The Week Unwrapped - with Olly Mann - podcast cover

The Week Unwrapped - with Olly Mann

The Week Unwrappedwww.theweek.co.uk
Have you missed the biggest news of the week? Olly Mann and three of The Week's writers and editors decide which under-reported stories will have the biggest long-term consequences. Join Felicity Capon, Harriet Marsden and Jamie Timson to learn about three stories you won't hear on other news podcasts – but will remember in years to come.
Last refreshed:
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Algae, Albania’s flamingo protests and Madonna’s failed film

Why is toxic algae spreading? Will the Albanian PM be the next to fall? And what does a cancelled biopic tell us about today’s movie industry? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Arion McNicoll, Felicity Capon and Rebecca Messina Image credit: Artem Hvozdkov / Getty Images

Jun 26, 202648 minEp. 490

Property Unwrapped: building better homes

In part two of our bonus three-part series, Olly Mann and The Week delve into the UK property market and work out how to improve it for everyone. This week, how we can build new homes that people want to live in – and live next to. With Julia Riddle, Managing Director of Castle Planning, and Holden Frith Property Unwrapped is sponsored by Strutt & Parker Image credit: Olga Pankova / Getty Images

Jun 22, 202629 minEp. 489

Lone star ticks, Roberto Vannacci and AI grief

How does a tiny tick turn people vegan? How will Giorgia Meloni deal with a challenge from the right? And could AI make grief obsolete? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Jamie Timson and Harriet Marsden Image credit: Smith Collection / Gado / Getty Images

Jun 19, 202650 minEp. 488

Food prices, primary scandals and the Cockroach Janta Party

Should food be more expensive? Could Graham Platner cost Democrats the Senate? And is India’s new cockroach-themed party more than just a joke? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Arion McNicoll, Jamie Timson and Felicity Capon Image credit: d3sign / Getty Images

Jun 12, 202646 minEp. 487

Property Unwrapped: tech to the rescue!

In a bonus three-part series, Olly Mann and The Week delve into the UK property market and work out how to improve it for everyone. First up, how more efficient technology – and AI – means property transactions could soon be finalised in a fortnight. With Maria Harris, Chair of the Open Property Data Association, and Holden Frith Property Unwrapped is sponsored by Strutt & Parker Image credit: iStock / Getty Images

Jun 09, 202633 minEp. 486

Prostate screening, dating and the Sagrada Familia

Should more men get prostate cancer screening? Is it time to swipe left on dating apps? And why is Sagrada Familia still controversial? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Harriet Marsden, Arion McNicoll and Jamie Timson Image credit: ASMR / Getty Images

Jun 05, 202649 minEp. 485

Dam removals, Colombia’s election and flat-sharing pensioners

Have dams had their day? Will drone warfare determine the next president of Colombia? And could shared flats rival retirement homes? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Harriet Marsden and Suchandrika Chakrabarti. Image credit: Andi Horngacher / 500px / Getty Images

May 29, 202646 minEp. 484

Kidnapping in Nigeria, the return of Steve Hilton and Swatch-mania

What’s behind the mass abduction of Nigerian children? Could David Cameron’s chief strategist be the next Governor of California? And how did an analogue watch launch descend into chaos? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Harriet Marsden, Jamie Timson and Felicity Capon Image credit: Ifeanyi Immanuel Bakwenye / AFP / Getty Images

May 22, 202646 minEp. 483

Robotaxis, fact-checking and gym drugs

Will driverless cars find their way through London? Why has BBC Verify closed? And what’s behind a rise in doping among young gym-goers? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Jamie Timson and Arion McNicoll Image credit: Richard Baker / In Pictures / Getty Images

May 15, 202654 minEp. 482

Romania, sterilisation and the Biennale

Is Bucharest’s left-right coalition a sign of things to come? Should women be offered sterilisation as freely as men are offered vasectomies? And has art fallen victim to politics in Venice? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Harriet Marsden and Felicity Capon Image credit: Simone Padovani / Getty Images

May 08, 202657 minEp. 481

Helium, the next financial crash and tipping

Will we run out of helium? Are soaring stock markets about to plummet? And should we replace tips with a compulsory service charge? Olly Mann and TheWeek delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Harriet Marsden, Jamie Timson and Felicity Capon Image credit: Archivio Camera photo Epoche / Getty Images

May 01, 202647 minEp. 480

Japan’s military, HAYI and ageing athletes

Has Japan broken with its pacifist past? Who or what is Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia? And why are sportspeople retiring later than they used to? Olly Mann and TheWeek delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Harriet Marsden and Jamie Timson Image credit: Richard A Brooks / AFP / Getty Images

Apr 24, 202653 minEp. 479

Pakistani prestige, Ulster gold and Dolly Parton

How did Pakistan become the Middle East mediator? Has Northern Ireland struck gold? And why does the Queen of Country unite Americans? Olly Mann and TheWeek delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Felicity Capon and Harriet Marsden. Image credit: Rebecca Conway / Getty Images

Apr 17, 202647 minEp. 478

Orban, stalkers and boil-in-the-bag funerals

Is Viktor Orban about to lose power? Why are stalking offences on the rise? And would you choose to be dissolved after death? Olly Mann and TheWeek delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Felicity Capon and Arion McNicoll Image credit: John Thys / AFP / Getty Images

Apr 10, 202647 minEp. 477

Japanese divorce, London’s web wars and Eurovision Asia

Why is joint custody controversial in Japan? Does London deserve its online reputation for mayhem? And why is Eurovision expanding eastwards? Olly Mann and TheWeek delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Jamie Timson and Rebecca Messina Image credit: Sebastien Bozon / AFP / Getty Images

Apr 03, 202646 minEp. 476

Organ donation, Gerry Adams and corgi-cloning

What’s gone wrong with Britain’s transplant system? Why did Gerry Adams’ trial collapse? And did Fergie really want to clone the late Queen’s dogs? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Harriet Marsden, Felicity Capon and Jamie Timson Image credit: Christopher Furlong / Getty Images

Mar 27, 202645 minEp. 475

Brexit backtracking, Banksy and a battery breakthrough

Is Britain rethinking its big break with the EU? Will Banksy survive (another) unmasking? And is battery technology about to take a leap forward? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Arion McNicoll and Felicity Capon. Image credit: Daniel Leal / AFP / Getty Images

Mar 20, 202646 minEp. 474

A proxy Gulf war, Chile’s right turn and Meta’s AI gamble

Why are Saudi Arabia and the UAE at odds in Africa? How will a new president change Chile? And why did Meta just buy a social network built for AI? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Hariet Marsden, Felicity Capon and Jamie Timson Image credit: Andrea Domeniconi / SOPA Images / LightRocket / Getty Images

Mar 13, 202643 minEp. 473

What will happen if we run out of RAM?

Is the world running out of RAM? Why is the Royal Artillery keeping looted treasure behind closed doors? And how can Heathrow's car park cost £1.3bn? Image credit: credit: SeongJoon Cho / Bloomberg / Getty Images

Feb 27, 202648 minEp. 471

Freemasons in the police, prediction markets and the UK’s creative crisis

Do the Freemasons have too much sway in the police force? What does the growing popularity of prediction markets mean for the future? Why are UK film and TV workers struggling? With Arion McNicoll, Jamie Timson, Harriet Marsden and Suchandrika Chakrabati. Image: Sam Mellish / In Pictures / Getty Images

Feb 20, 202651 minEp. 470

Iranian confessions, Musk’s moonshot and BBC puzzles

Have televised confessions quelled protests in Iran? Why has Elon Musk turned from Mars to the Moon? And will the BBC prove to be a puzzles champ? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Arion McNicoll and Harriet Marsden. Image credit: Atta Kenare / AFP / Getty Images

Feb 13, 202645 minEp. 469

Russia’s shadow fleet, tackling cancer and a new broom at Disney

Why does Russia send so many ships through the Channel? What does a ‘feminist’ approach to cancer involve? And who is Mickey’s new boss? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Hariet Marsden and Jamie Timson. Image credit: Damien Meyer / AFP / Getty Images

Feb 06, 202645 minEp. 468

Xi’s purge, Prosper UK and hearing difficulties

Why is China clearing out its generals? Can the Conservatives win back the centre? And what’s gone wrong with Britain’s hearing aids? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Felicity Capon and Harriet Marsden Image credit: Lintao Zhang / Getty Images

Jan 30, 202646 minEp. 467

Billionaires, immoral orders and cow tools

Have we reached ‘peak billionaire’? When should troops disobey their superiors? And what can we learn from a tool-wielding cow? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Arion McNicoll and Jamie Timson. Image credit: William West / AFP / Getty Images

Jan 23, 202647 minEp. 466

Bobi Wine, cancer research fraud and Are You Dead?

Will Uganda’s pop-star politician prevail? Is dodgy data undermining medical research? And what does a new app reveal about Chinese society? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Felicity Capon and Harriet Marsden Image credit: Michel Lunanga/Getty Images

Jan 16, 202644 minEp. 465

Grok abuse, the politics of Mumsnet and Avatar’s cultural impact

Is Elon Musk’s AI tool a platform for abuse? Can Mumsnet predict who will be the next PM? And who is still watching Avatar sequels? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Harriet Marsden, Jamie Timson and Felicity Capon Image credit: Vincent Feuray / Hans Lucas /AFP / Getty Images

Jan 09, 202650 minEp. 464

The Year Unwrapped: Emotional bots, weight loss and British culture

Why are we so willing to bond with AI bots? How will appetite suppressants change society? And is Britain back on the main stage? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past 12 months. With Harriet Marsden, Felicity Capon and Holden Frith Image credit: Jim Dyson / Getty Images

Dec 26, 202552 minEp. 463

The politics of AI, forever chemicals and universal income

Why is George Osborne joining OpenAI? What’s the cost of PFAs? And has universal basic income finally come of age? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Alex Hudson, Felicity Capon and Harriet Marsden. Image credit: Just Super / Getty Images

Dec 19, 202542 minEp. 462

Euro protests, Syria and monogamy

** This episode was recorded on Thursday morning, shortly before the resignation of the Bulgarian government ** How is the euro fuelling unrest in Bulgaria? Has Syria changed, a year on from its revolution? And why are humans (mostly) monogamous? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Felicity Capon and Harriet Marsden Image credit: NurPhoto / Getty Images

Dec 12, 202544 minEp. 461
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android