At just nine weeks old, Luke's heart was failing, and his parents were told he might not survive.

This week on The Survival Project, I'm joined by longtime friend Cillian Myles, who shares the extraordinary story of his son Luke's fight for life.

What began as a hospital visit in Galway quickly escalated into a medical emergency, leading to a transfer to Crumlin Children's Hospital and eventually Newcastle, where Luke would spend ten months waiting for a donor heart.

Cillian opens up about the unimaginable decisions he and his wife Leisha faced, the emotional toll of living in a hospital, losing his own father during Luke's fight for survival, and the incredible support of a community that rallied around their family.

We also explore the realities of childhood heart transplantation, the importance of advocating for your loved ones, and the extraordinary generosity of organ donation.

Today, Luke is nearly five years old and thriving, a little boy whose story is a powerful reminder of the importance of hope, community and never giving up.

Above all, this episode is a tribute to the donor family whose selfless decision, made during unimaginable grief, gave Luke a second chance at life.

Your story could be someone else's survival guide.

The Forgotten Children: Trafficking, War & the Fight for Human Rights

What happens to the world's most vulnerable children when war breaks out? And who is fighting to protect them?

In this episode of The Survival Project, I'm joined by Kirsten Larson, a PhD researcher at the Irish Centre for Human Rights at the University of Galway, specialising in child trafficking and armed conflict.

Kirsten's research focuses on northeast Syria and northeast Nigeria, exploring how children are recruited, exploited and trafficked by armed groups, and the international laws designed to protect them.

We explore the realities of child trafficking beyond what we see in films and the media, from child soldiers and forced marriage to the exploitation of children who have lost the safety and protection of their communities.

We also discuss the challenges facing humanitarian organisations, the impact of funding cuts, the treatment of refugees and the extraordinary people dedicating their lives to protecting human rights.

But beyond the difficult realities of Kirsten's work, we ask a much deeper question:

After spending years studying some of the darkest sides of humanity, does she still believe that people are inherently good?

This is a conversation about the people too often forgotten in conflict, the importance of understanding lives different from our own, and why there is still reason to believe in humanity.

🎙️ The Survival Project

Your story could be someone’s survival guide.

For more conversations about international human rights, check out The Human Rights Podcast, produced by Kirsten at the Irish Centre for Human Rights.

https://open.spotify.com/show/72JjYJeiyphvH7ynaJTUHd?si=75176655a9474eafhttps://www.universityofgalway.ie/irish-centre-human-rights/https://ichrgalway.org/2024/10/04/un-special-representative-of-the-secretary-general-for-children-and-armed-conflict-and-un-special-rapporteur-on-trafficking-in-persons-especially-women-and-children-launch-study-on-child-traffickin/

Instagram: @thesurvivalprojectpod | @jonathanjhealy

Coma to Comeback: Everything Feels Impossible Until It’s Done

On October 11th, 2024, Vincent Van den Broeck was struck by a car while riding his e-scooter in Brussels.

He suffered multiple fractures and major brain trauma, spent three weeks in a coma and was given very little chance of survival.

But surviving was only the beginning.

In this episode of The Survival Project, Vincent takes us through the long road back. From being unable to walk and depending on his wife for the most basic parts of everyday life, to rebuilding his confidence, independence and identity.

We talk about the extraordinary role his wife played throughout his recovery, why Vincent believes “resilience is a muscle,” learning to speak louder than the voice telling you to quit, and why he describes the accident not as life-changing, but life-affirming.

Vincent also shares the philosophy behind his new book, Everything Feels Impossible Until It’s Done, and why the word “feels” might be the most important part of that sentence.

Because something feeling impossible doesn't mean that it is.

Sometimes, the only thing you can control is whether you keep doing.

📖 Everything Feels Impossible Until It’s Done launches October 11th, exactly two years after Vincent's accident.

Pre-order: https://linktr.ee/vincentinthekitchen?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

Follow Vincent: @vincentinthekitchen

🎙️ The Survival Project
Your story could be someone’s survival guide.

IG: @thesurvivalprojectpod @jonathanjhealy