Brendan O'Connor
Episodes
Newspaper Panel
03 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Joining Brendan to discuss the stories in Sunday’s newspapers are: Talk show host and former Independent Ireland candidate in the European elections...
James Kavanagh - “My bully found all manner of creative ways to make my life hell”
03 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Podcaster and presenter, James Kavanagh, tells Brendan about his life through the prism of five songs from Enya to Kate Bush to The Spice Girls. He ta...
The Watchlist
03 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Writer, Henrietta McKervey and Andy McCarroll, Host of the Extra Vision podcast join Brendan to talk through some of the biggest films and TV shows of...
“‘Yesteryear’ shines another light on the Trad Wife culture war”
03 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The new novel ‘Yesteryear’ imagines what would happen if a modern-day trad wife influencer woke up in the brutal reality of 1855, forced to actual...
“Teaching Love to medical students allows them to bring their own vulnerabilities to the job”
02 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Prof Colin Doherty, Consultant Neurologist and Head of the School of Medicine in Trinity College Dublin tells Brendan why they have put Love on the ne...
Fruiting up your salads!
02 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Blazing Salads Chef Lorraine Fitzmaurice has recipes for delicious summer salads that include a sweet pop of fruit flavours. She uses grilled peaches,...
“I’m looking for the woman who saved my life”
02 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Irish Times columnist Brian Boyd suffered sudden cardiac arrest while cycling past Donnybrook Garda Station in Dublin on April 1st and clinically died...
Dr Richard Hogan - “The birth mothers who’ve come to my clinic have stayed in my soul”
02 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Psychotherapist Dr Richard Hogan talks about historical Adoption in Ireland and its psychological ripples from the perspective of the birth mother, bi...
Summer Life Hacks
02 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Life Hacks Columnist of the Irish Examiner, Denise O’Donoghue, has a heap of summer hacks like: why baby powder is a summer essential; how to wash y...
Michael Bublé - “I’m a pretty big deal, you need to see me before I die!”
02 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Canadian crooner Michael Bublé is coming back to Ireland this summer for three tour dates. He talked to Brendan about his father, his faith, meeting ...
Michael Harding: “The sun gaslights us in Ireland. We’re never sure of it”
26 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Author Michael Harding joins Brendan to discuss the psychological and spiritual impact which sunshine and summertime have on Irish people. He reminisc...
The Watchlist
26 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Producer, Eoin Sweeney and Presenter and Podcaster, Fionnuala Jones, join Brendan to talk through some of the biggest films and TV shows of the week. ...
The Newspaper Panel
26 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Joining Brendan to discuss the Sunday newspapers and Washington shooting are BBC News Chief Anchor, Caitriona Perry; Vulcan Consulting CEO and former ...
“The last hurrah, for a golden age of fashion magazines” the enduring appeal of The Devil Wears Prada
26 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Twenty years after its release, and on the eve of a highly-anticipated sequel, author and magazine superfan Anna Carey joins Brendan to discuss the en...
Katriona O’Sullivan: “I felt like a fat bride, and I still hate the wedding photos”
25 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling author of ‘Poor’, Katriona O Sullivan joins Brendan to talk about her new book ‘Hunger’, which details her relationship with her b...
PJ Gallagher: “You’d never let anyone talk to you, the way you talk to yourself when you’re unwell”
25 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Comedian, writer and radio presenter PJ Gallagher tells Brendan about five songs that have deeply impacted his life. He also opens up about his childh...
All the tricks you need for an authentic Caribbean BBQ
25 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Irish-Trinidadian chef, Eamon de Freitas gives Brendan his top tips for cooking an authentic, Caribbean-flavoured barbecue – from fuel choice to mar...
From the archive: Manchán Magan kicks-off summer with a naked dew-roll
25 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A great excuse to hear the late and much missed Manchán Magan marking the start of Irish Summer with a bit of naked dew rolling. Not for the faint of...
How long will the sunshine last?
25 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
BBC weather presenter Barra Best tells Brendan about the unusually sunny weather Ireland is experiencing. Barra also looks ahead to see how long the s...
“YouTubers are increasingly invading our TVs”
19 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Daddy and daughter duo Salish and Jordan Matter are the latest YouTubers, who make content aimed at kids, to move to Netflix. Broadcaster Aifric O’C...
Actor, Eileen Walsh: “It’s so gross....but women are like avocados – nearly ready and then gone off”
19 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Actor Eileen Walsh is well known for her roles on stage, films like Small Things Like These and The Magdelene Sisters, and TV shows like Catastrophe. ...
The Watchlist
19 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Joining Dearbhail to preview the best films and TV shows this week are Zara Hedderman, Culture Journalist, and Michael Doherty, Movies Editor with the...
Newspaper Panel
19 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Joining Dearbhail to discuss the stories in Sunday’s newspapers are: Keire Murphy, Senior Policy Officer at the ESRI & Sunday Independent columnist;...
Jan Carson - “Maybe the whole of Northern Ireland should have gone to therapy”
18 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Northern Irish author Jan Carson’s new novel is ‘Few and Far Between’. She tells Dearbhail about her strict, Evangelical, Presbyterian upbringin...
Neurologist: “Procrastination is a tug-of-war between parts of your brain”
18 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Do you tend to put tasks on the long finger? Neuroscientist Dr Sabina Brennan explains why we procrastinate. She outlines some different types of proc...
Theologian: “Trump’s post was blasphemous and utterly un-Christian"
18 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week we saw unprecedented exchanges between Pope Leo and the Trump administration. The Pope said that the world is being ‘ravaged by a handful ...
Holidays Of A Lifetime “If you’re dreaming about it, just go”
18 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
RTÉ Sport presenter, Jacqui Hurley, Travel Blogger, Marie Noonan and former Luxury Travel Editor of the Daily Telegraph, John O’Ceallaigh join Dear...
French classics with an Irish twist
18 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Head Chef at Mount Congreve Gardens in Waterford, Jean-Baptiste Dubois, came up to Dublin to talk Dearbhail through four recipes for French dishes, wi...
How to Walk, with Karl Henry
18 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It’s often overlooked as a form of exercise, but WALKING is actually an extremely beneficial form of exercise – that's according to personal train...
The Watchlist
12 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Joining Brendan to preview the best films and TV shows this week – including Season two of Beef, Margo’s Got Money and Big Mistakes are; Sarina Be...
The Newspaper Panel
12 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Joining Brendan to discuss the lead stories in Sunday’s newspapers are: Mary Regan, Political Editor with the Irish Independent and Sunday Independe...
Niall Quinn “Football is the answer to a lot of problems in modern Ireland”
12 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Former Republic of Ireland soccer player Niall Quinn joins Brendan to share the five songs that have soundtracked his journey from the pitch to the bo...
Apps that make travel easy with Conor Pope
12 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Irish Times Consumer Affairs Correspondent Conor Pope joins the show to highlight the essential apps you need before you head to the airport. From bag...
“You lose 30% of your collagen around perimenopause”
11 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Consultant dermatologist Professor Catriona Ryan breaks down the world of “tweakments”, from Botox to skin boosters, and what people should know b...
What is likely to happen now in the stand-off over the fuel protests?
11 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Irish Times political editor Pat Leahy joins Brendan to discuss the fuel protests, what’s driving the anger on the ground, and how the Government is...
Baking this weekend? Chef Una Leonard has some tips!
11 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Baker and founder of 2210 Patisserie Una Leonard joins Brendan to talk about the joy of baking at home, why she loves recreating tastes from her child...
Do you know your love language? Psychologist, Allison Keating explains!
11 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Chartered psychologist Allison Keating explains the psychology behind love languages, how they shape our relationships, and why understanding them can...
“My father thought I was part bird, because I was born without arms”
11 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Artist, Mary Duffy talks to Brendan about living without arms. She talks about how her parents found it hard to accept her disability, how living inde...
Dermot Bannon “People say they need storage, but what are they storing?!”
11 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
TV architect Dermot Bannon talks Brendan through what’s hot and what’s not in our homes right now. He talks about retrofitting, the benefits of in...
The Newspaper Panel
05 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Joining Brendan to discuss the stories in Sunday’s newspapers are: Oisín Coghlan, Public Policy Advisor; Ellen Coyne, Political Correspondent with ...
Kathryn Thomas - “I would never have admitted to Botox five years ago”
05 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
TV and radio Presenter Kathryn Thomas talks to Brendan about her new two-part documentary series for RTE ‘Young Forever: The Death of Ageing?’. Sh...
Nóirín Ní Riain – “The modern world badly needs a spiritual transplant”
05 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Singer and interfaith minister Nóirín Ní Riain joins Brendan to talk about the story of the resurrection and why it has such resonance for humanity...
The Watchlist
05 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Grainne Humphreys, Director of the Dublin International Film Festival and Dave O’ Callaghan, host of the ‘Here and Back Again’ podcast talk Bren...
Crime writer, Tana French - “Women are socialised to think about predators who see us as prey”
04 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Award-winning crime author Tana French talks about moving around a lot as a child, settling in Ireland at 17, learning the codes and the nuances, her ...
The Ultimate Chocolate Cake this Easter
04 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Pastry Chef and founder of Grá Chocolates, Gráinne Mullins, brings us an easy-to-make three-layer chocolate cake recipe and promises it’ll be the ...
Comedian, Emma Doran - “I’m like a Jack Russell; all bark but really I just want to be up on the couch!”
04 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Comedian Emma Doran joins Brendan to talk through key moments in her life and the soundtrack that went alongside them; from becoming pregnant in her l...
European Greenway Holidays “I wouldn’t go on a holiday now that didn’t involve cycling”
04 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Ex-Fine Gael TD & current President of Cycling Ireland, Ciaran Cannon, gives tips on embarking on your first European Greenway Holiday. Where to go, w...
Trisha Lewis - “I love myself now, I didn’t love myself 7 years ago”
04 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Chef and influencer Trisha Lewis looks back on her transformation journey seven years on and tells Brendan how accepting that this will be a lifelong ...
The Edge on his friend Hal Wilner - “It was our good fortune to know him”
04 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
U2’s The Edge introduces the band’s new song “Song for Hal” which was written to remember their friend Hal Wilner, who died during the pandemi...
Newspaper Panel
29 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Joining Brendan to discuss the lead stories in Sunday’s newspapers are: CEO of Spunout and board member of Cybersafe Kids, Sinead Keane; Managing Di...
Rita Ann Higgins: “The witch in me wanted to scramble his eggs”
29 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Writer Rita Ann Higgins tells Brendan about writing one of Ireland’s first 'sexy poems’, what first inspired her and how she is still learning fro...
The Watchlist
29 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Joining Brendan to preview the best films and TV shows this week – including The Young Offenders, Saturday Night Live UK and Rory McIlroy: the Maste...
Arrest of controversial influencer Clavicular
29 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Producer with the Irish Independent, and host of the No Encore podcast, Dave Hanratty tells Brendan about the arrest of ‘looksmaxxing’ influencer,...
Colm Tóibín: “After Epstein, I wanted to explore why some people feel no guilt”
28 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Award-winning author, Colm Tóibín, talks to Brendan about his childhood stammer, his wild years in Barcelona, and his latest short-story collection ...
Donal O’Shea: “Everything is salted caramel now: it combines salt, fat and sugar.”
28 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Specialist in obesity, Professor Donal O’Shea outlines how our food environment has become increasingly unhealthy, with an abundance of high fat, sa...
How to ask for a pay rise
28 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Caroline Reidy, head of HR Solutions at NFP talks Brendan through how to negotiate a pay rise, and what mistakes to avoid.See omnystudio.com/listener ...
The secrets of making great coffee, at home or at work
28 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Founder and CEO of FiXX Coffee, Anne Abberton, offers Brendan her top tips for making great coffee at home, or at work. Should you grind yourself, or ...
Was this the week the tide turned against social media giants?
28 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week, a 20-year-old in California was awarded six-million dollars after a jury found Meta and Google had intentionally built addictive platforms ...
Stefanie Preissner: “I have six hoovers – and a back-up battery.”
28 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Screenwriter and actor, Stefanie Preissner tells Brendan about her passion for slow vacuuming: how a robot vacuum can redistribute domestic chores, cl...
Newspaper Panel
22 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Joining Brendan to discuss the Sunday newspapers are Dan O’Brien, Chief Economist, Institute of International and European Affairs; Louise Burne, Po...
Richie Sadlier: “I was in this pit of self-pity and anger and loss all wrapped into one”
22 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Footballer, psychotherapist and sports analyst, Richie Sadlier, brings Brendan through his Life in Five Songs, including live performances by Oasis, T...
The Watchlist
22 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Joining Brendan to look at the best TV shows and films heading our way this week are Brian Lloyd, Entertainment journalist and host of the Screenland ...
The real-life drama surrounding TV show ‘Love Story’
22 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Disney+ series, Love Story- which follows the story of JFK Junior and his wife Carolyn Bessette- has been provoking conversations about the libert...
John Banville - “Humble items around the house might bring me to tears”
21 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Booker Prize-winner John Banville’s crime novel ‘Christine Falls’ has been chosen as Dublin City Council’s One Dublin One Book choice for 2026...
Dr Richard Hogan: “Guilt & shame have their tentacles in everything”
21 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Psychotherapist, Dr Richard Hogan, on shame and guilt: where these feelings come from; when they change from being healthy to unhealthy; and how we ca...
Carrie Crowley on the joys of sea-swimming
21 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Broadcaster Carrie Crowley on the magic of sea swimming, beginners’ tips, safety tips and why it’s better to be in than out.See omnystudio.com/lis...
“Troy Parrott is just in flying form right now” - Tony O’Donoghue
21 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As we face into potentially the biggest week in Irish soccer for a generation, RTÉ Soccer Correspondent, Tony O’Donoghue, reminds us of the magic o...
Darina Allen: “Risotto is the ultimate stand-by dish”
21 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the ultimate comfort food, so Darina Allen - chef and founder of Ballymaloe Cookery School – gives Brendan a masterclass in Risotto, suggesti...
“This used to be called insider trading!” – the rise of online prediction markets
21 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Online prediction markets are in the news at the moment with people betting big on particular outcomes in global affairs. Liz Carolan, publisher of Th...
Ed Guiney “The car queue lasts around 2 hours to the Oscars”
15 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Ed Guiney, CEO of Element Pictures – who made Room, Normal People and The Favourite – joins Brendan live from Hollywood, where he’s preparing to...
The Newspaper Panel
15 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Joining Brendan are political reporter with the Irish Independent, Aisling Moloney; Commentator and CEO of the Iona Institute, David Quinn; Law Lectur...
“Mam knew she was loved, but I wish I told her more” Édaein O'Connell on grief of losing her mother
15 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
To mark Mother’s Day, freelance journalist Édaein O'Connell tells Brendan about her warm, loving and complex relationship with her late mother, who...
The Watchlist
15 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Joining Brendan to look at the best TV shows and films heading our way this St Patrick’s week are broadcaster, Aifric O’Connell and Movie’s Edit...
Mark Little - “Bro culture is infiltrating politics ...and now war”
14 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Entrepreneur and Journalist Mark Little joins Brendan to talk about the how the war in the middle east is unfolding its impacts in the region and arou...
Liz Nugent - “I only ever had bad dreams – I’d wake up thinking I’d murdered someone”
14 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling and award-winning crime writer Liz Nugent chooses five songs that trigger memories of her life and career. She talks about the enduring im...
Restaurant level fish dishes at home
14 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Chef Brian “Danny Minnie” O’ Domhnaill is on hand today to give our home cooking a restaurant level polish. He talks Brendan through recipes, as...
Mr Motivator - “Every minute I’m sad, I’m missing out on 60 seconds of happiness”
14 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The OG fitness influencer Mr Motivator lit up our screens in the 1990s with his charismatic and energetic appeals to get off the couch and get moving....
RTE Sport’s Jacqui Hurley on the most exciting Six Nations in years
14 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As Ireland face Scotland for a Triple Crown decider in Dublin, RTE Sports’ Jacqui Hurley talks Brendan through the final day of the most unpredictab...
“Eid has become so commercialised – the price of dates is ridiculous”
14 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Amanullah de Sondy, head of the study of religions at UCC offers his own reflections on the ending of the holy month of Ramadan. He talks about ho...
The Watchlist
08 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Joining Brendan to discuss the best TV and films coming this week are Grainne Humphries, Festival Director of the Dublin International Film Festival a...
The Newspaper Panel
08 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Joining Brendan to discuss the Sunday papers are Ellen Coyne, Political Correspondent at the Irish Times; Gerard Howlin, former government adviser and...
“I thought art didn’t exist in Ireland” - artist, Dorothy Cross
08 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Artist Dorothy Cross tells Brendan about her Cork childhood, competitive swimming, the thrill of having her art first exhibited by the Tate in London,...
Pokémon at 30: “I’ve rediscovered it now as an adult and realise it’s a great way of keeping you company”
08 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Novelist and video game critic for The Guardian, Sarah Maria Griffin explains to Brendan how she has rediscovered the 30-year-old Nintendo game recent...
Ireland’s Prettiest Towns and Villages
07 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Pól O’Conghaile, Travel Editor of the Irish Independent, joins Brendan with his pick of the prettiest places to visit in Ireland.See omnystudio.com...
Leo Varadkar: ‘I think the European-Atlantic relationship is changed forever’
07 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who has recently returned from the US, gives his take on the fall of the Iranian regime as the war enters its second we...
Neil Jordan “Everyone knew what Weinstein was”
07 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Oscar winner and award-winning writer Neil Jordan tells Brendan about his first foray into science-fiction with ‘The Library of Traumatic Memory’....
“I was a bit player in my parents’ drama, a parentified eldest daughter”
07 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
First-time author Clíodhna O’Sullivan has written a romantasy novel, ‘Her Hidden Fire’ which has been chosen as a Good Morning America Bookclub...
Ex-Trump advisor, Anthony Scaramucci: “I was in the Epstein Files”
07 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Where is JD Vance? Is Rubio the coming man? One week into the US-Israel war on Iran, Brendan speaks to host of The Rest is Politics US, and President ...
Eva Pau’s Sensational Stir Fries!
07 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
TV Chef & Asia Market MD, Eva Pau, has easy recipes for delicious stir fry recipes such as simple fried rice, black pepper beef and a veggie stir fry....
The Newspaper Panel
01 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Joining Brendan to discuss the Sunday papers, are publisher at TheBriefing.ie, Liz Carolan; research professor at the ESRI, Alan Barrett; Sunday Indep...
Colum McCann “With my brain condition - the medicine altered me more than the pain”
01 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Award winning novelist, Colum McCann joins Brendan to discuss the songs that have formed the soundtrack to his life, including Ray Charles’ ‘Hit t...
The Watchlist
01 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Joining Brendan to discuss the best TV and films coming this week, are Business Post film critic, John Maguire and Irish Times arts journalist, Nadine...
Love is Blind controversy: Body Shaming or Romantic Honesty?
01 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Culture journalist, Zara Hederman joins Brendan to discuss a growing controversy in the latest season of ‘Love is Blind’, a dating show r. After o...
Colin Farrell - “I have enormous feeling around Emma, love for her, anger for her EB, sorrow for things EB has taken from her”
28 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Actor Colin Farrell and campaigner Emma Fogarty join Brendan to discuss their deep friendship, their campaigning work on EB (known as ‘butterfly ski...
Róisín and Ann Ingle on steady eddies, what makes a good sex scene and why we need to talk about death
28 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Writer Ann Ingle, and her daughter, Irish Times journalist and Co-host of the Women’s Podcast, Róisín Ingle join Brendan to discuss the changing n...
A dietician’s definitive guide to protein
28 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dietician Sarah Keogh joins Brendan to discuss how much protein we really need, and the impact of eating too much or too little and gives her verdict ...
“De-escalation is out of the question” Middle East Update
28 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Following joint US/Israeli strikes on Iran overnight, Iranian-American journalist Borzou Daragahi joins Brendan with the latest updates, as the impact...
Quick and tasty homemade dips with chef, Alannah Sheehan
28 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
From salsa to tzatziki, and hummus to pesto, Chef Alannah Sheehan gives Brendan a how-to guide to making dips that are quick, simple and super tasty.S...
The Newspaper Panel
22 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Joining Brendan to discuss the Sunday newspapers are Adam Harris, Founder and CEO of AsIAm; Brigid Laffan, Emeritus Professor at the European Universi...
The Watchlist
22 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Brendan gets the lowdown on the best films and TV shows this week with Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster/Podcaster and Dave O’Callaghan, Host of the He...