Our next guest is with an organisation that work with some of the world’s most vulnerable Christian communities, often in regions where war and persecution are a daily reality. 

Brandon Scott is with Aid to the Church in Need, an international charity supporting persecuted and suffering Christians worldwide. He joins us as alarming reports come from Aleppo, Syria, where renewed fighting has left civilians trapped in their homes, church celebrations cancelled, and families once again fleeing for safety. 

Church leaders and priests on the ground are asking the international community for prayer—and for action. 

Professor John O’Brennan, professor of European Union politics at Maynooth University and an expert on Ireland’s role within the EU. 

With coalition politics shaping decisions here at home, many are asking: does that have consequences beyond our borders — especially for how Ireland is viewed and heard in Brussels?  

From debates around major EU trade deals to Ireland’s standing within EU institutions, Professor O’Brennan is here to help unpack whether coalition politics could be hurting Ireland’s influence in the European Union. 

Today we were talking about faith, justice, and care for creation. I’m delighted to be joined by Rev Dr Karen Campbell from Irish Council of Churches, who’s here to tell us about an upcoming conference called Let Justice Flow Like Rivers. 

Karen Murphy, who has spent more than 20 years working in large organisations across brand marketing, innovation, and transformation. More recently, Karen has been advising companies and individuals on how to use artificial intelligence in practical, sensible ways. 

She sees firsthand the growing gap between the hype around AI and how people actually feel about it — overwhelmed, unsure, or convinced it’s too technical for them. Karen believes AI isn’t about coding or being an expert; it’s about asking good questions. If you can send a message or search online, you can use AI — and even small steps can make everyday life easier. 

Joining Nikki is Paul McKinney from the Irish Blood Transfusion Service — the organisation responsible for collecting and supplying blood to hospitals across Ireland. 

 Right now, the IBTS is running its “Every Drop Counts” campaign and making appeals for donors of all ages as blood stocks across many groups have fallen to critically low levels. 

Now here’s one that’s already stirring a lot of conversation across the country. Joining us is Pastor Noel Kenny, lead pastor of Liberty Church, who has initiated a powerful nationwide moment of unity. 

This coming Sunday, January 11th at 11am, church bells across Ireland will ring out together — releasing what Pastor Noel calls “the sound of heaven into the land.” It’s a call to worship, a call back to Jesus, and a prophetic act aimed at shifting the spiritual temperature of Ireland. 

The Prayer Coach and todathis week is Rev. Sean Curran from Living Waters Church in Finglas.  

Today, we’re reflecting on Job 36:8–11 — a passage for anyone feeling stuck or tangled in life.

It reminds us that even in trouble, God is at work: getting our attention, guiding us away from pride or harmful patterns, and offering a path from struggle to blessing through listening and obedience. 

The Dáil  recorded its narrowest vote of the current session before Christmas, rejecting by just two votes an attempt to restore legislation that would remove the three-day waiting period for abortion on request.  

While the Bill has fallen for now, the closeness of the vote has reignited debate about the direction of abortion law in Ireland — particularly at a time when abortion numbers continue to rise.  

To help us understand what this vote means for the country, politically and socially, Eilís Mulroy – pro life campaign Ireland. 

Europe is facing a moment of profound uncertainty — politically, culturally and morally. From war on its borders to questions about identity, values and cohesion within, many are asking what now holds Europe together.  

One argument gaining renewed attention is whether Europe’s Christian roots — often sidelined or dismissed — still have a role to play in shaping its future.  

To explore that question,  Jeff Fountain from the Schuman Centre, an organisation focused on faith, public life and the European project joined Kieran on the show.