Brendan O'Connor

Joining Dearbhail to dissect the Sunday papers are Brenda Power, Columnist at the Irish Daily Mail & Sunday Times, Graham Finlay, Assistant Professor of Politics and International Relations at UCD, Mick Clifford, Special Correspondent, for The Irish Examiner, and Keire Murphy, Senior Policy Advisor, ESRI,

Broadcaster, journalist and raconteur, Terry Christian chats to Dearbhail about his Irish Catholic upbringing which informs his new Edinburgh Festival Show, his experiences being working class in the media in the '80s and '90s, his time presenting taboo-busting T.V. show The Word and giving Oasis their big break.

With the Bravo franchise expanding to 45 countries including its latest incarnation The Real Housewives of London, DJ and broadcaster Conor Behan gives Dearbhail a potted history of the Real Housewives. What makes it a reality T.V. hit, and the surprising depth its viewers find in it

Dublin International Film Festival Director, Gráinne Humphreys and Host of the Extra Vision Podcast, Andy McCarroll join Dearbhail to give their verdict on the latest film and TV releases

Father and son Eben and Kealan Stewart Join Dearbhail to speak about becoming carers for wife and mother Sandrine who was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia at age 49. They speak about the early days of family life; the difficulties they are navigating now, and how the illness has transformed their love and appreciation for each other.

Atchitect, broadcaster, and lecturer, Róisín Murphy joins Dearbhail to discuss tackling the heat in houses and apartments - how insulation, skylights, heat pumps and awnings can all aid the battle of keeping cool at home.

TV presenter and content creator James Patrice takes Dearbhail through the soundtrack of his life which includes Judy Garland, Girls Aloud and Enya. He talks about dealing with bullies, the importance of resilience, the freedom in being truly yourself and how he found joy and peace in acting and performing.

Chartered Work and Coaching Psychologist, Leisha Redmond McGrath talks to Dearbhail about the beauty of boredom, how to use patches of boredom to feed creativity and move away from toxic productivity.

Krissy Gibson owner of Take the Cake bakery gives Dearbhail a range of fuss free 'no bake' treats from the layered Canadian Nanaimo Bars to Brazilian "Brigadeiros" and zingy lemon truffles

Joining Dearbhail to discuss the Sunday papers are Jennifer Bray, Political editor with The Sunday Times, Prof Ray Murphy from The Irish centre for Human Rights at the University of Galway, Emma Howard, Economist at TU Dublin, and Louise Bayliss, Head of Social and Justice policy at SVP Ireland, and co-founder of single parent's organisation, SPARK

Grace Cahill, founder of Studio Grace, speaks to Dearbhail about living with OCD. She talks about the intrusive thoughts that she experienced as a child, and how becoming a mother led to her diagnosis. Throughout, Grace describes her determination to pursue her passions and to live by her motto, "courage over comfort."

If you hate the heat and can't stand sweaty holidays, travel obsessive Lisa Regan has you covered - she talks to Dearbhail about cooler holiday spots to consider this summer

Radio producer and broadcaster Eoin Sweeney and Irish Times Arts Journalist, Nadine O'Regan give Dearbhail their recomendations for the best T.V. and films to watch for the week ahead.

Three people of colour who came to Ireland as migrants talk to Dearbhail following the recent spate of racially motivated attacks. Writer, Cauvery Madhavan, Dr Aman De Sondy, Senior Lecturer at UCC and Natasha Maimba, UNICEF Youth Ambassador spoke about their own experiences with racism, their love for Ireland and their hope for the future.

Community pharmacist, and "Wondercare" podcaster, Sheena Mitchell, talks Dearbhail through the essential first aid supplies to pack for your summer holidays. She advises on the typical scraps and doses that can catch us off guard while travelling.

Eddie Mullins, CEO of Merchants Quay Ireland, tells Dearbhail how attitudes to drug use have changed in Ireland over recent decades. He highlights the disconnect between "recreational" drug users who may see themselves as morally distinct from those who are drug dependent.

Poet Paula Meehan joined Dearbhail to talk about her life in five songs. She talked about her childhood in Dublin's inner city, arriving at Trinity College where she says she began to understand class divides for the first time and how deeply music and poetry have always affected her.

Chartered Physiotherapist, Aisling Frawley shares her tips for how to avoid the desk slouch, repair "tech neck" and retain muscle and joint strength into the future.

Russell Alford, of 'The Gastro Gays' bring some fresh ideas for lunch stop-offs on those long cross-country road car journeys and tells Dearbhail about his favourite places to enjoy some delicious meals.

Joining Brendan to discuss the Sunday papers this week are Hary McGee, Political Correspondent with the Irish Times, Lisa Chambers, Former Fianna Fáil TD now with business advisory firm Consello, Niamh Hourigan, Sociologist with Mary Immaculate College, Scott Lucas, Professor of U.S. and International Politics at the Clinton Institute, UCD.

Prof. Luke O'Neill takes Brendan through the brave new world of A.I., the speed of innovation, how we as a society will adapt, how it will affect the future of diagnostics, medical research and immunology.

Writer, Edel Coffey joins Brendan to reveal what's in the newly released life story of Hollywood A-lister Gwyneth Paltrow. The unauthorised biography includes how she had to teach an unworldly Brad Pitt about caviar, her nepo baby status,the multi-million-dollar wellness empire she built and her evolution as the marmite figure of her generation.

Writer Henrietta McKervey and Brian Lloyd, Freelance Entertainment Journalist, give Brendan their recommendations for the best T.V. and films to watch for the week ahead.

Pop idol Jason Donovan takes Brendan through his life in five songs, the soundtrack to his days in the Stock Aitken and Waterman ‘Hit Factory' and his second act as a musical theatre star. He talks about the impact early fame in Neighbours had on his life, his struggles with addiction and finding refuge and revelation on the stage.

Vivienne Bailey paints a picture of her relationship with the late poet Pat Ingoldsby, appreciating his observant nature, living with the irascible artistic temperament and her goal to have Pat's final book published.

Irish music icon Mary Coughlan draws on all her life experience and the wisdom that comes from getting through the hard times to give Brendan some lessons she lives by.

Podcaster Kelly Earley talks to Brendan about why Gen Z are choosing to shop on Tik Tok, being scam-aware and what the trend means for traditional online shopping.

With inspiration for the even the most reluctant cook, award winning chef, Brian Ó Domhnaill from Danny Minnie's in Anagaire in Co. Donegal gives Brendan recipes for salmon, cod, sea bass, prawns and black sole; each one with only four ingredients,

Joining Brendan to digest the Sunday papers are; Political Correspondent, Sarah McGuinness, Chief Economist with Deloitte Ireland, Kate English, Former Irish Ambassador to the UK and the EU, Bobby McDonagh, and Sunday Independent Columnist and Former Head of the Housing Agency, Conor Skehan.

Dr Sabina Brennan talks to Brendan about caring for her mother when she was diagnosed with dementia, and how it might help others in understanding loved ones with a diagnosis of a similar condition. She charts her experience in her new book, ‘Still Me: A neuroscientist's guide to caring for someone with dementia'.

In light of the cancellation of Late Night with Stephen Colbert on CBS in the US, Dave Hanratty, Host of the No Encore podcast, brings us through some of the most memorable American late night television shows, and the reasons why audiences just aren't watching anymore.

Fionnuala Jones, Podcaster and Presenter Donald Clarke, Chief film Correspondent for The Irish Times join Brendan to give some of their recommendations for what to watch on the big and small screen this week.

Comedian Alison Spittle has a new show, ‘Big', that she's bringing to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and is based on her own weight loss journey using prescription injections. She explores her relationship with her body going back to childhood and how she navigates people's reactions to her weight.

Podcaster and author David McWilliams joins Brendan to discuss how factors such as a rising population, smaller family sizes, and out of date accommodation are contributing to the housing crisis.

Psychotherapist Richard Hogan on why there is a loneliness epidemic in a world that has never been more connected; why the World Health Organisation has said teenage girls are the loneliest group in the world; how loneliness can harm and what we can do to combat it.

Summer can be an expensive time for people with holidays, back to school costs, and entertainment costs such as festivals and day trips, not to mention the increase in grocery and hospitality costs across the country. The Money Doctor John Lowe gives Brendan some tips on how to manage summer finances and how not to get overwhelmed by rising costs.

Chef and Instagrammer Alannah Sheehan gives us some healthy alternatives to sweet meals and treats including some easy recipes for protein balls, chia pudding, granola, and more.

Joining Brendan to digest the Sunday papers are; Political Correspondent, Louise Burne, Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer at the University of Galway, Brenda Power, Columnist with the Sunday Times & The Irish Daily Mail and Marc Ó Cathasaigh, Primary School Teacher and Former Green Party TD for Waterford.

Actor Tom Vaughan-Lawlor talks to Brendan about five songs that shaped his world, from the golden age of ‘80s blockbusters like the Goonies with Cyndi Lauper to how he relieves homesickness with The Tulla Ceili Band. He chats about how he coped with the whirlwind of fame with Love/Hate and the buzz he gets from being on stage again.

Brendan gets a crash course in the competitive sport of road bowling from the secretary of Ból Chumann na hÉireann, Séamus Ó Tuama and enthusiast Michelle Forde who is the founder of the popular Road Bowls in Ireland Facebook and TikTok accounts.

RTÉ Guide Movie Editor Michael Doherty and Culture Commentator Senita Appiakorang give Brendan their recommendations for the best T.V. and films to watch for the week ahead.

Writer Deepa Paul joins Brendan to discuss her memoir Ask Me How It Works which charts her experiences after she made the decision to have an open marriage. She talks about the effects it had on her relationship with her husband, navigating jealousy, the freedom she found in other partners and how it has altered her ideas around commitment.