Highlights From Moncrieff

The vinyl release of a protest album entitled ‘Is This What We Want?’ will be launched on December 8th and will feature an extraordinary contribution from Paul McCartney. So, how will the album help in the fight against generative AI using artists’ work without their permission? Joining Tom Dunne in for Sean is the man behind this effort, Ed Newton-Rex, Founder of Fairly Trained.

A contemporary artist took the world by surprise this week when he snuck an AI-generated print into the National Museum of Cardiff.Elias Marrow, who maintains anonymity in his work, used AI software to create his work, ‘Empty Plate’, which he says represents Wales in 2025.The secretive artist carried out similar stunts at Bristol Museum and Tate Modern, but denied it was “vandalism”.This has sparked a heated debate about the place of AI in art and whether it ought to be displayed…Conceptual artist Elias Marrow joins Seán to discuss.Image: Elias Marrow

"All that glitters is not gold", "Do or do not, there is no try". The first quote is from Shakespeare, and the other is from Yoda. Both are examples of aphorisms, a form of expression you don't hear much anymore. According to this author, they're making a comeback.Joining Seán to discuss is James Geary, author of ‘The World in a Phrase: A Brief History of The Aphorism’.

‘Death Cleaning’ is the Swedish practice of getting rid of stuff you don’t need before you die. But, why bother? And, is there more to it than meets the eye?Joining Seán to discuss is Psychologist and host of the NBC show ‘The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning’, Katarina Blom…Image: NBC

Jane McNeice did not expect that her admission that she has breastfed her children and grandchildren would cause such strong reactions. To her, there is nothing more natural than feeding any child related to her that is hungry. As she sees it: “it’s no different than making them beans on toast”...She joins Seán to discuss!

A brand-new exhibition coming to Dublin is set to take visitors on a gripping psychological journey into the darkest corners of the human mind...‘Inescapable Darkness: A Serial Killers Exhibition’ will immerse people in the cases of some of history's most notorious killers, from Ancient Rome to the modern day.Through realistic recreations, original case materials and cutting-edge virtual reality, guests can explore the psychology behind these crimes and the investigations that exposed them.Joining Seán to discuss is John Zaller, Creative Director at Exhibition Hub.

A brand-new short documentary celebrating boobs has been sparking conversations and sweeping awards around the globe.The film, ‘BOOBS’, follows Dublin artist Geraldine Carton’s journey to paint one hundred real women’s breasts, celebrating the reality of female bodies in all their shapes, stories, and imperfections.What began as a simple call-out on Instagram has grown into a powerful movement about body image, resilience, and self-acceptance.Geraldine joins Seán to discuss more.Image: @geraldine_carton on Instagram

It has long been debated as to whether or not Adolf Hitler had just one testicle. Now, a new documentary on Channel 4 explores this and other intimate topics associated with the infamous dictator.Joining Seán to discuss is one of the participants, Dr. Alex Kay from the War Studies Department at the University of Potsdam.

There's nothing that inflames our judginess more than getting behind the wheel and judging other people on the road.So, what are your biggest driving icks?Henry McKean has been asking the public, and joins Seán to discuss.

As parents of primary school children around the country participate in the largest ever survey of attitudes to school ethos, Seán’s guest has been sharing her personal experiences of her four children who have opted out of religious instruction.Aoife Cassidy, Communications Officer at Education Equality, who has been writing about this in the Irish Examiner, joins to discuss…

As flu and cold season descends on us, what are the best home hacks to treat a cold, and does the old ‘Wine & Garlic’ method actually work?Joining Seán to discuss is Illona Duffy, a GP based in Monaghan…

From the extensive hijackings of the 1970s to the emergence of suicide bombers in the 1980s, a new book traces the evolution of terrorism in the mid to late 20th century.Joining Seán to discuss is Jason Burke, Foreign Correspondent for the Guardian and author of ‘The Revolutionists: The Story of the Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970s’...

Controversy has erupted in Japan as to whether or not the new female Prime Minister will step into the sacred sumo ring to present a prestigious trophy later this month, as sumo rules do not allow women to enter the dohyō…Joining Seán to discuss is Ireland’s only female sumo wrestler, Tori Mallon, from Sumo na hÉireann, the Irish Sumo Wrestling Association...

A Cork gym is breaking barriers in fitness accessibility. Elite Fitness Cork has just introduced a new hyperbaric chamber to support people with serious health conditions, which has been proven can help people with symptoms of long Covid.From professional athletes to wheelchair users, this gym is redefining what inclusivity in fitness really means.Owner and kickboxing champion Colin O’Shaughnessy joins Seán to talk about why Elite Fitness Cork is more than just a gym…

What defines trauma, and why are people more vulnerable to it than others? This will be the main focus of a talk happening at the Sugar Club in Dublin later this month, which will unravel the neuroscience behind Irish trauma…Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscientist Dr. Michael Keane will be giving the talk and demonstrating trauma through visuals like brain imaging and scans.He joins Seán to discuss more.

What makes us yawn? We all do it, but few of us actually know why. Even today, scientists are still puzzled by the recurring action. Wrongly attributed to breathing, the instinctive act might have more to do with our brains and neurological functions.Professor of Behavioural Biology at John Hopkins University, Andrew Gallup joins Seán to discuss the breakthrough on the contagious gesture few of us understand…

Today marks Armistice Day, the signing of negotiations which brought the end of World War I.It is also known as Remembrance Day, Veterans’ Day, and Poppy Day, in other parts of the world, and over the years has evolved to commemorate all those who have died in war.Joining Seán to discuss the history of Armistice Day is Historian and Archives Manager at Dublin Cemeteries Trust, Dr. Brian Casey…

Is Gen Z going ‘braless’ and what does this mean for the future of lingerie?Social media has recently been taken by storm when actress Sydney Sweeney went for a ‘braless’ red carpet look.She freed her nipples in a sheer dress that made the rounds on social media, with users blaming her for sexualising herself for the male gaze, while others hailing her for what was deemed to be a ‘feminist’ move.But, is this the sign of a new trend emerging for women, and how could this define the future of the bra?Owner of Peaches and Cream lingerie shop, Sinead Sanderson, joins Seán to discuss.

You know what it’s like, when you go to a new city you can end up spending hours in queues and being stuck in crowds with the masses...Actor Richard E Grant has revealed a new approach to sightseeing ,saying that the best time to explore somewhere new is at night, around 8pm, when every other tourist is eating dinner.So, is this true? And what is there to do at night as a tourist in Ireland?Trudy Carmody is a private tour guide who runs Experiencing Ireland. She joins Seán to discuss.

You may have been watching today’s inauguration of Catherine Connolly as Ireland’s 10th President.Seán’s guest was there in person to see this peaceful transfer of democratic power in action, and whereas that’s the norm here, it’s a process that seems to be increasingly imperilled elsewhere…Art O’Leary is Chief Executive of the Irish Electoral Commission (An Coimisiún Toghcháin), and joins to discuss.