Can a chatbot be a good friend? Two Gen Z guinea pigs find out

Joining Brendan to discuss the stories making the papers today were teacher and broadcaster Emer O’Neill; Jennifer Bray, Political Editor with the Sunday Times; Gary Murphy, Professor of Politics at DCU and Mary Hanafin, Barrister and former Fianna Fail government minister.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Features writer with the Irish Times, Nadine O’Regan and Culture Journalist, Brian Lloyd bring us the hits and misses of the week’s TV and movie offerings, from the new season of the hit series Rivals to the latest Steven Soderbergh film and the new Yellowstone spin off.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kai Brosnan and Sophie Hynes - two younger people who undertook a one-week digital detox for the show last January - return to talk about a week of using AI chatbots to help run their lives and offer them advice on personal issues.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stylist and personal shopper Cathy O’Connor chats to Brendan about dressing for all your summer occasions without compromising your personal style: how to plan your photo pose, what to wear for a Communion, and why you always need to dress for yourself.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Food writer with The Financial Times, Tim Hayward, tells Brendan why sad lettuce needs an epic dressing. He talks Brendan through how to make an authentic American ranch dressing and offers a defence of the retro favourite, thousand island dressing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the Labour Party launches a battle for the soul of Britain, former trade unionist Mick Lynch talks to Brendan about whether Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, will be the next leader of the Labour party and how deep the damage to the party really goes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fr. Iggy O' Donovan reflects on the papacy of his old Augustinian classmate, Pope Leo XIV, a year into office, including recent interactions with the US White House. He talks about the state of the Catholic Church in Ireland and globally and why some younger people seem to be staging a quiet religious revival by turning back to the Catholic faith.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Physiotherapist Aisling Frawley joins Brendan to talk about why flexibility matters at every age, why consistent movement and strength are key and exercises to increase your flexibility range.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Film-maker John Carney chooses five songs from that bring him back to places, people and moments in his life. He talks about the beauty of the sibling relationship, feeling differently wired growing up, his time in ‘The Frames’, making ‘Once’ and ‘Sing Street’ and his new film, ‘Power Ballad’, which stars Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joining Brendan to pick their highlights from TV, streaming and cinema this week, are entertainment journalist and broadcaster, Serina Bellissimo and host of ‘Here and Back Again’ Podcast, Dave O’Callaghan. Among their favourites: ‘Amandaland’, ‘A Traveller Family’ and ‘The Dark Wizard’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.