The Hard Shoulder

Recently, streamer and YouTube star ISHOWSPEED was in Ireland, known for his outlandish nature and provocative stunts, such as jumping over oncoming cars.With many young men enjoying his work, are they starved of positive role models in the era of social media ?Joining Kieran to chat about this is Calvin O’Brien,Co Host of Talking Bollox Podcast.

Since its emergence in the past year, Ozempic has been hailed as a wonder drug for those with life threatening obesity.But, there has been huge demand for the drug from those with non-life-threatening weight issues.Joining Kieran to discuss the implications of the non-legitimate use of Ozempic is Dr Michael Crotty, a  GP who specialises in obesity medicine.

Poet John Cooper Clarke joined Kieran Cuddihy to put his favourite book on the Hard Shoulder bookshelf! He also gives some honourable mentions and talks about what he’s currently reading.

Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota governor Tim Walz as her VP candidate. Joining Kieran to reflect on this news, and talk about Tim’s career is veteran Minnesota journalist and Co-Host of current affairs show Almanac, Eric Eskola.Image: Reuters

One thing that has become a feature of many of the immigration protests across the country is setting the various earmarked IPAS centres on fire...Misinformation and disinformation swirl around events and situations and they escalate into abandoned buildings or premises being attacked and in some cases, torched.Kieran’s guest was lucky not to be in her home when protesters set it alight. The then Ross Lake House Hotel in Galway was set on fire when protesters believed it would become an IPAS centre last December.Shannon Kincaid is the former owner of Ross Lake House Hotel and not only was her home torched, but so were all of her belongings, she joins Kieran to discuss.

Ahead of this year’s inevitable general election, Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, Sean Defoe, has been taking a look at what the major parties actually stand for.This week, he joins Kieran Cuddihy to put Fine Gael under the microscope.

Ger Gilroy from Off the Ball joins Kieran Cuddihy from Paris to discuss how Ireland has been doing since the 2024 Olympics has commenced, including the Champions catwalk, and previews the boxing final happening tonight.

It’s the time where teenagers across the country are being prompted by parents to get up, get out and get a job.But, with limited opportunities for teenagers to work, are we being unfair towards Irish adolescents? Author and Irish Times Columnist, Jen Hogan and Irish Independent Journalist and Presenter of the Home Show, Sinead Ryan join Kieran to discuss.

Every week on the show we look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…This week stand in presenter Jonathan Healy was joined by Esther McCarthy, Life Style Editor at the Irish Examiner and by Joe O'Shea Editor of CorkBeo.ie.

A man was arrested this morning suspected of ramming a van into the gates of multiple State and Government buildings in Dublin. So should this be sounding alarm bells about how secure our government is.Tom Clonan Trinity Senator and Security Analyst spoke to Stand in presenter, Jonathan Healy about this.