

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

Mar 21, 2025 • 10min
Why has Israel started bombing Gaza again?
Israel has resumed heavy airstrikes on Gaza. Why has Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to break the ceasefire deal now? Writer: Lilly CheslawProducer: Serena CesareoHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca MooreSecure your privacy with Surfshark! Go to https://surfshark.com/sensemaker for 4 extra months of Surfshark. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 20, 2025 • 10min
Is the hunt for the 100ft wave over?
The 100ft wave is a big wave surfing milestone that was supposed to be impossible. Now, a young surfer from California is rumoured to have achieved it, breaking the official world record at the same time. The problem? Nobody can agree how big the wave was. Writer: Claudia Williams, with additional reporting by Ada BaruméProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Claudia WilliamsSecure your privacy with Surfshark! Go to https://surfshark.com/sensemaker for 4 extra months of Surfshark. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 19, 2025 • 6min
Is Labour’s welfare gamble a risk worth taking?
In Labour’s most controversial move since taking office last summer, the government this week set out plans to reform the UK’s welfare system. But will it actually achieve the joint aims of saving money and getting more people back into work?Writer: Cat NeilanProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Casey Magloire Executive Producer: Rebecca MooreEpisode Photography: Roisín Savage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 18, 2025 • 8min
Can Trump really strike a peace deal in Ukraine?
President Trump’s promise to stop the war in Ukraine may be more tricky to pull off than he hoped. Ukraine has agreed to pause the fighting and sit at the negotiating table but so far there’s little sign that the Russian President is willing to even entertain a ceasefire. Is there any chance Trump can pull off this peace deal?Writer: Chloe HadjimatheouProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Claudia Williams Executive producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 17, 2025 • 7min
Manchester United’s theatre of nightmares
Not long ago Manchester United was the biggest name in global football, now the club is having its worst season in thirty years and one of its owners claimed it nearly went bust towards the end of last year. How did things get so bad and is it recoverable? Writer: Jasper Corbet Producer: Matt Russell Host: Claudia WilliamsEpisode photography: Roisin Savage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 14, 2025 • 6min
Syrian deal gives peace a chance
Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa, will be hoping his new deal with Kurdish forces, which control an oil rich region in the northeast, will send a message that his government represents all Syrians. Will the agreement steer the country away from civil war?Writer: Chloe HadjimatheouProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Tomini BabsExecutive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 13, 2025 • 9min
Andrew Tate lands in Trump’s America
The Tate brothers left Romania for the US despite facing serious criminal charges. What does this mean for the women bringing cases against the brothers?Secure your privacy with Surfshark! Go to https://surfshark.com/sensemaker for 4 extra months of Surfshark.Writer: Phoebe Davis Producer: Casey MagloireHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 12, 2025 • 7min
Why is Romantasy so popular?
More and more people are obsessed with books about love stories set in fantasy worlds. What's the appeal?Writer: Aleena AugustineProducer: Xavier GreenwoodHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Roisín SavageExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 11, 2025 • 8min
What are the consequences of Trump’s foreign aid cuts?
Donald Trump froze most of America’s foreign aid funding and is dismantling the US Agency for International Development. How is this affecting the millions of people who rely on USAID to survive?Writer: Serena CesareoProducer: Serena CesareoHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 10, 2025 • 7min
Can Trump fix America’s eggflation?
The price of eggs has skyrocketed. While Trump made them a central issue during his campaign, the problem runs deeper than inflation. Why could eggs spark a political crisis for the president? Writer: Phoebe Davis Producer: Gary MarshallHost: Claudia Williams Episode photography: Roisín SavageExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


