Highlights from Moncrieff

People assume that those with facial hair are more likely to harbour bacteria on their faces than the clean-shaven, but the truth is more tangled…So is having a beard unhygienic?Joining Seán to discuss is Dr Primrose Freestone, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Microbiology at the University of Leicester.

If you have an alcoholic (or any kind of addict) in your life, is there anything you can do to help them? And, even if not, can you do something to stop the problem from getting worse?Joining Seán to discuss is Austin Prior, Addiction Counsellor.

Do you have any fond memories of your old school packed lunches? What are the differences between the ones you had, and the ones your kids are having now?Joining Seán to discuss is Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire, Chef, Culinary Historian and Chair of the Masters in Gastronomy and Food Studies at TU Dublin.

The likely coronation of Andy Burnham as the next British Prime Minister sets up an intriguing possibility: he would be the first Catholic PM. But, what are the implications of this, and can he actually even claim to be the first at all?Joining Seán to discuss is Mark Paul, London Correspondent for the Irish Times.Image: Reuters

You could collect art and regard it as an investment, but are there other luxury items worth investing in? Like watches or handbags? How do you know what will retain or grow in value?Joining Seán to discuss is Nicholas Charalambous, Managing Director at Alpha Wealth.

There are few things on TV today that the whole family can gather and watch. If Ireland qualified for the World Cup, it certainly would have brought families together...Dr Colman Noctor, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist, Senior Mental Health Lecturer at SETU Waterford and host of the ‘Asking for a Parent' podcast, has been writing about this, and joins Seán to discuss.

A photograph of the Hollywood actor Jake Gyllenhaal has gone viral, prompting a wider conversation about the stigma and merits of dining alone in restaurants. Joining Seán to discuss is a woman who loves dining alone, Journalist Alice Bradley…

A new book by the New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman claims that Donald Trump insisted on carpeting the en suite of his bedroom in the White House. Now, while many listeners no doubt had a carpeted bathroom growing up here in Ireland back in the day, they have long gone out of fashion, but why?Joining Seán to discuss is Jennifer Sheehan, former ‘Home of the Year' winner and Columnist for the Irish Examiner…

Earlier this month, a pollution event on the River Glyde in Louth caused the deaths of thousands of fish, including many wild salmon, leading to calls for greater effort to be made to protect this species…Joining Seán to discuss is Ella McSweeney, Journalist and Co-Presenter of ‘Ear to the Ground'.

We're looking back on the weekend and looking forward to the week ahead through the lens of these four questions:What delighted you over the weekend? What annoyed you over the weekend? What did you learn over the weekend? What are you looking forward to this week?Joining Seán to discuss is Doireann O'Connor and Donal O'Donoghue!

Is the one night stand dead? According to research, it's in slow decline for a number of reasons. From being more safety-conscious to being disappointed and dissatisfied the next morning. Other reasons given is the rise in online dating, and some Gen Z don't know how to flirt!Henry McKean sent in this report.

“Houston, We Have A Problem”, "Luke, I am your father", “Mirror, Mirror On The Wall” - believe it or not all of those quotes are wrong! Movie editor at entertainment.ie Brian Lloyd, joined Sean to talk about some of the most memorable, and frequently wrong quotes!

Once a year, Dutch kids, parents and teachers take part in a walking festival, heading out for four nights in a single week to explore their neighbourhoods, exercise and make friends. It's a tradition that seems to be genuinely transformative Sean was joined by Inger Leemans is professor of cultural history at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam to delve into this.

Ever since the pandemic there has been a significant surge in people turning to practical hobbies, particularly crafts like sewing. Lorna Daly, Founder of When Poppy Met Daisy on Capel Street in Dublin joined Sean to talk about why this is the case.

The Major Oak, one of this continent's oldest and most famous trees, due to its long association with Robin Hood, has died after 1000 years of growth.Chloe Ryder, Estate Operations Manager at Sherwood Forest for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds joined Sean to discuss. Image: BBC

When people come to Ireland for the first time, they notice all sorts of customs unique to us. We say hello to strangers, we eat Tayto sandwiches, and we say thank you to the bus driver.But is this custom dying out?Newstalk reporter Henry McKean went to find out!

A Minneapolis restaurant stopped charging customers for food earlier this year and now operates entirely on donations.Owner Dylan Alverson said the move was inspired by both political concerns and years of financial struggles in the restaurant industry.Despite nearly half of diners not paying for their meals, Alverson told The New York Times the restaurant is thriving under its new model.Dylan joined Sean to talk about this unconventional model.

Éamonn Quinn and his wife Gemma Murray founded Louth Contemporary Music Society (LCMS) in Dundalk in 2006.After settling in Dundalk in 2002, the couple found themselves travelling regularly to Dublin and Belfast to hear contemporary music and began to wonder why artists of that calibre never came to Dundalk.Twenty years later, LCMS has become one of Ireland's most respected contemporary music organisations, presenting internationally renowned composers and performers.Éamonn Quinn, founder of the Louth Contemporary Music Society joined Sean to discuss.

Sophia Greenwood reunited with her biological father after being raised by adoptive parents in Yorkshire. they then began a relationship.She isn't alone, genetic sexual attraction is an intense bond sometimes reported between biological relatives reunited after being separated at birth.Sophia joins Sean to tell her story.

From Doc and Marty's DeLorean in Back to the Future to James Bond's Aston Martins. We have seen some truly beautiful and captivating cars on our cinemas screens over the years. But what are the most iconic, and why are certain cars picked for movies over others ? Joining Sean to explain was Paddy Comyn, Head of automotive content and communications with Done Deal

There is scientific research to suggest it might be. People who take part in naturist activities report higher body satisfaction, greater self-esteem and increased overall life satisfaction.Katy Regan, journalist and author, like so many, was struggling to come to terms with her ageing body, and decided to go to a naturist club for the weekend to see whether nudity might be the answer to her angst. She Joined Sean.

The authorities in Venice are up in arms after a woman was filmed scattering a loved one's ashes into the lagoon, an action that is against the law and punishable with a potential fine. This is not the case in Ireland, but what exactly are the options when it comes to the ashes... Joining Sean was Dr Brian Casey, Visitor Centre Manager and Historian for Dublin Cemetries Trust at Glasnevin Cemetery...

Every Wednesday, Seán will be joined by someone to hear unusual stories on heinous crimes…This week, Cassie Delaney joins to discuss cases of creepy twins who committed crimes.

Should you be drinking your red wine chilled? There is a new trend emerging of drinking red wine that's cold. The Times has reported that Gen Z drinkers are driving this trend, finding that 56% had drunk chilled red wine, or wine served over ice, in summer. So, what way are we meant to drink red? Seab was joined by one of our wine reviewers Leslie Williams.

A perfumer in France has been recreating the smells in Joyce's Ulysees. The project was recently showcased at the Irish Embassy in Paris. Meabh McCurtin, an Irish fine fragrance perfumer based in Paris joined Sean this morning to discuss.

The 16th of June marks HIV Awareness Day. At the moment, women in Ireland are facing a rise in HIV diagnoses but public health messaging seems to still be treating them as an afterthought. The Mobile Testing Coordinator at HIV Ireland Ann Piercy joined Sean this afternoon.

On Saturday night, singer/songwriter Tolü Makay serenaded Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, with her rendition of the song N17, at the official state dinner in Dublin Castle. But on Sunday, Tolü was forced to address nasty abuse on her official Facebook page. Tolü joined Sean to talk about her experience.

The Large Hadron Collider will be switched off on June 29th for a refurb. This marks the beginning of "Long Shutdown 3," a major 4-year hiatus dedicated to dismantling parts of the CERN ring to upgrade it into the much more powerful High-Luminosity LHC. Joining Sean was James Keavney, Assistant Professor in the School of Physics at UCD Image: National Geographic

How do influencers actually make any more from social media and what are the different rules on the various platforms? Journalist Caitriona Redmond tried it out and wrote about it for the Examiner. She joined Sean this afternoon to talk about how she got on.

The New York Knicks' first NBA championship in 53 years may have been built on many things: Jalen Brunson's brilliance, Mike Brown's steady hand, a suffocating defense and a healthy roster when it mattered most. According to much-maligned team owner James Dolan, it may also have required a little self-denial. Dr. Brian Higgins, from Galway Primary Care joined Sean to discuss.

For 8 years in a row, the golden retriever has been the most popular dog in Ireland. So, why exactly is it so loved here?Orla Murray, Secretary of the Golden Retriever Society of Ireland and a Director of the Irish Kennel Club joins Seán to discuss!

Writing in the Irish Times, Seamus O'Reilly has been swamped with questions from his 7 year old, including the question: would you rather have no stomach or no bum? Henry McKean has an 8 year old at home, and has to field similar questions, what is the best way to answer them?Henry met with parents and kids, and sent in this report.

The Oireachtas will be considering legislation to establish a register of domestic violence offenders. It's called ‘Jennie's Law', after Jennifer Poole, who was murdered by her former partner in 2021.So, how would it work, and how should it work?Joining Seán to discuss is Lisa Ann Wilkinson, Barrister at Law victim-survivors of domestic abuse and violence & Co-Founder of the right to transparency campaign.

We're looking back on the weekend and looking forward to the week ahead through the lens of these four questions:What delighted you over the weekend? What annoyed you over the weekend? What did you learn over the weekend? What are you looking forward to this week?Joining Seán to discuss is Doireann O'Connor and Donal O'Donoghue!

Ivanka and Jared Kushner's plans for a billion dollar luxury resort in an environmentally-protected part of Albania is causing major protests in the Balkan country.Joining Seán to discuss is Helena Smith, the Guardian's Correspondent in Greece, Turkey and Cyprus...

Are the days of just throwing on a band t-shirt and a pair of jeans to go to a concert well and truly done?To discuss what you should wear to a concert, Seán is joined by stylist and fashion guru, Laura Mullet.

What was sex like in 18th century Ireland? Apparently, there was a big focus on aphrodisiacs - but what were the touted sexual super items?Joining Seán to discuss is Historian of Family, Gender and Sexuality, Leanne Calvert.

Three musicians who play at a Donegal pub are on a mission to bring concerts into living rooms and kitchens in every Irish county.This month, Gig in a Gaff had their third concert at a living room in Dublin featuring local artists WineMom, Final Girl and Runner.Aaron Coleman from Gig in a Gaff joins Seán to discuss.

With tickets for Katie Taylor's last hurrah selling out in just 30 minutes this morning, what happened the last time there was a boxing match in Croker, and what lessons can be learned?Joining Seán to discuss is Dave Hannigan, Sports Journalist based in New York and author of ‘The Big Fight: When Ali Conquered Ireland'...

Singer and actor Machine Gun Kelly, formerly dating Megan Fox, recently opened up about the devastating toll a tattoo trend had on his health.Blackout tattoos, achieved by covering skin or preexisting tattoos in pitch black ink, is an increasingly common practice, but what are the risks?Joining Seán to discuss is Aidan O'Connell, owner of Fade Laser Clinic on Grafton Street.

What exactly is kleptomania? Is it defined by your upbringing, environmental factors, or just human nature?To discuss, Seán is joined by Psychologist from the D4 Clinic, whose specialty is the subconscious mind, Jason O'Callaghan.

In 2022, Seán's guest set out to hike across the frozen rivers of Siberia. When Putin invaded Ukraine, things took a turn for the worse…Joining to discuss is Charlie Walker, Adventurer and author of new book ‘On Thin Ice: Adventurer and author of On Thin Ice: An Explorer's Memoir of Siberia, Surveillance and Survival'.