When Adolescense arrived on Netflix last month, it was streamed nearly 25 million times in just four days and sparked a global conversation on the dark side of social media and the lives of teenage boys. But what is it really like to be a teenage boy in 2025? How much attention do they really pay to masculinity influencers? What kind of pressures do they face? And what do they wish adults would understand about them? To discuss all this and more, Róisín Ingle is joined by three teenagers, Dylan O’Malley, Chester Ryan and Daniella Tetteh. We also hear from Jamie Carrick, a facilitator with The Soar Foundation, which delivers wellbeing workshops for teenagers in schools around Ireland. But first, Irish Times reporter Niamh Towey is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week, including the arrest of eight protestors from the Mothers Against Genocide group outside Leinster House, why the head of Primark resigned this week after making “an error of judgement” and why one reader of the Irish Times is suffering from wedding and baby shower fatigue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month on The Women’s Podcast Book Club, Bernice Harrison, Niamh Towey, Róisín Ingle, and Ann Ingle discuss Confessions, the debut novel from Catherine Airey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Friday March 28th, the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) will celebrate Daffodil Day. It’s the charity’s biggest fundraising event and aims to raise millions of euros to support cancer patients and progress cancer research. In this episode, Kathy Sheridan is joined by Daffodil Day Ambassador Tara Doonan, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 at 36 years-old. Tara lives in Cavan but travelled to the Mater Hospital in Dublin for her treatment. In today’s episode she talks about the shock of her diagnosis, the road to recovery and the financial impact of cancer, from travel and parking expenses, to the loss of income. Amy Nolan, Director of Clinical Affairs at ICS also joins the conversation to explain how the charity supports patients financially and what needs to change in order to limit costs for those undergoing treatment. But first Irish Times podcast presenter Bernice Harrison is here to discuss some of the biggest stories of the week including a frightening encounter at a Dublin hotel for influencer Chloe Koyce, the harassment of a University of Limerick student at her campus accommodation and the latest in the rumoured feud between Gwyneth Paltrow and Meghan Markle.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bernice Harrison, a podcast presenter from the Irish Times, kicks things off discussing Conor McGregor's controversial visit to the White House and its implications on societal views of sexual violence. Then, Sarah Corbett Lynch shares her heartbreaking story from her memoir, detailing the tragic loss of her father and the tumultuous legal battles that followed. She reflects on childhood trauma, healing, and the power of expression, offering a poignant insight into navigating grief and finding strength in vulnerability.

In Ireland, more than 5,500 children are currently in foster care. This could be because of illness in the child’s family, the death of a parent, neglect, abuse or violence in the home, or simply because the parent or family is not coping. Whatever the reason, foster carers are there to take care of children who cannot live with their own family, either on a short-term or long-term basis. In today’s episode, we hear from two foster carers Sinead O’Donnell and Sharon Kelly. O’Donnell, who lives in Donegal, began fostering during Covid and has welcomed two young girls (sisters) into her home. Kelly, who lives in Kilkenny has fostered children for more than a decade and has provided foster care to two children since birth. They tell Róisín Ingle about why they wanted to open up their homes, the challenges involved and what advice they’d give to anyone considering becoming a foster carer. But first Irish Times Opinion editor Jennifer O’Connell is here to discuss some of the stories making headlines this week including American comedian Rosie O’Donnell’s decision to move to Ireland, why girls are getting their periods earlier and why Dublin City Council might elevate the Molly Malone statue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join book club participants Ann Ingle, Bernice Harrison, and Niamh Towey as they celebrate female authors this International Women’s Day. Ann champions the powerful narratives of Marilyn French and Anne Tyler, while Bernice highlights the humor and depth in Nora Ephron and Edna O'Brien’s works. Niamh brings attention to the creative insights of Elizabeth Gilbert and Claire Keegan. They explore how these books reflect women's struggles, friendships, and the transformative power of literature, all with lively anecdotes and personal connections.

International Women’s Day is on Saturday the 8th March and there are lots of events happening all around the country to celebrate the occasion. Irish Times features writer Ella Sloane joins Róisín Ingle on the podcast today to tell us about some of them, including a free guided tour exploring how women are represented in a selection of works at the National Gallery and a ​​march against gender violence taking place in Dublin city. She’ll also be telling us about a new report from Nasc, which highlights the barriers that migrant women face accessing employment. Later on, we’ll be hearing from three impressive women who have carved out careers in male-dominated industries. Engineer Susan McGarry, horticulturist Rebecca Hegarty and laboratory technician Bronwyn Villis explain why they went into their chosen career, what obstacles they have met along the way and why they would encourage more women to take the leap into jobs that have historically been dominated by men.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Born and bred in New York, the last place that Rosie Schaap thought she’d end up, was living in a rural village in Northern Ireland, miles away from the bustling city she once called home. But that’s exactly where she’s found herself. Five years ago, the writer and journalist moved from NYC to the tiny town of Glenarm in Co Antrim, in search of a new life. The writer and journalist was grieving the death of her husband and her mother - who died just one year apart - and was also looking for a new way to heal. In her new memoir, The Slow Road North, Schaap details her personal story of loss and the unexpected solace she found in a small seaside village in Northern Ireland. She tells Róisín Ingle all about it on today’s episode. But first, Irish Times podcast producer Aideen Finnegan is here to discuss some of the stories making the headlines this week, including the lifting of a travel ban on controversial influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate, the new domestic violence register being proposed by Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan and why an Oscar could finally be on the cards for veteran actress Demi Moore. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Niamh Towey, an Irish Times reporter, reveals shocking survey results on the rise of 'sex for rent' ads, particularly affecting female students. Marie Sherlock and Erin McGreehan, both newly elected TDs, share their experiences and the unique challenges women face in the Dáil. They discuss balancing political ambitions with personal responsibilities and the need for greater representation. The conversation highlights the chaotic political landscape and the importance of support networks for women navigating public service.

This Valentine’s Day, we’ve decided to shift the focus away from love and relationships and onto the joy and excitement of the single experience. If you’re single and sick of dating apps, Irish Times relationships columnist Roe McDermott is here with some new dating ideas, from singles running clubs to mindful dating events. Later on, Róisín Ingle is joined by Nicola Slawson, an author who has literally written the book on the single life. Slawson shares her advice for living a complete and full life on your own and details her unconventional path to motherhood. But first, Irish Times podcast presenter Bernice Harrison is here to discuss some of the news stories that have caught her eye this week. She tells Róisín Ingle about the latest details coming from the Omagh Bombing inquiry and why the civil service is trying to crack down on working from home arrangements. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.