The Hard Shoulder

While the big news of the day has been that both Seán Kelly and Heather Humphries are both putting themselves forward for the Fine Gael Presidential nomination. Fianna Fáil are making sure they’re not outdone. Their MEP for Ireland South, Billy Kelleher, has said he has written to the party’s Cathaoirleach to ask for an urgent meeting to discuss their involvement in the race.Billy Kelleher joins Kieran to discuss, as well as Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, Seán Defoe.

OCD, or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, is often portrayed as a need for complete order and organization, but what is it really like to live with the condition?Kieran is joined by David Monaghan, who has lived with OCD since he was a child, to discuss the common misconceptions of the disorder…

As the world watched Trump and Zelenskyy’s meeting yesterday, the topic of security guarantees for Ukraine emerged. But, what exactly was said, and what role will our Defence Forces have after the war?Joining Kieran to discuss is Shona Murray, European Correspondent for Euro News and Tom Clonan, Independent Senator and Security Analyst.Image: Reuters

Sinead Ryan, a Consumer Journalist with the Irish Independent and the Presenter of the Home Show on Newstalk, shares invaluable financial insights for those aged 45-60. She emphasizes the importance of effective financial planning during mid-life, balancing current luxuries with future stability. Sinead discusses strategies for maximizing investments, planning for children's education, and the necessity of having a will and emergency fund. Family involvement in financial discussions and understanding spending habits also play a crucial role in securing one’s financial future.

What sets Irish people apart from other people when it comes to complaining? Are we a nation of secret complainers, or has that changed?Joining Kieran to discuss is Caitriona Redmond, Consumer Journalist for the Irish Examiner and Leslie Shoemaker, Counselling Psychologist and Lecturer in TU Dublin.

Research shows that twins experience dependency and rivalry more so than non-twin siblings. This is especially seen in the adolescence years. So, how can parents ensure to help each twin develop their own unique personality?Joining Kieran to discuss strategies for parents of twins is twin expert, Dr Joan Friedman.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is due to meet with US President Donald Trump today following Trump’s meeting with Putin on Friday. Though the terms are unclear, Trump has maintained that “significant progress” has been made towards a Russia/Ukraine ceasefire.Joining Kieran to discuss is Michael Baskin, CEO of Ukrainian Crisis Centre Ireland, Scott Lucas, Professor & Political Analyst at the Clinton Institute at University College Dublin and later Nadia Dobrianska, Ukrainian Historian in Ireland and Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer at the University of Galway and political columnist with The Journal.

If you were at either of the Oasis Croke Park gigs over the weekend you may have noticed the large amount of people with their phones in the air. Bob Dylan recently banned phones at his concerts and Sabrina Carpenter has said that she considered banning them.So, should we ban filming concerts on your phone to allow people to ‘live in the moment’?Joining Kieran to discuss is Journalist and Host of the ‘No Encore’ music podcast, Dave Hanratty.

Louise Lennox, a chef and founder of Fussy Eating Kids, specializes in helping picky eaters. She shares insights on tackling the summer appetite slump in kids, offering tips for establishing healthy routines as school resumes. Louise emphasizes the importance of consistent meal times and encourages parents to help children explore new foods through autonomy and sensory engagement. She also discusses strategies to manage mealtime challenges, especially for active kids transitioning from play to food.

A recent document from the Department of Finance raises concerns about the €400 tax exemption for solar panel owners selling excess energy, set to expire soon. The discussion delves into how government policies might hinder the adoption of green technologies like electric vehicles and solar panels. Furthermore, the podcast highlights the complex relationship between carbon tax revenues and funding for renewable initiatives, questioning future public support for sustainability if financial incentives dwindle.