Lunchtime Live

A sober festival is happening in Cork this weekend. Ecstatic Picnic aims to create a space where people can dance and connect through the medium of rave music without the hangover. The festival is open to all but is strictly a non-drug or alcohol use event.

But are Gen Z ditching alcohol in favour of healthier lifestyles? When they do drink, are they doing it in a much more balanced way? And can you have a fun sober night out?

To discuss this further Mairead Ronan was joined by Naoise Galvin, organiser of the festival, Natalie aka DJ Natmac, Stephanie from Babes Without Beers and Paul Walsh, Founder of Club Loosen sober rave to discuss

Club Loosen will be holding their New Year's Eve sober rave event on the 31st December in Complex Dublin, tickets will be announced this Monday.

Yesterday, Jozef Puska was convicted of murdering the 23-year-old primary school teacher Ashling Murphy who had gone out for a run in Tullamore, County Offaly in January last year.

Mairead Ronan was joined by the CEO of Parent Line, Aileen Hickie, Gender Equality Rights Representative at UCC Alison Ní Threasaigh, Alexandra Ryan CEO of Goss.ie, Stylist Laura Mullet as well as listeners of the show to discuss.

Would you relocate to the countryside?

Mairead spoke to city slickers who made the move to the countryside.

Dr Afif EL Khuffash, Consultant Neonatologist and Pediatrician at the Rotunda Hospital, spoke to Mairead about how we can spot the difference between good advice and medical misinformation when googling symptoms.

Listener Daniel got in touch about a poor experience he had in Dublin airport.

Mairead Ronan spoke to Daniel and other callers about whether we are too accepting of bad service in Ireland.

'(I Am) Robbie Williams' the four-part Robbie Williams documentary has taken Netflix by storm.

Mairead spoke to TV Reviewer Sheena McGinley, Former Xpose Presenter Glenda Gilson and Ray Dolan.

Journalist John Gibbons posted an image of an SUV taking up half a footpath in Dun Laoighaire which sparked outrage online.

Mairead Ronan asked John Gibbons and callers if it is time we ban SUVs from built up areas.

Spotify is planning to only start paying artists for streams after a track has reached 1,000 streams.  

The company is set to adjust its royalty model in 2024. A new minimum annual threshold for streams will apply for a song to become eligible for royalties.

Mairead spoke to Claire Beck, DJ and Broadcaster with Today FM, singer and songwriter, Mary Coughlan and Andrew Hendy from the Mary Wallopers.

Listener Elaine got in touch in regards to the price she is paying for extra classes and activities in her child's primary school.

Keele University researchers have found that swearing can increase a person’s pain tolerance by up to 33%. The research found that swearing can help one withstand pain and even create intimacy with others.

Mairead was joined by  physicist, engineer and science communicator, Phil Smith and comedian, Steve Cummins to discuss the benefits of swearing.