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

Nov 3, 2025 · 6 min
Why is there so much AI slop?
OpenAI launched Sora and Meta released Vibes - apps that turn text prompts into videos, inspiring creations from Ronald McDonald on Love Island to a skydiving dog. Writer: Poppy Bullard Reporter: Bex Sander Host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Michael Whitaker Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 31, 2025 · 9 min
Why has the violence escalated in Sudan?
On Sunday rebel forces in Sudan captured the key city of el-Fasher. Reports suggest that tens of thousands of people were killed in a matter of days. Writer: Fred Harter. Producer: Casey Magloire Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 30, 2025 · 7 min
How did climate change make Hurricane Melissa worse?
The exceptional Category 5 hurricane that struck Jamaica was made four times more likely by human-induced climate change. Host: Ada Barume Writer: Jeevan Vasagar Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Sophia Fenton Executive producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 29, 2025 · 9 min
The Israeli settlers waiting to move in to Gaza
US President Donald Trump’s peace plan says Gaza will be for the Gazans, but a few miles from the strip’s border, a small number of Israeli settlers are waiting to move in. 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.
Oct 28, 2025 · 9 min
Are ultra-processed foods making us ill?
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) make up more than half of all the food we eat in the UK and there are increasing fears about the implications for our health. Host: Ada Barumé Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Sofia Fenton Executive producer: Katie Gunning Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 27, 2025 · 11 min
Has Trump’s obsession with Greenland helped its people?
When Donald Trump tried to buy Greenland, he forced Denmark to tackle longstanding grievances. Reporter: Isabel Coles Writer: Casey Magloire Producer: Amalie Sortland Host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 24, 2025 · 9 min
The Louvre heist: What next?
In one of the most audacious art crimes in history, masked thieves raided the Louvre and escaped with France’s crown jewels. Host: Casey Magloire Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Rebecca Moore 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 23, 2025 · 10 min
How lawless is London?
London has earned a reputation as Europe’s phone theft capital. A record 80,000 phones were stolen last year. Yet data shows a twist – while devices are at risk, people themselves are safer than they’ve been in decades. Host: Casey Magloire Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Katie Gunning 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 22, 2025 · 7 min
Why are young people toppling governments?
From Madagascar to Nepal, young people are leading protest movements that are shaking the foundations of power. What’s fuelling this global wave of unrest – and can it lead to lasting change? Writer: Jonathan Lewis Producer: Poppy Bullard Host: Andrew Butler Episode photography: Sofia Fenton Executive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 21, 2025 · 7 min
Why did Prince Andrew lose his Royal titles?
Last week, Prince Andrew announced he will no longer use his title or honours. But why has the prince lost his titles now? Writer: Madeleine Parr Producer: Madeleine Parr Host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Sofia Fenton Executive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 20, 2025 · 7 min
Is sport Donald Trump’s new political football?
Donald Trump has threatened to move football World Cup games from liberal US cities. Could his friendship with FIFA’s President Gianni Infantino make it happen? Writer: Poppy Bullard and 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.
Oct 17, 2025 · 9 min
Have Reform found that running councils is harder than it looks?
Soon after winning 10 councils, Reform UK set up a Trump-inspired DOGE department that would cut unnecessary spending. Host: Tomini Babs Writer: Poppy Bullard with reporting from Jon Ungoed-Thomas Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 16, 2025 · 7 min
Why is Joe Rogan ditching Donald Trump?
Last week, President Trump hosted a roundtable with conservative influencers - but notably absent were manosphere podcasters Joe Rogan and Theo Von. Writer: Ada Barume 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 15, 2025 · 6 min
Why are Britain’s clubs closing?
In the past five years, more than 800 late night venues have shut their doors. At this rate there are warnings that there could be no nightclubs left by 2029. If you want to listen to more about the struggles facing UK nightlife, listen to The Observer’s podcast We Have Notes HERE. Writer: Serena Cesareo Producer: Serena Cesareo Host: Ada Barumé Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 14, 2025 · 7 min
What obstacles does the Gaza peace deal face?
The current ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas is phase one of the peace deal: a downing of arms to allow the exchange of prisoners and hostages in a set timeframe. But phase two of the plan remains vague. Writer: Poppy Bullard Producer: Poppy Bullard Host: Casey Maglore Episode photography: Sofia Fenton Executive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 13, 2025 · 9 min
Is AI really stealing graduate jobs?
A wave of new graduates has taken to social media to complain that entry-level roles are disappearing as AI takes over. The Observer’s team analysed the data. Host: Claudia Williams Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Rebecca Moore 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 10, 2025 · 9 min
Will the ceasefire hold in Gaza?
After just over two years of devastating war, a ceasefire has finally been announced in Gaza. Host: Ada Barumé Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland, with reporting by Lilly Cheslaw and Steve Bloomfield Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Rebecca Moore 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 9, 2025 · 8 min
Is Donald Trump declining cognitively?
After his speech to a room of US generals last week, some experts are beginning to worry about the 79-year-old. Writer: Ada Barumé 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 8, 2025 · 6 min
Why is Tony Blair part of Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza?
Talks are underway in Egypt to try and secure an end to Israel’s war on Gaza. For the first time in two years the sides might agree to end the conflict. Under a US proposal former British PM, Tony Blair, who is a divisive figure in the region, would have a major role overseeing the peace process. Writer: Rachel Sylvester and Poppy Bullard Producer: Poppy Bullard Host: Ada Barumé Episode photography: Sophia Fenton Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 7, 2025 · 8 min
The rise of anti-trans threats in the US
Since Donald Trump’s return to office, trans Americans are facing unprecedented legal and social threats - with some now seeking asylum abroad. But for those living in fear, the options for escape are limited. Writer: Jonathan Lewis Producer: Jonathan Lewis Host: Ada Barumé Episode photography: Sofia Fenton Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.