Politicians Have Podcasts Now... God Help Us

Politicians used to fight elections on radio and in TV studios and newspaper columns. Now they’re doing it on YouTube, TikTok, Substack, and podcasts recorded in cupboards. From Liz Truss launching a baffling YouTube show aimed squarely at the American right, to UK Greens embracing what critics call “cosy left-wing populism,” politics has fully entered its influencer era. Long-form, first-person digital media is no longer a side hustle — it’s central to how power is won, lost, and rehabilitated. And Ireland is part of this shift too. During the presidential campaign, Catherine Connolly quietly dominated the under-35 vote by appearing on podcasts like Blindboy, Louise McSharry and How to Gael, while rivals stuck largely to traditional interviews. The result raised an awkward question for Irish politics: are podcasts now just as important as radio, TV, and print? On today’s podcast, Sean Defoe is joined by writer and broadcaster Paddy Duffy to explore this increasingly strange corner of political life. Why do some politicians thrive online while others look painfully out of place? Why do so many still speak to the internet like it’s a press release? And is there a future where Irish TDs host their own successful podcasts — or would listeners revolt? As ever, we’d love to hear from you. You can email us at 📧 [email protected]