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Behind the Story

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes206Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Latest Episodes

President Trump was secretly moved off Air Force One and put on another plane owing to a credible threat from Iran on July 8th. But how did the plan come together? Fran is joined by former US Secret Service agent, Bobby McDonald who reveals the think... more

The continuing dry spells and increasing temperatures are proving a challenging environment for farmers. Host Aengus Cox speaks to Tom Curran of Teagasc to hear how farming may have to adapt to warmer summers in the future.

Later, Lucy Fisher, Whi... more

As some pubs and venues in the UK move to ban Meta glasses, Fran is joined by tech reporter, Kelly Earley to chat about the growing demand for smart specs, the use of Kylie Jenner in Meta's branding and why concerns loom large over features like secr... more

New figures from Met Éireann show July was one of the hottest, driest and sunniest months on record. But will Irish society have to adjust to cope with the changing climate? And what does it mean for food production? Also, some of the world's largest... more

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Recent Guests

Lucy Fisher
Whitehall editor with the Financial Times
Financial Times
Episode: Farming in hot weather and Nigel Farage v Count Binface
Tom Curran
Head of Advisory with Teagasc
Teagasc
Episode: Farming in hot weather and Nigel Farage v Count Binface
Kelly Earley
Columnist with The Journal and co-host of TechSake podcast
The Journal / TechSake
Episode: Meta glasses: cool tech or pervert specs? and what's happening with Hamas?
Julie Norman
Associate fellow on the Middle East at Chatham House
Chatham House
Episode: Meta glasses: cool tech or pervert specs? and what's happening with Hamas?
Oisin Coghlan
Policy advisor to the Irish Environmental Network
Irish Environmental Network
Episode: A hot July and oil companies make billions in profit
Rob Harris
Sports correspondent, Sky News
Sky News
Episode: FIFA row, Infantino under pressure and rebuilding Gaza
Jim Clarken
CEO of Oxfam Ireland
Oxfam
Episode: FIFA row, Infantino under pressure and rebuilding Gaza
John Meagher
Music journalist with the Irish Independent
Irish Independent
Episode: The sudden death of Oscar-winning musician Glen Hansard
Damian Lawlor
Presenter and reporter on Gaelic Games coverage
RTÉ
Episode: Mayo magic and the psychologist behind the team!

Host

Fran McNulty
Lead journalist and frequent host with coverage across politics and current events; frequently anchors multiple segments.

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
    10 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.

Consistently explains complex stories in an accessible way.
Hosts work well together with insightful guest interviews.
Crisp, topical, and well-paced—ideal for quick commutes.
Engaging mix of policy depth and live reporting.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#178
Ireland/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#27
Ireland/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Farming in hot weather and Nigel Farage v Count Binface
Q: What guidance is offered for farmers facing a hot, dry summer and water scarcity?
Experts recommend focusing on five key areas: securing adequate water supply, adjusting stocking rates to available grass, managing soil fertility and pasture, optimizing fertilizer and slurry use, and preparing a fodder budget for summer and winter needs to buffer against drought.
Farming in hot weather and Nigel Farage v Count Binface
Q: What is driving the Clacton by-election and why is it unusual this time around?
The by-election was triggered by Farage over scrutiny of his finances and a large personal gift; major parties boycotted the by-election, which could limit the slate of contenders and boost support for Farage while elevating Count Binface as a notable alternative.
A hot July and oil companies make billions in profit
Q: Do you think the fact that people were struggling to fill their cars with diesel to commute was the real motivator for EV adoption mentioned here?
Yes, immediate price signals from fuel costs plus convenient, declining technology costs are driving more people to switch to electric vehicles, especially when coupled with government incentives and visible benefits like lower running costs.
A hot July and oil companies make billions in profit
Q: Discuss the carbon tax and how it fits into funding the transition away from fossil fuels.
Carbon tax is only one part of the funding, and its impact is often overstated in price increases; other measures like windfall taxes on oil and gas and targeted public investments are needed to fund the transition.
A hot July and oil companies make billions in profit
Q: Let's start by taking a look at those figures released by Met Éireann. I suppose confirmation what we really already knew in terms of July.
They confirm July was extremely hot and dry, with multiple local records—one of the warmest, driest Julys on record—driven by a heatwave across Europe.

Audience Metrics

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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?

A fast-paced, policy-forward show that blends domestic Irish issues with international politics, tech, and culture. Across recent episodes, conversations span leadership changes in the UK, Ireland's evolving public policy—ranging from digital wallets and housing to retirement age and legal aid—and timely cultural touchpoints, all anchored by RTÉ journalists and on-the-ground correspondents. The format typically pairs sharp hosts with expert guests and frontline reporters, delivering concise analysis, practical context, and accessible storytelling in a 25-minute window. A notable strength is the mix of hard policy debate with vivid on-site reporting from UK, EU, and Irish environments, plus thoughtful historical or cultural segments that enl... 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. Today with David McCullagh
4. Path to Power
5. Brendan O'Connor

How many episodes of Behind the Story are there?

Behind the Story launched a year ago and published 206 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. Lucy Fisher
2. Tom Curran
3. Kelly Earley
4. Julie Norman
5. Oisin Coghlan
6. Rob Harris
7. Jim Clarken
8. John Meagher

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