Highlights From The Hard Shoulder

As the world watched Trump and Zelenskyy’s meeting yesterday, the topic of security guarantees for Ukraine emerged. But, what exactly was said, and what role will our Defence Forces have after the war?Joining Kieran to discuss is Shona Murray, European Correspondent for Euro News and Tom Clonan, Independent Senator and Security Analyst.Image: Reuters

It’s never too late to get your finances in order, and when you’re getting into the later stages of your life - it becomes more and more important.Sinead Ryan, Consumer Journalist with Irish Independent and Presenter of the Home Show on Newstalk joins Kieran to give her top financial planning tips for those aged 45-60!

What sets Irish people apart from other people when it comes to complaining? Are we a nation of secret complainers, or has that changed?Joining Kieran to discuss is Caitriona Redmond, Consumer Journalist for the Irish Examiner and Leslie Shoemaker, Counselling Psychologist and Lecturer in TU Dublin.

Research shows that twins experience dependency and rivalry more so than non-twin siblings. This is especially seen in the adolescence years. So, how can parents ensure to help each twin develop their own unique personality?Joining Kieran to discuss strategies for parents of twins is twin expert, Dr Joan Friedman.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is due to meet with US President Donald Trump today following Trump’s meeting with Putin on Friday. Though the terms are unclear, Trump has maintained that “significant progress” has been made towards a Russia/Ukraine ceasefire.Joining Kieran to discuss is Michael Baskin, CEO of Ukrainian Crisis Centre Ireland, Scott Lucas, Professor & Political Analyst at the Clinton Institute at University College Dublin and later Nadia Dobrianska, Ukrainian Historian in Ireland and Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer at the University of Galway and political columnist with The Journal.

If you were at either of the Oasis Croke Park gigs over the weekend you may have noticed the large amount of people with their phones in the air. Bob Dylan recently banned phones at his concerts and Sabrina Carpenter has said that she considered banning them.So, should we ban filming concerts on your phone to allow people to ‘live in the moment’?Joining Kieran to discuss is Journalist and Host of the ‘No Encore’ music podcast, Dave Hanratty.

Getting your kids to eat their food can already be tough, but the heat can make it more difficult. So, how can you deal with a lack of appetites?Joining Kieran for this week’s Kids Health Check with her advice is Louise Lennox Chef and Founder of Fussy Eating Kids.

The Department of Finance has published a document on tax, and a section has caught people’s attention. Currently, if you have solar panels and sell your excess energy back, you get a €400 tax exemption – but, this is set to be removed at the end of the year, with people needing to declare the income.Joining Kieran to discuss the situation is Darragh Cassidy, the Head of Communications at Bonkers.ie.

Former President Mary McAleese has criticized Pope Leo’s first 100 days in the papacy, saying it's been “too conservative”. She has questioned whether he is as committed to Pope Francis’ reforms – but, is 100 days too early to judge?Joining Kieran to discuss is David Quinn, Columnist with the Sunday Independent and Irish Catholic and Gina Menzies, a Theologian.

With more and more people living in rented accommodation across the country, a lot of people may not fully understand what rights they have as a tenant.Joining Kieran to discuss what issues some people are having at the moment, and how they could go about dealing with them is John Mark McCafferty, CEO of Threshold and Kevin O’Higgins, a practicing Solicitor and a former President of the Law Society of Ireland.

The ASTI has warned that if the planned reforms to the Leaving Certificate go ahead, they may go on strike with their over 20 thousand members. This issue stems from questions about facility quality and fears about generative AI.Joining Kieran to outline the issues, and explain their reasoning is the President of the ASTI and practical teacher Padraig Curley.

A video of a 19-year-old Australian male athlete breaking down in tears has gone viral on social media. The Australian, Archie Wilson, is playing college football in the U.S. state of Nebraska. After a match last week, he was asked by a reporter what it’s like to be away from his family and that’s when he broke down, missing his family.While most of the reaction was supportive and people felt for the young man living away from home, he also received negative comments questioning his masculinity.To discuss the stigma around men being vulnerable and crying, Kieran is joined by former Munster and Irish Rugby International and Mental Health Advocate, Alan Quinlan, Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Tara Logan Buckley, and Newstalk Reporter, Dylan Hand.

This week, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis and Off the Ball’s Ger Gilroy to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

As party campaigns kick off, The Hard Shoulder’s series learning more about the history of the presidential office continues.Patrick Geoghegan, Director of the Trinity Long Room Hub, Trinity’s Arts and Humanities Research Institute, and Presenter of Talking History joins Kieran to look back the candidates who received support from county council to become president of Ireland.

Reports are coming in this Friday eve of Oasis fever gripping the country!But, as the capital prepares for the big gigs this weekend in Croker, the question remains: “Which one do you prefer, Oasis or Blur?”.Father Damo AKA Comedian Joe Rooney are here in the studio as well as Micheal Doyle, Journalist with the Irish Sun.

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran Cuddihy to discuss strawberries - and how they can be used in multiple delicious recipes!

Off The Ball's Eoin Sheahan joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action.

The big news of the day is that Donal Trump and Vladimir Putin will meet in Alaska, with rumors circling about whether this could end the war in Ukraine.Joining Kieran to give the latest news on the ground is Jeff Landfield, the Editor-in-Chief at the Alaska Landmine, and Newstalk Reporter Meghan O’Halloran speaks with Ukrainians living in Ireland on what they would like to see from the meeting.Image: Reuters

After their massive falling out Oasis are back together and are on stage at Croke Park tomorrow night. The Live 25 tour could bring in over €1 billion, their first gigs in over 16 years!Henry McKean has been soaking up the atmosphere in advance of the 2 night sold-out Croke Park gigs (after securing his own tickets), and joins Kieran to discuss.

Brain boosting supplements - are they just a gimmick? Or can they really improve your long-term memory?To discuss, Kieran is joined by Dr. Sabina Brennan, Psychologist, Neuroscientist and author of ‘Still Me: A neuroscientist’s guide to caring for someone with dementia’.