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The Explainer

The Journal
Ireland
Donald Trump
Climate Change
European Union
Israel
Iran
Gaza
Joe Biden
Social Media
United States
Peatlands
Brexit
Dublin
Kamala Harris
European Parliament
Ukraine
Immigration
Irish Economy
Economic Policy
Coastal Erosion

The Explainer is a weekly podcast from The Journal that takes a deeper look at one big news story you need to know about. What's the background? Why is this in the news? Get the facts behind the story from Ireland's biggest news website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes444Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Latest Episodes

Democrats made gains right across the United States in the midterm elections. It leaves Republicans facing a major defeat and Donald Trump facing two more years in the White House with less control. What drove the backlash, how much can Democrats now... more

Texas has delivered one of the biggest surprises of the US midterm elections. James Talarico is the first Democrat to win a Senate election in the state since 1988, while Gina Hinojosa defeated longtime Republican governor Greg Abbott. How did Democr... more

Recent Revolut outages left customers struggling to access their money, raising questions for anyone thinking of making it their main bank. Digital banks offer better apps and lower fees, but what are the trade-offs when it comes to cash, customer se... more

Americans vote in the midterm elections on 3 November, with every seat in the House of Representatives and about a third of the Senate up for grabs. Republicans currently control both chambers, but Democrats are mounting a big challenge to Donald Tru... more

Key Facts

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

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

In The News
In The NewsThe Irish Times
The Indo Daily
The Indo DailyIrish Independent

Recent Guests

Niall O'Connor
News correspondent with The Journal
The Journal
Episode: How can dangerous driving for social media likes be stopped?
Larry Donnelly
Law lecturer at the University of Galway and political columnist
The Journal
Episode: Could Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez be the next US president?
Eoghan Gilmartin
Freelance journalist based in Madrid
Freelance journalist
Episode: How did 72,000 people cross into Ceuta?
Pádraic Fogarty
Ecologist and environmental campaigner
Independent ecologist
Episode: Could nature itself help stop Ireland's wildfires?
Dominic McGrath
UK correspondent
Business Post
Episode: Who is Andy Burnham?
Eoghan Dalton
Reporter at The Journal who has followed the Local Community Safety Partnerships from pilots to national rollout
The Journal
Episode: Are Ireland's new community safety partnerships working?
Barry Colfer
Director of Research at the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA)
IIEA
Episode: Ireland just took over the EU presidency, but what does that actually mean?
Patricia Devlin
Journalist with The Journal Investigates team
The Journal Investigates
Episode: Why do so many speeding cases never end in a conviction?
Dawn Russell
Chief Executive Officer of Ana Liffey
Ana Liffey
Episode: Why is crack cocaine use soaring in Ireland?

Hosts

Laura Byrne
Co-host of The Explainer; seasoned journalist with roles across Irish outlets.
Conor Bromwell
Co-host of The Explainer; journalist with focus on Irish affairs.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 309 ratings
  • What is Shein and what is it doing to the clothing industry?

    Another interesting and thought provoking ‘Explainer ‘ episode. I enjoyed this wide ranging and engrossing discussion re Shein and the clothing industry.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Eclectas
    Ireland2 years ago
  • Very valuable source of information

    I appreciate the regular nature of this podcast . Is very informative . Good journalism in that tradition of seeking to inform in a relatively unbiased way . Thank you

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    mariachristine20
    Ireland3 years ago
  • Worth a listen!

    Nice gem of a podcast, Bertie explainer was excellent.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Review200012
    Ireland4 years ago
  • Important journalism but just a little dull

    Really appreciate getting fact based information regarding issues, processes and systems in Ireland, without bias. However, some podcasts I find are like sitting in a board meeting rather than painting a picture to a lay person that really makes us understand it. More engaging scripts would really help when all this amazing research is being done. Thanks for your work

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    ruthboot
    Ireland4 years ago
  • RSV explainer

    Excellent explainer from a consultant Pediatrician about RSV

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PeadarJosie
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Accessible and informative without jargon, though occasionally the pace can be brisk.
Engaging, well-researched explainers that cut through hype.
Trustworthy source for Irish current affairs with strong reporting.
High-quality guests and tight, informative episodes.
Consistently clear and data-driven; great for quick, informed briefs.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#98
Ireland/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How can dangerous driving for social media likes be stopped?
Q: How is TikTok involved, and is this old-style joyriding with a new audience?
Joyriding itself dates back decades, but social media amplifies it by providing a platform for validation and bragging—teens document and share their actions, which can encourage others in the same group to imitate.
How can dangerous driving for social media likes be stopped?
Q: What happened on the M9 and what do we still not know about the events?
A group of five teenagers drove a BMW the wrong way on the M9, colliding with a Hyundai and causing multiple fatalities and injuries; it's unclear if the car was stolen, and investigators are still piecing together the sequence and motives.
Could Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez be the next US president?
Q: So how likely is it that she could run and could AOC be the next president of the United States?
The guest explains that while she has not ruled it out and has substantial fundraising and a growing profile, the path to the nomination would require broadening her appeal beyond her progressive base and navigating a challenging primary landscape.
How did 72,000 people cross into Ceuta?
Q: And really, this is at just another level, though, isn't it? How tens of thousands managed to cross the border during the initial rush?
The surge happened after Moroccan border controls were seemingly relaxed or withdrawn for a brief period, creating a sudden, high-pressure situation at a vulnerable crossing point that overwhelmed Ceuta's resources and highlighted the cross-border dynamics between Spain and Morocco.
How did 72,000 people cross into Ceuta?
Q: Firstly, Eoghan, what is Ceuta and why does Spain have territory in North Africa?
Ceuta is an autonomous Spanish enclave on the North African coast, effectively a European border outpost with a long history that makes it a flashpoint for migration and security politics, especially given its proximity to Morocco and its status as an exclave.

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 The Explainer

What is The Explainer about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show's format centers on deep-dive explanations of major Irish and international news topics, often tying complex policy, politics, and societal issues to clear takeaways. Episodes frequently cover governance, public policy, crime and safety, health, and major global events with context from expert guests and reporters. Noteworthy is the reliance on data-driven analysis and on-the-ground reporting to illuminate how decisions affect everyday life, making it a solid fit for listeners who want evidence-based insight without partisan bias. The program tends to feature researchers, journalists, and policy insiders, creating a credible, balanced tone that's useful for professionals seeking reliable briefing material or potential sponsors seek... more

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How many listeners does The Explainer get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Explainer?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Explainer:

1. In The News
2. The Indo Daily
3. Inside Politics with Hugh Linehan
4. Today with David McCullagh
5. Behind the Story

How many episodes of The Explainer are there?

The Explainer launched 8 years ago and published 444 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 The Explainer?

Recent guests on The Explainer include:

1. Niall O'Connor
2. Larry Donnelly
3. Eoghan Gilmartin
4. Pádraic Fogarty
5. Dominic McGrath
6. Eoghan Dalton
7. Barry Colfer
8. Patricia Devlin

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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