Highlights From Moncrieff

The search for Malaysian Airline MH370 has resumed over a decade since it disappeared under mysterious circumstances in 2014…Joining Seán to discuss is Kevin Byrne, Airport Safety & Security Auditor and former Lieutenant Colonel in the Irish Air Corps.

In the biggest shakeup in 3 years on Channel 4’s Countdown, Mathematician Tom Crawford is currently filling in for Rachel Riley as the show’s math wizard.Tom joins Seán to discuss what the role is like.Image: Channel 4 / Countdown / PA Wire

Have you bought yourself a walking pad?Rather than head out for a walk on a dark winter’s evening, it seems that people are snapping up stationary treadmills instead. These walking pads are quite the rage when it comes to fitness trends – especially for women as an alternative to pounding the pavements on a dark winter’s night...Comedian and Coach Enya Martin just got one, and joins Seán to discuss.Image: Fitness Equipment Ireland

The 97th Academy Awards will take place on Sunday night (early Monday morning Irish time).One person who will be in attendance is Ruth Treacy, a Producer on the Donald Trump biopic ‘The Apprentice’.The film has two nominations, but at one point it looked like it might not even get released thanks to cease and desist letters from the President of the USA.Ruth joins Seán to discuss.Image: Studio Canal

Telekinesis has been a staple of mythology, fantasy and science fiction probably for as long as human beings have been telling such stories, but it’s always been something that was clearly confined to the world of fiction.That is until 2024, when Noland Arbaugh became the first person in human history who could move things in the external world merely by thinking about it…Noland is the world’s first recipient of Neuralink, and joins Seán to discuss.Image: Neuralink

Ever worry that you’re not charging your phone properly? Is it really not a good idea to charge to 100%?Joining Seán to debunk the myths and to offer his tips is Colin Baker, AKA Gadget Guy Colin, CEO of Back from the Future IT Support…

It took Seán’s guest a long time to figure out why she was struggling with pain. Eventually, she discovered that she had entered menopause early, at the age of just 34…Now, she wants to share her journey. Joining the show to discuss is Tralee hair salon owner, Emma Quirke…

A newlywed couple has landed the much-coveted position of caretaker to the Great Blasket Island. But, how will they cope without electricity and what exactly will be their duties?Joining Seán to discuss is artist James Hayes…Image: greatblasketisland.net

Being a parent can be overwhelming, chaotic and challenging, but if you’ve got ADHD - then the chances are that staying on top of things can feel even harder...Karen Beckett is a mother of four young children who was diagnosed with ADHD after becoming a parent. As a Chartered Psychologist, she is doing research into how parents like herself, juggle (and struggle) with the daily jobs that come with managing a busy household…She joins Seán to discuss.

It’s clear for all to see that a major rupture now exists between the USA and Europe in relation to mutual security.So, with the US backing away from its role as defence guarantor of Europe, and Vladimir Putin expressing his willingness to use Nuclear weapons where necessary, do we need a European nuclear deterrent?John O'Brennan is Jean Monnet Professor of European Integration at NUI Maynooth, and joins Seán to discuss.

Writing in today’s Irish Times, Sarah Moss wants to know why she has to pay over €50 for a simple haircut, when her friend could do it in 5 minutes for free, but has emigrated to Australia...So, how much do you pay for your hair and beauty needs? Is there simply a ‘female tax’ that men don’t have to pay? Is it unfair, or just a part of life?Henry McKean has been out asking the public for their thoughts, and joins Seán to discuss.

The Department of Public Expenditure is currently welcoming tenders from service providers for a four year shredding contract. The seven million euro project will entail the destruction of everything from paper documents to USB flash drives. As we now live in the world of GDPR, shredding is experiencing a boom, but where did it all begin?Newstalk’s Simon Tierney, who has been investigating, joins Seán to discuss.

From ‘Aesop’s Fables’ to ‘Shrek’ and the ‘Banshees of Inisherin’, donkeys have often been represented in popular media, but has their representation always been fair and accurate, or has it been constricted by tired clichés?A new film course in the UK is aiming to change this. Joining Seán to discuss is Fiona Handyside, Associate Professor of Film Studies at the University of Exeter…Image: 20th Century Studios

The idea of winning an award like an Oscar for acting is seen by some as a futile attempt to turn art into sport.Some people have argued that comparing disparate performances is inherently unfair, and that a better metric would be to see a group of actors each take on the same part.But the one performance that all of the competing actors must be prepared for is the victory speech. So could good speech win you the award?Jesse Hassenberg is a Writer & Film Critic. He joins me now…Image: Reuters

It’s hard to believe it now, but Mark McCabe’s ‘Maniac’ turns 25 this year.So, let’s wind back the clock!Joining Seán to look back is Mark himself, DJ on 98FM and iRadio…

We have been hearing a lot about ‘untruths’, but is an ‘untruth’ just the same as a lie?Do we have a hard time admitting to lying, and how does our perception of it change depending on the situation?Chartered Behavioural Psychologist with Changeable.ie, Padraig Walsh, joins Seán to discuss.

Just how gross and disgusting is your kitchen sponge?And is your kitchen sink actually dirtier than your toilet seat?Dr Primrose Freestone, Associate Professor in Clinical Microbiology at Leicester University joins Seán to discuss.

Seán’s guest has written a new book about pursuing her life as a committed singleton, and how this led to her having a baby with a gay man, whom she lives with.Joining the show to discuss is Nicola Slawson, author of ‘Single: Living a Complete Life on Your Own Terms’…Image: Penguin

Teagasc is recommending that farmers diversify by renting our parcels of their land as allotments to the local community. But, is this a pragmatic idea?Joining Seán to discuss is Mairead Lavery, former Farming Reporter…

Whether it’s a public space - or even a wedding - when a child cries in public, it’s hard to deny that it’s annoying! So, what should be done when it happens? Should kids be banned from certain events?Henry McKean has been asking the public, and joins Seán to discuss.