iRadio's Groupchat

With students heading back to college after the holidays, many are trying to get back into routine while balancing studies, social life, and tight budgets. Today Valerie is joined by Clodagh Lynch, a student dietitian currently completing her Master’s in Dietetics after a Bachelor’s in Nutrition. Clodagh shares realistic, no-pressure nutrition advice on social media, and she’s here to chat about eating well on a budget, easy on-the-go lunches, and how students can balance nights out with college life.

A lot of listeners are either thinking about moving abroad, have already done it, or are watching others do it online - and one person giving a real insight into life overseas is Sinéad McCann.  

 She’s a teacher from Ireland now living in Dubai, and she’s built a following on TikTok by sharing what life is actually like there - from work and day-to-day living to the Irish community and the reality behind the sunshine.  

On iRadio’s Groupchat today, we’re digging into a debate that’s been lighting up social media – of course, it’s housing related. Ray Cooke, who’s CEO of Ray Cooke Auctioneers LTD has said that rising rents and house prices aren’t the only reason 18 to 34 year olds are stuck living with their parents. He argues that longer years in college, low-paying career choices, extended travel and lifestyle decisions all play a role - and that landlords often get an unfair share of the blame online.  

So is this a hard truth people don’t want to hear, or is it another case of a generation being misunderstood?

Today on iRadios Groupchat, we’re joined by Tahlya Kelly from Tipperary, who has bravely shared her experience of childhood sexual abuse on TikTok. Tahlya, with the support of services like Barnardos, Jigsaw, Pieta, the Rape Crisis Centre, and An Garda Síochána, is now using her voice to let other survivors know they are not alone, and that help is available. 

 She joins us today to share her story and her message of hope.    

Recently, there’s been one show everyone seems to be talking about. It’s been all over our social media feeds, sparking conversations far beyond television. I’m talking about Heated Rivalry. The show explores the journey of gay athletes in a highly competitive sporting environment, highlighting struggles such as internalised homophobia, identity, and the pressure of being openly gay in professional sport.   

Valerie is joined by Kevin Penrose, a Gaelic footballer who has firsthand experience of what it’s like to be openly gay while playing sport in Ireland.  

Today on iRadios Groupchat Business Spotlight, we’re joined by Kevin Moore, co-founder of Atlantik Body Care a Kerry-based brand redefining how we think about skincare.  

 Rooted in Ballybunion and Listowel, Atlantik was born from research showing most people choose skincare for price and convenience, not skin health.  

 Kevin joins Valerie to share the story behind his business. 

There’s been a lot of debate recently around the Government’s proposed nationwide ban on sunbeds in Ireland. Public health officials, including the Minister of State for Public Health and the Chief Medical Officer, say no level of sunbed use is safe and that a ban is necessary to reduce skin cancer rates.  

 But those working within the industry strongly disagree. The Sunbed Association of Ireland, which represents regulated sunbed businesses across the country, says an outright ban could actually do more harm than good - pushing tanning underground into unsafe and unregulated environments.  

 To talk through both the concerns and the counter-arguments, Valerie is joined by Melissa Griffin, owner of Darque Tanning Studio in Carlow Town and a member of the Sunbed Association of Ireland, who is campaigning against the proposed ban.   

Today is Blue Monday - a day that’s often labelled as the toughest day of the year for our mental health. Whether you’re feeling it or not, it’s a good reminder to check in with ourselves and with each other.  

 Today on iRadio’s Groupchat, we’re joined by someone who’s turned an extreme physical challenge into a powerful conversation around mental wellbeing. Basil Mac Leod from Mayo has just completed a 100-kilometre ultramarathon through the Sahara Desert - pushing his body and mind to the limit - all to raise funds and awareness for Mental Health Ireland!

Tonight, we’re diving into a topic that’s everywhere right now - attachment styles You’ve probably seen the terms anxious, avoidant or secure all over social media, especially when it comes to dating and breakups. But beyond the buzzwords, what do they actually mean, and how much do they really shape the way we love, connect and cope with heartbreak?   

 To help us unpack all of this, Valerie is joined by Ali Webb, a counsellor and psychotherapist who works closely with people navigating relationships, dating patterns and emotional wounds.

Next up in our Trade Secrets segment, we’re shining a light on a career that so many of us think we understand - but very few see behind the scenes of.   

 Primary school teaching is often described as rewarding, challenging, exhausting and life-shaping, all at the same time. With more people questioning their career paths - from school-leavers to career-changers - we wanted to get an honest, real-world take on what it actually takes to become a primary school teacher, and how to know if it’s the right fit for you.  

 Cormac O Donoghue, Mr O Donoghue on social media is here to help us unpack it all