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Smartphones, social media, and constant connection - for young people today, being online isn’t just part of life, it is life. But as screen time rises, so too do concerns about its impact on mental health, attention, sleep, and even how young brains develop.  

New research suggests many children are spending hours a day on devices - often late into the night - while more and more young people say they feel overwhelmed, distracted, or even addicted to their phones. At the same time, there’s growing debate about whether social media should be restricted altogether for under 16s.  

Valerie is joined by psychotherapist and lecturer Dr Colman Noctor.   

It’s that time of year when salary reviews are happening, and for a lot of people the idea of asking for a pay rise can feel like an awkward, daunting conversation.

Careers coach Angela Burke joins Valerie with practical advice on how to prepare properly, why “I deserve it” (or personal money pressures) isn’t the best approach, and how to use market data to back yourself up.

They also talk timing, how to keep these conversations going throughout the year, and what to do if your manager keeps promising a raise but nothing changes.

The Leaving Cert is often described as one of the most intense periods in a young person’s life. Long hours of study, constant pressure, and the weight of future plans can take a toll. But for some students, that experience is made even more challenging by personal circumstances beyond their control.   

 Caoimhe Graham sat her Leaving Cert while dealing with deep personal loss and serious health challenges. She’s here to share her story - how she coped, what helped her through, and what she’s learned along the way.   

Ireland play one of their biggest games of all time this evening. We’re up against Czechia in Prague, and the winner of that game is going to progress to face either Denmark or North Macedonia, with a place in the World Cup final at stake. 

Now there’s every likelihood you have heard people going on about this for weeks and months, but if you want the cheat sheet on all you need to know you’re in luck.  

Daniel Hussey joins Valerie on iRadio's Groupchat to get you up to date with all you need to know.

If you’ve been anywhere near TikTok lately, you might’ve seen one video in particular that has got people seriously talking and debating about money, lifestyle, and what we can actually afford. 

Anne Sheeran, a mum who works in marketing, went viral after sharing her thoughts on spending and living within your means.

But while the video sparked huge attention, not all of it was positive. Valerie chats to Anne about what it’s really like to go viral, how she handles the backlash, and her honest take on money management in a world where social media can make spending feel like the norm. 

This week Valerie is joined by Hermione Reid AKA Bookworm Herm, who has got a book for every situation!

She recommends some of her favourite books, genres and way to read!

Starting a business is one thing, but building a brand with a message at its heart is something else entirely.  

Our next guest is Sallyann Concannon, founder of the Irish jewellery brand Mettle & Bloom. 

Today we’ll be talking about how the brand started - from market stalls to major retailers, and the message behind jewellery that’s designed to not just look beautiful, but to empower the women that wear it. 

Starting a business takes courage - but doing it at just 23 years old takes something extra.  

Adam Murray is the man behind Biddos Street Food in Drogheda. Two years ago he took a chance on himself and opened a Mexican food truck, bringing something a little different to the local food scene. Since then, he’s been documenting the entire journey online - the wins, and the challenges that come with building a business from the ground up.  

That honesty has earned him huge support from people both locally and online, with thousands following along as the business grows. But putting your life and your work out there also comes with its downsides, and Adam has spoken about dealing with persistent negativity and criticism along the way.  

In this podcast we talk about the reality of starting a small business, the role social media can play in changing your life, and why supporting local businesses is so important.  

Cooking can feel like a bit of a chore sometimes especially after a long day  and ordering a takeaway often feels like the easy option… even if it comes with a bit of guilt.  

But should we actually feel guilty about it?  

Well, today on Trade Secrets I’m joined by food stylist and food content creator Michaela Lowe, who quite literally makes food look irresistible. From elevating home-cooked meals to reviewing takeaways, she knows what works, what tastes good, and how to make it all look amazing.  

ADHD is something we’re hearing about more than ever right now - from social media to workplaces to classrooms, it feels like everyone is talking about it. Diagnoses have surged in recent years, with more adults in particular beginning to question whether they might have ADHD.  

But with that rise has come a lot of confusion too - around what ADHD actually is, how it’s diagnosed, and why so many people are facing long waiting lists just to be assessed or access treatment.  

To help us break it all down, we’re joined by psychiatrist Dr Fionna McDarby, to talk about what’s really going on behind the headlines, and what people need to know if they think they might have ADHD.