RTÉ

RTÉ Brainstorm

Society EN ↓ 187 episodes

New ideas and insights about the world around us. From RTÉ in co-operation with Irish universities and Research Ireland.

Author

RTÉ

Category

Society

Podcast website

www.rte.ie

Latest episode

Jul 8, 2026

Where to listen?

Podcasts in the app Replaio Radio Coming soon

Podcasts are coming to the app soon. Install now and be the first to see a whole new take on podcasts

Get it on Google Play Install for free Android 5M+ downloads · 4.8 rating iOS soon

Episodes

Where does the time go? 14.11.2025

All you ever wanted to know about how we perceive time as humans, why we use the measurements that we use, how time changes as we get older and why the Universe says time is all relative anyway.

The hospitality crisis: what's happening to Irish restaurants? 04.11.2025

Restaurants are closing on a weekly basis due to rising costs, but Irish consumers are also spending €2.2 billion a year on food delivery. By Ronan Carbery, UCC.

Are 'quiet redundancies' happening in your workplace? 21.10.2025

Employers in Ireland are implementing 'quiet redundancies' to scale back workforces in the face of uncertainty, tariffs and AI. By Aoife Ryan-Christensen, Brainstorm.

Can I stop drone delivery companies flying over my property? 14.10.2025

The legal landscape surrounding the use of drones is currently far from clear and many practical questions remain unanswered. By Kathryn O'Sullivan, University of Limerick.

How slogans as Gaeilge have become part of Irish-Gaza protests 07.10.2025

The use of Gaeilge at demonstrations in support of the Palestinian people is part of the radical tradition of Irish language activism. By Ciara Grant, UCC.

Why is the Child of Prague statue associated with Irish weddings and weather? 26.08.2025

The general belief was that you should leave the statue outside under a bush the night before the wedding to ensure good weather

Are you stuck in the wrong job? 5 signs it’s time to move on 19.08.2025

Warning signs that your job is no longer right for you include burnout, boredom, and feeling undervalued.

What was on the menu in prehistoric Ireland? 12.08.2025

From hazelnuts and fish to dairy and beef, new archaeological evidence reveals what our ancestors ate.

Do I have to work when I’m sick? 05.08.2025

Presenteeism—working while sick—is common in Ireland, but it has long-term consequences for health and productivity.

It's 1970 and the Irish army are plotting to invade Northern Ireland 29.07.2025

The prospect of Irish Defence Forces making incursions into Northern Ireland was seriously considered in response to the 1969 violence.

Howya lads: how we address and greet others in Ireland 22.07.2025

From ‘howya lads’ to ‘hiya girls’, Irish greetings reveal a lot about our social norms and changing gender dynamics.

How 92 year‑old Richard Morgan became a rowing world champion 15.07.2025

At 92 years of age, Richard Morgan was a four-time world champion in indoor rowing.

The colourful story of the Elephant House on Dublin's O'Connell Street 08.07.2025

The roots of Elverys and its elephant logo lie in a remarkable 19th-century shop on Sackville Street.

The night JFK came to dinner in Dublin 01.07.2025

President John F. Kennedy attended a state dinner in Iveagh House on 28 June 1963 during his iconic visit to Ireland – here’s how the night unfolded.

Meet George Ryan, the Tipperary Don Quixote in 18th century Peru 24.06.2025

The Tipperaryman's adventures as a grandee at large in South America involved everything from coca collection to debt collecting. By Richard Fitzpatrick, Maynooth University.

Is it possible to create a healthy, tasty beer with no alcohol?    17.06.2025

The sober-curious movement has seen sales of non-alcoholic drinks rocket, but do these beverages come with health benefits? By Ana Soriano and John Kenny, Teagasc

How RIP.ie became an unlikely Irish cultural phenomenon 09.06.2025

Aside from publishing death notices and condolences, RIP.ie is also a rich source of significant personal, cultural and historical data. By Shannon Mora, TCD.

Why micro-retirement has become a new workplace trend for Gen Z & millennials 02.06.2025

One of the main factors driving the demand for micro-retirement breaks is the employee's desire to achieve a better work-life balance

How bonus points have changed Leaving Cert Maths 27.05.2025

There's no doubt that bonus points are driving the uptake of Higher Level maths, but the initiative has had unintended consequences. By Niamh O'Meara, University of Limerick; Páraic Treacy, MIC Limerick and Mark Prendergast, UCC

Here are 10 landmark GAA sites to visit in 2025 20.05.2025

A bucket list of GAA destinations to explore, all offering unique social insight and powerful historical connections to Gaelic games

Why exemptions from studying Irish are an increasing phenomenon 13.05.2025

We need a comprehensive plan for Irish in education and one that addresses the issue of exemptions in an inclusive fashion

How do EVs perform in the real world? Here’s what one Cork driver discovered 08.05.2025

Gerald Bruton has learned a lot about range anxiety and capitalising on cheap electricity since buying his first EV at 81 years of age

Why are my bills going up (and up) mid-contract? 10.04.2025

Mid-contract price hikes may be legal, but the practice has been criticised as being unfair to consumers during a cost of living crisis

Do you have a middle-ageing brain? 08.04.2025

Recent research suggests middle age could mark a shift in brain ageing with our blood in our 40s more informative about our brain in our 60s. By Sebastian Dohm-Hansen Allard, UCC.

Why money doesn't always motivate employees 01.04.2025

Research suggests the relationship between pay, motivation and performance is much more complicated than you might think. By Ann Masterson and Karen Feery, TU Dublin.

Listen to the RTÉ Brainstorm podcast in Replaio

Radio and podcasts in one app - free, with no sign-up. Install today and do not miss the launch

Get it on Google Play

Replaio is not a podcast publisher; show names, artwork and audio belong to their authors and are distributed through public RSS feeds.