Colm Tóbín took on the task of exploring what makes a good love story. Drawing on the works of Nina Simone, Derek Mahon, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and more, he suggests that while we may not all have 'one true love', most of us have at least one 'what if?'

Brian Lloyd, Freelance entertainment journalist and broadcaster, and Sarina Bellisimo, Broadcaster and entertainment journalist review the best of this week's TV and cinema.

Broadcaster Afric O'Connell on the "absolutely razor-sharp" new album Lily Allen and the ongoing fallout from the soap opera story behind it.

Joining Brendan to analyse the Sunday papers are; Gerard Howlin, Public Affairs consultant and Irish Times columnist; Scott Lucas, Professor of US and International politics at the Clinton Institute in UCD; Louise Byrne, Political Correspondent at the Irish Examiner; and Dr Emma Howard, Economist.

Prof Ronán Collins talks about his life in fishing, from early days line-fishing as a boy in Kinsale, to embracing the wilderness of far-flung regions. And he explores the meditative nature of fly-fishing, describing the river as his 'Buddhist temple'.

Producer/director and colleague and friend of Manchán Mangan, Brian Reddin, spoke to Brendan en route to the Hill of Uisneach today for a celebration of the life, and scattering of the ashes, of the late broadcaster and scríbhneoir

Actor Jeremy Irons joined Brendan to talk about his new film, 'Palestine 36'. He also reflected on his boarding school years, choosing his acting roles, fatherhood, life priorities, playing the viola in his Cork castle and winning a style award for his fashion choices.

Clodagh McKenna joined Brendan to talk about her new cookbook 'Clodagh's Happy Cooking'. She also talked about her childhood in Cork, getting happiness lessons from her mother, her career, turning 50, taking over the farm on the grounds of 'Downton Abbey' in England with her husband, Harry Herert who also made an impromptu appearance in studio!

High blood pressure is known as the silent killer. GP, Dr Brendan O'Shea explains why it's important to monitor your blood pressure and what steps you can take to reduce it when necessary.

Mark Little – entrepreneur and journalist – casts his eye over the recent Presidential election campaign to see what it might tell us about politics and media in 2025.

Radio and TV producer Eoin Sweeney and writer Henrietta McKervey join Brendan to review the best of this week’s TV and cinema, including Nobody Wants This, Regretting You and Oíche Shamhna: An Ancient Mystery.

Joining Brendan to analyse the Sunday newspapers and Catherine Connolly’s election are Irish Times’ political editor, Pat Leahy; former Fine Gael TD, Noel Rock; Sunday Times’ columnist, Alison O’Connor; VP of Academic Affairs at Mary Immaculate College, and former Labour candidate, Niamh Hourigan; and former Fianna Fáil minister, Mary Hanafin.

Hollywood star Reese Witherspoon and best-selling author Harlan Coben talk to Brendan about their joint novel – a thriller about an army surgeon who uses her skills to conduct questionable operations for supremely wealthy, international clients... Gone Before Goodbye.

As the full tallies began to land, Brendan was joined by Sinn Féin TD, Claire Kerrane; Fine Gael Minister of State, Emer Higgins; Communications Consultant and Labour Party member, Lorna Fitzpatrick; DCU Politics Professor, Gary Murphy; newspaper columnist, David Quinn; Former Fine Gael TD, Michael Ring; and RTÉ’s Barry Lenihan.

Former Irish Olympian and European indoor gold medalist, David Gillick talks to Brendan about the excitement, heartbreak and anxiety of competing in top-level sport, and transitioning to a post-athletics career, as outlined in his memoir “The Race”.

The Connolly campaign mobilised artists and musicians to the cause over the summer. One of whom was her childhood friend from Shantalla, musician Mary Coughlan, who joined Brendan on the line.

Joining Brendan to talk through the Sunday newspapers are Lisa Chambers, Director of Public Affairs at Consello and former Fianna Fáil TD and Senator, Oisin Coghlan, Public Policy Advisor, Jennifer Bray, Political Editor with the Sunday Times and Donnacha Ó Beacháin, Professor of Politics at the School of Law and Government at DCU .

Podcaster and Broadcaster, Fionnuala Jones tells Brendan where the Gen Z obsession with Halloween comes from, the top costume trends for 2025 from the Kiss Cam couple to Travis and Taylor as well as tips on the best low effort pun costumes!

Irish Times Arts Journalist, Nadine O’Regan and Dave O’Callaghan, host of the Here and Back Again Podcast talk Brendan through the hits and misses from the week’s watchlist from the new Bruce Springsteen movie to the BBC adaptation of Rónán Hession novel Leonard & Hungry Paul.

Musician and podcaster Niall Breslin AKA Bressie has taken a new direction with his new album of piano compositions, ‘The Place That Has Never Been Wounded’. He talks to Brendan about his early love of piano; using music to calm you down and why he feels modern culture can swindle us out of spending time with the people we love.