Sensemaker

The Observer

The Sensemaker from The Observer - one story every day to make sense of the world.

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1,388 episodes
Updated June 19

Episodes1388

Newest first

Oct 5, 2025 · 8 min
Can legal aid survive a cyber attack?
A cyber attack on the government’s Legal Aid Agency has resulted in vulnerable people’s data stolen and lawyers without pay. Writer: Poppy Bullard Producer: Amalie Sortland Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 3, 2025 · 8 min
What does Europe do about Russian drones?
On Wednesday, European leaders gathered in Copenhagen to confront a growing threat: Russian drone incursions in European airspace. Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Rebecca Moore To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 2, 2025 · 7 min
Why are Jimmy Carr and Jack Whitehall performing in Saudi Arabia?
This week Jimmy Carr and Jack Whitehall join a bill of top comedians performing at the Riyadh Comedy Festival. This is despite human rights abuses in the country. Writer: Rachael Healy Producer: Ada Barume Host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 1, 2025 · 10 min
A breakthrough in treating Huntington’s disease
New hope for sufferers of Huntington’s disease after the discovery of a treatment which could radically slow the disease. Writer: James Tapper Producer: Poppy Bullard Host: Ada Barume Episode photography: Sophia Fenton Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 30, 2025 · 8 min
Andy Burnham or Jeremy Corbyn: Where next for the British left?
It’s easy to write off the launch of Your Party as a side-show, away from the centre of politics in Westminster. But, according to Zarah Sultana, 750,000 people have registered interest in the party. Writer: Poppy Bullard Producer: Amalie Sortland Host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 29, 2025 · 10 min
What’s really behind Trump’s war on painkillers?
An investigation from The Observer has found there’s a financial link between RFK Jr. and supplement companies that market alternatives to Tylenol. Host: Tomini Babs Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland, with reporting by Alexi Mostrous Episode Photography: Sophia Fenton Executive producer: Rebecca Moore To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 26, 2025 · 6 min
Could TikTok become MAGATok?
The US government says it has agreed a deal which would see a portion of TikTok owned by US investors. Writer: Stephen Armstrong Producer: Poppy Bullard Host: Ada Barume Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 25, 2025 · 8 min
Has JADE broken the girl group curse?
Girl group members turned solo artists have traditionally struggled to find success in Britain. Has Jade Thirlwall from Little Mix finally broken the curse? To listen to this story and more, listen to The Observer's brand new culture podcast We Have Notes - HERE Writer: Casey Magloire Producer: Casey Magloire Host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Sofia Fenton Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 24, 2025 · 9 min
What’s Ben & Jerry’s without Jerry?
Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of the iconic ice cream brand, resigned after he claimed the company had been “silenced” on issues like Gaza. Host: Tomini Babs Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Sophia Fenton Executive producer: Rebecca Moore To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 23, 2025 · 9 min
What’s the link between Jimmy Kimmel and Project 2025?
Jimmy Kimmel’s show might be returning but his cancellation reveals the way the Trump administration is wielding power. Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Sophia Fenton Executive producer: Rebecca Moore To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 22, 2025 · 7 min
Who’s funding Tommy Robinson?
Tommy Robinson has transformed from a scrappy activist, to a slick media performer at the heart of the UK’s far-right movement. Writer: John Simpson Producer: Poppy Bullard Host: Andrew Butler Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 19, 2025 · 11 min
Did Trump and Starmer answer the Epstein question?
Donald Trump was asked if he had sympathy for Peter Mandelson - the former UK ambassador to Washington - who was recently sacked for his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Writer: Cat Neilan Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 18, 2025 · 8 min
How does Trump rule like a king?
Since returning to the White House in January, President Trump has issued more than 200 executive orders. Yet so far, only 20 proposed bills have become law. Writer: Bex Sander Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Rebecca Moore To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 17, 2025 · 7 min
Israel launches Gaza City offensive
The announcement of a major Israeli ground offensive came within minutes of a UN report which states that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians. Writer: Poppy Bullard Producer: Amalie Sortland Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Sofia Fenton Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 16, 2025 · 8 min
Is meme culture tied to Charlie Kirk's death?
Messages on unfired bullet casings left by Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of shooting Charlie Kirk, appear linked to online alt-right movements. Writer: Jess Swinburne, with reporting from Nicky Woolf Producer: Amalie Sortland Host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Sofia Fenton Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore & Jasper Corbett To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 15, 2025 · 8 min
Who are the lost artists of Ancient Egypt?
For decades, the pyramids, mummies, and hieroglyphs of Ancient Egypt have been reduced to clichés in textbooks and pop culture. A new exhibition seeks to change that. Writer: Amalie Sortland, with reporting from Laura Cumming Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Rebecca Moore To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 12, 2025 · 6 min
Climate scientists vs. Donald Trump
Scientists are increasingly concerned about the impact Donald Trump’s policies and rhetoric are having on the environment. So how are those on the front line in the fight against climate change coping against a backdrop of rising scepticism? Writer: Casey Magloire Producer: Amalie Sortland Host: Ada Barumé Episode photography: Sofia Fenton Executive Producer: Katie Gunning To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 11, 2025 · 6 min
How might Nato respond to Russian drones over Poland?
Early on Wednesday morning Poland announced that for the first time Nato jets had shot down Russian drones in its airspace. Writer: Poppy Bullard Producer: Poppy Bullard Host: Ada Barume Episode photography: Sofia Fenton Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 10, 2025 · 6 min
Who is the Somali judge with 1.5 million TikTok followers?
Colonel Hassan Ali Nur Shuute is giving Somali social media users a unique insight into the country’s war on terror. Writer: Layla Mahmood and Poppy Bullard Producer: Poppy Bullard Host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 9, 2025 · 8 min
Who are the winners and losers of the cabinet reshuffle?
What does the recent cabinet reshuffle tell us about the new direction of the Labour party and the government? Writer: Casey Magloire Producer: Casey Magloire Host: Ada Barumé Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.