Episodes

  • What are the carnivorous “death balls”?
    Nov 7 2025

    Scientists have discovered 30 new deep-sea species, including a carnivorous “death ball” sponge unlike anything seen before.

    The expedition explored volcanic craters and oceanic trenches near the South Sandwich Islands, revealing a hidden world of strange creatures.

    Among the findings were iridescent scale worms, new species of sea stars, and the first confirmed footage of a juvenile colossal squid.

    To tell us about these fascinating discoveries, Dr Michelle Taylor from the Ocean Census project joins us on the line…

    Image: Schmidt Ocean Institute

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    7 mins
  • Will robot butlers actually make our lives easier?
    Nov 7 2025

    This week saw two major events to promote the future of household robots; Neo, the 1X Technologies butler and Optimus, the much heralded robot from Tesla. But, will these robots actually be able to do any of the tasks that are promising to make our everyday lives easier?

    Joining guest host Tom Dunne to discuss is Tech Journalist Emmet Ryan, who has been investigating…

    Image: 1X Tech

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    9 mins
  • The Irish woman who almost toppled the British Monarchy
    Nov 7 2025

    Much of the scandal surrounding the now former Prince Andrew has been seen as being unprecedented, but this is far from the first public scandal the British Royal family has faced.

    Just over a century ago, Irish woman Nellie Clifden was a central character in a controversy that almost toppled the Monarchy…

    Those events inspired Andrew O’Connor’s 2018 novel ‘By Royal Appointment’, and he joins guest host Tom Dunne to discuss.

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    11 mins
  • Xania Monet and the arrival of AI music artists
    Nov 7 2025

    Xania Monet, the R&B singer-songwriter, has become the first AI-generated artist to debut on a Billboard radio play chart. So, what does the incursion of AI into music mean for the future?

    Joining guest host Tom Dunne to discuss this is Journalist Pat Carty…

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    13 mins
  • Why would you get a tattoo of your lover’s mother?
    Nov 6 2025

    Feminist statement or search for instant notoriety? Harriet Richardson’s latest artwork has the internet divided. Especially since the work of art is in this case is - her!

    The London-based artist spent nearly a thousand euro to tattoo the names of all of her former lover’s mothers across her ribs and even hired a private investigator to find some of them…

    She joins Seán to discuss…

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    6 mins
  • Should comedy be eligible for Arts Council funding?
    Nov 6 2025

    Over the past three years, comedian Ailish McCarthy has been working on getting a legislative gap filled. Although comedians are considered artists by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, they remain ineligible for grants and funds allocated by the Arts Council.

    Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh launched an amendment to the Arts Bill this Thursday to have their joke-telling recognized in law.

    Ailish McCarthy joins Seán in the studio to discuss…

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    7 mins
  • Why ‘silver influencers’ are changing the attitude to aging
    Nov 6 2025

    We’re all familiar with the saying “dressing your age”, but are we really reading between the lines?

    In the digital age, everyone can become an influencer, and women over the age of forty are making their voices heard more than ever before.

    Dubbed ‘Silver Influencers’ by the BBC, this new generation of women is completely unapologetic about aging and seeks to redefine what being a mature woman is during this decade.

    Stylist Cathy O’Connor joins Seán to discuss how she and other ‘silver influencers’ are changing the game for women across Ireland through representation.

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    8 mins
  • Dublin’s safety blackspots - Henry McKean Reports
    Nov 6 2025

    Two-thirds of people would avoid Dublin City Centre for fear of crime, according to a new survey from Dublin Inquirer and Amárach. But is it geography, do you feel safer in some areas and not in others?

    Henry McKean has been touring the streets of Dublin City Centre and joins Seán to discuss…

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    15 mins