U105 Podcasts

'I'm an introverted extrovert - a live audience is fantastic, it's addictive, seeing in real time what people think of your comedy' - Serena Terry spoke to Frank about her new show 'Therapy', what's next and how Lisa McGee is her 'blueprint' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor has been arrested and the former prince's old residence Royal Lodge raided as he's held on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Frank spoke to royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams & historian Gareth Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why are petrol prices at a five year low? Could they go down further? Why is diesel not falling at the same rate? Frank spoke to Karen Smyth from the Consumer Council Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you happy to pay more than £1,000 to renovate the Houses of Parliament? The planned works could take 60 years and cost nearly £40billion - would they be better building from scratch? Peter spoke to Mick Fealty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should we all be learning AI? The government's offering free training - but is there a danger the courses will be out of date by the time they're taught? Peter spoke to digital expert Wayne Denner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'It's just unacceptable, it's embarrassing and it looks like incompetence on someone's part' - UUP leader and former PSNI officer Jon Burrows spoke to Frank after names of serving police were made public on the NI Courts website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'57 people lost their lives on our roads last year - there's still a lot of work to do' - Alastair Lambe from McLaughlin & Harvey spoke to Frank about the role businesses can play in safer roads, ahead of a Responsible Driving event Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should girls have the choice to wear trousers as well as skirts to school? Frank spoke to Education Committee deputy chair Pat Sheehan, who says that for reasons of practicality, equality and comfort the option should be offered Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'It can't stand - we'll lose pubs and other hospitality businesses - jobs will be lost, it'll be a blow to tourism and impact on things like loneliness' SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole spoke to Frank about the hospitality rates revaluation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are new restrictions on learner drivers a good idea? NI is to introduce a 6 month wait time before you can take your test, a limit on night-time driving and curbs on passenger numbers. Frank spoke to experts including instructor Anthony Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should Trump apologise for comments minimising the role of NATO troops, including those from the UK, in Afghanistan? Frank spoke to MLA and former soldier Doug Beattie and several other army veterans Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What makes you old? How you think and behave or the date on your birth certificate? A recent work tribunal said it was lawful to call a colleague 'old' if you struggle with technology. The worker in question was 39! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

LISTEN¦ Should MPs remove a clause from the goverment's latest legacy bill, that would grant immunity from prosecution to those who co-operated with a truth recovery process? Frank spoke to crime correspondent Allison Morris Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Co Antrim Shield win 'means the world' - Carrick Rangers manager Stephen Baxter told Frank the club was 'living the dream' after beating Cliftonville in last night's final Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Has AI become too easy to misuse? One of NI's top schools has investigated reports pupils were creating and sharing explicit deepfake images of their classmates. Frank spoke to top cyber security expert Wayne Denner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How often do you use maths? More than you might think! The festival explores the everyone from hairdressers and electricians to pyramid builders have used maths. Frank spoke to founder Dr Sumeeta Gupta & financial planner Sinead Meenan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Anywhere from 80-90%' of women appearing on 'pimping websites' in Northern Ireland have been trafficked. Frank spoke to the chair of a new All Party group, investigating the increase in websites offering prostitution services Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is a Home Office TikTok account showing immigration raids an effective deterrent to criminals or unnecessarily cruel, as some NGOs have labelled it? Frank spoke to former police officer Colin Breen Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should the BBC licence fee payer be forking out for taxis for the Corporation's staff, stars and guests? A £10m a year contract is out for tender, to provide round the clock cabs. Frank spoke to Anne Strickland from the Taxpayers Alliance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should we fine people for feeding pigeons in public places? A woman in London was arrested fined £100 after she refused to stop feeding the birds and wouldn't give police her details. Were they too heavy handed? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could using the nearly 5,000 vacant houses in Belfast and Londonderry help solve the housing crisis? Frank spoke to Liam Tunney from the Belfast Telegraph Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should the US army intervene, after hundreds of protesters were reportedly killed in Iran? Is a diplomatic solution still possible? Frank spoke to Patrick Corrigan, from Amnesty International NI Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should children be allowed smartphones? The education minister has backed a campaign calling on parents to hold off on giving them to children until they're 14. Frank spoke to Rosalind McClean from the group Smartphone Free Childhood Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have yourself a saucy little Christmas! Frank spoke to one of NI's top chefs, Paula McIntyre, about the popularity of gifting hot sauce and olive oil, as well as what it takes to make award winning rum Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to make sure your family doesn't spend the holidays glued to their phones and digital devices - play expert and founder of Pretzel Play, Tara Lea McElduff, talked to Frank about the importance of being present Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the UK's leading health authorities has told people they 'must' wear a face mask if they have flu-like symptoms - would you wear a mask to stop the spread? Frank spoke to virologist Dr Connor Bamford Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will the allocation of unspent money resolve PSNI pay issues? What about the cost of the data breach? Should the government name Stakeknife? Justice Minister Naomi Long answered a host of questions in a wide-ranging interview Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is AI ruining art - or making it easier than ever to express your creativity? Frank spoke to Caelinn Seaton Kelly from Vault Art Studios who have banned generated art from their art market Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Would you give up meat for Christmas? Animal welfare charity PETA has launched its festive awareness campaign, urging people to choose 'compassion over carnage'. Frank spoke to Lucy Watson from the organisation, as well as farmer Robert Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Northern Ireland's 'worst road' has finally been fixed. Will a new mapping plan be the solution to our pothole problem? Frank spoke to Cllr Malachy Quinn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'I'm cross, I'm angered - all I can do is stand up for the principle I believe in and not allow my voice to be silenced' - Alliance MLA Andrew McMurray reacted to threats made by a group called the New Republican Movement Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Maradona good, Pele better, George Best' - founder of one of the world's biggest Man Utd supports clubs, John White, spoke to Frank on the 20th anniversary of George Best's death Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the 20th anniversary of George's death, Frank spoke to Alex Best about how her late husband would have wanted to be remembered Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you agree with the Supreme Court's ruling that Christian-focused RE classes are unlawful? Frank spoke to TUV deputy leader Ron McDowell and Jack Russell from Parents for Inclusive Education Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5464: LISTEN¦ It's the most expensive time of year for many families - how can you save money at Christmas and why should we be concerned with what's the upcoming Budget? Clare Murray from Mortgage Solutions spoke to Frank Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Amy Winehouse can't support the Stones, in Dusseldorf, tomorrow, can you do it?' The Answer front-man Cormac Neeson shared some great rock and roll stories with Frank ahead of the band's Ulster Hall gig on 29 November Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy birthday to us! The first voice to appear on U105, 20 years ago today - 'Mr Radio' - John Rosborough came on to wish us a happy birthday and to talk about how the station came to be Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'When you're being compelled and coerced to have it by the state, that's a really dangerous precedent' the DUP's Paul Frew and Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw spoke to Frank as all Stormont parties united against Digital IDs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mary and Patrick were very much in love, but unwed. When she became pregnant, it began a 'perfect storm of rejection, denouncements and separation'. Frank Brehany talked about his book, showing the impact of the Magdalene Laundries Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meeting artists like Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger and The Clancys, performing all round the world and their connection with Belfast audiences - George and Eddie Furey talked to Frank ahead of their Farewell Tour Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Keep going - even Snow Patrol took some time to get their first hit - then all of a sudden they took off' - Tim Wheeler from Ash and Claire Hall from Sound of Belfast talked to Frank about fostering the upcoming talent in the city Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'How confident do our Executive feel in being able to deliver for families here, if they're reaching out and asking Westminster for a solution?', ' Dr Casey McGivern from Melted Parents spoke to Frank Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'I've been able to do so many exciting things, it's hard to remember them all - I didn't even recall interviewing Dolly Parton or David Bowie!' Eamonn Holmes talked to Frank about his career, ahead of his live theatre tour Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could playing bingo help you live longer and stay healthier? A new study found it could boost mental and physical health and reduce loneliness. Frank spoke to Phil Doherty from Planet Bingo in Portadown Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should all children learn to swim? A local council is aiming to ensure all children have access to swimming lessons, as a 'vital life skill'. Frank spoke to the councillor behind the motion, Cllr James Cochrane Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why is the price of chocolate rising so much and can you tell the difference between 'chocolate flavour' biscuits and the real thing? Frank spoke to top chocolatier Geri Martin from Chocolate Manor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many questions remain unanswered, nearly 40 years on from the Enniskillen Bomb on Remembrance Sunday, 1987. Frank spoke to the journalist behind a gripping new podcast as well as Cathy Gault whose father in law was killed in the atrocity Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you feel safe in Belfast City Centre? A well-known busker, John Garrity, has spoken out, after he was attacked while performing. John spoke to Frank about the experience Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'The crisis in resourcing is preventing the PSNI providing the service it should and exhausting officers' - UUP MLA Jon Burrows spoke to Frank after the Police Federation's 'unprecedented' appeal for support from the Secretary of State Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The flood clean-up continues after some of the worst rains in years left some Newcastle residents trapped in their homes. Frank spoke to local Alliance MLA Andrew McMurray and Sam Anderson from the Regional Community Resilience Group Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why are breastfeeding rates in Northern Ireland lagging behind other regions? Are there societal barriers that prevent some women from doing it? Frank spoke to Dr Jennifer Hanratty from the Centre for Effective Services Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.