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Behind the Story

RTÉ News
Gaza
Israel
Donald Trump
RTÉ
Hamas
Artificial Intelligence
Social Media
Uk-Eu Deal
Shopping Scams
Ireland
Brexit
Israel-Palestine Conflict
European Union
Michael Gaine
Garda Investigation
Fishing Rights
Climate Change
News Stories
World Food Programme
Eurovision

Tune in for insightful and informed conversation as Fran McNulty and some of RTÉ's top journalists digest some of the news stories of the day. Expect deep dives, analysis, interesting guests and maybe even some laughs along the way.

Email: behindthestory@rte.ie

New episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

PublishesDailyEpisodes100Founded8 months ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Latest Episodes

As the year comes to an end, Fran takes a look back at some of the stories on artificial intelligence that were covered on the podcast.

From new guidelines, AI music, technology in schools and AI therapy chatbots, the technology continues to challe... more

Dáil rows, Trump's tariff threats and a Presidential campaign: Professor Gary Murphy of DCU and political reporter Sandra Hurley join Fran to dissect and analyse the year in politics. The trio discuss the emergence of Michael Lowry TD as a power brok... more

Twenty four hours on from the publication of the Fianna Fáil report into their Presidential campaign, Fran and Barry dissect the reaction to the report and examine the pressure on Party leader Michéal Martin.

Later, reporter Kate Varley joins the d... more

Pressure is mounting on Fianna Fáil to release the report into the Jim Gavin Presidential campaign. Three senior party members said today that the report must come out this week. Joe Mag Raollaigh joins Fran to tease out the timeframe around the repo... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Kristina Callas
Minister of Education and Research in Estonia
Government of Estonia
Episode: The highs and lows of AI in 2025
Laura Riley
Mother of a young woman who died after using an AI therapy chatbot
Episode: The highs and lows of AI in 2025
Barry O'Sullivan
Professor and AI expert
DCU
Episode: The highs and lows of AI in 2025
Kate Varley
Colleague from the RTÉ newsroom working on the foreign desk
RTÉ
Episode: Fallout from the Fianna Fáil report and a visit to a refugee camp
Shona Murray
Europe correspondent for Euronews
Euronews
Episode: Pressure on FF to release report and positive noise from Ukraine talks
Catherine Ellis
Journalist covering Venezuela
Episode: Ireland's largest ever water project and what's going on in Venezuela?
Michael Guerin
Addiction counselor based in Limerick City
Episode: Edenderry attack and drug debt intimidation
Niall Stanage
Political journalist and commentator
The Hill
Episode: Boat strikes in the Caribbean and revealing your Spotify Wrapped!
John Meagher
Music journalist with the Irish Independent
Irish Independent
Episode: Boat strikes in the Caribbean and revealing your Spotify Wrapped!

Hosts

Fran McNulty
Host and Co-host of the show, Fran McNulty brings a wealth of experience and insight to discussions on current events and news analysis.
David McCullagh
Host and Co-host, David McCullagh is an influential voice in political journalism, contributing thorough insights into various discussions.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 56 ratings
  • A look at Irish politics and global news with incredibly light politically vacant analysis.

    Podchaser
    3
    Seán
    2 months ago
  • Fergus Finlay

    Your podcast is great. Love the banter between you…a must for every great podcast. Second Captains is another favourite for the same reason. Particularly enjoyed your chat with Fergus Finlay. Always keen to hear his inside track on politics. He’s informed, honest and fun. Like your podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Caroline Heffo
    Ireland4 months ago
  • Are drones changing the Russia-Ukraine war?

    Patrick Brury always great to listen to- good to hear an episode on this hugely consequential war

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    avavshsoksavsm agsvsbsa
    Ireland7 months ago
  • 👍 great podcast

    Really like the podcast, concise, topical and entertaining. The 3 hosts work so well together and the fact it’s 20-30mins long is ideal.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    seanregankk
    Ireland7 months ago
  • Fabulous topical podcast

    Really love this podcast. Very topical, great banter between the journalists. Really helps explain the current stories in the news.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Markmah47
    Ireland8 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the podcast for its engaging analysis and coverage of significant current events.
Audience feedback highlights the hosts' chemistry and depth of knowledge, making complex topics accessible.
Listeners enjoy the mix of humor and critical thinking, appreciating that episodes are concise and informative.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#53
Ireland/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The highs and lows of AI in 2025
Q: How is AI threatening traditional media models?
AI summaries affect advertising revenues and diminish the need for users to access original sources.
The highs and lows of AI in 2025
Q: Will you be prescriptive in how AI is used in education?
We will not be prescriptive but will provide training to teachers on integrating AI into learning.
What can the courts do with Enoch Burke?
Q: How is civil contempt different from criminal contempt?
Civil contempt involves breaching an order for which a party benefits, while criminal contempt interferes with the administration of justice.
What can the courts do with Enoch Burke?
Q: What is contempt?
Contempt refers to the way courts manage obligations to observe their orders, often invoked when someone refuses to comply with court rulings.
BONUS: DJ Carey: The Dodger
Q: Did you find it hard to get people, and you have many of them, did you find it difficult to get people to go on camera to tell their story?
Yes, many were ashamed of being conned by DJ Carey and were reluctant to come forward due to the vulnerability associated with their experiences.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Behind the Story

What is Behind the Story about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Expect a blend of insightful conversations and in-depth analysis of current news stories, featuring discussions among experienced journalists and expert guests. The content ranges from national and international politics to social issues, crime analysis, and cultural commentary, ensuring a comprehensive examination of the day's pressing topics. With a format that embraces both seriousness and humor, the discussions also investigate the underlying themes shaping public opinion and events. This podcast is particularly noteworthy for its mix of expert insights and engaging banter among hosts, making complex topics accessible and relatable to listeners.

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How many listeners does Behind the Story get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Behind the Story?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Behind the Story:

1. The Indo Daily
2. Path to Power
3. Brendan O'Connor
4. In The News
5. Today with David McCullagh

How many episodes of Behind the Story are there?

Behind the Story launched 8 months ago and published 100 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Behind the Story?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Behind the Story?

Recent guests on Behind the Story include:

1. Kristina Callas
2. Laura Riley
3. Barry O'Sullivan
4. Kate Varley
5. Shona Murray
6. Catherine Ellis
7. Michael Guerin
8. Niall Stanage

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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