iRadio's Groupchat

An extreme fitness and mindset challenge called 75 Hard is taking over social media right now. One Irish content creator became recognised for it a couple of years ago when he shared every step of the 75-day challenge online, gaining huge attention for his discipline, consistency, and commitment.     But now, with a bit of distance from it, Lucas Donlon has been reflecting on w...

Artificial intelligence tools are becoming more advanced and more accessible - but for some people, they’re being used in deeply harmful ways. Today we’re joined by Erica Corcoran, who was the victim of a deepfake AI image scheme where her photos were manipulated, sexualised, and shared on a sex site without her consent.  Men began interacting with her in a sexual manner, believing they...

In the new year, there does be a lot of conversations about life plans. Schedules. What your goals are for the year. For the next 5 years. But for those people in relationships, planning a life can sound lovely in theory - but in reality, it can bring up a lot of questions. Where you want to live, what you want from your career, whether you want kids, or even just what kind of life you imagine for...

The Mercosur trade agreement – its probably something you’ve been seeing on the news and on social media and thinking what the hell is that. It's been all over the news today because Ireland is voting against it. EU member states will decide whether or not to accept the deal with South American countries at a vote tomorrow. It's been causing serious concern acros...

January is when a lot of us think about getting our finances back on track, but it can be hard to know where to start. So today we’re focusing on two areas that could make a real difference this year - understanding the new auto-enrolment pension scheme, and checking if you’re owed a tax refund.    To break it all down simply, Valerie is joined by Deirdre O’Keefe, founder of Burdy.i...

As the sun sets in Hawkins for the final time, the final episode of Stranger Things on Netflix has left fans reeling. Dropping on New Years Day, we finally learnt the fate of the core six Will, Mike, Lucas and Dustin, Max and Eleven. Joining Valerie to unpack that AND the conspiracy theories around an alternative ending, is iRadio's Matthew Matthews AKA Stranger Things superfan ...

New year, new goals - and for a lot of us, money is top of the list. Saving more, spending smarter, or just feeling more in control financially.    So today, we’re talking about how to set yourself up financially for the year ahead , what to focus on, what to avoid, and where to start if you feel overwhelmed. Paul Merriman, also known as Ask Paul is here with practical advice to hel...

As the new year gets underway, a lot of people are thinking about taking up something new - and for many, that means finally giving Irish another go, or finding ways to bring it back into their lives.  It also feels like Irish has had a big year - from artists like Kneecap bringing the language to a global audience, to Irish taking centre stage in political campaigns and public protests, and...

Careers Coach Angela Burke is here to help us start the new work year on the right foot, from making the most of our annual leave to setting realistic goals and even creating vision boards that actually work.   

Eoin Maginn is an online coach who’s been pushing himself well outside his comfort zone lately - from striking up conversations with strangers to even asking for hugs in public. It’s all part of a bigger message about human connection, gratitude, and appreciating the life we have.

This iRadio's Groupchat Special is an introduction to Creative Arts Therapies, and the practice of healing through artistic means. It centers on the Irish Association of Creative Art Therapies (IACAT) and the services they provide. For more, you can visit iacat.ie

With Christmas just around the corner, many of us are enjoying nights out, festive food, and a break from routine - and that can sometimes bring a bit of guilt with it. To remind us how to enjoy the season without the stress, and how to get back on track in a realistic way in the New Year, we’re joined by personal trainer Conor McCreash.

Now, with a new year just around the corner, a lot of us are thinking about fresh starts - whether that’s finding motivation again, dealing with burnout, or finally taking the next step in our career.    So we’ve brought in someone who knows exactly how to guide people through all of that. Angela Burke is a careers coach and motivation mentor, helping people get clarity, set realist...

For our Between the Sheets segment today, we’re diving into a topic that lives somewhere between fantasy, curiosity and real-life complexity - threesomes and polyamory. To help us unpack the allure, the psychology, and the realities, we’re joined by Aoife Drury, a Psychosexual and Relationship Therapist with a doctorate in Psychotherapy.    Aoife works with individuals and couples a...

Harry Greaney is a 22 year old from Galway, Harry bravely fought off cancer multiple times and just 5 months ago he got his arm amputated, now he’s back, powerlifting, training hard  and helping others as a personal trainer. Harry shares his emotional journey through diagnosis, treatment, and acceptance. He opens up about the mental hurdles he faced and how overcoming them has given him a ren...

Gender-based violence remains one of the most pressing issues in Ireland today, and conversations around prevention are becoming more urgent. One of the voices contributing to that conversation is Molly Smyth, host of the Healing Gals podcast.    Through honest, thoughtful discussions on healing and lived experience, Molly has built a platform that connects with listeners across Ireland....

Christmas is often a time of happiness, but for many young people it can amplify loneliness, stress and anxiety.     Mike Mansfield, Communications Manager at Jigsaw joins Valerie to chat about why young people are turning to technology, the risks involved, and how human-led support can make a difference this Christmas and beyond. 

Niamh Flynn, founder of Irish Travel Gang shares her journey from being a nervous solo traveler to hosting unforgettable group adventures across the globe. Niamh chats about their upcoming trip to Japan, featuring vibrant cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, along with wildlife experiences and cultural highlights. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a newbie, this episode is brimming with insights on ma...

This week on our Business Spotlight, we’re highlighting a small Irish businessthat has been built on creativity, care, and cosy moments. James McCudden is the mind behind Blackthorn Candles - a hand-poured candle brand based in Galway.    Originally from Monaghan, James creates natural soy candles and wax melts in small batches, handling everything himself from design to delive...

Today we’re joined Zen Appleby from Galway City. Zen is the founder of Mall le brí, a new arts and culture magazine that’s proudly slow, thoughtful, and rooted in the local creative scene in Galway. Born out of a frustration with modern media, the magazine champions traditional storytelling at a time when content is faster than ever.    Mall le Brí is stocked onl...

Valerie sits down with James Boyle, a dedicated Samaritans volunteer who knows firsthand the transformative power of support. James shares his personal journey, detailing his struggles with mental health as a teenager and how reaching out to the Samaritans provided him with the strength to seek help. As Christmas approaches, the conversation turns to the pressures faced by young people during the...

We're diving deep into the challenging topics of body image, mental health, and eating disorders. Join Valerie as she chat with Conor Nolan, a courageous software engineer from Cavan who, at just 13, was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. Conor shares his personal journey and his pivotal role in the Inside Out programme, a new Body Wise initiative aimed at educating secondary school students about e...

On this week's iRecommend Content Creator and Wicked fan Reece Creed dives into Wicked: For Good. Reece shares his thoughts on the recent double feature of Wicked films, discussing how they delve deeper into the complex stories of Elphaba and Glinda. With both lead actors, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, recently nominated for Golden Globes, they reflect on their dynamic friendship and how it res...

Sharenting has become a huge talking point online this week - especially when it comes to influencers and family content creators. More and more people are questioning whether kids are being overexposed on social media, with this new viral campaign warning about the long-term risks of posting children’s lives for everyone to see.    From baby pictures to daily routines, a lot of thi...

Today we’re joined by Shauna Burke who’s the creator and owner of Croía Jewellery, a brand that has quickly built a reputation for elegant, expressive pieces that feel as personal as they are stylish. Shauna talks through the growth of her business with Valerie