Best Making Sense Of Islam Podcasts (2025)

1
The Revolution within (S. 14, Ep. 13) 45:39

1d ago45:39

45:39

On this week's episode of the podcast, Yasmin Moll of the University of Michigan joins Marc Lynch to discuss her new book, The Revolution Within: Islamic Media and the Struggle for a New Egypt. This book challenges conventional accounts of the 2011 revolution and its aftermath as a struggle between secular and religious forces, reconsidering what m…

1
Islamic Cultural Centre closure 8:09

22h ago8:09

8:09

Clonskeagh, south Dublin, has temporarily closed to the public following an allegedly “deeply troubling” incident said to have occurred last Saturday   We heard from Dr Ali Salim, Chair of the Irish Muslim Board.

1
Why do we tend to lose our sense of play in adulthood? 5:24

3d ago5:24

5:24

Why do we tend to lose our sense of play in adulthood, and how can we reclaim it? All to discuss with Richard Hogan, Family Psychotherapist and author of “Home Is Where The Start Is”.

1
Don’t lose hope! Warm weather is on the way 2:10

3d ago2:10

2:10

The weather might have been a bit miserable this week. But there is light at the end of the tunnel, and warmer weather is on the way. Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather brings us some good weather news.

1
Could a potential Ukraine Russia peace deal collapse? 7:11

3d ago7:11

7:11

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia is "ready" to reach an agreement with Ukraine, according to an interview with CBS News posted online. We get the latest with Dr Jenny Mathers from the Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University.

1
ESRI report findings on short-term lets 5:34

3d ago5:34

5:34

There is no evidence linking an increase in short-term lettings and a fall in new rentals available, according to the latest research from the ESRI. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Dr Rachel Slaymaker is Author of the report.

1
How pornography is fueling sexual and gender based violence 5:43

3d ago5:43

5:43

The Irish Medical Organisation’s conference today will hear that ‘Pornography today is far more violent, degrading and humiliating than ever before’. We discuss further with Dr Madeleine Ní Dhálaigh Roscommon GP, member of the IMO GP Committee and speaker at the Conference.

1
EPA urges people to make noise and odour complaints to tidy up their areas 3:41

3d ago3:41

3:41

Odour and noise complaints concerning industrial waste have reduced by nearly half in the last three years, according to the latest EPA report. Speaking to Ciara this morning to discuss this further was Pamela McDonnell, Programme Manager at the EPA Office of Environmental Enforcement.

1
Crowds are gathering ahead of tomorrow’s funeral of Pope Francis 5:21

3d ago5:21

5:21

Today will be the final day for the public to pay their respects to Pope Francis at St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, ahead of the popular pontiff’s funeral tomorrow morning. Our Chief Reporter Barry Whyte joined us from St Peter’s Square.

1
Why public drinking water spots should be introduced around Ireland 5:23

3d ago5:23

5:23

Public drinking water facilities should be introduced around Ireland, after a pilot project found it drastically reduces the amount of soft drinks children have. That’s according to Dr Grace O’Malley from the RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences who explained why to Ciara this morning.

1
Day one of Harvey Weinstein’s retrial in New York 4:56

3d ago4:56

4:56

Attorneys delivered opening statements yesterday in the New York retrial of disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein, after his landmark 2020 rape conviction in New York was overturned. Shane got the latest from Lauren Conlin Reporter and Host with Pop Crime TV.

1
Latest on the Russian missile attack in the Ukrainian city of Kyiv 5:10

3d ago5:10

5:10

Nine people have been killed and 70 are wounded following a Russian missile attack in the Ukrainian city of Kyiv, a day after US Vice President JD Vance delivered an ultimatum to both countries Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Member of Parliament in Ukraine, Inna Sovsun.

1
The IMO on the ongoing challenges facing the health system 9:59

3d ago9:59

9:59

Doctors in the Irish Medical Organisation will gather in Killarney today to discuss the ongoing challenges facing the health system. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Dr Denis Mc Cauley, GP and outgoing President of the Irish Medical Organisation.

1
Is first confession about guilt or examining your conscience? 6:17

3d ago6:17

6:17

Why are we still putting our children through this guilt grind? That is the question that Newstalk’s own Simon Tierney has about First confession. Simon discussed all with Ciara this morning.

1
Architect shares his radical redesign for Dublin’s Drury Street 6:54

3d ago6:54

6:54

Federico Minieri is an architect and town planner who has worked on major urban projects in cities like London and Barcelona. He believes Dublin needs to move beyond 'half measures' when it comes to reimagining its public spaces. Federico explained his ideas to Newstalk this morning.

1
Just Stop Oil ends their campaign 4:28

3d ago4:28

4:28

From stopping traffic in the middle of London to throwing soup cans at historic paintings, Just Stop Oil has had a polarising campaign. But that campaign is coming to an end this Saturday. Speaking to Shane this morning was Mitch Rose, Just Stop Oil Spokesperson.

1
The State missed its target for delivery of social homes last year 7:58

3d ago7:58

7:58

The State missed its target for delivery of social homes last year by almost 20 per cent, according to a new report published by the Department of Housing. Speaking to Ciara this morning to discuss further was Eoin O’Broin TD, Sinn Fein Spokesperson on Housing.

1
All Things Considered 3:30

4d ago3:30

3:30

All Things Considered, is Sharon Osbourne calling for Kneecap's work visa to be revoked a step too far away from free speech? Listen here.

1
Insurance Costs 5:29

4d ago5:29

5:29

Insurance companies are slashing benefits on health plans and increasing premiums – which many customers remain unaware of. Here to tell us more is Charlie Weston, personal Finance editor with the Irish Independent. Listen here.

1
Red Carpet Roundup 6:47

4d ago6:47

6:47

Esther McCarthy from The Irish Examiner joins Newstalk Breakfast with the latest celebrity and entertainment buzz — from Beyonce's kids and their struggle with fame, to Elizabeth Hurley's new beau. Listen here.

1
Pope Francis' Time in Ireland 4:46

4d ago4:46

4:46

Fr Donal Neary, Jesuit priest and editor of The Messenger, joins Shane Coleman to reflect on Pope Francis’ little-known time in Dublin in 1980, long before his return as pontiff in 2018. Listen here.

1
ASTI Threatens Industrial Action 8:03

4d ago8:03

8:03

Donal Cremin, President of the ASTI, joins Newstalk Breakfast as the union prepares to ballot members on industrial action over controversial Senior Cycle reforms. Listen here.

1
Amanda Holden's “Cheat” on Netflix 5:34

4d ago5:34

5:34

Amanda Holden joins Newstalk Breakfast to talk about her new Netflix reality series Cheat: Unfinished Business — and whether people really can forgive a cheater. Listen here.

1
OPW Arts Scheme Audit 5:45

4d ago5:45

5:45

Dr Paul Davis from DCU’s Business School joins Newstalk Breakfast after an audit reveals €2 million left idle in an OPW account, with financial mismanagement flagged. Listen here.

1
Food Trends and the Planet 5:48

4d ago5:48

5:48

Sadhbh O’Neill, climate policy researcher, joins Newstalk Breakfast to explain how food fads like matcha and pistachio chocolate bars are putting global agricultural systems under pressure. Listen here.

1
Vatican Latest 3:45

4d ago3:45

3:45

Kielce Gussie, journalist with Vatican Radio, joins Newstalk Breakfast with the latest details from the Vatican as Pope Francis lies in state ahead of Saturday’s funeral. Listen here.

1
Driving Test Wait Times 6:07

5d ago6:07

6:07

Brenda Bolger of Bolger's Motoring School joins Newstalk Breakfast as new RSA figures show driving test wait times are now up to 35 weeks in parts of the country. Listen here.

1
Shannon Airport 4:39

5d ago4:39

4:39

Cathal Crowe, Fianna Fáil TD for Clare and Chair of the Shannon Airport Oireachtas Group, joins the show to explain why regional airports like Shannon must seize the opportunity to attract more flights while the Dublin Airport passenger cap remains in place. Listen here.

1
TUI Conference 4:25

6d ago4:25

4:25

Michael Gillespie, General Secretary of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland, joins Newstalk Breakfast from their annual conference to discuss teacher shortages, Senior Cycle reform and all other things on the agenda for the conference this Easter. Listen here.

1
Pope Francis Panel 10:49

6d ago10:49

10:49

Gerard O’Connell, Vatican correspondent for America Magazine, and Bishop Denis Nulty of Kildare & Leighlin, join Newstalk Breakfast to reflect on the life, legacy, and impact of Pope Francis. Listen here.

1
Serious Incident on Dublin Bus 5:53

6d ago5:53

5:53

John Murphy, SIPTU Transport Organiser, joins Newstalk Breakfast following an incident on a Dublin Bus — renewing calls for a dedicated transport police force. Listen here.

1
Let The Kids be Bored 5:53

6d ago5:53

5:53

Mary McCarthy, columnist with the Irish Independent, joins Newstalk Breakfast to discuss the benefits of boredom and why parents shouldn’t rush to over-schedule their children. Listen here.

1
Social Media Algorithms 6:42

6d ago6:42

6:42

Dr Johnny Ryan, Senior Fellow at the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, joins Newstalk Breakfast as a new bill calls on tech companies to switch off algorithmic feeds for children by default. Listen here.

1
Pope Francis Dead at 88 4:15

6d ago4:15

4:15

Paola Flynn, Vatican Correspondent for EWTN Media, joins Newstalk Breakfast following the death of Pope Francis, reflecting on his legacy and the reaction from around the world. Listen here.

1
The mental health coach who helped Rory McIlroy to Grand Slam success 20:01

11d ago20:01

20:01

Rory McIlroy will return to Ireland triumphant this weekend having claimed a career Grand Slam in dramatic fashion at Augusta National last Sunday. But one of the men behind Rory’s success is Mental Health coach Dr. Bob Rotella, author of Make Your Next Shot Your Best Shot. Bob spoke to Dr Bob this morning.…

1
Is there too much tolerance to housing objections? 5:47

11d ago5:47

5:47

Minister for Public Expenditure and Infrastructure, Jack Chambers has said that there is ‘too much tolerance” of housing objections based on the “character” of an area. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Gavin Lawlor, President of Irish Planning Institute.

1
Those visiting Dublin could soon face a tourist levi 4:30

11d ago4:30

4:30

Those visiting Dublin could soon face a tourist levi as four city council authorities have signed up for a working group to explore the proposal. Such a tax could be in place by September. But with tourists' tax being common across Europe what do other cities and countries do ? Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Clare Dunne, Ceo Of The Irish Travel…

1
Pharma companies warn of investment exodus from Europe 7:50

11d ago7:50

7:50

The heads of 30 pharmaceutical companies have said they are considering diverting as much as €100 billion they had planned to invest in Europe to the United States and other countries instead as part of a possible industry “exodus”. Speaking to Ciara this morning was Cathal Friel is Chairman and Co-Founder Poolbeg Pharma.…

1
Do we really know where pharmacy fees come from? 7:27

11d ago7:27

7:27

Pharmacists across the country have hit out in the way the government plans to introduce a free HRT scheme. They say the fee being offered will effectively have them working at a loss. Our reporter, Josh Crosbie has been examining the different rates of dispensing fees.

1
Should you really give out to another person’s child? 5:48

11d ago5:48

5:48

‘‘It’s wrong to tell off other people’s kids it leaves me fuming as a mum’. So wrote Charlotte Cripps, Writer with the Independent UK who explained all to Ciara this morning.

1
Calls for m50 tolls to be abolished 4:53

11d ago4:53

4:53

To get traffic out of the city centre, it’s time to abolish tolls on the M50. So says Green Party councillor for Ballyfermot-Drimnagh, Ray Cunningham who spoke to Ciara this morning.

1
The Mental Health Commission report findings 6:48

11d ago6:48

6:48

The Mental Health Commission has this morning released a report showing significant gaps in the mental health services offered in hospital emergency departments across Ireland. Speaking to Shane this morning on the show was Professor Jim Lucey, Inspector of Mental Health Services and the Author of the Report.…

1
All Things Considered: Has Identity Politics Crossed the Line? 4:05

11d ago4:05

4:05

“The phrase “straight white men” seems to have been imported into Ireland from the United States as a way for certain people to flaunt their right-on credentials but all it ends up doing is antagonising people.” So wrote one disgruntled reader in a letter to the Irish Times this week. But have identity politics and labels really gone too far? Ciara…

1
Has identity politics gone too far? 5:37

12d ago5:37

5:37

“The phrase “straight white men” seems to have been imported into Ireland from the United States as a way for certain people to flaunt their right-on credentials but all it ends up doing is antagonising people.” We discussed this further with Ian O’Doherty, Columnist with the Irish Independent.

1
Teacher unions raise concerns over senior cycle reform 5:17

12d ago5:17

5:17

Leaving Cert reforms are being ‘rushed’ before schools have capacity. That’s the warning from the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland To discuss this further Ciara spoke to Conor Murphy, English teacher in Skibbereen Community School.

1
Our Red Carpet Roundup 5:09

12d ago5:09

5:09

Esther McCarthy, Lifestyle Editor and Saturday Weekend Magazine Columnist with The Irish Examiner, joined us on the show for our new weekly Red Carpet Roundup.

1
We discuss the findings of the long-awaited report into the Grace case 9:27

12d ago9:27

9:27

The final report of the Farrelly Commission has found a "fundamental failure" by the South Eastern Health Board and the HSE in their duty of care to a severely intellectually disabled young woman, known as “Grace” However, the report has concluded that it is "not satisfied" that the level of evidence was such to fully establish sexual, emotional or…

1
The Social Democrats are proposing a state-backed savings account 8:19

12d ago8:19

8:19

Coined “The Homes for Ireland Savings Account”, the proposal would offer higher interest rates and tax-free returns to help fund affordable housing by tapping into record household deposits. Could it be the key to unlocking funding for new housing? We discuss this idea further with Fiona Cormican, Managing Director of Fioncor Consulting Limited and…

1
Is it still worth shelling out for Easter Eggs? 4:13

12d ago4:13

4:13

No, you’re not imagining it Easter eggs have started getting smaller and do taste different. So, is it still worth shelling out on the treat? We asked Caitriona Redmond, Consumer Columnist with the Irish Examiner.

1
Calls for Epipens to be made available in public spaces 4:24

12d ago4:24

4:24

EpiPens should be every defibrillator’s next-door neighbour so says Fine Gael Senator Evanne Ní Chuilinn who explained why to Newstalk Breakfast.

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Making Sense Of Islam Podcasts

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