Free from the constraints of studio and story-of-the-day radio, this series sees broadcaster Sean O’Rourke in conversation with many well-known figures. Some are prominent in public service, culture, sport or business while others are former leaders in these fields. These long-form conversations explore individuals’ motivations, achievements and regrets; in short, what has made them the people they are.
Throughout his career in RTÉ Sean was at the centre of key News and Current Affairs Programmes, navigating and dissecting the stories of the day with a rigour, tenacity, and clarity. Sean brings these skills to this podcast series in a more relaxed setting as he engages in conversation with Donncha O’Callaghan and Jennifer Caroll McNeill and hears some remarkable stories.
Donncha O’Callaghan Episode:
In this episode former Rugby International Donncha O’Callaghan talks to Sean about what drove him to be the very best player on the pitch, taking responsibility for your financial decisions, the contrasting coaching styles of Eddie O’Sullivan, Declan Kidney and Joe Schmidt and why this current Irish Team could go all the way and win the World Cup.
Jennifer Carroll McNeill Episode:
In this episode of Insights with Sean O’Rourke, Jennifer Carroll McNeill, Minister of State at the Department of Finance, talks about how she is getting on in the first few months of her new role, being harassed and the ensuing court case, her desire to see more women in Government and why Fine Gael will not go into Government with Sinn Féin.
Sean O’Rourke said: “The Insights podcast gives me an opportunity I’ve rarely had in the past, to conduct long-form interviews with interesting people, free from the pressures of time, the daily news agenda, and hitting the next commercial break. The format allows for a more relaxed engagement and, I would hope, a really informative and enjoyable experience for the listener. For me, it’s a refreshing change from what I’ve done before, and I’m delighted to be back at the microphone.”
Tune in to rte.ie/podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.
The first two episodes of the new podcast series featuring Donncha O’Callaghan and Jennifer Carroll McNeill drop on Thursday May 18th. A new episode will drop each Thursday. Listeners can expect to hear interviews with Social Democrats Holly Cairns and Professor Fiona Mulcahy in the coming weeks.