Sensemaker

This weekend the Met Office declared the south of England experienced what it called a ‘pollen bomb.’ Why is hay fever season starting earlier, lasting longer and the symptoms are becoming more intense? Writer: Jonathan LewisProducer: Jonathan LewisHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Alex JonesExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When a 64-year-old woman was fined for holding a sign outside a UK abortion clinic, it sparked international backlash - including from organised, Christian activists in America and the US government. Writer: Phoebe Davis Producer: Serena CesareoHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Alex JonesExecutive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tortoise has identified almost 300 influencers who are spreading misleading content about climate change that ranges from scepticism to misinformation. One of their false claims is that global warming is caused by an underwater volcano that erupted off the coast of TongaTo read more about Tortoise’s Hot Air project click here. Writer: Bex SanderProducer: Casey Magloire Host: Claudia Williams Episode photography: Alex Jones and Pununu Tukuafu, Tonga Geological Services.Executive Producer: Rebecca MooreImage credit: Pununu Tukuafu, Tonga Geological Services Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump's tariffs have caused chaos across international markets, but how does this impact your personal pensions and savings?Writer: Barney MacintyreHost: Tomini BabsProducer: Casey Magloire Executive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The United Nations has accused Israel of killing 15 rescue workers in Gaza. How has a video uncovered this weekend discredited the Israeli military’s version of events?Writer: Chloe HadjimatheouProducer: Ada BarumeHost: Claudia WilliamsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AI-generated movie trailers are tricking fans into thinking they’re the real deal. How are some studios balancing the free publicity with debates over content created by artificial intelligence? To read more about Jake Kanter’s investigation into AI trailers in Hollywood for Deadline, click here.Writer: Aleena Augustine Producer: Gary MarshallHost: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Roisin Savage Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore To find out more about Tortoise:Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalistsSubscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free contentBecome a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and moreIf 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 [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Trump has ordered the federal government to scrap its diversity, equity and inclusion policies. One man in the White House has been plotting this for years. Writer: Stephen ArmstrongAdditional reporting: Ada BaruméProducer: Patricia Clarke Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since Israel resumed its military offensive in Gaza, hundreds of children have been killed. Israeli airstrikes have also killed aid workers and a new siege has been blocking all humanitarian and commercial goods entering the Strip.Writer: Serena CesareoProducer: Serena CasareoHost: Casey MagloireExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Myanmar is reeling from the aftershocks of a 7.7 magnitude earthquake and the death toll keeps rising. With a civil war still raging alongside the devastation, how is the violence hampering the recovery effort?Writer: Ada BarumeProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A group of researchers at a remote Antarctic base faces unexpected conflict. With conditions meaning rescue is near impossible, how did things go so wrong?Writer: Gary MarshallProducer: Rebecca MooreHost: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Roisin SavageExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Buy now, pay later platforms like Klarna have become a go-to payment option for millions, offering flexibility in tough economic times. But as debt piles up and regulation looms, is this convenience coming at too high a cost? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Graham’s new four-part series has sparked a national conversation about the crisis facing young men, social media and the manosphere.Writer: Elaine McCalligHost: Tomini BabsEpisode Photography: Roisin SavageExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel Reeves has set out her plans for the UK’s economy in her spring statement. What state are the country’s finances in? And was cutting welfare benefits the only way of balancing the books? Writer: Barney Macintyre Producer: Xavier GreenwoodHost: Claudia WilliamsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US President’s actions towards South Africa seem driven by more than land laws. Could they be part of a broader narrative about race, power, and fear?Writer: Ada Barumé Producer: Ada BaruméHost: Claudia WilliamsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Measles is spreading in Texas and shows no signs of slowing down. What does this outbreak tell us about the state of public health in the US and where does it go from here?Writer: Jess SwinburneProducer: Jess SwinburnePhotography: Roisin SavageExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Israel has resumed its military offensive in Gaza, killing hundreds of people following the collapse of the ceasefire deal with Hamas. Already suffering from food and medical shortages, how are Gazans surviving?Why has Israel started bombing Gaza again? Click here to listen to our previous episode: lnk.to/QsqUkGWriter: Chloe Hadjimatheou Host: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Israel has resumed heavy airstrikes on Gaza. Why has Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to break the ceasefire deal now? Writer: Lilly CheslawProducer: Serena CesareoHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca MooreSecure your privacy with Surfshark! Go to https://surfshark.com/sensemaker for 4 extra months of Surfshark. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 100ft wave is a big wave surfing milestone that was supposed to be impossible. Now, a young surfer from California is rumoured to have achieved it, breaking the official world record at the same time. The problem? Nobody can agree how big the wave was. Writer: Claudia Williams, with additional reporting by Ada BaruméProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Claudia WilliamsSecure your privacy with Surfshark! Go to https://surfshark.com/sensemaker for 4 extra months of Surfshark. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Labour’s most controversial move since taking office last summer, the government this week set out plans to reform the UK’s welfare system. But will it actually achieve the joint aims of saving money and getting more people back into work?Writer: Cat NeilanProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Casey Magloire Executive Producer: Rebecca MooreEpisode Photography: Roisín Savage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Trump’s promise to stop the war in Ukraine may be more tricky to pull off than he hoped. Ukraine has agreed to pause the fighting and sit at the negotiating table but so far there’s little sign that the Russian  President is willing to even entertain a ceasefire. Is there any chance Trump can pull off this peace deal?Writer: Chloe HadjimatheouProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Claudia Williams Executive producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Not long ago Manchester United was the biggest name in global football, now the club is having its worst season in thirty years and one of its owners claimed it nearly went bust towards the end of last year.  How did things get so bad and is it recoverable?  Writer: Jasper Corbet Producer: Matt Russell Host: Claudia WilliamsEpisode photography: Roisin Savage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa, will be hoping his new deal with Kurdish forces, which control an oil rich region in the northeast, will send a message that his government represents all Syrians. Will the agreement steer the country away from civil war?Writer: Chloe HadjimatheouProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Tomini BabsExecutive producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Tate brothers left Romania for the US despite facing serious criminal charges. What does this mean for the women bringing cases against the brothers?Secure your privacy with Surfshark! Go to https://surfshark.com/sensemaker for 4 extra months of Surfshark.Writer: Phoebe Davis Producer: Casey MagloireHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More and more people are obsessed with books about love stories set in fantasy worlds. What's the appeal?Writer: Aleena AugustineProducer: Xavier GreenwoodHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Roisín SavageExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump froze most of America’s foreign aid funding and is dismantling the US Agency for International Development. How is this affecting the millions of people who rely on USAID to survive?Writer: Serena CesareoProducer: Serena CesareoHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The price of eggs has skyrocketed. While Trump made them a central issue during his campaign, the problem runs deeper than inflation. Why could eggs spark a political crisis for the president? Writer: Phoebe Davis Producer: Gary MarshallHost: Claudia Williams Episode photography: Roisín SavageExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elon Musk has called the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, which he runs, “maximally transparent”. But it’s taking entire teams of reporters to piece together what is really happening inside The White House.Writer: Patricia ClarkeProducer: Patricia ClarkeHost: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Roisín Savage Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has expired, and hopes for a second phase are fading fast. With hostages still held in Gaza and political tensions rising in Israel, is renewed war now inevitable?To listen to Chloe Hadjimatheou on The News Meeting click here: lnk.to/2JnIOkWriter: Xavier Greenwood with additional reporting from Lilly Cheslaw.Producer: Casey MagloireHost: Casey MagloirePhotography: Roisin SavageExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump’s explosive press conference with Volodymyr Zelensky didn’t just strain US-Ukraine relations, it upended the established post-WWII world order.Writer: Phoebe Davis Additional reporting: Cecily AtkinsonProducer: Ada Barumé Host: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Roisín SavageExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More than 1,000 musicians have released a silent album in protest against new UK government proposals to change copyright law. Will the silence be too deafening for the government to ignore?Writer: Jess SwinburneProducer: Katie GunningExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The risk of a large asteroid hitting Earth in 2032 has dropped to nearly zero – but it could still hit the moon. Nasa’s Acting Planetary Defense Officer explains how her team is assessing the risk.Reporter: Patricia ClarkeProducer: Patricia ClarkeHost: Claudia WilliamsExecutive Producer: Rebecca MoorePhotography: Joe Mee Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 This year’s Oscars are more political than ever, with Anora being the critics’ favorite for Best Picture. But could its portrayal of sex work signal a real shift in Hollywood’s attitude, or is it just another fleeting moment?Writer: Stephen ArmstrongProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a massive shake-up of the US armed forces, the Trump administration has fired the country’s most senior military officer, the admiral leading the navy and several other senior figures. Why? And what does that mean for the world’s most powerful military?Writer: Jasper CorbettProducer: Xavier Greenwood Host: Casey MagloireExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Germany’s far-right party, Alternative für Deutschland, secured second place in the weekend’s election, doubling its previous vote share. With concerns that the long-standing “firewall” against the AfD is weakening, can incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz navigate domestic and global challenges to stop its rise?Writer: Cat NeilanProducer: Casey Magloire Host: Claudia WilliamsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ukraine’s rare earth minerals have become a bargaining chip in high-stakes negotiations with the US. As President Trump pushes for access to half of Ukraine’s deposits, we explore what’s at stake—and why Kyiv is under pressure to strike a deal.Writer and producer: Katie GunningArt work: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The rebel group, M23 have taken control of a second city in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. What do they want? And is there anything that can be done to bring peace to a country after three decades of conflict? Writer: Ada BaruméProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the second time Vogue has broken with tradition and excluded the First Lady from the front cover. What does this snub tell us about the changing media and political landscape in the US? Writer and producer: Jess SwinburneHost: Claudia WilliamsEpisode Photography: Lola Williams Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tesla sales are plummeting across Europe. Elon Musk's political antics might have something to do with it. Writer: Patricia ClarkeProducer: Patricia ClarkeHost: Tomini BabsEpisode photography: Lola Williams Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Self-test rape kits are being promoted as a way to empower survivors, but experts warn they could undermine prosecutions. This debate raises a bigger question: how can we balance support for survivors with the need for justice?Writer: Phoebe Davis Producer: Casey MagloireHost: Casey MagloireEpisode photography: Lola WilliamsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 Donald Trump’s new defense secretary has signaled a dramatic shift in US policy on Ukraine, raising alarms across Europe. As fears of appeasement grow and Western alliances are tested, what does this mean for the future of European security?Writer: Cat NeilanProducer: Ada BaruméHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After she died three of Joan Didion’s trustees found the writer’s 25-year-old diary and took the decision to publish her entries in full.Writer: Elaine McCalligProducer: Casey MagloirePhotography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week the British government released footage of authorities arresting migrants who, it says, are in the UK illegally. With a new security-focused immigration bill currently under debate in Parliament, is Labour taking a page from the White House’s playbook on immigration?Writer: Serena CesareoProducer: Serena CasareoHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the dead of night, thieves raid a Dutch museum, making off with priceless Romanian artefacts. As the hunt for the stolen treasures continues, what does this art heist tell us about the future of cultural heritage?Writer: Claudia WilliamsProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Tomini Babs Episode photography: Joe MeeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elon Musk isn’t just advising Donald Trump, he’s reshaping the federal government in his image. From mass layoffs to deregulation, his influence is growing – but will it lead to efficiency or upheaval?Episode writer: Xavier Greenwood Producer: Casey MagloireExecutive producer: Rebecca Moore  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A groundbreaking film with record-breaking nominations, Emilia Perez seemed unstoppable - until one of its lead actors became the center of a media firestorm. Could the backlash cost the film its Oscar dreams?Episode writer: Aleena Augustine Additional reporting: Jess Swinburne and Bex Sander Producer: Ada BarumeExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Tortoise first reported on the allegations against Neil Gaiman last year, more women have shared their allegations of sexual abuse. Now, one woman has taken her story to the courts and filed a new lawsuit against Gaiman and his estranged wife, Amanda Palmer. Episode writer: Phoebe Davis. Producer: Casey MagloireExecutive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump has proposed a US takeover of Gaza, suggesting the permanent displacement of its palestinian population. While the plan is unlikely to happen, has he shifted the debate on the region’s future?This episode was written by Claudia Williams with additional reporting by Lilly Cheslaw. It was produced by Matt Russell. The Executive Producer was Rebecca Moore.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When police sealed off an abandoned gold mine in South Africa to crack down on illegal mining, dozens of men were left trapped underground. This deadly standoff reveals the harsh realities of the country’s illegal mining industry.Thank you for listening to the Sensemaker from Tortoise.This episode was written and mixed by Casey Magloire.Episode photography by Joe MeeThe executive producer is Rebecca Moore  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK chancellor Rachel Reeves has backed a third Heathrow runway, saying the airport expansion will meet the government’s climate targets because of ‘green aviation’. But is there such a thing?Reporter: Xavier GreenwoodProducer: Xavier GreenwoodExecutive Producer: Rebecca MoorePhotography: Joe Mee Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new Chinese AI model sent shockwaves through the US financial markets last week. Will it transform the tech industry forever?Reporter: Patricia ClarkeProducer: Patricia ClarkeExecutive Producer: Rebecca MoorePhotography: Joe Mee Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.