Highlights From Moncrieff

From Putin’s alsatian to an alligator in the White House, pets have played a surprising role in politics.Joining Seán to discuss is Peter Cardwell, Journalist and author of ‘Political Animals: The secret life of the political pets of Westminster and Washington’...

This Saturday will see the annual World Porridge Making Championships take place in Scotland.Mayo’s Rebecca Holohan will be representing Ireland, and she joins Seán to discuss!

‘Change is possible’ - that’s the message of Doctor and Neuroscientist Brian Pennie, who is about to deliver his first talk at Maynooth University since his studies there.The university is celebrating 25 years of its Psychology Department, and is hosting a number of free events to mark the occasion, which are open to the public.The event is taking place on October 8th, and coincides with the day Dr. Brian Pennie recovered from his heroin addiction.12 years on, he has obtained a PhD and uses his platform to help people who are looking to turn their life around…He also hosts the ‘Change is Possible’ podcast, which encourages everyone to pursue the very best version of themselves.Dr. Brian Pennie joins Seán to discuss.Image: @mu_psychology_ on Instagram

Are we ruder in traffic than before? Have we lost our manners? Have we lost all courtesy and decency, and have we stopped saying thank you to the bus driver?Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been investigating, and joins Seán to discuss.

We saw overnight the detention, by Israeli forces, of activists on the Sumud Flotilla headed for Gaza, including a number of Irish citizens...It comes as we await further news of any type of progress following a proposed peace deal proposed by Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu.All the while the people of Gaza remain under constant bombardment having been displaced from the place they call home…One of those is Reham Mahdi Al Jarrah, who works for Christian Aid Ireland’s local partner in Gaza, the Women’s Affairs Centre…He joins Seán to discuss.To donate to Christian Aid’s appeal as they support local partners in Gaza, visit: caid.ie/famine-gazaImage: Reuters

The Simpsons is the longest-running sitcom in US history, but is the world’s favourite yellow family still relevant?US-based Journalist and Simpsons enthusiast, Alan Siegel, says the show didn’t just reflect America, it reshaped it forever.With the 37th season out this week and a new movie in the works, he says the Simpsons are still going strong.He joins Seán to discuss his new book ‘Stupid TV, Be More Funny’, and the legacy of the famous family from Springfield…Image: Disney

Are we obsessed with drinking water?Hydration has been at the centre of social media trends and even has its own hashtag on TikTok: #WaterTok.Buzzy new viral products like gigantic 5L bottles or the Stanley Cup have fuelled this ‘water mania’ – but is there such a thing as drinking too much water?Joining Seán to discuss is Dietitian Aoife Quinn…

As the cold evenings close in, now is the ideal time to set up a bird table in the garden, or even attached to a window if you live in an apartment. But, how do you do it, and are there certain foods that will attract specific species?Joining Seán to discuss is Niall Hatch, Head of Birdwatch Ireland…

There’s one thing that unites Irish people everywhere: we love to give out about the state of the place… but, heaven help anyone else who dares do the same.Today, we’re exploring the tug-of-war that happens among emigrants: those who left Ireland with a dream in their suitcase, and came back with stories and maybe just a bit of snobbery.Irish Times contributor Céire Sadlier has written about just that, and says she gets defensive when people call Ireland a ‘kip.’ She joins Seán to discuss.

Imagine uprooting your life, spending thousands of euros, jumping through every hoop - only to land in a country with no job waiting for you. That’s the nightmare facing migrant nurses arriving in Ireland, scammed by recruitment agencies promising work that simply doesn’t exist.Seán is joined by Varghese Joy from Migrant Nurses Ireland, who wants to expose how suspected visa fraud is leaving skilled nurses stranded, out of pocket, and out of work.

The U.S. Federal Government has ground to a halt in what’s known as a ‘shutdown’. But, what exactly does that mean, and why does it keep happening?To help make sense of it all, Seán is joined by Scott Lucas, Professor of International Politics at the Clinton Institute in UCD.

Wallpaper is back in, and it’s louder, bolder and more vibrant than ever.Wallpaper is all the rage for 2026, and have been hailed by interior designers across the country for the personality and warmth they can add to a room.With peel-and-stick options, even renters can join the design revolution.Joining Seán to discuss is Interior Designer, James McNamara…

Have you ever seen or heard something unusual or unnerving that you can’t explain, have you ever had an encounter with paranormal activity? Well if you have, Seán’s next guest would like to hear about it.Margaret McGrogan, an Applied Psychologist and PhD candidate at University of Galway, is leading the first national anonymous survey to explore these unusual and unexplained experiences. She joins Seán to discuss…

Increasingly, in cases of death by suicide or mass shootings, CTE is a factor. It's a condition that can bring dramatic changes to someone, more likely to affect those in contact sports, but ongoing research indicates that a genetic disposition may play a role...Joining Seán to discuss is Dr Colin Doherty, Head of the School of Medicine at Trinity College Dublin and Consultant Neurologist at St. James' Hospital.

A brand-new exhibition showcasing the breadth of Picasso’s work will be opening at the National Gallery of Ireland.‘Picasso: From the Studio’ will be the first Irish exhibition of this scale to showcase the Spanish master’s art since his death in 1973.The first ever display of Picasso’s work in Ireland was organised by Trinity College students in a library storage room back in 1969.This time around, the exhibition places Picasso in the context of his studios, highlighting the phases of his art and life.It will feature paintings, sculptures, ceramics, works on paper, as well as photographic and audio-visual works.Joining Seán to tell more is Curator of Modern Art at the National Gallery of Ireland, Janet McLean...

A survey has revealed just how much people like to gossip. Here in Ireland is it a part of the fabric of society?Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been getting all the gossip, and joins Seán to discuss!

While Elizabeth Shaw may not be well known here in Ireland, the Belfast-born author has been a household name in Germany ever since she travelled to the GDR after World War II, to participate in the building of the communist state through her hugely popular children’s books.Joining Seán is Fergal Lenehan, an Irish Academic Researcher based in Germany who has co-written (with Sabine Egger) the afterward for the book ‘How I Came to Berlin’, Shaw’s memoir, which has been newly published by Lilliput Press…

People are being reminded about the importance of complaining.According to Irish Examiner Consumer Columnist, Caitríona Redmond, complaining can actually serve the common good.Last summer, Caitríona was looking forward to a relaxing family holiday, but things didn’t go quite as planned. The three-star hotel she was staying in fell far short of what had been promised, and thanks to complaints lodged by her and other guests, the hotel has now been downgraded.To tell us why speaking up can make a difference, she joins Seán to discuss.

Whenever you see an advert for a car brand on television, the visuals usually centre on open roads in a vast landscape, with the driver emanating a sense of freedom...Seán’s guest says the notion that a car gives you freedom is a complete myth!Ciaran Brennan, Communications Officer at the Irish Environmental Network joins to discuss.

In Davina McCall’s new book, she talks about the challenge of keeping sex interesting and less functional while couples try to conceive. So, how do you keep the heat alive?Joining Seán to discuss is Helena Tubridy, former Midwife turned Fertility Coach…