Sensemaker

The Observer

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

Subscribe to The Observer and use the code AUDIO50 to get 50% off your annual subscription:

Early access, bonus content and ad-free listening to our podcasts
A daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a week
Puzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crossword
Recipes for every occasion
Free tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or online

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

1,388 episodes
Updated June 19

Episodes1388

Newest first

Jul 11, 2025 · 7 min
Why did Christian Horner leave Red Bull’s F1 team?
Formula One’s longest serving team principal has been sacked. Writer: Casey Magloire Producer: Casey Magloire Executive producer: Rebecca Moore Photography: Joe Mee Additional Production: Poppy Bullard and Amalie Sortland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 10, 2025 · 7 min
Does Donald Trump support Ukraine?
After unexpectedly pausing military aid to Ukraine last week, the US administration has once again reversed its decision. Writer: Nina Kuryata Producer: Ada Barumé Executive producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 9, 2025 · 7 min
Could this be the end of police racial profiling in France?
Europe’s top human rights court ruled that French police unfairly targeted a French citizen of African descent during a stop and search. Writer: Serena Cesareo Producer: Serena Casareo Host: Casey Magloire Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 8, 2025 · 7 min
Can Labour reduce obesity rates?
The NHS is undergoing a revolution, with health secretary Wes Streeting determined that his new 10-year plan launched last week will shift NHS care from hospitals to neighborhood health centres. Writer: Jon Ungoed-thomas Producer: Matt Russell Host: Ada Barume Episode photography: Alex Jones Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 7, 2025 · 10 min
The real Salt Path
Penniless and homeless, the Winns found fame and fortune with the story of their 630-mile walk to salvation. We can reveal that the truth behind it is very different Writer: Rebecca Moore with reporting from Chloe Hadjimatheou. Producer: Rebecca Moore Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Ceri Thomas Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 4, 2025 · 9 min
What happened in the Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial?
The 8-week trial has concluded and the former media mogul has been found guilty of two federal charges and is now facing time in prison. Writer and producer: Casey Magloire With reporting from Stephen Armstrong. Executive producer: Rebecca Moore Photography: Joe Mee Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 3, 2025 · 8 min
Why did so many Labour MPs oppose the welfare reform bill?
This week the government passed its planned welfare reforms in the House of Commons, despite a sizable backbench rebellion. Writer: Poppy Bullard Producer: Poppy Bullard Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Alex Jones Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 2, 2025 · 7 min
How did Budapest Pride become a once in a generation protest?
Around 200,000 people attended Budapest pride, defying Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s ban on the event. Why did Pride become the focus of anti-government protests? Writer: Phoebe Davis Host: Casey Magloire Photography: Alex Jones Producer: Casey Magloire Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 1, 2025 · 6 min
Could AI mean the end for influencers?
Last week, a six-hour livestream hosted by an AI-generated influencer drew 13 million views and generated $7.5 million in sales for Baidu- a Chinese tech company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 30, 2025 · 8 min
The man behind Tattle Life unmasked
The founder of the gossip website is now known. Is this a victory for those targeted by the site? Writer: Rachael Healy Producer: Ada Barumé Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 27, 2025 · 8 min
Why is Jeff Bezos' wedding sparking protests in Venice?
Amazon’s billionaire founder is taking over the city for his wedding to Lauren Sanchez. Writer: Stephen Armstrong Producer: Casey Magloire Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 26, 2025 · 7 min
Will the victims of grooming gangs ever get justice?
The UK government has launched a new inquiry and national criminal investigation into the sexual exploitation of children by grooming gangs. Writer: Jon Ungoed-thomas Producer: Poppy Bullard Host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 25, 2025 · 7 min
Will France’s new powers stop small boat crossings?
The French authorities will soon have new powers to intercept small boats carrying asylum seekers across the English Channel, even if they are already at sea. Writer: Serena Cesareo Producer: Serena Casareo Host: Tomini Babs Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 24, 2025 · 7 min
Can one woman’s legal victory change the future of fossil fuels?
After years of courtroom battles, campaigner Sarah Finch won a landmark Supreme Court case that could reshape how the UK approves oil, gas and coal projects. Writer: David Taylor Producers: Poppy Bullard Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 23, 2025 · 9 min
What could happen next after the US bombed Iran?
Donald Trump ordered the strikes on three nuclear sites in Iran early Sunday morning. He said the US entered the war to stop the threat from “the world’s number one state sponsor of terror”. Writer: Stephen Armstrong Producer: Rebecca Moore Host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Alex Jones Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 20, 2025 · 8 min
Will Trump bomb Iran’s nuclear fortress?
Could Donald Trump order a strike on Iran’s underground nuclear site using a bunker-buster bomb – and what might the consequences be? Writer: Stephen Armstrong Producers: Jonathan Lewis and Poppy Bullard Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 19, 2025 · 6 min
What’s really in your can of tuna?
The UK eats hundreds of thousands of tonnes of tuna every year but not all of it is legally or sustainably caught. Writer: James Tapper Producer: Ada Barumé Host: Andrew Butler Episode photography: Alex Jones Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 18, 2025 · 7 min
How much energy and water does AI use?
Artificial intelligence is changing our lives and our world at an astonishing pace, but its hunger for data is matched by its need for energy and water. Writer: Jon Ungoed-thomas Producer: Poppy Bullard Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 17, 2025 · 8 min
Why is Benjamin Netanyahu striking Iran?
What does the escalating conflict in the middle east mean for Iran, its regime and hopes for a new nuclear deal with the US? Writer: Poppy Bullard with additional reporting from Chloe Hadjimatheou Producer: Poppy Bullard Host: Casey Magiore Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 16, 2025 · 7 min
Why are physician associates attracting so much controversy?
With findings of a government review on the role of physician associates expected any day now, what is the role, and why are some doctors so concerned about safety? Writer: Rachael Healy Producer: Poppy Bullard Host: Claudia Williams Episode photography: Alex Jones Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.