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PODCAST

Sensemaker

The Sensemaker from The Observer - one story every day to make sense of the world.Subscribe to The Observer today and get access to: Our podcasts before anyone else A daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a week Puzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crossword Recipes for every occasionFree tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or onlineClick here to subscribe today for just £1 for your first month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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All Episodes

9:33

Why are the social media giants on trial?

Sensemaker ·

2026/02/09

Top social media companies are facing allegations of designing their websites to be addictive. As the first case goes to trial, what is at stake?Host: Ada BaruméWriter & Producer: Madeleine ParrEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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7:00

Why does the Peter Mandelson scandal threaten to...

Sensemaker ·

2026/02/06

The fallout from Peter Mandelson's friendship with Jeffrey Epstein is putting Prime Minister Keir Starmer under increasing pressure.Host: Ada BaruméWriter & Producer: Matt RussellEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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10:08

Why is surrogacy controversial?

Sensemaker ·

2026/02/05

There is a growing demand for surrogacy despite debates surrounding the ethics of it.Host: Casey MagloireWriter & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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7:34

Will we see driverless cars on the streets of London...

Sensemaker ·

2026/02/04

Waymo plans to roll out its driverless taxi service in London by the end of this year. But there are still obstacles the company needs to overcome to put autonomous vehicles on the road.Writer: Jonathan LewisProducer: Amalie SortlandHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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8:09

What’s holding up the assisted dying bill?

Sensemaker ·

2026/02/03

The assisted dying bill could be thrown out if it is not passed in the House of Lords by the end of this parliamentary session. Why is it taking so long to be voted through?Writer: Ada BaruméProducer: Jonathan LewisHost: Casey Magloire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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5:22

Are British pubs dying?

Sensemaker ·

2026/02/02

Pub-owners and Landlords have been campaigning for more action from the government since last November’s budget when changes to business rates were announced.Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Ada BarumeEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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7:18

The battle for the heart of chess

Sensemaker ·

2026/01/30

Since the pandemic, online chess has seen an unprecedented rise in popularity. Now tensions are rising between new personalities and an old guard who want to protect the game’s traditional format. Writer & Producer: Jonathan LewisHost: Ada BarumeEpisode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Gary Marshall Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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7:41

Is Trump scaling back ICE’s operations in Minnesota?

Sensemaker ·

2026/01/29

After a second civilian is killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis, pressure is mounting for a formal investigation into the shooting. Trump has recalled the senior border patrol commander in charge of the operation in Minneapolis, but does this represent a real scaling back of immigration enforcement in Minnesota?Writer: Madeleine ParrProducer: Madeleine ParrHost: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more

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9:31

Will the Iranian regime survive?

Sensemaker ·

2026/01/28

After widespread protests in Iran, the regime has reasserted control. Now, evidence showing the scale of the violence is starting to emerge. With America threatening military attack, will the Iranian regime be able to survive?Writer: Serena CesareoProducer: Amalie SortlandHost: Ada BaruméExecutive Producer: Gary Marshall Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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7:41

Will Donald Trump’s Board of Peace bring stability to...

Sensemaker ·

2026/01/27

Some 60 countries have been invited to join the Board, and each would have to pay a billion dollars if they want to become permanent members. Trump will be its inaugural Chairman, a position he can hold for life.Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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8:03

Could social media be banned for under 16s in the UK?

Sensemaker ·

2026/01/26

With a vote of support in the house of Lords, the government is under increasing pressure to ban social media for under 16s. But will Keir Starmer back a ban?Writer:Ada BaruméProducer:Ada BaruméHost: Casey Magloire : Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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7:37

How far will Trump’s attacks on the Smithsonian go?

Sensemaker ·

2026/01/23

The Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum. It has been in Donald Trump's cross-hairs since the start of his second term, as he vows to kill off ‘woke’. How far will Donald Trump go in using the Smithsonian to rewrite American history?Writer: Jess SwinburneProducer: Amalie SortlandPhotography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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7:58

Why are podcasters talking about birth rates?

Sensemaker ·

2026/01/22

Diary of CEO host Steven Bartlett faced backlash online following an interview with Christopher Williamson where they hypothesise the reason for the declining birth rate. Is the birth rate declining and should we be concerned?Writer: Casey MagloireProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Gary Marshall Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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8:49

Will Trump set his sights on the Norwegian...

Sensemaker ·

2026/01/21

President Donald Trump’s push to acquire Greenland is part of a growing quest for influence in the Arctic, the planet’s coldest frontier, where Russia has interests in Norwegian archipelago Svalbard.Host: Casey MagloireWriter and Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Gary Marshall Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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8:22

Is China’s new London ‘super-embassy’ a threat?

Sensemaker ·

2026/01/20

This week, the government is expected to decide whether to approve plans for a new Chinese embassy in London. Critics warn it could be used for cyber attacks or as a base for espionage. Could it pose a threat to national security?Writer: Jonathan LewisProducer: Jonathan LewisHost: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Sofia FentonExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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8:10

Why are thousands of homes in South East England...

Sensemaker ·

2026/01/19

Tens of thousands of people in South East England have been without water for days. What’s gone wrong and how much is the water company South East Water, to blame?Host: Casey MagloireWriter: Ada BaruméProducer: Amalie SortlandExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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7:19

America’s war on immigration

Sensemaker ·

2026/01/16

A year into Donald Trump’s second term, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has become America’s most powerful – and in some quarters most feared – federal agency.Writer: Serena CesareoProducer: Serena CesareoHost: Casey MagloireExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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8:22

How applicants that failed vetting became Met police...

Sensemaker ·

2026/01/15

On the 8th of January, the Metropolitan Police released a report into failures in vetting and recruitment of officers involved in misconduct or criminal offences.Host: Ada BarumeWriter: Amalie SortlandProducer: Casey MagloireAdditional reporting: Madeleine ParrEpisode Photography: Sofia FentonExecutive producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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9:30

Is high protein food guidance a bad thing?

Sensemaker ·

2026/01/14

Last week the US inverted its food pyramid, placing high protein foods like meat and dairy at the top. How did we get here and is this good food guidance?Writer: Jonathan LewisProducer: Jonathan LewisHost: Ada BarumeEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Gary Marshall Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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7:42

A brutal crackdown in Iran

Sensemaker ·

2026/01/13

Hundreds have reportedly been killed in violent clashes with police as protests demanding regime change erupt across Iran.Host: Casey MagloireWriter & Producer: Amalie Sortland and Poppy BullardEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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1,298 results

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