This morning Ian was joined by author and podcaster Jules Coll, and sports scientist Dominic Munnelly.

Dominic got the ball rolling and threw takeaways in the roast. He's concerned that now that it's so easy to order in, we're more likely to eat food that might not be the healthiest. And on top of that it can even lead to social isolation.

Jules' choice was a bit different - mankles! She's had enough of the trend of cropped, tight trousers combined with shoes with no socks, leading to so many exposed ankles.

Ian's nomination was a few things that he feels are outdated and unneccesary - namely having to pay a fee to use public toilets. He also threw in the klaxon that goes off on the parking barrier... in Glasnevin Cemetery!

You can listen to the chat in full by pressing the play button on this page.

Earlier this week, Ian read a story about a couple who had their dog as the best man at their wedding.

This got us thinking about some of the most unusual wedding stories so Laura Cunningham, editor of Confetti Magazine, joined him to tell him some of her favourites.

These included Game of Thrones and Pokemon themed weddings, a bride sneaking her dog in for her big day, and a troublesome guest leaving to change into her own wedding dress!

You can listen to the chat in full by pressing the play button on this page.

This morning Ian was joined by author and podcaster Jules Coll, and sports scientist Dominic Munnelly.

Dominic got the ball rolling and threw takeaways in the roast. He's concerned that now that it's so easy to order in, we're more likely to eat food that might not be the healthiest. And on top of that it can even lead to social isolation.

Jules' choice was a bit different - mankles! She's had enough of the trend of cropped, tight trousers combined with shoes with no socks, leading to so many exposed ankles.

Ian's nomination was a few things that he feels are outdated and unneccesary - namely having to pay a fee to use public toilets. He also threw in the klaxon that goes off on the parking barrier... in Glasnevin Cemetery!

You can listen to the chat in full by pressing the play button on this page.

Oscar-winner Asif Kapadia has yet again directed another masterpiece in biographical documenting with his new documentary on the life and times of Diego Maradona. He has a particular skill at telling the story of such interesting lives lead with the likes of “Senna” and “Amy”, also looking at the tragic elements that are interwoven into that life without directly pointing them out but letting the footage tell the story.  In cinemas throughout Ireland now it certainly is one to add to the list. It got Mario  thinking about the other sports stars throughout the years that could tell a similar tale - the fame , the skill , the charisma and the decline - so who better to tell to talk us through that than sports journalist with offtheball.com - Richie McCormack.

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The Climate Change Action Plan announced by the Government this week was cited by friends of the Earth  as “the biggest innovation in Irish climate policy in 20 years”.  The plan aims to give Irish people a cleaner, safer and more sustainable future. Mario talks to environmental writer John Gibbons to do do a deep reality dive in to the plan and what he thinks the plan should actually be to make a real difference.

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This week  Mario got to talk to Cork singer songwriter Jack O`Rourke from Cork , Jack first came to prominence with his ode to misunderstood youth, ‘Silence’ - which became a torch song for the Irish Marriage Equality Referendum - Jack went on to release his debut album Dreamcatcher to massive acclaim, peaking at No.5 in the Irish album charts and drawing huge critical praise.

Jack picked out a 90`s classic for story behind the song this week - "Ready Or Not" by Fugees,  Jack remembers being terrified but fascinated by the music video - he was 10 watching it  and it was the first indication that the world was a lot scarier for some than his experience.

The song also  borrowed from Enya with the sampling of her 1987 song "Song of Boadicea" which the band never asked permission for!  Enya came after them hard, earning substantial royalties from the song ("this kind of blatant infringement won't be tolerated," her manager declared).  There is no messing with Enya. Lesson learned.

Fugees went their separate ways before making another album, was already falling apart when they were working on this song, with tension between Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean. According to Pras Michel, Hill was crying when she recorded the track and months later, she tried to do it again, but they decided her original couldn't be beat, as her pain came through in her vocal.

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We were inspired by the new documentary about Liam Gallagher - “As It Was” by Irish Director Gavin Fitzgerald so much that it led us to talking about the biggest feuding rock stars through the ages,. John Caddell joined Mario this morning for the full feuding rundown!

Beach Boys 

Singer Mike Love and drummer Dennis Wilson had a long history of animosity.  Dennis married Mike’s daughter to spite him, and later on, Mike and Dennis took out mutual restraining orders against each other while they were both in the band!!. This meant that Dennis had to stay 15 feet away from Mike on stage!

Libertines

Pete Doherty broke into Carl Barat’s flat and burgled it!!

Eagles

5 egos in a band all wanting to be the lead, where do you start?

Oasis

The animosity apparently began in the teen years, when Liam came home drunk to their shared bedroom, and relieved himself all over Noel’s stereo. In 2000 Noel walked out of the band after a vicious argument with Liam. Noel walked when Liam insulted his children.  Then in 2009 the mother of all backstage spats happened, with Liam swinging a guitar at Noel. Noel walked out the gate into a waiting car, the gig was pulled, and Oasis was no more

Fleetwood Mac

We know this one right? Lindsey vs Stevie, Stevie vs Mick, Lindsey vs Everyone, Stevie vs Lindsey (again)

 

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The Leaving Cert is all around us at the moment, reminding Mario of the awful experience he had with his exams . Desperate experience, he’s still a bit traumatised by it . 

However, we are known the world over for the high standard of our education so the Leaving Cert must be doing something right. While the Leaving Cert is a great measurement of intellectual ability, who is measuring the emotional intelligence of our youth?  EQ is such a critical ‘skill’ and one that helps people become highly successful, so why are we not measuring it and allowing it to count towards University access? 

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Its not that often that Mario gets to talk to the band behind the song featured on Story Behind The Song so this week was a real treat when Chrsity Dignam and Blly McGuinness from Aslan popped by to tell us the story behind their debut single "This Is" released in 1986.

Christy and Billy recall rehearsing and working on songs 6 days a week in a pig sty out near the Dublin Airport, and that pig sty was where this song began!

We used to go til 9 o`clock til 6 o`clock 6 days a week for a year just going up to this pig sty in snow and rain , when I think of it now the commitemnt and dedication we had was something else.

Aslan will be playing Dublin’s stunning Iveagh Gardens on Saturday 13th July 2019.

‘’This is our third year playing at this beautiful venue and we are pulling out all stops to make it the best gig yet!’’

Tickets on sale now through www.ticketmaster.ie & usual outlets nationwide.

www.aslan.ie

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Architect and judge on RTE’s Home of the Year Hugh Wallace was Mario`s profile guest this week. Hugh has seen many homes across Ireland being judge on RTE`s "Home of The Year" and presenting house renovation series " "The Great House Revival". He talks to Mario on what he believe sharing accommodation means as an option but not a solution for some of Ireland's housing needs. 

Co-share living is going to be a tiny element of a solution to the housing crisis , that`s all it is , its not a solution. Its done throughout Europe , it`s  temporary accommodation.

Hugh also spoke about his love for Ireland and how far we have come socially.

Irish people have empathy , we listen to what people say and distill what mood people are in .

As an architect Hugh thinks Irish people also have great interior design skills, we have a touch of eccentricity and we merge different and borrowed.  styles in our homes.

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