The Hard Shoulder

Dietitian Sarah Keogh, founder of Eatwell, dives into the murky waters of ultra-processed foods. She discusses the Lancet report's findings linking these foods to chronic diseases and emphasizes the importance of not panicking over headlines, noting it’s about association, not causation. Sarah also highlights the socioeconomic factors influencing food choices and the need for clearer definitions in nutrition. Along with Chef Gerry Devlin, they suggest practical cooking alternatives and stress the importance of cooking education to foster healthier habits.

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has resigned from Irish public life and is taking a job at the World Bank.Newstalk’s Henry McKean chatted to people in Cork about changing their careers in middle age, and sends in this report.

The Hard Shoulder is looking back on 2025’s biggest moments in the news, and who were at the heart of it.So, where else to start but at the beginning of the year, where the country faced the devastation brought by Storm Eowyn?Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Independent Ireland TD for Roscommon-Galway, Michael Fitzmaurice, and Independent Cllr for Kerry County Council, Jackie Healy Rae.

In the latest development of the Enoch Burke case, the High Court has ordered his immediate imprisonment.To chat through this and more, Ciara Doherty is joined by Newstalk’s Court Correspondent, Frank Greaney.

Author Sinead Moriarty joins Ciara Doherty to place her favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

Fine Gael Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has stepped away from his role in Government to take up a position at the World Bank.To chat about the significance of this decision, Ciara Doherty is joined by Fine Gael Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeil, as well as Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, Seán Defoe.

As pressure mounts in the US for the release of the Epstein files, there are many wondering what exactly these files are, and information they contain.To discuss this, Ciara Doherty is joined by the Lawyer who represented victims of Jeffrey Epstein, Yasmine Meyer.

It’s that time of year again where dictionaries begin naming their words of the year. Cambridge Dictionary has gone with ‘parasocial’ while Collins has chosen ‘vibe coding’. With previous words of the year including ‘brat’ in 2024 and even ‘austerity’ in 2015.How well do these words capture the years they’re chosen, and why are we so obsessed with the words of the year?Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Journalist and host of the ‘No Encore’ music podcast, Dave Hanratty.

Temperatures will dip close to zero for the remainder of the week; however, the wind chill factor could make it feel more like minus 10! So, how can you keep your house warm and your bills down this winter?Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Caitriona Redmond, Consumer Columnist with The Irish Examiner.

Huntington's disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects people emotionally, mentally, and physically. Sufferers usually show symptoms in their thirties and forties. Unfortunately, there is currently no known cure for the condition.  Joining Ciara to reflect on the impact the disease can have and how to manage it was Dr. Niall Pender, Professor of Psychology at the RSCI, along with Fiona, who lost her husband to Huntington's disease.