U105 Podcasts

Enemies Within - the gripping inside story of how the most notorious loyalist godfather, Johnny Adair, build up an extensive terror network that at one time was responsible for more deaths than the IRA. Frank spoke to author Aaron Edwards Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'AI could kill all humans' within the next decade - according to an expert in the field. How worried should we be? Frank spoke to Dr Deepak Padmanabhan from QUB and cyber security expert Wayne Denner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who decides which flags can be flown in public spaces? Frank spoke to Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw, after it emerged that contractors sought support from 'community representatives' before a contentious flag was removed Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why has nearly £200m been spent on the A5 road project before an inch of tarmac has been laid? Frank spoke to DUP MLA Stephen Dunne and Civil Engineer Karen McShane Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'People have a fixation on what the military was here during a military operation - things have moved on - people need to move on' Independent MLA Doug Beattie spoke to Frank about a row at a jobs fair in Derry Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should children of parents receiving benefits continue to be given priority when it comes to funded pre-school places? He argues he's 'levelling the playing field' but anti-poverty campaigners say it'll widen the attainment gap Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Star Trek at 60 - who is your favourite captain? How has it remained so popular, six decades on? Frank spoke to super-fan Jess Odell from USS Caroline, NI's biggest Star Trek fan community Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do we have a responsibility to 'shop local'? A Bangor shopkeeper got a big reaction, when he posted a video warning that relying on online retailers would limit local choice and jobs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does your front door say about you? A replica of the famous glossy black 10 Downing Street door has been installed in Manchester, as a symbol of No.10 North - is there a more famous door in the world? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should we ban smartphones from schools? A study by Kings College London found restrictions improved pupils' behaviour. Peter spoke to Charlotte Carson from Smartphone Free Childhood NI Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'It sometimes seems abstract, but means real damage to public services - the health service is damaged, same goes for the education and transport system' - Matthew O'Toole outlines the damage caused by a summer of 'inaction' by the Executive Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why is there no refuge for male victims of domestic abuse, in NI? Despite accounting for one third of those who suffer abuse, there's a lack of specialised support. Frank spoke to Carey Baxter from Mens Alliance NI Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who should be responsible for keeping children safe online? In the latest in our Shared Island Perspectives series, Adrian Kennedy spoke to top online safety expert Wayne Denner and Alex Cooney, CEO of Cyber Safe Kids Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should dads get longer paternity leave? Northern Ireland has one of least generous paternity arrangements in Europe. Frank spoke to Alliance MLA Peter McReynolds who's been pushing for change Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why the delay in tackling uniform costs? Despite a bill being passed that would allow for a uniform price cap, 7 in 10 parents are still struggling under the cost burden. Frank spoke to independent councillor Paul Doherty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A councillor has raised concerns and a review has been ordered after around 50 cattle were shot dead at a farm in Tyrone, while members of the public watched, as part of a government-ordered enforcement operation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Would jail have been appropriate punishment for a nursing assistant convicted of making & sharing 'demeaning' videos of dementia patients? Frank spoke to Majella Beattie from Care Champions Ireland, Siobhan Casey and UUP leader Jon Burrows Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should young people ditch university in favour of a trade? The PM's announced a shake-up of education that would see a greater emphasis on vocational and skills-based training. Frank spoke to Richard Kirk from Workplus Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'He never acted like a star, though he was one - he treated you like one - he was also a genius broadcaster' - Mike Nesbitt and Adrian Logan, former colleagues of Gerry Kelly paid tribute to the legendary broadcaster who died aged 77 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'I've never met a man with less ego - it was very pure, about the music - he just wanted to write really good songs and wanted them to get to the people' - Brenda Boyd Kennedy spoke to Frank about the release of Bap Kennedy's new album Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'These things come as a massive shock to everyone in the area - it's important we look after each other - it's been an horrendous incident' North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows spoke to Frank after a murder investigation was launched in Ballymena Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Shared Island Perspectives, U105 and LMFM examine one of the most urgent and difficult issues facing communities across the island of Ireland — violence against women and gender-based violence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'To hear 20,000 people singing it back to you is magic - you never get tired of it' - Johnny B O'Brien and Johnny 'Smacks' McMahon, better known as The 2 Johnnies, spoke to Frank ahead of their show at Féile Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

¦ '100% of the staff who took part in an online consultation said that care is not safe' - Helen Hamill from the Save Our Acute Services campaign said an RQIA inspection report on the South Western Acute Hospital raised serious concerns Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Our school estate is too big, it's not sustainable - Education Committee chair Nick Mathison spoke to John as the EA raised concerns over a £600m shortfall in maintenance funds Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Those liberal elites in the chamber were more interested in following ideology than protecting our children' - TUV's Timothy Gaston responded to criticism of unionists voting down a move to increase the age of criminal responsibility Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Flooding is one of the biggest natural hazards facing NI, but despite nearly £100m spent, a new report has criticised how Stormont handles the risk. Frank spoke to Alliance's Andrew McMurray who has called for long term planning and funding Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As climate extremes become our new normal, the island of Ireland faces a shared environmental reality - navigating it through different political/legislative lenses. Frank spoke to Green Party NI leader & CEO of Friends of the Earth Ireland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'I think it'll be really interesting to play near where I was born - my grandad was the master in the primary school on the loughshore' - Brianna Corrigan spoke to Frank ahead of her appearance at the Friends Goodwill Festival in Larne Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'It doesn't suck - we're still very grateful for it, each and every time' - Def Leppard guitarist Viv Campbell talked to Frank about how it feels to have thousands of fans singing your songs back to you Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Imagine someone coming into your home, chasing you out of the house and burning your home down...this is about basic humanity' - after homes, cars and a Glider bus were burned in a night of rioting, Frank spoke to public representatives Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'People are very shaken, they're shocked' - local SDLP councillor Carl Whyte and Alliance MLA for North Belfast Nuala McAllister spoke to Frank, after a Somali man was arrested over a brutal knife attack Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'The narrative around our boys at the moment is that they're a problem' - in a new documentary, Gareth Southgate looks at the challenges facing young men and boys. Frank spoke to Rhonda from MAPNI about the work they're doing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is pumping iron the key to a long life? A Harvard study involving more than 147,000 people found lifting weights for two hours a week reduced the risk of early death. Frank spoke to top PT Tiernan McCarthy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should teens guilty of serious offences like rape go to prison? As MLAs debate increasing the criminal age of responsibility, writer Malachi O'Doherty argues that it may not always be productive, if the goal is rehabilitation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest episode of our Shared Island Perspectives series, we examine the growing cost-of-living pressures facing families and businesses across the island of Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are rules making drivers with ADHD or anxiety issues eligible for a blue parking badge being exploited? The Taxpayers Alliance has raised concerns amid a rise in the numbers being issued Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Masterchef's youngest contestant, Killyleagh's Adam Morrison, talked to Frank about how it feels to be selected from thousands of applicants, cooking in front of the cameras and against the clock and putting NI food and producers on the map Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should we ban 'conversion therapy'? In 2021, MLAs voted to ban the practice, but as yet, no legal change has been made. A doctor, Gareth Patterson, originally from NI, has spoken of the harm he believes is being done Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Potholes - are the roads looking better, following an eight-week push that saw around 10,000 repairs? The DUP's Peter Martin highlighted figures that suggest we could be on course to fix fewer this year than in 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest in our Shared Island Perspectives series, we're looking at healthcare - two jurisdictions, one island - two different approaches to delivering care. Will we ever see the long-promised transformation? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Police had a difficult job, but they should have shut it down much sooner, they should have been more prepared' Independent councillor Paul Doherty spoke to Frank after scramblers and cars were recklessly driven in West Belfast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could Stormont's childcare strategy help the economy, as well as hard-pressed families? Business groups have said making it affordable is 'essential' especially for female workers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should bare-bummed bikers be banned? The annual World Naked Bike Ride is due to take place in London, but a petition has been launched, over safeguarding concerns. Frank spoke to Gary Kennedy from British Naturism Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should fox hunting be banned? A bill has been brought at Stormont, five years on from the last attempt to outlaw hunting wild animals with dogs. Frank spoke to the bill's sponsor, Alliance's John Blair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is a 20% tip excessive? Gordon Ramsay's been criticised after one of his restaurants applied the hefty ' discretionary service charge' to seasonal menus. Peter spoke to NI's top restaurant critic, Joris Minne Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you visited an Emergency Department recently? The Royal College of Emergency Medicine described the current state of our EDs as 'horrifying' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have self-checkouts made people more likely to shoplift? M&S chair Archie Norman's suggested 'good, decent people' are being driven to steal, by difficulty using the machines Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Housing is an issue that dominates everyday life - whether you rent a room in Dublin or you're trying to buy your first home in Belfast. Adrian Kennedy from LMFM spoke to Belfast campaigner Paul McCusker & Lorcan Sirr from TU Dublin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'The loneliest country in Europe'? A recent report found higher rates of social isolation on the island of Ireland than anywhere else in Europe. Could encouraging participation in walking groups help tackle this 'silent epidemic'? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He's performed in front of 10,000 people with legendary rockers INXS and written songs for stars like Madonna and even Al Pacino - now he's back performing live - including in Belfast - Ciaran Gribbin called into chat to Frank Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.