Highlights From Moncrieff

Each week will take a topic and deep dive into it, doing all the research so you don’t have to. This week Julie O’Connor, pro with the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, joined Sean with all you need to know about changing career.

Recently, a woman was sentenced to prison for three months over the manslaughter of her newborn baby. She had concealed her pregnancy. Dr. Sylvia Murphy Tighe, Midwifery lecturer at University of Limerick joined Sean to explain how a custodial sentence will only be a deterrent for women seeking help.

Despite the fact that Ireland holds claim as being one of the top surfing locations in the world, 50 years ago surfing on this Island was non-existent. Ireland boosts over 2000 miles of coastline but we didn’t start catching waves over here until a trailblazing group of surfers including Wicklow man, Kevin Cavey formed a club in the 1960s. He joined Sean to discuss his love of surfing.

A new study has used ancient archeological evidence to trace the origins of the cold sore. Dr. Meriam Guellil, from Tartu University’s Institute of Genomics, joined Sean to discuss effect the evolution of kissing have on the virus.

The controversy continues over Sabina Higgins’ letter on the Russian-Ukrainian war. Dr. Laura Cahillane , Senior Lecturer in law at the University of Limerick joined Sean to discuss if this signals the President is looking to evolve his role and be more politically active.

The parents of a 12 year old boy have made a last ditch plea to the UK’s Supreme Court to keep their son on life support. Archie Battersbee’s doctors say he is brain dead, but his parents want to give him more time to heal. Joshua Rozenberg, legal commentator, joined Sean and Enda Brady London-based journalist, to discuss the case.

The space jacket worn by Buzz Aldrin during the first successful landing on the Moon has been sold at auction in New York for 2.8 million dollars. Dan Kendall, Curator at the National Space Centre in Leicester in the UK joined Tom to discuss what goes into making a space suit and how they have evolved over time.

Sean was joined by Stella O’Malley, Psychotherapist, Ted Talk Speaker and Author, to discuss the stigma around having sex in a later stage of life.

Each week we’re going to bring you some suggestions for your summer reading, taking a different category each time. This week Bob Johnstone of The Gutter Bookshop, joined Sean with his recommendations for science and nature reads. He recommend The Dawn of Everything : A New History of Humanity by David Graeber & David Wengrow, Wilding by Isabella Tree, The Order of Time by Carlo Rovelli, Unwell Women : A Journey Through Medicine And Myth in a Man-Made World by Elinor Cleghorn,The Uninhabitable Earth by David Wallace-Wells,Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake, Sapiens : A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari,Silent Spring by Rachel Carson,Diary of a Young Naturalist by Dara McAnulty and A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson.

For many, screening for cancer is daunting and the fear of the unknown means many don’t come forward. But screening is so important and as we’ll see, it’s nothing to be feared. Dr Alan Smith, Specialist in Public Health Medicine at the National Screening Service, joined Sean with all you need to know on how to screen for bowl cancer.

One of the toughest aspects of chemotherapy is the hair loss that it can result in. Aaron Hannon, Co-Founder and CEO of Luminate Medical, based in Galway has secured millions in funding for a novel device that has been designed to prevent hair loss during this treatment.

Sean was joined by Zoe Holohan, to discuss the process of writing her book “As the Smoke Clears: The inspirational true story of surviving Greece’s deadly wildfires, overcoming devastating loss, and discovering a path to hope and renewal.”

Over 150 years ago, the first successful transatlantic telegraph cable was laid between Valentia Island in Ireland and Newfoundland, Canada, thereby reducing the time to communicate between the Old and New Worlds from weeks to minutes. Leonard Hobbs, Chairperson of Valentia Transatlantic Cable Foundation joined Sean to discuss how they reached a milestone moment with their bid for UNESCO status.

Johnny Fallon, Strategy Director at Carr Communications, joined Sean to recap the stories making the headlines this past week.

For some people, breaking one world record is impressive, but breaking over 200 world records might seem quite impossible. But Idaho man David Rush has made it possible, and actively holds 130 world records. Just this week, he broke the record for the furthest distance to throw and catch a hot dog in a bun. And better still, he’s breaking all of these records to promote STEM education. David joined Stefanie Preissner on the show this afternoon.

The oldest medieval shipwreck in British waters, dating to the 13th century and made out of Irish oak, has now been given the highest level of protection by the UK government. However, it is perhaps the cargo that this ship was carrying that is the most interesting part of the story. Stefanie Preissner was joined on the show by Paul Jeffrey, Historic England’s National Listing Manager.

When it comes to having an opinion on the ‘best’ Irishman to ever exist, my next guest’s choice will likely surprise you. In fact, you may never even have heard of the man. Author Peter Phillips says the legacy of Richard Martin, who curated the world’s first piece of animal legislation in the world back in 1822 exceeds anyone else’s legacy. Peter has even written a biography on Richard, also known as ‘Humanity Dick.’ And today, he launched a commemoration event in Galway for Richard in honour of the 200th anniversary since ‘Martin’s Bill’ passed. Peter Phillips joined Stefanie Preissner live from Wales.

A professor of Experimental Psychology at Oxford University is ruffling the feathers of those who are sticklers for table manners by claiming that the best way to eat food is actually with your mouth open, not closed. So, have we been doing it wrong all along or is this just a completely revolting idea? Stefanie Preissner was joined on the show by Tom Doorly, Food & Wine critic with the Irish Daily Mail and Irish Mail on Sunday

Several polls now indicate that Putin has the overwhelming support of the Russian people for his campaign in Ukraine. Data also reveals that his personal popularity has grown since the war began. Noah Buckley, Assistant professor of political science at Trinity College, joined Sean to discuss why Putins war is so popular with the people of Russia.

Kate Tym used to work as a wedding celebrant before moving into the area of funerals instead. She joined Sean to explain how she now co-runs a group called the UK Coffin Club, empowering members to create their own coffins.