“Having a son with special needs introduces you to so many everyday heroes” - writer, Ian Rankin

Joining Brendan to discuss the big stories in Sunday’s newspapers are: Liz Carolan, publisher of TheBriefing.ie; Economist, David W. Higgins; Mick Clifford, Special Correspondent at the Irish Examiner; and Brigid Laffan, Emeritus Professor at the European University Institute.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joining Brendan to discuss the week’s film and TV highlights are Nadine O’Regan, Features Writer with the Irish Times and Michael Doherty, Movie Editor of the RTE Guide. They talk about the ‘Legally Blonde’ prequel, ‘Elle’; Réabhlóid Mheiriceá - Na Laochra Gael on TG4 and ‘The Invite’ amongst many more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Writer Ann Ingle and Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry in Trinity College Dublin, talk about the important conversations to have with your parents, especially if they’re older. They discuss how to suss out your parents’ receptiveness, how to have the chats, what to talk about and whether it’s okay if some family secrets go to the grave.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s reported Taylor Swift has booked out Manhattan’s Madison Square Garden next weekend. Is it for her wedding? Would she really get married in a windowless sports stadium? Or is it just smoke and mirrors? Pop culture journalist and self-confessed Swiftie, Fionnuala Jones, dissects it all with Brendan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

LED Facemasks are all the rage at the moment, but what are their benefits and what are the other skincare gadgets on the market and do they actually work? Consultant Dermatologist, Prof Caitriona Ryan from the Institute of Dermatologists talks Brendan through the electronic and non-electronic skincare gadgets she’d recommend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Poet Enda Wyley has selected some seasonal poems to read that complement the weather and the summer. Poems such as ‘This Morning’ by Moya Cannon; ‘Inniskeen’ Road by Patrick Kavanagh; ‘Strawberries’ by Edwin Morgan and Jean O’Brien’s ‘Skinny Dipping’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Irishwoman Ann Lane was on board the MV Hondius on which three people died from Hantavirus infection. Ann came out of her isolation period this week and tells Brendan about her six Antarctic expeditions, the horror of fellow passengers starting to die aboard the MV Hondius, the relief of not contracting Hantavirus and how she navigated isolation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Novelist, Ian Rankin talks to Brendan about the story of his life through the prism of five songs that have a special meaning for him. He talks about his son who lives with Angelman's Syndrome, why he’s glad he wasn’t an overnight success story and the complex life of a writer being so absorbed in another fictional world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Caryna Camerino, from the Camerino Bakery, tells Brendan how to make the viral dot cake, and why this cake-in-a-cup has become such a hit with the next generation of bakers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joining Brendan to discuss the week’s film and TV highlights are podcast hosts Sarina Bellissimo, of ‘The Bellissimo Files’, and Dave O’Callaghan, of ‘There and Back Again’. Among their choices are ‘Toy Story 5’, ‘House of the Dragon’ and Graham Norton’s exclusive interview with Madonna – ‘Madonna and Graham’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.