Newstalk Daily

• Pamela Anderson and Liam Neeson: The Romance We’re Willing into Existence

  From red carpets to red swimsuits, from action films to heartfelt comebacks, today’s podcast is all about two of the most surprising stars caught in a swirl of romance rumours: Pamela Anderson and Liam Neeson. In this episode, Ciara Doherty dives into the cultural fascination with celebrity couples we want to be real - whether or not they actually are. What is it about Pam and Liam that has us collectively rooting for their romance, without a shred of official confirmation? What makes them such an oddly perfect pairing in the public imagination? And what does that say about us? Ciara is joined by pop culture connoisseur Sarina Bellissimo to unpack it all—from Pamela Anderson’s remarkable evolution from ‘90s bombshell to feminist icon, to Liam Neeson’s transformation from intense dramatic actor to action hero to, now, comedy lead in the upcoming Naked Gun reboot. Together, they explore why these two stars, with their private lives, past heartbreaks, and quiet strength, have become the subjects of a kind of wishful cultural matchmaking. They also reflect on how Pamela Anderson has reclaimed her narrative through her critically acclaimed Netflix documentary and memoir, and how her recent red carpet appearance - bare-faced, natural, radiant - sparked a global conversation about ageing, authenticity, and the changing role of women in Hollywood. Liam’s enduring appeal is also under the microscope: his humility, his grief, his strength—and why so many fans yearn to see him find joy again. Also in this episode: – The early days of Pamela’s fame and the global phenomenon of Baywatch – The tabloid era that tried to reduce her to a caricature – Her modern-day renaissance with The Last Showgirl and Naked Gun – The psychology behind our obsession with celebrity couples – Why imagining certain romances brings us hope, not just gossip – What makes a famous pairing “click” with the public Whether Liam and Pamela are truly Hollywood’s next great couple or simply the fantasy pairing of the year, Ciara and Sarina explore what their story - real or imagined - says about resilience, reinvention, and how we project our hopes onto the lives of stars we feel we know. Follow Sarina on Instagram @sarinabellissimo, and subscribe now to Newstalk Daily for fresh, smart takes on the stories lighting up our timelines and headlines - Monday to Friday, every morning in your feed.

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• Why is Gen Z giving God a second look?

  Is Catholicism making a quiet comeback among the very generation many assumed had walked away from faith for good? In this episode of Newstalk Daily, Ciara Doherty is joined by international correspondent and broadcaster Colm Flynn to explore a surprising trend: a growing number of young people - especially within Gen Z - are re-engaging with religion, spirituality, and Catholicism itself. Just last weekend, more than a million young people joined Pope Leo for a mass as part of the Jubilee of Youth. The podcast draws on a range of recent polling findings, as well as Colm’s personal reflection published in the New York Post which describes what he’s witnessing among young people from Dublin to Lagos. The conversation digs into whether we’re seeing a new kind of faith practice emerging - one that’s digital, deeply personal, and far removed from the traditional Irish Church of old. From prayer apps and online pilgrimages to public meetings and quiet moments of reconnection, this generation isn’t necessarily returning to pews - but they ARE asking bigger questions about meaning, morality, and belief. Ciara and Colm also reflect on how the Church has tried to speak to younger audiences, especially via social media. They look at the impact of Pope Leo’s early efforts to connect with youth and ask whether time has created emotional distance between Gen Z and the legacy of abuse that so deeply damaged the Church’s credibility. Is this the start of a revival — or just a more open, questioning, and flexible kind of faith? And is it sustainable? Follow Colm Flynn on X @colmflynnire to keep up with his reporting from around the world.

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• How States Get Recognised and Why It Matters Now More Than Ever

  What does it actually mean to recognise a state - and who gets to decide? As global momentum builds behind the recognition of Palestinian statehood, and with the UN General Assembly meeting just weeks away, the question of when and how a people or place becomes a state has never felt more urgent. Today on Newstalk Daily, Ciara Doherty talks to Dr Gëzim Visoka, Associate Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies at Dublin City University. Gëzim brings not only academic expertise — he's authored over a dozen books on the subject — but also a deeply personal perspective. He’s from Kosovo, one of the world’s most diplomatically contested new states. Together, they unpack why countries like France and Canada are moving now to recognise Palestine, what this could mean for September’s General Assembly, and how recognition can be both a powerful diplomatic tool and a deeply symbolic act. The podcast explores whether statehood is about borders and governance, or legitimacy and moral force. Ciara and Gëzim look back at Kosovo, Croatia, and Taiwan — and forward to the potential ripple effects of recognising Palestine too early… or too late. This episode asks hard questions about power, politics, principle - and what it takes to be seen, accepted, and respected on the international stage. 🔗 Follow Dr Gëzim Visoka on X: @GezimVisoka

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• Too Squeamish for the Snip? Vasectomy Myths, Facts and Fears

  Labour TD Marie Sherlock wants vasectomies made free for all - and the Health Minister, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill is considering it. But would Irish men actually go for it? Or would they rather leave responsibility for contraception to their partners? In this podcast, Ciara Doherty is joined by Dr John McCormick, specialist at Vasectomy Ireland, to tackle everything you thought you knew about vasectomies, from the level of pain involved to whether it really kills your sex drive (spoiler: it doesn’t). They talk recovery time, reversal myths, testosterone, Catholic guilt, and the part that pre-procedure manscaping plays in vasectomy hesitancy. Ciara plays a clip of Ivan Yates declaring his fear that “a slip of the snip could cause chaos down there” - a view that echoes the squeamishness and suspicion many Irish men still express when it comes to male contraception. And with breakthroughs in non-hormonal male contraceptive pills and implants now entering human trials, could we finally be seeing a shift in how male contraception is shared, understood, and delivered? 📍For more on Dr John McCormick’s work, visit vasectomyireland.ie 📩 Have thoughts or questions about male contraception? Share your story with Ciara at [email protected]

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• Why Buying Concert Tickets Now Feels Like Booking a Ryanair Flight

  It’s peak gig and festival season - and if you’ve just stumbled out of All Together Now or you’re counting down to Electric Picnic or Oasis at Croke Park, you’re not alone. But why does buying a concert ticket in 2025 feel more like booking a Ryanair flight than a night out with your mates? Ciara Doherty and Jess Kelly dive into the murky world of dynamic pricing, non-transferable tickets, and the tech behind your next night at Croke Park. From Oasis and Ed Sheeran to Taylor Swift, Harry Styles and Kate Bush, they share their own gig memories and ticket-buying experiences while asking why some fans are being charged €400+ for standing tickets... and others are locked out altogether. Are bots to blame? Why are artists like Neil Young, The Cure and Robbie Williams taking a stand against it? Is there a fairer way forward — or are we stuck in the algorithm? From shady resale sites to new laws and secret pricing tools, this podcast unpacks how the ticketing game changed — and whether fans still stand a chance. 🎧 Want more on the tech shaping your world? Catch Jess Kelly on Tech Talk, Saturdays at 5pm on Newstalk — or anytime on the GoLoud app. 📩 Have your own ticket-buying horror story — or a tip to beat the bots? Ciara wants to hear from you! Email [email protected] and share your experience.

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