

Moncrieff
Newstalk
The daily dose of madness and intrigue from Sean Moncrieff and his rebel radio crew.CONVERSATION THAT COUNTS | Ireland’s national independent talk station for news, sport, analysis and entertainmentListen to Newstalk at http://newstalk.com/listenlive | Download the GoLoud app now, the new home for Newstalk
Episodes
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Nov 20, 2025 • 6min
Are we in the next step of human evolution with space travel?
Around 500 million years ago, animals first ventured out of the oceans and onto land…Since then, life has evolved in wondrous and unforeseeable ways to this new environment, with everything from dinosaurs to bats roaming around above the waves. And, in the case of ourselves, even venturing into orbit.So, could life entering the cosmos be the beginning of a similar evolutionary leap?Caleb Sharf, Astrobiologist with NASA and author of ‘The Giant Leap: Why Space Is the Next Frontier in the Evolution of Life’, joins Seán to discuss.

Nov 20, 2025 • 11min
Should philosophy be taught in Irish schools?
Today is World Philosophy Day. Seán’s guest believes that philosophy should be taught in Irish schools, just as it is in Italy, France and Germany, but why?Vittorio Bufacchi, from the Philosophy Department at University College Cork, joins to discuss…

Nov 20, 2025 • 6min
Daragh Morgan on being the first person to swim around Ireland
Endurance swimmer Daragh Morgan has been making headlines as the first person to swim around Ireland. The feat took 338 hours over the course of 5 months to achieve…Daragh joins Seán to discuss his incredible achievement, and why he did it.

Nov 20, 2025 • 13min
Seriously Silly: The Life of Terry Jones
There’s a new authorised biography on Monty Python star Terry Jones: ‘Seriously Silly: The Life of Terry Jones’. The comedy legend’s biography features contributions from all of the surviving Pythons.Joining Seán to discuss is author Robert Ross, a personal friend of Terry’s, and now also his Biographer.

Nov 20, 2025 • 21min
Are you jumping on the World Cup bandwagon? - Henry McKean Asks
The Republic of Ireland are playing the Czech Republic on March 26th in a World Cup play off, which makes us want to go down memory lane…Are you jumping on the bandwagon?Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been out asking the public, and joins Seán to discuss.

Nov 19, 2025 • 6min
What to expect from the IFI French Film Festival
The 26th year of the IFI French Film Festival kicks off today, featuring 22 Irish premieres and 34 titles across the twelve days. But, what else can people expect at Ireland’s largest French cultural event?Joining guest host Fionnuala Jones to discuss is David O’Mahoney, Head of Cinema Programming at the Irish Film Institute.Image: IFI

Nov 19, 2025 • 6min
How to wash a wool jumper
As the cold weather starts to bite, many listeners will be reaching for their winter woolies, but with complex labelling, how can you know if what you’re buying is genuinely wool rich, and how exactly should you care for your woolen garments? Joining guest host Fionnuala Jones to discuss is Environmental Activist Moya Doogan, who runs the @environmentaleadai sustainable fashion media account…

Nov 19, 2025 • 6min
Are Irish fizzy drinks making a comeback?
Are Irish fizzy drinks having a revival? Ali Dunworth, Food and Drinks Writer, and author of ‘A Compendium of Irish Pints’, seems to think that minerals are back and on the up.Ali joins guest host Fionnuala Jones to discuss.

Nov 19, 2025 • 4min
Is scheduling sex the secret to a healthy relationship?
To get the spark back in Lotte Brundle, Feature and Lifestyle Journalist living in London’s relationship, she started creating space in her google calendar to have sex with her boyfriend. But, what is it all about?She joins guest host Fionnuala Jones to discuss.

Nov 19, 2025 • 8min
Should we share our failures online?
Recently, Kim Kardashian has been drawing attention for her portrayal of a lawyer in ‘All’s Fair’, but unfortunately for her, the success of her onscreen character has not been matched in her real life.In an Instagram video posted on Sunday, the Kardashian announced that she had not passed her Bar exam…We’re not that used to people posting their failures on social media, and whilst that may be refreshing, is it advisable?Ian Robertson is Emeritus Professor of Psychology at Trinity College & Author of ‘How Confidence Works’. He joins guest host Fionnuala Jones to discuss.


