Family drama, loss and unwanted guests– Richard Hogan on real Christmas dilemmas

Joining Brendan to dissect the stories making the headlines today, are Executive Director of TASC, Shana Cohen; Special Correspondent for the Irish Examiner, Mick Clifford; Chief Economist with Deloitte Ireland, Kate English; and John O’Brennan, Professor of European Politics at Maynooth University.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Broadcaster Aifric O’Connell tells Brendan about some of the best live music and comedy gigs in Ireland next year, to help anyone putting tickets on their Christmas list.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Podcaster and writer, Blindboy talks Brendan through the soundtrack to his life, including songs by Stevie Wonder, Randy Newman and Gil Scott-Heron.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Writer Henrietta McKervey and host of the ‘Here and Back Again’ podcast, Dave O’Callaghan join Brendan to discuss some of the best film and TV this week. Their choices include ‘Eternity’, ‘Ripple’ and ‘President Connolly: How The Race Was Won’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Managing Director of Baggot Investment Partners, Peter Brown, explains to Brendan why a trillion dollars was wiped off the value of cryptocurrencies in recent weeks, and how best to understand the deeply volatile crypto markets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pastry Chef and CEO of Grá Chocolates, Grainne Mullins talks Brendan through some delicious recipes to help you celebrate the festive season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Psychotherapist Richard Hogan offers advice on how to navigate difficult family relationships over Christmas, answering listeners’ questions about unsupportive partners, difficult siblings and ungrateful children.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chartered Physiotherapist Aisling Frawley tells Brendan why we experience stiffness in our head, neck and shoulders, and talks him through some easy exercises, to unstiffen those muscles and keep deeper problems at bay.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actor Patrick Duffy, AKA Bobby Ewing from Dallas, and his partner, actor Linda Purl, talk about their new RTÉ show, ‘Duffy’s Pub’ which will air on RTÉ One on Dec 28th at 6.30pm. They told Brendan about touring Irish pubs, their relationship with the late Manchán Magan and bringing Patrick’s father’s ashes home to Ireland.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Psychologist and writer Tony Bates and his old pal Denis Cagney join Brendan to talk about reconnecting more than 50 years after first striking up a conversation at school. Denis and Tony share the wisdom that comes with age and their life experience. They talk about what their friendship means now, and Denis shares the reality of living with MND.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.