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Brendan O'Connor

RTÉ Radio 1
Ireland
Donald Trump
Protein
Nutrition
Artificial Intelligence
Dublin
Diet
Cork
Iran
Health
Scams
Swimming
Older Adults
Teenagers
Pokemon
Sea Swimming
Waterford
Travel
Adoption
Blazing Salads

Brendan O'Connor has all you need for the weekend with time to pause and reflect on the week just gone. Featuring a selection of human interest, consumer and lifestyle stories, as well as keeping you up to date on the news stories that matter. Listen live Saturday and Sunday at 11am - 1pm on RTÉ Radio 1.

PublishesDailyEpisodes113Founded7 years ago
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Artwork for Brendan O'Connor

Latest Episodes

Jon Ronson, author and podcaster, joins Brendan to talk about his new book ‘The Castle: Adventures in a World of Unravelling Men’ which explores the modern masculinity crisis. Among other things, he examines internet delusions, male anxiety, and the ... more

TupacThe trial opened this week in Las Vegas of Duane "Keffe D" Davis – in connection with the fatal shooting thirty years ago of legedary rapper, Tupac Shakur. But who was Tupac Shakur and why is he still relevant three decades on? Broadcaster Aifri... more

Brendan played a recording of actor Stephen Rea reciting the Derek Mahon poem, Washing Up. The recording was originally broadcast as part of the RTÉ Television series Tradfest: the Dublin Sessions.www.rte.ie/player/series/tradfest/SI000000843... more

Psychotherapist Dr Richard Hogan talks to Brendan about work. He talks about the pressure on teens to know what they want to be, how to find the job that’s right for you, how to deal with workplace stress and bullies and how to navigate workplace cru... more

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Recent Guests

Stephen Rea
Actor reading Derek Mahon's poem
Episode: “Washing Up” - a poem by Derek Mahon
Seán Ronayne
Ornithologist, activist, and archivist of Irish Birdsong
Irish Wildlife Sounds,Untold Sounds
Episode: Seán Ronayne - “Being a new father is like living a magical new life”
Blindboy Boatclub
Author/creator adapting stories for theatre
Theatre project with Dan Colley
Episode: Blindboy Boatclub - “Dogs can smell in stereo, they can smell time!”
Róisín Stakelum
Victim of a head-on crash involving joyriders
Individual affected by road crash
Episode: “My head-on joyrider crash left me scared of the dark, driving, everything”
Maggie Roche
Chef at The Little Acorn Cafe
The Little Acorn Cafe
Episode: Late Summer Indulgence Recipes!
Siobhan O'Donovan
Chartered Physiotherapist, founder of Posture Fitting, FYI, former Ireland Rugby International
Posture Fitting; FYI
Episode: A Physio’s Guide to Improving your Balance
Phil Coulter
Singer, songwriter, producer, arranger
Episode: “He told me ‘word is you’re a flash in the pan’ - that drove me to prove myself” - Phil Coulter
Eamon Keenan
HSE National Clinical Lead for Addiction Services
Health Service Executive (HSE)
Episode: From pink cocaine to ultra strong MDMA - a warning on this year’s casual drug trends
Tara Shine
Environmentalist
Environmentally focused researcher/advocate
Episode: "With potatoes cooking in the ground - has this summer been a wake-up call on climate change?"

Host

Brendan O'Connor
Host of the show

Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars from 760 ratings
  • The Race-to-the-Bottom continues.🙄

    This show was once a staple. I have difficulty describing what it’s become. It has degenerated into nonsense apart from the now very very occasional worthwhile guest. Time for a new production team or cancel the show.

    “Sprucing Up Your Packed Lunch”-Seriously! Why even bother. Nonsense!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Mac an tSionnaigh
    United States22 days ago
  • Propaganda

    Propagandist

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Lenboy70
    Irelanda month ago
  • The Race-to-the-Bottom continues.🙄

    This show was once a staple. I have difficulty describing what it’s become. It has degenerated into nonsense apart from the now very occasional worthwhile guest. Time for a new production team or cancel the show.

    “Sprucing Up Your Packed Lunch”-Seriously! Why even bother. Nonsense!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Mac an tSionnaigh
    United States2 months ago
  • John carney interview

    An excellent interview Brendan! What an interesting guest John Carney is. I could have listened to you both for hours. He was so open,natural,funny. All the qualities you need in a good guest. Definitely bring John back again! It’s great when you have someone who’s not afraid to talk about their life,someone who’s not guarded and cagey! Well done to you both!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    fiomah
    Ireland3 months ago
  • L

    Brendan is exceptionally talented at talking to people about end of life and grief - humility, insight, quiet compassion and resists the urge to push for more or silver line. Manchán Magan and Andrew McCarthy just 2 examples of deftly navigated pieces worth relistens.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    L, Cork
    Ireland4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate thoughtful, human-centered conversations and credible guest perspectives.
Some reviews criticize pacing or editorial choices but praise strong interview moments and guest diversity.
Positive notes frequently mention host empathy and engaging interviews with notable guests.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Blindboy Boatclub - “Dogs can smell in stereo, they can smell time!”
Q: What did you think of the M9 accident and the online culture around stealing cars?
Blindboy emphasizes nuance and empathy, arguing that online discourse is often oversimplified and that the victims and offenders are psychologically complex, deserving thoughtful consideration rather than black-and-white judgments.
Blindboy Boatclub - “Dogs can smell in stereo, they can smell time!”
Q: Is it a different reality almost that you live in?
Brendan and Blindboy discuss autism as a lens through which Blindboy experiences the world, highlighting Umwelt and how sensory perception shapes reality for autistic individuals.
Blindboy Boatclub - “Dogs can smell in stereo, they can smell time!”
Q: Would it be a stretch to ask you to explain it to people?
Blindboy explains that the play adapts his short stories with a director who helps translate surreal, autobiographical material to the stage, blending magical realism with personal themes and making the audience present in the moment.
Seán Ronayne - “Being a new father is like living a magical new life”
Q: What can people expect from your new show Untold Sounds?
It's a collection of stories and sounds from my years of field work, designed to woo people into loving nature and standing up for it, with a mix of delicate and emotional material that may change how they view spiders, birds, and the natural world.
Seán Ronayne - “Being a new father is like living a magical new life”
Q: So Seán, people will know you're an ornithologist, an activist, an archivist of Irish Birdsong. And also, since we last spoke, a father. Has fatherhood changed everything?
It's really beautiful and like I'm living a new life. I see the world through Leia's eyes, and she imitates many birds; it's made me slow down and reconnect with nature in a way that feels magical.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Brendan O'Connor

What is Brendan O'Connor about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show is a weekend current-affairs and human-interest program anchored by a personable host who guides conversations across a wide spectrum of topics. It features interviews with artists, chefs, health professionals, climate researchers, and public figures, blending personal storytelling with practical insights on healthcare, food, culture, and policy. Across episodes, listeners can expect thoughtful questions, accessible explanations of complex topics, and a mix of panel moments and in-depth conversations. A distinctive thread is the emphasis on human experiences—from creativity and resilience to health and climate action—delivered with warmth and humor that make weighty topics approachable for a broad audience.

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Which podcasts are similar to Brendan O'Connor?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Brendan O'Connor:

1. Today with David McCullagh
2. The Pat Kenny Show
3. The Claire Byrne Show
4. The Last Word with Matt Cooper
5. The Indo Daily

How many episodes of Brendan O'Connor are there?

Brendan O'Connor launched 7 years ago and published 113 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Brendan O'Connor?

Recent guests on Brendan O'Connor include:

1. Stephen Rea
2. Seán Ronayne
3. Blindboy Boatclub
4. Róisín Stakelum
5. Maggie Roche
6. Siobhan O'Donovan
7. Phil Coulter
8. Eamon Keenan

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