

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

Nov 15, 2024 • 6min
The resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury
Justin Welby is the first Archbishop of Canterbury to resign. He stood down following a report into a decades long abuse scandal. Why did it take the CofE more than forty years to get to the bottom of it? Writer: Phoebe DavisProducer: Eleanor BiggsPhotography: Jon JonesExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 14, 2024 • 10min
The case for funding climate action before disaster strikes
At the COP29 summit in Azerbaijan, countries are exploring the best ways to fund climate action. What lessons can they take from a new aid strategy that helped people in Bangladesh navigate this year’s floods?Writer: Jeevan VasagarProducer: Casey MagloirePhotography: Jon JonesHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 13, 2024 • 9min
Musk buys power
Thanks to his alliance with Donald Trump, Elon Musk has achieved an unprecedented combination of political power and immense wealth. What form will this new, supercharged Musk take? Writer and producer: Patricia ClarkeHost: Tomini BabsPhotography: Jon JonesExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore With thanks to Alexi Mostrous, Gary Marshall, Basia Cummings and Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 12, 2024 • 7min
Why will HS2 spend £100 million on a bat tunnel?
The high-speed rail project is now tens of millions of pounds in the red and an expensive bat tunnel is the latest major cost. With its future in doubt, how did it all go so wrong?Featuring Christian Wolmar, host of the podcast Calling All Stations - https://shorturl.at/KTypIWriter and producer: Eleanor BiggsPhotography: Jon JonesHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 11, 2024 • 8min
How are Sudan’s neighbours coping with the country’s refugees?
The conflict in Sudan is intensifying and the fighting has caused the biggest displacement crisis in the world. What is being done to help those fleeing to neighbouring countries?To find out more about Tortoise:Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalistsSubscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free contentBecome a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and moreIf 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.

Nov 8, 2024 • 8min
What lies ahead for Trump 2.0?
Donald Trump returns as President of the United States on 20th January 2025. What happens next? We consider the implications for America and the world – from Ukraine and climate change to the US southern border.Writer: David TaylorProducer: Katie GunningHost: Claudia WilliamsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 7, 2024 • 8min
How did Donald Trump pull it off?
Donald Trump has been elected US president for a second time, in what some have seen as the greatest comeback in political history. How did he do it?Writer: Xavier GreenwoodProducer: Patricia ClarkeHost: Claudia WilliamsPhotography: Jon JonesExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 6, 2024 • 7min
The US election: what’s happened so far?
The results of the US elections have been coming in all night. What do they tell us about who could be the next president? To find out more about Tortoise:Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalistsSubscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free contentBecome a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and moreIf 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.

Nov 5, 2024 • 7min
TikTok and the rise of ‘Algospeak’
The language of the internet has taken on a life of its own with the rise of apps like Tik Tok. How far has the app affected the way we speak in real life?Correction: In this episode we state that "Brat" was the Oxford Dictionary Word of the Year. This is incorrect. "Brat" has actually been named the Collins Dictionary Word of the Year. The Oxford Dictionary has yet to announce its Word of the Year.Writer: Tomini BabsProducer: Tomini BabsHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 4, 2024 • 7min
Why is big money backing Donald Trump?
The 2024 presidential election is set to become the most expensive in history. Who are the billionaires donating to Donald Trump and what do they want in return?Writer: Xavier GreenwoodProducer: Xavier GreenwoodHost: Casey MagloireExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


