Brendan O'Connor

Joining Brendan to discuss the Sunday papers are: Siobhán Fenton, writer and former deputy head of press for Sinn Féin; Dan O'Brien, Chief Economist at the Institute of International and European Affairs and columnist with The Currency; Louise Burne, Political Correspondent at the Irish Examiner, Prof Gary Murphy, Professor of Politics at DCUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Film critic for the business post John Maguire, and writer Henrietta McKervey, join Brendan to talk through the week's best films and TV showsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A beloved figure will return to our screens: Alan Partridge - sports anchor, turned chat show host, turned radio DJ, turned stand-in BBC presenter. He'll be fronting a new BBC show called "How are you? It's Alan (Partridge)". TV producer and director, Brian Reddin, celebrates the occasion with a look at Alan's enduring appeal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actor and broadcaster Carrie Crowley joins Brendan to talk about her career, playing Mammy Walsh in the upcoming RTÉ TV series 'The Walsh Sisters', her forthcoming play 'Konstantin' and going back to TV after 20+ year hiatus. She also picked five songs that chart her life ranging from Willie Nelson to Kermit The FrogSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boomtown Rats frontman Bob Geldof on 50 years of the Rats, why the Ireland of his youth was a 'Banana Republic', moving to London, observing social change, setting up Band Aid and Live Aid, grappling with overnight becoming 'Captain Africa' and his thoughts on modern-day free speech and cancel culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Academy award winner, Brenda Fricker, invited Brendan into her home to talk about the events that have shaped her life. Her memoir is called 'She Died Young - A Life in Fragments' - published by Head of Zeus. And her new film, The Swallow, is on release at selected cinemas. The interview covers difficult themes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Neuroscientist Brian Pennie has practical tips on how to calm yourself in the moment when the red mist descends.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joining Brendan to discuss the Sunday papers are Pat Leahy, Political Editor of the Irish Times, Elaine Burke, Science and Technology journalist, Scott Lucas, Professor of US and International politics at the Clinton Institute in UCD and Brenda Power, Columnist with the Irish Daily Mail and Sunday Times.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Having turned 50 in May, Jamie Oliver is in a reflective mood when he speaks to Brendan. He talks about his dyslexia, and shares health hacks on getting more fruit and veg, how to make treats healthier [like tofu with chocolate!], and how to get a good night’s sleep.  Jamie’s new book is ‘Eat Yourself Healthy: Food to change your life’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the evenings drawing in, poet Enda Wyley chose uplifting poems to read. Nourishing poems of Soul and Light and The Poetry Pharmacy Returns, ‘The Washing’ by Jaan Kaplinski; ‘Rain’ by Raymond Carver; ‘Romanesque Arches’ by Tomas Tranströmer; ‘Although the Wind,’ by Izumi Shikibu; ‘This Moment’ by Eavan Boland; and ‘The Door’ by Miroslav Holub.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.