The Hard Shoulder
Newstalk
The Hard Shoulder with Kieran Cuddihy on Newstalk. Join Kieran every weekday afternoon from 4-7pm for a round-up of the day’s events, interviews with the people at the centre of the stories – and a bit of craic along the way. Listen and subscribe to The Hard Shoulder on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 28, 2025 • 8min
Tech Takeover: AI Agents
For this week’s Tech Takeover, Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joins Kieran to discuss Google’s new announcement of AI agents, that you can use for tasks like online shopping.
May 28, 2025 • 7min
RTÉ in front of Oireachtas Media Committee - what to know
RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst and the broadcaster’s leadership team appeared before an Oireachtas Media Committee today.Joining Kieran to discuss what was covered is Alan Kelly, Chair of the Media Committee and Labour TD for Tipperary North.
May 28, 2025 • 12min
Why is cocaine becoming more normalised?
40% of treatment for drug problems last year were for cocaine, with a 400% increase in women seeking treatment.Have our attitudes to drugs changed, and is it now becoming more normalised?Kristy Morrison Keating has spoken out online of her own struggles with cocaine and the prevalence among your people. Kristy joins Kieran to discuss, as well as Music Journalist with Extra.ie, Becca Fisher.
May 28, 2025 • 8min
Is Ireland too educated?
According to new research from CBRE, Ireland is the most highly educated country in the world.Ireland is the only nation listed in which a majority of adults aged 25–64 have a bachelor’s degree or higher.Has education transformed the country? And if so, is it for the better?Eoin O’Malley is Associate Professor of Politics at DCU, and Mark Henry is Communications and Marketing Manager at TU Dublin they join Kieran to discuss.
May 28, 2025 • 8min
Are buy now pay later options putting people into unnecessary debt?
Customers are now being offered a buy now pay later option when buying low-cost items such as clothes brands like Very or take away through Deliveroo.But could this lead to people ending up in unnecessary debt?Joining Kieran to discuss is Paul Merriman, CEO of Fair Stone & Founder of Ask Paul.
May 28, 2025 • 12min
Supernanny Jo Frost on dealing with backchat from kids!
She’s been on our screens for decades now, giving parenting advice to parents around the world who need it…Supernanny Jo Frost joins Kieran on The Hard Shoulder!
May 27, 2025 • 15min
The Ultimate Guide: Senior Travel
Every week for The Ultimate Guide on The Hard Shoulder, Fionn Davenport takes a closer look at some of the fantastic destinations to visit around the world.This week, Fionn joined Kieran Cuddihy to give his travel recommendations for Gen S, AKA, seniors!
May 27, 2025 • 5min
What to take from the ESRI and Oireachtas Housing Committee meeting
A meeting between the ESRI and the Oireachtas Committee on Housing to discuss housing supply for the coming year has just finished up.Joining Kieran to discuss the latest is Newstalk Reporter Jessica Woodlock.
May 27, 2025 • 10min
Should restaurants be more honest about their cleanliness?
The food safety watchdog is proposing a measure that would see all food premises publicly display signage to show the level of cleanliness and food safety standards of the business.How would the roll out work?Joining Kieran to discuss is Adrian Cummins, CEO of the Restaurant Association of Ireland and Gail Carroll, Director of Regulatory Affairs and Compliance at the FSAI.
May 27, 2025 • 17min
The Bookshelf with Gordon D’Arcy
Gordon D’Arcy, former Irish International and co-author of ‘Let’s Play Rugby!’, joins Kieran to place his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!
