The Story

The government should treat ultra-processed foods like cigarettes and alcohol - and bring in higher taxes on the companies that make them, says Professor Tim Spector. Labour has declared war on junk food as part of a drive to save the NHS by shifting from "sickness to prevention" but with our love of unhealthy eating costing us an estimated £286bn a year - will it be bold enough? This podcast was...

No sex, no babies, no marriage, no men. In 2018 a niche feminist movement started in South Korea as a reaction to the country’s entrenched misogyny. It pledged four ‘nos’ when it came to men. Now it's spreading on social media to America as young women rebel against Donald Trump's election. But how impactful will it be? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times...

This week the health secretary has urged people to “think very carefully” before flying overseas for plastic surgery as the NHS is left to “pick up the pieces". Medical tourism to Turkey for ‘Brazilian butt lifts’ and liposuction is surging despite the risks. Our correspondent goes undercover to expose the firms recruiting customers in London. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the sup...

The election of Donald Trump has raised serious questions about the flow of American funds and weapons to Ukraine's forces. So what is the mood in Kyiv and on the front line, and might some form of peace be on the horizon? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Catherine Philp, World A...

The Archbishop of Canterbury has resigned after being accused of mishandling abuse allegations against a man described as the “most prolific serial abuser” in church history. So what did the Archbishop know when? What fateful decision led to his downfall? And where does his departure leave the Anglican church - and the victims affected by abuse? If you or someone you know has been affected by...

Donald Trump has started to appoint key figures to his new administration, and one of the early picks is Tom Homan - his new ‘border tsar’. The president-elect says he wants to remove all 20 million people thought to be in America illegally. So how does he plan to do this, and what might the economic impact be? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The S...

If you get a decent night’s rest regularly, you’re likely to be slimmer, happier and healthier. But with research suggesting that the more we think and worry about our sleep, the worse it gets, is it time to throw away our sleep-trackers and unfollow the TikTok ‘sleepfluencers’? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: htt...

For weeks, we were told the polls were too close to call. But when the votes were counted, the Democrats lost every single swing state - and the popular vote too. Nancy Pelosi, the former House speaker and Democrat party grandee has blamed President Biden for Donald Trump winning the White House as a Democrat blame game intensifies. So how did it all go so wrong for the Harris campaign? And w...

As a bonus episode, we’re bringing listeners of The Story an episode from our sister podcast, The Royals with Roya and Kate. They have been in South Africa covering Prince William’s Earthshot Prize awards ceremony. Speaking afterwards, the Prince of Wales described the last year as “dreadful”, “brutal”, and “probably the hardest year of my life”. Host:  Roya Nikkhah, Royal Editor, The Sunday...

Elon Musk has aggressively backed Donald Trump in the US election, raising questions about whether he may be part of Donald Trump's new administration. But what has led the one-time political liberal to come out in support of the president-elect and a raft of conservative causes? This weekend, we revisit an episode from August, looking at how the billionaire Tesla and X owner became politically in...

Do looks matter? Pulchronomics, the study of economics and beauty, says they do. But just how much impact does being attractive have on your love life, career and happiness? Are our fortunes really determined by our looks?  This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.com/subscribe Guest: Tom Whipple, Science Edi...

Donald Trump has stormed to victory, so what does his vision for the future of the US look like? Who will he take into the White House with him? And will his hard-talking rhetoric meet reality? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Josh Glancy, News Review Editor, The Sunday Times.&nb...

After two years of campaigning, Americans have cast their votes, with Trump riding a growing wave of momentum. This is how the night unfolded. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guests: Tom Newton-Dunn, covering the US election for The Times. Louise Callaghan, US Correspondent, The Times...

An investigation by the Sunday Times’ Insight team has revealed for the first time the extensive property empires of the King and Prince of Wales. The information includes details of the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall’s business deals with the NHS, schools and military that help fund the royals. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times....

The new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch grew up in Nigeria and - as the state failed - was forced to complete her homework by candlelight. So how has that shaped her politically? What are her policies and can she resurrect the Tories and mount a challenge against the twin threats of Labour and Reform? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Sub...

As a bonus episode, we’re bringing listeners of The Story an episode from the new Money Podcast from The Times. Rachel Reeves’ first budget raised taxes by more than expected, borrowed more than predicted, and brought higher taxes on employers than forecast. But now, Holly is at hand with a podcast pick-me-up! It is time to get down to brass tacks as she is joined by experts whose job is to help y...

As Kamala Harris and Donald Trump face off tonight in their first TV debate, it’s more than just a political showdown - it's a battle of the sexes. The polls are too close to call with women heavily favouring Harris, while men lean towards Trump. Could the hot-button topic of abortion prove the issue that shifts the electoral balance? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of reader...

As polling day approaches, fears are growing that the result will not be accepted by the losing side. The potential consequences range from election denialism to violence, and even civil war. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest:  Tom Newton Dunn, covering the US election for The...

The Chancellor Rachel Reeves has raised taxes by £40 billion in the first Labour budget in fourteen years. Does it ‘fix the foundations’ or does it punish ‘working people’? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: David Smith, Economics Editor, The Sunday Times.  Host: Manveen Rana....

The One Direction star is alleged to have died with a substance known as ‘pink cocaine’ in his system. This popular, dangerous high could mark a new phase in the world of drugs. So what is it? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory . Host: Luke Jones. Guest: Kate Spicer, Writer, The Times....

Kamala Harris’ campaign is pulling out all the stops to woo black and Latino Americans, over concerns that voters from these groups are signalling their support for Donald Trump in record numbers. Polling suggests some of the Democrat’s core base will peel away to vote Republican in this election – so what’s Trump’s appeal? And could their votes decide the election? This podcast was brought to you...

When Sean O’Neill’s daughter Maeve died aged 27 from malnutrition caused by severe ME - myalgic encephalomyelitis - he faced years of waiting for an inquest to find out why the system failed her. That inquest has just ended, but will its ground-breaking conclusion change things for the hundreds of thousands of ME sufferers in the UK? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers...

As a bonus episode, we’re bringing listeners of The Story an episode from the new Tech Podcast from The Times. Presenters Katie Prescott and Danny Fortson are joined by Microsoft boss Satya Nadella. On a whistle-stop AI tour of the world and in his only UK interview this year - this exclusive conversation with Satya Nadella covers the dangers, pitfalls and growth of AI. This podcast was brought to...

The former first lady’s new ‘tell all’ memoir addresses everything from her nude modelling and her husband’s policies to her surprising stance on abortion. But why is she doing it now — and will it help or hinder Donald Trump’s presidential campaign? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.com/subscribe Guest: Jo...

'Rivals' hit our TV screens this month; it’s the first adaptation of a Jilly Cooper ‘bonkbuster,’ the 87 year old Dame who taught a generation about sex and posh people. Her uber-popular romance novels sell in their millions, so what’s behind her popularity (aside from all the bonking) and how is she changing how we see, and show, sex. This podcast contains lots and lots of talk about sex and...