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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.   

Relationships are often described as one of the most important parts of our lives, but they can also be one of the most confusing. How do you know if you’re truly in the right relationship, or in one that just feels comfortable? And when it comes to age gaps, where is the line between a healthy difference and a potential imbalance?  

 Today psychotherapist Chloe Callanan joins Valerie, known as are you well therapy on socials, to explore the emotional, psychological, and practical factors that shape relationship compatibility, and how to better understand what’s right for you.  
  

Tomorrow marks Daffodil Day, a hugely important moment in Ireland’s calendar when people across the country come together to support those affected by cancer. Every donation helps fund expert cancer nurses, groundbreaking research, and vital services that guide patients and families through incredibly difficult journeys.  

Today, we’re joined by Alanna Kells, who at just 27 years old is living with stage 3 breast cancer. She’s here to share her story - from diagnosis to how it’s changed her life - and to help shine a light on why support for Daffodil Day matters more than ever.  

Running has absolutely taken off in recent years - from couch-to-5Ks to full marathons, more and more people are getting involved and embracing the running culture.  

Now, a marathon might sound like a big challenge… but imagine running the entire length of Ireland.  

Well, that’s exactly what one group is taking on. Valerie is delighted to be joined by Shane Bisto Kelly from Fad na hÉireann - a group of six men who are running from Malin Head all the way down to Mizen Head on 1st May  

They each have their own reasons for taking on this incredible challenge, and Shane is doing it in support of Féileacáin - a charity very close to his heart.  

Irish pops up everywhere lately – a cúpla focal on the radio, a sign in town, or the sudden urge to order your coffee as Gaeilge. But how do we actually bring the language into daily life in 2026?

In this iRadio Groupchat special, Valerie McHugh explores the rise of “GaelTok” and the new wave of creators making Gaeilge feel natural, fun, and accessible.

Laura Pakenham (Barbie na Gaeilge) chats about her accidental TikTok beginnings and how that led to her new book, History and Culture Through Language.

Plus, Gaeilge pop artist Lisa Murray (“Gaeilge Swift”) on bilingual songwriting, viral Irish covers, and her debut album. And teacher Rhys McEnroe on Gaelcords, using music (and a touch of AI) to help learners thrive.

March is Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month, and today we’re shining a light on a condition that many people may have heard of, but might not fully understand.  

Joining us now is Caoilfhinn Ní Chaoiligh, who has been sharing her personal journey with alopecia, an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss. Through her honest and empowering videos on TikTok, Caoilfhinn has been helping to start important conversations around confidence, identity, and living with an autoimmune disease.  

By opening up about her experience, she’s not only raising awareness of alopecia, but also creating a supportive space online for others who might be going through something similar.  

Robert Wallace or its donkey boy as you may know him online has been sharing his journey learning the Irish language.   

He’s been inspiring people across Ireland with his posts, videos, and tips about learning Gaeilge - and showing that the language can bring people together across communities.   

He joins Valerie now as we celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge

There’s a campaign gathering attention online right now calling for a life-changing medication to be made available in Ireland. Aoife Quinn from Galway who is living with a rare condition called Friedreich’s Ataxia, has started a petition asking the government to make the drug Skyclarys accessible here for patients who need it.  

The treatment is already approved in other countries and could help slow the progression of the condition. Aoife joins us now to tell us more about her story and why she’s pushing for change.

This week on Between the Sheets we’re talking about STI’s. 

More than 1,600 cases of sexually transmitted infections were recorded in Ireland in just the first four weeks of this year - that’s around 61 cases every single day. 

With cases rising, especially among young people, it’s important to understand what’s going on - and more importantly, what we can actually do about it. 

To help break it all down, Valerie is joined by Professor Fiona Lyons, Medical Director and Clinical Lead of the HSE Sexual Health Programme.