Newstalk

Let Me Explain with Seán Defoe

News EN ↓ 241 episodes

If you don't have the time to keep up with every twist and turn of the news agenda then sit back and Let Me Explain. Each week host Seán Defoe goes behind the scenes on one of the biggest stories dominating the airwaves. Why is it a big deal? Who's trying to spin you a line? And, most importantly, why should you give a damn? CONVERSATION THAT COUNTS | Ireland’s national independent talk station for news, sport, analysis and entertainment Listen to Newstalk at  http://newstalk.com/listenlive  | Download the GoLoud app now, the new home for Newstalk

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Newstalk

Category

News

Podcast website

www.newstalk.com

Latest episode

Jul 6, 2026

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Episodes

40. The 2022 Review! Part Two 25.12.2022

The second part of this year's look back on the year that was.

39. The 2022 Review! Part One 25.12.2022

Let's take a look back through the mad and wacky year that was 2022.

38. Big Historical Events Which Happened on Christmas Day 22.12.2022

Christmas Day is usually a time for rest and relaxation. But over the centuries some pretty momentus things have happened on the 25th of December. From a disaster for Columbus to the end of the Soviet Union, come on a journey through history.

37. Making Space Accessible for People With Disabilities 15.12.2022

Is space flight accessible for people with disabilities? I’d almost bet if you don’t have a disability you’ve never thought about it before But there is a whole team at the European Space Agency trying to figure that out Let Me Explain

36. Christmas Traditions Across Europe 08.12.2022

This week we take a whistlestop tour across Europe looking at Christmas traditions in other countries. Which country has a Christmas witch? And where do they believe in a child eating Christmas cat? Let Me Explain

35. How Does a Cabinet Reshuffle Work? 01.12.2022

How do you reshuffle a Cabinet without pissing people off? That's the challenge for Micheál Martin and Leo Varadkar as they prepare to swap jobs. Let Me Explain.

34. Sportswashing 24.11.2022

The World Cup in Qatar is a classic example of sportswashing. When a country tries to use a big sporting event to rehabilitate its image and hide concerns about social issues. This week we look at some of the other historical examples and ask, will it work again?

33. What Happened At Cervical Check? 17.11.2022

This week saw the sad passing of campaigner Vicky Phelan. But why did the entire country come to know her? And what happened at Cervical Check? Let Me Explain

32. Is Style Better Than Substance? 10.11.2022

When it comes to politics, is it better to have style or substance? Does being a great policymaker get you anywhere if you can't explain it to people? And have we entered the era of the showman politician? Let Me Explain.

31. What is the Multiverse? 03.11.2022

Have you ever wondered what would have happened if you'd made a big decision differently? Well some believe other universes exist where you did. Potentially infinite universes, with infinite versions of you. Let Me Explain.

30. The Haunting of Loftus Hall 27.10.2022

A special Halloween episode of Let Me Explain where we go inside the walls of Ireland's most haunted house. What happened that fateful night in 1765 when the devil himself roamed the cost of Wexford?

29. The World's Shortest Serving Leaders 20.10.2022

Liz Truss has become the shortest serving British Prime Minister in history. But she's not the shortest serving world leader ever. From the US President who died after 31 days to the 20 minute King, Seán Defoe explains.

28. Iran's Hijab Protests 13.10.2022

The arrest and death of a 22 year old woman in Iran has sparked nearly a month of protests against the country's ultra-conservative rules about women. We go inside the story.

27. How Would a United Ireland be Governed? 06.10.2022

If there were to be a United Ireland tomorrow - what would its parliament look like?

26. WTF is happening with the UK economy? 30.09.2022

Blink and you'd miss it. A mini budget which led to the pound collapsing and all sorts of panic in the markets. What does it all mean in simple terms? Well, Let Me Explain

25. What's a UN Summit like? 23.09.2022

Special edition coming to you from the streets of New York and the heart of the UN General Assembly

24. What's the Paschal Donohoe Eurogroup row about? 22.09.2022

There's been a lot of talk about the Eurogroup - but what is it? And why is it important Paschal Donohoe keeps his role as President of it? Let Me Explain

23. How Would A Windfall Tax Work? 15.09.2022

Governments across Europe are looking to tax the bumper profits of energy companies. But how would such a tax work? And would it actually raise all that much money? Let Me Explain.

22. Why Is The ECB Hiking Mortgage Interest Rates? 08.09.2022

The European Central Bank has announced a 0.75% hike to interest rates - the second increase in a matter of months. It's going to mean increased mortgage repayments for many, so why are they doing it in the middle of a cost of living crisis? Let Me Explain.

21. Cryptocurrency 01.09.2022

You've probably heard of Bitcoin. But what actually is it? Are cryptocurrencies the future or just a passing fad? Let Me Explain.

20. The Rise Of Plant Milks 25.08.2022

How do you milk an oat? Technically you can't yet plant milks have become all the rage over the past few years. But how do they compare to dairy on taste, price, environmental impact and when it comes to your health? Well, Let Me Explain.

19. How NOT to pronounce Taoiseach 18.08.2022

This week's episode is an ode to Liz Truss and all the other politicians who've mangled the word Taoiseach on the world stage

18. Who Is Rishi Sunak? 11.08.2022

Part Two of Two One of Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak will be British Prime Minister next month, but who the hell are they? On this episode we delve into the background of Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor who wielded the knife on his former boss and now is looking to wear the crown himself.

17. Who Is Liz Truss? 11.08.2022

Part One of Two One of Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak will be British Prime Minister next month, but who the hell are they? On this episode we delve into the background of Liz Truss, the favourite to replace Boris Johnson.

16. Why Haven't We Met Aliens Yet? 04.08.2022

With hundreds of billions of stars and planets in the universe there has to be life out there, right? Then why haven't we met any yet? This week we look at some of the major theories about why we haven't met aliens and whether they're out there at all.

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