Highlights from Moncrieff

Even if you've never heard the name, you would recognise the iconic Wilhelm scream, which has been used in countless movies.But, where does it come from, and why is it used so much?Steve Lee is a Sound Effects Wrangler and Founder and CEO of the Hollywood Sound Museum. He joins Seán to discuss.

During the Taoiseach's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping yesterday, the two bonded over the shared love of an Irish novel which is somewhat lost and forgotten here in Ireland, but which has sold millions of copies in Russia.Joining Seán to discuss is Zoe Comyns, Creator of the Lyric FM documentary ‘Ethel Voynich - Music Mystery and Manuscripts'...

In Scandinavian countries, you might see dog sledding in snowy conditions. Apparently, we have something like it in Ireland, but with a twist...Joining Seán to discuss is President of Canicross Ireland, Louise Jones.

The 100th birthday of the first census conducted by the Irish Free State is coming up. What was the significance of this one, and how were they conducted a century ago?Joining Seán to discuss is Columnist with the Irish Examiner, Colin Sheridan.

Young people are being accused of not being “work-ready” because of the decline of the Saturday job.The UK's former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Alan Milburn, has recently said that teenagers are increasingly unprepared for the workplace due to the slump in weekend work outside of school hours.But, are our youth becoming lazy, and are we seeing a “crisis of opportunity”?Caroline Reidy of the HR Suite joins Seán to discuss.

These dark winter days make getting outside difficult, but with three quarters of children spending less time outside than prison inmates, one school in Wicklow is determined to do things differently...The Outdoor Primary School offers an unusual learning experience for students who primarily learn in the woods.Louise Nelson, Principal of Wicklow's Outdoor Primary School, joins Seán to discuss.

The release of Wicked: For Good has seen the return to the big screen of the stereotypical image we have of witches. They have green skin, a conical hat, a cauldron, and they fly on a broomstick.But where did that depiction come from?Laura Kounine is an Associate Professor of Early Modern History at the University of Sussex and joined Sean to discuss.

Olivia Fahy joins Moncrieff with her picks for what to stream. On the list this week:Season two of The Night Manager a British spy thriller television series, Traitors UK is back for the 4th season this time to its original structure of non celebrity partcipants. And mystery writer Harlen Coben has a new series on Netflix called Run Away

Psychologist and Neurologist, Ian Robertson, joins sean to discuss and explore a counter-intuitive idea for the new year: that boredom isn't something to fear, but something we urgently need to relearn. He argues that our constant urge to scroll and stay stimulated is eroding our ability to think, feel and create freely. Ian makes the case for boredom as a temporary relief from “mental slavery”, a state that allows the mind to wander, emotions to surface, and creativity to re-emerge.

As a new year rolls around, more and more people will be looking to get on the property ladder during 2026. But what is the forecast for the year, and how should you go about trying to purchase a new build? Joining Sean to analyze the current trends in the housing market. offer tips to buyers, and discuss whether we can expect the housing crisis to improve or worsen in 2026 was Suzanne Tyrrell, a Director with Cohalan Downing Real Estate in Cork...

.It's the first day back for many. How are you feeling? Are you struggling? Do you hate your life? Do you question your existence? For many office workers today is their first day back to work. Do you look forward to it or do you dread it? Does it make you contemplate a change in your life? Is the transition back to work difficult? Is this the first day of new resolutions kicking in or failing? Henry Mckean reports....

While the operation to capture Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro was a complex tactical mission for US special forces, how exactly did they carry it out? Joining Sean to discuss the ins and outs of it and the implications it has for Venezuela and for the world was Dan Sabbagh, defence and security editor for the Guardian...

A new book explores the extraordinary story of Walt Disney, PL Travers and the two Ukrainian brothers who made Mary Poppins one of the most successful movies of all time. Joining me now is Todd Pierce, Author of ‘Making Mary Poppins'...

While road bowling is a well known sport in Co. Cork, what is the state of the sport today and what can we expect for 2026? Joining John Fardy in for Sean was Seamus O'Tuama, Bowling Correspondent for the Irish Examiner.

The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ordered American diplomats to drop the Calibri font and return to Times New Roman, calling the switch a product of misguided policies under the previous Biden administration. But why ? Does the Type of font you use matter ? Joining John Fardy in for Sean to discuss was Owner of Signal Type Foundry Max Philips

You wouldn't imagine there are too many festivals happening this month, given the post-Christmas blues and the weather. But this month First Fortnight, the annual mental health arts and culture festival, will host events right across the country seeking to use creative work to challenge the stigma around mental health. Maria Fleming is the CEO of First Fortnight festival, and she joined John Fardy in for Sean to discuss the purpose of the festival.

Happy Christmas!The Big Fat Newstalk Quiz of the Year is back - with Newstalk's Simon Tierney taking you through some of the great, good and wackiest parts of 2025.Joining Simon to chance their arm at the crown is Niamh O'Reilly, Freelance Writer and Journalist, Comedian Jim Elliott and Jen Hogan, Irish Times Columnist and Host of the ‘Conversations with Parents' podcast.

Whether you're entertaining extended family or just need something to break up the day, Christmas is a great time to try out a few games and get everyone involved...Olivia Fahy, Entertainment journalist, has been rounding up some of her favourites and joins Seán to discuss.Image: Nintendo

After 100 years of the Coca Cola versus Pepsi soft drink war, has the battle been won, with Pepsi now 3rd on the list of the biggest selling fizzy drinks in the world?Joining Seán to discuss is Eoin Burke-Kennedy, Economics Correspondent of The Irish Times…

Is your Christmas tree looking sad with needles on the ground and limp branches just two days before Christmas?Joe Flynn is Chairman of the Irish Christmas Tree Growers, and joins Seán to discuss.

There's something in the water this Christmas... and while it might not be alcohol for some, the price of sober options during the holidays is enough to turn the mood from sweet to sour. From scare options to exorbitant prices, Irish Examiner Columnist and Food Writer Caitriona Redmond has seen it all since she went alcohol-free three years ago.The journalist has compiled her experience and offers alternatives to your traditional champagne. She joins Seán to discuss.

Over the next few days, the brilliant and joyous sound of church bells will be heard as we all celebrate Christmas and the coming new year.You may think that ringing bells is just pulling a bit of rope, but there is an art to bell ringing, and it takes a good bit of training to get competent at it.Raymond Cregan is the Ringing Master at Christ Church Dublin, and joins Seán to discuss.

As we frantically get our last bits of Christmas shopping done, how much of that will be done in a family-owned business? Unfortunately, not many of them have survived the past couple of decades…One that has is the iconic Kennys Bookshop in Galway which celebrated its 85th birthday last month.So amid all the changes, especially in how we read, how have they survived? Tomas Kenny joins Seán to discuss.Image: @kennysbookshop on Instagram

For many Irish people Daniel O'Connell is one of the great nationalist leaders who changed the course of history for Ireland...But on a world stage, just why was his influence so popular?And what has Budweiser beer got to do with it?Lecturer of Nineteenth Century Irish History at UCC, Dr Jay Roszman, joins Seán to discuss.

An animated short film called ‘Retirement Plan' has made the shortlist for a nomination in next year's Oscars.The film has been receiving rave reviews, and is 7 minutes of a man named Ray, voiced by Domhnall Gleeson, listing off all the things he hopes to do upon reaching retirement.Its Director, John Kelly, joins Seán to discuss!

Non-fiction book sales are currently going through a major slump. But, why is this? Joining Seán is Holly Harley, Non-Fiction Editorial Director at Head of Zeus' Apollo Imprint…

Canadian linguists are upset over Prime Minister Mark Carney's abandonment of their country's spelling rules in official documentation. A group of disgruntled linguists have now written an open letter to the PM, requesting he cease and desist.Joining Seán to discuss is one of the signatories, John Chew, Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian English Dictionary…Image: Reuters

Every year Merchant's Quay Ireland (MQI) hosts a Christmas celebration for people who are sleeping rough or using its services. Turkey and ham with all the trimmings, music, small gifts, and most importantly, a warm and safe place where people are welcomed by name. For many of MQI's clients, this is their only Christmas meal and the only sense of “home” they will have.Henry McKean went along, and joins Seán to discuss.

We've all seen the trend of ‘manifesting' online, but typically manifesting is reserved for love or money. Meehika Barua, however, decided to improve her social life by manifesting better friendships.Meehika joins Seán to discuss.

Ireland's oldest person celebrated her 109th birthday earlier this week, she credits her longevity to ‘hard work, no smoking and no drinking'.Joining Seán to discuss the secrets to living a long life is Professor Rose Anne Kenny, Head of Ageing Research at Trinity College Dublin.

With just days to go before Christmas, reindeers have never been so in demand. There is a herd of reindeer in County Down who are bracing for their busiest time...Philippa Auret from NI Reindeers joins Seán to discuss!

Breakups are hard, but when you are newly married and your relationship breaks down shortly after your wedding, there can be shame attached...Eve Simmons found herself navigating a split just six months after marrying her long-term partner.She joins Seán to discuss.

It's predicted that many families in Ireland will spend around €1,600 on Christmas.The shops are going to be packed this weekend as people scramble for presents.How much do you spend on the big Christmas shop, and what are the essentials you can't go without?Newstalk's Josh Crosbie has been finding out, and sends in this report...

Is there something about being away from home that makes you yearn for all things familiar to remind you of it?Emily Bourke is living in London and has started teaching Irish classes and organising Irish speaking events to make sure that she doesn't lose her Gaeilge...Emily joins Seán to discuss!

It is that time of year where a book might appear in a Christmas stocking, but what books are suitable for children with dyslexia?Children's author Jen Wallace partnered with Little Island Books to make her story ‘Dinosaur Pie' dyslexia-friendly, and joins Seán to discuss the process.

Concerns have been raised for young up-and-coming fashion designers in this country who may find themselves ill-equipped to deal with the threats to their intellectual property, which can see major retailers copying their designs and reproducing them to the masses…So, what can be done?Lecturer Dr Paul Davis from Dublin City University joins Seán to discuss.

Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh, a Doctor and Columnist for the Irish Independent, believes that if the state is paying for cholesterol medication, it ought to be paying for Ozempic too.Máire joins Seán to discuss society's view on obesity, and why it needs to change.

As the Trump administration piles caveats onto visa entry requirements to the US, are more and more people fearful about their social media history and speaking out about the American government?Joining Seán to discuss is Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer at University of Galway…Image: Reuters

Just one week ago, Dublin Zoo saw the first ever cataract surgery on a hippo. Frank O'Sullivan, one of the vets who performed the surgery joins Seán to discuss this world first, and the importance of conservation medicine.

Who was the man responsible for designing and planning Dublin's flats?Lorcan Sirr, a Senior Lecturer in Housing at TUD, joins Seán to discuss the life and legacy of Herbert Simms, one of Dublin's most notable town planners and architects.

Drug smugglers are now using cows as a means to transport cocaine and bring drugs into Europe from Latin America. This method is being favoured by cartels knowing that International law enforcement agencies will be reluctant to search cattle ships…Max Stephens, International Crime Correspondent for the Daily Telegraph has been investigating this, and joins Seán to discuss.

For some people, the Christmas holiday can be a time of anxiety and hardship and even fear, especially if you are harbouring difficult emotions associated with the festive period. But do you suffer from Christougenniatikophobia?Joining Seán to discuss is Christopher Paul Jones, a Therapist and Phobia Specialist from Harley St in London…