Lunchtime Live

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Host of the ‘For Tech's Sake’ podcast Elaine Burke and Today FM Producer Cathal Minogue join Andrea Gilligan to review ‘Strangers on a Bench’!Image: Acast

This morning on Newstalk Breakfast, Anton spoke to Paul Crone on proposed shorter school days…The changes come after a report found the Irish curriculum is “overloaded” and should be adapted to follow the Finnish model.Joining Andrea to discuss is Cathal Crowe, Fianna Fail TD for Clare and Chairman of the Oireachtas Education and Youth Committee, Lisa Shaw (@modernirishmom on Instagram), Jen Hogan, Irish Times journalist and host of the ‘Conversations with Parents’ podcast and listeners.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, former Boxer and Olympic champion Michael Carruth joins Andrea to answer any of your questions!

Do you give up your seat on public transport?Have we lost all manners on public transport?Whether you struggle to stand or are heavily pregnant, you might have noticed that many people are too glued to their phones to look up and give their seat to somebody who needs it more.Joining Andrea to discuss is Hannah Saunders, PR agent and mother of 2, Kyle Butler, News Reporter and Journalist with Newstalk and listeners.

Planning permission has been granted by Donegal County Council to build a new petrol beside Creeslough site.It was here that an explosion killed ten people, including 14-year-old Leona Harper, in October 2022.Her father, Hugh Harper, joins Andrea to share his reaction…

It’s disappointment for the nation as Ireland lost to Czechia in last night’s World Cup play-off semifinal, which came down to a penalty shootout.Andrea is joined by Irish fans who made their way out to Prague to watch the match to discuss…

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joined Andrea with a roundup of some of the stories from across the country this week.

Hospital food has long had a poor reputation. Many patients feel that meals served on the wards are bland, unappetizing, and lacking the nutrition needed to support recovery.However, not everyone shares this view. One of our listeners had a very different experience, describing the food as both high-quality and generous, so much so that he believes patients should contribute a small fee of just €2 per day to have it.Robert got in touch to share his positive experience at Mayo University Hospital, and joins Andrea, along with Heath Correspondent with the Irish Examiner, Niamh Griffin, Advocate with Access for All Ireland, Bernard Mulvany and listeners to discuss.

If you want to decorate the walls of your home, what kind of art should you put on display?This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss picking artwork for your home!Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Interior Stylist Sarah Doyle of Retwiggd.

Síomha Ní Ruairc recently stated that she would not be sharing her newborn daughter’s name or image.‘Sharenting’ seems to be an increasingly important conversation, so would you share your child’s identity online?Joining Andrea to discuss is Elaine Burke from the ‘For Tech's Sake’ podcast, Katie Makk from the ‘Opinion Matter’ podcast, Jen Hogan, podcast host,  Journalist with the Irish Times and mother of 7, as well as listeners.