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

Sep 8, 2025 · 8 min
Who’s the new editor of American Vogue?
For the first time in decades, American Vogue, the leading fashion publication, has a new editorial head succeeding Anna Wintour, often regarded as the most powerful woman in the industry. Who is the new woman in charge? Writer: Stephen Armstrong Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: 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 5, 2025 · 6 min
Who’s behind all the England flags?
The St George’s cross is flying from lamposts and motorway bridges across England. Writer: Poppy Bullard Producer: Poppy Bullard Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 4, 2025 · 11 min
Why is it so hard to deliver aid to Gaza?
Humanitarian payloads from planes are costly and largely ineffective but they remain one of few ways to ease people’s suffering in Gaza. Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland, with additional reporting by Oliver Marsden Episode Photography: Oliver Marsden and Alex Jones 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 If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 3, 2025 · 11 min
The black market for weight loss drugs
More than 1.5 million people in the UK now use weight-loss injections like Mounjaro. But as official prices rise by as much as 140%, illegal trade is growing too. Writer: James Tapper and Jessica Hayden Producer: Amalie Sortland Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Alex Jones 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 If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 2, 2025 · 8 min
How did Taskmaster conquer the world?
Comedy game show Taskmaster is about to air its 20th UK series and has spawned versions all over the world. We discover its secrets. Writer: Rachael Healy 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 If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 1, 2025 · 5 min
Is the AI bubble about to burst?
Computer chip company Nvidia’s revenue is soaring to record highs, but an MIT report found 95% of companies investing in generative AI haven’t made money from it. Writer: Poppy Bullard Producer: Poppy Bullard Host: Claudia Williams Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 29, 2025 · 7 min
Why is tanning back in style?
A new wave of influencers are urging their followers to go outside in the hottest part of the day, skip SPF and even lie on towels that attract sunlight. Writer: Ada Barumé Producer: Ada Barumé Host: Andrew Butler Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 28, 2025 · 8 min
How to reconstruct a face
3D printing technology is used to re-construct the faces of injured Ukrainian soldiers and civilians. 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 If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 27, 2025 · 9 min
Who is football whisperer, Indy Kaila?
What does one transfer window influencers tell us about the growing power of digital natives and our relationship with the truth? Writer: Rory Smith Producer: Casey Magloire Host: Claudia Williams Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 26, 2025 · 7 min
Have the protestors outside The Bell Hotel won?
A High Court injunction, granted to Epping Forest District Council, will mean the end of asylum seekers being housed in a local hotel. Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland with additional reporting from Xavier Greenwood 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 If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 22, 2025 · 8 min
What happens to women forced to return to Afghanistan?
Millions of Afghans who fled decades ago are now being returned from neighbouring Pakistan and Iran as part of one of the largest deportations in recent history. Writer: Serena Cesareo Producer: Serena Cesareo Host: Tomini Babs Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 21, 2025 · 10 min
What is Putin’s price for peace?
One region in western Ukraine has become a key sticking point in President Trump’s attempts to bring the war to an end. Writer: Casey Magloire Producer: Casey Magloire Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 20, 2025 · 8 min
Why are ADHD cases on the rise?
ADHD prescriptions have risen 18% year on year in England since the end of the Covid-19 pandemic. Writer: Jonathan Lewis Producer: Amalie Sortland Host: Casey Magloire 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 If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 19, 2025 · 5 min
Will Nepal’s new plan to ease overcrowding on Everest work?
Nepal’s Department for Tourism says it hopes that by waiving permit fees for the 97 lesser-climbed Himalayan peaks it can ease overcrowding on Everest and stimulate the local economy. Writer: Poppy Bullard Producer: Jonathan Lewis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 18, 2025 · 10 min
What happened when Trump and Putin met to discuss the Ukraine war?
Trump and Putin met in Alaska for a high-stakes summit discussing how to end the war in Ukraine. Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Executive producer: Matt Russell Photography: Joe Mee Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 15, 2025 · 8 min
How bovine TB shut down Clarkson’s farm
A recent outbreak of tuberculosis on Jeremy Clarkson’s farm is an all too familiar story for British farmers. How does this silent disease wreak havoc and can it be eradicated? Writer: Jess Swinburne Producer: Jess Swinburne Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Alex Jones Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 14, 2025 · 8 min
How to fix the world's plastic pollution?
The world is finally coming together to try and deal with the problem of plastic pollution. But can they succeed? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 13, 2025 · 9 min
The death of a Palestinian activist in the West Bank
A Palestinian activist, shot by an Israeli settler, filmed his own death. The Israeli authorities have said the settler, who runs an outpost in the occupied West Bank, will not face charges. Host: Casey Magloire Producer: Casey Magloire Photography: Alex Jones Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 12, 2025 · 7 min
Should the police reveal the personal details of alleged criminals?
The Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has called on the police to release more information about alleged criminals, such as their immigration status and ethnicity. Writer: Rachel Sylvester Producer: Poppy Bullard Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Lynda Laird Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 11, 2025 · 9 min
Haiti’s cultural heritage at threat from violent gangs
The renowned Oloffson Hotel in Port-au-Prince, that attracted artists, celebrities and journalists for more than a century has been burned to the ground by criminal gangs. Writer, producer and host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore and Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.