Highlights From The Pat Kenny Show

In the Green Scene this week we hear how virtual reality can actually trigger the brain’s own pain suppression mechanisms to deal with chronic pain. Also new research has revealed that plain-body octopuses can be fooled by a version of the famous rubber-hand illusion, a psychological trick first observed in humans. This is the first time scientists have seen evidence of this kind of body ownership in a non-mammalian species.All to discuss with Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland.All with thanks to Repak.

A group of 26 people banded together to buy a pub in the Co. Limerick town of Kilteely to keep it from closing after the previous owners retired. The former Ahern’s pub has now been rebranded as The Street Bar.  Pat spoke to gardener and one of the pub investors Noel O’Dea.

In 2018, author Claudia Carroll appeared on The Pat Kenny Show to speak about her novel, The Secrets of Primrose Square. Producer Pat Moylan happened to be listening to the radio at the time and called Claudia after the interview to ask if she would be open to adapting the book into a play. The stage adaptation opens at the Gaiety Theatre under the same title as the book on Sept 9th. Both Claudia and Pat came into studio this morning,

As talks take place across the globe over the fate of Ukraine, there remains an uncertainty for the people of Ukraine over what these peace talks may bring. More specifically, what could be gained or lost in the event of a peace deal with Putin's Russia. Lara Marlowe, has been talking to people on the streets of Kyiv, to understand the real feeling of those in the Ukrainian capital. 

Music generated by artificial intelligence, which can take only two minutes to produce, has sparked ethical concerns in the industry.  Tech Editor with the Irish and Sunday Independent Adrian Weckler looks at easy it is to create music with AI. 

Couples tend to argue about a handful of common themes that come up again and again in relationships. Research shows the top five things couples fight about. What are they these themes. All to discuss with Stephanie Regan, Clinical Psychotherapist.

According to the Economic and Social Research Institute, if the home ownership continues to fall at its current rate, the poverty rate among over-65s will more than double from 14 to 31 per cent. This begs the question how are older renters able to afford these average rents? Pat discusses this further with Lorcan Sirr Senior Housing Lecturer, Technological University Dublin and also 70 year old Brendan O’Neill who spent 18 years as a renter in Dublin.

Russian president Vladimir Putin, has agreed to face-to-face talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss a peace deal in Ukraine. We discuss the historic White House meeting that took place with Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies at Bradford University and also Emmanuelle Chaze, Ukraine correspondent for France24.

Scaled back India Day celebrations went ahead this past weekend following a number of attacks on members of the Indian community in Ireland. But our two countries have a lot more in common. Starting with our nations’ origins both after independence from Britain. Cauvery Madhavan, a Kildare based author discusses her and her family’s experience of moving to another country that has such a similar origin story to the one she was leaving.

Irish Rail is in the process of planning and executing massive expansions and updates to its services, with levels of demand for timely and efficient public transportation at an all-time high. What can we expect from our public transport in the next 10 years? All to discuss with Irish Rail Chairman Steve Murphy.

We’re all making weekly trips to the local deposit return machine to claim back our 15 or 25 cent for bottles and cans used. But a certain group of people in the capital have turned collecting into an enterprise, picking through public bins and recycling for a profit. So, is the rising re-turn industry good or bad for Dublin city? Newstalk’s Sarah Madden reports:  

We’re constantly being told that the State is one of the richest in the world but we don’t make the cut among The Economist’s list of 178 countries. We discuss this further with Economist  Austin Hughes. 

Obtaining a mortgage is often stressful, even for people who have the traditional requirements for securing one. It can be even more difficult when you’re self-employed or seeking a second-time mortgage.  Margaret Barrett, Managing Director of Mortgage Navigators answered your mortgage-related questions.

Standing Desks are becoming more and more common in workplaces. But is there a health benefit to using them? And should we be considering using them more? All to discuss with Jenny Brannigan, Chartered Physiotherapist and Peter Cosgrove, MD of Futurewise.

Recent debates question whether the President of Ireland should be expected, if not required, to be fluent in Irish. As the national figurehead, the President is expected to promote Irish culture and language. However, should fluency in Irish trump their other values when considering who to vote for? Pat discusses this with Aodhán Ó Deá, Director of Development at Conradh na Gaeilge.

Espionage and ‘destructive ideologies’ are among main threats to State, says Garda report. Ireland may be target for foreign spies' intent on stealing intellectual property and sensitive information. Pat discusses this further with Cathal Berry, former Defence Forces Member.

The past number of years has seen a surge in people getting diagnosed with ADHD. While doctors warn of overdiagnoses, there are a number of people living undiagnosed for years.   One woman who waited until she was 26 to get diagnosed as she didn’t present with the stereotypical symptoms.   So how do symptoms vary from each individual and how can it impact day to day life? All to discuss with Molly Roberts a Content Creator. 

The weekend was packed full of action, with the round of 16 fixtures taking place in the FAI Cup. Scottie Scheffler claims his fifth win of the season at the BMW championship, and of course the opening round of Premier League fixtures. All to chat about with Colm Boohig, Broadcaster with Off the Ball.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will today, along with a host of European leaders, meet with Donald Trump in Washington to discuss a potential path to peace. It follows Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday. We discuss this further with Rosie Birchard, Brussels Correspondent, DW News and Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer at University of Galway, Columnist with The Journal.

David Attenborough once said the world’s ecosystem would collapse if all the bees, wasps, ants and flies were to disappear. So why are we allowing one third of them to be under threat of extinction?  Without insects, we wouldn’t have decomposition, nutrient recycling, seed spreading or pollination. But pollution, intensive farming and habitat loss are causing that to suffer.  All to discuss with Collie Ennis, Biodiversity Officer at Trinity College Dublin.