When I Thought I Was Going To Die… I Realised I’d Never Lived For Myself | Dearbhla Mescal

2026-02-19

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One mother’s journey to self-love, resilience, and reinvention. In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Dearbhla Mescal, mother of Oscar-nominated actor Paul Mescal and singer-songwriter Nell Mescal, shares how a life dedicated to her children’s dreams transformed into a life of self-discovery and strength after a life-changing cancer diagnosis. For over three decades, Dearbhla prioritised her children's needs, guiding them through their own ambitions while silently putting herself last. But when cancer entered her life, everything shifted. Through her per...

One mother’s journey to self-love, resilience, and reinvention.

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Dearbhla Mescal, mother of Oscar-nominated actor Paul Mescal and singer-songwriter Nell Mescal, shares how a life dedicated to her children’s dreams transformed into a life of self-discovery and strength after a life-changing cancer diagnosis.

For over three decades, Dearbhla prioritised her children's needs, guiding them through their own ambitions while silently putting herself last. But when cancer entered her life, everything shifted. Through her personal battle, Dearbhla explains how facing mortality became the catalyst for her to finally embrace herself, her body, and her own dreams.

From navigating motherhood with three children chasing their dreams, to witnessing the highs and lows of a 30-year marriage, Dearbhla reflects on the lessons of love, sacrifice, and resilience that have shaped her journey. This episode reveals the profound transformation that can happen when we start prioritising ourselves , even after years of putting others first.

This is a beautiful testament to the power of reinvention, the strength of family, and the importance of loving yourself, no matter what life throws your way.

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Finding Joy out now: https://www.waterstones.com/book/finding-joy/dearbhla-mescal/steve-doogan/9781804442876

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(01:32) Intro to Dearbhla Mescal, Her New Book and Her Kids
(03:46) How to Finding Joy in the Everyday
(08:11) Dearbhla on Her Time in the Police Force and Finding Her Voice
(11:40) Authenticity and Finding Joy in the Small Moments
(15:25) Becoming a Parent and Facilitating Your Kids’ Dreams
(27:59) Airbnb Ad
(29:00) Lind Ad
(30:06) The Turning Point
(30:53) Discovering Her Cancer Diagnosis
(38:24) Telling Her Kids About Her Diagnosis
(42:54) Facing Cancer and Having Deep Gratitude for Life and Love
(47:07) How Cancer Brought Loneliness, Grief, and a Gift
(53:00) Beginning Again After Cancer
(55:58) The Greatest Gift We Can Give Our Children
(01:02:25) Learning to Take Up Space and Pursue Your Passions
(01:05:23) Discovering Anxiety in Midlife
(01:07:12) Paul, Nell and Donnacha's Reaction to Her Book
(01:09:12) An Emotional Rendition of 'The Kiss' by Her Daughter Nell
(01:13:46) A Special Gift for Dearbhla