Brendan O'Connor

Joining Brendan to discuss the stories making the papers today were teacher and broadcaster Emer O'Neill; Jennifer Bray, Political Editor with the Sunday Times; Gary Murphy, Professor of Politics at DCU and Mary Hanafin, Barrister and former Fianna Fail government minister.

Kai Brosnan and Sophie Hynes - two younger people who undertook a one-week digital detox for the show last January - return to talk about a week of using AI chatbots to help run their lives and offer them advice on personal issues.

Stylist and personal shopper Cathy O'Connor chats to Brendan about dressing for all your summer occasions without compromising your personal style: how to plan your photo pose, what to wear for a Communion, and why you always need to dress for yourself.

Features writer with the Irish Times, Nadine O'Regan and Culture Journalist, Brian Lloyd bring us the hits and misses of the week's TV and movie offerings, from the new season of the hit series Rivals to the latest Steven Soderbergh film and the new Yellowstone spin off.

Film-maker John Carney chooses five songs from that bring him back to places, people and moments in his life. He talks about the beauty of the sibling relationship, feeling differently wired growing up, his time in ‘The Frames', making ‘Once' and ‘Sing Street' and his new film, ‘Power Ballad', which stars Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas.

As the Labour Party launches a battle for the soul of Britain, former trade unionist Mick Lynch talks to Brendan about whether Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, will be the next leader of the Labour party and how deep the damage to the party really goes.

Fr. Iggy O' Donovan reflects on the papacy of his old Augustinian classmate, Pope Leo XIV, a year into office, including recent interactions with the US White House. He talks about the state of the Catholic Church in Ireland and globally and why some younger people seem to be staging a quiet religious revival by turning back to the Catholic faith.

Physiotherapist Aisling Frawley joins Brendan to talk about why flexibility matters at every age, why consistent movement and strength are key and how to stretch your way to a tip top flexibility score with exercises to increase your flexibility range.

Food writer with The Financial Times, Tim Hayward, tells Brendan why sad lettuce needs an epic dressing. He talks Brendan through how to make an authentic American ranch dressing and offers a defence of the retro favourite, thousand island dressing.

Joining Brendan to discuss the top stories in Sunday's newspapers are: doctor and columnist, Maire Treasa Ni Cheallaigh; Sunday Business Post policy editor, Daniel Murray; professor of International Relations at UCD, Ben Tonra; Irish Daily Mail and Sunday Independent columnist, Brenda Power; and London correspondent for The Irish Times, Mark Paul.

Poet and Writer Theo Dorgan joins Brendan to discuss the songs that have meant most to him, throughout his life and career. He talks about being one of 16 children, the happiest man he ever met, and his correspondence with Leonard Cohen.

Head of Automotive Content at Donedeal, Paddy Comyn, joins Brendan to discuss the enduring appeal, and practical challenges, of driving a convertible in Ireland. “Most people look at you and think ‘who's that tosser?'

Joining Brendan to pick their highlights from TV, streaming and cinema this week, are entertainment journalist and broadcaster, Serina Bellissimo and host of ‘Here and Back Again' Podcast, Dave O'Callaghan. Among their favourites: ‘Amandaland', ‘A Traveller Family' and ‘The Dark Wizard'.

MEP for Midlands-North-West and former Rose of Tralee, Maria Walsh, joins Brendan to talk about her fertility journey. She outlines her options as a single, gay woman, working in frontline politics. Maria explains her experience with the European Sperm Bank and discusses the impact of pregnancy on her body, her self-image and her wider family.

A week after he told Brendan about having a cardiac arrest on a Dublin street, Irish Times columnist Brian Boyd is reunited on air with two of those who intervened to help save his life - physiotherapist, Laura Madden, and emergency medicine consultant, Dr. Cathal de Buitléir.

Chartered work and coaching psychologist, Leisha Redmond McGrath, joins Brendan to discuss the psychological importance of holidays. She talks about the impact of bringing your work laptop away with you, and why it helps to do nice things for yourself.

Actor Bill Nighy, joins Brendan to discuss his fashion sense, his anxiety and the tension between his Irish heritage and his persona as ‘the quintessential Englishman'. Nighy also tells Brendan about playing an Irish grandfather in his latest film ‘500 Miles', much of which is shot and set in Dingle, Co Kerry.

On her first trip to Ireland, the best-selling author and cook, dubbed “Australia's Martha Stewart” Donna Hay, joins Brendan in studio. She discusses Australian cuisine, building her culinary empire and turning down a job offer from the actual Martha Stewart. She also discusses her latest book ‘Sunshine, Lemons and Sea Salt'.

Joining Brendan to discuss the stories in Sunday's newspapers are: Talk show host and former Independent Ireland candidate in the European elections, Niall Boylan; Alison O'Connor, political commentator with The Sunday Times; Research Professor at the ESRI, Alan Barrett and Dr Shana Cohen, Executive Director of the independent think-tank TASC.

Podcaster and presenter, James Kavanagh, tells Brendan about his life through the prism of five songs from Enya to Kate Bush to The Spice Girls. He talks about receiving homophobic bullying as a teen, coming out as gay, finding his tribe, having panic attacks as an adult and moving to rural Kilkenny.

The new novel ‘Yesteryear' imagines what would happen if a modern-day trad wife influencer woke up in 1855, forced to actually live in the era she's been romanticising on social media. Ellen Coyne, Political Correspondent of the Irish Times, tells Brendan about why it's striking such a chord and posing wider questions about mothers' choices.

Writer, Henrietta McKervey and Andy McCarroll, Host of the Extra Vision podcast join Brendan to talk through some of the biggest films and TV shows of the week. These include Criminal Record, Come To Your Census, Widow's Bay and Lord Of The Flies.

Canadian crooner Michael Bublé is coming back to Ireland this summer for three tour dates. He talked to Brendan about his father, his faith, meeting the Pope and why actions are more important than words.

Prof Colin Doherty, Consultant Neurologist and Head of the School of Medicine in Trinity College Dublin tells Brendan why they have put Love on the new curriculum for medical students, allowing them to bring their own vulnerabilities to the role of the doctor and improve patient outcomes.

Irish Times columnist Brian Boyd suffered sudden cardiac arrest while cycling past Donnybrook Garda Station in Dublin on April 1st and clinically died. A woman at the scene – probably a medic - performed intensive CPR on him, saving his life. Brian would like to thank her and find her.

Psychotherapist Dr Richard Hogan talks about historical Adoption in Ireland and its psychological ripples from the perspective of the birth mother, birth father, adoptive parent(s) and child.

Life Hacks Columnist of the Irish Examiner, Denise O'Donoghue, has a heap of summer hacks like: why baby powder is a summer essential; how to wash your wheelie bin; tick bite tips; protecting your hair in summer; how to efficiently pack a carry-on suitcase and lots more.

Blazing Salads Chef Lorraine Fitzmaurice has recipes for delicious summer salads that include a sweet pop of fruit flavours. She uses grilled peaches, grapes, papaya, strawberries and adds orange to fennel.

Joining Brendan to discuss the Sunday newspapers

Author Michael Harding joins Brendan to discuss the psychological and spiritual impact which sunshine and summertime have on Irish people. He reminisces about festivals, aging and missed romantic connections.

Twenty years after its release, and on the eve of a highly-anticipated sequel, author and magazine superfan Anna Carey joins Brendan to discuss the enduring appeal of ‘The Devil Wears Prada'.

Producer, Eoin Sweeney and Presenter and Podcaster, Fionnuala Jones, join Brendan to talk through some of the biggest films and TV shows of the week. These include the Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, The Devil Wears Prada 2 and Hokum.

Bestselling author of ‘Poor', Katriona O Sullivan joins Brendan to talk about her new book ‘Hunger', which details her relationship with her body. She talks about how her childhood trauma affects how she sees her body and how so many women are in the grip of what she calls ‘the fat-girl algorithm'.

BBC weather presenter Barra Best tells Brendan about the unusually sunny weather Ireland is experiencing. Barra also looks ahead to see how long the sunshine will last, and addresses the risk of potential wildfires.

Comedian, writer and radio presenter PJ Gallagher tells Brendan about five songs that have deeply impacted his life. He also opens up about his childhood in adoption, his unlikely start in comedy and the trials of becoming a dad to twins. He also mentions motorbiking around the Himalayas with Game of Thrones star, Liam Cunningham.

A great excuse to hear the late and much missed Manchán Magan marking the start of Irish Summer with a bit of naked dew rolling. Not for the faint of heart, a naked dew roll at dawn on May 1st was said to make a person beautiful all year round.

Irish-Trinidadian chef, Eamon de Freitas gives Brendan his top tips for cooking an authentic, Caribbean-flavoured barbecue – from fuel choice to marinades.

Joining Dearbhail to discuss the stories in Sunday's newspapers are: Keire Murphy, Senior Policy Officer at the ESRI & Sunday Independent columnist; Derek Mooney, Public Affairs Consultant & former Fianna Fáil Advisor; Mick Clifford, Special Correspondent with the Irish Examiner; and Aisling Meehan, Farmer, Solicitor & Tax Consultant.

Actor Eileen Walsh is well known for her roles on stage, films like Small Things Like These and The Magdelene Sisters, and TV shows like Catastrophe. She'll feature shortly on RTÉ One's Come to Your Census. She talked Dearbhail through the music that has soundtracked her life, from Annie Lennox to John Prine.

Daddy and daughter duo Salish and Jordan Matter are the latest YouTubers, who make content aimed at kids, to move to Netflix. Broadcaster Aifric O'Connell talks Dearbhail through the various YouTubers who have made the move to the streaming platforms – from Ms. Rachel to ‘MrBeast' - and why.

Joining Dearbhail to preview the best films and TV shows this week are Zara Hedderman, Culture Journalist, and Michael Doherty, Movies Editor with the RTÉ Guide.

Northern Irish author Jan Carson's new novel is ‘Few and Far Between'. She tells Dearbhail about her strict, Evangelical, Presbyterian upbringing, breaking free from insularity in university, a stint in America and her hopes for Northern Ireland post-Good Friday Agreement.