Brendan O'Connor has all you need for the weekend with time to pause and reflect on the week just gone. Featuring a selection of human interest, consumer and lifestyle stories, as well as keeping you up to date on the news stories that matter. Listen live Saturday and Sunday at 11am - 1pm on RTÉ Radio 1.
Today's panel includes Brenda Power, columnist at the Irish Daily Mail & Sunday Times; Johnny Fallon, Strategy Director at Carr Communications; Colm O'Gorman, human rights campaigner; Rena Maycock, Chief Executive, Cilter child-protection software and former Chief Executive of iRadio and Liam Collins, Sunday Independent reporter.
Musician, song-writer, 1994 Eurovision winner, Charlie McGettigan, joined Brendan to tell him the story of his life, through five music selections.
As Ridley Scott's biopic opens in the cinemas, why is it that people are still so interested in the French leader, two centuries on from his death? Historian Laura O'Brien [Assoc. Prof. of Modern European History at Northumbria University] joined Brendan to answer the question.
Previewing the best on screens small and big this Sunday were Nadine O'Regan, Editor of the Business Post Magazine, and Dave O'Callaghan, Host of the Here and Back Again podcast.
Actress Clelia Murphy, Sociologist Tom Inglis and TV Presenter James Patrice joined Brendan for a frank, funny and very revealing conversation about modern love.
Last week's alarming spike in overdoses in Ireland has been linked to batches of powerful synthetic alternatives to heroin. Can anything be done to counter this trend, and what might it tell us about the expected arrival in Ireland of Fentayl, which has already caused havoc in the United States? Brendan spoke to Dublin GP, Dr Austin O'Carroll.
Ahead of Black Friday, Cost of Living expert at the Irish Examiner, Caitríona Redmond, dispensed useful consumer advice about discounts, delivery dates and returns policies.
Psychotherapist, Richard Hogan joined Brendan to talk about ground rules for phone-use among teenagers, the dangers he sees playing out online and why talking to your teenager is always the answer.
Pest control experts are reporting an unprecedented surge in reports of mice and rat problems, Patricia Page, of Northwest Pest Control - also known locally as 'The Ratwoman'.
Food writer Tim Hayward takes a deep dive into the mysterious delight of the cheese toastie. What makes it so much tastier than the sum of its parts?
Today's panel includes Louise Burne, Political Correspondent at the Irish Mirror; Justine McCarthy, Irish Times Columnist; Alan Barrett, CEO of ESRI; Ben Tonra, Professor of International relations and politics at UCD & Mike Ryan, Executive Director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme
Dr. Marie Cassidy, Ireland's former State Pathologist on how she has made the move to writing fiction with her new book ‘Body of Truth'
In the week that Homer Simpson revealed he will go easier on Bart, Jamie Saris, Associate Professor of Anthropology at Maynooth University, reflects on the what the famed sitcom tells us about society.
Writer Henrietta McKervey and joe.ie Entertainment Editor Rory Cashin discuss the big and small screen releases of the week
Filmmaker and Journalist Brian Carroll on the evidence we didn't hear in the sentencing hearing of Molly and Tom Martens.
A new documentary film ‘So this is Christmas' is set to be released in cinemas next week - Mary Byrne and Jason Phelan talked to Brendan about loss, loneliness, resilience and above all hope at Christmas time.
Irish conductor David Brophy talks Brendan through some of the pieces of music that mean the most to him.
Physiotherapist Jenny Branigan has advice on how to stay safe and seen exercising in the dark and dreary winter months.
Chef Kevin Aherne explains why pies are a super comfort food and gives us tips on how to avoid a soggy bottom.
Today's panel includes Grainne Ni Aodha, News Reporter with PA media, Paul Sommerville, Market Analyst, Bobby McDonagh, former Ambassador to the UK and EU Irish diplomat and Dr. Cara Augustenborg, Professor in Environmental Policy in UCD & Member of Climate Change Advisory Council.
Health Performance Coach, Gerry Hussey tells Brendan about his latest book ‘The Freedom Within' and how we can reach emotional freedom.
Sarah Maria Griffin tells Brendan that not every video game is about shooting something, and looks at the biggest selling and most relaxing games for all ages
Broadcaster and entertainment journalist Sarina Bellissimo and TV and radio producer Eoin Sweeney discuss the big and small screen releases of the week
Tradfest will celebrate the life and work of legendary singer songwriter Janis Ian who wrote her breakthrough hit 'Society's Child', at the age of 14 in 1965. It was the first charted song to speak about interracial romance and was banned in the US
After the Taoiseach's visit to Seoul this week, Brendan spoke to Denis Staunton, China Correspondent with The Irish Times, about K-Pop, cosmetic surgery, personality tests, and about cultural parallels between South Korea and Ireland
Best-selling author Louise O'Neill speaks to Brendan about inspiring teachers and the music that shaped her life
Managing Director at recruiter Robert Walters, Louise Campbell tells Brendan about what employers can and can't access on their employees' devices
Chef and cookery teacher Rory O'Connell tells Brendan how to shop for, prepare and cook a three course meal for friends
Todays panel includes, Sarah Kelleher, Director at Lourdes Youth & Community Services, Donnacha O Beacháin, Professor of International Relations at the School of Law and Government at DCU, Lorraine Sweeney, Businessperson and Hotelier,Mick Clifford, Special Correspondent with The Irish Examiner and Lindsey Hilsum, International Editor C4 News
Rose Anne Kenny, Regius Professor of Medical Gerontology at Trinity College Dublin, and Mike Hanrahan, Musician, from Stockton's Wing disucss the link between music and dementia.
Ray Cuddihy, Broadcaster and Daft Punk fan discuss the muscial acts refusal to open the Olympics next year.
Jenn Gannon, Pop Culture Journalist and Donald Clarke, Film Correspondent for the Irish Times shared their tips on what to watch and stream this week!
Best-selling author, John Boyne, joined Brendan to talk about his new novella, Water, which was informed by John's personal experience of child sexual abuse at Terenure College in Dublin.
As the clocks change tonight Brendan catches up with bodyclock expert Annie Curtis.
The one and only Arnold Schwarzenegger, self-help guru and author of 'Be Useful', chatted to Brendan about accent coaches, surviving a tough childhood and why nothing good ever came from having a plan B!
Schools are off and the midterm looms, Brendan is joined by Jillian Bolger, Food and Travel Editor of the Irish Examiner with some ideas to fill the week.
Brendan is joined by Trinidadian chef and owner of AA's Cribbean Eamon Defrietas.
Today's panel includes Alison O'Connor, Columnist Sunday Times, Brigid Laffan, Emeritus Professor, European University Institute, Oisín Coghlan, Chief Executive Friends of the Earth and Political Correspondent, Irish Daily Mail Craig Hughes.
Legendary actor Sir Patrick Stewart chatted to Brendan about his new memoir 'Making It So', how he almost missed out on the iconic Star Trek role, and his secret Yorkshire accent!
Britney Spears' tell-all memoir officially comes out this Tuesday, the first time she's told her whole story in her own words. Karen Morgan, Visuals Editor of the Sunday Times and maker of the Pieces of Me Britney documentary, joins Brendan to preview the book
Movies Editor of the RTÉ Guide Michael Doherty and freelance culture Journalist Zara Hedderman shared their tips on what to watch and stream this week!
Amazon are the latest in a long line of tech firms to pull out of Lisbon's Web Summit over comments by Summit founder, Paddy Cosgrave. Tech Editor of the Irish Independent Adrian Weckler, explains the background to all this and where it might end up.