Highlights From Moncrieff

Where did the staple of modern Irish cuisine, the spice bag, come from? And, where is it going? Dr. John Mulcahy, from Technological University Dublin, School of Culinary Arts & Food Technology, joins guest host Fionnuala Jones to discuss!

We generally think of Christmas as a happy time of merriment with family and friends, but of course, it can also be quite stressful.There is shopping to do, dinners to organise and so many visits and events to fit in that sometimes it can all be a little overwhelming…But fear not! Fionnuala Jones’ guest has used a scientific formula to create the world’s happiest playlist that will keep you smiling throughout.Claire Renfrew, Chartered Psychologist specialising in Music Psychology, joins to discuss.

Author and Founder of the advocacy group Black and Irish, Leon Diop, joins guest host Fionnuala Jones to discuss his new memoir ‘Mixed Up: An Irish Boy’s Journey to Belonging’, telling the story of his mixed-race childhood in Ireland.

Modern dating is chaotic and so too is the latest trend, micro-compatibilities. Apparently, we should be taking note of our partner’s shops, or what time they arrive at the airport, because the little things could end up causing big problems down the line…Joining guest host Fionnuala Jones is a leading dating coach, Frances Kelleher, to break down what’s really going on here...

We may all think of Oscar Wilde as a talented writer and gay icon, but what’s less known is his lifelong interest in converting to Catholicism.Mary Kenny, Journalist and Columnist for the Irish Independent, joins guest host Fionnuala Jones to discuss this more obscure aspect of Wilde’s life…

Today’s word of the year for 2025 is ‘ragebait’, content designed to spark outrage and keep us clicking. But, with anger now driving so much of our online life, is letting our anger out healthy, or are we feeding a cycle that leaves us more stressed and divided?Joining guest host Fionnuala Jones to discuss is Dr Malie Coyne, Clinical Psychologist and author.

Galway man Daragh MacLoughlin will be attempting to row across the Atlantic as part of the World’s Toughest Row race. He’ll be setting out on his 4,800 km journey on December 12th, but joins Seán from his starting point in the Canary Islands ahead of his epic voyage…

For most people, being caught in a war zone with no weapon would be the stuff of nightmares, but for Pulitzer prize-winning Photojournalist Lynsey Addario, that is a basic element of her job…Lynsey is the subject of a new documentary called ‘Love+War’, and joins Seán to discuss.

With the prospect of American Ozempic-style drugs coming on the market for dogs and cats, just how big a problem is pet obesity in Ireland?Joining Seán to discuss is Pete Wedderburn, aka Pete the Vet…

This Friday, most Office Christmas parties are taking place across Ireland. But have we learned anything from last year? The heavy drinking, the inappropriate hugging, the awkward moment on Monday morning when you had to face the person you snogged?Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been asking the public for their stories, and joins Seán to discuss.

Have a discussion about climate change in Ireland and almost certainly at some point someone will make the argument that what we do here is too small to matter...Is there a certain validity to that viewpoint?Hannah Daly is Professor of Sustainable Energy at UCC, and joins Seán to discuss.

Apart from the ticker tape ads on the sides of pitches, you may also have noticed an increase in digital billboards in public spaces. This is leading to increasing alarm as to their impact on local residents and wildlife due to their brightness.Joining Seán to discuss is Dublin City Councillor, Mannix Flynn.Image: True Impact Media

Do you believe in ghosts?And what does it really take to be convinced of paranormal stories?Danny Robins has been treating ghost stories like a detective in his BBC podcast 'Uncanny' in which he examines everything from UFOs to ghostly encounters balancing skepticism and belief. Now, he will be taking it to the Bord Gáis with 'Uncanny: Fear of the Dark'.So, why are we more intrigued than ever?Danny joins Seán to discuss...Image: Bord Gáis Energy Theatre

You know what it’s like, this time of year is full of Christmas catch-ups and meeting the gang for the annual get together, but are we overcommitting?Do we need to stop making promises to go for pints if we actually don’t want to, or will we end up just cancelling at the last minute anyway?Helen Vaughan, Psychotherapist at The Coast Counselling at Malahide joins Seán to discuss.

A recent poll has claimed to have settled once and for all that ‘Die Hard’, the Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman action classic, is definitively not a Christmas film…Joining Seán to argue the case for ‘Die Hard’ as a Christmas classic is Journalist, Columnist, and Broadcaster, Esther McCarthy.

Ireland's oldest cat has finally been carbon dated, allowing a more accurate picture of our ancient ecology.Joining Seán to discuss is Dr. Marion Dowd, Archaeologist at Atlantic Technological University in Sligo…

According to a new UN study, Jakarta has now overtaken Tokyo as the world’s most populous city. But, what is it actually like living in the Indonesian capital?Joining Seán to discuss is Barry Dunning, an Irishman who spent a number of years living there…

Why are boomers addicted to junk? The Daily Mail has been writing about this, and the frustrations facing children worried about what clutter they’ll be inheriting!Joining Seán to discuss this is Architect Róisín Murphy.

‘Rage bait’ has been named the official Oxford word of 2025 after language experts noticed its usage has tripled this year. The word is a sign of the times and follows in the footsteps of words like ‘BRAT’, ‘Manifestation’, ‘cooking’ or ‘sus’ mostly used on online platforms.University of Limerick Linguist Dr Gail Flanagan joins guest host Tom Dunne to discuss how words become word of the year, and what this year’s victor says about our relationship to the internet…

Are pop stars to blame for a resurgence in smoking? When pop stars like Charli XCX and Sabrina Carpenter use them in music videos or magazines, or any type of promotional content, they’re bound to creep back into the hands of Gen Z fans, right?That’s the thoughts of Medical Doctor Maire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh, who joins guest host Tom Dunne to discuss.