Moncrieff

Less than two weeks ago, the world’s oldest person died. The Spanish woman Maria Branyas Morera lived until the extraordinary age of 117. She put her longevity down to “order, tranquillity, good connection with family and friends”, among other things. But, some scientists argue that taking longevity advice from centenarians is actually a fool’s errand.  Joining Seán to discuss this is Richard...

You’ve probably heard of Kamala Harris’ Brat Summer and Simon’s Harris’ ability to jump on TikTok trends. But, how important is social media in upcoming elections, and is it better to be seen as funny and meme worthy over being a serious politician in order to attract young voters? To discuss, Seán is joined by author Joanne Sweeney from the Digital Training Institute.

Empty nest syndrome is a term thrown around when people suddenly find themselves in an empty home because their children have moved out.   However, some parents may find they have a newfound freedom and peace, whilst others struggle with loneliness and silence.  To discuss, Seán is joined by Fiona Looney, Columnist with the Irish Daily Mail.

Hundreds of revellers descended on a pub in England for the annual Gravy Wrestling Championships yesterday. But, how does this unusual sport work? Joining Seán to discuss is John Lowe, Manager of the Rose n Bowl pub in Lancashire. Image: World Gravy Wrestling

The number of students learning how to touch type is decreasing with the rise in other devices such as smartphones and tablets.   However, colleges and businesses are finding that Gen Z is struggling to keep up with their workload because they lack this skill.  To discuss, Seán is joined by Francis Walsh, Centre Manager of Pitman Training Dublin Pearse St.

Dublin City Council has announced the roll out of continuous footpaths around the capital. But, what exactly are these, and how do they work?  Joining Seán to discuss is Ciarán Cuffe, Green Party member and former MEP. Image: Dublin City Council

Oasis have announced a reunion tour - after having been split apart for so long. This is chalked up to sibling rivalry, but is that really a thing, and how common is it? Seán is joined by Fiona Brennan, Acclaimed Clinical Hypnotherapist to discuss.

Popstar Dua Lipa has said that she wants to make her own flavour of ice cream: olive oil and seasalt! Is that as gross as it might sound? Or could it be quite nice? Seán is joined by Willie Devereux, Owner of Scúp Gelato in Wexford, to discuss.

There are a number of active campaigns around Ireland that are lobbying against wind farms due to their supposed aesthetic deficiencies. But, do we need to change our mindset in order to view wind turbines as beautiful instead?  Joining Seán to discuss Sadhbh O’Neill, Independent Climate and Environmental Researcher, who has been writing about this in today’s Irish Times…

Sicily is famous for many things, its beautiful scenery, its rich food culture and  beautiful vineyards. It’s also known for being the home of the mafia.  However, the local government there has decided to put a ban on the sale of mob souvenirs.  Nick Squires is Rome Correspondent for The Telegraph, and has been writing about this. He joins Seán to discuss. Image: Paramount Pictures

Another summer is drawing to a close, and the sun has barely made an appearance.  The cooler weather, it seems, is here to stay in Ireland, but, with most of southern Europe burning up, is this such a bad thing?  Seán’s guest says that we need to celebrate the Irish climate. Patsy McGarry, Journalist with the Irish Times joins to discuss.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of when the widget, that little plastic ball in cans of Guinness, won the Queen's Award for Technological Achievement. In doing so, the widget beat out the Internet for best invention that year, but the story of the ball goes all the way back to the 1960s.  Joining Seán to discuss is Dean McGuinness, owner of Premier International Beers.

As the housing crisis continues, some listeners might consider the idea of investing in a modular home. But, what exactly is this, and will it save you money?  Joining Seán to discuss is Jennifer Sheahan, Former Home of the Year Winner and Columnist for the Irish Examiner. Image: McGuigan Architects

What would you add or change to a school curriculum? A group of science bodies say "essential experiences" will reduce inequalities in subjects like science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been asking what life learning things would you have loved to have been taught in school, and joins Seán Moncrieff to discuss.

We know the tradition of not wearing white to a wedding, but in the Irish Times today Emer McLysaght writes that black is also best avoided, because apparently it shows you disapprove of the union. So, what are some of the worst wedding guest faux pas you can commit? Joining guest host John Fardy to discuss is Jessica O’Sullivan, One Fab Day Wedding Magazine Editor.

A postcard that was sent over 120 years ago was finally delivered a few days ago, but not to its intended recipient. This was an extraordinary and unlikely story that unfolded in south Wales recently, and John Fardy is joined by Henry Darby, Marketing and Communications Officer for Swansea Building Society to discuss. Image: Swansea Building Society

Who doesn’t love a good plot twist? That jaw-dropping moment when a movie pulls the rug out from under you. But, here’s the thing, while a great twist can elevate a film to legendary status, too much twisting can leave a plot tangled and the audience confused. Joining John Fardy to discuss the art of the twist is Olivia Fahy, Movie Reviewer and Editor of Geek Ireland. Image: Disney

There is a new trend that's stirring up quite the controversy: raw milk. It's gaining popularity across the globe, with even superstar striker Erling Haaland a keen consumer of unpasteurised milk. However, not everyone is raising a glass in celebration. While some claim it's packed with more vitamins and minerals than its pasteurised counterpart, health experts are sounding the alarm. Joining gues...

While it is well known that many incidents of sexual harassment go unreported, a new platform aims to make it easier for women to log their experiences. Joining me guest host John Fardy to discuss is Emily O’Gorman, Founder of Reportd.

Elon Musk, the owner of X [formerly Twitter] has announced that he is bucking the trend and switching the gun emoji on his platform from a water pistol to a real firearm, in a bid to counter so-called ‘wokeism’.  Joining guest host John Fardy to look at this and the broader evolution of the emoji landscape is Elaine Burke, Host of the ‘For Tech Sake’ podcast.

McDonald's is set to open 200 new outlets in Ireland and the UK over next four years, and the American chain Wendy's has announced that it’s opening their first restaurant on this side of the Atlantic next year. So, is Ireland fast food obsessed? And what is our favourite chain? Russell Alford is Co-Restaurant Critic at The Sunday Times Ireland and author of the deep frying cookbook ‘HOT FAT’ and...

Have you ever wondered what kind of work goes behind handling and training a mountain rescue dog? It’s an incredibly important role our canine friends can play. To discuss, guest host John Fardy is joined by Audrey McNicholas, Dog Handler with SARDA (Search and Rescue Dog Association). Image: SARDA Ireland

With the Aer Lingus College Football Classic on, many Americans are visiting Ireland for the first time - some with roots in the country, others without. So, what do they think of our island? Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been asking tourists, American or otherwise, and joins guest host John Fardy to share what he’s heard.

In an age where we’re more conscious than ever about mental health and well-being, trigger warnings have become a common practice in schools, media, and online spaces. Some say they’re essential for protecting individuals from content that could cause emotional distress, while others argue that they’re overly cautious and might even stifle open dialogue.  So, what’s the real deal with trigger...

Let’s be honest, ‘punching above your weight’ is something that can lead to a lot of teasing, a few raised eyebrows, and some good-natured ribbing, but sometimes it can be hurtful and demeaning to the person who is the constant butt of the joke. So, how do you deal with this relentless slagging and feel more confident in your relationship? Joining guest host Mairead Ronan to discuss this is Mark F...