Moncrieff

A new walking trend has been gaining popularity online: Japanese walking. What many have been calling ‘high intensity walking’ is based on interval-style bursts of fast and slow walking.So far, it has been showing promising health benefits and not to mention, very convenient. All you need is a stop watch and somewhere to walk.Fiona Skelly, a Lecturer in Physical Activity and Health, joins guest host Fionnuala Jones to discuss.

From giant engagement rings to vow renewals, the wedding business is booming, and one of the industries that is always influenced by celebrity culture.But, what are the big 2025 trends and what in particular are couples embracing to make their special day extra special these days?Wedding Expert Sara Kennedy, who runs The Aisle by Sara Kennedy, joins guest host Fionnuala Jones to discuss.

Most people would say that giving someone a compliment is a good thing.But not everyone likes receiving a compliment, and often the context can turn a nice gesture into an awkward social moment.So, should we be offering strangers compliments or is it better to keep your thoughts, even the positive ones, to yourself?Pádraig Walsh is a Behavioural Psychologist and joins guest host Fionnuala Jones to discuss.

Ireland's 7,500km coastline stretching from Donegal to Dingle is slowly but surely slipping away in front of our eyes…Entire sections of our coastline are disappearing into the sea due to human activity and accelerated levels of climate change.To talk further about this radical rate of coastal erosion, Seán is joined by Environmental Geographer Michelle McKeown.

While we may be basking in the good weather and enjoying the heatwave, experts are urging pet owners to take extra care, especially when bringing their dogs for a walk in the sun.Dog’s Trust have called on owners to stay vigilant to avoid heatstroke, and joining Seán with more on this is Pete Wedderburn, AKA Pete the Vet.

In a thought-provoking discussion, Dr. Tony Bates, a psychologist and the founder of Jigsaw, delves into his personal relationship with silence. He shares insights on how embracing quiet moments can transform our mental health and foster self-reflection. The conversation highlights the often-overlooked value of silence in an increasingly noisy world, illustrating how it promotes clarity and deep connections. Bates emphasizes that moments of stillness are not wasted time, but vital for self-discovery and emotional understanding.

If you have walked past Trinity College Dublin in recent years, you’ll have noticed that the front lawn is no longer a pristine lawn of green grass, but rather a wild meadow.At this time of the year in particular it can look a little unruly, and this has provoked the ire of a number of people, including the writer of today’s Irish Times Letter of the Day.Collie Ennis is the Biodiversity Officer at Trinity College Dublin and joins Seán to discuss.

What was it like to be gay and going out in the 1970s and 80s?Hana Flamm has been uncovering the Dublin queer pub scene, speaking to people about their memories and experiences as young gay people in those times.She is documenting this in part of a series for GCN, where she is delving into the history of the scene, and joins Seán to discuss.Image: GCN

Are we doing enough in terms of AI? And is our government really prepared for the monumental shifts set to happen as more and more companies use AI?Well, what about the idea of positioning Ireland as an ‘AI island’ of expertise? This is something that is being proposed by Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne, who is Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence. He joins Seán to discuss.

As we approach the end of the summer holidays, children all across the country will be going back to school, but for many children, this will look a lot different.During the past few months, children and families in Direct Provision centres have been told to pack up and uproot their life. These forced transfers often result in families separated and children ending up in a new school every couple of years.Cillian Quinn is the Policy and Programmes Coordinator of ActionAid Ireland, a charity that works with women and girls living in poverty, and he joins Seán to discuss.