The Hard Shoulder

This week, Author and Psychologist Katriona O’Sullivan joined Kieran Cuddihy to put her favourite book on the Hard Shoulder bookshelf! Favourite Book: ’Oh the Places You’ll Go!’ - Dr Seuss Honourable Mention: ‘The Coast Road’ - Alan Murrin Currently Reading: ‘Close to Home’ - Michael Magee

All over the papers today we’ve been hearing about JD Vance, Donald Trump's running mate. But, who is the Senator from Middletown, Ohio? Kieran is joined by Butler County Auditor and Middletown, Ohio resident Nancy Nix and Joe Statzer, Executive Director of the Butler County Republican Party to learn exactly that. Image: Joe Maiorana / AP

Amazon Prime Day is here! With deals to be had on everything from books, to technology, clothes, gardening equipment, air fryers, TV’s...you name it - they have it. But, what effect does that have on the highstreet and all the retail stores that are doing their best to bring you value and expertise? To look more into this  Kieran is joined by Louis Copeland, Owner of Louis Copeland & Sons...

The Hard Shoulder crew will be embarking on a four hour drive to Kenmare as part of Newstalk’s Summer Tour, and listeners have been sending in what they should listen to. Jess Kelly, Newstalk's Tech Correspondent, joins Kieran to share the listeners’ suggestions, and Thomas Gregg, Dublin Taxi Driver and Eugene Drennan, President of the Irish Road Haulage Association join to discuss what they liste...

New figures today revealed that 14 out of 15 learner drivers involved in fatal crashes in Ireland last year did not have a fully licensed driver with them. Elsewhere, 1 in 10 Irish motorists have admitted having driven after consuming alcohol in the past 12 months. These are two of several examples of recklessness on our roads. But why do people persist on behaving like this, when they know there’...

A new report by the ESRI has found burning coal, peat and wood is associated with poorer mental health. So, should we give up the fire all together? To discuss, Kieran is joined by Tara Shine, CEO of Change by Degree and Ambassador for Harvey’s Point Hotel in Donegal, Noel Cunningham.

The Republican National Convention is getting underway in Milwaukee today just days after the attempted assassination of Trump on Saturday night... Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie joins Kieran from the convention to talk about what the atmosphere is like, and Matt Mayer, former Senior Official in the Bush administration and Political Commentator joins to discuss what the reaction has been in the Re...

Priests when delivering service often discuss political topics in a neutral tone. However, Kieran’s guest believes that the Church has a right wing bias. Father Michael Commane, Columnist with Mediahuis and Dominican priest joins the show to discuss.

President Micheal D Higgins is to meet with the council of state to deliberate and assess the constitutionality of Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024. Joining Kieran to explain what exactly the council of state is, why it's used and its legal structures is Dr. Laura Cahillane, Senior Lecturer in law at the University of Limerick.

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran Cuddihy is joined by Grace O’Malley, Clinical Lead for CHI Child and Adolescent Complex Obesity Service and Senior Lecturer in RCSI School of Physiotherapy to discuss the growing problem of teen and childhood obesity. 

Arrests have been made in Coolock, where protesters have clashed with Gardaí after a fire broke out at a site due to be developed to house asylum seekers. Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been getting reactions from locals, and Kieran Cuddihy is joined by John Lyons, Independent Councillor for Artane-Whitehall and later, Alan Farrell, Fine Gael TD, Chair of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party and Spokesp...

If dark and disturbing TV shows can negatively impact our mood, then why are we so attracted to them? Psychotherapist Maxine Walsh and Brian Lloyd, Movies Editor at Entertainment.ie join Kieran to discuss. Image: FX

This week guest host Joe Molloy is joined by writers and broadcasters Keith Walsh and Stefanie Preissner to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

Joe Biden maintains he will stay in the presidential race despite ever increasing calls to end his campaign. Biden at a NATO press conference last night made some two significant blunders: calling Ukrainian President Zelenskyy ‘President Putin’ and calling Camilla Harris ‘Vice President Trump’... Joining guest host Joe Molloy to discuss is Anthony Zurcher, BBC North America Correspondent.

Wimbledon wraps up this weekend, and everyone has been focused on the big players Murray, Alcarez, Sinner... But what about the unsung heroes of the competition? Joining the show to tell us what it's like to work behind the scenes is Hebe Lawson, Today FM Producer and former Wimbledon Ball Girl.

Cathal Crotty was discharged from the Defence forces yesterday at one minute to midnight. He was given a three-year suspended sentence for beating Natasha O'Brien unconscious in an unprovoked attack in Limerick city on the 29th of May, 2022. Joining guest host Joe Molloy to give her reaction is Natasha O’Brien.

A viral tweet of a child cycling with the caption ‘No kid remembers their best day in front of the TV’ has received backlash on X with user’s responding with their favourite TV memories... Joining Joe Molloy to share their fond memories of watching television is Chef and Food Lecturer, Edward Hayden and Newstalk’s own, Caoimhe Harney.  Image: Nickelodeon

Today is July the 12th, with tens of thousands partaking in the celebrations up north. The festivities have the potential to flare up tensions between the two communities in the north, but so far, today’s celebrations have been peaceful. Joining guest host Joe Molloy to explain the meaning of the twelfth, its history and its contemporary significance is Rev Mervyn Gibson, Grand Secretary of the Or...

Brianna Parkins wrote in the Irish Times today that all 25 year olds should do a year in either hospitality or retail... Is this something we should introduce here? Will it make young people better equipped to deal with the world? Joining guest host Joe Molloy to discuss is JP McMahon, chef, author and restaurateur and Barry Duff from the Lock & Brew Café.

The National Apprenticeship Office is running a ‘One More Job initiative’ that provides supports for small businesses to employ apprentices... Joining Emmet Oliver to tell more is Stakeholder and Engagement Manager with the National Apprenticeship Office, Damian Walshe.

For a news update from the United States, Emmet Oliver is joined by Jeff Kuhner. The Kuhner Report on WRKO AM680 Radio in Boston is hosted by Jeffrey T. Kuhner, "Liberalism's Worst Nightmare," he is a conservative nationalist, who champions God, country and family. They discuss Democrat support for Biden, his speech at the NATO summit and more.

Does AI make us lazy? Well, guest host Emmet Oliver’s next guest was in front of The Oireachtas Committee on Education to discuss just this! Joining the show to discuss is Seán O’Sullivan, this year’s BT Young Scientist Winner. 

65% of Dubliners have witnessed anti-social behaviour in the city centre, while  over 90% feel the problem has worsened in the past 10 years. That’s according to a new Fianna Fáil survey published this morning. So is Dublin really safe? To discuss, Emmet Oliver is joined by Tony Gallagher, ex Garda inspector, Janet Horner, Green Party Councillor for the North Inner City and Declan Keenan, You...

News broke last night that at long last the coveted role of Irish Football Manager has been filled! Heimir Hagrimmson has taken the job – but who is he? Off the Ball’s Mick McCarthy covered it on the show yesterday, but to learn more, Emmet Oliver is joined by Sports Editor for RUV Iceland, Einar Orn Jonsson.

World leaders have gathered in Washington DC this week for a summit marking 75 years since the formation of NATO. So, how did that summit go? Erin Baumann, Professor of International Relations and Politics at Boston College discusses with Emmet Oliver. And, joining to discuss if the military alliance has been a force for good are People Before Profit TD, Richard Boyd Barrett, and former Irish Army...