Let Me Explain with Seán Defoe

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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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    • May 15, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 15m AVG DURATION
    • 174 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Let Me Explain with Seán Defoe

    173. The Worst Popes In History

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 14:21


    After the election of Pope Leo XIV we're taking a look at some of his worst predecessors in office. From the Popes who used the Vatican like a brothel to the leader of the church who put the rotting corpse of his predecessor on trial, some Popes have been far from saints.

    172. 100 days of the Government. Newstalk's first Insider Poll

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2025 21:02


    This week introduces the first Newstalk Insider Poll talking to TDs, Senators, advisors and political correspondents to get a sense of how the Government is performing 100 days in. We ask who the best and worst performing party leaders and Ministers are, what's likely to dominate the Dáil agenda this year and who they think will end up being the next President of Ireland.

    171. Who are the favourites to be the next Pope?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025 11:49


    In this episode of "Let Me Explain," Sean Defoe dives into the significant transition within the Catholic Church following the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday. Join us as we explore the legacy of Francis, who has often been hailed for his progressive stance, yet faced criticism over the Church's handling of past abuses. As the Vatican braces for the upcoming conclave, we break down the complex voting process and introduce potential successors. From Italian frontrunners like Pietro Parolin to the prospect of an Asian or African Pope, the field is diverse and dynamic. Tune in to discover the intricate world of papal elections and the profound impact they have on billions worldwide.

    170. How to spot the signs of bowel cancer

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025 31:47


    To mark bowel cancer awareness month we discuss the disease, the warning signs and the importance of screening in identifying it early.Sean speaks with Galway man Joe Grogan who faced his own cancer battle after a routine screen warned him something was wrong. And consultant Dr Alan Smith from the HSE national screening service discusses plans to expand screening and the concerning rise in bowel cancer in young people which doctors have yet to find the cause of.

    169. The intricacies of court reporting

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2025 10:02


    In this week's episode, Jamie O Hara explores the intricacies of court reporting with Newstalk's Courts Correspondent Frank Greaney to understand why the public can't always know everything said in court. Also, how the Justice Minister is exploring ways to potentially inform people about their partner's past.

    168. What are tariffs and how do they work?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2025 9:37


    You've heard the name bandied about on every news bulletin for weeks but what exactly are tariffs? How do they work? Who do they hurt? And what will Donald Trump's latest announcements mean for the Irish economy?

    167. British Ambassador Paul Johnston on the future for Ireland and the UK

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2025 28:52


    In this episode of "Let Me Explain," host Seán Defoe sits down with Paul Johnston, the British Ambassador to Ireland, for an insightful discussion on the evolving landscape of UK-Irish relations. From the impact of Brexit to the recent positive shift marked by a high-profile summit, they dive into the complexities of diplomacy and what the future holds for both nations. Join Seán and Ambassador Johnston as they explore how past political shifts influenced their roles, the ongoing challenges of legacy issues in Northern Ireland, and the critical need for cooperation in areas like climate change and security. Discover the ambassador's take on navigating these intricate relationships while maintaining optimism for a collaborative future.

    166. Why Conor McGregor has no chance of being President of Ireland

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 17:45


    On this episode Seán Defoe breaks down why Conor McGregor's political ambitions are dust in the wind and analyses who might actually win the Irish Presidency later this year.From a hotly contested battle for the Fine Gael nomination to the ghost of Bertie Ahern plaguing Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin's difficult position and a potential unity candidate on the left Seán looks through the runners and riders ahead of #PE25

    165. The post match on Micheál Martin's visit to the White House

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2025 17:14


    In this episode of "Let Me Explain," host Sean Defoe takes you right into the chaos of a momentous press conference between Taoiseach Micheál Martin and former President Donald Trump. With so much on the table—from trade wars and tariffs to housing crises—Sean breaks down the highlights of a 50-minute exchange that sparked more than a few eyebrows. Join us as we dissect Trump's bold claims about Ireland capitalizing on the U.S., the complexities surrounding the pharmaceutical industry, and Martin's responses to Trump's confrontational style. Did Micheál Martin manage to hold his ground, or did he fold under pressure?

    164. How Micheál Martin should deal with Donald Trump

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 23:23


    In this week's episode of "Let Me Explain," host Sean Defoe tackles the pressing question: How do you approach a problem like Donald Trump? With Taoiseach Micheál Martin set to meet the US President at the White House, the stakes have never been higher. Join us as Sean delves into the press conferences of world leaders—Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer, and Volodymyr Zelensky—to dissect their strategies when facing Trump. From Macron's diplomatic flattery to Starmer's subtle nudges, we analyze what worked and what didn't. But when it comes to Zelensky, his direct confrontations with Trump flipped the script of diplomatic decorum, leading to a tense exchange. As Micheál Martin prepares for his own high-stakes meeting, we offer insights on striking the right balance. Is it all about bending the knee? Tune in for a comprehensive breakdown of how to navigate this complex political dynamic and hear what Martin might need to keep in his back pocket when the cameras start rolling. Don't miss out on Sean's first-hand reports from the upcoming trip to the US, with all the latest updates straight from the Oval Office!

    163. How does Oscar voting work?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2025 12:45


    In this week's episode, we're rolling out the red carpet and diving into the glitz and glamour of the Oscars. With the awards show just around the corner, we're asking the critical question: Who really decides who wins? Join Sean Defoe as he chats with John Fardy, host of Screen Time on Newstalk, to uncover the intricacies behind the famed Academy Awards. From the diverse membership of over 10,000 voters to the secretive voting process, we break down how nominations and winners are determined each year. We'll also discuss the impact of glitzy PR campaigns, the buzz around this year's contenders, and make some predictions for the big night. With performances from beloved films and the ever-present drama of Hollywood, there's plenty to talk about. Tune in for an insider's take on the Oscars.

    162. Inside the plan to build a nuclear power plant in Wexford

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2025 15:37


    In this episode we're deep diving back to the 1970s when Jack Lynch's Government drew up plans for a nuclear power station which was defeated by...rock? Let Me Explain

    161. Should Ministers travel to the US this St Patrick's Day?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2025 11:27


    This week - in the wake of Donald Trump's pronouncements on Gaza, should the Government be having a party with him in March?

    160. A history of Superbowl advertising

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2025 18:22


    With 30 second ad spots costing as much as eight million dollars do they work and what are some of the most famous ads in Superbowl history?

    159. Is organic food actually better for you?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2025 20:00


    This week we get into the weeds on organic food with Colman Power as we discuss whether it's actually any better for you

    158. What makes a Trump supporter tick?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2025 16:26


    From the capital of the USA Sean reports from the inauguration of Donald J Trump.

    157. What's in the Programme for Government?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2025 16:12


    The programme for Government has been released this afternoon - but what's actually been promised?

    156. How the hell do Seanad elections work?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2025 13:23


    This week we're delving into the most difficult to understand elections held in Ireland - the race to the Seanad.

    155. The Origins of Santa Clause

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2024 8:39


    This week, just where did Santa come from anyway?

    154. Why did new TD Eoin Hayes get suspended from the Social Democrats?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2024 12:49


    This week we're looking at the controversy surrounding new TD Eoin Hayes and the shares he held in Palantir Enterprises.

    153. Election Reflection

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2024 15:44


    On this episode we're looking back on the outcome of election 2024 and what it means for all the main parties

    152. What's In the Sinn Féin Manifesto?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2024 10:59


    On this episode we're looking at what's made it into the Sinn Féin manifesto

    151. What's in the Fine Gael manifesto?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2024 8:07


    On this episode we're looking at what's made it into the Fine Gael manifesto

    150. How To Vote

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2024 19:26


    With all the focus on WHO to vote for in the past few weeks on this episode we go into HOW to vote. How do you fill out the ballot correctly and avoid a spoiled vote?

    149. The Leader Interviews: Peadar Toibin

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2024 13:10


    On this episode Peadar Toibin of Aontu chats about reducing the cost of a pint, holding Ministers accountable and making cider in his bathtub.

    148. The Leaders' Interview: Micheál Martin

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2024 26:22


    On this episode we sit down with Tánaiste and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin to discuss his party's plans, housing and his perfect breakfast.

    147. The Leader Interviews: Ivana Bacik

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2024 22:02


    On this episode we're joined by the Labour leader Ivana Bacik to run through her party's policies, why she thinks people should choose them over similar parties and the one thing you didn't know about Ivana Bacik....her karaoke song!

    146. More women are running for election than ever - but will it result in more Dáil seats?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2024 20:36


    Katie Deegan from Women for Election joins the show today to run through the implications of the 40% gender quota in this year's election

    145. What's in the Green Party manifesto?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2024 17:20


    We continue our election series looking at what the Green Party is promising as it tries to seek another term in Government and how the party is likely to fare across the country.

    144. What's In Fianna Fáil's Manifesto?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2024 22:32


    Starting a new series running through the detail of all the main party manifestos as we head into this general election campaign and asking how each party is likely to perform. This episode is Fianna Fáil, the first out of the traps to release its manifesto.

    143. How to register to vote

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2024 20:30


    This week Sean is joined by Tim Carey from the Electoral Commission with a warning about the time you have left to register to vote and who can apply for a postal vote.

    142. The Death of All Things

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2024 7:17


    This week Jamie O'Hara runs through some of the things once indispensable to life that have faded into non existence

    141. Conker Cheats Cheat Us All

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2024 8:37


    This week we're going bonkers for conkers as we examine the revelation which threw the committee for competitive conkering into chaos this week. If you can't trust conkers what can you trust?

    140. Three of the hardest Dáil constituencies to predict

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2024 17:06


    This week we're breaking out the crystal ball to have a look at some of the toughest Dáil constituencies to predict ahead of the general election

    139. The Lion, the Wallaby and Dublin's Elephant Graveyard

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2024 10:03


    This week Emma Tyrell brings us on a tour of Dublin's animalistic highlights

    138. Budget gesticulation and election speculation

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2024 14:35


    This week we ruminate on the biggest budget in the history of the State and whether it means an election is imminent

    137. Do we need to take food supplements?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2024 19:01


    This week we're asking whether the $177bn supplements industry is actually necessary or whether people are popping pills they don't need

    136. Lies, damn lies and election dates

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2024 15:26


    This week we've been hitting up the pre-Dáil party think-ins to get the skinny on the general election date

    135. "We live by two words - what if?" The hidden risks of sepsis

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2024 53:35


    This week for Sepsis Awareness Day we're speaking to a number of families who've been tragically affected by sepsis and discussing how to spot the signs

    134. Naloxone - the medicine that can pause an overdose

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2024 24:38


    This week we're marking International Overdose Awareness Day by talking about a medicine which can temporarily stop an overdose. The injection or nasal spray can buy people precious time to allow an ambulance to arrive or treatment to be given. Let Me Explain.

    133. 30 years since the IRA ceasefire of 1994

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2024 12:46


    This year marks three decades since the IRA ceasefire of 1994 - a pivotal moment on the path to peace in Northern Ireland. Eamonn Torsney remembers life in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.

    132. The city that banned salt

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2024 10:43


    This week we take a look at the South American city that banned salt shakers from restaurant tables in a bid to tackle excess sodium intake and the range of health problems it brings

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