Wow! This podcast is one of the most emotional I have ever listened to. I am so happy Joey has come out the other side. Praying this evil stays in prison.
Todd O’Laughlin is a very good friend of mine and he is a very sincere caring man. His letter brought me to tears. I thought I cried enough listening to Joey’s story, but then came Todd’s letter!
As an American it was hard to pierce through his Irish dialect-I’m sure a full understanding of his words would have made this a 5 star podcast for me.
Very well done, a harrowing and heartbreaking tale.
I happen to be a retired NYPD Detective from the Bronx, and have seen so many many young peoples lives shattered by drug gangs and life on the streets.
I am so happy Joe was able to survive this ordeal, and hopefully encourage and help others to find some peace, and redemption.
Good luck to you and your family in everything you do Joe.
And thanks to this podcast and your author and publisher for getting your story out.
I realize this kid was taken advantage of, but he takes absolutely no responsibility for his own actions. At some point, he needs to recognize his roll in all of this. Own your actions. Own you behavior and decisions.
The amount of psychological and physical trauma this kid has gone through is palpable in his re-telling of his story. He is re-living the abuse he endured. To still be able to do the right thing and then to have the courage to testify. I wish him healing, peace and security.
What a powerful story. The courage that he had to do the right thing is impressive. That he has been able to rise above all that occurred is a testament to his fortitude.
This story is one I still think about a while after finishing. It’s impossible not to want to invite Joey over for dinner & want to good for him. Around episode 7 or 8 when he tells the story of sitting
his exams in the interview room of the police station is the first & only time in the story you hear actual joy in his voice. He laughs, remembering the bizarre incident & what the officers did to help him. I lost it at that point, realizing how rare it was for him to experience raw kindness & lack of judgement. Joey doesn’t call himself a victim. He is very matter of fact about how the butterfly effect of one small action sent his life on this unfortunate journey. I hope so much that Joey, who is still young dammit, finds some peace from all the trauma & can live the life he really deserves.
Amazing I never heard about joseph before I binged the the whole thing in one day and I still wanted to hear more such a sad and inspiring story ( I don’t like calling a story since this is true and someone’s life)
I began listening to this podcast not knowing anything about Joseph O'Callaghan and his remarkable story. Told in a raw, honest, and in many ways, innocent voice but with so much underlying courage, perseverance, strength, and the will to do the right thing every step of the way. By the end, I was shaken to my core and left speechless. One of a handful of podcasts that touched me so deeply and so profoundly.
