Highlights From Lunchtime Live

A new outdoor primary school is opening in Wicklow, offering a unique learning experience set across 52 acres of nature.With a custom curriculum, outdoor classrooms, and even a chef preparing meals, this school is redefining education.Joining Andrea to discuss this exciting project is Principal Louise Nelson, and joining to discuss why children should be encouraged to be outside more is Mary McCarthy, Columnist with the Independent, Ollwyn Moran, Neuro Developmental Therapist & Founder of COGNI Kids, CEO of Early Childhood Ireland Teresa Heeney and more.

Do you struggle to stop yourself checking your emails when you’re off work?Despite our best intentions, apparently half of us cannot switch off on holiday.So, why do we do it? And how do we stop?Joining Andrea to discuss is Larissa Feeney, Founder and CEO of Kinore, Life Coach Mark Fennell and listeners.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Ciaran Bradley from Newstalk’s Digital Team, and Elaine Burke, Host of the ‘For Techs Sake’ podcast join Andrea to review ‘In Bits’!Image: IADT

The possible return of 100% mortgages for first-time buyers in Ireland could be a controversial idea.With these loans making a comeback in the UK, one Irish party says it’s time we follow suit to help renters become homeowners, but critics warn it could drive up house prices and lead to another financial mess.So, is this a solution to the housing crisis or a step back to the mistakes of the past?Joining Andrea to discuss is Ken O’Flynn, Independent Ireland TD for Cork North Central, John Lowe, Founder of the Money Doctor, Jason Cullen from the Dublin Commuter Coalition and listeners.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Paranormal Investigator Ann Massey McElroy joins Andrea to answer any of your spooky, haunted or otherwise questions!

Today, we’re discussing a troubling healthcare scandal; an investigation has found that many children in Ireland may have undergone unnecessary hip surgeries at Children's Health Ireland.The probe could stretch back 15 years, raising serious questions about oversight, ethics, and patient safety.Andrea is joined by listener Áine Gladney-Knox, whose son had hip surgery, and received a letter from CHI.

Communions and Confirmations often come with a less heavenly side: the price tag…While the ceremonies may be spiritually priceless, the overall cost has a very real bottom line.The latest research carried out in this area found the average cost of such celebrations was over €900!However, this data from Ulster Bank is over six years old, so costs are likely to be well over €1,000 for the average household.Joining Andrea to discuss this is Presenter of the Hard Shoulder on Newstalk, Kieran Cuddihy, Jennifer Horgan, Freelance Journalist and Teacher, Graham Moore, Director of Next level Entertainment, Lisa O’Sullivan Shaw, Digital Creator and Mom and Sarah Bolton, Owner and Founder of Charcuterie Countess.

We’ve been talking about the 10 year anniversary of the marriage referendum on the station all this week.And, while it’s definitely a cause for celebration, there is also plenty that still needs to be done...For example: do we have enough parental rights for same sex couples?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

From Kerry chaos to Tipperary’s connection to tennis, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Are you less likely to have children, because you’ve gotten a dog?Apparently, dogs are increasingly being seen as “child surrogates”.That having a dog could fulfills a nurturing drive similar to parenting, but with fewer demands than raising kids.So, are we choosing dogs over babies?Joining Andrea to discuss is Breda O’Brien, Irish Times Columnist, Pete Wedderburn, AKA Pete The Vet, Laoise Downes owner of Outpaws and Wedding Woofs and listeners.

Working from home is still alive and well years after covid lockdown, so why not try and make your space the best it can be?The Home Squad are here to talk about building your home office!Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan former ‘Home of the Year’ winners who is on Instagram as @workerscottage and Róisín Lafferty, Founder & Creative Director of Róisín Lafferty Design House.

On Tuesday’s show Andrea was joined by Roscommon Poet Jane Clarke, who talked about her experience of being gay, and the importance of the marriage referendum.Jane referred to herself as queer several times, and it got quite a bit of a reaction – some people confused by it, and some dead against it.So, we wanted to have a conversation about it, when it’s okay to use, and by whom…Listener Claire and Drag Performer and Host of the ‘Poz Vibes’ Podcast Veda join Andrea to discuss.

Recently on the show was the topic of school absenteeism, where students would spend too much time out of school. But, is there a problem with teacher absenteeism?What causes it, and how does it impact students and schools?Joining Andrea to discuss is Kieran Christie, General Secretary of the ASTI and listeners.

Are desserts becoming a thing of the past? The restaurant industry is noticing a shift, with fewer customers ordering that sweet treat to finish off their meal. But, is the rise of Ozempic to blame?Joining Andrea to discuss is Paul Knapp, the Firefighting Chef, Dee Laffan, Food Writer and Adrian Martin, Owner of Wildflower Restaurant in Blackrock.

We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums to explore the stories behind them.What did the band really think of each other? Where did the inspirations from the songs come from?Joining Andrea to discuss is Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, Alan Buckley, who’s going to talk us through the iconic Beach Boys album: ‘Pet Sounds’…

Would you stand on a flight to save money?It’s been spoken about before, but it seems to be one step closer to reality.New rollercoaster style standing seats could be ready as soon as 2026.So, how much comfort are we willing to lose to save cash?Joining Andrea to discuss is Managing Director of Freedom Travel & Solo Travel Ciara Mooney, Ariana Dunne from Irish Country Magazine, Senior aviation analyst Simon Daly and more.

It’s your big day, the dress is perfect, the flowers are blooming, and all eyes are on you... but, wait, what happened to your hair?! Or your makeup by mid-ceremony?Joining Andrea to discuss the biggest glam mistakes brides can make on their big day is Tara Fay, Wedding Planner, Laura Lou Kearney, Luxury Bridal Hair Stylist and Michelle Regazzaoli Stone, Makeup Artist.

Lunchtime Live's Reasons to be Happy looks at some of the news stories that you might have missed that will leave you feeling more optimistic.98FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

As we approach summer, many are considering the costs of a festival-filled season. With soaring ticket prices, are young people finding themselves adjusting their budgets, cutting back on clubbing nights to save for festival tickets? Could the cost of attending a major festival now rival that of a week-long holiday abroad?Joining Andrea to discuss is Ashley Chadomoyo Malone, Dublin DJ and young festival-goer, Daniel Browne, one of the Founders & Owners of Sea Sessions, Gareth Dunleavy, Curator of the ‘Oasis WTS’, Nick McKay from the ‘Roll With It’ Oasis tribute act and more.

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies.Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Master of the National Maternity Hospital to cover every area of trying to have a baby. From the very start of knowing how to prepare, right up to pregnancy – and all the bumps in the road in between.This week, Shane joins Andrea to discuss any issues you might face during pregnancy…