iRadio's Groupchat

This week on iRadio’s Groupchat Business Spotlight, we’re looking at a startup with a deeply personal mission behind it. TrustDish was founded by father daughter duo, Shannen and Sean O Reilly.    Inspired by Rachel, Shannen’s sister and Sean’s daughter, who lives with a severe peanut allergy and has faced multiple life-threatening reactions when eating out,...

Tonight we’re marking Mental Health Awareness Month by speaking to a man who’s using his own experiences to help others.      Paul Curran is originally from Bailieborough in County Cavan and is now living in Virginia. After years of struggling with anxiety and depression, Paul is now focused on recovery, raising awareness around mental health, and giving back thr...

Obesity is more than just a number on the scale - it’s a serious medical condition we rarely know enough about.    Dr. Harriet Treacy, co-founder of Beyond BMI, is leading the charge against Ireland’s obesity crisis with a medically-led, multidisciplinary approach. She’s passionate about tackling obesity before it leads to heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and more, challenging a healthc...

Between the Sheets on iRadio’s Groupchat and as you may know it’s Mental Health Awareness Month, so tonight we’re talking about the connection between mental health, relationships, dating, sex, and emotional intimacy-  because the way we’re feeling mentally can have a huge impact on how we connect with the people closest to us.     Joining us now is psychoth...

We are known globally as “The Emerald Isle”, with our rolling hills and vales of green – at least forty shades of it in fact. Chris Greenlee, aka The Emerald Explorer prides himself as being the content creator that is guiding people to the best places that the island of Ireland has to offer this world. If you are looking for some inspiration for a trip or a staycation this sum...

She’s one of Ireland’s most powerful voices on inequality, education and resilience. Her first memoir, Poor, became a number one bestseller, won Biography of the Year at the Irish Book Awards, and sparked huge conversations around poverty, addiction and opportunity in Ireland.     Now, psychologist, professor and bestselling author Katriona O'Sullivan is back with a deeply pers...

There’s a campaign gathering attention online right now calling for a life-changing medication to be made available in Ireland. 28 year old Emily Felix, who is living with a rare neuromuscular condition called Friedreich’s Ataxia, is calling for the government to make the drug Skyclarys accessible in Ireland.     This treatment has been approved in other countries and could hel...

Conor Kirwin joins Valerie on iRadio’s Business Spotlight to talk about setting up his food truck Zooweewee's at just 22, and why he’s sharing the whole journey online. What started as a college assignment that got a brutal 17% turned into a real-life business, fuelled by pure determination (and a bit of “I’ll show you”). Conor chats through rebuilding the trailer from scratch, learning everything...

Tonight on iRadio’s Groupchat, we’re joined by one of our own - iRadio presenter and content creator Dave Duke, whose recent TEDx talk in Athlone asked a pretty big question: what does it actually mean to be Irish?   We usually think of identity as a checklist - your accent, where you were born, your passport - but Dave’s talk challenged all of that, while somehow sti...

Now whether you’re job hunting, trying to move up in your career, or even thinking about a complete change, the way you present yourself online has never been more important.    From your LinkedIn profile to the content you share, your digital presence can act like a live portfolio - but a lot of us probably aren’t using it to its full potential.   Valerie is joined by car...

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, and one that Claudia Ward expressed online has been met with a serious amount of both praise and criticism. For personal trainers and coaches, is their body their business? Claudia joins Valerie now to unpack her ideas.     

Now, if you’re single and scrolling, fed up of the apps, or just fascinated by the absolute chaos that is modern dating… our next guest has turned all of that into a podcast phenomenon.      She’s become Ireland’s unofficial cupid, interviewing people about their love lives from the front seat of her car on Dating with Doireann - and then encouraging listeners to slide straight...

This weekend thousands of people right across the country will be taking part in Darkness Into Light - a really powerful event that brings people together to support mental health and remind us that no one has to go through things alone.    Valerie is joined by Irish fitness influencer, content creator and Darkness Into Light Ambassador Jay Kavanagh, who’s been using his platform no...

Have you ever just felt like a game of tip the can – as an adult of course.   Today we’re chatting with Brian Butler, the driving force behind Cara Community Ireland - a growing movement that’s bringing adults together through shared adventures all across the country.    From games of tip, to hiking trails, surfing sessions, mountain biking, and even taking on challenges like H...

It’s time for Trade Secrets on iRadio’s  Groupchat, where we dive into interesting careers. Today we’re joined by Chef Jonathan Keane - the executive head chef at The Lodge at Ashford Castle.       Originally from Connemara, Jonathan’s journey started at just 15 years old washing pots in his local pub. By 21, he was already a head chef in a busy to...

With major changes coming to Ireland’s driving test system this November, learner drivers are in a panic to get their tests sat before then. New rules will limit how often you can renew your learner permit - and could make it much tougher to stay on the road without passing your test.      More than 140,000 learner drivers are already on at least their second permit, with...

Traditionally, sports kits have been tailored to male athletes, which has led to some female players feeling uncomfortable in their sportswear – possibly even a bit exposed.      On the Business Spotlight this week Valerie's joined by Margaret Walsh who is the founder of 'Féirla' which is the first Irish sportswear brand that is designed specifically for girls.  ...

There’s a big stigma around men’s mental health both at home and abroad, and there have been so many people trying to change the narrative for the better. Rickey Nesbitt from Dundalk is one of those people.   He has founded the organisation ‘Second Round’ which helps men through fitness , support and routine in weekly outdoor sessions. You can go along, do some boxing and then stay for a...

Tonight on Between the Sheets, we’re getting into one of the most confusing times for your love life - the post-breakup,  summer glow-up era. You know the vibe: “hot girl summer,” “hot boy summer,” living your best life… but are you actually moving on, or just masking the heartbreak?  To help us unpack it all, we’re joined by breakup empowerment coach Kelly Hunt, who helps people re...

This week on iRecommend, Valerie is joined by Jenny Claffey, who is a podcast host and creator of Red Room.     The show is known for going down ‘rabbit holes’ of True Crime, Conspiracy & Unsolved Mysteries.     Alongside the podcast, she also runs  book and film clubs!    In a world where there is so much going on and some people say...

OCD is one of those conditions that almost everyone thinks they understand, but most people only really know the stereotype.  Whether it's a stereotype we picked up in pop culture or social media, it's one of the most misunderstood conditions.   Valerie is joined by Lucy Shiel to unpack what OCD actually looks like behind the labels, the jokes, and the misconceptions people hear eve...

Ireland is absolutely bursting with beauty talent - not just influencers, but serious entrepreneurs building global brands.   But behind every successful brand is a network, a support system, and people who understand the unique challenges of starting and growing a business in that industry.   That’s exactly what The Founder Edit is all about.   It’s a growing communi...

There’s been growing conversation recently about what some are calling a 'quiet revival' of Christianity  among Gen Z. Figures are suggesting weekly  church attendance among 18-24 year olds has risen significantly in recent years.  Researchers say it’s being driven by a mix of things - rises in anxiety levels, a search for meaning, a desire for community, and in some case the influe...

Now, we’re moving into a really important conversation - one that isn’t talked about nearly enough. Miscarriage affects so many families, but the emotional impact and the need for proper support is often overlooked. Recently, there’s been a significant change in Northern Ireland, where parents are now entitled to paid leave after a miscarriage - something that doesn’t currently exist here in Irela...

Behind every perfect selfie, there’s a reality we don’t always see - and that’s exactly what Shonagh O Sullivan is calling out , at  just 17, she’s already delivered a powerful TEDx talk in Tralee called ‘The Perfect Life of a Teenage Girl’. It takes a raw, honest look at growing up online - the pressure to be perfect, the comparison, and the loneliness that can come with it - and challenges...