Let Me Explain with Seán Defoe

Newstalk•www.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

89. How to invest

This week we delve into how to invest your money. Is it best off sitting in a bank or could you be making some more cash with it? Let Me Explain.

Oct 13, 2023•15 min

88. Why Was Kevin McCarthy Sacked?

This week a bit of history where the US House speaker Kevin McCarthy has been removed - the first time that's ever happened. Let Me Explain.

Oct 05, 2023•13 min

87. Inside Ireland's Biggest Drugs Bust

This week we go inside the dramatic events on the high seas as the authorities busted €157m worth of cocaine on a cargo vessel known as 'The Mothership'. Let Me Explain.

Sep 27, 2023•17 min

86. Does the UN actually matter anymore?

From the UN we get reaction to critical comments about the organisation from President Michael D Higgins as four Cabinet members continue their New York trip

Sep 22, 2023•8 min

85. Eamon Ryan on battling the climate crisis

Climate Minister Eamon Ryan speaks to us from New York ahead of a key United Nations summit on climate

Sep 20, 2023•34 min

84. The new Commission reshaping Irish elections

This week we chat to the Chief Executive of Ireland's new Electoral Commission about reform, fake news, lowering the voting age and much more.

Sep 14, 2023•46 min

83. Tommy Bowe on life at a Rugby World Cup

This week we chat to former Ireland winger and Ireland AM star Tommy Bowe about what life is like for the players at a World Cup. He chats best and worst roommates, reveals who brought scented candles on tour and outs the players who ended up singing on a bar with their tops off in 2011. Let Me Explain!

Sep 05, 2023•31 min

82. The biggest search for the Loch Ness monster in 50 years

This week hundreds of people gathered at Loch Ness for the biggest hunt for the monster in a generation. How did they get on? And what are the Irish connections to the legend?

Aug 31, 2023•16 min

81. The Dáil Boundary Review Bonus Pod

It's like Leaving Cert results day for TDs as they learn how their constituencies have changed - we run through the runners and riders. Who comes out well and who's about to lose their seat?

Aug 30, 2023•25 min

80. We Could Have 21 New TDs Announced This Week - The Boundary Changes Preview Pod

This week the Electoral Commission will announce one of the biggest changes to Dáil constituencies in history as the boundaries are changed to accommodate up to 21 new TDs. We preview with Electoral Reform Minister Malcolm Noonan and former Fine Gael TD Noel Rock

Aug 28, 2023•25 min

79. Could Sailing Ships Save The Planet?

This week we look at how the cargo shipping industry is going back to the future with the return of sails to cut down carbon emissions.

Aug 24, 2023•13 min

78. A Tour Through History

This week we're looking back at some of the top historical episodes of the show from the past year

Aug 17, 2023•17 min

77. Dying With Dignity

On this episode we pay tribute to the late Brendan Clarke, who spoke to use in May about living with Motor Neuron Disease

Aug 10, 2023•16 min

76. The Curse of Silly Season

What is the curse of August which has haunted politicians as they try to take their summer holidays?

Aug 03, 2023•13 min

75. Why Don't Electric Cars Have Solar Panels?

This episode does what it says on the tin, we're asking why electric cars aren't all fitted with solar panels to generate their own electricity

Jul 27, 2023•12 min

74. An Interview With....Chat GPT

This week we speak to....Chat GPT...

Jul 20, 2023•7 min

73. What is the Nature Restoration Law?

The European Parliament has been tearing itself apart arguing over the Nature Restoration Law. But why is it so controversial? Let Me Explain

Jul 13, 2023•13 min

72. Tubscast

Ryan Tubridy and his agent Noel Kelly appeared before two Oireachtas Committees and we sat through every minute so you didn't have to. I'm joined for instant reaction by Committee Chair Niamh Smyth

Jul 11, 2023•26 min

71. Instant Reaction RTÉ Committee Pod

Recorded in our flip flops myself and Paul Hosford break down a busy and difficult day for RTÉ. More and more revelations about the finances at the broadcaster as officials were before the Oireachtas Media Committee again.

Jul 05, 2023•31 min

70. Who Are The Wagner Group?

Who are the mercenary group which has been fighting in Ukraine and ALMOST led a full throated rebellion against the Russian leadership? What about their leader 'Putin's Chef' and links to the IRA? (No, not THAT IRA) Let Me Explain!

Jun 29, 2023•20 min

69. The Titanic Sub Mystery

This week we go inside the design and making of the missing sub which had been taking a small crew to view the world's most famous shipwreck

Jun 22, 2023•12 min

68. Why Young People Are Avoiding the News

New data reveals a serious drop off in the amount of under 25s reading news and a rising number of people deliberately censoring themselves from certain stories. Let Me Explain.

Jun 15, 2023•13 min

67. Leaving Cert War Stories

This week we've asking YOU for your nightmare Leaving Cert experiences. Sleep through the exam? How about bringing a TV remote instead of your calculator? Or having someone get sick on your exam paper. Let Me Explain.

Jun 08, 2023•25 min

66. Making Census Things

Do people have more sex during recessions? Well some of the Census data suggests yes, and we might have to plan the future around it More of the bizarre stats from Census 2022 on this week’s Let Me Explain podcast

Jun 01, 2023•12 min

65. Why Don't We Want The Apple Tax Money?

The Government is fighting tooth and nail NOT to be given €13 billion from Apple for back taxes the European Commission claims are owed. So, why don't we want a big payday exactly? Let Me Explain.

May 30, 2023•16 min

64. When Renewable Energy Almost Bankrupted The State

This week we're looking into one of the most dramatic projects ever undertaken by an Irish Government when politicians opted to spend 20% of their entire budget on the Ardnacrusha hydroelectric plant.

May 25, 2023•9 min

63. Does Alcohol Cause Cancer?

This week we're looking at the Government's plans to introduce cigarette-pack style warning labels on alcohol and the connections between the disease and booze.

May 18, 2023•13 min

62. How Netflix Plans to Stop You Password Sharing

Netflix wants you to stop sharing passwords so it can make more money. But how do they plan on doing it? And how can you get around it? Let Me Explain.

May 11, 2023•13 min

61. Why Are US Banks Collapsing And Should We Panic?

Three of the four biggest US bank collapses have happened in the past....two months. What's going on and is it time to be worried? Let Me Explain

May 04, 2023•16 min

60. What's Happening in Sudan?

Two coups in four years and armed factions fighting for control of one of Africa's biggest countries. On this week's episode we dive into what's happening in Sudan, and why.

Apr 27, 2023•11 min

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