What’s the Story? Podcast

Hilary McGann is back! And so is the chaos of the global news cycle... well, that never really went away did it? We catch up with Hil on all we can cram into an hour - from life as a new mum and the return of her Booked In podcast to the deepening instability in U.S. and Israeli politics, this episode covers a lot of ground. We dig into Trump, polarisation in politics and society, media pressure, religion in the corridors of power, and why so much of the world right now feels like history unfolding in real time.

This week we welcomed People Before Profit–Solidarity TD Richard Boyd Barrett back to WTSpod. We spoke about returning to public life after cancer treatment, the reality of going through Ireland’s public health system, and why better access to cancer care still matters. We also get into the Cherrywood arena controversy, public spending priorities, Ireland’s neutrality, Trump, and the growing impact of toxic online culture on real-world violence.

This week we're joined by Alex Brock and Niamh Foley — two humanitarians who have worked in conflict zones such as Ukraine, Palestine, Yemen, and Iran. Niamh joins us from Kyiv, where air-raid sirens, power cuts, and sub-zero winters are part of daily life. But, thanks to amazing human resiliance, so are packed cafés, opera nights, and almond lattes. Alex shares his experience of having recently returned to Ireland. We talk about what living through a war actually feels like and the emotional toll it takes... not just on those there, but on the families watching from home. We also get into the strange, brilliant side story of how Alex, Niamh, and a small group of Irish expats in Kyiv set up a GAA club in the middle of it all.

Just us this week as we catch up on the pearl-clutching over Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl and rant about billionaires being generally awful people.

We're back! And so is Donnycarney's greatest export - Philip O'Connor. Reporting from the arse-end of the Alps at the Winter Olympics, Phil gives us food for thought on the biathlon (skiing and shooting, because of course), Olympic logistics, Irish identity abroad, journalism, fatherhood, music, America's decline, and why standing up (even in Dublin Airport duty-free) still matters. It's weird, wild, and wonderful. What else would you expect?

We haven’t gone away, you know… We may be part-timers these days, but we were never going to let this Christmas tradition quietly fall by the wayside. In true WTS Christmas fashion, we’re joined by Botswanan icon and New York Times favourite Gary Mackle, alongside his sidekick — best-selling author, award-winning journalist, TV writer, comedy genius, man of the people, etc. etc. — Paul Howard. Get comfortable, we have a two-hour magical mystery tour that winds and weaves from silly to serious, satire to scandal, with a special Christmas recipe you’ll absolutely want to try. Enjoy it. From all of us to all of you — Happy Christmas, and may 2026 be your best year yet. XoXo

Disability rights activist Bernard Mulvany joins us to talk access, action, and accountability. From broken lifts to broken promises, he lays out how a system still locks people out — and how Access for All Ireland is pulling campaigners together into one loud voice. We get into the collapse of the “Green Paper,” what real consultation should mean, the brutal rise in poverty among disabled people, and why the Justice for Harvey march must be a turning point, not a one-off. Bernard also speaks honestly about burnout in activism, the strength of lived experience (including that of his daughter, trailblazer Sophia), and the simple truth: when you design for those with the greatest needs, everyone benefits.

This week the lads bring it on down while chatting about what some might say were the best concerts in Croke Park history.

Friend of the show, Elaine Burke is back! Elaine is the host of For Tech's Sake Podcast and is a regular national media journalist and commentator on all things science and technology. This week she helps us dive into AI hype, deepfakes, online culture and the fragile state of modern media.

Summer holidays are over, and we're back for our latest batch of episodes! This week we're joined by comedian, impressionist, and broadcaster Al Foran. We chat with Al about what he has been up to recently, including trips to Washington D.C. and Saudi Arabia, the greatest Irish sportspeople of all time, will this year be better for Man Utd, and going behind the curtain on Netflix's new show WWE Unreal. *We're working on fixing Mero's audio and will have it sorted soon!

Writer and wrestling analyst Brandon Thurston joins us to break down the ongoing legal saga surrounding Vince McMahon. From shocking allegations and NDAs to shareholder lawsuits and potential fallout for WWE. This is arguably the biggest story to ever hit the world of wrestling, and its impact has changed the business forever. On this episode, Brandon brings us through: — The Janel Grant lawsuit and McMahon's resignation — John Laurinaitis flipping sides — The Ring Boy case — WWE’s reputation, locker room silence, and the “cult” of Vince — What comes next, and why arbitration could keep it all quiet

This week we're joined by two-time Paralympian Colin Judge. Colin represents Ireland at Table Tennis and has set his sights on a third Paralympic Games in LA 2028. Colin talked about his approach to the sport and the issues with classification in disability sport, coming up against his hero at the Paris games and, overcoming setbacks.

Colleen Dulle is associate editor of America Magazine and host of the Inside the Vatican Podcast. She also contributes to ABC News in the US. Her book, "Struck Down Not Destroyed — Keeping the Faith as a Vatican Reporter," will be released later this summer. With the white smoke cleared, Colleen joins us live from Rome to chat about the new Pope, conclave drama, the Church’s power struggles, and why she’s still hanging on to her faith — despite seeing all the chaos of the church up close. We also chat about her upcoming book, Vatican finances (they’re broke-ish), sex scandals, drones at the Sistine Chapel, and what a “collaborative pope” might look like.

Philip O’Connor is back — and still allergic to bullsh*t. From trans rights in sport to media responsibility, fascism creeping into society, and what Sweden gets right (and wrong), this is one of those episodes when we sit back and enjoy the ride Phil takes us on!

We're back from a few weeks off to discuss Danny becoming a Da, the Pope passing away, and the madness of Papal history. We also catch up on League of Ireland football and what desserts the lads are scoffing after this episode.

Dublin, drink, and debauchery 🍻 Historian and host of the amazing Three Castles Burning, Donal Fallon is back for a great chat about the story of the Irish pub and Dublin’s early houses. We also chat about Dev, the Monto’s wild past of guns and sex for sale, and, as always, Donal shares some great nuggets from Irish history.

This week the lads have a quick catch up as Danny recovers from the plague and braces himself for fatherhood. Mero is obsessed with M&S sweet treats and is baffled by the bowl of shamrock circus act in Washington.

Movie buff and TV guru Brian Lloyd is back to chat about the recent Oscars and if the Academy Awards actually mean anything to the average movie fan. We chat a little bit about nepobabies, must see TV, John Cena is a bad guy, and lots more. WTSpod is available in all your podcasty places and we're on Instagram @WTSpod.

Award-winning journalist and best-selling author Aoife Moore is back— talking truths, trolls, and trends in media. After a stint with the BBC, she’s taken the leap into freelance journalism, swapping the newsroom for her passion for investigative documentaries. In this chat, Aoife talks about the big decision to go solo, her love for storytelling, and why she’ll never miss Twitter. Plus, the story behind her number-one bestseller, the wild world of Irish dating apps, and how journalism (and the country) is in a bit of a state.