Talking Bollox Podcast

Katriona is a doctor with a PhD in psychology, but she has had to face some incredible obstacles to get where she is today. She told us about growing up in poverty and with parents who were addicts, having a child at 15, and ending up homeless, suffering with her own addiction - and then how she turned it all around. We talk about how teachers can have an incredible, transformative impact on the life of a kid who's struggling - or they an do the opposite. Katriona is a powerhouse and her story is inspirational. She is the author of a new book, telling her owns tory, called 'Poor'.

Listeners have a strange array of questions for us this week - everything from needing answers on blocking the toilet at work; giving your mortal enemy a cash windfall, and the symbolism of strange dreams. As well as all of that, we look back at Eddie Hearn's visit to the studio, Terence considers boycotting Spotify on moral grounds, and the scammers have been coming for us.

Gerry is a performance psychologist and author of ‘Awaken Your Power Within’ and more. He joined us to share his story of struggling with his mental health from a young age and told us how it nearly cost him his life as a child. That experience inspired Gerry to learn more about the brain and how we can train it with the right exercises to reduce anxiety and to live a more fulfilling, rewarding life. Gerry also uses his psychological expertise to help high performance athletes cope with stress and he shared some great examples of it in action on the pitch! If you have been impacted by any of the topics discussed in this week's episode, you can contact Samaritans: National 24hr Helpline: 116 123 Email: [email protected] Website: www.samaritans.org

Terence sees the vast potential in the powers of teleportation (of others), Calvin has big questions about strange names, a listener challenges the lads to consider which animal they would stand the best chance with in a fight, and the lads weigh up which fictional movie character they'd choose to live the rest of their days as.

Chairman of Matchroom Sports and arguably the world's most influential boxing promoter, Eddie Hearn joined us ahead of Katie Taylor's homecoming to discuss the legacy of the fight, and how his attitude towards women's sports has changed over the years. He also told us about his upbringing, the origins of his work ethic and his drive to win.

Umbrella theft, superstitions, the size of fridges, chewing gum in the shower and debatable time travel options - it's a weird one, but Terence explaining his problem with switches on plug sockets takes us on a journey into another realm entirely. Calvin admits to multiple holding on to multiple superstitions, and a strict code of conduct towards magpies, which Terence mocks him for before admitting to one of the strangest habits we're ever likely to hear. There's a serious debate about the morals of umbrella theft, a listener has some important public health info to add to the recent discussion around holding in farts, while a disagreement over the size of Irish fridges kicks off. And a listener offers the lads the chance to travel forward in time and see what has become of their worlds. Send your questions and messages for the bonus episodes to [email protected]

Pat Shortt is one of Ireland's most famous, and most loved, comedians and actors. We talked about his early life growing up, how D'Unbelievables got their start, the fame of Father Ted, and how later in his career he has earned respect as an actor - including a big role in the Banshees of Inisherin. And not to forget, knocking Shakira off the top of the charts with "Jumbo Breakfast Roll".

Terence is thrown into a tailspin by questions over who invented time, while Calvin is baffled by how far away Lucan is. Calvin has lessons for us on the world of pigeon fancying - a world Terence insists he never had the opportunity to enter - and they consider which of the two of them is more difficult to spend time with. Then there's listener questions, leading us to conversations about hauntings, a missing moon, the daily workload of a modern day exorcist, and musical guilty pleasures.

Chris comes in to chat with us about the League of Ireland, arriving to play for Bohs in his school uniform and beating the likes of Villa & Leicester in cup games for Peterborough. He names the best and worst players he’s played with in his career so far and goes through some career highs and lows, including struggling with his mental health while playing in the UK after the death of his sister.

You asked for them, so we've delivered them. The bonus episodes are here. In our first ever extra episode we take your questions, give some stories that haven't made it into the main episodes, and have all of the details about our next live show. Terence wonders who invented the English language, Calvin makes the case against dolphins and they debate which ghost they'd most want to have as a guest on the podcast.

After a lot of manifesting by Terence, comedian and host of Have A Word podcast, Adam Rowe joined us this week for a chat about everything from flying and counting cards to conspiracies and aliens. He also told us about his life growing up in Liverpool, and how he went from maths whizz-kid to stand up comedian.

We chat about the aftermath of last weeks episode with Tánaiste Micheál Martin - from the reaction, good and bad, to some of the more incredible conspiracy theories people came up with around it all. We also answer your questions, throw out some zingers of our own, and Terence goes down a rabbit hole on his complex, fraught lifelong relationship with bees.

We're joined by Tánaiste Micheál Martin this week. We talk about his early life growing up in Cork, his start in politics and what it's like to become Taoiseach. And of course we throw him a few zingers. Beyond that, we get into an in-depth discussion on issues like social inequality, Ireland's drugs policy and the housing crisis.

Once known as 'Rowdy' Owen Roddy and now known for his coaching expertise, Owen joined us to chat about about his life growing up, his start in MMA & how sports saved his life. He also told us about some of the lessons it has taught him including how being a Jack of all trades is sometimes better than being a master of one and he revealed why Nate Diaz wouldn’t survive walking down Summerhill.

We welcome comedian Neil Delamere back to the pod this week and he's brought along his own podcast co-host, Dave Moore, of Today FM, to give us a general knowledge workout. We talked about everything from Mastermind specialist subjects, to collecting runners, the baffling number of molecules in a glass of water, swimming with sharks, and even a quickfire quiz.

This week, the lads sit down together to catch up and run through some of your questions. They offer up their opinions on everything from crows and water slides to rugby fans and the middle class and debate how much money they would need to send their mams to jail for a year. Calvin also shares some advice for new dads and ruins Terence's dream of becoming a father to twins.

Eve is a stalking victim, who has used her personal experience to campaign for the introduction of laws against stalking in Ireland. She was followed relentlessly from first thing in the morning to last thing at night by a man with a fixation on her. He was eventually jailed for breaking into her home and attacking her housemate with a hammer and was released earlier this month. Eve told us about her experience and her ongoing fight for dedicated laws against stalking in Ireland to protect those going through similar situations. If you have been impacted by any of the topics discussed in this week's episode, you can contact Women's Aid: National 24hr Helpline: 1800 341 900 Email: [email protected] Twitter: @Womens_Aid

Darren is a youth worker who has worked in Dublin's inner city for many years, including with Terence as a young man. Darren told us about growing up in Ballymun and how that environment gave him the tools to help young people later in life. He spoke to us about the seismic changes youth workers can quietly do to turn around the lives of people that others might have given up on, why the greatest successes aren't the loudest ones in life, and he also has some cracking stories for us.

This week we talked to one of the biggest names in men's fashion, the one and only Tommy Mallet. We talk about everything from his childhood in London, the earliest days of Mallet clothing, Tommy's new view on life since receiving a diagnosis for ADD, and his Pearse Street roots (and his ma's coddle).

The lads take your questions and try to help out with your requests for advice, and this week there are some strange, disturbing and hilarious submissions from listeners. Everything from bomb disposal on a push bike, to managing Valentine's disasters, to how to unravel the mystery of a suspiciously locked room in a rented house. And to go with that, Terence has found his old school journal, and it offers a glimpse into the chaotic world of teenage Terry.

Ray Lane is a veteran bomb disposal expert from Dublin. His career began by working to defuse IRA bombs and trying to outsmart and track down the bombers, some of whom he got to know personally. When the NATO forces in Afghanistan were facing a daily onslaught of Taliban bombs, it was Ray who they sent for, as his experience from Ireland gave him an insight unlike anyone else. He also worked as a diplomat in Bosnia during the civil war there, and witnessed horrific acts committed by people against their own neighbours. The horrors of that war left a deep, permanent mark on him and he would later go on testify about what he saw in war crimes trials. Ray has led an incredible life and he spoke to us about all of it, including why he loved his work and what it takes to be the person who walks towards a 1000kg bomb - and why Hollywood movies can never truly show the craft of defusing a bomb.

Conor Moore, AKA Conor Sketches, has achieved global fame and success with his comedy and impressions. He tells us the incredible story of how he went from making a video about his local GAA club, just for his close friends, to working with superstars like Tiger Woods and Jose Mourinho - and even having Justin Timberlake steal his punchlines.

Sharon is a psychologist who has been working on mental health, addiction and trauma throughout her career. She spoke to us about her work, about 'social capital' and how it impacts all of our lives, and why no matter how hard someone works the likelihood is that without social capital you can't beat the system.

The two boys sit down to take your questions and talk about everything from what they'd put in a Dublin time capsule, to Terence's chances of outwitting and out-running a silverback gorilla in the Ilac Centre, and the one mystery they would love to know the truth behind.

Aoife Moore is a journalist covering Irish politics. She was a guest at our last live show and since then we've been hounded by requests to get her on for a full episode. We talked about everything from how the murder of her uncle on Bloody Sunday inspired Aoife to want to be a journalist, the online abuse she has faced, what it's like covering Irish politics, the protests around refugee centres, the prospects for a united Ireland, and how trauma rooted in The Troubles lives on today.

This one goes as you might expect - a bit of everything and all over the place in the best way possible. We talk a little about men and their health (and why old habits die hard), Jason's heart troubles, Terence's mystery lump, UFOs, the speed of sound, and why it's never a good idea to start a fight with a celebrity.

Roddy Collins, Aoife Moore and James Kavanagh were our guests for talking Bollox Live at Vicar Street on the 19th of November... and this might be our favourite live show so far. There was an incredible atmosphere in the crowd that night and the guests gave us big laughs and powerful conversations.

We take a moment this week to sit down and look back on some of our favourite moments and guests from the past 12 months. It has been an incredible year for Talking Bollox and we wanted to take a bit of time to thank the listeners and give you some insight into the biggest moments of the year, and give you a few stories from behind the scenes. We've got music, comedy and incredible personal stories in this episode.

It's a Talking Bollox Christmas special this week, with the two lads sitting down to talk about their Christmas traditions and a few other things that come to mind over the festive season. Plus there's plenty of questions from listeners answered, and Terence reveals his newfound dream to become a star of the big screen.

Kenneth was once stuck in the trap of a vicious cycle of drug addiction and crime, which stemmed from trauma in his early years. It was the birth of his daughter that motivated him to change his life, and since then he has gone on an incredible road to recovery ad redemption and now dedicates himself to helping others. This episode brings us back to our roots and it was an inspiring story to hear.

This week the 2 lads are joined by 2 of the biggest DJs not only in Dublin but in Ireland, Belters Only. They chat about how they came together and found the incredible success they've had, how dark periods left them stronger and better able to handle the pitfalls of the music industry, and why timing is everything in life.

Charles Self, an RTE set designer, was brutally murdered in his own home on an icy night in January 1982. 40 years later the case remains clouded in mystery. The investigation that followed saw 1500 gay men interviewed around Dublin, with many feeling the gardai used the investigation as cover to carry out a witch hunt against the gay community, at a time when homosexual acts were outlawed in Ireland. The murder happened in a very different Ireland to today's society - gay people were hunted by vicious gangs and got little protection from the police or courts, who more than once allowed killers to walk free because their victims were gay. We're joined by Frank Greaney, who has investigated the Charles Self case in his new podcast 'Inside the Crime', and Bill Foley, a gay rights activist who tells us about the hate and danger the LGBT community faced in the Ireland of the 1980s.

It's our 100th episode so we're having a bit of party. Dublin rappers Versatile - Casper Walsh and Eskimo Supreme - join us for their first ever in-depth interview. They tell their story for the first time, from breaking new ground in Irish music with the incredible heights of their 3 Arena show, to dark days when they faced calls for their cancellation amid allegations of racism and misogyny. And of course we couldn't have our 100th episode without the legend that is Willa White. He drops in and adds to the chaos the way only he can.

Maverick Sabre is one of the most talented and successful Irish artists of recent years and he joins the lads to talk about his rise in the music industry, struggling with identity between his Irish and English roots, and how sage advice and making the right moves at the right times helped him avoid potential pitfalls on the road to fame.

This week the lads answer your questions. Everything from how to set up your own podcast; the one musical artist they could listen to forever, and what would be your death row meal?

Neil Delamare is one of Ireland's best known and most successful stand up comedians and he joined us for what turned out to be a hilarious, interesting chat that covered everything from Ireland's greatest moments, to mysteries around the pyramids, Terence's obsession with JFK, and a very tricky zinger about time travel.

Missed the lads at EP?? No bother as in this episode we hear Talking Bollox live from Electric Picnic. Listen as the lads talk all about being backstage, the artists, the energy and a special guest makes an appearance too.

This week on the podcast, the lads are joined by the stars of The Two Norries Podcast, James Leonard & Timmy Long. They discuss what it was like growing up in Cork City, addiction, crime, mental health and how their podcast is their way of releasing stress and getting things off their chest.

With the week that’s in it, after selling out two nights at Vicar St faster than any other podcast in history, we’re putting out our most recent live show at the iconic venue. What a night this was! Recorded in front of a capacity crowd in August 19, 2022, the place was electric as always! We want to say a huge thanks to our guests on the night Marc O'Neill, John Connors, Dylan Moran and Ciaran Moran.

This week the lads are joined by Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist Enda Murphy. His firsthand experience of having ADHD has given Enda a unique insight into the difficulties children and adolescence face in growing up. This insight has enabled him to translate complex psychodynamics into easily understood programmes for parents, teachers and health professionals. His understanding and ability to communicate is astounding and we learn a few things about Calvin and Terence too.

One of Ireland's greatest songwriters and one of Dublin's finest ambassadors joins us this week. Damo talks to us about everything from growing up in Donaghmede to making his break into music, his outlook and philosophy on life, his legendary gigs and cult following - and he has a zinger that leaves the lads completely stumped. And, of course, Damo plays a few tunes for us - and he nearly takes the roof off the place.

The two lads sit down for a catch up and to take questions from listeners. We cover everything from why the Garth Brooks gigs have Terence living in a state of fear, the potential to run away forever to Sweden, our dream superhero powers, and what advice we would give to our 15-year-old selves. Plus there is some quiet reflection on addiction and recovery, as a big month passes.

John is one of Ireland's most famous actors and he's never been scared of voicing his opinion, which has often led to controversy. He came in to chat with us and for the first ever he talks about it all - from politics to cancel culture, to suicide, career success and personal breakdowns - and how acting saved his life more than once. Above all though this one was a great laugh, and we made sure to ask what it was like to kill Nidge.

Shauna Bannon is one of the lading faces of Irish MMA and her personal story is one of incredible determination in pursuing excellence, as she aims to reach the MMA by the age of 30. She joined us to talk through her journey to mixed martial arts, through a career in kickboxing that started age 3 and ended up with world titles. And to go with it all that she talked to us about what it's like chasing that dream while being a single mother, and handling the tough training schedule with raising her son.

We make Talking Bollox history this week, as we have the first ever guest hattrick, with Willa White making his third appearance. To mark the occasion we covered everything from Goldilocks going over bank counters for porridge, the greatest Dublin slang, Terence and Calvin's supernatural encounters, and Willa's choice for an alternative to a guide cat.

The Miami Showband Massacre is one of the most infamous atrocities of The Troubles. In the early hours of the morning The MiamI Showband - then one of Ireland's most famous groups - were stopped at what appeared to be a military checkpoint in County Down. It was in fact an ambush, planned as an attempt to frame the band as terrorists. Three of the band members were killed in the attack. Stephen Travers was one of the survivors of the attack and was left fighting for his life in the aftermath. Since then he has campaigned for the truth behind the attack, and also to help other victims of The Troubles unravel the dark cloud of secrets that hangs to this day. Despite the subject, ultimately this is a conversation full of hope and happiness. Stephen is an inspiring man and it was a pleasure to have him tell us his story.

On June 19th we played Vicar Street for the first time, and it was an incredible night with a sold out crowd lifting the roof off the place. The guests that joined us on stage were comedian Enya Martin, sex educator Jenny Keane, and musician and D1 native Gemma Dunleavy.

Tony Groves is the co-founder of the Tortoise Shack podcast publishing platform, a former banker and an active political commentator. In this episode, Tony speaks to us about the number of people who have died while in Garda custody, and some of his grievances with GSOC. He also discusses going viral online after his appearance on Claire Byrne Live, as well as the issues of housing and classism. He offers an insight into his days working in the banking sector before and during the financial crash and how that has impacted on his life now.

We go back to just the two boys in the studio this week. We want to discuss a few things on our mind and take your questions. You've given us some very interesting zingers and asked us about everything from how we approach and handle our deeper episodes, to why Terence keeps starting on everyone.

In 2019 Sarah Grace was violently sexually assaulted in her home by a man who broke into her bedroom. She told us the harrowing story of that night and the battle she then had to fight to ensure her attacker was brought to justice. What she went through made her determined to speak out to help others who might have to go through the same thing. It is an eye opening account of how a survivor of sexual violence can emerge on the far side, and the legal hurdles in their way. This episode contains discussions about violence, sexual assault and rape. If you have been impacted by any of the topics discussed in this week's episode, you can contact the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (no matter where you are in the country): National 24hr Helpline: 1800 77 8888 Email: [email protected] Instagram: @dublinrapecrisis Twitter: @DublinRCC