Moncrieff

A new book ,‘The Outsiders Who Built Irish Entertainment: Maurice and Louis Elliman’ tells the story of the father and son duo who created an entertainment empire in Ireland… Author Wendy Elliman joins Seán to discuss.

Are we nearing the death of diplomacy? In the first two weeks of this year, we have already seen major events unfold on the world stage, with Trump’s seizure of Venezuela and his sights on Greenland becoming more and more concerning for EU leaders. Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine persists and we are no closer to achieving a negotiation between Zelenskyy and Putin than we were three years ago. But, w...

Children’s mental health clinics are fuller than ever, with rising cases of anxiety, attention problems and social withdrawal. One Paediatrician believes excessive screen use is a major driver, and that many of these problems are reversible.   Dr Sanjiv Nichani is a Consultant Paediatrician at Leicester Children’s Hospital and author of ‘Movement is Medicine’. He joins Seán to discuss.

Transhumanism, the active desire to outlive your own mortality, is now seen as a disorder in some quarters. Joining Seán to discuss this is Jan Gerber, Founder of Paracelsus Recovery in Zurich…

While Europe waits on Donald Trump’s plans for Greenland - it has certainly prompted Icelandic singer Björk to weigh in with her own opinion. What is she saying, and should pop stars comment on politics? Newstalk’s Political Correspondent Seán Defoe joins Seán to discuss.

A Publican who owns three bars in Cork has launched an exhibition about his relationship with alcohol, addiction and recovery. Publican Michael Droney joins Seán to discuss.

A Corkman who cycled the length of Africa will be embarking on yet another gruelling challenge: travelling from Cork to Mount Everest by bike! Daragh Cronin is thought to be the youngest and fastest Irish person to navigate the entire length of Africa by bike. The 23-year-old is hoping to raise €30,000 during the seven-month, 12,500km expedition for the children’s wards at Cork University Hospital...

There is increased international attention on the violent protests in Iran today after President Trump pledges to weigh in and consider very strong military action in Tehran. But why are these protests happening and what does the uprising signify for Iranians? Dr Mahya Ostavar, Lecturer at University of Galway and Women’s Rights Activist from Iran joins Seán to discuss. Image: Reuters

More than fifty eight thousand people have opted out of being an organ donor since new legislation came into effect last year, according to new figures that have been released. But what does the number of people opting out mean for those desperately waiting on the transplant list? And just how important is it to communicate your wishes with your family? Colin White, National Advocacy Manager for t...

Forget about who should be the next James Bond, there are bigger questions at stake... like who should do the next Bond theme song? With Noel Gallagher saying that Oasis would be interested, Seán is joined by Journalist Pat Carty to talk through some of the Bond songs we may have long forgotten…

A new Guinness World Record has been set for the largest collection of socks. At 1,531 pairs, former CBS Philadelphia News Anchor Jim Donovan is king of the sock drawer. He joins Seán to discuss!

We hear so much about how the Gen Z youth of today are spending their Friday nights drinking matcha, doing yoga and meditating. Well, student and Lifestyle Columnist with the Irish Examiner Jane Cowan has decided to bring back debauchery. In a very anti-January sentiment, she wants people in their twenties like herself to embrace the chaos of the decade and go out more… She joins Seán to discuss.

Cork city is the 38th most congested city in the world. Seán’s guest believes that a cable car network might offer a simple solution to a complex problem… Joining to discuss is Kathriona Devereux, Presenter of ‘10 Things to Know About’ on RTÉ television and a columnist with the Echo…

We’re no strangers to saying no to a perfectly good cuppa when we’re actually dying for one, but could our shared struggle in saying what we mean be getting in the way of us getting what we want? Stephen Lucek, Assistant Professor in Linguistics at University College Dublin, joins Seán to discuss the unique quirks that make up the Irish language…

Lego has “reinvented” the brick and is set to release its new line of ‘smart’ toys. The new Lego Smart Play System includes smart bricks with responsive lights, a color-recognition scanner to sense its surroundings, can play almost any sound, and can detect the way it is twisted, turned and tapped during play. Lego says this tech will react to how kids play, and then “play back” to help kids bring...

Influencer James Kavanagh lost his yellow coat a few years ago and he still misses it. Why does losing an item of clothing or a ring sometimes hold such sentimental value? Why do so many of us struggle to be able to move on? Henry McKean has been out asking the public what they have lost, and joins Seán to discuss.

As the fallout over the Maduro situation continues, Venezuela continues its pursuit of its vast gold reserves from the vaults of the Bank of England, where they have been held since the 1980s. Ireland too keeps much of its gold reserves on Threadneedle Street in London… Joining Seán to untangle this is Richard Partington, the Guardian's Senior Economics Correspondent…

With Ireland assuming the rotating Presidency of the EU Council from July, what are some things we can expect will be on its agenda?  Joining Seán to discuss why the EU Presidency will be pivotal for our domestic and foreign policy is Andrew Forde…

This week, the UK has introduced a total ban on all junk food advertising on TV and online. This means that companies will be prohibited from advertising unhealthy foods before 9pm and at all times on the internet. In the list of banned foods are those with a high sugar, salt, and fat content, which even include porridge, cereal, and yoghurts. Joining Seán to discuss the impact of this is Lana Rep...

It has been revealed that Meghan Markle’s jams are proving popular with over one million jars snapped up by shoppers... But, just why is jam so sought after, whether it has a royal connection or not, and just how easy it is to make at home? Chef Darina Allen of Ballymaloe Cookery School joins Seán to discuss. Raspberry Jam Makes 3 x 450g (1lb) pots Raspberry jam is the easiest and quickest of all...

Why don’t writers retire?  Novelist Julian Barnes is bucking the trend having announced his retirement coinciding with his 80th birthday, saying that his next book will be his last, but just why is it so rare for creatives to stop working and instead...’’keep going until the grim reaper cuts you down in your study”. Columnist for the Irish Independent Mary Kenny continues to write and joins S...

The Chinese electric vehicle company BYD has now overtaken Tesla for the first time to become the world’s biggest selling EV brand. Joining Seán to discuss this, and the future of the electric vehicle market is John Hayes, Lecturer in Electronic Engineering at UCC…

Is Ireland too timid when it comes to our architectural ambition? Sinead O’Sullivan, a Business economist, has been writing about this in the Irish Times and joins Seán to discuss…

A US-based Irish therapist says Trump’s America is causing a rise in depression and anxiety among his clients. Eamonn McKay is a Therapist based in California, and is moving back to Ireland over concerns his US citizenship will be revoked… He joins Seán to discuss. Image: Reuters

Joanna Fortune joins Sean to discuss listeners' parenting queries...