The Hard Shoulder

Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon attempts to break the barrier of the women’s four-minute mile this evening in Paris. She is already the world-record holder in the mile and the 1500m, but she now has her sights set on being the first woman to run the four-minute mile.  Sonia O’Sullivan, World Champion and Irish Olympian joins Jonathan to discuss what a milestone it will be for a woman to break the four-minute-mile.Listen to all the conversation here.

Thomas Gould, Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central, and Cllr. Joe Kavanagh, former Lord Mayor of Cork, join The Hard Shoulder to respond to growing anger over Cork’s road conditions.According to figures released to NewsTalk, Cork ranks the highest in number of pothole related complaints to local council.Listen here for all the latest.

Broadcaster Jennifer Zamparelli joins Jonathan Healy to talk about stepping into the iconic role of narrator in the new stage production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show in the Bórd Gáis— and how she’s putting her own spin on the cult classic.Listen here

Barra Roantree, Director of the Masters in Economic Policy at Trinity College Dublin, joins The Hard Shoulder to discuss ESRI’s latest economic outlook — including fears about a construction slowdown and rising costs related to US foreign policy moves.Where will the next economic crash come, or what form might it take?Listen here for more.

According to new figures released to NewsTalk, there has been a 92% increase in pothole complaints to local councils.NewsTalk's own, Josh Crosbie has been asking motorists how badly affected their areas are.Listen here.

NewsTalk's Josh Crosbie hit the streets to ask parents their views on allowing kids to see their drinking habits.For discussion,June Shannon, medical journalist and mother, and Dr Malie Coyne, clinical psychologist and author, join Jonathan Healy on whether this sets a harmful example.Listen here

New research has found that more than 500 bird species, including the puffin and the European turtle dove, could vanish within the next century. Can it be stopped?Joining guest host Jonathan Healy to discuss is Niall Hatch of Bird Watch Ireland.

Life can be full of confusing things, but no need to worry! Every Wednesday, Simon Tierney will be showing you ‘How to do Stuff’ - bringing his best tips for those things you might not think about.This week, Simon joins guest host Jonathan Healy to discuss how to pack a suitcase!

The Irish Postmasters' Union is calling on the Government to invest €15 million per year over the next five years to prevent a decline in post offices.It’s one of a number of issues brought up today at the Oireachtas Arts and Community Committee in relation to the future of our postal service.David McRedmond, CEO of An Post, was there, and joins Jonathan Healy to discuss.

With technology rapidly advancing, and artificial intelligence becoming more and more intelligent, should we be concerned about AI replicating us after death? Would we want our loved ones to talk to artificial models of us after we pass? Or is that something that we should be able to opt out of, like in our wills?Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joins guest host Jonathan Healy to discuss.