Days before we ran interviews with gang leaders describing their alleged ties to Nayib Bukele’s government, we left the country to avoid arrest. We fear our exile will never end This story, republished with permission, was originally run by El Faro English By Óscar Martínez and Carlos Martínez. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod
The episode delves into the harrowing Tadamon massacres in Syria, beginning with Abu Muhammad's chilling recollections of a mysterious smell and later confirmed by leaked video footage depicting executions and body burnings by Assad's forces. It explores the extensive scale of these atrocities, the personal impact on survivors like Malek Mustafa, and the unexpected lack of revenge killings following Assad's fall. However, the narrative highlights the deep public anger over the impunity of key perpetrators, particularly Fadi Sakar, who now collaborates with the new government, challenging the fragile peace and justice efforts in the community.
We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2021: one of Britain’s most influential scholars has spent a lifetime trying to convince people to take race and racism seriously. Are we finally ready to listen? By Yohann Koshy. Read by Dermot Daly. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod
This episode celebrates Fuchsia Dunlop's profound influence on Chinese food, both in the West and China. It traces the ancient, sophisticated traditions of Chinese gastronomy, from its philosophical roots to its historical evolution. The discussion highlights Dunlop's efforts to dispel Western stereotypes and document a disappearing culinary heritage amidst China's rapid modernization, offering a rich perspective on food, culture, and identity.
This episode delves into the disturbing transformation of Buddhism, from its foundational principle of non-harming to its weaponization for nationalist and autocratic ends in Southeast Asia, particularly Sri Lanka and Myanmar. It examines how monks, once revered, now incite sectarian hatred, fueled by historical factors like colonialism and economic inequality. The author recounts personal encounters, including a survivor of mob violence and an interview with a notorious militant monk, to reveal how political power and societal anxieties have corrupted the religion's peaceful essence, often with impunity.
This episode explores how the fitness app Strava transformed amateur sport into a competitive religion, offering data, community, and motivation to millions. It delves into the app's origins, its gamified features, and its evolving business model. The discussion also covers the darker impulses it can foster, such as addiction and cheating, and raises questions about data privacy and the changing nature of the athletic experience in a quantified world.
Eric Schlosser reflects on 25 years since Fast Food Nation, highlighting how industrial food practices continue to threaten public health and ecological stability. The episode delves into the H5N1 bird flu spreading through US dairy farms and its muted government response, revealing the dangers of corporate consolidation, market oligopolies, and the resulting food safety failures. Schlosser advocates for "true cost accounting" and systemic change, despite political sabotage, to address the profound and hidden costs of cheap industrial food.
Following a paralyzing climbing accident, the author confronts the dysfunctional reality of privatized NHS wheelchair services, experiencing referral closures, ill-fitting equipment, and a lack of basic care knowledge. The episode critiques how this system, driven by private companies with local monopolies, lacks incentives for improvement, leading to severe health risks for vulnerable patients. It contrasts the author's personal struggles with the profitability of the companies involved, culminating in an ongoing battle for essential, life-saving equipment.
This episode explores the dramatic rise of the "Mucro Mafia" in the Netherlands, led by kingpin Ridwan Taki, and the societal reckoning sparked by a series of gangland killings, including the murder of crown witness Nabil B.'s brother and lawyer. It focuses on the iconic journalist Peter R. de Vries's courageous but ultimately fatal decision to assist Nabil, highlighting the profound impact on Dutch society, its legal system, and its approach to drug policy. The narrative uncovers how Taki orchestrated crimes from prison and how the country grapples with a new, brutal era of organized crime.
Lilith Verstrynge, a key figure in Podemos, chronicles her decade-long journey with the Spanish leftist party, from its explosive emergence out of anti-austerity protests to its eventual collapse. She recounts the party's early electoral triumphs, the challenges of governing, and the internal struggles that led to its downfall, including a focus on media over grassroots organizing and growing paranoia. Verstrynge reflects on the lessons learned, the importance of robust party structures, and her personal decision to retire from politics.
This episode delves into the retrial of Constance Martin, an aristocrat's daughter, and her partner, Mark Gordon, for the manslaughter of their baby. It explores their complex past, their repeated clashes with the judge and the justice system, and the "relentless, destructive energy" that defined their relationship and ultimately led to the tragic verdict. The narrative examines themes of privilege, control, and the limits of the law.
Delve into the brutal sectarian violence that erupted in Syria following the fall of the Assad regime. Through the eyes of Munir, an Alawite ex-prisoner, and Anas, his Sunni friend, this episode chronicles the terrifying days of revenge killings, unfulfilled promises of justice, and the desperate struggle for survival. It highlights the deep-seated historical grievances, the complexities of reconciliation, and the enduring power of friendship amidst unimaginable trauma, ultimately questioning if Syria can ever break its cycle of violence.
Discover the extraordinary world of Ben Giles, Britain's premier extreme cleaner, who specializes in removing the most repulsive and stubborn stains. From theatre entrances to murder scenes and decomposing whales, Giles shares stories of his 25-year career, his unique methods, and how he built a cleaning empire. The episode delves into the profound psychological impact of his work, his coping mechanisms, and the surprising philosophical insights he's gained about human frailty and the universal need for order.
The Guardian Long Read investigates Tuvalu, a nation facing existential threat from rising sea levels, and its highly publicized "digital nation" initiative. While media focused on metaverse connections, reporter Atul Dev uncovers local skepticism regarding full submersion, the severe impact of increasing heat, and the true economic motivations behind a growing desire for emigration. The episode delves into the intricacies of daily life, political efforts to secure statehood, and scientific research challenging conventional views on atoll dynamics, painting a nuanced picture of a country fighting for its future.
The "Real Scandi Noir" explores the explosive documentary "The Black Swan," where a former money-laundering lawyer, Amira Smajic, covertly recorded high-profile criminals and corrupt professionals in Denmark. Directed by Max Brügger, the film exposed systemic corruption, challenging Denmark's cherished self-image as a transparent society and leading to significant legal repercussions. The piece also delves into Brügger's controversial, provocative filmmaking methods and the ethical complexities of Smajic's double-crossing, raising questions about journalistic integrity and the nature of truth.
The episode delves into the debilitating condition of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), far more severe than typical morning sickness, through the lens of author Abi Stevenson's personal nine-month ordeal. It exposes the historical lack of understanding and medical misogyny surrounding HG, contrasting it with surprisingly serious Victorian-era approaches. The discussion also highlights the critical impact of the Thalidomide scandal on drug development for pregnant women, introduces groundbreaking research by Marlena Faso identifying a genetic culprit (GDF15), and discusses the promise of new treatments while acknowledging ongoing healthcare inequities and unconscious biases faced by women.
This episode explores the audacious tax avoidance empire of Terry Ball, a 79-year-old former shoe salesman who uses "snail farms" in empty office blocks to exploit tax loopholes. Driven by a desire for revenge against authorities he feels wronged him, Ball has also maintained decades-long connections to the Naples Mafia, even housing convicted killers. The podcast details his methods, legal battles, and defiant philosophy on outwitting the taxman.
This episode introduces The Birth Keepers investigation into the Free Birth Society (FBS), an organization promoting radical unassisted birth practices led by Emily Saldaya and Yolanda Norris Clark. It follows Nicole Garrison's journey, who, influenced by FBS's anti-medical rhetoric, opted for a free birth that nearly cost her life due to severe complications. The episode highlights how FBS ideology, which discouraged professional medical intervention and fostered a community resistant to external advice, led to dangerous outcomes.
The episode details a Chinese mother's difficult experience with conventional healthcare, leading her to find comfort and detailed advice in DeepSeek, an AI chatbot. While doctors warn of the AI's significant medical errors and potential risks, the chatbot offers an empathetic, accessible alternative that fills an emotional void. The narrative explores the rapid integration of AI into China's healthcare landscape, examining both its promises to alleviate systemic strains and the ethical dilemmas surrounding its widespread adoption for patient care.
Amidst a severe global debt crisis exacerbated by the pandemic, war, and climate change, this episode questions the International Monetary Fund's effectiveness as a global lender of last resort. It delves into the IMF's history of imposing unpopular austerity measures, which led to a backlash, particularly during the Asian Financial Crisis, and prompted many nations to seek financial autonomy. The discussion also covers how geopolitical competition from lenders like China is pushing the IMF to re-evaluate its strategies, highlighting the paradox of US power in shaping global economic stability.
As the police and courts continue to struggle with the legacy of austerity, many people are seeking alternative routes to justice – but it could be making matters worse By Hettie O’Brien. Read by Rebecca Trehearn. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod
I knew he was running away from something. It wasn’t until many years later that I discovered the truth Written and read by Pamela Gordon. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod
Saudi Arabia’s investment in Twitter increased its influence in Silicon Valley while being used at home to shut down critics of the regime By Jacob Silverman.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod
We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2022: what’s behind the indestructible appeal of the robotic snack? By Tom Lamont. Read by Andrew McGregor. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod
When Donald Trump set about dismantling USAID, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, the latest betrayal was not unexpected By Mara Kardas-Nelson. Read by Lanna Joffrey. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod
When a fishing boat left port in Alaska in December 2019 with an experienced crew, an icy storm was brewing. What happened to them shows why deep sea fishing is one of the most dangerous professions in the world By Rose George. Read by Rosalie Craig. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod
We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2022: as violence, drug use and suicide at HMP Nottingham reached shocking new levels, the prison became a symbol of a system crumbling into crisis By Isobel Thompson. Read by Simon Darwen. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod
The podcast delves into the phenomenon of cybercrime in rural India, focusing on districts like Jamtara where digital fraud has become a primary source of wealth. It follows Jitu, a prominent scammer, detailing his methods and the socio-economic factors driving young men into criminality. The episode highlights how the digital revolution, combined with entrenched inequalities, led to a complex ecosystem of scams, police intervention, and shifting caste dynamics.
We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2022: to eat in the modern world is often to eat in a state of profound sensory disengagement. It shouldn’t have to be this way By Bee Wilson. Read by Lucy Scott. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod
Between 2022 and 2023, as many as 170 rare and valuable editions of Russian classics were stolen from libraries across Europe. Were the thieves merely low-level opportunists, or were bigger forces at work? By Philip Oltermann. Read by Daniela Denby Ashe. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod
