Lunchtime Live

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…

A bride in Monaghan missed out on having her two brothers at her wedding due to the county final. For a part of the wedding, the bride and groom were not the center of attention as all eyes were on the big screen to see if the Scotstown boys would be county champions.Would you be annoyed if your wedding was overshadowed by sports or does it add some extra entertainment to an already special day?Joining Andrea to discuss is Wedding Photographer, Katie Kavanagh, Eoin Sheahan from Off the Ball, Hotelier and bar owner, Eoin Doyle 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 the ‘free birthing’ movement, and why you might be hearing a lot about it.

Where do you fall on matching pyjamas on Christmas Day? Is it something the whole family should get in on, or is it cringeworthy beyond imagination?Joining Andrea to discuss is Joey Donnelly, owner of Crofton Motors in Dublin, Columnist with the Independent, Mary McCarthy, Katie Makk from the Opinions Matter podcast and Newstalk’s Henry McKean!Image: Very Ireland

Following on from yesterday’s piece with Aoife about the responses her friend received from a Spunout Chat service, Andrea is joined by a woman who used to volunteer with them.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Chef Conor Spacey to talk about all things Christmas dinner, and how you can navigate it!

A youth movement against tech giants is on the rise in Europe, calling for a focus on digital justice.So, why is this happening, and why are the first generation to be raised with social media rebelling against it?Joining Andrea to discuss is Adrian Weckler, Tech Editor with the Irish and Sunday Independent and Andy O’Donoghue, Tech Journalist.

Is Spunout’s chat service powered by AI?After a very strange interaction, listener Aoife joins Andrea to discuss what happened to her friend…Helplines:Samaritans - Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.iePieta - Call 1800 247 247

Over the last twenty-five years, Ireland has changed. Our voices got louder. Our culture reached further, and some extraordinary people helped shape it all…From trailblazers in the arts and social change, to leaders in sport, music and on the big screen, we’re counting down the most influential Irish people of the last 25 years.You, the listener, have been voting for who you think are the most influential people that moved us and inspired us as part of Newstalk's 25 of 25!Joining Andrea to discuss the best musicians to come out of Ireland over the past 25 years is Newstalk’s Tom Dunne and Today FM’s Alison Curtis!

It’s How I Live Well time! Where Andrea Gilligan is joined by someone to discuss what they do to improve their life.This week, Andrea is joined by Nutritionist Aileen Cox Blundell to discuss looking after yourself when you’ll inevitably want to indulge over Christmas!