Brendan O'Connor

Epizodes

• The Newspaper Panel 12.07.2026 55min

  Joining Brendan to discuss the newspapers are: Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich, Social Democrats Candidate in recent Galway West by-election; Tanya Ward, Chief Executive, Children's Rights Alliance; Gerard Howlin, Public Affairs consultant and former Government advisor and Scott Lucas, Professor of US and International politics at UCD’s Clinton Institute.
• “Crying shows us what really matters to us” - The Power of Crying with Dr Tony Bates 12.07.2026 30min

  Clinical Psychologist, Dr Tony Bates, talks about why we cry in sad or beautiful moments. He also explains the power of tears, their release effect, why people might try to hide their tears and why he worries about the people who never cry.
• “‘The Queue’ at Wimbledon is now a social media sensation in its own right” 12.07.2026 9min

  Christine Bohan, tennis fan and Deputy Editor of TheJournal.ie explains why Wimbledon has something for everyone nowadays, whether they’re a tennis fan or not. She talks about the influencers, fashion and food at this year’s tournament, how you get invited into the Royal Box and she previews the Men’s Singles Final this afternoon.
• The Watchlist 12.07.2026 12min

  Joining Brendan to look at the best films and TV shows available this week are Zara Hedderman, Culture Journalist and Andy McCarroll, Host of the Extra Vision Podcast. They talk about Moana, Evil Dead Burn, Rosebush Pruning, The Hawk, Nothing To Hide and Love Island amongst many more productions.
• Mary Kennedy - “I’m at an age now where I don’t care what people think of me” 11.07.2026 30min

  Broadcaster Mary Kennedy charts her life and career through the prism of five songs ranging from ‘Frankie and Johnny’ to ‘Don’t Rain On My Parade” to her nephew, Dermot Kennedy’s, ‘Funeral’. She talks about her parents’ party pieces, the sudden death of her father, finding confidence in later life, and choosing to have a very active retirement.
• Your Summer Dilemmas with Dr Richard Hogan 11.07.2026 27min

  Summer can be a stressful time for some. Changes in routine, high expectations, changes in your environment and loneliness. Psychotherapist Dr Richard Hogan answers your summer dilemmas and gives tips on navigating potential stressors over the next few weeks.
• Darina Allen - "Your oven should never be moody” 11.07.2026 9min

  Darina Allen, Chef and Founder of the Ballymaloe Cookery School joins Brendan as a cookery agony aunt, solving common kitchen issues. She explains the importance of quality kitchen equipment and understanding how your appliances work. She also tackles common problems making soda bread and sponge cake.
• “Breadcrumbing is where the man isn’t giving you the full loaf of bread!” 11.07.2026 12min

  Freelance journalist Édaein O’Connell takes a look at new dating trends like ‘wildflowering’, ‘chalant dating’, ‘communal vetting’ and ‘sunset clauses’. She also talks about her new relationship and when to have the ‘boyfriend chat’.
• Minding Yourself In The Heat with Dr Colm Henry 11.07.2026 8min

  Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer of the HSE has advice on managing the hotter days of summer. He has practical tips around staying cool, sleeping, hydration, suncream and tells us why we should all know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
• Why Buying Refurbished Tech saves money and the planet 11.07.2026 6min

  Colin Baker, CEO of Back To The Future, explains why a refurbished laptop or computer might actually be a smarter purchase than a brand-new machine. He explains they are commercial grade, factory-refurbished and often last longer and perform better than cheaper, new, retail grade devices.
• The Newspaper Panel 05.07.2026 53min

  Joining Brendan to discuss the top stories in Sunday’s newspapers are: Director of Public Affairs at Consello and former Fianna Fáil TD, Lisa Chambers; political editor of the Irish Times, Pat Leahy; Head of Social Justice and Policy at SVP, Louise Bayliss; security analyst, Declan Power and University of Galway law lecturer, Larry Donnelly.
• “Choose Life” - The Trainspotting Soundtrack turns 30 05.07.2026 23min

  Musician and broadcaster, Tom Dunne, joins Brendan to celebrate the iconic soundtrack from Danny Boyle’s 1996 hit film Trainspotting. The album included songs by Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Pulp and Underworld.
• The Watchlist 05.07.2026 12min

  Joining Brendan to look at the best films and TV shows available this week are Executive Director of the Dublin International Film Festival, Grainne Humphreys and host of the Screenland podcast, Brian Lloyd. Their choices include ‘The Girl in the Water’, ‘Jackass: Best and Last’ and a new adaptation of ‘Little House on the Prairie’.
• How to Pack the Perfect Holiday Suitcase 05.07.2026 10min

  Fashion stylist and personal shopper, Cathy O’Connor, joins Brendan with some top tips on holiday packing. She has strategies for organising your clothes, embracing ‘the slow pack’, and not filling your suitcase with things you won’t actually wear.
• Enda Walsh: “Bowie told me he was sick – he wanted to leave on his own terms” 04.07.2026 31min

  The multi award-winning playwright and screenwriter, Enda Walsh – whose film credits include ‘Disco Pigs’, ‘Hunger’ and ‘Small Things Like These’ - joins Brendan to discuss the music that has influenced him through the years. He describes moving to Cork, meeting a young Cillian Murphy. His music choices include songs by Bjork and David Bowie.
• Summer Holiday Book Recommendations “It’s Sinead’s memoir, and she’s reading it – it’s very intimate” 04.07.2026 27min

  Looking for some great books for your summer holidays? Broadcaster Bryan Dobson, author Emer McLysaght, and actor Jason O’Mara all join Brendan to discuss what makes the perfect summer read and recommend some of their all-time favourites.
• Cape Verde’s World Cup Heroics: “It’s been a fairytale, but not an overnight success” 04.07.2026 12min

  Judie Lopes, mother of Crumlin-born Cape Verde defender – and Shamrock Rovers’ captain – Roberto ‘Pico’ Lopes tells Brendan about the biggest game in her son’s career, against reigning World Cup champions, Argentina. RTE Sports reporter Tony O’Donoghue puts Cape Verde’s achievement in context.
• Niall Moyna: “Within four hours of this treatment, 18,000 bio-molecules are produced in your body” 04.07.2026 15min

  Niall Moyna, Professor of Clinical Exercise Physiology from the School of Health and Human Performance in DCU, explains how that heart attack at age 60 could have started when you were 20-years-old, but that it’s never too late to start working on your exercise and nutrition. He also discusses biological age tests.
• Shellfish masterclass: “Irish people always think seafood will kill us. But it's very safe now” 04.07.2026 8min

  Chef and Owner of the Seafood Café and CEO of Sustainable Seafood Ireland, Niall Sabongi, tells Brendan how to get the best out of crabs, lobster, clams and mussels. He shares his recipes for Dublin Bay prawns with a homemade lemon mayo, oysters and a classic moules marinière.
• Newspaper Panel 28.06.2026 54min

  Joining Brendan to discuss the big stories in Sunday’s newspapers are: Liz Carolan, publisher of TheBriefing.ie; Economist, David W. Higgins; Mick Clifford, Special Correspondent at the Irish Examiner; and Brigid Laffan, Emeritus Professor at the European University Institute.