What’s the Story? Podcast

Subscribe to hear all of our new episodes free and first and head over to Twitter where you'll find us - @WTSpod 

After four long years, the artist formerly known as Stephanie Roche is back on WTSpod. 

We catch up with Steph about what's been happening since we last spoke, including marrying Dean, her decision to return to Ireland, signing for Shamrock Rovers, and progress in the women's game. 

We get Stephanie's thoughts on the upcoming World Cup, Ireland's squad and she predicts a winner... kind of! 

Steph will be in Australia covering the Girls in Green for this historic tournament and will be part of the commentary team for the tournament.

The Women's World Cup kicks off on Thursday, 20 July and Ireland takes on tournament hosts in a sold-out Stadium Australia. 

Subscribe to hear all of our new episodes free and first and head over to Twitter where you'll find us - @WTSpod 

This week we're joined by Ireland's best MMA journalist and proud son of Blanchardstown, the great one, Peter Carroll. 

Petesy joined us to talk about the latest goings on in the world of mixed martial arts* and reveals the cringing trauma behind why he can't watch Love Island. 

You can check out some of Petesy's brilliant work by listening to or watching his podcasts The Craic and The Ringer MMA Show. 

*This episode was recorded on Wednesday, June 14th. 

Subscribe to hear all of our new episodes free and first and head over to Twitter where you'll find us - @WTSpod 

This week we're joined by journalist and broadcaster Elaine Burke. Elaine is a technology and science specialist who can be found contributing to national media regularly. She is also the co-host of For Tech's Sake podcast. 

Elaine joined us to wind up Mero and talk all things tech as we hear about AI and if the hype is driving the fear, Apple's latest announcement and the world of virtual reality, Fast- tech and consuming way more than we need to, and we ask Elaine if our devices are really listening to us... 

Subscribe to hear all of our new episodes free and first and head over to Twitter where you'll find us - @WTSpod 

This week we go back to the Borough and speak to Sean Mari and Jack Marley from Monkstown Boxing Club. 

Jack is a European Heavyweight Champion and Sean is an Irish Elite Champion who has medaled in European competition. Both men are Team Ireland representatives who tell us about their hopes ahead of Paris 2024. 

Subscribe to hear all of our new episodes free and first and head over to Twitter where you'll find us - @WTSpod 

This week we're joined by social historian Donal Fallon. His history podcast Three Castles Burning brings the city of Dublin to life, telling its story through its streets and the people who lived there. 

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This week Mero asks Danny about three of his favourite things: Bruce Springsteen, Eurovision, and doing the big shop.

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This week we're joined by Thomas Crosse - AKA Crossy.

Crossy has been soothing the airwaves since he was a teenager and in recent years has become a staple of Irish radio for many people looking to get their morning off to a flyer. 

Crossy tells us about how he got started in radio, dealing with social media, loving nostalgia, and why Bruce Springsteen concerts are such a special occasion for him and his Mam. 

You can hear more of Crossy every day by tuning in to Dublin's FM104.

Subscribe to hear all of our new episodes free and first and head over to Twitter where you'll find us - @WTSpod 

This week we're joined by Bob Carley - a counselor, advocate, pastor, and motivationalist. 

We got to know Bob a few years ago through his work with the mental health charity Suicide or Survive and when we sat down to speak with him this week we were not expecting the conversation to flow how it did. 

Bob speaks openly, and passionately about his life, relationships, work, and faith. His message is simple; Love never fails. 

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This week we're learning about the science of ageing and some simple things we can all do to help ourselves be younger, and healthier, for longer. 

Rose Anne Kenny is Professor of Medical Gerontology, at Trinity College Dublin. Professor Kenny was appointed in 2005, to Trinity College and St. James's Hospital, as Head of the Academic Department of Medical Gerontology and holds the Chair of Medical Gerontology.

Rose Anne is the founding Principal Investigator of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing TILDA : www.tilda.ie), Ireland's flagship research project in ageing - where she leads a team of multidisciplinary researchers focusing on psychology, nursing, medicine, physiotherapy, economics, bio-engineering, social sciences and health economics as aspects of the ageing process in Ireland.

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Adam Drummond is an Irish athlete who has represented his country in basketball on several occasions. 

In 2021, following an accident, Adam was left paralyzed from the waist down. He tells us about life after the accident and how, after years of playing basketball for Ireland and on scholarships in the US, he has found the switch to wheelchair sports and life at Cork-based Rebel Wheelers Wheelchair Basketball Club. 

Subscribe to hear all of our new episodes free and first and head over to Twitter where you'll find us - @WTSpod 

This week we're joined by Fionnuala Moran for a chat about sustainable living, dropping fast fashion, and a bit of showbiz. 

Fionnuala is a broadcaster and journalist who has regularly featured on RTÉ, Virgin Media, and a host of print publications. She recently completed a Master's degree in Climate Change: Policy, Media & Society. 

You can follow Fionnuala on Instagram to get lots of great and simple tips to live more sustainably. 

Subscribe to hear all of our new episodes free and first and head over to Twitter where you'll find us - @WTSpod 

Football journalist and writer David Sneyd joined us to talk all things football and Ireland's upcoming Euro qualifiers. 

David is a writer with the42.ie and has been featured in the Irish Times, Mirror, Independent, RTÉ, and many more. 

Subscribe to hear all of our new episodes free and first and head over to Twitter where you'll find us - @WTSpod 

This week we are joined by Patrick Harding, a Performance Coach with over 12 years of experience working in the elite sporting environment.

Patrick has worked with Arsenal Football Club, Team GB at the Olympics, Michael Conlon, and over the last few years he was been responsible for helping Formula 1 driver Alex Albon get race fit and mentally sharp. 

We spoke to Patrick ahead of the new F1 season and just days before Williams Racing launch their 2023 car which Alex will compete in. 

Welcome back to What's the Story? 

Kicking off the new year is journalist and author John Ludden. 

John tells us about his love for the great Diego Maradonna and how his book, 'Once Upon a Time in Naples' became the blueprint for the Diego Maradonna documentary released in 2019. 

We also talk about Eric Ten Haag at Man United, and reasons to be optimistic after a decade of delusion at Old Trafford. 

To hear more from John and check out his work, pop over to his Twitter, @JohnLudds

What's Christmas without traditions? The annual WTS Christmas Special featuring Paul Howard and Gary Mackle is back once again. Over two hours of giddy messing to keep you company, just in time for your last-minute festive shopping or dreaded holiday traffic. 

Thank you for listening in 2022, we'll see you in the next one. Until then, Merry Christmas, and have a very, Happy New Year. 

Our man in Stockholm Philip O'Connor joins us once again to tell us about his experience at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. 

While FIFA President Gianni Infantino has described this tournament as the greatest World Cup ever, not many would agree. Phillip breaks down the reality of a global tournament in a country that has no free speech and democracy is a pipe dream. 

We discuss the plight of migrant workers, the treatment of the LGBTQ+ community, and what the lasting legacy of Qatar 2022 will really be, despite what FIFA might claim. 

Gearoid Farrelly returns to WTSpod to talk all things comedy, his new show Glamour Hammer, boots the cat, and irrational feelings about beans. 

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Graham Gartland is a coach, media contributor, and former professional footballer. His decorated playing career saw him compete in Ireland, Scotland, and Europe over 12 years. Since hanging up his boots, he has found a new home in the world of coaching, helping to develop some of Ireland's future stars.

Subscribe to hear all of our new episodes free and first and head over to Twitter where you'll find us - @WTSpod 

Dr Rory Hearne is one of Ireland's leading voices for action on housing, homelessness, and social justice.

He is an Assistant Professor and Lecturer at Maynooth University and the host of Reboot Republic. His new book "Gaffs: Why no one can get a house and what we can do about it" is out now and available in all good bookshops and some rubbish ones too. 

Subscribe to hear all of our new episodes free and first and head over to Twitter where you'll find us - @WTSpod 

This week we are joined by author and analyst Aoife Gallagher. Her new book Web of Lies is out now and takes a look at the world of misinformation, conspiracy, and the threat of a rising far right. We chat to Aoife about the book and how easy it is for people to fall down the rabbit hole of a dangerous ideology. 

Web of lies is available online, in all good bookshops and some rubbish ones too. It is brilliant. 

This podcast was brought to you by Bill Gates, George Soros, The Illuminati, Lizzard People, Q, and the fellas what faked the moon landing in '69. 

Subscribe to hear all of our new episodes free and first and head over to Twitter where you'll find us - @WTSpod 

This week we're talking to Miriam Burke, author and editor at RollerCoaster.ie - Ireland's leading pregnancy and parenting website. Miriam is the co-host of the parenting podcast "A little birdie told me" which brings listeners insights and advice on the ups and downs of all things pregnancy and parenting. 

Subscribe to hear all of our new episodes free and first and head over to Twitter where you'll find us - @WTSpod 

Returning to the podcast this week is the wonderful Aisling Daly. Ais remains the only Irish woman to have competed in the UFC and to non-MMA fans, they may know her simply as "Number 6" from the latest season of RTÉ's Ultimate Hell Week - The Professionals. 

Having retired from MMA in 2017, we hear how Ais "The Bash" is getting on as she transitions from the UFC octagon to the primary school classroom.

We talk about Ais finding her passion for coaching and teaching and of course, we get the low down on life inside Ultimate Hell Week. 

Aisling took part in Ultimate Hell Week in aid of the mental health charity, Jigsaw. 

Subscribe to hear all of our new episodes free and first and head over to Twitter where you'll find us - @WTSpod 

This week we welcome Philip O'Connor back to WTSpod and, as always, it leads to an hour or so of conversational bliss covering everything from sportwashing to Churchill and lots more besides. 

Check out Our Man in Stockholm for more of Philip's great work including his brilliant Irish in Sweden podcast. 

Subscribe to hear all of our new episodes free and first and head over to Twitter where you'll find us - @WTSpod 

After a busy few weeks away from the podcast, we're back to blow off some cobwebs and (sort of) get back into the swing of things. 

The great air-fryer debate rages on with Mero remaining skeptical but Danny being fully converted. 

Is there a need for any monarchy in this day and age? We've watched on in bewilderment as Queen Elizabeth is laid to rest. 

And the lads chat about Garth Brooks in Croke Park and if stadiums in Ireland are actually any use for big concerts? 

Subscribe to hear all of our new episodes free and first and head over to Twitter where you'll find us - @WTSpod 

This week we're joined by Professor Helen Heneghan, Consultant Bariatric Surgeon with St. Vincent's Hospital and lead surgeon with the National Weight Management Service. 

Helen talks to us about the reality of weight loss surgeries like gastric bypass and gastric sleeve and explains where Ireland is with our attempts to help people who have obesity - explaining the health benefits go far beyond just weight loss. 

From waiting lists to medications that help weight loss and people traveling abroad for surgery but not always getting the best care - bariatric surgery is an increasingly popular and important tool in helping people with obesity but is surgery always the right choice? 

Danny shares a little bit of his experience having gone through the surgery with Professor Heneghan and the National Weight Management Service, and we take some questions from listeners who want to know more about the life-changing surgery. 

If you'd like to learn more, there is a detailed video, which Professor Heneghan mentions in our chat, available here.