Highlights From Moncrieff

Kim Jong Un has gifted two pet dogs to Russian President Vladimir Putin. But, this isn’t the first time that dictators have cosied up to pets. There is a long history of pet ownership among autocrats throughout the 20th century and beyond.Newstalk’s Simon Tierney has been investigating, and he joins Seán to discuss.Image: Reuters

Catchphrase, Mastermind, The Chase… game shows have been popular on radio and TV for generations, but a recent poll has put Gladiators at the top.  Some would debate if that’s even a game show, but there’s no denying that we love watching a bit of jeopardy with real people, whether for money or a trophy.   So, what makes a great game show? Mark Hughes, a question writer for these kinds of shows, joins Seán to discuss.Image: ITV

With less and less people using their mobiles to actually make a telephone call, have we lost the art of the phone call altogether? Justine O’Mahoney, Columnist with the Wexford People, has been writing about her nostalgia for a time when the landline was the beating heart of the family home. She joins Seán to discuss.

The TV show Bridgerton might be set in the 1800s, but it’s influencing today’s lingerie.  Sales of the balcony or balconette bras have soared, which would give women a more busty, fuller shape.  To complement the look, sales of high-leg knickers are also increasing.  Laura Mullet is a fashion expert and joins Seán to discuss.Image: Netflix

A member of staff at Howth’s King Sitric, who had a stand at the Taste of Dublin Festival last weekend, was treated to a bit of a surprise when an oyster he shuck while preparing a dish produced a pearl! An Irish oyster like this producing a pearl is extremely rare, with odds of about 1 in 5 million!Dec McManus is from Howth’s King Sitric, and joins Seán to discuss.

While much attention focuses on Newgrange over the summer solstice this week, a unique event will happen tomorrow night when a moon standstill will occur over a Bronze Age altar in Kerry. Joining Seán to discuss is Stephen O’Sullivan, Chairperson of Bonane Community Council.

In July 1927, Kevin O’Higgins, the Minister for Justice, was assassinated on his way to mass in Booterstown. Now, a new book explores this complex story. Joining Seán to discuss is Arthur Matthews, Author of ‘Walled in By Hate: Kevin O’Higgins, His Friends and Enemies’.

A new survey of people who use dating websites has found that the majority are willing to settle for someone who’s just a bit better than average. Is this the case? Are we all willing to settle when it comes to love?Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been out asking people about that, and what people find annoying about their partners. He joins Seán to discuss.

Spotify users will be familiar with the never-ending options of new music thrown at them, but how do the algorithms actually work? Joining Seán to discuss is Glenn McDonald, former ‘data alchemist’ for Spotify and author of new book ‘You Have Not Yet Heard Your Favourite Song’...

Are you brushing your teeth correctly? A study says only 10% are! So, what can we do to give our teeth the best chance?Joining Seán to discuss is Dr Jennifer Collins, Clinical Director with Dental Care Ireland.

A 2,000 year old wine poured into an urn in Spain has recently been discovered, and it’s still in liquid form!Mick O’Connell from Neighbourhood Wine joins Seán Moncrieff to discuss what this means - and of course - if you can drink it.

There’s a court case going on in Italy and an impending investigation by the United Nations regarding the powers the Pope has as leader of the Vatican, including wiretapping!Joining Seán to discuss is Patsy McGarry, Religious Affairs Correspondent with the Irish Times.

From CleanTok to ASMR and everything in between, there’s a lot of weird and wonderful content to choose from on social media – and we’re hooked! Elaine Burke from the 'For Tech's Sake' podcast joins Seán to talk about the more unusual content categories that have us fully invested. 

As another superstar lands on Irish soil, it’s time to roll out the family tree. So who exactly was Taylor Swift’s great great great granny? Joining Seán to find out is Fiona O’Mahony, Head of the Irish Family History Centre at EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum.

This Thursday a plaque will be unveiled outside a former internment camp in Wales, featuring the names of 37 Kerrymen who spent time incarcerated there in 1916. Joining Seán to discuss is Cllr. Jim Finucane, outgoing Chairman of Kerry County Council.

Miles Astray has won a major AI photography competition but has now been disqualified. Why? Because his photograph is natural, with no AI input whatsoever. But why did he do this? Miles joins Seán to discuss.Image: Miles Astray

If you’re the owner of any Guinness memorabilia, it may be worth a pretty penny! David Hughes is a collector who’s interest piqued following his stint as a research chemist at Guinness’ London brewery in the 70s and 80s. David’s personal hoard of collectibles is under the hammer now.He joins Seán to discuss the collection.Image: Guinness Storehouse

It’s estimated there are 20,000 ‘stolen children’ who have been captured by Russians since the full scale invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago.  They were taken across the border after their towns were invaded, and their families killed.  Sean Fleming, Minister of State at the Dept of Foreign Affairs, recently heard first hand accounts from some of the 400 children who’ve been rescued. He joins the show to discuss.

The number of Irish people doing house swapping holidays has exploded over the past number of years. But how exactly does it work? And should you be squeamish about strangers sleeping in your bed? Joining Seán to discuss is Sinead Canney, Founder of LetsSwap.ie.

We all have something we do that other people think is gross. It could be anything from picking your nose to chewing with your mouth open, but what is the most disgusting of all?Newstalk’s Henry McKean joins Seán to find out.