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Newstalk
Andrea Gilligan invites callers to have their say on the topics of the day - get in touch by emailing lunchtimelive@newstalk.com Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.CONVERSATION THAT COUNTS | Ireland’s national independent talk station for news, sport, analysis and entertainmentListen to Newstalk at http://newstalk.com/listenlive | Download the GoLoud app now, the new home for Newstalk
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 20, 2026 • 11min
Ask the Expert: Health Insurance
For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Dermot Goode, Health Insurance Expert with Totalhealthcover.ie to answer any of your health insurance questions!

Jan 20, 2026 • 10min
Is DNA tracking the answer to the dog poo problem?
Many of us have been unfortunate enough to walk in dog poo when walking on Irish roads. Even with a fining system in place and poo bags available in some public areas, some people could not be bothered to clean up after their dog.Cllrs in South Dublin have called for a new way to fine culprits. By introducing a DNA swab, we will be able to track the dog back to their owners and prevent further littering.Do you think this would be a good solution, or is it a waste of time?

Jan 20, 2026 • 20min
At what age should stillborns be legally recognised?
Grief is tough under any circumstance, but losing a baby before they were born, and then having to fight for their right to be recognised, would really compound that pain.Niamh Murphy has had to go through just that, and joins Andrea to discuss.

Jan 20, 2026 • 11min
Is there still inequality in women’s sport?
The 2026 National Football Leagues launches in Croke Park today, but how far have we come with closing the gap between coverage of men’s and women’s sport?Joining Andrea to discuss is Corporate Affairs Director with Lidl Eimear O’Sullivan, Footballer for Armagh Aimee Mackin and former Ireland International rugby player Andrew Trimble.

Jan 20, 2026 • 10min
How I Live Well: Food and Mood
It's How I live well time! Where someone joins to discuss what they do to improve their life...This week Andrea is joined by Nutritionist Aileen Cox Blundell (@babyledfeeding on Instagram) to discuss how food can impact your mood!

Jan 20, 2026 • 19min
Brooklyn Beckham goes nuclear on social media - whose side are you on?
Brooklyn Beckham has taken to Instagram to open up a feud with parents David and Victoria Beckham.Brooklyn said on his social media, his parents tried to ruin his relationship with his wife; they care more about endorsement and public image above all, and not to mention that infamous dance. Allegedly, Posh Spice overtook his first dance with his new wife to dance "inappropriately” with her own son.All this said, are you team Brooklyn or team Beckham?Joining Andrea to discuss is Broadcaster Glenda Gilson, Fashion Expert for RSVP Magazine and TV Stylist, Laura Mullet, Trevor Twamley, CEO & Co-founder of Sport Endorse, Rosalyne Lipsett, fashion broadcaster with Ireland AM and listeners.

Jan 19, 2026 • 17min
Northern Irish MP Alex Easton on dealing with grief after losing parents
In January 2023, Northern Irish MP Alex Easton got a call which would change his life forever: his parents had tragically been killed in a house fire.He joins Andrea to discuss the trauma of losing his parents, and how he has dealt with the grief since then…

Jan 19, 2026 • 13min
Ask the GP with Dr Nina Byrnes
Dr Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries…

Jan 19, 2026 • 11min
Are we ruining films with our phones?
Are phones dumbing down films?Speaking on Joe Rogan’s podcast, Matt Damon said that phones distract a lot of people at home, and that filmmakers now have to work around that to keep them interested, sometimes to the detriment of the movie…So, have you noticed a shift in how films on services like Netflix are telling their stories, do you put the phone away when watching a movie?Joining Andrea to discuss is Sarina Bellisimo, Broadcaster and Entertainment Journalist, Anthony Muldoon, Director of Strategic Policy with Screen Producers Ireland & President of the European Producers Association CEPI and Baz Black, Actor, Writer, Director and Producer.

Jan 19, 2026 • 10min
The Pod Squad: Mad, Sad and Bad with Paloma Faith
Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Host of the ‘For Techs Sake’ podcast Elaine Burke & Broadcaster Padraig Wilson McCarthy join Andrea Gilligan to review ‘Mad, Sad and Bad with Paloma Faith’!Image: Jampot Productions


