

Moncrieff
Newstalk
The daily dose of madness and intrigue from Sean Moncrieff and his rebel radio crew. Listen and subscribe to Moncrieff on Apple 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 and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 30, 2025 • 8min
How you can repair moth-holed jumpers
 It's that time of year again where we’re pulling our woolly jumpers out of the attic ready for another winter.You may be finding that your warm layers have been attacked by moths in the meantime, but instead of throwing them away and buying more fast fashion, there are easy ways to repair things in your wardrobe...Kim O’Driscoll is the Founder of the Prolong Project, and joins Seán to discuss. 

Oct 30, 2025 • 7min
What are the advantages of AI education?
 Do we need to start teaching our young people about the advantages of AI? With the way the world is going, these could be valuable career deciding skills.Jean Noonan, a part of Digital Business Ireland Advisory Council, and an Assistant Lecturer in the School of Business Technology, Retail, and Supply Chain at TU Dublin, thinks just that. She joins Seán to discuss 

Oct 30, 2025 • 11min
Taking an underground sound bath! - Henry McKean Reports
 Today, we sent Henry McKean down the Marble Arch Caves in county Fermanagh to experience a sound bath for the first time, with thanks to discovernorthernireland.com. Henry lay on a yoga mat deep underground with water rushing through, and sent this report! 

Oct 30, 2025 • 9min
What does it take to be ‘cool’?
 Do you have what it takes to be cool, and can you fake it until you make it?Writing in the Guardian, Journalist Elle Hunt gave it a shot, and joins Seán to discuss. 

Oct 30, 2025 • 19min
Is there a link between loneliness and dementia?
 An Irish Neuroscientist has been speaking out about the link between loneliness and dementia.In Ireland, CSO figures show that in 2024, 5.6% of 16-24 year olds said they felt lonely “most or all of the time”.This is approximately 80% higher than those aged over 65…Dr. Sabina Brennan is a Psychologist, Neuroscientist and host of the Super Brain podcast, as well as author of ‘Still Me’.She joins Seán to talk about why loneliness carries profound implications for brain health, and even heightens the risk of dementia… 

Oct 29, 2025 • 6min
Steven Moore on ‘The Stuff of History’
 Steven Moore, a familiar name and face for many of antique lovers, has released a book entitled ‘The Stuff of History’, a curated compendium of curious objects and forgotten people.Steven joins Seán to discuss! 

Oct 29, 2025 • 11min
Ide O’Carroll on her 30 year research project
 Ide O’Carroll is a Social Researcher, author, and former teacher who undertook a 30-year project for her latest book.In this unique book, we hear from Irish women who stayed living on the island, who did not emigrate, describe their lives and perspectives on a dramatically changed social context from the 1990s to 2023.‘Thirty Years of Change Through Women’s Eyes’ releases officially tomorrow, and Ide joins Seán to discuss. 

Oct 29, 2025 • 7min
The power of swearing
 What makes a word a ‘taboo’, and what power do these words hold?Research conducted by experts across 17 countries and in 13 different languages aimed to explore just that.The study found there is an intrinsic link between a country’s culture and its swear words, and that the type of taboo words reported can be indicators to the social hierarchies present in that country.Simone Sulpizio, Psychology Professor at the University of Milano-Bicocca and lead author of the study joins Seán to discuss. 

Oct 29, 2025 • 6min
What does it take to join a board?
 Do you have skills that you think would help a charity organisation?Or have you always thought about volunteering but never got around to it?In this country, there is much fascination in terms of boards and what it takes to be appointed to one, but actually there is a whole voluntary sector relying on people to come forward with their time and expertise...Eva Gurn is the Chief Executive Officer at Boardmatch Ireland, and joins Seán to discuss. 

Oct 29, 2025 • 9min
Exhibition to showcase Ireland’s only known dinosaurs
 Fossil remains of Ireland’s only known dinosaurs will go on public display for the first time ever.The exhibition will take place at UCC’s Glucksman Gallery next month and will feature over 250 real fossils and over five tonnes of material.The exhibition will merge science with art and creativity to bring Ireland’s dinosaur age to life.To discuss more, Seán is joined by Professor of Palaeontology at University College Cork, Maria McNamara.Image: UCC 


