Spirit Radio Podcasts

Ruth Hegarty (Food Policy and sustainable food systems consultant, and Lecturer in food policy at UCC) speaks to Wendy raising concerns in terms of food waste, packaging waste, but most notably nutritional concerns as to the ingredients being used in the hot meals schemes at schools nationwide. 900 new primary schools across the country joined the hot school meals scheme, meaning that 1,400 schools nationwide are participating in this scheme ensuring that thousands of children receive a hot meal in school everyday. However Ruth has been researching the lack of nutritional content of these meals.

Tony Foy (of NET Ministries) speaks to Wendy about gap year mission work opportunities for students, where young people can be taking time to live out their faith while also taking in new experiences and making friends with other students around the world.

Aubrey McCarthy (Voluntary Chairman of Tiglin) speaks to Wendy about how Tiglin's homeless service ‘The Lighthouse Café’ in Dublin is experiencing the biggest demand on record for their services including serving asylum seekers in need of food, clothing and essential supplies. Hundreds of asylum seekers have been living in tents in Dublin city centre in recent weeks. Aubrey shares what he's been seeing on-the-ground at the Lighthouse café.

Joanna Fortune (Clinical Psychotherapist and Author of the ‘15 minute parenting’ book series) speaks to Wendy about young children and how their early friendships evolve and change, and how parents can best support and chat about this.

Dr Phil Boyle of NeoFertility Clinic speaks to Wendy about alternative successful options to IVF and the news that 500 couples in Ireland have received State funded IVF. Dr Phil shares about a couple that spent 8 years trying with IVF but with restorative natural reproductive medicine instead she has now had 2 healthy babies.

Legal expert Dr Francis Rees, of Essex Law School of the University of Essex, speaks to Wendy about the research she is conducting on the risk-assessment of the child influencer sphere. Frances is researching what content is being generated by children who are being filmed or photographed by their parents who are under 13 - and looking at whether these children are being protected enough by rights and their online footprint in this space.

Julie Egan speaks to Wendy sharing her story of how undergoing a successful simultaneous Kidney and Pancreas double transplant last year, that saved her life. Julie shares about how organ donation provides life-saving transplant surgery, marking organ donor awareness week and promoting the work of the Irish Kidney Association. All information is at ika.ie

Psychotherapist and Director of GenSpect Stella O’Malley, speaks to Wendy on the news about how leading consultant padeiatrician Hilary Cass agreed to conduct a review of international research into puberty blockers for the NHS England. The report findings is that it’s been deemed one of the most controversial review projects in recent medical history – and Cass has stated her anger about how the NHS England has in essence failed to care for a generation of vulnerable children – that it’s been a “system failure”. The research has now led to puberty blockers for teens been banned in the UK.

Sr Stan Kennedy (founder of the Immigrant Council of Ireland and founder of Focus Ireland) speaks to Wendy about the latest migration news in Ireland and what we need to understand and learn about migration. Sr Stan highlights the work of migrants in Ireland and how so many migrants to Ireland contribute massively and positively to Irish society.

Lois McLatchie (Communications Officer at ADF International ‘Alliance Defending Freedom International’) speaks to Wendy about Scotland’s new hate crime laws that have been stirring controversy. Lois explains the new laws, what they mean and also questions how will they impact free speech.

Adam Hallisey from the Restaurants Association of Ireland, speaks to Wendy about the hospitality sector's recent VAT changes – and the fact that it’s leading to closures, especially of small independent businesses across the country.

Margaret of MADA Clinic and Spa speaks to Wendy about what see’s seeing older women looking for in regard to skin care and treatments for those who want to improve their skin but are looking for natural results to slow down ageing without the use of injections. If you feel you might want a free skin care consultation and feel that perhaps you’d like to see what non-invasive injection-free options might be out there for you to say goodbye to wrinkles, fine lines or even to help achieve a more even skin tone you can contact Margaret at MadaClinicSpa.com

PE Teacher Paddy O'Reilly (and Chairperson of PExpo) speaks to Wendy about how schools nationwide are meant to provide 400 hours in a school calendar year that comes under the title of ‘Wellbeing’ which includes Games and PE classes. However, he shares that it’s up to the discretion of each school to decide how many of those hours they allocate to PE. Paddy shares about the positive impact he sees fitness and exercise have in the lives of young people, and how he’s getting schools from across the country involved in the upcoming PExpo.

Dougie Hobson of the Mustard Seed Soup Run in Dublin, speaks to Wendy about his work and service in helping the homeless on the streets of Dublin. The number of people homeless in Dublin has now crossed 10,000 for the first time. Dougie shares stories of what the Mustard Seed Soup run, and their van that also provides essential supplies, means to those living on the streets in Dublin. As Dougie shares about his retirement, he speaks about how his faith has influenced him, and the volunteers who will continue this essential work.

Caroline Smith speaks to Wendy sharing her own family's story of her baby Stephen, who was born at 20 weeks and who doesn’t appear on any register because of current legislation. Aontú is resubmitting a Bill which would see all stillborn babies in Ireland included on a national register irrespective of the length of their gestation or their weight. Currently, only stillborn babies born at 24 weeks or more, and weighing 500 grammes or more, are included on the register.

Rebecca McDermott of the ThisIsMeNeurodiversty Support group speaks to Kieran about the need and demand for support for parents and their children with autism and additional needs. Rebecca has seen thousands of families join her ThisIsMeNeurodiversity Support group from across Ireland.

Aubrey McCarthy (Chairperson of Tiglin) speaks to Wendy about the urgent need facing hundreds of homeless asylum seekers in Dublin. Aubrey also shares what Tiglin's Lighthouse Cafe in Dublin are seeing first-hand and how they are trying to help.

This March from Angel Studios, comes the powerful epic of Francesca Cabrini, who arrives in New York in 1889 to be greeted by disease, crime, and poverty. The movie tells the story of how a woman of faith battles hostile politicians to secure housing and healthcare for society's most vulnerable. Sr Francesca Cabrini is a true entrepreneur and establishes an empire of hope unlike anything New York had ever seen. Cabrini is showing now in theatres across Ireland For info and booking go to https://www.angel.com/tickets/cabrini/ie

Peter Sullivan gives his rugby expert analysis on the 2024 6 Nations Rugby tournament and and what we are seeing from the Irish squad. Peter also shares about his upcoming High Performance Rugby camp for both boys and girls between ages 11-17 during the easter break (from the 25th-29th March 2024) each morning from 9am-12midday at Greystones RFC in Wicklow. Enquiry information at @justrace.ie on Instagram.

Naomi Fitzgibbon (Director of Nursing and Services at the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association) speaks to Wendy marking the passing of Former RTE Journalist Charlie Bird.