

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

Dec 26, 2024 • 8min
Gaza’s Vlogger
How a young woman from Gaza who chronicled life in the Strip after October 7th and became one of the most influential women in the world. Writer: Chloe HadjimatheouProducer: Gary MarshallHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 25, 2024 • 10min
Chappell Roan and the price of fame
In 2024, Chappell Roan went from relative obscurity to playing to some of the biggest crowds in festival history. What toll did this meteoric rise take on her?Writer: Katie RileyProducer: Katie GunningPhotography: Lola WilliamsHost: Casey MagloireExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 24, 2024 • 6min
The woman behind ITV’s Mr Bates vs. The Post Office
The Post Office scandal was one of the largest miscarriages of justice in the UK with hundreds of people wrongly prosecuted for theft or false accounting. So why did it take an ITV drama to bring about change? Writer: Sophie FentonProducer: Tomini BabsHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 23, 2024 • 7min
2024: The year of the sequel
For the first time ever, the top ten grossing films of the year are all sequels. What does this tell us about the film industry? Has Hollywood run out of new ideas?Writer: Casey MagloireProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 20, 2024 • 6min
Luigi Mangione’s alleged 3D-printed gun
The man accused of killing the UnitedHealthcare CEO, Brian Thompson, is alleged to have used an untraceable 3D-printed firearm. What is that and why is it so controversial?Writer: Xavier GreenwoodProducer: Xavier GreenwoodExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 19, 2024 • 10min
Why does Lucy Letby’s new lawyer think she should be released?
This week, Mark McDonald announced he is trying to bring Lucy Letby’s case back to the Court of Appeal. What reasons does he give for believing the circumstances have changed since her initial trial?Writer: Phoebe DavisProducer: Claudia WilliamsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 18, 2024 • 6min
Why has Saudi Arabia been awarded the 2034 World Cup?
Saudi Arabia has been awarded the tournament despite widespread concerns about human rights violations and environmental issues. What does this tell us about the changing face of global football?Writer: Andrew ButlerPhotography: Joe MeeHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 17, 2024 • 9min
The rise of memecoins
A new cryptocurrency linked to the identity of Luigi Mangione, the suspected killer of Brian Thompson, has reached a market value of $76 million.Writer: Barney MacintyreProducer: Matt RussellPhotography: Joe MeeHost: Claudia WilliamsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 16, 2024 • 10min
Who is the lawyer suing Jay-Z?
Billionaire rapper Jay-Z is the first celebrity to be named as a co-defendent in an allegation concerning Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. Jay-Z vehemently denies the allegation - that he raped a 13 year old girl in 2000 along with Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. Jay-Z’s legal team has sued the attorney who filed the claim against him. So who is the lawyer bringing multiple lawsuits against Sean Combs and his associates?Writer: Eleanor BiggsPhotography: Jon JonesHost: Claudia WilliamsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 13, 2024 • 8min
Syria's prisons
The ousting of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad has revealed the full scale of how he used the prison system to lock up, torture and execute his opponents. What do we now know about what went on? Producer: Eleanor BiggsPhotography: Jon JonesHost: Tomini BabsExecutive producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


