Last week, the New York Times ran an experiment that has far-reaching implications, especially for book lovers. It asked readers to compare five pairs of writing samples — one written by AI, the other by a well-known author — and choose which they preferred. AI was chosen much of the time. So, can AI actually write good literature? Book Prize judge Erica Wagner, The Observer's book editor Tom Gatti, and author Ada Barumé discuss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Mar 19, 2026•24 min•Season 1Ep. 386
America's war against Iran has revealed plenty of gunslinging, provocative rhetoric from the US defence secretary Pete Hegseth. But is there much to learn about America's aims in Iran from Trump's self-described 'secretary of war'? Reporter/Producer: Alexi Mostrous and Ada Barumé Artwork: Blythe Walker Sibthorp Sound design: Dominic Delargy Editor: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Mar 17, 2026•33 min•Season 1Ep. 385
Genetic testing start ups are a booming industry in America. Behind the headlines of 'designer babies' are companies tapping into disputed science, facing accusations that this is a pathway to eugenics. So what does the story of one company in particular tell us about this new field of fertility and science? Reporters: Madeleine Parr and Matt Russell Producers: Madeleine Parr and Matt Russell Additional production: Gary Marshall Artwork: Blythe Walker Sibthorp Sound design: Dominic Delargy Edito...
Mar 10, 2026•46 min•Season 1Ep. 384
Alexi sits down with the reporter of this week’s Slow Newscast, Francisco Garcia, to talk about one stop in particular on the road to Putin’s frontline, the Orthodox Church. How did a young man from Dunblane end up converting to this ancient form of Christianity? And why are so many young men converting to the Orthodox Church? Producer: Ada Barumé Executive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Mar 05, 2026•17 min•Season 1Ep. 383
Jay Fraser was born and raised in Dunblane. Then, after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, he signed up to fight...for Russia, not Ukraine. Now he and others who have followed similar paths tell their story of how they ended up on the frontline for Putin. Reporter: Francisco Garcia Producers: Gary Marshall and Matt Russell Artwork: Lucy Stevenson Sound design: Dominic Delargy Editor: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Mar 03, 2026•40 min•Season 1Ep. 382
Stephen Miller is the United States Homeland Security Advisor. But the vague sounding title belies his immense influence with Donald Trump behind the scenes. He’s better understood as the architect of some of the US’s most audacious recent policies - the capturing of Venezuelan President Maduro, the rollout of ICE enforcement through communities, and a threat to capture Greenland. So what can he tell us about what America will do next? Credits: Reporter: Stephen Armstrong Reporter/Producers: Mad...
Feb 24, 2026•45 min•Season 1Ep. 381
The Epstein Files are wreaking havoc across British institutions; first the Royal family and now, the government. Peter Mandelson was sacked as US Ambassador in September over his links to the billionaire paedophile, but the latest tranche of documents show the pair were closer than anyone previously knew. What did their relationship look like? And did it give Jeffrey Epstein access to the heart of the British government? Reporters: Ada Barume and Poppy Bullard Producer: Poppy Bullard Sound desi...
Feb 17, 2026•32 min•Season 1Ep. 380
The dating app Bumble built its identity on a promise: women make the first move. In this episode, The Observer uncovers a legal campaign by men’s rights activists that helped dismantle that premise. Correction: A previous version of this episode stated that the Los Angeles Angels baseball case settled for $500,000. That case did not settle and was dismissed in court. It was a separate case involving the Oakland Athletics baseball team that settled for $500,000. This episode has been updated. Re...
Feb 10, 2026•43 min•Season 1Ep. 379
There are over a thousand oil tankers at sea that are helping finance Russia's war in Ukraine in plain sight. And they're not just trading in sanctioned oil, they're sabotaging the very infrastructure we all rely on. The UK and EU know about them, they pass right by our coasts, but so far have been unable to stop them at any sort of scale. This is the story of a shadow ship, sailing its way through sanctions, sabotage and subterfuge. Credits: Reporter/Producer: Matt Russell Sound design: Dominic...
Feb 03, 2026•31 min•Season 1Ep. 378
Rachel hears the shocking story of “Patient A”, who explains that patients are at risk too. Her testimony raises more questions about the way sexual misconduct cases are handled in healthcare, as victims — both doctors and patients — call for change. Reporter: Rachel Sylvester Producer: Gary Marshall Artwork: Lola Williams Sound Design: Dominic Delargy Editor: Jasper Corbett Subscribe to The Observer today: https://observer.co.uk/subscribe And get access to: Our podcasts before anyone else A dai...
Jan 27, 2026•41 min•Season 1Ep. 377
This week Brooklyn Beckham publicly cut ties with his parents David and Victoria Beckham. Its exposed a rift in the family that seemingly dates back at least to Brooklyn's wedding. More than two years ago, Brooklyn Beckham married the actress Nicola Peltz in a wedding that did not go smoothly. Nicola Peltz's billionaire father, Nelson Peltz, filed a lawsuit against two wedding planners demanding a refund. The Observer's Claudia Williams in this episode of the Slow Newscast asked the question: wh...
Jan 22, 2026•41 min•Season 1Ep. 376
When an esteemed transplant surgeon is found to have sexually harassed a number of his female colleagues — sometimes in the middle of operations — the General Medical Council recommends that he be struck off the medical register. But that is not what happens. Rachel Sylvester discovers that the case of James Gilbert, isn't a shocking one-off. In fact, it is symptomatic of a much wider problem in surgery. Reporter: Rachel Sylvester Producer: Gary Marshall Artwork: Lola Williams Sound Design: Domi...
Jan 20, 2026•38 min•Season 1Ep. 375
From next week, our Investigations Editor Alexi Mostrous – the man behind Sweet Bobby, Who Trolled Amber and Elon’s Spies – will take over as the new host of the Slow Newscast, and he wants to hear from you. If there are particular types of stories you’d like us to cover more often, or if you have thoughts on what we do well, or could do better, please let us know. You can email us on studios@observer.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jan 16, 2026•2 min•Season 1Ep. 374
In a small town in north Wales, an alleged theft at a local estate agents plants the seeds for a global blockbuster. To listen to episode two, just search for Tortoise Investigates wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe to Observer+ on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to binge listen to the entire series on Tuesday 13th January. To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk Credits: Reporter -...
Jan 13, 2026•42 min•Season 1Ep. 373
Donald Trump is facing an unexpected fallout as one of his most loyal supporters has resigned from Congress and turned against him. With divisions widening after the attack on Venezuela, is there a split in the broader MAGA movement? Reporter: Stephen Armstrong Producers: Madeleine Parr and Jonathan Lewis Artwork: Lucy Stevenson Editor: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jan 06, 2026•45 min•Season 1Ep. 372
One of the stories in 2025 that seemed to capture the British public's attention was the trial for the men accused of cutting down the iconic Sycamore Gap tree. In this audio essay, Andrew Hankinson explores who those men are...and what might have motivated them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 30, 2025•30 min•Season 1Ep. 371
Like many public institutions across the UK, the Guildhall school of music has had to reckon with a past where abuse by staff was either ignored or dismissed. So when a second former student came forward to tell The Observer's Vanessa Thorpe their story, this time from the 1990s, how would the institution respond? Reporter: Vanessa Thorpe Producer: Ada Barumé Artwork: Lola Williams Editor: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Dec 23, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 370
David Walliams has been dropped by his publisher over alleged ‘inappropriate’ behaviour. A spokesperson for Walliams said that the author had never been informed of any allegations raised against him nor was he given the opportunity to respond to questions about them. He strongly denies that he has behaved inappropriately. Walliams came to prominence starring alongside Matt Lucas in the TV series Little Britain which ran from 2003 - 2006. Critics though accused the comedy show of trading in ster...
Dec 22, 2025•43 min•Season 1Ep. 369
In October reporter Hilary Andersson was selected to witness an execution by lethal injection in Oklahoma. Her assignment led her to the case of Tremane Wood, who had spent more than two decades on death row. This is the story of what happens to a man as he waits to die. Reporter: Hilary Andersson Producer: Jonathan Lewis Artwork: Lola Williams Sound Design: Dominic Delargy Editor: Jasper Corbett Subscribe to The Observer today and get access to: Our podcasts before anyone else A daily edition, ...
Dec 18, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 368
In October reporter Hilary Andersson was selected to witness an execution by lethal injection in Oklahoma. Her assignment led her to the case of Tremane Wood, who had spent more than two decades on death row. This is the story of what happens to a man as he waits to die. Reporter: Hilary Andersson Producer: Jonathan Lewis Artwork: Lola Williams Sound Design: Dominic Delargy Editor: Jasper Corbett Subscribe to The Observer today: https://observer.co.uk/subscribe And get access to: Our podcasts be...
Dec 16, 2025•29 min•Season 1Ep. 367
Gianni Infantino is the most powerful man in world football but in the run up to the 2026 men's World Cup, his relationship with US president Donald Trump has grown very friendly. It's led to questions whether Infantino still has football's best interests at heart. Reporter: Rory Smith Producer: Ada Barumé Artwork: Lola Williams Sound Design: Dominic Delargy Editor: Jasper Corbett Subscribe to The Observer today and get access to: Our podcasts before anyone else A daily edition, curated by our e...
Dec 09, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 366
The chancellor’s budget was supposed to be a gamechanger, but turned out to be an exercise in political survival. This is the story of how Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves took on a radical budget. Reporter: Rachel Sylvester Producers: Jonathan Lewis and Matt Russell Sound design: Dominic Delargy Artwork: Lola Williams Editor: Jasper Corbett To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content head to our website observer.co.uk Downl...
Dec 02, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 365
When Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana announced a new political party this summer, it had all the ingredients to be a big success. But a summer of disarray has seen them overtaken by a rival on the left. What happened? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 25, 2025•29 min•Season 1Ep. 364
Three years ago, travel writer Lydia Gard discovered freediving. An extreme and beautiful sport defined by one objective: to dive as deep as you can on one single breath. It soon became a calling. Then, she stumbled on a darker side of the sport. Rumours that a group of top divers were doping to go deeper. So she decided to investigate. Reporter - Lydia Gard Producer - Gary Marshall. Music supervision and sound design - Karla Patella Sound design - Rowan Bishop Podcast artwork - Lola Williams Fa...
Nov 18, 2025•28 min•Season 1Ep. 363
With Prince Harry in effective exile and Andrew disgraced, the Royal family is smaller than ever before and at a potential crisis point. Prince William has already signalled his intention to be a different kind of monarch to King Charles. But can the monarchy survive, and what is its purpose? Reporter: Rachel Sylvester Producer: Madeleine Parr Artwork: Blythe Walker Sibthorp Sound design: Dominic Delargy Editor: Jasper Corbett To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on App...
Nov 11, 2025•29 min•Season 1Ep. 362
Over the summer, Epping, a small town on the outskirts of London became the scene of mass protests. featuring hundreds of people. Noisy and occasionally violent, the demonstrations attracted crowds from around the country and plenty of media attention. But what really happened in Epping and what does it tell us about where the right in Britain is heading? To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content head to our website obse...
Nov 04, 2025•26 min•Season 1Ep. 361
Just outside Gaza is a small settlement of Israelis hoping to enter and settle inside Gaza. They may be a fringe movement, but their voice holds a powerful sway within Israel's cabinet. Could they influence the terms of a future peace plan for Gaza? Reporter: Oliver Marsden Producer: Poppy Bullard and Matt Russell Artwork: Lola Williams Sound design: Dominic Delargy Editor: Jasper Corbett To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-fre...
Oct 28, 2025•29 min•Season 1Ep. 360
The French President and the First Lady of France are taking American right wing commentator Candace Owens to court in Delaware over bizarre claims the First Lady is transgender and the President is part of a CIA-backed mind-control programme, among many other conspiracy theories. But how much are the French President and the First Lady risking in doing so? Reporter: Stephen Armstrong Producer: Ada Barumé Artwork: Lola Williams Sound design: Dominic Delargy Executive Producer: Matt Russell Edito...
Oct 21, 2025•44 min•Season 1Ep. 359
Donald Trump has launched four lawsuits against major media organisations for up to $15 billion over the past year. This is the story of Trump's war on the media and the people driving it. Reporter: Giles Whittell Producer: Jonathan Lewis Artwork: Lola Williams Sound design: Dominic Delargy Editor: Matt Russell To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content head to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a ...
Oct 14, 2025•35 min•Season 1Ep. 358
Since May, almost 900 Palestinians are reported to have been killed in the vicinity of aid checkpoints. So what exactly has happened at these aid sites? Reporter: Ruth Michaelson Producer: Madeleine Parr Artwork: Jon Jones & Lola Williams Sound design: Dominic Delargy Editors: Jasper Corbett & Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 06, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 357
