The Story

They're illegal Class A drugs in the UK - right alongside cocaine and heroine. But new research is exploring whether magic mushroom micro-dosing can treat depression and addiction. So what are the facts? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one month free at: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes . Guests: Dr David N...

It began last month when a number of musical titans began to leave Spotify, accusing Joe Rogan's podcast of spreading Covid misinformation. Rogan's name hasn't left the headlines since. Calls for the streaming platform to drop its most popular podcaster intensified after old clips emerged of Rogan repeatedly using a racial slur. What responsibilities do Rogan, and a mainstream platform like Spotif...

For years, the Sackler family were one of the go-to philanthropic organisations in the UK, but now, as they face lawsuits in the US for their role in the opioid crisis which has claimed half a million lives, many arts institutions are rethinking their financial assistance.  This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and...

Stories of sexual harassment and assault are emerging in the health professions and some are now speaking out for the first time. We hear what happened to two surgeons and ask how widespread the issue is. If you or or someone you know has been affected by anything in today's episode, you can find advice and support at https://sexualabusesupport.campaign.gov.uk/   This podcast was brought to y...

Over 100,000 Russian troops have amassed on the Ukrainian border, stoking fears across the West that President Putin is posturing for an invasion. But what is he really after? And how did we get here? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one month free at: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes . Guests: Catherine Phi...

It's been a year since Myanmar's violent military junta overthrew the country's democratic experiment and seized power in a coup. With thousands of civilians imprisoned or killed, what has the past year in the country looked like? WARNING: some listeners may find some of this episode's content disturbing This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday T...

Chief political correspondent Henry Zeffman takes us inside the halls of Westminster as a pared-down update on Sue Gray's investigation into partygate is published. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one month free at: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes . Guests: Henry Zeffman, chief political correspondent, The...

The Winter Olympics is just a few days away, but before the games have even begun they’re already mired in controversy. Several countries are boycotting the event in a stand against China’s human rights record. But will it have any effect on the games themselves? We speak to two Times journalists -- one in the host country and one packing his bags to go. Guests: Didi Tang, Beijing correspondent, T...

Today is Holocaust Memorial Day. In this episode, we'll hear the story of Manfred Goldberg, one of a dwindling number of survivors who are still able to give their testimony firsthand.  This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one month free at: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes . Guests: Josh Glancy, Special co...

When Kim Jong-Un took over from his father as Supreme Leader of North Korea, many predicted he wouldn't last - and that the country would be changed forever, so how has he bucked all expectations? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one month free at: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes . Guest: Richard Lloyd Parr...

With the Sue Gray report imminent and a Tory rebellion in the offing, secret campaigning has already started for a new prime minister. Who are the candidates lining up to replace Boris Johnson? And what would it take for the PM to step down?  This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one month free at: thetimes....

Stripped of his military titles and royal patronages, Prince Andrew – no longer His Royal Highness – has failed to have a sexual assault case against him dismissed. He now faces being cross-examined on camera by one of America’s most feared trial lawyers. Meanwhile, Ghislaine Maxwell has filed for a retrial. Today we catch up on both cases. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of...

Veganuary broke records this year, with half a million Brits giving it a go. But when even McDonalds and Greggs are getting on board the vegan train, you have to wonder -- is the diet finally becoming mainstream? Or is it losing its roots? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one month free at: thetimes.co.uk/st...

The firm once hailed as the future of city transport is battling a driver shortage, post-pandemic demand and rising fares, leaving some disgruntled passengers waiting on the pavement. So, is this the end of the road? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one month free at: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes . Guest...

After numerous allegations about parties at Downing Street during lockdown, what does the future hold for Boris Johnson? Is it game over? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one month free at: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes . Guests: Charlotte Ivers, Times Radio Political Correspondent and Matthew Parris, Tim...

Today's episode contains strong language, discussions of suicide, and descriptions of violence in war that some listeners might find distressing. The second of a two-part investigation into the impact of the Afghanistan war for British troops. 55 soldiers from one regiment died in the campaign — 22 took their own lives back home. Why have so many suffered? War correspondent Anthony Loyd talks to m...

Today's episode contains strong language, discussions of suicide, and descriptions of violence in war that some listeners might find distressing. The first of a two-part investigation into the impact of the Afghanistan war for British troops. 55 soldiers from one regiment died in the campaign — 22 took their own lives back home. Why have so many suffered? War correspondent Anthony Loyd talks to me...

Protests and riots have spread across Kazakhstan where the government has responded with deadly force. Russian troops that had entered the country to support the government have started to leave, but how has the country's leadership since independence in 1990 led to the violent crackdown seen in recent days? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The...

It's split families and friendships. Now the debate over vaccinations is tearing through the world of sport. As tennis superstar Novak Djokovic flew into Melbourne to compete in the Australian Open, he ended up in a detention centre. He might be the number one ranked player in the world, but he's also unvaccinated. So how should the sporting world deal with athletes who don't want to get vacc...

Elizabeth Holmes was once hailed as a visionary, and her company Theranos was set to revolutionise the world of medicine. But her success was a tale of hot air and hubris. Last week, Holmes was convicted of fraud and conspiracy. How was this silicon valley star brought down by a newspaper investigation? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Ti...

The cost of living is reaching a crisis - for people trying to pay the bills and for the government under pressure to find solutions. With tax rises looming, energy bills up and inflation on the increase, how bad are things going to get - and what can be done? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one month free...

It's been just over six weeks since the discovery of the Omicron variant. In England, the government now seems to be growing in confidence that it's chosen the right plan. But as other governments take different stances, is it on the right course? And what might the next few months look like?  This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times....

Sunday Times special correspondent Josh Glancy explores how the pandemic and successive lockdowns have left us in a brain fog struggling with the concept of time. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one month free at: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Host:  Manveen Rana. Guest:  Josh Glancy, Sunday T...

A year on from the storming of the US Capitol, 2022 looks to be anything but a quiet year in American politics. We take stock of the year gone by, and look ahead at what to expect from the next 12 months. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one month free at: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Host:  David...

It's a year since the post-Brexit transition period ended, and the Northern Ireland protocol came into effect. As Foreign Secretary Liz Truss prepares to resume negotiations with the EU, what has the impact been on everyday life in Northern Ireland and on the political parties? And what could 2022 bring? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday T...