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The Explainer

The Journal
Yemen
Golden Globes
Houthis
Palestine
Northern Ireland
Irish Actors
Saudi Arabia
Earthquake
Stormont
Dublin
Gardaí
Ireland's Criminal Justice System
Climate Change
The Banshees Of Inisherin
Sinn Féin
Iran
Brexit
Immigration
UK Government
Violence

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes389Founded7 years ago
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News

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Latest Episodes

You've likely noticed the price of your favourite treats creeping up, but now there's a new element: look at the label, and some of the most iconic choccie bars have recently undergone recipe changes so significant they can no longer legally be calle... more

Enoch Burke is, yet again, back in Mountjoy Prison, but this time, the legal stakes for him and his family have risen dramatically. After weeks of chaotic scenes in the Four Courts, a High Court judge has not only ordered the teacher’s return to pris... more

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy paid his first official visit to Ireland this week. As his plane was flying towards Dublin Airport late on Monday night, four unidentified military-style drones breached a no-fly zone and flew towards his fligh... more

Taxi drivers have held several demonstrations in Dublin city centre over recent weeks that have caused gridlock traffic in the capital. The target of their annoyance is a new fixed rate option that was recently introduced on the Uber app. How does th... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Gráinne Mullins
Founder and CEO of Grá Chocolates
Grá Chocolates
Episode: Is your favourite chocolate still actually 'chocolate'?
Diarmuid Torney
Associate Professor in the School of Law and Government at DCU, and Director of the University's Institute for Climate and Society
Dublin City University
Episode: What did the world actually agree to at COP30?
Dr. Brendan Ciarán Browne
Associate Professor in Conflict Resolution at Trinity College Dublin
Trinity College Dublin
Episode: After the ceasefire, what now for the people of Gaza?
Dr. Emma Howard
Economist at TU Dublin
TU Dublin
Episode: How did a Budget with billions in spending leave people unhappy?
Conor O'Carroll
Reporter for The Journal Investigates
The Journal
Episode: Is the government's childcare funding scheme falling apart?
Dr. Theresa Reidy
Political scientist in the Department of Government at UCC
University College Cork
Episode: Who gets to decide who can run for president?
Elaine Burke
Tech journalist and co-host of the For Tech's Sake podcast
For Tech's Sake podcast
Episode: Will ChatGPT's new parental controls actually work?
Alma McCarthy
Executive Dean of the College of Business, Public Policy and Law at University of Galway.
University of Galway
Episode: Why are bosses turning against remote work?
Dr. Joanna McHugh Power
Chair of the Loneliness Taskforce Research Network and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Maynooth University
Maynooth University
Episode: Why are people in Ireland so lonely?

Host

Lauren Bolan
Stand-in host, often featuring as a primary host when Laura Byrne is unavailable. Has a history of engaging with various news topics that require in-depth examination and analysis.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 306 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
    Irelanda year 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
    Ireland2 years ago
  • Worth a listen!

    Nice gem of a podcast, Bertie explainer was excellent.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Review200012
    Ireland3 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
    Ireland3 years ago
  • RSV explainer

    Excellent explainer from a consultant Pediatrician about RSV

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PeadarJosie
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the informative and well-researched content, often highlighting it as a valuable resource for understanding current affairs in Ireland.
Some listeners suggest that while the journalism is important, the presentation could be improved to enhance engagement and relatability.
The podcast is praised for its engaging discussions that break down complex issues into understandable formats, making it accessible for a broader audience.

Top News Podcasts

The Indo Daily
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The Daily
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In The News
In The NewsThe Irish Times
Americast
AmericastBBC News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What's behind the taxi protests gridlocking Dublin?
Q: How has Uber responded to them? Has it defended the feature?
Uber claims the fixed pricing enhances passenger confidence and transparency, arguing it increases overall demand for taxis, framing it as beneficial for drivers.
What's behind the taxi protests gridlocking Dublin?
Q: How does the new fixed fare option compare with Uber's previous offerings?
Previously, Uber did not set taxi prices; the meter determined the fare. With the new system, a specific upfront price is quoted, which can lead to lower earnings for drivers during congested trips.
What's behind the taxi protests gridlocking Dublin?
Q: Andrew, set the scene for us. We've seen major gridlock in Dublin as a result of these protests. What exactly is happening on the streets?
Dublin has been experiencing significant gridlock due to coordinated protests by taxi drivers against Uber's new fixed-price fare system, causing delays for commuters.
How did drones look to target Zelenskyy's plane over the Irish Sea?
Q: Could you explain what that term 'hybrid attack' actually means in this context?
Hybrid attack refers to actions in the gray zone, which includes the use of conventional forces, cyberattacks, and drones to disrupt activities, often associated with state actors.
How did drones look to target Zelenskyy's plane over the Irish Sea?
Q: How did military style drones breach a no-fly zone during Zelenskyy's visit?
The drones breached the no-fly zone while Zelenskyy's aircraft was approaching Dublin Airport and orbited around an Irish Navy ship after Zelenskyy had landed safely.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Explainer

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

A weekly podcast that takes an in-depth look at major current events, offering listeners a textured understanding of the most pressing news stories. Each episode focuses on pivotal news topics, ranging from climate agreements and political scandals to social issues and significant government decisions, providing context and expert insights. The show features discussions with knowledgeable guests from various sectors, such as academia, journalism, and politics, which helps to unpack complex issues and deliver nuanced perspectives. It stands out for its commitment to fact-based reporting and insightful analysis, making it a valuable resource for listeners seeking to stay informed about significant national and global developments.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Explainer?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Explainer. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Explainer and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Explainer get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Explainer?

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How many subscribers and views does The Explainer have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Explainer has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Explainer?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Explainer:

1. The Indo Daily
2. In The News
3. Inside Politics with Hugh Linehan
4. Behind the Story
5. The Pat Kenny Show

How many episodes of The Explainer are there?

The Explainer launched 7 years ago and published 389 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 The Explainer?

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.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Explainer?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Explainer from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Explainer?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Explainer. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The Explainer?

Recent guests on The Explainer include:

1. Gráinne Mullins
2. Diarmuid Torney
3. Dr. Brendan Ciarán Browne
4. Dr. Emma Howard
5. Conor O'Carroll
6. Dr. Theresa Reidy
7. Elaine Burke
8. Alma McCarthy

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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