Magnified with Matt Cooper

<p>Nicola&nbsp;Sturgeon&nbsp;is the latest guest on Magnified.</p><p>Sturgeon&nbsp;released her memoir ‘Frankly’ earlier this year and here she speaks to Matt live from the National Concert Hall in Dublin about the career that led her to become the first female and longest serving First Minister of Scotland.</p><p>In this wide ranging and extensive interview,&nbsp;she opens up about what nationalism means to her and if the result of Scotland’s independence referendum dented her reputation as SNP leader, how she thought former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson didn’t take his role seriously enough and how she was “frightened” and “overwhelmed” at the level of responsibility that was thrust upon her during the Covid-19 pandemic.</p><p>She also discusses her fallout with fellow former SNP leader Alex Salmond and how the breakdown of their professional relationship impacted her.</p><p>This series is brought to you by Intact Insurance.</p>

<p>In the latest episode of Magnified, Matt speaks to Mark Henry.</p><p>Mark is the author of ‘In Fact: An Optimist’s Guide to Ireland at&nbsp;100’, where he looks at how despite the challenges that we face when it comes to housing, the cost of living and other issues, Ireland is broadly a very positive, enjoyable country to live in.</p><p>He also talks about what Ireland’s future could look like, and how decisions we make about such things like climate change, global warming and infrastructure can impact the quality of life for later generations.</p><p>This series of Magnified is brought to you by Intact Insurance.</p>

<p>On this week’s Magnified, Matt meets Seán Farrell, the new Chief Executive of Trócaire. Seán was appointed to his role in October of this year having previously been with the organisation for 20 years.</p><p>He speaks to Matt about the humanitarian work that brought him to Asia and Africa, the devastating impact that war and violence has on children and his optimism for the prospect of solving world hunger.</p><p>Matt also questions him about whether the media is neglectful in their coverage of the ongoing conflict in Sudan.</p><p>This series of Magnified is brought to you by Intact Insurance.</p>

<p>Niall Breslin, aka Bressie, the Irish singer/songwriter who first shot to fame with The Blizzards, joins Matt for this week’s episode of Magnified.</p><p>He speaks to Matt about the release of his new album ‘The Place That Has Never Been Wounded’, which sees him go in a different direction and dip into neoclassical music.</p><p>He also discusses his pivot into hosting his podcast ‘Where Is My Mind’, why he decided to step away from it, and what needs to be done to improve mental health services in Ireland.</p><p>This series is brought to you by Intact Insurance.</p>

<p>Paul Johnston is this week’s guest on Magnified. Paul recently finished up in his role as British Ambassador to Ireland after five years.</p><p>In this episode, Paul talks about what it takes to become an ambassador of a country, how he and his wife fell in love with Ireland and decided to make it their forever home, and what lies ahead in his new job as Director General of the Irish Universities Association.</p><p>This series is brought to you by Intact Insurance.</p>