The Hard Shoulder

There has been much discussion about President Joe Biden since his first election debate performance, with many questioning if he is fit to run for a second term in office. His age is a big point of discussion, and Newstalk’s Simon Tierney was writing about this in the Irish Independent saying how this shows how ageism is one of the last tolerated prejudices in society. To discuss, guest host Emme...

Irish people have longed for land since time immemorial - but with a housing crisis and an aging population, many of us will have to rent into middle age. Newstalk's Sarah Madden talks to Ireland's lifelong renters, and those hoping to escape the fate.

International renowned actor Alec Baldwin is in court today. He is accused of involuntary manslaughter after videographer, Halyna Hutchins was killed when a firearm discharged on the set of a film she and Baldwin were filming. Joining Mandy Johnston to give the latest on the trial is U.S. Based Reporter with the Times UK, Harriet Alexander.  Image: Court TV

It’s time for the Shopping Trolley Hotline! Where we review the same product from various stores and brands. Newstalk’s Simon Tierney joined guest host Mandy Johnston to compare and bite into different rice cake offerings!

Tomorrow the Dáil adjoins for annual recess. With the past year being full of dramatic debate and deliberation. Joining Mandy Johnston to look back on the winners and losers of the Dáil in the first half of year some of the most notable moments is Gerard Howlin, Public Affairs Consultant and Irish Times Columnist and Political Editor of The Irish Times, Pat Leahy.

After a long eight-month wait, Heimir Hallgrimsson has been appointed as the Republic of Ireland football team’s manager. So, who is he? Off the Ball’s Mick McCarthy joins Mandy Johnston to discuss.

News came today of a third elephant at Dublin Zoo testing positive for a deadly virus that has killed two young members of the small herd. Zinda, who was seven years old, died from the disease at Dublin Zoo yesterday, while Avani died from the same disease last Monday, the 1st July. Their mother, Asha, now has the virus. Gerry Creighton, Global Elephant Care Consultant, joins Mandy Johnston to dis...

Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent and host of ‘Tech Talk’ joined guest host Mandy Johnston for the Tech Takeover. This week, Jess discusses the new lineup of products from tech giant Samsung, including new earbuds and the next generation of foldable phones. Image: Samsung

Businesses will, from today, have access to a range of government supports through the new National Enterprise Hub, launched by Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke. He joins Mandy to discuss.

Tomorrow, new legislation is being brought before the Seanad, making it a legal requirement for porn sites to ensure those under 18’s cannot access pornographic material. Failure to do so on their part will result in financial penalties under the proposed measures. Rónán Mullen, Independent NUI Senator, is proposing the legislation and joins Mandy Johnston to discuss.

Do you have a nickname? If so, is there a funny story behind it? Or is it something people just… get? Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been asking the public for their nicknames, and joins the show to report.

Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald joined Mandy Johnston on the show to discuss the situation surrounding Tori Towey. The 28 year old has been detained in the United Arab Emirates for attempting to take her own life, as the Dáil heard she was a victim of domestic violence. The Taoiseach has announced that her travel ban has been lifted, and she is returning to Ireland.  

Is football finally coming home? A win tonight against the Netherlands would leave the England team one win away from their first major tournament win since 1996. But is Ireland backing the Three Lions? To discuss, Mandy Johnston is joined by Ian O'Doherty Columnist with the Irish Independent, Ciaran Bradley, Digital Editor at Newstalk and Aidan McCarthy, Technologist and Writer. Image: @england

The Semi-Finals for the Euros are on tonight, with France facing Spain. What can we expect from this and other games? Joining Mandy Johnston to discuss is Off the Ball’s Joe Molloy. Image: UEFA

The upcoming budget will be framed around a massive tax and spending package of €8.3 billion. That is what Government Ministers confirmed today when they published the Summer Economic Statement. Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, Sean Defoe and John Fitzgerald, Adjunct Professor in Economics at Trinity College Dublin join Mandy to discuss.

It’s time for our weekly book series, the Bookshelf! Join us each week on Tuesday where we’ll be asking some well-known heads what their favourite books are, and why.   This week Mandy Johnston is joined by Co-Author of “The Kidnapping” Historian and Irish Times Journalist, Ronan McGreevy. Best Book: Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Honourable mention: Stalingrad by Anythony Beevor   C...

The Semi-Finals of the Euros begin tonight as Spain take on France... RTE have had 6.6 million streams of the competition so far, but how does this compare to other years? Joining Mandy to discuss is Chief Sports Writer for the Daily Star, Kieran Cunningham.

Minister for Finance Jack Chambers alongside Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe published their Summer Economic Statement, which outlines their intent for the upcoming budget. Minister Chambers joined Mandy Johnston to discuss.

Can we really rewind the clock when it comes to age? What options are out there for people who want to stay young forever? Well, Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been asking experts and even trying some treatments himself(!) and joins Mandy Johnston to discuss.

The circumstances under which taxi licences are revoked and suspended urgently need to be clarified. That’s the call from a Social Democrats motion set to be debated in the Dáil tomorrow. Holly Cairns, Leader of the Social Democrats and Aisling Dunne Bolt's Head of Public Policy for Ireland join Mandy Johnston to discuss.

Now, a website is being introduced titled ‘Rate my Landlord’ where users can anonymously rate their landlord to let other potential tenants know what they are dealing with... Joining guest host Mandy Johnston to discuss is James Murphy, a landlord in Meath and Chloe Anderson, Welfare and Equality Officer in NUIG Students Union.

UK Ambassador to Ireland, Paul Johnston, joined Mandy to discuss how we can improve relationships between the UK and Ireland now that Keir Starmer is Prime Minister.

This week on the Kids Clinic, Iseult White, psychotherapist and author is here to tell why your Gen Z won’t answer the phone! 

Minister Roderic O'Gorman joined Mandy Johnston to discuss his plans as the Green Party leader...

This week guest host Anton Savage was joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis and Saoirse Hanley, Features writer at the Independent to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…