The Story

They’re sitting in your hands, in your house and maybe even in your heart. But a global shortage of semiconductors means this tiny object has become a big problem – just as a British chipmaker has been sold to a Chinese-owned company.  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/s...

The traditional summer blockbuster season is drawing to a close but in a world of prequels, sequels and remakes, independent films are finding it increasingly hard to break through. So why are we deluged by all these spin-offs? Guest:  Kevin Maher, chief film critic, The Times.  Host:  Manveen Rana.  Producer: Olivia Case Clips: Thor: Love and Thunder. © 2022 Wal...

This August, we're revisiting some of our favourite episodes from the past year. Dolly Alderton - award-winning author, podcaster, screenwriter and Sunday Times Style's resident agony aunt - on love, friendship, sex, and being comfortable with yourself ahead of the release of the BBC adaptation of her memoir.  Everything I Know About Love is available on BBC iPlayer. This podcast was brought...

This week criminal barristers in England and Wales voted to go on an ongoing, uninterrupted strike arguing they’re not paid enough for legal aid cases. The strike will delay thousands of trials including rapes, murders and serious assaults. So how did we get here? And what happens when justice is put on hold? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sun...

It promised a financial revolution - a liberation from money middlemen. But then the $3 trillion industry of cryptocurrency lost two thirds of its value in six months. So was it all a cult of personality? Or is the revolution still to come? 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/s...

In the early hours of the 24th February, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As the country marks its Independence Day - and with little end to the conflict in sight - our correspondent takes stock and shares his thoughts about the people he’s met and the stories he’s heard. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe...

In two weeks, Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak will become prime minister - a decision that will be made by members of the Conservative Party. So how does the rest of the country feel about the new PM? The Times spoke to focus groups of swing voters to find out - but just who is the roadrunner and who the wily coyote? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Su...

This August, we're revisiting some of our favourite episodes from the past year. In the summer of 1944, some of Adolf Hitler's most trusted senior officers narrowly failed in their attempt to assassinate him. But was that the whole story? A recently unearthed file reveals Britain had a man at the heart of Operation Valkyrie. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The T...

This August, we're revisiting some of our favourite episodes from the past year. What happens when one half of a couple becomes a parent against their will? 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: Jenny Kleeman, Times Radio presenter and inves...

Failed by everyone supposed to protect them, steelworkers were misled into moving £2.8bn out of their final salary pensions. Five years on they are still fighting for compensation. 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: Imogen Tew, senior money rep...

Energy prices have become a national crisis. But for the energy companies, things have never been better. Surely something has to give?  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: Jamie Nimmo, Associate Business Editor, The Sunday Times.  Hos...

It’s been a year since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, during the chaotic withdrawal of western allied forces. Images of thousands of people desperate to leave the country were broadcast across the world. What happened to the Afghan people who were left behind?  This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one...

This August, we're revisiting some of our favourite episodes from the past year. Xi Jinping is consolidating his position as the all-powerful president of China. But who is the man at the top of the sharpest pyramid in the world of politics? 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/...

This episode contains discussions of violence and suicide. It's 20 years since the murder of 10-year-old schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman horrified the nation. Times crime writer Sean O'Neill, who as a young reporter covered the story, talks to the detective who brought the killer to justice and reflects on the profound impact the case had on all those involved in it –&n...

Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss have got just five weeks left in the Conservative leadership contest. But with ballot papers already going out to party members, how much do we really know about the UK’s next prime minister?  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...

Is levelling up over? Boris Johnson's big promise – to fix the country's regional inequalities – might have ended with his government. We visit Wolverhampton, aka levelling up HQ, to see what the programme has done so far – and what is at risk of being lost. 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...

In January, Sunday Times correspondent Louise Callaghan met 26-year-old dolphin trainer Vladyslav Litnievskyi while reporting in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. She wondered what would happen to him and his animals if Russia invaded. Last month, Callaghan returned to the dolphinarium not sure what to expect. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Time...

Last weekend, Stories of our times won the award for interview of the year at the British Podcast Awards. The judges said: "This standout interview was a well-executed and compelling listen, which didn't shy away from challenging its subject." So today we're listening back to that interview with the then Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir Nick Carter, about the changing face of war and Britai...

In eight slick, highly produced sessions that played out like a Netflix series, the House Select Committee for investigating the Capitol riots of January 6th, 2021, made a compelling case against former president Donald Trump. But beyond good ratings, what impact did they actually have, particularly on their main target? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times...

Ten years ago today, 900 million people watched London’s Olympic opening ceremony, marking the start of a games which, it was hoped, would help regenerate a corner of East London. Looking at the site now, how have those hopes held up? 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/stories...

As the Ukraine war progressed, journalists, activists and critics were forced to flee the country. But as Putin’s grip on the media tightened, what was it like for the people who were left? And when does it become too dangerous to stay?  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...

Tonight, the two contenders for prime minister take part in their first head-to-head TV debate. Meanwhile, unnoticed by the general public, one former diplomat has played a key role in the contest, as part of his mission to create a new ideological faction. The Frost story – and various sliding doors moments along the way – could explain how the Conservative Party got to this point, and where it’s...

The heads of MI5 and the FBI recently warned about the growing threat from China’s efforts to spy on the world as it attempts to stay ahead of rivals in technology, industry, politics and power. But has Britain been slow to grasp the scale of the issue? 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: the...

Inflation has hit a new 40-year high – just living life is expensive at the moment, and it’s getting worse. But to fight rising prices, politicians will first have to understand what’s causing them. The war in Ukraine and the pandemic are two factors, but is that the full picture? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today an...

The Met Office has issued a red extreme heat warning for the first time ever, as temperatures could hit a record-breaking 43C today. With train delays, school disruption, and the NHS declaring critical incidents already, is our infrastructure ready for a life at 35C… and hotter? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and...