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

Apr 14, 2025 · 8 min
Why are your allergies worse this year?
This weekend the Met Office declared the south of England experienced what it called a ‘pollen bomb.’ Why is hay fever season starting earlier, lasting longer and the symptoms are becoming more intense? Writer: Jonathan Lewis Producer: Jonathan Lewis Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Alex Jones Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 11, 2025 · 9 min
Why are American politicians defending anti-abortion activists in the UK?
When a 64-year-old woman was fined for holding a sign outside a UK abortion clinic, it sparked international backlash - including from organised, Christian activists in America and the US government. Writer: Phoebe Davis Producer: Serena Cesareo Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Alex Jones Executive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 10, 2025 · 8 min
Why do climate change sceptics care about a volcano eruption?
Tortoise has identified almost 300 influencers who are spreading misleading content about climate change that ranges from scepticism to misinformation. One of their false claims is that global warming is caused by an underwater volcano that erupted off the coast of Tonga To read more about Tortoise’s Hot Air project click here. Writer: Bex Sander Producer: Casey Magloire Host: Claudia Williams Episode photography: Alex Jones and Pununu Tukuafu, Tonga Geological Services. Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Image credit: Pununu Tukuafu, Tonga Geological Services Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 9, 2025 · 8 min
What does Trump's tariff mean for your personal finances?
Donald Trump's tariffs have caused chaos across international markets, but how does this impact your personal pensions and savings? Writer: Barney Macintyre Host: Tomini Babs Producer: Casey Magloire Executive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 8, 2025 · 8 min
What do we know about the killing of paramedics in Gaza?
The United Nations has accused Israel of killing 15 rescue workers in Gaza. How has a video uncovered this weekend discredited the Israeli military’s version of events? Writer: Chloe Hadjimatheou Producer: Ada Barume Host: Claudia Williams Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 7, 2025 · 8 min
Have you ever fallen for a fake, AI-generated movie trailer on YouTube?
AI-generated movie trailers are tricking fans into thinking they’re the real deal. How are some studios balancing the free publicity with debates over content created by artificial intelligence? To read more about Jake Kanter’s investigation into AI trailers in Hollywood for Deadline, click here. Writer: Aleena Augustine Producer: Gary Marshall Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Roisin Savage Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore To find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more 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 4, 2025 · 8 min
Who is the man behind Donald Trump’s war on DEI?
President Trump has ordered the federal government to scrap its diversity, equity and inclusion policies. One man in the White House has been plotting this for years. Writer: Stephen Armstrong Additional reporting: Ada Barumé Producer: Patricia Clarke Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 3, 2025 · 8 min
What is life like for children and aid workers in Gaza after the ceasefire collapse?
Since Israel resumed its military offensive in Gaza, hundreds of children have been killed. Israeli airstrikes have also killed aid workers and a new siege has been blocking all humanitarian and commercial goods entering the Strip. Writer: Serena Cesareo Producer: Serena Casareo Host: Casey Magloire Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 2, 2025 · 6 min
What does the earthquake mean for Myanmar?
Myanmar is reeling from the aftershocks of a 7.7 magnitude earthquake and the death toll keeps rising. With a civil war still raging alongside the devastation, how is the violence hampering the recovery effort? Writer: Ada Barume Producer: Casey Magloire Host: Tomini Babs Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 1, 2025 · 6 min
What happens when life at an Antarctic base turns hostile?
A group of researchers at a remote Antarctic base faces unexpected conflict. With conditions meaning rescue is near impossible, how did things go so wrong? Writer: Gary Marshall Producer: Rebecca Moore Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Roisin Savage Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 31, 2025 · 9 min
Has buy now, pay later gone too far?
Buy now, pay later platforms like Klarna have become a go-to payment option for millions, offering flexibility in tough economic times. But as debt piles up and regulation looms, is this convenience coming at too high a cost? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 28, 2025 · 8 min
Why does Netflix’s Adolescence hit a nerve?
Stephen Graham’s new four-part series has sparked a national conversation about the crisis facing young men, social media and the manosphere. Writer: Elaine McCallig Host: Tomini Babs Episode Photography: Roisin Savage Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 27, 2025 · 9 min
The chancellor’s choices
Rachel Reeves has set out her plans for the UK’s economy in her spring statement. What state are the country’s finances in? And was cutting welfare benefits the only way of balancing the books?
Mar 26, 2025 · 9 min
Why does Donald Trump care so much about South Africa?
The US President’s actions towards South Africa seem driven by more than land laws. Could they be part of a broader narrative about race, power, and fear? Writer: Ada Barumé Producer: Ada Barumé Host: Claudia Williams Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 25, 2025 · 8 min
Why is there a measles outbreak in Texas?
Measles is spreading in Texas and shows no signs of slowing down. What does this outbreak tell us about the state of public health in the US and where does it go from here? Writer: Jess Swinburne Producer: Jess Swinburne Photography: Roisin Savage Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 24, 2025 · 9 min
What is life like in Gaza since the ceasefire collapsed?
Israel has resumed its military offensive in Gaza, killing hundreds of people following the collapse of the ceasefire deal with Hamas. Already suffering from food and medical shortages, how are Gazans surviving? Why has Israel started bombing Gaza again? Click here to listen to our previous episode: lnk.to/QsqUkG Writer: Chloe Hadjimatheou Host: Tomini Babs Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 21, 2025 · 10 min
Why has Israel started bombing Gaza again?
Israel has resumed heavy airstrikes on Gaza. Why has Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to break the ceasefire deal now? Writer: Lilly Cheslaw Producer: Serena Cesareo Host: Tomini Babs Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Secure your privacy with Surfshark! Go to https://surfshark.com/sensemaker for 4 extra months of Surfshark. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 20, 2025 · 9 min
Is the hunt for the 100ft wave over?
The 100ft wave is a big wave surfing milestone that was supposed to be impossible. Now, a young surfer from California is rumoured to have achieved it, breaking the official world record at the same time. The problem? Nobody can agree how big the wave was. Writer: Claudia Williams, with additional reporting by Ada Barumé Producer: Casey Magloire Host: Claudia Williams Secure your privacy with Surfshark! Go to https://surfshark.com/sensemaker for 4 extra months of Surfshark. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 19, 2025 · 6 min
Is Labour’s welfare gamble a risk worth taking?
In Labour’s most controversial move since taking office last summer, the government this week set out plans to reform the UK’s welfare system. But will it actually achieve the joint aims of saving money and getting more people back into work? Writer: Cat Neilan Producer: Casey Magloire Host: Casey Magloire Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Episode Photography: Roisín Savage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 18, 2025 · 8 min
Can Trump really strike a peace deal in Ukraine?
President Trump’s promise to stop the war in Ukraine may be more tricky to pull off than he hoped. Ukraine has agreed to pause the fighting and sit at the negotiating table but so far there’s little sign that the Russian President is willing to even entertain a ceasefire. Is there any chance Trump can pull off this peace deal? Writer: Chloe Hadjimatheou Producer: Ada Barumé Host: Claudia Williams Executive producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.