Let Me Explain with Seán Defoe - podcast cover

Let Me Explain with Seán Defoe

Newstalkwww.newstalk.com
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? Listen and subscribe to Let Me Explain with Seán Defoe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.   You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'
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Episodes

59. Inside the Hutch Trial

This week we go inside one of the biggest trials in the history of the State which saw Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch acquitted of murder in the Special Criminal Court.

Apr 20, 202325 min

58. Dummies Guide to The Good Friday Agreement

Do you find yourself having an 'I don't know what a Tracker Mortgage is' moment when talking about the Good Friday Agreement? Well this is your podcast cheat sheet for what was actually written into the deal 25 years ago.

Apr 13, 202313 min

57. Keeping the US President Alive

Just what goes into the security operation around a US President when he travels abroad? With Joe Biden set to visit Ireland next week we look at how the President travels in style and security.

Apr 06, 202311 min

56. Leaving Politics is like Quitting Smoking

A chat with the former Minister for Mental Health Jim Daly who says his decision to quit politics ahead of the last election was like giving up smoking - he didn't realise how good it would feel until he was gone.

Apr 04, 202320 min

55. Who is Humza? The new Scottish FM

Scotland elected a new SNP leader and First Ministers this week. But who is Humza Yousef? The man set up as Nicola Sturgeon's replacement.

Mar 30, 202313 min

54. Ireland's First Satellite

This week we're in UCD to chat to the team who built Ireland's first satellite EIRSAT-1 which is due to launch into orbit this year.

Mar 23, 202329 min

53. What's it like meeting the US President?

A special episode this week from Washington DC as the Taoiseach meets President Joe Biden. But what's it like being in the room when meeting the most powerful person in the world? We speak to some of those who've come face to face with Presidents past.

Mar 16, 202316 min

52. The Death of Ireland's Golden Visa

For as little as €400,000 international millionaires have been able to buy Irish residency since 2012. But amid a surge of applications from China the Government has moved to close the scheme. So who came here and where did they put their money? Let Me Explain.

Mar 09, 202314 min

50. Roald Dahl, Puffin's Marvelous Censorship

This week, should we be ok with editing books after the author is dead? Roald Dahl books are being updated to remove terms some people consider offensive - like fat and 'old hags'. But it's sparked a wider debate about censorship and whether kids should be allowed to read out of date content. Let Me Explain.

Feb 23, 202311 min

48. Aliens or Chinese Spies?

Has the USA been shooting down Chinese spy balloons or UFOs of a much more intergalactic nature? Let Me Explain

Feb 16, 202311 min

47. The History of Bank Holidays

We've all enjoyed the fun of a three day weekend and the short four day work week that comes after. But where did Bank Holidays come from? And why did our ancestors have four times as many? Let Me Explain

Feb 09, 20238 min

46. Just Who Was St. Brigid Anyway?

CEO, entrepreneur, girl boss. Not words I'd have associated with St. Brigid - before listening to this episode! Let Me Explain

Feb 02, 202316 min

45. Conservatives vs Sexy Chocolate

Yes you read the title right. Conservatives in the US have hit out at M&Ms for changing their 'spokescandies' to make them less sexy. Leading to the chocolate giant suspending the use of its candy mascots. Let Me Explain.

Jan 26, 202314 min

44. Animals You Should Be Glad Are Extinct

This episode does what it says on the tin. We're taking a tour through history looking at some of the weird, impressive and downright creepy animals you'll probably be glad don't exist anymore. Let Me Explain.

Jan 19, 202312 min

43. White, Pink and Brown Noise For Sleep

Did you know, noise has colours? You’ve heard of white noise, but what about pink, or brown noise? And what impact can they have on your sleep? Let Me Explain.

Jan 12, 202314 min

42. What TDs Did Before Getting Elected

This week we take a look at the CVs of our TDs. Which Deputy was a whale watching guide? And who worked in a car dealership? Let Me Explain

Jan 05, 202314 min

38. Big Historical Events Which Happened on Christmas Day

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.

Dec 22, 202214 min

37. Making Space Accessible for People With Disabilities

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

Dec 15, 202214 min

36. Christmas Traditions Across Europe

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

Dec 08, 202215 min

35. How Does a Cabinet Reshuffle Work?

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.

Dec 01, 202213 min

34. Sportswashing

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?

Nov 24, 202212 min

33. What Happened At Cervical Check?

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

Nov 17, 202211 min

32. Is Style Better Than Substance?

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.

Nov 10, 202216 min

31. What is the Multiverse?

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.

Nov 03, 202215 min

30. The Haunting of Loftus Hall

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?

Oct 27, 202215 min
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