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Now for today’s Business Spotlight, we’re heading to Castlebar to talk spuds . A simple idea that’s turned into a big hit locally, Spud Hut Castlebar is serving up baked potatoes loaded with toppings every weekend.  
 

It’s run by James Basquille and Conal Murray , who took a classic comfort food and turned it into a business. They’re with us now to chat about how it started, what it cost to get going, and why spud businesses seem to be popping up everywhere.

Okay, if your group chat isn’t already screaming about this band, it’s about to be.  

Seven members. Fourteen instruments between them. Formed in front of the nation on Netflix’s Simon Cowell: The Next Act - and now officially ushering in what they’re calling the return of the boyband era.  

December 10 are Cruz, Danny, Hendrick, John, Josh, Nicolas and our very own Dubliner Seán - and their debut single Run My Way is an outrageously catchy, chaotic slice of pop written by hitmakers behind some of the biggest names in the world.  

They’re loud, they’re proud, they represent everywhere from Dublin to Lisbon and members Josh Danny and Sean are joining me now on iRadio’s Groupchat.

Just a quick note to our listeners – this conversation will include mentions of eating disorders – we understand this can be difficult for some listeners so please take care while listening.   

This week marks Eating Disorder Awareness Week - a time to have open, honest conversations about mental health, body image, and the pressures so many people are facing quietly.  

Joining me now is Conor Nolan, author of Normal, a powerful and deeply personal book about his experience with an eating disorder and his journey toward recovery. Conor now speaks in schools across the country about mental wellbeing, comparison culture, and how we can better support ourselves and each other.  

Today we’re joined by Ellen Dundon, someone who speaks about sobriety with a rare mix of honesty, humor, and depth.   

 Her journey isn’t just about giving something up, it’s about gaining clarity, self-trust, and a more intentional way of living. Ellen has been open about the messy, challenging, and surprisingly beautiful parts of choosing sobriety, and she brings a perspective that resonates whether you’re sober, sober-curious, or just interested in what it means to live more consciously.    

Today we’re joined by Wellness by D, led by Donna Murray, who is a passionate holistic therapist specialising in Reiki and sound healing. 

 In a world where stress and burnout have become the norm, Donna helps people slow down and reset through energy-based therapies. From easing anxiety to improving sleep her work is all about reconnecting mind, body and energy. 
 
We’re diving into what Reiki and sound healing really are, why so many people are turning to them, and the real benefits they can bring to everyday life. 

On this weeks Business Spotlight we’re highlighting Melody's Mayo, its a coffee trailer and a wellness community bringing people together in West Mayo.

Nicole O’Malley is the founder of Melody’s, which creates outdoor events and sober social meet-ups for young people in the area. From sea swims and sauna sessions to hikes, she’s proving you don’t need a night out to have a great time. 

And as if that wasn’t enough, she’s just launched her new wholefood snack range.

Nicole joins us to chat about building community in rural Ireland, why sober socialising is having a moment, and what’s next for Melody’s.

Leaving the hustle and bustle of city life behind isn’t always easy, but for some, it’s exactly what they need. 

Today Leah is joined by Martha Gilheaney, who has relocated from O’Connell Street in Dublin to rural County Leitrim. She’s embracing the slower pace of life while taking on the challenge of renovating a 100-year-old farmhouse. 

They talk about why she chose the countryside over the city, what it’s like commuting and settling into a rural community, and her experience navigating mortgages and home renovation.

A quick note for our listeners — today’s conversation will include discussions around eating disorders and body image. We understand this topic can be triggering for some people.  

Leah is joined by Jenny Percy, a holistic health coach who has been open about her own struggles with eating disorders growing up. Jenny now uses both her professional training and lived experience to support others in building a healthier relationship with food, their bodies and themselves. 

They talk about what eating disorders can really look like, how to spot the signs that someone might be struggling, the role friends and family can play in recovery, and the impact social media has on how we see ourselves. 

Learner drivers here are facing long waits and rising frustration, while Northern Ireland is rolling out graduated driving licences with some new restrictions for newly qualified drivers.  

To help Leah make sense of what’s changing, whether it would work here in the Republic, and what actually needs fixing when it comes to driving test wait times, she's joined by driving instructor Lara Lewis.  

It’s between the sheets on iradio – for adult ears only... AI is everywhere at the minute. I’m sure you’ve seen or heard specualtion about it taking over our jobs sometime soon. There doesn’t seem to be an industry where the influx of artificial intelligence isn’t a concern.  

 AI can now generate pornographic images, videos, and even virtual companions, raising big questions about money, consent, and the future of real performers.   

 For our Between the Sheets segment today, we’re joined by one of Ireland’s most successful porn stars, Andy Lee to talk about how AI is impacting the adult industry. In the meantime I want your thoughts.