

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

Oct 18, 2024 • 6min
The Canary Island migrant route
The Atlantic migration route from West Africa to Spain is even more dangerous than crossing the Mediterranean, so why is it growing busier as migration by sea elsewhere in Europe has declined?Writer: Serena CesareoProducer: Ada BarumeHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Japer Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 snips
Oct 17, 2024 • 9min
Introducing...The Animal Sensemaker
Alex Bomer, Director of Natural History at On The Edge and a kakapo conservation expert, dives into the fascinating world of this unique flightless parrot from New Zealand. He discusses the kakapo's quirky breeding behavior, including the males’ booming calls that resonate through the forests. The conversation covers the dramatic decline of their population due to human impact and invasive species, as well as innovative conservation strategies like relocating kakapos to predator-free islands and the humorous trials faced in enhancing their breeding success.

Oct 17, 2024 • 7min
The race to save the Amazon
A Brazilian cattle rancher who destroyed large areas of the Amazon has been ordered to pay $50 million to restore the land he logged. As deforestation rates soar in countries around the world, can we ever reverse them?Writer: Jess SwinburneProducer: Jess SwinburneHost: Claudia WilliamsExecutive Producers: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 16, 2024 • 8min
Riots, racism and British society
In the wake of violence and racism during the riots this summer, one of Britain’s leading public intellectuals reflects on how racism - and his experience of it - has changed over the last 50 years. To read Anand Menon’s article in full, click hereWriter: Ada BarumeProducer: Ada BarumeHost: Tomini BabsPhotograph by Malcolm Clarke/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 15, 2024 • 8min
Who is the real JD Vance?
Whether Trump wins or loses the US election, he has an heir: his 40-year-old running mate JD Vance. So where does Vance want to take America?To listen to Beyond Trump: JD Vance and the New Right click here.Writer: Xavier GreenwoodProducer: Xavier GreenwoodHost: Claudia WilliamsPhotography: Jon JonesExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 14, 2024 • 8min
Too Cleverly? Inside the Conservative leadership race
After a series of twists and turns, the Conservative leadership race has reached the final stage with a result due in November. But who is the frontrunner and what does it tell us about the future of the opposition?Writer: Tortoise’s political editor, Cat NeilanProducer: Ada BarumeHost: Casey MagloirePhotography: Rasid Necati Aslim/Anadolu via Getty ImagesPicture Editor: Jon JonesExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 11, 2024 • 7min
Did climate change make Hurricane Milton stronger?
Just weeks after Hurricane Helene left a trail of destruction across several south-eastern US states, Hurricane Milton has smashed its way across Florida. Why does climate change make hurricanes more destructive?To find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Become 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 10, 2024 • 8min
Will facial recognition technology transform policing?
The head of the UK’s largest police force says facial recognition technology could be the best new crime fighting tool since fingerprinting. But campaigners have called it ‘dystopian’. To find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 9, 2024 • 9min
Big Tech's growing political influence
What does Elon Musk’s endorsement of Donald Trump tell us about the relationship between Silicon Valley and US politics?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.

Oct 8, 2024 • 8min
One Year On From October 7. Part 2: Gaza, Hamas and the Palestinians
It’s been a year since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7. Since then, according to Palestinian health officials, Israel’s military campaign in the Gaza strip has killed more than 42,000 Palestinians.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.


