Lunchtime Live

Welcome to The Pod Squad!

We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.

Newstalk’s Jess Kelly and Neil Kavanagh join Andrea Gilligan to review ‘13 Minutes Presents: The Space Shuttle’!

Image: BBC

Sláintecare reforms are being introduced into the health system, which are playing a role in pushing up the cost of health insurance.

VHI announced rises earlier in the year, as did Laya Healthcare and Irish Life Health…

So, is private health insurance still worth the cost?

Joining Andrea to discuss is Dr Brian Turner, Health Economist in UCC, Pharmacist Sheena Mitchell (@wondercare_irl) on Instagram and listeners.

It’s time for some summer memories!

We chat to some well known names and faces and reminisce over those long summer days.

Comedian Dara O’Briain joins guest host Mairead Ronan to reminisce!

Many people are heading to Stradbally in their droves this weekend ahead of Electric Picnic. The annual music festival will see acts from Chappell Roan to Hozier and Kneecap take to the main stage.

If you are heading to Laois this weekend, who should you go and see? Joining guest host Mairead Ronan to discuss is Arts Journalist and Broadcaster, Pat Carty.

Ireland introduced a rounding system in 2015 to reduce the use of 1 and 2 cent coins. Cash transactions are rounded to the nearest 5 cents, helping to lower minting costs and simplify cash handling.

While the system offers practical benefits for businesses and the public, it also raises concerns about pricing and fairness.

Do you think the rounding system for cash payments in Ireland is fair, or does it disadvantage consumers?

Guest host Mairead Ronan is joined by Paul Merriman from Ask Paul, as well as listeners, to discuss.

From dad rock to locker scams, Emily Keegan from the Newstalk Newsroom joins guest host Mairead Ronan with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

School secretaries and caretakers across the country began indefinite strike action yesterday in a campaign to secure access to the public service pension scheme, as well as the same occupational sick pay and bereavement leave schemes as teachers and Special Needs Assistants.

Joining guest host Mairead Ronan to discuss this is Assistant Principal and member of Aontú, Eric Nelligan, Hannah Davy from Forsa and more.

With more and more electronics being used in your home - how can you manage all of the cables without having them look like an eyesore, or worse, a tripping hazard?

Well, the Home Squad are here to talk about hiding your cables!

Joining guest host Ciara Doherty to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Sarah Carroll (@sand.and.deliver on Instagram).

Would you consider exercising with friends instead of meeting them in the pub?

More and more people are choosing to socialise over a work out - and making new friends doing it!

Where has this come from? And why is it so addictive?

Joining guest host Ciara Doherty to discuss is Fitness Coach Louise Hayden and listeners.

Southwest Airlines in the US has just changed its long-standing policy for plus-size travelers, one that for over 30 years allowed them to get a second seat for free or be reimbursed if needed. But now, that’s no longer guaranteed.

So, what does this mean for passengers of size? Is it fair to ask them to pay for an extra seat in order to fly comfortably, or even to fly at all? What about accessibility, dignity, and affordability?

Should plus sized passengers be made to pay for an extra seat?

Joining guest host Ciara Doherty to discuss is Eoghan Corry, Editor of travelextra.ie, as well as listeners.