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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
Community Response

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes407Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Latest Episodes

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

New CSO data shows the average age of a homebuyer in Ireland has hit 40. What does that mean for an entire generation stuck in the 'deposit trap'? And is this opening up a whole new front in the pension crisis? Rachel McGovern, deputy chief executive... more

It has been 24 long, long years since the Republic of Ireland men's team last played in a World Cup, but suddenly, the dream is alive again. This week, Ireland faces Czechia in a high-stakes qualifier, as the nation holds its breath. How did we get h... more

For generations of teenagers, it was the go-to high street spot for ear piercings and fashion jewellery., but now, the iconic retailer Claire's Accessories is rapidly closing its doors across Ireland, leaving staff furious and suddenly out of pocket.... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

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?
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?
Dr. Fiachra O'Loughlin
Assistant Professor at UCD School of Civil Engineering and Director of the Duke Centre for Water Resources Research
UCD School of Civil Engineering
Episode: What's stopping flood defences from being built?
Conor Faughnan
Independent motoring expert at Carzone and former spokesperson for AA Roadwatch
Carzone
Episode: What exactly are the rules for scramblers and e-scooters?
Kate Demolder
Arts and culture journalist and co-host of the Culture Pigs podcast
Culture Pigs podcast
Episode: Has Brand Beckham been destroyed by their own son?

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
#169
Ireland/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why are Claire’s Accessories staff being left without pay?
Q: Are there stronger protections or government action being considered for workers in these situations?
There is discussion about tightening protections, with references to past cases like Claire's closures and Iceland, but no concrete government measures announced at the time of recording.
Why are Claire’s Accessories staff being left without pay?
Q: What is happening with Claire's Accessories in Ireland right now?
Dozens of staff across several stores have been told their stores will close, with many workers going without pay during the 30-day consultation period, and with redundancy notices delayed until April.
The average Irish homebuyer is now 40 - what does this mean?
Q: What policy options are being discussed to alleviate pressure on young buyers?
The discussion covers existing measures like loan-to-income caps and deposit rules, plus proposals to improve conveyancing timelines and potential long-term savings products, stressing the balance between easing access and not inflating property prices.
The average Irish homebuyer is now 40 - what does this mean?
Q: What impact do deposit difficulties and high rents have on the ability to get onto the ladder?
High rents leave less monthly capacity to save, while deposits remain a large upfront hurdle; schemes like First Home can help some, but many still find it hard to meet deposit requirements and obtain suitable lending.
The average Irish homebuyer is now 40 - what does this mean?
Q: What is the reality on the ground for the average homebuyer now that the CSO data shows an age of 40?
The guest explains that a large share of first-time buyers are singles or young couples struggling to assemble deposits, facing tighter mortgage criteria, and often needing to compromise on location and property type due to price pressures.

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

How many episodes of The Explainer are there?

The Explainer launched 7 years ago and published 407 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. Rachel McGovern
2. David Sneyd
3. Eoghan Dalton
4. Emma Howard
5. Niall O'Connor
6. Philip Arneill
7. Dr. Fiachra O'Loughlin
8. Conor Faughnan

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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