Highlights From Moncrieff

Is kissing safe if you’ve got coeliac disease or a nut allergy? New breakthrough research has been looking at couples to test out how food stays in the saliva, and whether it is safe to smooch after snacking on crackers if your other half is gluten intolerant…Joining Seán to discuss this is Dr Iseult Sheehan, Clinical Director of Allergy Ireland.

Dublin has no shortage of open mic nights, but once a month, the Black Sheep Pub on Capel street hosts an altogether more interactive experience.The Dublin Songwriting Circle allows people to share works in progress and discuss alterations they might make with the audience.Luke Clerkin is the Co-Founder of the Dublin Songwriting Circle, and joins Seán to discuss.

The Founder of Facebook and CEO of Meta Mark Zuckerberg has said that in the future he can see how AI could help us address loneliness. Although, he did stop short of saying AI could replace our real-life friends.But, does he have a point? How many friends do you have online versus real friendships in real life? And could AI and digital innovations fulfil our social needs?Joining Seán to discuss is Dr Malie Coyne, Clinical Psychologist and Author.Image: Meta

The 2025 Programme for Government contains a commitment to amend the law regarding the provision of a sexual abuse complainant’s counselling notes, but what should be done?Joining Seán to discuss is Dr Susan Leahy, Associate Professor at the School of Law at the University of Limerick…

If you’re looking for a second-hand car, or a set of used golf clubs, Facebook Marketplace might be a good place to look.But, would you consider buying a shipwreck if it popped up on your Facebook?Diver and Youtuber Dom Dobinson has done just that, and joins John Fardy to discuss.Image: Dom Robinson

Agatha Christie is one of the most known and celebrated authors in modern history, being a pioneer of the crime fiction genre. Today, BBC Maestro are offering online courses delivered by an AI version of the writer.Joining guest host John Fardy to discuss this is Dr Mark Alridge, Agatha Christie Historian and speaker at Southampton Solent University.Image: Britannica

A Soviet-era spacecraft, that has been in orbit for over 50 years, is set to crash land into Earth at some stage over the next week or so. But, why is this going to happen, and what was the mysterious craft’s original mission?Joining guest host John Fardy to discuss is Ruth Freeman, Director of Research for Society at Research Ireland…

This year, Guinness World Records is marking the 70th anniversary of the publication of their first book. But, did you know that the origins of this extraordinary story began in Castlebridge in Co. Wexford?Joining guest host John Fardy to discuss is John Ryan from the Castlebridge Inspire Group…

Many horror buffs have puzzled for years over the mysterious photograph that appears at the end of the iconic 1980 Stanley Kubrick classic ‘The Shining’. Well recently, an academic in England has sleuthed an answer!Joining Seán to discuss is Alasdair Spark, retired American Studies Lecturer at the University of Winchester…

Trump's offer of refugee status to white South Africans has, inevitably, proven hugely controversial, in a country with a dark history of apartheid. But, are South Africans taking him up on the offer?Joining Seán to discuss is Rachel Savage, the Guardian's southern Africa correspondent…Image: Reuters

There are many important debates among historians. Where did the agricultural revolution start exactly? Would Germany have won World War 2 if they hadn’t invaded Russia?And now, how many penises are there on the Bayeux Tapestry?To answer this burning question, Seán is joined by Dr. Christopher Monk.

It's Irish National Poetry Day!Are poems for the masses, or are they just for the posh?Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie sent this in.

Most people’s closest and dearest friends are around the same age as themselves. With us usually making our friends through school or college, it is not surprising that cross- generational friendships are somewhat unusual.But, does having friends of varying ages fulfil needs your peers can't?Joining Seán for more on this is Journalist Sinead Kehoe.

As driverless taxis begin to take off in the States, what is it actually like to go for a trip in one?Ciara O’Brien, Technology Correspondent for the Irish Times, has done it, and joins Seán to discuss.Image: Waymo

The first movie from iconic British comedy group Monty Python, ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’, turns 50 this year!Joining Seán to look back on the film is Presenter of Screentime on Newstalk, John Fardy.

In a recent episode of Joe & Stacey on BBC 1, it emerged that Joe Swash couldn’t remember most of the family’s birthdays.But, why is that, and does it have anything to do with gender? Ciara Greene is Associate Professor in the School of Psychology, UCD and author of ‘Memory Lane: The Perfectly Imperfect Ways We Remember’. She joins Seán to discuss.

With the good weather continuing, is it ever ok to wear shorts to the office, and are blazers too old fashioned nowadays?Joining Seán to discuss this is Fashion Stylist and Journalist Laura Mullett…Image: H&M

There’s a good chance that by the end of next week we will have a new Pope.There’s also a reasonable chance that the new Pope’s name will be Peter.If that happens, then there is an excellent chance that the end of days will follow shortly…That’s according to an Irish Archbishop who died almost 900 years ago…Niamh Griffin has been writing about this for the Irish Examiner, and joins Seán to discuss.

A recent study, commissioned by the Policing Authority entitled Still Not Heard, Still Not Safe, reveals that people of African descent, and Brazilians, in Ireland continue to experience racial profiling and discriminatory policing and have a deep lack of trust in An Garda Siochana.The findings are of no surprise to Dr. Ebun Joseph, Special Rapporteur on Racism and Racial Equality. She joins Seán to discuss.

Do you have a nickname?And is it one that you were given, or something you embraced over the years?Nicknames can be weird, wonderful and often completely unrelated to the name you were given at birth.Ceire Sadlier has been writing about nicknames and the pet names we have for each other in the Irish Times. She joins Seán to discuss.