Advertisement

Readers like you keep news free for everyone.

More than 5,000 readers have already pitched in to keep free access to The Journal.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can help keep paywalls away.

Support us today
Not now
Saturday 2 December 2023 Dublin: 2°C

# Podcast

Yesterday
1st December 2023
The Explainer x Noteworthy: Are kids being locked out from jailed parents?
Investigative reporter Alice Chambers and former prison governor John Lonergan tell Susan Daly about how some children are struggling to get access to their loved ones in prison.
Frawley back to 15, Connacht rotate, Munster march to Cork
Murray Kinsella and Seán Hussey chat about the big team news ahead of Round 7 of the URC.
This week
26th November 2023 - 2nd December 2023
The Explainer: Out of control - how did an attack in Dublin lead to riots and looting?
We’re joined by several members of The Journal’s newsroom to examine how Thursday unfolded, and to discuss the political and social fallout of the events.
Last week
19th November 2023 - 2nd December 2023
Munster-Leinster preview and Ulster and Connacht seek to build on positive results
Murray Kinsella and Ciarán Kennedy look ahead to the weekend’s action.
The Explainer: How has David Cameron made a surprise return to British politics?
We’re joined on this week’s episode by Dominic McGrath, PA Media political correspondent, to dissect the former UK prime minister’s unexpected comeback. What is Cameron’s background, what could he achieve in the role – and what exactly is the end goal here?
Last month
November 2023
A big step for Sam Prendergast, and what makes an Ireland wing
Murray Kinsella joins Gavan Casey to look ahead to the provinces’ URC fixtures this weekend.
The Explainer: What caused dozens of overdoses in Dublin recently?
This week on The Explainer, we’re joined by Dr Austin O Carroll, a GP who specialises in addiction services, to look closer at what happened and find out more about these synthetic opioids. We also examine where all of this fits into the concerns around fentanyl and the possibility of its arrival in Ireland.
The Explainer: Israel and Gaza - what are the big questions that need to be answered?
We’re joined by our Assistant News Editor Stephen McDermott to give you a clear overview of the basics of what we’re seeing today – from who Hamas are to how Israel came to be a state.
Munster travel to Kingspan without Carbery and Snyman; Jackman's thoughts on Ulster at 10
Gavan Casey, Murray Kinsella and Bernard Jackman tee up the weekend’s action.
The Explainer: How has Taylor Swift become (arguably) the world’s biggest music star?
Arts and culture journalist Louise Bruton explores how Taylor Swift became the powerful force in the music industry that she is today. We look at why the billionaire pop star is re-recording her albums, her many feuds, and the history of how she rose from a country music singer to the most streamed artist in the world.
Rugby Weekly: Crothers and Flannery get the nod for tasty first interpro, and Munster back their former hurlers
Ciarán Kennedy and Gavan Casey look ahead to a big weekend of URC.
October
October 2023
The Explainer: What can be done to stop damaging flooding in Ireland?
We’re joined by Dr Mary Bourke, a flood risk management expert and assistant professor of Geography at Trinity College Dublin. She delves into the reasons why flooding – just like strong winds or extreme temperatures – can never be fully stopped, but outlines the solutions Ireland could consider in order to mitigate against the worst impacts on people’s homes and livelihoods.
The All Blacks' deserved smugness, Cheika times his run and SA-England preview
Rugby Weekly podcast runs the rule over the World Cup semi-finals.
The Explainer: What would an Israeli ground offensive look like?
The Israeli Defence Forces look to be gearing up for a ground offensive in The Gaza Strip. We speak to our News Correspondent Niall O’Connor to discuss what this might look like.
The 42 Rugby Weekly: Hansen passed fit for All Blacks clash and Dupont returns for France
Ciarán Kennedy and Murray Kinsella begin the countdown to Paris.
The Explainer: Ireland's Love/Hate relationship with the USC
In Budget 2024 this week, we saw the biggest change to the USC in years, with the 4.5% rate cut to 4%. We spoke to Barra Roantree, assistant professor of economics at Trinity College Dublin about the history of the USC, the importance of it and why economists like it so much?
The Explainer: What's really on the new SPHE curriculum?
Teachers say the new Social, Personal, and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum for secondary schools is long overdue, but some elements of the course have sparked controversy and misinformation. So what will children really be taught? Eoghan Cleary – a secondary school teacher, assistant principal and SPHE & Wellbeing Coordinator – joins us on this week’s episode to explain all.
September
September 2023
Rugby Weekly: Why Ireland should take Scotland extremely seriously
Murray and Gav look ahead to Ireland’s last pool game.
The Explainer: Lough Neagh has been hit by an algal bloom disaster - what’s happening?
The algae has left wildlife dead and led to questions over the safety of drinking water at Lough Neagh. Shauna Corr, environment correspondent and columnist with news outlets including The Irish Mirror and Belfast Live joins us to look at the history of the lake, the real-life impacts of the algal bloom, and what the local response has been.
The Explainer: What is the American bully XL and do bans on certain dog breeds work?
This week on The Explainer, we speak to Dog Behaviourist Nanci Creedon who tells us more these headline-grabbing dogs and looks at what evidence there is on whether some breeds are more aggressive than others.
The Explainer x Noteworthy: Will home births ever be the norm in Ireland?
Editor Maria Delaney and researcher Soma Gregory tell Susan Daly about the many obstacles facing women who would prefer this option.
The Explainer: How will Ireland's new publicly funded IVF scheme work?
Medical journalist June Shannon joins us on this week’s episode to explain how the scheme will work, who is eligible, and how you avail of it. She also details how exactly IVF works and shares her own experience of the process.
The Explainer: Luis Rubiales and the Spanish football scandal - what happens next?
This week on The Explainer, we speak to Emma Duffy, sports journalist with The42, to discuss Luis Rubiales and the scandal that has engulfed Spanish football since their women’s team won the World Cup Final last month.
Rugby Weekly: The best World Cup game, greatest upset, top try, and favourite player
Ciarán Kennedy is joined by Murray Kinsella for a trip down memory lane.
August
August 2023
The Explainer: Why is Ireland getting more TDs?
Art O’Leary, chief executive officer of the Electoral Commission joins us explain how the changes were decided on and what factors were taken into consideration. We’re also joined by our Political Reporter Jane Matthews, Deputy Editor Christine Bohan, and Assistant News Editor Rónán Duffy to dissect the results and take a look at the political ramifications.
Rugby Weekly: A pre-World Cup message from Murray and Gavan
Murray Kinsella joins Gavan Casey to lay out The 42′s plans for the big show in France.
The Explainer: How has the Rose of Tralee festival survived for so long?
Joining us this week is our own Carl Kinsella, who was at the festival earlier this week, and the Irish Independent’s Kirsty Blake Knox. They explore the history of the festival and changes over the years, its relevance in today’s world, and look at what’s next for this year’s winner. Also – if they were a Rose, what would their talent be?
Listen to The 42 Rugby Weekly: The Ireland v Samoa preview pod
Ireland get set for their final World Cup warm-up match as Andy Farrell prepares to name his 33-man squad.
'Maybe people love redemption?' Henry Mance is this week's guest on Behind The Lines
The Financial Times chief features writer discusses a day spent with Boris Becker in this week’s episode.
The Explainer: Why is there so much talk about a farmers' party in Ireland?
This week on we’re joined by journalist and organic beef and dairy farmer Hannah Quinn Mulligan to look at the growing talk of a farmers’ party in Ireland. What are the types of policies they would implement? And what are their chances of success?
'This decision casts a huge shadow over the game... I think World Rugby will appeal'
Ex-Ireland analyst Eoin Toolan disagrees with the disciplinary call on Owen Farrell’s high tackle.
Ireland set to welcome front-liners back with Byrne in 10 shirt
Farrell escapes ban in latest example of disciplinary guessing game
The Explainer: A forgotten crisis - what is happening to the Rohingya minority fleeing Myanmar?
We delve into the prosecution faced by the Rohingya minority in Myanmar, and the treacherous journey many make across the Andaman Sea in search of asylum and a better life. We speak with Michelle Cicic, head of the regional office for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO) in south-southeast Asia Pacific, as well as Lilianne Fan and Hassan bin Roshid from the Geutanyoë Foundation.
The Explainer: Who is Robert F Kennedy Jr and could he be the next US president?
This week on The Explainer, we speak with US correspondent with the Business Post Marion McKeone to delve into Kennedy Jr’s campaign so far. What are his rallies like, and what is he like as a person? Is he in with a chance of becoming US president, or are we simply looking at Trump vs Biden in 2024?
The Explainer: What next for Ireland's women's football team?
Sinéad O’Carroll is joined by The 42′s Gavin Cooney for a wide-ranging discussion on women in football. What does Ireland’s performance at the World Cup say about the future of the team? And did they catch the public’s imagination enough to keep the fanbase growing from here? More widely, is enough being done by sports organisations to support women in sport?
July
July 2023
The Explainer: Do Barbie and Oppenheimer mark the return of the summer blockbuster?
This week, presenter Laura Byrne is joined by journalist and author Aoife Barry, who takes us through the hype machine behind Barbie and how this rubbed off on Oppenheimer. Did it translate into box office success? Also, how will the strike by actors and writers in the US impact film and television over the coming months?
The Explainer: What is the Nature Restoration Law and how will it work in Ireland?
This week on The Explainer, we’re joined by Lauren Boland, climate reporter with The Journal, to examine what precisely this legislation is all about and why it sparked so much anger. Do environmentalists think the now-watered-down law will have any impact? And how does Ireland fit into the picture?
The Explainer: How do Oireachtas committees work, and how did Tubridy end up in front of one?
Presenter Laura Byrne is joined this week by Gavan Reilly, political correspondent with Virgin Media News, to look behind the scenes at Oireachtas committees, from the grandstanding to the selection process, as well as to analyse previous appearances by John Delaney, Angela Kerins, and – of course – Ryan Tubridy.
On the Right Wing: English football firms, the English Defence League, and the Euros
English football is the focus for the fourth and penultimate episode of The 42′s On The Right Wing podcast series.
The Explainer: What does Ireland’s ‘unprecedented’ marine heatwave tell us about our climate?
Presenter Laura Byrne is joined on this week’s episode by Lauren Boland, reporter with The Journal, and Maynooth University’s Dr Gerard McCarthy They examine the impact of the heatwave, what it means for marine life, and look at wider oceanic climate trends impacting Ireland, such as an increasingly unstable Gulf Stream.
The Explainer: What does the Ryan Tubridy payment scandal mean for the future of RTÉ?
Presenter Laura Byrne is joined by The Journal’s Rónán Duffy and Dr Eileen Culloty of DCU School of Communications.