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

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Episodes

Why do you have so many unread emails? 30.01.2024

4 tips to manage the time demands of digital communication when there's just so much to do. By Anna Navin Young, UCC.

Who was Kathleen Lynn? The diaries of a radical Irish woman 23.01.2024

Her diaries tell the story of an innovative and revolutionary activist devoted to the cause of women, workers and Ireland. By Mary McAuliffe, UCD and Harriet Wheelock, RCPI.

Dia dhuit: what's behind Irish language's religious roots? 16.01.2024

Gaeilge is deeply intertwined with Ireland's religious history, which explains so many phrases about saints, devils and eternal life. By Peter Weakliam, DCU.

5 tips to save money on your heating this winter 09.01.2024

Winter means having the heating on more often so here's how to have a comfortable home with optimal energy use. By Asit Kumar Mishra, UCC.

Is Government policy leading to longer commutes and urban sprawl? 03.01.2024

With Dr Lorcan Sirr from TU Dublin on RTÉ Radio 1's Drivetime from November 23rd 2023

'A good send-off': why food plays a major role in Irish wakes and funerals 02.01.2024

Irish funerals and wakes since ancient times have always highlighted the importance of food, feasting and hospitality

How Irish dance became a significant business for Irish women 05.12.2023

Irish dance has deep historical ties with cultural nationalism and identity, but its financial importance for women cannot be overlooked

How did the marriage bar affect Irish women? 28.11.2023

The impact of Ireland's marriage bar on the affected women's professional lives and careers is still felt to this day. By Jennifer Redmond, Maynooth University; Judith Harford, UCD and Deirdre Foley, UCC.

Why so many of us will run up that hill with Kate Bush 21.11.2023

As fans gather for the Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever in Dublin, a look at the life, work and Irish connections of Kate Bush

What Ireland ate and drank during the Second World War 14.11.2023

From the "black loaf" to a shortage of tea, the Emergency's hardships forced Ireland to try out many alternative foodstuffs

Under Clery's clock: the history and legacy of the landmark Dublin store 07.11.2023

One of the mainstays of city life for over 170 years, the store's iconic clock provided a meeting place for generations of Dubliners

What's going to happen to used electric car batteries? 31.10.2023

The good news is that they're highly recyclable, but the process can be hazardous due to potential fires and other dangers

Why is society so surprised by older people having sex? 17.10.2023

You'll find very few positive depictions of old age sexuality yet research confirms the importance of active sex lives to this cohort

Why we turned a Dublin street into a playground 10.10.2023

The D7 Play Streets initiative is about showing what a simple reallocation of public space which puts children first and which returns the street to a source of social life could look like

Ráiméis! Here are 15 slang words as Gaeilge to use this week 03.10.2023

Altering words in some way to conceal their meaning to those outside the group is typical of jargons the world over

Do you work in a toxic workplace? Here what you can do about it 26.09.2023

If organisations won't create safe, welcoming and positive workplaces, they shouldn't be surprised if employees won't put up with it. By Professor Kevin Murphy, University of Limerick.

A short history of the Irish coffee 19.09.2023

How a coffee laced with whiskey, sugar and cream came to be seen as the height of sophistication. By Barry Houlihan, University of Galway

Why are Irish gig tickets so expensive? 12.09.2023

The price of a ticket to see your favourite act has increased dramatically for a plethora of reasons. By Aoife Ryan-Christensen, RTÉ Brainstorm.

Taylor Swift's songs are full of literary references - so what do they tell us? 05.09.2023

The pop star's references to books and classic literature allows us to see her self-awareness and growth as an artist. By Ellen Howley, DCU.

What goes on at the Workplace Relations Commission? 29.08.2023

The WRC is a one stop shop for the resolution of a myriad of employment law issues and disputes. By Brenda Daly, DCU

Why Irish people sing 'Ole Ole Ole' when they're happy 22.08.2023

We don't just break into a blast of 'Ole Ole Ole' at soccer matches, but also at gigs, homecomings and other celebrations. By Aoife Ryan-Christensen, Brainstorm

How Michael Collins became the Irish revolution's sex symbol 15.08.2023

The mystery, romance and cult around Michael Collins has created an idealised version of the Irish leader. By Aoife Ryan-Christensen, RTÉ Brainstorm

How do you clean a wind turbine blade? 08.08.2023

Dirt on a blade's surface can decrease a wind turbine's efficiency by up to 40% after just two weeks of operation. By Seamus Cummins, DCU

The growing world of nixers, passion projects and side hustles 25.07.2023

Many people embark on jobs on the side to maximise their talent, make full use of potential and earn some extra income. By Bhuvan Israni, TU Dublin

‘He proposed to me on our first date’: my experience of Irish culture shock 18.07.2023

What we say and how we behave is influenced by cultural norms and can lead to critical (and sometimes funny) incidents. By Florence Le Baron-Earle, University of Limerick

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