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The Explainer

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

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes410Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Latest Episodes

The government has announced plans to let homeowners build habitable units of up to 45 sq metres in their back gardens without planning permission, and to rent them out under the Rent-a-Room scheme. It says the move will ease the housing crisis, but ... more

The recent release of the 1926 census has sparked a huge wave of interest in Irish family history. It was the first census taken after the foundation of the State, capturing a snapshot of the country after a period of massive upheaval. But between mi... more

In response to the fuel protests, the government scrambled to announce a €505 million euro support package, slashing excise duties on petrol and diesel. But with the Strait of Hormuz now blockaded by Donald Trump and global oil prices continuing to s... more

Ireland's fuel protests have brought parts of the country to a standstill this week, with blockades at refineries and slow-moving convoys on major roads - and currently with no end in sight. But the disruption has raised a much bigger question: where... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Jennifer McLachlan Doherty
Donegal-based genealogist and family history expert
irishancestral.com
Episode: How do you start tracing your family tree?
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?
David Sneyd
Senior sportswriter
The 42
Episode: Can Ireland really qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
Eoghan Dalton
Reporter for The Journal, embedded on the episode to explain the Claire's situation
The Journal
Episode: Why are Claire’s Accessories staff being left without pay?
Emma Howard
Economist at TU Dublin
TU Dublin
Episode: How bad could the looming energy crisis get?
Larry Donnelly
Boston lawyer, law lecturer at the University of Galway, columnist for thejournal.ie
University of Galway; TheJournal.ie
Episode: Is the US-led attack on Iran illegal?
Niall O'Connor
News correspondent
The Journal / TheJournal.ie
Episode: Why is Ireland asking foreign navies to patrol its waters?
Philip Arneill
Head of Communications and Research with CyberSafeKids
CyberSafeKids
Episode: Will a social media ban for under-16s actually work?

Hosts

Laura Byrne
Host of The Explainer, known for engaging discussions on current events and complex topics.
Lauren Bolan
Standing in for Laura Byrne, known for her ability to handle various topics with clarity and insight.

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 States3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Many listeners express desire for more regular updates on varied topics to keep them informed.
The podcast is viewed as a reliable source of information, providing clarity on current topics without bias.
Some feedback suggests that while valuable, the tone can sometimes lack engagement, akin to being in a board meeting.
Listeners appreciate the fact-based and comprehensive discussions, valuing the combination of expert insights and journalistic integrity.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#77
Ireland/News
Apple Podcasts
#194
Poland/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How do you start tracing your family tree?
Q: How far back can an average person in Ireland realistically trace their ancestry with today's resources?
Most people should be able to trace back to the mid-1800s using civil registrations, parish records, and land records, with some exceptional cases reaching earlier centuries with diligent, multi-source verification.
How do you start tracing your family tree?
Q: What should a beginner do about spelling variations and transcription errors when searching online?
Acknowledge common spelling variations, use broader search terms, and verify information against primary sources like civil registrations and parish records to avoid propagating errors.
How do you start tracing your family tree?
Q: Why is gathering living memory so crucial before diving into these records?
Living memory provides tangible context and details that aren't always captured in official records, helping you formulate accurate search questions and target areas to investigate.
How do you start tracing your family tree?
Q: Jennifer, what is the absolute first step someone should take if they want to start tracing their family tree today?
Start with yourself and work backwards, then link to the early censuses, focusing on where you know information and gradually expanding outward as you verify details.
Will the government's fuel package actually work?
Q: What could be the worst-case scenario for the Irish economy over the next six to twelve months given these shocks?
A combination of sustained higher energy costs, inflationary pressure, and large untargeted subsidies that erode budget space, potentially leading to greater fiscal strain, reduced room for long-term decarbonization efforts, and continued risk to public services if the budget surplus collapses.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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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?

Focused on providing thorough context for significant news stories, this podcast offers in-depth discussions about current issues that affect Ireland and the wider world. Episodes often feature expert guests from various fields, including academia, consumer protection, and media, blending informative narratives with a strong journalistic approach. Unique in its commitment to fact-based insights, the show tackles diverse topics such as mental health statistics, social regulations, and economic implications of current events, making it a crucial resource for anyone wanting to stay informed about pressing matters in a comprehensive manner.

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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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. Inside Politics with Hugh Linehan
3. The Indo Daily
4. The Last Word with Matt Cooper
5. Path to Power

How many episodes of The Explainer are there?

The Explainer launched 7 years ago and published 410 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. Jennifer McLachlan Doherty
2. Illan Wall
3. Rachel McGovern
4. David Sneyd
5. Eoghan Dalton
6. Emma Howard
7. Larry Donnelly
8. Niall O'Connor

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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