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.
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Episodes

425. A millennial saint, Meta vs. authors and lost films

Could young people lead a religious revival? What has Facebook done to anger writers? And why would studios block the release of their own movies? Arion McNicoll and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Vincent Moss and Rebecca Messina. Olly Mann is on holiday. Image credit: Vatican Pool / Getty Images

Apr 04, 202544 minEp. 425

424. Scientific asylum, Japan's death row and solar slavery

Will academics leave American universities? Could an acquittal force Japan to rethink the death penalty? And are we turning a blind eye to modern slavery in solar panel factories? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Deborah Frances-White, Irenie Forshaw and Catriona Stewart Image credit: Gerard Julien / Getty Images Six Conversations We’re Scared to Have by Deborah Frances White is out on 3rd April in Hardback, audio, an...

Mar 28, 202542 minEp. 424

423. El Salvador, ball games and an energy lawsuit

Why is Donald Trump sending people to jail in El Salvador? Should councils reverse their bans on playing in streets? And can a Peruvian farmer defeat an energy giant? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Harriet Marsden, Elizabeth Carr-Ellis and Vincent Moss Image credit: Presidencia El Salvador / Getty Images

Mar 21, 202541 minEp. 423

422. Revolting Canadians, Nepalese monarchists and fish

Can Canadian consumers take on Trump? Does Nepal want its king back? And could eating fish make you kinder? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Julia Macfarlane, Rebecca Messina and Holden Frith. Image credit: Bloomberg / Getty Images

Mar 14, 202547 minEp. 422

421. ASMR, football chants and Gaelic

Are young people turning away from sensory stimuli? Can US football stamp out homophobia? And why is Scottish Gaelic getting a TV boost? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Rebekah Evans, Emma Smith and Elizabeth Carr-Ellis Image credit: LittleCityLifestylePhotography / Getty Images

Mar 07, 202546 minEp. 421

420. Firefighting foam, energy bills and a blood-test breakthrough

What can be done about firefighting forever chemicals? Can we avoid another heating bill hike? And will a new test tell us how quickly our organs are ageing? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, Gary Caffell and Irenie Forshaw. Image credit: Hilmi Tunahan Karakaya / Anadolu / Getty Images

Feb 28, 202544 minEp. 420

419 Sinkholes, Saudi sport and a viral tourism ad

Why are sinkholes becoming more common? Will Saudi investment help create the "Netflix of sport"? And why has New Zealand's new tourism campaign met with a savage reception? image credit: Carl Court/Getty Images

Feb 21, 202544 minEp. 419

417 Cricket, digital soul-searching and rats

What can we learn from the Afghan women's cricket team? Can AI understand religion? And are we losing the war against rats? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Holden Frith and Harriet Marsden. Image credit: Aref Karimi / AFP / Getty Images

Feb 07, 202549 min

416. Australian antisemitism, blood minerals and rebreathing

What's behind a spate of hate crimes in Australia? Are our phones fuelling a Congolese militia? And why is carbon monoxide the new 'drug' of choice for cyclists? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Arion McNicoll, Rebekah Evans and Emma Smith. Image credit: Alexander Bogatyrev / SOPA Images / LightRocket / Getty Images

Jan 31, 202546 min

415. Exoskeletons, digital passports and AI in film

Is biomedical engineering the next frontier? Should we ditch paper passports? And will AI undermine the Oscars? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Catriona Stewart, Vincent Moss and Irenie Forshaw. Produced by Rethink Audio Image credit: Michael Buholzer / AFP / Getty Images

Jan 24, 202541 min

414. Contraception, jawlines and RedNote

Why are women deserting the pill? Are ultraprocessed foods changing the shape of our faces? And are TikTok's days numbered? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Julia Macfarlane, Holden Frith and Suchandrika Chakrabarti. Image credit: SSPL/Getty Images

Jan 17, 202547 min

413. Guantanamo, WCs and vegan dogs

Is the US finally closing Guantanamo? Are public toilets an endangered species? And what should we feed our pets? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Rebecca Messina, Elizabeth Carr-Ellis and Harriet Marsden Image credit: Raphael Gaillarde / Getty Images

Jan 10, 202548 min

412. The Year Unwrapped – Revolting farmers, multinational crime and TV in retreat

What's behind the world's farming protests? Why are criminals looking overseas? And has the golden age of TV come to an end? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Arion McNicoll, Harriet Marsden and Holden Frith Image credit: Sylvain Thomas / AFP / Getty

Dec 27, 202449 min

411. Scotland vs. Whatsapp, driverless buses and AI cameras

Will Scottish ministers give up their messaging apps? Could autonomous buses solve our transport problems? And how will AI cameras tackle drink-driving? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Rebecca Messina, Catriona Stewart and Vincent Moss Image credit: Smith Collection / Gado / Getty

Dec 20, 202440 min

410. Sexsomnia, ghost guns and rainbow laces

Could "sexsomnia" claims derail more rape trials? Will 3D printing undermine gun controls? And has the rainbow lace campaign tied itself in knots? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, Rebekah Evans and Emma Smith Image credit: Saul Loeb / AFP / Getty Images

Dec 13, 202442 min

409. Afghan midwives, depopulation and fake honey

Will the Taliban stop women working as nurses? Is population growth going into reverse? And are honey fans in a sticky spot? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Leaf Arbuthnot, Suchandrika Chakrabarti and Irenie Forshaw. Image credit: Paula Bronstein / Getty Images

Dec 06, 202441 min

408. Lenacapavir, Band Aid and tea

Is HIV in retreat? How is Bob Geldof reshaping the Band Aid story? And is Britain falling out of love with the cuppa? 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 Rebekah Evans Image credit: Anna Puzatykh / Getty Images

Nov 29, 202446 minEp. 408

407. Migration, Wagner regroups and UFOs

Will deals with Tunisia and Kurdistan help Labour? What next for the Wagner Group? And are we any closer to identifying UFOs? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Abdulwahab Tahhan, Rebecca Messina and Catriona Stewart Image credit: David Wall / Getty Images

Nov 22, 202440 min

406. Robowolves, birds and sleeper trains

Will China's military robots change the military landscape? Why are Britain's birds in decline? And are sleeper trains making a comeback? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, Irenie Forshaw and Holden FrithImage credit: Chen Jimin/ China News Service / VCG / Getty Images

Nov 15, 202443 min

405. New York water, mobile mergers and marriage

Is the Big Apple drying up? Will we benefit from a phone company shake-up? And is marriage good for your mental health? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Vincent Moss, Gary Cafell and Leaf ArbuthnotImage credit: GCShutter / Getty

Nov 08, 202436 min

404. Macron in Morocco, avatar therapy and Europe vs the US

What is France up to in North Africa? Could virtual characters help treat psychosis? And do Americans work harder than Europeans? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Rebecca Messina, Irenie Forshaw and Abdulwahab Tahhan. Image credit: Ludovic Marin / AFP / Getty

Nov 01, 202439 min

403. Fungi, women in prison and Facebook AI

Will fungi get their own kingdom, alongside plants and animals? Do we send too many women to jail? And what is Meta doing with facial recognition? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Holden Frith, Rebekah Evans and Suchandrika Chakrabarti Image credit: Shaiith / Getty Images

Oct 24, 202442 min

402. India vs. Canada, assisted dying and wasted water

What's at stake as Trudeau takes on Modi? How would assisted dying change Britain? And are we running out of water? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Julia Macfarlane, Leaf Arbuthnot and Arion McNicoll Note: this episode includes references to suicide. The Samaritans offer support to people having suicidal thoughts. You can call them free on 116 123. Image credit: Drbouz / Getty Images

Oct 17, 202444 min

401. Pig-butchering, copper and mature recruitment

What can be done about the latest online scam? Could discarded gadgets solve the copper shortage? And will employers hire more over-50s? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Harriet Marsden, Gary Caffell and Catriona Stewart Image credit: SOPA / Getty Images

Oct 10, 202446 min

400. Mexico, the menopause and Megalopolis

What's on the to-do list for Mexico's first female president? Is the menopause an economic issue? And why did Francis Ford Coppola's pet project bomb at the box office? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Harriet Marsden, Elizabeth Carr-Ellis and Emma Smith Note: this episode includes references to suicide. The Samaritans offer support to people having suicidal thoughts. You can call them free on 116 123. Image credit: C...

Oct 03, 202441 min

399. Iran vs Sweden, jabless vaccines and social blocking

Why is Iran sending text messages to Swedes? Should we administer our own vaccines? And what's the latest outrage at X.com ? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Vincent Moss, Holden Frith and Suchandrika Chakrabarti

Sep 27, 202440 min

398. Ageing Japan, UK debt, and the Mattel Cinematic Universe

What does Japan's ever-growing proportion of pensioners mean for the future? Why is the UK's national debt set to treble? And is Polly Pocket the next Barbie? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Abdulwahab Tahhan and Leaf Arbuthnot.

Sep 20, 202443 min

397. The Pope, ketamine and the first trillionaire

What has the Pope been doing in Asia? Why is ketamine addiction on the rise? And who will win the race to a trillion dollars? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Arion McNicoll, Harriet Marsden and Irenie Forshaw Image: Andrew Kutan / AFP / Getty Images

Sep 13, 202445 min

396. Chinese TV, Elle Macpherson and spy whales

Will pay TV win African hearts and minds? How did a former supermodel spark a cancer row? And what can we learn from the death of a cetaceous spy suspect? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Sorcha Bradley, Suchandrika Chakrabarti and Arion McNicoll Photoc: Jie Zhao / Getty Images

Sep 05, 202443 min
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