U105 Podcasts

'We don't talk about it, journalists just get on with things, we're not meant to be part of the story' - former journalist Leona O'Neill spoke to Frank about the idea behind her initiative to support journalists with their mental health Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Newly-crowned Miss NI, Carly Wilson, called in to the studio to chat to Frank about how she plans to use her platform, how the competition has changed and the very personal reason why she has chosen to support Friends of the Cancer Centre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'You can't give up hope, for Robert's sake' - Terry Delany spoke to Frank about his family's ongoing quest for justice, after his son was shot after he tried to break up a fight involving a son of the veteran republican Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'We can't believe they'd let the only theatre in the region go' actor and campaigner Steven Millar says closing the Riverside Theatre in Coleraine would be 'madness' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you a people pleaser? Are you carrying other people's emotional load? Frank got some useful tips from Deirdre Maguire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should toddlers get screen time? A Belfast nursery has generated a mixed reaction by using tablets as teaching tools. Frank spoke to top online safety expert Wayne Denner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Would you pay £1608 to sample some of the world's finest whiskies? Frank spoke to Paul Kane, founder of Belfast Whiskey Week, about the continued popularity of the spirit and the worldwide appeal of Irish whiskey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where are thousands of caterpillars coming from and how can you get rid of them? Frank spoke to Dr Archie Murchie from AFBI about the ash sawfly, which is appearing in gardens across Belfast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'We'd like to get to a world where industrial action isn't necessary, but we shouldn't be criminalising teachers for taking lawful steps' - Dr Graham Gault from NAHT talked about plans to fine teachers for not complying with inspections Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'The registration is only a cheek swab, yet just 2.3% in NI are on the bone marrow donor register' - ex Rangers and Everton star Gary Stevens and Eimear's Wish founder Sean Smyth are working together to encourage more people to sign up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'If you were looking for an illustration of the crisis we have around violence directed at women and girls, it's hard to find a sharper example' MP Claire Hanna said she hopes an attack on a jogger in Belfast won't deter women from running Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should there be a train to the plane? Translink say they're looking at the possibility of re-opening a trainline to Belfast International Airport. John spoke to Alliance MLA David Honeyford Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Carrick man is embarking on a 10 day Mournes trek, with no tent and relying on the generosity of others for food - to raise awareness of homelessness. John spoke to Graham Fergus mid-way through his challenge Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Country star Kip Moore talked to John, ahead of his arena show at Belfast's SSE. He talked about why he loves performing for NI audiences, whether his song-writing had changed and what gives him hope Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What can the UK and Ireland do to be more competitive at Eurovision? John put this and many other questions to Eurovision expert Will O'Regan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'There are 113,000 jobs in the eating eco-system in NI - nearly a fifth of our private sector' - Michael Bell from NIFDA told John about the many and varied careers in food, in Northern Ireland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What are the causes and consequences of a rise in Bovine TB for farmers in NI? John spoke to John Kennedy from the UFU and farmer John Carson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'The farm was my husband's pride and joy, there was never a moment we thought we might pull the plug' - Roberta Armstrong said despite the pressure of new inheritance tax laws, she never considered selling the farm after her husband's death Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Vatican has named its first ever American pontiff - Pope Leo XIV - what will his election mean for the direction of the Catholic church? Peter spoke to Fr Brian D'Arcy and Fr Aidan Troy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Communities like ours are crying out for original, strong, fearless journalism'- Impartial Reporter editor Rodney Edwards spoke to Frank about the paper's 200th anniversary and why he's optimistic for the future Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Only black smoke so far, but when might we see a new Pope elected? Is the new pontiff likely to seek to modernise the Catholic church? Frank spoke to papal expert Prof Rebecca Rist from the University of Reading Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Among plans to cut waiting lists is a reimbursement scheme, allowing patients to pay up front for a procedure and then receive the money back - what if you don't have the cash? Rick spoke to Alliance's Danny Donnelly Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should we bring back the death penalty? A new poll found a majority support the return of capital punishment for certain crimes. What do you think? Rick spoke to Fionola Meredith Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The brilliant Emer Maguire called in for a chat with John - she talked about her new BBC series 'How's She Cuttin', whether Strabane is country and the useless stuff they teach us at school Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Out thousands of dog breeders in NI, only 48 are licensed' - Tara Cunningham from Causeway Coast Dog Rescue spoke to John about the need for much greater regulation of the dog breeding industry Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Net Zero 'doomed to fail'? Tony Blair claims the government needs to re-think its climate policy. John spoke to Green leader Mal O'Hara and Brian Gregory from the Alliance of British Drivers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should smacking be banned in Northern Ireland? NI Children's Commissioner Chris Quinn has called for law that allows a 'reasonable punishment' defence of hitting, slapping or smacking to be repealed Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should animal testing for medicines be banned? MPs debated yesterday, after a public petition attracted 250,000 signatures. John spoke to Suzanne Martin from SAFRI Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you're lucky enough to reach 100, would you still like to be working? Shopkeeper Arthur Ferguson says that despite celebrating a century of life, he has no plans to retire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Freedom of speech is really important, they're entitled to that, but they're not entitled to incite terrorism or break laws around hate speech' - DUP MLA Peter Martin and Malachi O'Doherty spoke to Peter, after police said they were reviewing footage from a Kneecap gig Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'When we truly value ourselves, we start to make different choices' - Deirdre talked to Peter about how increasing your self-worth be the answer to achieving your goals Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'He demonstrated through his leadership great humility and service - he was a voice for those who had no voice - Jane Mellet from Trócaire spoke to Frank about how Pope Francis showed the 'compassion, mercy and joy Christians are called to live' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'He couldn't take any of the airs and graces - he was a reconciling figure - if the church is to bring in the poor, the disillusioned that's the way the church has to go ' - Frank spoke to Fr Aidan Troy from Dublin and Fr Brian D'Arcy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'He was someone who led till the last moment of his life' ' Michael Kelly from Aid to the Church in Need & Vatican correspondent Chris White talked about the impact of the Pope's death on the Catholic church Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should a woman take her husband's name after they get married? Just a third of young woman agree with the tradition, compared to half of young men. Frank spoke to writer Fionola Meredith Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What could be on Rory McIlroy's dream menu, as he prepares to host next year's Champions Dinner, following his Masters win? Frank spoke to top chef Danni Barry Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'A few miles an hour won't make a difference to the length of your journey, but it could save a life'. Davy Jackson from RoadSafe NI spoke to Frank as PSNI figures show 300 drivers a day are being caught speeding Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'The fees paid for care no longer cover the cost of treatment - until the Executive allocate enough money, it's going to get worse ' - dentist Dr Ciara Gallagher explained why practices are struggling to take on new NHS patients Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Rory McIlroy GB & Ireland's greatest ever sportsman? What's it like to be part of sporting immortality? Frank spoke to Gerry Armstrong and the man who spotted his talent before most, Gerry Kelly Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Rory-themed buns in a local bakery to high value course fees, what impact could the Masters win have for businesses, locally? Frank spoke to MLA Stephen Dunne and golf tourism expert Dr Peter Bolan from Ulster University Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What was Rory like as a young golfer and what will his success mean to his hometown club? Frank spoke to Paul Gray, who was the club pro during Rory's formative years and club captain Trevor Heaven Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where does Rory McIlroy's Grand-Slam securing Masters win put him in the pantheon of sporting greats? Will he now go on a run of Major wins? Frank spoke to Rupert Bell and Steven Beacom Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Is it okay to wear your pyjamas out in public? M&S is collaborating with a British designer whose jammies can retail for over £600 on a daytime PJ range and the trend is even having its moment on catwalks Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

36 years since breaking through, 'there's still no place like home - Declan and Brendan Murphy from The 4 Of Us popped in for a chat with Frank, about their favourite places to perform, their latest album and upcoming dates Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Overfilled bins in Belfast may no longer be collected, amid safety concerns. Bin liners are also to be banned, as they frequently catch on bin lorries. Frank spoke to committee chair Cllr Ruth Brooks and took calls from listeners Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could you date or marry someone with completely different politics? Is it ever worth debating politics with friends of loved ones? Frank got the thoughts of Helen McClements from Sour Wee Blog Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

biotech firm has successfully brought back a species of wolf from extinction. Is it a marvel of modern science or a worrying example of scientists 'playing God'? Frank spoke to animal rights campaigner Andrew Goti Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is naming and shaming benefits cheats 'a distraction' from wider issues around poverty or a necessary policy to clamp down on £160m of fraud? Niamh Campbell from the Belfast Telegraph spoke to Frank as the first people convicted have been named Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cutting the number of councils from 26 to 11 was meant to streamline services and save money. Ten years on, are we better off? Frank spoke to Irish News political editor John Manley Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'This Executive is not delivering to try and find and challenge the causes of the fires and make sure this doesn't happen again' - SDLP MLA Colin McGrath spoke to Frank about his frustration that pledges had not been fulfilled Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.