Podcast
The Last Word with Matt Cooper
Hosted by Today FM · EN
On Ireland's most cutting edge current affairs show, Matt and his guests provide a running stream of intelligent opinions and heated debates on the issues that matter most to Irish listeners. You might not always agree, but you'll never want to miss a Word.
149episodes
Episodes
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Author Kathryn Stockett On The Difficult Second Novel
3d ago00:15:32Tap to summarizeBest-selling US author Kathryn Stockett joins Matt to discuss her new novel, The Calamity Club. It's the second novel following the phenomenal success of The Help which sold 15million copies worldwide and was turned into a film staring Emma Stone. However, the success quickly turned to controversy after criticism that a white author was detailing black American experiences. Kathryn Stockett talks to Matt about writing through the sometimes paralysing criticism and why it took many years to bring the story in her latest novel to life.To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.
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The Last Word On Travel: Summer Short Break Deals At Home
3d ago00:09:56Tap to summarizeFrom sauna and Pilates packages to golf trips, Sarah Slattery from thetravelexpert.ie has the latest in summer deals for a long weekend or mid-week break in Ireland. To listen to the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.
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What’s The Mood Like In The US Ahead Of The FIFA World Cup?
6d ago00:15:34Tap to summarizeIt’s less than a week until the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off but the build up to this year’s tournament has been embroiled in off the pitch controversies.Conflict between the US and Iran, soaring ticket prices and environmental issues have dominated the discourse in recent weeks.Dave Hannigan, journalist based in the US and author of ‘We Need To Talk About Roy: The Keaneification of Modern Ireland’ joins Matt on The Last Word to describe what the mood is like across the pond.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.
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AI Needs A Brake Pedal Warns Anthropic Founder
6d ago00:12:40Tap to summarizeJack Clark, the founder of AI company Anthropic has said AI is nearing the point of developing itself without human input and that Government policies need to keep control of AI.To discuss this, Matt is joined by Adrian Weckler, tech editor, Irish and Sunday Independent and Puneet Kukreja, Head of Cyber, EY Ireland.To listen to the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.
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The Week Trending: The Healy-Rae Split, Gen Z Need Resilience, & Doom Spending
6d ago00:28:31Tap to summarizeThis week there was a very public falling out between Kerry's political sibling duo Michael and Danny Healy Rae after Michael went on radio to suggest that his brother cost him his junior ministry.Michelle Obama told young people who don't like their jobs that they need to develop greater 'resilience'.And what is doom spending?Edel Coffey and Dion Fanning join The Last Word to discuss the week's trending stories.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
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Marie Gleeson’s Journey From A Tipperary Farm To Being Captain Of The LÉ Aoife
1w ago00:18:26Tap to summarizeFormer captain in the Irish Navy, Marie Gleeson, has released her memoir “Be Like the Sea”.She speaks candidly to Matt about her experience working in the military, how the skills from her professional life transfer to her personal life, and the heartbreak of losing her son at just six days old.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.
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Environment: EU Takes Ireland To Court Over Illegal Peat Extraction
1w ago00:14:49Tap to summarizeThe European Commission has taken Ireland to court for failing to stop illegal peat extraction.The Commission said there was “significant” cutting happening with no planning permission or assessments of the environmental impact of doing so.John Gibbons speaks to Matt on The Last Word.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.
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Tech Thursday: What Is Chip-flation And What Does It Mean For The Cost Of Your Gadgets?
1w ago00:12:38Tap to summarizeThe price of memory chips is soaring as manufacturers struggle to keep up with the massive demand from Artificial Intelligence companies.Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to discuss the impact of the rising cost of these chips which are essential for everyday tech products like laptops, phones and even electric cars.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
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Culture Club: Martin Doyle
1w ago00:33:06Tap to summarizeAuthor and Irish Times Books Editor, Martin Doyle, joins Matt to discuss his latest book. A Hosting: Interviews With Irish Writers 1991-2026, delves into Martin's journalistic archive to present a compilation of interviews with some of Ireland's best loved writers. He also discusses his favourite books, films, music, movies and more. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.
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What Makes A Healthy Breakfast?
1w ago00:05:09Tap to summarizeNew research by the National Dairy Council has shown that half of Irish adults value a healthy breakfast, but that convenience and time constraints sometimes impact their choices.What food types should we aim to eat in the morning to ensure we feel sustained and energised?Sarah Keogh, Registered Dietician and Founder of Eatwell.ie joins Matt on The Last Word.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.
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