iRadio's Groupchat

Today we’re talking about something that affects men from all walks of life — connection, mental health, purpose and the importance of having a strong support system around you.  

Joining us is Darren Reilly, a high-performance men’s coach and psychotherapist, and the founder of Brotherhood - a community created to help men become more connected to themselves, to each other, and to the lives they want to build.  

Brotherhood is about creating a space where men can be honest, supported and challenged to grow, without feeling they have to put on a front or have everything figured out.  

Darren spoke to Valerie on iRadio's Groupchat

Today we're talking about something that so many people experience, but can often feel very difficult to admit - loneliness.   

Claine Cassidy, recently opened up on TikTok about her own experience of feeling lonely in her 20s and finding it difficult to make new friends as an adult.  

What happened next really struck a chord. Hundreds of people reached out to Claine, telling her they felt exactly the same way. Some shared their own experiences of loneliness, while others even reached out simply to say, "Do you want to be friends?"  

It's a reminder that you can be surrounded by people, be active and have a busy life - and still feel lonely. 

 Claine shared her journey on iRadio's Groupchat with Valerie.

The words equality, diversity and inclusion get thrown around a lot – but do we actually know what they mean in practice? Valerie McHugh is joined by Florencia Santana, trainer and advisor with the Irish Centre for Diversity, to break down the big terms and why they’re not interchangeable.

Flora explains how “I don’t see colour” can erase identity, why equality on its own doesn’t guarantee belonging, and how inclusion is about creating spaces where people feel safe to speak up and thrive.

One Day Many Voices is funded by Coimisiún na Meán with the Television Licence Fee and has been devised by Learning Waves in association with iRadio

Representation in entertainment is improving, but is it actually becoming more accessible for autistic and neurodivergent performers? Valerie McHugh is joined by content creator and acting student Fyiya, who was diagnosed with autism in her 20s, to talk honestly about identity, burnout, and finding freedom in finally understanding yourself.

Fyiya shares why acting feels like escapism and magic, what autistic representation on screen still gets wrong, and the practical changes that could make auditions and sets more supportive — from clearer communication to calmer spaces and more breaks.

One Day Many Voices is funded by Coimisiún na Meán with the Television Licence Fee and has been devised by Learning Waves in association with iRadio

Valerie McHugh is joined by actor and creator Éyum Priscilla, born in Drogheda and raised in Dublin, to talk about what it means to be Irish when people insist you’re “not really Irish” because you’re Black.

Éyum opens up about the moments that made her realise how differently others viewed her identity, the racism and trolling she’s faced online, and the everyday “small” comments and unconscious bias that can cut the deepest.

She also introduces Black Leprechaun, her new coming-of-age vertical micro-series launching on Instagram on October 1st - funny, sharp, and rooted in Black Irish teen life.

One Day Many Voices is funded by Coimisiún na Meán with the Television Licence Fee and has been devised by Learning Waves in association with iRadio

Valerie McHugh is joined by Eamon, founder of Gaeilgeoir Guides, to chat about the Irish language revival – and he’s calling in live from his travels in China.

Eamon shares how his new Irish-learning app, Hey Rua, is built around speaking out loud, with native recordings from Connemara, Kerry and Donegal, pronunciation feedback, games, and guided everyday conversations (from ordering a coffee to saying where you’re from).

They also talk social media’s role in making Irish more visible, why you don’t need to be fluent to be a “Gaeilgeoir”, and what needs to change in how Irish is taught in schools.

As the evenings get darker and the cold weather creeps in, Valerie McHugh is joined by Hermione ReId - better known as Bookworm Herm – for a cosy chat all about getting back into reading.

From autumn fantasy and “spooky season” picks like Akotar, Serpent and the Wings of Night and Practical Magic, to what’s trending on BookTok right now (including Yesteryear), Hermione shares recommendations for every kind of reader.

She also gives practical tips for beating the doom scroll, taking the pressure off reading goals, why audiobooks and e-books absolutely count, and how book clubs can help you find community.

Valerie McHugh is joined by Miss Ireland 2025, Caoimhe Kenny, fresh home from Vietnam after representing Ireland at Miss World alongside 110+ women from around the globe. She chats about the surreal month away, the friendships she’s made, and the pride (and pressure) of stepping onto a world stage with the tricolour.

She explains her work with Hygiene Hub Ireland, what hygiene poverty really means, and why tackling period poverty matters - especially when girls are missing school because they can’t access period products.

Valerie McHugh chats to Rory Staunton, one half of the brother duo behind Aura Sports Cream – the Irish-made, natural muscle and joint recovery cream inspired by a trip to the Austrian Alps.

Rory shares how a simple pharmacy find abroad turned into a full-on business at home, built with his brother Hugh (a pharmacist) and rooted in a family history of sport and pharmacy.

They talk about what makes Aura different – that strong heat, the blend of natural botanicals, and being stocked in over 500 pharmacies and retail stores.

Find out more at aurasportscream.com and follow @AuraSportsCream on socials.

For Suicide Awareness Month, Valerie McHugh is joined by Katie Anne Bobbett, who lost her dad to suicide when she was just 17. She speaks honestly about who her dad was, the “blackout” periods of grief, and the pressure of trying to keep going through milestones, friendships and even the Leaving Cert.

She shares what helped most - HUG, counselling, and the support of family, friends and teachers - and why she uses TikTok to talk openly about suicide, stigma and men’s mental health.

A powerful conversation on checking in, asking the direct question, and taking life one day at a time.

If you are impacted by this conversation - help is available. Visit iRadio.ie/support