Moncrieff

This week, the Chicago Tribune announced that it was scrapping its film critic position entirely. Is there a danger that cultural criticism is on the way out, as influencers take precedence with so-called ‘content’ rather than critical evaluation? Joining Seán to discuss this is Film Reviewer Esther McCarthy…

A lavender marriage is a marriage between a man and a woman. The catch? One, or both of them, is homosexual. In this scenario, why do these marriages happen? Joining Seán to discuss is someone whose husband is gay, Samantha Wynn, based in Los Angeles.

A recent study has found lower rates of cognitive impairment among seniors who frequently use computers, smartphones, and the internet than those who avoid technology or use it less often, but why is this? Joining Seán to discuss is Dr. Henry Mahncke, CEO of Brain HQ...

When you’re buying a new car, you’d be mad not to take it for a test drive. How else could you really know whether it’s the car for you? Yet, when we buy a house, a much more expensive and longterm purchase we barely kick the tires. We may have one or two twenty minute visits before making the call. There must be a better way. In America, more and more people are requesting a sleepover in advance...

A lady was recently at a baby shower, and the mother to be was manifesting the sex of the baby, convinced it would work in her favour. Is this positive psychology actually borderline toxic on the basis there are some actual things that you can't possibly control or change? Henry McKean has been asking the public, and joins Seán to discuss.

Dolphins have long made the waters off Ireland home, with the first record of a dolphin in Irish waters being recorded as far back as 752 AD. But in recent decades, dolphins have been coming closer to shore, and this isn’t necessarily a good thing. Ken O’Sullivan is an Underwater Cameraman and Filmmaker, and has been recording the animals for over 20 years. He joins Seán to discuss his new documen...

For decades now there has been a widely held belief among researchers that we are at our happiest in early adulthood, and then as we age into our middle age, we get more and more gloomy and unsatisfied with our lives. But, new research suggests that for the first time in generations, the average 22-year-old is likely to be unhappier than their parents… So, why then are younger adults struggling so...

Seán’s guest has spent the past 20 years recording her relationship with her son Jim. The culmination of this longitudinal project is ‘Motherboard’, a film that will screen at the upcoming IFI Documentary Festival on Sunday September 14th, followed by a Q&A with Victoria and her son afterwards. Victoria joins Seán to discuss.

For many communities, there is a sense that as life gets busier some of the heart of the community can fade away; in Bluebell in south west Dublin, a new initiative is changing things and giving local people a safe place to go. Dr Tommy Coombes manages the Bluebell Community Development Project, and coordinates the regeneration programme. He joins Seán to discuss. Image: https://bluebellcdp.ie

When was the last time you got together with all of your oldest friends? Friendship changes as we get older, and it can get harder and harder to prioritise time with pals… Journalist and author Pat McCarry had great plans for his 20-year J1 reunion, but learned that life in your forties is very different to what you envisioned when you were footloose and fancyfree in your early twenties... Pat joi...

Will Taylor Swift change the engagement ring industry after sharing shots of her giant ring and romantic proposal with NFL player Travis Kelce? Matthew Weldon is an Antique and Vintage Jewellery Expert, who owns Courtville Antiques. He joins Seán to discuss the history of engagement rings… Image: @taylorswift on Instagram

A new EU directive on pay transparency is going to change how open companies need to be about the salaries they offer to their employees, but what will this mean for cutting the gender pay gap? Joining Seán to discuss is Deirdre Malone, Head of Employment at EY Law Ireland...

It is very likely that someone has said “one hundred percent” to you when what they actually mean is “yes”, but why has this affirmation become so commonplace? Joining Seán to unpack this is Gail Flanagan, Researcher in Applied Linguistics at the University of Limerick...

Jonathan DeBurca Butler joins Seán Moncrieff to take listeners through the week's international stories… 

Restorative Justice is a voluntary process where victims and offenders, with the help of an impartial third party, meet to resolve repair the harm done by the crime committed. While this process is available for ‘lower tariff offenses’, more serious cases aren’t always seen as eligible. So why is that, and should it be more accessible? Lecturer at the School of Social Policy, Social Work and Socia...

Family dinner time seems to be increasingly under threat. A survey carried out in the UK found a minority of people at the table, with 45% eating in front of the TV. Hotelier, TV personality and author of Guide to Modern Irish Manners Noel Cunningham joins Séan to discuss.

The cost-of-living and housing crisis have made life extremely difficult for the young people of Ireland.    Many have had to resort to emigration or living at home well into their thirties.   Paul Lawford, though, decided he was going to find another solution to the problem by building himself a tiny house from scratch.  Paul joins Séan to discuss how others can foll...

At the US Open this week, the world number two Carlos Alcarez sported a new tight haircut.  He revealed in a post-match press interview that this was because his brother had tried to give him a trim but made a complete mess of it.  How often do barbers have to perform this corrective surgery?  Barber Phil Domino with Neighbourhood Threat on Fade St in Dublin joins Séan to discu...

Those with an understanding of Irish history will know the Irish Republican Brotherhood played a pivotal role in the country's politics from the late 19th century to the early 20th century.  The IRB officially dissolved in 1924... or did they?  An organisation claiming to be the IRB still exists today, and Crime and Security Correspondent with the Irish Times Conor Gallagher has been wri...

When it comes to art, the preferences of adults and small children rarely coalesce.   Most parents are unlikely to choose to listen to Baby Shark in their spare time.   But is it possible to make music that keeps both cohorts happy?   DJ and Composer Graham Smyth’s latest album aims to do just that.  He joins Séan to discuss. 

In advance of the Oasis gig, Richard Ashcroft was spotted walking around Stephen’s Green in the company of some Irish wolfhounds.  But the dogs weren’t his – leading to the discovery that you can hire wolfhounds as part of a walking tour.  Pickled with jealousy, Henry McKean declared if it’s good enough for the former Verve frontman, it’s good enough for him.   Henry joins Séan to d...

Last week, experts at the UN-backed body of food security increased the food insecurity level within Gaza city to its highest and most severe classification.    This officially proves that Gaza city and its surrounding areas are experiencing acute famine, despite the best efforts of aid workers and organisations   Head of International and Migration at the Irish Red Cross Niall...

Grey is by far the most popular choice for cars in this country, but why is this and why have we ditched the colour spectrum of the 70s and 80s? Owner of Ashford Motors Nadia Adan joins Séan to discuss.

If you donate to a clothes bank, where do these clothes end up, and will someone even end up wearing them?  A project called Voice Ireland decided to track some donations, and found that many end up as far away as Africa or South East Asia.  Project leader with Voice Ireland Solene Schirrer joins Séan to explain why this happens.

More and more students are having to commute long distances due to the housing crisis, and having to hold down jobs while studying due to the cost-of-living crisis.  So, has the traditional idea of the student party life died out?  Deputy President of the DCU Students Union Lauren Joyce joins Séan to discuss.