Weekend Breakfast with Alison Curtis

·       Katherine Rundell is an award-winning author, screenwriter, presenter, and academic.

·       She is a Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author.

·       Her books have sold over 4 million copies worldwide!

·       Neverfear is the latest in her Impossible Creatures series and is out now.

·       She is now poised for global recognition with Disney adapting her series into a Harry Potter-esque film franchise.

·       Katherine is currently writing the screenplay and the film is being co-produced by her company, Impossible Films.

Alison is joined on Weekend Breakfast by travel and food creator Cassie Stokes — the Best Of Irish content creator who you've probably definitely seen on your social feeds -- she's just been named one of TikTok’s Top 10 foodie creators in the world and she has a fantastic new book out!

Cassie’s talks about living between Ireland and Canada, her time working in PJ O’Brien’s in Toronto, and how she got the taste for travel.

Plus, Cassie shares what’s inside her beautiful new book: ready-made Irish itineraries, must-visit breakfast and lunch spots, and Alison’s favourite topic — the best coffee stops in Ireland, from Greystones to Galway to Dublin 8. You can't beat a good brew!

Alison Curtis is joined on Weekend Breakfast by “Disaster Dad” himself, Donncha O’Callaghan, to chat about book number three: Disaster Dad: Animal Antics — inspired by real-life parenting chaos, trips to places like Fota, and that dreaded moment when you realise you didn’t close the door properly…

Donncha has some great advice for our young people - we need to teach them it's okay to make mistakes and get it wrong ---social media is making them think they have ton be perfect and Alison reminds Donncha of the legendary red underpants incident (it's the 20th anniversary!!)

And his brand new TV show on Sunday evenings - Donncha’s Away Games which sound like brilliant chaos from wife-carrying in Finland to bathtub racing in Belgium with Tommy Bowe.

Hold on ... is that Alison?

Alison is joined by her longtime pal and Gift Grub genius Mario Rosenstock to chat about his new book Gift Grub & Me: Life, Laughter & Langers! — Mario reveals some of the mad behind-the-scenes memories , from cowpoo nostalgia and radio sketch chaos to the stories that map 26 years of Irish life in comedy.

Plus, a beautiful tribute to the late, great TodayFM legend Tony Fenton and recalling U2 playing at The Dude's funeral.

Alison Curtis is joined on Weekend Breakfast by two seriously impressive 18-year-olds from Dublin, Glen Anderson and Ben Hanlon from Back of the Class Podcast _1

They tell the mad, fairytale story of how Glen spotted Gayle King in Dublin, waited outside the hotel, and ended up pitching their podcast to Oprah herself — on camera — in a clip that went around CBS in America - and Oprah agreed!!

Plus, the lads chat how the podcast started, why they’re focused on getting in the right rooms, the big guests they’ve already landed, and how that one Oprah moment sent their Instagram flying from a few thousand followers to over 20,000 - in three days!

Alison Curtis is joined on Weekend Breakfast by Kevin and PJ from the I’m Grand Mam podcast, ahead of their new TV series Help Me Buy a Home airing tonight (Sunday) on Virgin Media One.

They chat renting reality in Ireland, the stat that stopped Alison in her tracks (61% of 18–34s living at home to save), and why the show aims to give people genuine hope — from retrofitting lessons and hard hats to Kevin getting sent up in a crane! (he reckons he's a natural!!)

Plus: dream home chats (Cork, coast, gardens vs raves), the “above the shop” grant, tour excitement for Australia and New Zealand, and a quick detour into Gogglebox and subtitles!

Meet Heidi. She is 4 and a half years old - Her older sister is Chloe and she is 24 ---- Heidi was born with a rare genetic condition that means she requires round the clock care.

The nursing support Heidi receives through Jack and Jill means she can remain at home, surrounded by the people who love her most. It means her sisters can spend time with her, laugh with her and simply be sisters. Heidi remains at the centre of this busy family.  She is adored by her three big sisters, Ruby, Ella and Chloe.

Heidi also LOVES Bluey!! She hears the intro music and her eyes light up! And she loves Tonies --- the game that can play music with little figures… she is also a big fan of Olivia Dean!!

This month Today FM is teaming up with the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation for Power Hour across the day on Friday September 25th.

It’s simple:  one hour, your way, to raise vital funds for the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation.

Every €20 raised helps fund one hour of in-home nursing care and respite support for a Jack and Jill family.

Give what you can to help Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation continue the important, incredible work they do, by visiting https://www.jackandjill.ie/power-hour/ or go to Payments on Revolut and search Jack & Jill  

 NOTE:  it is important to use the “&” symbol also called an ampersand INSTEAD of the word “and” - when you search. Thanks so much!

It’s Weekend Breakfast’s Little Reader Book Club time, and Alison welcomes 11-year-old Phoebe Bedford from Hollywell Educate Together in Swords onto the airwaves.

Phoebe gives shout-outs to her family, friends and teacher Evan, chats about her love of reading (and the joy of winning signed books on the show!!), and introduces us to her nibbly dwarf hamster with the BEST NAME EVER!!

Phoebe reads from The Extremely Embarrassed Life of Lottie Brooks by Katie Kirby, with a very relatable “plot twist” about parents, phones, and the minimum age for Instagram.

Alison Curtis is joined on Weekend Breakfast by Rhys Darby — best-selling author, storyteller, comedian, actor… and yes, “leg model” too — ahead of his return to Ireland with the Unhinged Tour.

Rhys chats about his love of Galway (cobblestones, pubs, street musicians, and unforgettable comedy festival crowds), and what it’s like raising Kiwi kids in LA as they edge closer to leaving home.

He also gives a taste of the new show: middle-age mayhem, memory lapses, the trouble with AI, plus why he reckons he’d make a brilliant Q in the new James Bond and a lovely tribute to his late friend and fellow Kiwi the great Sam Neill.

The Unhinged Irish Tour 2026  - 7 Dates across the country

·       Tues 20 Oct | Craic Den Comedy Club, Dublin

·       Wed 21 Oct | Limelight, Belfast

·       Thurs 22 Oct | The Lark, Balbriggan

·       Sat 24 Oct & Sun Oct 25th | Galway Comedy Festival

·       Tues 27 Oct | Cyprus Avenue, Cork

·       Wed 28 Oct | Dolan’s, Limerick

·       Sun 01 Nov | Sligo Live Festival (Hawk’s Well)

Book tickets now from rhysdarby.com, Ticketmaster or from Local Venues