The Observer
Sensemaker
The Sensemaker from The Observer - one story every day to make sense of the world. Subscribe to The Observer and use the code AUDIO50 to get 50% off your annual subscription: Early access, bonus content and ad-free listening to our podcasts A daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a week Puzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crossword Recipes for every occasion Free tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or online Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Episodes
Why are art heists on the rise? 08.04.2026 5:55
Over the past two years, there have been major thefts from galleries and museums in the Netherlands, France and Italy. So what’s happening? This episode is sponsored by Babbel. Get up to 60% off your Babbel subscription at babbel.com/sensemaker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Is shared ownership housing really an affordable option? 07.04.2026 7:28
Why some people in shared home ownership schemes don’t feel they're as affordable as they seem. Writer: Ada Barumé Producer: Matt Russell Host: Ada Barumé This episode is sponsored by Babbel. Get up to 60% off your Babbel subscription at babbel.com/sensemaker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Is the Iran War dividing MAGA? 02.04.2026 9:04
Is the war in Iran impacting MAGA support for Donald Trump, if so, why? Writer: Casey Magloire Producer: Casey Magloire Host: Ada Barume Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Matt Russell Clip credit: The Economist, NBC news, Forbes Breaking News, CNN and MS Now This episode is sponsored by Babbel. Get up to 60% off your Babbel subscription at babbel.com/sensemaker Hos...
How is the Iran war affecting our cost of living? 01.04.2026 6:51
The impact of the war in Iran is being felt around the world. But how is it affecting the UK? Writer: Ada Barumé Producer: Amalie Sortland Host: Casey Magloire Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Clip from NBC News. This episode is sponsored by Babbel. Get up to 60% off your Babbel subscription at babbel.com/sensemaker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The economics of K-pop and BTS 31.03.2026 9:27
The world’s biggest boyband are back from their hiatus and set to go on a 82-date tour, but what impact will their return to the spotlight have on the Korean economy? Writer: Casey Magloire Producer: Amalie Sortland Host: Ada Barumé Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Clips from 9 News Australia, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, NBC News, Asia O...
Are war crimes happening in the Iran war? 30.03.2026 9:00
Several leading figures have come out and warned both sides in the Iran war could be at risk of committing war crimes. But what does this mean? Host: Casey Magloire Writer: Matt Russell Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Sofia Fenton Executive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Why are Meta and Google liable for social media addiction? 27.03.2026 8:37
Social media companies have largely avoided responsibility for the impact their products have on people’s lives. But a new court ruling may change that. Host: Andrew Butler Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Sofia Fenton Executive producer: Jasper Corbett Clips used in the episode were from The New York Times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What’s behind changes to the abortion law in England and Wales? 26.03.2026 8:27
The House of Lords has voted to stop criminalising women for late term abortions. What will this mean for women in England and Wales? Host: Casey Magloire Writer: Ada Barumé Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Sofia Fenton Executive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Is Cuba Donald Trump’s next target? 25.03.2026 8:19
As Donald Trump ramps up pressure on Cuba, the island is facing fuel shortages, economic collapse and mass emigration. Will this mean regime change in the communist country? Writer: Jonathan Lewis Producer: Ada Barumé Host: Ada Barumé Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Credits: The New York Times, The New Yorker and WNYC Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.c...
Are AI chatbots encouraging violence? 24.03.2026 7:47
Two lawsuits allege that artificial intelligence chatbots, like ChatGPT, have encouraged people to commit harm not just to themselves, but to others. Reporter: Patricia Clarke Writer: Poppy Bullard Producer: Poppy Bullard Host: Ada Barumé Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Why did Scotland reject assisted dying? 23.03.2026 9:31
Plans to legalise assisted dying in Scotland have been narrowly rejected, just as similar efforts across the UK begin to stall. Host: Casey Magloire Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Matt Russell Some clips used in the episode were from the BBC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Why has the Middle East conflict spread to Lebanon? 20.03.2026 7:53
After the killing of the Iranian supreme leader, Lebanon’s Hezbollah launched strikes on Israel. As the conflict intensifies, what is life like for civilians on the ground? Writer: Ada Barumé Producer: Ada Barumé Host: Casey Magloire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Meningitis outbreak: How serious is it? 19.03.2026 8:29
The UK Health Security Agency has declared an urgent public health alert following a meningitis outbreak in Kent that has left two young people dead. Host: Ada Barumé Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Sofia Fenton Executive producer: Jasper Corbett Some clips used in the episode were from the BBC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Anthropic vs the Pentagon: who decides how AI is used? 18.03.2026 7:22
Last week, Anthropic entered a legal battle with the US government after refusing to comply with terms related to the military use of its AI. As a result, the company is being cast as the “good guy” in the AI race - but is that reputation deserved? Writer: Jonathan Lewis Producer: Jonathan Lewis Host: Ada Barumé Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Matt Russell Credits: Slate, The New...
Why are Iranian footballers refusing asylum? 17.03.2026 6:43
On the 9th March, five members of the Iranian national women's football team were granted asylum by the Australian government, but only two of them want to accept the offer. Writer: Poppy Bullard Reporter: Jessy Parker Humphreys Producer: Poppy Bullard and Matt Russell Host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo...
The Mandelson files: How much did Starmer know? 16.03.2026 9:39
The government has released the first batch of documents linked to Peter Mandelson’s appointment as the UK’s ambassador to the US. What’s in them? Host: Casey Magloire Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Sofia Fenton Executive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How to win an Oscar 13.03.2026 9:31
The finale of this year’s awards season takes place this Sunday, with Hollywood’s biggest stars gathering in LA for the 98th Academy Awards - also known as the Oscars. But how do Oscar campaigns impact who wins a golden statue? Writer, producer and Host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Sofia Fenton Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i...
War in the Middle East: How bad is the economic shock? 12.03.2026 8:30
As conflict continues in the Middle East, oil and gas prices have soared. What could that mean for the UK economy? Writer: Madeleine Parr Producer: Amalie Sortland Host: Ada Barumé Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What went wrong at BrewDog? 11.03.2026 7:22
BrewDog was once the craft beer industry’s loudest voice. But last week it was sold to a US company, leaving nearly 500 people out of work. Writer: Poppy Bullard Producer: Amalie Sortland Host: Ada Barumé Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What does Britain's immigration shake-up mean? 10.03.2026 7:30
The Home Secretary has announced a radical overhaul of the UK’s asylum and immigration system. What is the government actually proposing? Writer: Serena Cesareo Producer: Serena Cesareo Host: Casey Magloire Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How are Dubai’s influencers reacting to conflict in the Middle East? 09.03.2026 9:45
The influencer capital of the world has been the target of Iranian missiles as conflict has spread across the Middle East. How has it changed the content they post? Host: Casey Magloire Writer & Producer: Ada Barumé Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Why are there mixed messages about why the US attacked Iran? 06.03.2026 9:37
President Trump has offered a range of explanations and justifications for the US and Israeli strikes on Iran in the past few days. Why are there mixed messages? Host: Ada Barumé Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Why are maternity services in England in crisis? 05.03.2026 8:42
An independent inquiry has revealed the scale - of inadequacy in NHS maternity and neonatal services in England – and the devastating emotional and psychological consequences suffered by families. After a series of scandals, what is the state of maternity care in the country? Writer: Serena Cesareo Producer: Serena Cesareo Host: Casey Magloire Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. Se...
Who’s the man behind looksmaxxing? 04.03.2026 7:51
The man known as ‘Clavicular’ has become the face of ‘looksmaxxing’. But where did this internet phenomenon come from? Watch Ben Zand’s new documentary ‘Why Men Rent Girlfriends (Darker Than You Think)’ HERE . Writer: Ada Barumé Producer: Amalie Sortland Host: Ada Barumé Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What does the bombing of Iran mean for the Middle East? 03.03.2026 8:55
The US and Israel’s strikes on Iran have triggered a conflict which is rapidly spreading across the Middle East. 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.
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