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Society & Culture

The Hard Shoulder

Newstalk

The Hard Shoulder Podcast with Ciara Kelly and Shane Colman is your essential drivetime companion—bringing fresh perspective and energy to your drive home.

CONVERSATION THAT COUNTS | Ireland’s national independent talk station for news, sport, analysis and entertainment

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457 episodes
Avg 9 min
English

Episodes 457

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Yesterday · 6 min
Public sector strikes suspended
Public sector unions have suspended strikes planned for next Wednesday following discussions with the Government. Pat Leahy, Political Editor of the Irish Times and John Boyle, General Secretary of the INTO joined Shane on the show to discuss.
Yesterday · 8 min
How to manage difficult relationships with in-laws?
How do you manage difficult relationships with in-laws without affecting your children or putting pressure on your marriage? Michelle Brown, Divorce Consultant, Mediator and author of “Scars of Divorce joined us on the hard Shoulder to discuss.
Yesterday · 8 min
Notable moments from White House Press Secretaries
Larry Donnelly, Law lecturer at University of Galway and Columnist with the Journal joined Shane on the show to discuss some notable moments in recent times from behind the White House lectern.
Yesterday · 9 min
EU summit where leaders are rallying around Ukraine
European leaders face growing pressure to secure Ukraine’s wartime finances through to the end of 2028. Taoiseach Micheál Martin has warned that decisions will need to be made quickly, as efforts continue to repair Kyiv’s strained relationship with the Trump administration. Europe correspondent at Euronews, Shona Murray spoke to Ciara on the show.
Yesterday · 8 min
The rise of the ‘indie dad’
The rise of the ‘indie dad’, is this a good or bad thing and does anyone care?! Comedian Steve Cummins and Entertainment Journalist Dee Reddy joined Shane on the show to discuss.
Yesterday · 8 min
Higher proportion of migrants in urban and more affluent areas
The proportion of migrants living in more affluent areas of the State is higher than those who live in disadvantaged areas, according to research by the Economic and Social Research Institute. Teresa Buczkowska, CEO of the Immigrant Council of Ireland joined Ciara on the show to discuss.
Yesterday · 8 min
Is it fair to say 'everybody' is responsible for road deaths?
As road deaths rise, the Government dropped planned reforms of the RSA and increased public transport fares and now the minister seems to be disavowing political responsibility, writes Ciarán Cannon in the Irish Examiner who joined Shane on the show to discuss.
Yesterday · 12 min
One-fifth of under-12s fall asleep watching a screen
Families and workplaces are being urged to switch off all smart devices from 7pm today and take a 24-hour break from the online world. It is part of CyberBreak 2026, an initiative supported by the HSE. Family Psychotherapist, columnist with the Examiner and Co-host of ‘They Mess You Up With’ Podcast Richard Hogan joined us on the Hard Shoulder this evening.
Thursday · 7 min
Ireland’s first university-led AI research institute
Minister James Lawless announced this morning Ireland's first university-owned AI Institute. The Institute will put AI engineers alongside researchers to advance the use of AI across health, agriculture, climate, humanities and the sciences. Professor Robin Burke, incoming director of the UCD AI Institute joined Shane on the show to discuss.
Thursday · 7 min
White House faces questions over its new press secretary
The White House is defending its new press secretary, Katie Zacharia as questions emerge over her legal credentials as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he feels personally betrayed by Donald Trump. BBC North American Correspondent, Anothony Zurcher joined us on the Hard Shoulder with all the latest from the States.
Thursday · 7 min
When is an MRI useful?
Scans can reveal a lot about your spine, but they don’t always explain the cause of your pain. Stephen O’Rourke, Chartered Clinical Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist at the Mater University Hospital joined us on the Hard Shoulder to discuss.
Thursday · 7 min
EU court backs Dublin Airport’s 32 million passenger cap
EU’s top court, the ECJ has upheld the Dublin Airport passenger cap, meaning regulators must take the 32 million a year limit into account when allocating airline slots. Kevin Byrne, Retired Lieutenant Colonel & Airport safety & security expert spoke to Ciara on the show this evening.
Thursday · 10 min
Defence Forces appear before the Oireachtas
Earlier today, an Oireachtas Committee heard pandemic remains the top risk to National Security, with antibiotic-resistant infection, cyber-attacks and disruption to critical supply chains also included. Sinn Féin TD for Mayo, Rose Conway Walsh who is chair of the Joint Committee on Defence and National Security joined Shane on the show discuss.
Thursday · 10 min
The Irish Carvery
Has the humble carvery become the hottest trend in Gen Z dining? Newstalk reporter Sarah Madden reports.
Thursday · 5 min
Government trying to prevent second day of public sector strikes
The Government is seeking to get public sector unions back around the table to avoid a second day of strikes next week. It follows yesterday’s nationwide walkout by around 300,000 workers over pay. Louise Byrne, Irish Examiner Political Correspondent joined us on the show to discuss.
Thursday · 4 min
Arrests made after Waterford arson attack
Arrests have been made in the arson attack in Waterford City that took the lives of four members of the English family on Wednesday. Barry Whyte, Newstalk’s Chief Reporter brought us the latest on the investigation.
Thursday · 10 min
Jeffrey Donaldson sentenced to 15 years in prison
Newstalk Reporter Emily Keegan brought us the latest as Jeffrey Donaldson sentenced to 15 years in prison for rape and child sex assaults.
Thursday · 7 min
Campaign to scrap the EU-Israel trade agreement
Shane was joined on the show by Dublin Labour MEP Aodhán Ó Ríordáin who has launched a campaign today urging the EU to end its preferential trade agreement with Israel. The campaign calls for the EU-Israel Association Agreement to be scrapped.
Wednesday · 7 min
Worrying behaviours being normalised in student relationships
A new report surveying 330 students across 12 higher education institutions in Ireland has found that controlling behaviours are becoming normalised in student relationships. Joining Ciara on the show to discuss was Clinical Psychotherapist, Stephanie Regan.
Wednesday · 5 min
Another wave of Russian attacks on Ukraine
Russia has launched another major attack on Ukraine, with civilians killed and around 600,000 people left without electricity. At least six people have been killed with strikes hitting Kyiv and Kharkiv. For the very latest Ciara was joined on the show by Emanuelle Chaze, Ukraine Correspondent for France 24 to discuss.

Showing 1–20 of 457 episodes