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The Explainer

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes423Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Latest Episodes

Britain has a new prime minister (again): Andy Burnham, the "King of the North", its seventh in ten years and the first to take office openly Catholic. What kind of leader is he, how did he get here, and what does his rise mean for Ireland? Dominic M... more

This summer, The Journal is releasing a six-part series of The Explainer podcast through Irish, focusing on some of the biggest stories affecting the language and the Gaeltacht areas. This week, we are taking a look at artificial intelligence and Iri... more

Last autumn, the old Joint Policing Committees were replaced with new Local Community Safety Partnerships. All 36 are now up and running, and the first public meetings are happening. Are they any more open than the structure they replaced, and are th... more

For decades, George Gibney was one of the biggest names in Irish swimming. The 77-year-old was convicted this week of 40 counts of sexually abusing four girls in the 1970s and 80s, after an 11-day trial at the Central Criminal Court. The Journal's Ja... more

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Recent Guests

Dawn Russell
Chief Executive Officer of Ana Liffey
Ana Liffey
Episode: Why is crack cocaine use soaring in Ireland?
Niall O'Connor
News correspondent at The Journal
The Journal
Episode: What does a Limerick refinery have to do with a Russian sanctions row?
Kate Demolder
arts and culture journalist
The Journal.ie
Episode: How do Irish contestants keep stealing the spotlight on Love Island?
Gabriel Fitzpatrick
Consultant in public health medicine, director of the International Clinic in Dublin
International Clinic in Dublin
Episode: Why is the latest Ebola outbreak so hard to contain?
Michael Byrne
Associate Professor at the School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice, University College Dublin; author of Beyond Generation Rent
University College Dublin
Episode: Why did rents just see a massive increase?
Daragh Brophy
News editor and Eurovision expert at The Journal
The Journal (TheJournal.ie)
Episode: How will Eurovision boycotts impact the song contest?
Pádraig Lyons
Head of the International Energy Research Centre at the Tyndall National Institute
Tyndall National Institute
Episode: Is nuclear energy a realistic option for Ireland?
Robin Mandal
Architect and former president of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland; vice chair of the Dublin Democratic Planning Alliance
Independent architect/advocate
Episode: Will garden cabins actually help fix the housing crisis?
Jennifer McLachlan Doherty
Donegal-based genealogist and family history expert
irishancestral.com
Episode: How do you start tracing your family tree?

Host

Laura Byrne
Host of The Explainer; The Journal.ie

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
    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
    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 States4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate fact-based journalism and practical insights.
Fresh voices and up-to-date context keep discussions relevant.
Some find pacing and technical depth challenging but credible overall.
Episodes are informative, balanced, and useful for understanding complex topics.
Engaging analysis with well-sourced experts and clear explanations.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#76
Ireland/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What was it like inside the George Gibney trial?
Q: What does the verdict mean for the four survivors and for Irish sport going forward?
The verdicts validate the survivors' experiences, bolster trust in safeguarding measures, and push Irish sports bodies to maintain robust reporting procedures, vetting, and governance to prevent future abuse.
What was it like inside the George Gibney trial?
Q: Before we get into any of the detail, could you set the scene for us? What was the atmosphere like in that courtroom and what was it like to actually be in the room with George Gibney?
The atmosphere was surreal and monumental; Gibney's former prominence in Irish swimming amplified the weight of the room, while the restrictions on naming the defendant underscored the tension between public interest and survivor protections.
Are Ireland's new community safety partnerships working?
Q: How can listeners get involved?
Listeners can contact their local Community Safety Partnership through their local council or councillor to participate or provide input on safety issues relevant to their area.
Are Ireland's new community safety partnerships working?
Q: What are residents raising at meetings?
Residents raise concerns about anti-social behaviour, vacancy and dereliction, and how to better integrate diverse communities; councils are experimenting with channels like WhatsApp groups to improve engagement.
Are Ireland's new community safety partnerships working?
Q: What are the early signs of success or trouble?
There is some coordination and positive examples from Longford, including full-time coordinators and community-facing initiatives, but inertia and resourcing constraints persist, and broader impact on safety is still being evaluated.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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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?

This show provides concise, evidence-based explorations of major Irish and international issues, often anchored by expert guests and data-driven context. Recent episodes span topics like energy policy, housing and planning, national security, and governance, with a consistent emphasis on how policy choices shape everyday life. The format typically features in-depth analysis, practical implications, and a clear attempt to separate facts from opinion, making it a solid resource for listeners seeking informed, rational discussion on timely topics. A notable strength is its ability to combine legal, economic, and social perspectives with on-the-ground reporting and expert viewpoints.

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. Inside Business with Ciaran Hancock
5. The Last Word with Matt Cooper

How many episodes of The Explainer are there?

The Explainer launched 7 years ago and published 423 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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What guests have appeared on The Explainer?

Recent guests on The Explainer include:

1. Dawn Russell
2. Niall O'Connor
3. Kate Demolder
4. Gabriel Fitzpatrick
5. Michael Byrne
6. Daragh Brophy
7. Pádraig Lyons
8. Robin Mandal

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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