Rephonic
Artwork for The Explainer

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes416Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Explainer

Latest Episodes

Alumina is the fine white powder needed to make aluminium, and Ireland is home to Europe's largest producer of it. Aughinish Alumina's ownership by Russian giant Rusal has put the Limerick plant under intense scrutiny, with a recent investigation tra... more

Even if you've never watched an episode of Love Island in your life, it has become almost impossible to escape the drama. This season, with Galway footballer Seán Fitzgerald swapping the GAA pitch for Majorca, viewers in Ireland are once again deeply... more

An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda has just been declared a global health emergency, sparking alarm worldwide. It is driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain, a variant of the virus for which there is currently no approved v... more

New figures suggest the rental market could be experiencing historic levels of strain. Rents surged by 4.4% between December and March, marking the largest quarterly increase on record for the Daft.ie series. We’re joined by Michael Byrne, Associate ... 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
Inside Business with Ciaran Hancock
Inside Business with Ciaran HancockInside Business with Ciaran Hancock

Recent Guests

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?
Emma Howard
Economist at TU Dublin
TU Dublin
Episode: Will the government's fuel package actually work?
Illan Wall
Professor with the Irish Centre for Human Rights and Law Lecturer at the University of Galway
University of Galway / Irish Centre for Human Rights
Episode: How far can a protest go before the State steps in?
Rachel McGovern
Deputy Chief Executive at Brokers Ireland
Brokers Ireland
Episode: The average Irish homebuyer is now 40 - what does this mean?

Host

Laura Byrne
Host of The Explainer; The Journal.ie

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 307 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 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
#151
Ireland/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why did rents just see a massive increase?
Q: Is the eviction notices data a direct reaction to the new rules, or is there more at play?
Eviction notices rose substantially, and while some of that increase is likely linked to landlords exiting the sector or selling, it's unclear how much is a direct result of the rules versus broader market pressures and enforcement patterns.
Why did rents just see a massive increase?
Q: Michael, what did this latest Daft.ie report tell us about the state of the rental market right now?
The data show a sharp, bookend-linked spike in rents tied to the March rule changes, suggesting landlords are moving to market rents as a response, while overall market signals imply a push for higher profitability to spur new supply, with mixed implications for tenants.
How do Irish contestants keep stealing the spotlight on Love Island?
Q: What is it about the Irish contestants that makes them such a draw for both producers and audiences?
Irish contestants stand out due to a combination of distinct regional accents, cultural appeal, directness, and authenticity, which contrasts with other common casting pools and resonates with a large, highly engaged Irish audience that consumes the show across multiple platforms.
How do Irish contestants keep stealing the spotlight on Love Island?
Q: Kate, firstly, how has Love Island managed to keep going and remain this lucrative?
The show's continued profitability rests on a unique, multi-faceted business model: dominant brand partnerships, a strong demographic reach that attracts premium advertising, and a robust ecosystem where fans can buy show-related merchandise and products, creating a self-sustaining marketplace beyond the villa.
How will Eurovision boycotts impact the song contest?
Q: Could you firstly walk us through exactly who is boycotting this year's contest and what triggered the unprecedented move?
The boycott stems from a combination of Israel's continued inclusion and concerns about voting practices in 2025; five broadcasters chose not to participate in 2026, with Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Iceland among those stepping back, while others chose to broadcast or present alternate programming.

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?

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?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The Explainer, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for The Explainer?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The Explainer, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

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. In The News
2. The Indo Daily
3. Inside Politics with Hugh Linehan
4. Behind the Story
5. Inside Business with Ciaran Hancock

How many episodes of The Explainer are there?

The Explainer launched 7 years ago and published 416 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.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

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. Gabriel Fitzpatrick
2. Michael Byrne
3. Daragh Brophy
4. Pádraig Lyons
5. Robin Mandal
6. Jennifer McLachlan Doherty
7. Emma Howard
8. Illan Wall

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days