Lunchtime Live

It's How I live well time! Where someone joins to discuss what they do to improve their life...This week Andrea is joined by John Belton, Head Coach and owner of No.17 PT to discuss ‘exercise snacks’ and how they can help in your fitness journey!

People who are considering committing a crime in Northern Ireland may think twice if their mugshots are made public: the PSNI has announced plans to publish images of individuals who have been convicted of offences, with anyone sentenced to one year or more being considered for release.The PSNI believes this approach will help build public confidence and act as a deterrent to crime.So, is this a fair policy? Should offenders face this additional consequence, or is their sentence punishment enough?Joining Andrea to discuss is Kathleen Chada, Founder of SAVE action group, Criminologist John Cuffe,  Senator and Co-Founder of Tiglin, Aubrey McCarthy and listeners.

Dr Niall Breen from the Portmarnock GP Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries.

Do you still buy stamps or post letters?An Post is increasing the price of both national and international stamps from February by 20 cent from €1.65 to €1.85…Joining Andrea to discuss this is Anna McHugh, Head of Corporate Communications at An Post, Vanessa Fox O'Loughlin from writing.ie and listeners.

Experts in the UK say that university students should be encouraged to eat venison as a solution to cull the burgeoning deer population.Should Ireland follow suit? Is venison a better option than other meats?Joining Andrea to discuss is Peter Windsor, Representative of the Irish Deer Society, Sarah Keogh, Dietician and Founder of Eatwell, Keith Grant of Keith Grant Master Butchers in Roundwood and John Tierney, Campaigns Director at the Association of Hunt Saboteurs.

With ads everywhere telling us how to get fit for 2026, it’s easy to start speaking critically about our bodies, but what happens when little ears hear those negative comments?Aileen Cox Blundell from Baby Led Feeding noticed this when she saw her daughter looking at herself in the mirror. She joins Andrea to discuss, as well as listeners.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Host of the ‘What’s Trending in F1?’ podcast Elaine Power and Newstalk’s Rory Galvin join Andrea Gilligan to review ‘Dish’!Image: Waitrose & Partners

Many actors took to the red carpet in Los Angeles last night for the 2026 Golden Globes.One of the most talked-about winners of the evening was Ireland’s own Jessie Buckley. The Kerry star took home the award for Best Actress.Her powerful performance in ‘Hamnet’, alongside fellow Irishman Paul Mescal, captured the attention of audiences and critics alike.So, how are people reacting to the Killarney woman’s success?Joining Andrea to discuss is Fiona Crowley from Fiona Crowley Stage School, Cllr Marie Moloney and Patrick Osborne, author & Screenwriter based in Kerry.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Newstalk’s Political Correspondent Seán Defoe joins Andrea to answer any of your questions about covering the world of Irish politics!

Were you a fan of MTV’s Jackass? Or is a series that should be left in the past?Johnny Knoxville took to his Instagram to announce that a new movie is coming soon.Joining Andrea to discuss is Rory Cashin, Entertainment & Culture Journalist and Newstalk’s Rory Galvin.

More than 25,000 bicycles have been reported stolen across the country since 2019, but campaigners say that up to three quarters of their victims don’t report bike thefts…Is this number surprising to you? What can be done about them?Joining Andrea to discuss is Derren Ó Brádaigh, Sinn Féin Representative for Lucan, Colin Baker, Managing Director of Back from the Future Tech Support Stephen McManus from The Bike Hub in Dún Laoghaire and more.

Many people take great pride in their homes and go to considerable lengths to keep them clean and tidy. For some, that means maintaining spotless floors, and expecting guests to help keep them that way.So, is asking visitors to remove their shoes at the door a reasonable request, or does it risk making them feel uncomfortable?Joining Andrea to discuss is Presenter Claire Ronan, Associate Professor in Clinical Microbiology at the University of Leicester, Dr Primrose Freestone and more.

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea Gilligan with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Should we consider banning ‘X’?The UK is, should we be following suit?This is fallout from the issues around their AI chatbot Grok. X users undressed thousands of pictures of women and children using Grok AI…So, what should we do about it?Joining Andrea to discuss is Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly, Host of the ‘For Techs Sake’ podcast Elaine Burke, as well as listeners.

Usually on the show this segment covers the lovely aspirational things with your home: renovations and new ideas. But, what do you do when things go wrong? What do you do if a pipe bursts in your home and causes damage?This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss dealing with bursts and leaks!Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Quantity Surveyor Patricia Power.

Do you treat yourself?Even when you’re a little broke, do you find some way to do something nice?Maybe it’s just some time out, some R&R - or maybe a fancy coffee on the way to work.But, do you prioritise it?Andrea is joined by Broadcaster Padraig Wilson McCarthy and Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin and author of ‘The Science of Happiness’ to discuss…

A new study has revealed that people who stop taking weight-loss jabs regain weight in under two years.Joining Andrea to discuss this is Professor Donal O’Shea, the HSE Clinical Lead for Obesity, as well as listeners.

Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson announced on Sunday that her twin daughters have been diagnosed with a severe muscular disease.She said she will be campaigning for SMA1 (spinal muscular atrophy) screening at birth, after her twin babies were diagnosed with this rare genetic condition.The test has been approved in Ireland, but hasn’t yet been implemented.So, why not?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums to explore the stories behind them.What did the artists really think of each other? Where did the inspirations from the songs come from?Joining Andrea to discuss is Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, Alan Buckley, who’s going to talk through Bob Dylan’s album album ‘The Times They Are A-Changin'!

Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless has come under criticism for comments suggesting that providing each student with a private bathroom would be “wasteful.”The remarks were made during a discussion on the Government’s plans to move towards a co-living model for university accommodation, which would involve more communal living spaces.What are your thoughts on the minister’s comments? Should college students be entitled to an en-suite bathroom, or would shared facilities represent a more responsible use of public funds?Joining Andrea to discuss is Peter Finn AKA Pete the Builder, Orla Hegarty, Architect and Assistant Professor at the School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy UCD and listeners.

Is there any need for wedding speeches anymore?TV Chef Gordon Ramsay said he was a “hot mess” before daughter Holly’s wedding speech.What’s your stance on wedding speeches? Do you love or loathe them?Joining Andrea to discuss is Wedding Planner Lyndsey Moynagh, Barry McLoughlin from the Communications Clinic, owner of Crofton Motors in Dublin Joey Donnelly and Speech Writer Cormac Lally.

It’s one of the things you’ll come across in your parenting journey: pocket money. Should children get pocket money, should they “earn” it, and what can it teach them? And, how much should they get?Joining Andrea to discuss is Paul Merriman, Founder of Ask Paul and CEO of Fairstone and Psychotherapist Bethan O'Riordan.

Lunchtime Live's Reasons to be Happy looks at some of the news stories that you might have missed that will leave you feeling more optimistic.98FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies.Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, to cover every area of trying to have a baby. From the very start of knowing how to prepare, right up to pregnancy – and all the bumps in the road in between.This week, Shane joins Andrea to go back to basics, and discuss how to get pregnant.

If you’re feeling in need of a detox, or a break after the Christmas madness, maybe it’s time to think about a health holiday.The wellness economy has doubled in size since 2013, and doesn’t seem to be stopping…So, could it be for you?Joining Andrea to discuss is Host of Zen & Tonic Wellness Activity Holidays Sinéad Kennedy and Host of Alive and Kicking on Newstalk, Clare McKenna.

Jim Ahern is co-owner of Trade Path and a bricklayer by trade. He contacted the show because he believes there are too few real opportunities for people to pursue a trade in this country, and that something needs to change if we’re serious about getting more men and women into the workforce…So, are apprentices struggling to find work?Jim joins Andrea to discuss, as well as listeners.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Ann Teahan, Founder of Neatly Home Organisation to answer all your questions about decluttering, which a lot of people may want to do at the start of the new year!

Have you seen the film ‘Saipan’?Apparently, two thirds of Irish people have said they won’t watch it…Would your loyalty to Roy Keane keep you away? Or would it be the reason you’re rushing to the cinema?Joining Andrea to discuss is Off the Ball’s Adrian Barry and The Echo’s Features Editor, John Dolan.

In recent months, we’ve been warned about the risks of posting our children on social media.Many parents now cover their faces with emojis, believing it’s a safer option. But cyber-security experts say even these photos still train facial recognition systems and build data profiles…So, do you use emojis to hide your children’s faces, and did you think you were protecting them?Joining Andrea to discuss is Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly, Broadcaster & Parenting Podcaster Rebecca Horan, Lisa O'Sullivan Shaw, @modernirishmom on Instagram and Host of The Opinions Matter Podcast, Katie Makk.

Today is Nollaig na mBan, a day traditionally dedicated to recognizing the women who carried the workload over Christmas. As many head out to celebrate with friends, it raises an interesting question: is Nollaig na mBan still relevant today?Is it a feminist tradition, or has it become a capitalist one?Joining Andrea to discuss is Wellness Advocate, Keri Deeney, Irish Independent Columnist, Mary McCarthy and Fashion Broadcaster Rosalind Lipsett.

It's How I live well time! Where someone joins to discuss what they do to improve their life...This week, Andrea is joined by Endocrinologist Dr Mary Ryan to discuss what good hormone health looks like, and how you can achieve it!

Listener Christian got in touch with the show over something a lot of people might be doing this year: ice skating. One rink in Belfast would cost 8 pounds for an adult to skate - while prices in Dublin could be double that!Why is this the case, and do we need a permanent ice rink in the city?Christian joins Andrea to discuss, as well as Aaron Gili, President of the Irish Ice Hockey Association, John Hetherington, Treasurer of Flying Ducks Inline and Ice Hockey Club and more.

Dr. Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic to tackle your medical queries.

In January, we get bombarded with New Years resolutions, fitness trends and "new year, new me" chat. But Elaine Power, host of What’s Trending in F1?’ podcast says January doesn’t have to be endured!She joined Andrea to discuss...

With many people dusting off the Christmas cobwebs and returning to work this week, for some the commute won’t stretch much further than the kitchen table or a spare bedroom.Working from home has become the new norm for many, easing the daily strain of long commutes and heavy traffic.But despite this shift, our roads still tell a familiar story. Traffic congestion appears to peak mid-week, as more people choose to head into the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.So what does this mean for those who would rather stay at home and avoid the commute altogether? Could flexible working eventually lead to quieter roads during the middle of the week — or is congestion here to stay?Joining Andrea to discuss was CEO of Kinore, Larissa Feeney, Founder and Chair of Grow Remote, Tracy Keogh, and Co-Founder, Rent a Recruiter, Jamie Groom along with callers.

Over in the UK, pets are increasingly being treated as a priority within the family. More people are choosing not to have children, instead deciding to adopt or buy pets as companions.For many couples, getting a pet has even become a way of testing their relationship before committing to parenthood. Some embraced the challenge and went on to have children of their own, while others discovered that their pets provided all the family they needed.So are pets becoming the new children?Joining Andrea was Freelance Journalist, Andrea Smith. Jen Hogan, Irish Times Journalist and Vet Pete Wedderburn  And Owner of Outpaws and Wedding Woof Laoise Downes

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to. This Weeks its Icons by Goal. Newstalk’s Tom Douglas & Editor of DMG Media Sarah Jayne Tobin

According to Irish Businesses Against Litter Coffee cups are the most commonly found litter. Their survey found that coffee cups were found in one fifth of the sites they looked at.So is it time an extra charge is applied to them a even a outright ban on them ?Joining Andrea was Dave O'Reilly, Greystones Tidy Towns Chairman. Baker & Owner for Bread 41 in Dublin Eoin Cluskey, Finbar Filan, Chair of Sligo Tidy Towns, Donna Cooney, Green Party Councillor for Clontarf and John Lynch, Sustainability consultant down with Down2earth materials

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Sports Broadcaster and Journalist Cathal Mullaney joined Andrea to answer any of your questions

Getting married this year and hoping to be a bit more sustainable?   Bronwyn from Ballintubbert House in Laois joined Andrea to offer advice as well as Jessica O’Sullivan – Freelance Writer.

After a fire broke out in a home in Finglas on Wednesday. One man jumped into action to save the young children trapped in the burning home.  Joining Andrea was Emmanuel Bello, who, along with neighbours, helped 5 people escape the burning house.

Following Christmas and the New Year celebrations, your personal finances might have taken a bit of a hit.So  If you’re hoping to be better with money this year John Lowe- The Money Doctor joined Andrea to offer us  a few tips to help budget right in 2026.

Footpaths across Ireland are posing a serious risk to public safety and placing a growing strain on the national economy. Many people can attest to just how dangerous poorly maintained footpaths can be, with trips and falls now a common occurrence in towns and cities nationwide.In Dublin alone, unsafe footpaths have resulted in €18 million in injury compensation payouts over the past three years.What measures need to be taken to improve our paths and reduce preventable injuries?Joining Andrea were the Independent Councilor for Dublin, Mannix Flynn, as well as listeners who have firsthand experience of poor footpaths.

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea Gilligan with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

As we frantically get our last bits of Christmas shopping done, how much of that will be done in a family-owned business? Unfortunately, not many of them have survived the past couple of decades…One that has is the iconic Kennys Bookshop in Galway which celebrated its 85th birthday last month.So amid all the changes, especially in how we read, how have they survived?Tomas Kenny joins Seán to discuss.Image: @kennysbookshop on Instagram

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Travel Journalist Eoghan Corry to talk about last minute travel around this time of year, and the deals you can avail of!

Christmas is a busy enough time for many, so why add extra stress?Denise O’Donoghue from the Irish Examiner joins Andrea with hacks to make your life easier around this period!

Trains across the country operate later than usual during the Christmas period, with the service being in big demand. Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien has said that he is in talks with Iarnród Éireann about expanding late night rail services beyond the Christmas and New Year festive period…So, would you like to see trains run later into the night?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Why do we eat turkey and ham at Christmas, and what is behind some of the other common goodies we have?Food Writer Dee Laffan and TV Chef & Lecturer from South East Technological University Edward Hayden join Andrea to discuss the history of Christmas dinner!

How do you dodge the family feuds at Christmas? Sometimes, when you’re all bunched up for that amount of time, it can feel inevitable…There’s no need to worry! Andrea is joined by Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin and author of ‘The Science of Happiness’ Brendan Kelly to discuss how you can survive around this time of year!