Deep Water | Tortoise Investigates

Lydia travels to Kalamata, Greece, a renowned freediving spot to investigate the doping allegations. What substances are athletes meant to be taking? And what are the risks – to them, and to the sport she loves?Subscribe to Observer+ on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to binge listen to the entire series on Tuesday 18th November.To find out more about The Observer:Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free contentHead to our website observer.co.uk Reporter - Lydia Gard Producer - Gary Marshall. Music supervision and sound design - Karla PatellaSound design - Rowan BishopPodcast artwork - Lola Williams Fact checking - Poppy Bullard, Katie Gunning, Amalie Sortland, Madeleine Parr & Jess Swinburne Executive producer - Basia Cummings Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this discussion, elite freediver Gary McGrath and world-record holder Dave Mellor share insights into the exhilarating yet controversial world of freediving. Gary reveals the allure of Dean's Blue Hole and the sensory experience of deep dives. Both guests confront the troubling doping rumors that have shaken the community, detailing the emotional upheaval among divers. They also explore the tension between competition and the sport's spiritual roots, emphasizing the ongoing struggles for integrity and unity in freediving.

Three years ago travel writer Lydia Gard discovered freediving almost by accident. It’s an extreme and beautiful sport defined by one simple objective: to dive as deep as you can on one single breath. Record holders are now routinely diving to more than 120 metres, pushing the sport and their bodies to find out what’s humanly possible.Through her coach, Lydia was drawn into a small but fanatical community of competition athletes all united in their drive for depth, and that’s where she stumbled on a darker side of the sport. Rumours swirled that a group of top divers were doping to get deeper, faster. As the community began to turn on each other over the allegations, one prominent diver decided to take the law into his own hands. A secret sting operation was meant to put an end to the problem by bringing the alleged dopers out of the dark, and into the light. But the issue hasn't gone away. And now, a lot of people who’ve been too scared to speak up, are ready to talk. Episode 1 will be available to listen to on Tuesday 18th November.Subscribe to Observer+ on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to binge listen to the entire series on Tuesday 18th November.To find out more about The Observer:Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free contentHead to our website observer.co.uk Reporter - Lydia Gard Producer -  Gary Marshall. Music supervision and sound design - Karla PatellaSound design - Rowan BishopPodcast artwork - Lola Williams Fact checking - Poppy Bullard, Katie Gunning, Amalie Sortland, Madeleine Parr & Jess Swinburne Executive producer - Basia Cummings Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Carola Vinuesa, a geneticist involved in notable cases like Kathleen Folbigg's, and Katerina Bakoyani, an investigative journalist from Athens, dive deep into the tragic case of Roula Pispirigou, accused of murdering her three children. They discuss the flaws in the police investigation and the potential for genetic testing to challenge her conviction. The conversation highlights how media portrayal influences public opinion and raises critical questions about justice and the role of scientific evidence in the courtroom.

Carola Vinuesa, a scientist at The Francis Crick Institute, shares her groundbreaking work that applies genetic discoveries in legal settings. She discusses the heart-wrenching case of Kathleen Folbigg, who was wrongfully imprisoned for her children's deaths. As new genetic evidence emerges, Vinuesa highlights the emotional turmoil intertwined with the legal battle for justice. Listeners are taken through a poignant journey of hope, healing, and the critical need for scientific accountability in the courtroom.

Join leading geneticist Carola Vinuesa, who investigates disease genetics, and law professor Emma Cunliffe, author of "Murder, Medicine and Motherhood," as they delve into the tragic case of Kathleen Folbigg. They discuss the emotional fallout of wrongful conviction and the harrowing prison experience of a mother labeled a child killer. Explore the critical role of genetic testing in uncovering the truth, the ethical dilemmas faced by scientists, and the intersection of science and justice as they seek to illuminate a path toward Kathleen's innocence.

Journalist Rachel Sylvester dives into the chilling narrative of Australia's worst serial killer and the mothers ensnared in tragic accusations. The podcast dissects the flawed statistics that led to wrongful convictions, spotlighting the harrowing tales of Kathleen Folbigg and Sally Clark, both victims of misapplied justice. It critiques the legal system's reliance on inaccurate expert testimonies and challenges societal biases against mothers, illuminating the urgent need for a reevaluation of how child death cases are prosecuted.

Introducing...The Lab DetectiveKathleen Folbigg experienced unimaginable loss. All four of her infant children died suddenly, over a 10-year period. Their deaths were unexplained. Until a police detective turned up at her door, and arrested Kathleen on suspicion of murder. She was labelled ‘Australia's worst female serial killer’, convicted, and was destined to spend most of the rest of her life in jail. Until a different type of detective entered her life. A scientist working in a lab who uncovered the truth behind the deaths. This is the story of a shocking miscarriage of justice, but as journalist Rachel Sylvester starts to investigate how this happened, she learns that Kathleen is not alone – other mothers have endured the same fate, and may also be in prison. The Lab Detective is a story about the power of science, and the determination of those searching for the truth.The full series is available to listen now. Reporters: Rachel Sylvester Producer: Gary MarshallExecutive editor: Basia Cummings Music supervisor: Karla Patella Sound design: Rowan Bishop Artwork: Lola Williams Fact checking: Ada Barume and Madeline ParrOur thanks to The Francis Crick Institute for sharing recordings and insights.Watch a short documentary on the genomics team behind Kathleen Folbigg's case filmed at the CrickTo find out more about The Observer:Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free contentHead to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalistsIf you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Lucky Boy launched back in March, there was an important detail that didn't make it into the podcast, for legal reasons: the team had discovered that they weren’t the only people who had been investigating the allegations made by Gareth - the Metropolitan Police had been too. Now, reporter Chloe Hadjimatheou has an update.To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content head to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalistsIf you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Deep dive into the complexities of teacher-student relationships, exploring trust, silence, and emotional fallout. Hear personal stories of past abuse and the painful realities of betrayal faced by victims. Emotional confrontations arise from a tribunal hearing as inconsistencies emerge in testimonies. Reflect on societal double standards in relationships and the lasting impact of formative experiences. This thought-provoking narrative emphasizes the importance of breaking the silence around trauma and empowering victims to share their stories.