Kilkenny campaigner shines a light on life after homicide in podcast
‘A Different Sky’ is available on Spotify, Apple Podcast and other platforms
A powerful new voice is entering the true crime and social justice space with the launch of ‘A Different Sky’, a groundbreaking podcast dedicated entirely to the vital, yet rarely discussed, world of life after homicide and homicide advocacy.
The podcast is hosted by experienced advocate John Whelan whose sister Sharon and her two daughters Zarah and Nadia were murdered on Christmas morning 2008 at their home, near the village of Windgap in Co Kilkenny by Brian Hennessy.
In November 2009, Hennessy was sentenced to life for the murder of Sharon Whelan and two life sentences for the murders of Zara and Nadia.
The life sentences for the children are to run concurrently after he has served his sentence for their mother's death.
The series will officially launch its first episode on Friday, August 14 at 6 pm in which John himself shares his story about how life and how he
eventually found a way to live with trauma and not be broken by it.
The title, A Different Sky, reflects the sudden, profound shift in perspective that families experience when their entire world alters overnight in the wake of a tragedy. The podcast moves away from traditional, sensationalised true-crime storytelling, choosing instead to focus on the human beings left behind, the support structures available, and the complex journey toward justice.
Each episode features John sitting down with a diverse line-up of guests, including family members who have navigated the aftermath of a homicide, legal professionals, policy reformers, and frontline support advocates. Together, they explore the raw, unfiltered realities of dealing with the justice system, managing profound grief, and finding hope through community solidarity.
Speaking ahead of the launch, show host John says:
"Behind every crime statistic is a real human story that deserves to be handled with absolute dignity. Homicide advocacy is a quiet, unseen space where the most critical work of support takes place. We created ‘A Different Sky’ to lift the veil on these difficult topics, to educate the public, and to show that even under the darkest skies, there is a steady path toward healing and change."
Key features of the podcast include:
• Diverse Perspectives: Direct insights from courageous family members.
• Systemic Breakdown: Simple, clear examinations of how support systems fail or succeed in the wake of major crimes.
• A Focus on Hope: Empowering conversations centred on human resilience, statutory reform, and mental health recovery.
Listeners can tune in to the first episode on August 14 at 6pm by searching for A Different Sky on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or their preferred podcast app. For regular updates, behind- the-scenes content, and guest announcements, follow the official show pages on Instagram and Facebook.