The Story

A deep dive into the world of adult Disney superfans and the culture around their devotion. Scenes at the parks show high costs, frequent visits, and branded loyalty. The report highlights online ridicule, internal rivalries, resellers, and controversy over limited merchandise. It also covers the economic power of these fans and why millennials and Gen Z lead the movement.

Marc Bennetts, a Times foreign correspondent who spent 25 years in Russia, reflects on the country’s transformation under Vladimir Putin. He recalls arriving in the hopeful 1990s and traces the rise of state media, propaganda tactics and the cult of historical destiny. He also discusses why he left in 2022 and the shrinking space for dissent today.

Dan Sanderson, Scottish political editor at The Times, explains how charity funding can shape debate in Scotland. He outlines investigations into charities fearing funding loss, examples where funding influenced policy, tensions over gender self-ID and rape crisis organisations, and how funding links charities to government boards and influence.

Kaya Burgess, Times science reporter on-site at Cape Kennedy, and Scott Kelly, retired NASA astronaut with 520+ days in space, discuss Artemis II. They unpack why we are back at the Moon. They cover lunar science and resources, mission hardware and trajectories, safety and delays, geopolitics and commercial players, and how the Moon fits into plans for Mars.

Sir Simon Mayall, retired lieutenant general with 40 years in the British Army, gives military analysis on invading Kharg Island. George Grylls, Washington correspondent for The Times, explains US policy, troop movements and political stakes. They discuss why Kharg matters, how raids or amphibious assaults might be carried out, logistics and risks to forces, and the wider strategic and market implications.

Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist for The Times, offers sharp analysis of Pete Hegseth, a former soldier and TV host turned US secretary of war. She discusses his rise as the public face of the Iran campaign, his media-savvy messaging, controversies from his confirmation, cultural changes at the Pentagon and how the conflict could shape his political fate.

James Ball, a tech journalist and PhD researcher in AI, and Adam Levy, creator of the AI-generated investigation The Epstein Files and builder of the Distill app. They discuss building an AI-native investigation, how documents were ingested and curated, technical safeguards and quality controls, audience reaction, legal risks and fact-checking, and whether AI can replace human judgement in investigations.

This week, Channel 5 broadcast a dramatisation of the downfall of former BBC news anchor Huw Edwards, with Martin Clunes in the lead role. The programme traces the events that led to his sudden and very public fall from grace. Andrew Billen, veteran journalist who specialises in interviews with celebrities, politicians and writers at The Times, met Edwards on several occasions, including the day before his world came crashing down. In a compelling piece published this week, Billen reflects on the man he thought he knew.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryRead by: Andrew Billen, features writer, The Times.Producer: Dave Creasey.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: I’ve met Huw Edwards, here’s what the TV drama gets right (and wrong)Photo: Getty ImagesThis podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Stokel-Walker, a technology journalist and author who covers digital culture, explains how prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi work. He describes the platforms, the surge in high-stakes betting on conflicts such as Iran, and concerns about insider trading and regulation. He also explores how these markets could shape information flows and the ethical risks of normalizing wagers on violence.

A rapid Q&A exploring who in Iran could realistically negotiate with the United States. They debate Pakistan’s role, shifting power toward the IRGC, and the plausibility of removing Iran’s supreme leader. The conversation covers the reported 15-point peace plan, Iran’s missile reach, and why Gulf states are holding back from retaliation.