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Let Me Explain with Seán Defoe

Newstalk
Ireland
Fianna Fáil
Donald Trump
Fine Gael
Housing
Sinn Féin
United States
Micheál Martin
Catholic Church
Testicular Cancer
Gaza
Christmas
Jim Gavin
Simon Harris
Catherine Connolly
St. Patrick's Day
Climate Change
Criminal Justice System
Economy
Covid-19

If you don't have the time to keep up with every twist and turn of the news agenda then sit back and Let Me Explain. Each week host Seán Defoe goes behind the scenes on one of the biggest stories dominating the airwaves. Why is it a big deal? Who's trying to spin you a line? And, most importantly, why should you give a damn?

CONVERSATION THAT COUNTS | Ireland’s national independent talk station f... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes231Founded4 years ago
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Latest Episodes

This week we're chatting to one of the Irish scientists behind new work to examine what injuries picked up during sports like rugby and boxing do to the brain - and how that impact might be reversed.

This week we're talking to a conservation expert who has been studying ways to keep greedy seagulls away from your food.

This week the inside story on the dramatic exit from the Government of the brothers Healy Rae

This week we're talking about how Malta is keeping the cost of fuel low and whether the Irish Government could follow suit

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Recent Guests

Laura Kelly
Associate Professor at the Centre of Ecology and Conservation at the University of Exeter
University of Exeter
Episode: 229. Can googly eyes stop seagulls from eating your chips?
Michael Healy-Rae
Irish politician, member of the Healy Rae political family
Healy Rae family/Fianna Fáil coalition context
Episode: 228. The Healy-Raesignation
Danny Healy-Rae
Irish politician, member of the Healy Rae political family
Healy Rae family
Episode: 228. The Healy-Raesignation
Seán Bell
Former fighter pilot and military analyst
Independent analyst
Episode: 226. A history of the Straits of Hormuz
Owen O'Malley
Lecturer in political science at DCU and author
DCU
Episode: 225. Should we adopt a first past the post system for voting?
Tristan Cassin-Renny
Chief Executive Officer of FASD Ireland
FASD Ireland
Episode: 223. Dadhood: The hidden risks of being drunk at conception
Jamie O'Hara
Newstalk Washington correspondent
Newstalk
Episode: 222. Inside Micheál Martin vs Donald Trump 2.0
Kevin McPartland
CEO of Fuels for Ireland
Fuels for Ireland
Episode: 221. How does fuel pricing actually work? And are you being gouged?
Amory Slaney
Director of midwifery nursing
Hollis Street
Episode: 220. Dadhood: Supporting mum pre and postpartum

Host

Seán Defoe
Host of Let Me Explain; frequent facilitator of policy discussions and current affairs analysis.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 90 ratings
  • Who doesn’t like Seán Defoe

    I was converted to Seán on The Pat Kenny Show. Bright-Smart snd Entertaining.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mac an tSionnaigh
    United States4 months ago
  • Great informative listen

    Great podcast with quick, knowledgeable info. Brilliant for the upcoming election.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Biatooo
    Irelanda year ago
  • Too funny!

    Loving the humour. This had me laughing all the way through. (Episode 2). Will definitely be tuning in next week 😊

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KRHshops
    Ireland4 years ago
  • 5 Star

    Brilliant podcast. Looking forward to next week already!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DV94
    Ireland4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Balanced guests and accessible policy explanations
Engaging host with sharp takes on current events
Content feels timely and well-informed, with practical insights
Great mix of politics, economics, and human-interest stories

Top News Podcasts

The David McWilliams Podcast
The David McWilliams PodcastDavid McWilliams & John Davis
The Indo Daily
The Indo DailyIrish Independent
Brendan O'Connor
Brendan O'ConnorRTÉ Radio 1
The Daily
The DailyThe New York Times
Path to Power
Path to PowerMatt Cooper
In The News
In The NewsThe Irish Times

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

229. Can googly eyes stop seagulls from eating your chips?
Q: Okay. I was going to ask you, does that mean some gulls are smarter than others?
Yes, there is likely variation among gulls; some are more investigative and curious, while others learn to avoid the eyes after exposure, indicating individual differences in response.
225. Should we adopt a first past the post system for voting?
Q: How would first-past-the-post practically work in Ireland, given its current political landscape?
It would require redrawing constituencies into smaller, single-member or few-member districts, creating predictable but potentially chaotic contests where party trajectories and local loyalties could shift dramatically.
223. Dadhood: The hidden risks of being drunk at conception
Q: What are the major barriers to diagnosing FASD in Ireland and what recent progress has been made?
Historically Ireland lacked national clinical leadership and clear recognition of FASD as a neurodevelopmental disability, leading to limited access to diagnosis and services; recently a diagnostic clinic for care-experienced children has opened in Dublin, representing a significant step forward, though many undiagnosed cases remain.
223. Dadhood: The hidden risks of being drunk at conception
Q: What is FASD and how is it caused according to your explanation?
FASD is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disability caused by prenatal alcohol exposure, affecting the developing baby regardless of whether the exposure comes from the father before conception or the mother during pregnancy; it exists on a spectrum of conditions.
218. Two weeks of paternity leave is not nearly enough
Q: What are the main financial and constitutional obstacles to extending paternity leave in Ireland?
The discussion outlines the need for top-ups to be affordable, the constitutional constraints around political duties, and the possibility of constitutional updates or legislation to allow flexible working and remote participation.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Let Me Explain

What is Let Me Explain about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program tackles the biggest stories shaping public life, with conversations that unpack how policy, politics, culture, and everyday issues intersect in Ireland and beyond. Episodes frequently center on current affairs, governance, and societal change, often featuring guests who provide expert context or personal experience to illuminate complex topics—ranging from paternity leave and parenting to international trade, travel advisories, and national politics. The show is likely to appeal to listeners who want clear explanations of who benefits or loses in policy decisions, along with practical takeaways for informed civic engagement and workplace decision-making. Noteworthy is the mix of hard-edged policy analysis, personal perspectives... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Let Me Explain?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Let Me Explain:

1. Inside Politics with Hugh Linehan
2. Path to Power
3. In The News
4. The Claire Byrne Show
5. Callan's Kicks

How many episodes of Let Me Explain are there?

Let Me Explain launched 4 years ago and published 231 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 Let Me Explain?

Recent guests on Let Me Explain include:

1. Laura Kelly
2. Michael Healy-Rae
3. Danny Healy-Rae
4. Seán Bell
5. Owen O'Malley
6. Tristan Cassin-Renny
7. Jamie O'Hara
8. Kevin McPartland

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