Dads

Dads

What makes a recovery story truly inspiring? For many, it’s the way pain, love, and small everyday moments reshape how you see life. That’s exactly where this conversation between host Jim Hirtle and guest Danny Cohen lands. Danny talks about his memoir, *Awakenings in Real Life*, born from a rare two-day “awakening” his father experienced after years of dementia.

His dad, Herbie, had been the rock of the family: a tough Brooklyn kid turned successful businessman, a loving husband, and, in Danny’s words, “my hero in life… my go-to guy.” When dementia took hold, that relationship changed—but it didn’t end.

The heart of the episode sits in that short window when Herbie suddenly returned to himself, greeting Danny with, “Hi, Danny… you know, I love you very much,” and later saying, “I’m happy just to be here and alive.” Doctors couldn’t fully explain it, but the family saw it as a message: even deep in dementia, he still valued life.

From there, Danny shares what those years taught him: the power of including a loved one in life even when their memory fades, and the importance of accepting “your person where they’re at” instead of correcting or arguing. He tells a funny and moving story about taking his dad back to the racetrack he loved, knowing he’d forget the day—but cherishing the joy on his face when his long-shot horse came in first.

The episode also touches on grief, legacy, and the grind of indie publishing and podcasting, as Danny explains how he turned one article about his father into a book and a podcast platform for other people’s awakenings. If you’re caring for someone with dementia, missing a parent, or just trying to make sense of your own hard seasons, this gentle, honest chat might help you ask: who is *your* one, and how are you honouring them today?