Moncrieff

With Ireland assuming the rotating Presidency of the EU Council from July, what are some things we can expect will be on its agenda?  Joining Seán to discuss why the EU Presidency will be pivotal for our domestic and foreign policy is Andrew Forde…

This week, the UK has introduced a total ban on all junk food advertising on TV and online. This means that companies will be prohibited from advertising unhealthy foods before 9pm and at all times on the internet. In the list of banned foods are those with a high sugar, salt, and fat content, which even include porridge, cereal, and yoghurts. Joining Seán to discuss the impact of this is Lana Rep...

It has been revealed that Meghan Markle’s jams are proving popular with over one million jars snapped up by shoppers... But, just why is jam so sought after, whether it has a royal connection or not, and just how easy it is to make at home? Chef Darina Allen of Ballymaloe Cookery School joins Seán to discuss. Raspberry Jam Makes 3 x 450g (1lb) pots Raspberry jam is the easiest and quickest of all...

Why don’t writers retire?  Novelist Julian Barnes is bucking the trend having announced his retirement coinciding with his 80th birthday, saying that his next book will be his last, but just why is it so rare for creatives to stop working and instead...’’keep going until the grim reaper cuts you down in your study”. Columnist for the Irish Independent Mary Kenny continues to write and joins S...

The Chinese electric vehicle company BYD has now overtaken Tesla for the first time to become the world’s biggest selling EV brand. Joining Seán to discuss this, and the future of the electric vehicle market is John Hayes, Lecturer in Electronic Engineering at UCC…

Is Ireland too timid when it comes to our architectural ambition? Sinead O’Sullivan, a Business economist, has been writing about this in the Irish Times and joins Seán to discuss…

A US-based Irish therapist says Trump’s America is causing a rise in depression and anxiety among his clients. Eamonn McKay is a Therapist based in California, and is moving back to Ireland over concerns his US citizenship will be revoked… He joins Seán to discuss. Image: Reuters

Joanna Fortune joins Sean to discuss listeners' parenting queries...

Even if you’ve never heard the name, you would recognise the iconic Wilhelm scream, which has been used in countless movies. But, where does it come from, and why is it used so much? Steve Lee is a Sound Effects Wrangler and Founder and CEO of the Hollywood Sound Museum. He joins Seán to discuss.

During the Taoiseach’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping yesterday, the two bonded over the shared love of an Irish novel which is somewhat lost and forgotten here in Ireland, but which has sold millions of copies in Russia. Joining Seán to discuss is Zoe Comyns, Creator of the Lyric FM documentary ‘Ethel Voynich - Music Mystery and Manuscripts’...

In Scandinavian countries, you might see dog sledding in snowy conditions. Apparently, we have something like it in Ireland, but with a twist... Joining Seán to discuss is President of Canicross Ireland, Louise Jones.

The 100th birthday of the first census conducted by the Irish Free State is coming up. What was the significance of this one, and how were they conducted a century ago? Joining Seán to discuss is Columnist with the Irish Examiner, Colin Sheridan.

Young people are being accused of not being “work-ready” because of the decline of the Saturday job. The UK’s former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Alan Milburn, has recently said that teenagers are increasingly unprepared for the workplace due to the slump in weekend work outside of school hours. But, are our youth becoming lazy, and are we seeing a “crisis of opportunity”? Caroli...

These dark winter days make getting outside difficult, but with three quarters of children spending less time outside than prison inmates, one school in Wicklow is determined to do things differently... The Outdoor Primary School offers an unusual learning experience for students who primarily learn in the woods. Louise Nelson, Principal of Wicklow’s Outdoor Primary School, joins Seán to discuss.

The release of Wicked: For Good has seen the return to the big screen of the stereotypical image we have of witches. They have green skin, a conical hat, a cauldron, and they fly on a broomstick. But where did that depiction come from? Laura Kounine is an Associate Professor of Early Modern History at the University of Sussex and joined Sean to discuss.

Olivia Fahy joins Moncrieff with her picks for what to stream. On the list this week: Season two of The Night Manager a British spy thriller television series, Traitors UK is back for the 4th season this time to its original structure of non celebrity partcipants. And mystery writer Harlen Coben has a new series on Netflix called Run Away

Psychologist and Neurologist, Ian Robertson, joins sean  to discuss and explore a counter-intuitive idea for the new year:  that boredom isn’t something to fear, but something we urgently need to relearn.   He argues that our constant urge to scroll and stay stimulated is eroding our ability to think, feel and create freely. Ian makes the case for boredom as a temporary relief from...

As a new year rolls around, more and more people will be looking to get on the property ladder during 2026. But what is the forecast for the year, and how should you go about trying to purchase a new build? Joining Sean to analyze the current trends in the housing market. offer tips to buyers, and discuss whether we can expect the housing crisis to improve or worsen in 2026 was  Suzanne Tyrre...

.It’s the first day back for many. How are you feeling? Are you struggling? Do you hate your life? Do you question your existence? For many office workers today is their first day back to work. Do you look forward to it or do you dread it? Does it make you contemplate a change in your life? Is the transition back to work difficult? Is this the first day of new resolutions kicking in or failing? He...

While the operation to capture Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro was a complex tactical mission for US special forces, how exactly did they carry it out? Joining Sean to discuss the ins and outs of it and the implications it has for Venezuela and for the world was  Dan Sabbagh, defence and security editor for the Guardian...

 A new book explores the extraordinary story of Walt Disney, PL Travers and the two Ukrainian brothers who made Mary Poppins one of the most successful  movies of all time. Joining me now is Todd Pierce, Author of ‘Making Mary Poppins’...

While road bowling is a well known sport in Co. Cork, what is the state of the sport today and what can we expect for 2026? Joining John Fardy in for Sean was Seamus O’Tuama, Bowling Correspondent for the Irish Examiner.

The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ordered American diplomats to drop the Calibri font and return to Times New Roman, calling the switch a product of misguided policies under the previous Biden administration. But why ? Does the Type of font you use matter ? Joining John Fardy in for Sean to discuss was Owner of Signal Type Foundry  Max Philips

You wouldn't imagine there are too many festivals happening this month, given the post-Christmas blues and the weather. But this month First Fortnight, the annual mental health arts and culture festival, will host events right across the country seeking to use creative work to challenge the stigma around mental health. Maria Fleming is the CEO of First Fortnight festival, and she joined John Fardy...

Happy Christmas! The Big Fat Newstalk Quiz of the Year is back - with Newstalk’s Simon Tierney taking you through some of the great, good and wackiest parts of 2025. Joining Simon to chance their arm at the crown is Niamh O’Reilly, Freelance Writer and Journalist, Comedian Jim Elliott and Jen Hogan, Irish Times Columnist and Host of the ‘Conversations with Parents’ podcast.