Brendan O'Connor

Chef and influencer Trisha Lewis looks back on her transformation journey seven years on and tells Brendan how accepting that this will be a lifelong process for her has changed her mind set. She also makes a case for ditching the New Year's resolutions in favour of springtime goals, as she takes on the camino with her crew of transformers.

Comedian Emma Doran talks through key moments in her life and the soundtrack that went alongside them; from becoming pregnant in her leaving cert year, to getting her comedy career started. Her choices range from Jerry Lee Lewis to Liberty X and Katy Perry. Emma talks about her upcoming tour dates and a debut at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Pastry Chef and founder of Grá Chocolates, Gráinne Mullins, brings us an easy-to-make three-layer chocolate cake recipe and promises it’ll be the most delicious chocolate cake you’ve ever eaten.

Ex-Fine Gael TD & current President of Cycling Ireland, Ciaran Cannon, gives tips on embarking on your first European Greenway Holiday. Where to go, what to bring and the sheer joys of cycling to a different destination every day.

Award-winning crime author Tana French talks about moving around a lot as a child, settling in Ireland at 17, learning the codes and the nuances, her early acting career, being an outsider and an insider at the same time and how she views modern Irish society

U2’s The Edge introduces the band’s new song “Song for Hal” which was written to remember their friend Hal Wilner, who died during the pandemic, a time when a lot of people died alone.

Joining Brendan to discuss the lead stories in Sunday’s newspapers are: CEO of Spunout and board member of Cybersafe Kids, Sinead Keane; Managing Director of Baggot Investment Partners, Peter Brown; Sunday Times columnist and commentator, Alison O’Connor; and professor of US and International Politics at UCD’s Clinton Institute, Scott Lucas.

Producer with the Irish Independent, and host of the No Encore podcast, Dave Hanratty tells Brendan about the arrest of ‘looksmaxxing’ influencer, Clavicular. Who is he? Why has he been arrested? And why has he been accused of shooting a dead alligator?

Writer Rita Ann Higgins tells Brendan about writing one of Ireland’s first 'sexy poems’, what first inspired her and how she is still learning from her grandchildren. She also reads from her newly-published ‘greatest hits’ collection, ‘Jiving with Wasps’.

Joining Brendan to preview the best films and TV shows this week – including The Young Offenders, Saturday Night Live UK and Rory McIlroy: the Masters Wait – are Irish Times arts journalist, Nadine O’Regan; and host of the Extra Vision podcast, Andy McCarroll.

Caroline Reidy, head of HR Solutions at NFP talks Brendan through how to negotiate a pay rise, and what mistakes to avoid.

Award-winning author, Colm Tóibín, talks to Brendan about his childhood stammer, his wild years in Barcelona, and his latest short-story collection ‘The News from Dublin’. He also introduces five pieces of music that have inspired him.

Specialist in obesity, Professor Donal O’Shea outlines how our food environment has become unhealthy, with an abundance of high fat, salt and sugary processed foods. He describes the tricks companies use to sell more volume. With evidence that highly processed foods are unhealthy, Donal outlines what changes we should make to guard our health.

This week, a 20-year-old in California was awarded six-million dollars after a jury found Meta and Google had intentionally built addictive platforms which harmed her mental health. With thousands of similar cases in train, Wicklow teacher and educator with the Sexual Exploitation Research & Policy Institute, Eoghan Cleary, gives his analysis.

Screenwriter and actor, Stefanie Preissner tells Brendan about her passion for slow vacuuming: how a robot vacuum can redistribute domestic chores, cleaning her fake grass and finding the perfect vacuum online. She also describes the perils of robot vacuums cohabiting with small children.

Founder and CEO of FiXX Coffee, Anne Abberton, offers Brendan her top tips for making great coffee at home, or at work. Should you grind yourself, or buy pre-ground beans? She also discusses the pros and cons of using a moka pot, French press, aeropress or filter coffee.

Joining Brendan to look at the best TV shows and films heading our way this week are Brian Lloyd, Entertainment journalist and host of the Screenland Podcast and writer, Henrietta McKervey.

The Disney+ series, Love Story- which follows the story of JFK Junior and his wife Carolyn Bessette- has been provoking conversations about the liberties dramas take, when depicting real people who are still alive. Jenn Gannon brought Brendan up-to-speed, ahead of the series finale later this week.

Footballer, psychotherapist and sports analyst, Richie Sadlier, brings Brendan through his Life in Five Songs, including live performances by Oasis, Tina Turner, and Queen. And he told Brendan about his new SPHE programme LetsTalkSPHE.com.

Joining Brendan to discuss the Sunday newspapers are Dan O’Brien, Chief Economist, Institute of International and European Affairs; Louise Burne, Political Correspondent at the Irish Examiner; Brid Smith, Ballyfermot community activist and former People Before Profit-Solidarity TD and Declan Power, Security and Defence Analyst

Broadcaster Carrie Crowley on the magic of sea swimming, beginners’ tips, safety tips and why it’s better to be in than out.

Psychotherapist, Dr Richard Hogan, on shame and guilt: where these feelings come from; when they change from being healthy to unhealthy; and how we can move on from them.

As we face into potentially the biggest week in Irish soccer for a generation, RTÉ Soccer Correspondent, Tony O’Donoghue, reminds us of the magic of ‘Troy Parrott Week’ last November, and previews the World Cup qualifier against Czechia next Thursday.

Online prediction markets are in the news at the moment with people betting big on particular outcomes in global affairs. Liz Carolan, publisher of TheBriefing.ie, talks Brendan through how sites such as Kalshi and Polymarket differ from traditional gambling, and the new perils they present.

Booker Prize-winner John Banville’s crime novel ‘Christine Falls’ has been chosen as Dublin City Council’s One Dublin One Book choice for 2026, 20 years after first being published. He joined Brendan to talk about love, relationships, grief, ageing and his five favourite crime thrillers

It’s the ultimate comfort food, so Darina Allen - chef and founder of Ballymaloe Cookery School – gives Brendan a masterclass in Risotto, suggesting foods that work well with it: from crispy pork lardons to foraged nettles.

Ed Guiney, CEO of Element Pictures – who made Room, Normal People and The Favourite – joins Brendan live from Hollywood, where he’s preparing to attend his fifth Oscars in 10 years. He tells Brendan what goes on behind the scenes, Ireland’s growing influence in Hollywood and Element’s latest movie, Bugonia, which has four Oscar nominations.

Joining Brendan to look at the best TV shows and films heading our way this St Patrick’s week are broadcaster, Aifric O’Connell and Movie’s Editor with the RTE Guide, Michael Doherty. Their choices include tonight’s Oscars ceremony, the finale of Dancing with the Stars, Nicole Kidman’s latest adventure in ‘prestige trash’, and new documentaries.

Joining Brendan are political reporter with the Irish Independent, Aisling Moloney; Commentator and CEO of the Iona Institute, David Quinn; Law Lecturer at the University of Galway, Larry Donnelly; CEO of the Children’s Rights Alliance, Tanya Ward and former army ranger, medical doctor and former independent TD, Cathal Berry.

To mark Mother’s Day, freelance journalist Édaein O'Connell tells Brendan about her warm, loving and complex relationship with her late mother, who died in the past year. She describes how their relationship evolved from childhood into adulthood and how she’s mourning her loss and appreciating their relationship in a new light.

Chef Brian “Danny Minnie” O’ Domhnaill is on hand today to give our home cooking a restaurant level polish. He talks Brendan through recipes, as gaeilge, for salmon in grapes, sea trout with crab sauce and easy fish cakes with a wild garlic mayo.

Dr. Amanullah de Sondy, head of the study of religions at UCC offers his own reflections on the ending of the holy month of Ramadan. He talks about how the hunger, brought on by fasting from dawn to dusk, alters his emotional state and creates space for gratitude and a slower pace.

Entrepreneur and Journalist Mark Little joins Brendan to talk about the how the war in the middle east is unfolding its impacts in the region and around the world. He discusses the tough guy culture present in US foreign policy today, the role of AI in war and the future of Iran.

As Ireland face Scotland for a Triple Crown decider in Dublin, RTE Sports’ Jacqui Hurley talks Brendan through the final day of the most unpredictable Six Nations in years. Jacqui outlines the unlikely path through which – if Ireland win with a bonus point, and France fall short against England in Paris – the championship is still to play for.

The OG fitness influencer Mr Motivator lit up our screens in the 1990s with his charismatic and energetic appeals to get off the couch and get moving. Now in his 70s, he’s still inspiring people to embrace activity – whatever their fitness level. He talks to Brendan about the joys of staying active and how he stays positive on the tough days.

Bestselling and award-winning crime writer Liz Nugent chooses five songs that trigger memories of her life and career. She talks about the enduring impact of a childhood injury, embracing the dark side of humanity at a young age and the real-life inspiration for her crime novels.

Joining Brendan to discuss the best TV and films coming this week are Grainne Humphries, Festival Director of the Dublin International Film Festival and Eoin Sweeney, TV and radio producer. Previews include Niall Breslin’s new documentary ‘All That Remains’ as well as movies like Jessie Buckley’s ‘The Bride’ and ‘Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man’.

Artist Dorothy Cross tells Brendan about her Cork childhood, competitive swimming, the thrill of having her art first exhibited by the Tate in London, turning 70 and the joys of the sea. She picked five songs that meant something special to her throughout her life.

Joining Brendan to discuss the Sunday papers are Ellen Coyne, Political Correspondent at the Irish Times; Gerard Howlin, former government adviser and Public Affairs Consultant; Susanne Rogers, from Social Justice Ireland; and Dan Mulhall, Former Irish Ambassador to Washington. Security analyst Declan Power joins by phone.

Novelist and video game critic for The Guardian, Sarah Maria Griffin explains to Brendan how she has rediscovered the 30-year-old Nintendo game recently as a mother and has a new appreciation for it.

Pól O’Conghaile, Travel Editor of the Irish Independent, joins Brendan with his pick of the prettiest places to visit in Ireland.

First-time author Clíodhna O’Sullivan has written a romantasy novel, ‘Her Hidden Fire’ which has been chosen as a Good Morning America Bookclub pick for March 2026. She talked to Brendan about her father’s alcoholism, her mother’s mental health problems, the duties of the eldest daughter, and how fantasy novels were always an escape.

Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who has recently returned from the US, gives his take on the fall of the Iranian regime as the war enters its second week.

Where is JD Vance? Is Rubio the coming man? One week into the US-Israel war on Iran, Brendan speaks to host of The Rest is Politics US, and President Trump’s former White House Communications Director, Anthony Scaramucci.

TV Chef & Asia Market MD, Eva Pau, has easy recipes for delicious stir fry recipes such as simple fried rice, black pepper beef and a veggie stir fry. She also talks through the best equipment to use when stir frying. A new series of ‘Eva Pau’s Asian Kitchen’ started this week on RTÉ Television.

Oscar winner and award-winning writer Neil Jordan tells Brendan about his first foray into science-fiction with ‘The Library of Traumatic Memory’. As an Academy member, he also discusses casting his vote for this year’s Oscars, Jessie Buckley’s chance of taking home Best Actress, and why he was always wary of Harvey Weinstein.

Award winning novelist, Colum McCann joins Brendan to discuss the songs that have formed the soundtrack to his life, including Ray Charles’ ‘Hit the Road, Jack’ and Colm Mac Con Iomaire’s ‘The Minbar of Saladin’. He also tracks his literary childhood, his 9/11 novel and his attempt to emulate Jack Kerouac by cycling across America.

Joining Brendan to discuss the best TV and films coming this week, are Business Post film critic, John Maguire and Irish Times arts journalist, Nadine O’Regan. Their choices include ‘Vladamir’, ‘DTF St Louis’ and ‘The Testament of Ann Lee’.