Moncrieff

After noticing a friend wearing only a wedding ring, with no engagement band, Journalist Jennifer Horgan reflected on engagement rings and questioned whether the tradition symbolises love, equality, or ownership. She joins Seán to discuss.

A new study suggests that people who are grieving a pet can experience prolonged grief disorder, but the International Classification of Diseases, a widely used diagnostic manual, limits the diagnosis to bereavement after the death of a human. Joining Seán to discuss this is Psychologist and Neuroscientist Sabina Brennan…

Is terrestrial telly doomed? Eyebrows have been raised in the UK after new data revealed that more people are watching Youtube than the BBC – as views of the online site overtook those watching traditional TV. So, what does this mean? TV Critic and Broadcaster in the UK, Scott Bryan, joins Seán to discuss.

While we have a derelict site tax, but for some reason, a lot of them are left unpaid, and there are towns around the country dotted with vacant or derelict properties. Is there a way to bring them back into use to help with the housing crisis? Henry McKean has been investigating, and joins Seán to discuss.

We tend to think male libido is all about hormones raging early, then a slow, inevitable decline, but a major new study turns that idea on its head. It found that men’s sexual desire actually peaks in their forties. If testosterone is already falling by then, what’s really fuelling desire: biology, confidence, relationships, or something else entirely? Joining Seán to discuss is Clinical Sexologis...

What is going on holiday with young kids really like, and why can it feel like absolute hell?  Anne Sheeran has a two year old and a four year old, and she has pledged to do things differently... She joins Seán to discuss.

With the furore over Venezuela continuing, spare a thought for Corkman Daniel Florence O’Leary, who played a critical role in the country’s liberation from the Spanish. Joining Seán to discuss is John Dolan, a writer for the Echo, who has been investigating…

How often do you change your socks? According to an expert, it is vital to do it every day in order to avoid ‘Cheesy Foot’, ‘Onion Foot’, ‘Goat Foot’ and other unpleasantries. Joining Seán to discuss is Dr. Primrose Freestone, Associate Professor in Clinical Microbiology at the University of Leicester…

Your home’s BER rating could be costing homeowners more than they realise - and many still don’t know what it actually means. With energy bills soaring, questions are being raised about whether people are getting the right advice at all. Professor in Energy Economics at UCD, Lisa Ryan, joins Seán to discuss.

The new film ‘Giant’, which was reviewed last week on Movies and Booze, focuses on the relationship between boxing world champ Prince Nazeem and his Irish coach Brendan Ingle, but how does the film’s portrayal of Ingle tally with the real life figure? Joining Seán to discuss is his grand nephew Sean Ingle, Chief Sports Writer for the Guardian…

Seán’s guest’s new play, ‘In Vitro’, opens at Bewley’s Cafe Theatre on February 2nd here in Dublin. Inspired by her and her wife’s experience of trying to have a family, the play explores the emerging class divide created by Ireland’s rules around IVF and the gay community. Joining to discuss is Aoife O’Connor…

Why is the EU getting involved in solving the housing crisis? And just what do European cities have in common when it comes to high rents and unaffordable property prices? Lorcan Sirr, Senior Lecturer in Housing at the Technological University Dublin, has been looking at things, and joins Seán to discuss.

While Jessie Buckley began her career in reality television back in 2008, is it common for contestants to make the transition to the big time like her? Joining Seán to discuss is Orlaith Condon, Host of ‘Pod Save Us’.

Why is everyone going to therapy? It seems that more and more millennials are seeking professional help to manage their relationships, with a rise noted in the amount of couples going to couples counselling before they even tie the knot. So, just why is counselling important for ensuring success in a long term committed relationship? Specialist in Couples Counselling with Accord, Mary Johnston, jo...

The Trump administration released new dietary guidelines this month that call for Americans to eat whole foods and limit highly processed products. The US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr has issued the guidelines which “evangelise real food,” such as protein and “end the war on healthy fats.” Guidelines include images of an inverted pyramid that places meats and vegetab...

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…