Facing Grief with Humour: Cancer, Loss, Advocacy, & Comedy with Dympna Little #113

In this episode, I sit down with Dympna Little, the brilliantly sharp and darkly hilarious voice behind some of social media’s most honest conversations about grief, cancer, and humour as a coping mechanism. Dympna shares her mother’s battle with peritoneal cancer, highlighting the repeated misdiagnoses that delayed treatment and the raw realities of navigating end-of-life care. She also challenges common narratives around loss, discussing why being present for a loved one’s final moments isn’t always the peaceful experience people imagine.

We also dive into her fight to reform Ireland’s cancer wig grant system, exposing how some providers overcharge women for low-quality wigs and why she’s campaigning to have the grant paid directly to patients. Dympna reflects on how making comedy videos to cheer up her mother during treatment became the foundation of her social media success, and why she believes we should all trust our instincts when it comes to health. This conversation is a rollercoaster of emotions—raw, real, and unexpectedly funny. Tune in for an episode that will challenge how you think about grief, loss, and the power of humour in the darkest times.

This episode is brought to you by fabÜ SKIN-HAIR-NAILS GLOW, the supplement I created for strong, healthy, and radiant beauty from within. If you’re dealing with hair thinning, dull skin, fine lines, or weak nails, this is for you. Packed with 12 powerhouse ingredients, this blend is designed to support fuller, thicker hair, glowing skin, and strong nails. At the heart of the formula is Reishi mushroom, bursting with antioxidants and beta glucans, alongside five amino acids to build collagen, plus vitamins C, A, E, zinc, and niacinamide for all-round nourishment.

The results speak for themselves—women post-pregnancy and going through peri and menopause have seen incredible transformations, from stronger nails in weeks to revived hair growth in months. But consistency is key—take two capsules daily, give your body time, and watch the transformation unfold. Available on fabuwellness.com and in pharmacies and health stores nationwide.

Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.

Chapters

• 0:00 The Reality of Death and Grief
• 5:14 Dimpna's Mother's Cancer Diagnosis
• 18:20 Medical Struggles and Cancer's Return
• 33:05 The Wig Grant Controversy
• 52:17 Hospital Stories and Dark Humor
• 1:04:30 The Day Her Mother Died
• 1:25:28 Finding Comedy Through Personal Pain
• 1:38:22 Life Advice and Meaning in Suffering