Former Irish and Ulster rugby player, Ryan Caldwell, tells Brendan about his descent, from playing professional rugby into drug addiction and prison. Ryan’s autobiography ‘White Lines’ details this journey and how he rebuilt his life using shamanic wisdom, meditation and plant-based medicine. 

Former Irish and Ulster rugby player, Ryan Caldwell, tells Brendan about his descent, from playing professional rugby into drug addiction and prison. Ryan’s autobiography ‘White Lines’ details this journey and how he rebuilt his life using shamanic wisdom, meditation and plant-based medicine.&nbsp;

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.

Brendan O'Connor

"How did I go from playing for Ireland to a prison cell?"

Athlete and Broadcaster David Gillick and RTE Sport's Des Cahill pay tribute to the Irish Olympian and European Champion Ciara Mageean whose death was announced this morning after a battle with cancer.

Athlete and Broadcaster David Gillick and RTE Sport's Des Cahill pay tribute to the Irish Olympian and European Champion Ciara Mageean whose death was announced this morning after a battle with cancer.

Death of Ciara Mageean - "The Irish athletic community are mourning a beautiful person today" 

Joining Brendan to discuss the main stories in Sunday's newspapers are:  Oisín Coghlan, public policy advisor, Louise Burne, Political Correspondent at the Irish Examiner, Peter Brown, Managing Director The Irish Institute of Financial Trading, Brigid Laffan, Emeritus Professor at the European University Institute.

Joining Brendan to discuss the main stories in Sunday's newspapers are:&nbsp; Oisín Coghlan, public policy advisor, Louise Burne, Political Correspondent at the Irish Examiner, Peter Brown, Managing Director The Irish Institute of Financial Trading, Brigid Laffan, Emeritus Professor at the European University Institute.

The Newspaper Panel

Author, Tech Entrepreneur and former RTÉ Washington Correspondent, Mark Little, previews Tuesday's US midterm elections, explains why he thinks they're more consequential than a US Presidential election would be and outlines how the various final scenarios would affect America and the wider world.

Author, Tech Entrepreneur and former RTÉ Washington Correspondent, Mark Little, previews Tuesday's US midterm elections, explains why he thinks they're more consequential than a US Presidential election would be and outlines how the various final scenarios would affect America and the wider world.

"How did I go from playing for Ireland to a prison cell?"

Brendan O'Connor

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips