

The Explainer
The Journal
The Explainer is a weekly podcast from The Journal that takes a deeper look at one big news story you need to know about. What's the background? Why is this in the news? Get the facts behind the story from Ireland's biggest news website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 17, 2024 • 30min
Why did the US and the UK start bombing Yemen - and who are the Houthis?
This week, we're looking at everything about Yemen that might have flown under the radar in recent years with Dr Elisabeth Kendall, the Mistress of Girton College at Cambridge University and an Arabist and middle east specialist. Who are the Houthis? What do they want? Why did the UK and the US act together against them? How has the world barely noticed the war in Yemen? How did it last for so long?The Explainer is brought to you by The Journal. Providing open access to valuable journalism in Ireland has been the aim of The Journal for a decade. You can contribute to ensure we can keep questioning, investigating, debunking, explaining and informing at www.thejournal.ie/contribute/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 9, 2024 • 35min
How exactly can you get some money back from Revenue?
Marian Ryan, consumer tax manager with Taxback.com, joins us on this week's episode of The Explainer to demystify the world of income tax returns, statements of liability, and the Revenue website. She lays out why it's worthwhile for all PAYE workers to sniff around their tax return, and outlines the main tax refunds people are entitled to but often don't look into claiming.The Explainer is brought to you by The Journal. Providing open access to valuable journalism in Ireland has been the aim of The Journal for a decade. You can contribute to ensure we can keep questioning, investigating, debunking, explaining and informing at www.thejournal.ie/contribute/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 1, 2024 • 19min
Our favourite explanations of 2023
Our team pick their favourite moments from the podcast in 2023.The Explainer is brought to you by The Journal. Providing open access to valuable journalism in Ireland has been the aim of The Journal for a decade. You can contribute to ensure we can keep questioning, investigating, debunking, explaining and informing at www.thejournal.ie/contribute/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 27, 2023 • 44min
The ups and downs of Irish politics in 2023 - and what does 2024 hold?
We're joined in studio by our Political Correspondent Christina Finn and Political Reporter Jane Matthews to dissect the year that was, and to look at what 2024 what bring. Who were the political winner and losers? What was the most important legisilation passed? We also analyse how likely it is that an election will be called in the new year, and what potential banana peels might force the coalition's hand.The Explainer is brought to you by The Journal. Providing open access to valuable journalism in Ireland has been the aim of The Journal for a decade. You can contribute to ensure we can keep questioning, investigating, debunking, explaining and informing at www.thejournal.ie/contribute/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 19, 2023 • 28min
Ireland at the Golden Globes - who is nominated, and what are their chances?
Author and arts journalist Aoife Barry takes us through the history of the awards as well as the familiar faces who are up for Best Actor. We also explore what is next for Murphy, Scott, and Keoghan, and what the Golden Globes mean for next year's Oscars.The Explainer is brought to you by The Journal. Providing open access to valuable journalism in Ireland has been the aim of The Journal for a decade. You can contribute to ensure we can keep questioning, investigating, debunking, explaining and informing at www.thejournal.ie/contribute/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 13, 2023 • 26min
Has the COP28 deal really ended the reign of fossil fuels?
Will the new international plan to tackle climate change really achieve anything? Ou reporter Lauren Boland explains what the COP28 deal means, the drama of the last-minute agreement, the likelihood of it actually having an impact.The Explainer is brought to you by The Journal. Providing open access to valuable journalism in Ireland has been the aim of The Journal for a decade. You can contribute to ensure we can keep questioning, investigating, debunking, explaining and informing at www.thejournal.ie/contribute/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 7, 2023 • 31min
What are the big issues facing Joe Biden as he aims for re-election?
We're joined this week by Larry Donnelly, law lecturer at the University of Galway and a political columnist here with us at The Journal, to look at the issues cropping up for Biden - and Trump - ahead of next year's US presidential election. Larry explains the how Biden is polling among the public, and what they see as the real issues facing Americans right now.The Explainer is brought to you by The Journal. Providing open access to valuable journalism in Ireland has been the aim of The Journal for a decade. You can contribute to ensure we can keep questioning, investigating, debunking, explaining and informing at www.thejournal.ie/contribute/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 30, 2023 • 26min
By Noteworthy: Are kids being locked out from jailed parents?
In an episode of The Explainer brought to you by Noteworthy, Susan Daly talks to investigative reporter Alice Chambers and a former prison governor of Mountjoy and Portlaoise prisons, John Lonergan, about the latest in-depth series, CALLING TIME. Our investigation found that prison visits have not returned to pre-pandemic levels, leaving children cut off from their parents in prison. We explore how families are coping and if children are being locked out from imprisoned parents. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 28, 2023 • 33min
Out of control - how did an attack in Dublin lead to riots and looting?
Shockwaves from the events of last Thursday are still reverberating around Ireland. A knife attack on three children and their carer on a busy Dublin street horrified the nation. Then came riots and looting. Now, the social and political fallout is massive. We're joined by several members of The Journal's newsroom to examine how the day unfolded.The Explainer is brought to you by The Journal. Providing open access to valuable journalism in Ireland has been the aim of The Journal for a decade. You can contribute to ensure we can keep questioning, investigating, debunking, explaining and informing at www.thejournal.ie/contribute/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 21, 2023 • 33min
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?The Explainer is brought to you by The Journal. Providing open access to valuable journalism in Ireland has been the aim of The Journal for a decade. You can contribute to ensure we can keep questioning, investigating, debunking, explaining and informing at www.thejournal.ie/contribute/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.