iRadio's Groupchat

New year, new goals - and for a lot of us, money is top of the list. Saving more, spending smarter, or just feeling more in control financially.   

So today, we’re talking about how to set yourself up financially for the year ahead , what to focus on, what to avoid, and where to start if you feel overwhelmed. Paul Merriman, also known as Ask Paul is here with practical advice to help make this year a better one for your finances.    

As the new year gets underway, a lot of people are thinking about taking up something new - and for many, that means finally giving Irish another go, or finding ways to bring it back into their lives. 

It also feels like Irish has had a big year - from artists like Kneecap bringing the language to a global audience, to Irish taking centre stage in political campaigns and public protests, and a growing surge of interest in Irish language courses right across the country. 

Eamon from Gaelgoir Guides joins Valerie to chat about where the language is now, where it’s going, and to share some practical advice for anyone hoping to learn or improve their Irish in 2026.

Careers Coach Angela Burke is here to help us start the new work year on the right foot, from making the most of our annual leave to setting realistic goals and even creating vision boards that actually work. 
 

Eoin Maginn is an online coach who’s been pushing himself well outside his comfort zone lately - from striking up conversations with strangers to even asking for hugs in public. It’s all part of a bigger message about human connection, gratitude, and appreciating the life we have.

This iRadio's Groupchat Special is an introduction to Creative Arts Therapies, and the practice of healing through artistic means. It centers on the Irish Association of Creative Art Therapies (IACAT) and the services they provide.

For more, you can visit iacat.ie

With Christmas just around the corner, many of us are enjoying nights out, festive food, and a break from routine - and that can sometimes bring a bit of guilt with it. To remind us how to enjoy the season without the stress, and how to get back on track in a realistic way in the New Year, we’re joined by personal trainer Conor McCreash.

Now, with a new year just around the corner, a lot of us are thinking about fresh starts - whether that’s finding motivation again, dealing with burnout, or finally taking the next step in our career.  

 So we’ve brought in someone who knows exactly how to guide people through all of that. Angela Burke is a careers coach and motivation mentor, helping people get clarity, set realistic goals, and build careers that actually work for them - not just on paper, but in real life.  

For our Between the Sheets segment today, we’re diving into a topic that lives somewhere between fantasy, curiosity and real-life complexity - threesomes and polyamory. To help us unpack the allure, the psychology, and the realities, we’re joined by Aoife Drury, a Psychosexual and Relationship Therapist with a doctorate in Psychotherapy.   

Aoife works with individuals and couples around desire, intimacy and connection - so if anyone can separate the myth from the reality, it’s her.

Harry Greaney is a 22 year old from Galway, Harry bravely fought off cancer multiple times and just 5 months ago he got his arm amputated, now he’s back, powerlifting, training hard  and helping others as a personal trainer.

Harry shares his emotional journey through diagnosis, treatment, and acceptance. He opens up about the mental hurdles he faced and how overcoming them has given him a renewed purpose in life.

Christmas is often a time of happiness, but for many young people it can amplify loneliness, stress and anxiety.  

  Mike Mansfield, Communications Manager at Jigsaw joins Valerie to chat about why young people are turning to technology, the risks involved, and how human-led support can make a difference this Christmas and beyond.