Highlights From Lunchtime Live

It's How I live well time! Where someone joins to discuss what they do to improve their life...This week, guest host Anna Daly is joined by Stefania Ceolin, Psychotherapist, to discuss how you can look after your mental health in the winter months.You can contact Samaritans on 116 123 at any time if these issues impact you.

Last night, Everton Football Club had a shock 1-0 win against Manchester United, in a game that was somewhat marred by controversy.Just 13 minutes into the Toffees' remarkable Premier League win, Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye was sent off for striking team-mate Michael Keane.But, just how big of an issue is this? And what sort of an example is it setting?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Sean Slattery, member of the Irish Soccer Refs’ Association, Off the Ball’s Daniel Pitcher and Fiona Connelly, Everton fan and Soccer Coach and more.

Dr Sylvester Mooney from Webdoctor.ie  joined guest host Clare McKenna to answer your questions.

Research shows that most people believe it is harder to make friends as you age.However, Freelance Journalist Emily Bratt found that making friends in her 30s was easier than she imagined!She joins guest host Clare McKenna to discuss.

A rally will take place outside City Hall today to protest rent increases for council and HAP tenants.Under the plans by Dublin City Council, social housing tenants would see the first change to how their rent is calculated in 30 years…For many, this will have a huge impact on people’s day-to-day lives amid the high cost of living.So, is this calculation fair? Or should it be left alone?Joining guest host Clare McKenna to discuss is Labour Cllr Dermot Lacey, as well as some of those impacted…

It’s fair to say we’re officially in the run up to Christmas…For the next few weeks, Lunchtime Live is going to be highlighting some great Irish businesses that you can support for all things Christmas!Today, we’re focusing on decorations. Guest host Clare McKenna is joined by Ger Sloyan from The Real Christmas Tree, Laura Dempsey. Pickled Pom Pom and Margerite & Johnny from Luxury Garlands to discuss!

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Newstalk’s Rory Galvin & Host of the ‘For Techs Sake’ podcast Elaine Burke join guest host Clare McKenna to review ‘Get Around To It’!

The Dublin City Council (DCC) in recent times has come under sustained criticism for calling its end-of-year special lighting display ‘Winter Lights’ instead of ‘Christmas Lights’.Is it important to recognise the traditional meaning of Christmas, or should these lights be more accommodating and inclusive to all?Joining guest host Clare McKenna to discuss is Peadar Tóibín, Leader of Aontú, Michael Nugent, Chairperson of Atheist Ireland and listeners.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Stunt Coordinator with Total Stunts Joe Condren joins guest host Anna Daly to answer any of your stunt-related questions!

Today is World Television Day, a chance to celebrate the shows, characters and moments that have shaped our lives. From comfort-watch favourites to the series that changed how we see the world, TV continues to influence culture in powerful ways. So what makes a show truly unforgettable, and why does television still matter in the streaming age?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss the shows that shaped them is Newstalk’s Ellen Kenny and TV and Movie Critic, Brian Llyod.

Gender reveal celebrations have become more popular than ever. Whether it’s cutting into a cake or popping a balloon, everyone waits for that exciting moment to see pink or blue. But, what happens when the color revealed isn’t the one someone was hoping for?And is it okay to feel disappointed to not have the gender you hoped for?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Clinical and Health Psychologist, Dr Bronagh Fitzpatrick, Columnist with the Irish Independent, Tanya Sweeney, Editor of Cork Beo, Joe O’Shea and Lisa O’Sullivan Shaw (@modernirishmom on Instagram).

A Chinese start-up has claimed to have developed a pill in the lab that could potentially extend human life to 150 years.This begs the question, even if we could, would you like to live to 150 years of age?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Terry Prone, Columnist with The Irish Examiner and Chairman of the Communications Clinic and Liam Collins, Columnist with The Irish Independent.

From €80 t-shirts to a record wool map of Ireland, Alex Rowley from the Newstalk Newsroom joins guest host Anna Daly with stories from around the country that you might have missed this week…

Fingal County Council has approved plans to introduce paid parking at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, despite growing local protests. The new system, proposed by the centre’s owners, aims to improve traffic flow, but residents, workers and public representatives say it will place extra costs on staff and undermine what has long been a key community space in Dublin 15.So, is parking getting too expensive? And have you ever decided not to go somewhere simply because the parking charges put you off?Guest host Anna Daly is joined by listeners to discuss.

Anna’s guest has launched a petition calling for a once-off national holiday on March 27th, 2026: the day after Ireland’s World Cup playoff semi-final. The aim is to give the whole country the chance to come together and support the team during what could be a rare and historic moment for Irish football…If Ireland reaches the final, the petition also calls for March 31st and April 1st to be declared once-off holidays too. Supporters are encouraged to sign - and remember to verify their signature so it counts.Brion Kennedy, Irish Football Fan and Petition Founder and Daniel Hussey, Freelance Sports Journalist.

Many people living with conditions such as IBS and Crohn’s disease can be left in distressing situations when they suddenly need to use the toilet. For them, this isn’t a matter of convenience - it’s a medical necessity.Yet, many bars and restaurants restrict toilet access to paying customers. So, what does that mean for those living with long-term digestive conditions, and how can society better support them?Anna Daly’s guest is calling for the introduction of a ‘bowel card’ - giving people immediate access to toilet facilities when they need it most, helping to remove anxiety, uncertainty and embarrassment.Maria Crowe joins to discuss, as well as Mark Wall, Labour Party TD for Kildare South and Emily Larkin, Founder of Invisible Disability Ireland.

Gen Z are accused of many things: that they’re chronically online, surgically attached to their phones, avoidant of eye contact and allergic to small talk.They are, we’re told, the loneliest generation, and supposedly the one least able to hold a conversation with a stranger…So, it may come as a surprise to learn that they, not the extroverted, freewheeling generations before them, are the ones bringing back communal dining!Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss this is Leslie Shoemaker, Psychologist and Lecturer in TU Dublin and Gráinne O’Higgins & Dearbhaile Gaffney, organisers of Mingle Meets Supper Club.

We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums to explore the stories behind them.What did the artists 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 through Amy Winehouse’s album ‘Back to Black’!

Dublin’s MetroLink project is expected to need around 8,000 construction workers.Programme Director Sean Sweeney has said Ireland may have to recruit many from abroad to meet that demand.But, with construction already facing labour shortages and workers continuing to emigrate due to high living costs and the housing crisis, serious questions are being raised about how the State can attract and house the workforce needed to deliver the project.Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Cllr Feljin Jose, Spokesperson for Transport for the Green Party, Architect, Rósín Murphy, Iarnród Éireann's Apprentice Training Manager, Conor Doolin and more.

If you have a lack of confidence in yourself, how likely is that going to be carried over to your children? And, what should be done about it?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Personal Trainer and mam Georgy Dillion and Life Coach Mark Fennell.