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Behind the Story

RTÉ News
Ireland
Donald Trump
Gaza
European Union
Israel
RTÉ
Artificial Intelligence
United States
Ukraine
Keir Starmer
Jim Gavin
Russia
Hamas
Climate Change
Dublin
Venezuela
Fianna Fáil
Social Media
Iran
Cocaine

Tune in for insightful and informed conversation as Fran McNulty, Paul Cunningham and some of RTÉ's top journalists digest 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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes197Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Latest Episodes

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT said one of it's models had gone rogue during security testing and hacked another company, calling it an 'unprecedented cyber incident'. Professor Barry O'Sullivan of UCC Computer Science joins host Brian O'Donovan ... more

Andy Burnham became Britain's 7th prime minister in a decade. He gave his first speech outside Downing Street and RTÉ's Fiona Mitchell joins Evelyn and Brian to discuss the day's events and what Burnham's premiership might mean for Ireland.

Evelyn ... more

The government plans to roll out a new digital wallet which could contain a person's driving license and other important identity documents. Tech Editor with the Irish Independent, Adrian Weckler explains how the wallet might work.

And with a massi... more

On Tuesday, Bill and Alison Chawke were given a custodial sentence for assaulting two men in a hotel in 2023. Limerick Leader senior reporter, Sandra Quinn was in the circuit court as the sentence was handed down and joins Paul to explain the case an... more

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Fiona Mitchell
Correspondent, Foreign Desk, RTÉ
RTÉ
Episode: Britain's new PM and changes to law around E scooters use
Adrian Weckler
Technology editor at the Irish Independent
Irish Independent
Episode: Secrets of Croke Park on All Ireland Final day!
Jerry Grogan
Voice of Croke Park, public address announcer
RTÉ
Episode: Secrets of Croke Park on All Ireland Final day!
Sandra Quinn
Senior journalist, Limerick Leader
Limerick Leader
Episode: Chawke siblings jailed for unprovoked assault
Brian Lloyd
Entertainment journalist
RTÉ
Episode: What's behind Intel's investment in Ireland? and remembering Sam Neill
Shiv Yucel
Expert on heatwaves and human impact
University of Oxford
Episode: Wildfires, heatwaves and bonfires!
Dyane Connor
RTÉ reporter reporting from the Courts of Criminal Justice
RTÉ
Episode: Inside the Dublin District Court where some people are representing themselves
Tania Reut
RTÉ business reporter discussing salaries and housing affordability
RTÉ
Episode: Inside the Dublin District Court where some people are representing themselves
Alan Bradley
Producer of The Girl in the Water documentary
RTÉ
Episode: What happened to Kelly Marie Lynch?

Hosts

Fran McNulty
Host of Behind the Story; RTÉ journalist and commentator.
Paul Cunningham
Host of Behind the Story; RTÉ journalist and broadcaster.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 63 ratings
  • A look at Irish politics and global news with incredibly light politically vacant analysis.

    Podchaser
    3
    Seán
    9 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
    Irelanda year 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
    Irelanda year 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
    Irelanda year 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
    Irelanda year ago

Listeners Say

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

Appreciation for the short, 20–30 minute format and accessible explanations.
Listeners praise concise, topical episodes that are easy to follow.
Praise for strong banter between hosts and expert guests.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#112
Ireland/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#21
Ireland/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

US celebrates July 4th and Taylor Swift's wedding
Q: What drove the Irish involvement in the American Revolution, beyond fighting the British?
The Irish contributed for a range of reasons, including economic opportunity, allegiance shifts, and the practical reality that many joined the British army for stability, while others joined the Patriot cause; this duality and the shared story across generations are explored in the documentary.
US celebrates July 4th and Taylor Swift's wedding
Q: Why did you turn up uninvited to my wedding 23 years ago?
Cormac explains that he tends to attend events unannounced because it's cheaper to enjoy the meal and a toast than to arrange formal invitations, a humorous but revealing anecdote about his sense of timing and his relationship with the host.
Wildfires, heatwaves and bonfires!
Q: How have heat waves changed over the 13-year study period, and what does that imply for policy?
The study shows a rising trend in both the frequency and severity of heat waves from 2007 to 2019, implying that policies should prioritize accessible cooling infrastructure, worker protections, and public health messaging to adapt to increasingly hot conditions.
Wildfires, heatwaves and bonfires!
Q: What does your study reveal about renters versus homeowners and exposure to extreme heat?
Renters are more likely to seek medical services during extreme heat waves because they generally have less autonomy to implement cooling measures at home, such as installing external shutters or improving insulation, which can lead to greater health risk.
Inside the Dublin District Court where some people are representing themselves
Q: What happens when there's no solicitor to help a custody case or bail application?
The judge offered adjournments or encouraged the accused to represent themselves, which sometimes led to the case being postponed for weeks and more bench warrants when people failed to appear.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Behind the Story

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

The show offers sharp, concise discussions on current events with a strong emphasis on politics, international affairs, and media. Across episodes, the hosts thread together transatlantic diplomacy, European security, and the intersection of religion, policy, and public discourse, alongside practical policy debates like transport decarbonization, remote work, and energy economics. A consistent strength is bringing in expert guests—from constitutional attorneys and journalists to professors and policymakers—paired with clear, accessible explanations that connect global developments to local implications. A standout trait is the mix of fast-paced banter and thoughtful analysis, often anchored by timely events and a clear eye on how decisions ... more

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

How many episodes of Behind the Story are there?

Behind the Story launched a year ago and published 197 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Behind the Story?

Recent guests on Behind the Story include:

1. Fiona Mitchell
2. Adrian Weckler
3. Jerry Grogan
4. Sandra Quinn
5. Brian Lloyd
6. Shiv Yucel
7. Dyane Connor
8. Tania Reut

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