Highlights From Moncrieff

Scientists and gourmands in Copenhagen have taken to producing yoghurt using the fermenting properties of ants. But, how does it all work?Seán’s guest, a keen “fermentista” herself, decided to make her own ant yoghurt. Linda Geddes, former Science Correspondent for the Guardian, joins to discuss the results!

Free Christening parties are being offered to couples who conceive during their stay at a hotel chain in Poland.There’s more – each employee will be paid a bonus of over €2,000 for every child they have.That’s an initiative launched by Polish hotel chain Arche and its 73-year-old owner in an effort to boost the country’s low birth rates.Poland’s fertility rate of 1.2 children per woman in 2023 is among the weakest in the EU, with only Malta, Spain and Lithuania behind it.To discuss, Seán is joined by Raphael Minder, the Financial Times’ Central Europe Correspondent.

A lot of us will remember collecting stamps or football stickers or stationary or something of that ilk as a child.But, is that a modern phenomenon, or is it something inherent that we have seen throughout history?James Delbourgo is Professor of History at Rutgers University and author of ‘A Noble Madness: The Dark Side of Collecting from Antiquity to Now’. He joins Seán to discuss.

Experts are debunking the myth of multitasking, but in such a fast-paced world, how else can we possibly keep up?Psychology Professor at Stanford University, Anthony Wagner, says multitasking does not exist, but what we are doing instead is forcing the brain to switch between tasks.Research shows performing multiple tasks at the same time reduces productivity by up to 40% by increasing cognitive load, causing errors, and consuming mental energy.But, UCD Associate Professor in the School of Psychology, Ciara Greene, says the human brain is flexible and completing multiple tasks at the same time does not impact our attention span.To discuss further, she joins Seán.

Seán’s guest has photographed everyone from dictator August Pinochet to Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, but his new book is a collection of portraits of Irish writers.Photographer Steve Pyke joins Seán to discuss.

Sober-dating is all the rage now, but what does this mean for the future of socialising?New Google search trends revealed that December 2024 marked an all-time high for searches on alcohol-free drinks.The drinking culture has shifted radically, with many young people opting for zero-alcohol to meet their date at their ‘most authentic’ self.But, Freelance Journalist Édaein O’Connell has tried this and says it’s important to see both sides of the coin.She joins Seán to discuss.

Although she is now happily married, Seán’s guest has always felt a calling to the priesthood, and has spent decades trying to change the Church’s position on the matter.Now, she has written her memoir, ‘A Divine Calling: One Woman’s Life-Long Battle for Equality in the Catholic Church’. Soline Humbert joins Seán to discuss.

A Palestinian filmmaker and former martial artist now living in Ireland has been sharing her story as her new movie hits streaming platforms this week.Lexi Alexander was born and raised in 1970s Germany to a Palestinian father and German mother.Her passion for martial arts brought her to all corners of the world, including the US, where renowned actor Chuck Norris encouraged her to become a stunt performer in Hollywood.The rest is history – she was nominated for an Academy award and has now directed a new movie, ‘Absolute Dominion’ - which reimagines a futuristic society where a fierce martial-arts tournament is the key to restoring world peace.To tell more about the new movie and about her incredible life, Lexi joins Seán to discuss.

Condensation season has arrived… hurray?As the weather turns colder, you will find water vapor building on the insides of your windows, especially in the bathroom. So, what can be done to offset all this?Joining Seán to discuss is Denise O’Donoghue, Life Hack Columnist with the Irish Examiner, who has been investigating...

A visiting lecturer at UCD has been speaking about the pivotal role Ireland played in helping him process his survivor’s guilt after fleeing war-torn Kosovo when he was just eight years old.Professor Islam Borinca’s life changed forever when his father and brother were murdered during the war between Kosovo and Serbia in 1998…In a recent feature for The Journal, he speaks movingly about witnessing the destruction of his home, and how these experiences shaped his commitment to studying reconciliation and intergroup healing from war trauma.The Social Psychologist reflects on what Ireland’s own history of division taught him, and how societies can work toward understanding, repair, and mutual respect.He joins Seán to discuss.

From Stephen King to George Saunders ,there is no shortage of authors willing to put their insights on how the greats write and how you can do it betterBut, how does advising children on the topic of creative writing differ from dealing with more mature aspiring writers?Patricia Forde is Laureate na nÓg and author of ‘Making It Up As You Go Along: A Children’s Guide to Writing Stories’. She joins Seán to discuss.

Be honest, how many hours are you spending scrolling, tapping and watching social media?Are you permanently attached to your phone, or have you decided to buck the trend and give up altogether?Technology Editor with the Irish Independent Adrian Weckler joins Seán to discuss whether we have actually reached peak social media…

Last year, Revenue seized 112 million illicit cigarettes in Ireland. The black market trade in tobacco products is big business. So, how do tobacco companies go about clamping down on all this.Conor Pope, Consumer Affairs Correspondent for the Irish Times, joined a sting operation to find out, and joins Seán to discuss.

Last year, over 14,000 Irish people visited Lapland. Over the past 30 years, tourism to the northern Finnish territory has exploded. Now, a new investigation has examined the ecological consequences of this…Joining Seán to discuss is Lotta Narhi, an Investigative Environmental Journalist based in Finland.

It’s a disease which many of us thought had been fairly much eradicated, but cases of TB are at their highest level since 2018, and could hit 300 by the end of this year…Professor Anne Marie McLaughlin is from the St. James’ National TB Centre, and joins Seán to discuss.Image: CDC

Seán’s guest decided, on a whim, to visit Ireland last month for the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival after hearing a reference to it on the hit TV show ‘Schitt’s Creek’.What happened next is the stuff of an American Rom-Com! Colorado native Mary Timby joins Seán to discuss…Image: Galway Tourism

Author of ‘Riders’ and ‘Rivals’, Jilly Cooper, has passed away. Perhaps best known for her bingeable bonkbusters, she brought joy to millions of readers, particularly in the UK and Ireland.Joining Seán to reflect on her work and life is Sheila O’Flanagan, author of the bestselling recent novel ‘The Honeymoon Affair’...

Can ‘swag gap’ relationships truly last?This new ‘gap’ that’s been circling on social media refers to when one partner is much cooler than the other – in fashion, in lingo, in friends, and in hobbies.Users have taken to TikTok to share how their style clashed with that of their partner, and how relationships with such differences are inevitably destined to end.But, is that really the case?Joining Seán to discuss is Julie Cook, an author at The i Paper in the UK, who says her ‘swag gap’ marriage is a perfect match…

It was this very week a quarter of a century ago when Gilmore Girls premiered. It’s also ‘Gilmore Girls Season’, when every autumn devoted fans rewatch the series. But, what is it about the formula of this programme that attracts legions of repeat viewers?Joining Seán to discuss is Dr. Jess Shine, from the Media Communications Department of MTU in Cork…

Would you let your 2 year old cook? Well, Jamie Oliver thinks you should! So much so, he is bringing out a new series of cookbooks aimed at toddlers and their parents.Someone with a wealth of knowledge in this area is Chef and Author, Gina Daly. She joins Seán to discuss.