The Explainer

By The Journal

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 sto... more

· News

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FAQs about The Explainer:

How many episodes does The Explainer have?

The podcast currently has 383 episodes available.

The Explainer episodes:

November 11, 2025 Why did a year-old documentary take down the BBC's director general?
It's just the latest seismic shock to rock the BBC: the resignation of Director-General Tim Davie and CEO of News Deborah Turness. The trigger was a Panorama documentary about Donald Trump, which a leaked memo revealed had 'spliced' together two parts of his 6 January speech, making it sound like a direct call to violence. Why did this controversy explode now? And what does it say about impartiality and political pressure at the corporation - and maybe even its future? We're joined by Dominic McGrath, UK correspondent with the Business Post.
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26min
November 04, 2025 How did DJ Carey become a fraudster?
The Journal's News Correspondent Eimer McAuley and Gaelic games writer with The 42 Declan Bogue join us to look at the rise and fall of iconic hurler DJ Carey. The sporting star was sentenced for a series of long-running frauds amounting to almost €400,000. He conned friends, fans, and even businessman Denis O'Brien using a fake cancer story and forged medical documents to maintain the deception. How did he do it, and how did he get away with it for so long?
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29min
October 29, 2025 Why are new community safety meetings being held in private?
A major change is underway in how local communities, gardaí, and councils discuss safety in Ireland. But you might not be allowed to hear about it just yet. The government is replacing the long-standing Joint Policing Committees with new Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs). However, new Department of Justice guidelines are advising councils to restrict press access to these meetings. What are these new committees, and what do these rules mean for public accountability? We're joined by Eoghan Dalton, a reporter at The Journal.

The Journal’s reporting of the new Local Community Safety Partnerships is supported by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
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21min
October 22, 2025 How did one glitch break half the internet?
It was something many people noticed on Monday: the internet was slow to load, maybe your banking app was acting up, or you weren’t able to complete your daily DuoLingo. You check your WiFi, but the problem isn't in your house. It’s actually a problem with the internet itself. But how? Is it so fragile that business-as-usual is constantly one bad line of code away from collapsing? We're joined by tech journalist and co-host of the For Tech's Sake podcast Elaine Burke.

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24min
October 15, 2025 After the ceasefire, what now for the people of Gaza?
After months of intense conflict, genocide, and a devastating humanitarian crisis, what seemed at times impossible has been achieved: a ceasefire in Gaza. The news is a welcome relief, but tempered by concerns over whether it will last. There are also significant questions hanging over the fine print of what the plan will actually involve. We're joined by Dr Brendan Ciarán Browne, associate professor in Conflict Resolution and a fellow of Trinity College Dublin, to examine the chances for a lasting resolution to the conflict.

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23min
October 08, 2025 How did a Budget with billions in spending leave people unhappy?
It's the political paradox of Budget 2026: a multi-billion euro package that seems to have left almost everyone underwhelmed. The government has announced major spending on housing, infrastructure, and social welfare, but from farmers to homeless charities, many are calling it a 'missed opportunity' that fails to tackle Ireland's big issues. We're joined by Dr Emma Howard, economist at TU Dublin, to explain what the headline figures really mean, who the winners and losers are, and whether this Budget is putting Ireland on a risky path.
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33min
October 01, 2025 Is the government's childcare funding scheme falling apart?
The government’s Core Funding scheme was designed to keep childcare affordable by giving providers government funding in exchange for them agreeing to freeze their fees, meaning they wouldn’t increase costs for parents. However, childcare providers are abandoning the scheme in droves. A new investigation by The Journal Investigates has found that more than 50 providers around the country pulled out in recent years, including 25 that exited the scheme this year alone. We’re joined today by Conor O’Carroll, the reporter behind this report.
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14min
September 25, 2025 How could the killing of Charlie Kirk reshape the American right?
The murder of Charlie Kirk sent shockwaves through an already deeply divided America, and the fallout has become emblematic of the country's dangerously high tensions. As the US heads towards midterm elections, could this killing become a rallying cry to galvanise the Republican base? What does this moment reveal about the deep, at times seemingly irreconcilable, fractures in American society? We're joined by Larry Donnelly, a law lecturer at the University of Galway and a political commentator with The Journal, to explain what happens now and how Kirk's death could reshape American politics.
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25min
September 17, 2025 Could Eurovision collapse over Israel's inclusion?
Israel's involvement in the Eurovision Song Contest has been the subject of protests for years, with calls for a boycott gaining significant momentum since 2023. Activists have called for Israel to be excluded completely, and now, state broadcasters are listening. RTÉ said that if Israel continues to be part of the competition, Ireland will not send an entry in 2026. Other countries are threatening to do the same. Could Eurovision go ahead without them? We're joined by our own Daragh Brophy, News Editor of The Journal, to explain the controversy.
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17min
September 10, 2025 Who gets to decide who can run for president?
The presidential election is just weeks away, but before candidates face the public, they must first find a way to get themselves on the ballot paper. How does the process of currying favour with local councils or members of the Oireachtas actually work, how have previous candidates navigated it, and what should the public be aware of on the day itself? We're joined by Dr Theresa Reidy, a political scientist in the Department of Government at UCC.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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22min

FAQs about The Explainer:

How many episodes does The Explainer have?

The podcast currently has 383 episodes available.

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