Highlights from Moncrieff

Around 500 million years ago, animals first ventured out of the oceans and onto land…Since then, life has evolved in wondrous and unforeseeable ways to this new environment, with everything from dinosaurs to bats roaming around above the waves. And, in the case of ourselves, even venturing into orbit.So, could life entering the cosmos be the beginning of a similar evolutionary leap?Caleb Sharf, Astrobiologist with NASA and author of ‘The Giant Leap: Why Space Is the Next Frontier in the Evolution of Life', joins Seán to discuss.

Today is World Philosophy Day. Seán's guest believes that philosophy should be taught in Irish schools, just as it is in Italy, France and Germany, but why?Vittorio Bufacchi, from the Philosophy Department at University College Cork, joins to discuss…

Endurance swimmer Daragh Morgan has been making headlines as the first person to swim around Ireland. The feat took 338 hours over the course of 5 months to achieve…Daragh joins Seán to discuss his incredible achievement, and why he did it.

There's a new authorised biography on Monty Python star Terry Jones: ‘Seriously Silly: The Life of Terry Jones'. The comedy legend's biography features contributions from all of the surviving Pythons.Joining Seán to discuss is author Robert Ross, a personal friend of Terry's, and now also his Biographer.

The Republic of Ireland are playing the Czech Republic on March 26th in a World Cup play off, which makes us want to go down memory lane…Are you jumping on the bandwagon?Newstalk's Henry McKean has been out asking the public, and joins Seán to discuss.

As the cold weather starts to bite, many listeners will be reaching for their winter woolies, but with complex labelling, how can you know if what you're buying is genuinely wool rich, and how exactly should you care for your woolen garments? Joining guest host Fionnuala Jones to discuss is Environmental Activist Moya Doogan, who runs the @environmentaleadai sustainable fashion media account…

The 26th year of the IFI French Film Festival kicks off today, featuring 22 Irish premieres and 34 titles across the twelve days. But, what else can people expect at Ireland's largest French cultural event?Joining guest host Fionnuala Jones to discuss is David O'Mahoney, Head of Cinema Programming at the Irish Film Institute.Image: IFI

Are Irish fizzy drinks having a revival? Ali Dunworth, Food and Drinks Writer, and author of ‘A Compendium of Irish Pints', seems to think that minerals are back and on the up.Ali joins guest host Fionnuala Jones to discuss.

To get the spark back in Lotte Brundle, Feature and Lifestyle Journalist living in London's relationship, she started creating space in her google calendar to have sex with her boyfriend. But, what is it all about?She joins guest host Fionnuala Jones to discuss.

Recently, Kim Kardashian has been drawing attention for her portrayal of a lawyer in ‘All's Fair', but unfortunately for her, the success of her onscreen character has not been matched in her real life.In an Instagram video posted on Sunday, the Kardashian announced that she had not passed her Bar exam…We're not that used to people posting their failures on social media, and whilst that may be refreshing, is it advisable?Ian Robertson is Emeritus Professor of Psychology at Trinity College & Author of ‘How Confidence Works'. He joins guest host Fionnuala Jones to discuss.

Is Ireland on the right track when it comes to dealing with climate change?Guest host Fionnuala Jones is joined by Dr. Tadgh O'Mahony, Assistant Professor of Environmental Policy at UCD, who believes that Ireland is getting it all wrong in our response to climate change, a response which Tadgh has called “erratic"...

Have you noticed a swathe of musicals and musician biopics consistently releasing in the cinema? What's behind the amount of them, and why are they seemingly so successful?From Barbie to Wicked to Taylor Swift's film ‘The Official Release Party of a Showgirl' and lots more, joining guest host Fionnuala Jones to discuss is Journalist and author Aoife Barry…Image: Universal Pictures

How often do you check your phone every day? Dr Clare Moriarty, Visiting Fellow in Trinity College Dublin, has picked up on her habits, and is asking the question: are we 'phone zombies'?

Tom Dunne's guest enjoyed success with his band Rubyhorse, touring the States in 2002 and even appearing on Conan O'Brien and David Letterman. His new memoir ‘All Roads Lead To Where You Are - From Bishopstown to The Beatles' is out now. Joe Philpott joins to discuss!

The Government has made promises to solve the housing crisis, and have stood by a long term plan on the basis that it will likely take fifteen years before things get better for people...But, what if that is too late for you?Emma Murphy is like many adults who are saving to buy their first home, and living in her childhood bedroom. At 35, she is in a position where she is delaying things in life…She joins guest host Tom Dunne to discuss.

Have you ever wondered how portraits of missing people are done years later, as families desperately renew appeals for information about a loved one?Tim Widden is a Forensic Artist and age progression portraits are his speciality. He joins guest host Tom Dunne to discuss.

Where did the Irish pub come from? How is it changing? And why is the traditional Irish pub so common overseas?Joining guest host Tom Dunne to discuss is Perry Share, who co-wrote a new book on the subject, with Moonyoung Hong, called ‘The Irish Pub, Invention and Reinvention'.

Tom Dunne's guest decided to follow the instructions of the Swedish government's 72 hour survival guide by holing up in his garden shed in complete isolation for 3 days, with no electricity or other facilities. So, why did he do this and how did he get on? Joining to discuss is Geroge Chesterton, Senior Features Writer for the Daily Telegraph…

Many of us would have watched the Presidential Inauguration last week to get a sense of what Catherine Connolly would bring to the role.We expect that her words and her actions will be a fair representation of modern Ireland, but can you get a sense of what the country was like from other aspects of the President's behaviour, like what they choose to eat for example?Dr. Elaine Mahon is a Lecturer in Gastronomy and Food Studies at Technological University Dublin (TUD) and she's been looking at what we can learn from Presidents' inauguration menus through the years. She joins Tom Dunne to discuss.

A new book explores the extraordinary escapades undertaken by diplomats and revolutionaries to forge alliances abroad in support of Irish independence during the 1920s. Joining Tom Dunne in for Sean to talk about it all was the Editor of the book ‘The Irish Revolution: -Diplomacy and Reactions 1919-1923' Mervyn O'Driscoll,

Have you ever thought about going back to college?Well James O'Reilly has just graduated from Dublin City University with a degree in history and literature and he proves that it really is never too late.He joined Tom Dunne in for Sean alongside his son Emmett to chat about his lifelong love for learning...

After a famous win for Ireland yesterday, beating Hungary 3-2 to reach the playoffs for the World Cup, screams and tears engulfed the nation as Troy Parrott scored the winning goal in the last seconds of the game. But has yesterday shown that we have become better at expressing our emotions in public ?Henry McKean reports.

What would you do to be famous?For some people, it doesn't matter. For others, it's their greatest ambition.In 1968 Irishman Mick Meaney decided he was willing to bury himself alive for his shot at fame.Daire Collins is the director of a new documentary about these events called Beo Faon bhFód and he joined Tom Dunne in for Sean to discuss

The vinyl release of a protest album entitled ‘Is This What We Want?' will be launched on December 8th and will feature an extraordinary contribution from Paul McCartney. So, how will the album help in the fight against generative AI using artists' work without their permission? Joining Tom Dunne in for Sean is the man behind this effort, Ed Newton-Rex, Founder of Fairly Trained.

A contemporary artist took the world by surprise this week when he snuck an AI-generated print into the National Museum of Cardiff.Elias Marrow, who maintains anonymity in his work, used AI software to create his work, ‘Empty Plate', which he says represents Wales in 2025.The secretive artist carried out similar stunts at Bristol Museum and Tate Modern, but denied it was “vandalism”.This has sparked a heated debate about the place of AI in art and whether it ought to be displayed…Conceptual artist Elias Marrow joins Seán to discuss.Image: Elias Marrow

"All that glitters is not gold", "Do or do not, there is no try". The first quote is from Shakespeare, and the other is from Yoda. Both are examples of aphorisms, a form of expression you don't hear much anymore. According to this author, they're making a comeback.Joining Seán to discuss is James Geary, author of ‘The World in a Phrase: A Brief History of The Aphorism'.

Jane McNeice did not expect that her admission that she has breastfed her children and grandchildren would cause such strong reactions. To her, there is nothing more natural than feeding any child related to her that is hungry. As she sees it: “it's no different than making them beans on toast”...She joins Seán to discuss!

‘Death Cleaning' is the Swedish practice of getting rid of stuff you don't need before you die. But, why bother? And, is there more to it than meets the eye?Joining Seán to discuss is Psychologist and host of the NBC show ‘The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning', Katarina Blom…Image: NBC

A brand-new exhibition coming to Dublin is set to take visitors on a gripping psychological journey into the darkest corners of the human mind...‘Inescapable Darkness: A Serial Killers Exhibition' will immerse people in the cases of some of history's most notorious killers, from Ancient Rome to the modern day.Through realistic recreations, original case materials and cutting-edge virtual reality, guests can explore the psychology behind these crimes and the investigations that exposed them.Joining Seán to discuss is John Zaller, Creative Director at Exhibition Hub.

A brand-new short documentary celebrating boobs has been sparking conversations and sweeping awards around the globe.The film, ‘BOOBS', follows Dublin artist Geraldine Carton's journey to paint one hundred real women's breasts, celebrating the reality of female bodies in all their shapes, stories, and imperfections.What began as a simple call-out on Instagram has grown into a powerful movement about body image, resilience, and self-acceptance.Geraldine joins Seán to discuss more.Image: @geraldine_carton on Instagram

It has long been debated as to whether or not Adolf Hitler had just one testicle. Now, a new documentary on Channel 4 explores this and other intimate topics associated with the infamous dictator.Joining Seán to discuss is one of the participants, Dr. Alex Kay from the War Studies Department at the University of Potsdam.

There's nothing that inflames our judginess more than getting behind the wheel and judging other people on the road.So, what are your biggest driving icks?Henry McKean has been asking the public, and joins Seán to discuss.

As parents of primary school children around the country participate in the largest ever survey of attitudes to school ethos, Seán's guest has been sharing her personal experiences of her four children who have opted out of religious instruction.Aoife Cassidy, Communications Officer at Education Equality, who has been writing about this in the Irish Examiner, joins to discuss…

As flu and cold season descends on us, what are the best home hacks to treat a cold, and does the old ‘Wine & Garlic' method actually work?Joining Seán to discuss is Illona Duffy, a GP based in Monaghan…

From the extensive hijackings of the 1970s to the emergence of suicide bombers in the 1980s, a new book traces the evolution of terrorism in the mid to late 20th century.Joining Seán to discuss is Jason Burke, Foreign Correspondent for the Guardian and author of ‘The Revolutionists: The Story of the Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970s'...

Controversy has erupted in Japan as to whether or not the new female Prime Minister will step into the sacred sumo ring to present a prestigious trophy later this month, as sumo rules do not allow women to enter the dohyō…Joining Seán to discuss is Ireland's only female sumo wrestler, Tori Mallon, from Sumo na hÉireann, the Irish Sumo Wrestling Association...

A Cork gym is breaking barriers in fitness accessibility. Elite Fitness Cork has just introduced a new hyperbaric chamber to support people with serious health conditions, which has been proven can help people with symptoms of long Covid.From professional athletes to wheelchair users, this gym is redefining what inclusivity in fitness really means.Owner and kickboxing champion Colin O'Shaughnessy joins Seán to talk about why Elite Fitness Cork is more than just a gym…

What defines trauma, and why are people more vulnerable to it than others? This will be the main focus of a talk happening at the Sugar Club in Dublin later this month, which will unravel the neuroscience behind Irish trauma…Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscientist Dr. Michael Keane will be giving the talk and demonstrating trauma through visuals like brain imaging and scans.He joins Seán to discuss more.

What makes us yawn? We all do it, but few of us actually know why. Even today, scientists are still puzzled by the recurring action. Wrongly attributed to breathing, the instinctive act might have more to do with our brains and neurological functions.Professor of Behavioural Biology at John Hopkins University, Andrew Gallup joins Seán to discuss the breakthrough on the contagious gesture few of us understand…

Today marks Armistice Day, the signing of negotiations which brought the end of World War I.It is also known as Remembrance Day, Veterans' Day, and Poppy Day, in other parts of the world, and over the years has evolved to commemorate all those who have died in war.Joining Seán to discuss the history of Armistice Day is Historian and Archives Manager at Dublin Cemeteries Trust, Dr. Brian Casey…

Is Gen Z going ‘braless' and what does this mean for the future of lingerie?Social media has recently been taken by storm when actress Sydney Sweeney went for a ‘braless' red carpet look.She freed her nipples in a sheer dress that made the rounds on social media, with users blaming her for sexualising herself for the male gaze, while others hailing her for what was deemed to be a ‘feminist' move.But, is this the sign of a new trend emerging for women, and how could this define the future of the bra?Owner of Peaches and Cream lingerie shop, Sinead Sanderson, joins Seán to discuss.

You know what it's like, when you go to a new city you can end up spending hours in queues and being stuck in crowds with the masses...Actor Richard E Grant has revealed a new approach to sightseeing ,saying that the best time to explore somewhere new is at night, around 8pm, when every other tourist is eating dinner.So, is this true? And what is there to do at night as a tourist in Ireland?Trudy Carmody is a private tour guide who runs Experiencing Ireland. She joins Seán to discuss.