Sensemaker
The Observer
The Sensemaker from The Observer - one story every day to make sense of the world.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 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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 4, 2025 • 8min
Who is the man behind Donald Trump’s war on DEI?
President Trump has ordered the federal government to scrap its diversity, equity and inclusion policies. One man in the White House has been plotting this for years. Writer: Stephen ArmstrongAdditional reporting: Ada BaruméProducer: Patricia Clarke Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 3, 2025 • 9min
What is life like for children and aid workers in Gaza after the ceasefire collapse?
Since Israel resumed its military offensive in Gaza, hundreds of children have been killed. Israeli airstrikes have also killed aid workers and a new siege has been blocking all humanitarian and commercial goods entering the Strip.Writer: Serena CesareoProducer: Serena CasareoHost: Casey MagloireExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 2, 2025 • 6min
What does the earthquake mean for Myanmar?
Myanmar is reeling from the aftershocks of a 7.7 magnitude earthquake and the death toll keeps rising. With a civil war still raging alongside the devastation, how is the violence hampering the recovery effort?Writer: Ada BarumeProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 1, 2025 • 7min
What happens when life at an Antarctic base turns hostile?
A group of researchers at a remote Antarctic base faces unexpected conflict. With conditions meaning rescue is near impossible, how did things go so wrong?Writer: Gary MarshallProducer: Rebecca MooreHost: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Roisin SavageExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 31, 2025 • 9min
Has buy now, pay later gone too far?
Buy now, pay later platforms like Klarna have become a go-to payment option for millions, offering flexibility in tough economic times. But as debt piles up and regulation looms, is this convenience coming at too high a cost? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 28, 2025 • 8min
Why does Netflix’s Adolescence hit a nerve?
Stephen Graham’s new four-part series has sparked a national conversation about the crisis facing young men, social media and the manosphere.Writer: Elaine McCalligHost: Tomini BabsEpisode Photography: Roisin SavageExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 27, 2025 • 10min
The chancellor’s choices
Rachel Reeves has set out her plans for the UK’s economy in her spring statement. What state are the country’s finances in? And was cutting welfare benefits the only way of balancing the books? Writer: Barney Macintyre Producer: Xavier GreenwoodHost: Claudia WilliamsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 26, 2025 • 9min
Why does Donald Trump care so much about South Africa?
The US President’s actions towards South Africa seem driven by more than land laws. Could they be part of a broader narrative about race, power, and fear?Writer: Ada Barumé Producer: Ada BaruméHost: Claudia WilliamsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 25, 2025 • 9min
Why is there a measles outbreak in Texas?
Measles is spreading in Texas and shows no signs of slowing down. What does this outbreak tell us about the state of public health in the US and where does it go from here?Writer: Jess SwinburneProducer: Jess SwinburnePhotography: Roisin SavageExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 24, 2025 • 9min
What is life like in Gaza since the ceasefire collapsed?
Israel has resumed its military offensive in Gaza, killing hundreds of people following the collapse of the ceasefire deal with Hamas. Already suffering from food and medical shortages, how are Gazans surviving?Why has Israel started bombing Gaza again? Click here to listen to our previous episode: lnk.to/QsqUkGWriter: Chloe Hadjimatheou Host: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
