

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

Sep 9, 2025 • 9min
Who are the winners and losers of the cabinet reshuffle?
What does the recent cabinet reshuffle tell us about the new direction of the Labour party and the government?Writer: Casey MagloireProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Ada BaruméEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 8, 2025 • 9min
Who’s the new editor of American Vogue?
For the first time in decades, American Vogue, the leading fashion publication, has a new editorial head succeeding Anna Wintour, often regarded as the most powerful woman in the industry. Who is the new woman in charge? Writer: Stephen ArmstrongProducer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Jasper CorbettTo 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 journalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 5, 2025 • 6min
Who’s behind all the England flags?
The St George’s cross is flying from lamposts and motorway bridges across England.Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 4, 2025 • 11min
Why is it so hard to deliver aid to Gaza?
Humanitarian payloads from planes are costly and largely ineffective but they remain one of few ways to ease people’s suffering in Gaza.Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland, with additional reporting by Oliver MarsdenEpisode Photography: Oliver Marsden and Alex JonesExecutive producer: Rebecca MooreTo 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.

Sep 3, 2025 • 11min
The black market for weight loss drugs
More than 1.5 million people in the UK now use weight-loss injections like Mounjaro. But as official prices rise by as much as 140%, illegal trade is growing too.Writer: James Tapper and Jessica HaydenProducer: Amalie SortlandHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Alex JonesExecutive Producer: Rebecca MooreTo 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.

Sep 2, 2025 • 9min
How did Taskmaster conquer the world?
Comedy game show Taskmaster is about to air its 20th UK series and has spawned versions all over the world. We discover its secrets.Writer: Rachael HealyProducer: Amalie SortlandHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca MooreTo 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.

Sep 1, 2025 • 6min
Is the AI bubble about to burst?
Computer chip company Nvidia’s revenue is soaring to record highs, but an MIT report found 95% of companies investing in generative AI haven’t made money from it.Writer: Poppy BullardProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Claudia WilliamsEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 29, 2025 • 7min
Why is tanning back in style?
A new wave of influencers are urging their followers to go outside in the hottest part of the day, skip SPF and even lie on towels that attract sunlight.Writer: Ada BaruméProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Andrew ButlerEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 28, 2025 • 8min
How to reconstruct a face
3D printing technology is used to re-construct the faces of injured Ukrainian soldiers and civilians.Writer & Producer: Amalie SortlandEpisode Photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Rebecca MooreTo 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.

Aug 27, 2025 • 9min
Who is football whisperer, Indy Kaila?
What does one transfer window influencers tell us about the growing power of digital natives and our relationship with the truth? Writer: Rory SmithProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Claudia WilliamsEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


