Sensemaker

The price of eggs has skyrocketed. While Trump made them a central issue during his campaign, the problem runs deeper than inflation. Why could eggs spark a political crisis for the president?  Writer: Phoebe Davis  Producer: Gary Marshall Host: Claudia Williams  Episode photography: Roisín Savage Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more info...

Elon Musk has called the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, which he runs, “maximally transparent”. But it’s taking entire teams of reporters to piece together what is really happening inside The White House. Writer: Patricia Clarke Producer: Patricia Clarke Host: Tomini Babs  Episode photography: Roisín Savage  Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...

The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has expired, and hopes for a second phase are fading fast. With hostages still held in Gaza and political tensions rising in Israel, is renewed war now inevitable? To listen to Chloe Hadjimatheou on The News Meeting click here: lnk.to/2JnIOk Writer: Xavier Greenwood with additional reporting from Lilly Cheslaw. Producer: Casey Magloire Host: Casey Mag...

Donald Trump’s explosive press conference with Volodymyr Zelensky didn’t just strain US-Ukraine relations, it upended the established post-WWII world order. Writer: Phoebe Davis  Additional reporting: Cecily Atkinson Producer: Ada Barumé  Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Roisín Savage Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More than 1,000 musicians have released a silent album in protest against new UK government proposals to change copyright law. Will the silence be too deafening for the government to ignore? Writer: Jess Swinburne Producer: Katie Gunning Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The risk of a large asteroid hitting Earth in 2032 has dropped to nearly zero – but it could still hit the moon. Nasa’s Acting Planetary Defense Officer explains how her team is assessing the risk. Reporter: Patricia Clarke Producer: Patricia Clarke Host: Claudia Williams Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Photography: Joe Mee Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  This year’s Oscars are more political than ever, with Anora being the critics’ favorite for Best Picture. But could its portrayal of sex work signal a real shift in Hollywood’s attitude, or is it just another fleeting moment? Writer: Stephen Armstrong Producer: Ada Barumé Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...

In a massive shake-up of the US armed forces, the Trump administration has fired the country’s most senior military officer, the admiral leading the navy and several other senior figures. Why? And what does that mean for the world’s most powerful military? Writer: Jasper Corbett Producer: Xavier Greenwood  Host: Casey Magloire Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...

Germany’s far-right party, Alternative für Deutschland, secured second place in the weekend’s election, doubling its previous vote share. With concerns that the long-standing “firewall” against the AfD is weakening, can incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz navigate domestic and global challenges to stop its rise? Writer: Cat Neilan Producer: Casey Magloire  Host: Claudia Williams Executive Prod...

Ukraine’s rare earth minerals have become a bargaining chip in high-stakes negotiations with the US. As President Trump pushes for access to half of Ukraine’s deposits, we explore what’s at stake—and why Kyiv is under pressure to strike a deal. Writer and producer: Katie Gunning Art work: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The rebel group, M23 have taken control of a second city in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. What do they want? And is there anything that can be done to bring peace to a country after three decades of conflict?  Writer: Ada Barumé Producer: Ada Barumé Host: Tomini Babs Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the second time Vogue has broken with tradition and excluded the First Lady from the front cover. What does this snub tell us about the changing media and political landscape in the US?  Writer and producer: Jess Swinburne Host: Claudia Williams Episode Photography: Lola Williams  Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tesla sales are plummeting across Europe. Elon Musk's political antics might have something to do with it.  Writer: Patricia Clarke Producer: Patricia Clarke Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Lola Williams Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Self-test rape kits are being promoted as a way to empower survivors, but experts warn they could undermine prosecutions. This debate raises a bigger question: how can we balance support for survivors with the need for justice? Writer: Phoebe Davis  Producer: Casey Magloire Host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Lola Williams Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...

  Donald Trump’s new defense secretary has signaled a dramatic shift in US policy on Ukraine, raising alarms across Europe. As fears of appeasement grow and Western alliances are tested, what does this mean for the future of European security? Writer: Cat Neilan Producer: Ada Barumé Host: Tomini Babs Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information...

After she died three of Joan Didion’s trustees found the writer’s 25-year-old diary and took the decision to publish her entries in full. Writer: Elaine McCallig Producer: Casey Magloire Photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week the British government released footage of authorities arresting migrants who, it says, are in the UK illegally. With a new security-focused immigration bill currently under debate in Parliament, is Labour taking a page from the White House’s playbook on immigration? Writer: Serena Cesareo Producer: Serena Casareo Host: Tomini Babs Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See a...

In the dead of night, thieves raid a Dutch museum, making off with priceless Romanian artefacts. As the hunt for the stolen treasures continues, what does this art heist tell us about the future of cultural heritage? Writer: Claudia Williams Producer: Casey Magloire Host: Tomini Babs  Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor...

Elon Musk isn’t just advising Donald Trump, he’s reshaping the federal government in his image. From mass layoffs to deregulation, his influence is growing – but will it lead to efficiency or upheaval? Episode writer: Xavier Greenwood  Producer: Casey Magloire Executive producer: Rebecca Moore  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A groundbreaking film with record-breaking nominations, Emilia Perez seemed unstoppable - until one of its lead actors became the center of a media firestorm. Could the backlash cost the film its Oscar dreams? Episode writer: Aleena Augustine Additional reporting: Jess Swinburne and Bex Sander Producer: Ada Barume Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in...

After Tortoise first reported on the allegations against Neil Gaiman last year, more women have shared their allegations of sexual abuse. Now, one woman has taken her story to the courts and filed a new lawsuit against Gaiman and his estranged wife, Amanda Palmer.  Episode writer: Phoebe Davis. Producer: Casey Magloire Executive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo...

Donald Trump has proposed a US takeover of Gaza, suggesting the permanent displacement of its palestinian population. While the plan is unlikely to happen, has he shifted the debate on the region’s future? This episode was written by Claudia Williams with additional reporting by Lilly Cheslaw. It was produced by Matt Russell.  The Executive Producer was Rebecca Moore.  Hosted on Acast. S...

When police sealed off an abandoned gold mine in South Africa to crack down on illegal mining, dozens of men were left trapped underground. This deadly standoff reveals the harsh realities of the country’s illegal mining industry. Thank you for listening to the Sensemaker from Tortoise. This episode was written and mixed by Casey Magloire. Episode photography by Joe Mee The executive producer is R...

The UK chancellor Rachel Reeves has backed a third Heathrow runway, saying the airport expansion will meet the government’s climate targets because of ‘green aviation’. But is there such a thing? Reporter: Xavier Greenwood Producer: Xavier Greenwood Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Photography: Joe Mee Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new Chinese AI model sent shockwaves through the US financial markets last week. Will it transform the tech industry forever? Reporter: Patricia Clarke Producer: Patricia Clarke Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Photography: Joe Mee Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.