Sensemaker
The Observer
The Sensemaker from The Observer - one story every day to make sense of the world.Subscribe to The Observer today and get access to: Our podcasts before anyone else A daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a week Puzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crossword Recipes for every occasionFree tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or onlineClick here to subscribe today for just £1 for your first month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 3, 2025 • 6min
Is this the end of disposable vapes?
As rates of vaping continue to rise across the UK, a health and environmental crisis is unfolding. Will the banning of single-use vapes in the UK turn the tides on their environmental cost?Writer: Jess SwinburneProducer: Karla PatellaPhotography: Alex JonesExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 2, 2025 • 7min
Will Trump's Golden Dome work?
Donald Trump says he wants to build the ‘next generation’ missile shield to protect America from foreign attacks. Writer: Stephen Armstrong Producer: Rebecca Moore Host: Claudia WilliamsExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 30, 2025 • 6min
The renationalisation of Britain’s railways
The government has hailed ‘a new dawn’ for the railways under the first renationalised train service. But will Britain’s trains become more reliable and will tickets be cheaper under public ownership? Writer: James TapperProducer: Karla PatellaHost: Claudia WilliamsExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 29, 2025 • 6min
Could the government’s immigration reforms lead to an exodus of international nurses?
New research from the Royal College of Nursing suggests many overseas nurses are thinking about leaving the UK. Could the government’s tough new immigration reforms accelerate that?Writer: Rachael HealyProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Claudia Williams Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 28, 2025 • 6min
Who’s polluting the River Wye?
Why the River Wye is at the centre of one of the biggest environmental claims ever filed in the high court.Writer: Jon Ungoed -ThomasProducer: Karla PatellaHost: Casey MagloirePhotography: Alex Jones Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 27, 2025 • 8min
Inside the world of Superbikes
Two deaths a fortnight ago haven’t dimmed the high-octane appeal of motorsport. So when tragedy hits a high-risk sport like this, what keeps riders coming back?Writer: Rory SmithProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 23, 2025 • 8min
Is Britain ready to choose prison reform over punishment?
The government has commissioned radical new reforms to reduce the prison population by 10,000 people.Writer: Rachel SylvesterHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 22, 2025 • 8min
Could this be the end of abortion prosecutions?
In recent years, an increasing number of women - including Nicola Packer - have been investigated and put on trial for illegally ending their pregnancy.Writer: Phoebe Davis If you’d like to read more of Phoebe’s interview with Nicola Packer, click here. Producer: Karla PatellaHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Joe MeePhotograph: Sonja HorsmanExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 21, 2025 • 6min
Has Keir Starmer pulled off a Brexit reset with the EU?
The much-hyped EU-UK summit has resulted in a deal that the Government says will improve “jobs, bills and borders”. But has Labour been too cautious?Writer: Cat NeilanProducer: Karla PatellaHost: Casey MagloireExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 20, 2025 • 9min
What did Cassie Ventura’s testimony reveal about Sean “Diddy” Combs?
The trial of Sean Combs has finished hearing testimony from the prosecution's main witness: the singer and Combs’ ex-partner Cassie Ventura. Contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline by calling their 24-hour freephone on 0808 2000 247 or visiting https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ Writer: Stephen Armstrong Producer: Karla Patella Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Alex Jones Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
