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

Because they're worth it: medieval hair treatments 11.07.2023

Connla Mac an Leagha's 16th century collection contains many remedies and treatments intended to enhance the appearance of the medieval Irish man and woman. By Siobhán Barrett, Maynooth University.

A Croke Park murder mystery: who shot Séan Ó Glaimín? 04.07.2023

When a player is shot dead in the middle of a match, there's only one lad to turn to for answers and that's detective Réics Carlos. By Siobhán Doyle, Brainstorm.

Why banks need to maintain cash services for customers 27.06.2023

We are much further removed from becoming a cashless society than some might like to think. By Olive McCarthy, UCC.

Meet the 5 worst boyfriends in fiction 20.06.2023

Boyfriend characters in many novels can show women how a potential romantic partner's toxic behaviour should act as a warning. By Maria Butler, UCC.

Radio GAA GAA: the Irish abroad and Gaelic games on the radio 13.06.2023

Listening to Gaelic games on the radio is a way for many of the Irish diaspora to maintain their sense of Irishness. By Daithí McMahon, University of Derby

Why Irish people love making connections when we meet strangers 06.06.2023

The Irish connection grid means we're always striving to find a link to make the world smaller. By Gail Flanagan, University of Limerick

A short history of the many plans to reclaim land from Dublin Bay 30.05.2023

There have been numerous proposals over the years to reclaim land from Dublin Bay to use for everything from housing to an airport. By Ruth McManus - School of History and Geography, DCU.

Help, my child is now a teenager – what do I do? 23.05.2023

As challenging as it is to be a teenager, it's equally so for parents as all grapple with new roles and responsibilities. By Aidan Farrelly, Maynooth University

How many friends do you need? 16.05.2023

Our network changes over the course of our lives, but how many friends do we really need? Here's what the research tells us (By Aoife Ryan-Christensen, Brainstorm)

Will we see 'robot judges' in Irish courtrooms in the future? 09.05.2023

While other jurisdictions are trialing law by artificial intelligence, there are many reasons why this might not be a good idea (By Rónán Kennedy, University of Galway)

Why the trench coat became the garment of choice for IRA fighters 02.05.2023

The waterproof coat protected soldiers from rain, thorns and mud, but the advantage for the IRA was it also concealed weapons (By Jane Tynan, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

Why Ireland sought to stop US airlines landing at Dublin Airport in the 1960s 25.04.2023

There was a high level of tetchiness between Ireland and the US when it came to transatlantic aviation in the 1960s (By Michael Kennedy, Royal Irish Academy)

How listening to music at lunch increases your afternoon productivity 11.04.2023

Research has found that 15 minutes of music listening at lunchtime may increase employees' work engagement in the afternoon (By Avery Torres, Hilary Moss and Deirdre O'Shea, University of Limerick)

5 things women should know before starting a business 28.03.2023

Here's how budding women business owners and entrepreneurs can overcome the pitfalls and challenges they face (By Maura McAdam, DCU)

The man from Co Meath who had at least 10 funerals 22.03.2023

T he story of Irish language revivalist Eoghan Ó Gramhnaigh's life, death and extraordinary reburial remains largely unknown to most (By Tracey Ní Mhaonaigh, Maynooth University)

4 ways to make public transport easy to use and safe for all 07.03.2023

We need to send the message that public transport really matters by making it safe, easy to use and part of the neighbourhood (By Sarah Rock and David O'Connor, TU Dublin)

How much does your job title matter? 28.02.2023

Job titles may be the least important signifier of a successful approach to managing and motivating staff (By Brian J Murphy, TU Dublin)

'Ah sure, you know yourself': why Irish people never say what they mean 21.02.2023

We subconsciously choose our words carefully when it comes to keeping the conversation indirect and polite (By Gail Flanagan, University of Limerick)

All you need to know about putting solar panels on your roof 14.02.2023

You can expect a simple system of six to eight solar panels to generate about one third of your home's electricity needs (By Paul Deane, UCC)

Why referees are quitting Gaelic games 07.02.2023

94% of match officials have experienced verbal abuse during their career and 23% have experienced some form of physical abuse. (By Noel Brick, Gavin Breslin, Mark Shevlin and Stephen Shannon, Ulster University)

How to save money on your household bills with simple maths 24.01.2023

Deciphering the complex numbers around energy costs, mortgages and supermarket prices is key to making good financial decisions

How to fall in love with strangers 17.01.2023

We can often experience the same psychological and physiological benefits of love with strangers

Could super-villains use your smart kettle to disrupt the power grid? 10.01.2023

We're moving to a world where more and more of our home appliances are connected to the internet and and thus more hackable

5 things you didn't know about Fionn Mac Cumhaill 03.01.2023

The man who ate the Salmon of Knowledge was a complex character and not always likeable, but he was certainly thought-provoking

Why It’s A Wonderful Life still resonates today (repeat) 13.12.2022

Frank Capra's masterpiece remains a Christmas classic because the film still speaks to many to us at this time of year

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