Talking Bollox Podcast

There’s a significant, and long awaited, moment on the bonus episode this week, as Terence arrives in the studio with some major news.Warning: There is a film mentioned here and after that point it's full of spoilers. (And Calvin has no sympathy for anyone caught off guard by this one.)Calvin is understandably very impressed with moonwalking horses, and the lads consider their easiest route to an Olympic gold medal - with Terence wondering if a bit of training could have him challenge for the title of the fastest man on Earth.

Danny joins us to discuss his meteoric rise in music from writing songs for TLC to pay his electricity bills to selling out 5 consecutive nights in the 3arena - All in spite of the fact that he failed music in school.He opens up about his struggles and hardships of losing his band mate and best friend Mark Sheehan and how he can still feel his presence on stage. We discuss the new direction the band is now taking without Mark and how they are trying to honour his legacy by creating new music.The Script's new album 'Satellites' is out on the 16th of August and the their latest track 'Both Ways' out now.

The consequences of half a haircut or a life with just one shoe are weighed up, while Terence has been doing some very refined snacking in local coffee shops.A listener’s question sends us on a journey through the disturbing world of people living in your attic (a recently unlocked fear for Calvin), and the now long-standing tradition of listeners threating  Terence has spread to even the most professional arenas.Terence threatens to take a juice fit as Calvin doubts his tales of clean living at the gym, and there are doubts raised about how natural Terry’s workout photography has been.

Dr. Austin O'Carroll is a GP in the inner city where he has spent his career caring for the homeless and providing services for addiction, along with all the daily tasks of a busy clinic. He spoke to us about how poverty and trauma affect your health and can decrease your life expectancy by 20 years.Growing up with a disability due to Thalidomide, a medication available to pregnant women in the 60's which caused birth defects, Austin was told he wouldn't be able for the physical demands of the hospital but he knew he wanted to help people and has done just that. Austin is passionate about the rights of homeless people and drug users, and spoke to us about how society has failed them.One of our listeners suggested Austin and if you have anyone you think we should talk to send an email to [email protected].

Terence Power is ready to shock the world with a pair of runners, and he wants to be tried in the court of public opinion.We have some summer themed queries, with a lifetime of sandy feet up for debate.We get some questionable but entertaining facts from one listener, Terence puts some thought into what he would permanently mark Calvin with, and the saga of Terence’s debated height continues.

Ibrahim Alagha and his young family were on a trip from Ireland visiting family in Gaza when war broke out on October 7th 2023. As the bombs dropped around them, he made the risky decision to move his family further south to Khan Yunis where he thought they would be safer. They sheltered in his father’s home for 50 days while waiting to get home to Ireland. That house in Khan Yunis has since been destroyed and the 90 people who took refuge there have now been displaced once again. Ibrahim told us his harrowing story of life in a war zone and explained the situation in Palestine currently for his family and friends still stuck there.

Calvin arrives into the studio looking for trouble and Terence is planning a big birthday bash for his dog.We hear another shocking descent into middle classism from Terry, while it seems Calvin may beyond help on that score.Calvin has been hanging around with international comedy big hitters, and entertaining them on Seán McDermott Street.There’s faint memories of fried bread and a flurry of questions around toast.And a listener has a tale of an excruciating public humiliation that drags up some painful; and still raw memories.

Now that Terry's taken up the gym, we thought it would be the ideal time to get performance nutritionist Tony O'Neill on to talk us through some fitness and wellbeing dos and don'ts . He told us why fasting doesn't work for him but could work for others and explained why sustainability is the most important thing in a fat loss journey. He doesn't believe in hacks but offers lots of great advice and motivation to get you to the gym, for your head if not for your body.Tony grew up in Belfast during the Troubles and spoke about how that impacted him and how he only realised his childhood was abnormal when he went to Australia as an adult.

After asking for dilemmas from the listeners, Terence is unhappy to find himself offering relationship advice and defining infidelity in this week's bonus.Thankfully, there were some more traditional zingers in the mix too, including the most controversial of all: Is it window-sill or window-still?Calvin's cleaning habits are exposed and the lads wonder if it's better to be able to change the past or predict the future?Send your questions (or dilemmas!) to [email protected]

It's just the two lads this week as Terence relives his Forbidden Fruit experience and explains why he had a "trauma response" that meant he blocked out one of Nelly Furtado's best songs. Calvin also missed out on his event this weekend after sleeping through almost an entire wedding.A previously unknown phobia of salt and vinegar crisps gets revealed and a realisation that we are all living in the future is made after the discovery of wifi connected coffee machines.And as the Leaving Cert (and Junior Cert!) begins, they both wonder if there would be any hope of them passing an exam if they were to sit it today.Send your questions into [email protected].

Why does Calvin have Front Seat Im Taxi PTSD? Calvin struggles hard with this week's nickname suggestion and makes his feelings VERY clear about it.Eoin has a toast related question for the lads that almost causes a meltdown and they get into it about the eight films that Michael Owen has ever watched. It's not a bad list in fairness. Also ever hear of Joe Quinn Phoenix? Well you're about to.

Fellow GoLoud podcaster, professional roaster and best selling author Mark Mehigan joins us on this week's podcast for a chat about his journey from alcoholism and addiction to his recent recovery. Mark is incredibly honest about his struggles in the past and how far he had to go before he finally reached the point of return. His book 'This Is Not A Self-Help Book' topped the charts on its release and rightly so and is a firm favourite in both our houses.It's an incredible and inspiring story and one Mark tells brilliantly.

Calvin returns from his South American adventure, with stories of altitude sickness and over-confident hiking.We run through the best of the nicknames you've sent us, and there are some superb examples.We have zingers about pigeons hunting thumbs, and a lifelong piece of chewing gum.And we try to figure out what an alien species would make of humanity if Terry Power was sent as Earth's ambassador.

Eddie Sherlock bring us a first for the podcast this week – a song dedicated to, and about, Talking Bollox.More importantly than that, Eddie tells us about how the Stardust disaster impacted his community and how he wrote a song in tribute to the lives lost and the families who so bravely fought for answers in the decades that followed. He plays it for us and it’s a powerful moment.Besides all that, Eddie tells us about life growing up around Dublin, playing for then Ireland ice hockey team, how he got into music and how his songs have become so loved by many people around Dublin.

Would Terence fight a horse? This week we get the answer to the question nobody ever asked.A listener’s hypothetical about a lifetime spent living among farm animals sends the lads into a spin debating the pros and cons of the location of this new life.There’s more discussion on nicknames and, of course, Terence’s ever expanding list of films he hasn’t watched.Terence declares he never needs public transport, and Calvin is high on the buzz of being asked for his ID.

Erin McGregor joined us this week for a chat about life growing up in Crumlin, feeling like she didn't always fit in, and stopping drinking in her 20's.A mother of two, Erin's son Harry has autism and is non verbal. She told us about first realizing that he was different and how overwhelmed she was when coming to terms with it.Erin's love for her kids is obvious when speaking to her but it doesn't stop her from being honest about the challenges of seeing your child struggle or opening up about her concerns about who's going to look after Harry when she gets older.This podcast includes a paid advertisement by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BOLLOX and get on your way to being your best self

The lads reject the idea they have any talent for talking, and wish they could juggle kettles instead.Would you choose the chance to take a year in your own personal paradise, or a lifetime of free passes on your birthday? With a day living beyond the reach of the law on offer, we hear some interesting theories on how to make the most of it.Terence is shaken when Calvin spots the one thing he couldn’t live without, and the idea of a warm drink after a run leaves us reeling.

Seany Kinsella was just 15 when he used heroin for the first time while sleeping rough in Ballymun. It wasn't long after that when he did his first stint behind bars and for the next 10 years he spent his life stuck in the revolving door of the Irish prison system.Seany had tried to get quit drugs and alcohol before, but it took him changing his way of life for him to stay sober. He's now nearly 14 years in recovery. He told us about that journey, and how even when it seemed he had it all figured out, he still wasn't happy until he treated his underlying mental health issues.A truly inspirational figure, Seany now works with Peter McVerry and the Irish Prison Service to help people in the same situation he had been in.This podcast includes a paid advertisement by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BOLLOX and get on your way to being your best self

Calvin is looking for some legal protection to allow him enjoy the comfort of his own home, and wants harsh penalties against those who would dare look through his windows.There’s a discussion on the merits of some pretty untypical workplaces, and Terence is refusing to believe there is worth in a life spent outdoors.A discussion on dogs, and one particular dog’s tricky BMI, turns heated when Calvin crosses Terence’s only red line.

Our good friend Katriona O'Sullivan came back into us this week to update us on life since the release of her best selling book 'Poor', which has included giving a speech at the UN. She showed us how there's so much more to her than poverty and spoke about the importance of education and ensuring equality of opportunity for people from working class communities.She spoke openly about the need to forgive yourself for the less palatable acts committed during addiction and the need for society as a whole to be more understanding.Katriona now runs a programme encouraging girls from DEIS schools to get involved in coding and technology, and explained how important women are to improve the lives of the working class.This podcast includes a paid advertisement by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BOLLOX and get on your way to being your best self.

For the past 14 years, the Coca Cola Thank You Fund has supported projects around Ireland that provide vital programmes for young people aged 16-25, in communities just like ours. This year, the fund is allocating €200,000 in grants to community-based projects that are focussed on learning and sustainable development in Ireland & Northern Ireland. And we’re delighted to have been asked to be ambassadors for the fund this year.We recorded this special episode in front of a live audience at the Bradóg Youth Service in Dublin 1 (where Terence spent a lot of time in his younger years) to hear about the fund, and what it offers communities like ours - and to places like the Bradóg, who make a massive difference to so many young lives. We were joined by two very special guests – Darren Kenny, a D1 native and Director of JustAsk, and Hilary Copeland, from Fighting Words NI, who are each doing brilliant work supporting young people to become more engaged and involved in the world around them.

Terence auditions the world's best and brightest to tell his story, from Bruce Buffer to Dolly Parton, and Booker T.Calvin goes on the warpath against the creeping influence of golf on working class communities.Terence aims high and dreams of becoming the Olympic champion of having a knock.There's more going on to Terry's list of films to watch and podcasts to listen to, but there's fading hope he'll ever find the time.

Dwayne Edgars from Inner City Running Club joined us this week and told us all about setting up the club to get more people in his community active. The club has grown rapidly and has members running everything from Couch to 5ks to Ironmans. He defended the club’s decision to introduce a membership fee and spoke about the community they've built.No stranger to a microphone, Dwayne also told us about his time on X-Factor and how close he came to making it into One Direction.And he even signed Calvin up to 10K, despite his vow to never run again after his marathon.This podcast includes a paid advertisement by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BOLLOX and get on your way to being your best self.

Calvin is on the attack against a particular takeaway cuisine, but Terry isn’t sure he’s quite ready to join him.A listener wants to know what films Terence got to watch during his recent 28 hours spent on a plane, and the answer might be considered a bit underwhelming. Unless you like Guess Who?We also hear about stairs on planes, the invention of sparkling water and rashers, and a record-breaking headless chicken.There’s some disputed facts around David Attenborough and the history of tennis, and a rogue clock is disturbing the peace in the studio.

Change how you think forever, thanks for the ultimate lesson in maximising our brain power from psychologist and neuroscientist Dr. Sabina Brennan who joined us this week to explain what's really going on inside our heads.The former Fair City actress talked us through the various parts of the brain and their function, and told us about the importance of relaxation, sleep, diet, and laughter, as well as how we form memories, and why we can be so forgetful.She also gave Calvin some bad news, your brain starts to shrink once you're 30, but thankfully she has great advice for how to keep our minds active and healthy at any age. And she explained how stress and trauma impact the brain, and why it's so important that we have a balance between routine and new experiences.Everybody will be able to take something useful from this episode about how powerful their mind is and how we can take care of our brain. We have various questions for Sabina in this episode including how to get rid of brain fog and how to reduce the risk of dementia. Sabina gives tips on how to shape your brain, she dispels some myths about the brain and tells us how to develop a super brain.Sabina's book 'The Neuroscience of Manifesting' is available for pre order now - www.orionbooks.co.uk/titles/sabina-brennan/the-neuroscience-of-manifesting/9781398716254/This podcast includes a paid advertisement by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BOLLOX and get on your way to being your best self.

Slating someone for having a surname for a first name is a bit rich coming from Calvin of all people, and he justifiably gets called out. Despite threatening violence in almost every previous bonus episode, Terence can't pick out a celebrity he would like to punch.Calvin is adamant that the industry of dirty magazines has been ruined by the internet and in Eoin's absence it's left to Terence to be the voice of reason and logic. There's also talk of Tallaght house parties, analysis of some strange dreams and a debate on toast versus coffee.

Andrew McGinley lost his three children when they were killed by their mother in 2020. Since then he has fought to keep their memories alive through various projects, and to bring happiness to the world through a charity he founded in their honour.He told us all about his wonderful children, Conor, Darragh and Carla and shared his heartbreaking story, as well as telling us what life has been like for him since then. We heard about how he continues to fight for answers and change to ensure this can’t happen again to any other families.Andrew is an inspiration and while the tragic parts of his story left us in tears, seeing his determination and resilience left us in awe. To support Andrew’s charity work, including the As Darragh Did charity walk on April 20th and 21st visit asdarraghdid.ie or donate directly on idonate.ie/cause/AsDarraghDid. Please follow @conorsclips.andrew, @asdarraghdid & Snowman For Carla to support Andrew and the memory of his children.Please be aware this conversation includes distressing moments. If you have been effected in the issue we speak about in this episode you can call The Samaritans on 116 123.

Listener questions are parked for this episode as Terence talks Thailand. It was an eventful month off on holiday with a distinctly Final Destination feel to it. Calvin explains why March 2024 was the busiest month of his life.

Comedian Joe Dowlin aka the self proclaimed 'Jobstown Joe' joined us for a chat about his life growing up in Tallaght, developing a ruthless sense of humour, and getting hung out to dry by every member of his family.it wasn't all laughs though either, Joe's been through a difficult time and he opened up about his time in emergency accommodation and how he struggled to balance the chaos of his life with work and stand up gigs.This podcast includes a paid advertisement by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BOLLOX and get on your way to being your best self.

Persecution complexes, sentimental art and dropping into the quantum realm (on a swivel chair) occupy Terence and Calvin’s minds this week.There’s talk of if Terence and Calvin are some of the hardest to work with in the business, and how high stakes, pressure cooker moments can bring out everything but the best in people.We also push back on the culture of over sensitive spoiler patrol, and discuss one time meaningful, but now just shite, tattoos.

Caroline Foran is one of Ireland’s most prominent, and successful, voices speaking about anxiety. She is a number 1 best selling author and has helped many people understand their own anxiety, by sharing her own experience living with anxiety and the knowledge she’s picked up on her journey.She also has some great stories for us from her days as a reporter, meeting global stars like Justin Timberlake to Hugh Jackman – and finding out who the truly sound superstars are, and who just turn it on for the cameras.We talk about the trend of “hate-following” someone on social media, and Terence gets some education - ranging from ancient Roman history, to modern day Hollywood trivia.If you have been affected by some of the mental health issues we talk about in this episode, and feel you would like to talk to someone, you can call the Samaritans 24/7, on 116123.

In this week's bonus episode a particular brand of sweets is dramatically named the worst smell of all time by Terence, while Calvin shakes up the greatest film of all time charts with some uncomfortable history lessons. We hear a surprisingly detailed discussion of dog morning breath, make an attempt at designing a new religion, and get bogged down in major matters of pronunciation.

We were joined by Cork comedian Chris Kent this week to chat about life in the supposed 'real capital' and how coming from an area with a bad reputation impacted him growing up. Chris qualified as an electrician but worked full time in comedy instead for 12 years until he had to go back to building sites when all his gigs were cancelled due to Covid. With his comedy career now back on track, Chris revealed the one honour he is still working towards - The elusive Nando's black card, and told us about what happened when he last came close.He also filled us in about not one but two arson incidents he was victim to, not to mention the horror he endured being investigated by the social welfare.This podcast includes a paid advertisement by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BOLLOX and get on your way to being your best self.

Do cows in different counties have regional accents? Does any know where Calvin's budgie is? Is being in a submarine visiting the Titanic the best alibi you can have? The lads take on some truly burning questions this week.Terence's vocabulary continues to expand, although he may need to brush up on some definitions before he accidentally defames someone less forgiving of the misunderstanding. Calvin puts together his apocalypse survival team, but won't be including Terence after learning he can't even put air in a tire let alone light a fire.

With the Paralympic Games just a few months away, Irish table tennis hopeful Colin Judge took a some time away from his training to talk to us about his journey so far. Colin has one arm and no legs and he told us about growing up with a disability, and how his parents instilled independence in him from a young age.He's now ranked 9th in the world but Colin opened up about his losses at big tournaments, including missing out on qualifying for the Olympic Games in Rio, as well as his struggle to regain his position when he was told he would be moved to a new classification group. We talked about his ability to persevere and where that comes from. This podcast includes a paid advertisement by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BOLLOX and get on your way to being your best self.

Calvin admits to breaking his New Years resolution and buying a pair of runners, but his admission doesn't save him from Terence's intervention after a family member reaches out concerned that Calvin's simply swapped one bad shopping habit for another. Although, Calvin claims his fear of not looking fresh could be tied to the inter-generational trauma of the Famine.Terence reveals that he still cringes thinking about his interactions with Coolio, although the two did bond over their shared fear of heights.There's also a chat about the Talking Bollox effect which has seen a number of guests go on to have a very successful period in their careers shortly after appearing on the podcast - Or well, it's happened twice at least.

Comedian Emma Doran joined us for an episode filled with laughs about everything from dogs in heat to the confusing commands when skydiving. She also threw Calvin's day off by introducing him to the word - "Faff".She also told us about having her daughter less than two weeks before she had to sit her Leaving Cert and how she brought books with her into Hollis Street to study while in labour. However, the unexpected pregnancy didn’t hold Emma back and she’s gone on to have a hugely successful comedy career including taking part in the recent Amazon Prime series LOL: Last One Laughing Ireland and a nationwide tour.This podcast includes a paid advertisement by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BOLLOX and get on your way to being your best self.

Terence makes a claim to be Ireland’s healthiest man, eating Ireland’s healthiest breakfast – and a stroll in Howth has left him armed with a vastly expanded vocabulary.Calvin masters the pun game with one deft turn of phrase, and he strikes back at some outrageous claims made against him in the public arena.Terry admits that, despite his previous big claims, he actually does know someone who plays rugby, while the lads weigh up life with a friendly ghost, and life spent with an irrational fear of buildings.Plus, the latest entry in Terence’s chart of the greatest films ever made – and this week the results will shock many.

When he first talked to us three years ago - heavyweight boxer Thomas Carty had big plans. Now, his world has exploded with fights in some of the worlds biggest arenas under his belt and his position as a go to sparring partner for sporting superstars like Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury cemented.He told us about the impact boxing has taken on his body, including passing blood in his urine and explained why he wants people to know that he's more than just a boxer. And his biggest opponent yet also got a mention - Ryanair!This podcast includes a paid advertisement by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BOLLOX and get on your way to being your best self.

Spoiler alert: If you have not seen The Deepest Breath, Terence will spoil it for you here.We bring you liquid meals, plot twists, hot air balloons, adventures in dangerous places, class warfare over desserts, and Terry claiming he could break a couple of world records. Again.The Unofficial Terence Power Film Club continues to roll along, and Rush Hour 2 continues its slide further from its peak as the greatest film in history.And there’s a lot of frustration over never having the option to play rugby, or go free diving.

Former captain and current technical director of Shelbourne FC Luke Byrne joins us this week.Luke played at the top level in Ireland and fought through serious injury and pain to extend his career beyond what certain managers thought possible. He told us about his grueling routine of physio, steroid injections and pain killers to keep his injuries at bay while he played, and we spoke about the controversy he faced early in his career over a transfer and a leaked message between friends went public.He also talked to us about working with Damien Duff at Shels, and Duff’s unique managerial style that has had a transformative impact on the club. We talked about how the League of Ireland has changed and grown in popularity in recent year,s and how it can continue to grow.This podcast includes a paid advertisement by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BOLLOX and get on your way to being your best self.

Terence almost admits defeat in the long-running saga around his ability to hold his breath underwater, but pulls back at the very last moment and instead doubles down.There's a debate over the merits of Texas over Lucan, and we (once again) crown a new "best film of all time", which sadly sees Rush Hour 2 lose its spot at the pinnacle of cinema after just one brief week.Calvin wants to finally get to the bottom of the only Talking Bollox conspiracy there is, and there is a ban enacted on all questions around runners and footwear in general.

Eric Lalor joined us this week for a few laughs - He told us about his life growing up with a deaf parent, starting a comedy career later in life, and why culchies find Dubs funny no matter what we say.Eric was well known for his role in Fair City and he told us how the character still haunts him, as well as why he was once known as "Bono's pet". He now has a podcast with the one and only Willa White and he shared some of the sage advice he's taken from Willa.This podcast includes a paid advertisement by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BOLLOX and get on your way to being your best self.

We bring you a bonus episode recorded (in part) on the stage at the National Stadium, in the hours before our live show.Terence explains why he likes to do show preparation his own way, and Calvin is feeling like he got his prep routine just right. But even the impending live show can’t distract from the serious business of a bonus episode, like more big claims about local crows, accusations Terence is in fact a character being played by a middle class actor, dream celebrity best friends, and the case for Rush Hour 2 being the greatest film of all time.

Georgie Crawford joined us this week, Georgie was diagnosed with breast cancer after having her daughter and during her recovery she realised how little she had been taking care of herself. She told us how she challenged who she thought she was and became one of the country's leading wellness voices in the process. Georgie now has two hugely successful podcasts, The Good Glow and Better Days with another previous guest of ours Gerry Hussey.She also told us about the surrogacy process that brought her second daughter into the world, and the complexities of that.This podcast includes a paid advertisement by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BOLLOX and get on your way to being your best self.

What is the best day of the week? Terence and Calvin debate the pros and cons of all seven, and try to reach some kind of agreement on a seemingly impossible question, before stumbling into an unfortunate mix up between Good Friday and Friday the 13th.There’s listener emails about more awkward handshake disasters, the fading tradition of allowing kids fend for themselves with a packet of crisps in the pub, the much rarer tradition of "stone wars", and there's a chance to change the world forever (a chance that, some might argue, is squandered).The lads weigh up if they could spend eternity wearing a bike helmet, and we have a special message from the one and only Roddy Collins.

It’s just the two of us this week ahead of some big plans this weekend.Terence addresses the controversy his new runners have caused, while both of our opinions about carveries cause murder in the studio.With the live show coming up, we talk about what people can expect, plans for taking the show further afield, and we reminisce on times gone by where we barely made it onto the stage at all.And we attempt to ban the worst slang terms, so we’re coming for all the culchies still saying shift and all the boys from town saying wagwan should watch themselves too.This podcast includes a paid advertisement by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BOLLOX and get on your way to being your best self.

Terence whips himself into a frenzy of confusion between an obituary ad becoming priest, as a listener sends him proof he is not the world’s only Terence Power.Calvin wants figure out a way to keep score of every aspect of our lives, from cups of coffee and up.There’s a disturbing tale of a dead dog and a guilty conscience, an apology to Phil Collins, and tales of Dennis Rodman hanging around with dictators.

Ireland's favourite New Yorker, Des Bishop came back in for his second visit while on a trip back to Dublin, and told us all about his new special, Des Bishop Of All People and the difference between doing comedy in America & Ireland.Des drops a few names like Chris Rock, Robbie Keane, Tommy Tiernan and explains how he slid into his wife's DM's - All before Calvin derails the podcast when he thinks he hears a cricket in the studio.

The pressure of the public tap is at the forefront of Terence’s mind, and he’s struggling to get over some tap-related PTSD from a couple of very public shamings. Calvin’s in full understanding of how Pirates of The Caribbean has Texas Vibes, but less understanding of people thinking it’s a pirate film.And then there’s some aliens in recovery, and an unexpected  but absolutely full-blooded endorsement of Phil Collins as the GOAT.