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

May 15, 2025 · 7 min
How has President Trump ushered in a new age of corruption?
The presidency and personal gain now go hand in hand – and no one has been able to do anything about it. Writer: Patricia Clarke Producer: Ada Barumé Host: Casey Magloire Photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 14, 2025 · 7 min
Israel’s new offensive in Gaza
The last living American hostage has been released from Gaza following direct talks between the US and Hamas. It comes as Israel prepares for a military occupation of the territory, moving the population and taking control of food and aid distribution. Writer: Chloe Hadjimatheou Producer: Karla Patella Host: Claudia Williams Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 13, 2025 · 9 min
What pushed India and Pakistan to the brink of war?
When armed gunmen attacked holiday makers in the Himalayas it reignited a decades-old conflict. Writer and producer: Katie Gunning Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 12, 2025 · 7 min
The musicians taking on AI
Musicians are worried about big tech companies using their work to train AI models. But a group of musicians has come out fighting with an attempt to defend their art. How does it work? Writer: James Tapper Producer: Casey Magloire Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 9, 2025 · 8 min
Is Trump succeeding in deporting millions?
Donald Trump vowed to tighten borders and deport en masse. Now over 100 days in, his administration races to deliver on sweeping immigration promises. Is he succeeding? Writer: Serena Cesareo Producer: Serena Casareo Host: Claudia Williams Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 8, 2025 · 7 min
The Met Gala’s anti-MAGA resistance
This year’s red carpet bonanza celebrated Black tailoring and rejected Trump-era masculinity in a rare moment of defiance. Writer: Stephen Armstrong Producer: Karla Patella Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 7, 2025 · 7 min
Why Reform is no longer the party of old white men
The results from last week’s local elections show that Nigel Farage’ party is now the most popular choice for gen X women. Writer: Rachel Sylvester Producer: Ada Barumé Host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 6, 2025 · 8 min
Why do councils rent out their parks for summer festivals?
Underfunded councils are turning parks into festival grounds to raise cash but this is transforming the meaning of public space in cities. Writer: Stephen Armstrong Producer: Rebecca Moore Host: Claudia Williams Episode photography: Joe Mee Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 2, 2025 · 6 min
The downsides of weight-loss drugs
Weight loss drugs can be transformative for people who have struggled with obesity. But with a spike in hospital admissions experiencing adverse reactions to the drugs, should we be doing more to regulate this growing market? Writer: James Tapper Producer: Ada Barumé Host: Tomini Babs Executive producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 1, 2025 · 7 min
The other Tate Brother
Tristan Tate is far less well-known than his notorious brother, Andrew. New evidence suggests he holds a central role in their alleged criminality. Writer: Phoebe Davis Producer: Katie Gunning Host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett The Sensemaker from The Observer - one story every day to make sense of the world. 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.
Apr 30, 2025 · 6 min
What does the Supreme Court ruling on sex mean in practice?
The judges had to decide what the words ‘man’, ‘woman’ and ‘sex’ meant in the Equality Act. They decided that they referred to biological sex. It will have an effect on how trans people access services and single-sex spaces. Writer: Jess Swinburne Producer: Katie Gunning Photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore The Sensemaker from The Observer - one story every day to make sense of the world. 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.
Apr 29, 2025 · 9 min
Are Chatbots afraid of dying?
Since December 2024, a run of scientific papers has illustrated AI’s capacity for deception. Deep learning pioneer Yoshua Bengio says the consequences could be existential. Writer: Patricia Clarke Producer: Ada Barumé Host: Tomini Babs Photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 28, 2025 · 7 min
Why is Russia relying on North Korean troops?
North Korean soldiers are fighting and dying in combat in Ukraine. Ukrainian intelligence estimates about 60% of the shells fired by the Russian army were provided by North Korea. What does it say about Vladimir Putin that he had to turn to Kim Jong Un for help? Writer: Matt Russell with additional reporting by Nina Kuryata and Claudia Williams. Producer: Rebecca Moore Host: Tomini Babs Photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 25, 2025 · 5 min
Why is Gen Z obsessed with running?
Young adults are swapping nightclubs for run clubs. The number of 20-29 year olds registering for the London marathon is up 86 per cent in the past three years. Writer: Andrew Butler Producer: Serena Cesareo Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Alex Jones Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 24, 2025 · 8 min
How did Pope Francis tackle child sexual abuse in the church?
For many Catholics Pope Francis will be remembered as a man determined to overthrow tradition, challenge privilege and speak up for those who were not heard. But he became head of the Catholic church at a time when the institution was plagued by widespread accusations of sexual abuse. For the victims of catholic priests, did he deliver justice? Writer: Stephen Armstrong Producer: Matt Russell Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 23, 2025 · 8 min
Harvard University versus Trump
The world’s richest university is mounting the first serious fightback against the Trump administration. Who will blink first? Writer: Stephen Armstrong Producer: Casey Magloire Host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Alex Jones Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 22, 2025 · 8 min
What's Behind the Rise of Thin-Fluencers?
If your ‘for you page’ is suddenly full of dieting tips and before and after pictures, you might be on the receiving end of a resurgence of ‘thin-spiration’ on social media. But what’s behind this comeback? And who is being impacted? Writer: Ada Barumé Producer: Casey Magloire Photography: Roisin Savage Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 17, 2025 · 8 min
What’s behind Birmingham’s bin strikes?
The standoff between Birmingham’s bin workers and the council is entering its fifth week as the latest pay offer was rejected. The Unite union says the dispute could spread to other areas of the country. . Writer: Jess Swinburne Producer: Casey Magloire Photography: Roisin Savage Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 16, 2025 · 8 min
Why did the UK government rush to save the last remaining steel power plant?
MPs were recalled to Westminster early on Saturday and passed an emergency legislation that allowed the UK government to seize control of British Steel, after its Chinese owner appeared to threaten closure. How did we get here? And why has steel-making in the UK become an issue of national security? Writer: Serena Cesareo Producer: Casey Magloire Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 14, 2025 · 7 min
Will Donald Trump save the iPhone?
The President has imposed a 145 per cent tariff on Chinese imports to America but has hinted smartphones could be exempt. Writer: Xavier Greenwood Producer: Patricia Clarke Host: Claudia Williams Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.