Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Jurassic Park actor Jeff Goldblum recently spoke about how goal setting and positive reinforcement transformed his life and helped him achieve Hollywood stardom. Life Coach and Motivational Speaker, Mark Fennell, joined Andrea to discuss how to get started on manifesting the life of your dreams.

President’s Michael D Higgins comments on Ireland’s housing crisis continue to make waves across the social and political spectrum. The President said housing in the country is a "great, great failure" at the opening of a supported residence facility for young homeless adults outside Naas in County Kildare. Andrea was joined by listeners who had mixed reactions to his comments, some feeling they overstepped his presidential position.

Adrian Weckler, Tech editor with the Irish & Sunday Independent, joined Andrea to explain how he was surprised to see A tech conference’s opening night dinner in Dublin is requesting ‘no jeans or sneakers’. They were also joined by Maria Macklin, Image Consultant with House of Colour, to discuss how dress codes have changed since covid and if a more casual approach to work dress has been adopted.

An expert has advised couples to forego sleeping in the same bed if they want to get a proper night’s sleep, and warned of the damaging effect that sharing a bed can have on long term health. Sleep Expert Tom Coleman joined Adrian to discuss if sleeping in separate beds really is the secrete to a happy relationship.

The All-Ireland Football Quarter-Finals are due to be played in Croke Park the weekend after next. This will involve long journeys from counties like Clare, Mayo Galway, Cork and Kerry. With petrol and diesel prices soaring ,GAA president and MEP Seán Kelly joined Adrian and fans , to discuss if these games should be moved out of Croke Park to smaller provincial grounds.

The Irish health service has come under fire with record numbers of junior doctors opting to leave the country in search of better working conditions. Adrian was joined by health care workers and listeners to discuss what can be done to address working conditions, hospital closures and increasingly long waiting lists.

A new farming survey has found that 87pc of farm owners in Ireland are male. This has indicated an unbalanced approach to inheritance within the agricultural sector. Catherine Gallagher, National President of the Irish Shows Association, joined Adrian and full time farmer Louise Crowley, to discuss what can be done to change attitudes towards gender within farming communities.

The American singer Lizzo has come in for sharp criticism for using an ableist slur. In her new song ‘Grrls’ (pron: girls) she uses the "s" word. While the word is used colloquially in the US to mean "freakout" many disability advocates say the derogatory use of this language shows how much still needs to be done. Bernard Mulvany from Access for All joined Andrea to discuss why lyrics such as these can cause great offense.

25 years since he first launched into superstardom as a solo artist, Robbie Williams has this morning announced a tour to mark the occasion. Andrea was joined by Danny McElhinney Music journalist with the Irish Mail on Sunday to take a look back at some of his biggest career highlights.

A shortage of taxis is causing havoc for those trying to get home from town after dark. Andrea was joined by listeners, night time economy workers and a taxi driver, to discuss the challenges people are facing trying to travel safely late at night.

Every Friday, we search for the definitive answer to some of the most burning questions in The Big Debate. Today, you gave us an answer to the question - ‘Are staycations better than foreign holidays?’

All this week on Lunchtime Live we have been talking about how treatment for cocaine use among young people in Ireland has increased by 171% between 2011 and 2019. The report from the health research board found that Ireland now has the second-highest proportion in Europe of 15- to 24-year-olds who have used cocaine. Adrian Kennedy spoke to listeners who were in touch with the show to discuss their experiences and observations of Ireland's drug culture.

Those of you who are tuning in every week to the latest of Sally Rooney’s novels to be adapted to the small screen will notice one of the lead actors in Conversations with friends has a questionable Dublin accent. Joe Alwyn who plays Nick in the Lenny Abraham-directed TV series is not the first non-native actor to have struggled with the Irish accent. John Fardy, Presenter of Screentime talked us through some of the most memorable Irish accent fopaux.

With Pride Month celebrations already well underway here in June, the strides made around inclusivity in this country are to the forefront. However, there are still certain areas of our society where we still have quite a long way to go. Conor Bredin recently addressed the INTO Congress to relay the challenging experiences faced by openly gay teachers in schools with a Catholic ethos and he joined Adrian Kennedy on the show this afternoon.

The Banking & Payments Federation Ireland's Payments Monitor for the first quarter of 2022 showed that cheque payments were at an all-time low earlier this year. As we move towards a cashless society, what are some of the advantages and drawbacks of waving goodbye to notes and coinage? Is cash dead?! Padraic Kissane, Financial Advisor, Jess Kelly, Tech Correspondent at Newstalk, Amanda Cassidy, Journalist & author and Stephen Deasy, CEO at Bear Market Coffee in Dublin all joined Adrian Kennedy on the show.

With dynamics around remote and hybrid working seemingly set to shift forever in the coming months, Caroline Reidy, Managing Director of The HR Suite joined Adrian to explore your queries around rights in the modern workplace.

As the contentious Saudi-backed LIV Invitational Golf Series gets under way today, Irish Golfer Graeme McDowell has conceded that it is "polarising" but said he's proud to be part of the new event. The controversial event sees 48 players competing for an eye-watering $25m prize pot. Kieran Cunningham, Chief Sports Writer with The Irish Daily joined Adrian to discuss if athletes make a morale stand when the worlds of sport and politics collide.

Madonna has finally chosen the actress who will play her in the upcoming biopic about her life. Julia Garner has been handpicked to play the “Like a Prayer” songstress. Madonna is recognized globally as a pop icon who has built a legacy that transcends music and Bill Hughes, Producer and Director at Mind The Gap Films joined Adrian to discuss the cultural impact she had.

In Ireland over 40,000 people have a severe nut allergy but the medical care to treat this condition is seriously under resourced. Lisa Nolan whose 12 year old daughter Hallie lives with severe food allergies joined Adrian to discuss the challenges Hallie faces on a daily basis.

Yesterday on the show we were talking about how treatment for cocaine use among young people in Ireland has increased by 171% between 2011 and 2019 The report from the health research board found that Ireland now has the second-highest proportion in Europe of 15- to 24-year-olds who have used cocaine. Andrea spoke to listeners who were in touch with the show to discuss their experiences and observations of Irelands drug culture.