Podcast Corner: RTÉ should consider Richie Sadlier for 2FM openings — or a chat show

Richie Sadlier showcases his ability to handle myriad topics with aplomb in season two of Episode 

Broadcaster and psychotherapist Richie Sadlier. Pic: Conor McCabe Photography.

Season two of Episode with Richie Sadlier wraps on Wednesday when BBC war correspondent Fergal Keane will be speaking about the PTSD he’s had covering conflicts. 

Sadlier previews the interview by saying that “given the ongoing atrocities in Gaza, and the impact that seeing that footage on an hourly, daily basis, is having on so many people, I think a chat with someone of Fergal’s experience will be very timely and also very, very fascinating”. It showcases Sadlier’s variety and ability to handle myriad topics with aplomb.

Season two has dealt with themes of assisted dying (Tom Curran), mental health issues (Donie O’Sullivan), homophobic bullying (James Kavanagh), gambling (Pat Sheedy), and sexual abuse (Mia Döring). All are worthy, engaging listens — even the likes of the overexposed O’Sullivan and Kavanagh will have you hanging on their every word.

The newsworthiness of podcasts is something that has been interesting to witness in the past few years — how long does it take for a subject to make it from podcast to wider dissemination? We see the likes of the occasional guest on WTF with Marc Maron getting aggregated by various websites and social media accounts, usually little snippets taken out of context to try and stir up clickbait. Episode doesn’t do clickbait but it has made national headlines with two shows this year, the opening chat with former Ireland women’s national team manager Vera Pauw and last week with the hottest managerial property in the League of Ireland, Shelbourne’s Damien Duff. 

Second Captains, which produces Episode, had preview clips of both which helped swell attention, so much so that Duff’s comments that Republic of Ireland’s men’s team interim manager John O’Shea should turn down the full-time job if offered to him due to perceived disrespect were put to O’Shea in a press conference before the full interview had even been released. 

Pauw, in a proper exclusive for her first interview since being let go by the FAI last year, sought to set the record straight on a number of fronts. It was explosive. And easily quotable: "Five times I became coach of the year. Do you think this is because of my nice glasses or something?"

That the guests felt comfortable enough to speak so freely is testament to Sadlier’s presence and considered questioning. Episode with Richie Sadlier was our favourite new show of 2023 and it has continued in that vein in the first half of 2024. 

A football pundit for RTÉ, the broadcaster should be considering Sadlier for one of the many empty seats it has to now fill at 2FM — or even as a TV chat show host à la Patrick Kielty and Tommy Tiernan.