Talking Bollox Podcast

Terence's heart has been growing this Christmas, and he's considering throwing his doors open to his hipster neighbours.Calvin has a call to arms for your new year resolutions, and there's big decisions to be made on staying overnight in a haunted house or a frozen forest, and wrestling alligators or gorillas.We hear about world records for holding breath, but Terence doesn't believe them. Then we hear about average times for holding breath, and Terence is outraged.Send your questions and comments and anything else to [email protected]

Roddy was back in with us for his hattrick. As we lead up to Christmas, we talk about everything from Roddy’s favourite Christmas traditions and his most memorable present as a child to his chance encounter with Shane McGowan.He challenged Calvin to his title as the best at bunking in, shared some stories about getting caught out in a lie by his missus and he even joined in with answering your listener questions!

Mysterious sightings of mysterious strangers are leaving Terence feeling deeply unsettled this week.Calvin has some intel for us on dangers lurking in the deep off the Dublin coast.Terry has been touching more animal eyes, in Dunnes this time, and Calvin has a lesson for us on one of history's most consequential coincidences.

It's just the two lads for this week's episode and there are a few juicy confessions to kick off with, including Terence's new favourite drink and Calvin's unusual diet, not to mention his 38 hour fast. There's also chat about Terry’s hair line and the whole new look and haircut he'll be sporting in 2024. There's talk of politics and the importance of voting and having your area be represented, as well as plans for the future - Not just dream guests for next year but funeral songs and soups are also debated.

The facts and "facts" are flying around this week, with many claims and counter-claims.We sift through your questions and they lead us to discuss sneaky bath bombs, own brand crisps, the world's loudest animal, and Calvin ageing gracelessly as he struggles to come to grips with life in his 30s.Terence has a hard time arguing Calvin has gone middle class when he lets slip about his own coconut latte addiction, and quickly deflects by blaming Calvin for him mistakenly buying an air fryer.Send your questions and messages to [email protected]

Football legend, and one of Ireland's top international goal scorers, second only to Robbie Keane, Olivia O'Toole joined us this week. She told us about growing up in Sheriff Street during a heroin epidemic that impacted her family directly and how her love of football helped to keep her on the right path. She also spoke about the changing attitudes towards women's football since her days being sent off the pitch when the other team noticed she was a girl. Olivia told us what the Irish qualification for the Women's World Cup meant for her and shared her hopes that seeing a packed stadium of Irish supporters will inspire a whole new generation of female players and ensure that the sport continues to grow.

A listener's question leads to a historic moment, and the founding of a nation created by and for Talking Bollox. The fledgling nation will be located off the coast of Dublin and to start will have just a handful of laws - mostly related to footwear, and some related to getting fresh.Terence has hired the bodyguard John Lennon should have had, while Calvin wants to raise an issue with Terencea warning about a trans-Atlantic tsunami.Terence's mind is blown when he misunderstands that there are kangaroos in north County Dublin, and he's wondering what life would be like being addressed as Lord Power.

Dec joins us to talk about everything form growing up being bullied in school to becoming a huge DJ & radio presenter in Ireland. He also tells us how he set up Block Rockin Beats, which is a huge success and is getting bigger and bigger! Dec gets into detail about his health scare at the start of the year. He talks about the trauma that has come with that, how he tries to deal with it now & ow he's grateful to be able t do certain things with his life again.

The best insults, tales of spoiled dogs and planning holidays to Antarctica (without your appendix) - it's a meandering episode this weekYour questions have Terence and Calvin considering if they'd sacrifice the internet to save the chipper (while questioning what became of Dublin's best chippers), and wondering why some people are producing gourmet meals for dogs. Terry is on Sky Scanner pricing up flights to the South Pole, and Calvin is wondering if there are more people in Antarctica or Leitrim. Send your questions and comments to us on email - [email protected]

Ahead of Friday's live show, comedian Danny O'Brien joined us to offer some of his own disaster stories from the stage and his tips for putting it all into perspective, like reminding yourself no matter how bad it went 'nobody died'. He told us about performing in the Ringsend flats and the community spirit he felt there, even after the event got broken up by the Guards.He also spoke about his work in addiction services and why its so personal to him, as well as sharing some gas tales from the workshops he does in prisons and schools.

Would Terence make a good cult leader? Is Calvin on the juice, or has he just been eating a lot of whole cakes?Terence decides he might skip the cult circuit and go straight for the Aras, if he can turn down his invite to the 27 club and makes it to 35.The lads give their best shot at inventing a conspiracy theory, Calvin is trying to explain Squirrel Stamps to Terence, and there’s a detailed debate about the world’s soundest animal (besides dogs).

MMA fighter Nathan Kelly joined us this week to tell us how fighting helped him both during his childhood in Finglas and later when he went down the wrong path with drugs and alcohol. He explained how he turned things around, even going on to fight at Madison Square Garden with a headline show in the 3arena coming up on the 8th of December.

From panicking in the shower to swearing by LL Cool J’s “iconic” Deep Blue Sea, Terence is thriving in the water this week. A film recommendation from Calvin sees Terence insisting he can be a world beating free-diver, but not without warning of the dangers of panicking in the shower. And some education on record breaking films leads to him swearing off all fish cinema – except one.There’s a debate on movie soundtracks, a reflection on awkward fan interactions, colonies on the moon, and a passionate endorsement of a local delicacy.

PJ Gallagher has been one of Ireland's most famous faces for the past two decades, and has lived his life in the public eye in that time - but he is only now telling the full story.He spoke to us about growing up in a house with alcoholic parents and 5 men with schizophrenia; how he got into comedy; the birth of Naked Camera and the inspiration behind Jake Stevens; how he found out he was adopted and contacted his birth parents, and how his struggle with depression very nearly saw him take his own life, but through the help of friends and the proper car he was able to come out the far side.We also hear about the time a young Calvin and his mates jumped PJ, during a recording of Naked Camera.

Terence has been conned by a DM of disinformation, while Calvin is outraged by the poor terminology used by one listener around breakfast. There are calls for the banning of hard crisps (to protect Terry's teeth), while Calvin makes a stunning admission about his own ignorance of one popular morning staple.The lads try to weigh up their chances in a race against Usain Bolt, and also decide on the one form of potatoes to live with for the rest of their days.A choice between the hiccups and sneezing leads to an existential monologue about the meaning of life and what comes in the after life.And Terence has been doing his homework, watching a few films, and he's wondering why the rest of the team at Talking Bollox can't keep up with his ferocious work ethic.

After giving up on his dream of becoming a professional footballer, Marcus Cowzer spent years being unsure of his future, feeling like he had disappointed his father and being unable to deal with the anger and fear of abandonment inside him. While he did eventually rebuild his relationship with his father, it wasn't without a struggle.He tells us about growing up feeling like nothing he did was ever good enough, and how his father's death sent him on his journey to becoming a psychotherapist. He shares some tools for self discovery he learned along the way, which are included in his journal ‘What was - What is - What now?’

It's been a while but we go back to just the two boys this week. We take your questions and talk about everything from suspected hauntings, to the trickier elements of dog ownership, to Terence's shocking New Balance admission.

Terence recalls his time spent recently on a strange hospital ward with some unusual, but lovable, neighbours - and Calvin wonders if there might have been more going on that Terry realised.Terence admits, quite proudly, he wants to cry more, while Calvin has an incredible true tale about the highest non-fatal fall in human history.A question about eating a bucket of onions make Terence seriously doubt if Calvin has become middle class.And the lads are making some interesting choices, between Oscars and Grammys, and between 24/7 cooks or cleaners.

This is a powerful tale of pulling yourself back from the brink, and escaping even the darkest moments.Chris found himself trapped in a spiral of drink and drugs that led to extreme paranoia and psychosis - to the point he believed a hitman was chasing him, and his family were aiding the plot to kill him.Today Chris runs 5km (at least) every day, and he has done that for over 200 days in a row now. The road between these two points was winding, often rough, and ultimately inspiring.Chris tells us this story in fascinating detail, explores where the root causes of his addictions may have been, and we talk about how the problems that caught Chris are right now impacting a lot more young people than we probably like to admit.

Terence has been paying extortionate prices for sandwiches and Calvin thinks it's time to strike back against the cost of living crisis, in his own particular way.Terence wants to get clarity on how murder charges work, and if podcasting can have any bearing on them, while Calvin wonders if the charge for murdering Tupac should be worth the same when it's taken almost three decades to get an arrest.One listener's question has the lads reminiscing about what might have been in some major sporting moments in Irish history; and burgers and soup meet in a question that threatens to derail the entire Talking Bollox project.

Jordan McCann has come through many obstacles and battled many demons to become a hugely respected musician. He talks to us about life growing up in Little Hulton, his experiences of prison, and the damage left behind by poverty and addiction.He talks to us about how everyone can turn their life around, and how he left behind a life on the streets to achieve his success.

What are the most valuable liquids in the world? Terence and Calvin attempt to make their own lists and include some questionable additions like Blue Powerade and Volvic Water.A listener gets in touch to share another random fact that has the boys wondering what defines a castle, while a different question has them debating the months of the summer season.And Terence is left to defend himself after being spotted heading to the Busted concert.

Since he first spoke to us over 2 years ago, Kiefer Crosbie has gone on to achieve his dream of fighting in the UFC - But he won't stop there. Kiefer told us all about the journey he's been on to get to this point, and what he sees in his future, including a return of the UFC to Dublin. He also talked about the power of martial arts in preventing violence on the streets and Terence called him out for potentially breaking his ribs during training.

If the zombie apocalypse came to Ireland, would Terence and Calvin team up for survival, or each go their own way? One listener's question about their survival plans kicks off a major difference of opinion, and leads to some strange revelations and worrying admissions.There's a seemingly unanswerable riddle that leads to deep thought on the importance of the element of surprise when it comes to your pain threshold and Terence threatening people with assault by a six-year-old.And a listener's tips on public toilet hygiene blows Terence's mind.

Hypnotist, magician and brain hacker Keith Barry joined us this week to explain how he got started with magic and mind reading, his work with some very well known names including Morgan Freeman and Nicole Scherzinger and he even hacks our brains and makes a promise to rid Terence of his smoking habit through hypnosis.

After a long hiatus we return to the studio for a very special bonus episode. Terence gives an update on what has kept him away for so long and why it's cost him two teeth, so far. Calvin argues he could be a pilot with minimal time spent training, while Terence argues he got the better of Lance Armstrong going up Howth Hill.There’s also some talk of clapping at funerals and on flights, while Terence admits to breaking out in applause in taxis - and gets thrown a Texas question to welcome him back.

Our biggest ever live show! We packed out the National Stadium for our show on the 28th of June and were joined by our most requested guest ever Willa White who had us all in stitches with his stories, illusionist Keith Barry also appeared and did a few tricks with us and we even got Maverick Sabre to sing us all a few songs!

A Talking Bollox first this week, as we have an episode with just one of the lads. Illness meant Terence wasn't able to make it to Electric Picnic this year, so Calvin called on Willa White to share the stage with him. It wasn't quite the show we had all hoped for, but Willa brought some stories and jokes that lifted the roof off the place.

Calvin has a new theory about the flocks of Spanish students he's been seeing on the bus this past summer, while Terence is too busy getting recognised by bus and Luas drivers to notice - Although it unclear whether this fame is due to the podcast or his shameless disregard for buying tickets. There's also talk of spur of the moment tattoos, surprising ecosystems and survival on coffee alone.

Ali Ryan joined us to talk to us about her huge success as a showbiz journalist, founding Goss.ie at just 23 and her struggles and determination to keep it afloat in the early years. She also opened up about the sex tape filmed without her consent, the blackmail and rumours around it, and the impact it had on her life.

Terence suffers from a bout of sleep paralysis that sends him down a YouTube rabbit hole and has him worried he might be the latest member of the 27 club. Meanwhile, Calvin is reassessing his music playlists in favour of podcasts and choosing who he would bring back from the dead for a headline act at Electric Picnic. There's also an assertion that Howth Head is a harder cycle than the Tour De France and a promise of a big budget guests in the next year...

Former Governor of Mountjoy Prison, Eddie Mullins joined us as he moves into a new role where he'll be tackling the issues around the inner city. We chat about the solutions to those issues, including preventative measures and more balanced reporting in the media and online. We also hear about how Dublin, and Mountjoy, has changed over the past 30 years as well as what has stayed the same.

Are there more mullets now than there are skin fades? Yes, according to Terence and Calvin, but what they don't know is whether they're by choice or the result of being unfaithful to your barber. They ponder this, along with questions about going back in time, emigrating and sacrificing your sight for your family. Terence also offers some advice to aspiring runners and while Calvin shares his own fond memories of chasing after a shoplifter. Send your listener questions or comments to [email protected]

Kiera Dignam joined us to talk about being bullied in school, getting pregnant at 16 and being a 'nepo baby'. In the wake of her father Christy's passing, she also told us about how music has helped her to deal with grief and why he could never be replaced.

Calvin's taste in TV shows is questioned, along with his life philosophy after he is forced to choose between lions and sardines. And Terence tells us why he's getting sick of explaining his 'embarrassing' tattoo. A listener reaches out with some statistics that reignite the 147, 9 darter, hole in 1 debate and the lads discuss recent cases of antisocial behaviour in Dublin, possible solutions and their own run ins with the law. Send your listener questions or comments to [email protected]

Next week's bonus episode comes early after a tooth ache throws off the typical recording schedule but there's still plenty of Talking Bollox with tales of heroic life saving and dramatic plane journeys. Not to mention the listener questions which have Terence contemplating life as a spy and Calvin reminiscing on some of the stranger 'facts' he learned in college. The lads also debate the best quiz show to win and the explore the strange world of Japanese reality TV. Send your listener questions or comments to [email protected].

The bonus episodes return with big dreams, from a young Calvin’s childhood dream of becoming an astronaut, to Terry Flower’s mission to become a mogul in 12 months, and a blueprint for success for the Talking Bollox business empire. Calvin is still fielding a wave of hate over a tweet, while Terence is wondering what he can make his enemies eat for eternity. They lament the lack of passion shown in sandwich making at times, and remember a story of murder down at the shop, and sketch out plans for the Talking Bollox business empire. Send your listener questions or comments to [email protected]

We return after our break and we've got a few things to talk about - from Terence's discovery that Talking Bollox appears to be huge in Turkey, to some stories from behind the scenes of our recent live shows. And, as promised, there's the big reveal on the complex, secretive story behind the R episodes.

This week we bring you our favourite Talking Bollox moments from the world of sport. We’ve got inspirational stories of recovery, the lessons that come with missing out on huge potential but finding peace, and a chat with the world’s biggest boxing promoter – Eddie Hearn.

Terence is considering a calling from God, but early signs are the priesthood might not be for him. The coffee and strawberry debates (and listener backlash) continue, while Terence has some "facts" about beverage temperatures - and Calvin wants a fact check on those "facts". Terence worries his potted memory of the Rocky films is a sign of a serious and concerning memory issue, while the lads weigh up their go-to films and TV shows. And there's a request for an inter-podcast WWE style tag team match.

After our shows at the National Stadium we decided to go back to the archives and bring you some of our favourite bits from our live shows, going right back to the start. We've put together a mix of moments from when we were joined on stage by Roddy Collins, John Connors, Marc O'Neill, Senator Lynn Ruane, Hughie Maughan, Aoife Moore, James Kavanagh, Ciaran Moran and Enya Martin.

Terence is in a rage against a local festival that has ruined his week, and Calvin has some issues with the gentrification of place names in the inner city. Calvin is left baffled by Terence's bizarrely in depth knowledge of animals who have worked as spies, and a story of a pigeon that is too good to be true. There's some discussion of the recent controversy at RTE - and Terence makes the case for refusing nothing in life but a clatter. The thesaurus fellas make an effort to expand vocabulary, from German shepherds, to red sauce and sofas.

Ahead of two of our biggest ever live shows at the National Stadium we sit down to answer your important questions, like would we rather go on Love Island or Big Brother and which is harder a hole in one, a 147, or a nine darter? And is now the right time to reveal the secret meaning behind the 'R' words?

The true worth of iced coffee threatens to ignite all out war, with CAlvin and Terence firmly at odds. Calvin gives Terence has a revelation about coat hooks in his home, and this leads to him making an admission about a very sentimental bottle of cooking oil. Live show nerves are in the background, but Terence has a new diet of around the clock porridge that is going to see him through.

Friend of the podcast, Roddy Collins joins us once again to entertain with stories of singing down the phone to his book publisher, a holiday home that was once a caravan and awards ceremonies gone wrong. We also suggest a few other career opportunities for him now that his book has been released, including his own podcast or a return to management and he tells us why he has never been happier than he is now.

Terence claims to be the world's greatest player at a very particular and parochial game, Calvin wants to whittle down the list of potential narrators to tell the Talking Bollox story. The lads weigh up which celebrity they would live with for a year, and Terence wants to know if we can talk about Adele. There are death row menus and the highly fluid local rules of switch are discussed.

100 episodes later, Darren Conway is back in with us for a part 2. We chat about Darren's work in the couple of years since he was last in, from his TV series to his own podcast, and how he's now fielding frequent calls from Terence - sometimes with strange results. There's a bit of reminiscing about Terence and Calvin's acting debut on Darren & Joe's Free Gaff, and an explanation of the origins of "The Hooley Gooley" threat. We also talk in-depth about how the pressures of being a well known face can sometimes becoming overwhelming. Darren and Terence in particular discuss how at times they find themselves wondering to handle it all, and while they appreciate and love the support they receive, they do sometimes struggle with how to react to it.

Terence practices telepathy while trying to decide on his favourite Irish film of all time; there's an offer to play a life or death game with tempting odds; Calvin rails against the James Bond franchise while he also considers body modifications to secure a one hundred million euro prize. And we meet the first known Swedish Talking Bollox fan, and Terence stereotypes the life out of the Swedish nation.

Ireland's first female world champion boxer, Deirdre Gogarty faced a lot of obstacles in her journey to becoming champion including the attitude towards women boxing in Ireland, dangerous unsanctioned matches, and having to make weight by stuffing her pockets with coins - just to get a chance to fight. She joined us to share her story and to discuss the progress of Katie Taylor from exchanging letters at a young age to sitting ringside at her most recent fight.

The inability to do a wheelie continues to haunt Terence and Calvin, but memories of the thrill of the chase of childhood knick knacks still warms their hearts. Terence has been crank calling Darren Conway, while Calvin shows startlingly quick reactions when asked about a giraffe wearing a tie. There's some more serious discussion about crime and punishment, and a zinger to make your skin crawl.