Episode Six: Do We Know More Now Than Previous Generations Did?

There was a time when getting a job often meant staying there for life. One employer, one career. Today, changing jobs is the norm, career pivots are common, and freelancing, side hustles and self-employment are all part of the mix. But has trading security for flexibility made working life better? Sean is joined by entrepreneur Norah Casey and broadcaster Paul Ryder to explore whether the idea of the 'job for life' has become extinct.

Once upon a time, friendships almost happened by accident. You met people through school, work, or as a childhood friend. Today, we're more connected than ever. We can stay in touch with friends living on the other side of the world in seconds. But making new friends as adults often feels surprisingly difficult. Have we forgotten how to make friends, and has it become easier or harder as time's gone on? Presenter Muireann O'Connell and comedian Pat Shortt join Sean Moncrieff on Then V Now to discuss.

Are we better at communicating than we used to be back in the day? We can send a message across the world in seconds, stay in constant contact, and never be more than a phone call away. But are all those ways of connecting actually bringing us closer together? From texting versus calling, to the art of letter writing, Sean is joined by author Barbara Scully and comedian Shane Daniel Byrne to explore whether modern life has made us better communicators or whether we were actually better at it in the past.

Was finding a partner easier in the past? People met through friends, work, or local clubs. Today, dating apps put thousands of potential matches at our fingertips. But has more choice made it easier to find love? Sean is joined by broadcaster Mary Kennedy and radio presenter Emily McEvoy to compare dating across two different generations.