Highlights from Moncrieff

With Lufthansa launching their exclusive new first class option recently, the battle for supremacy rages on among the world's top airlines when it comes to the premier offering. But, is shelling out for First Class actually worth it?Joining Seán to discuss is John Arlidge, a leading aviation journalist based in London, who has been touring some of the best options…Image: Lufthansa

Mayo man Eamonn Keaveney has walked over five thousand kilometres barefoot, from Istanbul to Ireland.Now, nearly a year later, he is on the final stretch of the solo journey as he raises money for charity.Eamonn joins Seán to discuss.

Earlier this week, Camilla Parker Bowles declared that audiobooks “count too” when it comes to reading. Over the past few years, sales of audiobooks have skyrocketed, but is there still a snobbery about it not being ‘real reading'?Joining Seán to discuss is Vanessa Fox O'Loughlin, AKA Sam Blake, the author of the new bestselling novel ‘Your Every Move'...

What would you do if you heard your child cursing? Would you reprimand them, question the very education you gave them or perhaps even laugh?While there isn't a consensus on what to do if you catch your child swearing, Journalist Allegra Chapman thinks parents don't need to cede to panic and instead reframe how young people see profanity. She joins Seán to discuss.

The swan census has been taking place across Ireland recently, to try and ascertain how many wild whoopers we have in this country.Joining Seán to discuss is Helen Boland, from Birdwatch Ireland…

As the son of an Irish mother and a Palestinian father, Sami Abu Wardeh has experienced the effects of colonialism, war and displacement many times in his life and how it has shaped his family's past.Turning away from a career in medicine in favour of comedy, he is now exploring what resistance really means in the face of adversity, in his show ‘Palestine: Peace de Resistance' which will be shown at the Project Arts Theatre in Dublin on the 26th and 27th of January...He joins Seán to discuss.

The Oscar nominations have just been released, with lots of expectations surrounding Killarney's Jessie Buckley.Joining Seán to discuss is film maker John Kelly, whose animated short film ‘Retirement Plan' was nominated, and film reviewer Esther McCarthy…

When an elderly relative dies, some people may have regrets on not spending enough time with them or not asking enough questions - but what questions should you ask your older relatives?Newstalk's Henry McKean has been asking the public, and joins Seán to discuss.

After a long day at work, cooking may be the last thing on our minds. With the added benefit of a home-cooked meal and none of the effort, takeaways have fast become a way for us to save time, but few realized just how effective they were in cheering us up.A study carried out by scientists from Anglia Ruskin University reveals that it is the most effective method to cheer up or console us after an intense day at work.But beyond takeaways, why do we feel the need to ‘treat ourselves' when things don't quite go the way we planned and most of all, when they do?Chartered Clinical Psychologist Dr Clare Kambamettu joins Seán to discuss.

It's not unusual for parents to get in the middle of their children's love lives or try to set them up with a person they think would be an impressive catch, but it may be strange for some to consider setting up a stall in the local park to try to marry off their child. Well, parents in China are actually doing just that.Newstalk Reporter Emily Keegan went to check out a marriage market in Shanghai, and sent in this report.

Over the past number of years, landlords seem to have become a lot more welcoming to dogs, perhaps due to the pandemic when pet ownership rose significantly. Seán's guest feels that the entire situation has gotten out of hand, and that dogs should now be banned from pubs altogether.Joining to discuss is Enda Brady, host of ‘Roundtable' on TRT World, who has been writing about his thoughts in the Irish Examiner…

Is it okay to go ‘off menu' at a restaurant or are you just creating a headache for the kitchen?Joining Seán to discuss is Chef, Restauranteur and owner of Aniar in Galway, JP McMahon…

More and more work emails seem to be signed off with an ‘X'. But is it okay to put a kiss in correspondence with someone you may have never met and with whom you are in a formal, work relationship?Joining Seán to discuss is Career Psychologist Sinead Brady…

The Child Law Project's latest report shows the strain that services are under to provide accommodation for children in state care, and also explores the main reasons why children end up in care in the first place.Joining Seán to discuss is Carol Coulter, Executive Director of the Child Law Project…

Seán's guest uses a special submersible, based in West Cork, to help unlock the secrets of Ireland's 2,000 shipwrecks.Joining to discuss is John Kearney, from Fastnet Maritime Heritage…

Micky Hazard's nephew Jay passed away in 2019 when he took his own life, and the loss has spurred Micky on to help others. He and his sister have set up benches across the UK and Ireland that show phone numbers and QR codes where those in distress can seek out help.He joins Seán to share his story.

Hadja Lahbib, the Preparedness and Crisis Management Commissioner for the EU, has called on citizens to prepare at least 72 hours' worth of essential supplies in case of a crisis, whether it be weather related or otherwise.Joining Seán to discuss this is Frank Deegan, Founder of the Irish Survival and Prepper Group…

The iconic 1980s video game console Commodore 64 is being re-launched. But how well does it hold up in this decade?Tech Journalist Emmet Ryan joins Seán to discuss.

The fallout for the Beckham family continues in the wake of Brooklyn Beckham's bombshell statement last night, but how will his parents David and Victoria respond?There is no doubt that crisis PR teams are hard at work... So how do things like these play out behind the scenes when a high profile brand or family is imploding?Deirdre Waldron is the Founder of Fuzion, a brand communication agency and over the last three decades has vast experience in this area, specialising in reputation management and crisis communications. She joins Seán to discuss.

Big tech is affecting every part of our lives and today the European Commission is launching a law which could very well mean the end of the car radio…With streaming and apps available in newer, fancier cars, will this spell the end of channel hopping between local stations?Fianna Fáil MEP for Dublin, Barry Andrews, joins Seán to discuss.

With the weather fluctuating between cold and mild, many listeners will be struck with ‘central heating hair', but what is it, and how can it be controlled?Joining Seán to discuss is Hair Stylist Katrina Kelly…

Is antisocial behaviour really getting worse? And do you feel unsafe on our city streets?The problems with Dublin have been extensively documented: crime, homelessness, addiction, but is there a reason to be optimistic?Tony Duffin is the former CEO of the Ana Liffey Drug Project and for over 25 years has worked to improve things for the most vulnerable in society...He joins Seán to discuss.

With an increase in people taking part in long distance running and competing in races, it can cause the so-called “runner's tummy” which is a common and often embarrassing side effect of endurance exercise, caused by a mix of digestion, nerves, timing, and what we eat before a run.Joining Seán to discuss this and give advice for runners is Dietitian, Orla Walsh.

There hasn't been a day this week that the dangers of Grok haven't been highlighted: particularly the nudification of women and children. However, AI's dangerous and dark influence has been seeping in for many people, and now AI is impacting porn addiction in a big way as people begin to seek help…Family Psychotherapist specialising in porn addiction, David Kavanagh is highlighting this trend, and joins Seán to discuss.

Do we need to be more like the French and keep Sundays sacred? Closing the shops and forcing people to rest?Henry McKean has been asking the public, and joins Seán to discuss.

While touring a Ford factory in Michigan on Tuesday, Donald Trump was heckled by an autoworker. He responded with profanity and a hand gesture. So, how common is it for politicians to use profanity and has this evolved over time?Joining Seán to discuss is Joseph Philips, a Politics Lecturer at Cardiff University…Image: Reuters

Do you carry a handkerchief?With the winter colds and flus in full flow, some people are opting to ditch the manky tissue in favour of a luxury handkerchief...Louis Copeland would be a handkerchief man arguing that a pocket square is key to completing any look…He joins Seán to discuss.

Outrage continues to fulminate in Germany over the Christmas broadcast of the so-called ‘Slime Jesus'...So, what is getting people so exercised?Joining Seán to discuss is Deborah Cole, Berlin Correspondent for the Guardian…Image: ARD

After noticing a friend wearing only a wedding ring, with no engagement band, Journalist Jennifer Horgan reflected on engagement rings and questioned whether the tradition symbolises love, equality, or ownership.She joins Seán to discuss.

A new study suggests that people who are grieving a pet can experience prolonged grief disorder, but the International Classification of Diseases, a widely used diagnostic manual, limits the diagnosis to bereavement after the death of a human. Joining Seán to discuss this is Psychologist and Neuroscientist Sabina Brennan…

Is terrestrial telly doomed?Eyebrows have been raised in the UK after new data revealed that more people are watching Youtube than the BBC – as views of the online site overtook those watching traditional TV.So, what does this mean? TV Critic and Broadcaster in the UK, Scott Bryan, joins Seán to discuss.

We tend to think male libido is all about hormones raging early, then a slow, inevitable decline, but a major new study turns that idea on its head. It found that men's sexual desire actually peaks in their forties. If testosterone is already falling by then, what's really fuelling desire: biology, confidence, relationships, or something else entirely?Joining Seán to discuss is Clinical Sexologist and Psychosexual Therapist, Emily Power Smith.

While we have a derelict site tax, but for some reason, a lot of them are left unpaid, and there are towns around the country dotted with vacant or derelict properties. Is there a way to bring them back into use to help with the housing crisis?Henry McKean has been investigating, and joins Seán to discuss.

What is going on holiday with young kids really like, and why can it feel like absolute hell? Anne Sheeran has a two year old and a four year old, and she has pledged to do things differently...She joins Seán to discuss.

With the furore over Venezuela continuing, spare a thought for Corkman Daniel Florence O'Leary, who played a critical role in the country's liberation from the Spanish.Joining Seán to discuss is John Dolan, a writer for the Echo, who has been investigating…

How often do you change your socks? According to an expert, it is vital to do it every day in order to avoid ‘Cheesy Foot', ‘Onion Foot', ‘Goat Foot' and other unpleasantries.Joining Seán to discuss is Dr. Primrose Freestone, Associate Professor in Clinical Microbiology at the University of Leicester…

Your home's BER rating could be costing homeowners more than they realise - and many still don't know what it actually means.With energy bills soaring, questions are being raised about whether people are getting the right advice at all.Professor in Energy Economics at UCD, Lisa Ryan, joins Seán to discuss.

The new film ‘Giant', which was reviewed last week on Movies and Booze, focuses on the relationship between boxing world champ Prince Nazeem and his Irish coach Brendan Ingle, but how does the film's portrayal of Ingle tally with the real life figure? Joining Seán to discuss is his grand nephew Sean Ingle, Chief Sports Writer for the Guardian…

Seán's guest's new play, ‘In Vitro', opens at Bewley's Cafe Theatre on February 2nd here in Dublin. Inspired by her and her wife's experience of trying to have a family, the play explores the emerging class divide created by Ireland's rules around IVF and the gay community.Joining to discuss is Aoife O'Connor…

Why is the EU getting involved in solving the housing crisis?And just what do European cities have in common when it comes to high rents and unaffordable property prices?Lorcan Sirr, Senior Lecturer in Housing at the Technological University Dublin, has been looking at things, and joins Seán to discuss.

While Jessie Buckley began her career in reality television back in 2008, is it common for contestants to make the transition to the big time like her?Joining Seán to discuss is Orlaith Condon, Host of ‘Pod Save Us'.

Why is everyone going to therapy?It seems that more and more millennials are seeking professional help to manage their relationships, with a rise noted in the amount of couples going to couples counselling before they even tie the knot.So, just why is counselling important for ensuring success in a long term committed relationship?Specialist in Couples Counselling with Accord, Mary Johnston, joins Seán to discuss.