Awakenings with Danny Cohen

Awakenings with Danny Cohen

What can we learn from those who have battled dementia alongside the people they love? This conversation between host Jim Hirtle and guest author Danny Cohen centres on Danny’s father Herbie, whose two‑day “awakening” from advanced dementia reshaped how Danny thinks about love, memory and showing up for family. You’ll hear Danny talk about Herbie as more than a diagnosis: a tough Brooklyn kid turned successful businessman, a generous tipper, a devoted husband and an ever-present dad who “exuded love”.

When dementia took hold after a stroke, the family slowly lost the man they relied on – until a sudden, short-lived return of clarity in hospital.

For two days Herbie recognised everyone, shared memories, expressed gratitude and, as Danny recalls from a video clip, said, “I’m happy just to be here and alive.” Rather than promising anyone the same kind of miracle, Danny uses that experience in his memoir *Awakenings in Real Life* to talk about smaller, everyday awakenings: the power of perspective, the importance of kindness, and what it means to have “your one” – the person who backs you without ego.

He shares concrete advice for families facing dementia: include your loved one in life even if they won’t remember, accept them where they are, and give yourself grace when it all feels too much. The chat also gets practical for would‑be writers. Danny walks through turning a single article into a full book, working with a hybrid publisher, and the unglamorous grind of promotion, from social media to podcasts and reviews.

There’s gentle humour, plenty of warmth, and a strong thread of hope for anyone caring for an unwell parent or thinking about writing their own story. If you’ve ever had “that one person” who changed your life, this story might nudge you to honour them while you still can.