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
Jun 24, 2025 • 8min
Can one woman’s legal victory change the future of fossil fuels?
After years of courtroom battles, campaigner Sarah Finch won a landmark Supreme Court case that could reshape how the UK approves oil, gas and coal projects.Writer: David Taylor Producers: Poppy Bullard Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 23, 2025 • 10min
What could happen next after the US bombed Iran?
Donald Trump ordered the strikes on three nuclear sites in Iran early Sunday morning. He said the US entered the war to stop the threat from “the world’s number one state sponsor of terror”. Writer: Stephen Armstrong Producer: Rebecca Moore Host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Alex Jones Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 20, 2025 • 9min
Will Trump bomb Iran’s nuclear fortress?
Could Donald Trump order a strike on Iran’s underground nuclear site using a bunker-buster bomb – and what might the consequences be?Writer: Stephen Armstrong Producers: Jonathan Lewis and Poppy Bullard Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 19, 2025 • 6min
What’s really in your can of tuna?
The UK eats hundreds of thousands of tonnes of tuna every year but not all of it is legally or sustainably caught. Writer: James TapperProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Andrew ButlerEpisode photography: Alex JonesExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 18, 2025 • 7min
How much energy and water does AI use?
Artificial intelligence is changing our lives and our world at an astonishing pace, but its hunger for data is matched by its need for energy and water. Writer: Jon Ungoed-thomasProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 17, 2025 • 8min
Why is Benjamin Netanyahu striking Iran?
What does the escalating conflict in the middle east mean for Iran, its regime and hopes for a new nuclear deal with the US?Writer: Poppy Bullard with additional reporting from Chloe HadjimatheouProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Casey MagioreEpisode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 16, 2025 • 8min
Why are physician associates attracting so much controversy?
With findings of a government review on the role of physician associates expected any day now, what is the role, and why are some doctors so concerned about safety?Writer: Rachael HealyProducer: Poppy BullardHost: Claudia WilliamsEpisode photography: Alex JonesExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 13, 2025 • 8min
Has Rachel Reeves ended austerity?
Chancellor Rachel Reeves this week set out the government’s spending plans for the next three years, committing billions of pounds to some departments, while significantly cutting others. She told MPs they were her “choices” - but are they the right ones?Writer: Cat Neilan, The Observer’s Whitehall Editor Producer: Poppy Bullard Host: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 12, 2025 • 6min
What’s behind Trump’s show of force in LA?
After small-scale protests over immigration raids erupt in Los Angeles, President Trump deployed the National Guard and later, the Marines. Writer: Stephen Armstrong Producer: Casey Magloire Host: Casey Magloire Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 11, 2025 • 7min
Why Musk’s aid cuts will outlast his time in government
Elon Musk may have left the Trump administration and fallen out with the president. But amidst all the noise over the breakup of their bromance, Musk’s plan to claw back billions in foreign aid is quietly making its way through Congress. Writer: Serena CesareoProducer: Serena CasareoHost: Claudia WilliamsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
