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

Aug 8, 2025 · 7 min
The Macrons vs Candace Owens
How did a baseless claim that the first lady of France is a man become one of the world’s biggest conspiracy theories? Writer: Phoebe Davis Host: Claudia Williams Photography: Producer: Casey Magloire Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 7, 2025 · 6 min
Could age verification make the internet more dangerous?
The Online Safety Act requires users to hand over detailed personal information but there’s a lack of transparency about what happens to this data afterwards. Host: Tomini Babs Writer: Bex Sander Producer: Poppy Bullard Photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 6, 2025 · 7 min
Why is life so tough for migrant workers in Jersey?
Work permits are controlled by a migrant’s employer and holders can only stay on the island for nine months at a time. To listen to Ada Barumé and Orlando Crowcroft’s Slow Newscast investigation into migrant workers on the island click HERE. Writer: Ada Barumé Producer: Serena Cesareo Host: Casey Magloire Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 5, 2025 · 6 min
What’s happening to Palestine Action supporters?
Palestine Action was proscribed on 5 July, putting the direct action group in the same legal category as groups such as al-Qaida and Islamic State. Since then, around 200 people have been arrested for supporting the group. To read Jon’s interview with Deborah Hinton click HERE. Writer: Jon Ungoed-Thomas Producer: Poppy Bullard Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 4, 2025 · 8 min
Compensated for an exorcism
Matthew Drapper was subjected to an exorcism to rid him of the “demonic possession” of homosexuality. Writer: Phoebe Davis Host: Tomini Babs Photography: Sofia Fenton Producer: Casey Magloire Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 1, 2025 · 9 min
Are credit card companies the biggest force in online content moderation?
Hundreds of thousands of games have disappeared from platforms in a crackdown, raising questions about who should be making decisions about content moderation. Host: Tomini Babs Writer: Bex Sander Producer: Casey Magloire Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Episodic Artwork by Darling Demon Eclipse Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 31, 2025 · 7 min
What are we losing when we turn forests into farmland?
According to the world’s biggest bird survey, clearing rainforest to make way for cattle farms is even more harmful to biodiversity than we thought. Writer: James Tapper Producer: Poppy Bullard Host: Ada Barumé Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 30, 2025 · 7 min
How much aid is getting through to Gaza?
Israel has initiated daily pauses in its military operations - to allow more aid to get into Gaza. But how much aid is getting through and will it be enough for the Palestinians who rely on it? Writer: Poppy Bullard Producer: Poppy Bullard Host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Sofia Fenton Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 29, 2025 · 8 min
Can ChatGPT replace my therapist?
As people are turning to AI for mental health support and relationship advice, could chatbots replace the role of a trusted friend, or even a therapist? Writer: Ada Barume Producer: Amalie Sortland Host: Tomini Babs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 28, 2025 · 7 min
How did the Lionesses do it again?
The England women’s football team won the Euros for a second time, after they defeated Spain 3-1 on penalties in the final, having drawn 1-1 after extra time, two years after they lost to the same opponent in the World Cup final. Writer: Jessy Parker Humphreys Producer: Poppy Bullard Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Sofia Fenton Executive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 25, 2025 · 6 min
Can a new drug help us to live longer?
The pharmaceutical industry is pursuing what some consider to be the holy grail: developing and licensing the first drug that slows the body's natural aging process. Writer: Jon Ungoed-Thomas Producer: Casey Magloire Host: Tomini Babs Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 24, 2025 · 7 min
Can Donald Trump deport more than a million undocumented migrants?
The Trump administration is setting the stage for what might become the largest deportation of illegal immigrants in US history. Can it succeed? Writer: Stephen Armstrong Producer: Amalie Sortland Host: Casey Magloire 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.
Jul 23, 2025 · 7 min
How did Volodomyr Zelensky’s choice of clothing spark a $200 million bet and an online rebellion?
How Ukraine’s president, Volodomyr Zelensky, sparked a $200 million dollar crypto bet and an online rebellion through his choice of clothing. Writer: Bex Sander Producer: Katie Gunning Host: Ada Barume Editor: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 21, 2025 · 7 min
What does the Afghan data leak mean for the 18,000 people on the list?
In 2022, a UK Special Forces official accidentally leaked the names of over 18,000 Afghan nationals, British special forces operatives and MI6 agents, putting thousands of lives at risk if the information fell into the wrong hands. Writer: James Tapper Producer: Jonathan Lewis Host: Ada Barume Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 21, 2025 · 6 min
Why are sportswomen facing more abuse than ever?
Women’s sports stars are receiving more abuse than men, but can’t afford to leave social media. The interview with Katie Boulter is from BBC Sports. Writer: Jessica Hayden Producer: Amalie Sortland Executive producer: Rebecca Moore Photography: Alex Jones Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 18, 2025 · 7 min
Why is Trump splitting with MAGA over Epstein?
President Trump has spent his political career promoting conspiracy theories for electoral gain, now he’s trying to shut down one of the most enduring of the lot. Writer: Fred Harter Producer: Jonathan Lewis Host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Alex Jones Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 17, 2025 · 7 min
What next for pro-Gaza protests?
Since the government proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, dozens of people across the country have been arrested on suspicion of terror offences, for allegedly supporting the group. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 16, 2025 · 6 min
Why are rape cases collapsing?
Hundreds of victims and witnesses are walking away from rape cases before they reach trial. Writer: Jon Simpson Producer: Ada Barumé Host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 15, 2025 · 7 min
Why did Elon Musk’s Grok praise Hitler?
X’s, formerly Twitter, chatbot Grok has been churning far-right sentiments. Writer: Stephen Armstrong Producer: Amalie Sortland Executive producer: Matt Russell Photography: Joe Mee Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 14, 2025 · 7 min
How do you fight mosquitos with mosquitos?
Scientists in Hawaii are using drones to drop millions of genetically modified mosquitoes across the archipelago, with the hope that it will help protect animals on the brink of extinction. Read Benji Jones' article on why mosquitoes are being dropped from drones in Hawaii HERE Read more about the charity - Birds, Not Mosquitoes - HERE Writer: Casey Magloire Producer: Casey Magloire Executive producer: Rebecca Moore Photography: Joe Mee Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.