Episodes
Published 07/11/24
In the latest episode of The Confession Box, host Wendy Grace chats with Rob O’Hara the youth coordinator for the Diocese of Armagh. In our conversation, we hear about his life, the ups and downs and what role faith has played in it all, from love to loss to looking for happiness in all the wrong places, before getting back on the path God had planned for him.
Published 06/27/24
Garry O’Sullivan interviews Dublin's newest Auxiliary Bishop Paul Dempsey about his move from the Diocese of Achonry, the challenges he faces in Ireland's largest diocese, and more!
Published 06/21/24
The overwhelming evidence on the impact of digital devices on children's mental health and development continues to mount. But is it possible to get the genie back in the bottle? In this episode of The Confession Box, Wendy Grace talks to one of the founders of a UK movement aiming to give children a smartphone free childhood. They explore the harm these devices are causing and the grassroots movements finally pushing back in an effort to start a culture change. Wendy also talks to Cybersafe...
Published 06/14/24
On the latest episode of The Confession Box, host Wendy Grace talks to data scientist and demographer Stephen J. Shaw about the detrimental impacts of population decline. Stephen explains the shocking revelations from his documentary film "Birthgap - Childless World" including: - Causes and societal impacts of falling birth rates around the world - Unplanned childlessness - Population collapse and its impacts - The future for our children - Impacts on health, housing and the workforce - What...
Published 06/07/24
Eoin McCormack, a parish catechist in a busy Dublin parish is in the Confession Box this week to tell us what young Catholics are searching for and what challenges they are facing in a culture that has walked away from traditional faith.
Published 05/30/24
In the latest episode of The Confession Box, we speak with Julianne Stanz about faith and children’s faith formation – what would you say to a 7 year old if they ask you what’s the closest planet to heaven? Julianne is the author of 'The Catholic Parents Survival Guide – Straight Answers to Your Kids Toughest Questions' and she spoke to real parents and kids from all different ages and answered the faith questions that sometimes perplex parents.
Published 05/23/24
In the latest episode of The Confession Box, Wendy Grace talks to Fertility expert Dr Phil Boyle, the president of the International Institute for restorative reproductive medicine. Wendy and Dr Boyle explore Ireland's falling fertility rate and the impact that the 'birthgap' will have socio economically, the Government spending taxpayers money on Fertility treatments that cost more and are less effective and how women's health is often ignored or sidelined.
Published 05/16/24
Are content-creating children safe in the online sphere? Are they protected from being hypersexualised by thousands of viewers? Are brands using ‘child influencers’ encouraging an unhealthy industry where parents ‘manage’ their child’s time and money for their personal gain? What are the long term psychological consequences of such an upbringing? Regular hosts Brandon Scott and Wendy Grace sit down with Essex Law School lecturer Dr Francis Rees to discuss the rising number of young...
Published 05/01/24
Dr Eamonn Conway is an expert in Catholic education and one of the international researchers of a new report on the state of Catholic ethos in Ireland’s Catholic schools. The report's findings state that the next generation of principals and teachers are not believers and are unlikely to carry on the Catholic ethos.
Published 04/25/24
Changes not seen in the Irish Church for 1000 years happened today, when the Papal Nuncio announced the effective amalgamation of western dioceses. What does this mean for the Irish Church and is this the end of the beginning of the end of institutional Irish Catholicism? Michael Kelly joins us in studio for a Confession Box special.
Published 04/10/24
In this episode of The Confession Box, Brandon Scott and Ruadhan Jones discuss the accusations that Government is not doing enough for people with disabilities, a cathedral being exposed to drug use and the unlikely relationship between the Vatican and the film reel. 
Published 02/23/24
In this edition of The Confession Box Brandon Scott and Ruadhan Jones dissect the latest topics and themes in this week's edition of The Irish Catholic newspaper, featuring phones, Christian persecution and another loss to the Catholic landscape in Ireland. 
Published 02/16/24
In this episode of The Confession Box, Brandon Scott, Ruadhan Jones and Ian Dunn delve into the issues, topics and themes in this week's Irish Catholic newspaper ... along with some other surprises!
Published 02/09/24
In today's episode, Brandon and Michael Kelly (Editor of the Irish Catholic) discuss what makes Christmas such a special time of year and it's importance to Catholic's around the world.
Published 12/22/23
In this episode of The Confession Box podcast, Brandon Scott and editor of The Irish Catholic newspaper Michael Kelly delve into the issues, topics and themes in this week's Irish Catholic newspaper.
Published 12/15/23
In episode 9 of The Confession Box, Brandon Scott and editor Michael Kelly reflect on the intertwined life and faith of Shane MacGowan, society's urge to start talking about Christmas earlier and earlier every year and some parting words from the editor of The Irish Catholic as he prepares to step down from his post after an 18 year affiliation with the paper.
Published 12/07/23
Today's guest is Michael Kelly, editor of The Irish Catholic newspaper.
Published 11/24/23
In this episode, Brandon Scott and Michael Kelly discuss the latest news, views and stories in this week's Irish Catholic newspaper featuring a nun who professed she would rather die than fail in her duty of care in war-torn Ethiopia; why people are realising that the Sacraments cost and the Pope runs into Rocky - without a knockout blow!
Published 09/15/23
Notre Dame President John Jenkins and Cardinal Dolan speak to our guest Michael Kelly on the deep roots of Irish American Catholicism. Also why is Uncle Sam fighting with Uncle Frank?
Published 09/08/23
In the latest episode of The Confession Box, Garry O'Sullivan and Brandon Scott chat to Michael Kelly, editor of The Irish Catholic newspaper about his experiences at World Youth Day and the challenges parishes face in trying to provide spaces for young people to express their faith, the exact meaning of 'Todos, todos, todos' going forward and 'one rule for you, another for us': Pope Francis' regrettably questionable response to abuse in the Church.
Published 08/11/23
In the latest episode, Garry O'Sullivan and Michael Kelly discuss the current hot topics in Ireland - the consequences of a seemingly lawless inner-city Dublin for the general public and what it says about the current Govt; the grim future of Clogher diocese and many others facing a similar shortage of priests; and the prospect of removing beautiful art due to it being tainted by allegations of a serious nature against the artist, in this case Fr Rupnik.
Published 07/28/23
In this episode, Garry O’Sullivan and Brandon Scott have a frank conversation with Fr Joe McDonald, author of Why the Irish Church Deserves to Die, about how prophetic and courageous the late Sinead O’Connor’s words were about the rampant abuse in the Catholic Church in Ireland and how shameful the reaction and even inaction of society was at the time.
Published 07/27/23
On this episode of The Confession Box, Garry O'Sullivan and Michael Kelly discuss the fate of Christians in the Holy Land and the current right-wing Israeli Governments' intentions when it comes to allowing the less than 2% minority group retain its livelihoods.
Published 07/26/23
On this episode of The Confession Box, Garry O'Sullivan and Brandon Scott take the opportunity to speak to Michael Kelly, Editor of The Irish Catholic Newspaper, about a number of current hot topics: Dissecting Pope Francis' Synod selections: surprises and disappointmentsA historic appointment for an embattled communityDivider or reformer? Just who is the new prefect of the DDF and what sort of culture will he bring?No evangelisation please... A World Youth Day with three dimensionsPope...
Published 07/19/23