Moncrieff

Since 2022, Irish employers have been required to publish details of what their male and female employees are being paid. Has it had any affect to gender pay gaps? And who is monitoring it? Jen Keane has read through all the reports and put up her findings on paygap.ie . She joins Seán to discuss.

If you’ve ever held the plank position as part of your exercise regime, you’ll know that one minute of that core exercise can feel like a lifetime.  And now, the science appears to back that up. But, why does our perception of time alter so much when we’re exercising? Ruth Ogden is a Professor of the Psychology of Time at Liverpool John Moores University. She joins Seán to discuss.

What happens when the book you’ve worked so hard on ends up online without your control?  This is the case for arts journalist and author Aoife Barry who is amongst many Irish and International authors faced with this conundrum...  She joins us now to tell us how AI stole her book.

You don’t have to search too hard on the internet to find people complaining about useless men, but then again you don’t have to search too hard to find people complaining about anything on the internet! So, should we be concerned about a rise in hetero-pessimism among young women on social media? Rachel Connolly is author of the novel ‘Lazy City’ and she has been writing about this in The Guardia...

In the early 1970s, a row broke out between President Richard Nixon and Taoiseach Jack Lynch over landing rights at Dublin Airport… but what lessons does the saga teach us about diplomatic relations between Ireland and America today? This story is part of the latest volume of documents on Irish foreign policy, covering the years 1969 to 1973, which was launched in Dublin yesterday. Joining Seán to...

A particular scene from the White Lotus, featuring the logo of a university in North Carolina, has prompted the institution to release a statement, but how and when can trademarks be used in television? Joining Seán to discuss is Sarah Kieran, Solicitor with Media Lawyer... Image: HBO

Would you consider doing an alternative Communion ceremony for your child? Many parents are choosing to raise their children in a non-religious environment, but are still seeking ways to mark milestones. Aoife Curran-Butler is a parent and a Celebrant, and she has developed a programme for so-called ‘Age of Reason’ ceremonies or ‘Aois na Cúise’... She joins Seán to discuss. Image: Aoife Curran-But...

Many people dream of quitting their job and heading off to go backpacking around the world. But, what happens when the reality of hostels and solo travel sets in, and you make the decision to come home early? For a generation obsessed with social media, there can be shame and stigma in calling it a day and admitting defeat. Justine Halpin joins Seán to chat about deciding to come home just three w...

Wayne Rooney was caught short when he was spotted urinating in public after a night out in London… How common is it here in Ireland to urinate in the street? Can’t forget spitting too! Henry McKean tries to find out, and joins Sean to discuss.

If you open up Google Maps while you’re driving through the Gaeltacht, you might notice that many of the place names are anglicised. Historian and Researcher at DCU Dr. Colm Mac Gearailt wants to change this situation, as he claims that it doesn’t reflect the lived experience of those who reside there. He joins Seán to discuss.

The Poetry Slam World Cup takes place in Paris at the end of May, and Ireland will be competing. Holly Hughes will be Ireland’s representative at the Poetry Slam World Championships, and joins Seán to discuss.

The best of cutting edge and contemporary art will be showcased by the country’s leading galleries and artists at the first ever Art Evolve fair at Dublin’s RDS this April 4-6th. Seventy galleries and artists will bring together the very best in exciting Irish and international contemporary art under one roof. One of the highlights of the show will be an installation by street artist Maser, showca...

The harbouring of a grudge can last a lifetime if unaddressed, but how exactly do they work on a psychological level? Joining Seán to discuss is Chartered Registered Counselling Psychologist Niamh Delmar… Image: PBS

Seán’s guest is a big Formula One fan and even travels to a few Grand Prix, but as a woman, she says she faces stigma as a sports fan, and her commitment and knowledge of the sport is unfairly questioned. But, is this an issue more broadly? Joining Seán to discuss is Saoirse Hanley, Journalist with the Irish Independent, who has been writing about this in the Independent… Image: Reuters

Forget therapy dogs or cuddly cats, giant alpacas have been lifting the spirits of local residents in care homes in Wicklow and Wexford recently! It seems alpaca therapy is effective for both young and old, and Joe Phelan from K2 Alpacas joins Seán to tell more.

In mid-October, Brent Dmitruk told his tens of thousands of social media followers that an earthquake would soon hit at the westernmost point of California. Two months later, a magnitude 7.3 struck the site in northern California - putting millions under a tsunami warning and growing Mr Dmitruk's following online as they turned to him to forecast the next one. So, is Mr Dmitruk a seismology genius...

Have you thought about what happens to your social media accounts after you die? Do those closest to you have your passwords to login to your Facebook and Instagram accounts? Or does your other half even know your phone password? Tech Editor with the Irish and Sunday Independent, Adrian Weckler, has been looking into this and joins Seán to discuss.

When families go on holiday - that can include other generations. Is that always a good idea? Do most families even like each other that much? Henry McKean has been asking the public for their thoughts, and joins Seán to discuss.

In 2011, the Constitutional Convention endorsed a proposal to allow Irish citizens living abroad to vote in Presidential Elections. Making this reform would require a referendum, but as of yet none seems to be forthcoming. So, what’s the delay, and is it something we should be considering if not for the upcoming Presidential race, perhaps for the one after? Dr. Theresa Reidy, Political Scientist a...

Shops and advertising are keen to mention ‘whole-grain’ products, but what exactly does this mean, and how is a whole-grain product different from a refined one? Joining Seán to discuss is Registered Dietician, Sarah Keogh...

Language necessarily evolves to accommodate new ideas, new concepts and new cultural paradigms. But, what happens when a word exists in one language, but not another? There are lots of so-called ‘untranslatable’ words in English, and some Irish ones have been added to the latest version of the Oxford English Dictionary. Fiona McPherson is Senior Editor at the Oxford English Dictionary and joins Se...

“Bang on the drum 71, clickety click 66.” For listeners of a certain age, these phrases will immediately conjure up images of the old bingo hall. But, perhaps some younger members of the audience have also heard them recently, because bingo is making a comeback among Gen Z, apparently. Cassie Delaney is a Podcaster and a weekly bingo player. She joins Seán to discuss.

The messaging app at the centre of the communications crisis in the White House is called Signal. But, how secure is it, how does its technology work, and should it be used for handling classified information? Joining Seán to discuss is Elaine Burke, Host of the For Tech’s Sake podcast…

Do new parents need more support? Well, have you ever heard of a doula? Doulas provide care and help to new mothers navigating the challenges of parenthood in the early days from birth to post-partum. Roberta Hynes works in Dublin and she’s helped an estimated 200 families. She joins Seán to discuss.

While hair transplant services are well known, beard transplants are now on the rise too. But, how do they work, and should we be wary? Joining Seán to discuss is Spencer Stephenson, a Patient Advocate in the hair transplant industry…