. Our thoughts and prayers are with Colm and his children, Alex and Holly. We hope to have Colm back in studio with us soon to share his own reflections and stories. In the meantime, Rebecca, Justin, and Beatrice hold space for Anne’s memory while diving deep into the big themes of life, death, and legacy. What do we really want to be remembered for? What symbols or objects capture a life well-lived? And how do humor, tradition, and family rituals help us navigate grief? From the intimacy of Irish funerals and the surprising power of “four objects,” to parenting, sport, and even online dating honesty—this week’s conversation balances raw honesty, humor, and perspective. Expect laughter through tears, reflections on resilience, and practical insights on love, family, and finding meaning in the everyday. 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share. The Not So Christian Brothers podcast keeps growing thanks to you—and Colm will be back with us soon. Highlights & Timestamps00:00 – Honoring Anne’s life: Justin reflects on his sister-in-law’s passing and the beauty of her send-off02:00 – The four objects tradition: What Anne’s perfume, passport, dog caricature, and favorite drink reveal about her life06:00 – Family first: Justin and Beatrice share the symbolic items they’d want at their own funerals—from blankets and dog leads to Luca’s football boots12:00 – Parenting highs and lows: Justin relives the drama of Luca’s penalty shootout—tears, pride, and heart palpitations16:00 – Health & resilience: From flow ropes and dumbbells to mouth tape, the conversation shifts to tools that anchor wellbeing18:00 – Friendship & connection: Why Justin’s Sunday sauna “mass” with friends matters just as much as family21:00 – Listener DM: A newly single dad asks what trait to look for in a midlife partner—honesty, humility, and humor take center stage26:00 – Dating stories: Beatrice and Justin share their first online dating experience (match.com in 2004!) and the lessons learned28:00 – Wrapping up: Rebecca calls out Justin’s role as an incredible brother, and the crew reflects on the strength of family through grief 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share. The Not So Christian Brothers podcast keeps growing thanks to you—and Colm will be back with us soon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.