The Hard Shoulder

Trump’s ‘tariff letters’ have arrived to governments worldwide ahead of the US President's blanket increase of tariffs globally.So, what did these letters include, and what should we expect on the tariff deadline on the 9th of July?Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent joins us now for an update.

Fine Gael is the first party to get its official presidential election process underway by opening nominations today, with former EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness expected to be a strong candidate for that nomination, and MEP Sean Kelly also potentially in the running.Meanwhile, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has refused to rule herself out of the running today.Joining Kieran to discuss the latest is Newstalk’s Political Correspondent Seán Defoe and Independent Senator Aubrey McCarthy, who is also the Co-Founder of Tig Linn.

Matcha is all the rage as a coffee alternative that offers a gentler caffeine boost and antioxidants. The finely ground green tea powder has inspired two dedicated matcha distributors in Dublin: the Matcha Bar in Powerscourt Townhouse and OMMA on Clarendon Street.Matcha aficionado Grainne Daily, the Digital Content Creator behind @heyitsgra on Instagram, joins Kieran to discuss the boost in popularity, and to share her matcha recommendations.

New guidelines to allow for smaller apartments with fewer features are to be introduced in an attempt to tackle the housing crisis. While smaller apartments are accepted by people in cities like New York or London, will it have any impact here?Joining Kieran to discuss is Conor Skehan, Sunday Independent Columnist.

How much time do you spend with your pets? A proposed Australian law would mandate that dog owners must spend a minimum of three hours per day with their dog.Should we do the same here?Dog trainer and behavior expert Samantha Rawson joins Kieran to weigh in.

Irish people are bracing themselves for more health insurance hikes in the coming weeks and months.Irish Life Health has its fourth hike of the year on the way, while Laya and VHI are also altering their plans, resulting in more expense for the customer.Dermot Goode is a Health Insurance Expert, and joins Kieran to discuss and give advice.

Esther McCarthy and Joe O’Shea join The Hard Shoulder to round up the week’s highs and lows.From Dua Lipa “splitting the G” in Dublin to French air traffic control strikes and Keir Starmer’s embattled chief of staff.Listen here

Will Sliney, Irish artist and illustrator for Marvel, joins The Hard Shoulder to talk about what it’s really like to draw for Spider-Man, how comics are made, and how the industry is changing.Will is perhaps best known for Spider-Man 2099, one of the best comics from the eponymous superhero.Listen here

Comedian Jim Elliot, Sunday Independent columnist Gina London, and political commentator Larry Donnelly join The Hard Shoulder to talk about how Independence Day has evolved — and what it means for Irish people.Have the Irish last that grá for the States?Listen here.

Chef Rory O’Connell joins Jonathan Healy with ideas for seasonal dishes and explains why the Folly Festival has become a staple of Ireland’s summer food and music calendar.Listen here