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

March 23 · 9 min
Why did Scotland reject assisted dying?
Plans to legalise assisted dying in Scotland have been narrowly rejected, just as similar efforts across the UK begin to stall. Host: Casey Magloire Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Matt Russell Some clips used in the episode were from the BBC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 20 · 7 min
Why has the Middle East conflict spread to Lebanon?
After the killing of the Iranian supreme leader, Lebanon’s Hezbollah launched strikes on Israel. As the conflict intensifies, what is life like for civilians on the ground? Writer: Ada Barumé Producer: Ada Barumé Host: Casey Magloire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 19 · 8 min
The Meningitis outbreak: How serious is it?
The UK Health Security Agency has declared an urgent public health alert following a meningitis outbreak in Kent that has left two young people dead. Host: Ada Barumé Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Sofia Fenton Executive producer: Jasper Corbett Some clips used in the episode were from the BBC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 18 · 7 min
Anthropic vs the Pentagon: who decides how AI is used?
Last week, Anthropic entered a legal battle with the US government after refusing to comply with terms related to the military use of its AI. As a result, the company is being cast as the “good guy” in the AI race - but is that reputation deserved? Writer: Jonathan Lewis Producer: Jonathan Lewis Host: Ada Barumé Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Matt Russell Credits: Slate, The New York Times, ABC News Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 17 · 6 min
Why are Iranian footballers refusing asylum?
On the 9th March, five members of the Iranian national women's football team were granted asylum by the Australian government, but only two of them want to accept the offer. Writer: Poppy Bullard Reporter: Jessy Parker Humphreys Producer: Poppy Bullard and Matt Russell Host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 16 · 9 min
The Mandelson files: How much did Starmer know?
The government has released the first batch of documents linked to Peter Mandelson’s appointment as the UK’s ambassador to the US. What’s in them? Host: Casey Magloire Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Sofia Fenton Executive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 13 · 9 min
How to win an Oscar
The finale of this year’s awards season takes place this Sunday, with Hollywood’s biggest stars gathering in LA for the 98th Academy Awards - also known as the Oscars. But how do Oscar campaigns impact who wins a golden statue? Writer, producer and Host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Sofia Fenton Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 12 · 8 min
War in the Middle East: How bad is the economic shock?
As conflict continues in the Middle East, oil and gas prices have soared. What could that mean for the UK economy? Writer: Madeleine Parr Producer: Amalie Sortland Host: Ada Barumé Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 11 · 7 min
What went wrong at BrewDog?
BrewDog was once the craft beer industry’s loudest voice. But last week it was sold to a US company, leaving nearly 500 people out of work. Writer: Poppy Bullard Producer: Amalie Sortland Host: Ada Barumé Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 10 · 7 min
What does Britain's immigration shake-up mean?
The Home Secretary has announced a radical overhaul of the UK’s asylum and immigration system. What is the government actually proposing? Writer: Serena Cesareo Producer: Serena Cesareo Host: Casey Magloire Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 9 · 9 min
How are Dubai’s influencers reacting to conflict in the Middle East?
The influencer capital of the world has been the target of Iranian missiles as conflict has spread across the Middle East. How has it changed the content they post? Host: Casey Magloire Writer & Producer: Ada Barumé Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 6 · 9 min
Why are there mixed messages about why the US attacked Iran?
President Trump has offered a range of explanations and justifications for the US and Israeli strikes on Iran in the past few days. Why are there mixed messages? Host: Ada Barumé Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 5 · 8 min
Why are maternity services in England in crisis?
An independent inquiry has revealed the scale - of inadequacy in NHS maternity and neonatal services in England – and the devastating emotional and psychological consequences suffered by families. After a series of scandals, what is the state of maternity care in the country? Writer: Serena Cesareo Producer: Serena Cesareo Host: Casey Magloire Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 4 · 7 min
Who’s the man behind looksmaxxing?
The man known as ‘Clavicular’ has become the face of ‘looksmaxxing’. But where did this internet phenomenon come from? Watch Ben Zand’s new documentary ‘Why Men Rent Girlfriends (Darker Than You Think)’ HERE. Writer: Ada Barumé Producer: Amalie Sortland Host: Ada Barumé Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 3 · 8 min
What does the bombing of Iran mean for the Middle East?
The US and Israel’s strikes on Iran have triggered a conflict which is rapidly spreading across the Middle East. Writer: Poppy Bullard Producer: Poppy Bullard Host: Ada Barume Episode photography: Sofia Fenton Executive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 2 · 8 min
What does the killing of a cartel boss mean for Mexico?
The man known as ‘El Mencho’ headed up one of the world’s most powerful cartels. What does his killing by the Mexican military mean for the country? Writer: Ada Barumé Producer: Ada Barumé Host: Casey Magloire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 27 · 9 min
Why did the BBC broadcast a racial slur at the Baftas?
How the fallout from a racial slur at this year’s Bafta awards might change the public’s perception of Tourette’s syndrome. Writer: Casey Magloire and Amalie Sortland Producer: Amalie Sortland Host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Sofia Fenton Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 26 · 8 min
How a mountaineer's death could change climbing forever
The case of the Austrian climber who was found guilty of manslaughter after his girlfriend froze to death on Austria’s highest mountain, has captivated the world’s media. Writer: Poppy Bullard Producer: Poppy Bullard Host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Sofia Fenton Executive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 25 · 6 min
Why is youth unemployment in the UK rising?
Youth unemployment in the UK is now higher than the European Union average for the first time since records began. Why are young people finding it so hard to get a job? Writer and producer: Jonathan Lewis Host: Ada Barumé Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett This episode is sponsored by Babbel. Get up to 60% off your Babbel subscription at babbel.com/sensemaker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 24 · 10 min
Russia’s war with Ukraine: four years on
Today, four years after Russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the war shows no sign of ending. Host: Casey Magloire Writer: Amalie Sortland Producer: Poppy Bullard Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.